Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Successful Open Events 

Last week we held a most successful Open Night for prospective students and parents, with up to 700 visitors to see the whole school in action on Thursday 26 April from 7pm. The success of such events is testament to our strong sense of community where staff, students and parent representatives from our College Council all played important roles. The level of support and enthusiasm from all involved was extremely positive and affirming. My sincere thanks to Mr Daniel Williams, Director of Middle School and Mrs Joanne Greenhalgh, Acting Assistant Principal who were the main organisers. I would also like to thank all staff for their attendance out of school hours and for organising some terrific displays and highly engaging interactive workshops; to all the students who acted as tour guides or assisted with the interactive workshops, they were so proud to showcase their school; and to the parent representatives from College Council, who were very enthusiastic and proud to speak about Mordialloc College to prospective parents.

A special thanks to our student speakers in the formal presentation part of the evening. They all did an outstanding job articulating what it means to them to be a student of Mordialloc College. Congratulations to Sabrina Berg and Bailey Bocksette, speaking in their capacity as School Captains; and Amelia Davidson and Jye Holloway representing the Year 7 cohort and speaking so confidently about their experiences to date. We had an overwhelming response to our request for feedback. Please see  just some of the feedback from prospective parents via this link

Congratulations to Layla Stephens who won the $100 Westfield gift voucher, one of many who went into the draw for completing the learning journey passport on the night.

On Thursday 3 May we are holding the SEAL entrance exam for Year 7 next year and we are again overwhelmed with the interest in this program and very high calibre of applicants. All applicants (74 students) are also being interviewed between 10-16 May with myself and Alice Leppin on the panel, as part of the selection process.

Anzac Day Assembly

On Monday 23 April, the College held a whole school assembly to recognise Anzac Day and to commemorate the 103rd year of the landing at Gallipoli. This was organised and led by our school captains and middle school captains, including the schedule of service and all readings. They did a wonderful job and I would like to congratulate Sabrina Berg, Bailey Bocksette, Annie Ea, Bianca Davidson and Spencer Halse. I would also like to congratulate all students for their exemplary behaviour during the assembly which was held in the Gymnasium.

School Council Elections – Student Representation

The Department has recently introduced a new category of membership to College Council for students. We have always had student representation on Council, with our two School Captains each year coming on as Community Members. As such, we would like to retain the school captains on Council and will open up two other positions through this new process for any student in Years 7-12 to nominate for. Information is attached here for parent and student referral and I will advertise the process through Year Level Assemblies next week. For 2018 only, one student will be elected for a one year term of office and one student will be elected for a two year term of office. From 2019, students will be elected for a two year term of office. Nominations will open on Monday 7 May and close on Monday 14 May. Students will need to collect a nomination form from me. If we get more than two genuine nominations an election will be held. Students must have parent permission and they will be required to attend all College Council meetings (held twice a term on a Thursday 5:00 - 6.30 pm). Please see the links below for more information for both parents and students.

Ride safely to and from school

A reminder to all students who ride their bicycles to school, it is mandatory that helmets are worn for your own safety. Cyclists are required to obey the same road rules as car drivers plus some bicycle specific rules e.g. wearing a securely fitted and fastened helmet whether you are riding on the roads, bike paths or shared footpaths.  You can be fined for not complying and, most importantly, we value your safety and don’t want to see any of our students end up with a major head injury.

NAPLAN: National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy

On the mornings of Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 May all students in Year 7 and 9 will be sitting the national tests in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation and Numeracy. It is important that students treat these tests seriously and strive to achieve their Personal Best.

The results will be used to:

• help teachers identify students who require greater challenges or additional support
• help the College identify strengths and if any gaps in teaching programs and to set goals in Literacy and Numeracy
• provide additional feedback to students and parents about individual achievements and progress

Any parents with any concerns or questions about the tests should contact Assistant Principal, Andrew Moffat.

All parents of students in Year 7 and 9 will receive a NAPLAN report on their child’s progress later this year. The report is only one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process, and does not replace the more extensive and informed judgements made about your child by their teachers.

Celebration Weeks

During Term 2 and 3 each of our Learning Areas will stage a celebration week to include a range of activities for all to get involved in at lunchtime and a daily quiz. Thanks to Health/Physical Education Learning Area leader, Katie Loynes and the PE team for a host of activities this week to celebrate Health and Physical Education Week.

Screen Guidelines for Students

This article was recently published in “The Conversation” and may be of interest – “Eight things that should be included in screen guidelines for students" — http://theconversation.com/eight-things-that-should-be-included-in-screen-guidelines-for-students-95427

Ms. Michelle Roberts

Principal