From the Principal
NAPLAN is in full swing for all Year 7 and 9 students. Yesterday students completed the writing task and Friday is scheduled for the reading task. Any student absent will have the opportunity to complete the task when they return to school.
Students should only be absent if they are ill or if there is an event like a funeral. Missing one day a fortnight is the same as missing 4 whole weeks of school a year.
From Foundation to Year 12 that adds up to 1.5 years of school.
‘Going to school every day is the single most important part of your teenager’s education'.
Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.
We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day. We love having your child at school, in class, learning.
Students develop good habits by going to school every day – habits that are necessary to succeed after school, whether in the workplace or in further study.
Missing school can have a big impact on students academically and socially. It can affect their test results, including VCE- ATAR and VM and, just as importantly, it can affect their relationships with other students, and lead to social isolation.
There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes.
Each missed day is associated with falling behind in subject topics and assessment tasks, and lead to fewer subject choices and may impact on achievement in years 11 and 12 and post-school pathways.
If parents require assistance with student attendance, please contact the relevant Year Level Coordinator.
Open night was a huge success with more than 140 families in attendance. All faculties were represented with more than 100 students assisting. We look forward to welcoming new families into our community.
Next week, students in Year 8 will be attending camp at Phillip Island and Year 7 students will be participating in an Indigenous incursion.
Linda Stanton
Principal
Important Dates
March
15/03/23 - 27/03/23 | Year 7 and Year 9 Naplan
20/03/23 - 24/03/23 | Year 8 Camps
30/03/23 | Parent/Teacher Interviews - Online
April
06/04/23 | Last day of Term 1- Finish 2.30pm
24/04/23 | First day of Term 2
Student Mobile Phones Banned.
The student mobile phone are banned during school hours. This is a Ministerial Order issued by the Minister of Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic).
The definition of a, “mobile phone” refers to mobile phones and any device that may connect to or have a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as smart watches. This also includes communication peripherals such as headphones and ear pods.
The consequences for mobile phone use will be: (in class/in yard)
- Student found using mobile phone will be asked to hand the phone into the General Office until the end of the day.
- Students will be given a card with a number on it. At the end of the school day, students will hand the card to the General Office and they will receive their phone. If they lose the number, ID will need to be shown to collect the phone.
- Year Level Coordinators will keep a record of students sent to the office to follow up. Parents may be requested to collect the phone if there are multiple breaches.
- Mobile phones are not to be used at the Canteen
If a student refuses to take the phone to the general office, an external suspension may apply.
The student mobile phone ban will begin when the locker bell sounds each morning and conclude at the end of the school day, 3.10 pm.
All students have been issued with a combination lock for their locker so mobile phones can be stored securely.
Middle School Update
It was wonderful to see many of you at Open Night recently. I was able to chat to the proud parents of students who were performing their aerobics routine. The parents used the word “JOY” to sum up the feeling that best described the camaraderie and connectedness of the aerobics team. I too, felt the joy watching them perform.
I also have the pleasure of seeing students in class and in the yard. Basketball is a popular sport at recess and lunchtimes. One of the latest interests for students is playing chess. This is happening twice a week and the interest is growing with more than 20 students attending during lunch time.
Recently, I was in the Business Management class (Year 11) and I learnt all about being a sole trader and I have enjoyed watching the students with their spelling tests at Year 7. History and learning about other cultures and significant events are taking place at Year 9.
Year 8 camp is next week and there is great excitement about the action packed filled camp at Philip Island.
Naplan is taking place as I write, and it has been a seamless process as the students work online completing the tasks.
Next week, we are fortunate to have Western Desert Women speaking to our Year 7 students, (thank you to Kylie Wiersma) and I will also be letting you know about the exciting achievements of our middle school students, beyond the school ground.
Have a great week.
Denise Leggett
Middle School Assistant Principal
Parent /Teacher Interviews
Parent / Teacher interviews are on Thursday 30th March.
The interviews will be conducted online via teams and parents can book via compass.
Year 9 My Career Insights (Morrisby Program)
Later this term our Year 9's will be undertaking the Morrisby Assessments/Profiling (5/4). Also in the first week back to Term 2 will be attending meetings via webex with External Careers Counsellors.
Consent forms will be sent home with students.
Senior School Update
With just three weeks to go in term 1, week 8 has been hectic given the long weekend. Many students are completing SACs and assessments in classes. As we move into the later part of this term, students and staff will likely not be as fresh as they were earlier in the term. It’s important for our Senior School students to continue to align their behaviour to the MSC Positive Culture framework. Soon, the MSC expected behaviour matrix will be displayed in each classroom to help students and staff in the co-construction of positive and safe learning environments.
Year 10 highlights – The end of the term draws ever nearer, and at the Year 10 Level we have been celebrating the great attendance of our classes and the individual students. This week we presented certificates to students who had achieved an incredible record of 95%+ attendance during February. It was great to see so many students achieve such a result. We have also begun a small competition between our Connect groups, aiming to reward the highest rate of attendance for each week as a class group. These averages will be tallied and we will be on the lookout for not only the highest total average, but also the most improved, so we hope to see our students encouraging each other to attend and push the attendance figures up.
Year 11 highlights – On Tuesday, 14th March, the Year 11 students were treated to a remarkable guest speaker, Jen Willis.
Jen Willis is a 51 year old, mum of three hoping to become the first Australian with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to climb Mt Everest and reach the summit.
Our students were treated to a presentation that hoped to encourage our students to "Become Your Own Hero". Jen described a childhood of not feeling as if she fit in, being bullied and having low self esteem. A love of mountaineering and determination not to let MS determine her life has led Jen to attempting what some may call the impossible.
Jen's presentation was inspiring and was very well received by our students, we wish Jen all the best and will look forward to her achieving her goal in two weeks time.
Year 12 highlights – A study skills program was delivered by an external provider; Elevate Study Sensei; was a success providing students with ideas and strategies to manage their time and maximise their study techniques. Tutors will be discussing a variety of additional strategies in classes and a PowerPoint with a selection of study strategies has been provided to students to assist them with ways to study. This can include discussing ideas and concepts with family, so feel free to start a conversation with your child on the way home or around the dinner table about key knowledge and skills they learnt at school that day as this could be really helping them consolidate their learning and support their studying. Students have been recognised this week with certificates to celebrate tremendous attendance. We value our students being at school as this is the best way for them to learn. We celebrated a 95% attendance and above. The Year 12 would love for the Year 12s to have the best attendance in the school. This is the shortest school year for them but it is also the most intense. If your child is away, please ensure they have a medical certificate. If you need any support, please reach out to sub-school.
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
Open Night
Mornington Secondary College Open Night was on Thursday 9th March and was a huge success. All faculties had presentations ready for families to peruse showing both student work and subject information.
Over 140 families toured our school, grabbing a coffee from the coffee van along with a sausage in bread. For those with a sweet tooth, fairy floss and popcorn were also available.
Staff Profiles
Indie Jowett
Graduating in the class of 2022, I’ve returned this year as one of Mornington Secondary AFL sports ready trainees, working alongside the Health and Physical Education Department. In this role I’m looking forward to gaining a better insight into teaching through learning on the job to assist my aspirations of becoming a teacher.
Almost a term down and I’ve already developed so many skills and picked up various tips and tricks off my co-workers. By working within a school environment, I’m hoping this role will prepare me for the day I can teach a class of my own!
I’m currently studying a Certificate 3 in Sport and Recreation at TAFE and have deferred University for 12 months, where I will attend Monash Clayton to study a Bachelor of Primary and Secondary Education in 2024.
I’m also very pleased to be working closely with our schools aerobics squad, which I was once part of from 2017-2022. Mornington’s aerobics squad played a huge role in my high school years, so I’m honoured to be able to coach this year and assist our amazing group in continuing the legacy that MSC’s aerobics squad holds!
Andrew McLaren
Hi, my name is Andrew, and I am the AFL Sports Ready Trainee at Mornington Secondary College for 2023. My role at the school is to assist in organising sport events, physical education classes, swimming squad and camps. As a person who enjoys sport and activity, I really enjoy being a part of the Mornington Secondary College physical education team. Next year I plan to go to Swinburne University, to study exercise and sport science, as I would like a job somewhere in sport.
Year Level School Captains for 2023
Year 7
Ella Pleiter-Singleton
Year 7 Captain
Lulu Ramalinga
Year 7 Captain
Harley McKenzie-Cundy
Year 7 Vice - Captain
Ashton Bonnici
Year 7 Vice - Captain
Year 8
Sienna Bradshaw
Year 8 Captain
Lola Allan
Year 8 Captain
Emily Sudadetch
Year 8 Vice Captain
Kayla Christie
Year 8 Vice Captain
Year 9
Annabelle Teniswood
Year 9 Captain
Anna Begley
Year 9 Captain
Year 10
Carter Nicholson
Year 10 Captain
Ethan Barker
Year 10 Captain
Year 11
Bridie Borthwick
Year 11 Captain
Molly Pierce-Decker
Year 11 Captain
Ethan Lewis
Year 11 Captain
Year 12
Chelsie Hollingworth
Year 12 Captain
Harry Ramsden
Year 12 Captain
Ella Shields
Year 12 Captain
Freya Shepstone
Year 12 Captain
Term 2 MSC Student Excellence and Enrichment Program: Upcoming Events
Thursday May 4th, 2023, Student Excellence Event: Stars in Your Life
Thursday May 4th, 2023, Student Excellence Event: Tickle My Droid
These events are now open for students in Years 7-9 to express interest using this form https://forms.office.com/r/MjMxMfGP3Q
See attached flyers for details of these exciting events or email Student Excellence Coordinator @Rebecca Stroud
Events/Highlights
North Hobart Academy vs MPJFL
Congratulations to our students, Jacinta and Abbey Moresco who were picked to play football in Tasmania this weekend (representing the Mornington Peninsula) as well as Taj Carnie and Josh King.
Doctors in School Program
The Doctors in School Program runs every Thursday onsite in their own GP rooms. Students are encouraged to use the amazing service and can make a confidential appointment by emailing doctor@mornsc.vic.edu.au
The Wellbeing Team welcomes donations of clean, good condition, pre-owned uniform and current year textbooks. Donations go a long way in helping some families that need a little support. Donations are welcome at the Administration Office.
Sleep Health
While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.
Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours.
For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.
Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:
· low mood and irritability during social interactions
· reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
· falling asleep during the day
· difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
· changes to communicating or interacting at home.
You can help your child to improve their sleep by:
· establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
· supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
· encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
· encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.
If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor.
For more information on sleep health, you can refer to: · sleep tips for children and facts about sleep for parents and school staff from the Sleep Health Foundation · why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s · sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel.
Mornington Lions Annual Charity Book Fair
15th and 16th APRIL 2023
Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
@"The Studio"
Cnr. Nepean Hwy and Wilsons Rd MORNINGTON
Entry - Gold Coin Donation.
All proceeds raised to support the community.
Books $2.00
Donations contact Aileen M: 0413 507 000
