From the Principal Team

To students and families,

Amazingly we have only four weeks of this term left. Next week our Semester 1 exam period commences for Years 10 and 11.

Year 10 - 12 end of semester assessment period information

From next week, Year 10 and 11 VCE ATAR students will be sitting semester exams, practising the skills they’ll need for the crucial final exams in Year 12. Studying for exams across a number of subjects is not an easy skill and something we want to provide multiple exposures to for our students before it counts towards a potential university offer.

Our Year 10 and 11 students in our Peninsula best-practice Applied Learning programs will be interviewed while giving presentations about their learning progress (Year 11 VCE VM) or undertaking a work experience block (Year 10 Pre-Senior) as they continue their journey towards being work, apprenticeship or traineeship-ready.

Our Year 12 VCE ATAR students will soon begin a series of in-class Unit 3 trial exams to assess their current understanding of the key knowledge and skills from Unit 3.

Meanwhile our Year 12 VM students are starting Unit 4 and their last 40 or so school days of their high-schooling journey.

Time really is flying and there isn’t a minute to waste!

Attendance Matters

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success at school. Every lesson counts, and even small amounts of missed time can have a significant impact on learning progress and relationships with peers and teachers. We encourage families to continue supporting strong attendance habits and to contact the College if additional support is needed.

End of Semester Approaching

As we move towards the end of semester, students should be ensuring that all coursework, checklist tasks and assessment requirements are up to date. This is an important time for students to seek feedback, attend support sessions where needed and finish the term strongly.

Students going to Nationals

As you’ll read elsewhere in this newsletter, we had every team in our Aerobics Squad compete at the State Finals last weekend, with our fantastic duo finishing 3rd in Victoria and qualifying for the National finals in August, along with our senior aerobics team, Nova. WelI done to Mya, Makena, Anna, Phoebe, Matilda, Lulu, Charlotte and Paula. Good luck at Nationals!

It was great seeing the camaraderie amongst our students during a long day in Rowville. A student from another school was overheard remarking “Oh that’s Mornington… they always get talked up for being so happy and supporting every school”. What an interesting remark from competitors who are almost exclusively from independent and fee-based faith schools. We are proud to have our students be known for that sort of behaviour!

Senior School Course Selection for 2027… coming soon.

Key information and dates are outlined .

Senior School Study Tip of the week: Set a “minimum study standard.” Even on busy days, 30 minutes counts.

Lisa Holt

Acting Principal

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Important Dates

Middle School Spotlight

Year 7 - Students of the Week

Owen Smith

Favourite food: Ice-Cream

Hobbies out of school: Sport (basketball and soccer) and watching movies

What sports team do you follow? Western Bulldogs

Favourite movie/TV show: Horror movies (Get out)

Do you have any pets? Two cats named Leo and Addi and a dog named Daisy

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Food Tech

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? The canteen

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Not sure but I’d like to go to University

Your greatest strength: Humanities and science are my strongest subjects at school

What three words best describe you? Energetic, happy, friendly

Maria Silva

Favourite food: Pasta

Hobbies out of school: Aerobics

Do you have any pets? No pets but I’d like a pet dog

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Competing in aerobics

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends and new subjects

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

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? I am from Columbia

Your greatest strength: Kind and caring

What three words best describe you? Kind, friendly, strong

Year 9 - Student Spotlight

Fern Jenner

Your MSC Highlight: Being part of the Aerobics Squad

Favourite Learning Activity you have completed in class this year: I really enjoy the cooking component in café catering.

What are you most looking forward to in Year 9? The camp to Cairns camp – it was fun, exciting and interesting.

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Being part of the wider school community with the Aerobics Squad and all the different excursions and camps we get to do.

Tom Milburn

Your MSC Highlight: The Year 9 Cairns Camp

Favourite Learning Activity you have completed in class this year:

School footy

What are you most looking forward to in Year 9? The Cairns camp – it was hot, fun and different.

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? I really enjoy the friendships I have made whilst at Mornington Secondary College. I really like having electives this year and being able to choose different sport subjects.

Nikki Huebers

Your MSC Highlight: The Year 9 Cairns Camp

Favourite Learning Activity you have completed in class this year: Go Karting for Teams Sport

What are you most looking forward to in Year 9? The Cairns camp – it was hot, adventurous and chill.

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? All the different camp opportunities and all the excursions we get to go on.

Aerobics State Finals Results

We are thrilled to share some outstanding results from the recent Aerobics State Finals, with eight MSC students qualifying for the National Championships later this year on the Sunshine Coast.

Our duo team Dynamite achieved a fantastic bronze medal performance to secure their place at Nationals, while senior team Nova impressed with a score of 91.80, finishing 5th overall and also progressing through to the national stage. For five of the eight students, this will be their very first National Championships experience, making the achievement even more exciting.

All MSC students represented the College with pride, determination and professionalism throughout the competition. Aerobics continues to grow rapidly as a sport, with an exceptionally high standard across the secondary school divisions, making these results even more impressive.

Our Year 7 and 8 team Ascend finished an outstanding 7th place, missing National qualification by less than a single point. Year 7 team Ignite also placed 7th in their division, while senior team Energise achieved 8th place in a very strong field.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication and improvement shown by all students since the State Qualifiers earlier this year. Their hard work, commitment and teamwork were on full display, and every student should be proud of reaching the State Finals stage.

Thank you to families for your ongoing support, and a special thank you to Evangeline Romage and Elise for their assistance and encouragement throughout the competition day at Rowville.

Fundraising is in full swing for the next stage of competition. Please pop into Hastings Bunnings on Sunday 31st May and support our squad in their fundraising efforts.

Indie Jowett

Aerobics Squad Coach

Camps

Year 9 Cairns Camp

The Year 9 Interstate Camp to Cairns was an unforgettable experience for the 40 students and four teachers who attended. Their adventure began Monday 18th May with an early 5:30am departure from school before flying from Melbourne to Cairns. After arriving and checking into our hotel in the centre of Cairns, students unpacked and enjoyed some downtime, with many making the most of the hotel pool. Later that day, the group headed to the Cairns Lagoon to relax, swim and soak up the tropical sunshine.

On the Tuesday, students split into two groups for different activities. Group A visited Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, where they saw snakes, cassowaries and crocodiles being fed. They then travelled to the Daintree Rainforest for a guided Indigenous bush walk, which followed a Welcome to Country ceremony and included traditional damper and tea.

Meanwhile, Group B travelled on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping along the way to admire the spectacular rainforest scenery before arriving at Kuranda Village for lunch and shopping. The group also enjoyed a guided walk to Barron Falls, where some adventurous students even sampled a green ant!

The Wednesday was a highlight for many, as the whole group travelled by boat to the Outer Great Barrier Reef pontoon. After an orientation session with a marine biologist, students suited up in stinger suits and went snorkelling amongst the reef. Many students were lucky enough to spot turtles, clownfish (“Nemo”), giant clams and stunning coral formations. Students also enjoyed the giant waterslide, glass-bottom boat tours and relaxing on the pontoon in the sunshine.

The boat trip itself was certainly memorable, with extremely rough conditions causing quite a few cases of seasickness — although Mrs Rattue was undoubtedly the most affected!

After returning to Cairns, students enjoyed some free time and dinner of their choice before swapping activities on the Thursday so each group could experience the alternate Tuesday program.

Friday 22nd May, our last day, arrived all too quickly. After breakfast, the group visited the local markets near the hotel, where students explored stalls filled with unusual tropical fruits and vegetables. Soon after, it was time to pack up and head to the airport for the journey home.

The camp was an incredible success, creating many unforgettable memories and providing students with wonderful new experiences. A huge thank you goes to Mr Olarenshaw, Mr Jones and Mrs Rattue for helping make the first Year 9 interstate camp such a fantastic experience.

MSC are looking forward to the Year 9 Cairns Camp in 2027!

Sian Jones

Year 9 Team Leader

Instagram Reel

Facebook Reel

Camp recounts from students:

I liked camp because I was with all my mates, there was a Maccas and the Daintree Rainforest was really cool. I liked the Skyrail and the Great Barrier Reef. It was a really good camp. - Jay

The Cairns Camp was one of the best camps I have been on, by far. I had a great time exploring the Cairns area with my friends. - Ryder

My favourite activity on camp was swimming at the Great Barrier Reef. I also liked all the free time we had around Cairns. - Tom

My favourite thing about camp was the activities we did, like the Skyrail, rainforest, croc farm and the reef. I learnt a lot about the environment in Cairns and how the area is being impacted, and how we can help. - Lucas

The Year 9 Cairns Camp is the best camp I’ve gone on. I experienced my first plane ride which went for 3-4 hours, which was a highlight.

It’s so hard to pick specific things I liked about camp because I enjoyed everything we did, excluding the violent boat ride that caused half the group to vomit (not me!!).

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway was fun. On Tuesday, my group went in gondolas and stopped off and walked on a short trail through nature and saw a massive waterfall, then finally spent the rest of lunch shopping in Kuranda and eating our lunch. The nature walk afterwards was also fun; I got to see a cute green caterpillar, a bush turkey, and most of the group licked green ants! I really liked the freedom we got in the evening to hang out with friends for hours and do as we please.

On Thursday, we went to see an Indigenous Australian who showed us around the land, and we learnt how they call out for help using trees. We also learnt that women have a sacred area and that punishments for men include being physically hurt whilst women may be banished. Later, we were shown a plant, and he explained the many different uses of it including cleaning wounds, so we crushed up the leaves, dipped them in water, and made a soap out of them which made our hands smell really nice.

Overall, I would give the experience a 10/10 and I would definitely recommend it. - Elise

The trip to Cairns last week was the school camp I've had the most fun on. It's difficult to pick the main thing I liked while there, I enjoyed the Skyrail where we took gondolas to Kuranda village. Throughout the gondola trip we went on short walks through nature and saw an impressive waterfall. At the end of the Skyrail we went on a walk through a National Park and waited for a train that never came. While we waited lots of people in my group took the opportunity to lick green ants (which tasted like a lemon).

On Wednesday we all went to the Great Barrier Reef which was amazing apart from when half of us got sick on the boat. We got to see turtles and lots of different types of fish.

On Thursday we went to the Crocodile farm. From the boat we saw a big crocodile named Zonk laying in the sun while other crocodiles were being teased with chicken heads. The last activity was a walk through the Daintree Rainforest. An indigenous Australian showed us how they live with nature and how they use the materials in the rainforest in their daily life. He showed us a plant which had leaves we could put in water and make soap and could also help heal cuts.

On the last day, before we got on a plane, we went to the market and got the chance to buy jewellery, souvenirs or exotic fruits.

I would definitely recommend going on this camp if the school runs it again. - Charli

On the 18th to the 22nd of May I got to experience the trip of a lifetime. On the 20th we got to go snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef - it really was a great wonder of the world. At first I was terrified to be swimming in the middle of the ocean while others were watching from the platoon, but as soon as I got into the water and saw all the different species of fish and coral I knew that this was an opportunity that I would only be able to experience once in my lifetime with my school.

Being around my friends only made it more of a truly incredible adventure. I'm very grateful to the school as they have presented this trip and I'm even more grateful to my parents who paid for it. -Emma

Excursions

Year 11 Cultural Immersion Day

Year 11 English and VM Literacy students recently participated in an engaging Melbourne city excursion that connected literacy, culture and real-world learning. Students travelled by train from Frankston Station to the city, where the day began with a visit to The Big Issue Classroom on Flinders Street. This interactive workshop encouraged students to think critically about social issues such as marginalisation, homelessness, disadvantage and inclusion, while hearing powerful stories and perspectives from guest speakers connected to The Big Issue organisation.

Students then explored Melbourne’s famous Hosier Lane, undertaking a guided street art tour that examined how artists communicate ideas, identity and social commentary through visual language and public art. The excursion concluded with a visit to Queen Victoria Market, where students immersed themselves in Melbourne’s multicultural atmosphere and observed the dynamic interactions between people, food, language and commerce. Items purchased this year included artwork, jewellery, fidgets, animal head and ear warmers, iconic food items such as donuts and HSP’s and of course, the famous pineapple bargain from the fruit and vegie section!

Throughout the day, students demonstrated excellent behaviour and represented the school positively while developing their understanding of literacy beyond the classroom. The excursion provided valuable opportunities for students to engage with diverse perspectives, strengthen their critical thinking skills and experience Melbourne’s rich cultural landscape first-hand. All staff attending agreed that it was a fabulous day getting to know our young people further with many great stories and laughs shared.

Jackie Lewis

Literacy Leader

School Sport

Team Vic Registrations Open Now

Victoria's emerging student-athletes can now register to trial for several Team Vic teams, to participate at School Sport Australia Championships, with registrations opening for other teams as required.

Before registering, please read the updated 2026 Information Sheet and the Trials Information and Selection Guidelines for your sport / team.

2026 Information Sheet

Incursions

Building Your Future Together - Brotherhood of St Laurence

Our Year 12 VCE VM students are currently taking part in the Building Your Future Together program, delivered onsite in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Thrive Hub. This strengths‑based initiative helps students recognise their capabilities through hands‑on, engaging activities such as mock interviews, public‑speaking games, teamwork challenges, and career vision boards.

The program is designed to:

boost confidence,
build motivation, and
support students as they explore future career and education pathways.

Across four weekly sessions, students:

develop transferable skills,
set personal goals,
learn practical financial capabilities, and
practise interview techniques in a supportive environment.

The program also connects students with the Thrive Hub for ongoing community support beyond the classroom. Fully funded and facilitated by experienced Brotherhood of St Laurencestaff, this initiative provides valuable preparation as students move toward life after school.

To learn more about Thrive Hub in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area click on the below link or arrange an appointment via the contact details below.

Thrive Hub

Address: 3-5 Thompson Street, Frankston, Victoria 3199

Phone Contact: 1300 875 791

Email: thrivehubfmp@bsl.org.au

Mission Australia Survey

This week our senior students took part in the Mission Australia Survey, giving them the opportunity to have their say.

Each year, thousands of young people (aged 14-19) share their thoughts through the Youth Survey - the nation’s largest annual survey of its kind. Their input helps to understand the issues, challenges and opportunities that matter most to young people today and informs advocacy for change.

What mattered to young people in 2025? In last year’s survey young people named cost of living as the most important issue in Australia. Mental health, climate change and the environment, and housing and homelessness were also seen as major national issues.

Students aged 14-19 years old can click on the below link to participate in the survey.

Mission Australian Survey

Learning Snapshot

Year 11 Biology

Year 11 Biology students are currently completing their final SAC for Unit 1 Biology with a literature review and self-designed practical. They are investigating the impact of temperature, caffeine, or alcohol on the heart rate of Daphnia (water fleas). The Daphnia have a transparent body which enables students to see the beating heart of an alive organism. This week students submitted a scientific poster of their findings.

Dana Lamb

Head of Science

Year 7 Health and Physical Education Term 2 Update

Year 7 students have had a good term in Health and Physical Education and have hopefully learnt and taken away a lot in their Health and PE classes.

In Practical PE, students have recently completed their Invasion Sports unit, with a major focus on developing skills, teamwork and game sense through Netball. It has been pleasing to see students improve their passing, movement, communication and understanding of tactics throughout the unit.

Students have now moved into their Net and Wall Games unit, with most classes beginning by developing their badminton skills. Students are learning and practising serving, forehand and backhand shots, rallying and court positioning, while continuing to build confidence, coordination and teamwork.

In Health classes, students have been undertaking a unit focused on Mental Health. Throughout the unit, students have explored topics including mental wellbeing, resilience, self-confidence and strategies to support positive mental health. Students have engaged thoughtfully in discussions and activities surrounding these important topics.

A personal highlight for me as the teacher of 7D was watching students demonstrate incredible courage and self-belief during a recent class activity where they performed a song in front of their peers. It was fantastic to see so many students step outside their comfort zones, support one another and grow in confidence.

We look forward to another exciting term of learning and participation in Health and Physical Education.

Rob Horwill

Head of PE

Pathways

Career events 2026

There are some exciting outings in Term 2 in the career space!

Please pay and consent on Compass for the following Year Level events if relevant to your student:

Year 11-12 VCE VM FMP Career & Pathways Expo, Mount Martha

Compass Consent and Payment due: 4th June

Event date: Tuesday 9th June

Event Information

Year 10 Holmesglen Institute campus tour, Chadstone

Compass Consent and Payment due: 5th June

Event date: Friday 19th June

Holmesglen website

Year 10 Monash University campus tour, Clayton

Compass Consent and Payment due: 12th June

Event date: Friday 26th June

Monash Clayton website

Year 10 and Year 11 Melbourne Careers Expo, Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre

Compass Consent and Payment due: 23rd June

Event date: Friday 17th July

Melbourne Career Expo

Wellbeing

In recognition of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) please read below a summary of the First Nations Excursionsour student are recently attended.

On 7th May our Koori students attended the Term 2 KELiS event hosted by Dromana Secondary College. We were greeted with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Uncle Josh West. Afterwards Aunty Jill West shared her story, empowering the next generations of Koori leaders.

There were three group activities during the day:

working with VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency),
FPAV (First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria) discussed the Treaty, and
Nairm Marr (a Frankston based Aboriginal Association) demonstrated different tools and students learnt the art of making fire.

On the 13th May our Junior Ranges members visited The Briars to enjoy a session with Barama Blow (Deadly Kultja). During the first part of the morning Barama educated the students on flag meanings and artefacts and spoke briefly on the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Barama taught the students a Torres Strait Island song and the basic understanding of words of local language. The first session ended with a Yidaki performance: sounds of the didgeridoo. After morning tea the students learned Kultja games, which was thoroughly enjoyed.

On the 21st May five MSC students attended the Dreamtime Expo with Richmond Football Club and Korin Gamadji Institute at the MCG. Over 200 Koori students attended from Victoria, Northern Territory and Torres Strait Islands. There were many speakers throughout the day including Aunty Pam (daughter of Sir Doug Nicholls), indigenous Richmond footballers Rhyan Mansell and Maurice Rioli, uncle Michael Mitchell and singer Becca Hatch. During the day many of the students were able to get up and have a yarn or perform a dance. A great day was had by all.

School Visitors

High Schooler for a Day - Benton Junior College Year 5s

This week Benton Junior College students stepped into life at MSC for a High Schooler for a Day experience.

From mystery writing challenges to tabloid sports, there was plenty of fun and teamwork. A big thank you to our amazing Year 7 and Year 10 students who helped guide and support the visiting students along the way.

We loved having BJC on campus and can’t wait to welcome them back again!