PRINCIPAL REPORT 

It has been an energetic start to the term at Mount Eliza Secondary College, with much to celebrate across our school community. I would like to congratulate the many students who have proudly represented the College in interschool sport this term. Our high levels of participation and commitment have been outstanding, with several teams progressing through to regional competitions. These achievements reflect not only talent, but also teamwork, resilience and a strong sense of school pride.

A key focus for us this year has been the active use of Progress Reports to monitor and support student engagement in learning and classroom behaviours. These reports provide valuable, timely feedback and allow us to work closely with students to build positive learning habits.

During Term 1, families would have received communication acknowledging excellence or identifying areas of concern. These updates are designed to ensure that both students and families are informed and able to respond constructively.

Each Monday morning, during briefings with myself, students are given the opportunity to open their Progress Reports, reflect on their previous five weeks of learning, and set goals for continued improvement. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning by speaking directly with their teachers about strategies they can implement to build on their progress.

I strongly encourage families to continue these conversations at home. Taking the time to review Progress Reports alongside CATS results and teacher feedback on Compass provides a more complete picture of your child’s learning and growth and reinforces the importance of goal setting and reflection.

I had the great privilege of attending the Community of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Leadership Breakfast alongside our College Captains, Charli and Emily, and Communications Captain Amelia. Students from 14 schools came together to share their perspectives on the biggest challenges they believe young people face in 2026. It was an inspiring event, with all students demonstrating remarkable confidence, conviction and passion.

The issues raised were thoughtful and wide-ranging, including concerns about road safety, cost of living pressures, and confidence in political systems. Our Mount Eliza Secondary College students spoke insightfully about the impact of rising costs on decisions regarding tertiary education, as well as the growing gap in opportunities between public and private education due to funding disparities. I was incredibly proud of how our students represented the College. Their contributions were articulate and deeply considered, and they received significant praise and recognition from audience members following the event. They are a credit to our community and exemplify the leadership we value at MESC.

We held a jam-packed Curriculum Day this term, focused on strengthening our understanding of our students and enhancing inclusive practices across the College. Teaching staff visited local primary schools to observe literacy and numeracy sessions, providing valuable insight into students’ learning experiences prior to secondary school.

We were fortunate to hear from Collette Davies, Principal of The Avenue School, who shared her expertise on inclusive practices through a trauma-informed lens. This session provided staff with practical strategies to better support the diverse needs of our students.

Our final session introduced the Department of Education’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), a framework designed to ensure that all students receive the appropriate level of support. Tier 1 focuses on high-quality teaching for all students, Tier 2 provides targeted support for those requiring additional assistance, and Tier 3 offers intensive support for students with more complex needs. This framework will continue to guide our work as we strive to ensure every student is supported to succeed.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our College.