From the Principal Team

To students and families,

This week heralded new beginnings for students in the senior school and for many of them, the first VCAA assessment of 2026, with the successful running of the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Tuesday. The GAT ran as planned and all students have gained valuable insight into how VCAA external exams are staged, the VCAA rules and what a state-wide exam feels like (also the last VCAA exam for our VCE VM students!). The GAT results will be included in the release of VCE results in mid-December. I’d like to thank the Year 12 Leader, Jo Reeman, for her work in preparing for and running the day, along with support from Year 12 coordinator, Jo Dixon. Thank you to the staff who ran the BBQ for the students after part A of the GAT. I’d also like to acknowledge the work of our ever-reliable chief supervisor, Peta Foley, and her team of supervisors.

Year 12 English Predicted Study Score Analysis

Mr Evans will be working with the Year 12 English team to analyse Unit 3 scores and make predictions about students who are at risk of not achieving a study score of 25 or higher in their English subject. Why will we do this? A study score of 25 in an English subject is usually a pre-requisite score for most university courses. Students who don’t achieve a 25 in their English subject often have to apply for a pathways course to get to their preferred destination (or an alternate course within the same area). 

Once this analysis is done, parents and students who have been identified as being at some risk or significant risk of not achieving 25 in their English subject, will receive an email outlining the concern and what practical steps that can be taken to change that situation. I do want to stress, being at risk of not getting a 25 in English is not the same as being at risk of receiving an ‘N’ for the subject. This is simply alerting students and parents that there is a need to address the approach to that English subject and plan for multiple pathways to a post-school pathway. There will be plenty of time to turn around the trajectory and perform well enough on the exam to achieve a 25-study score. I also want to highlight that this is a prediction based on Unit 3 data (compared to similar data at the same point over the past few years) and is not an exact science.

In future weeks I will explain in detail the different options that exist for most students post-school and address the ‘un-scored VCE’ you may have heard about and why we generally discourage it, but also why it may be appropriate for some students. 

Course Information Evening… Just 4 sleeps away! Tues 23rd June!

We look forward to seeing you at the Course Information Evening on Tuesday 23rd June, from 5.30pm, where you will have the chance to explore pathways and the subjects that will help students achieve their goals.

Japanese (Osaka) Exchange Meeting

Thank you to our wonderful host families for attending an information evening about the upcoming Japanese exchange (Term 3). This long-standing program is another highlight of the MSC Languages program. There was plenty of excitement in the room and lots of questions as the hosts found out who their Japanese student visitor is going to be. We look forward to welcoming them in a few short weeks.

Study Tip of the Week: Review assessor feedback carefully. The next SAC/exam will utilise similar exam technique skills.

End of Semester Reports

Teachers are currently finalising student reports and reflecting on the learning and growth that has occurred throughout Semester One.

This year, student reports will include recognition of achievement through our Excellence Awards and Endeavour Awards. Excellence Awards recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in a subject, while Endeavour Awards acknowledge students who have shown consistent effort, persistence and commitment to their learning.

In addition to the semester report, families will also receive a separate Progress Check. This provides an indication of each student's level of work completion across their subjects. We encourage families to review both the report and Progress Check together, as they provide a comprehensive picture of student achievement, engagement and progress.

Semester Reports will be available via Compass at the end of term. We encourage parents and carers to take the opportunity to celebrate successes with their child and discuss goals for continued improvement in Semester Two.

Lisa Holt

Acting Principal

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Important Dates

Save the date: Course Information Evening, Tuesday 23rd June, 5.30pm-7.00pm

• Presentation: 5.30pm (approx. 15 minutes) in the Robert Herbert Gymnasium 
• Following the presentation, Subject Expo in the Learning Centre 

In attendance on the night will be:

• our Principal team, including provisionally appointed new Principal Adam Slater,
• Year 10-12 teachers, 
• the Careers team, 
• Swinburne University of Technology, and
• Chisholm Institute.

The Course Information Evening is an invaluable session for 2027 Year 10-12 students and their families. Students and families from other year levels are welcome to attend as well. 

We look forward to seeing you there!

Students of the Week

Abi Tschappeller - Year 7 

Favourite food: Mango

Hobbies out of school: Singing and netball

What sports team do you follow? Geelong if I had to pick one but I’m not a huge follower of sport

Favourite movie/TV show: Ginny and Georgia

Do you have any pets? No pets but I'd love an otter or ferret

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Making new friends and definitely aerobics and production

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Friends, sport and drama

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Anything to do with music

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? My dancing

Your greatest strength: singing and dancing

What three words best describe you? Nice, fun and chaotic

Emmett Peters - Year 7 

Favourite food: Apples

Hobbies out of school: Acting and drawing

What sports team do you follow? Essendon Bombers

Favourite movie/TV show: Project Hail Mary

Do you have any pets? Two cats named Ivy and Kenobi

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? The disco next Thursday

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? The production - High School Musical

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? Acting

Your greatest strength: Friendly personality

What three words best describe you? Kind, caring and considerate

Excursions

Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies - Living Culture Guided Walk 

Well done to our Year 11 students on a fantastic Bushrangers Bay excursion! As part of their Indigenous land management study, students took part in an educational walk exploring the Mornington Peninsula. We were incredibly blessed with gorgeous, sunny weather—it didn't even feel like winter at all! The absolute highlight of the day was spotting whales from the beach. 

We hope everyone returned with a much deeper appreciation of our local flora, learning how these plants have been utilized, understood, and preserved by Indigenous caretakers for over 50,000 years.

Madison Nicholls

Maths/OES Teacher

GAT Day

This week our VCE students completed the General Achievement Test (GAT), a state-wide assessment that supports the quality and accuracy of VCE results while also providing an opportunity to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills at a senior secondary level.

The GAT isn't something students need to study for. Instead, it draws on the knowledge and skills developed throughout their schooling, including writing, numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving.

The GAT is completed in two parts, with a MSC supplied BBQ for all participating students thrown in to break up the day!

To provide our GAT participants the peace and quiet required to concentrate, our Year 7-9 students enjoyed year level dedicated excursions.

On Tuesday, 16 June, our Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Werribee Open Range Zoo, where they had the opportunity to explore the zoo, learn about a wide range of animals, and discover more about their natural habitats.

A highlight of the day was undoubtedly the safari bus tour. Students were transported through the open-range savannah with a knowledgeable tour guide, learning about some of the world's most endangered species and the important conservation work being undertaken by the zoo. The experience brought students up close to many incredible animals and provided a unique insight into wildlife conservation.

Students were thrilled to witness two rhinos chasing each other across the plains, and a curious giraffe wandered right up to the safari bus, giving everyone an unforgettable close-up encounter.

A huge thank you goes to our amazing team of staff for their support and assistance throughout the day. Your organisation, enthusiasm, and care helped ensure the excursion ran smoothly and that a great time was had by all. 

Year 8 students enjoyed a day at Melbourne Zoo, with the Butterfly House a big hit!

While the Year 12 students were completing the GAT, more than 80 Year 9 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to Docklands. Students chose between ice skating at O’Brien Icehouse or bowling, with both activities providing plenty of fun, challenges, and opportunities to spend time with friends.

58 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands. The day began with an ice-skating lesson, followed by free time on the ice. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with some finding skating more challenging than others. Regardless of ability, every student showed great perseverance, supported one another, and should be proud of their efforts and achievements.

After skating, students had time to relax and enjoy lunch and some free time around Docklands before heading to ArtVo. Students had a fantastic time exploring the interactive gallery and loved the opportunity to become part of the artworks through the creative photo experiences.

The day was a fantastic success, with students demonstrating excellent behaviour, enthusiasm, and resilience throughout all activities. It was wonderful to see them embracing new experiences, supporting one another, and representing the school so positively. Thank you to all the staff who attended and helped make the day such an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Primary School SMR Cross Country Helpers

Congratulations to our outstanding hares and pacers for their fantastic work at the Primary School Southern Metropolitan Cross Country Championships on Wednesday 17th. They did a sensational job supporting the runners and leading races throughout the day. Their enthusiasm, leadership, and professionalism made them excellent ambassadors for Mornington Secondary College. We are incredibly proud of the positive contribution they made to the event.

Alex Mackenzie

Health and PE Teacher

Interschool Sport 

Girls and Boys Badminton - Division

The Year 8 Southern Peninsula Division (SPD) Badminton competition was held on Thursday 11th June at our college stadium. There were six teams represented in the boy’s competition and five in the girls. It was a very busy day with a massive number of games running throughout the day. It was great to see the standard of skill improve as the competition progressed. 

Our girls team won their first game against Mt Eliza 6-0 which was a great start. Their second game was much tougher losing to Dromana 5-1. The girls rallied after that defeat to win their next two games 6-0 and 5-1 against two teams from Western Port. Overall, our girls placed runners up in the competition, which is a terrific result. 

Our boys team had their toughest match straight out of the blocks, losing 6-0 against the eventual competition winners Western Port. The boys rallied well to win their second and third matches 5-1 and 6-0 against Mt Eliza and Dromana B. Their last two matches were lost 4-2 and 5-1 against Somerville and Dromana A. The boys placed 4th overall in the competition. All team members played with great spirit and represented the school with distinction.

On Monday 15th June the Year 7 Southern Division (SPD) Badminton Championships were held at our school. There were 8 teams in the boy's competition which was split into two pools with the winner of both pools to play off in the finals. The girl’s competition only had 4 teams, so that competition was played as a round robin with the winner decided on most matches won. 

Our boys A team played well winning their first match against Western Port B but losing their next two matches against Mt Eliza and Dromana resulted in us finishing third in our pool. Our boys B team also played well learning the skills of the game and how to officiate. They lost all three of their matches but played with great enthusiasm and team spirit to place fourth in their pool. The winners of pool 1 and 2 were Dromana and Western Port who played in the final. 

Boys A Team:

Boys B Team:

Our girls team played their hardest game of the competition first against Dromana losing 6-0. The girls rallied hard in their next game against Mt Eliza to secure a win 3-3 with our team having a superior points count. The girls lost their final match against Somerville 5-1 to place third in the competition. Dromana girls won the competition winning all their matches.

Girls team:

All school teams are to be congratulated for the positive spirit in which they played in the competition. The Year 7 students were excellent at officiating their own games and were very diligent at following directions and being prepared for their matches. 

John Walker

College Sport Coordinator

Soccer - Division

The Year 8 Boys Soccer team enjoyed the sunshine as they played a Round Robin tournament at Civic Reserve last week. All of the boys showed great skill and teamwork throughout the day. There was some fierce competition on-show:

• 1st match - we lost 2-4 to Mount Eliza 
• 2nd match - we won 6-1 against Rosebud 
• Finals - sadly we lost the semi final to Dromana, in what was a competitive game by both teams. 

The Mornington boys were great sportsman and all played to the best of their potential. It was a great day had by all! Well done.   

Our Year 7 Girls Soccer Team had a fantastic day representing our school recently. Sadly, as we didn’t have enough players, we were unable to successfully qualify to the next round. Despite this, throughout the day the girls played so well, showed fantastic teamwork and determination. They should be so proud of themselves. It was a great day had by all. Well done girls. Huge thanks to Ellie and Aida who assisted the girls to make the day possible.

Kirsty Hamson

Japanese/Drama/Personal Development Teacher

Year 8 Girls Soccer - Division

In stunning conditions at Civic Reserve, our Year 8 Girls Soccer team demonstrated teamwork, persistence and dedication to bring home the flag for Mornington SC. 

With only one game for the day, against Dromana, the girls had to come out strong and maintain form for the whole 60 minutes. The first half was very tight, with Mornington having most of the possession, but scores kept to nil all. Our second half was where the team exerted their dominance, scoring five goals (Jess 2, Meadow 2, Isla 1). 

Meadow and Aida were dominant in the midfield, out maneuvering their opponents on multiple occasions. Madi Segrave was a wall in defence, with support provided by Chelsea and Erin. Jess used her speed to out run the defence of Dromana up forward, alongside Mia and Isla. Ellie was consistent in the midfield, directing team mates and setting up plays and Madi Smith and Isla held the opposition scoreless as goalies. 

Winners 5-0, the team epitomized teamwork and perseverance, never giving up even when the game was initially close. Special mention to playing coaches Aida and Ellie, who made sure the team was prepared for the day. The team will play in the next round early in Term 3, good luck! 

Jenny Vanin

Science/Health & PE Teacher

Year 7 Boys Soccer - Division

The MSC Year 7 Boys Soccer Team competed in Pool B at the Intermediate Sports Soccer Competition and enjoyed a successful and exciting day of football.

The team started strongly with a 5–2 victory over Rosebud, despite taking some time to settle into the match. In their second game against Western Port, the boys found themselves trailing 1–0 at half-time. A change in goalkeeping proved to be the turning point, with the team responding brilliantly to record an impressive 8–1 win.

Finishing as Pool B champions, MSC progressed to the final against Pool A winners Somerville. Despite a determined effort, Somerville proved too strong on the day, with MSC narrowly missing out on the overall title in a hard-fought contest.

The day concluded on a positive note as the boys enthusiastically supported the Year 7 Girls team, cheering them on to victory. With excellent weather, great sportsmanship, and plenty of memorable moments, everyone had a fantastic day representing the school.

Scott Dean

Humanities Teacher

Year 7 and 8 Boys Football - Division

With a strong team this year in Year 8 Boys Football, our first game, against Dromana, turned out to be our grand final. After the MSC team had controlled most of the game, Dromana unfortunately kicked a goal in the last minute to win by 3 points. The subsequent games saw us easily beat Rosebud and Somerville but the loss to Dromana saw us not progress to the SMR round. 

All the boys played with great spirit and represented the school with distinction. Best players: Knox Wherner, James Wright, Cade Hawkridge and Hudson Wherner

The Year 7 Boys Football Team travelled to Citation Reserve on Monday 15th June. With only 19 players and playing on the larger main oval, we were always going to find the day difficult. 

In our first game against Western Port the wet conditions didn't suit us and their bigger bodies were the difference in the game, seeing us go down by 3 goals. During our drier second game, our run and skills saw us easily handle the Rosebud team, winning in the end by 5 goals. Our third game was the runners up final against Somerville. Unfortunately by our third game the players were tired and Somerville took control and defeated us by 7 goals. 

All the boys showed great commitment and heart throughout the day. Best Players: Luka Press, Jenson Barrett, Baye Kill, Caiden Jordan. 

Adam Pirrie

Team Leader Year 8

Year 8 Girls Netball - Division

On Thursday 11th June, our Year 8 A Team took to the courts at Mornington to compete in the Year 8 Netball Division Competition. The girls faced the overall winners, Rosebud, in their first game, with our girls going down by 6 goals. Our second game against Dromana was similar. The girls came back refreshed  in their last two games to beat both Sommerville and Mt Eliza convincingly.

A huge shout out to the 10 girls who came along to play on the day, demonstrating sportsmanship and fierce competition against all teams. Thank you to Lucinda Bradshaw and Taylah Rowe who helped out with coaching and scoring on the day.

Kim Rattue

Year Level Coordinator 9

Year 7 Girls Netball - Division

Our Year 7 students recently represented Mornington Secondary College at Interschool sports, demonstrating teamwork, and determination throughout the day.

The A Team competed strongly in their draw, keeping the scores close in each of their matches. The girls worked hard on court and continued to improve with every game. Their positive attitude and commitment were impressive to watch.

The B Team faced some challenges, going into each game with only 6 players. Despite not securing a win, the girls displayed persistence and enthusiasm throughout the day. The team never gave up, continued to encourage one another, and represented the college with pride. Their willingness to keep trying, even when the games were tough, was a credit to the team.

Congratulations to all students who participated. Thank you for your effort, teamwork, and the way you represented Mornington Secondary College both on and off the court.

Evangeline Romage

Leading Teacher Year 7

Year 12 Formal

Our Year 12 students got their groove on and dressed to impress at their recent Year 12 Formal. It was a fantastic evening filled with great music, dancing, laughter and plenty of memorable moments as students celebrated together. Thank you to all staff who helped make the night such a success. We hope everyone enjoyed the occasion and the chance to create lasting memories with their peers. 

Wellbeing

MSC Student Achievement - Evi Irving

Congratulations to MSC student Evi Irving on her selection in the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships, where she will represent Vic Country.

This is an outstanding achievement and recognition of Evi’s talent, dedication and hard work. Earning selection at this level places her among the state’s top young footballers and is a testament to the commitment she brings to her sport.

We wish Evi and the Vic Country team all the very best for the Championships, being held June 13 to July 11, and look forward to following her journey.

Footy Tipping

Don’t Miss a Moment at MSC!

Follow Mornington Secondary College on Facebook & Instagram for news, events, and more so you never miss a moment of your student's learning journey.

Community News & Opportunities

Mornington Peninsula Shire School Holiday Activities

Melbourne Recital Centre Accelerando Applications for 2027

This free year-long music program is open to Victorian Government Secondary School students in Years 11 and 12 in 2027 who experience geographic, financial or other barriers to accessing high quality live music performances and industry experiences. The program includes instrumental lessons, industry workshops, concert tickets, mentor sessions, and an end of year performance in Melbourne Recital Centre’s Primrose Potter Salon.

Netstars Netball Clinic

To learn more or to reach out to us