Important Dates

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

The weather has certainly taken a turn this week and I hope everyone is ensuring they are keeping warm, eating nutritiously to help the immune systems be prepared to fight off the issues that often crop up during colder weather and focusing on getting adequate sleep.

Please take a moment to read the heart-felt speeches presented by our College Captains Emmerson and Isobel at a school leaders’ summit last week. Their speeches can be read in this newsletter. Isobel, Emmerson and Noah are great ambassadors for Mornington SC. Congratulations to them and thank you to Year 12 Coordinator Jo Dixon for driving them to the venue for a 7:30am start!

The Pat Cronin Foundation

This week our Year 10 students took part in an important presentation from the Pat Cronin Foundation focused on conflict, decision-making and the importance of preventing anger from becoming aggression, 'Violence is Never OK'. The presentation challenged students to think carefully about the impact that poor decisions, made in moments of frustration or heightened emotion, can have on themselves, their families and others around them.

One of the strongest messages from the session was that strength is not shown through aggression or trying to “win” a conflict. Real strength is often shown through self-control, walking away, calming a situation down, or making the mature decision not to escalate something unnecessarily. These are important lessons for young people as they navigate friendships, social situations and increasing independence throughout the senior years.

Families interested in learning more about the work of the Pat Cronin Foundation can click on the link below.

Learn about the Pat Cronin Foundation

There is also an important link here to success in school and life more broadly. Successful students are often the students who do the right thing when nobody is chasing them to do it. They complete work when there isn’t an immediate consequence hanging over them. They revise before they are reminded. They seek feedback without being told. They make good decisions because they understand that habits and character matter, even when nobody is watching.

The same principle applies outside the classroom. Whether it’s choosing not to engage in conflict, making safe decisions with friends, or standing up for what is right rather than what is easy, character is built through the small decisions people make each day. As a school, we want our students to achieve strong academic outcomes, but just as importantly, we want them to become respectful, thoughtful and courageous young adults who make positive contributions to their communities.

Study Tip of the week: Don’t wait until you “feel motivated” to start. Action usually comes before motivation, not after it.

What is coming up this term in the Senior School?

Kind regards,

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Year 7-9 Leadership Update

With the recent retirement of Denise Leggett, I will now be taking over the role of overseeing the Middle School, Year 7, 8 and 9. These years are very significant in instilling the habits and dispositions which will set the students up for future success both at school and in their life beyond. It’s a time where students biggest piece of work is working out “Who am I”. I believe that positive relationships are the basis of effective teaching and that all things that happen in school provide us opportunities for learning.

We have a fantastic team of leaders, coordinators and teachers in the middle school (in fact across the whole school!). The school and families working together is an essential partnership for helping our young people grow and develop. I look forward to working with students and families.

Happy Campers

Year 7 students will be returning from camp today and while I’m sure they will be exhausted, I’m equally sure they will have had a fantastic time making new friends and pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. These experiences are very significant for a young persons development and we are looking to the students building on those experiences when they return.

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Students of the Week

Zlata Barnikov Year 7

Favourite food: Soup

Hobbies out of school: Netball

Favourite movie/TV show: Stranger Things

Do you have any pets? A cat named Jack Frost

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Getting to know everyone

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? New experiences, new subject, and the programs

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? I want to be a clothing designer

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? Netball- Defence

Your greatest strength: Creative

What three words best describe you? Quiet, funny, friendly

Patrick James Year 7

Favourite food: Taco’s

Hobbies out of school: Scouts

What sports team do you follow? Hawthorn Footy Club

Favourite movie/TV show: I like watching YouTube

Do you have any pets? No but I’d like a turtle or dog

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Camp

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Meeting new people and the Flag and Drum Corp program

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? I do scouts

Your greatest strength: Good sense of humour

What three words best describe you? Funny, kind, friendly

Year 9 Student Spotlight: Emma Bassett

Your MSC Highlight: The School Aerobics State Qualifiers competition last weekend - our team Energize qualified for States.

Favourite learning activity you have completed in class this year: Cooking chocolate chip cookies in Café Catering.

What are you most looking forward to in Year 9? Cairns Camp

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Being in a good environment around my friends and being able to focus on my learning.

Year 9 Student Spotlight: Ethan Corbett

Your MSC Highlight: Being awarded the English Award for Year 8.

Favourite learning activity you have completed in class this year: Photography – taking and developing all the pictures.

What are you most looking forward to in Year 9? I am really looking forward to having a greater variety of electives to choose from for next year.

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? I have a great friendship group and I like the facilities we have here, especially the swimming pool.

Aerobics State Qualifiers Competition

What a day we had at the State Qualifiers last Saturday!

I'm very excited to announce that every single MSC team has qualified for the State Championships!! This is an incredible achievement as regionals is typically a bittersweet competition, where not every team is granted qualification. But how special that every MSC team gets to progress to the State Finals together and showcase their talent again!

I am so proud of all 28 students who represented our school on the weekend and took the stage with energy and enthusiasm, despite their nerves! As a school we achieved 4 scores over 80 - which is huge in aerobics! These scores are a testament to the hours of hard work that these students have put into the squad in the lead up to the Qualifiers. The results were as follows:

Dynamite (Duo): 1st
Nova (Stage 2): 1st
Energise (Stage 2): 3rd
Ascend (Stage 1): 7th
Ignite (Stage 1): 9th

On top of the fantastic results, Mornington Secondary College received special recognition from the head judge for our outstanding spirit and support. On the day our students were enthusiastically cheering on not only our own teams, but competitors from other schools! This squad is built on confidence, connection, and sportsmanship, and it was fantastic to see those values on full display. I’m incredibly proud of our students for contributing to such a positive and memorable day for everyone involved.

Thank you so much to Ms Vanin, Elise and Mr Evans for cheering on the squad on Saturday and helping calm the chaos that competition days are! We would not have achieved these results without the weekly coaching assistance from Elise Bristow (ex-student), but also Year 7 Team Leader Ms Romage, AFL Trainees Amelia and Shine, and Liv (ex-student) for supporting our training sessions during Term 1.

All of our students will be hitting the stage again at Rowville Secondary College on the 23rd of May to compete at the State Finals - where they will battle it out to qualify for the National Championships (to be held in August on the Sunshine Coast). This is a super tight turn around for us!

Our students will be training even harder across the next 2 weeks to prepare for the fierce competition ahead. We can't wait to see how they go at the State Finals - go girls!

Indie Jowett

Aerobics Squad Coach

Production - High School Musical

LETS GO WILDCATS!

Mornington Secondary College is doing High School Musical!

The students have been working tirelessly, backstage and on-stage, to bring you the best performances possible and are keen to put on a show that you won't forget!

Tickets are now available to buy, so please come along!

LET'S GO WILDCATS - BUY YOUR HSM TICKETS TODAY!

When:

Thursday 6th August 2026, 7:00pm-8:30pm

Friday 7th August 2026, 7:00pm-8:45pm

Saturday 8th August 2026, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Where:

MSC Performing Arts Theatre, 1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington Vic 3931

Camps

Year 10OES Otway Ranges

The Year 10 Great Ocean Hike Camp was run as two separate trips on either side of the Easter break, with each group experiencing its own unique adventure along the iconic Great Ocean coastline. Students completed challenging 10 km and 14 km hikes, soared through the trees on the Otway Fly zip lines, and kayaked down the Aire River.

Each group faced very different conditions—Mr Olarenshaw’s group pushed through wind and rain, while Mr Walker’s group enjoyed clear blue skies—but on both camps students rose to the challenge. Along the way, our Year 10OES students strengthened their camping skills and gained first hand insight into their studies in a real-world setting.

Both Mr Walker and I were extremely impressed with how students conducted themselves throughout both camps. They demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and strong environmental awareness. We believe they now have the skills, knowledge, and independence to plan and enjoy their own safe and responsible camping adventures in the future.

Camp 1 - March with Mr Olarenshaw

Camp 2 - April/May with Mr Walker

Grant Olarenshaw

Director of Teaching and Learning Excellence

John Walker

College Sport

Excursions

Year 11 Legal Studies - Melbourne Magistrates Court

Unit 1 Legal Studies students are currently studying civil law. To extend their knowledge, last week they visited the Melbourne Magistrates Court to see civil law in action.

Sian Jones

Team Leader Year 9

VCE Art Making & Exhibiting - NGV International

On 30 April, Year 11 and 12 Art Making and Exhibiting students attended an excursion to the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia to view Future Country: The Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions. The exhibition presented eight newly commissioned works across a range of art forms, including weaving, photography, sculpture, possum skin cloak-making, moving image, sound, and design.

Students participated in a guided tour led by NGV Education staff, which supported their understanding of key course outcomes. The session focused on the roles of the conservator, curator, and exhibition designer, and explored how artists use materials, techniques, and influences in their practice. Students were introduced to each of the exhibiting artists and gained insight into the exhibition’s focus on the strength, resilience, and sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and histories.

The excursion provided valuable context for students’ studies and enhanced their understanding of contemporary First Nations art practice. Overall, the experience was highly beneficial and contributed positively to student learning.

Lea Gilbert

Head of Art

VCE Biology - GTAC: Day of Immunology

This week our Unit 3 Biology students (and some of our Unit 1 students) travelled to Parkville to attend a special event, Day of Immunology, at GTAC, the Gene Technology Access Centre. Students had the opportunity to interact with practicing scientists and use current technologies to explore techniques used in the real world to treat and control disease of the immune system.

Highlights of the day included:

Guest presenter Dr Anne Hahn – from the Doherty Institute, a specialist in molecular immunology, epidemiology, and infectious disease control.
Researching and determining solutions to control a disease outbreak using PCR and Gel electrophoresis.
Investigating COVID-19 and how zoonotic diseases are able to spread.
Participating in an Immunology Career Expo, and discussing career paths with current scientists, such as using our own immune system to cure cancer.

The students had a fabulous day (except for buses replacing trains which made for a long trip in and out of the city) and really got a lot out of their day!

Jo Reeman

Year 12 Team Leader

Melbourne Legacy's Annual ANZAC Commemoration

On Tuesday May 5th MSC students attended Melbourne Legacy’s ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony for Students, held at the Second World War Memorial Forecourt at the Shrine of Remembrance.

This excursion, marking the 94th year of this event, provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of ANZAC history, honour the service and sacrifice of Australian servicemen and women, and reflect on the enduring values of courage, mate ship and remembrance.

Paul Papettas

Drum Corp Manager and Humanities Teacher

Interschool Sport

Junior Girls Football - Division Competition

On Tuesday, our Year 7 and 8 girls headed out to test their skills at the Junior Girls Football Competition.

From the very first game, the girls dominated their pool, convincingly defeating Westernport 122–6. Their next match against Rosebud brought more pressure and intensity, but the girls remained composed and worked hard to maintain a strong lead throughout the game. After finishing on top of their pool, the team progressed through to the Grand Final against Dromana. The girls played brilliantly together, showing excellent teamwork and determination. Their defensive pressure was outstanding, holding Dromana to just 3 points while scoring an impressive 55 points themselves.

A huge congratulations to all the girls for the way they represented the school, supported one another, and competed with such enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the day. We wish them the best of luck as they head on to compete at SMR Football in July.

Evangeline Romage

Year 7 Team Leader

Intermediate Girls Football - Division Competition

Tuesday saw our Year 9-10 girls take the field for school footy.

Our girls played 3 games, winning the first against Westernport, losing a close battle against Rosebud and finally losing to Mt Eliza to finish the day 4th. All the girls demonstrated sportsmanship and some great skills on the day.

Special mention to Isla Wilson and Kaitlyn Cox who were fierce in the backline, Liv Costa and Ellie Smith in the mid-field who were relentless all day, Nataliya Heyward who played 3 great games in ruck and Tommie-Lee, our team captain, who did not give up all day, despite hurting her shoulder.

Kim Rattue

Year 9 Coordinator

Junior Boys Netball - Division Competition

Congratulations to all boys who took to the courts this week in Year 7 and 8 netball.

Results were varied across the day, but the endeavour and teamwork was consistent throughout the competition.

Incursions

Year 11VM First Aid and CPR Training

This week MSC Year 11 VCE-VM students were trained in First Aid and CPR by eduClick. Students were assessed on both the theory and practical components and now possess those qualifications in their portfolio.

Learning Snapshot

Year 8 Connect Trivia Quiz

Creating the trivia was a long journey, with debates and troubles along the way. After Mr. Pirrie said he wanted the trivia as an activity, we all came together to design the original PowerPoint, with the three original topics of animals, famous people and video games. We only included the final category in the end, and it was certainly necessary as many teams were tied as of the conclusion of the video games section. It was a real challenge making the questions the correct difficulty; not making it so easy that everyone could get it while not making it so difficult to defeat the fun in the activity.

The excitement of the Year 8 body really showed, and the trivia went smoothly. After our hours worth of hard work, it was satisfying watching it happen. The teams were very clever and correctly guessed many of the harder questions; some questions were specific while others were general. There was one question that had only one team guess correctly. Since this was our first action as Year 8 captains, we're very enthusiastic about what is to come.

In the end we had two teams tie at 36 points each, so with the help of our teachers we came up with a tie breaker question. In the end, the team called “Team 3” won the prize of a box of Favourites. Overall, it was a very fun event to plan and operate. We spent a long time thinking about it, so it was amazing to see our hard work pay off, and we’re all looking forward to what we do next.

Year 8 Captains Charli Tepaske, James Osborn and Ethan Neath-Saito

Team bonding and mental stimulation! Thank you to the Year 8 Captains Charli, James and Ethan for organising and running the event.

Congratulations to the winning team - Max Buckley, Antonio Barbieri, Johnny Butcher and Jackson Edwards. The proud winners of a box of Favourites!

Artist of the Month

The MSC Art Department are excited to announce a new award; Artist of the Month, with the monthly winner receiving vouchers to the MSC Canteen!

We can't wait to announce the winner for May and share their work.

CFMP School Leaders Forum

Last week MSC School Captains Isobel Reed, Emmerson Mellor and Noah Almond, were invited to the School Leaders Forum. Held at Peninsula Grammar and hosted by the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula (CFMP), the forum provides the opportunity for student leaders to share their thoughts to their peers, business leaders and the following representatives:

Federal Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie MP
Federal Member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea MP
State Member for Mornington, Chris Crewther MP
State Member for Frankston, Paul Edbrooke MP
State Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio MP
Mornington Peninsula Shire Acting Mayor, Paul Pingiaro
Frankston City Councillor, Emily Green

The topic at this years School Leaders Forum was:

“In 2026, the number one issue facing young Victorians is…”

Our captains responses are below.

Throughout my time being school captain of Mornington Secondary College, I’ve had the privilege of speaking about leadership, resilience, and the values that shape who we are. But today I want to talk about something a little more personal—something that quietly affects almost all of us yet is rarely spoken about honestly: the pressure of social media and its impact on our self-image and mental health.

We live in a world where our lives are constantly on display. Every day, we scroll through perfectly curated photos, highlight reels of people’s achievements, filtered faces, and seemingly flawless lives. And while we know, deep down, that what we’re seeing isn’t always real, it doesn’t stop us from comparing.

We compare how we look. We compare what we have. We compare who we are.

And slowly, without even realising it, those comparisons can start to shape how we see ourselves.

For many of us, social media becomes more than just a way to connect—it becomes a measure of worth. How many likes did I get? Who viewed my story? Why don’t I look like that? Why isn’t my life like theirs?

These questions might seem small, but over time, they can weigh heavily on our mental health. They can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and the feeling that we are somehow not enough.

As a Year 12 student, I can honestly say this pressure doesn’t disappear as we get older—it often intensifies. With academic stress, future expectations, and the constant online presence, it can feel overwhelming trying to keep up both in real life and in the digital world.

The recent banning or restricting of social media, especially for young people, was designed as a way to protect mental health. And while this might seem like a solution, it doesn’t actually address the deeper issue. Because the problem isn’t just social media itself—it’s the way we use it, the way we compare, and the expectations we place on ourselves because of it.

Even without social media, those pressures don’t just disappear. They can show up in other ways—through peer expectations, academic competition, or the constant need to measure up. A ban might remove the platform, but it doesn’t teach us how to build self-worth, resilience, or a healthy mindset.

What we really need is education, awareness, and open conversations—like this one. We need to learn how to use social media in a way that supports us, not harms us.

But here’s the truth that we don’t hear often enough: You are not meant to keep up with everyone else.

Because no one else is living your life.

The images we see online are carefully selected moments—not the full story. Behind every “perfect” post is a human being who also has insecurities, struggles, and bad days.

So why do we hold ourselves to a standard that isn’t even real?

It’s time we start changing the conversation—not just online but here, in our school community.

We need to remind each other that it’s okay to not be perfect. That it’s okay to take breaks from social media. That our value is not defined by a screen.

Let’s start being more mindful of what we post and how it might affect others. Let’s be kinder in our comments, more supportive in our messages, and more honest about our own experiences.

And most importantly, let’s learn to be kinder to ourselves.

Because at the end of the day, your worth is not measured in likes, followers, or filters. It’s measured in your character, your kindness, your resilience, and the way you treat others.

I encourage each of you to take a step back from the noise of social media and reconnect with what truly matters—your wellbeing, your relationships, and your sense of self.

You are enough, exactly as you are. Not edited, not filtered, not compared.

Emmerson Mellor

Today I would like to explore a challenge that is shaping the lives and futures of young people across Victoria: uncertainty about the future.

For many young people today, the future no longer feels clear, stable, or even achievable—it feels unpredictable, expensive, and increasingly out of reach.

We are growing up in a time where the path ahead is far more complicated than it was for previous generations.

We’re told to work hard at school, get good results, and everything will fall into place. But that promise doesn’t feel as certain anymore. Because the reality we’re facing tells a different story.

The cost of living is rising. Everyday expenses—food, transport, basic necessities—are becoming harder to afford. At the same time, housing prices continue to increase, making the idea of owning a home feel unrealistic for many young people.

So while we’re being asked to plan for our futures, we’re doing so in a system that feels unstable. And this uncertainty doesn’t exist on its own—it affects our confidence, our wellbeing, and our sense of control over our own lives.

It impacts how we approach school. Instead of learning with curiosity, many of us feel pressure to achieve perfect results because the margin for error feels so small.

It impacts how we work. More and more students are taking on part-time jobs—not just for experience, but out of necessity. We’re balancing shifts with study, sports, family, often sacrificing rest and wellbeing just to keep up financially.

And it impacts our mindset. When the future feels uncertain, it becomes harder to feel confident, motivated, or secure in the choices we’re making.

We’re constantly asked questions like: “What do you want to do?” “Where do you see yourself?” But the truth is—it’s hard to answer those questions when the world we’re stepping into feels so unpredictable.

And yet, despite all of this, we continue to adapt.

We learn to manage multiple responsibilities, develop resilience and keep showing up—even when things feel uncertain. But resilience shouldn’t be mistaken for ease. Just because young people are coping doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. That’s why this issue matters. This is what I'm here for today.

So what needs to change?

Firstly, we need to acknowledge this reality. To recognise that the challenges young people face today are different—and in many ways, more complex—than those faced in the past. Investing in affordable housing, offering fair wages, flexible working hours for students, and supporting cost-of-living relief can make independence more achievable not just in theory, but in reality.

Secondly, we need support. Not just academically, but in learning how to navigate life beyond school—financial literacy, career pathways, and realistic planning for the future by providing financial education, career guidance, and support systems that prepare students not just for exams, but for life beyond them.

Because right now, young people are being asked to plan their futures without always being given the tools or stability to do so. As we look ahead, the goal should not be to simply expect young people to cope—but to create a system where they can thrive. No young person should feel like the future is out of reach before they’ve even had the chance to begin.

So, in 2026, the number one issue facing young Victorians is not a lack of ambition, or effort, or ability. It is the uncertainty of what comes next—and whether the future we’re working towards will be there for us at all.