MWSC College News – Issue 8

North Eastern Victoria Region Youth Concert

I had the pleasure of attending the NEVR Youth Concert ‘Sonic Canvas’ at the Hamer Hall last week and was accompanied by Ms Kari Simmons our Business Manager. This event featured over 700 students from primary and secondary schools in the north-eastern region of the state coming together in a celebration of music and collaboration.

Congratulations to all our talented MWSC musicians 18 in total, who performed in various ensembles including the String Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Symphonic Orchestra. I was also thrilled to see some of our students’ artwork being displayed between acts.    One of the highlights of the night was hearing Madeleine D of Year 12 sing a solo performance of ‘Winner takes it all’. What a showstopper it was and thank you to Mr Ray Liang, Alumni from the Class of 2016 who accompanied her on the piano.
The Symphonic Orchestra ended the night with three numbers. They were conducted by our brilliant Head of Brass, Mr Joseph Yu. Joseph is such a talented conductor and watching him conduct, is pure joy!

Thank you to Mrs Tijtje Keatley Music Director, Mr Joseph Yu and Mr Tim OConnor for supporting the students backstage on the night and Mrs Melissa Knowles who attended rehearsals during the day.  Congratulations to all the NEVR instrumental music staff, teachers, students, and families who worked together to put on this night which celebrates how wonderful State Education is.

VCE Northern Hemisphere Examinations

I would like to thank Ms Jo Rogers, Head of Senior School, Mr James Johnston Senior School Leader and our Chief Examiner Mrs Trish Reid, and her team for the smooth way in which they ran the VCE Northern Hemisphere Timetable examination process from Monday 20 May until Friday 24 May.  Our students were involved in Unit 4 Accounting, English and Biology exams.  The examiners stated how well behaved our students were, which is a great credit to our school.

Reconciliation Week 

Mount Waverley Secondary College celebrated Reconciliation Week over the past week. The theme this year was ‘Now More Than Ever’. This theme holds a lot of significance in how we as a nation should move forward in supporting First Nations People. Many activities for both staff and students were held which were organised by our Wellbeing Team. A very important day occurred on Sunday 26 May which was National Sorry Day and students were informed about the important significance of this day. This day is the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, and we all need to understand its importance in Australia’s wider reconciliation journey.

Our ILEARN Values in action

Our college values are ones that we hold dear and are for all members of our learning community to uphold. As per what is occurring in our state health system and in other sectors of employment, schools are finding it increasingly hard to cover classes when staff are away.

So far, we have done an amazing job with the hard work of our two Daily Organisers Mr Scott Smith and Mr Greg Campbell and our many casual relief teachers who we employ to help fill these gaps, as well as teachers who are taking extra classes and support staff who are picking up extra tasks.

I would ask parents and carers to realise the challenges we face and to think about the way in which you address a member of my staff whether it is in person, on the phone or via email during these challenging times.

We all want the same thing and that is to support your children in their learning, but we cannot control when people get sick or must be absent to care for their own children. Your support and understanding would be much appreciated and can be demonstrated in a respectful and caring way.

Senior Campus Bike Shed Security

Please note during the last couple of weeks, we have had a stranger enter our grounds and cut security chains off scooters from the Senior Campus Bike shed, which he then stole. Please note that our insurance does not cover any personal items bought to school, so your students may want to think about whether they find alternative transport or invest in stronger security chains whilst this is occurring. The police are investigating this matter.

Stay Well this Winter

Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting the flu.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from mid-April each year and is free under the National Immunisation Program for those at higher risk of complications from the flu.

Keeping our school community well

Parents, carers and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:

• washing and sanitising hands regularly
• avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required
• staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.  Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 booster

The 2024 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.
Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.  You can have your booster dose 6 months after your last dose or COVID infection.  Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2024 booster dose. You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.

Find out more

For more information about preventing flu, and immunisation, refer to:

• Better Health Channel influenza flu immunisation fact sheet
• Getting vaccinated against influenza.

Correction Day/Semester 2 Starts

Please note that Correction Day will take place on Friday 14 June, and this is a student free day.  This day will enable teachers to finalise their Semester 1 assessments. Our Semester 2 classes will begin on Monday 17 June for all year levels which is the second last week of term.  The VCAA GAT exam will be held on Tuesday 18 June and no Year 11 or 12 classes will be held on this day.

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

Student for a day

Last week I had the great privelige of being a ‘Student for a day’. I followed Raj and his 8H classmates for the day, participating in all classes, lunchtime activities, and the hussle and bustle of the locker bay. I was reminded of exactly how challenging Year 8 can be, switching gears between classes as the day progressed.

After rushing to get to home group on time with Ms Corbisiero, we moved onto Maths with Mr Ung and Ms Suderson. Thank goodness we were doing median, mean and mode, which is one of the rare maths topics I remember from school. After recess was Science with Ms Kandy, which was great fun. While I was very rusty on the periodic table, I thoroughly enjoyed the Flame Test prac, using the bunsen burners, and can now (somewhat) confidently explain the differences between atoms, molecules, and compounds. After an extensive game of kick-to-kick at lunchtime (I can still kick a mean drop punt!), we off to more familiar grounds for me; English. Despite having taught English from Year 7-12 for many years, I was quite nervous about answering questions about different sentences types. I’m sure sure Ms Robertson would be proud of my complex and compound sentences in this article. And my sentence fragments.

As I unpacked my locker at the end of the day, and crawled back for an after-school meeting, I reflected on how wonderful our students are, and how lucky they are to have such positive, knowledgable, and encouraging teachers and support staff.

Thank you very much to Raj and 8H for having me, as well as to our wonderful teachers and Education Support team. I look forward to being ‘Student for a day’ again next year!

Car Parking at the Junior Campus

This is a reminder to all families that unfortunately there is no parking available on-site at the Junior Campus. We ask that any families travelling by car make use of the streets adjacent to, and opposite, the campus, while respecting our neighbours’ needs. We also ask that families refrain from stopping on Stephensons Road for pick-ups and drop-offs as this is very disruptive to the flow of traffic.

Every day counts

Did you know:

• Patterns of late arrival at school or missing classes are early warning signs of disengagement?
• Missing one day of school each week adds up to two months per year?
• Each day of absence has an impact on skill development and important social connections
• Poor attendance may be associated with future unemployment, criminal activity, substance abuse, and poorer health and life expectancy?
  

Top tips:

• We want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
• Remember that every day counts
• There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
• Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
• Open and prompt communication with the school about all absences is a good idea
• Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
• Seek help from the school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

We are nearing the end of a busy semester. Congratulations to those students who have made it through their first semester of VCE studies. We are very proud of the way you have approached your studies, been seeking teachers for help and asking for support when needed. Year 11s, we hope the exam period has given you a chance to reflect on what you did well this semester, and identify areas where you could improve. Year 12s, you are now approaching your final semester of your secondary schooling. Well done to all our Senior Students on your work this semester.

Semester Two

On June 17 Semester Two will begin. For most students in VCE this means beginning either Unit 2 or 4 for their respective subjects. Subject teachers will provide students with a course outline that will include a breakdown of the theory to be covered each week, coursework requirements and SAC dates and information. It is important that students use these to plan their ongoing study, complete all required coursework and prepare for SACs.

Subject Changes for Year 11 Students

Some students may have requested to change subjects. Subject change requests closed on Wednesday 5 June. Our Head of Senior School, Ms Jo Rogers, is working through these requests and will communicate with students as to the outcome of their request to change subjects. Any student who changes subjects is encouraged to talk to their teacher regarding any work from Unit 1 that would be beneficial to revise to assist them in preparing for Unit 2.

The General Achievement Test (GAT)

The GAT is a test sat by all students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject and will take place on June 18. The GAT is structured into two sections, with a range of question difficulties. Section A is a literacy and numeracy assessment comprised of multiple choice questions relating to reading and numeracy, and a writing task.
Section B assesses general knowledge and skills and is comprised of multiple choice questions relating to maths, science, technology, arts and humanities and an extended writing task. The GAT plays a role in the quality assurance of all VCE assessments and it is important that all students try their absolute best on this assessment. Students will be receiving information relating to the GAT in their mentoring classes and year level assemblies.

Exams

Year 11 students are half way through their exam period. It has been great to see them take the opportunity to practice exam techniques and strategies, including the experience of having to plan their study time to prepare for multiple exams. The exam period will continue into next week, however some students may have been lucky enough to have completed all their exams within the first week. Students are encouraged to use this time to begin to prepare for Semester 2, or concentrate on their Unit 3 and 4 subject if they are studying one.

Vocational Major (VM) –  Structured Workplace Learning

Students studying VM have been attending Structured Workplace Learning placements as part of their course during the two week exam periods. This placement is designed to help students apply the skills and knowledge they learn in their VET program in an industry environment.

VCE Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences for VCE students will take place in the first week of term three on Thursday 18 July between 4pm and 7pm. Parents will receive information about the booking process. All interviews will again be held virtually via WebEx. We encourage parents to use this opportunity to meet with teachers.

Every day counts

Did you know:

• Patterns of late arrival at school or missing classes are early warning signs of disengagement?
• Missing one day of school each week adds up to two months per year?
• Each day of absence has an impact on skill development and important social connections
• Poor attendance may be associated with future unemployment, criminal activity, substance abuse, and poorer health and life expectancy?

Top tips:

• We want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
• Remember that every day counts
• There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
• Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
• Open and prompt communication with the school about all absences is a good idea
• Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
• Seek help from the school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School

Mount Waverley North Primary School Visit

On Wednesday 5 June, Year 12 Leaders visited the Mini-Mount Matters groups at Mount Waverley North Primary School. This was a great opportunity for students to share their ideas about student agency and create a mutually beneficial experience. MWSC leaders shared their experiences in student leadership and highlighted the importance of taking initiative, not only in leadership but also in their education.

This also served as a good chance for senior leaders to refine their leadership and communication skills and connect with the enthusiasm and creativity of the younger students. The younger leaders were proud to share their ideas about agency with the ‘big kids’ as we worked together to make posters about what student agency looks like in their school environment. We look forward to meeting the MWNPS students on the MWSC Junior Campus in the not too distant future!
 

Mr Thomas Grant
Head of Student Voice

Reconciliation Week

Last week we acknowledged Reconciliation week with some activities at lunch time on both campuses and encouraged staff  and students to have open and respectful conversation about first nations history.  The theme for this year’s Reconciliation week was  ‘Now More Than Ever’. This theme holds a lot of significance in how we as a nation should move forward in supporting First Nations People. On the senior campus we held a poster competition. Congratulations to the following students:

Team 1:  Nikita R, Riya A and Randuli M  (Year 10)

Team 2:  Samadhi J, Elissa O and Lucy G  (Year 9)

Mens Health Week

Next week is Men’s Health Week. This year we are joining the campaign of Good Health Heroes to promote men accessing help and staying healthy. From a daily walk on your lunch break to a regular coffee with a mate — build your best self by stacking simple habits.

Good Health Heroes have got you covered, championing the most essential and effective habits for better wellbeing: physical activity, nutrition, reducing risk taking, sleep, connection and education. I encourage all male parents/carers/grandparents to have a look at the https://goodhealthheroes.org.au/ website and complete the Good Health Heros health quiz. Here are some of the statistics being shared by Good Health Heroes:

Health by the numbers

Good Health Heroes – Connected Kai

Good Health Heros – Physical Phil

Good Health Heroes – Nourished Nick

Good Health Heroes – Rohan

Foster Carers needed

Berry Street provides out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care and residential care) to over 11,000 children and young people who cannot live safely at home each year.  The number of people enquiring about fostering has halved in the Berry Street program over the past twelve months, a trend shared by other organisations.

But the demand for foster care remains. Just in South East Metro alone, Berry Street receives an average of 54 children/young people referred each month and about 46% of these referrals for sibling groups. The population of the City of Monash is 204,936 and currently, Berry Street only have 2 foster care households in the entire area of Monash.

If you would like to find out more please visit berrystreet.org.au/fostercare

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager

NEVR Concert – Sonic Canvas

On Wednesday 29 May, the annual North Eastern Victoria Region Concert was held at Hamer Hall. This is an enormous event featuring music students from 72 primary and secondary government schools from across the state. 18 music students from MWSC took part in combined ensembles in 2024 including the string orchestra, concert band, symphonic band and symphony orchestra. These ensembles are a great opportunity for students to work together and meet musicians from other schools.

In 2024, Madeleine D of Year 12 was chosen through an audition process to feature as one of only three soloists chosen for the concert. Singing the ABBA song ‘The Winner Takes it All’ and accompanied by 2016 Alumni Ray Liang on the piano, the duo’s rendition of this beautiful song was well received by the audience. In addition to this, Mr Joseph Yu our Head of Brass conducted the finale, Symphony Orchestra, and 3 students; Natasha L (Year 11), Jaylen K (Year 10) and Beatrice L (Year 12) had their artwork chosen and displayed through the backdrop presentation at the concert. Beatrice’s artwork titled ‘Gliding to Liberty’ was also featured in the program.

It was a wonderful concert and experience for our staff and students.

Unit 1 Recital

On Thursday 21 May, the Year 11 music class performed their first recital. The recital process is a valuable opportunity for students to begin mastering performance skills performing for a supportive audience of staff, students, friends and families. The recitals offer students feedback from a panel of music teachers, who cross-mark across the VCAA criteria, preparing students for the practical exam at the end of Year 12. Thank You to Mr Tim O’Connor, Ms Misa Murphy and Ms Melissa Knowles who assisted with marking these students. Congratulations to the Year 11 class on a poised and well prepared performance.

Victoria State School Spectacular

The annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular program is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for Victoria’s government primary and secondary school students.

The program showcases and unites government school communities through working towards a common goal of more students reaching the highest level of achievement in the arts, ensuring kids are happy, healthy and resilient, and building pride in our schools.

In 2024, the performance will take place on Saturday 14 September and we are proud to have two of our students chosen to take part. Shion M (Year 11) will be playing violin in the orchestra, and Ananya H (Year 11) will be performing as a lead vocalist. Congratulations to both of these students, and I look forward to watching you perform in September.

Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director

Year 7 Boys Badminton

On Thursday 6 June, nine Year 7 boys represented the school in the Junior Boys Badminton Round Robin.
The “A” team won their rubbers 5-1 against Vermont Secondary College and 4-2 against Highvale Secondary College before going down in the final to Glen Waverley Secondary College.

The “B” team won two of their three matches against strong opposition.  Well done to all the boys for their exemplary behaviour and fine sportsmanship shown.
The teams were:

Jessie L – 7A
Jayden O – 7B
Aarav J – 7C
Avi G – 7K

Hayden W – 7C
Soham N – 7C
Garv S – 7L
Kemi J – 7B
Alex P – 7G

~ Mr Campbell

National Careers Week

The week beginning May 13th was National Careers Week, an initiative of the Careers Industry Council of Australia. To mark the occasion, the school offered lunchtime sessions during which staff spoke about their career journeys with our students. They told many fascinating stories, including time spent in engineering, sports management, nursing, social work, trades, pharmaceutical industries, and teaching. A universal theme was the value of education in providing a platform for exploration and adaptability. The students asked some great questions, and appreciated these opportunities. We thank our staff for their generosity in giving their time and sharing their wisdom with our students.

Mr Phil Newnham
Careers Education Manager

Call out to the inaugural Class of 1964. Mount Waverley Secondary College is celebrating 60 years! We would love to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate memories with you on Wednesday 4 September. If you would like to participate, please email the Alumni Coordinator on alumni@mwsc.vic.edu.au

To register and get the latest news events sent directly to your email, please click here.

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator

“Wicked– The Musical”

On Wednesday 15 May, the Year 10 Theatre Production class and and some Year 9’s students had the opportunity to go and see ‘Wicked’ the Musical at Regent Theatre in the city.

It was truly a once in a lifetime experience as I had never previously watched a musical in a Theatre this big. The use of props was insane. They had a moving dragon at the top of the stage and people were flying, climbing things and walking on a bridge at least 3m high in the air!

The sets were truly magical, with objects that moved by themselves and crazy good lighting. Overall, the experience was great and I would 100% go again if I had the chance.

By Avneet A

The Year 9 and 10 and some Year 11 German students, had the wonderful opportunity to attend the German Film Festival on Tuesday 28 May.

We took the train into the city together, to the Palace Kino, which is a lovely smallTtheatre in the city. There we watched the film “Get Up”, a movie about skater girls, set in Frankfurt.

My friends and I really enjoyed the movie, it was better than we expected it to be. Watching the film was also a great way to expand our vocabulary, as it was a German film, along with English subtitles to aid us in our understanding.  After the movie ended, we had lunch, and then together headed back to school by train.

 Overall, going to the German Film Festival was a wonderful experience. It provided an entertaining way to expand our vocabulary, and I was glad to see the Year 9s and 10s who are passionate about learning German enjoy the day as well.

By Marlo B 11L

Last week marked the exciting conclusion of the second annual Student Activities 3-on-3 Basketball Competition.  The 3-on-3 basketball matches have been taking place on the Senior Campus during lunchtime this term.

After seven grueling weeks, only two of the original 24 teams remained: the Palettes and the Harlem Globebombers. In a thrilling final match, the Harlem Globebombers ultimately claimed victory!    ~ Mr Young