Mortlake College Messenger

Principal's Report 

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

It is hard to believe we are beginning week 4! 

Over the past couple of weeks, our teachers have continued to prioritise relationships, integrate supports for adapting to change and setting up routines and expectations for the year ahead. This important work ensures that every student can be successful with their learning and social/emotional growth. 

We know that Schools are not only about learning in the classroom. They are dynamic places of human and cultural connections that provide present and future opportunities, to create healthy communal and self-identities within a tolerant and divergent local and global perspective. At Mortlake College, we are all working together to support our students to build a better world for their future!

 

Induction of Student Leaders & Welcome to 2025 Morning Tea

9am: Tuesday 25th February

We would like to invite all families to the official presentation of our student leaders on Tuesday Feb 25th, starting at 9am in the GGC. 

I have immense pride for all our students and am looking forward to watching our student leaders receive their badges for 2025. 

At the conclusion of this special presentation, I would like to invite families and friends to remain behind to share a special morning tea with me. This is a fabulous opportunity for you to share what you feel the College is doing well, and how we can make any improvements. 

 

House Swimming Sports

Last Monday’s House Swimming Carnival was a fantastic day. The change of date to accommodate the weather, made perfect conditions for students competing in swimming events, cheering, participating in the staff/student relay, and relaxing around the pool. It was great to see students giving it a go whether competing competitively or simply for the fun and in the spirit of gaining house points. 

A special thank you to Miss Amy Lodge for coordinating the carnival, staff who assisted on the day, and our families who supported our swimmers.

 Please check further within this newsletter for our Age Group Winners. 

In the end Endeavor were awarded Swimming House Champions.

I’m looking forward to our House Athletics Day on Tuesday March 25th, which will be held here at the College.

 

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. 

 

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

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 a school’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 students’ educational progress.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

Our Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 9 students will participate in NAPLAN testing from Wednesday 12th March until Friday 14th March followed by some catch up sessions if required for students absent. Additional information about the NAPLAN testing was sent home to relevant families last week.  

 

Attendance

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

Regular attendance at school is essential to support the learning, wellbeing and safety of children and young people. 

The College is working hard to support student attendance, and we encourage you to maintain a focus on delivering high-quality attendance practices in 2025. 

To continue to ‘build a learning culture of high expectations that empowers both students and staff’, our college has committed to improving student attendance and lateness.

 

Why is Attendance important?

• Regular attendance is essential to support every child’s learning and wellbeing. Absences from school may pose a potential risk to a child’s safety.

• An effective whole-school approach to improving attendance requires commitment from every school community member.

• School leadership is essential to setting high expectations for attendance.

• All staff have important roles and responsibilities in creating an engaging and inclusive environment and supporting students to attend school every day.

• Research shows that school communities that focus on continuous improvement within a tiered system of support experience the most significant improvement in student 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 (DE) 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.

 

Important Upcoming Dates

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

Important dates for Term 1:

  • Wednesday February 26th: Year 7-10 Immunisations
  • School Council Election Process: Dates - 
    • Please see School Council page (next)
  • Monday March 3rd: School Photos
  • Tuesday March 11th: Curriculum Day – All staff attending Professional Learning (No school for students on this day)
  • Wednesday March 12th: Prep students start school on a Wednesday
  • Wednesday March 12th: NAPLAN Testing begins for students in Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, and Year 9.
  • Tuesday March 25th: Mortlake College House Athletics Sports (All Students)
  • Wednesday March 26th to Friday March 28th: Year 5-6 Camp (Sovereign Hill)
  • Friday April 4th: Last Day of Term 1 

 

Thank you again for a positive start to 2025 and let’s keep that positive vibe flowing throughout the year. 

 

Linda Mooseek

Mortlake P-12 College Principal