Principal Report

We are now almost halfway through Term 3 and our focus is already turning towards planning for 2027. Our work at present is ensuring our senior and secondary students are supported to make informed decisions about their learning pathway. It has been wonderful to see students discussing their interests, considering future career pathways, and engaging positively with the choices available to them. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding our new VRX Program, for students in Years 7-10, with many students excited about the opportunities this innovative learning experience will provide.

It is certainly another busy week at Mortlake P-12 College! Today, our VCE Vocational Major students proudly presented their Community Project presentations, showcasing months of planning, collaboration and hard work. These projects provide students with an authentic opportunity to identify a community need, develop practical solutions and strengthen their communication, teamwork and project management skills. I congratulate all our students on the professionalism and commitment they demonstrated in sharing their work.

The busy schedule continues throughout the week. On Tuesday, our Year 5-6 students will attend the Science and Engineering Challenge at Deakin University, where they will participate in a range of engaging STEM activities designed to encourage innovation, teamwork and problem-solving. Wednesday will see our Year 7-8 students put their entrepreneurial skills into action at the Enterprise Markets, while our primary students enjoy a visiting performance here at the College. To round out the week, some of our Year 5-6 students will proudly represent Mortlake P-12 College at the Hoop Time Basketball competition, while Inspire House hosts our Big Freeze for MND fundraiser. I have volunteered to take the plunge, and I'm certainly hoping for some warmer weather, because just thinking about being dunked in icy cold water is enough to make me shiver!

This week also marks Mrs Carmody's final week as Acting Assistant Principal. On behalf of our entire school community, I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Carmody for the professionalism, care and commitment she has shown while undertaking the role. Her leadership and support for our students, staff and families have been greatly appreciated. We also look forward to welcoming Mrs DeManser back next Monday following her well-deserved Long Service Leave.

Next week, our Year 9-10 students will head to Melbourne for camp. We wish them a fantastic experience filled with learning, teamwork and memorable moments. Thank you to Mr Jones who has dedicated significant time to planning and organising this opportunity for our students.

A reminder to families that our Student-Teacher-Parent Interview Conferences will be held on Thursday 10th September. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity to celebrate student progress, discuss learning goals and strengthen the partnership between home and school. While these interviews are an important checkpoint, I would also like to remind families that you are always welcome to contact your child's teacher at any stage throughout the school year if you have questions or concerns about your child's learning or wellbeing.

Finally, Book Week is just around the corner, and we are looking forward to celebrating together with our whole-school dress-up day and parade on Friday 28th August. This is always a highlight on our school calendar, and we encourage students and families to start thinking creatively about costumes inspired by their favourite books. We look forward to seeing our school community come together to celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling.

Year 7 & 8 Enterprise Market – starting this Wednesday

Our Year 7 and 8 students have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to prepare for this year's Enterprise Market, applying the skills they have developed throughout their Humanities studies in a real-world setting.

Students have explored what it takes to create and run a successful small business. Working in teams, they have researched customer demand, developed business ideas, planned budgets, considered costs and pricing, created marketing materials, managed production, and collaborated to bring their products to life. This authentic learning experience has challenged students to think creatively, solve problems, make informed financial decisions and develop valuable communication and teamwork skills.

We invite students to support our young entrepreneurs by visiting the Enterprise Market during lunchtime on Wednesday 12th August, Wednesday 19th August, Wednesday 26th August and Wednesday 2nd September in the Undercover Area. There is a fantastic range of food and treats available, including BBQ items, hot chips, pancakes, cakes, cookies, drinks and more, there is something for everyone, with prices ranging from $1 to $3.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, creativity and dedication our students have demonstrated throughout this project, and we look forward to seeing their hard work rewarded over the coming weeks. We would also like to sincerely thank their classroom teachers, Miss Robertson and Miss McRae, whose guidance, encouragement and support have been instrumental in helping students develop their ideas and bring this authentic learning experience to life.

Inspire House Fundraiser – Big Freeze for MND

This Friday, 14th August, Inspire Housewill be hosting a Big Freeze for MND fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for those affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive and currently incurable neurological condition that affects the nerves controlling movement, gradually impacting a person's ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. Fundraising events such as the Big Freeze play an important role in supporting vital research, improving services for those living with MND, and raising awareness of the impact this disease has on individuals and their families.

In true Big Freeze spirit, several of our staff members - including myself - have volunteered to take the plunge and be dunked in icy cold water to support this important cause! We hope our students and school community will get behind the event, enjoy the fun and help us make a meaningful contribution to Fight MND.

All students are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation, come to school dressed in BLUE, bring some money for food items for sale at lunch time and to throw a ball and dunk the staff ($1 to throw the ball). Together, let's help make this year's Big Freeze a fantastic community event while supporting the fight against MND.

New 2027 Elective – VRX Program

We are excited to introduce the VRX Program, a new elective opportunity for students in 2027 that has already generated significant interest across our secondary school. Designed for students with a passion for sport, leadership and personal growth, VRX is much more than a sports program, it is an opportunity to develop the skills, character and confidence needed to succeed both on and off the field.

Established in recognition of Val Riordon, a much-loved Physical Education teacher at Mortlake P-12 College, the program reflects Val's belief that success is measured not only by sporting achievement, but also by the qualities of perseverance, teamwork and character that students develop along the way. The VRX Program is built around our College values of Resilience through having a strong Growth Mindset and Respect, encouraging students to challenge themselves, support others and make a positive contribution to our school and wider community.

Students participating in VRX will have opportunities to develop their skills through specialist coaching, fitness development, leadership experiences, community service, coaching younger students, first aid and sports trainer accreditation opportunities (where available), and career pathway experiences within the sporting industry. Importantly, the program is designed to develop the whole athlete, with a strong emphasis on leadership, wellbeing, communication, teamwork and service to others.

At Mortlake P-12 College, we are committed to providing learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, helping students discover their strengths and prepare for life beyond school. The introduction of VRX is another exciting example of this commitment, and we look forward to seeing our students embrace the opportunities the program has to offer in 2027.

Expression of Interest for this program must be returned to the office by Wednesday August 12th.

2026 Parent and Caregiver Opinion Survey

We value the strong partnership we have with our families and encourage all parents and carers to take part in the 2026 Parent and Caregiver Opinion Survey.

The survey provides an important opportunity for families to share their thoughts about our school, including school climate, community engagement in learning, teaching practices that support student engagement and achievement, and attitudes towards school attendance. Your feedback helps us celebrate what we are doing well while also identifying areas where we can continue to improve for the benefit of all students.

The survey will be open from Monday 17th August until Friday 18th September 2026 and can be completed online. Families will receive further information, including our school's unique survey link and instructions for accessing the survey, via Compass once it becomes available.

The survey is available in a range of languages to ensure as many families as possible can participate. We encourage every family to take a few minutes to complete the survey, as your feedback plays an important role in shaping the future direction of Mortlake P-12 College.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your views and support our school's ongoing improvement.

Finalising Prep and Year 7 2027 Student Enrolments

As we move through Term 3, we are currently finalising enrolments for Prep and Year 7 students commencing in 2027. This is an important stage in our planning for the year ahead, and we encourage any families who have not yet submitted their enrolment forms to do so as soon as possible.

Early confirmation of enrolments allows us to effectively plan for 2027 by ensuring we can:

Develop appropriate class structures and staffing.
Provide comprehensive transition programs for our new students.
Allocate resources and support to meet the needs of every learner.
Maintain clear and timely communication with families throughout the transition process.

If your child will be starting Prep or Year 7 in 2027, or if you know a family considering Mortlake P-12 College, we encourage you to contact the College Office for further information or to obtain an enrolment pack.

We are looking forward to welcoming our newest students and partnering with their families to ensure they enjoy a positive, successful and confident start to their journey at Mortlake P–12 College.

Book Week 2026 - Symphony of Stories

Book Week will be celebrated from Saturday, 22nd August to Friday, 28th August, with this year's inspiring theme, Symphony of Stories.

Throughout the week, students will enjoy a variety of classroom activities designed to celebrate the magic of books, storytelling and reading. These experiences encourage imagination, creativity and a lifelong love of literature while providing opportunities for students to engage with stories in fun and meaningful ways.

We are also excited to host our annual Book Fair during Book Week. The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to discover new books, nurture a love of reading and support our school library. Further information, including opening times and purchasing details, will be shared with families closer to the event.

To conclude our celebrations, we invite all students to participate in our Book Week Parade on Friday, 28th August, by dressing as their favourite book character. We are also encouraging our staff to join in the fun, making it a whole-school celebration of reading and storytelling.

This year, we are adding an extra element of excitement with a Book Week Parade Competition! Students will have the chance to guess which book title each participating staff member is representing. Rather than dressing as a character, many of our staff will be bringing an entire book title to life through their costumes. We can't wait to see the creativity on display and look forward to sharing a fun-filled day celebrating the stories that inspire us all.

Bushfire Readiness

With the warmer weather and longer days of spring just around the corner, we are beginning our annual preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. As part of this planning, we review our emergency management procedures and communicate important information with our school community to ensure everyone is well prepared.

We have recently been advised that Mortlake P-12 College is now classified as a Category 4 school on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). As a Category 4 school, the College will close on days when a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is forecast for the Southwest Fire District. If a closure is required, families will be notified as early as possible through Compass and other Department communication channels.

We encourage all families to familiarise themselves with the College's bushfire arrangements and to review their own bushfire plans at home. Taking the time to prepare now will help ensure everyone can respond safely should bushfire conditions arise later in the year.

Further information about our bushfire procedures and any updates throughout the fire danger period will be communicated to families as required.

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Our Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences/Interviews will be held on Thursday, 10th September, from 12:00 noon to 6:00pm. These conferences provide an important opportunity for students, families and teachers to come together to reflect on learning, celebrate progress and discuss goals for the remainder of the year.

Prior to the conferences, families will be able to access their child's Term 3 Attitudes to School Learning Report through Compass. This report provides valuable insight into students' learning behaviours, engagement and work habits, and will help support meaningful discussions during the conferences.

While the conferences are an important opportunity to connect, we encourage families not to wait if they have questions or concerns about their child's learning or wellbeing. Our staff value strong partnerships with families and are always happy to arrange a meeting at a mutually convenient time throughout the year. By working together, we can continue to ensure every student is supported, challenged and encouraged to achieve their very best.

Father and Friends Fun Evening

The Primary team is excited to invite all students and their dads, grandfathers, uncles and other special father figures to our annual Father and Friends Fun Evening.

The evening will be held on Tuesday 1st September, commencing at 6:00 pm, and promises to be a fun-filled opportunity to spend quality time together as we celebrate the important men and role models in our students' lives ahead of Father's Day.

Events like these are a wonderful way to strengthen family connections, build relationships within our school community and create lasting memories. Whether you're competing in activities, sharing a laugh or simply enjoying time together, we hope it will be an evening that everyone enjoys.

We look forward to welcoming many of our families for what is sure to be another fantastic community event. Further details will be shared with families via Compass closer to the date.

Supporting Safe and Responsible Social Media Use

Last week, we were pleased to partner with our local Victoria Police members to deliver an important information session for our Year 7-9 students focused on safe and responsible social media use.

During the session, students learnt about the legal age requirements for social media platforms, with recent Australian legislation introducing a minimum age of 16 years for social media accounts from 10th December 2025. While we acknowledge that some of our students may already be using these platforms, the purpose of the session was not to judge or single out students. Instead, the focus was on equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Topics included protecting personal information, recognising unsafe online behaviours, understanding digital footprints, respectful online communication, and knowing how to seek help if something doesn't feel right. By working together with families and community partners, we can help ensure our students develop the confidence and awareness to make safe and informed decisions whenever they are online.

We thank the team from the Mortlake Police, Stephen, Mitch and Nathan, for their ongoing support in helping educate our students about staying safe in an increasingly digital world.

Student Mobile Phones Reminder

A reminder to families and students that student mobile phones are not to be used during the school day. In line with our school expectations and the Victorian Government mobile phone policy, phones should remain switched off and securely stored throughout the day.

If a staff member observes a student using or carrying a mobile phone during school hours, the phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day. We appreciate the support of families in reinforcing this expectation, which helps minimise distractions and supports student engagement, wellbeing, and positive learning environments across our school.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our college. Together, we continue to create a learning community where every student is encouraged to grow, achieve and contribute.

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal

Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR AUGUST