MWSC College News – Issue 6

Term 2 – Welcome

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. I am excited to have started my eleventh year of service as your College Principal at Mount Waverley Secondary College this term. It is inspiring for me to be part of a learning community where teachers, parents/carers and students are passionate about doing their best and join as a supportive team to unite in a spirit of cooperation and success.

Holiday Rehearsals

Over the school holidays our Stage Band spent the day rehearsing in preparation for the NEVR Spotlight Concert and their upcoming New Zealand Tour.

The morning was spent in a whole ensemble workshop run by Mr Cam McAllister, a leader of the navy big band, jazz artist and composer. The students gained a lot of insightful knowledge and Cam was very impressed with our students’ musical talent. After lunch the band broke up into sectional rehearsals with our music staff.

This musical experience would not be possible without the efforts of our dedicated and hard-working instrumental music staff who gave up a day on the holidays to supervise our students. My sincere thanks go to Mrs Tijtje Keatley our Director of Music, Mr Damien Maughan, Mrs Melissa Knowles, Mr Oscar Jenkins-Wing, Mr Joseph Yu and Mr Kelvin Nguyen.

ANZAC Sub School Assemblies

On Thursday 24 April we held three sub school assemblies to recognise the importance of ANZAC Day. Our Junior Campus Deputy Captains Saakhi K and Aliyah S and College Captains Jimmy B, Nicola G, Cate F and Anvi R were our MCs for the assemblies and did a great job. I spoke to the students about the history of the day and two of our senior students who are Airforce cadets, Audrey E and Preston S shared their reflections.

Mr John Haward President of the Box Hill RSL was our special guest, and John gave an address about his time serving as a soldier in the Vietnam War and how he was conscripted for military service. John also read the Ode of Remembrance and then Tai N of Year 11 played the ‘Last Post’ and ‘The Rouse’ on the trumpet as we observed a minute’s silence.

ANZAC Day is a day for all Australians, regardless of religion, racial background, or place of birth. It is a day to commemorate the bravery and self-sacrifice of past and present generations of Australians, so that Australia can be a place of freedom for all. Lest we forget.

Mount Waverley Secondary College’s Exemplary Sporting Program

We are very proud of our many sporting teams who represent our college admirably during competition against other schools.  People regularly comment on our students’ excellent behaviour and good sportsmanship.  Our sports program is going from strength to strength, and this is a tribute to our families who encourage in their children a love of sport and doing their best. Congratulations to all our students who participate in our college sports, district sports, zone finals and state finals, we are proud of the high participation rate of our students in sport.

I would also like to thank Mr Jay Newport and Mr Danny Gwynne, our Sports Coordinators, who oversee sporting programs across the college, and all of the staff who give up their time to coach and run practice sessions for sporting teams.

State Swimming Success

On Thursday 1 May our champions of the pool headed off to MSAC to participate in the State Championships. It was another successful day, with our college scoring some excellent results.

Congratulations to Aleisha C of Year 11 who came 2^nd in the 17 girls 100m freestyle, 4^th in the 50m freestyle and 4^th in the 50m backstroke.

Zoe S of Year 9 also competed on the day and came 5th in the 15 girls 50m backstroke.

The highlight of the day was our 17 girls relay team featuring Aleisha C, Frances S, Olivia T and Kira D, taking out 1st place over Ballarat High School by 0.1 seconds! Congratulations girls on becoming State Champions!

Thank you to Mr Jay Newport and Mr Danny Gwynne for accompanying our students on the day.

VCE and Careers Expo 2025

220 of our Year 11 students attended the VCE and Careers Expo at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on Thursday 1 May. This excursion supported our students in seeking information about their post school plans. There were many tertiary providers including TAFES and Universities along with employers including the police, defence force, apprenticeship groups for our students to talk to. The programme also provided information for students to complete their career action plans. Thank you to all the students and staff who attended on the day.

Uniform Changeover Time

Just a reminder that all students should now be wearing winter uniform, which includes wearing the college tie. Please ensure that your students have the correct college uniform which is only supplied by PSW.
PSW is now located at 342 -350 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley (behind Officeworks).

School Saving Bonus reminder and allocation to school activities

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus (SSB) – a one-off support of $400 for eligible government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

The SSB can be used for uniforms and textbooks until Monday 30 June 2025.

Any funds remaining after 30 June 2025, including online voucher amounts that have not been redeemed, will become a credit to use on school activities. However, the credit will not be available on your family account at our school until late July.

To use any remaining SSB funds to cover the cost of school activities in July, please refer to the SSB online system and allocate the funds to school activities before 30 June 2025.

• To learn more about the SSB online system, download the step-by-stepSystem guide for parents and carers (DOCX, 945KB) or watch this School Saving Bonus video. System guide translations are also available in 14 languages.
• The Department of Education’s SSB contact centre will remain available until 30 June 2025. The contact centre can be reached by:
• completing the School Saving Bonus enquiry form
• calling 1800 338 663, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays.

After this date, please contact our Finance team for any SSB related questions.

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. Means-tested concession cards must be valid on the first day of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 28 January 2025) or Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).

A student aged 16 years and over who is considered a mature minor and holds a valid concession card is also eligible to apply.

Eligible families will receive a payment of $ $256 per year for secondary school students. The funds will be paid directly to the school to be used towards camps, sports and excursion costs for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school Finance office on 9803 6811 and ask for an application form. Please return completed application forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Preparing for Examinations

At this time of year our students are diligently studying for their outcomes and exams.  It has been pleasing to see students studying in the library and VCE Centre, attending Homework Club, catching up with teachers for additional support and attending revision classes to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for their exams.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each student all the best for their exams.  I am sure they will be rewarded with results that reflect the hard work that has been undertaken throughout the first semester.  Our learning community is proud of the way our students approach their learning, whether it be academic studies, learning a musical instrument, mastering a drama performance, or representing our college in one of our many leadership programs.  Our students and teachers approach all activities with great enthusiasm, matching this with hard work and knowing they will achieve success by giving their best.

Exam Dates 2025:

Year 9:  Monday 2 June –Friday 6 June

Year 10 & 11:  Monday 2 June– Friday 6 June and Tuesday 10 June – Thursday 12 June

General Achievement Test (GAT):  Tuesday 17 June 

Year 10 Work Experience

All year 10 students are expected to complete a week of Work Experience during the last week of term from Monday 30 June -Friday 4 July. If students need help finding a placement, they should look for guidance on our college website as there are over 400 employers listed there.  For easy access to Careers Corner students can click on the link below. https://sites.google.com/mwsc.vic.edu.au/careers/middle-school/work-experience or make an appointment with our Careers team which comprises our Careers Manager Mr Phil Newnham and our Careers Education and Alumni Coordinator Mrs Victoria Tortopidis.

Work Experience is an opportunity to give our students:

• an understanding of the work environment and what employers expect of their workers.
• an opportunity to explore possible career options.
• increased self-understanding, maturity, independence, and self-confidence
• increased motivation to continue study and/or undertake further training.
• a better understanding of how the school curriculum can help prepare young people for work.
• an introduction to workplace recruitment practices.
• enhanced opportunities for part-time and casual employment.
• the opportunity to include the employer’s work experience evaluation in future job and course applications.
• opportunities to develop work-related competencies and acquire skills.
• the chance to ‘try out’ a workplace.

 Source: Work experience manual for Victorian Secondary Schools

I would like to sincerely thank Mrs Tortopidis for her work in organising all the documentation required to send our students into the workplace.

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

I would like to congratulate the senior students on the great start they have made to the term. VCE is a marathon, not a sprint, and although they may have some stumbles it is fantastic to see the perseverance they are showing. I encourage students to chat with their coordinators if they are struggling at any time so that we can ensure we are supporting them on their journey.

Year 11 Careers Expo

On Thursday 1 May, Year 11 students and teachers attended the VCE and Careers Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition centre. There were representatives from all the major universities, other tertiary education providers, study resource companies, emergency services, and other post-secondary school opportunities. It was great to see our students make the most of this opportunity to investigate their post school interests.

VCE Top Arts and Top Screens Excursions

Last week students studying VCE Media and Art were able to visit the Top Arts and Top Screens exhibits in the city. This provides students with the opportunity to engage with the Season of Excellence, a festival which showcases the outstanding work from senior secondary students across Victoria. Thank you to Ms Jo Lourey and Ms Lynette Spiller for organising these opportunities for our students.

VCE VM and MWNPS Cross Country

Well done to our VCE VM students who helped out at the Mount Waverley North Primary School Cross Country on Friday. The feedback was that the students were really supportive of the participants and a great help to the MWNPS staff. This opportunity helps the VCE VM students meet their community engagement requirements. Thanks to Mr Wayne Griffin for his work with both the students and the primary staff to set up the opportunity.

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

Welcome back to Term 2

Welcome back to all students and parents/carers to our second term of learning for the year.  This term always proves to be a busy term with sport, excursions, production rehearsals to name a few of the things that will be happening across this term in the middle school.  Our Year 9 students will be undertaking their first set of exams in core subjects.  This is then closely followed by the Explore Program.  Our Year 10 students also have exams plus a week of Work Experience in the last week of term.  Students will also receive a semester report, which will provide an indication of their progress and help with future learning.

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.

Maintenance and ICT Teams Holiday Works

Both Maintenance and ICT have been busy across the holiday period improving the college.

Senior Campus

• A12 – damaged handrail replaced
• P11 stairs rebuilt
• Pressure cleaning outside Music Centre
• Locker Bay near Senior Music Centre – replaced water damaged parts
• Vertical Garden maintenance
• Various plumbing jobs including – removal of science dishwasher in readiness for new dishwasher delivery
• Theatre – all lights and rigging tested and tagged (all working)
• Fume cupboards across the college serviced
• Futsal court – maintenance
• Damaged cladding above V3 deck and ramp replaced
• Carpet replaced in C4 and entrance to P9 and P10

Junior Campus

• Pressure cleaning – in courtyard
• Junior oval maintenance
• Replacement of large hot water unit in Art/Tech/Science Building
• Air Conditioner installations – LA12/21/33/34
• Painting:  internally in Admin building, parts of Library and at staircase near music/food/science
• Window tint/frost film – LA12 LA13 and staffroom #1
• Extra chairs – LA64-65
• Junior: Resource Building – entry near English – wood panelling replaced

ICT Works

• Servers – maintenance and updates
• Switches – tidied up and reconfigured as needed
• New notebook deployment – added asset numbers, reimagined and deployed
• Vivi – software upgrade done
• Decommissioned old ICT equipment
• Rearranged and tidied up JC ICT office
• Upgraded backup server software and fixed tape drive issue

Thank you to our Maintenance and ICT Teams for their work across the holiday period.

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School

It has once again been a whirlwind start to term two. Year 7 and 8  students welcomed in the term with sessions presented by ToolBox Education. These sessions were designed to support students in their emotional regulation, and it was wonderful to see the students participating in such a great way. If you haven’t already, please encourage your child to describe the session, and the new strategies they learned.

Our biggest highlight of the term so far was definitely coming together as a campus for our annual ANZAC Day Assembly. This year we heard from Year 11 student Preston, who is a cadet, and took the time to interview a Vietnam Veteran about his experiences. We were also very appreciative to have Mr John Haward, President of Box Hill RSL and a Vietnam Veteran himself, share his experiences. His main message was one of resilience, camaraderie, and the importance of mateship.

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.

Uniform Shop Volunteers

Our school has been very fortunate to have a wonderful group of parent helpers who have managed the second-hand uniform shop over the past few years.

Many of their children graduate this year, and therefore we will see the end of their excellent contribution to our community. We are looking for a new energetic team of volunteers to take over the uniform shop. If you are interested, and would like more information, please complete this survey. No matter what amount of time you are able to contribute, we would love to hear from you.

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

Parent Payments

The 2025 Parent Financial Contributions are available on your Parent Portal in Compass. Please click on the ‘Payments Centre’ tab, under the heading of 2025 School Contributions.

While the Department of Education provides funding to schools each year on a per student enrolled basis, this funding only covers a portion of the core operating costs of running the school. It covers things like classroom teacher salaries, contract cleaning, gas and electricity, water rates, telephone, some repairs to buildings, some administration, and some curriculum support.

The funding does not cover the additional programs run at MWSC that support our student’s wellbeing and growth, or the consumables required in the classrooms for use throughout the 2025 school year. Our specialist programs rely heavily on parent contributions to ensure we have access to the latest equipment and resources.

Additional projects around the school including garden upgrades, repairs to buildings, outdoor furniture and shade sails are all only made possible via fundraising and parent contributions, department funding does not cover these items.

We would like to thank families who have already supported the school by making a contribution to their child’s education.

If you have not made a voluntary contribution, and are in a position too, we encourage you to do so.

School Saver Bonus (SSB)

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Spotlight on Parenting Books: Practical and Inspiring Reads

Parenting is full of highs, lows, and everything in between. Sometimes, hearing from others or picking up a new idea can make all the difference. While there’s no one right way to raise a child, the right book can offer helpful advice, fresh perspectives, or simply the reassurance that you’re not alone.

At Mount Waverley Secondary College, we believe that supporting parents goes hand-in-hand with supporting students. This month, we’re highlighting a selection of parenting books that offer a mix of practical tools and thoughtful insights for families.

The Whole-Brain Child – Dr. Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
This popular read helps parents understand how children’s brains develop and how to respond to big emotions and behaviours in a supportive way.

Raising Boys & Raising Girls – Steve Biddulph
Renowned Australian psychologist Steve Biddulph shares what young people need at different stages of life, and how parents can guide them with confidence and compassion.

The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting – Dr. Brené Brown
Brené Brown reminds us that parenting isn’t about getting it right all the time—it’s about being present, being real, and building strong connections with our kids.

The 5 Love Languages of Children – Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
This book explores the different ways children express and receive love, helping parents connect more deeply and communicate more effectively.

Parenting from the Inside Out – Dr. Daniel J. Siegel & Mary Hartzell
Blending neuroscience with personal reflection, this book looks at how our own childhood experiences can shape the way we parent today.

Simplicity Parenting – Kim John Payne
If family life feels hectic, this book offers simple strategies to reduce stress and create a more calm, connected home environment.

It’s a Jungle – Dr. Brenda Hayworth
Told through stories, this engaging book looks at the challenges of family life and offers practical ways to approach parenting with empathy and patience.

Looking After Yourself as a Parent

Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, growing with your child, and taking care of yourself along the way. Whether you’re looking for practical advice or deeper insights, we hope these books offer encouragement and support.

If you’d like more resources or would like to speak with someone, please reach out to our Wellbeing Team at gpd@mwsc.vic.edu.au

Ms Tahlia Briggs
Student Wellbeing Programs Coordinator

The Music Department at Mount Waverley Secondary College is busy in preparations for upcoming instrumental Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) and a diverse array of ensemble performances. Central to our students’ musical development this term are the instrumental CATs. Through this process, our music staff assess each student’s current instrumental proficiency, identify key technical areas for growth, and collaboratively with the students to select repertoire that fosters both skill development and caters to the students’ musical tastes. The CAT provides important performance experience for our students, coupled with constructive feedback from our experienced teachers. This detailed feedback will also be reflected in students’ semester reports, offering a comprehensive overview of their progress. We encourage parents and guardians to actively support their students in their preparation for this important assessment.

During the recent school holidays, the Mount Waverley Secondary College Stage Band dedicated a full day to intensive rehearsals in anticipation of their upcoming New Zealand Music Tour and the NEVR Spotlight concert. A highlight of this rehearsal day was an engaging workshop led by Petty Officer Cam McAllister from the Royal Australian Navy. His expertise and musical knowledge proved to be an invaluable resource for our young musicians. The afternoon session saw the band members participate in sectional rehearsals guided by MWSC Music Staff. This dedicated rehearsal time provided an exceptional opportunity for our students to refine their skills and build ensemble cohesion in the lead-up to these important performances.

Upcoming Music Dates

• 14th May – Concert Band; NEVR Ensemble Festival
• 22nd May, 6:30pm, M6 – VCE Recital #1
• 27th May, Lunchtime, M6 (students & staff only), Lunchtime Concert
• 29th May, 6:30pm, M6 – VCE Recital #2
• Weeks 6 & 7, Instrumental Music CATS
• 18th June, Presto Strings Open Rehearsal
• 23rd June, Chamber Strings Open Rehearsal
• 26th June, 6:30pm, Unicorn Theatre Symphonic Band & Stage Band, “Goodbye NZ Concert”

Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director

It’s been a busy and exciting time in the Careers space!

National Careers Week (12 – 18 May)

National Careers Week is an exploration of career opportunities available. It aims to empower students to make informed career decisions by providing resources, guidance, and insights into various professions. We are excited to celebrate National Careers Week with a range of events happening daily on the senior campus! Each day will bring something new — workshops, speakers, activities, and more. Make sure to check the timetable regularly and get involved!

Year 7 & 8: Careers Lunchtime Drop-in Question Time – Junior Campus

These popular sessions will return in Term 3. Keep an eye out for dates and details — it’s a great opportunity to explore interests and ask questions about future pathways in an informal way.

Year 10 Work Experience

A reminder to all Year 10 students — work experience placements need to be finalised soon! Please ensure all paperwork and arrangements are completed as soon as possible.

Year 11 VCE and Careers Expo

Australia’s biggest education and careers event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was a valuable day with representatives from a wide range of universities available to answer questions and provide insight into future study and career pathways for our Year 11 students.

Year 12 Career Interviews

We encourage students if they haven’t already to book their careers appointment to discuss their post-school plans. Whether they are looking into university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or employment, we are here to support their next steps.

As always, the Careers Team is here to help, reach out if you have questions or need guidance.

Mr Phil Newnham and Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Careers Education

Stay connected! Register your details to join our Alumni community and receive the latest news and events and our newsletter directly in your inbox. Click the link here to sign up Register.

There is great response to our next school tour reunion!

Don’t miss out. Take the chance to come and see how things have changed since you were last at school.  Meet up with old school friends and teachers.  Bookings essential.

Class of 1995, 2005 Reunion

Thursday 19 June 2025

We are also happy to include students from the following classes:
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

 Click here to book your ticket.

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator

In Term 1, Mount Waverley Secondary College hosted eight students from Owa Senior High School in Osaka, Japan, as part of our wonderful annual exchange program.  The visiting students experienced the daily life of our Australian students, including sightseeing in Melbourne and beyond, attending school and excursions, and immersing themselves in Australian family life.

In their first week, the Owa students took part in the Swimming Carnival and Year 10 Camp, where they had the chance to meet their peers and participate in college life. Their reflections on camp were overwhelmingly positive, marking a smooth and enjoyable start to their time in Australia and boosting their confidence in using English.

Over the course of their nine-week stay, the Ow students explored Melbourne, enjoying its beaches, parks, and exciting activities in the CBD — especially pleasant in the warm weather we had this year. Host families also took the students on trips to further destinations such as Phillip Island, the Great Ocean Road, and even Sydney, giving them a broader perspective of Australia. These trips also created some of the most memorable experiences for both the Owa exchange and MWSC host students.

Feedback from the Owa students was extremely positive. They thoroughly enjoyed experiencing a culture so different from their own and formed lasting friendships during their stay.

By Ananya J (Year 12)