From the Principal

Good morning to all our students and their families,

Thankyou for taking the time to join my staff at parent/teacher interviews. It is always wonderful to see and hear conversations taking place between parent, student and teacher. It is so important we work together assisting our young people to achieve success in their learning.

Excellence in teaching and learning at our school is a priority and will always remain our number one priority. We continue to expand the work on classroom mastery by training members of the leadership team to become classroom mastery coaches. This week, they have visited classrooms to observe classroom mastery in action. They are also providing feedback to every teacher. The focus on well-structured entry and exit routines and clear cues to start, enhance student learning experiences by enabling lessons to begin as quickly as possible, allowing students to remain focused for the entire lesson.

One of the keys to a successful classroom is the establishment of predictable routines. When students know what to expect, they feel more secure and ready to learn. This term, our teachers have been refining entry and exit routines in their classrooms. These routines serve as the bookends of each lesson, helping students transition smoothly from one activity to the next and reinforcing positive behaviours.

Entry routines involve clear expectations for students and staff as they enter the classroom. This includes greeting each other, ensuring all students have the correct equipment and are in full school uniform. Upon entering the classroom, students stand behind their chairs, looking at the teacher, who may give instructions, or provide a reminder of expectations. Students are asked to sit down, and the teacher uses a cue to start such as, ‘321eyes on me’. This predictable start to the lesson helps students mentally prepare and reduces wasted time, increasing focus right from the start.

Exit routines are just as important, ensuring that students leave the lesson with a clear understanding of what they’ve learned. These routines often involve brief reviews or reflections, reinforcing key concepts and giving students a sense of closure before they move on to their next task. This also helps teachers assess student understanding in real-time. The routine also enables students to leave the classroom in a quiet manner, after they push their chairs in and put any rubbish in the bin. Acknowledgement and praise always provided.

We are also focusing on improving the way we initiate learning activities through cues to start. This involves providing students with a clear and consistent signal that it’s time to focus on the task at hand. Whether it’s a verbal cue, a hand signal, or the sound of a bell, this practice helps students transition from one mode of thinking to another without confusion or delay.

By implementing these cues, we reduce unnecessary distractions and ensure that students are ready to engage fully with the lesson. It’s a simple but effective way to promote a calm and orderly learning environment where learning time is maximized.

Linda Stanton

Principal

Important Dates

Term 3

September

Thursday 12th September - Year 7 2025 Parent Information Evening - 5.00pm to 6.00pm

Monday 16th to Friday 20th September - Year 12 completing Units 3 and 4 - Trial Exams

Monday 16th to Thursday 19th September - Year 12 Revision Lectures

Friday 20th September - Last Day of Term 3 - 2.30pm Dismissal

Don't forget to look on compass for sport sign ups, excursions and any other information sent to students and parents.

Below is a link to help guide you in your use of compass.

https://mornsc.vic.edu.au/for-parents/compass-parent-guide/

Middle School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I'm writing this just after the Parent-Teacher Interviews have concluded. It was wonderful to see the positive energy as parents, students, and teachers engaged in meaningful discussions about academic growth and progress. There was a strong sense of shared responsibility in supporting each child's development. Thank you for attending and for taking the time to stop by and chat.

Looking ahead to next month, I’m very excited to announce that we will be holding the Year 7 Showcase. During this event, students will proudly display their work from Science, Humanities, and Japanese. Your children have been working hard on their Roman History models, Japanese pet posters, and Endangered Species websites.

We're also eagerly anticipating welcoming our Year 7 students and parents for 2025 on September 12th.

Next term we have our year 8 showcase, and the year 8 team are putting together a fun program for the families.

Year 9 have an excursion to ArtVo and Ice skating in Melbourne. I really appreciate the teachers organising these events.

I attended a Principal conference last week and really enjoyed the presenters and the information presented. It focused on leadership, personal wellbeing, caring for self and others. The presenters came from across Australia and shared their expertise on data, neuroplasticity, wellbeing and educational values. It sounds simplistic but the conference covered complex educational issues. It was inspirational and invigorating to learn so much and to consider so many elements.

In relation to school, I wanted to let you know about Classroom Mastery and our progress so far.

All teachers are implementing 3 routines in the classroom- a simplistic view:

Routine 1 - Cue to start- example the teacher says MARCO – students reply “ POLO” (when the teacher uses this cue students know that there is an expectation for all students to stop whatever they are doing, look at the teacher and listen to the teacher instruction. This is an evidence-based practice for all students to cue in to learning.
Routine 2- Entry into the classroom- students line up in twos. Enter when the teacher instructs students to enter. Students stand behind their chairs and after the welcome the teacher instructs students to sit.
Routine 3 EXIT routine: Students are asked to pack up a couple of minutes before the end of the lesson, stand behind their chair and exit in rows or as directed by the teacher.

Today we are having visitors from other schools to see Classroom Mastery in practice as it creates calm and orderly classrooms with a focus on being ready to learn. Our students have responded very well to the process, and I am very proud of them. If you would like more information on Classroom Mastery, I am very happy to let you know more.

Thank you for your time reading this.

Wishing you a great week.

Denise Leggett

Middle School Assistant Principal

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

A week in the life of an AP…

Another busy week has been completed and I’ve had another week of varied responsibilities which is what makes being an assistant principal so interesting. I’ve had the opportunity to teach some VCE health and human development classes again which feels like a return to the past after teaching HHD for 14 of the last 15 years. I listened to some insightful and inspirational presenters at a conference and heard from the minister for education, consulted with plumbers over leaking pipes, admired our Year 12s wearing their Wild West costumes, observed teachers using classroom mastery techniques, shared lunch with some year 12 students, did some course counselling with students, met with software providers, analysed student survey data, progress report data, met with a leadership coach, spoke with parents and had planning meetings for 2025. The best thing about this role is the fact any two days are not the same and the most challenging part of the role is that no two days are ever the same!

What will the lives of our students be in future?

What will our students seek out of life and their vocation? What will drive them? Is it to help others? Do they want to work with animals? Or young people? Or people who are unwell or unhappy? Is it to make money for big homes and fast cars? Do they want to do something physical? Do they want to challenge their thinking in complex problem solving? Do they just want to work to pay for the weekend? Do they know yet? Lots of questions and in reality, the answers to those questions will change over time for many students as they move through life. What they will constantly do however is learn. The more curious they can be at school and in life, the better they’ll become at problem-solving, taking positive risks and expanding their horizons. Our students need to focus on courage to try their best every time, not be worried about not succeeding. Failing something on the first attempt is far better than not attempting in the first place. To borrow from the famous quote in Coach Carter (who borrowed it from the Book – A return to love):

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

I encourage all our senior students to have the courage to shine, dare-to-dream and not to hide in the shadows.

Year 12 VCE VM Market Day – August 27th

Our year 12 VCE VM students have their major group project next week – the annual Market Day that will run in the Robert Herbert Gym and be open to students at lunchtime. Putting together a big event like this requires a lot of learning and the students have been working hard across their VM subjects to learn about all aspects of this event. There will be EFTPOS facilities (for the BBQ ONLY) available on the day (obviously no phones) and cash can also be used to make purchases. The profits will be donated to the MSC chosen charity for 2024, Food for Life. I encourage all Mornington students who are able to make time and purchase something they will enjoy, while helping out those in need.

Term 3 key dates for Senior School

Fri 13th September – Final Day for Unit 4 coursework (Yr 12 VCE ATAR)

16-20th September – Trial exam period for Year 12 classes

September 30 – Timely VTAC applications close (Year 12 students only)

Kind regards,

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Parent Teacher Conferences and Parent Opinion Survey

Parent Teacher Conferences…make them stick.

Yesterday we had our parent teacher conferences with a mix of face to face and online. We are aware that the online software was new and that there were some challenges. We will have a look at that and get better for next time. The most important part of parent teacher conferences is the conversation about how we can get the most out of our young people. I know that there were lots of pats on the back handed out and plenty of suggestions or even agreements of changes that will be made. But the next few weeks will tell us if we got value out of the interviews. Your role as parents in terms of supporting your child’s learning is essential and post Parent teacher conferences is one of those critical times where we can make significant changes to a students attitudes and efforts. So do the follow up work, whatever was agreed at the conference help your child deliver their part of the agreement. Keep in touch with their teachers and get feedback. Together we can make a difference for our kids and their learning.

Parents grounded by students for failure to complete work for school!

Ok, maybe I’m not serious about that, but on a serious note we have only had 97 parents complete the Parent opinion survey. I understand everyone is busy and everyone I speak to is intending to do the survey, but its time to turn those actions into words. There are 832 families connected to the school, I’d really like to hear from most of you, but I’d be happy with 250.

So we have just under 2 weeks to go, so please stop what you are doing and complete the survey. (Link on the Star Menu in COMPASS)

Seriously, how did you even get to this line, STOP what you are doing and do the survey!

Kind regards,

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal

Mornington Peninsula Industry Expo

On Monday the 20th of August, 60 Year 11 and 12 VCE and Vocational Major students attended the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Industry Expo at the Mornington Racecourse. Students were given the opportunity to engage with various employers from a variety of industries within the region. Students participated in interactive presentations, hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations, giving students an insight into their future world of work. This event was designed to open minds, beyond the usual occupations, to explore the variety of career opportunities across an extensive range of industries and employers.

VM Market Day

Support a Great Cause – “Food for Change”!Date: Tuesday, 27th August Time: Recess and Lunch

As part of the Year 12 VCE Vocational Major program, students will be hosting a Market Day at Mornington Secondary College to raise funds for our chosen charity, ‘Food for Change'. This organisation works tirelessly to alleviate food insecurity in Australia by growing fresh produce and rescuing food from supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste. Since 2016, they have contributed millions of meals to those in need. We invite everyone to join us at the Market Day, where a variety of stalls will be set up, offering delicious treats and fun activities. Here’s what you can look forward to:

- Amazing raffle prizes