Principal's Report
Principal Report
As we enter Week 3 of Term 4, we find ourselves at a very special time of the school year, one filled with farewells, new beginnings and exciting experiences for our students.
Last Friday, we had the privilege of farewelling our Year 12 students as they marked the end of their secondary schooling journey. This is such a significant milestone, not only for our students, but also for their families and the staff who have supported them along the way. For many, school has been a constant part of their lives for the past 13 years, a place where friendships have been formed, challenges overcome, memories created and important life lessons learned.
As our Year 12 students prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, whether that be further study, employment, travel or exploring new opportunities, we hope they leave Mortlake P-12 College with a sense of pride in what they have achieved and confidence in what lies ahead. While leaving the familiarity of school can be both exciting and a little daunting, it is also the beginning of a wonderful new journey. We wish each of our Year 12 students every success and happiness in their future endeavours and remind them that they will always be part of our school community.
As one chapter comes to an end, another is just beginning.
This Friday, we are delighted to welcome the newest members of our school community as our 2027 Prep students begin their transition sessions. There is something incredibly special about welcoming our youngest learners as they take their first steps towards starting school. For these children and their families, this marks the beginning of an exciting educational journey filled with discovery, friendships, growth and new experiences.
It is a lovely reminder of the journey our students take throughout their time at Mortlake P-12 College. From those first nervous and excited steps into Prep, through to the proud moment they walk out as Year 12 graduates, we are privileged to play a part in helping them learn, grow and become the young people they are destined to be.
Year 3-4 Camp
This week has also brought plenty of excitement for our Year 3–4 students, who have headed off on camp. School camps provide such valuable opportunities for students to develop independence, build resilience, strengthen friendships and challenge themselves in new environments. We look forward to welcoming everyone home on Wednesday and hearing all about their adventures, achievements and favourite memories.
A reminder for Year 3-4 families: Thursday will be a designated rest day for all students and staff who attended camp. We recognise that camp can be a big few days, filled with activity, excitement and sometimes a little less sleep than usual!
For any Year 3-4 students who do attend school on Thursday, please be aware that there will be no formal Year 3-4 classes operating. These students will be accommodated in other classrooms for the day.
Welcoming Our 2027 Prep Students
We are very excited to welcome our 2027 Prep students and their families to Mortlake P-12 College, with our Prep Transition Program beginning this term.
The program includes six transition sessions, beginning on Friday, October 23rd, and gradually increasing in length before finishing with our Whole-School Transition Day on Tuesday, December 8th. Across the sessions, children will meet their 2027 teacher and classmates, explore the school, become familiar with classroom routines, meet specialist teachers and spend time with their 2027 Year 6 Buddies.
Our aim is to make the move from Kinder to school as comfortable and positive as possible. By giving children plenty of opportunities to become familiar with the people, places and routines of school, we hope they arrive for their first day of Prep feeling confident, connected and excited to begin.
We look forward to getting to know our newest students and their families over the coming weeks and officially welcoming the Mortlake P-12 College Prep Class of 2027!
Primary Swimming Program - Prep to Year 6
Our Prep to Year 6 Swimming Program will commence on Monday 26th October at the Splash Factory in Kolora.
Swimming is an important part of our school curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to develop essential water safety skills, improve their swimming abilities and build confidence in and around water.
Throughout the program, students will participate in age-appropriate activities designed to strengthen their swimming techniques, develop an understanding of water safety and encourage safe and responsible behaviour in aquatic environments.
Students will travel to and from the Splash Factory on the Mortlake College bus and participate in a 30-minute swimming lesson, scheduled between 12.00 pm and 2.45 pm.
Swimming dates:
- Monday 26th October
- Monday 2nd November
- Thursday 5th November
- Monday 9th November
- Thursday 12th November
We look forward to seeing our students develop their skills and confidence throughout the program. Learning to swim is an essential life skill, particularly in our region, where enjoying beaches, rivers and swimming pools is such a big part of our lifestyle.
We thank families for their support in ensuring students are prepared and ready to participate in this valuable learning experience.
2027 Enrolments - Please Let Us Know
As we begin finalising planning for 2027, it is important that we have accurate student enrolment numbers across all year levels. These numbers play an important role in our planning for classes, staffing, programs and resources for next year.
If your child will not be returning to Mortlake P-12 College in 2027, and you have not already let us know, please contact the school office as soon as possible.
Likewise, if you know of a family who is considering enrolling their child at Mortlake P-12 College for 2027, we encourage them to contact the school. We are always happy to arrange a conversation or school tour and answer any questions they may have.
Having our enrolment numbers confirmed as early as possible helps us make the best decisions for our students and ensures we are well prepared for the year ahead.
Thank you to our families for helping us with this important part of our 2027 planning.
Smile Squad Dental Van - Monday 26th October
We are pleased to welcome the Barwon Health Smile Squad Dental Van to Mortlake P-12 College from Monday 26th October.
Smile Squad is a Victorian Government initiative that provides free dental care to all students, helping families access important dental services conveniently during school hours.
The program includes dental check-ups, preventative care and any general dental treatment that may be required. All services are completely free, with no out-of-pocket costs for families.
How can your child participate?
For students to access this service, consent must be provided by a parent, legal guardian or mature minor. Families can complete the consent form online using the link provided in Compass.
Parents and carers are not required to attend their child's dental appointment, although they are welcome to do so. If you would like to attend, please contact Barwon Health Dental Administration on 4215 7625 to make arrangements.
The original consent deadline was Monday 12th October. Families who have not yet registered are encouraged to contact Barwon Health to check whether late consent can still be accepted.
This is a wonderful opportunity to support the health and wellbeing of our students, and we encourage families to take advantage of this valuable free service.
Year 1–2 School Sleepover
Our Year 1 and 2 students have an exciting milestone coming up this term, with their School Sleepover taking place at Mortlake P-12 College from Wednesday, November 11th to Thursday, November 12th.
The sleepover is an important part of our camping program and provides students with an opportunity to experience a night away from home in the familiar and supportive environment of their own school. It is a great stepping stone towards future school camps, helping students build independence, confidence and resilience, while also developing friendships and enjoying some fun activities with their classmates.
Following the sleepover, Year 1 and 2 students will have a Rest Day on Friday, November 13th.
Our Prep students will also be part of the excitement, participating in a ‘Late Stay Activity Program’ on Wednesday, November 11th. This gives our youngest students an opportunity to enjoy some of the fun and social experiences associated with the camping program, while gradually building their confidence towards future overnight experiences.
Further information about both the Year 1-2 Sleepover and Prep Late Stay Program will be provided directly to relevant families shortly.
Year 7–8 Camp – Cave Hill Creek
Our Year 7 and 8 students have an exciting camp to look forward to later this term, travelling to Cave Hill Creek at Raglan from Wednesday, December 9th to Friday, December 11th. An expression of interest for this camp has already been sent home to families.
The camp will give students the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, build independence and resilience, work together and strengthen friendships. Planned activities include challenges such as the Vertical Challenge, Possum Glider, Giant’s Ladder, abseiling and canoeing.
The estimated cost of the camp is $400 per student. We understand that this is a significant cost for families, particularly at this time of year, and we do not want the cost to be a barrier to students attending. Families are very welcome to contact the school to arrange a payment plan, allowing the cost to be spread across the coming weeks.
If you have any questions about the camp, payment options or require support, please contact the school. We are very happy to work with families wherever we can.
SunSmart Reminder
As we move into Spring and begin to experience warmer weather, it is timely to remind everyone that Mortlake P-12 College is a SunSmart school.
Students are expected to wear their school hat when participating in outdoor activities and are encouraged to apply sunscreen as needed. Developing good sun protection habits is an important part of helping our students look after their health and wellbeing.
We ask families to support us by ensuring students bring their school hat each day and by reinforcing the importance of sun protection at home.
Bushfire Readiness
With the warmer weather and longer days of Spring just around the corner, we are beginning our annual preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. As part of this planning, we review our emergency management procedures and communicate important information with our school community to ensure everyone is well prepared.
We have recently been advised that Mortlake P-12 College is now classified as a Category 4 school on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). As a Category 4 school, the College will close on days when a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is forecast for the Southwest Fire District. If a closure is required, families will be notified as early as possible through Compass.
We encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the College's bushfire arrangements and to review their own bushfire plans at home. Taking the time to prepare now will help ensure everyone can respond safely should bushfire conditions arise later in the year.
Further information about our bushfire procedures and any updates throughout the fire danger period will be communicated to families as required.
Student Mobile Phones Reminder
A reminder to families and students that student mobile phones are not to be used during the school day. In line with our school expectations and the Victorian Government mobile phone policy, phones should remain switched off and securely stored throughout the day.
If a staff member observes a student using or carrying a mobile phone during school hours, the phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day. We appreciate the support of families in reinforcing this expectation, which helps minimise distractions and supports student engagement, wellbeing, and positive learning environments across our school.
As we continue through what is always a busy and rewarding final term, I encourage our families to take a moment to celebrate the many milestones, both big and small, that our students experience. Whether it is finishing Year 12, starting Prep transition, attending a first camp or simply overcoming a challenge in the classroom, every step is an important part of their learning journey.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our students, staff and school community.
Linda Mooseek
Mortlake P-12 College Principal
