Principal's Report 

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Many people have commented to me over the course of this term that it feels very settled and calm across the college. I have wholeheartedly agreed with such a sentiment, as we have been able to find our learning groove quickly in February and classroom expectations have been set to ensure we are focusing on our core purpose – learning and wellbeing. There has been a lot of work happening in the background to set up our school learning environment for success this year and I thank the countless staff, working in partnership with families, to care for and support our students with the rigour of the learning and wellbeing strategies that are occurring each day.

School Uniform

We have high expectations around students wearing full and correct school uniform. It’s great to see almost every student demonstrating their pride in Mortlake College by wearing the correct uniform around school each day. We currently have a shortage of school uniform that can be purchased here at the college, but hopefully our order placed at the beginning of January will arrive shortly. If you need assistance with uniform, please contact us, as we are more than happy to help in any way that we can. 

Parent – Student – Teacher Learning Conferences

On Thursday April 3rd, parents, students, and teachers will have the opportunity to share learning strengths and challenges between the hours of 1-7pm.  Appointment times are available to be booked on Sentral. This is an incredibly important aspect of our teaching and learning at Mortlake College as it provides us with the opportunity to provide direct feedback on your child’s learning journey so far in 2025. It allows our teachers to hear directly from you regarding what supports your child might need for their learning moving forwards. And of course, it allows us to grow into a greater partnership between school and home to ensure we are working together to set high learning expectations for every student at Mortlake College. 

Interviews will be held at school and are a valuable chance to start a conversation about how students are working and behaving in their class subjects, and to discuss ways that students can improve their learning. 

NOTE: There are NO FORMAL CLASSES for STUDENTS on this day.

If you are unable to be involved in the conferences on Thursday 3rd April, please consider booking a different appointment time that suits both you and the teacher.

If you need assistance making a booking appointment on Sentral, or have additional questions about this day, please contact the school, as we are more than happy to assist you in any way that we can. 

Students in Years Prep-5: Families can make a 15-minute appointment with their child’s classroom teacher.

Students in Years 6-12: Families can make 10-minute appointments with their child’s Advocate Teacher, and then any additional subject areas.   

Student Term 1 Reports

Student Reports will be available to all families via Sentral on Wednesday April 2nd. If you need a paper copy of your child’s report, please let us know so that we can accommodate this. 

House Athletics Sports

Students have been busy practicing events in preparation for this event in their PE sessions. I hope to see many as many families as possible at our House Athletic Sports next Tuesday, March 25th. Students will arrive at school in their HOUSE colours and in sports This day will be held here at the College and begins at 9am with the 100m Sprints. The last event for the day is the relay. Families can take their child with them at the conclusion of the day (approx. 3pm), but please make sure that you sign them out first if it is before 3:20pm.  The 1500m and Hurdles has been completed in PE sessions, as the programme for the day is incredibly busy. Students love seeing friends and families at these events. 

Mortlake College Open Day 

We will be holding an Open Morning and community connection breakfast on Wednesday April 30th.   This is an amazing opportunity to meet with all families and staff as we share together the innovative and exciting opportunities that Mortlake College has to offer.  

Families who are interested in enrolling their child at Mortlake College in 2026 will receive enrolment packs and provided personalised tours with the school principal. 

Current families will be able to explore our valued learning sessions.

This morning will be busy and enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of families – new and existing – at this event. 

National Diversity and Harmony Week

Harmony Week - Everyone Belongs; is also celebrated in conjunction with Cultural Diversity Week and recognises diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. Throughout this week we will be celebrating that recognising diversity and the importance of bringing together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. While Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s rich cultural diversity, it is also important to focus on the urgency of combatting racism wherever and whenever it arises.

 Multiculturalism is a core part of the Victorian population, with over 30% of people living in our state being born overseas, and with over 290 languages spoken. In Victorian government schools over 36% of students enrolled are from language backgrounds other than English. For schools, this is a time to celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world. 

Friday March 21st: Students will be involved in a range of activities to celebrate identity, harmony and inclusivity. Please wear orange (staff, students and parents) to school on Friday and join us in celebrating our wonderfully diverse community, and the opportunity to learn from each other to strengthen our commitment to stamping out racism.

NAPLAN Testing

I would like to congratulate our Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 students for taking NAPLAN in their stride and taking a ‘matter of fact’ attitude to completing the tests last week. Students who were absent from school last week will have the opportunity to complete catch-up test today and tomorrow. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN is just one aspect of the college’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about each students’ educational progress. 

A huge appreciation to the teachers of students who competed these tests and to Geoff DeManser, Joel Barker and Anne DeManser who ensured that each test was completed so smoothly here at school last week. 

Parent Payments

Thank you to all parents who are up to date with Parent Payments or on a plan. Your contributions make a remarkable difference to our school and the programs/resources we offer. Please be familiar with the Parent Payment Policy as all extra curricula activities are offered on a user pay basis. We will ensure families are aware of all extra curricula activities well in advance to give you an opportunity to budget for these events and activities. 

Attendance 

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify their school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:- Online: log the absence directly using the Sentral platform. 

- Phone the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason on 5599 2204

- Email the school and provide the staff with your child’s name, class, date of absence/s and reason.- Return attendance letters to the classroom teacher.

The Department of Education requires parents to provide the school with an explanation for all student absences. This may include bereavement, dentist, family holiday, illness, medical and medical appointments, or religious/ cultural observance.

School and Student Insurance Reminder

Families are reminded that Mortlake P-12 College and the Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance and/or transport and any other transport costs incurred. Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from some commercial insurers and can be obtained by parents or guardians for individual students. Mortlake P-12 College and the Department of Education cannot advise parents or guardians on whether to purchase a student accident policy or ambulance cover, or which policy to purchase. It is recommended that they seek assistance in this matter with their insurance broker or find a suitable personal accident insurer online. 

Personal Property

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This may include mobile phones, iPads, laptops, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As Mortlake P-12 College or the Department of Education does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property; students, staff and visitors are discouraged from bringing any unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school. It is highly recommended parents insure their child’s personal property.

Building and Maintenance Work

Building and Maintenance works within/around the Activity Centre will start back up again today. Please be careful when moving/parking near this building area. Building works will be taking place within the school till the end of the Term 1 holiday break. 

 Important Upcoming Dates

Please continually check Sentral and the newsletter for important dates, student information, and highlights of events.

Important dates for Term 1:

• Tuesday March 25th: School Council AGM and General Meeting
• Tuesday March 25th: Mortlake College House Athletics Sports (All Students)
• Wednesday March 26th to Friday March 28th: Year 5-6 Camp (Sovereign Hill)
• Monday March 31st to Tuesday April 1st – Year 9/10 Advance camp
• Friday April 4th: Last Day of Term 1 (2:30pm Dismissal for all students)

We continue to promote high expectations of our whole school community every day and ensure we take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of disrespect, violence or abuse. There are so many wonderful things happening within and around our school community. Let’s embrace the celebrations together and make a true difference!

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal