Welcoming Our New Principal

We are pleased to announce that Adam Slater has been provisionally appointed as the new Principal of Mornington Secondary College and will commence in Term 3.

Adam joins our College with a strong commitment to public education and a passion for ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. He brings extensive leadership experience and a clear focus on building strong relationships with students, staff, families and the wider community.

As we prepare to farewell Lisa Holt at the end of this term, we look forward to working with Adam as he leads the next chapter of Mornington Secondary College. Adam's appointment provides an exciting opportunity to continue building on the many strengths of our school while maintaining our focus on delivering excellence for every student, in every class, every day.

We look forward to welcoming Adam to the Mornington Secondary College community in Term 3 and introducing him to students, families and staff in the coming months. Please join us in welcoming Adam to our College.

To students and families,

The term is flying as we head into the King’s Birthday long weekend. 

Exams have begun for our Year 10s and 11s and they have conducted themselves very well so far. The first round of exams (especially VCE) can be daunting and that is exactly why we have students practice several times before the VCAA end of year exams in Year 12. Likewise, our Year 12s are starting to cycle through their Unit 3 trial exams which provides them with the opportunity to see what learning they have embedded into their long-term memory from Unit 3 and what areas their revision should start with when revising for the end of year exams. Knowledge is power and for our very busy students, knowing where to focus their study time is valuable. We want students to spend the bulk of their revision time on the key knowledge and skills they find hardest, not the ones they find the easiest.

On Tuesday, our Year 12 students attended the TRAG (Teenagers Road Accident Group) presentation, an important road safety program designed to encourage young people to think carefully about the responsibilities that come with driving. Through powerful personal stories and real-life experiences, students were challenged to consider the impact that decisions made behind the wheel can have on themselves, their passengers, their families, and the wider community. While some aspects of the presentation can be confronting, the messages are both meaningful and memorable, particularly for young drivers as they continue to build their confidence, judgement and experience on the road.

Following the presentation, students returned to school for a barbecue lunch, providing an opportunity to connect with peers and staff, reflect on the key messages, and discuss their thoughts from the day. Thank you to the staff who accompanied the excursion and to those who organised and prepared the barbecue.

As always, our Year 12 students represented Mornington Secondary College with maturity and respect, and we are proud of the way they engaged with this important learning experience. So many of our students went up to personally thank the volunteers and family members who have lost children to road trauma. 

We encourage families to continue these important conversations about road safety at home as students continue their journey towards becoming safe and responsible drivers. 

Senior School Study Tip of the week:

Chunk big tasks into micro-goals. “Revise Unit 3” becomes “Summarise chapter 4 key ideas".

Semester 2 is Just Around the Corner

It is hard to believe that we are already approaching the halfway point of the school year. Semester 2 provides an important opportunity for students to reflect on their progress so far and set goals for the remainder of the year.

For some students, Semester 1 has been a period of strong achievement and growth. For others, it may be a chance to reset, establish new habits and focus on areas for improvement. One of the great things about school is that each term and semester provides a fresh opportunity to build on previous experiences.

As we move into Semester 2, we encourage students to think about a few key questions: Am I attending regularly? Am I completing my checklist tasks and assessments? Am I making the most of class time? Small improvements in these areas can make a significant difference over time.

Parents can support this process by talking with their child about their learning, celebrating successes and helping them establish routines that support attendance, organisation and study habits.

The second half of the year is always a busy and exciting time, with many learning opportunities, excursions, sporting events and celebrations ahead. We encourage all students to approach Semester 2 with a positive mindset and a commitment to making the most of every opportunity.

Every day, every lesson and every effort counts.

Keeping Our Young People Safe Online

We have recently received reports of young people on the Mornington Peninsula participating in online chat groups that include people they do not know. In some cases, these interactions have led to concerning situations involving grooming and inappropriate contact from adults.

While technology provides many opportunities for learning, connection and entertainment, it also presents risks that parents and schools must work together to manage. We encourage all families to take an active interest in their child's online activities. This includes knowing which apps they are using, who they are communicating with, and discussing safe online behaviours on a regular basis.

The Australian Government's social media age restrictions for children under 16 have been introduced with student safety in mind. These measures recognise that young people can be vulnerable to online manipulation, exploitation and harmful content. While many parents may feel that "it won't happen to my child", the reality is that grooming and online exploitation does occur, and it can often begin through seemingly harmless online conversations.

We encourage parents to regularly check privacy settings, review online contacts, and maintain open conversations with their children about online safety. If something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts and seek advice or support.

Keeping young people safe online is a shared responsibility. By remaining informed and involved, we can help ensure that our students enjoy the benefits of technology while being protected from its risks.

Lisa Holt

Acting Principal

Nick Evans

Senior School Assistant Principal

Mike Parker

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Student Wellbeing

Important Dates

Year 7 Students of the Week

Charlie Borthwick

Favourite food: KFC

Hobbies out of school: Motorbike riding, footy and basketball

What sports team do you follow? Bulldogs

Favourite movie/TV show: I like watching footy and most sport

Do you have any pets?  A dog named Tilly

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? School teams

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? The canteen & a great PE class

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? A trade, probably a carpenter

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? My motorbike riding 

What three words best describe you? Athletic, energetic, fun

Bonnie Irving

Favourite food: Watermelon

Hobbies out of school: Footy and netball

What sports team do you follow? Melbourne Demons

Do you have any pets?  A dog named Oden

What are you excited for at Mornington Secondary College? Regional Footy

What do you enjoy most about being at Mornington Secondary College? My friends, sport, and excursions

What career do you wish to follow when you finish school? AFLW player

What's one skill you have that makes you unique? Talented footy player

What three words best describe you? Amazing, funny and kind

Senior School Students of the Month 

Heidi Hoffman - Year 10

For always striving to learn more, seeking feedback to improve her work and demonstrating strong study habits that will serve her well in VCE.

Jackson Ablett - Year 10

For demonstrating leadership qualities and capabilities in Pre-Senior classes and for engaging positively with his work, both in classes and in his VET.

Noah Allen (ATAR) - Year 11

Noah has perfect attendance, a great attitude to work and is always respectful. 

Jack Keyse (VM) - Year 11

Jack is new to MSC but has worked diligently to complete all his Unit 1 coursework. Jack is an excellent student and always respectful.

Josefina Rhoden - Year 12

Striving for excellence, Josefina manages her workload, especially with two VSV/VSL subjects. She always works with a smile and positivity.

Jack Pryor - Year 12  

Jack brings a positive vibe around the study centre and quietly works on achieving his best as often as possible.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea

As part of their assessment task, on Friday 29th May 11VPDA & 11VPDC VM students organised a 'Biggest Morning Tea'  for MSC staff, raising $340.80.  Not only is organising the event a great learning experience for our Year 11 VM students, but Australia's Biggest Morning Tea is also a very worthy cause which raises vital funds for the Cancer Council, helping to make a big difference for those impacted by cancer. 

In preparation for the event, students promoted the morning tea to MSC staff by displaying posters around the school and pre-selling entry tickets. The day before the morning tea students were hands on making sausage rolls, vegie scrolls and scones. 

On the day the students got to task decorating the staffroom, warming up the food, selling raffle tickets, organising the Guess the Lollies competitions, speeches, mingling with staff and even the washing up!  

Julie Cameron 

VM Personal Development Teacher

Our students in 11VPD1B also organised a Biggest Morning Tea, catering for our Year 8 students, instead of staff. Home made brownies, pizzas and sausage rolls were on the menu, with Year 8s able to purchase them during Period 3, whilst also enjoying some downtime together outside. The Year 8 Biggest Morning Tea was not quite as profitable as the staff event, but it turned out to be a great lesson in the importance of budgeting and price setting!

Adam Pirrie

Team Leader Year 8

We'd like to acknowledge and thank the following businesses, along with staff member Susan Cook, who generously donated items for our fundraising event, helping to make it a successful morning.

Artist of the Month

Senior School - May Artist of the Month

This painting was part of my material experimentation process. It is an oil painting done on a wood panel and it was my second attempt at painting an oil portrait. I was inspired by portraits by artists such as Marie Bracquemond through her use of light and the softness of her painting style. - Josefina Rhoden, Year 12

Middle School - May Artist of the Month

The person I did for my monochromatic celebrity portrait was Snoop Dog. I chose him because I like listening to his music. I found this task a little bit challenging but I am happy with my final painting. - Mya George, Year 8

Production

Production - High School Musical

The countdown is on! With less than 10 weeks until showtime, now is a great time to buy your tickets.

When: 

Thursday 6th August 2026, 7:00pm-8:30pm

Friday 7th August 2026, 7:00pm-8:45pm

Saturday 8th August 2026, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Where:

MSC Performing Arts Theatre, 1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington Vic 3931

Excursions

Year 10OES Bayside Rock

Students in Year 10 OES recently took on the challenge of the free wall at Bayside Rock Climbing, demonstrating courage, determination, and teamwork throughout the day. Students pushed beyond their comfort zones as they tackled a range of climbing challenges, supporting and encouraging one another every step of the way. The excursion provided a fantastic opportunity for students to build trust, resilience, and confidence while enjoying an exciting day of outdoor adventure and physical activity.

Class 10OES1

Class 10OES2

Grant Olarenshaw and John Walker

Outdoor & Environmental Studies Teachers

Year 10 Application Maths and VM Numeracy - Go Karting

Our Year 10 students had a fantastic day at the Le Mans go-karting facility recently. While competition was sky-high, it’s safe to say that calculating conversions between distance, time, and speed took a backseat to mastering racing lines and chasing the ultimate lap times!

We discovered a true go-karting legend among us—James Elliot from Pre-VM gave the rest of the field a serious run for their money. The track also saw some incredible rivalries heat up between students and staff. Miss Nicholls even took to the track in the double kart, using her "talent and skill" to score the fastest lap among the girls. Some might argue it was a little unfair given a few of our students are yet to even get their Learner's permits, but it was all in the spirit of high-speed fun!

A huge thank you to teachers Mr Uhlenberg and Mr Malligan who came along to supervise, and to our amazing group of students whose exemplary behaviour made the day such a success. We're certain they had a brilliant time—and we are absolutely sure they simply cannot wait to dive into the track data to start making predictions in their upcoming coursework!

VET Sport Recovery Lab Excursion

Our VET Sport & Recreation students recently stepped out of the classroom and into the world of elite recovery during an exciting excursion to Recovery Lab Mornington.

The visit gave students a first-hand look at how athletes and active individuals use recovery strategies to improve performance, reduce injury risk, and support their overall wellbeing. From ice baths and infrared saunas to compression therapy and recovery boots, students were able to experience and learn about the latest recovery methods being used across the sporting industry.

The excursion brought many of the concepts studied in class to life and provided students with a practical understanding of an often overlooked aspect of sport and recreation. It also opened students' eyes to the diverse range of career opportunities available within the sport, fitness, and health industries.

A huge thank you to the team at Recovery Lab Mornington for welcoming us into their facility and sharing their knowledge and expertise. We look forward to continuing to provide our students with authentic learning experiences that challenge, engage, and prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

Shaun Doherty

Health & PE Teacher

Year 12 English - Sunset Boulevard at ACMI

Our Year 12 English students travelled to ACMI in Melbourne for a special educational screening of Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder’s iconic 1950 film, that forms part of their Unit 4 Area of Study. The excursion provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience the film on the big screen in ACMI’s state-of-the-art cinema, allowing them to fully appreciate the film’s visual style, cinematography, and dramatic impact.

Following the screening, students participated in an engaging interactive lecture led by film and media experts. The session explored key aspects of the film, including its representation of fame, ambition, power, and the darker side of Hollywood. Students were encouraged to think critically about Wilder’s directorial choices and how film techniques such as lighting, camera angles, costume design, and mise-en-scène contribute to meaning.

Experiencing Sunset Boulevard in a professional cinema environment replicating how it would have been like to attend the cinema 75 years ago and engaging directly with experts has strengthened students’ understanding of the film and will support them as they prepare for upcoming assessments and examinations.

We commend our Year 12 English students for their enthusiastic participation and exemplary behaviour throughout the day. Their thoughtful engagement and curiosity made the excursion a highly successful and rewarding experience for all involved.

Jackie Lewis

Literacy Leader

Primary School Southern and Northern Peninsula Cross Country Championships

On Wednesday 3rd June, a group of 16 Mornington Secondary College students proudly represented the school as hares (pacers) at the Southern and Northern Peninsula Primary School Cross Country Championships.

Our students demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship and enthusiasm throughout the day, providing invaluable support to the primary school runners. They encouraged competitors across all races, helping participants maintain their pace while creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone involved.

In total, our students paced 12 races and collectively covered an impressive 32 kilometres throughout the day! Their commitment, energy and willingness to give back to the local sporting community was truly commendable.

The efforts of our students did not go unnoticed. Officials from School Sport Victoria, along with many parents of the primary school competitors, commented on how impressed they were with the leadership, encouragement and professionalism displayed by our students throughout the event. Their positive attitude and support for all runners reflected the values of Mornington Secondary College and earned praise from the wider community.

Congratulations to all 16 students for the sensational job they did on the day. A special mention must go to our new Year 7 recruits, who embraced this leadership opportunity with confidence and maturity, representing Mornington Secondary College with pride and professionalism.

Well done to all involved for being such positive role models and for doing MSC proud.

Alex Mackenzie

Health and PE Teacher

Upcoming Year 7, 8 and 9 Excursions - June 16th

On the 16th June, Year 12 students will sit the GAT exam. To allow them to concentrate, Years 7-9 students will enjoy an excursion that day.  

• Year 7 - Werribee Zoo
• Year 8 - Melbourne Zoo
• Year 9 - Docklands

Students in Year 9 have a choice for their excursion to Docklands. They can either opt for:

• Ice Skating and ArtVo Gallery, or 
• Bowling/arcades and ArtVo Gallery.  

NOTE: Can parents/guardians of Year 9 students please choose one option and decline the other option on Compass. In the past ice skating has asked for individual signed waivers but now we as a school can sign a waiver for all students attending.

Thank you to those who have already chosen what excursion they are doing. It should be a great day out.

School Sports and Squads 

Southern Peninsula Division Cross Country

On Thursday 28th of May the Southern Peninsula Division (SPD) Cross Country Championship was held at the Hastings Foreshore Reserve. The day started off overcast and drizzly which made running the last kilometre of the course quite challenging through the wet grass. 

There were many highlights throughout the day with some stellar performances. 

• 12/13 year old girls: Indy Sheen placed 6th and Paige Cooper 12th
• 12/13 year old boys: Baye Kill placed 4th and Ryleigh Vella placed 13th

• 15 year old girls: the Cooper girls achieved fantastic results; Hannah won the event convincingly and Emily placed 4th. Elise Waring and Grace Neeson also raced well to place 12th and 13th. Overall, MSC 15 year old girls placed 2nd as a team in the age group competition. 

• 15 year old boys: Noah Sheen had an excellent run to place 2nd, Dimitri Watson placed 8th and Knox Wehner placed 10th. MSC 15 year old boys also placed 2nd as a team in the age group competition.  

• 16 year old girls: Melsie Pascuzzo won the event by a country mile! Melsie was supported in the 16 year old girls team with some great runs from Makenna Baard (8th), Eden Chant (10th) and Ella Doherty (11th). Both Eden and Ella were officially in the 12/13 age group but took one for the MSC team to support the 16 year old girls who did not have enough runners to gain a team result. An awesome effort by both Eden and Ella to support the school.  Their contribution helped our 16 year old girls team place 2nd in their age competition. 

• 16 year old boys: Our team on the day went into the event as defending champions, having won the 2025 15 year boys SPD title, and with the experience of being two-time defending State Champions their pedigree did not disappoint. Ethan Sheen stamped his authority with a commanding win, Rafa Merchan placed 3rd, Bailey Barrett (6th) and Ryder Rowe (9th). The 16 year boys will continue their journey towards a possible third State Title!

• 17-20 year old girls: Olivia Costa placed 14th, Chelsea Surridge (15th) and Taylor Rowe (19th). All three girls were racing up two age groups to create the senior girls team. The girls did a fantastic job placing 5th overall as a team to collect an additional 2 points towards our school’s grand aggregate score. This is another example of a great team focused effort rather than thinking as an individual. We thank the girls very much for their commitment to Team MSC!
• 17-20 year old boys: Thank you to Ethan Neith-Saito (Year 8), who demonstrated fantastic team commitment. In a race where we didn't have anyone to represent the school, Ethan stepped up. Ethan should have been running the 3km course in his normal 15 years age group but instead he toed the line with much older boys to run the 5km course. Ethan ran an amazing race to place 10th, an outstanding effort indeed! Thank you Ethan (block of chocolate coming your way).

Overall, our school team did exceptionally well due to the commitment and selflessness of many runners to gain important points for the team. Both the 15 and 16 years boys teams won the intermediate boys’ pennant, which is fantastic. The grand aggregate school scores are as follows:

• 1st Dromana 53
• 2nd Mornington 37
• 3rd Mt Eliza 34
• 4th Rosebud 30
• 5th Somerville 15
• 6th Western Port 8

Twenty one runners from the MSC team have qualified for the next level, Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) Cross Country Championships later this month. The SMR event is being held on the same course at Hastings foreshore which is great for our students as they know the course very well!

Thank you to all our students who represented the college at the Division Cross Country and good luck to our SMR qualifiers who will be representing us again.

John Walker

College Sport Coordinator

Aerobics Squad Fundraising BBQ

On Sunday the 31st of May, we held a Bunnings BBQ at Hastings to raise funds for our Aerobics Squad. A huge thank you to the parents, students and staff who generously volunteered their time throughout the day,  as well as everyone who stopped by to purchase a sausage and show their support.

The fundraiser was a great success, raising around $1,200. These funds will make a significant contribution towards covering the squad's expenses for 2026. 

The girls were thrilled to put their maths skills to the test during the BBQ, as they took charge of handling the money throughout the day!  Between serving customers and working together as a team, they built confidence, strengthened their communication and people skills, and had plenty of fun along the way.  It was great to see them representing the school so positively and engaging with the local community. 

Our next BBQ will be a bit closer to home, at Mornington Bunnings on Saturday the 8th of August as we prepare for Nationals later that month.

Indie Jowett

Aerobics Squad Coach

Incursions

Year 8 Water Safety Incursion

Last week our Year 8 students were visited by Life Saving Victoria for a Water Safety Incursion. The theme of the session was based around The Ripple Effect: A decision near water doesn't just affect one person. The consequences spread. The people you love, the mates who are there, the emergency services who respond. They are all part of the chain.

Learning Snapshot

Year 7 VHAP

The Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) is a 10-week, online extension program for high-ability Victorian government school students in Years 5–8, focusing on English and Mathematics to provide challenge and enrichment. Delivered by Virtual School Victoria, it aims to stimulate advanced learning. Each session is held in the conference room at MSC, allowing focus for our Year 7 students currently participating in the program.

Year 8 Art

Our Year 8 Art students are currently creating action figure sculptures, using a wire armature foundation.

Year 8A English

For homework in Ms Rattue's 8A English class, students have been writing pieces themed around "My Hero".  Sample pieces are below:

Billie Eilish is my hero because she inspires me to be myself and not care so much about what other people think. She is different from most celebrities , and that’s one of the reasons why she’s my hero.

One thing is that she never tries to be someone she’s not. She dresses how she wants, makes unique music, and expresses herself. She shows people that it is okay to be different, and you don’t need to fit in to be successful.

Another reason Billie is my hero is because of how hard she works. She started making music when she was young with her brother, and now she is one of the most famous singers in the world.

Billie Eilish inspires me to be more confident and believe in myself. She reminds me that being unique is a strength, not a weakness.

Alice Barr

Today I will be talking about my hero, my mum. She is the person I look up to the most because she is hardworking, caring and always there for me. 

My mum helps me through difficult times and always supports me. Even when she’s busy or tired, she still makes time for my family. She teachers me to work hard, be respectful and never give up.

Another reason I admire my mum is because she always puts others before herself. She is kind to everyone and tries to help people whenever she can. Her advice and encouragement help me become a better person every day.

In conclusion, my mum is my hero because she is strong, supportive, and loving. I am very lucky to have her in my life.

Chloe Gonsalves

When we think about heroes most people picture celebrities or movie characters, but for me, it’s my mum.

My mum doesn’t have a public platform or millions of followers, but she makes my world better every day and she does amazing at her work. For years she has balanced work and home. She shows me that true reliability means showing up for the people you love, even on the hardest days.

But what I admire the most is her resilience. One day I fought with my mum and the same night she made my dinner, tucked me in, said goodnight and told me she loved me.

As young Aussies we are always looking for role models. While celebrities are getting paid to be nice, my mum does it for free. She is a true role model and the kind of person I want to become.

We don’t need to look for inspiration; it’s found in our own home. 

Gypsie Webster

Hello, I am Erin Waugh and I’m going to tell you all about my hero. When you think of a hero you think of a big strong person in a super suit and a cape, but when I think of a hero, I only have one person and that’s my mum.

My mum has always been the strongest person I know. She built a whole new life when moving her whole life to the other side of the world. She moved knowing she had no family or friends here. The only person she knew was my dad, but she didn’t care because she had a dream for the family she was going to make. She is so unbelievably strong and brave. She carried three children and raised them so well. Her first-born daughter graduated high school with the second highest scores and the middle daughter is an amazing footy player and is graduating high school this year with a bright future and the last born is me and I am just starting high school. 

I love my mum so much, she is so forgiving and caring and always puts others first. Even when she is sick, she will help me with anything and will always make sure I am ok before checking on herself and even when I yell and say nasty things to her all day she will still always remind me how much she loves me.

Everyday she makes sacrifices just so we can have a good life, she keeps our house together all by herself. So no, my mum might not wear a super suit or a cape but she is stronger and more brave than any hero you can think of. I hope one day I can be half the person she is.

Erin Waugh

Year 12 Dress Up - Famous Person

Another dress up day, another fundraiser for our 2026 charity - Speak & Share. This week our Year 12s dressed as someone famous; channelling Kris Jenner, Elvis, the Jackson Five, Justin Bieber, Raygun and more!

School Visitors

Grade 5 Science Day - Osborne Primary School

MSC welcomed students from Osborne Primary School for a hands-on Science Day on Monday. Students participated in a range of engaging activities including dry ice and chemical reaction experiments, microscope investigations and flight challenges.

Our Year 7 students played an important role throughout the morning, assisting with demonstrations and helping visitors explore each activity. 

MSC Footy Tipping

Don’t Miss a Moment at MSC!

Follow Mornington Secondary College on Facebook & Instagram for news, events, and more so you never miss a moment of your student's learning journey.

Community News & Opportunities

The Young Scientist Competition of Victoria

The Young Scientist Competition of Victoria is an open invitation to schools across the state to identify, nurture, and celebrate outstanding young talent in science, technology, engineering, and innovation. The competition provides a platform for students to present original ideas, inventions, and scientific solutions that address real-world challenges and contribute to a better future for Victoria.

RISE 2026 Applications Open

Applications for this year's Residential Indigenous STEM Experience (RISE) are now open.

RISE is an annual week-long camp at the University of Melbourne for First Nations students in Year 9 and 10. RISE is an immersive experience for participants to explore the diversity of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), consider what a career in STEM looks like, and connect with First Nations role models.

DATES: Sunday 28th November – Friday 4th December 2026

WHERE: The University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus.

WHO: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 9 & 10 students from anywhere in Australia. 

COST: There is no cost to attend RISE. All expenses are covered including travel, accommodation, meals, and activities.

Registration closes Monday 31st August.

To learn more or to reach out to us