Principal Team Report

Principal Team Report 

Dear MC Community,

There seems to be a consistent theme to our recent Community Newsfeeds – where is summer?! Saturday’s forecast gives us a glimmer of hope. If you are intending to vote on election day, don’t forget to cast your ballot here at Mullauna and enjoy a democracy sausage or two! We will also be joined by the team from Mitcham Primary School, who will be running a biscuit and slice stall.

VCE Unit 2 Drama performances

Last evening, a group of our senior student performers starred on stage in the Mitcham Primary School theatrette. To say the audience of students, parents and staff were wowed would be an understatement. Congratulations to Steph Sloane and her troupe! Look out for more details and photos in our final edition of Links at the end of Week 11. Our thanks also to MPS for the use of their beautiful space.

Headstart and 2023 Planning Day

Today, staff engaged with the vast range of data sets available to us in order to prepare for our new 2023 classes, commencing for Headstart next Monday, 28th May. Staff were guided through this process by Monique Chisholm and the wider Student Management team, led by Daniella Taglieri. Staff then worked in their faculty groups to engage in a range of processes to ensure they had a clearer picture of their future students from a learning perspective.

As always, we also dealt with the inevitable small glitches, but we adapted as necessary, and should now be far better prepared for the new classes next week. 

In the lead up to today, the Learning & Teaching Team led by Jacqui Brush and consisting of our Learning Specialists (Nathan Hughes, Naomi Jallais and Sean Weatherill), have guided staff through a series of professional learnings based on our Instructional Model and the High Impact teaching Strategies (HITS).

The theme for the day was very much in line with our new Mullauna vision and strategic plan.

Vision for Learning & Teaching: We achieve personal success by collaborating and actively engaging in supportive, challenging and diverse learning opportunities. 

This will be achieved through the implementation of the MC Instructional Model, which underpins our pedagogical practice, and sets clear expectations for learning and teaching practices for our staff, students and parents. It guides staff in implementing more consistent, responsive, high quality and innovative curriculum and programs. 

We also inducted several new teachers and new students, who will be joining us for Headstart. A large part of the work in preparation for the induction program was undertaken by our Assistant Principals, Michael Bray and Jeff McMillin, and our technician, Joel Porter. We hope this allows for a far smoother start for our newest MC community members.

New daily structure (and bell times)

Speaking of next week, a reminder that our timetable structure and bell times change for Monday, as we move into our new five-period day with lessons of sixty minutes duration. There is no impact for parents, as the start and end times for the day remain the same.

Please refer to a recent Compass Post (15th November) from Jeff McMillin for an A4 version you can download (and print) to keep at home.

2023 classes

All students should now be aware of their 2023 classes. Staff are also now aware of their 2023 allotments and we continue planning for next year.

A reminder to families to assist us with planning for 2023; we would appreciate communication from parents of any students (Years 7-11) that are NOT intending to return to Mullauna College in 2023. Please email the office at Mullauna.sc@education.vic.gov.au or call on 9874 3422.

Exams, VCE preparation and Headstart 

Exams are over and the PAC has been packed up! Yesterday saw our final exam in the PAC, the Year 7 English exam. Our students can now relax a little, while for staff a whole new cycle of work begins – marking and reporting writing!

Our current Year 10 and 11 students, along with all Year 9s who will be undertaking an Advanced Placement VCE Units 1-2 study as part of their Year 10 course in 2023, participated in the VCE Headstart Day program on Thursday. They were guided through a range of processes and activities by staff and our 2023 school captains. Our thanks to Penny Nevill, Daniella Taglieri, Jacqui Brush, Erin Briedis and Emily Dalton, and to our new captains: Lucy, Matilda, Alex and Andrew.

REMINDER: Year 9 Camp – it’s on!

Enjoy your week at Rubicon, Year 9s!

Building works – carparks and driveways!

If you have come up to the school, you will be aware that site works have commenced, including erection of the site fencing and construction of a gravel driveway for vehicles to access the building site. We are well prepared for the vehicular disruption thanks to the community’s rapid adoption of our changed driveway conditions in Term 2 this year – thanks-you all for your support in making this transition so smooth.

Please be aware when entering the school property in your car (for example to collect an unwell student, coming to a meeting or to make payment) that the driveway may be particularly busy or even blocked – allow extra time to find alternate parking if necessary.

Parent/Carer Self Care Workshop

Our adolescent health nurse posted the details below in Compass:

Boroondara Youth has partnered with City of Whitehorse and Restoring Resilience to deliver a parent/carer self-care webinar. This webinar is for anyone in a parent or caring role who is interested in improving their self-care routine!

Date: Wednesday 7 December 2022

Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams

To register or for more information see the attached flyer or visit www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/events or phone 9278 4608 Carer self-care workshop

NEXT WEEK - REMINDER: Student Uniform - Mullauna PSW family VIP night – Tuesday 29th November from 5pm

Please find attached a promotional flyer confirming our VIP Night for the Mullauna College community at the PSW Croydon store, on Tuesday 29th November from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.Please note the link on the PSW website, where you can also book in a fitting session on this night if needed.

REMINDER: Please buy an Election Day democracy sausage – Saturday 26th November

My thanks to those who have already signed up for this fundraising event! Please support us on the day by buying a democracy sausage! We will also be joined by the team from Mitcham Primary School, who will be running a biscuit and slice stall.

Special thanks to … please help support the businesses that support our college!

Mauro Bros Butchers of 13 Tunstall Square Donvale (ph 9842 1866). They supplied us with sausages for both elections this year as well as supplying us with meat products for science experiments.

REMINDER: End of year program

Further detailed information regarding the end-of-year program will be published progressively through Compass and the weekly MC Community Updates.

The final day of formal classes and compulsory school attendance for Senior School students (Year 10 and 11) is Friday 2nd December. Students must clear their locker by this day, preferably earlier.

Final day of formal classes and compulsory school attendance for Junior School students (Years 7, 8 and 9) is Friday 9th December. Students must clear their locker by this day, preferably earlier.

OPTIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM – final week (Week 11) of Term 4.

The optional Gumbuya World excursion for students in Years 7, 8 and 9 is on Monday 12th December – refer further details below and on Compass.

This activity marks the completion of the school year for all students, with the exception of those assisting with the state-wide Orientation Day for Year 6 students on Tuesday 13th December, and those involved in the Presentation Evening on Wednesday 14th December.

To give our staff the required time to complete critical tasks and professioanl learning in our final days of the school year, we will run only a limited Optional Summer Program for students in Years 7, 8 and 9 commencing on Tuesday 13th December and continuing until Friday 16th December. There is no additional cost involved for the Summer Program. This program is NOT part of students’ formal assessment, and may include duties assisting with college clean-up etc.

To assist in planning for the optional Summer Program, parents MUST indicate the attendance of their child by contacting Reception on 9874-3422.

The state-wide Orientation Day for Year 6 students is on Tuesday 13th December.

Presentation Night will be on Wednesday 14th December.

Gumbuya World Excursion

On Monday 12 December, all Year 7, 8 and 9 students are invited to attend an excursion to Gumbuya World.  Payment of $60 and consent is due on Friday 2 December 2022 (payment includes, bus, park entry and lunch). If you have any questions, please contact Miss Larmour on lisa.larmour@education.vic.gov.au

Covid – Rapid Antigen Test kits

We still have a very large quantity of the kits, so if you or your family require one (or more) please ask at Reception. 

Coming key dates:

• Saturday 26th November – election day ‘democracy sausage’ stall
• Monday 28th November – Headstart (2023 classes) and Year 9 Camp commence
• Friday 2nd December – final day of classes for students currently in Senior School (Years 10 & 11)
• Friday 9th December - final day of classes for students currently in Junior School (Years 7-9)
• Monday 12th December – Year 7-9 Activity Day – Gumbuya Park – final Year 7-9 activity
• Tuesday 13th December – State-wide Year 7 Orientation Day / Summer Program commences
• Wednesday 14th December – Presentation Night (selected students)
• Friday 16th December – final day of Summer Program for selected Junior School students
• Tuesday 20th December – final day of Term 4 – school closes for the summer break

2023 – early notice:

• Friday 27th January – Staff commence
• Monday 30th January – Years 7, 10, 11 & 12 commence
• Tuesday 31st January – Years 8 & 9 commence

Harry Ruff

Principal

For the MC Principal Team