Welcome Back 2023
From the Principal
Welcome back, I hope your Christmas and New Year were fantastic and the beginning of the year has been positive.
We have had a lovely start with all of our students starting on Tuesday. The day began with a whole school assembly welcoming all students, in particular, the ‘class of 2023’ Year 12 students into the stadium, whilst wearing their bomber jackets and our Year 7 students.
During the assembly I informed students and staff, Mr Papas will be on leave for semester one. Mr Nick Evans from Mentone Girls Secondary College has been appointed to the role of Assistant Principal. Nick will join us from 15th February; leading the senior school,
Year 10-12.
I also introduced our new members of staff. They are:
Mr Lynch – VM and Humanities teacher
Ms Pierce – office support
Ms Kirkos – Maths/Science teacher
Mr O’Connor – Maths/Physics teacher
Ms Evans – Chemistry/Biology teacher
Ms James – VM Numeracy teacher
Ms. Kugimiya – Japanese teacher
Mr. Uhlenberg – Yr 10 Team Leader, English
Indie Jowett and Andrew McLaren – AFL trainees
Mr Webster – Maths teacher
Ms. Parkinson – Humanities
Mr Kirkby – Yr 12 Team Leader, VM teacher
Mr Papalexion – Hands On Learning support
Ms Catford – English teacher
Mr Cousins – Headstart Coordinator
And welcome back to Ms Sayer and Ms Rocca
Mornington Secondary College has 1 vacancy for a Maths teacher. Mr Sam Assard will cover these classes until we appoint a teacher.
During the assembly, I also informed students we will be focusing on 2 goals this year. They are:
- To maximise the achievement and learning growth of every student
- To improve the engagement and wellbeing of all.
Student learning and wellbeing are our priority. Last year, staff with the assistance of the All Captains Student Council developed protocols embedding School Wide Positive Behaviours and the use of Affective Statements from Real Schools to further enhance our positive culture, to provide a learning environment where all students are able to focus on their learning.
All students and staff are aware of these protocols and implementation begun this week. I have included a link to the protocols or alternatively the document can be viewed on the school website under policies.
https://mornsc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Classroom-Management-Procedures.pdf
If you would like to discuss the protocols please do not hesitate to contact the College.
Our students have settled into school life and our Year 7 students are spending the week getting to know each other and the school. It was lovely to see students working together, smiling whilst running around the College to find the answers to their treasure hunt, so they could be the first with all the correct answers.
As mentioned in the assembly, Year 12 students only have 34 weeks of school life left. The vibe in the Year 12 study centre is extremely positive. We wish them well for the short time they have left.
We are trialling a new way on communicating with our families this year to prevent numerous emails being sent about general information. Compass posts will continue if it directly involves students and at an individual level. If the information is of a general nature, a newsletter will be generated every Thursday at 4pm. This will include information from me and what has happened during the week and upcoming events. Facebook and Instagram will also be used as a form of communication. I hope you find this useful.
I look forward to working with you this year.
Regards
Linda Stanton
Principal
Important Dates
February
6th
School photos
8th
6pm -7pm Year 7-10 Numeracy Parent Information to support your child in Mathematics
9th
Whole school swimming carnival - ensure that you have consented in Compass
23rd
4.30pm - 6pm Year 7 Meet and Greet for Parents and Students
28th
Whole School Athletics Day
Year 7 2023
A big welcome to all our new Year 7 students and their families. It was so lovely to see everyone on Tuesday. All the students looked amazing in their new uniforms and were excited to start their secondary school journey.
Over the past few days everyone has had a chance to meet new friends, meet their teachers and start their new classes. Students now have a locker and lock, and I am pleased to say they mastered that lock very well!
Today everyone participated in the Year 7 Swimming morning. We had some get races in the pool and lots of fun in the novelty events. I can’t wait for all the students to showcase their swimming for their Houses next Thursday in our Whole School Swim Day at the Pines.
I look forward to meeting you at our upcoming Meet and Greet Night on the 23rd of February.
Jo Reeman
Year 7 Team Leader
Year 12 2023
Welcome back to school for our class of 2023. The first day started with students receiving their Year 12 jackets followed by a whole school assembly. This included the grand entrance of our 2023 Year 12 cohort into the stadium.
A very positive day, wonderful energy and plenty of smiles!
We look forward to a great year ahead.
Scott Kirkby
Year 12 Team Leader
