MWSC College News – Issue 17

Victorian Education Excellence Awards

It was an honour to be a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Education Excellence Awards in the Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal category. Congratulations to Mr Christopher Quinn from Western Port Secondary College who won the award for the great results he is achieving at his school.

It was also wonderful to see Ms Felicity Jenkins from the Class of 2016, win the Outstanding Early Career Primary School Teacher Award. Congratulations Felicity! It is fantastic to see such a passionate and excellent young teacher making a big difference in State Education.

 

2026 College Captains and Prefects

Congratulations to the following 2026 Year 12 students who have been elected as our college leaders. These students went through several rigorous steps to be selected, and I would like to thank Mr Grant, Head of Student Voice, for overseeing this process.

Congratulations to:

College Captains  – Nicholas L and Tejasvi S
College Deputy Captains –  Jayda C and Jasmine K
Music Captains –  Tai N and Nicholas Y
Sports Captains – Aleisha C and Aisha H
Arts Captains – Isabel H and Lili M
Wellbeing Captains –  Aarna C and Vyom L

House Captains – Samadhi S and Angela S, Ava B and Izabela D, Sarah Z and Trinity L, Shaurya M and Ananya R

Prefects – Omar A, Tirani A, Isabelle G, Jasmine J, Charvi J, Elliot L, Shreya M, Nikita R, Seth S, Rayna S, Anusha S, Brayden S, Mia W and Sunny Z

 

World Teachers’ Day

On Friday 31 October, Mount Waverley Secondary College celebrated World Teachers’ Day.  Our teachers provide learning opportunities for our students’ way beyond what is expected.  They strive to always improve their professional practice, in order to support students to achieve excellent learning outcomes.  Often the efforts of our teachers are not acknowledged, but the rewards they experience in supporting students to achieve success are priceless. On behalf of all the students and parents, I thank our brilliant team of teachers for always giving their best to make Mount Waverley Secondary College a great educational provider.

 

Year 7 Band Program Afternoons

Well done to the entire Instrumental and Classroom Music teams for overseeing the organisation of the two wonderful Year 7 Band Program concerts held last week. The weather was perfect, and the performances and music were also great. I know the parents who attended relished the opportunity to come on campus and celebrate our students’ efforts.

 

Mango Drive

Thank you to all the families who ordered a tray of mangoes in this year’s Mango Drive.  We are expecting the mangoes to be delivered late November/early December. Families will be notified when they arrive and where to collect your order.

 

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and an increased risk of illness from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is currently low, some mosquitoes may be carrying diseases that make people sick. The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.

Families can protect against mosquito bites by:

• covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing
• applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when outdoors
• limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active
• clean up and remove containers and items around the home that may hold water where mosquitoes may breed.

Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines:

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

A free vaccine is available to some individuals to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus. For more information, including vaccine eligibility, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.

Find out more:

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:

• Mosquitoes can carry diseases
• Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages.
• Japanese encephalitis virus

 

2025 Examination Dates

The exam dates are as follows:

• Year 10 and 11 exams start Monday 10 November and finish Thursday 20 November.
• Year 9 exams start Monday 17 November and finish Thursday 20 November.
• Correction Day / Student Free Day will be held on Friday 21 November.
• The Early Commencement Program (ECP) for 2026 Years 11 and 12 will run for two weeks and will be held from Monday 24 November until Friday 5 December.
• The Early Commencement Program (ECP) for 2026 Years 8, 9 and 10 will run for two and a half weeks and will be held from Monday 24 November until Tuesday 9 December.

 

Year End Program (YEP)

Year 7 – 9 students will be invited to attend the YEP activities program at the end of the year. Parents have received notification regarding this program via Compass.

 

 

 

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

As always, it’s a busy time at the Junior Campus. In the coming weeks we have the annual Night at the Museum event; another chance to celebrate student achievements. We also have the Arts and Technology Festival, and the Sports Awards night. All of these events are excellent opportunities to come together and put our talented students on show. We encourage you to come along and participate.

In recent weeks our Year 8s have been participating in a range of transition activities, preparing them for the big move to the Senior Campus when the Early Commencement Program begins on 24 November. We appreciate the visits from Senior Campus teachers, as well as the tours conducted during camp week. Additionally, behind the scenes our sub school teams have been preparing and providing very thorough handovers, so that the individual needs of our students will continued to be catered for in Year 9. All of these experiences help make for a better transition for our students.

Finally, it was wonderful to have Mr Grant (Head of Student Voice) visit our Year 7 assembly last week to discuss the opportunities to participate in student leadership in 2026. Our highly regarded student voice and leadership program truly is one of the strengths of the college.

Coming dates:

• 11 November:  MWSC Art and Technology Fesitval
• 19 November:  Sports Awards Evening
• 21  November:  Correction Day (Student Free Day)
• 24  November – 9 December:  Early Commencement Program
• 10 – 12 December:  Year End Program (YEP)

 

 

 

 

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

Our senior students have completed their Semester Two classes for 2025 prior to beginning their exams next week. It has been wonderful to observe the growth of our Year 11 students over the year as they have adjusted to the challenges of VCE. They have sought out support, endeavoured to strive for their personal best, and taken agency of their learning. I want to thank everyone in the Senior Subschool for their support throughout the year to support the success of our students.

 

Early Commencement Program (ECP)

After exams students will participate in a two week ECP. This program assists students with transitioning to the next year level by providing them with two weeks of learning in their 2025 subjects. It will also give them the opportunity to meet their Year Level Coordinators for 2025, with year level assemblies running for both Year 11 and 12.

 

Planning Days

The work to ensure a successful 2026 has begun. Over the next couple of weeks many of our staff in Positions of Responsibility and Leadership roles will be 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 will either be involved in planning or participating in these days.

 

Exams

Exams for Year 11s will begin on November 10. Our teachers have been preparing students for their upcoming exams, supplying them with study materials and revision strategies. We ask that parents support students by fostering a conducive study environment, assisting with revision, and ensuring they maintain a healthy balance of study, rest and exercise.

 

World Teacher’s Day

On Friday 31 October we recognised the amazing teachers we have at our college. We are so lucky to have such dedicated teachers at our school. We thank our dedicated teaching staff for their  passion, commitment, and tireless effort. Every day, you inspire curiosity, build confidence, and cultivate the growth mindset that empowers our students to navigate their future. Thank you for your profound impact, your resilience, and for all that you do to shape the lives and learning journeys of our young people.

 

 

 

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School

Social Media Minimum Age

From 10 December 2025, many major social-media platforms will not allow Australians under 16 to create or keep accounts.

The push for this change is driven by concerns about features in social media that:

• Encourage excessive screen time (e.g., endless scrolling, notifications, disappearing content)
• Increase exposure to negative or manipulative content (via algorithms)

These features have been linked with increased stress, poor sleep and concentration problems for young people.

The aim is to delay, not ban, access – giving under-16s time to build digital, social and emotional skills before full participation.

 

Key facts for families

• • The restriction is expected to cover platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube.
  • Under-16s will still be able to view publicly-available content (that is, without an account) but will not be able to maintain a full account on these “age-restricted” platforms.
  • This change doesn’t apply to many messaging-only, gaming-only or educational services — which will still be available to under-16s.
  • There are no legal penalties for a child having an account before the cut-off; the responsibility is placed on the platforms to remove or deactivate under-16 accounts.

 

What can you do as parents/carers

• Talk openly and calmly with your child about what the change means: the “why”, the “when”, and what it looks like for your household.
• Lead with empathy: acknowledge the feelings (frustration, sadness, worry) your child might have.
• Use the time before December to build:
  • stronger digital, social and emotional skills
  • good online habits (screen-time limits, understanding online risks)
  • alternative ways to connect with friends and interests offline or on safe platforms.
• Stay alert for signs your child may be struggling with the change: mood shifts, secrecy, sleep issues, withdrawal. Offer trusted routes of support.     Source

 

The Need for Connection and Belonging

Whilst most of us will acknowledge that social media has had a negative impact on mental health of young people, it has also had a positive impact allowing young people to stay connected, create a sense of belonging and has helped form their identity.

During Covid lockdowns – our students relied heavily on digital communication to stay in contact and maintain friendships. And although there are other digital communication tools which are not social media- it may still fracture some young people’s connection to their peers.

As is the advice by the eSafety Commissioner, I would encourage parents and carers to be proactive and ensure your child has other means of communication and is willing to use these means. You may need to practice this. Parents and carers may also need to play a more proactive approach to supporting socializing especially if your child relies upon social media. Not all young people will be able to problem solve this on their own.

In a recent survey by Headspace- they found that 53% of young men (12-25) reported feelings of isolation and loneliness. Loneliness can create an increased risk of anxiety and depression and reduced self esteem. Without the ability to connect, this could lead to an increase in loneliness especially amongst our male students.

Protecting children from online harm is vital but so is actively fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

 

 

 

 

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager

On Thursday 23 October, a group of 14 Year 10 and 11 students participated in making hampers for the homeless during lunchtime.

The Melbourne City Mission is a leading profit for purpose organisation, supporting and offering services in Early Years, Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education for whom we helped out. We packed more than 20 hampers, each containing a variety of sanitary and hygiene items such as toothbrushes, hair washes, soaps and sanitary products.

We had the guidance of Ms Charli Bartlett, who gave us an insight into the lives of a lot of these homeless women, and why it is important to care for them. The students learnt a lot from this session and saw the significance of volunteering in such initiatives in order to improve the livelihood of women in need. All the students got to write their own messages to these women and got to give them a little bit of encouragement and hope.

We were so grateful that we got such an important opportunity to give back to the community and are planning to continue to contribute and volunteer as much as we can in the near future. I’d like to thank all the social work placement students and Mr Grant who gave us this opportunity.

By Tejasvi S
Year 11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 7 Band Program Concerts

Last week, our entire Year 7 cohort took to the stage for two wonderful concert events for families and friends.

This annual concert is a highlight of the school calendar, designed to invite the school community to enjoy an afternoon of music. All Year 7 students learn a musical instrument for the year as part of their classroom music program. This provides a truly unique and valuable experience for them, as fundamental music concepts are taught in a practical, hands-on manner.

The opportunity to play in a band also teaches crucial skills like collaboration and ensemble playing.

Both events also featured exciting performances from some of the MWSC ensembles, demonstrating to the students and attendees where playing an instrument can take them in the years ahead.

We were blessed with two sunny afternoons and a large, appreciative audience for both performances. Thank you to everyone who came along to encourage and support our talented Year 7 students.

 

Jazz Night – Save the Date

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director

Years 7 & 8 Careers Lunchtime Drop-In Question Time

Two more sessions to run for the term.

Venue: Junior Campus Library

Dates: 11 November and 18 November

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 8 into Year 9 (2026) –
Parent consent is required for My Career Insights Program

A reminder to parents of current Year 8 students that the Careers Department has recently sent information regarding the Morrisby Profiling and Consent Form for the 2026 Year 9 My Career Insights Program. This important initiative helps students discover their strengths, interests, and potential career pathways through guided activities.

Parent consent is required for students to participate, so please take a moment to read the information that was provided and consent as soon as possible. Your support ensures your child can take full advantage of this valuable careers program next year.

 

Year 12 Students

Monash University has an internal SEAS application process  for circumstances occurring on or after 13 October. Students are encouraged to read the eligibility criteria carefully to determine if it applies to their circumstances. Applications are made directly through the Monash University website, and students are welcome to see the Careers team for support.

 

VTAC Change of Preference (11 – 13 December)

ATARs are release on 11 December from 7am. The VTAC Change of Preference period is your opportunity to review, adjust, or reorder your course preferences before offers are released. Whether you are reconsidering your pathway, have discovered new options, or just want to double check your preference list the Careers Team is available to support you during this process. Students are encouraged to book an appointment on 11 and 12 December.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Mr Phil Newman and Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Careers Education 

Network • Share • Stay Connected

As part of our focus on career planning and future pathways, families recently attended the Transition to Senior Campus event – designed to provide valuable insights and strategies to support their child’s transition into Year 9 and beyond.

It was wonderful to have members of our Alumni community volunteer their time to share their experiences and advice with our Year 8 parents. Shubham Goel (Class of 2015) and Kelvin Nguyen (Class of 2018) reflected on their journeys from their time at the College through to their current careers, offering thoughtful guidance and encouragement.

We are grateful to our Alumni for continuing to give back to our College.

 

Register here your details to be part of our Alumni community to stay connected and receive updates on upcoming events and reunions.

 

 

 

 

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator