Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Student Wellbeing Day

Our first day back for Year 7-9 students on Tuesday was focused on student wellbeing and re-connecting with staff and peers. The day was declared an electronic-device free day for students to catch up and reconnect with their peers, their teachers and the physical school environment. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge that ISO was significant for all of us and allow students to express their emotions and experiences and to also have some fun and talk to each other and their teachers while engaged in some ‘fun’ activities. Students rotated through a number of activities including mindfulness & colouring, a trivia competition, a scavenger hunt, developing a time capsule, card making, contributing to a wellbeing rainbow and they discussed the new routines at school to be safe with their teacher and classmates. 

Thanks to Sally Mitchell, Director of Student Engagement, Simon Cummins, Year 9 Coordinator, and the Wellbeing Team for putting the day together. Also to Aaron Davis, Year 11 Coordinator, and Tracey Bastin, Assistant Principal, for putting a “Stay Safe” video together featuring some of our student leaders. This video was shown to the whole school during Period 1. Click this link to view: https://youtu.be/NW0QCgHYLe0

Return to Onsite Learning

We are excited to have all of our students return to onsite learning. All parents/carers and students should have received via Compass last Thursday afternoon our Student and Parent Return to Onsite Learning Guide, updated version. It is attached here for your reference if you did miss this email. Please take the time to read along with your child. It includes important information on:

- Student Expectations, including recess and lunch breaks 

- Health and Hygiene including the extra measures the College has put in place 

- Restricted parent access onsite 

- Attendance and Timetables 

- Wellbeing Support 

Whole School Review

Our whole school review self-evaluation report completed in Term 1 was sent off to the region and school reviewer, however, the actual review panel dates scheduled in Term 2 were postponed to Term 3. Our dates have now been confirmed with our allocated reviewer, Stephen Daly, for 4 and 18 August, along with some fieldwork days in Week 5. 

Years 10-11 Assessment/Exam weeks

Last week all Year 11 students completed their Semester One final assessments/exams in all subjects during class time rather than altogether in the usual more formal set up in the school gym. Next week all Year 10 students (and Year 9 SEAL students) will have their final assessments/exam week. Modifications to these weeks have been made in recognition of remote learning. We also usually have exams for all Year 9 students, however, due to remote learning, we have decided to focus on the completion of benchmark tasks this semester. Formal exams for the end of Semester 2 in Years 9-11 will be occurring in November, before the commencement of our 2021 Headstart program.  The new timetable for Semester Two will be starting from Week 11 of this term, Monday 22nd June, for the whole school.

Advance Notice: Parent teacher interviews for Years 7-12 will be held in Week 6 of Term 3. Further information to come next term.

Senior School Subject Expo

All current students in Years 9 and 10 will have the opportunity to attend the VCE/VCAL Subject Expo on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 June 2.30-3.45pm. The Subject Expo will provide students with an opportunity to learn about and participate in aspects of every VCE and VCAL subject we have for students to select from at Mordialloc College. Unfortunately due to the current restrictions on adults coming onsite and numbers allowed in any gathering/event we are not able to hold our more formal Senior School Information Night and Subject Expo for parents and students this year. Students and parents will be involved in course counselling sessions with a member of the leadership team early next term where their final subject selections for 2021 will be decided upon in consultation with their parents. We await further advice from the Department as to whether these appointments will be able to occur in person or virtually. 

Winter Uniform Reminder

I would like to remind students of their responsibility in relation to uniform. The College expectation is that all students will be in the correct winter uniform, and that this uniform is worn properly (shirts tucked in, ties done up properly) just as would be expected in any workplace. This also means no hoodies worn under or over your jumper.  The only year level permitted to have a hoodie are the Year 12s who have a special final year top that is approved by College Council each year. Our uniform is a very important part of the image we project of our College community and, therefore, I expect all students to wear their uniform correctly and with pride to, from and at school. I would ask parents to reinforce these expectations at home. 

Letter to Parents from the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training

Please see the attached letter from the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training below:

Michelle Roberts

Principal