Deputy Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 4.  In the last three weeks there has been plenty of activity around the College. Our Year 12 students have been revising and sitting practice exams which provides a genuine opportunity to experience the exam conditions while gaining valuable feedback. Students attended GWR Athletics, competed in several Clay Target competitions, cricket and much more that you will encounter later in this newsletter.  The Visual Art and Technology students' exhibition Tuesday evening was a showcase and opportunity for these extremely creative individuals to shine. I extend my thanks to all staff who have put in an extraordinary amount of time into supporting our senior students in preparing for exhibitions and VCE examinations.

On Wednesday we farewelled the Year 12 students at their final assembly. In my address I congratulated our Year 12 cohort on their achievements inside and outside the classroom.  I reminded them in the words of Dr Seuss.

‘“Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” (Dr Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go)

One of the joys as educators is the ability to guide and support students to grow and succeed. The graduating class of 2023 are empathetic, confident and adaptable. I encouraged the students to reflect on the end of this schooling journey.  They have lived through the extraordinary time of remote learning. To explore the experiences, challenges and joys that provided valuable learning opportunities, that have shaped who they are today. To embed the MSC way of being humble, generous in the world with a loving and open heart.  Monivae College will always be a part of their story and a place to return to. 

2024 Senior Leaders

At the same time as we farewelled our current Year 12 group, it was an opportune time for the investiture of our school leaders for 2024. Family members of these students were invited to come forward to stand behind their child. Relationships are at the heart of what we do at Monivae and in fact at all MSC schools, which is why we ask family members to be part of this special Investiture Ceremony.

School Captains -  Will McAdam and Tana Nedziwe 

Vice Captains - Lucille Aarons and Riley Casey

Sports Captain - Ella Sevior

Arts Captain - Tayla Lewis

Ffrench House Captains - Charlie Field and Jack Jennings

Glenelg House Captains - Erin Hannig and Lexie Purcell

Mitchell House Captains - Cooper Hein and Millie Kruger

Lonsdale House Captains - Alyssa Errey and Tessa Kelly

Boarding Captain - Hayley Cumming

Cadet Captain - RSM Stella Raymond

Cadet Ceremonial Parade Reminder - Sunday 22nd October

This year marks the 61st Cadet parade at Monivae. A remarkable achievement. I would like to remind all families of the importance of this day and that it is also a compulsory school day. Rolls will be taken and any student who is absent will be required to attend school on Monday 6th November. Please email Katee Mitchell (Director of Students) if this is the case cmitchell@monivae.vic.edu.au 

Tutor Learning program 

The Tutor Learning Program commences 10 October (week 2) Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-6pm, in the school Library, and concludes 22 November (week 8). All students are welcome to attend.

A beautiful reflection from John O’Donohue to start the term. 

God bless 

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart, 

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

This beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,

Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,

Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety

And the grey promises that sameness whispered,

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

- John O'Donohue

Mrs Fiona Mulhall

Deputy Principal