Principal's Report 

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am thrilled to welcome back our students for 2022. A new school year brings with it a sense of excitement as each student moves up a year level and Year 7 students are transitioned into the College.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new families who are joining our Monivae community for the first time. Along with our Year 7 students, we have several students in Year's 9 to 12 that are commencing their education at the College.

Camps and Retreats

I had the privilege of accompanying our Year 12 students to Halls Gap for their Retreat experience from Wednesday to Friday of last week. They are a remarkable group of young people who capitalised on this opportunity to strengthen their inter-relationships and explore their personal connection with our loving God. Our Year 12 Retreat is an experience that many people reflect on post their secondary school with great fondness, and this certainly appeared to be the sentiment of the students of the 2022 cohort. 

Our Year 7’s spent their three days at camp forging new friendships, surfing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and visiting Tower Hill. A busy time with much fun and laughter. We would have liked the weather to have been a little warmer but it didn’t seem to deter the enthusiasm.

Class of 2021

Congratulations to the Class of 2021. Their leadership, service to others and contribution to the College has been outstanding. Congratulations to Bronson Hill, Dux of the College, not only is he defined by his strong work ethic but by his humility, generosity, and thirst for learning. Despite all the uncertainties over the past two years, remote learning and lockdowns, 31% of our year 12 students achieved an ATAR of 78 or above and a mean of 65. Importantly 90% received first round Tertiary offers and all our students applying for a Tertiary place received an offer.

Thank you to the staff who contributed to the education of the students and to the parents and families who have been such an integral part of their final year of secondary education.

Staff News

Over the break we farewelled,

• Warwick Dent (Learning Support officer)
• Chelsea Crane (Learning Support officer)

We welcome the following staff – 

• Nathan Ough (Mathematics)
• Aoife Kelly (Science)
• Yarni MacAlister (Drama/Media)
• Merriki Sambell (Humanities/English)
• Stacey Adams (Art)
• Andrew Gill (Grounds/Curator)

We also welcome back – 

• Helen Wilken (PE)
• Richard Brown (VET Engineering)
• Fr Bob Irwin Msc

COVID

We understand that there have been multiple staff and families within the College community compromised by the COVID illness and isolation requirements. We send out our best wishes to those who are unwell and pray for a speedy recovery.

We are continuing to implement the measures set out in the recent Back-to-School plan designed to ensure every possible effort is made for staff and students to be safe and that schools remain open.

We received an additional supply of Rapid Antigen Tests for distribution to students and this occurred during Homeroom this morning. The tests were given to students with multiple Monivae students in their household. We anticipate one box of 5 RAT's will be sufficient supply for the final two weeks of the government return to school plan and the subsequent four week supply period of Rapid Antigen Tests. We are unsure at this stage if this initiative will continue beyond the next two weeks, but we will certainly keep you updated on developments. Please contact the school if you did not receive one box for each of your children.

A reminder: Students and staff will do the tests at home and must report any positive test results to the College.  Students are to conduct their tests Week 3 & 4: Monday and Thursday mornings.  Call or email Reception Ph: 03 55511200, Email: reception@monivae.vic.edu.au

If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Students or their parents must also report a positive result to their school, by phone or written notification.  This is a necessary step so the school can provide support, record that they will be absent while in 7-day isolation, and let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms.

The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is to ensure that any unwell students remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. Everyone should consider their health before they attend school, and ensure that they are free from coronavirus symptoms and have not had recent contact with a person confirmed or suspected to have coronavirus.

Tutor Learning Program (TLP) 2022

The table below indicates where the TLP will run in 2022. The TLP will be staffed with Monivae teachers who have volunteered their time to support this initiative. The TLP welcomes all students from Years 7-12. No bookings are required, and students can access any venue on any of the days identified. They are not restricted to only one night or session. 

The TLP will support all Monivae students (7-12) with their homework and learning needs.

Students wishing to utilise the TLP at Monivae as well as the boarding facilities, must pre book via email with the Head of Boarding, Ms. Merrin Shannon.

Email: mshannon@monivae.vic.edu.au 

Boarding is free of charge for any student wishing to access this program. The College provides dinner, breakfast and lunch as well as accommodation for students on these nights. A list regarding linen requirements, toiletries etc will be sent to those who have booked accommodation in the boarding house. 

Please note: the TLP will begin in week 3 of Term 1 (14 February). The TLP will not run during school holidays. Please be aware, in Term 1, the TLP will not run on the 14 or 15 March and concludes week 10 (6 April).

Note: During the year, venues and times will be reassessed to meet the needs of our students and some changes may be made. Any changes will be communicated in a timely manner.

Kind regards,

Jonathan Rowe

Principal