Principal's Message

Spring is truly in the air and it is a delight to arrive at school to the occasional sunny morning. The footy casual clothes day organised by the SRC to raise money for ‘The Fight Cancer Organisation’ was a great success last week with staff and students dressing up in their footy colours to raise money for charity as well. 

This week our international students, along with the International Student Team of Si Feng, Jocelyn Chang and Yinan Zhang, have celebrated the mid-autumn festival with activities including moon cake masterclass in our Food Technology room on Wednesday and food and tea tasting with a music performance on Thursday.

On Tuesday evening our talented students gave a Jazz performance at the Mentone RSL which was extremely well attended by parents, friends and staff.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to this event but I have been in past years and I understand that everyone who attended had a terrific time.  I once again thank Tim Veevers and the MGSC music teachers for their superb mentoring of our students in this area.

Alexandra Andrianopoulos and Sam Haines and 17 Years 10 and 11 students depart this week for the biennial Japan Trip. The study tour provides students with an opportunity to experience the language and culture in an authentic environment. This includes attending our sister school, Nakamura Senior High School, as well as a week-long home-stay with a Japanese family. To understand and learn a language properly, it is important to understand culture and geography as well, and this opportunity gives the students an amazing experience to enhance their Japanese knowledge.  I wish them all the best on their trip.

As many of you will know, Bronwyn Moline, Assistant Principal, has been undergoing chemotherapy this year. She has coped well with the treatment and been able to keep working throughout with minimal amount of time away from school. Bronwyn has often said that being at MGSC has enabled her to keep doing what she really enjoys which is working with students, parents and staff to ensure that students receive the very best education that we can provide at MGSC whilst ensuring that their wellbeing is always at the forefront. 

On behalf of Carol Duggan, myself and all of our staff, we wish Bronwyn all the best over the next term as she enters the next stage of her treatment, which is her surgery. Bronwyn’s surgery is booked for the end of term 3 and she has made the decision to take leave for term 4 to recuperate. She greatly appreciates the messages of support she has received from the school community. She looks forward to coming back in 2020.

Whilst Bronwyn is away recovering, Deb Jarvis will step into the role of Acting Assistant Principal. Deb’s current position as Director of Middle School will then be filled by Amanda O’Hara who is currently a Year 9 Student Manager. Deb McKay,  will then fill in for Amanda in her Year 9 Student Manager role for term 4 whilst continuing to perform her role as Humanities Domain Leader. I thank them all for stepping up to these very important positions for term 4.

As this is the last newsletter for the term I wish you all the safest and happiest of holidays.

Linda Brown 

Principal

MGSC students make news

It was delightful to pick up local editions of the Leader newspaper published on 4 September and see Sophia Maltarollo (Year 9) on the cover. Sophia is a principal vocalist at this year's Victorian State Schools Spectacular and in final rehearsals for the show on Saturday. There was further excitement to turn the page and see Zara Wilson (Year 7) featured in an article about the Melbourne's Junior Lord Mayor competition. Congratulations Sophia and Zara and thank you for representing your school so well. "Chookas" to Sophia and all involved in the State Schools Spectacular. 

See more at: http://leader.smedia.com.au/mordialloc-chelsea/

Marianna Sampanis - karate sensation

Earlier this year Marianna Sampanis (Year 12) shared her accomplishments and aspirations as an international level karate athlete. In an interview with the Australian Karate Federation, Marianna gives more news of her journey and her goals for the World Beach Games in Doha, the U21 World Karate Championships in Chile and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

There is a link to this interview here: 

https://akf.com.au/marianna-sampanis-the-teenage-karate-sensation/

Best wishes Marianna with upcoming competitions.  We hope that you will follow your dream to Japan next year.