Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

I returned to work on Monday after three weeks' long service leave travelling up north and enjoying plenty of warm weather. Thanks to Marina Walsh who was Acting Principal while I was away.

Course Counselling VCE, VETiS & Vocational Major 2023

Over the past couple of weeks our Years 9-11 students, with their parent/s if available, have been involved in course counselling sessions for their 2023 subject selections and pathways discussions with a member of the leadership team. My thanks to members of my leadership team and our pathways coordinators, who are involved in supporting our students and parents with these important decisions. Please contact Acting Director of Senior School, Tim Randell or Assistant Principal, Tracey Bastin, if there are any further questions or any issues you would like to discuss. 

Parent Teacher Student Interviews – Term 3

At the end of last term, I provided advance notice of our plans to conduct Years 7-12 parent teacher student interviews in Week 7 of this term on Thursday 25 August 10 am - 6.30 pm. These interviews will be conducted via Google Meets again, as in Term 1, to provide greater convenience and efficiency for families.  In the lead up to the interviews we will be providing a parent guide to hopefully make the process more efficient and overcome the technical difficulties some parents experienced during our Term 1 interviews. Bookings will open via the Compass portal two weeks prior to the interview day/night. Assistant Principal Tracey Bastin will be leading the organisation and running of these interviews. Classes are cancelled on this day; however, students are expected to attend the interviews with their parent/carer. 

School Production

There is much anticipation and excitement as we get closer to the performance nights of our school production Matilda the Musical this year. Tickets went on sale last Monday morning and there are still tickets available to purchase for our four performance nights on Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 August.

So much hard work has gone into putting the show together since the start of the school year and more recently with extra rehearsals during the school holidays and on Sundays to assist students’ preparations. I would like to congratulate all students who are involved, whether in the cast or backstage crew, for their dedication throughout the year in preparing for this showcase event. 

My sincere thanks to my staff producing the show and supporting our students - Bella Barker, Cameron Young, Claire Bruce and Mara Sears. We also have two former students who have been assisting with rehearsals - Lorenzo Mortimer and Tahlia Peacock. 

Facility Development

The Modus construction team have made great progress to date with the development of our new Wellbeing Centre. There was an initial delay in starting due to the availability of certain materials, and now the new centre is due for completion later this term. 

Unfortunately, work has stopped on our four new outside netball and basketball court development, due to poor soil conditions.  The architects have received a geotechnical investigation report with recommendations considered by their structural engineer about the best way forward. The new scope of works and costings need to be reviewed before a revised construction program can be developed with Neo construct. We will hopefully get an update soon on the revised completion date. Our PE staff and students are really looking forward to having access to these new plexipave courts and I thank them for their patience. 

Statement of Values for our Community

Mordialloc College recognises the importance of the partnership between schools and parents to support student learning, engagement, and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, ensuring inclusive, safe and orderly environments for children and young people. 

This Statement of Values sets out our behavioural expectations of all members in this school community, including the principal, all school staff, parents, students, and visitors. It respects the diversity of individuals in our school community and addresses the shared responsibilities of all members in building safe and respectful school communities.

Discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, bullying, violence, aggression, and threatening behaviour are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this school.

Our Statement of Values acknowledges that parents and school staff are strongly motivated to do their best for every child. Everyone has the right to differing opinions and views and to raise concerns, as long as we do this respectfully as a community working together. 

Please see the attached Statement of Values for our Community and expectations.

RAT distribution

As per my Compass email on Monday night, this week is our last bulk distribution of RATs to all students. However, over the remainder of the school year, students will still be able to get boxes as required by asking at Reception or a parent can come in to collect. 

Staffing News

This week we have welcomed: 

• Laureen Kumar, an experienced Maths, Science and Digitech teacher from Westall SC who will be taking over the teaching load currently being covered by Katrina Dorus.  Although on family leave, Katrina has been assisting us by working as a Casual Relief Teacher. This position is a result of our Director of STEM, Alex Myer, being headhunted by a national STEM company late last term. 
• Lisa Ip, an experienced teacher who has given many years of service to Mordialloc College, has moved to Keysborough College this term. Lisa is an excellent teacher, and we thank her for her dedication to the College over her 17 years with us. Nikki Boyd, an experienced teacher from Lyndhurst SC has been appointed to replace Lisa and Nikki has commenced with us this week.
• Martine Jansen is returning to Keysborough College next week and has been at the College for a term and a half replacing Caroline Lazarus who is on family leave. We have appointed Adam Horsfall, an experienced teacher from Sandringham College to replace Martine from next Monday. 

Laureen, Nikki, and Adam have all secured ongoing positions at the College. 

At the start of this term, we welcomed:

• Brendan McFarland, our new Director of Middle School, who was appointed during Term 2 but was unable to start until this term. Brendan is an experienced leading teacher from St. Albans SC and lives locally, so is delighted to have secured this leadership role and has enjoyed his start to date with us. Brendan is teaching PE, Health, and Humanities. 

• Prakhar Verma was originally employed to replace Julie Chambers on Long Service Leave. However, with Julie deciding to cancel this leave we have Prakhar now taking the teaching load of Michael Haber who is on Long Service Leave. 
• We also welcomed back Beth Hogan, one of our Middle School assistants, returning from family leave. 

Interstate Camps

Our Central Australia Camp in September has now been approved by the Southeast region of the department to go ahead which is very exciting for the students and staff involved. Thanks to camp leader, Georgia Davey for submitting the required paperwork with assistance from Assistant Principal Tracey Bastin to ensure we met the COVID safe guidelines and risk assessment and management requirements. We have completed the same process for our planned Queensland Camp in early Term 4 and await region approval. Thanks to Year 10 Coordinator, Amelia Hargreaves for organising this camp and the required documentation. 

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 addition, long pants worn by boys and girls need to be the official school grey pants and not grey tracksuit like tight fitting pants, that some girls have started to wear. 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. 

Michelle Roberts

Principal