Principal Report

Dear Mortlake College Families,

Welcome to Term 4!

I hope everyone had a restful break and is ready for a busy and exciting term ahead. As we move toward the end of the school year, there are many important events, activities, and opportunities for our students.

Please ensure you regularly check the school calendar on Sentral to stay informed about upcoming dates and any changes. Your support in helping students stay organised and prepared is always appreciated.

We’re looking forward to a productive and rewarding final term together.

Celebrating our Year 12 Students

Our Year 12 students are now entering the final stages of their school journey. They have worked incredibly hard throughout the year, and we are extremely proud of their dedication, resilience, and the way they have supported one another.

Their last day of formal classes will be Monday, October 20, followed by a fun and well-deserved Celebration Day on Tuesday, October 21. This will be a special opportunity for students to come together and mark the end of their secondary schooling in a positive and memorable way.

We also look forward to recognising their achievements at the Year 12 Graduation Dinner on Thursday, December 4 — a highlight of the school year and a wonderful occasion to celebrate the Class of 2025.

Well done to all our Year 12s for reaching this important milestone. The end is in sight, and we wish you all the very best as you prepare for final exams and life beyond school.

Student Free Day – Friday October 24th

A reminder that Friday October 24th will be a Curriculum Day at Mortlake College. Students will not be required to attend school on this day.

Staff will be using the day to finalise our Victorian Curriculum 2.0 scope and sequence documents, ensuring a clear and consistent approach to teaching and learning across all year levels.

We thank families for their support as we dedicate this time to strengthening our curriculum planning.

Finalising 2026 Student Enrolments

We are now finalising our planning for the 2026 school year. To support this process, it’s important that all student enrolments are confirmed as soon as possible. Accurate enrolment numbers help us organise classes, allocate staff and resources, and ensure a smooth start to the new year for every student.

If you have not yet completed your child’s enrolment, or if your circumstances have recently changed (for example, if you are moving away from the area), please contact the school office at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your support in helping us prepare for a successful 2026.

2026 Prep Transition Program

We are excited to welcome our newest learners through the Prep 2026 Transition Program, which will run on the following dates:

Friday, November 14
Friday, November 21
Friday, November 28
Friday, December 5
Tuesday, December 9

These transition sessions play an important role in preparing children for an exciting start to their school journey. They give our future Prep students the chance to explore their new learning spaces, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the routines and confidence that will support them in their first year.

By the time school begins in 2026, we are confident our Prep/Foundation students will feel familiar with their surroundings and ready for a smooth, positive start to their learning adventure.

Year 7-12 HeadStart Program

Our 2026 Year 7–12 students will begin the HeadStart Program on Monday, November 24. This two-week program is a key part of preparing students for the year ahead.

HeadStart offers students the opportunity to experience secondary school life, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the routines, relationships, and confidence that will support them in 2026. It also allows students to engage early with their new subjects, expectations, and learning environments before the school year officially begins.

We encourage all students to make the most of this valuable opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and a strong start to the 2026 school year.

Sun Smart Reminder

As we begin Term 4 and move into the warmer months, I’d like to remind everyone that we are a SunSmart school. It’s important that all students wear their school hats during outdoor activities and apply sunscreen as needed to protect themselves from harmful UV exposure.

We encourage families to support this by ensuring students bring a hat to school each day and understand the importance of sun protection during this time of year. Together, we can help keep our students safe and healthy while enjoying the outdoors.

Safety Reminder – Helmets on Bikes and Scooters

We have noticed that some students are arriving at school without wearing a helmet when riding their bike or scooter. Wearing a helmet is not only a legal requirement but also one of the most important ways to protect against serious injury.

We ask all families to please remind their child of the importance of always wearing a properly fitted helmet when riding. By developing safe habits now, we can help keep our students safe—on their way to and from school, and whenever they are out in the community.

Thank you for your ongoing support in promoting student safety.

Year 3-4 Camp

Our Year 3–4 Camp will run from Monday, October 20 to Wednesday, October 22 at Warra Gnan Coastal Camp, Warrnambool. This two-night experience will help students build independence, teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills while strengthening friendships. Students will enjoy local attractions and activities designed to build confidence and curiosity.

New Rest Day InitiativeTo better support staff and students after major events like camps, School Council has endorsed a rest day for both staff and students following the Year 3–4 Camp (and the Year 1–2 Sleepover). The Year 3-4 Rest Day is Thursday October 23. Students are not required at school on this day.

If you have any concerns or questions about this new approach, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. We are looking forward to an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all our Year 3–4 students while they are on camp.

Years 7-9 Camp

Expression of Interest forms for our Year 7–9 End of Year Camp have now gone home. This camp will take place from Wednesday December 10 to Friday December 12. While this camp will be held at the same location as last time, the real focus is not on the venue but on the activities, teamwork and shared experiences that make camp such a valuable part of school life. It’s always a fantastic way to finish the school year together.

We understand that the end of the year can be an expensive time for families. If you would like to set up a payment plan to spread out the cost and avoid the busy Christmas period, please contact Brooke at the office who will be happy to assist.

Important Upcoming Dates

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

GWR Secondary Athletics Ballarat: Thursday October 9th
VCE/VM Melbourne Camp: Monday October 13th to Wednesday October 15th
Year 3-4 Camp: Monday October 20th to Wednesday October 22nd (Year 3-4 Rest Day: Thursday October 23rd)
Last Day Year 12: Monday October 20th (Celebration Day: Tuesday October 21st)
Curriculum Day (No School for Students): Friday October 24th
School Council: Tuesday October 28th
Year 1-2 Sleep Over: Wednesday October 29th and Thursday October 30th. Prep Students remain at School on Wednesday 29th October to participate in activities. (Year P-2 Rest Day: Friday October 31st)
2026 Prep Transition Begins: Friday November 14th
Presentation Ball: Friday November 28th
Primary Swimming Program: Starting Thursday November 11th (6 Sessions)
Year 7-12 Head Start Program: Monday November 24th (Two Weeks)
2025 Primary Celebration Assembly: Wednesday December 3rd (In the GGC starting at 6pm)
2025 Secondary Celebration Assembly/Presentation Night: Monday December 8th (in the GGC starting at 6pm)
Last Day of Formal Classes (all students): Tuesday December 16th

As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership. Please stay connected through Sentral and our school calendar for the latest updates. If you have any questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to reach out to the office or your child’s teacher.

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal

Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR OCTOBER