Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Staff Service Awards

On the afternoon of Friday 2 June, we held the Mordialloc College school service awards. This is an annual event we have held since 2016 to celebrate and recognise staff that have spent a considerable part of their career to date at Mordialloc College. It is a most worthwhile event sponsored by school council. This year we have four staff being recognised. Staff receive an award for 10, 15, 20 or 25 years of service to Mordialloc College. All recipients received a framed certificate, with any staff serving 25 years or more eligible for a small gift. This year we had Lyndell Thompson, Adwine Narayan and Cory Watters receiving a 20-year service award; and Lauren Hibell, a 10-year service award. 

Future Facility Development 

As all in the community are aware, Mordialloc College was promised $12.6 million by Labor in the lead up to the state election last year. In the recent Victorian State budget, we have been allocated planning funding for our future capital works project in the next stage of our masterplan (we anticipate this being a new Arts/Technology Centre), with a commitment that the rest of the funding will come through in the next state budget to begin construction.  The first step in this process is to appoint an architect and I am awaiting contact from the Victorian Building Authority to begin this selection process. The actual planning process with the appointed architect and the Victorian School Building Authority is a lengthy four stage process and can take up to a year. The goal is to have all documentation completed and approved in readiness to put our project out to tender after the rest of the funding has come through in the 2024 May budget. I will have more information once the official timeline is made available to me.

Imogen Kane former student – Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations 

It was exciting to meet with Imogen a few weeks ago to hear about her journey since graduating from Mordialloc College at the end of 2017. An absolutely outstanding achievement to be named the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2023. I asked Imogen to share her journey with us since graduating from Mordialloc College. See attached article here: Be curious and passionate.

We have invited Imogen to speak at our whole school assembly mid term 3 and she will also be working with our Mordialloc College Student Council.

Congratulations to Pravel Terepita Year 7

Pravel has been selected to represent Victoria as a member of the Rugby Victoria State Team to compete in the SCSC Challenge Cup this year at Sunnybank Rugby Club in Brisbane July 7 to 9. The team will be competing against other state teams from throughout Australia. A wonderful achievement for Pravel and we wish him the very best for the upcoming competition this July.

Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes

Daily attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they do not fall behind both socially and developmentally. Studies show that absence does affect learning growth and that there are no safe number of days. A child missing one day a fortnight will miss four weeks in a year, and more than a year of school by the time they are in Year 10. It is important that children develop regular attendance habits at an early age. In addition, a student who is half an hour late each day misses the equivalent of 16.6 days of learning each year. This is not acceptable. It is not ok to be away or late without a medical certificate! School participation maximises life opportunities for our young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps children to develop important skills, knowledge and values that set them up for further learning and participation in their community. If you are having difficulty getting your child to school, please contact the Wellbeing Team at the College to discuss strategies that may assist you. 

Student Attitudes to School Survey

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of our school. The Attitudes to School survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. This will be the seventeenth year that the survey has been offered, now in its fourth year of being online. Students from Year 7 to 12 at our school have been participating in the survey over the last few weeks. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to compete and all responses to the survey are anonymous. The survey results will be reported back to the school during Term 3 and will be communicated to parents through the Annual Report.

Excursions

MEX City experience

Thanks to Kate Denman, Learning Specialist for Years 9 & 10 and leader of our MEX program for organising the two-day city experience for our Year 9 students last week and all staff attending to support this excursion. Students had the opportunity to visit a variety of sites that are a part of Melbourne’s vibrant culture. 

Paul Cronin Foundation incursion

All Year 9 students on this Thursday during period 1 will be participating in the 'Be Wise' incursion. The presentation aims to address the psychological, social, and economic impacts of violent acts like the Coward Punch. They encourage students to reflect on attitudes and behaviours around anger and aggression and together they discuss strategies to deal with these issues personally, and as mates and bystanders. Thanks to Director of Middle School, Brendan McFarland for organising this important incursion for our students.

Teenage Road Accident Group (T.R.A.G excursion)

All Year 12 students attended this excursion in Mt Martha on Tuesday.

Students were presented with information designed to promote road safety and to end preventable road trauma for the next generation of young drivers. Presented by those who have experienced road trauma & its effects first-hand, TRAG’s presentations provide a critical and powerful message to students.  Presenters are a combination of Emergency Services (Victoria Police, CFA, Ambulance Victoria, SES), victims of road trauma and family members who have lost loved ones through road trauma. TRAG is widely acknowledged as an integral part of the local resources to reduce incidences of road trauma in the 15-25 age group, the most vulnerable age group in our community.

Topics covered in the presentations:

• The impact of road trauma – on yourself and others
• The aspects of life that can be affected by road trauma
• Safe driving practices and decision making
• Making safe choices whether a driver or passenger
• A focus on making good choices and the message Drive4Life

Thanks to Director of Senior School, Susan Cochrane for organising this excursion.

Winter Uniform Reminder

I would like remind students of their responsibility in relation to uniform. The College expectation is that all students will be in the correct winter uniform, and that this uniform is worn correctly (shirts tucked in, ties done up properly) just as it would be expected in any workplace. This also means no Hoodies worn under or over your jumper.  The only year level permitted to have a hoodie are the Year 12s who have a special final year top that is approved by school council each year. In relation to school shoes, these need to be black polishable leather lace up shoes with a heel. Black sneakers in any form are not allowed. Our uniform is a very important part of the image we project of our College community and therefore I expect all students to wear their uniform correctly and with pride to, from and at school. I would ask parents to reinforce these expectations at home.  If you require support in the provision of such, please contact our Wellbeing team. 

Uniform review

We are currently conducting a review of our uniform policy involving students who have volunteered their time to be part of the review committee, along with teachers and members of the leadership team. All parents will have the opportunity to respond to an online survey to be sent out this week by Acting Assistant Principal, Simon Cummins, regarding the key proposed changes to ascertain the level of support for such. 

Senior Formals

We look forward to the Year 11 Formal this week to be held at the Dingley International on Thursday night. Thanks to Year 11 Coordinator Alex Brown for organising this event with the organising committee of students and staff attending to support it.  Our Year 12 Formal will be held next term on Friday 8 September at Southern Golf Course. 

Michelle Roberts

Principal