Mount Waverley Secondary College alive with the Sound of Music!
This year the college has an amazing 265+ students participating in the Music Program. They are committed to a gruelling training schedule which results in these students showcasing their incredible talents in the 3 concert bands, 2 stage bands, 3 string orchestras, 3 guitar ensembles, 2choir, 1 improvisation ensemble, a jazz combo, percussion ensemble and various chamber ensembles. In addition to this we have added a soul/funk band to MWSC in 2024. We also have 2 string orchestras and 2 concert bands, and a guitar ensemble that are part of our Year 7 classroom music program giving every one of our Year 7 students an opportunity to experience playing in a band.
Our learning community looks forward to attending and enjoying many performances provided by these students through the year. This fantastic music program is a tribute to the hard work and talent of our dedicated instrumental and music teachers.
Music Soirees a Great Success
Congratulations to all the students who performed in the Music Soiree nights last week. Students from all year levels were involved and I know that the parents, students, and staff in the audience appreciated hearing their wonderful performances.
Harmony Week
This week we celebrated Harmony Week on both campuses. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries and our cultural diversity is at the heart of who we are. It’s important to celebrate our country’s diversity and ensure that we are inclusive, respectful and create a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional owners of the land to our most recent arrivals. On the Junior Campus students dressed in their traditional costumes and on the Senior Campus we had lots of activities, and we even had a Bollywood dance performance by some of the staff. Thank you to the Wellbeing Team and student leaders who organised these special events.
Natori Visitors
This week we welcomed visitors, 5 staff and 22 students from Natori. Natori is Monash’s sister city in Japan, and Mount Waverley Secondary College has hosted students from our sister city since the mid 1990’s.
I would like to congratulate Ms Michelle Lukaczynski, Head of Japanese for overseeing the organisation of this visit and sincerely thank all the families who volunteered to be host families. I know that the experience of hosting an international visitor is enriching and rewarding for all involved.
Top Art Exhibition
On Wednesday 13 March Ms Lynette Spiller, Art teacher had the honour of joining Anne F from the Class of 2023 and her family at the official opening of the Top Art exhibition at the NGVA at the Ian Potter Centre. Top Arts is a yearly exhibition that showcases the most exceptional work from Victorian VCE students who study Art Making and Exhibiting or Art Creative Practice. Anne was one of 45 extremely talented students chosen from over 1200 high level applicants. Congratulations Anne.
Top Designs Exhibition
I had the pleasure of attending the TOP Designs Exhibition launch last Friday night at the Melbourne Museum with Mrs Cecilia Carlill, Visual Communication Design teacher. We were there to view and celebrate Class of 2023 student Ethan L whose work was chosen for the exhibition. This year, only 92 works were selected for the exhibition from over 1,000 applications. Congratulations Ethan.
Communication Policy
There are several documents relating to email and other communication at the college between staff, students and parents. The Communication Policy (https://www.mwsc.vic.edu.au/our-college/college-documents/#policies) sets out a number of requirements and expectations.
The Communication Policy focuses on the following:
- Building positive relationships between home and school and the community based on mutual respect and trust that results in success for all students.
- Ensuring the wellbeing of students and improvement of their learning outcomes.
The Communication Policy aims to:
- provide a framework for effective communication
- create co-operative teamwork and partnership between school, parents/carers and students and the community
- assist the best learning outcomes for students
- ensure that the college values are reflected through effective communication
Effective communication encompasses the exchange of ideas, where people feel they have been heard and their opinions valued, and where information is clear and accurate. Communication needs to be related to student performance, wellbeing, and behaviour, as well as school related issues. Communication should be respectful, timely and relevant, allowing for open and honest interaction.
This policy refers to the following forms of communication:
- voicemail/ telephone conversations
- emails
- official letters
- student planner
- college website
- newsletters
- Compass
All members of our learning community should respond to emails within 2 days. Emails should not be sent or responded to after 8 pm in the evening or on weekends – this applies to emails between students & teachers and teachers and parents.
Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
The focus for students at Mount Waverley Secondary College is to achieve their very best and to continually improve their learning. An important part of this focus is the partnership between school and home, between teacher and parents/carers and student. Parent/student/ teacher interviews play a key role in this partnership where all parties meet to discuss the student’s achievements, progress, and strategies for improvement.
As per the notice that went out on Compass, Parent/student/teacher conferences for semester one is scheduled for Wednesday 27March between 1pm and 7:30pm. These conferences will be held online via Webex links.
Wednesday 27 March is also a scheduled student free day. No classes will be running on the day.
These interviews provide our students with an important learning experience where they can reflect upon and evaluate their progress and join in partnership with their teacher and parents to plan for ongoing success. For these reasons I recommend everyone is involved in this process.
Uniform Changeover Time
Winter uniform starts in Term 2 which includes the long sleeve shirt and tie, although for the first two weeks of term there is a changeover period where the students can wear either summer or winter uniform.
Please ensure that your students have the correct college uniform which is only supplied by PSW located at their state-of-the-art retail outlet at 342 -350 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley (behind Officeworks).
End of Term 1 – Start of Term 2
Students will be dismissed at 2.30pm on Thursday 28 March and we will look forward to their return for Term 2 on Monday 15 April. Happy holidays everyone!
Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal