MWSC College News – Issue 18

2025 Year 7 Information Evening

It was wonderful to see many parents and students attend our 2025 Year 7 Information Evening on Tuesday 19 November.  I spoke about what skills, attributes, and strategies I would want my child to develop at school and encouraged the new Year 7 students to get involved in the many opportunities and extra curricula activities on offer at Mount Waverley Secondary College.  I left the students with a quote from Dr Seuss “You’re off to great places, today is your day.  Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”

Sports Awards Evening 

Congratulations to Mr Danny Gwynne, Mr Jay Newport our Sports Leaders and Mrs Narda McLennan our Marketing and Events Manager for their work in organising our Sport Awards Night at the college on Wednesday 20 November and special thanks to our Sports Captains Avril and Taya for helping present awards. It was fantastic to see so many students and their families in attendance, celebrating and recognising the great achievements our students have made in 2024.

Stan Gallery Exhibition

A collection of our senior students’ Art work is currently on exhibition at the Stan Gallery (49 Stanley Avenue) in Mount Waverley. This exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to showcase a variety of highly skilled, beautiful, and thought-provoking artworks. It provides a platform for our students to display their work in a professional space within the community. The incredible pieces on display reflect the immense creativity and dedication of our students, serving as a testament to the strength and excellence of our Arts program at the college.  The exhibition is open now until Sunday 15th December.

Star Performers

PSW Exclusive Shopping Night

Thank you to all our 2025 Year 7 parents and students who attended our exclusive shopping night at PSW our unform supplier recently. This was a great way for our families to receive excellent service as they prepare our new cohort of students for secondary school next year.

Secondhand Uniform/Book Sale

Special thanks to everyone who donated books or uniform items to our second-hand sale which was held on Friday 22  November. We raised over $8500 which will be used to help support student-led initiatives. I would like to sincerely thank all of our wonderful parent volunteers who ran the sale on this day.

Exams on the Senior Campus

Over the last few weeks, the Senior Campus has been a very busy place. Students in Year 9, 10 and 11 have been completing exams and teachers have been marking them and writing reports.

Our Year 12 VCAA examinations concluded on Wednesday 20 November and as you can imagine the organisation of these exams is a huge logistical task. Thank you to Mr James Johnston, Senior Subschool Leader for overseeing this process along with our Chief Examiner, Mrs Trish Reid. We now await our Year 12 results which are released on Thursday 12 December.

2025 Early Commencement

Our whole school rolled over to our 2025 timetable on Monday 25 November and our 2024 Year 8 students began classes on the Senior Campus.  Early Commencement is a great way for students to get a head start on their studies for next year.  I encourage all students to complete set homework and read their texts before returning to school next year. A special thank you to the staff for their efforts in running this program and in particular, the sub school teams, faculty heads and Mr Scott Smith (timetabler) for all their hard work.

Semester Two Reports

Teachers have been completing reports and feedback for their students.  Year 7 to Year 11 students and parents/carers will receive an end of semester report via Compass on Wednesday 11 December. The reports are a culmination of the written feedback from their teachers with additional information on work behaviours and, for Year 7 to 10 students, Victorian Curriculum levels.

Jazz Under the Stars

The Mount Waverley Secondary College ‘Jazz under the Stars’ evening is an annual event which will be held next Tuesday 3 December on the Senior Campus. The concert will feature the MWSC Jazz Bands and Alumni Band and will begin at 4.30pm for a sausage sizzle and music will start at 5pm. Please enter via Gate 5, Beaufort Street.

This wonderful evening is an outdoor picnic style event where families are asked to bring a chair and a picnic to enjoy with friends.  Proceeds from the $5 entry donation and sausage sizzle will go toward the New Zealand Music Tour 2025.  We hope to see you there!

Year End Program (YEP)

The YEP Program will then run from Wednesday 11^th December until Friday 13^th December for students in Years 7-9 who have enrolled in this program. Students will receive information regarding this program next week.

Presentation Night

This year, Presentation Night will be held on Tuesday 17 December at The Besen Centre, 7.00pm, 87-89 Station Street, Burwood.  Students will be notified if they are to receive an award and will attend a rehearsal at the college next Thursday 5 December during the school day. Information regarding rehearsals and how families can purchase tickets for the night will be emailed out shortly.

2025 Hawker Scholarships

Applications for the annual 2025 Hawker Scholarships are now open. The online form can be accessed via the Hawker Scholarship website. This scholarship is open to recently graduated Year 12 students who should visit the Hawker Scholarship website and read the FAQs and other useful  historical information, before they submit an application. Up to four Hawker Scholarships are awarded each year and each undergraduate residential scholarship is valued at $75,000 over three years. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 6 January 2025. Selection is largely based on personal qualities, leadership and academic achievements. The prestigious Hawker Scholarships perpetuate the memory of Australian scholar, soldier, pastoralist and statesman Charles Allan Seymour Hawker (1894-1938).

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

Celebrating Excellence

On the final day of semester two, we gathered as a campus to celebrate excellence in a number of fields in 2024. Students were recognised for leadership, sporting achievement, upholding our school values, and academic prowess. It was also a great opportunity to farewell our Year 8s, who are moving onto the Senior Campus, as well as thanking our wonderful staff for their support throughout the year.

2025 Junior Campus Leaders

Our 2025 Junior Campus Leadership Team was announced in our final assembly last Thursday. The 2024 team formally handed over their roles to the incoming leaders, and we are all sure they will do a great job. Congratulations to the following students:

Campus Captains: Ekagra and Tayla
Deputy Campus Captains: Saakhi and Aliyah

House Captains:
Bradman  –  Josie and Lucy
Cuthbert  –  Lynn and Cecelia
Fraser  –  Ruby and Sammy
Goolagong  –  Riley and Sarah
Landy  –  Tharunram and Tejasvi
Whitten  –  Allanah and Sarrinah

Early Commencement Program

It has been wonderful to have our Year 7s move up to Year 8 over this last week. The Early Commencement Program has a number of benefits to students and teachers; familiarisation with next year’s curriculum, meeting new friends, and finishing the year on a strong note. This is a great time to reflect on the first year of secondary schooling, and establish new goals for 2025.

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

As we moved through November Middle School students have been busy finishing of work in their classrooms and undertaking exams as the final assessments for their 2024 subjects.  Following the exam period the Early Commencement Program (ECP)  has started where students move into their 2025 classes to start their learning for the coming year.  This program has proved to be very successful with students engaging in new and interesting learning as part of the program.

Year 8 to 9 Transition

Prior to Early Commencement Program our Year 8 students have transitioned to the Senior Campus with Year 8 Homegroups visiting for a double period to help them get familiar with the campus, through a tour of the Senior Campus and a “Question and Answer” session.  These visits have been brilliantly led by our Year 9 coordinators, Mr Adam Wheeler and Mr Tristan Kent along with our Year 9 students who have acted as tour guides.  Thanks also to Ms Jo Rogers and Mrs Asha Vazirani for making these visits happen.

Sports Awards Night

Wednesday 20 November saw our annual Sports Awards Evening in the Junior Campus Hall.  The night once again showcased the talent of our sporting students across all year levels.  Thanks must go to Mr Danny Gwynne and Mr Jay Newport for making this night happen.  Thank you also to Mrs Narda McLennan for her work behind the scenes looking after the program and certificates.  To our Facilities team – Wendy, Anne and Darryl thank you for getting everything set up and packed up in the hall.

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School

This week our student began their Early Commencement Program. This program assists students with transitioning to the next year level by providing them with two weeks of learning in their 2025 subjects. It was wonderful to welcome our 2025 Year 11s and Year 12s as their assemblies this week. I hope that they reflect on what Mrs Karen Wade spoke about; recharge, reset and restart. They were also introduced to their Year Level Coordinators for 2025, and reminded that everyone in the Senior School team is here to support them on their VCE journey.

Exams

VCAA and Year 9 to 11 exams are now complete. Updates regarding the response VCAA are taking to the compromise of the exams in 2025 has been sent to parents and we will continue to send through any further information we get. Students in Years 9 and 11 were provided with valuable exam experience over the last couple of weeks to prepare them for the rigour of VCE exams down the track. I would like to thank our students for their exceptional behaviour in their exams, and our staff for all their work during this time.

Reports

With the semester now complete, reports are currently being finalised. Our staff provide timely and ongoing feedback via Compass throughout the semester to ensure parents are kept up to date on student progress. End of Semester reports collate grades and comments from all Learning Tasks, as well as provide important information on student progress against the Curriculum Standards and Learning Behaviours. All parents are encouraged to read these reports with their student/s and acknowledge successes and opportunities for improvement for 2025. Reports will be available via Compass on Wednesday 11  December.

Planning Days

The work to ensure a successful 2025 has already begun. Over the past couple of weeks many of our staff in Positions of Responsibility and Leadership roles have been involved in planning days. These days provide valuable time for our staff to reflect on the year and focus on the work that needs to occur in the year ahead. I want to thank all the staff that were either involved in planning or participating in these days.

VCE Results and Year 12 Results Day 

Students who completed a Unit 3/4 subject, or the VCE in 2025 will receive their results on Thursday 12 December. We would like to invite all our 2024 Year 12s to attend a breakfast on results day. Our Careers Team will also be available at this time for students to access should they have questions around changing preferences based on their results. The Senior School will be sending out further details regarding this event. Last year this event provided one last opportunity for staff and students to celebrate their achievements together.

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School

VSMF Junior Wind Symphony

Earlier this month, the Mount Waverley Secondary College Junior Wind Symphony took the stage at the Victorian School Music Festival. This talented group, comprised of beginner wind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists, many of whom only started playing at the beginning of the year, delivered an impressive performance.

Following their performance, the band had the unique opportunity to participate in an on-stage tutorial with the chief adjudicator, gaining valuable insights and feedback. Additionally, they received comments from two judges and had the chance to listen to other schools perform.

A big congratulations to Ms Misa Murphy, the dedicated director of the Junior Wind Symphony, and to all the talented members of the band for their hard work and outstanding performance.

Junior Strings – Blue Cross Care

Ms Keryn Lientschnig and Mr Timothy O’Connor recently led 26 talented Year 7 and 8 students from the Junior String Orchestra in a heartwarming performance at the Blue Cross Care Community in Mount Waverley.

The audience was captivated by a 30-minute musical journey, featuring the full ensemble, a quartet by Lydia, Moukthika, Sanchitha, and Quin, a duo by Saadhana and Reya, and solo performances by Kiki (trumpet) and Nam (violin).

The residents were visibly delighted by the afternoon’s entertainment, and the Junior String Orchestra is already looking forward to returning next year to share their music once again.

Jazz Night 2024

Join us for our final concert of the year!

When:    Tuesday 3rd December
Where:    Mount Waverley Secondary College
Time:      Gates open at 4:30 PM
Entry:     $5 cash per person, paid at the gate

Featuring:

• College Jazz Ensembles
• NEW Alumni Stage Band

Fundraising for our 2025 Symphonic Band/Stage Band New Zealand Tour. Bring your own chairs and enjoy a relaxing evening of great music. Sausage sizzle and drinks will be available for purchase.   We can’t wait to see you there!

Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director

On Friday 22 November, eight of our Year 11 students embarked on an exciting journey to our sister school, Owa Senior High School, in Osaka, Japan. Leaving in the early hours, the group was filled with anticipation for the enriching experiences ahead.

During their stay, the students will participate in school life and live with a host family. They will immerse themselves in Japanese life and culture and return to Melbourne in time to start Term 1. They are sure to make unforgettable memories and develop their language skills in meaningful ways.

In Term 1, the adventure will continue as the students return to Melbourne accompanied by their Japanese host brothers and sisters from Owa Senior High School. These visiting students will be joining the Mount Waverley Secondary College community as part of our exchange program.

We wish our Year 11 students all the best on this incredible journey and look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return.

Safe travels!

Ms Michelle Lukaczynski
Head of Japanese

Year 12 students have been provided with a summary of Change of Preference events and services. They may also make a booking with a member of the Careers team.

ATARs are released on December 12th and change of preference closes at noon on December 14th. The first main offer round is on December 23rd, with another main round in January.

Further details are available on the VTAC website. Each offer round is followed by another change of preference period. It is highly recommended that students accept their first offer.

Mr Phil Newnham
Careers Education Manager

What are your best memories of Mount Waverley Secondary College?

Our Alumni Newsletter is packed with news and upcoming events. We also feature a special section called What are your best memories of Mount Waverley Secondary College? If you would like to share your memories, we would love to hear from you!

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

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator