Principal Team Report

Principal Team Report

Dear MSC Community,

Today we celebrate the end of another term. It’s hard to believe that we have just one to go in the 2025 school year! Term 3 is always a busy and exciting term in a secondary college as students in Years 7 to 11 review their progress from the first semester and commence their planning for the following academic year. We were pleased to see the number of students and parents/caregivers attend the various information sessions that provided an opportunity to meet with staff and outside organisations to help determine the best subjects and electives they may want to consider. With our Year 12 students concluding their VCE studies and preparing for exams, we appreciate the importance of this decision-making process and encourage families to continue discussions at home about pathway options and interests. 

It was a busy term

It’s hard to believe but across the term, over 150 different events were published on Compass. The range of activities for our students is quite staggering. Excursions included VCE Biology, Physics, English, Legal Studies, Art and Vocational Major, TAFE taster days, debating, German poetry, Year 9 SkillZ city experiences and student leadership opportunities. Through our sports program, students participated in junior, intermediate and senior competition in AFL, AFLW, basketball, table tennis, hockey, netball, badminton, state cross country and division athletics. Our performing arts students of kicked off the term with the fabulous Mamma Mia performances and continued to shine with the NEVR Spotlight Concert and this week’s Themed Concerts. And finally, there have been countless incursions and workshops on digital safety, respectful relationships, vaping, subject selections and the iCAS competitions. If your child is feeling a little tired at the end of the term, we’re not surprised at all with this range of activities undertaken throughout the term, all in addition to their rigorous daily learning program. 

Speaking of the Themed Concert, thank-you to our amazing Mullauna Instrumental Music staff, Peter Brodie, Kelsey de Prada, Omar Moustafa, Chanel Langdon & Sue Haylock, who are to be congratulated on their efforts. Many thanks to all other staff that assisted on the night and helped out in a variety of roles and special thanks to the Parent & Community Association for providing refreshments at intermission. And finally, congratulations and well done to our fabulous music students and student leaders who provided a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

As we move into Term 4, we would like to remind families that due to the sheer volume of events that we support, all events require consent and payment by the due date as extensions are not generally possible. If you require any assistance with Compass, please contact the General Office for support. 

The term break is an important time for both staff and students alike to recharge their batteries in readiness for the last term of the year. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the learning to date and catch up on any outstanding learning tasks to ensure you are ready to hit the ground running in term 4.

For year 12 students, it is also a critical time for exam revision and practice. This includes the sitting of formal practice exams at the college throughout the first week of the term break. Each exam will appear as an event on Compass for students. 

Year 12 Exam Preparation Program 

During the first week of these coming holidays, the year 12 practice exams will be conducted. The college employs the same supervisors to conduct the practice exams as we use for the GAT and Unit 3/4 VCAA exams. The practice exams and revision program will provide the Class of 2025 with invaluable preparation for the exams that commence on Tuesday 28 October. For the remaining three weeks of classes in Term 4 (two full school weeks and the special study week), students will review their exam strategies and continue to practise their skills in the leadup to this date. During this time however, there will be an opportunity for students, staff and parents/caregivers to celebrate the conclusion of their school journey with a final assembly with the school community and the Year 12 Valedictory held at the college on Thursday 16 October. 

The message from all of us to the Year 12 students in the coming weeks is to make sure that you find that essential balance between study and rest. Using the simple and effective strategy of a study timetable will help you to pace yourself and give you that reassuring feeling of having things under control. And do practice exams!

Student Learning Conferences

The parent, teacher and student learning conferences were held on Thursday 18 September. We trust that these three-way conversations have stimulated discussion at home regarding student learning and potential areas for improvement. The partnership between the home and school is of paramount importance. Opportunities to discuss how we can each assist students in their learning are essential if we are to support young people to achieve their potential. Thank you to parents and carers for your meaningful engagement in the Student Learning Conferences.

Parent / Carer / Guardian Opinion Survey – closes soon

At time of writing, we have had 139 surveys completed (that’s 27%), so just 11 more to go to hit our target. Please search for ‘Orima’ in your emails for Parent A. We would appreciate your thoughts.

Parent & Community Association – Comedy for a Cause night

‘Even better than last year’ was a constant reflection on our comedy night. The audience was able to warm up with pre-show pizza and drinks, followed by four hilarious routines from our compere and the three featured comedians.

Our thanks to Yeng Ling and her many helpers for another successful fundraiser.

Casual vacancy on School Council for a Parent representative

Unfortunately, Sharna Booth has had to resign from her elected parent position on school council. This leaves us with a casual vacancy, which will be filled by the council co-opting a person who is eligible for election to the membership category in which the vacancy has arisen. The co-opted member serves the unexpired portion of the vacating member’s term of office. Please contact Harry Ruff at the college to express interest.

World’s Greatest Shave

Congratulations to Kathy Halpin, the SRC and especially the Freeman House leaders – they surpassed their target of $5,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and have also improved some hairstyles around the college. Please refer to the separate page.

SRC Update – from Angus P. on behalf of the School Captains

The SRC met on Monday 15th September to discuss plans for 2026 College Captains, whilst considering areas for general improvement of the SRC. Our Freeman House Captains have worked diligently in preparing, organising and executing the World's Greatest Shave Fundraiser, which has successfully raised over $5,000! This is a fantastic effort that we are all proud of. All house groups must be commended on their fundraising efforts this year, as all have been very successful.

Members of the SRC engaged in a staff professional learning meeting focused on the topics of Student Voice, Agency and Leadership. They collaborated with staff to discuss ideas regarding each of the topics. The College Captains led the discussions on student leadership, which provided some great feedback to take into 2026. This meeting offered an excellent opportunity for staff and students to engage together on topics, and it is something that will be continued moving forward.

As an SRC group, we plan to meet once again in Term 4 as a final meeting for the 2025 College Captains before we hand over to next year's crew. The selection process is about to begin shortly, as applications are closing soon! 

German Visitors #1 

Visitors from the Goethe-Institut, Germany’s official cultural institute, visited the school on Wednesday to work with our year 9, 10, 11 and 12 German students across Periods 1-4. Together with our German Faculty team, the Goethe staff ran an exciting VR incursion with our students. Using virtual reality glasses, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic German experiences. The Goethe-Institut promotes the German language and culture worldwide and runs a wide range of educational and cultural programs, and we are very lucky to be able to draw on their expertise and programs to broaden the learning experiences for our German students and staff.

Please refer to the separate page.

German Visitors #2

Eight Mullauna families are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their German guest next term. They arrive on Wednesday 08 October in Week 1 next term and spend three weeks with their host families. We share our sister school, the IGS Kaufungen, with Vermont SC, and together we will host 23 student and two staff. Our students will travel to German for four weeks in late Term 1 next year. This amazing travel and learning experience is available to students undertaking German from Year 9 onwards. Look out for Facebook updates next term.

We have included below the end-of-term reflection provided to Victorian state school teachers by David Howes, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education for Schools and Regional Services 

Enjoy the term break everyone - see you all back safe and well on Monday 06 October, by which time daylight savings will have kicked in!

Michael Bray, Jeff McMillin and Harry Ruff

The MSC Principal Team

David writes:

Dear colleagues

This term has brought, again, too many reminders of the role schools and particularly school leaders play at times of community crises.

At the time of writing, the Porepunkah community remains in a state of uncertainty and stress as the search for the alleged police murderer continues.

During such events, the importance of the role that schools play in providing a safe, secure and predictable environment is impossible to overstate.

The way the leadership teams at Porepunkah Primary School and Bright P–12 College in particular went about providing exactly that environment was, and continues to be, exemplary.

Then we had the horrifying attacks in Melton that led to the tragic deaths of 2 young students. The completely unnecessary waste of these lives, and the devastation experienced by their families and communities, is hard to comprehend.

Again, the role played by the schools in that community in providing support has been so important and valuable.

These are a reminder of the extent to which events that happen outside the school gate impact on school communities.

Recent data has again shown that what has been happening inside school gates across the state is a clear demonstration that the clear, thoughtful, evidence-informed practices being applied by schools to further strengthen learning and wellbeing outcomes are working.

The national NAPLAN results released this term showed clear and consistent improvement across the state; a sharp contrast to the standard media commentary about declining standards. To state the bleeding obvious: if median NAPLAN scale score points go up, levels of education attainment are not declining!

Importantly, the statewide Attitudes to School Survey data also showed a lift in outcomes compared to 2024, which was the first year we saw a reversal of the declines that happened post-pandemic.

This year, students across all year levels reported the highest proportions of positive responses to health and wellbeing factors since the questions were introduced in 2021.

The responses from students reflected in the survey show that they are feeling safer, more supported and have a stronger sense of belonging at their school.

These are improvements that would not have happened except for the diligent, thoughtful, informed commitment of school leaders and staff.

Thank you for this.

I trust the coming break provides not only the opportunity to rest and recharge but also to reflect on work that has been very well done.

Coming dates:

Term 4  - 06 October to 19 December  

• Monday 06 October – Term 4 commences
• Wednesday 8 October – German sister school exchange group arrives / P&CA meeting
• Thursday 09 October – MSC Art Show opening
• Tuesday 14 October – School Council (onsite)
• Wednesday 15 October – Contemporary Music Showcase
• Thursday 16 October – Flame Assembly and Year 12 Valedictory
• Friday 17 October – Year 12 Celebration Day
• Monday 20 October – Year 7 2026 Welcome Evening
• Tuesday 28 October – Year 12 VCAA written exams commence
• Friday 31 October – German exchange group departs
• Sunday 02 November - P&CA Bunnings Nunawading BBQ fundraiser  
• Monday 03 November – Staff Professional Learning Day – student-free
• Tuesday 04 November – Cup Day public holiday
• Wednesday 19 November – Year 12 Formal
• Friday 28 November – HeadStart Planning Day – student-free
• Monday 01 December – 2026 HeadStart week commences
  • Senior classes (current Years 9-11) – Week 9 (01 to 05 December)
  • Junior classes (current Years 7-8) – Weeks 9 and 10 (01 to 10 December)
  • Year 8 Camp – Monday 08 to Wednesday 10 December
  • Year 7 Activity Day – Wednesday 10 December
  • Summer Program (current Years 7 & 8) – commences Week 10 (Thursday 11 December) until Thursday 18 December
  • Staff Professional Learning and Time-in-Lieu acquittal – Weeks 10 and 11 
• Friday 19 December – final day of Term 4 and the 2025 school year! (student-free)

REMINDER: Our Mullauna mobile phone - 0408 703 220 - please put it in your contacts

Our official MSC mobile number is 0408 703 220. Our phone system reverts to this mobile should the land lines fail.

It is also our primary contact number in the case of an evacuation. 

We use this mobile to send (and receive) text messages etc. to Mullauna community members, so please add it to your Mullauna contact details so you recognise us should we text or call you!