From the Principal
Happy World Teachers Day.
I would like to publicly acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of my staff. They make a difference to the lives of our young people. They work tirelessly to engage and connect with each student. They continue to refine lesson plans to cater for individual students and genuinely care. They have the belief that all students can learn when students, teachers and parents work together. Thank you for everything you do to educate and support our young people.
Today we celebrate our teachers with morning tea. Years of service is recognised with a certificate of appreciation.
This week I met with the Leader of the Liberal Party in Victoria, John Pesutto, Chris Crewther, Member for Mornington and Renee Heath, Member for Eastern Victorian Region. They were extremely complimentary of the College and were keen to try their hand at shooting basketball hoops in the Stadium before they visited a local primary school.
The Year 12 written exams began this week with over 100 students sitting the English exam. The last exam will be for Japanese, 14th November.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Linda Stanton
Principal
Important Dates
OCTOBER
24/10/23 - 15/11/23 | VCAA Exams
NOVEMBER
06/11/23 | Student free day
07/11/23 | Melbourne Cup Public Holiday - Student free day
15/11/23 - 23/11/23 | Year 10 and 11 exams
23/11/23 | Year 10 Graduation
24/11/23 | Student free day
27/11/23 | VCE Launch Night from 6pm
27/11/23 - 08/12/20 | Fast Forward commences
29/11/23 - 1/12/23 | MSC Art Show
DECEMBER
08/12/23 | Last day for Year 10 and Year 11 students
11/12/23 | Presentation Evening
12/12/23 | Orientation Day 2024 Year 7 students
20/12/23 | Last Day of school for 2023
2024 VCE Launch night (Monday 27th Nov from 6pm)
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Middle School
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As I was walking around the college, I decided to ask students “what is the best thing about being at school?”
I have listed the first names of the students and their responses.
Gus Year 7: “being with my mates and learning.”
Brodie Year 9: “seeing my friends and sports class.”
Heath Year 9: “looking forward to next year so I can do my trade. I want to be a sparky/ electrician.”
Riley Year 9: “seeing my friends and doing Sport and Rec.”
Elektra Year 9: “seeing my friends.”
Juliette Year 9: “I love sport and PE and Math.”
Taylee Year 8: “friends and Art”
James Year 8 “recess and lunch plus English and Sport”
Leo Year 8: “Sport, Wednesday Connect Club and Technology and Woodwork.”
Kayla Year 8: “Art and Food Tech”
The standout response was “my friends.” Good friends have long been linked with better mental health. And Good friendships make us feel more comfortable and confident. I then asked a range of students the qualities of good friends and most answered with trustworthy, funny and has my back.
It is lovely seeing students enjoying each others company especially when they share the same humour.
Wishing you a great week.
Denise Leggett
Middle School Assistant Principal
Senior School
To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,
It feels like there is change in the air. Our Year 12s have started their end of year exams and you could feel the nervous anticipation prior to the English exam on Tuesday. Good luck to all our Year 12s during this period.
Our Year 10 and 11 students are quickly approaching the end of learning new content for the year and will commence exam preparation in the coming weeks. The Year 11 VCE VM students will be doing a presentation in front of a panel of teachers and peers like they did in semester one and details will be forthcoming to the students through their classes in the coming days.
In the next week or two there will be an official invitation and flyer for the 2024 VCE Launch Night (Monday 27th Nov from 6pm), which is a night aimed at parents of students studying VCE in 2024 (both ATAR and VM). The night will include decoding of the VCE, introducing key contacts, expectations of students and staff, supports for VCE students, tips for supporting students at home, key processes that all students and parents need to know and a chance to ask questions. We look forward to seeing a large parent cohort there on the night (our VCE students are obviously most welcome as well!).
Kind regards,
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
Key dates for Senior School in Term 4
Mon 6th Nov – Pupil Free Day
Tues 7th Nov – Melbourne Cup Day
Mon 13th and Tues 14th Nov – Year 11 VCE ATAR SWOTVAC (study days for exams)
Wed 15th Nov to Thurs 23rd Nov – Year 10 and 11 exams.
Thurs 16th Nov – Thurs 21st Nov – VM Interview Presentations (1 half day per Year 11 VM student)
Fri 24th Nov – PPD day (no classes)
Mon 27th Nov – Fri 8th Dec – Year 10-12 Fast Forward program
Mon 27th Nov – VCE Launch Night from 6pm
Fri 8th Dec – last day for Year 10 and 11 students
Tues 12th Dec – Awards night
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
KELIS Day
On Mon 23rd Oct we had the Koorie Emerging Leadership day. It began with a smoking ceremony. Then Glenn Manton interviewed Jarman Impey, about his life and the tough stuff and what helped him get through it. Lunch was provided and then the students had an opportunity to walk around the Careers Expo. It had many ideas and future possibilities presented to create dreams going forward.
Kind regards,
Mike Parker
Assistant Principal
PAL Awards
On Tuesday at the PAL Awards night, Mayor Councillor Steve Holland and Councillor Despi O'Connor presented the Excellence and Endeavour Awards to our Mornington Secondary College winners Madalyne Mundy and Mary-Louise Wakefield.
Congratulations to Madalyne and Mary-Louise on an outstanding year and for being the worthy recipients of these fantastic awards.
Food Technology
The Year 9 Café Catering student's assignment was to design and produce their own Wellness Bowl for their major assessment. Photos are below:
Georgia Wright
Suki Kaur
Isaac Hofer
Year 10
Mr Jake Uhlenberg
Term 4 soldiers on and we are rapidly approaching the next exam period for our Year 10 students. At this time we would like to encourage our students to start employing some effective study habits, and if they feel they need support, then they should speak to their teachers to understand what will be expected of them.
We are still combating the decisions of a number of students who are choosing to leave the safety of the College during the school day. Again, we ask parents to support our message that students must be in their classes on time and are to not leave the College unless signed out by a parent/guardian for approved appointments/illness/events.
On Wednesday this week we hosted a Year 10 Connect Trivia in the Learning Centre, we hope students had fun engaging with this activity before their minds turn to the exam period approaching.
Year 11
Dr Jasmine Keough
The Year 11s have had a busy week as they move toward the completion of their Unit 2 studies and start preparing for the end of year exams (ATAR students) which will assess knowledge gained over the course of 2023. This simulates the conditions and preparation required for Year 12 studies.
Any Year 11 students studying a Year 12 subject this year who have a VCAA exam have been granted the school day before their exam as a study from home day. For example a student doing a Biology exam on Friday can have the Thursday to study at home, get a good night’s sleep and be prepared to perform at their best in the exam.
Year 12
Mr Scott Kirkby
Exams
Exams commenced at Mornington Secondary College on Tuesday 24/10 with the English exam. Attached is the Mornington Secondary College running sheet of exams. All exams will take place in the R block, except for the General Maths exams 1 and 2 which will take place in the Robert Herbert Gymnasium.
I will continue to publish exam seating plans the day prior to the exams on MS Teams. Students are responsible for checking this to be aware of their specific seat for the day. Please familiarise yourself with the VCAA examination rules and allowed materials for each exam.
We have been enjoying seeing our students before each exam as they strive to achieve their personal best in the exam period and hope that they are applying themselves as best as they can to gain the results they desire.
Mobile Australian Defence Force bus visit
The Mobile Australian Defence Force bus is coming to our college on Tuesday 31st October.
The MACC is an ADF Careers Centre on wheels, bringing the opportunity of a career in Defence to regional and remote areas of Australia. Visiting MACC is a valuable way to learn how the Navy, Army or Air Force can offer much more than just a career.
Current serving members who understand the Defence application process are on board MACC and can answer any questions you may have.
The MACC (Mobile ADF Careers Centre) is a new initiative and will be attending other local schools during this week.
Wellbeing
Tree Planting Day
On the last day of Term 3, Mornington Secondary College students took part in an environmental initiative to revegetate the school to create a wetland/woodlands ecosystem.
Students volunteered to plant indigenous species to create an area of native vegetation that will attract native wildlife and can be used as an educational space for outdoor classroom activities and environmental field work.
Staff from Mornington Shire provided resources and educated the students on the importance of biodiversity. The Hands On Learning team along with the Environment Club facilitated the event and rallied the volunteers, planting over 200 plants that were secured through a local government grant and by the Mornington Shire.
‘I loved the day as I got to learn about our local heritage and got to get my hands dirty with friends. The free BBQ afterwards topped off a great afternoon.’ Chloe Smith 7C.
Thank you to Hands On Learning Coordinator, George Atrache, and Environment Club Leader, Kylie Wiersma, for all the planning that went into making the day a success. Planting will continue over the coming weeks in different areas of the school as part of the National Tree Day campaign where students, parents and teachers bought and donated plants via Compass. We thank those who purchased trees and contributed to this environmental cause.
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