Acting Principal Update

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a relaxing break with your favourite people, and that you are now ready for a great start to Term 3. 

As a staff, we have a different Teaching & Learning focus each semester and in Semester 2, our focus is a ‘Sharp Start’. This focus means that we are working hard to further develop our classroom routines to ensure a purposeful and ‘Sharp Start’ to lessons so that we can maximise teaching and learning via an ethos of every minute matters. Our whole school professional learning discussions will focus on high expectations around lesson starters, and about how we connect with students when they arrive to class, for example positively checking in and gently reminding them about being ready to have a successful lesson. 

From students, our high expectations around punctuality will assist them with actively engaging with their ‘Sharp Start’ to each lesson by making sure that they do not miss the starter, and also that they are prepared to engage effectively by having the correct equipment, by removing headphones, and by not being distracted by their mobile phones as they have been locked away in their lockers for the school day. 

A big thank you to students and families who recognise the importance of those routines, and who always engage fully with supporting us to get the most from every student.

Those consistent routines are especially important to our Year 12 students who this term will be finishing their course work for VCE and VM, alongside engaging in examination practice, and making decisions about apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE courses and University courses. Please always remember that you can contact your child’s subject teachers, or any member of leadership with questions that you may have as regards how you can better support your Year 12 child through what I know are two terms that can be as challenging as they are exciting!

And finally, in my previous newsletter, I drew attention to some key course confirmation dates and resources that are of importance to our Year 9, 10 and 11 students; I know I can rely on you to refer to that newsletter to support your child with the next step of planning their programs for 2025. Again, if you do have any questions that are not answered by those resources, please do not hesitate to contact our office email: mordialloc.co@education.vic.gov.au.

Premier’s VCE Awards

The annual Premier’s VCE Awards recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE); I am so very proud to share that this year two Mordialloc College students have been recognised at these awards. 

At the award presentation ceremony held on 17 July 2024, a total of 332 awards, including 23 Top All-Round VCE High Achiever Awards, recognised the exceptional dedication and hard work of 310 students during the 2023 VCE across four categories: Top All-Round VCE High Achievers., Outstanding VCE Vocational Major Student Awards, Top Three International Students and Study Awards.

Please join me in congratulating Jessica House (Outstanding VCE Vocational Major Student Award) and Cooper Russell (Study Award for General Mathematics) for their amazing achievements. 

More than 1000 guests attended the prestigious ceremony; our students were joined on the day by their families; Susan Cochrane (Senior School Director) and Tracey Bastin (Assistant Principal)  were there to represent Mordialloc College on this auspicious day. 

NAIDOC Week Assembly

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

The theme for 2024 National NAIDOC week was Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. "Blak, Loud and Proud" celebrates Indigenous identity, calling for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. 

As a part of our celebrations, Jack Hayes, a Year 11 student who is a proud Noongar and Koori man currently living on Bunurong Land, shared his Mordialloc College AFL jersey design with the whole school. During this presentation, we learned from Jack about how his art represents the importance of his Indigenous culture to him, and how the patterns on the jersey use the school colours to make links between the local sport community, whilst also representing the Indigenous community.

A huge thank you to Jack, who took the time to explain the meaning behind the designs on our Mordialloc College AFL jersey. 

Also, a big congratulations to Aiden Hince for winning our Visual Arts competition: express what Indigenous culture means to you.

Thank you to our Leading Teacher (Student Engagement) Julia Hockey for planning the NAIDOC Whole School assembly, and also to all other staff who supported our students to shine during this event. 

Grease – The Musical!

We also enjoyed a sneak preview of our College Production of Grease – The Musical. Thanks to our cast members Mia (who will play Sandy) and Kylie (who will play Jan) for their performance of 'It's Raining on Prom Night'.

A massive thank you to families who have donated gifts and props to support us; this is a final call for help.

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, I am putting out a plea to our wider school community, and have my fingers crossed that you will be able to support us.

If you are the proud owner of any 1950s props, accessories or attire, would you be able to donate them to our Production Team? We are specifically looking for any clothing that may work especially varsity jackets, any accessories (e.g. pearls, bows) that you have that may fit the bill would also be great.

Ideal colours are pastels (pink, blue, yellow) and black, white and red. Any size will do! Anything white, angel wings or fairy lights would be great for our Beauty School Dropout angels. 

We are really aiming to turn this into a Mordialloc College Community Event so, if you are able to help, please contact the school email mordialloc.co@education.vic.gov.au so that we can arrange a safe way for you to drop off your donation.

Alongside this, we also have our Trivia Night on Friday 26th July. 

If your business would be interested in donating a product or service as a raffle/giveaway prize, we would be extremely grateful. Examples of prizes that have been donated in the past are vouchers for use at your business, a buy one get one free dining deal, or a sample of the business’ product.

In exchange for your support of our production and Trivia Night, we will advertise your business and logo in the Production program booklet and other advertising material. If you would like to donate, please contact us on mordialloc.co@education.vic.gov.au. 

Looking forward to a great Term Three!

Rachael Stone

Acting Principal

Mordialloc College would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land – the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 

As a school and community, we are committed to a greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture.