MWSC College News – Issue 18

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program

Over 2300 applications from Year 10 students were received for this exemplary Melbourne University program this year. Mount Waverley Secondary College had one student; Avneet A accepted into the Successful Class of 2027 Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. Congratulations Avneet and thank you to Mr Tom Grant for supporting our students with their applications.

 

Arts and Technology Festival

Our Arts and Technology Festival was held on Tuesday 11 November in our STEAM Centre.  The quality of our students’ art and design work continues to amaze me, and many awards were presented to students.  Students, parents, and staff were entertained by musical items, Drama performances and Media films.  Congratulations to Mrs Cecilia Carlill, Head of The Arts, Mr Matt Hall Head of Technology and all the arts and technology students and staff who were involved on the night.

 

Night at the Museum

On Thursday 13 November parents and staff had the privilege of visiting the Year 7 Night of the Museum displays. Our young historians researched civilisations from Ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The students have been working hard over the past month to create replicas of artefacts and interactive displays. Thank you to all the Humanities Staff for supporting this wonderful educational opportunity for our students and well done to all the students who were involved. Special thanks to all the family members and friends who came to visit this exhibition. I know you enjoyed our students work come to life.

 

2026 Year 7 Information Evening

It was wonderful to see many parents and students attend our 2026 Year 7 Information Evening on Tuesday 18 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 curricular 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 19 November and special thanks to our Sports Captains Naomi and Jeni 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 2025.

 

PSW Exclusive Shopping Night

Our 2026 Year 7 parents and students are invited to attend our exclusive shopping night at PSW our unform supplier next Monday 24 November. Bookings are by appointment only and information has been sent out to families. This is a great way for our families to receive excellent service as they prepare our new cohort of students for secondary school next year.

 

Free Public Transport

From 1 January 2026, people aged under 18 can travel free on all Victorian public transport services using a new youth myki card. This includes trams, trains, buses and coach services. To access free travel, they must tap the myki card on and off each time they travel. For areas that do not use myki cards, they must show their myki card to travel free.  More information about the youth myki card will be available later in Term 4, 2025 – refer to the myki types webpage on the Transport Victoria website.

For more information about other travel options to school, and support for eligible students, refer to the Travelling to school webpage on the Victorian Government website.

 

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 19 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 11 December.

 

2026 Early Commencement Program

Our whole school will be rolled over to our 2026 timetable next Monday 24 November and our 2025 Year 8 students will begin 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.

 

Jazz Under the Stars

The Mount Waverley Secondary College ‘Jazz under the Stars’ evening is an annual event which will be held next Thursday 4 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 Generations in Jazz trip in 2026. We hope to see you there!

 

Year End Program (YEP)

The YEP Program will then run from Wednesday 10 December until Friday 12 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 16 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 on Thursday 4 December during the school day. Information regarding rehearsals and how families can purchase tickets for the night will be emailed out soon.

 

2026 Hawker Scholarships

Applications for the annual 2026 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 Tuesday 2 December 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).

 

School Policies

Please be aware that hard copies of our school policies are available upon request from the General Office of both campuses.

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal 

Junior Campus Assembly – Celebrating Excellence

On the final day of semester two, we gathered as a campus to celebrate excellence in a number of fields in 2025. 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.

 

2026 Junior Campus Leaders

Our 2026 Junior Campus Leadership Team was announced in our final assembly last Thursday. The 2025 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, who will lead our campus in a new-look leadership structure:

Campus Captains:   Audrey and Zahan
Deputy Campus Captains:   Aamena and Harjas
Wellbeing Captains:   Aima and Ria
Sustainability Captains:  Jia and Parnavi

House Captains:
Red – Molly and Oliver
Blue – Caitlin and Kathleen
Green – Geeth and Archer
Yellow – Mayumi and Katja

 

Early Commencement Program

The Early Commencement Program begins on Monday at both campuses. It 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 2026.

 

Night at the Museum

Thank you so much to our wonderful community for turning out to support our Year 7 students last week at our annual Night at the Museum event. Students have spent the last few weeks analysing the ancient civilisations of Greece, Rome, China and Egypt, all leading up to displaying for our community. Families thoroughly enjoyed viewing the student-made artefacts, and playing the interactive games they prepared. Thanks to the Junior School Humanities team for their organisation of this event.

 

Respectful, Safe, Engaged

Parents/carers may have seen in the news recently that the Department of Education has released materials promoting respectful, safe, and engaging learning communities. This guidance outlines the responsibilities of students, schools, and parents/carers in ensuring our community remains safe, inclusive and harmonious. Please take a few moments to read: https://www.vic.gov.au/respectful-safe-engaged-shared-expectations-support-student-behaviour

 

 

 

 

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

 

As we moved through November, Middle School students have been busy finishing off work in their classrooms and undertaking exams as the final assessments for their 2025 subjects.  Following the exam period the Early Commence Program starts on Monday, where students move into their 2026 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 the Early Commencement Program, our Year 8 students transitioned to the Senior Campus, with each Homegroup visiting for a double period to become familiar with the site. These sessions included a tour of the Senior Campus and a “Question and Answer” segment.

The visits were expertly led by our 2026 Year 9 Coordinators, Ms Cathleen Howell and Mr Tristan Dunkley, supported by our current Year 9 students who served as tour guides. Thank you also to Ms Jo Rogers, Ms Asha Vazirani and the JC Coordination Team for their work in making these visits possible.

 

Sports Awards Nights

Our annual MWSC Sports Awards were held on Wednesday 19 November in the Senior Campus Theatre. The night once again showcased the talent of our sporting students across all year levels, highlighting the valuable life lessons that participation in sport provides.

Thank you to Mr Danny Gwynne and Mr Jay Newport for their fantastic coordination of sport throughout 2025 and for bringing this event together. Thank you also to Mrs Narda McLennan for her work behind the scenes in preparing the program and certificates.

 

 

 

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School

On Monday our students begin 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. There will be assemblies for both year levels where they will be introduced to their Year Level Coordinators for 2026, 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. 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 2026.

 

Planning Days

The work to ensure a successful 2026 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 their VCE in 2025 will receive their results on Thursday 11 December. We would like to invite all our 2025 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

Night at the Museum was a school organised event held on the afternoon of Thursday 13 November. On the day, Year 7 students proudly showcased their blood, sweat and tears which were represented by the exhibits, artifacts, and interactive elements inspired from Ancient civilisations Egypt, Rome, Greece and China. There was an array of Pharaoh Tombs and Structures, Pottery and Terracotta Warriors, each representing diverse Inquiry Questions.

Each and every interactive element drew the attention of family and friends, immersing them in an engaging, short and educational feature of the student’s hard work. The night was said to be an “enriching experience” by one student and many others expressed their enjoyment when working with their Year 7 community. All students should be proud of their contribution.

 

By Oscar T 

 

 

Year 7 – 8 Careers Lunchtime Activities

The final Careers Lunchtime Drop-In session for the year was held this week in the Junior School Library. This program was a great success with many Year 7 and Year 8 students taking part in the activities and discussions about their future pathways. It was wonderful to see students exploring their interests and beginning to think about career possibilities. We look forward to running these sessions again next year.

 

Year 8 into Year 9 (2026)

Parent consent is required for My Career Insights Program

Please take a moment to read the information provided and submit your consent as soon as possible. The Careers Office has shared details about the Morrisby Profiling and Consent Form for the 2026 Year 9 My Career Insights Program. This valuable initiative helps students identify their strengths, interests, and potential career pathways through a series of guided activities. Parent consent is required for participation, and your prompt support will ensure your child can make the most of this important careers program next year.

 

Year 12

Now that you have completed your exams, it’s the perfect time to revisit your VTAC course preferences and make sure everything is in order.  Please check that you have the prerequisite subjects for all of your preferences, and have meet any additional requirements, so that you are eligible for an offer. Common examples include the Language declaration for all nursing and midwifery courses, and the Casper Test for teaching and education degrees. If you need any guidance, the Careers Team is here to support you.

 

Change of Preference 11-13 December

ATARs are released on Thursday 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 Newnham and Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Careers Education

Multi-Generational Families at MWSC

Are you part of a multi-generational family at Mount Waverley Secondary College? If we haven’t heard from you yet, we’d love to!

Whether you’re an alumni or have multiple generations of your family who have attended the college, we want to celebrate your connection and thank you for being part of our school’s rich history. Our Alumni community continues to play an important role at the college and we are always inspired by the stories and achievements shared by past students.

If you or your family are part of this proud tradition, please get in touch and share your story with us at alumni@mwsc.vic.edu.au

 

Here’s a recent message from one of our alumni:

As a former student who attended Mount Waverley Secondary College, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent education and supportive environment I experienced there. I really loved my time at MWSC. The encouraging and inspiring atmosphere created by the teachers, staff, and fellow students made it a wonderful place to learn and grow. Since graduating, I have completed a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash University, supported by a scholarship awarded for achieving an ATAR of 99. I’m delighted that my sister will be joining MWSC next year in Year 7, and I’m confident that she will enjoy the same positive and inspiring experience that I did.

Alice – Class of 2022

 

We love hearing stories like Alice’s, a wonderful reminder of the lasting connections and shared pride that make Mount Waverley Secondary College such a special community.

Don’t forget to 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