Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Middle School Update – A Fantastic Start to the Year

It has been a fantastic start to the year for our Year 9 and 10 students, who have settled in well and embraced the opportunities of middle school. There is a real buzz in the S-Block, where middle school currently resides, with students engaging positively in their learning and making the most of their new space.

The transition to three sub-schools at Mordialloc College has already had a noticeable impact, providing our middle school students with a dedicated space and a strong team of teachers and leaders supporting them. This structure ensures that students feel a sense of belonging and have consistent guidance as they navigate these crucial years of their education.

As the term progresses, there are several key highlights on the horizon, including NAPLAN for our Year 7 and 9 students and Year 10 Work Experience, both of which provide valuable learning opportunities.

In the classroom, our students are already engaging in dynamic and thought-provoking learning experiences. Here’s a snapshot of a Year 10 Psychology class in action!

A Fantastic Swimming Carnival!

Last week, we held our annual Swimming Carnival at Oakleigh Aquatic Centre, and it was our best yet! With perfect warm weather and an incredible turnout, the day was filled with enthusiasm, house spirit, and impressive performances in the pool.

Students showed fantastic engagement, whether competing in races, cheering on their peers, or taking part in the many activities on offer. It was wonderful to see such strong participation and sportsmanship across all year levels. Adding to the excitement, our unofficial mascot, a very confident resident duck decided to join in on the action, casually paddling alongside our students as they raced. Clearly, the competition wasn’t just between the houses this year!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the day such a success! A big shout out to Mr Watters who helps organise and coordinate the day.

Introducing Our New Instructional Model: How Students Learn Best at Mordialloc College

Last year, the Department of Education released the updated Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM) 2.0, reinforcing research-based practices on how students learn best. In response, we have worked hard to implement a new instructional model at Mordialloc College, aligning with cognitive load theory, the gradual release model, and evidence-based teaching strategies. We are really excited about this shift, as it strengthens our approach to effective, high-impact teaching and learning.

At Mordialloc College, we are committed to ensuring that every student receives the highest quality education, grounded in evidence-based teaching practices. Research in educational science consistently shows that students learn best when lessons are structured, explicit, and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. With this in mind, we are excited to introduce our new Instructional Model—designed to reflect the latest research on how students learn best and to support them in achieving academic success.

Our model is built around research-backed principles that create the best conditions for student learning.

Every lesson follows a structured sequence:

Engage & Focus – Activating prior knowledge and setting clear learning intentions
Explicit Teaching – Direct instruction, modelling, and worked examples
Guided Practice – Collaborative learning with teacher support
Independent Practice – Students apply their learning with confidence
Reflection & Feedback – Consolidating understanding and identifying next steps

As part of this exciting shift, our Student Leadership team, particularly the Curriculum Committee and members of the Program Development Committee (PDC), are currently developing a ‘student version’ of our Instructional Model. Their goal is to create a student-friendly framework that provides a simple, shared understanding of what learning looks like at Mordialloc College. By involving students in this process, we are ensuring that their voices shape the learning experience in a way that is meaningful and accessible.

This initiative will provide a clear and consistent response to the question: “What does learning look like at Mordialloc College?” We are proud of this work and look forward to sharing the student-designed model with our wider community soon.

Upcoming NAPLAN for Year 7 and 9 Students

NAPLAN testing for Year 7 and 9 students at Mordialloc College is fast approaching. These assessments provide valuable insights into students’ literacy and numeracy skills, helping to inform future learning strategies.

Key Test Dates for 2025:

Wednesday 12th March: Writing (Year 7 and Year 9)
Thursday 13th March: Reading (Year 7 and Year 9)
Friday 14th March: Conventions of Language (Year 7 and Year 9)
Monday 17th March: Numeracy (Year 7 and Year 9)

Catch-up tests will be available for students who are absent on test days within the test window of 12th March – 24th March 2025.

To ensure a smooth testing process, please make sure your child has downloaded the 2025 version of the Locked Down Browser. For more details, please refer to the letter distributed to families on 7th February 2025.

NAPLAN LETTER

Year 10 Work Experience

Our Year 10 students have been preparing and searching for their compulsory work experience placements, a fantastic opportunity to explore career pathways and develop essential workplace skills.

Work experience will take place in Term 2, Week 3 (May 5th – 9th). All students must participate, and work experience forms must be submitted by the due date this term.

If your child is in Year 10, please ensure their forms are returned on time. For more information, contact your child’s MFMP teacher or our Careers Team. Below is the original letter that was shared with families late last year and a copy of the work experience form

WORK EXPERIENCE LETTER

WORK EXPERIENCE ARRANGEMENT FORM

Aaron Davis

Acting Assistant Principal

Careers Update