PRINCIPAL REPORT 

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding year at Mount Eliza Secondary College, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all of our families for their ongoing support, particularly in strengthening our whole-school focus on Ready to Learn. Your partnership has played an essential role in helping students understand the importance of preparation, responsibility and high expectations, and this shared work has contributed to an outstanding year of growth across our college.

I would like to thank our college council. Twice a term we meet to discuss priorities in the college and seek feedback form this dynamic and thoughtful group. Our community should be grateful and proud of the way they represent you all as a community.

I share gratitude for all of the teaching and education support staff here at MESC. Their unwavering dedication and compassion for our students is to be commended. In a time where the education space is demanding and challenging, all of our staff turn up each day wanting to contribute to the growth of our young people.

2025 was also an exciting year of celebration as Mount Eliza Secondary College turned 50 years old. Our Move-a-thon and Performing Arts Showcase were joyful moments that brought students, staff and families together. The enthusiasm and talent on display were truly spectacular. With incredible community support, we raised $7,000, which will contribute to building a new undercover area at the front of the gym. This space will provide shelter for students in wet weather and create another valuable area for learning, play and activities such as 4-square—something we know students will appreciate enormously.

This year we continued to deepen our wellbeing approach, ensuring students feel supported, connected and empowered. Our focus on building student agency in help-seeking has resulted in more young people confidently accessing assistance and forming strong, positive relationships with our wellbeing staff. We expanded our wellbeing intervention programs across all year levels, ensuring a proactive and accessible structure that meets the diverse needs of our students. The increased visibility of our wellbeing team—and the trust students have in them—has been a true highlight of 2025. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, staff have engaged in targeted professional learning focused on collating and utilising student data to better inform their practice. This work is enabling teachers to engage students at their point of need, tailor instruction and monitor progress with greater precision. This important focus will continue not only at MESC but with our feeder primary schools and neighbouring high schools throughout 2026 as we strengthen our evidence-based approach to improving student outcomes.

Alongside wellbeing, academic rigour has remained at the heart of our work. Across the college we have continued to strengthen literacy, embed high-quality learning practices and develop new, engaging curriculum aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. These frameworks are helping us refine classroom practice, lift expectations and ensure students are challenged, supported and inspired across every learning area. 

A significant milestone this year was the transition of Year 10 into our Senior Pathways Program. Students are now operating with the expectations and habits that align with VCE standards, helping to build readiness, consistency and a stronger sense of purpose as they move into their final years of schooling. We were also proud to implement the Multi-Trade Program, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning and industry-aligned skill development.

Another unforgettable highlight was our school production of The Little Mermaid. The show was, quite simply, out of this world. Our performing arts students—and the staff who supported them—demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication and creativity. While 2026 will be a “rest year” for production, we are already excited to see this tradition return even bigger and better in 2027.

Throughout the year, our students have represented the college with pride, enthusiasm and sportsmanship across a wide range of sporting events. They have also embraced the opportunities offered through our camps program, including the life-changing experience of the World Challenge Vietnam Trip, which provided rich learning, personal growth and unforgettable memories.

The Mount Eliza Cluster: Mount Eliza Secondary College, Mount Eliza Primary School, Mount Eliza North Primary School and Kunyung Primary School

As a Mount Eliza cluster, we have always enjoyed a strong partnership, regularly connecting staff and students across our schools to build relationships, support smooth transitions, and learn from one another. This collaboration will continue in 2026. However, as Principals of our four schools, we are committing to work more strategically and collaboratively, with a specific focus on teaching and learning in Years 5–8.

Our goal is to challenge the misconception that learning ends in Grade 6 and begins again in Year 7. Instead, we aim to create consistent, evidence-based practices that ensure every student thrives and reaches their full potential. Throughout next year, I will share updates on our progress and the positive impact this work is having on our collective community through school newsletters.

As we look ahead to 2026, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue to focus on high expectations, Ready to Learn behaviours, and strong academic rigour, while supporting every student to be educated for excellence and prepared for life.

Thank you once again to our families and wider community for your support, encouragement and belief in our school. I wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable break, and I look forward to another fantastic year ahead.

Warm regards,

Principal

Mount Eliza Secondary College