PRINCIPAL REPORT - End of Term 3

As we reach the end of another busy Term 3, there is certainly a sense that the year is moving quickly, particularly for our Year 12 students. Practice exams are underway, and students have been completing their Year 12 tiles – one of those Mount Eliza Secondary College traditions that signals that the end of their secondary schooling is drawing closer.

For our Year 12 students, however, there is still important work to be done. Whether working towards successful VCE completion, preparing for final examinations and an ATAR, or completing their VCE Vocational Major, now is the time to dig deep. The finish line may be in sight, but maintaining focus, motivation and good learning habits over these final weeks is incredibly important. We are proud of how far our Year 12s have come and look forward to supporting them through this final stage of their journey.

Term 3 has also provided so many opportunities for our students beyond the classroom. We have had plenty of interschool sport and it has been wonderful seeing students proudly representing MESC. I particularly loved the atmosphere created by our student bands performing in the Quad last week. We have some extraordinarily talented young people at our College, and their confidence and enthusiasm brought such a great energy to the school. This was also evident at our School Battle of the Bands, where we saw some amazing performances. Congratulations to all of the students who were brave enough to get up and perform and to the staff who continue to provide these opportunities.

I also want to acknowledge the way our students have responded to the recent feedback from our local IGA and the broader village community. Understandably, many students have felt frustrated that the behaviour of a small number has impacted how the larger student body is viewed. Despite this, our students have been gracious and respectful when members of the Principal Team have been present in the village after school. I have been proud of the way the overwhelming majority have listened to the feedback and demonstrated that they understand their responsibility when representing Mount Eliza Secondary College in our community.

As we prepare for Term 4, I ask families to continue supporting our Ready to Learn expectations. Teachers are increasingly noticing students arriving without some of the basic equipment required for learning – full pencil cases, notebooks and loose-leaf paper are becoming less common as the year progresses. The holidays provide a great opportunity to replenish supplies so students return ready for a strong final term.

It is also a good time to check summer uniforms and revisit our College uniform policy. Please take a moment to check requirements around dress lengths, hair colour, piercings and the correct shirts to be worn under College jumpers. We genuinely appreciate families supporting us with these expectations. When these things are addressed at home, it reduces unnecessary conversations at school and supports the positive relationships between our students and teachers here on the ground. Our focus can then remain where we all want it to be – on teaching, learning and student success.

Student-Dress-Code-Policy-1.pdf

As I write this article, I am also preparing for our upcoming School Review. Victorian government schools undertake a review every four years, and it is an important opportunity to closely examine how our College is performing and where we need to head next. The process looks broadly at the workings of the College, including ensuring required policies are current, while also closely interrogating classroom practice, curriculum, student experiences and our progress against our existing goals.

The Review will provide us with valuable feedback about what we are doing well and, importantly, where our opportunities for further improvement lie. I expect to be able to share a summary of the findings with.

Have an amazing break, stay safe.