From the Principal Team

As the term draws to a close, I would like to thank our students, staff, families and wider community for their continued support of Mornington Secondary College. It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding term, filled with learning, achievement and opportunities for our students. These successes are made possible through the commitment of our staff, the efforts of our students and the strong partnerships we share with our families and community.

Thank you for the many ways you contribute to our College. Your encouragement, feedback and involvement help us maintain a community in which every student is known, supported and encouraged to achieve their best. Relationships matter in learning, and I am grateful for the relationships that continue to strengthen our College.

As previously shared, Mornington Secondary College is currently undertaking its four-yearly College Review. This important process provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our progress, review our practices and priorities, and consider the future direction of the College. As part of this process, we have recently reviewed and updated a number of College policies, which are available on the College website for parents and carers to view.

In particular, our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy has been reviewed and updated. Ensuring that our policies reflect the needs of our students, families and community is important to us, and we welcome feedback from parents and carers. We encourage families to take the opportunity to review the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, as well as our other College policies. If you have any feedback, suggestions or questions regarding these policies, please contact the College via email.

An important part of the College Review is hearing directly from our families. We are therefore inviting parents and carers to participate in a Parent Focus Group on Wednesday 7 October at 2.40pm at the College. The session will take approximately 35 minutes and provides an opportunity to share your experiences, perspectives and ideas about our College. If you are interested in participating, please complete the attached form Parent Focus Group – Fill out form

Looking Ahead to Term 4

Term 3 is traditionally one of the more demanding periods of the school year for both students and staff. As Term 4 approaches, the focus will increasingly turn to the completion of the academic year. For our Year 12 students, this is a particularly significant period as they complete their final weeks of secondary schooling and prepare for their VCE or VCE VM pathways, examinations and the transition beyond Mornington Secondary College.

The school holidays provide an important opportunity for students to rest and recharge. After a busy term, taking some genuine time away from schoolwork is important. Looking after yourself is not wasted time. Good sleep, physical activity, switching off from screens occasionally and doing things you enjoy all help restore the energy needed to approach Term 4.

For our Year 12 VCE students, however, the holidays need to contain a little bit of both worlds. There should absolutely be time to rest, but this is also an important opportunity to begin purposeful examination preparation. For our Year 12 VCE VM students, Term 4 brings a different but equally important milestone. We look forward to meeting with each of our 2026 Year 12 VCE VM students for their final interviews during the first two weeks of Term 4. These conversations provide an opportunity to reflect on their journey through the Senior School, celebrate what they have achieved and look ahead to the exciting pathways that await them beyond Mornington Secondary College.

Following this week’s police presentation, we remind families that students must comply with Victorian e-scooter laws when travelling to and from school. From the beginning of Term 4, students will not be permitted to bring or store illegal or non-compliant e-scooters on College grounds. This decision has been made to support student safety and ensure the College does not facilitate the use of vehicles that are unlawful on public roads and paths. Families are asked to check that any e-scooter used by their child meets the legal requirements outlined below (in the Victoria Police HiCET Presentation: E Scooter and E Bike Safety article) before it is ridden to school.

We wish all students and families a safe and enjoyable holiday break and look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 4. Thank you for continuing to work in partnership with us to ensure Mornington Secondary College is a safe, supportive and positive environment for every student.

Kind regards,

Adam Slater

Principal

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Important Dates

Dates correct at time of posting and subject to change.

Students of the Week

Charlie Borthwick - Year 7

Favourite food: BBQ especially smoked brisket

Hobbies out of school: Dirt bike riding, footy, basketball, and riding with mates

What sports team do you follow? Western Bulldogs

Favourite movie/TV show: I don’t watch anything besides TikTok

Do you have any pets? Dog called Tilly; she’s a Staffy

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Interschool footy next year in Year 8

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Being around my good friends and art class

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? A tradie (carpentry)

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? Footy skills, especially with backline and forward

Your greatest strength: Basketball and my social skills

What three words best describe you? Funny, sporty and positive

Sasha Legge - Year 7

Favourite food: Pasta, especially spaghetti

Hobbies out of school: Netball and swimming at the beach

What sports team do you follow? Sharks, a team from the NRL, and Richmond

Favourite movie/TV show: The Rookie

Do you have any pets? 2 cats and a dog called Zarlie

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Finishing Year 7

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Japanese class because I’m always learning something new!

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Architecture

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? I’m good at annoying my friend Isla

Your greatest strength: I’m very nice

What three words best describe you? Funny, open-minded and caring

Year 8 and 9 End of Term 3 Assemblies

Congratulations to all award winners from Year 8 and 9, who were recognised at Year Level Assemblies this week.

Senior School Students of the Month

Year 10: Makena Baard and Keaton Nicholson

Year 11: Joseph Arena

Year 12: Alex Classon Ivie Green

Year 11 Formal

Last Friday our Year 11s walked the red carpet for their 2026 formal, themed Midnight Garden. Here is a sneak peek, with more photos to come in a future newsletter.

Music Performance Evening

The Term 3 Music Performance Evening was an opportunity to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements throughout the term. Students shared their talents with parents, guardians, friends and the wider College community, performing in a range of College ensembles as well as our two VCE Bands.

It was a fantastic evening of music and a great celebration of our students’ dedication and success.

Joe Tobias

Music Teacher Brass

Year 7 Showcase

On Wednesday afternoon Year 7 students welcomed families to the Year 7 Showcase. The event provided an opportunity for our guests to view and celebrate students’ learning and achievements throughout the year.

Students displayed work across a range of subject areas, with a particular focus on Humanities and English. The Year 7 area was decorated by students and staff, allowing families to explore the displays and see the learnings taking place across the year level.

Year 12 Dress Up: Movie Characters

Our Year 12s took a well-earned breather after finishing their Trial Exams with Dress Up Day – Movie Characters!

MSC staff led by example, and our Year 12s definitely didn’t disappoint. We saw Chipmunks, superheroes, Alice in Wonderland and more. A well-deserved chance to relax and enjoy some fun before the final VCE countdown!

All gold coin proceeds collected on the day will be donated to our Speak & Share, our chosen charity for 2026.

Incursions

Tree Planting & Environmental Education Session

Students recently took part in a hands-on tree planting and environmental education session in partnership with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Natural Systems Team and Naturelinks.

Students helped prepare the site and plant indigenous trees selected specifically for our local environment, while learning about local ecosystems, indigenous vegetation and the importance of caring for our natural surroundings.

With tools provided by Naturelinks, it was a fantastic opportunity for students to make a positive contribution to their local environment while developing practical knowledge of conservation and sustainability.

Evangeline Romage

Leading Teacher Year 7

Sally Fisher

Science/Technology Teacher

Cyber Safety Presentation

Last week the police came to Mornington SC to speak with our Year 8 and 9 students about cyber safety. With the increased reliance and communication with devices the police delivered important information about the laws and sending/viewing inappropriate material. Hopefully this information will hold the students in good stead moving forward.

Adam Pirrie

Team Leader Year 8

Victoria Police HiCET Presentation: E Scooter and E Bike Safety

On Tuesday we had Brenton and Sarah from the Victoria Police High Visibility Community Engagement Team speak with all Year 7, 8 and 9 students about E-Scooter and E-Bike laws and road safety. Students were informed on the current safety and road rules around these modes of transport and given the opportunity to ask questions about anything to do with Victoria Police.

As Victoria Police are currently conducting a safety and road-rules crackdown in the Mornington community, we as a college felt it was important to share the current laws and road rules relating to these modes of transport.

E-Scooter Laws:

Ride on shared-use paths or roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h
Riders must be at least 16 years old
Must wear a helmet
Do not travel more than 20km/h
Do not use your mobile phone
Do not carry a passenger (dinking)

A legal e-scooter is defined as a vehicle that:

is designed for use by one person
has a maximum speed of 25 km/h when ridden on level ground
transports a person while the person is standing or seated
has two wheels (one in front of the other)
has a footboard between the front and rear wheels
is steered by a handlebar
does not weigh more than 45kg
is propelled by a motor, or by the person pushing one foot against the ground.

In Victoria, a legal e-bike has:

a maximum continuous rated power output of no more than 250 watts
motor assistance that cuts off after reaching 25km/h
functioning pedals

E-Bike rider safety:

Slow down and use your bell when passing pedestrians.
Use your headlights during low light, for example at night, in bad weather and in poorly lit areas.
Ride on the correct side of the road, with the flow of traffic.

Maddy Collinge

Student Wellbeing Counsellor

Maths Melbourne Uni Outreach Program

On Tuesday 15 September, Mornington Secondary College was excited to welcome members of the University of Melbourne’s School of Mathematics and Statistics to our school for Micro Mathematicians, an engaging high ability mathematics workshop designed to challenge and inspire our students.

Year 7 and 8 students, along with our Year 9 high-ability Mathematics students, had the opportunity to experience mathematics beyond the traditional classroom. Through hands-on challenges and collaborative problem-solving, students were encouraged to think creatively, ask questions, explore different ideas and make their mathematical thinking visible.

The workshops provided students with a glimpse into the wider world of mathematics, demonstrating that mathematics extends far beyond the topics we study at school. Students worked together to tackle challenging problems, discuss different approaches and communicate their reasoning with both Ms Lamb and myself.

A key focus of the workshops was developing students’ confidence as mathematical thinkers. Rather than simply finding an answer, students were encouraged to investigate, persevere, explain their ideas and learn from the ideas of others.

These workshops are designed by the University of Melbourne to give students a window into the exciting possibilities of mathematics and statistics beyond school, including areas such as:

problem-solving,
modelling,
data science,
graph theory, and
other areas of mathematical research.

It was wonderful to see our students embracing the challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. Micro Mathematicians provided a valuable opportunity for our students to see themselves as mathematicians, problem-solvers and thinkers, while experiencing the creativity and excitement of mathematics beyond the curriculum.

Tracey Watchorn

Numeracy Leader

Excursions

Year 9 Amazing Race

Last week, 62 of our Year 9 students headed into the city for an action-packed, fast-paced Amazing Race experience. The excursion challenged students to put their teamwork, navigation, and problem-solving skills to the ultimate test.

Upon arrival, students were sorted into competing groups and handed their official race instructions. Each team had to navigate their way to various landmark checkpoints scattered across the city. At every location, they faced unique activities designed to test their creativity, with valuable points up for grabs.

Adding to the city buzz, the historic NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams was taking place on the very same day! The massive influx of fans and electric international atmosphere gave the students an unforgettable backdrop for their adventure.

To add to the competition, teams were given a list of additional bonus tasks. Strategic thinking was key, as groups decided whether to stick to the main route or take on these extra challenges to boost their final point scores.

Our Year 9s represented the school beautifully, displaying fantastic camaraderie, high energy, and great sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the participants, and a special shout-out to the winning team who claimed the top spot on the leader board with an incredible winning score of 132 points; an achievement the event organisers noted was exceptionally high!

Sian Jones

Team Leader Year 9

Interschool Sport

Year 7 Boys Basketball

Our Year 7 boys recently represented the college in interschool basketball. Although the results didn’t go our way, the day provided a valuable opportunity to compete, develop skills and gain experience as a team.

Standout players were Charlie Borthwick, Jensen Barrett and Ashton Blamfield, who led the way with strong performances throughout the day. Well done to all the boys for representing the college—we look forward to building on this experience in future competitions!

Rob Horwill

Head of PE

Year 7 and 8 World Cup Soccer Competition

The Year 7 and 8 World Cup Lunchtime Soccer Competition was a fantastic success, with matches played every Friday during the final six weeks of Term 3. Six teams battled it out throughout the competition; Australia, Scotland, Mexico, South Sudan, England and Brazil.

The competition proved extremely popular, with students eagerly looking forward to their matches each week. After five rounds of round-robin competition:

South Sudan finished on top of the ladder with four wins and a draw.
Mexico finished in second place with three wins, one draw and one loss,
England in third,
Brazil in fourth,
Scotland in fifth, and
Australia in sixth.

The top four teams progressed to the finals series, with the semi-finals played on Tuesday 15 September. South Sudan faced Brazil, while Mexico took on England. Both matches were played with great intensity, enthusiasm and skill, with South Sudan and Mexico progressing through to the Grand Final.

The Grand Final was played on Wednesday 16 September in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters. The match consisted of two 11-minute halves with a two-minute half-time break.

The opening half was a fiercely contested battle, with both teams attacking and defending strongly. It was difficult for either side to break through the opposition defence, resulting in limited scoring opportunities. South Sudan enjoyed slightly more possession and looked dangerous going forward, but Mexico remained well organised and looked threatening on the counterattack.

Late in the first half, Mexico produced a quick attacking move, combining some excellent one-two passing before Levi unleashed a great strike to give Mexico the lead. South Sudan lifted the intensity in search of an equaliser, but Mexico held firm to take a 1–0 lead into half-time.

The second half continued at a frantic pace, with South Sudan pressing hard for an equaliser. Mexico again demonstrated their ability to launch quick counterattacks and soon created an opportunity to extend their lead to 2–0.

Only a couple of minutes later, South Sudan finally capitalised on the opportunities they had created and pulled a goal back. The goal gave South Sudan renewed energy, and they relentlessly attacked the Mexican defence in search of an equaliser.

However, Mexico remained resolute and defended strongly until the final whistle to secure a 2–1 victory and claim the 2026 MSC World Cup title!

As winners, Mexico shared $50 worth of canteen vouchers, while South Sudan received $25 worth of canteen vouchers as runners up.

Congratulations to all six teams for their fantastic participation throughout the competition. The skill, enthusiasm, sportsmanship and competitiveness displayed by the students made the lunchtime competition a great success.

The aim of the lunchtime competition is to increase students' physical activity while at school and provide a positive, inclusive and enjoyable activity for students to participate in with their friends. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved and enjoying their soccer.

John Walker

College Sport Coordinator

Learning Snapshot

Year 7 Gymnastics

At the moment in PE, our Year 7 class has been having lots of fun doing a unit on gymnastics. To get used to the different skills in gymnastics, we have been learning different shapes and balances using the correct techniques. Some of the shapes we have learnt are the Motorbike, Angry Cat and Star.

In last week's lesson, we rotated around different stations, doing activities with ropes, beam sequences and floor mats.

On the beam, students did fun activities like passing a ball to each other. To make it more challenging, we had to pass it under and over while balancing. We also tried to get around each other safely.

The ropes have been a favourite and have been used to test our strength and technique. On the ropes, we get to hold our bodies in different positions and try to reach the top using all our strength.

The floor mat activity was also fun and challenging. We have been learning how to do handstands, cartwheels, forward rolls and even human pyramids.

This unit has left us feeling motivated and eager to learn more about gymnastics, including simple skills and techniques.

Some of the highlights have been using the ropes and climbing to the top, which only Seth Thurbon and Nick Cook from our class have been able to do. The beam was also fun when students were able to cross over each other and have a go at shooting a goal.

-Mya Tatterson 7A

Upcoming Camps

Important Notice: Year 9 Interstate Camp to Cairns (May 2027)

Dear Year 8 Parents, Carers, and Students,

Please be advised that the Expression of Interest (EOI) for next year's Year 9 interstate camp to Cairns will be published on Compass early next term.

Key Details:

Dates: 24 May – 28 May 2027
Securing a Place: Once the Compass event goes live, a non-refundable deposit will be required to lock in your child's spot.
Next Steps: We are currently finalising the total trip costs and will provide a further update as soon as these details are confirmed.

Please keep an eye on Compass early next term to ensure you don't miss the booking window.

Sian Jones

Year 9 Team Leader

Student Achievements

We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of three Mornington Secondary College students who are making their mark in representative football beyond the College.

Evi Irving will represent the Dandenong Stingrays U18 Girls in the 2026 Talent League Girls Grand Final against the Oakleigh Chargers this Saturday, 19 September, at Mission Whitten Oval. Evi has also been named among the Stingrays’ best players in their past two finals – a fantastic recognition of her contribution throughout the finals campaign.

Jackson Ablett and Tom Milburn have been selected in the Dandenong Stingrays squad for the 2026 V/Line Cup, being held in Gippsland next week. Both students were invited to attend trials before earning their places in the final squad. The V/Line Cup is Victoria’s premier under-15 championship competition for country footballers and provides a pathway for talented players into higher-level programs, including the Coates Talent League.

Congratulations to Evi, Jackson and Tom on these fantastic achievements. We wish Evi all the best for the Grand Final and Jackson and Tom every success at the V/Line Cup!

Careers

Year 12 Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) Deadlines

Year 12 students applying for tertiary courses in 2027 are reminded that VTAC applications are now open.

The application and registration payment deadline is Monday 28 September 2026 at 5pm, with late applications closing Friday 30 October at 5pm. SEAS and Scholarship applications close Friday 9 October 2026 at 5pm. LOGIN VTAC

VCE Results and ATARs will be released on Thursday 10 December 2026, followed by Change of Preference and course offer rounds throughout December, January and February. Make sure you research your courses, check prerequisites and selection requirements, and regularly review your preferences. If you need assistance with your VTAC application or course preferences, please see the Careers Team.

VTAC Fact sheets available include:

Research

Applying

ATAR, Results and Offers

Mornington Peninsula Shire - 2027 Traineeship Program Information

Trainees are employed by the Shire for a 12-month program, gaining valuable on the job experience while completing a Certificate IV in Business. Along the way, they are supported to develop their skills, grow their confidence and explore rewarding career pathways within local government.

Information session

A community information session for prospective applicants to learn more about the program is planned for October, including key timelines, the application process and insights from current trainees about their experience.

Date: Tuesday 6 Oct 2026

Time: 4-5pm

Location: Mornington Shire Office – 2 Queen Street, Mornington

Bookings: https://TraineeshipProgram2027.eventbrite.com.au

Key dates

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a traineeship, applicants must:

Be aged 18 years or older and no longer at school.
Be able to meet citizen, residency, and visa requirements to undertake a traineeship.
Not have already completed a Certificate IV (or higher) qualification in Business or a similar field.

Further information, including details about the program and recruitment process, can be found on the Mornington Peninsula Shire Traineeship Program website page.

Wellbeing

Koorie Youth Summit 2026

This month, our Koori students have been actively involved in Junior Ranges and the Youth Summit, embracing opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate culture.

Students participated in a range of cultural activities, including boomerang throwing, weaving, wood burning and more. These experiences provided valuable opportunities for students to learn from Elders, connect with their culture and yarn with their mob.

It has been wonderful to see our students building strong connections, sharing knowledge and proudly celebrating culture throughout these experiences.

Art Therapy

This term, our Year 8 girls took part in our Empower Me Art Therapy Group; a supportive and creative space designed to help them build confidence, resilience and a positive sense of self.

Combining art activities with meaningful discussion and reflection, the group encouraged the girls to explore their identity, recognise their strengths and develop strategies to navigate the challenges of adolescence.

Art therapy offers a safe, non-verbal way for young people to express thoughts and feelings that can sometimes be difficult to put into words. Through creativity, the girls were able to explore themes of self-esteem, resilience, relationships and personal growth in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Nicole Boland

Mental Health Practitioner

Doctors in School

Doctors in School Appointment Request Form

Student scholarships

The Department of Education manages a range of student scholarships. These are available for students who:

complete Grade 4 to Year 11 in 2026
are enrolled in Year 12 in 2026 and plan to do tertiary studies in 2027.

The department will evaluate applicants on their:

academic achievement
participation in school and community activities
financial need.

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course.

Applications for these scholarships open on Thursday 1st October 2026 and close on Monday 1st February 2027.

To view all available scholarships and for more information on each, including how to apply, refer to Student scholarships.

Don’t Miss a Moment at MSC!

Follow Mornington Secondary College on Facebook & Instagram for news, events, and more so you never miss a moment of your student's learning journey.

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Community News and Opportunities

Mornington Peninsula Shire Programs

Volunteering Student Placements at Family Life

Family Life are offer volunteering opportunities for young people aged 15 years and above through their Opportunity Stores, including the Mornington Opportunity Store located at 185 Main Street, Mornington. This location is ideal for school placements, work experience week, weekend volunteering, and after-school work experience, as we are open seven days a week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Click here to learn more.

Mornington Yacht Club - School Holiday Sailing

Mornington Netball Clinic: School Holidays

Tuff Nutterz

Tuff Nutterz is a family-friendly inflatable adventure featuring a 300m+ obstacle course packed with climbing walls, slides, tunnels and challenges.

It’s designed for the whole family, with kids, teens and adults all welcome to participate. A special accompanying parent ticket for children under 5 is available, so younger adventurers can enjoy the course together with a parent or guardian.

Where: Mornington Racecourse

When: 25–29 September 2026

Special discount for MSC families: Use code MORNINGTON10OFF when booking to receive 10% OFF tickets.

To learn more or to reach out to us

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