Director of Junior School Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

It’s hard to believe that Term 1 is almost over with the April school holidays almost upon us. It has been a really positive start for the newly formed Junior school, with our Year 7’s having almost completed their first term of secondary school and the Year 8’s moving out of the LC into their own locker bay without much of a fuss.

The Year 7’s have certainly found their place in secondary school and have begun to establish a strong sense of connectedness to Mordialloc College, which will only grow stronger as they make their way through the years until it is their time to lead the school as Year 12’s. It may feel like a long way to go, but just ask our current Year 12’s and they will tell you it actually flies by!

During the first few weeks of the term, our Year 7 students were involved in a number of activities designed to make connections and build relationships with their classmates, cohort and teachers. It was great to see them getting involved at every opportunity and really starting to create a solid foundation for their secondary school experience. The activities included heading out to the inflatable water park and ropes course – which I have to admit was a highlight for most of the students, especially those who had not been there before – and heading to Mordialloc Beach and take advantage of the facilities on offer. It was obvious to see that the students had a great time judging by the laughing and smiling we all observed.

In addition to those activities all Year 7’s completed a project called ‘Me in the LC’, which is an integrated project which covers multiple curriculum areas and enables the student to familiarize themselves with classroom expectations, layout of the college and learn more about themselves and each other. It also serves as a great tool for teachers to begin establishing a real connection with their classes. We also ran the Year 7 ‘Parent Meet & Greet’ session, and I would like to thank all those who were able to attend. I would also like to thank the following students who have been selected to represent Mordialloc College when we visit our local primary schools to present to the Grade 6 classes - Eva Gladman, Kaden McCarthy, Henry McPherson and Adele Kerr. These students will outline their experiences of transitioning into Mordialloc College and what the Grade 6 students can look forward to in 2026.

Our Year 8’s are beginning to demonstrate an increasing level of maturity that goes along with the understanding that they are the leaders of the Junior School, and our incoming Year 7’s look up to them as role models. It’s a good time for our Year 8’s to begin considering if they would like to put their hand up for leadership roles next year whether it be as a captain or as part of the MCSC. They can also look forward to our upcoming Year 8 excursion to Cape Schanck, where they will engage in an integrated project focused on that geographical location, followed by a delicious fish & chip lunch at the Mornington Park.

The Year 7’s began and the Year 8’s continue to engage in their weekly sports, with those teams who get to represent Mordialloc against other schools having some great performances and always showing a high level of respect and sportsmanship toward their opponents. On the sporting front, after a hugely successful and always popular swimming carnival, we had a number of Junior School students represent the school at district and state swimming event. On the last day of this term we look forward to having our Athletics Carnival, which for many is the absolute highlight of the term, if not the year. I encourage all Year 7 and 8 students to get involved and have some fun.

I would like to thank the Year Level coordinators for their work over the year so far in supporting our students, and we all look forward to seeing our students continue to grow as the year progresses.

Brendan McFarland

Director of Junior School