From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 4! 

I hope everyone has had a restful break and is ready for an exciting and productive final term of the year.

Today I would like to thank and say goodbye to Suzie Adsett (school nurse). Suzie has made a difference to the lives of so many students over the last 15 years. We wish you the very best at your new schools. Nicole Becker will join the MSC and continue with this important work. Welcome Nicole.

As we return, Term 4 is a critical time with exams fast approaching. Year 12 VCE VM students are participating in interviews as part of their final assessment, and all other assessments are due and need to be completed.

Year 12 students will soon celebrate their final assembly, marking an important milestone in their educational journey. We encourage all students to stay focused and continue putting in their best efforts in every class.

Behind the scenes, planning is well underway for the 2026 timetable, ensuring a smooth transition into the new school year for both staff and students.

A reminder that our mobile phone policy remains in place. Phones must be switched off and stored securely during the school day. We also expect all students to continue wearing full school uniform with pride, representing the College positively in the community.

Term 4 always moves quickly, so let’s make the most of every opportunity to learn, grow and finish the year strongly.

Linda Stanton

Principal

Important Dates

Middle School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Term 4! I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing holiday break.

We’ve had a fantastic start to the term, beginning with a whole-school assembly and a great sense of enthusiasm from our students. Year-level assemblies will also be taking place over the coming weeks, and it’s always lovely to come together to celebrate achievements and reconnect after the break.

Our 2026 Year 7 Scholarship Testing will take place next Wednesday, 15 October, from 3.30pm in the Conference Room. We’re really looking forward to meeting the students who have applied and seeing their enthusiasm for joining Mornington Secondary College.

We’ve already begun meeting families and students who will be joining us as part of our Year 7 2026 Transition Program. All families will soon receive further information via mail and email to help us get to know their child and ensure a smooth and supported start to secondary school. 

Our Year 8 Assembly will feature something very special — each home group has created a short film about their class! The winning home group will be rewarded with a pizza lunch.

Today, Mrs Mackenzie has taken a group of students to represent MSC at the Southern Metropolitan Athletics. We wished them the best of luck as they headed off this morning, and we look forward to sharing Mrs Mackenzie’s report and photos in this newsletter.

This Friday afternoon, we’re visiting Osborne Primary School as part of our ongoing connection with our local primary schools. Three of our former Osborne students — Ruby McWilliam, Charli Tepaske, and Josh Monkhouse — will be speaking about their experiences transitioning to secondary school. Our Drum Corps and Junior Aerobics Team will also perform. We truly value these opportunities to stay connected with our primary school community.

Looking ahead:

• Year 8 Presentation Day will be held on 17 November. This is a student-only day where each student presents their project — more details will be sent out by Ms Rattue soon.
• Year 8 Celebration Day will be on 20 November, with more information to come.
• Year 9 End-of-Year Excursion is scheduled for 16 and 17 October, featuring an exciting Amazing Race around Melbourne and a day at Cable Park. A big thank you to the Year 9 Coordination Team for organising such engaging experiences!

Of course, along with all these exciting events, our academic learning continues, with end-of-year PAT testing taking place later this term.

It’s been wonderful to see our students return full of energy and enthusiasm for the term ahead. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support — it makes such a difference to everything we do.

Warm regards,

Denise Leggett

Assistant Principal

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

Welcome back to all of our senior school students and families for Term 4. Always an incredibly busy term with there almost being three mini terms contained within. 

The first section involves the wrapping up of Unit 2 and Semester 2 for Year 10s and 11s, while our Year 12s are full exam preparation mode and our VCE VM students are doing their final presentations. The second mini-term involves semester exams (Year 10 and 11) and presentations (VM) before we move into the final mini-term and an introduction to what the 2026 classes/programs will feel like. So, it will be an action-packed term, and the weather will be getting warmer!

VCE VM Final Interviews 

The VCE VM team have been so proud of the quality of the final VCE VM presentations from our class of 2025. It has been fantastic and affirming to hear of their journey through Mornington, culminating in the VCE VM program. One of the most interesting parts of the presentations have been reflections students have made to the question:

What advice would you give to yourself when you were younger, knowing what you know now?

• I would tell myself to slow down. I was in too much of hurry and wanted to leave. I’m so happy I did the SBAT (school-based apprenticeship) because working is hard, with long days. Now I have both my VCE and am part way through my apprenticeship
• I would tell myself not to be in a hurry to grow up and wish I was 18. It hasn’t been that different and I may have missed some of the best parts about being a teenager
• Just to relax and remember that I’m not the only one in the class. If I’m honest I probably didn’t behave as well as I do now!
• Not to worry about boys!

I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of these final presentation panels, and it really is a testament to the continued improvement of the program that we are getting such great outcomes for our students. They are leaving Mornington with quality work skills on their CVs, including extensive work history and in many cases straight into guaranteed employment and/or apprenticeships or with a direct path to TAFE to further their tertiary education. I’d like to publicly acknowledge the leadership of Bec Slater (Applied Learning Leader) and Kate Wilson (VM KLA leader) who have worked hard to deliver a vision we have developed, while further growing the capacity of our talented VCE VM teaching team.

Year 12 Oral Examinations

While the written VCAA examinations are just 18 days away (so close!), we have some students who have already completed some performance examinations in front of VCAA panels. Our students studying Japanese as a second language have their oral examinations today, while our VCE music ensembles will be completing their performance examinations on Saturday (yes that is correct – very mean spirited by VCAA!). Thank you to Amie Steny (for her work with the Japanese class), Joe Tobias and Mike Parker (for their work with our budding musicians).  

Key Senior School events for Term 4 2025

Kind regards,

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Term 4: Finishing Strong

As we enter Term 4, it’s important for students to remember that the year isn’t over yet. The final term provides a valuable opportunity to consolidate the learning and progress made across Terms 1 to 3. Consistent effort now can make a real difference—not only to end-of-year results but also to building positive habits for future success.

Whether it’s revising key concepts, seeking feedback, or setting clear goals for improvement, striving for excellence in Term 4 shows commitment, resilience, and pride in one’s learning. Teachers will continue to support students with revision, assessments, and extension opportunities, but the drive to finish well comes from within. Every lesson still counts, and each small step adds up to a strong finish.

Student Leadership for 2026

Mornington Secondary College is proud of the many students who step forward to make a difference through leadership. Our student leaders model our school values—Achievement, Respect, and Community—in everything they do. They organise events, support peers, provide feedback to staff, and help make MSC a place where every student feels connected and heard.

Nominations for 2026 student leadership positions will open soon for all year levels. We encourage students to consider how they can contribute, and parents to support their children in taking this opportunity. Leadership is not just about holding a title—it’s about service, growth, and representing our community with pride.

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Students of the Week

Year 7 Hudson Wehner

Favourite food: Pizza

Hobbies out of school: Sport, Footy & Basketball

What sports team do you follow? Essendon Bombers

Favourite movie/TV show: Prison Break

Do you have any pets? A dog named Milly

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Mates & sport

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? An AFL player 

Year 7 Erin Waugh

Favourite food: Hot chips

Hobbies out of school: AFL (I play for the Westernport Pumas)

What sports team do you follow? Richmond Tigers

Favourite movie/TV show: Scream

Do you have any pets? A dog named Karly

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends, recess and lunch time

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? A vet

Year 8 Tom Milburn 

Favourite food: Chicken

Hobbies out of school: Footy, mountain bike riding and fishing

What sports team do you follow? Geelong

Favourite TV show/movie: Fishing and mountain bike clips on You-tube

Do you have any pets? Two Border Collies named Skye & Millie

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends, the school sport program and Mr Lynch

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? A trade – probably a chippie

Year 8 Noi Godber 

Favourite food: 2 minute noodles (Chicken)

Hobbies out of school: Dancing, shopping and hanging out with friends

What sports team do you follow? St Kilda

Favourite TV show/movie: Ginny & Georgia

Do you have any pets? A Whippet named Kiki

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends and I am really looking forward to doing electives in Year 9

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? I’m not sure yet but I would like to go to Uni

Osaka

On September 13th this year 15 Mornington Secondary College Students travelled to Japan as part of an international exchange program with Mrs Stanton, Mr Evans and Mrs Brindle.

The participating students, all studying Japanese this year, participated in a strict selection process to gain a place on the program. Once selected, Jack Pryor, Sky Schwarz, Seren McMullen, Summer Schwarz, Grace Alston, Owen Burgess, Jonathan Ngyuen, Logan Ardley, Maddie Lillecrapp, Donna Watson, Campbell Duthie, Ellie Smith, Heidi Hoffman, Grace Neeson and Chelsie Surridge eagerly looked forward to the trip, and spent many hours before the exchange program improving their Japanese language skills, while learning more about the culture and lifestyle.

All of our students were warmly welcomed by their Japanese host families, and during the 2-week program had an opportunity to be fully immersed in Japanese family life and culture. 

Our students attended school in Japan where they made many friends and performed their Jiko Sho kai Self Introductions multiple times. Students soon became accustomed to bowing and removing shoes when they went indoors.

Despite a busy schedule and the extreme heat and humidity in Japan, all of our students embraced every opportunity, and enjoyed speaking in Japanese, trying new experiences, tasting new foods and eating with chopsticks.

As well as experiencing Japanese family life we travelled as a school group on many sightseeing excursions. We visited Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the Kaiyukan Aquarium Osaka. We also visited the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, which replicates an old fashioned Japanese village, where students wore traditional Japanese kimonos and yukatas. This experience was a real highlight of the trip, and the MSC staff were so thrilled to see our students looking so special.

We also travelled via Shinkansen to Hiroshima for an overnight stay. Here students toured the Atomic Bomb Museum, and saw the Genbaku Dome and the statue of Sadako – where we hung our 1000 paper cranes in a gesture of memorial and ongoing peace. Many MSC students helped to make some of these cranes, and it was a moving experience to represent our school in such a solemn place.

The next day we travelled to Miyajima Island, and saw the famous Istukushima Shrine with its beautiful red torii gates rising out of the water, and met some very friendly deer before returning to Osaka and our host families on the bullet train.

Towards the end of our exchange program we paid a formal visit to the Osaka Mayor’s office to pay our respects and to thank the city of Osaka for welcoming our students and for giving them this wonderful opportunity. Mrs Stanton gave a speech and presented a gift, and Jack Pryor made us proud when he gave the student representative speech.

At the end of our program the Osaka PTA staff and our host families gave a Sayonara Party where they performed speeches and songs, and Sky Schwarz performed a traditional Japanese dance with her host sister Rui. It was really hard to say goodbye to our Japanese friends after such a wonderful experience and many tears were shed.

Mrs Stanton, Mr Evans and Mrs Brindle are very proud of all of the students who participated in the Osaka Exchange Program, and we hope they all had a wonderful experience and made some memories that will last a lifetime. 

Below are some reflections on the trip from our participating exchange students.

I was amazed by how beautiful Japan was....A highlight for me was taking a bullet train to Hiroshima, where we learnt of the devastating history surrounding the atomic bomb that was dropped. We paid our respects by hanging 1,000 paper cranes; a symbol of peace and hope....I will forever treasure the time I spent in Japan. I met so many amazing people there and was able to learn about Japanese culture and understand more of the language. I hold this experience very dear to my heart.

- Maddie 

Seeing Japan's amazing temples and shrines rich with history among beautiful sceneries was one of the highlights of my trip....It was the best experience of my life so far. I made some lifelong memories, and built friendships and connections that I will cherish forever. Thanks to everyone involved, I am forever grateful.

- Jack

In Japan, I was immersed into their culture and traditions.... Their school system differs to ours a lot. At school they use three separate pairs of shoes for hygienic reasons.

- Heidi

For the first couple of days it was challenging battling the language barrier and feeling home sick...Meeting new people while learning was my favourite part.

- Campbell

I believe every student that went had a once in a lifetime experience and made friends that will last a lifetime. 

- Seren

The schools in Osaka are extremely welcoming and kind. I made friends I still talk to now.

- Logan

In Nara, there were an abundance of deers that would walk around everywhere!...This opportunity was one I will never forget and I am very grateful to have had the chance to go on this trip.

- Grace

I really enjoyed being part of such a welcoming and generous community of people.

- Owen

I hope, even if the chance is small, to see them again....I won't ever forget this. I am forever grateful for my carers, teachers and everyone else that supported this trip.

- Jonathan

Mel Brindle

Japanese Teacher

Whole School Assembly

On Tuesday 7th October students and staff gathered together for our Term 4 Whole School Assembly. The assembly served as a celebration and recap of Term 3 achievements, as well as a look forward to what Term 4 holds. Students, staff and guests were entertained by our Drum and Flag Corp and Year 11 school band Acacia.

Principal Linda Stanton welcomed everyone back for the last term of 2025 and encouraged focus and determination for the remainder of the year. College Captains Ethan Barker and Carter Nicholson reiterated this message and encouraged students to use Term 4 to set themselves up for success; whether that's finishing strong in your subjects, improving on results, or stepping up as leaders for next year.

"Don't treat this term as just a countdown to the holidays; treat it as a countdown to achieving something you'll be proud of.

As we move through these final weeks, let's bring the energy, the focus, and the spirit that make our school what it is. Let's celebrate how far we've come, support one another, and make sure that when we cross that finish line at the end of the year, we can all say we gave it everything."

Athletics Championships

Southern and Northern Peninsula Primary School Athletics Championships

On Wednesday, October 8, 27 of our enthusiastic Sports Leaders from Mornington Secondary College proudly stepped up to officiate the Southern and Northern Peninsula Division Primary School Athletics Championships, held at the Mornington Athletics Track.

From marshalling track events to managing field competitions, our students performed their duties with energy, confidence, and precision. Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed—Mornington’s Sports Leaders stood out as exceptional role models, showcasing leadership, teamwork, and professionalism throughout the day.

A big thank you to each student who contributed to the smooth running of the event, as well as to our AFL trainee Rory, whose support during setup was invaluable.

School Sport Victoria officials were full of praise for our students, remarking on their impressive conduct and outstanding professionalism. Well done to all involved—you did Mornington Secondary College proud!

Southern Metropolitan Athletics Championships

On Thursday, 9th October, sixteen students from Mornington Secondary College proudly represented the school at the Southern Metropolitan Athletics Championships, held at the Casey Fields Regional Athletics Centre.

All athletes demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship and school spirit throughout the day, showing incredible camaraderie by supporting one another in every event. They competed against some of the region’s most talented athletes and gave their best performances across the board.

A special thank you goes to our exceptional AFL trainees, Kobi and Rory, for their invaluable assistance with marshalling and for their ongoing support of our students on the day. Your help was greatly appreciated by all.

Well done to all involved – you represented Mornington Secondary College with pride and determination!

SMR Athletics Championships Results:

• Jackson Edwards 12/13 Boys hurdles 5th
• Jess Matthews 12/13 Girls hurdles 4th
• Claire Rattue 12/13 Girls javelin 4th
• Nick Thalia 14 Boys 800m 6th
• Charlotte Davies 14 Girls long jump 3rd
• Ethan Sheen 15 boys 400m (2nd) 800m (2nd), 1500m (2nd)
• Lewis Gardener 15 Boys long jump 4th
• Amelia Pascuzzo 15 Girls 800m (3rd), 1500m (5th)
• Chloe Smith 16 Girls shot put 6th
• Mathis Minnameier 17 Boys 1500m 6th
• Max Green 17 Boys long jump 4th
• Ethan Haupt 17 Boys shot put 5th
• Lochie Rossouw 17 Boys Discus 4th
• Ryder Rowe 18/20 Boys 800m 5th
• Bailey Barrett 12-20 Boys 3km 20th

• Neve Lyons 12-14 Girls MC 100m (1st) shot put (3rd)

   

Congratulations to Neve Lyons and Ethan Sheen who have qualified for the State Athletics Championships.

Alex Mackenzie

Health and PE Teacher

Year 12 VCE Vocational Major Final Interviews

As we approach the conclusion of the school year, our Year 12 Vocational Major (VCE VM) students are completing their final interviews. This two-part process is designed to showcase the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout Year 12 and prepare them for their future pathways beyond Mornington Secondary College.

The first part of the interview involves students presenting their Unit 4 Work Related Skills Portfolio, alongside a summary of projects completed in their Unit 4 Literacy, Numeracy, and Personal Development classes. This presentation allows students to demonstrate the skills they have acquired and to reflect on their strengths, qualifications and experiences. The second part allows students to simulate a real job interview, where they are required to respond to questions about their future goals, career aspirations and reflections on their time at MSC.

Students attend the interviews in pairs, with each participant taking turns being both interviewed and being part of the panel. The panel is comprised of teachers, Assistant Principals, the Year 12 coordination team and Year 11 students. We are also pleased to invite parents to observe, providing a wonderful opportunity for families to witness first hand their child’s achievements and reflect on their educational journeys. Thank you to those parents who have attended and participated in this milestone.

It is important to note that these interviews form the final assessment hurdle for our Year 12 VCE VM students and are required to receive a satisfactory (S) result for their Unit 4 subjects.

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 12 VCE VM students and the interviews conducted so far have been outstanding, showcasing not only their hard work and dedication but also their readiness to take the next step into their futures.

Rebecca Slater 

Applied Learning Leader

Kate Wilson

Head of VCE VM

New Staff Members

Hi! I’m Nicole, the new Adolescent Health Nurse here at Mornington Secondary College. I’ll be working as part of the Wellbeing Team on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I’m new to the role and the school setting, but I bring with me a background as an ambulance paramedic and registered nurse. I’ve also recently completed further study in health promotion, and I’m really passionate about preventative health, education, and empowering young people to make informed choices.

I’m excited to be part of the Mornington SC community and look forward to working closely with students and staff. My aim is to support student wellbeing and contribute to a whole school approach to health, whether that’s through classroom sessions, one-on-one conversations, or school-wide initiatives.

Some of the areas I’m here to support include:

• Respectful relationships
• Consent
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Alcohol and other drugs
• LGBTQIA+ inclusion and support
• Vaping and smoking
• Menstrual health
• And much more!

If you see me around, feel free to say hi, I’m always up for a chat!

Nicole Becker

Adolescent Health Nurse

My name is Brett Murphy, and I’m excited to be part of this vibrant educational community. I come from a background in business ownership across the printing, hospitality, and building industries, which has given me a broad and practical perspective that I now bring into the education sector.

In recent years, I’ve focused on supporting student success through roles in VET and VASS administration within the Department of Education. This work has strengthened my passion for helping students find and follow their own unique pathways with confidence.

Outside of work, I’m enjoying what I like to call my “second teen-hood” with my wife Cathie, who teaches product design and textiles. With our four boys now grown up, we’re embracing the freedom to stay active, have fun, and enjoy life.

I look forward to helping guide and support students in their journey, while also working closely with staff and families in any way I can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Brett Murphy

Head Start

Wellbeing

onPsych: Mental Health Support via Telehealth fully covered by Medicare

For many families, getting qualified psychologists is challenging, which can mean that students may be struggling to get the support they need. OnPsych changes that. Their registered psychologists (and AMHSW) are accessible via telehealth, giving families flexible, professional, evidence-based support. 

To access onPsych services parents need to:

• book an online GP session fully covered by Medicare, 
• request a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP), 
• mention OnPsych,
• send the MHCP to contact@onpsych.com.au to start support

Speak & Share Fun Run

Speak & Share are offering a discount code for students to participate in their fun run on Sunday 7th of December. The discount code is MORNINGTONSEC10. More information and the registration link can be found on below.

Headspace Events

To celebrate headspace Day this year, headspace Rosebud and Frankston are hosting free community events for young people aged 12-25.

Free Shire Event

To learn more or to reach out to us