From the Principal Class Team

Dear Parents and Carers,

The energy across the College has been exceptional as we kick off a new academic year. It has been wonderful to witness our students reconnecting and diving straight into their learning. From our newest Prep students, who are already mastering their full-time school routines, to our Senior Vocational and VET students navigating their TAFE pathways, the dedication to growth is evident across all year levels.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

It has been an action-packed start to the term with students engaging in diverse hands-on experiences. Our Year 5/6 students have already gained vital life skills through a dedicated First Aid incursion, while the Year 5s explored animal adaptions at the Werribee Zoo. The Year 6s took a step back in time during their immersive trip to Sovereign Hill, and our Year 12 PE students have been busy analysing movement through a rotation of pickleball, mini-golf, and gymnastics.

Beyond specific subjects, our ABCN Emerging Leaders have begun their mentorship journey, and dozens of students have already represented the College with pride across numerous interschool sporting events. These opportunities are central to our mission of developing well-rounded, active, and civic-minded young people.

Visionary Leadership & Community Partnerships

Our school thrives on the strength of its people. We officially inducted our 2026 Student Leadership Team during last week’s Investiture Ceremony. Hearing our Captains speak about their vision for the year was truly inspiring, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will have on our College culture.

Tracking Progress

We are currently entering the second cycle of our Grade Point Average (GPA) reports. At Mount Ridley College, we view the GPA as a roadmap for success rather than just a final score.

• The Connection: The GPA highlights how a student’s effort and behavior in class directly fuel their academic results.
• Collaboration: We encourage you to sit down with your child to review their latest cycle on Compass. Use this data to celebrate wins and identify areas where a little extra focus could make a big difference. If you have questions about specific scores, please reach out to the classroom teacher.

Essential Dates

• NAPLAN (Years 3, 5, 7, & 9): The online testing window runs from Wednesday, March 11th to Monday, March 23rd. Please check Compass for your child’s specific schedule.
• Annual College Photos: Students must be in full uniform.
  • Junior (Prep–Year 7): Friday, March 13th
  • Senior (Years 8–12): Monday, March 16th
• WeShare Interviews (Wednesday, April 1st): This three-way partnership (Teacher-Parent-Student) is vital for goal setting. The booking system opens on Compass next week. Please review Learning Task comments prior to your appointment.

We invite all parents and carers to stay connected with our school community by following our official social media channels. Our socials (Facebook  &  Instagram) are a great way to keep up to date with the latest achievements, and everyday moments that make our college special. Join us online to share in the celebrations, stay informed, and see what’s happening across our school.

As we approach the long weekend, I want to thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education. We look forward to a productive and successful remainder of the term.

Kind regards,

Deputy Principal: College Operations/Communications