From the Principal

Yesterday, Mornington Secondary College played host to 50 Principals, Assistant Principals and Leading teachers from our 27 Network schools. We meet twice per term and always in a different school. 

Our guests were keen to observe classes in action. They observed the Victorian Teaching and Learning model 2.0 (VTLM2.0), ‘enabling learning’ element. At MSC, our teachers enable learning by using classroom mastery routines and skills and the use of affective language from The Real Schools philosophy. Classroom mastery and Real schools recognise the importance of forming positive relationships with students. 

Our guests were extremely impressed by the calm and orderly learning environment. They commented on the high expectations exhibited in every classroom and the polite way our young people conducted themselves in and out of the classroom. 

Recently the Victorian State Government announced changes to the Ministerial Order 1125 – Procedures for Suspension and Expulsion in Government Schools. This gives Principals the power, in exceptional circumstances, to suspend or expel students where incidents that occur outside school-related activity, particularly online, significantly impact the health, safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school. These changes come into effect from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

In exceptional circumstances, Principals of Victorian government schools will be able to suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. Please note: 

• They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.
• They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.

Linda Stanton

Principal

Important Dates

Term 2 2025

Middle School

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of another busy and rewarding term at Mornington Secondary College, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the energy, effort and engagement shown by our Year 7, 8 and 9 students.

Over the past few weeks, our junior students have been involved in a wide range of learning experiences and co-curricular opportunities. Whether it’s been hands-on science, excursions, student-led initiatives or wellbeing sessions, our students continue to embrace all aspects of school life.

We are also looking ahead to Tuesday 17 June, when all Year 7, 8 and 9 students will be out of the school on exciting excursions while our senior students complete the GAT (General Achievement Test) on-site. On that day:

• Year 7 students will be heading to the Werribee Open Range Zoo
• Year 8 students will explore the Melbourne Zoo
• Year 9 students will enjoy bowling and arcades at General Public Frankston as part of their wellbeing Connect Day

Please note that we have firm deadlines for the consent and payment for the above events. To avoid disappointment, please ensure consent and payment is made via Compass by no later than 11:59pm Sunday 15 June.

These experiences not only provide fun and variety but also support our students’ personal development, curiosity, and sense of belonging.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We wish all families a safe and restful weekend.

Warm regards,

Denise Leggett

Assistant Principal

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

Year 10 & 11 exams are underway. Every Year 10 who was required to attend the English exam managed to make it on time on Wednesday which is a terrific way to start their exams and shows they are preparing well for their future. Students who miss exams or have clashes/3 in a day, will have their exams re-scheduled by their year level teams. All exams will need to be completed by 3:10pm on Thursday the 19th June to ensure they are graded and included in the Semester 1 reports. For more information about the exam period, please see my post on the Compass newsfeed.

VCAA General Achievement Test (GAT)

GAT preparation continues for VCE students studying a Unit 3&4 subject in 2025. Our VCE VM and Year 11s doing a Year 12 subject this week were presented with information about the GAT and will have the opportunity to practice some tasks from previous GATs, to help with their preparation. The GAT will be held on Tuesday 17th June and we ask all students sitting the GAT (including Year 11s) to check in with the Year 12 team by 8:30am at the latest. The team will check that all students have the correct equipment and have brought photo ID with them (MSC student card is also acceptable).

VCAA End-of-Year Exams

VCAA recently released the timetable for the end of year exams and it can be found by following this link – VCAA End of Year Exam Timetable. At Mornington, we start our formal exam preparation from Week 9 in Term 3 (15th September) with a series of trial exams, however many subjects start preparing students before this date. This provides our students spend just over 3 school weeks and 7 weeks in total on exam preparation before the first written exam (English and EAL) on Tuesday the 28th October. More information about Mornington SC’s EXCEL exam preparation program will be made available during Term 3.

Course Selection Information Night

A must attend event for all Year 9-11 students and parents. This year’s information night will be held on Tuesday 1st of July. This is the best opportunity to speak to teachers about different subjects, the careers team about different pathways and, school leaders, about anything you want to know. The most critical part of successful VCE outcomes for students is making informed decisions that are based on what a student likes, what they are good at, and then any required subjects they need to progress to their pathway after Year 12. Making informed decisions starts with getting all of the information from nights like this one. I look forward to seeing you there!

Key Senior School events - Term 2

Kind regards,

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Why Extra-Curricular Activities Matter

At Mornington Secondary College, we believe learning goes beyond the classroom. Extra-curricular activities like sport, music, leadership, and clubs help students build confidence, teamwork, and a strong sense of connection to school.

Students who get involved often become more engaged, motivated, and discover strengths they didn’t know they had. These activities also support wellbeing and help students form lasting friendships.

We encourage all students to take part—because sometimes, the biggest growth happens outside the classroom.

So far this year students have participated in 13,061 hours of extra curricular activities! Maybe ask your child what are they participating in. 

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Students of the Week

Year 7 Ben Alston  

Favourite food: Pizza 

Hobbies out of school: Basketball and Footy

What sports team do you follow? Geelong in the AFL and Lakers in NBA

Favourite TV show: Are We There Yet?  

Do you have any pets? A dog named Ollie

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Different classes, interschool sport and PE

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

Year 7 Charli Tepaske

Favourite food: Spaghetti and Meatballs 

Hobbies out of school: Soccer 

What sports team do you follow? The Matildas

Favourite TV show: Bones

Do you have any pets? A dog named Tasha

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends, the school production FROZEN JR!

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

Year 8 Lucinda Bradshaw 

Favourite food: Watermelon

Hobbies out of school: Netball and hanging out with friends

What sports team do you follow? Carlton & Perth Fever

Favourite TV show: The Rookie

Do you have any pets? A Staff cross Kelpie named Mason

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? All my friends and netball squad.

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? I am not sure yet

Year 8 Kayla Lindsay-Rechter

Favourite food: Mango

Hobbies out of school: Netball and hanging out with friends

What sports team do you follow? Melbourne Vixens and Essendon

Favourite TV show: Vampire Diaries 

Do you have any pets? 5 cats named Yoda, Obie, Heidi, Laya and Phoebe and 1 golden retriever – Labrador named Buddy

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Netball Squad, PE and my friends

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Something to do with netball

Year 9

As our Year 9 students come to conclusion of Semester 1, it's important to recognise the unique stage of development they’re experiencing. This age marks a time of remarkable growth—not just physically, but emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

They are beginning to explore their identities more deeply. They seek greater independence while still needing clear boundaries and support. Friendships become increasingly important, and peer influence can be both a positive and challenging force. They may start questioning rules, testing limits, and exploring different interests as part of discovering who they are.

At school, we aim to strike a balance between challenge and support. Our Year 9 teachers are working hard to create an environment that encourages resilience, creativity, and respectful communication. We also understand the importance of supporting mental health, fostering a sense of belonging, and celebrating each student’s growth—both in and out of the classroom.

Parents and carers play a vital role too. Regular check-ins, open conversations, and involvement in school life go a long way in helping our students feel valued and understood. 

As always, we thank our school community for continuing to nurture and support our young learners. Together, we are helping them grow into confident, capable individuals ready to meet the world.

Shaun Doherty

Year Level Coordinator 9

2025 Little Athletics State Cross-Country Relay Championships

The 2025 State Cross-Country Relay Championships is a Teams event, where 3 athletes complete a relay over a cross-country course. This event recently took place on Saturday May 31st at Cruden Farm, Langwarrin.

MSC were represented on the day by Noah Sheen, Ethan Sheen and Bailey Barrett. The boys raced well, finishing a close 2nd in the Boys 3x2000m Under 15 Relay. Amazing effort, well done team!

Empowering Future Health Leaders: Year 10 Health Promotion Campaigns

This term, our Year 10 students have taken on the challenge of becoming health advocates by designing their own health promotion campaigns, tackling important issues facing young people today. Topics ranged from vaping, gambling, cyberbullying, and mental health, to alcohol and drug use, and sun safety—all chosen for their relevance and impact on youth well-being.

As part of their Health curriculum, students worked collaboratively to develop campaigns that not only raised awareness but also encouraged positive behaviour change among their peers. A key aspect of the project was aligning their work with the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, which outlines five key areas of action:

1. Building Healthy Public Policy – Many groups reviewed current school policies and offered suggestions or proposed rule updates related to their chosen health issue.
2. Creating Supportive Environments – Students focused on making safe, inclusive and encouraging spaces, such as wellbeing hubs or support groups.
3. Strengthening Community Action – Campaigns often included collaboration with student leaders, teachers, and local youth health services.
4. Developing Personal Skills – Workshops, posters, and educational social media content were developed to help peers make informed choices.
5. Reorienting Health Services – Some groups consulted with school counsellors and external health professionals to better understand how services could be made more youth-friendly and proactive.

To bring their messages to life, students used a variety of creative formats: videos, infographics, podcasts, interactive presentations, and even catchy slogans such as “Be a BUDDY, not a BULLY” and “You MATTER” around mental health. One group tackling vaping designed a “Swap the Vape” initiative encouraging young people to exchange vapes for stress-relief kits. Another team focused on online gambling, creating a resource booklet with tips and QR links to local support services.

Importantly, each group also developed a method of evaluating the success of their campaign. These included:

• Pre- and post-campaign surveys
• QR code scans on posters and resources
• Social media engagement metrics
• Peer feedback forms
• Participation rates in events or workshops

This project not only deepened students’ understanding of health issues but also empowered them to become proactive youth capable of influencing positive change in their school community. The passion, creativity and maturity displayed by Year 10 has been truly inspiring.

The project culminated in the students presenting to Mr Uhlenberg and Mr Evans to determine which health promotion campaign to be the worthiest to pursue within our school community. Georgia Chant had the most outstanding presentation and well-rounded health promotion campaign for her Sun Safety initiatives. These included inviting health professionals to attend the school for free skin-checks, Cancer Council Day including a fundraiser, complementary sunscreens and vouchers for spray-tans, which was deemed a great idea from other students.

We’re proud of our students’ efforts and look forward to seeing some of these campaigns integrated into our wider school health and wellbeing programs in the future.

Michelle Barnes

Curriculum Implementation Leader

2025 Art Show

On June 25 and 26, we are proudly opening our Art Gallery to family and friends of MSC in celebration of a showcase of talent, imagination, and inspiration from our 2025 Year 7 to 10 students. 

June 25 (5-7pm) is an invitation only event, and June 26 (3.30-5pm) is open to the public. Both evenings will be held in the Art Gallery in M block.

Aerobics Squad Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser

A big thank you to those who came down and supported the Aerobics Squad at our Bunnings BBQ on Monday. And an even bigger thank you to the students, parents and staff who braved the Melbourne weather and gave up their valuable time over the long weekend to help run the barbecue. It was a great day, raising over $1000 to help fundraise for our Aerobics Squad. 

Indie Jowett

Aerobics Squad Coach

Junior Rangers

In the Junior Rangers program on Wednesday 11th June we had the pleasure to work with Aunty Cassie at Police Point in Portsea. The sun was shining and we had a great day. Aunty Cassie talked about bush medicine and taught our students how to extract eucalyptus from the Round leaf gum, tie-dye with native plants, and box print canvas bags. 

Nicole Boland

Mental Health Practitioner

Victorian College Basketball Championships - U15 Boys

Our Under 15 Basketball teams put in an outstanding performance at the recent Victorian College Championships competition, showing great teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the day. 

Both our white and blue teams played exceptionally well, each only losing one game.

The blue team advanced to the grand final after a string of strong wins and impressive plays, but missed out on victory in a hard-fought final match against Flinders. Despite the loss, the team displayed great spirit and resilience, and should be proud of their efforts.

Our white team also showcased excellent skill and teamwork, finishing the day with only one loss and several convincing wins.

Well done to all players involved for representing the school with pride and energy. We look forward to seeing how the teams go in School Sports next term. 

John Molino

Basketball Squad Coach

Hands on Learning

HoL is a practical school program fostering wellbeing, engagement, and attendance through hands-on projects. In 2025, the focus is on renovating The Cottage, our dedicated learning area. The Cottage was built in 2011 as a woodwork room. This renovation project gives the HoL team an opportunity to learn new skills while creating a learning space our students can be proud of, with the odd freshly cooked damper or hot lunch thrown in after a hard mornings work!

E-Bikes and Scooters

An increasing number of issues and complaints involving the use of E-Scooters and E-Bikes within our community have been identified by local police units. Please find below a Victoria Police community information flyer that outlines the legal requirements, safety risks and responsible use of E-Scooters and E-Bikes.

2025 Production - FROZEN JR

Tickets are available to purchase now!  Remember we have a sing-a-long session on our open night so you can join in the fun!

When:        Tuesday 5 August 2025 SING-A-LONG SESSION     7-8:30pm

                     Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th August 2025     7-8:30pm

                     Saturday 9th August 2025     2-3:30pm

Location:   Performing Arts Theatre, 1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington Vic 3931

Tickets can be purchased via trybooking, on the below link.

School Saving Bonus reminder and allocation to school activities

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025. The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025. Any funds already allocated to school activities do not expire.

To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025. 

Any unspent funds remaining on the portal after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the unallocated credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July. 

To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-step System guide for parents and carers or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.

The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. After this date, please contact Erin.Dixon3@education.vic.gov.au for any SSB related questions. The contact centre can be reached by: 

• completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
• calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or the first day of Term 2 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025). A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.

Eligible families will receive a payment of $256 per year for secondary school students . The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.

If you would like to apply, please complete the CSEF application form on Compass News Feed and return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Compass Updates

There has recently been many updates to features on the Compass app for parents. Please find below a how-to-video to learn more on how to Place a Canteen Order.

To learn more or to reach out to us