From the Principal

Good morning, today is Happy Principal’s Day. I would like to publicly thank the Assistant Principal’s for their professionalism and commitment to the students, staff and parents of Mornington Secondary College. They do outstanding work.

This week Australian NAPLAN was highlighted within various media outlets. Victorian schools out performed other States.

‘The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has now published the statewide NAPLAN data results – and Victorian schools have achieved outstanding results.

On 5 key metrics, Victorian schools have done exceptionally well.

1. Year-on-year improvement

When we look at our performance in 2025 compared to the previous year, mean scores were higher in 17 of the 20 measures. It is particularly noteworthy that secondary schools in Victoria exceeded 2024 results on every measure!

Not only did we improve, but we improved almost 3 times as much as the other jurisdictions that also showed an improvement on their 2024 results. In Victoria, we achieved an average improvement of 3.6 scale score points in each domain. The equivalent figure in New South Wales was 1.3 and in South Australia it was 1.2.

2. Relative performance

The 2025 Victorian NAPLAN results were the best in the country. We ranked either first or second in 18 of the 20 measures, well ahead of any other jurisdiction.

3. High-performing students

More students achieved in the strong or exceeding bands in 18 of 20 measures in 2025 compared to 2024, and Victoria had the largest or second largest proportion of students achieving at these levels on more measures than any other jurisdiction. This is a clear testament to the work that Victorian schools are doing to enable and support the achievement of excellence in our classrooms.

4. Fewer students needing additional support

Not only are we supporting more students to achieve excellence, we are ensuring that fewer students need additional support. In 2025, on 16 of 20 measures, fewer students achieved in the bottom band than was the case in 2024, and Victoria had the first or second lowest percentage of students in the bottom band on more measures than any other jurisdiction.

5. Student engagement

Student participation in NAPLAN improved at each year level in 2025 compared to 2024 and was the second highest participation rate ever, behind only the first year of NAPLAN in 2008.

While these results are exceptionally good, and a result of the outstanding professionalism of Victoria’s school staff, there remains work to be done’.

At Mornington Secondary College, the percentage of current Year 9 students scoring Exceeding or Strong in Year 9 NAPLAN is in the table below, compared with the State. This is a fantastic result.

Outstanding MSC Year 9 NAPLAN Results

Have a wonderful week.

Linda Stanton

Principal

Important Dates

Term 3 2025

Middle School

Supporting Young People in a Rapidly Changing Digital World

As we continue to prepare our students for life beyond school, it is impossible to ignore the rapid pace of technological advancement shaping our world. From smartphones to smart homes, and now artificial intelligence (AI), technology is evolving faster than ever — influencing how we work, learn, and connect with others.

At Mornington Secondary College, we are committed to helping students safely navigate this fast-changing landscape. As part of our focus on digital wellbeing and responsible technology use, we want to keep families informed of important developments.

I am sure many of you are aware of the federal government’s social media ban for users under the age of 16 to be implemented in December this year.

One significant change on the horizon is Australia’s world-first ban on social media for children under the age of 16. The federal government has announced that all platforms — including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and now YouTube — will require users to verify their age, with under-16s unable to create accounts. This move follows strong recommendations from the eSafety Commissioner, and is aimed at protecting the mental health and wellbeing of young people by reducing exposure to harmful content and online bullying.

While the details of how this ban will be implemented are still being finalised, it sends a clear message: online safety matters, and children need strong support and boundaries when engaging with digital spaces.

At school, we continue to promote digital literacy, critical thinking, and respectful online behaviour. At home, we encourage parents and carers to talk openly with their children about social media, AI, and the role of technology in their lives. 

Together, we can help young people become safe, responsible, and informed digital citizens.

We encourage all families to stay up to date with developments, as the rollout will have implications for how young people engage with technology and online content. Supporting your child to navigate these changes will be important, particularly as more information becomes available in the coming months.

Wishing our families a wonderful week 

Denise Leggett

Assistant Principal

Senior School

To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,

I’m back from a week of Long Service Leave, I think close to the first I’ve taken in close to 20 years… I’m feeling somewhat refreshed (Influenza A was not on my preferred use of holiday list) and ready for an action-packed term. Hopefully our senior school students are also raring to go in a term that really is all about future planning. Speaking of raring to go, our Senior National Aerobics Squad are performing a showcase on Friday evening as a fundraiser for their upcoming trip to Hobart. For a gold coin donation, you can come along and see all the hard work these dedicated students have been putting in for the National Finals.

Course selection for 2026

All senior school students are selecting future pathways over the next few weeks, either for VCE or for post-secondary education. It’s an exciting time and a valuable opportunity for enriching conversations between students, parents and school staff about student hopes and dreams for the future. I can’t wait to see you all over the next couple of weeks. As always, we rely heavily on data from student performance as the most reliable indicator of how students will perform in different subjects and programs. We always want students to pick subjects they like, subjects they are good at, and then subjects which may be required for their future career/ further education.

Our Year 12 ATAR students will be setting up VTAC accounts next week which are to be used to apply for tertiary courses requiring an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank). Over the next 3 weeks they’ll learn about different course application requirements (although many already know after meeting with Kylie in our pathways office) and about SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) which can promote their selection rank (changed the ATAR without changing the ATAR).

VCE VM activities

During Term 3 the VCE Vocational Major program at Mornington Secondary College will host their Community Market Day on Tuesday, 26th August. This event is completely run by Year 12 Vocational Major students during recess and lunchtime, raising funds for the school’s chosen charity – ‘Home Ground’. Home Ground is an organisation that was created with a vision to ‘champion the strengths of the local community’.  They aim to bridge the gap between unemployed youth within the region providing an opportunity to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.

The students are seeking donations from our local community to assist them with their stalls. Any donations would be greatly appreciated by our students and will help to contribute to the success of the Market Day stalls or the overall raffle prizes. For any donations or queries please contact Kirsty Hamson (VCE VM PDS teacher) at kirsty.hamson@education.vic.gov.au.

Term 3 2025

Kind regards,

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Shining in Semester 2

As we begin the second semester, it’s the perfect time for students to reset, refocus, and renew their efforts. The start of a new term brings fresh opportunities for growth—academically, socially, and personally. Whether your child had a strong start to the year or faced a few challenges, Semester 2 is a clean slate and a chance to finish the year well.

Over the next three weeks, teachers will be completing progress checks to get a clear picture of how each student is tracking in their learning. These checks are not about judgement—they’re about identifying strengths, gaps, and next steps. They also help us have meaningful conversations during Parent-Teacher Interviews, which will take place the following week.

We encourage you to talk with your child about their goals for this term and how they plan to approach their learning. Small changes in routine—like being more organised, seeking help early, or committing to completing homework—can make a big difference.

Let’s work together to help every student make the most of this second half of the year.

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

 Students of the Week

Year 7 Milla Kohn

Favourite food: Pan Fried Dumplings

Hobbies out of school: Football (Westernport) and Netball (Somerville )

What sports team do you follow? Richmond Tigers

Favourite movie/TV show: Harry Potter and the Maze Runner  

Do you have any pets? A dog named Chalk 

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

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? An entrepreneur (a business owner) 

Year 7 Levi D’arcy  

Favourite food: Apple Pie

Hobbies out of school: Playing Footy – I play for Tyabb. I also like playing video games 

What sports team do you follow? The Richmond Tigers

Favourite movie/TV show: Happy Gilmore

Do you have any pets? I have 2 dogs named Bailey & Bella

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? The different opportunities, recess and lunch & interschool sport

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? I have no idea but something that pays well

Year 8 Jackson Cooke  

Favourite food: Lasagna

Hobbies out of school: Soccer and badminton 

What sports team do you follow? North Melbourne and Liverpool

Favourite TV show: Brooklyn 99

Do you have any pets? No, but I have an 18 year old brother and a 3 year old sister

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? I enjoy all the excursions we have and talking to friends

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? Architectural engineering

Year 8 Tabitha Riddle   

Favourite food: Pretzels

Hobbies out of school: Karate and hanging out with friends

What sports team do you follow? North Melbourne & Brisbane Broncos

Favourite TV show: Eurovision

Do you have any pets? A cat named Moe, 2 rabbits; Snowflake and Fluffy and 16 fish

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? Seeing my friends and food tech

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

2025 Production FROZEN JR - Tickets on Sale

Final rehearsals are in full swing and our FROZEN JR team, including the crew on stage and behind the scenes, are ready to “Let it go! Let it go!" They "can’t hold it back anymore!” 

Tickets are available to purchase via trybooking - DON'T MISS OUT!  Remember we have a sing-a-long session on our open night so you can join in the fun!

When:        Tuesday 5 August 2025 SING-A-LONG SESSION     7-8:30pm

                     Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th August 2025     7-8:30pm

                     Saturday 9th August 2025     2-3:30pm

Location:   Performing Arts Theatre, 1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington Vic 3931

Tickets can be purchased via trybooking, on the below link.

State Cross Country

On Thursday July 24th, Mornington Secondary College was proudly represented by six outstanding athletes who qualified for the School Sport Victoria State Cross Country Championships, held at the Yarra Valley Racecourse.

The pre-race nerves were real, but with clear blue skies and a lush green track, the conditions were perfect for competition.

Congratulations to Hannah Cooper and Amelia Pascuzzo on competing in your first State Cross Country event! You both ran brilliantly and represented MSC with pride.

A huge achievement goes to our 15 Years Boys Team, who were crowned State Champions for the second consecutive year! This is a testament to the dedication and teamwork shown across the 2024 and 2025 Division, Southern Metropolitan Region, and State Championships.

MSC Results:

Girls 14 Years: Hannah Cooper – 41st

Girls 15 Years: Amelia Pascuzzo – 21st

Boys 15 Years – Team State Champions

Ethan Sheen – 7th

Rafa Merchan – 32nd

Kai Peel – 34th

Bailey Barrett – 57th

A tremendous effort by all athletes, whose hard work and commitment to training led to these fantastic results.

A big thank you to all the family members who made the trek to Yarra Glen to cheer on and support our team—your encouragement means the world!

Alexandra Mackenzie

Health and PE Teacher

Aerobics Showcase Night

Tonight, Friday 1st of August, we will be holding an Aerobics Showcase Night to celebrate and raise funds for our incredible Aerobics Squad. We would like to invite all staff, students, families and friends to attend this night to support and cheer on our teams before they head off to Nationals later in August. 

The showcase will begin at 5:30pm in the Robert Herbert Gym and will consist of performances by all of our teams along with some games and raffles. Please bring a gold coin for entry and some spare change for the raffle and games. 

Raffle tickets and entries in the 'Guess The Lollies In The Jar' can be bought on the night. 

We would like to thank all of the businesses who have donated to our raffle so far. Please see below what you could win!

1st Place

• Fernwood Mornington: One month membership + 1 PT session (valued at $259)
• CorePlus Rosebud: 10 Class Pack voucher (valued at $280)
• The Private Sea: The Resilien-Sea Pack (valued at $109)
• Chemist Warehouse Mornington: Variety of products

2nd Place

• Bayside Osteo Clinic: Initial consultation/ 45-min appt (valued at $140)
• LUUP: Gift box
• Fernwood Mornington: 5 Pack Reformer Pilates (valued at $125)
• Farrell’s Book Shop: $30 voucher

3rd Place:

• Fernwood Mornington: 5 Pack FiiT30 (valued at $125)
• Zen Living: Gift Voucher (valued at $25)
• Chemist Warehouse Mornington: Variety of products

PLUS … many more raffle prizes up for grabs from KX Pilates Mornington, Enchanted Adventure, Warrior One Mornington, Bunnings Warehouse Mornington, Mornington Golf Club, Strong Pilates and The Winey Cow.

We can't wait to see you there! Let's come together to celebrate our hard-working students and the incredible year they've already had in the aerobics program. 

Indie Jowett

Aerobics Squad

Year 10 Monash University Clayton Campus Tour

On Wednesday 30th July, 50 Year 10 students attended Monash University Clayton campus. The students participated in the “Campus Challenge” with the purpose to explore and learn about university at Monash. Students had to visit specific areas within the campus to be able to answer all the questions. The questions led them to various areas; Menzies Building (Lecture theatres), Science Student Study Lounge, Sir Louis Matheson Library, Law Building, Monash Sport, Monash Residential Services (Student Accommodation), Jock Marshall Reserve (Science areas), Campus Centre (Food, Pharmacy area) and Kenneth Hunt Garden (Engineering areas). 

After their day of exploring we hope all students now have a better insight into the course offerings, and are excited about a specific area of study they wish to pursue, whether it’s at Monash University or other universities. 

During our tour we witnessed Monash Clayton preparing for their Open Day this weekend. For those who would like to attend 2025 Open Days at Clayton, Caulfield or Peninsula Monash campuses this weekend or the Parkville campus Open Day on 17th August, you can register using the below link.

Kylie Lebrasse

Careers Practitioner

Southern Metropolitan Region Championships 

Intermediate Girls Badminton 

On Friday 25th July our Intermediate Girls’ Badminton Team comprising of Avantika Ale, Regan Bolger, Aoife McGrane and Seren McMullen competed at the SMR Badminton Championships which were held at the Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough. 

There were 8 teams in the competition which was divided into two pools of 4 teams. Our team was competing against Westall SC, Narre Warren South SC and Frankston SC. The first match was played against Westall SC which was to be the girls’ toughest encounter of the pool losing 6 games to 0. The second match was played against Narre Warren South SC, with the girls match score improving to a 5-1 loss. Our final pool game against Frankston SC was the girls’ best result of the day, winning a very tight contest with both teams winning 3 games. The final result was decided on a points countback with Mornington scoring 116 points to Frankston’s 111points. The standard of the games was extremely high with some truly excellent rallies on display. 

All matches in the competition were played with wonderful team spirit and sportsmanship with the girls’ supporting each other and appreciating their competition. The girl’s will keep training at lunch times to build upon their skills, and we will see them in action again in 2026.

John Walker

College Sport Coordinator 

Intermediate Boys AFL 

On Monday July 28th, a strong Intermediate Boys team travelled to Langwarrin with the hopes of making it through to State level. We started very well making short work of McKinnon and Alkira. We then matched up against Franston in the semi final. Unfortunately we were not at our best and the bounce of the ball didn't go our way, unfortunately resulting in a four goal loss. Best players: Rafa Merchan, Caiden Styles, Jackson Ablett, Casey Davies.

Adam Pirrie

Team Leader Year 8

Senior Girls Netball 

On Monday July 30, our Senior Girls A Team – a combined squad of Year 11 and 12 students – faced off against some of the strongest netball schools in the region at the SMR Finals. Competing in a tough pool, we took on Parkdale Secondary College, Frankston High School, and Cranbourne Secondary College.

The girls secured convincing wins over both Frankston and Cranbourne. However, it was our first-round clash with Parkdale that proved to be an absolute thriller. Parkdale brought height, polish, and intensity, with a level of pace and skill rarely seen in school-based netball.

We were level with Parkdale at the end of the first quarter, thanks to the outstanding combination of Edie Baard and Sacha Brown in the goal ring. Their movement and accuracy under the post kept us right in the game. In the second quarter, Parkdale lifted their intensity, creating space well through the midcourt and transitioning quickly into attack. This challenged defenders Emmerson Mellor and Tehya Baard, who worked tirelessly to slow the feed into the ring. Despite the pressure, we went into halftime just a few goals down.

Fresh legs in the form of dynamic duo Abbey and Jacinta Moresco gave us a much-needed spark in the third term, but Parkdale's relentless pace and exceptional fitness ultimately saw them pull away to an 8 goal victory.

Considering this team had minimal training and had only played one full game together this year, their performance was outstanding. They made MSC incredibly proud, particularly as this was the final time many of the players would represent the school in netball. Well done, girls!

Michelle Barnes

Curriculum Implementation Leader

Year 8 Science - Chemistry

This term, 8C have been awesome in the Science Lab as they dive deep into their Chemistry unit! From atoms to reactions, students have worked really well on both practical and theoretical components of the course.

A major highlight has been their recent practical investigation involving the decomposition of copper carbonate. With safety goggles on and lab coats ready, 8C carefully heated copper carbonate to observe the chemical change first hand. It wasn’t just about flames and fizz—it was about thinking like real scientists: making predictions, recording observations, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. 

The class has shown awesome maturity and enthusiasm, demonstrating their understanding of key chemical concepts while handling equipment responsibly and working collaboratively.

Rob Horwill

Head of PE

Canine Therapy

This term MSC have welcomed Canine Comprehension onsite weekly to offer dog-assisted programs which aim to support students mental health and well-being. Throughout Term 3, a Canine Comprehension handler and their Animal Assisted Therapy dog will attend the school as a weekly incursion and deliver one of the four programs offered: Communication on the inside and out, Friendship and Responsibility, Beyond Lockdowns, and Grief and Loss. These sessions explore strategies to assist with anxiety, mindfulness techniques, and interpersonal and social skills, including listening, team building and verbal communication skills. The presence of a therapy dog is intended to calm students, allowing them to open up about their experiences and discuss them with the mentor. 

Nicole Boland

Mental Health Practitioner

Osborne Primary School Science Visit

On Wednesday 30th July the MSC Science Department welcomed Grade 5 visitors from Osborne Primary School. With our Year 7s involved as mentors, our visitors experienced the fun of Science at Secondary College with the dry ice experiments of creating fog with warm water, forming bubbles, and making a "singing spoon" the big hit on the day!

VM 1st Aid

VCE Vocational Major students completed their First Aid qualifications through EduClick this term. The course provided students with an introduction to the essential knowledge and skills required to provide immediate assistance in a medical emergency. They learnt how to stay calm and act confidently under pressure, ensuring the best possible outcome for the person in need.

Throughout the course, they covered key topics such as:

• Assessing a casualty, performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the use of a defibrillator
• Handling common injuries like cuts, burns, and fractures
• Dealing with medical emergencies such as choking, heart attacks and strokes

Our students now possess the appropriate training and confidence to respond to emergencies, support others in need, and contribute to a safer community.

Congratulations to all our students who successfully completed this course. 

Kate Wilson

Head of Department - VCE Vocational Major 

Netball Squad: Hallam Academy Friendly

On Thursday 31st July our MSC Netball Squad hosted Hallam Academy in a series of friendly matches. Our Year 9 Team took on their Year 9/10 Team for the first game of the day, winning convincingly in the second half. The second game saw our VCE girls take the court against Hallam’s Senior Team, where we had another convincing win. The final match of the day saw the two junior teams face each other. Our MSC girls dominated the game from start to finish. It was a fantastic experience for all the girls involved and we are looking forward to going to Hallam later this term to face off again. 

A big thankyou to the girls that helped umpire and score and a huge congratulations to all of our girls that the court who showed sportsmanship and respect all around. 

Junior Girls: MSC 36 def. Hallam 4

Intermediate Girls: MSC 35 def. Hallam 24

Senior Girls: MSC 31 def. Hallam 20

Kim Rattue and Evangeline Romage

Netball Squad Leaders

Junior Rangers

On Wednesday 30th July some of our indigenous students recommenced the Junior Ranger Program at Point Nepean National Park. The program, which is delivered by Traditional Owners, Elders, Rangers, and other community members in a hands on, excursion based format that connects the students to cultural land management practices, sustainability, and conservation and ecosystem management in a culturally safe space. 

Some of the activities in this week's session included teaching students the origin of and how to use a yidaki (traditional didgeridoo), as well as the opportunity to do some artwork/burning on the yidaki, and a jewellery making session using natural materials fibres, emu feathers etc with indigenous artist Nikki Browne. 

Nicole Boland

Mental Health Practitioner

Year 7 Term 3 Welcome Assembly

At the Year 7 Term 3 Welcome Assembly this week Strive Gold Stars and Merit Awards were presented to deserving recipients. Congratulations to all!

The Power of Good Nutrition for our Students

Teenage years are a time of rapid growth, learning, and change. To fuel their bodies and minds, teenagers need more than just food—they need good nutrition.

During adolescence, the body undergoes significant physical development, including growth spurts, hormonal changes, and brain maturation. These changes make it essential for teenagers to have a balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods that support physical health, mental wellbeing, and academic performance.

Why Nutrition Matters

• Supports Growth and Development: Teenagers need increased amounts of calcium, iron, protein, and vitamins to support bone growth, muscle development, and hormonal changes.
• Boosts Energy and Concentration: A balanced diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats gives teens the energy they need for school, sport, and social activities. It also helps with focus, memory, and mood.
• Supports Mental Wellbeing: There is growing evidence linking diet to mental health. Eating regular meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients can help regulate mood and reduce stress or anxiety.

What Does a Balanced Teen Diet Look Like?

• Vegetables and fruit: Aim for a variety of colours every day
• Whole grains: Such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, and oats
• Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, legumes
• Dairy or alternatives: Milk, yoghurt, or calcium-fortified substitutes
• Healthy fats: Nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil
• Water: The best drink of all!

Tips for Families

• Encourage shared meals at home
• Offer healthy snacks like fruit, veggie sticks, or trail mix
• Limit sugary drinks and highly processed foods
• Involve teens in shopping and cooking—empower them to learn about food

Good nutrition isn’t about perfection—it’s about making better choices more often. Let’s support our students in becoming strong, healthy, and confident young adults—starting with what’s on their plate.

Shaun Doherty

Year 9 Coordinator

Hands on Learning

In the week first back of Term 3 the HoL Friday crew learnt the skill of bread making. Matt Butcher provided a hands on demonstration, and the HoL vegetable garden was harvested for carrots after the holiday break.

Breakfast Club

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, students are invited to attend a school-supplied breakfast. Breakfast is served in a casual cafe style environment that allows students to start the day with a nutritious meal and encourages social connection. All students are welcome to attend, 8am-8.45am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Generous community donations assist programs such as Breakfast Club. Thank you to the Lions Club of Mornington for your financial support.

New Staff 

Hi I’m Zac and I starting as an Inclusion Aide this term. You might have noticed me around already as I have already done a University placement at MSC this year in the PE Department. Outside of school I’m in my second year of studying a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education and I also enjoy going to the gym and watching the footy.

Zac Johnson

Integration Aide

Hi, I am Mia and I am joining Mornington Secondary College as a new member of Inclusion. I am currently studying at Monash University doing a Degree of Business and Secondary Education, and am coming to an end of my degree now with this year being my final year of studies. I was lucky enough to spend some time at Mornington Secondary College during 2023 on placement, so it is nice to see some familiar faces around. 

Mia Dimech

Integration Aide

Hi, I’m Caillin and I’m a new member of the Inclusion Aide team, working Tuesdays and Wednesdays! I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University and I previously did Visual Arts at RMIT. I’m hoping to do a teaching course in the future but right now I’m studying Philosophy! In my free time I like playing video games, and in my cat’s free time, she enjoys stepping all over my keyboard.

Caillan MacLeod

Integration Aide

Principals' Day

Today our school community recognises and appreciates the hard work and dedication of our Principal Linda Stanton and Assistant Principals Michael Parker, Denise Leggett and Nick Evans.

To learn more or to reach out to us