Whats happening at MRC 

Alpine Campus - School for Student Leadership

The Alpine School Campus in Dinner Plain offers Year 9 students a unique leadership experience through the School for Student Leadership (SSL) program. This term, four students are participating in this residential program, which combines outdoor learning, personal growth, and community engagement. They are working on a Community Learning Project (CLP), where they will apply their leadership skills to address an issue, grow self-awareness, and create positive change in our school community. It’s an opportunity to grow as leaders, challenge themselves, and make lasting memories.

Here is a written piece from Stiven Eftimov in Year 9 ACED, who is currently at the Alpine Campus:

During our stay at the School for Student Leadership, the MRC students have had many highlights. One of these was rafting, where we went down the Mitta Mitta and had so much fun. We also got very wet! Another highlight has been meeting so many new friends, and we will hopefully be friends for a while. Being able to connect with everyone is definitely a big highlight and one that we are all grateful for.

We have enjoyed learning here, and if we had to choose, it would be the Expo skills and Environment 1 class about how to make a tent and how to cook outside. This is in preparation for when we go hiking and camping on expedition next week. It was really insightful and fun for us. The environment was very peaceful and relaxing, letting us reflect outside in nature within the magnificent Dinner Plain environment. For inside classes, the best was the time our team had to get dressed the quickest in the gear, as it was very funny seeing people dress in a tiny amount of time.

It’s very nice living here, and the nature is amazing. There is a huge variety of sports we can play. It is also enjoyable interacting with our peers every day, building new connections, and learning in our groups. We have a daily schedule and all chip in to do duties like cleaning.

I’ve been learning to be more interactive with my peers, and this experience really encourages me to do so. We do lots of team activities and play outside, focusing more on our interactions with others. I’ve spoken with everyone and know a lot about others.

I love the accommodation we live in. We run a number of committees such as the Shop Committee, Cooking Committee, and SRC. We have tasks we do in groups to help the community, and it is very much student run.

Year 7 G,M,A,O 2025 Japanese Film and Restaurant Excursion - CARLTON AND BRUNSWICK 

On the 10th and 11th of November, the Year 7 Japanese students went on an exciting excursion to the city to learn more about Japanese culture. The day started with a visit to Cinema Nova in Carlton, where students watched the award winning anime movie The Boy and the Beast. Everyone enjoyed the film’s interesting story, colourful animation, and strong message about friendship and courage. After the movie, the group walked to Matsumoto Restaurant in Brunswick, where they were treated to a tasty Bento lunch filled with Japanese foods such as tempura, teriyaki chicken, rice, and salad. The meal was both authentic and satisfying and many students discovered some new favourites! Our Year 7 cohort found the entire day to be a wonderful opportunity to experience Japanese culture beyond the classroom. By exploring Japanese media and cuisine firsthand, they gained an appreciation for Japan’s traditions and modern influences. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching excursion that brought their language learning to life in a fun and engaging way.

Dante Poetry Competition celebration 2025

On Thursday 30th October, the students from Years 9 and 11 who competed in the yearly Dante Poetry Competition gathered together with the Principal Mr. Pagano and the College administration team, and the Languages staff to celebrate their achievements. 

The celebration was guided by the MC, Paul Alarcon, School Captain for 2026 and one of the competitors and Senior Italian student. Paul called on Year 9 student Genesis Timo to explain and then present his poem which was an excerpt from the Inferno. He was followed by Year 11 student Simrat Bains to do the same. Both boys were finalists in the fiercely contested competition right to the end. 

Paul then called upon College Principal Mr. Pagano to say a few words and to hand out the well earned certificates ranging from Credit through to High Distinction and Finalist. Mr. Pagano noted that for the Year 9’s, this was their very first attempt at the competition. Of special note is that  student Selva Sitrak, who almost withdrew,  but with teacher encouragement went on to claim a High Distinction. 

Mr. Pagano then invited everyone to enjoy the eagerly awaited pizza lunch. 

Year 10 and 11 Food Studies

In Food Technology this fortnight, our Year 10 students have been exploring Indigenous Australian foods, discovering native ingredients and their cultural significance. To support their learning, students cooked a delicious Wattleseed Sticky Date Pudding, experimenting with traditional flavours in a modern recipe. Meanwhile, our Year 11 Food Studies classes began their final SAC for the year. Students analysed low FODMAP pasta salads, investigating how ingredients can be adapted to meet individual dietary needs while still producing tasty, nutritious meals. They will continue working through the remaining components of the SAC in the weeks to come. We are proud of the creativity and critical thinking shown across both year levels! 

Vocational Major Students Show Empathy Through Homelessness wall.

This week, the Vocational Major students at Mount Ridley College stepped outside the classroom and into the world of empathy, taking part in a powerful walk through the melbourne CBD on homelessness. On the walk together, students shared conversations with community service workers, and even experienced what it’s like to live without the comforts many take for granted. The challenge opened their eyes to the struggles faced by those doing it tough and reminded everyone that small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.

Through this experience, students learnt far more than just community engagement—they discovered compassion, teamwork, and gratitude. Many reflected on how fortunate they are to have support, safety, and stability in their lives. They also gained a new appreciation for the strength and resilience of people experiencing homelessness, understanding that everyone has a story worth hearing. The walk didn’t just build their vocational skills—it built their hearts, leaving them motivated to continue making a positive impact in their community.