Principal Team Report

Dear MSC Community, 

Term 3 – a busy and rewarding term 

As we reach the end of another busy term, it is worth reflecting on the incredible range of opportunities our students have embraced. Over the course of the term, hundreds of events were published on Compass, highlighting the breadth of experiences available to our students beyond the classroom. 

Students participated in a wide variety of excursions and programs across many learning areas, including VCE Food Technology, Biology, Physics, English, Art and Vocational Major. Other opportunities included TAFE Taster Days, debating competitions, German poetry events, Year 9 SkillZ City experiences and student leadership programs. 

Our sporting program also provided extensive opportunities for participation and achievement, with students representing the College in junior, intermediate and senior competitions across AFL, AFLW, basketball, table tennis, hockey, netball, badminton, State Cross Country and Division Athletics. 

The Performing Arts program continued to shine throughout the term, where students showcased their talents in acting and music, culminating with the Contemporary Showcase and Theme Concert.  We extend our appreciation to the many staff members who supported the event behind the scenes and to the Parent & Community Association for generously providing refreshments during intermission. Most importantly, congratulations to our talented music students and student leaders for delivering such an enjoyable evening of entertainment. 

In addition, students benefited from numerous incursions and workshops covering topics such as digital safety, respectful relationships, subject selections and the ICAS competitions. When we consider this remarkable range of activities alongside students' regular classroom learning, it is no surprise that many are looking forward to a well-earned break. 

As we look ahead to Term 4, we would like to remind families that, due to the large number of events coordinated throughout the year, all event consent and payments must be completed by the published due dates. In most cases, extensions are not possible. Families requiring assistance with Compass are encouraged to contact the General Office for support. 

The term break provides an important opportunity for both students and staff to rest, recharge and prepare for a successful final term. It is also a valuable time for students to reflect on their learning and complete any outstanding work so they can begin Term 4 with confidence. 

For our Year 12 students, the holidays mark a particularly important period of exam preparation. Formal practice examinations will be held at the College during the first week of the term break, with each session appearing as an event on Compass. We encourage all students to make the most of these opportunities as they prepare for their final assessments. 

We wish all members of our school community a safe, restful and enjoyable term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for a productive and successful Term 4. 

Year 12 Exam Preparation Program  

During the first week of these coming holidays, the Year 12 practice exams will be conducted. The college employs the same supervisors to conduct the practice exams as we use for the GAT and Unit 3/4 VCAA exams. The practice exams and revision program will provide the Class of 2026 with invaluable preparation for the exams that commence on Tuesday 27 October. For the remaining three weeks of classes in Term 4 (two full school weeks and the special study week), students will review their exam strategies and continue to practise their skills in the leadup to this date. During this time however, there will be an opportunity for students, staff and parents/caregivers to celebrate the conclusion of their school journey with a final assembly with the school community and the Year 12 Valedictory on Thursday 15 October.  

The message from all of us to the Year 12 students in the coming weeks is to make sure that you find that essential balance between study and rest. Using the simple and effective strategy of a study timetable will help you to pace yourself and give you that reassuring feeling of having things under control. 

Parent / Carer / Guardian Opinion Survey – closes tonight 

At time of writing, we have had a record-setting 180 surveys completed (that’s a statistically significant 33%), so we have stretched well beyond our target of 151+! The survey closes today, Friday 18 September, so if you still want to contribute, please get online quickly, search for ‘Orima’ in your emails for Parent A. We would appreciate your thoughts. We will be able to share key highlights of the survey and areas for improvement in Term 4. 

Student Learning Conferences 

The parent, teacher and student learning conferences were held on Thursday 17 September. We trust that these three-way conversations have stimulated discussion at home regarding student learning and potential areas for improvement. The partnership between the home and school is of paramount importance. Opportunities to discuss how we can each assist students in their learning are essential if we are to support young people to achieve their potential. Thank you to parents and carers, for your meaningful engagement in the Student Learning Conferences. 

Building & Facilities Updates 

The September school holidays will be a busy time around the school as we prepare for the start of Term 4. 

STEM Centre Stage 2: Capital works continue with the internal fit-out progressing — including finishing electrical work and installation of ceilings & final install of external windows and brickwork. Our builders will also finish off works on the new staff unisex admin bathrooms and finish off replacing the entire roof also on the admin building. 

Tree Management: Our arborists will complete their annual reports and remove any unsafe trees or branches as per their reports. 

Staff Centre: The exterior brickwork will be repainted to freshen up and modernise the look of this space. 

Basketball Rings: Annual safety audits will be carried out on all 7 basketball rings & structures in both the stadium and the outdoor hard courts. 

Synthetic Grass: Scheduled maintenance will be carried out on our synthetic grass areas 

School Production 2027 

Mullauna SC is excited to be running a school production again in 2027. Auditions will be open to all students that are interested. What will be our production?? Come along to the whole cast reveal at lunchtime on Tuesday 20 October in the PAC!! 

Policy Updates 

Throughout the year, we regularly review and update our school policies to ensure they remain current, relevant and aligned with Department of Education requirements and best practice. Policy reviews help us respond to changes in legislation, technology, learning programs and the needs of our school community, while ensuring a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students and staff. By keeping our policies up to date, we strengthen our commitment to effective governance, transparency and continuous improvement. 

This term, we have updated the following policies: Child Abuse Policy, Complaints Policy, Communication with School Staff Policy, Student Drivers Policy, Student Wellbeing & Engagement Policy and the Yard Duty & Supervision of Students Policy.  Each of our policies can be found on our college website and are also available by contacting the General Office. We also welcome any feedback on our policies, which can be directed to Michael Bray, Assistant Principal. 

School Review overview – heading towards our next School Strategic Plan 

We now have the School Review process behind us, and the improvement plan for the next four years is taking shape. The Reviewer’s report is currently with the Department of Education for quality assurance and should be released to us early next term. 

We will present this report to School Council, the P&CA, Staff and the SRC, and will publish the full School Strategic Plan for 2027-2030 on the college website in due course. 

Next term, we will then commence the development of the 2027 Annual Implementation Plan, the first of four across the life of the Strategic Plan.

In the meantime, we await the release of the annual School Performance Report, a snapshot of our work in the last twelve calendar months. 

P&CA – State Election BBQ – look out for information 

After the success of the recent Comedy Night and their activities in support of the Instrumental Music Concert evenings, the P&CA now turn their minds towards planning for the State Election BBQ on Saturday 28 November. 

Please note the date in your diary if you think you can volunteer for our roster. 

Division Athletics  

Our team of almost 80 students did remarkably well at the Divisional level, with many individual records set and three students being awarded their age-group champion medal. Congratulations to: Zaden Walker, Perry Goulding and Teiva Levy. Thanks to Adam Verrell and the staff team for marshalling the troops on the day! Please refer to their detailed report in this edition of Links. 

SRC update 

Our SRC has been very active again this year, including providing detailed  feedback to the School review on the Student Attitudes to School Survey data, and then also providing two focus groups on the day, representing the two sub-schools. Please refer to their detailed report in this edition of Links. 

Vocational Major activities 

A highlight of the term has been the many activities, especially in support of local charities, that our VCE Vocational Major students have been organising. Please refer to their detailed report in this edition of Links. 

Out of the Shadows Walk 

Thanks to Kathy Halpin for organising this now annual Mullauna Community event (for both humans and their canine friends). We look forward to even more members joining us in September 2027 to help raise awareness of and funds for suicide prevention. 

Term 4 – the program through to the end of the year 

Term 4 is an especially busy one, as we farewell our Year 12 cohort, undertake end-of-year assessments across all year levels, and plan for and then launch the 2027 academic year. 

Some key dates for Term 4 are: 

23 – 26 September (Week 1 of term break): Unit 3-4 Practice Exams 

05 October: Start of Term 4 

15 October: Last day of Year 12 classes, Period 2 Farewell Assembly 

15 October: Year 12 Valedictory (parents, family and students) – at The Round, Whitehorse 

16 October: Year 12 Celebration morning – details to come 

19 – 23rd October: Study Week - students expected to attend double periods 

27 October – 18th November: VCAA Written Examinations  

18 November: Year 12 Formal  

10 December: VCE Results and ATAR advice will be available from 7:00 am 

Key dates for the school for the remainder of 2026 

1. Professional Learning (‘Curriculum’) Days – student free: 

• Monday 02 November (Cup Eve)  
• Friday 27 November - HeadStart Planning Day (Week 8) 

1. 2026-27 HeadStart program – COMPULSORY for all students in Years 7-11 

• Thursday 26 November – VCE student HeadStart preparation day (onsite program) 
• Monday 30 November - 2027 HeadStart commences (Week 9) 
• Senior classes (current Years 9-11) – Week 9 (30 November to 04 December) – these students are then dismissed for the year. 
• Junior classes (current Years 7-8) – Weeks 9 and 10 (30 November to 09 December) 
• Presentation Evening – Thursday 03 December 
• Year 8 Camp – Monday 07 to Wednesday 09 December 
• Year 7 Bounce Activity Day – Wednesday 09 December 

1. Summer Program (current Years 7 & 8) – commences Week 10 (Thursday 10 December)  
2. Staff Professional Learning, Professional Practice and Time-in-Lieu acquittal days – Weeks 10 and 11  
3. Final Day – Friday 18 December - student-free 

Summer Program for students in current Years 7 and 8 

The academic year for students in Years 7 and 8 ends on Wednesday 09 December. We then offer the Summer Program for those students needing to continue attendance. 

This allows our teaching and Education Support staff to: 

• Undertake professional learning like First Aid (including mandated anaphylaxis), Department of Education priorities like CUST – Cultural Understanding & Safety Training, and many units of mandatory OH&S training; 

• acquit the many hours of Time in Lieu they have accrued over the school year during the broad variety of evening activities our college program includes e.g. the Production, Instrumental Music Concerts, Information Evenings, SkillZ Evenings, Camps & Tours, Debating etc.  

We schedule our Time in Lieu acquittal for this time rather than during the academic year, to avoid the disruption this causes to our learning and teaching program during the school year.  

The program is not part of students’ formal curriculum or assessment and will not incur any additional cost. 

Students in Years 7 and 8 who attend for these days: 

• may wear sport uniform; 

• must bring their lunch and snacks, as the canteen has ceased trading for the year; 

• must report to the library by 8.45am; 

• will be based in a combined class in the college library for the day; 

• should bring their laptop and stationery etc.; 

• will also assist the administration team with tasks around the school (akin to Minion Duty). 

The college keeps the program flexible, as traditionally, the overwhelming majority of families have indicated that their child will not attend (through Compass as usual). 

In Term 4, parents/carers will be asked to contact the General Office to register your child's intention to attend for the Summer Program from Thursday 10 December.. 

Anti-Bullying Survey 

After a series of programs for our Year 7, 8 and 9 students, the Wellbeing Team has launched the annual student anti-bullying survey. This survey will be used by our college to better understand how we can prevent bullying.  

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. 

Thank you for helping make Mullauna Secondary College a better place. 

Michael Bray, Jeff McMillin and Harry Ruff 

The MSC Principal Team 

Coming dates: 

Term 4 - 05 October to 18 December   

• Monday 05 October – Term 4 commences 
• Thursday 08 October – MSC Art Show opening 
• Thursday 15 October – Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Year 12 Valedictory 
• Friday 16 October – Year 12 Celebration Day 
• Monday 19 October – Year 7 2027 Welcome Evening 
• Tuesday 20 October – 2027 Music Production reveal and School Council Meeting 
• Tuesday 27 October – Year 12 VCAA written exams commence 
• Sunday 01 November - P&CA Bunnings Nunawading BBQ fundraiser   
• Monday 02 November – Staff Professional Learning Day – student-free 
• Tuesday 03 November – Cup Day public holiday 
• Monday 16 November - Tuesday 17 November – Year 7 and 8 Exams 
• Wednesday 18 November – Year 11 Exams commence and Year 12 Formal 
• Thursday 19 November – Year 10 exams commence 
• Wednesday 25 November – Year 10 and 11 exams conclude and Year 9 exams commence 
• Thursday 26 November – Year 9 exams conclude and VCE Parent Information Night 
• Friday 27 November – HeadStart Planning Day – student-free 
• Monday 30 November – 2027 HeadStart week commences 
• Senior classes (current Years 9-11) – Week 9 (30 November to 04 December) 
• Junior classes (current Years 7-8) – Weeks 9 and 10 (30 November to 09 December) 
• Year 8 Camp – Monday 07 December to Wednesday 09 December 
• Year 7 Activity Day – Wednesday 09 December 
• Summer Program (current Years 7 & 8) – commences Week 10 (Thursday 10 December) until Thursday 17 December 
• Staff Professional Learning and Time-in-Lieu acquittal – Weeks 10 and 11  
• Thursday 03 December – Presentation Evening 
• Friday 18 December – final day of Term 4 and the 2025 school year! (student-free) 

REMINDER: Our Mullauna mobile phone - 0408 703 220 - please put it in your contacts 

Our official MSC mobile number is 0408 703 220. Our phone system reverts to this mobile should the land lines fail. 

It is also our primary contact number in the case of an evacuation.  

We use this mobile to send (and receive) text messages etc. to Mullauna community members, so please add it to your Mullauna contact details so you recognise us should we text or call you!