Principal Report

Principal’s Message

This week marks the halfway point of Term 1, and it has been wonderful to see such positive energy and engagement across the college. Last week, students in Years 3–12 participated in our House Swimming Sports. The behaviour and sportsmanship displayed by both competitors and spectators were outstanding, and we are very proud of how our students represented themselves and their Houses. We wish all the best to those progressing to the next level, with our secondary students competing on Tuesday 24th February (Mortlake Pool) and our primary students on Friday 27th February (Aquazone Warrnambool).

We also extend our very best wishes to our Year 5–6 students who are heading off to Somers Camp for nine days. They depart on Tuesday 24th February and will return on Wednesday 4th March. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build independence, resilience and new friendships, and we look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return. At the same time, our three Year 9 students currently participating in the School for Student Leadership program are doing very well, and we are proud of the way they are embracing this unique opportunity where they are presented with challenges that are often out of their comfort zones.

Looking ahead, next week is shaping up to be another busy and exciting time for the college. Secondary students will compete in the Triathlon at Lake Bolac on Monday 2nd March, followed by our annual school photos on Tuesday 3rd March. On Wednesday 4th March, we are again supporting the TeMania Bull Sale, and selected secondary students will also travel to Ballarat to represent the college in cricket. To finish the week, and just before the long weekend, we will come together for our student-led Relay for Life event, which is being held here at the college on Friday 6th March.

I will be commencing a period of Long Service Leave, beginning Tuesday 10th March. During this time, Anne DeManser will resume the role of Acting Principal. I will be taking the opportunity to spend some time internationally with my family. I thank our school community for their ongoing support and know the college will continue to be in very capable hands while I am away.

I would also like to highlight the important role our School Council plays in supporting the direction and governance of the college. We are currently calling for nominations for the 2026 school year, and we strongly encourage families to consider becoming involved. School Council provides a valuable opportunity to contribute to decision-making, support school improvement and strengthen our partnership with the wider community. Additional information regarding the nomination process can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

We are incredibly proud of all our students and the way they continue to embrace opportunities, support one another, and represent our college with pride. Don’t forget to regularly check the calendar on Compass for all upcoming events across the college.

Student Mobile Phones at School

A reminder to families that students are not permitted to use mobile phones during the school day. This expectation is in line with the Victorian Department of Education’s Mobile Phones Policy, which applies to all government schools.

The purpose of this policy is to:• Support student wellbeing and mental health• Reduce distractions and improve focus on learning• Promote positive social interactions during recess and lunchtime• Minimise issues related to online safety, cyberbullying and misuse of devices

Mobile phones brought to school must be switched off and stored securely for the duration of the school day. Students can access school phones via the General Office if they need to contact home, and families can contact students through the school if required.

Please note that mobile phones will be confiscated if they are used inappropriately during the school day. Devices will be managed in line with our school’s student engagement and wellbeing processes.

We appreciate the support of families in reinforcing this expectation with students. By working together, we help create a safe, calm and focused learning environment for all.

Term 1 Student Reporting and Parent-Teacher Interviews:

Term 1 student reports, which provide an overview of each student’s learning behaviours and attitudes towards their learning, will be made available to families via Compass at the end of Term 1. These reports are designed to support ongoing communication between home and school and to give families a clear understanding of how students are engaging with their learning.

Families will also have the opportunity to participate in Parent–Teacher Interviews on Thursday 30th April, with interview times available between 1:00pm and 7:00pm. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to discuss student progress, celebrate achievements, and work collaboratively to support each child’s continued growth and success. Interview bookings will open through Compass closer to the date.

Strong home-school partnerships are built through open, respectful and active communication. While formal reporting and interviews are important milestones, families are encouraged to connect with teachers at any time throughout the year to discuss questions, celebrate successes or seek support. Maintaining consistent communication ensures we work together to provide the best possible learning outcomes and wellbeing support for every student.

Compass Communication Update for Families

As we continue to transition to Compass as our primary communication platform, we would like to provide families with some important clarification around how messages and replies currently function within the system.

It is important for families to be aware that:

SMS replies are not received by the school and do not create an ongoing message thread
Email replies will return to the sender’s registered email address rather than creating a conversation within Compass itself

We also wish to advise families that Parent Payments will be added to Compass very soon. This will provide a streamlined way for families to view and manage payments online. If you have any questions regarding parent payments, or if you would like to discuss setting up a payment plan, please make contact with Brooke Baker at the college, who will be happy to assist.

We understand that this may feel different from previous systems, and we appreciate your patience as we continue refining our processes. If you are ever unsure whether your message has been received, we encourage you to contact the school office directly for confirmation.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we implement Compass across the college.

National Ride to School Day – Friday 20th March (Week 8)

Mortlake P–12 College is participating in National Ride to School Day. This initiative provides a wonderful opportunity to promote physical activity, road safety awareness and positive community engagement, while encouraging our students to start the day in a healthy and active way.

We are currently planning a structured and supervised approach to the morning, which will include a central meeting point and staff and senior student leaders riding together and safely to school - similar to the supportive model used during our Bike Education sessions.

Events like Ride to School Day help build confidence, independence and healthy habits, while also showcasing our students positively within the wider Mortlake community. Further details, including supervision arrangements, safety expectations and permission requirements, will be shared with families once planning is finalised.

We thank Amy Lodge and our senior student leaders for their initiative in supporting opportunities that promote wellbeing and active lifestyles across the college.

Call for 2026 School Council Nominations

We encourage families to consider nominating for School Council and becoming an active part of our school community. Strong schools are built together, and School Council plays an important role in shaping the long-term direction of the College and supporting positive outcomes for all students.

In 2026, there are 3 parent representative positions available on School Council.

School Council is a governing body, not a management group. Its role is to help set the strategic vision for the school and provide oversight of key areas of operation, as outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

Why Join School Council?

As a School Council member, you can:

Help set the broad direction and vision of the school
Contribute to the School Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plan
Approve and monitor the school budget
Support the development and review of school policies
Strengthen connections between the school and the wider community

School Council members are unpaid volunteers who work collaboratively with school leadership to positively influence the quality of education provided to students.

Nomination Details

Nominations open: Thursday 12th February 2026
Nominations close: Friday 27th February 2026 at 4:00pm
Positions available: 3 parent representative positions
Nomination forms: Available from the School Office

New Requirement – Working With Children Check

From 2026, parents, carers and community members wishing to nominate for School Council must hold a Working With Children (WWC) Check.

If you would like more information about School Council or the nomination process, please contact the School Office on 5599 2204.

We would love to see new faces join our School Council in 2026.

NAPLAN 2026 – Information for Families

Each year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia participate in the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). In 2026, NAPLAN testing will begin on Wednesday 11th March for eligible students at our college.

NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment that provides valuable information about how students are progressing in key areas of reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The purpose of NAPLAN is not to create pressure or competition, but to give schools and families a clear snapshot of learning growth over time.

The information gathered through NAPLAN helps schools to:

• Identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in student learning• Inform teaching programs and targeted support• Monitor whole-school trends and progress over time• Support planning that aligns with the Victorian Curriculum and student learning needs

For families, NAPLAN provides another way to understand how their child is progressing alongside the regular classroom assessments, reports and teacher feedback you receive throughout the year.

We encourage students to simply do their best and approach NAPLAN as one part of their learning journey. A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast and arriving at school ready to learn are the best ways to help students feel confident and prepared.

If families have any questions about NAPLAN or would like more information about how the assessments will run at our college, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or student advocate.

Industrial Action - Tuesday 24th March

We would like to inform families that proposed industrial action is planned to take place on Tuesday 24th March. As with all industrial action, we are currently working through planning to ensure student supervision and safety remain our priority while also supporting staff participation rights.

At this stage, normal school operations may be impacted, and families will receive further communication closer to the date once arrangements are confirmed.

As part of our forward planning, and to minimise disruption to students and families, the House Athletics Carnival has been moved from Tuesday 24th March to Monday 23rd March. We appreciate the flexibility of our school community as we make adjustments to ensure key student events can proceed as planned.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Further updates will be shared with families via Compass as more information becomes available.

House Athletics Sports – Monday 23rd March

Our whole-school House Athletics Sports will be held on Monday 23rd March on the school oval here at the college. This is always a fantastic day that brings our school community together, celebrating participation, teamwork and House spirit.

Families are warmly invited to join us as spectators and support our students throughout the day. We encourage all students to come dressed in their House colours and get involved in the range of events and activities on offer.

Further details regarding the schedule for the day will be shared with families via Compass closer to the event. We look forward to another positive and energetic day of athletics across the college.

Supporting Families for the School Year: Saver Plus & Free Public Transport

There is some positive news for Victorian families as we continue into the school year. The Victorian Government has recently announced free public transport for all children and young people under 18, helping to reduce everyday travel costs and make getting to and from school more affordable for many families.

We understand that the start of the school year can also bring added financial pressure, with costs such as uniforms, books, digital devices and other learning essentials. As a college, we are committed to supporting families and sharing opportunities that help reduce barriers so every student can participate fully in school life.

One program that may be helpful for eligible families is Saver Plus, a long-running initiative funded by the Department of Social Services. Saver Plus supports families to build savings specifically for education expenses. Families can save up to $500, which is then matched dollar-for-dollar, providing up to $1,000 to spend on approved school-related costs such as uniforms, books, laptops, excursions and other learning essentials. Alongside the financial support, participants also develop practical saving skills that can benefit them well beyond the school year.

Programs like Saver Plus align strongly with our focus on wellbeing, inclusion and ensuring all students have the resources they need to engage confidently in their learning.

Families interested in learning more can watch a recent Channel 9 segment featuring Effie Zahos discussing how Saver Plus supports families to build financial confidence and plan for education expenses:https://broadcast.meltwater.com/public-api/segment/NDM3ODA=

Being an Allergy-Aware School Community

At Mortlake College, the safety and wellbeing of every student is a priority. We have a number of students with severe allergies, including anaphylaxis, and we work closely with families and staff to minimise risk.

Victorian Department of Education policy follows medical advice from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Current medical evidence shows that it is not possible to guarantee a completely “nut-free” environment in open community settings such as schools, lunch areas, excursions or public venues.

For this reason, government schools focus on risk minimisation and education rather than food bans.

Our school takes a range of steps to support students at risk, including:

Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plans
ASCIA Action Plans for Anaphylaxis
Regular staff training
Availability of EpiPens
Supervision and risk-minimisation strategies
Ongoing community awareness

How families can help

While we cannot label our school as “nut-free,” we aim to be an allergy-aware community. We ask families to support the safety of all students by avoiding sending foods containing nuts - especially peanuts and tree nuts - or products where nuts are listed as a main ingredient.

Your support helps reduce the risk of accidental exposure and ensures we can provide a safe and inclusive environment for every child.

Thank you for working with us to keep all students safe.

Mortlake College Relay for Life

Our school community will be hosting Relay for Life on Friday 6th March 2026, proudly supporting Cancer Council Australia, and we warmly invite all families and community members to take part in this meaningful and inspiring event.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 - the cost of providing one person with access to a life-saving clinical trial. This is the same opportunity that gave one of our family’s loved ones a future, making this cause deeply personal and incredibly important to our community.

Many of our students and staff are already proudly wearing their Relay for Life rugby tops to help promote the event. It would be wonderful to see as many families and community members as possible supporting this important cause.

How Can You Help?

There are many ways families, businesses and community members can support this wonderful event.

Financial Sponsorship

Financial sponsorship helps offset the costs of running the event, including prizes, water stations and the BBQ. Our aim is to create a fun, welcoming ‘gala’ atmosphere for the community.All money raised through associated activities will be contributed to our final fundraising total.

Donations can be made via direct deposit:

BSB: 063 533
Account: 10943112
Reference:Relay For Life

Goods to Support the Event

We are seeking donations of goods, including:

Breakfast items: eggs, bacon, rolls
BBQ items: patties, bread, sauces
Prizes for our silent auction or spinning wheel (e.g. vouchers or goods)
Bottled water
Reward incentives for our walkers

If you are able to assist with goods, please contact one of the below team members to arrange drop-off or collection:

Anne De Manser – anne.demanser@education.vic.gov.au | 0408 256 805
Amy Lodge – amy.lodge@education.vic.gov.au
Geoff De Manser – geoff.demanser@education.vic.gov.au
Nat McRae – natalie.mcrae@education.vic.gov.au

Direct Donation

You can make a direct donation to our fundraiser via our Relay for Life webpage:https://www.relayforlife.org.au/event/mortlake-college-2026

Attend the Walk (Between 7am and 7pm)

All members of the community are warmly invited to attend and walk with us on the day

TeMania Bull Sale - Supporting a Key Community Event

Mortlake College is proud to support the annual TeMania Bull Sale on Wednesday 4th March, an important event on the local agricultural calendar and a significant occasion for our wider community.

As a rural P–12 College, we value strong partnerships with local producers, families and businesses, and we recognise the role events like the TeMania Bull Sale play in supporting agriculture, learning and community connection.

Families will be sent home a cake box this week. We kindly ask that these be filled with homemade slices, cakes or biscuits to be enjoyed at the sale. A little touch of pink in your baking would be greatly appreciated.

We are also seeking volunteers to help out on the day. If you are in a position to volunteer some time (even just a small amount), please contact the General Office as soon as possible.

We wish everyone involved a safe and productive day.

Wednesday is a Prep Rest Day - Supporting Our Newest Students

As we welcome our Prep students to the College, we are committed to ensuring they have a positive and supported start to school.

To help our youngest learners adjust to the routines and expectations of school, Prep students will participate in a Prep Rest Day program. Prep students will begin attending school on Wednesdays starting on Wednesday 11th March.

The Prep Rest Day is an important part of supporting our newest students. Starting school is a big transition, and the rest day allows Prep children time to:

Build stamina for full school days
Adjust gradually to school routines and expectations
Develop confidence and independence in a supportive way
Reduce fatigue during the early weeks of schooling

This gradual start helps students settle more successfully and supports their wellbeing as they begin their learning journey at the College.

We appreciate the support of families during this transition period and look forward to working closely together to ensure our Prep students feel safe, happy and ready to learn.

If families have any questions about Prep Rest Days or the start of school for Prep students, please contact the school office.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) – Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF), which helps eligible families cover the costs of school camps, excursions and sporting activities.

In 2026, the CSEF payment has increased to $400 per eligible student, for both primary and secondary students. This is a significant increase from previous years and is designed to further support student participation in important school experiences.

Who is eligible?

Families may be eligible to apply if they:

Hold a valid means-tested concession card
Are foster parents
Have students aged 16 years and over who are considered mature minors and hold a valid concession card
recently arrived asylum seeker or refugee families (special consideration category)

Important dates

Applications close on 26th June 2026

Families who received CSEF funding in 2025 do not need to submit a new application for 2026 unless their family circumstances have changed. We are able to copy applications from 2025 to 2026.

Families who believe they may be eligible are encouraged to contact the school office for an application form or further information.

Important Upcoming Dates

School Council: Tuesday 24th February
School Photos: Tuesday 3rd March
TeMania Bull Sale: Wednesday 4th March
Mortlake College Relay for Life: Friday 6th March
Public Holiday: Monday 9th March
NAPLAN Testing Begins: Wednesday 11th March (Years 3, 5, 7, and 9)
House Athletic Sports (Whole School): Monday 23rd March
School Council AGM: Tuesday 31st March
Last Day of Term 1 Thursday 2nd April, 2:30pm dismissal for students (Friday – Good Friday)

An Easter Hat Parade for Primary aged students will take place after the 9am Primary Assembly

Our school team is always here to support our students and families. Please reach out to us at any time if you have questions or need assistance.

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal

Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR FEBRUARY