From the Principal
Good morning everyone, today students will finish at 2.30pm. I wish all of our families a wonderful 2 weeks. Please stay safe.
Term one provided many opportunities for our young people. We started the term with our Year 7 and 12 students being piped into the whole school assembly by the Victorian Police Pipe band. This is a tradition we hold dear, as it is our way of welcoming new members to our community.
Year 7 students spent time getting to know new people and learnt where everything was. They learnt to read timetables, lock their lockers using the dial locks, move from classrooms to classrooms, participate in swimming and athletics carnivals and made new friends. They learnt about cyber-safety and refined their numeracy skills with fun activities. They attended the Corner to learn about the different activities offered by the Shire. Year 7 Meet and Greet was a great afternoon meeting with families. Grandparents’ morning tea was also a fantastic opportunity to see our young people learning and interacting in a classroom environment. Meeting indigenous women rangers was also a highlight. Many of our students joined a squad, including Drum Corps, began learning a musical instrument and joined the Production team. Many have also participated in sporting activities. The term finished with the Year 7 Disco. A great time was had by all.
Year 8 students have also participated in many activities, including sport. The highlight for many was the camp held at Phillip Island. Students had a great time and learnt new things, such as surfing.
Intermediate sport was organised for students in Year 9 and 10. Some participated in the Briars bushwalk and other excursions such as lawn bowls.
VET Retail Cosmetics was introduced to our Year 10 students and is now operating every Friday. Music students attended the Top Class Music and Sound event. Others went to explore Marine habitats at Mills Beach.
Year 11 students attended various excursions, including Bayside Rock, NGV, Beleura House, Royal Botanic Gardens and the Escape Rooms. Camps have been held at Wilsons Promontory.
Year 12 students attended the Year 12 retreat for 3 days in Flinders. Some paddled on the Murray River. RSA and Food Handlers certificates were achieved by our VM students. Many attended ACMI to view Sunset Boulevard.
When they were not ‘out and about’ students were engaged in their learning and enjoyed their classes.
Term one was a great term. Well done everyone.
Linda Stanton
Principal
Important Dates
Term 1 2025
April
Apr - Friday 4th End of Term 1 - 2:30pm finish
Term 2 2025
April
Apr - Tuesday 22nd Term 2 commences
Apr - Thursday 24th College Anzac Day Service 10:15am
Apr - Friday 25th Anzac Day Public Holiday
Apr - Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th Year 10 Outdoor Education Camp Otways
May - Friday 16th Year 9 Morrisby My Career Insights
Middle School
Dear Parents and Guardians,
What a magnificent term we have had!
Year 7 – Our Year 7 students have had a fantastic start to secondary school. The first few weeks focused on getting-to-know-you activities alongside their core learning tasks. They have settled in well, forming new friendships and adapting to the school environment. We have also placed a strong emphasis on building our school community, hosting events such as the Meet and Greet Evening, Grandparents’ Morning Tea, the Year 7 Disco, and our regular assemblies. In addition, our newsletter highlights our ‘Students of the Week,’ allowing us to learn more about each student and celebrate their achievements.
Year 8 – Our Year 8 students have had a sensational start to the year! Now well-acquainted with the school, they have fully embraced their role as middle school students. A highlight of the term was their action-packed camp at Phillip Island, where they challenged themselves and strengthened friendships. Looking ahead, next term will include a Health and Wellbeing Day and other exciting activities designed to further support their development.
Year 9 – Our Year 9 students are thriving, actively engaging in assemblies and whole-year English workshops. A key focus for Term 2 will be the Morrisby Career Action Plans, helping students explore their interests and future pathways. Year 9 is a pivotal year, providing students with more subject choices and opportunities to pursue areas they enjoy as they prepare for senior school.
Finally, we would like to thank all the families who attended our Open Night. It was just such a great event and personally, it was delightful to have so many of you openly praise the college, the staff and the students. It was a fantastic event, and we truly appreciate your kind words. We remain committed to working closely with our families and the wider community to ensure the best possible learning experience for your child.
I thought I would add this lovely letter from a local resident. This makes us all feel proud of our students and our college. We really appreciate the acknowledgement and the fact that a resident has put pen to paper to notify the college.
"Good afternoon, Denise,
My husband and I have lived in Mornington and on the Nepean Hwy for more than 20 years.
From time to time, we have observed many of our young people as they get on and off public transport, using our many takeaway outlets, shops, cafes etc walking and chatting in their groups as teens do.
We are so delighted to see the students from your school, in their uniforms happy, looking out for each other, being polite, considerate and well mannered.
They are not only an asset to our overall community and give us hope for the next generation of adults, but a great credit to your school.
Thank you and your staff for the work you are putting into our children/youth and community, it does not go unnoticed.
Grateful and proud residents
Sharon and Merv Stevenson"
Wishing you all a restful break, and we look forward to another exciting term ahead!
Denise Leggett
Assistant Principal
Senior School
To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,
We’ve made it to the end of very hectic term. No doubt our students (and staff 😉) are feeling a bit fatigued and ready for a break but hopefully they are also feeling a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Reflections
Throughout the few years of my leadership career, as I approached the end of any term, I naturally found myself creating a checklist of all the things I hadn’t quite managed to finish or achieve and while being happy and ready for a break, would often have that little voice in my heading giving me reminders of what I needed to do through the break and the impact of that.
Over the last few years though, I take a different approach (and to be honest, I try to do this daily but usually succeed weekly) and I reflect on the successes or achievements of the term (or day or week).
So, at the end of this term, I wanted to reflect on some of the success and achievements during this term at Mornington and thank some key people along the way.
VCE VM adjusted structure – We have successfully implemented a new VM structure during this term with a 4-day program including an early departure for year 12 VM students and extra support for students who have not yet found structured work-place learning. Our Senior School VM leadership (Rebecca Slater, Kate Wilson and myself, with assistance from Amanda Symons) was recognised at the South-Eastern Vic level by the department’s Jobs, Skills & Pathways leader and were told that our work will have a significant impact around the state. That’s a great endorsement for the work we are doing.
I also wanted to thank every VM teacher we have as the team has never functioned better or provided more opportunities for our VM students to thrive. Kudos to the team and I can’t wait to see more of the success stories from our VM program.
Year 10 Pre-Senior program
The first term of our year 10 pre-senior program has been very successful, and students have been thriving in literacy, numeracy and adult life skills and their VET/work placements. The way they are being taught and they way they are learning is markedly different in this program and stands them in great stead for their senior pathway. Thank you to Jake Uhlenberg, Alex Healey and Alex Malligan for their work in the pre-senior subjects. It’s making a big difference to the educational outcomes of those 20 or so students.
Careers and Pathways
We have had a brand new careers and pathways team in Term 1, with Kylie Lebrasse joining as our Careers Practitioner and Fi Cornwall completing her first full term of VET and VASS Coordinator. I meet weekly with the team and there is such positive energy from the team. Our students are in good hands.
Year 12 camp
I know I mentioned this before, but it was fantastic to see our Class of 2025 have their first major camp since the interruptions of the pandemic. Thanks to Jo Reeman and Jo Dixon for their work – I think I’ve caught up on my lack of sleep now!
Year 10-12 mainstream programs and keeping tabs on every student
There is a lot of positivity coming out of the year level teams, recognising the efforts of those students who are achieving well or striving to improve. We meet each fortnight to review students who have attendance, academic, behaviour or wellbeing issues and ensure that each of them has a plan in place to allow them to be as successful as possible. Thank you to Amanda Symons in her role coordinating those meetings.
Grounds and Maintenance
Just wanted to acknowledge the hard work of our facilities manager, Geraldine Carter, who has spent an indeterminate number of hours working with the VSBA to get our school rectification works under way and we have made significant progress in making the school more water-tight than it was, and there will be some noticeable changes to parts of the school during term 2. Then we’ll be moving on to the construction phase of the toilet upgrades late term 2 (or more likely during term 3). Our maintenance team have worked tirelessly to keep the school in good working order and my thanks to Mick and Stephen for their work and Anthony who comes in to help when required.
I’ll stop writing now otherwise my piece would go on far longer than it does. I’d apologise for writing so much but there are so many good things happening… maybe we should just skip the holidays and keep going 😉.
Getting ahead…
To our students, the holidays are a great chance to not just have a break but to catch up if you are behind or if you are a VCE ATAR student, to get in front. Just reading a chapter ahead can make a big difference to your understanding of the topics you are about to cover and to your future SAC scores. So sleep in, enjoy time with your friends and family but don’t forget, you are in a competition with all of Victoria; so don’t give them a head start.
Enjoy your hard-earned rest!
Kind regards,
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
Peninsula Young Leaders Forum:
The committee for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula recently held a breakfast forum asking school student leaders from across the Peninsula to respond to the question “This federal election, the Australian government’s number one priority should be….”. The audience consisted of local business leaders and all the major candidates for our electorate. Our captains presented as a team and did us proud.
Here is what they said….
As we approach this federal election, we’re faced with an important question: What should the Australian Government’s number one priority be? The answer isn’t just one thing, it’s about building a future that works for everyone. That means focusing on four key areas: education, health and wellbeing, economic security, and the environment.
These aren’t just political talking points, they’re the foundations of a strong society. They affect every single one of us, our families, our friends, our communities, and the generations to come. So today, we want to share why these areas matter so much and why they should be at the top of the government’s agenda.
Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape a better future. It’s not just about getting good grades or passing exams, it’s about unlocking potential, inspiring creativity, and giving people the skills they need to succeed in life. But right now, not every student in Australia has access to the same opportunities.
We need to make sure that every school, whether it’s in a big city or a small rural town, has the funding and resources it needs. That means smaller class sizes so teachers can give students more individual attention. It means investing in modern facilities, like libraries, science labs, and technology hubs. And it means supporting students with disabilities so they can thrive alongside their peers.
But education doesn’t stop at high school. For many Australians, university or TAFE is out of reach because of high costs or limited access. That shouldn’t be the case. Everyone who wants to further their education should have the chance to do so without being held back by financial barriers.
Imagine an Australia where every child has access to world-class education, where students are encouraged to dream big and given the tools to achieve those dreams. That’s the kind of future we should be working toward because when we invest in education, we invest in our people and that benefits all of us.
Healthcare is something that touches all of our lives at some point. Whether it’s visiting a GP for a check-up, caring for an elderly relative, or supporting a friend through mental health struggles, we all rely on our healthcare system. And while Australia is lucky to have Medicare, there are still too many gaps that leave people struggling to get the care they need.
In rural and remote areas, access to healthcare can be incredibly difficult. People often have to travel long distances just to see a doctor or specialist and that’s if they can get an appointment at all. We need to make healthcare more accessible for everyone, no matter where they live.
And then there’s mental health. A topic that’s finally starting to get the attention it deserves but still doesn’t receive enough support. Mental health issues affect millions of Australians every year, yet many people don’t seek help because services are too expensive or hard to access or because there’s still stigma attached to asking for help.
We need more funding for mental health services so people can get support when they need it most. We also need to focus on prevention such as starting conversations in schools and workplaces about mental health and making sure people know it’s okay to ask for help.
A healthy society is a strong society and that includes both physical and mental health. If we want Australians to thrive, we need a healthcare system that supports everyone equally.
Right now, many Australians are feeling the pinch of rising costs. Whether it’s rent or mortgage payments going up, energy bills getting higher, or groceries costing more than ever before. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, they’re real challenges that families face every day.
We need policies that make life more affordable for everyday Australians, like tackling housing affordability so people don’t have to spend most of their income just keeping a roof over their heads. We also need fair wages so people can actually keep up with the cost of living.
And let’s not forget about jobs. As technology evolves and industries change, we need to make sure Australians have access to secure jobs with decent pay and that workers are supported if they need to retrain or transition into new fields. Economic security isn’t just about individuals, it’s about building a fairer economy where no one is left behind.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and Australia is already feeling its effects through bushfires, floods, droughts, and rising temperatures. We can’t afford to ignore this any longer.
We need stronger action on climate change reducing emissions by transitioning away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. But protecting our environment isn’t just about energy, it’s also about reducing waste and pollution, conserving our natural habitats, and protecting endangered species.
This isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s an economic opportunity too. By investing in green industries like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, we can create thousands of new jobs while protecting our planet for future generations.
So here we are, education, health and wellbeing, economic security, and the environment. All interconnected priorities that shape our lives today and determine what kind of future we’ll have tomorrow.
This election isn’t just about choosing leaders, it’s about choosing values, choosing what kind of country we want Australia to be.
Together, we can create an Australia that invests in its people, protects its environment, and ensures fairness for all, not just today but for generations to come.
Mike Parker
Assistant Principal
Students of the Week
Year 7 Dylan McCay
Favourite food: Chicken Nuggets
Hobbies out of school: Sport- AFL & Basketball
What sports team do you follow? Tigers
Favourite TV show: I like watching sport- AFL
Do you have any pets? A dog named Skye
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Lunch and recess to hang out with friends, PE. And inter-school sport
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Not sure yet
Year 7 Mya George
Favourite food: Fruit (watermelon, grapes)
Hobbies out of school: playing sports with my family- touch rugby
What sports team do you follow? I don’t follow any sporting teams- my family follow the rugby
Favourite TV show: I don’t watch much TV. I like Moana the Movie
Do you have any pets? no- we had fish in New-Zealand before moving here .I would like a pet dog
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Hanging out with Dot and Alba- recess and lunch
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Not sure yet
Year 8 Grace O'Shea
Favourite food: Fruit - strawberries
Hobbies out of school: Basketball, dancing and golf
What sports team do you follow? Richmond, Melbourne United
Favourite TV show: Not sure
Do you have any pets? 1 dog Daisy
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Friends and extra curricular activities
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Something to do with sport or basketball, I would like to play or coach
Year 8 Grace Neeson
Favourite food: Fruit - Mangoes
Hobbies out of school: Netball
What sports team do you follow? Richmond, Melbourne Vixens
Favourite TV show: 10 Things I Hate About You
Do you have any pets? 2 dogs; Charlie and Ted
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Friends and extra curricular activities
What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Lawyer
Year 9 Harley McKenzie Cundy
Favourite food: Tacos
Hobbies out of school: Play basketball and catch up with my friends
Who do I most admire? Mum and Dad
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? PE classes at school and being active. As well as seeing my friends!
Year 11 Arawyn Lees
House: Coolart
My favourite subject: Health and Human Development
Hobbies out of school: Tennis lessons and art
What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Art
What is your dream job? A physiotherapist or nutritionist
School ANZAC Day Service
ANZAC day is a significant event for our College. We will be holding an Anzac commemoration for our students on Thursday 24th of April from 10am and we extend an invitation to all members of our school community to attend this event. If you would like to attend please RSVP by Thursday 3rd April, 2025 via email mornington.sc@education.vic.gov.au.
For more than 100 years, RSL Victoria has supported veterans and their families who have been impacted by their service and sacrifice. Generously supported, this special fundraising campaign enables Victorians to give something back to those who give and have given so much for us all. Your donation will help veterans in need gain access to crisis accommodation, emergency financial help, physical and mental health support, and so much more.
Mornington Secondary College proudly support this fundraiser and currently have a variety of ANZAC APPEAL badges available for purchase at Reception.
Additionally, you can donate to the ANZAC Appeal through donating securely online.
Drum + Flag Corp Preparation for ANZAC Day
The Mornington Secondary College student Drum and Flag Corp have been regularly practicing all term in preparation for the ANZAC Day services at school and in the community later this month.
We would like to introduce you to our Drum Corp Captains and their comments on what ANZAC Day means to them.
On ANZAC day, I will be marching for Captain Albert Jacka. He was born near Geelong in Victoria on the 10th of January in 1893. At the age of 18 he joined the Victorian State Forests Department but left to join the Australian Imperial Force when war broke out. By 1917 Jacka had risen to the rank of Captain and had been decorated several more times. He won the Military Cross at Pozieres and a Bar to that award at Bullecourt. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated during the Great Depression. He died in January 1932 and was buried with full military honours. Maddie Lillecrapp
This ANZAC Day I remember Dorothy Hilleard – an Australia women who at just 19 years old joined the Australian Women's Army Service as one of 24 women in the Special Intelligence Service. In the Pacific, as part of a team, she worked to crack the Japanese Kana Code with great success. The work she did was of national significance but she was not allowed to tell anybody about it. This ANZAC Day I’ll be thinking of Dorothy’s contribution and the many others like her. Charli Christie
I am marching for Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick, also known as Simpson and his Donkey. He served in World War I at Gallipoli and became famous for carrying wounded soldiers to safety using his donkey, and he saved many lives. Jacob Lillecrapp
Paul Papettas
Drum Corps
Immunisation Program 2025
Please find attached important information from Mornington Peninsula Shire relating to the Year 7 and Year 10 Immunisation Program planned for Monday 26 May 2025. The letter details the Shire's request that the college sends parent contact details to them so they can follow-up any student who has missed their immunisation.
Please read carefully.
Please consent or decline for your child to take part in the Immunisation Program using the following links:
Year 10 Immunisation 2025 Consent Link
Year 7 2025 Immunisation Consent Link
A help sheet from the Shire is attached.
Shellie Farnill
Education Support - Student Services
2025 Production - FROZEN JR
Announcing our MSC Cast for 2025 for FROZEN JR!
Our featured supporting cast are bringing the fun, the mystery and the drama!
Tickets are available to purchase now! Remember we have a sing-a-long session on our open night so you can join in the fun!
When: Tuesday 5 August 2025 SING-A-LONG SESSION 7-8:30pm
Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th August 2025 7-8:30pm
Saturday 9 August 2025 2-3:30pm
Location: Performing Arts Theatre1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington Vic 3931
Tickets can be purchased via trybooking, on the below link.
Year 7 Grandparents Morning Tea
On Monday 31st March, Mornington Secondary College was buzzing with excitement as we welcomed grandparents and special people into our school for the Year 7 Grandparents Morning Tea. This event is a chance for students to share their school life with the people who mean the most to them.
The morning began with high tea, complete with homemade scones, biscuits, and plenty of tea and coffee. The room was filled with chatter and laughter as families caught up and enjoyed the atmosphere together. When the bell rang, students guided their grandparents and special visitors to class, ready to share what a day at MSC is all about.
In English, guests sat side by side with students, helping them put the final touches on their narrative writing and designing creative front covers for their stories.
Humanities classrooms were alive with curiosity, as everyone explored the Indigenous seasons and joined in on some friendly trivia.
Over in PE, there was no shortage of fun and friendly competition, with visitors and students teaming up for netball games and testing their shooting skills.
While in Japanese, chopsticks skills were put to the test!
We had fantastic feedback from our visitors. Here's a snippet of a few:
"Interactive experience highlighting the high regard of Mornington Secondary in the community. Our grandson Gus loves this College. Thank you."
"Lovely to feel part of the school community. Thank you!" - Sharon
"It was so well run; directions, signs, information, the opportunity to join the class and yummy scones. Thank you!"
"Love the scones and cream and very welcoming class. Thank you!" - Denise
"My husband and I enjoyed the whole morning including the beautiful morning tea and the opportunity of having our photo taken with our grand daughter."
The day was a celebration of community and connection. We thank all the families who joined us — it’s these moments that make lasting memories for our students and strengthen the bonds between home and school.
Evangeline Romage
Year 7 Team Leader
Year 7 Disco
To finish off the term, the Year 7 students enjoyed a fantastic disco in the Learning Centre on Wednesday night, 2nd April.
The event was neon-themed, and the room was filled with vibrant costumes and glowsticks everywhere. Everyone danced up a storm and took part in fun activities including a limbo competition, fashion catwalk, worm challenge, and dance-off.
It was a brilliant night and the perfect way to celebrate all the hard work of Term 1.
Evangeline Romage
Year 7 Team Leader
Year 9 Sport & Rec Students Take on Lawn Bowls
On Monday 31st March, our Year 9 Sport and Recreation class had the opportunity to experience the sport of lawn bowls with a visit to Mornington Lawn Bowls Club.
This excursion allowed students to gain first hand knowledge of the game, including learning the rules and techniques before putting their skills to the test in a friendly pairs competition. Many students quickly discovered that lawn bowls requires a great deal of precision, strategy, and patience. One student summed up the experience, stating, “I didn’t realise lawn bowls was so hard!” Despite the challenge, all students demonstrated great enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the session.
A special mention goes to our students for their exemplary behaviour and the respect they showed toward the members of the local bowls club. Their positive interactions with the community were a highlight of the morning and reflected the values we strive to uphold as a school. Well done to all involved for embracing this new experience with such a fantastic attitude!
Rob Horwill
Year 9 Team Leader
Year 9 Photography Medium
In Term 1, our Year 9 Photography Medium students have been learning the different types of stop motion animation and developing an understanding of Film codes. This process has involved building sets, props and characters for their films. This has all taken place within our impressive Gallery in the Art Department, providing our Art students with that extra creative inspiration.
Lea Gilbert
Head of Art
And special mention to Lea Gilbert who recently received the following favourable comments by a handful of her Year 11 students.
"She is empathetic and always gives kids the benefit of the doubt instead of judging them based on their former years. She cares about what she teaches, she's passionate about art and loves to share it and allow everyone to be creative and learn. Ms Gilbert is a truly amazing teacher."
"Ms Gilbert's classes and how she is as a teacher is going to be one of the things that stick with me after I graduate."
"She is always energetic and I love her vibe and her fun energy."
Dr Jasmine Keough
Team Leader Year 11
Year 10 Environment and Marine Science
Year 10 Environment and Marine Science students enjoyed collecting crabs at Mills Beach for their Crab Survey Performance Task on Monday 31st March.
The students braved the cool wind and worked hard to catch, and classify, many different types of Shore Crabs. They also became very adept at differentiating between male and female crabs. We even spotted some Echinoderms (sea urchins and sea stars) which students have also been learning about in class.
Emma Kirkos
Science Teacher
Southern Metropolitan Swimming Championships
On Monday 24th March the Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) swimming championships were held at the Oakleigh Recreation Centre. Our school was represented by 14 students in multiple events throughout the day.
- Jimmy Tiller was our first competitor in the 16-20 men’s 200m freestyle. Jimmy as a 16-year-old was bottom of the age group and did an outstanding job to place 5th in the event against much older students.
- Matt Rattue swam a very strong 50m butterfly placing 5th in a very competitive event.
- Xavier Brown was up next in the 18-20 men’s backstroke also placing 5th.
- Our first relay event of the day was the 15-16 boys Medley relay. Our team comprised of Curtis Eagleson (backstroke), Alex Chambers (breaststroke), Heath Tiller (butterfly) and Jimmy Tiller (freestyle). The boys swam an excellent race with very clean changes to place 6th.
- Our school swim team also represented in the 17-20 men’s Medley relay placing 5th; comprised of Jack Jones (backstroke), Ryan Sleep (breaststroke), Will Griffiths (butterfly) and Matt Rattue (freestyle).
- The toughest race of the day was the 16-20 men’s 200m Individual Medley which is recognised as the best test of a swimmer. Heath Tiller (16 years) was again up against giants but put in a stellar performance placing 5th which was an incredible effort.
- Our next events were the freestyle relays starting with the 16 men’s placing 4th (Curtis Eagleson, Alex Chambers, Jimmy and Heath Tiller). The men’s 17 Years placing 5th (Jack Jones, Tom Milburn, Ryan Sleep and Will Griffiths). The men’s 18-20 placing 5th (Xavier Brown, Caiden Styles, Baylin Wilcox and Dayne Hogarth).
John Walker
College Sport Coordinator
Aerobics Squad Fundraiser
Please visit our Aerobics Squad on Easter Monday to support our fundraiser Bunnings BBQ. We will be at the Hastings Bunnings Warehouse from 9am to 4pm on Monday 21st April and it would be fantastic to receive your support towards our first competition next month. So please pop in, say hello and grab yourself a sausage!
Indie Jowett
Aerobics Squad Coach
Horseland Equestrian Interschools Dressage
On 29th March, Gus Wilson represented Mornington Secondary College at the Horseland Equestrian Interschools Dressage held at Boneo Park. Gus rode the Preliminary test for a 7th place on his new young horse ‘Salient Park Royal Archer’, more affectionately known as Leroy at home. Well done Gus!
Denise Leggett
Assistant Prinicpal - Middle School
Indigenous Women Rangers Visit
Mornington Secondary College was excited once again to welcome eight indigenous women rangers to our school to present to our students. Students heard about how rangers are working to protect Australia’s desert and coastal areas, with stories from the Goldfields, Nyangumarta (Coastal), Karajarri and Birrilliburu. This has become somewhat of an annual event, with this being the third year that MSC has been included on the women’s itinerary.
The women’s group was visiting as part of the Thin Green Line Foundation and Indigenous Desert Alliance's Leadership Development Trip for Indigenous Women Rangers and offered a unique opportunity for our students to meet our First Nations people and learn more about indigenous culture and land management. It was also a special opportunity for the women to develop their public speaking skills in front of a large audience, which was great preparation for corporate public speaking gigs later in the week.
This is the second year of this type of collaboration between MSC and indigenous women ranger groups and we hope it continues in the future, thanks to the Thin Green Line Foundation and its support of the Indigenous Desert Alliance.
The Thin Green Line Foundation is a global not-for-profit conservation organisation who believe that the practical, direct action of rangers is the most necessary and effective way to overcome the environmental challenges of our time. They provide equipment, training and monetary support to rangers and their families primarily across Africa and South East Asia.
Kylie Wiersma
Science Teacher
Mornington Lions Annual Charity Book Fair
If you're a book lover, please head down and grab yourself a bargain at the Mornington Lions Annual Charity Book Fair on 12th and 13th April at The Studio (Cnr. Nepean Highway & Wilsons Rd, Mornington).
Youth Recognition Awards
The Youth Recognition Awards are now open for nominations. The Mornington Peninsula Youth Advisory Committee have come up with some great award categories:
- Environmental Warriors Making our world greener and healthier
- Young Leaders Inspiring and guiding their peers
- Unsung Heroes Quietly transforming communities
- Community Contributors Giving their time and skills to help others
- The Arts Using creativity to make a difference
- Kind Hearts Spreading compassion and empathy
- Inclusivity Agents Breaking down barriers and building understanding
Nominations are open until Sunday 27 April.
Scholarship Opportunity - AFS Global STEM Changemakers
Friends of AFS in Australia (FAFSA), a not for profit association provide a range of intercultural competence programs for teens and educators to develop their global skills.
AFS is excited to announce 50 scholarships* for Young Changemakers in Australia & New Zealand for a special edition AFS Global STEM Changemaker AU-NZ exchange program.
This globally recognised, award-winning and fully funded 12 week program will run from 2 May – 26 July 2025. Running for the second year and facilitated by qualified Australian facilitators, this program is ideal for students aged 15-17.5 years who want to address global sustainability challenges while building their global competence and intercultural learning skills.
This unique virtual intercultural exchange program has been co-developed with the University of Pennsylvania Center for Social Impact Strategy and fosters transformative learning experiences through STEM, global competence, and positive social impact.
Students will enrich their STEM knowledge and skills through an interactive curriculum with peers from New Zealand while developing critical global competencies, including problem-solving, analytical skills, and intercultural understanding.
The program culminates with social impact capstone presentations that offer potential solutions to real-world challenges, including climate change and the energy transition.
Students with a keen interest in STEM and sustainability, from diverse backgrounds throughout Australia, are strongly encouraged to apply to take their place on this program, which they complete from home, while joining live sessions with AFS qualified facilitators in a teen safe environment.
*A minimum of 20% of scholarship spots are earmarked for students from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous communities, as well as refugees and displaced students.
Interested teachers and students can learn more & apply below. I have also attached a document that outlines further detail in this award-winning program.
Applications close on 15 April,2024 and can be made via clicking on the below link. Places will be offered shortly thereafter.
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