Principal's Report

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

We are officially halfway through Term 1 and Learning is well underway in all year levels across the college. This year is a big year for us in many ways. It is a School Review year (we plan in four-year cycles) and we are currently in the reflective part of this cycle.

There are always areas that could be improved and areas where there are many positive outcomes.

We are encouraging all families and members of the community to add their voice to the school review process. If you have additional questions or something to share, please make a time to meet with me.

2025 Student Leaders

Last week, we conducted the Leadership Induction Assembly, a very important event on the Mortlake College calendar. This was an opportunity to acknowledge all students who have committed to a leadership role. We pride ourselves in student leadership development as it fosters essential skills that help students succeed academically, socially and down the track professionally. It not only benefits the students but also enriches the college and wider community by nurturing future leaders who can contribute positively to society. In addition to recognising leaders, the youngest and most enthusiastic members of our school community – the Prep students – where they were passionately introduced to the school community alongside our Year 12 Students.

Parent/Student/Teacher Partnership Interviews

Thursday April 3rd

All students and families will have the opportunity to meet with classroom teachers on Thursday April 3rd, between the hours of 1-7pm. This partnership interview is an opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher/s to share learning and wellbeing information. Additional information will be available to all families in the next couple of weeks, which will include how you can make appointment times using Sentral.

NOTE: There will be no formal classes running for students on this day. Teaching staff will arrive onsite at the College from 12noon.

Student Attendance- EVERY DAY COUNTS + LATE ARRIVALS

We have had quite a few students arriving to school late and doing so on a regular basis. Please be aware that not only does arriving to school late impact on your child’s learning time, but it also distracts the class when students enter during a lesson.

Please ensure that your child is at school, by 8:50am so that they can organise themselves to commence instruction at 9:00am.

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify us as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:-

-Online: log the absence directly using the Sentral platform.

- Phone the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason on 5599 2204

- Email the school and provide the staff with your child’s name, class, date of absence/s and reason.

The Department of Education (DE) requires parents to provide the school with an explanation for all student absences. This may include bereavement, dentist, family holiday, illness, medical and medical appointments, or religious/ cultural observance.

WHY EVERYDAY COUNTS:

When students stay away from school, their learning and friendships are affected. There are many practical issues associated with absenteeism. Students who are absent from school:

• miss the introduction of new work

• fail to complete work

• miss revision time

• miss homework explanation

• fall behind with their learning

• develop disjointed home-reading routines

• develop inconsistent homework returns/routines

• may lack confidence and feel embarrassed because they cannot do work the class has been studying

• feel left out from class discussion when they have missed a special class activity and cannot do the associated work

• miss specialist lessons because these lessons only occur once a week and so, for example, artwork is not completed or is rushed to finish in the limited time available

• miss celebrations, for example student of the week, class awards, excursions, visitors, assemblies and special activities

• can find it difficult to break into established friendship groups and develop good friendships with their peers

• can develop a poor attitude towards school believing ‘I won’t miss much if I’m not at school’

• fail to realise that the teachers and students miss them.

Student Unform

All students are expected to be wearing their school uniform each day. We understand when items are lost or in the wash and still drying (although the weather shouldn’t impact too much at this time of year). If you need financial assistance with school uniform, please speak to either me or Brooke Baker.

School Photos

We had our annual school photos taken today with Glenn Watson Photography.

We look forward to seeing the end product on delivery day. This Friday, March 7th, is our back-up day for any students who were absent from school today.

MWC Swimming Sports

I enjoyed watching several events at the Secondary District Swimming Carnival held on Tuesday 18th February. All students who attended this event were fantastic representatives of the College, especially considering the weather was not kind to us on this day. Our students did us proud and were well rewarded with many bringing ribbons home, but also their representation out of the pool is to be commended. Such as encouraging one another, supporting participation of their peers and proud to be the loudest cheerers poolside.

Congratulations to Holly, Sommer, Ivy and Daniel who were our respective age group champions at this event.

The overall results were:

1st Place: Mortlake College

2nd Place: Derrinallum College

3rd Place: Hawkesdale

4th Place: Lake Bolac

Division Level - Primary Swimming Sports

Last Friday, February 28th, eight students from Years 4-6 participated in the Division Swimming Sports at Aquazone in Warrnambool. A huge appreciation to the parents of these students who organised travel and support for them on the day.

Mortlake College House Athletics

I’m looking forward to our House Athletic Sports on Tuesday March 25th that will be held here at the College. More information about this event will be available shortly.

Student Mobile Phones

A gentle reminder of the government’s expectations around mobile phone use at school. Student mobile phones are to be turned off, and not to be use during school hours.

School Student Broadband Initiative

The School Student Broadband Initiative offers eligible families with school-aged students free NBN broadband internet at home. The initiative was due to end on 31 December 2025 but has been extended.

The initiative is capped at 30,000 services connected. Once this number is reached, no further applications to participate in the initiative will be accepted.

I encourage families and carers who haven’t been assessed and may be eligible for this initiative to contact

NBN’s National Referral Centre for an assessment. If you are eligible, they will send you a voucher to access free home internet till Friday 30 June 2028. However, this voucher must be activated before the 30,000 cap is reached.

For more information:

School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Framework

Our core values: Respect, Kindness, and Growth Mindset serve as the foundation of our school community and guide our actions, interactions, and expectations.

In alignment with our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, we regularly enhance the way we acknowledge and celebrate positive student behaviour. SWPBS is a framework that assists our Mortlake College community to further develop a positive, safe, and supportive learning culture.

The goal of SWPBS is to provide intrinsic rewards for positive outcomes that parallels with our college values. We are currently auditing our SWPBS Framework to ensure that our Behaviour Matrix succinctly lists positive behaviours relating to our college values.

Respectful behaviours are important in building strong, healthy and thriving school communities. The relationship between families and school staff is an important part of a student’s school experience as it provides an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of the student. When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school. The foundation of a positive home and school relationship is based on:

• open and honest communication

• trust and respect

• working together

• fair and reasonable expectations by all

Under no circumstances is it acceptable to behave in a disrespectful manner. Unacceptable or unreasonable behaviours include, but are not limited to:

• being violent or threatening violence of any kind, including being physically intimidating, aggressive hand gestures or invading another person's personal space

• speaking or behaving in a rude, aggressive or threatening way, either in person, via email, social media, or over the telephone

• sending demanding, rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages

• discriminatory or derogatory comments

• the use of social media or public forums to make inappropriate or threatening remarks about the school, staff or students

Parent Payments

Thank you to all parents who are up to date with Parent Payments or on a plan. Your contributions make a remarkable difference to our college and the programs/resources we offer. Please be familiar with the Parent Payment Policy as all extra curricula activities are offered on a user pay basis. We will ensure families are aware of all extra curricula activities well in advance to give you an opportunity to budget for these events and activities.

2025 School Council

It is that time of year again where we encourage parents and guardians to consider nominating for School Council. Members have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of our school community. The School Council is integral in ensuring that our school’s policies and programs reflect the values and needs of our students and families. I strongly, encourage all parents to consider nominating themselves or others to serve on the council. Further information is included in this newsletter.

Important Upcoming Dates

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

Important dates for Term 1:

School Council Election Process: Nominations close tomorrow – Tuesday March 4th

Please refer to the School Council section of our newsletter.

Tuesday March 11th: Curriculum Day – All staff attending Professional Learning (No school for students on this day)
Wednesday March 12th: Prep students start school on a Wednesday
Wednesday March 12th: NAPLAN Testing begins for students in Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 9.
Tuesday March 25th: Mortlake College House Athletics Sports (All Students)
Tuesday March 25th: Mortlake College School Council AGM – Community members are all welcome to attend this meeting
Wednesday March 26th to Friday March 28th: Year 5-6 Camp (Sovereign Hill)
Thursday April 3rd: Teacher/Student/Parent Interviews, 1-7pm (No school/formal classes for students on this day)
Friday April 4th: Last Day of Term 1 - 2:30pm Dismissal for all students

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal