Message from the Princpal
Two thousand and twenty will go down in history as being a year like no other. We were all faced with challenges and problems to solve and we addressed them as they arose. Our community came together and are stronger from our experience and I am certain we are all looking forward to the new-year. Have a wonderful Xmas and a safe break.
Our Year 12 students completed their final exams and we have 100% completion rate of VCE. Students arrived in uniform for their exams with confidence. They left their exams feeling happy. We will soon see their results. Students will be able to access their results 7am 30th December. The Pathways team will be on site to assist with any enquiries.
Our Year 12 students were invited to the Principal’s Valedictory Lunch in the stadium with staff, where they received certificates of completion and many received subjects and specialist awards. The DUX of Mornington Secondary College will be announced to our community 30th December.
Due to COVID restrictions our annual Awards evening could not take place this year. Subject awards and specialist awards were presented at year level assemblies. The Principal commendation awards and the DUX of each year level will be announced during their first assembly in 2021.
Headstart did not occur this year, instead our Year 10 and Year 11 students participated in an Orientation Program. They met their teachers for 2021 and have begun subject coursework. All have received holiday homework. This will prepare them for day one next year.
The Victorian Budget 2020/2021 included an additional $6 Billion in school education. This includes a Disability Inclusion initiative. This will further support students with a disability, in particular students with Autism, Dyslexia and complex behaviours.
To strengthen individual learning support, a further 4100 teachers will be employed under the Tutoring initiative. Tutors will work with students in small groups in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Organizational skills. At Mornington Secondary College, this will begin during semester one.
A new senior certificate will be designed and fully implemented by 2025. This certificate will replace the existing stand alone VCAL certificate and will give students the chance to develop both academic and practical skills. There will only be one certificate which will integrate vocational subjects within the traditional VCE structure. The move to a single certificate will happen in stages. The first is the creation of a new vocational specialist pathway within the VCE, with the first cohort of students starting the new certificate in 2023.
The State Budget also committed to continue the Respectful Relationships program for a further four years.
Each year all schools are required to develop an Annual Implementation Plan (AIP); to be endorsed by School Council. Currently the 2021 AIP is being developed and will be presented at School Council during our first meeting in 2021.
This year Mornington Secondary College continued with the goals identified in the Strategic Plan. They are:
- To increase the cognitive challenge and learning growth of all students
- To instil a culture of high expectations for all members of the school community
- To enhance the wellbeing and resilience of all students.
Targets for each goal were set and despite COVID-19 we were able to meet many of these. Students told us their motivation and interest in their studies increased from last year. They also believed we had improved in specific areas such as, Effective teaching time, Differentiated learning challenge, Stimulated Learning, Sense of confidence, Self-regulation and goal setting, Resilience and High expectations for success. The staff survey for 2020 also met with positive results in the following areas: Plan differentiated learning activities, Understanding formative assessment and Understand how to analyse data. Parents believed there were high expectations of success and motivation for students was high.
These results are very encouraging and I know we will continue to improve into the future.
We will be saying goodbye to Assistant Principal Jenny Mason. Jenny has made the decision to retire so she can spend more time with her family. She is looking forward to travelling to New Zealand catching up with her daughter and grandchildren. After 41 years in education Jenny will retire from her career at Mornington Secondary College where she spent 24 years. Jenny has made a difference to the lives of so many and she will be missed. Jenny is a consummate professional always putting students and staff before herself. Her work as Assistant Principal – Student Wellbeing has been outstanding. Her leadership has enabled initiatives such as Doctor’s In Schools, Respectful Relationships and School Wide Positive Behaviours to be embedded. Through her leadership, Jenny has developed outstanding relationships with external agencies. Her work for our students means our reputation for looking after students is high. Thank you Jenny, we wish you the very best for the next chapter in your life
We hope you have a safe and merry Christmas.
Linda Stanton
Principal