Principal's Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Excellent VCE Results and Dux 2022

Congratulations to all our Year 12 students who received their results on Monday. I am pleased to report that Mordialloc College students in 2022 achieved an excellent success rate in completing their VCE studies.

Some of the highlights include:

14 students achieved an ATAR in the 90s (12.5%) of the cohort, 20 students in the 80s which is 17.9% of the cohort, (30.4% of the cohort above 80) and 22 students scoring in the 70s which is 19.6% of cohort, and thus 50% of cohort above 70.
A median study score of 30

A truly outstanding set of results and a credit to all staff and students who have worked so hard to achieve so much, not only this year but over the course of the six-year journey for these students.

In addition, congratulations to all our Year 12 VCAL students for completing all course requirements and receiving offers to complete diplomas, traineeships and apprenticeships.

All of our Year 12 students can be very proud of their achievements.

Special mention must go to our very high achievers who scored in the 90s. I have been able to contact 13 out of the 14, so cannot mention one student without their permission.

Congratulations first to our DUX for 2022, Aaliyah Zaph achieving an ATAR of 99.45, an absolutely sensational result. Aaliyah is in the top 1% of the state.

Aaliyah also achieved a perfect score of 50 for Health and Human Development. She plans to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Melbourne University.

I would also like to congratulate the following students:

In the top 3% of the state: Tristan Cox for achieving an ATAR of 97.3 - he plans to study Neuroscience at Melbourne University; Max Telfer achieved as ATAR of 97.25 and he plans to study Computer Science at Monash University; and Tim Whitford achieved an ATAR of 97.05 and he plans to study Science at Monash University.

In the top 4% of the state: Jade Goodman achieved an ATAR of 96.1 and she plans to study Science at Melbourne University.

In the top 5% of the state: Tamsyn Russell achieved an ATAR of 95.55 and she plans to study Commerce/Science at Monash University.

In the top 7% of the state: Tom Krivacevic achieved an ATAR of 93.35; Lachlan Tomlinson achieved an ATAR of 93.35 and plans to study Commerce at Monash University; Beth Rowland achieved an ATAR of 93.3; Indiana Tsiros an ATAR of 93.25 and she plans to study Arts at Monash University; India Thomas achieved an ATAR of 93.25 and plans to study Journalism or Psychology.

Jeneya Tran achieved an ATAR of 92.95 and is in the top 8% of the state and plans to study Law at Monash University; and Emma Schultz scored an ATAR of 90.1 and is ,in the top 10% of the state.

We held a special celebration morning tea for students and staff on Monday. Emma White, our Senior School Pathways Coordinator, has been available throughout the week for any change of preference appointments for their choice of university or TAFE courses.

On a subject level we achieved some excellent results far exceeding the state average. This includes for English, Biology, Business Management, Product Design, Food Studies, Japanese, Physics, Visual Communication and Studio Arts.

While we celebrate individual student success stories, it is important to remind everyone that your final ATAR score does not define you as a person. In the end it is a rank for tertiary admission. It won’t necessarily determine where you will go in the future or how happy you will be. All students should feel proud of their efforts and be satisfied they have given their personal best.

Awards Night

It was wonderful to return to our live annual Awards Night held at the City of Kingston Town Hall in Moorabbin on last Wednesday. It was a sold-out event and such a wonderful celebration of achievement of Personal Best. We had the opportunity to celebrate student successes in a variety of areas such as Academic Excellence, Achievement Endeavour, the Arts & Technology, Sport, and Community involvement.

High quality entertainment was also provided by students in the areas of Music and Drama. My thanks must go to Tom Facey, Sonja Hill, Tracey Bastin and Catherine Boulton for all their work in putting the evening together for us, and to all my teaching staff who all had an allocated role on the night to ensure the effective running of this significant event. It was very efficiently organised to keep the event to just under two hours. A record for us!!

Next year we are booked into the Frankston Arts Centre which should suit our families more and there is also plenty of parking!

It was also a most significant occasion for our Year 12 students.

All students were presented on stage in academic gowns to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class with the entire school community.

It was lovely to welcome back our DUX from 2021, Charlie Gao, via a recording from China. Charlie gave a very brief thank you speech. Our School Captains, Emma Schultz and Daniel Loza were our MCs for the night and did a terrific job and they also gave their final speech in their capacity as Captains.

At Awards Night, there are many prizes awarded on the night. Students are nominated by their teachers at the end of each semester, and this can be in one or more categories: Academic Excellence - The ‘Academic Excellence’ award is bestowed upon students who have demonstrated outstanding academic results within a subject. They have consistently worked above the expected level and/or have achieving a B or an A (in relation to Victorian Curriculum Achievement levels) on their reports where possible. At a VCE level students need to be consistently attaining high or very high on all assessments; Achievement Endeavour - The ‘Achievement-Endeavour’ award is awarded to students in recognition of consistent efforts made to strive for their personal best. They have demonstrated academic progress within a subject and have made significant improvements to reach their learning goals; and Community Service - The ‘Community Service’ award is awarded to students from across each year level who have served the College in a particular way. For example, participation in a variety of school activities as determined on an annual basis, such as: Student Leadership as part of the Mordialloc College Student Council, House Athletics, House Swimming, School Production, subject competitions, contribution to the College Magazine, participation in open night, primary school visits, participation in lunchtime events and clubs etc.

Unfortunately, given the size of our school we can’t recognise all students at the awards night presentation and thus we have set criteria for each year level (how many awards nominations they must receive) to be invited on the night. Therefore, invitees are the top performing students in their year level. All other students who were nominated by their teachers for an award should have received these academic or achievement certificates before their last day at school. They should still be very proud of their positive work ethic and achievements this year.

I would like to highlight our dux of each year level based on close examination of achievement data over the year. The dux for each year level was only revealed on the night, and thus students weren’t named in the program.

Congratulations to the following students:

Ingrid Heins - Dux of Year 7. Reny Zhang – Dux of Year 8

Celestine Debargue-Tamai – Dux of Year 9. Charlotte Zaph – Dux of Year 10

Tia Roberts – Dux of Year 11

Orientation Day

All our new students (220) starting next year in Year 7 had Orientation Day on Tuesday. This is always a wonderful opportunity to make some new friends, become more familiar with the College and get to know the Year 7 teaching team. My thanks to all staff involved in running or supporting this program, especially our Year 7 Coordinators Jo Hannan and Daniel Mayadas: and Director of Middle School Brendan McFarland.

As in previous years, we also ran a special transition program in the lead up to this day for students in Grade 6 identified as at risk in transitioning to secondary school. This was run over two days last week by our Wellbeing Team and Year 7 Coordinators and included our 2023 Year 10 Peer Support student leaders to support the Grade 6 students on these days with the activities. This program has been so important in ensuring Orientation Day isn’t so daunting to them (nor, of course, the start of the next year).

School Magazine

We recognise that the school magazine is an important opportunity to reflect on the year, and we hope it can be kept as a memento of 2022 for many years to come. My thanks to teacher, James Nicklen for leading the development of this year’s magazine, assisted by teacher Vicky Vrettos and some dedicated Year 12 students acting as editors. Thanks to Aaliyah Zaph, Lily Mackay, Aston Hewet and Rhi Vaksman-Stovern for their contributions in the creation of this magazine.

Our 2022 Venture magazine was distributed to students last week. If your child did not receive their magazine, please collect one from the General Office before the end of the school year or in the first week back next year.

Staffing 2023

There will be quite a bit of change happening in staffing for 2023 as reflected in a trend across the state. We have several staff moving on to either a position much closer to home, relocating to interstate or regional Victoria or are looking at something outside teaching for 2023. We still have a couple more staff to employ and we are currently working through the selection process for these positions. This level of staff movement is happening across most schools post COVID.

Sehenaze Peerbux has given 15 years of dedicated service to our school teaching French and leading the Languages Learning Area. Sehenaze moved to the other side of the city this year for family reasons and has secured a position at a private school close to home. Nathalie Foos from the private school sector has been appointed to replace Sehenaze and lives locally. She is delighted to have secured a position so close to home and started with us on December 5.

James Nicklen has been on staff for 5 years teaching English after coming to us from Patterson Lakes Primary School as a P-12 teacher. James has been a Year Level Coordinator and lead the production of our School Magazine each year. James was fortunate to secure a publishing and communications role outside of education and is keen to try something outside of teaching for a year before deciding on his next career move. Melanie Wong, from Dandenong HS has been appointed to replace James, teaching senior English and she starts next year.

Robyn Wilson started her teaching career with us and is our longest serving staff member with 29 years of dedicated service. Robyn has been a fantastic Year Level Coordinator for many years and led the Science Learning Area during her time here. Robyn is looking forward to some travelling in 2023 and is taking long service leave next year. Kerry Archer, from Mentone Girls SC has been appointed to replace Robyn, teaching VCE Biology and Science, and starts next year.

Paige Buenemann has been teaching Psychology and Humanities with us for the past two years. She has also been our SEAL Coordinator. Paige is keen to travel and work overseas for the next few years. Kellie Goebel, from Wheelers Hill SC, has been appointed to replace Paige and will be teaching Year 12 English and Senior Psychology.

Nick Mann has been teaching here for nearly three years in our VCAL and Outdoor Education program. Nick is relocating with his partner to country Victoria. We did not need to replace Nick given the number of VCAL (now Vocational Major) and Outdoor Education staff we already have at Mordialloc College.

Madeline Hatton has been teaching English and Humanities for 2 years here and is keen to travel and explore other possible careers working with adolescents. Jasmine Vermeer, relocating from Numurkah SC, will be replacing Madeline teaching English and Humanities.

Katie Loynes has been teaching PE and Health here for 7 years. During this time, she has been the leader of the Health and PE learning area and worked with me to set up our SEP program. Katie is relocating to Geelong and has a position at a private school near her new home. Indigo Yorke, who did her teaching rounds with us and has been covering staff on leave over the past two years, now has an ongoing position replacing Katie teaching Health and PE.

Julia Hockey has been teaching Maths and Science for 4 years here and has been a Year Level Coordinator at Year 7 and 8 during her time here. Julia has a position at Albert Park College that also includes a leadership role as Year Level Coordinator. Cheryl Lim, a graduate teacher has been employed to teach mainly in Year 7 and 8 and she has started with us from Headstart.

Julie Chambers has been here as a Learning Specialist and teacher of Maths and Physics for the past 5 years. Julie lives an hour away on the Mornington Peninsula and has secured a teaching position very close to home at Dromana SC. Maria Antoniou, our new Learning Specialist for Numeracy and Maths Learning Area leader started with us at Headstart and is teaching Maths.

Rosemary Russo has been here as a numeracy tutor for 2 years part time, also teaching one class. Rosemary has a position closer to home.

Jacky Campbell has given 9 years dedicated service to the College teaching Maths and her three children came here. Jacky came from the TAFE system, and she has decided to return to TAFE on a part-time basis. Kathy Papas, an experienced teacher from St. Helena SC has been appointed to help cover these loads full time from next year.

We also have also appointed Helen Liapis from Gleneagles SC to teach Maths and she has been able to start in Headstart.

Shane Galloway has been with us this year teaching Physics and Maths. Shane has a position at Mentone Grammar next year. We have appointed Allan Thompson an experienced teacher from the other side of the city who wanted a position closer to home to replace Shane.

Megan Furphy has been with us 4 years teaching Art/Visual Communication. She recently moved and now travels an hour to work. She has found a position 10 mins from her new home. Quinn Daly from Sandringham College has been appointed to replace Megan.

Josie Stephens has been with us for 4 years teaching Geography and Humanities. Josie has been a YLC and Learning Area Leader with us during this time. She came to us from Queensland, and she has decided to return to Queensland to her old school. Miranda Wilson has been appointed to replace Josie. Miranda has an internship at the College.

Lorna Griss has been teaching EAL at 10-12 and in our International Student Program for the last 2 years. She is retiring and we have employed Brigitte Podesser to replace her, to teach EAL and lead the Language Centre. Brigitte has been at Dandenong HS and Noble Park Language School.

Jane Jamieson has been one of our Careers and Pathways leaders for the past 10 years. Jane has been successful in getting a position in region as one of the Headstart Coordinators. This is a promotion for Jane and well deserved. We have currently advertised for a new person to join Emma White and Kim Cowain-Menzies in our Pathways team. Emma is currently 0.6 Careers and 0.4 Senior School assistant. Emma will now be 0.9 Careers and 0.1 Senior school assistant, and we are advertising an ES role at 0.8 for Senior school assistant. Note: we already have 0.9 Middle school assistant.

Courtney Richmond has been teaching here this year as a senior English teacher. She came from the private system and had been the leader of English. She has recently been appointed to a leading teacher position at Keysborough SC. We are currently working the recruitment process to replace her.

Sally Mitchell one of my Learning Specialists is expecting her first child in April, so I have already appointed her replacement to her teaching load. Sally teaches Legal Studies, History and Humanities and won’t be leaving until sometime in March but given the current shortages I thought it best to employ someone from the start of the year. Anna Davey from Cranbourne East SC has been appointed. She will be able to do some tutoring and shadowing of Sally in the first half of Term 1.

Hayley Gregory from the primary school system and current Acting AP was keen to join a secondary school. She has been appointed to an English position in Middle School. This is an extra position due to growth.

Belinda Wilson from Carrum Downs SC has been appointed to our Timetabler / Daily Organiser role, with Karen Barker moving to Dandenong HS in early Term 4. Belinda starts in January with us.

We held a two-day induction program on November 17 and December 5 to welcome our new staff and introduce them to the key processes and policies of the College, along with Professional Learning on our instructional model and coaching program. They are all very excited to have secured a position at our College.

As this will be the last newsletter for the year, I would like to recognise our committed and dedicated teaching and education support staff at the College and thank them sincerely for all their hard work throughout the year on behalf of the students. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the parents, students and staff on our College Council and all members of the College leadership team for their leadership and commitment to the ongoing improvement of the College.

Finally, I would like to thank all members of the College community for their ongoing support. I wish everyone a safe and restful Christmas and holiday break with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023, for another great year at Mordialloc College.

Michelle Roberts

Principal