School News

Mirboo North’s Got Talent Show!!

The Mirboo North has Got Talent Show was held on Monday the 15th and Tuesday the 16th of October in the Auditorium over the two lunchtimes. It was a great success. There were 12 performances mostly primary entrants and two secondary entrants. The VOS Team managed the event with enthusiasm and kept the show on the road with the support of six staff who gave up two lunchtimes to judge. Thank you to Mr Simkin, Mrs Haw, Ms Cummaudo, Mr O’ Sullivan and Mrs Hopkins. 

The auditorium was full on both days with about 60 primary students and 100 secondary students. The judges unanimously decided to give the best performance to Eliana who performed a great dance routine, and second prize to Olivia who played the cello with amazing skill. The atmosphere was fun, happy, and respectful. VOS are keen to do it again next year. So, contestants start planning your performance now! We can only get bigger and better!

Thank you, VOS Team, for making it happen!

Mrs Benn

School Saving Bonus

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.   

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

• Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government schools for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. 
• Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

• in October, to verify your email address
• in November with your $400 School Saving Bonus code and access to an online system.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers  or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus. 

Physics Camp in a Day

Nine Year 10 students took part in the Physics Camp in a Day. We went to the Australian Synchrotron and Scienceworks to explore different aspects of physics. The Australian Synchrotron was a highlight of the day, it is a cutting-edge scientific facility renowned globally for its contributions to diverse research fields, including medicine, nanotechnology, manufacturing, and mineral exploration. Capable of generating a light source a million times brighter than the sun, it serves as a powerful tool for scientists worldwide. During the tour, we delved into the intricacies of synchrotron operation and discovered how researchers from various industries utilise this remarkable facility for their studies. We learnt that it was instrumental in discovering that breathing difficulties suffered by premature babies is caused by a key ingredient missing in their blood (a surfactant), which lead to the development of a lifesaving treatment. The Synchrotron has also been used to discover that Phar Lap died of arsenic poisoning and uncovered hidden artwork under well-known paintings in the National Gallery Victoria. It is currently being used to assist in trials of new cancer and heart disease diagnosis & treatments. While at the Synchrotron we participated in hands-on activities in their education lab, using electrons from the Synchrotron to gain a deeper understanding of the physics of light and energy, nuclear physics, radioactivity, and dark matter, using specialised equipment to illustrate key concepts.

After lunch we went to Scienceworks and explored the interactive displays, saw an electricity and magnetism show featuring a variety of demonstrations and experiments related to magnetism and energy. These demonstrations cover topics such as electromagnetism, magnetic fields, electrical circuits, and renewable energy sources. We also viewed a show in the Melbourne Planetarium where we were transported to the far reaches of space, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the cosmos.

Code Red Fire Danger

A reminder to all families, that on days of Code Red in the West & South Gippsland Fire Zone, the College will be closed.

We ask families to be aware of this in preparation for when summer returns.

School preparations for the bushfire season

Each year, to prepare for bushfires and grassfires, schools and early childhood services complete a range of activities. 

The Department of Education runs an annual fire risk assessment of schools and early childhood services. They are allocated a category of risk (categories 0 to 4) and are published on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). 

All schools and early childhood services listed on the BARR and Category 4 list will also close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district.   

When the Bureau of Meteorology provides public fire danger rating forecasts or fire weather warnings, they use fire weather district areas. In Victoria, there are 9 fire weather districts, which are based on Local Government Area boundaries. Our school is in the West and South Gippsland fire weather district.

As part of preparing our school for the fire season, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan and prioritised any maintenance works that may assist in preparing for the threat of fire, and cleared our facility’s grounds and gutters

What does this mean for our school?

Our school has been identified as being at risk of bushfire or grassfire and is a Category 3 school.

Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in West and South Gippsland fire district. 

What is the department’s policy?

The department’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy requires all schools and early childhood services on the BARR and the Category 4 list to close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district. All school bus routes which travel in or through a district with Catastrophic fire danger must also be cancelled. 

When will our school be closed due to Catastrophic fire danger?

Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in West and South Gippsland fire district. 

Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by Facebook and Compass/ email.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, even if the weather forecast changes.  This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child.  It is also important to be aware that:

• No one will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecasted Catastrophic day.
• All bus routes that travel through the Catastrophic area will be cancelled.
• School camps will be cancelled if a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast for fire weather district in which the camp is located, or if the travel involves passing through areas that have Catastrophic fire danger.

Families are encouraged to action their Bushfire Survival Plan on Catastrophic fire danger rating days.  On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.

For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advises that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?

• Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers.     
• Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters, checking our website Mirboo North Secondary College - Strive To Serve (mnsc.vic.edu.au) and the school’s social media.
• Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is relocated, undertaking learning from home and/or closed due to elevated fire danger or closed due to a Catastrophic fire danger. Further information can be found on the CFA’s website.
• Action your family’s bushfire survival plan if your own triggers are met. Our school community may be spread out across many areas and some families may be at higher risk than others. Your family’s safety is critical, so please let us know if you are actioning your bushfire survival plan and if your children will be absent on these days.
• If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan. 

You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:

• Vic Emergency app – that can be downloaded on your android and iOS mobile devices
• Vic Emergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
• Website https://emergency.vic.gov.au
• ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vicemergency)
• Twitter (https://twitter.com/vicemergency)

German Exchange August/September 2024

From August the 22nd to September the 22nd, Susie, Lily and I were lucky enough to participate in the German Exchange for four weeks. Spending two weeks on holiday and two weeks at German school shadowing our Exchange partners and participating in their education. With a completely different school system navigating their world was tough but with the help of many people I now consider to be my friends, I was able to learn and participate in the German lifestyle.

During the holidays the Mother and my exchange partner went on a trip to southern Germany, parts of Switzerland and Austria. It was beautiful and extraordinary, later in my exchange we took a day trip to France and explored a completely different culture. Finally, one of the main parts of my journey was traveling to Berlin and seeing the beautiful structures and places there.

I will always remember my time in Germany and I am glad to have found a second home, on the other side of the world, meeting people I now and always will consider to be my friends.

By Fletcher Petty

While I only spent one month in Germany, I fell head over heels in love with it. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to have this experience, it is one that I will remember for the rest of my life. 

The trip was split into two weeks of holidays and two weeks of school. During the holidays we travelled to various places, including Austria, France and Switzerland. I found it absolutely mind blowing that you can literally just drive to another country.

My highlight of the trip was visiting the Austrian Alps. It is the most beautiful place I have seen in my entire life. One of my favourite things about the alps was the cows, as they all had little bells strung around their necks. I remember texting my mother and saying that if I were to fail school, I would move to Austria to become a dairy farmer. I think she thought I was joking… 

The German school system is incredibly different to Australia’s. School starts at 7:30am and can go up until 5:00pm! While I only spent two weeks in German school, by the end of it I was very sick of the early mornings.

The hardest thing about going to Germany was leaving. When I arrived home in Australia, I felt myself feeling homesickness for Germany, for the culture, for the language and for the incredible friends that I made. I still cannot believe how lucky I was to have this experience; I will cherish the wonderful memories I was privileged enough to make for a lifetime.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen, 

Lily Smith

I had the amazing opportunity to got to Germany through the exchange program. As soon as I landed in Germany, I was in complete awe of just how different it was. I was lucky enough to visit Prague, Czech Republic.

 That was just so astonishing being able to go to another country, and it being more stunning than I could have imagined. I went there for four weeks, 2 weeks of holidays and then 2 weeks of school. In the first week of the holidays, I was just shown everything about the history of Germany. I was shown ruins of the wars that happen there, the Romans existence there.

 It was so cool, as I learnt things I would never learn at school or in Australia. I was shown so many castles as well, they were extraordinary. They were gorgeous as well. School there is very different, but it was very intriguing seeing how other kids across the world learn. It gives me a new perspective of the world, it’s very inspirational and makes me want to travel. I am so grateful that I was able to take part of the exchange program, I made so many new and exciting memories and new friends as well. I will never forget this experience in Germany, and I hope I am able to return there soon.

By Susie Blines

Year 10 Life Ready - Garden Bed refresh

The Life Ready class as part of their "Hands On" activities cleared out the old Strawberries & weeds in the MNSC raised garden beds turning in approx. 2m of Mushroom mulch ready for Spring planting. Well done everyone! 

SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS FOR YEAR 9 – 2025 Not long now!

Our current Year 8s will soon be going through the exciting process of choosing their electives for their Year 9 program in 2025. As students enter their final year of the Middle School, we aim to offer learning opportunities which are both engaging and focused on the development of life skills, leadership and employability skills. We do this through the core subjects we offer, X-SEL (our Social and Emotional Literacy subject), as well as the electives we offer each year.

In 2025, we are also excited to offer two new Technology based subjects, pending the training of two staff members. ‘Trade Taster’ and ‘Fashion Design & Textiles’ are designed to provide specific pathways into further VET (Vocational Education & Training) units in Senior years, and post-secondary school. They will run for One semester only, and also require students to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form, which was advertised through Compass.

The outline of the elective subjects we will be offering is below. Please note that some hands-on learning opportunities come at a significant cost to MNSC (costs not covered by Department of Education), and therefore we request that you consider paying the additional fees if you select these subjects. These are outlined in detail in the 2025 Year 9 Handbook. Please find the link here.

Schools may request payments for extra-curricular items and activities. These are items and activities that enhance or broaden the schooling experience of students and are above and beyond what your school provides for free to deliver the Curriculum. https://www.vic.gov.au/school-costs-and-fees

All Year 8 students will undertake a group course counselling session early in Term 4, where we will guide them through the online program; Web Preference Manager. This will generate student choices & sends students an email, to take home and discuss with families, before final decisions are made.

Please feel free to contact the Middle School for further information & explanation of this process.

Melissa Neill

Assistant Principal.

ART SHOW 2024

CONGRATULATIONS to all our Art Show Winners. Well done on producing such stunning and amazing work!

Year 9 Landcare - Tree Planting

On Friday our Year 9 students worked with Susan Koci and Ian Starkey of Preserve our Forests to plant over 500 native trees at school. These plants were funded by Warragul Seedbank.

Susan also taught students the ‘pricking out’ process of transferring tiny seedlings to individual punnets, helping us to begin the journey of re-establishing our indigenous seedling nursery. The students put in a lot of effort and care, and will be rewarded as they watch these trees and shrubs grow for years to come.