From the Principal  Team

Dear staff, parents, carers, students and friends of the College,

This week, our Year 12 students began their VCE examinations, marking another significant milestone in their final year of schooling. We are proud of the commitment and perseverance they have shown and wish them every success over the coming weeks.

Examinations can bring both anticipation and nerves. We encourage students to maintain a balanced routine, make time for rest and seek support when they need it. Thank you to our teachers and families for the guidance, reassurance and encouragement you continue to provide.

As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, I would also like to recognise the amazing work of our teachers and the contribution all our staff make to our College community. This year’s theme, ‘Shine a light on teachers’, invites us to acknowledge the dedication, care and expertise our teachers bring to their work every day. Through their encouragement, creativity and commitment, they help our young people learn, grow and recognise their own potential.

Much of this work happens beyond what others see: the thoughtful preparation of a lesson, the extra explanation that builds understanding, the quiet check-in with a student, or the phone call home to share a success. These everyday actions make a lasting difference.

Relationships matter in learning. At Mornington Secondary College, we see this in the way our staff encourage students, hold high expectations and help them believe in their own potential. On behalf of our community, thank you for all that you do.

Our values of Respect, Community and Achievement are reflected in these efforts and in our shared commitment to excellence for every student in every class every day.

Have a lovely Melbourne Cup Weekend.

Kind regards,

Adam Slater

Principal

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Michael Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Important Dates

Dates correct at time of posting and subject to change.

Students of the Week

Freddy Murnane - Year 7

Favourite food: Pizza

Hobbies out of school: Riding my bike and playing soccer

What sports team do you follow? Hawthorn Footy Club 

Favourite movie/TV show: Cars 2

Do you have any pets? A dog named Sheila and a cat named Hula

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Interschool Sport

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Lunch time and PE 

What's something that makes you unique? I travel to Europe a lot to see family

What three words best describe you? Funny, clever, friendly 

Ethan Richards - Year 7

Favourite food: Pizza 

Hobbies out of school: Riding my e-scooter

What sports team do you follow? North Melbourne

Favourite movie/TV show: The Hangover

Do you have any pets?  A dog named Jasper

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Gumbuya Park excursion

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? PE, my mates, and the canteen

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? I don’t really know, maybe an engineer

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? I am just the best

What three words best describe you? Funny, caring, friendly  

Year 12 Valedictory

What a fabulous evening we shared on Monday 19 October at our Year 12 Valedictory! It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our students and recognise the hard work, commitment and dedication they have shown throughout their schooling, particularly over the past year.

It was lovely to see our students dressed in their finest and celebrating this important milestone alongside their families. The evening was a truly special occasion, filled with pride and excitement as we reflected on all they have accomplished.

Congratulations to all our award winners, and a heartfelt thank you to the members of our wider community who sponsor some of the awards and were able to join us for this memorable celebration.

For some of our Year 12 students, the next exciting chapter is just around the corner. For others, there are still exams to navigate, with examinations having commenced this week.

We wish all our students the very best of luck in their exams and whatever lies ahead. It has been an amazing year, and they should all be incredibly proud of how far they have come!

Award Winners

Principals Award: Alex Classon

VM Dux: Thomas Kernick

Nick Hamilton Award: Jack Pryor

ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award: Isobel Reed

Mount Martha Rotary Community Service Award: Noah Almond

Performance Excellence Award: Connor Hinge

Sport Blue Award: Seren Chespy and Sophie van der Meer

SBAT of the Year Award: Madi Hawkins

Mornington Secondary College Humanitarian Award: Ivie Green

AMPOL All-rounder Award: Gisele Woolley

Robert Herbert Award: Thomas Kernick

College Council Award: Thomas Fraser, Eddy Green, Sari Peel, Mathis Minnameier, Luke Gilbert and Alice Hoffman

Congratulations!

Jo Reeman

Team Leader Year 12

Jo Dixon

Year Level Coordinator 12

End of Year Activities: Don't Miss Out!

Bookings for End of Year Activities Week are open!

In the last week of Term 4 we move to celebration mode and encourage our students to enjoy a range of off-site and on-site activities in the wind down to school holidays. These events include, but are not limited to:

• Tree Surfing at Enchanted Adventures
• Le Mans Go Karting and Laser Tag
• Learn to Surf at Phillip Island
• Gravity Zone Jump and Laser Tag
• Cable Park Aqua and Climb: NOW FULLY BOOKED

Bookings close Sunday 15th November, unless sold out prior.

In previous years many activities have booked out quickly, so to avoid disappointment please click below to book in early.

2027 Year 9 Cairns Camp: Deposit Payments Are Due Now 

Families interested in the 2027 Year 9 Cairns Camp are encouraged to secure their child’s place by paying the deposit and joining the program list.

The Compass Camp Deposit event is now live, with deposits due by Thursday 10 December 2026. Numbers are limited, and paying the deposit is an important step in securing your child’s place in the program.

If you have any questions about the camp or would like further information, please contact Sian Jones at sian.jones@education.vic.gov.au.

We encourage interested families to act early to avoid missing out!

2027 Production: Seussical Jr. Auditions

Last week, students from Years 7–11 had the opportunity to audition for the MSC 2027 production of Seussical Jr. We were treated to some wonderful singing and acting from our talented students, and it was fantastic to see both familiar faces from previous productions and new students bravely stepping out of their comfort zones to give auditions a go for the first time.

We are so proud of everyone who auditioned and look forward to bringing this exciting production to life! 

Rehearsals will officially begin on the 9th of November, and we can’t wait to get started!

There will also be opportunities for our incoming Year 7 students to get involved in the production at the beginning of 2027. We look forward to welcoming even more students into the wonderful world of Seuss!

Emily Parker

English and Psychology Teacher

2027 Booklists Opening Soon

For 2027, Mornington Secondary College has appointed Lilydale Books as its new booklist provider, offering families a more affordable and accessible range of booklist items.

Educational items for students to own:

These are essential resources that the school recommends students purchase through Lilydale Books to support their learning throughout the year. The booklist outlines the items students will use in the classroom and provides a convenient way to order these resources online.

Orders will be available through the Lilydale Books website once the 2027 booklists go live. The Year 7 and Year 8 booklists are now available for viewing. Booklists for other year levels will be released over the coming days. Families will be notified via a Compass Newsfeed when ordering opens.  

Year 7

Year 8

Flexible delivery options are available, including:

• Home delivery: Free delivery on all orders over $300 until Friday, 4 December 2026.
• Click & Collect: Collect your order from Lilydale Books at Unit 1, 25-27 Hightech Place, Lilydale VIC 3140. Click & Collect orders are processed through a priority collection queue.

For assistance, please contact Lilydale Books on (03) 9739 6186.

Compass Update: Monday 2nd November

The biggest upgrade to the Compass app yet will be available for users to update in their app store from Monday 2nd November. It arrives as a normal app update, so there's nothing new to download or set up. Some users may be asked to sign in again with their usual details.

Interschool Sport

Year 8 Girls Basketball SMR Finals

Wednesday saw seven of our Year 8 girls travel to Dandenong to compete in the SMR basketball finals, coached by Grace O’Shea our Year 9 basketball star.

Our first game saw us take a comfortable victory over Koowee-Rup Secondary College (42-10) and the second game was an even bigger victory over Keysborough Secondary College (69-4). 

Our third game was against the other undefeated team in our pool, a semi-final showdown against Patterson River. Our girls took a little while to get going and unfortunately went into half time trailing by 9 points. The second half saw us fight back and the lead sea-sawed for the last 4 minutes of the game. Unfortunately, Patterson River made a great basket in the last 20 seconds of the game to take the win over us 29-27.

It was an amazing effort from all our girls, with big shout outs to Claire and Piper who drove continuously, Stella for her 3-point shooting, Mikayla and Claire for their tough defence and Madi, our rebounding queen. Lara and Mia both played their part in the team, giving our starting 5 much needed breaks and playing tight defence. Congratulations girls!

Kim Rattue

Year Level Coordinator 9

Excursions

Biology Students Explore Biomedical Science at GTAC and The University of Melbourne

Last week, eight Biology students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) and the Anatomy Museum at The University of Melbourne, gaining valuable insights into the world of biomedical science.

The morning began at GTAC, where students learned about the opportunities available to those studying Biomedicine at The University of Melbourne. They then took part in a hands-on laboratory session, using specialised equipment not typically available in secondary schools. This included microscopes fitted with screens, allowing everyone to view and discuss specimens together. Students also conducted tests on samples to identify the bacteria responsible for mastitis in cows and explored the important issue of antibiotic resistance.

After an engaging morning at GTAC, students crossed Royal Parade to The University of Melbourne, where they enjoyed lunch and experienced the vibrant atmosphere of university life, sharing the campus with current university students.

The final stop was the Anatomy Museum, located in the university’s School of Medicine. Here, students had the opportunity to observe preserved human organs and tissues, providing a fascinating insight into human anatomy and the complexity of the human body. Photography was not permitted in the museum, out of respect for the individuals who have generously donated their bodies to science and education.

The excursion was a fantastic opportunity for our Biology students to extend their classroom learning, experience university life and explore potential future pathways in biomedical science and research.

Dana Lamb

Head of Science

Year 7 The Corner Youth Centre Visits

Last week our Year 7 students had the opportunity to visit The Corner Youth Centre in Mornington, where they learned about the fantastic programs, activities and support services available to young people in our local community.

A big thank you to Estelle and AJ from The Corner for warmly welcoming our students and sharing their knowledge about the centre and the many opportunities it offers.

Students discovered a wide range of programs designed to support, connect and empower young people. These include the L to P program, which helps learner drivers gain valuable driving experience and build up their required hours with the support of adult supervisors and community volunteers, as well as access to cars. They also learned about Amplify, a music program held every Tuesday that is run by young people, with local bands performing and young people helping to organise the events.

The Corner also offers a variety of:

• cultural and art activities, 
• school holiday programs, 
• art groups, 
• recreational activities, 
• mental health support, and 
• the Skittles Squad, a Pride group who meet weekly, providing inclusive opportunities for young people to explore their interests, build connections and feel supported.

A highlight of the visit was getting to experience the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the centre firsthand. Students enjoyed playing basketball, table tennis and pool, having a go on the Nintendo Wii, playing guitar, eating some fruit and simply relaxing on the beanbags while chatting with friends.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their time at The Corner and gained a greater understanding of the valuable role it plays in supporting young people in the Mornington community.

We encourage all students to pop in and check out The Corner Youth Centre! Whether you are looking to try something new, meet other young people, get involved in a program or simply find a welcoming place to hang out, The Corner has plenty to offer.

Alex Mackenzie

Health and PE Teacher

Art Show

Please join us for a celebration of craft and creation from our Year 7–12 art students.

MADE. Art Show 26 will showcase the creativity, skill and dedication of our students across Years 7–12, with a diverse collection of artworks created throughout the year.

Where: The Gallery, M Block Art District

Gala Opening Night: Wednesday 11 November,  4.00–6.00pm

Gallery Showing: Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November, 3.30–5.00pm

We invite our college community to come along, view the work and celebrate the achievements of our young artists.

Wellbeing

Doctors in School

Remembrance Day Invitation

MSC students, staff and special guests will be in attendance at our Remembrance Day service on Wednesday 11th November, and we extend an invitation to all members of our school community to attend this event. If you would like to attend please RSVP by Friday 30th October via email to mornington.sc@education.vic.gov.au.

Support the Poppy Appeal

Poppy Appeal badges are currently available for purchase at the Administration Office, with prices ranging from $2 to $5.

Staff, students and families can buy a poppy to remember our veterans and help provide practical support, connection, dignity and stability for veterans and their families.

Donations can also be made directly via the Poppy Appeal website.

Student scholarships

The Department of Education manages a range of student scholarships. These are available for students who: 

• complete Grade 4 to Year 11 in 2026 
• are enrolled in Year 12 in 2026 and plan to do tertiary studies in 2027. 

The department will evaluate applicants on their: 

• academic achievement 
• participation in school and community activities 
• financial need.  

Scholarships are either one-off payments or cover the duration of the student’s course. 

Applications for these scholarships open on Thursday 1st October 2026 and close on Monday 1st February 2027. 

To view all available scholarships and for more information on each, including how to apply, refer to Student scholarships. 

Don’t Miss a Moment at MSC!

Follow Mornington Secondary College on Facebook & Instagram for news, events, and more so you never miss a moment of your student's learning journey.

Community News & Opportunities

Diabetes Victoria Fun Walk

Be Fit Food is proudly hosting the 13th Annual Diabetes Victoria Fun Walk on Sunday 15 November 2026 in Mount Martha, raising vital funds for Diabetes Victoria's Diabetes Camps program, which supports children and teenagers living with diabetes.

This is a family-friendly event featuring a 6 km walk, face painting, show bags and over $3,000 in raffle prizes!

Event details:

• Date: Sunday 15 November 2026
• Location: Mount Martha Village Back Carpark, Langrigg Avenue
• Time: Registrations from 8 am | Walk starts 8:45 am
• Entry: Children $5 | Adults $15 | Families $35

Register here: https://diabetes-victoria.grassrootz.com/2026-diabetes-victoria-fun-walk

Mornington Volleyball Club

Kingswim Mornington: Become a Swim Teacher

To learn more or to reach out to us