MWSC College News – Issue 14

Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence in Education

On Wednesday 4 September we celebrated our 60 Years Anniversary at Mount Waverley Secondary College. Nineteen of our inaugural Class of 1964 Form 1 students returned for the occasion and we held a Junior Campus Assembly to celebrate this special anniversary.

Our 2 College Captains from 1994 also returned on the day to open their time capsule they had made 30 years ago.

Lunch followed with our special guests, and we played a video message from 1964 class member Peter Tatchell (who lives in London and is a human rights activist) and we also showed a video that some of these students had made called ‘A Hard Day’s Run’ (about a school cross country run).

Afternoon tea and cake cutting followed with other special guests including Mr Matt Fregon MP for Ashwood, Ms Eva McMaster Department of Education NEVR Regional Office, alumni and College Council members.

Afterschool we opened our doors to the local community and invited them to see a historical display across the decades as well as student classroom displays in our Technology, Art, Visual Communication and Design and Science areas in our new STEAM Centre.

Our Interact Club students organised a bake sale on the day to raise money for UNICEF, and our Friends of Music ran a sausage sizzle to support our Instrumental Music Program. Musical performances took place throughout the afternoon including the first performance of our MWSC Alumni Band. Special thanks to everyone who attended this historical event.

Happy 60th Birthday Mount Waverley Secondary College. May you serve our community for many decades to come!

 

R U OK Day

On Tuesday 10 September we recognised R U OK Day on both campuses. R U OK day is a key awareness day to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be stressed with life. “A CONVERSATION CAN CHANGE A LIFE.” Thank you to all the students and staff who were involved in activities on the day.

 

Student and Parent Teacher Conferences

Last Thursday 12 September the college ran another successful student and parent, teacher conferences via WebEx. Feedback from parents and staff was extremely positive. Thank you to all involved in organising the event and to the teachers who provided feedback and advice for their students and their parents/ carers.

 

VCAA VCE Leadership Award

The VCE Leadership Awards are coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to recognise VCE students for their leadership, initiative, and involvement in extra-curricular and community activities. The 2024 VCE Leadership Award Ceremony was held on Friday 13 September and Georgia K of Year 12 (one of our College Captains) represented our college with pride. Georgia was one of eight students across the State who won a VCE Leadership Award and were in the running to be the VCE Leader of the Year. Although Georgia didn’t win the overall award, we are so proud of her achievements. Thank you to Mr Tom Grant Head of Student Voice, who attended the ceremony with me on the day.

 

Victorian State Schools Spectacular

The college would like to congratulate Ananya H, from Year 11, who participated as one of the Principal Vocalists in the 2024 Victorian State Schools Spectacular, held last Saturday at John Cain Arena. She sang some great songs and did an amazing job representing our school and was part of a wonderful show.

Shion M of Year 11 was also performing as a member of the orchestra playing violin.
Well done, Ananya and Shion!

 

 

Run for Rossy 

Congratulations to Mr Danny Gwynne, Sports Leader who organised our second MND fundraiser fun run. Over 200 students signed up to run around the Junior Campus oval and we raised over $3000 in memory of one of our alumni Chris Ross, Class of 2007 who was diagnosed with MND in April 2021 and tragically passed away last month. Some of our ‘brave’ teaching staff also volunteered to be dunked in ice on the day to raise money. Thank you to all the students, families and staff who supported this important cause.

 

 

Whooping cough

Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.  Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include:

• blocked or runny nose
• tiredness
• mild fever
• severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.

Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.  If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

To reduce the spread of infection and to protect others within the school community, students diagnosed with whooping cough are recommended not to attend school for 21 days after their cough was first present, or until they have taken a full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor (usually a 5-day course).

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.  I hope we can work together to protect the whole school community by following the recommended advice.  For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.  I really appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and well.

 

Mango Fundraiser

The college is seeking your support for our 2024 MWSC Mango Fundraising Drive.  If you love mangoes, here is your chance to indulge in fresh juicy Bowen Special Mangoes (formerly known as Kensington Pride Mangoes). These are picked and packed during the premium harvest. Ask your family and friends if they would like to indulge.

You can order a tray of mangoes for $30 per tray (approximately 7kg of fruit, number of mangoes per tray varies with size).

• Orders must be submitted by 3pm on Tuesday, 24 October 2024.
• All orders are via Trybooking link:  https://www.trybooking.com/CVKIR
• Families will be notified of the time and venue to collect orders. Delivery date will be confirmed in mid-November for an early December collection).

 

Term Vacation

I wish all students and their families a safe and restful holiday. Year 12 students will be attending revision over the holidays and need to ensure that they are consistently revising their coursework. In addition, students should be practising past exam papers under timed conditions. Examination papers can be viewed on the VCAA website: www.VCAA.vic.edu.au. Students should access and read the assessment reports for each study on this website. These are written by the examiners and highlight common strengths and weaknesses in student answers. I cannot stress enough the importance of using these holidays for revision and study purposes.

I would like to thank all students, teachers, and support staff for their hard work during the term and wish them a safe and happy holiday. Just a reminder that Term 4 begins on Monday 7 October and students should wear their summer uniform.

 

 

 

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

Term 3 was a vibrant and eventful period for our Year 7 and 8 students.

The Year 7s embarked on a cultural journey, visiting the National Gallery of Victoria to witness the captivating Pharaoh Exhibition. Their creative talents were showcased in the College Production of ‘Mamma Mia’.  Meanwhile, the Year 8s focused on their future, attending information sessions about the transition to the Senior Campus and making their Year 9 subject selections. Both year levels also participated in the annual ‘Swim/Gym’ (Year 7) and ‘Self-Defence/Bounce’ (Year 8) programs, to enrich their PE experience.

Both year levels demonstrated their athletic prowess in various sporting events, including the MWSC Olympics and House Athletics carnival. The school community also celebrated the 60-year anniversary of our institution with a commemorative photo opportunity and a celebratory assembly.  It was wonderful to hear about how much our school has changed in the past 60 years.

Beyond the classroom and sporting fields, our students engaged in enriching experiences.  Languages Day provided a platform to explore Japanese and German cultures through food, soccer, and a vibrant assembly. Book Week, with its focus of ‘Reading is Magic’, was again celebrated by a number of students alongside the Resource Centre team. The annual ‘Run For Rossy’ fundraiser, led by Mr Gwynne, also  united the school community in a spirit of generosity.

As we conclude Term 3, we commend our students for their dedication, enthusiasm, and achievements. We wish everyone a safe and restful term break, and look forward to another exciting term ahead.

 

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

Term 3 has been a busy term for our senior students. Even more so this with subject selections, University Open Days, sport days, excursions, and the school’s 60th celebrations all happening. In particular it is always a busy term for our year 12 as they complete their final school-based assessment tasks for their studies.

Whilst we hope the holidays provide some time for rest and relaxation, they should also be an opportunity to begin to revise, consolidate and prepare for the approaching exams.

 

Curriculum Day

On Friday September 13 staff spent their time working on curriculum development. Schools are required to teach the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Mathematics Curriculum from 2025, with the other curriculum areas to follow in 2026. The day provided valuable time for our staff to collaborate with their faculty teams to ensure we are planning for meeting the needs of the new curriculum.

 

Year 12 Formal

On Wednesday September 11, 270 students rocked up in their finest threads to celebrate their formal at Leonda on the Yarra. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to spend some time together before the start of their exams. The venue staff commented on how well behaved and polite our students were and I couldn’t agree more. The staff who attended were also able to enjoy themselves and it was a wonderful evening.

 

Year 11 Fancy Dress

On Friday September 6 the year 11 students rocked up in a variety of costumes ready to dance the night away. The photobooth got a work out, whilst the photographer got some amazing dance floor snaps. She commented on how well behaved our students were, and I couldn’t agree more! Thanks to all the staff who helped out on the night and for getting into the spirit with some great costumes.

 

Year 11 Central Australia Trip

At 5:15am on Wednesday morning 43 year 11 students and 6 staff set off for our annual Central Australia Trip. After an overnight stay in Adelaide they will make their way to Coober Pedy, Uluru, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs, with stops and day trips along the way to see the fantastic sights and cultural experiences Central Australia has to offer. Look out on our Socials for updates.

 

Unit 3 and 4 Holiday Revision Program

All students completing a Units 3 & 4 subject have been given information about the revision program in the second week of the term break. Students are strongly encouraged to attend. Many teachers are providing practice exams, extra support and revision lectures. Thanks in advance to all the teachers involved in the program and to Mr James Johnston for his co-ordination and organisation of the program.

 

Monash Council Women’s Network Lunch

The other week I had the pleasure of attending a lunch put on by Monash Council with Year 11 leaders Catherine F and Dua A. With a focus on sustainability it was a great chance for our students to interact with local business women, and learn about the sustainable practices supported by Monash Council. Catherine and Dua were also able to connect with other students and have plans to form a network with other leadership students from our local schools.

 

 

 

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School

Women’s Health Week

Across the college, we celebrated Women’s Health Week through a range of different activities. The Junior Campus enjoyed making keychains, stress balls, stress-relief cards and a lolly guessing challenge (this may not have been the healthiest activity although we know that balance is the secret to life!). It was great to see the students so involved and so keen to participate in activities related to health.
On the Senior Campus students made DIY body scrubs, stress balls and had a go at tote bag decorating.

 

RUOK? Day

Last week, as a college we celebrated RUOK? Day – a special day focused on checking in with one another and promoting mental health awareness. It was a fantastic opportunity to remind students, staff, and our whole community of the importance of asking, “Are you okay?” and staying connected.

One of the highlights was the RUOK? Day Amazing Race, where students teamed up to tackle challenges that tested their problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. The energy was infectious, and it was wonderful to see everyone working together in the spirit of friendship and support. The day was a powerful reminder of how we can make a difference simply by reaching out and listening. We encourage you to continue the RUOK? conversation at home. Asking someone how they’re doing can be the first step in providing much-needed support, and these small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.

Headspace Day

One of our key support services that we use – Headspace Syndal is celebrating Headspace day on Wednesday 9 October. In celebration they are hosting a parent workshop:

Parent/carer workshop: supporting you to support your young person 

The workshop will provide parents and carers with effective strategies and skills to better support their young person. Our goal is to enhance mental health and well-being for both parents and young people, fostering a supportive family environment.

Who: parents and carers of young people who are engaged with headspace or going through a tough time
When: 9:30am-10:30am Wednesday 9 October 2024
Where: headspace Syndal, 265 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley

Parents/carers can sign up here.

 

 

 

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager

South Street Eisteddfod – Ballarat 

Our talented students from Mount Waverley Secondary College continued to achieve success at the prestigious South Street Eisteddfod. Last week, two of our ensembles, the Chamber Strings and the Stage Band, travelled to Ballarat to compete against some of the best young musicians in the state.

The Chamber Strings, under the direction of Mr Timothy O’Connor, delivered a wonderful performance on Monday, earning a commendable fourth-place finish. Their rendition of three pieces showcased their exceptional skill and dedication.

Meanwhile, our Stage Band, led by myself, defended their title from last year with a performance that showcased this band. Their hard work and talent paid off as they secured first place for the second consecutive year.

These outstanding achievements are a testament to the dedication of our students and staff. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all members of both ensembles, and a special thank you to Ms Keryn Lientschnig and Ms Melissa Knowles for their invaluable support.

 

UNIT 4 Recital

Last night, our dedicated Year 12 VCE Music students took centre stage in their final recital before the upcoming solo performance exam. This significant milestone marks the culmination of two years of hard work, preparation, and artistic growth.

The students played a portion of their 20-minute program, showcasing their exceptional talent and musicality. The recital provided a valuable opportunity for them to practice performing under exam conditions and receive feedback from a panel of experienced music teachers.

We commend our students on their outstanding performances and wish them all the best as they prepare for their final music exam.

 

2025 New Zealand Information Night

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the families who attended our information evening on Tuesday. Your enthusiasm and support for our upcoming music tour to New Zealand in 2025 is exciting.

Experiences like these are invaluable to our music students, providing them with opportunities to collaborate with other schools, immerse themselves in different cultures, and forge lasting connections with like-minded peers. We are excited to embark on this adventure together and create unforgettable memories.

 

Victorian State School Spectacular

I had the pleasure of attending the VSSS last Saturday to enjoy a showcase of the talents of students state-wide. With singing, dancing, acting, and music, this event offers unique opportunities for collaboration, experience, and confidence building and is an inspiring celebration of creativity and dedication. Congratulations to MWSC students Ananya H (Year 11) and Shion M (Year 11) who performed in this event. Shion was a violinist as part of the orchestra, and Ananya was a principal vocalist.

 

Gala Concert – Get your tickets 

 

Concert 1 tickets:  https://www.trybooking.com/CVHRA

 

Concert 2 tickets:  https://www.trybooking.com/CVHZB

 

(Tickets will sell out fast – No tickets on the door)

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director

VM VCE  and VPC – Semester 2 Update

In Term 3, students across both levels have had the opportunity to experience many different events to enhance their learning outside the classroom.

In Year 11, students have been actively engaged, under the supervision of Mr Shaw, in the construction and rebuilding of a garden bed at the Junior Site. Students have had to apply numeracy and literacy skills to work out the wood and soil required to make garden beds ready for spring planting. For PDS, students have participated in a community engagement program with AVEO Fountain Court. Over a couple of weeks, students selected to do Gardening or Knitting while engaging in conversations with the residents and workers. The residents enjoyed the change of scenery and students loved interacting with people they did not know but might be the clients of the future. A big thank you to Ms Sally Robotham for organising the AVEO excursions as well as assisting in the newly opened VM Cafe, where students put their food handling and barista skills into practice. Students with Ms Lockhart participated in an industry immersion activity as part of their WRS course, gaining valuable interview experiences as well as meeting potential employers. In all subjects, students have been actively involved in open-ended activities and projects to prepare for the workforce.

In Year 12, students planned and ran an excursion, of their choice, to the Aquarium with a visit to the State Library. The team learned about what is needed to run and plan an event from scratch as part of their PDS course. As part of the WRS course, students visited Trades Hall to learn about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. For PDS, students have participated in a community engagement program with AVEO Fountain Court. Our VM and VPC students joined in two sessions of Bingo, engaging in conversations with the residents and learning about independent living and the lives of others. It was great to see our students volunteer to call and while some were nervous, it was wonderful to see them out of their comfort zone. A big thank you to Mr Simon Bartlett for organising the events and to Ms Taylor, Ms Disley and Ms Ragavan for coming along to assist. In all four courses, students have been actively involved in open-ended activities and projects to prepare for the workforce.

It has been a great experience to see both levels of students engaging with the people of AVEO Fountain Court and we know the students enjoyed it as much as the residents did. We intend to continue to partner with AVEO Fountain Court next year to enrich and enhance our students’ communication and community engagement skills

Once again, the success of the program is only as good as the staff who organise and support the students in preparation for the workplace. We are very fortunate to have staff like Mr Johnston, Ms Rogers, Ms Lockhart, Ms Robotham, Ms Smith, Mr Newnham, Mr Bartlett and Mr Shaw who go above and beyond to make the subjects engaging and enriching. I also want to acknowledge the support of the Principal Team and the events team of Mrs McLennan and Ms Sung who have allowed us to explore what is possible outside of the school grounds.

In Term 4, myself, Mr Newnham and the Senior subschool team look forward to interviewing the prospective 2025 Year 11 VM VCE and VPC students as well as talking to the 2025 12 VM VCE team about how to get their Structured Workplace Learning in place.

 

 

Mr Wayne Griffin
Head of VM and VPC 

Year 12 Reminders!

 

SEAS

VTAC has sent a reminder to encourage all students submitting a SEAS application to have their supporting documentation submitted by 5pm on 20^th September. If students have their applications in by this time, VTAC will review it to check for problems. This might be an illegible or blank document, an out-of-date financial statement, or a document which doesn’t address the educational impact. SEAS applications close on 11^th October at 5pm.

 

VTAC Timely Application 

The close of the timely application period is coming around very quickly so we’d like to take this opportunity to remind you about payment advice for 2024. VTAC’s advice is to submit an application and complete payment within the timely application period (30th September 2024 at 5pm) to ensure you pay the lowest fee and you are eligible for all courses and all offer rounds.

ATARs are released on 12^th December, 2024. Change of preference remains open until 12pm on 14^th December. Students may book appointments with the Careers Team through Careers Corner.

 

Register for the Results and ATAR Service

To access your VCE results and ATAR without delay, you will first need to register through the VCE Results and ATAR service. You will need your VCAA student number.

The Careers Team are available for appointments if you require further assistance.

 

 

 

Mr Phil Newnham and Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Careers Education

 

Welcome to this special issue of the Mount Waverley Secondary College Alumni Newsletter.

The 60th anniversary of the school was a nostalgic celebration that brought together alumni from various graduating years to reminisce and reflect on their time at the school. In this newsletter I have compiled photo memories of the day.

To view the newsletter, click here.

 

Stay in touch!

There are three simple ways you can stay in touch with the Alumni community:

• Newsletter

Register your details below to become part of our Alumni community and receive directly to your inbox news on upcoming events and reunions.  Register click here

• Facebook

The Alumni Facebook page is another online platform I encourage you to ‘like’ as it highlights some achievements and upcoming events – Facebook

• LinkedIn

Mount Waverley Secondary College LinkedIn Group – LinkedIn

 

 

 

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator

School Saving Bonus – Government Schools

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.
The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers
Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

• Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.
• Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us directly.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

• in October, to verify your email address
• in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus.

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.
To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.