Mortlake College Messenger

Principal's Report 

Principal Report

Dear Families,

 

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible effort and energy across our school community. It’s been a busy few weeks — from camps and excursions to assessment tasks and celebrations — and it’s wonderful to see our students continuing to approach every opportunity with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

As we move further into Term 4, let’s continue to focus on finishing the year strong, celebrating achievements, and taking pride in the growth we’ve seen across all year levels.

 

Student Free Day – Friday October 24th

A reminder that Friday October 24th will be a Curriculum Day at Mortlake College. Students will not be required to attend school on this day.

Staff will be using the day to finalise our Victorian Curriculum 2.0 scope and sequence documents, ensuring a clear and consistent approach to teaching and learning across all year levels.

We thank families for their support as we dedicate this time to strengthening our curriculum planning.

 

Congratulations to Kate Brown!

Congratulations to Kate on the safe arrival of her beautiful baby boy, Augustus George Smith!

Both mum and baby are doing well. We wish Kate all the very best as she begins this exciting new chapter with her family.

 

Year 12 – The Final Countdown!

Our Year 12 students are now entering the final stages of their school journey. They have worked incredibly hard throughout the year, and we are so proud of their dedication, resilience, and the supportive way they have cared for one another.

Their last day of formal classes is Monday, October 20th, followed by a fun and well-deserved Celebration Day on Tuesday, October 21st, beginning with a breakfast at school before heading to Warrnambool for a day of activities and fun. This will be a special opportunity for students to come together and mark the end of their secondary schooling in a positive and memorable way.

We also look forward to recognising their achievements at the Year 12 Graduation Dinner on Thursday, December 4 — always a highlight of the school year and a wonderful occasion to celebrate the Class of 2025.

A huge congratulations to all our Year 12 students for reaching this important milestone. The end is in sight, and we wish you every success as you prepare for your final exams and take your next exciting steps beyond school.

 

Year 3-4 Camp and Post Camp Rest Day

This week, our Year 3–4 students are enjoying an exciting few days at Warra Gnan Coastal Camp in Warrnambool. We’re confident it will be a memorable experience filled with learning, adventure, and plenty of fun!

Just a reminder that the Mortlake College School Council has endorsed a new approach to better support both staff and students following major school events such as camps.

As schools continue to manage the operational and financial challenges associated with Time in Lieu (TIL) — particularly after overnight camps — our Council has agreed to introduce a Rest Day (for both staff and students) following the Year 3–4 Camp and the Year 1–2 Sleepover. We are relying on the goodwill and understanding of our families to support this initiative.

Please note: There will be no formal classes for Year 3–4 students on Thursday, October 23.If students do attend school, they will be placed in other classes for the day.

This initiative aims to:

  • Support the wellbeing and recovery of students and staff after high-energy events
  • Reduce the financial and logistical strain related to TIL entitlements
  • Ensure the ongoing sustainability of these valuable extracurricular experiences

We want to acknowledge and sincerely thank the staff who give up personal and family time to supervise and support students on camp. Their dedication, care, and professionalism ensure these opportunities are safe, engaging, and enriching for all involved.

We appreciate the continued support of our families as we implement this new approach — one that is already being used successfully by many of our local network schools.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.We look forward to hearing wonderful stories from our Year 3–4 students upon their return!

 

Years 7-9 Camp

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel the planned Year 7–9 End of Year Camp (originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 to Friday, December 12) due to low student interest.

While this is disappointing, we completely understand that the end of the year can be a busy and costly time for families. We appreciate the students and families who submitted their expressions of interest and thank everyone for their understanding.

Staff are now exploring alternative end-of-year activities to ensure our students can still enjoy a positive and memorable finish to the school year together.

 

Children’s Week 2025 – Celebrating our Young people!

Children’s Week is a national celebration that recognises the talents, skills, achievements, and rights of all children. The 2025 theme is “Everyone should know about Children’s Rights”, inspired by Article 42 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Let’s celebrate our children, their voices, and their achievements!

 

Be Aware – Thunderstorm Asthma and Hay Fever Season

As we head into grass pollen season (October to December), it’s important for families to be aware of the increased risk of asthma, hay fever, and thunderstorm asthma.

Thunderstorm asthma can occur when high pollen levels mix with certain thunderstorm conditions. These tiny pollen particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may trigger severe asthma symptoms, even in people who have never experienced asthma before.

Those most at risk include:

  • People with asthma or a history of asthma
  • People with hay fever, especially if their symptoms are not well managed

If anyone experiences wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness, follow asthma first aid immediately and call 000 in an emergency.

How Families Can Prepare

To help protect your child and reduce school absences:

  • Ensure your child has an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan or Hay Fever Treatment Plan from your GP or specialist.
  • Make sure your child’s reliever medication (puffer) and spacer is always available to them. 
  • Stay informed by downloading the Vic Emergency app and creating a “watch zone” to receive thunderstorm asthma alerts and advice.
  • If your child has hay fever symptoms but no plan in place, now is a great time to book a GP visit for advice and treatment options.

Together, we can help keep our students safe and healthy throughout the spring season.

 

Finalising 2026 Student Enrolments

We are now finalising our planning for the 2026 school year. To support this process, it’s important that all student enrolments are confirmed as soon as possible. Accurate enrolment numbers help us organise classes, allocate staff and resources, and ensure a smooth start to the new year for every student.

If you have not yet completed your child’s enrolment, or if your circumstances have recently changed (for example, if you are moving away from the area), please contact the school office at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your support in helping us prepare for a successful 2026.

 

2026 Prep Transition Program

We are excited to welcome our newest learners through the Prep 2026 Transition Program, which will run on the following dates:

  • Friday, November 14
  • Friday, November 21
  • Friday, November 28
  • Friday, December 5
  • Tuesday, December 9

These transition sessions play an important role in preparing children for the exciting start of their school journey. They give our future Prep students the chance to explore their new learning spaces, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the routines and confidence that will support them in their first year.

By the time school begins in 2026, we are confident our Prep/Foundation students will feel familiar with their surroundings and ready for a smooth, positive start to their learning adventure.

 

Year 7-12 HeadStart Program

Our 2026 Year 7–12 students will begin the HeadStart Program on Monday, November 24. This two-week program is a key part of preparing students for the year ahead.

HeadStart offers students the opportunity to experience secondary school life, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the routines, relationships, and confidence that will support them in 2026. It also allows students to engage early with their new subjects, expectations, and learning environments before the school year officially begins.

We encourage all students to make the most of this valuable opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and a strong start to the 2026 school year.

 

Sun Smart Reminder

As we begin Term 4 and move into the warmer months, I’d like to remind everyone that we are a SunSmart school. It’s important that all students wear their school hats during outdoor activities and apply sunscreen as needed to protect themselves from harmful UV exposure.

We encourage families to support this by ensuring students bring a hat to school each day and understand the importance of sun protection during this time of year. Together, we can help keep our students safe and healthy while enjoying the outdoors.

 

Safety Reminder – Helmets on Bikes and Scooters

We have noticed that some students are arriving at school without wearing a helmet when riding their bike or scooter. Wearing a helmet is not only a legal requirement, but also one of the most important ways to protect against serious head injuries.

We ask all families to please remind their child about the importance of always wearing a properly fitted helmet when riding. By building safe habits now, we can help keep our students safe — on their way to and from school, and whenever they are out in the community.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us promote student safety and wellbeing at Mortlake College.

 

Important Upcoming Dates

Please continually check Sentral and the newsletter for important dates, student information and highlights of events.

  • Year 3-4 Camp: Monday October 20th to Wednesday October 22nd (Year 3-4 Rest Day: Thursday October 23rd) 
  • Last Day Year 12: Monday October 20th (Celebration Day: Tuesday October 21st) 
  • Curriculum Day (No School for Students): Friday October 24th 
  • School Council: Tuesday October 28th 
  • Year 1-2 Sleep Over: Wednesday October 29th and Thursday October 30th. Prep Students remain at School on Wednesday 29th October to participate in activities. (Year P-2 Rest Day: Friday October 31st) 
  • Primary Swimming Program: Starting Tuesday November 11 (6 Sessions) 
  • 2026 Prep Transition Begins: Friday November 14th 
  • Year 7-12 Head Start Program: Monday November 24th (Two Weeks)
  • Presentation Ball: Friday November 28th 
  • 2025 Primary Celebration Assembly: Wednesday December 3rd (In the GGC starting at 6pm)
  • 2025 Secondary Celebration Assembly/Presentation Night: Monday December 8th (in the GGC starting at 6pm)
  • Last Day of Formal Classes (all students): Tuesday December 16th 

 

As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership. Please stay connected through Sentral and our school calendar for the latest updates. If you have any questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office or your child’s teacher.

 

 

 Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal