Principal's Message

Dear MGSC Community

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope the break provided an opportunity to rest and recharge, and that you are returning with a sense of renewed energy for the term ahead. It has been wonderful to see the school quickly come back to life, with a full program of learning, co-curricular activities and community events already underway.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to any new staff who have joined us this term, as well as those returning from leave. It is always a strength of our college that new and returning staff are so well supported by their colleagues, and I thank them all for the way they contribute to a positive and inclusive professional environment.

The beginning of term has also brought some important organisational updates, including adjustments within the Middle School structure and ongoing work around our Statement of Expectations, entry and exit routines, and supervision practices. These are important elements of our collective work, ensuring consistency, clarity and high expectations for our students. I appreciate the professionalism with which staff continue to engage with these priorities.

A particular highlight over the past fortnight has been the extraordinary success of our Aerobics and Dance program at the regional competition. It was my pleasure to attend and, alongside Hayley Dureau, cheer on our students as they competed. The results achieved are outstanding, with many qualifying for State Finals and others progressing through wildcard opportunities. This level of achievement reflects not only the dedication of our students, but also the expertise, commitment and support of our coaches and student coaches, and the leadership of Tess Molina. It is something we should all feel very proud of as a school community.

Our co-curricular and community events continue to be a defining feature of Mentone Girls’ Secondary College. From the Aerobics and Dance Showcase and Show & Tell Night, to College Tours and upcoming performances, these opportunities allow our students to demonstrate their talents and showcase the breadth of our programs. Thank you to all staff who contribute their time and energy to making these events possible.

Over the weekend, Wendy Harvey and Blanka West accompanied the All-Stars Choir and Madrigal to Choral@Melbourne. This provided our students with the opportunity to perform in an acoustically rich space to an appreciative audience. I also acknowledge the ongoing work of Nina Selover in supporting the students during Blanka’s absence last term and as she transitions back to full-time work. Many thanks also to Carol Duggan for attending on the day in support of the program.

We have also seen strong engagement in student learning experiences beyond the classroom, including camps, work experience preparation, Elevate study sessions, and Outdoor Education programs. These experiences are integral to the development of our students, building independence, resilience and real-world understanding.

Thank you to the staff for providing an engaging, inclusive and high-quality learning environment that reflects our core values of inclusivity, empowerment, creativity and achievement for all students at Mentone Girls’ Secondary College.

Kind regards

Linda Brown

Principal