Mentone Girls' Secondary College Newsletter

Principal's Message

As term one comes to an end, I have reflected on the year so far. Our students began the year with enthusiasm and positivity. There was a feeling of optimism and purpose as we adjusted to the five-period day. Our senior students in particular returned energised and tackled their studies with purpose.  Our leadership and meeting structures have been adjusted to reflect the goals of the Strategic Review and our Annual Implementation Plan was constructed with goals linked to the following portfolio areas:

  • Student learning growth
  • Teaching and learning
  • Student engagement and wellbeing

School Council

Our 2023 School Council was formed, and we welcome Mark Murray and Elloise Prior to the team. The full Council comprises of:

  • Parent Members:  Mark Murray, Geri Sumpter and Bronwyn Weir (Vice President) 
  • Department of Education (DoE) Employee Members: Linda Brown and Carol Duggan
  • Community Members: Dr Helen Forgasz, Rachael Angus (Council President) and Rosa Ferrari (Treasurer)
  • Student Members: Candice Prior and Elloise Prior

Thank you to our out-going 2022 Council members: Wendy Harvey and Peta Brincat (DoE),  Bernadette Gooda, Allison Mugridge and Brett Turner (Parent Members) and Amberley Powell (Student Representative). 

Co-curricular program

Mentone Girls’ Secondary College is by far the busiest school I have worked in in terms of the co-curricular program. I would like to acknowledge the staff who go above and beyond their roles to provide additional opportunities for our students inclusive of the following activities from term 1: 

 

Year 12 conference; Year 7 two-day Orientation program; Photo day; College assemblies including our welcome to Year 7 and International Women’s Day student leadership conference; Year level assemblies; Round Robin sports competitions; Year 12 formal; Aerobics; Year 7 Information evening; Incursions and excursions (too many to list); Library bookclub; Outdoor education camps and excursions (Year 9, 10 and 110; MGSC Swimming Carnival; Year 8 Medieval day, Student Leadership conferences; School tours and the two-day “A day in the life” grade 6 program, Junior School music showcase; Year 10 Holocaust excursion; SEVR singfest excursion; Top Arts NGV and Top Class Theatre Studies excursions; Physics Luna Park excursion; Drama Harry Potter excursion, Senior Food excursion; Environmental Science Zoo excursion, Year 7 camp and the list goes on.

Our Gerry 

The sudden passing of Gerry Van Den Berg came as a shock. Our community rallied and we supported each other and Gerry’s family through a very sad time. A private memorial was held on Friday 31 March and I was honoured to represent the school community. Below is an excerpt of my small contribution in honouring our friend, Gerry.

 

Hello everyone.

My name is Carol Duggan, and I am acting Principal at Mentone Girls’ Secondary College. My “real” job is Assistant Principal and I have been at the college since 2009, arriving three years after Gerry. I have worked in three government schools over my 34-year career, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, there was no one like Gerry. 

 

It is very hard to describe him as his unique personality can only be fully understood through being lucky enough to work with him. Everyone at MGSC has their own unique memories to share so what I share now is based on my own perspective.

 

Where to start?  I shall begin with his many kindnesses:

  • Gerry was an old-fashioned gentleman, something that is not always obvious in the younger generations, although I can see this trait of kindness and consideration has been passed on to both Gary and Robyn which is a credit to both Gerry and Lynn. 
  • To quote a staff member “he exemplified all the values that are often difficult to find in today's world. He was a loyal friend to the school through so many years, always wise in his assessments of any situation and in his advice about how to navigate life and most importantly of all genuinely valued by the MGSC students who regarded him as an integral part of the heart and soul of the school. He was the "everywhere man who could do everything" but he was also a kind, empathetic and loving man”.
  • Gerry was generous with his time. The amount of community members who were helped following flat tyres or flat car batteries cannot be counted. He reminded me several times to get the tyres checked on my car and offered to take me to his recommended service provider. He also reminded me when my car needed a wash as he would draw a smiley face on the dirty windows. 
  • Gerry was a champion of car park safety. He would regularly “discuss” correct protocols with parents or those who parked in the incorrect spots in the car park. This all from a perspective of protecting the staff and students at his school. 
  • Gerry was a good listener. He showed genuine interest in staff and students alike. As a parent of children of similar age to mine, his pride in his family was clear and because of this he took a keen interest in the lives of people he worked with. I, like many others felt his genuine care as he asked after my family and others during the difficult times they had experienced. 
  • Gerry noticed if people were having a bad day. When he passed by First Aid and saw a student upset or crying, he would draw a smiley face on the palm of his hand and show it to make them smile. He seemed to know what students needed, especially the most vulnerable. That ready-drawn smiley face on his hand was a simple gesture that let us all know he cared and that he noticed. 
  • Gerry arrived at school at 6.30. He began his morning routine unlocking gates, locker bays and turning the alarms off. He was always on the move, tidying and ensuring the school would always be perfectly readied for the start of the day. 
  • Gerry’s start to the day also included providing a welcoming presence through preparing the office spaces: he ensured the lights were on, doors unlocked, and the heater/air conditioner was always switched on. Such was his routine that the start of every day since his passing feels wrong. 
  • Gerry’s generosity of spirit meant he would drop everything he was doing in preference for helping others. He would carry heavy loads for staff members, particular the females.
  • Gerry knew how every door, window, piece of equipment in the school operated.  I understand his three-car garage is filled with all sorts of equipment but like his office and the school garage, Gerry knew where every item was located. 
  • Gerry’s fitness and energy belied his age. His energy and enthusiasm meant he was first to help set up and dismantle sports carnivals, pack, drive and unpack for every Presentation evening at Robert Blackwood Hall or Moorabbin Town Hall, every school assembly, every school examination period, moving thousands of items of furniture with quick efficiency. He would wave off fatigue and get on with things, shrugging off the thanks said, and the gratitude people felt. 
  • Gerry’s integral role in all things related to the Visual Arts department meant the past and present staff always had the materials they needed, and the annual art show preparations would not be possible without his quick, efficient assistance. Gerry spent many a lunch break with the Visual Arts staff. 
  • He would also love coming into the textiles room to mend/repair things on the sewing machine showing the girls that he knew how to sew and hearing them giggle or gasp in admiration that he could do anything. He was always a fabulous role model for staff and students alike showing anything is possible and that he was a man of many talents.

Other ways Gerry impacted life at MGSC:

  • Gerry always began his days at work early. His cheerful demeanour was infectious; he greeted everyone, every day with positivity. 
  • Gerry loved to joke around with the students. He had a wicked sense of humour, which to uninitiated, would be explained as “that’s Gerry”. 
  • He would appear from nowhere when a student was doing something wrong, like eating in the corridor. He was known to leap out from behind lockers as well.
  • Gerry always had recipe advice, with some recipes more “unusual” than others. I know he followed a “keto diet”, but I have distinct recollections of him having a stash of sweets every now and then, which he always shared.  When Gerry greeted me every day he was often on his “second breakfast/coffee” when the rest of us arrived at 8am onwards. 
  • If Gerry wasn’t cooking on the barbecue, he was transporting the barbecue or cleaning the barbecue. There was once a “men’s club” for the small number of male staff members at MGSC – Gerry was observed front and centre … cooking on the barbecue at their gatherings. 
  • What did Gerry cook and share from the barbecue? South African sausages “BOO-ruh-VORS” which we all thought were delicious.
  • Gerry wore shorts every day regardless of the outside temperature. He referred to his “South African army boots” referencing being barefoot or wearing thongs. 
  • Gerry had a fierce sense of right or wrong. He didn’t wear a superman costume, but “fought” against the those who contravened his moral compass. 
  • Gerry was:
    • A hater of rubbish, graffiti, and vandalism. 
    • A champion at locking toilets and locker bays should students make bad choices.
    • Self-appointed security at Year 12 Celebration days

But was always there for the school community. 

  • Gerry was my right-hand man before any major school event, helping me to decide whether it should proceed or not through his weather analysis, backed by the only weather app I ever use (Willy Weather). He would also give me the heads-up if a storm was coming, and I needed to announce wet-weather conditions for the community. Sorry, Bureau of meteorology, but Gerry was far more accurate.
  • On one occasion Gerry paraded a dead rat through the corridors to demonstrate the impact of food items being left in lockers. 
  • He was an avid photographer of examples of poor student choices (including said rat) to show whichever Assistant Principal oversaw Facilities. 
  • That aside, Gerry would quickly repair and restore school property to its former glory as if the misdemeanour never happened in the first place, thus discouraging similar behaviour in the future.

When the tragic accident happened Gerry’s impact on MGSC could be seen and felt immediately. Our community, past and present students galvanised into action. Everyone wanted to help and through this we have seen many acts of kindness and generosity. Our school has become a sea of yellow ribbons, representing Gerry’s catchphrase “hello sunshine”.

 

We will meet with Lynn, Robyn, and Gary to discuss how Mentone Girls can arrange a respectful celebration to acknowledge Gerry. 

 

I think it is fitting to conclude with a message I received from Robyn on the evening following the accident: 

Mum said she asked dad yesterday if he’d like to retire soon and he said no because he loves his job. He really did love his job and the people and the students. He loved feeling like he made a difference to people’s lives”.

 

Gerry did make a difference. He will be missed. Thank you.

Ahead for our community 

Following such a sad time it is important to return to routine. We will commence term 2 with a Digital Delivery Day on Monday 24 April. Students will complete set classwork and submit at the end of their scheduled lessons. Teachers will be available online during their scheduled classes and will mark the class roll based on student’s completion of the set task. 

 

On Wednesday 26 April will see our students return on site. A College Assembly is scheduled with the focus being a tribute to Anzac Day. 

 

I extend my best wishes to the school community for a relaxing, safe, and enjoyable school holiday and look forward to welcoming students and staff back to school in readiness for all that term 2 will bring. 

 

Carol Duggan

Acting Principal.