Principal Report

We’re now well into the rhythm of Term 3 and it’s been wonderful to see our students from Prep to Year 12 engaged, kind, and striving for their best. It is hard to believe that there is only 3 weeks remaining of Term 3.

The weather over the weekend was truly wild, with strong winds causing challenges across our community and state. We hope that all our families stayed safe and did not experience any significant damage to homes or personal belongings. Please reach out if your family has been affected and requires support—we are here to help where we can!

Our focus this next fortnight is strong attendance and consistent routines. Every day of learning matters; if your child is unwell or will be absent, please notify the office as early as possible. A quick reminder, too, about uniform expectations. Thank you for supporting students to wear their uniform with pride. If you need assistance with the purchase of uniform items, please contact the office.

Book Week

Throughout Week 6 we celebrated Book Week. This year’s theme was Choose Your Own Adventure. Staff and students got right into the spirit, with many teachers dressing up as the 101 Dalmatians, and our P-2 students enjoying the Gerald the Giraffe Story Walk. As part of our Book Week celebrations, awards were presented to students in recognition of their enthusiasm, creativity, and love of reading. A big thank you to Collins Bookstore for generously providing vouchers for our award winners. Their support helps us continue to encourage and celebrate a strong reading culture across our college. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making it such a memorable celebration of reading across the college.

Wear it Purple Day

Last Friday 29th August many staff members proudly took part in Wear It Purple Day. This important day celebrates and supports our LGBTQI+ young people, promoting visibility, respect, and inclusion across our community. We encourage all members of our community to show their support and help create a safe and empowering environment where every young person can feel they belong. It is a Mortlake College expectation that we stand together to celebrate diversity and inclusion of all community members.

Year 7-8 Markets

Our Year 7–8 Humanities students have been busy bringing their learning to life by designing and running their own market stalls. Each Tuesday at lunch time, the students have the opportunity to sell different food items, while developing their understanding of economics, consumers and the marketplace. This hands-on project has been a fantastic way for students to build teamwork, creativity, and financial literacy skills. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they pitch their ideas and interact with their “customers.”

Don’t forget to bring some money to school each Tuesday so you can purchase something delicious from the Year 7-8 Market.

Dental Van

The Dental Van has arrived at Mortlake College and will be onsite for the last three weeks of this term, starting Monday September 1st. Students who have returned their forms will be released from their class when required in order to attend the Dental Van for their check-up. Minor treatments may take place in the van and any further works recommended will be communicated to families in the form of a note or phone call from the Dental staff.

Families are asked to please be mindful of the bollarded area in the car park, which has been set aside for the van. This service provides students with convenient access to dental check-ups and treatments right here at school. We thank everyone for their cooperation in keeping the area safe and accessible while the van is in place.

Parent - Caregiver - Guardian Opinion Survey

Closes Friday, 19th September

We encourage all families to take part in the Department of Education’s 2025 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey. This survey is an important opportunity for our families to share their feedback about our school. The results help us to understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to improve, ensuring the best possible learning and wellbeing outcomes for our students.

Currently, no families have completed this survey. Information on how to complete the survey was forwarded to all families on Tuesday August 19th. If you need this information re-forwarded to you, please contact the school office on 5599 2204.

Your voice matters—please take a few minutes to complete the survey at your earliest convenience. Thank you for partnering with us to make Mortlake College the best it can be.

Senior Students

Our senior students are currently in the process of selecting their subjects for 2026, with staff and their families supporting them to plan their future pathways. I’d like to also take a moment to acknowledge our Year 12 students, who are now in the final stages of their school journey. Their leadership, resilience, and dedication have been a wonderful example to the younger year levels. The last official day for Year 12 students will be Monday October 20th, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements and contributions to Mortlake College and their school community at the Year 12 Graduation Dinner on December 5th.

Term 3 Student Reports

Term 3 student reports will be available to families on Thursday September 18th. These reports provide both students and their families with a snapshot of how learning is progressing across Semester 2.

We encourage families to take the time to read through the reports together and celebrate achievements, as well as discuss areas for further growth. If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to make a time to speak with your child’s classroom teacher.

Finalising Prep and Year 7 2026 Student Enrolments

We are currently in the process of finalising our Prep and Year 7 enrolments for 2026. If you have not yet submitted your child’s enrolment forms or know of families in the community who are intending to join our school, please contact the office as soon as possible. Early confirmation of enrolments helps us to plan effectively for classes, staffing, and resources, ensuring a smooth start for all students in 2026.

We look forward to welcoming all students and ensuring they have a positive and successful start to their educational journey at Mortlake College.

2026 Prep Transition Session

Our Prep 2026 Transition Program will run across the following dates:

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

These transition sessions are an important part of preparing our newest students for the exciting step into school life. They provide children with the chance to explore their new learning environment, meet their teachers and classmates, and begin building the routines and confidence that will help them thrive. By the time school begins in 2026, students will feel more comfortable and familiar with their surroundings, setting them up for a smooth and positive start to their first year of school.

Year 7-12 HeadStart Program

We are excited to announce that our 2026 Year 7-12 students will commence the HeadStart Program on Monday November 24th. This is a two week program and is a valuable opportunity for students to experience secondary school life, meet their teachers and classmates and build confidence as they prepare for 2026 classes.

Year 3-4 Camp

Our Year 3–4 Camp will take place from Monday October 20th to Wednesday October 22nd at Warra Gnan Coastal Camp in Warrnambool. This two-night camp is an exciting opportunity for students to step outside the classroom and learn in a new environment. Information will be forwarded to families shortly.

The purpose this camp is to support students in developing important life skills such as independence, teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving while also strengthening friendships and connections with peers and teachers. During the camp, students will explore a range of local attractions and participate in engaging activities that build confidence, encourage curiosity and create lasting memories.

The Mortlake College School Council has agreed to implement a new approach to better support both staff and students following intensive school events, such as school camps.

As schools continue to navigate the operational challenges caused by time in lieu (TIL) — particularly after camps and out-of-hours activities, our Council has endorsed the incorporation of a rest day (for both staff and students) following both the Year 3–4 Camp and the Year 1–2 Sleepover.

This initiative aims to:

Support the wellbeing and recovery of students and staff after high-energy events
Reduce the financial and logistical strain caused by staff accessing TIL entitlements
Ensure the ongoing sustainability of these valuable extracurricular experiences

We acknowledge that many staff generously give up personal and family time to supervise and support students on camp. Their commitment goes well beyond regular school hours, and we deeply value the dedication and care staff show in making these experiences safe, engaging and memorable for all involved.

We value the support and feedback of our school community as we continue to find ways to offer enriching opportunities for students, while also caring for the wellbeing of our dedicated staff.

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.

Father and Friends Fun Evening

The Primary area of the College is excited to invite all students and their dads, grandfathers, uncles and special friends to our upcoming Father and Friends Fun Evening!

Date: Wednesday September 3rdTime: 5:30pm-7.00pm Starting in the undercover area for a BBQ

The theme for this year is “football”. We encourage all to come dressed in their favourite football or sports team colours.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to share laughter, fun and memories together as a community just before we celebrate Father’s Day. Spending quality time together helps to strengthen bonds and create lasting connections, and we look forward to seeing many families come along to enjoy the activities and celebrate the important men in our lives.

Community Breakfast and Footy Colours Day

We’re finishing off the term in true footy spirit! On Friday 19th September, everyone is invited to throw on their team colours, and join us for our free Community Breakfast from 8:00am in the undercover area.

It’s a great way to kick off the day together, share some food and celebrate the end of another amazing term as a school community. We can’t wait to see a sea of colours, plenty of smiles and maybe even a bit of friendly team rivalry!

Victorian Government Drought Support

We are deeply saddened by the ongoing farming crisis affecting communities across South-West Victoria. The prolonged dry conditions, rising fodder costs, and increasing financial pressures have placed enormous strain on our farmers, their families and the wider Mortlake community.

Our thoughts are with everyone facing uncertainty, difficult decisions and the emotional toll that accompanies these challenging times. As a school community, we recognise the vital role our farmers play—not only in sustaining our economy and food supply but also in shaping the strength and character of our local area.

Free Track Pants and Tops

We have some older school uniform items that we no longer use, including track pants and tops in a variety of sizes. Families are welcome to come to the office to select free uniform items that might be useful. Just drop by or call the office, and we’ll be happy to help you find the right sizes.

Community Support from the CWA

We would like to sincerely thank the Country Women’s Association (CWA) for their generous support of our college during these challenging times. Their ongoing commitment to rural communities, including our students and families, is greatly appreciated.

The CWA continues to provide valuable assistance and resources to help our community navigate the difficulties brought on by the drought and other pressures. We are grateful for their partnership and support as we work together to strengthen and support our school community.

If your family is in need of assistance, please remember that both the college and community groups like the CWA are here to help.

We stand together with those impacted and offer our heartfelt support. If your family is affected by drought-related difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact the college.

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.

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 between Wednesday December 10th and Friday December 12th. 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.

Bush Fire Ready

With the warmer weather and lengthening days of Spring just around the corner, we’ve also been turning our attention to the upcoming bushfire season and the annual planning and safety measures needed to manage foreseeable risks.

We have been advised that Mortlake College’s Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) rating remains at Category 3. This means the school will close on any day declared ‘Catastrophic’ in the Southwest Fire District. We encourage families to familiarise themselves with this important information and to also begin bushfire preparedness at home.

Important Upcoming Dates

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

Dental Van: Weeks 7-9
Year 7-8 Business Markets: Tuesday September 2nd, and Tuesday September 9th.
Father and Friends Fun Evening: Wednesday September 3rd, from 5:30pm to 7pm.
School Council: Tuesday September 9th
Year 5-6 - First Nations Leadership Day: Wednesday September 10th
MWC Cricket Years 7-10: Thursday September 18th
Footy Colours Day and Community Breakfast: Friday September 19th
Last Day Term 3: Friday September 19th
First Day Term 4: Monday October 6th
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
Curriculum Day (No School for Students): Friday October 24th
Presentation Ball: Friday November 28th

As always, thank you for your partnership. Please stay connected via Sentral and our school calendar for the most up-to-date information. If you have any questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact the office or your child’s teacher.

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal

Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR SEPTEMBER