School News

New Bell times for 2025

This aligns us better with the primary school (less ringing bells) and avoids having two different finishes at the end of the day for early bus travellers and non-early bus travellers - which has continued to be quite disruptive to learning this year. 

See new times below: 

First bell        8:45 am

Period 1         8:50-9:39

Period 2         9:39-10:28

Recess

Period 3         11:00-11:49

Period 4         11:49-12:38

Lunch             

Period 5          1:28-2:17

Period 6          2:17-3:06

ALL students finish at 3:06 pm

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR … School Council Elections 2025

Do you have the time and a want to contribute to improving our school? Contributing to the running of Mirboo North Secondary College may be the best investment you can make in not just your child/rens education but also our community and its young people.

Nominations are now open for the Mirboo North Secondary College School Council. Interested parents/guardians, students and staff can download the election forms from Compass or obtain a hard copy from the office.

What is a school council and what does it do? All government schools in Victoria have a school council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the broad direction of a school, in accordance with Ministerial Order 1280 Constitution of Government School Councils, and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In doing this, a school council may directly influence the quality of education for students.

Vacancies: 

Membership Category: Parent member/Number of vacant positions: 4

Membership Category: Staff member/Number of vacant positions: 2

Membership Category: Student member/Number of vacant positions: 2

Membership Category: Community member/Number of vacant positions: 3

Message from the Captains

Introducing our 2025 School Captains

• Jada Sutherland
• Jacob Daly
• Olivia Henning
• Billy Jennings

Interschool Equestrian Competition

Congratulations to Gemma, Alana and Kayla who headed to East Gippsland to compete in an Interschool Equestrian Competition, the girls all enjoyed the day and rode well.

CATASTROPHIC FIRE DAYS

A reminder to our community that our schools (Mirboo Nor Primary and Secondary) will close on CATASTROPHIC fire days. No one, staff included is to be on site on these days. Families will be aware of a school closure for this reason the afternoon before. School will be open on days rated EXTREME but we encourage our community to enact their own fire safety plans depending on where you live, and in the best interests of your own family's safety.

Year 10 pics from English and Life Ready. 

One they are studying hard and the others they are learning some important life skills about changing a tyre, checking tyre pressure, oil and water. Did you know that for most spare tyres, you should not exceed 80kms? Brady and Miller were the fastest tyre changers, if you were stuck on the side of the road, they would have you up and running in just over 6 minutes.

Bullying or Conflict

It’s good to understand what bullying is and isn’t.  Conflict is normal, bullying is not okay. 

Thanks Kids Helpline Official for this graphic

Year 7 Meet the Teachers BBQ

Come meet your Year 7  child's teacher/s in an informal setting, along with a sausage sizzle, see some of the work they have done and look around the school.

School Canteen

The school canteen is open every day, for students, online orders can be made using QKR,  cash purchases and orders can also be made on the day there is NO eftPOS facilities at the canteen.

Canteen helpers are also more than welcome especially on Friday.

 SWPBS, School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Is in full swing from day one. The program aims to support students through the 4 key domains of ‘Working Hard’, ‘ Keep on Keeping on’, ‘Own It’, and ‘Be Kind’.  

Our focus this term is on Be Kind and Own It. We are charging along emphasising the importance of being kind to ourselves, and to those around us. We are encouraging our students to support their peers in creating a culture of school-wide care and consideration. During the term, we will be promoting giving the gift of kindness through class-based activities and special events like the upcoming swimming and athletic sports.  

‘Own It’ is a fantastic part of our SWPBS approach that helps our students navigate the world of choices they are faced with every day. One of the most celebrated facets of being a child is the acceptance that they will make and learn from mistakes. Owning our choices is the first step towards learning from them. The support we wish to offer every student starts with helping them to make good choices, and teaching them to make better choices NEXT TIME; if things go wrong! 

Our goal is always to reward the POSITIVE behaviour we see, and help guide young people not only in their learning, but also their social and emotional development.[Text Wrapping Break] 

During term one we are keeping our eyes on students that show kindness or take ownership of situations. For an intentionally undisclosed two weeks we will be noting students that excel in these areas at our school and acknowledge their achievements with a reward at an assembly later in the term.   

Great conversation starters for your children: Were you kind to anybody at school today? What was the biggest choice you had to make today? Don’t forget to remind them to be kind to themselves as they head out the door.  

Attendance & Absence Reporting

Why going to school is important

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop:

• important skills and knowledge to help them learn
• social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team work.

Children who attend school every day and complete Year 12 have:

• better health
• better job opportunities
• higher income across their lives.

There are no safe number of days for missing school. Each day a student misses puts them behind.

What to do if your child can’t go to school

Let the school know as soon as possible and explain why your child can’t come to school. Each school will have a preferred way to do this. It may be by phone call, email or app.

If you do not let the school know, they must contact you on the same day to make sure your child is safe. They may also call your emergency contacts.

Talk to your school if your child needs to take an extended period of time off. There might be flexible options to keep your child from falling behind.

If your child misses a lot of school

Your school will work with you if your child has more than 5 days of unapproved or unexplained days off in a school year.

If this does not work, your school might refer your child to a school attendance officer. The school attendance officer will monitor and investigate your child’s attendance. You might receive a warning, an attendance notice or a fine.

Example situations

Sickness

If your child is sick they do not need to go to school. It’s important they’re only away on the days they’re genuinely sick. Your school might give them work to do so they don’t fall behind.

Medical appointments

Make medical appointments for before or after school or during the school holidays. If this is not possible, tell your child’s school before the appointment.

Family holidays

Take holidays during school holidays and not during term time. Your school will decide if it is okay for your child to miss any school for a holiday. They might give your child work to do so their learning is not affected. If they do not approve the holiday and you decide to go, the absence will be marked as unapproved.

A death in the family

Contact the school and let them know how long your child will be away. The school can offer counselling and keep an eye on your child’s wellbeing when they return. For Sorry Business absences, find more information below.

Koorie cultural absences (including Sorry Business)

For families of Koorie students, we encourage you to let the school know when there is Sorry Business. Teachers can work with you, your child and the Koorie Engagement Support Officer to identify the right support. The school will record the absence in a specific category for Sorry Business. The category accounts for the unique responsibilities that come with this type of absence.

Culture plays an important role in a Koorie student's education and overall wellbeing. If a Koorie student needs to be away for a cultural activity or obligation, families are encouraged to discuss this with the school in advance. In some cases, these absences can be recorded under the 'educational' absence category.

Truancy

This is when your child chooses to not go to school without you knowing or giving permission. Your school can help you improve your child’s attendance at school.

Children who refuse to go to school

Your child might refuse to go to school. This is different to truancy. Your child may be upset at school or the thought of going to school.

This could be because of:

• bullying
• feeling lonely or not having friends
• falling behind in work or poor grades
• not liking their subjects, teachers or other students
• illness or mental health
• disability
• behaviour or developmental delays
• bad sleep habits
• relationship breakdowns
• hobbies or family commitments
• cultural differences between home and school.

It can be normal for children to go through a stage where they refuse to go to school.

It’s important to find out why they don’t want to go to school. Speak to them about what’s happening. Then work with them and the school to find solutions. You can speak to your child’s year coordinator, school counsellor or principal.

Refusal's cannot be entered into compass by parents, please contact Keith Kerstjens keith.kerstjens@education.vic.gov.au or your year level coordinator.

Students with a disability

If your child has a disability they might not have to attend school full time. This will depend on the type of disability your child has and if it is the best thing for your child.

Arriving late , please remember to go to the office and enter your arrival in the kiosk.

• Recording Absences
• Put in an attendance note in via Compass, or
• Call the office
• Email keith.kerstjens@education.vic.gov.au
• Write an absent note

With date/s and reason for absence.

If you cant see the correct option in Compass please call or email Keith, as we are aware that some students are helping out the recovery efforts.

Every school day if you are absent in the morning, your parent will get an SMS to notify them you are not at school.

Head Lice

Just a reminder that schools are a regular place for head lice whilst normally in primary schools they can appear in secondary schools as well.  Please take the time to check you child.

Mirboo North Community Op Shop Roster

Mirboo North Schools’ Chaplaincy Inc. is looking for helpers to fill their OP Shop roster (in the blank spaces). Please contact Rach on 040715165 if you can help fill a spot.

Thank you for your support.