MWSC College News – Issue 1

Welcome Back

I hope everyone had a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday.  As College Principal I look forward to joining students, teachers, and parents for another exciting and productive year of teaching and learning at Mount Waverley Secondary College.

I am pleased to report that the college continues to build upon our successes. Our 2025 VCE results were outstanding considering the past years and are a testament to the dedication of our wonderful staff and the resilience of our students.  Our 2025 College Dux, Jadon Tu, received an ATAR score of 99.85 which was an outstanding result. Twenty-three students received an ATAR over 95 and one hundred and thirty-one students received an ATAR over 80, which was 45% of our cohort. Seven students also received a perfect study score of 50 in Biology NHT, Japanese Second Language, Legal Studies, Foundation Mathematics, General Mathematics and Specialist Mathematics and 309 students received their VCE certificate which was a great achievement.

A very warm welcome to all our new students and their families. You are embarking on a wonderful learning journey, which will be enhanced by always trying your personal best.

Mount Waverley Secondary College provides a learning community where we all respect and care for each other, always working cooperatively as a team.  In addition, our college provides you with magnificent facilities and resources which are yours to use to maximize your learning opportunities.  Please don’t be afraid to ask questions. Staff and students are eager to help you make a successful transition into our college.

 

Welcome New Staff           

I would like to welcome the following new staff to the college:

New Leading Teachers/Learning Specialists

Mr Callum Hope – Leading Teacher-Legal Studies
Mr Stephen Hulse- Learning Specialist- English and Humanities

Other New Staff are:
Teaching Staff

Ms Tanya Alderton – Teacher Librarian
Mr Kristian Braaf – English
Mr Joshua Connelly – Food Technology and PE
Ms Carolyn Dunn- English
Mr Ryley Hannagan – Mathematics
Mrs Ruby Highnam – Design Tech/Science and PE
Ms Rachel Preston – Science
Ms Cherie Shao – Japanese
Mr Lucas Wang – Information Technology and Mathematics
Ms Summer Wu – Mathematics

ES Staff

Ms Liz Allen – Inclusion Aide
Ms Charli Bartlett – Careers Education
Mr Mano Doray – College Projects Manager
Ms Xin Yi Lee – Music Therapist
Ms Gaby Orr –Wellbeing Coordinator
Mr Chris Smith – Maintenance Worker
Ms Jodi Woolf – Inclusion Coordinator

We also welcome back our returning staff from Family Leave:

Ms Cara Hill-Food Technology and Health
Ms Elektra Sassos – EAL

 

Off to a Great Start!

Our staff returned on Tuesday 27 January and were lucky enough to hear from Mr Scott Darlow an Aboriginal singer, songwriter, public speaker and educator. Scott was very engaging and he gave a balanced view of historical events. His message about indigenous culture and racial tolerance was well received and will ensure we continue to celebrate diversity and inclusion at our school. His ‘FLUTE’ acronym is one that resonated with our staff. ‘Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy’ is an important message for all Australians.

It was wonderful to see all our students returning to school last week. Thank you to my dedicated and hardworking staff for accompanying our students on the Year 12 Camp and other activities on the Senior Campus during the first week back. I know that our students thoroughly enjoy these extra-curricular events which are important educational experiences. Our Junior Campus students will be taking part in the Year 7 Camp and the Year 8 Challenge Program during Week 3, and our rescheduled Year 10 Camp will now be held in Week 5.

 

School Council Election 2026

he Department of Education (DE) has approved the commencement of the electoral process for the election of School Councillors for 2026.

• Membership

Our College Council consists of seven parents, two students, five staff members (including College Principal) and four community members.

• Term of Office

Term of office is for two years with half of members retiring each year but eligible for re-election. Four parents, two staff members and one student member will end their term of office in March 2026

• Retiring College Councillors

The following members of College Council, while they may be eligible for re-election, retire next month:

Parent Members:

Mrs Chelsea Eow
Mr Fabian Kohlmann
Ms Kristen Nolan
Ms Joanne O’Mara

Staff Members:

Mr Ian Davidson
Ms Danielle Mott

Student Members:

Anshal Patel, Tejasvi Srinivas

• Proposed Timeline

Friday 6 February                 Call for nominations
Friday 13 February               Nominations close 4.00pm
Monday 23 February            Nominations displayed at each campus.
Election held if required.
Friday 13 March                   Close of ballot 4.00pm. Votes counted.
Thursday 19 March              College Council AGM, followed by meeting of new Council.

• Voting

If the number of nominations exceeds the vacancies in either the parent, student or staff categories, an election will be necessary. All parents are entitled to vote for parent representatives; all students are entitled to vote for student representatives and Department of Education (DE) employees vote for staff representatives.

• Methods of Voting (voting slips available on college website). There are two ways in which you can record your vote on the official voting form during the election period dates as listed above:
  1. Post or email your vote to the college to arrive by 4.00pm Friday 13 March
  2. Students will receive electronic voting slips (if required)

• Nominations of Candidates

For most school councils, there are four possible categories of membership:

• A mandated elected Parent category – more than one-third of the total members must be from this category. Department of Education (DE) employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not engaged in work at the school.
• A mandated elected Student category – to be elected the person must be a student enrolled in Year 7 or above. These members are elected by all students enrolled in Year 7 or above at the school.
• A mandated elected DE employee category – members of this category may make up no more than one-third of the total membership of school council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members.
• An optional Community member category – members are co-opted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests, or experiences. DE employees are not eligible to be Community members.
• Role of School Councillors

School Councillors currently play an important role in decision making and the management of our college.  They donate many hours to the sub committees of Council:  Finance, Education, Buildings & Grounds and Community Engagement. Councillors belong to one subcommittee, attend one monthly council meeting, and represent the college at functions.

SCHEDULE 4 – Notice of Election and Call for Nominations An election is to be conducted for members of College Council of Mount Waverley Secondary College Nomination forms may be obtained from the college website and must be lodged by 4.00pm on Friday 13 February 2026. Following the closing of nominations, a list of the nominations received will be displayed at each campus. The terms of office, membership categories and number of positions in each membership category open for election are as follows:   Membership                                        Term of Office                         Number of positions Parent Member                                    19 March 2026 to 19 March 2028                 4 DE Employee Member                         19 March 2026 to 19 March 2028                 2 Student Member                                  19 March 2026 to 19 March 2028                 2 If the number of nominations is less than the number of vacancies, a notice to that effect and calling for further nominations will be posted in a prominent position at the college. If there are more nominations than vacancies, a ballot will be conducted. The ballot will close at 4.00pm on Friday 13 March 2026.   Karen Wade College Principal

 

2026 College Uniform

All families should have seen a copy of our 2026 College Uniform Policy. Your support in ensuring the correct uniform is worn is much appreciated.

If your child cannot wear the correct college uniform, a note from a parent/carer is required. This should be forwarded to the appropriate Year Level Coordinator before school. An out of uniform pass will be indicated in the students’ planner or a pass given.

Mount Waverley Secondary College is the college of choice in our local area, and it is important that our students wear the uniform with pride, representing the college in a positive manner.

 

Annual Privacy Reminder

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy Photographing-Filming-Recording-Students-Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website MWSC Privacy Policy

For more information about privacy, see: Schools’ Privacy Policy – information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:

• Amharic
• Arabic
• Dari
• Gujarati
• Mandarin
• Somali
• Sudanese
• Turkish
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

 

Selective Entry High School

Congratulations to the following students who have been accepted into Year 9 at Selective Entry High Schools this year:

Aida A
Saakhi B
Khoi D
Grace F
Lyn K
Aarya K
Soham N
Carl R
Brandon T
Michael T
Hayden W
Nick Z

We know that your studies at Mount Waverley Secondary College have given you a strong foundation on your academic pathways.

 

A New Year of Learning

The Victorian Government has a website https://www.vic.gov.au/new-year-learning?  to help your family prepare for the new school year. The website now has case studies and videos featuring teachers, students, and parents and carers sharing their transition experiences and advice.

 

The Mount Waverley Secondary College Behaviour Matrix

A team of very dedicated staff and students have spent the last 18 months volunteering their time to collaborate, consult and create our school-wide Behaviour Matrix. This framework allows our school community to develop a positive, safe, supportive learning culture through behaviours aligned to our ILEARN values.

The Behavior Matrix will assist us in improving social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for all students.

In conjunction with the 5R Behaviour intervention process, the MWSC Behaviour Matrix will:

• Establish a common philosophy and purpose: Staff and students use a common language to discuss behaviour. School philosophy emphasises the need to teach appropriate behaviour much like academic learning.
• Clearly define a set of expected behaviours:  Clear, positively stated examples are identified and displayed in different school settings.
• Establish procedures for teaching and practising expected behaviours: A school-wide plan is developed to ensure behavioural expectations are taught to all students by all staff.

The Behaviour Matrix will officially be launched within our learning community in the coming weeks.

Thank you to Mrs Asha Vazirani, Head of Middle School for leading this initiative and all of the students and staff who have been involved in its development.

 

 

 

 

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

Welcome to our new Year 7 families and welcome back to our returning Year 8 families for 2026. The Junior Campus is an exciting place to be at this time of year. I am thrilled to be once again heading up the campus, alongside Ms Jo Rogers (Head of Junior School) and Ms Danielle Robertson (Junior School Leader).

I would also like to acknowledge the work of our year level coordinators, who developed an engaging program to help all students and teachers settle into the year.  At Year 7 we have Ms Brinda Manogaran and Mr Jackie Chan, and at Year 8 are Ms Eliza Yates and Mr Will Keep.

Thanks must also go to all of our Junior Campus staff and students for the way they have started the year. It is an exciting learning community and we’re looking forward to a great 2026!

 

Parent Communication

It is extremely important that we communicate with each other as part of our partnership in educating your child. If you have any matters you wish to discuss with your child’s classroom teachers, please contact them in the first instance. If there is something else you would like to discuss following this, please contact a Year Level Coordinator who will assist or refer it to one of our Leading Teachers/Campus Principals.

 

Year 7 Camp and Year 8 Challenge Program

We are very excited to start the year with our traditional Year 7 Phillip Island Adventure Camp and Year 8 Challenge Program from 11-13 February. Both programs are wonderful opportunities for our students to make new friends, challenge themselves, and try new things. Thank you to all staff who have volunteered to support these programs. We look forward to sharing our photos and stories in the next newsletter.

 

Before and After School

While we are a welcoming and inclusive school community, the location and limited size of our campus restricts our ability to have parents/carers visit us on campus. This is a reminder that there is no parent parking available on our campus. Please refrain from dropping off or picking up your child, instead plan to me in one of the side streets, or encourage other means of commuting.

Likewise, we have had many eager parents/carers seeking to meet their children at the front of the school at the end of the day. With around 650 students on our very small campus, we ask that parents find alternative places to wait, outside the school gates and away from the crossing area.

We plan to have a number of community events this year where you can come and explore the campus, but would appreciate your cooperation with the requests above in the meantime.

 

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school

Parents/carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident or ambulance cover for students. Parents and carers of students, who do not have private health insurance or ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their injured child.

Private property brought to the college by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education is not responsible for any loss or damage. This can include mobile phones, calculators, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.

It is recommended that parents/carers consider insurance policies that can be purchased from commercial insurers.

 

E-Scooter Safety – What Students and Parents Need to Know:

E-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport for students and community members alike. With their growing use, it’s important that both parents and students understand the safety requirements and legal responsibilities that come with riding an e-scooter in Victoria.

Below is a summary of the key rules, as outlined by Transport Victoria:

E-scooter riders are required to:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Wear a helmet at all times
• Ride at a maximum speed of 20 km/h
• Ride single file – not in tandem or side by side
• Ride only on:
  • Shared-use paths (not footpaths)
  • Bicycle paths
  • Roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less
• Not carry any passengers
• Use front and rear lights (steady or flashing) when riding at night or in low-light conditions
• Park responsibly, ensuring the scooter does not block pedestrian paths or create safety hazards

Why It Matters:

These rules are in place to help keep riders and others safe. Failure to follow them can result in fines and puts both the rider and others at risk. As e-scooter use grows, it’s essential we all do our part to promote safe and respectful riding in our community.

For more information and updates, please visit:
Transport Victoria – E-Scooter Road Rules

 

 

 

 

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School 

Welcome back to what will be another busy year in the Middle School. My name is Ian MacLeod, I am the Campus Principal who works with Middle School.  I would particularly like to welcome our Year 9 students and families as they start their journey at the Senior Campus of the college.  We welcomed our Year 9 and 10 students back to the college last week.

 

Year 9 Inspire Program

Thanks to the staff who supported the Year 9 Inspire program.  The program had many different activities for students to engage with including Kickstart, a Careers session, locker allocation, a scavenger hunt and academic testing sessions.  Thank you to Ms Asha Vazirani, Mr Callum Hope, Mr Tristan Dunkley and Ms Cathleen Howell for their work in organising and running this program.

 

Year 10 Camp postponed

Our Year 10 Camp has been postponed and will now run from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 February.  Thanks to Mr Callum Hope for his behind the scenes work on making sure we are ready to head off on Monday 23 February.

 

Year 10 Program

With the postponement of camp our Year 10 students had a 2-day program to start the 2026 academic year.  The program was jam packed with activities including a wellbeing and careers sessions plus STEM and sport activities keeping our students engaged.  Throw in some admin tasks like locker allocation, diary distribution and VCAA paperwork and you have a busy few days.  Thank you to Ms Asha Vazirani, Mr Callum Hope, Mr Aayush Khosla and Ms Jess Panther making this program happen at short notice!

 

Middle School Team

The Middle School team are here to help you support our Year 9 and 10 students both inside and outside the classroom.  Please contact the coordinators if you need any support.

The team is as follows:

Head of Middle School – Ms Asha Vazirani
Leader of Middle School –  Mr Callum Hope
Year 9 Coordinators – Mr Tristan Dunkley and Ms Cathleen Howell
Year 10 Coordinators – Mr Aayush Khosla and Ms Jess Panther
MS Admin Support – Mrs Karen Box

 

School Photos

School photos were taken on Thursday 5 February on both campuses.  There is a new ordering process this year which will see families receiving ordering information and codes in the coming weeks.  Parents are asked to ensure their contact details are up to date on Compass.

For students who didn’t have their photo taken there will be catch up day on Wednesday 18 February.

 

Student Diaries

Student have received their diaries which are valuable tool to support their learning.  Students should record homework and upcoming events to assist with time management and organisation.  The diary also contains many worthwhile resources and parents are encouraged to check it weekly and discuss “What went well” for the week.

 

Parking in and around the Senior Campus

The Senior Campus has parking which is for staff only.  The carparks at the Senior Campus should not be used for dropping off or picking up students as this creates safety issues for both staff and students.  Students should be dropped off and picked up in adjacent side streets near the Senior Campus.  When parking near the college it is important that parking signs are observed and we ask that you respect our neighbours and residents by not blocking their driveways as you drop off or pick up your children.

 

Student Safety

With the commencement of the school year, it is timely to remind all members of our College Community to observe all road laws.  In particular, cyclists must wear helmets and when students are crossing roads, it needs to be done with care and observing traffic signals and the crossing supervisor if present.  Please discuss this with your child and emphasise the need to follow correct road safety practices to keep everyone safe.

E-Scooter Safety – What Students and Parents Need to Know

E-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport for students and community members alike. With their growing use, it’s important that both parents and students understand the safety requirements and legal responsibilities that come with riding an e-scooter in Victoria.

Below is a summary of the key rules, as outlined by Transport Victoria:

What You Must Do When Riding an E-Scooter

E-scooter riders are required to:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Wear a helmet at all times
• Ride at a maximum speed of 20 km/h
• Ride single file – not in tandem or side by side
• Ride only on:
  • Shared-use paths (not footpaths)
  • Bicycle paths
  • Roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less
• Not carry any passengers
• Use front and rear lights (steady or flashing) when riding at night or in low-light conditions
• Park responsibly, ensuring the scooter does not block pedestrian paths or create safety hazards

Why It Matters

These rules are in place to help keep riders and others safe. Failure to follow them can result in fines and puts both the rider and others at risk. As e-scooter use grows, it’s essential we all do our part to promote safe and respectful riding in our community.

For more information and updates, please visit:
🔗 Transport Victoria – E-Scooter Road Rules

 

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school.

Parents/carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident or ambulance cover for students.  Parents and carers of students, who do not have private health insurance or ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their injured child.  Private property brought to the college by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education is not responsible for any loss or damage.  This can include mobile phones, calculators, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.  It is recommended that parents/carers consider insurance policies that can be purchased from commercial insurers.

 

Compass

All parents should now have access to Compass.  Compass is used to communicate with parents on a wide range of activities within the school.  Compass can be access through the college website using any web browser via your desktop computer, tablet or phone.  Alternatively, parents can also download the Compass App from the Apple App store or Goggle Play by searching “Compass School Manager” which will allow you to access Compass through your mobile device.  It is important to note that some of features of Compass are only available in the “browser” version.

 

Holiday Works

Across the holiday period the ICT and Facilities Teams were busy improving the college.

A wide range of ICT Works undertaken including:

• Servers and switch works
• Google migration ongoing preparation
• Learning tasks set up
• Year 7 BYOD setup
• PAT testing preparation
• AV maintenance and replaced four projectors
• Set up new staff laptops
• Reimage classroom desktops and notebooks
• E-waste removal

Thanks to Aro, Andrew and Jacob for their work across the break.  Well done!

The Facilities Team also worked hard across the break with the focus on the following:

• A8 – upgrade with carpet, furniture and paint – ready for classes
• H1 – total upgrade with furniture – will be ready in coming weeks
• New blinds, carpet in various rooms
• Painting across the college
• Removal and repair of unused sinks
• Addition of seating around tree in STEAM Centre foyer
• Test and Tag across college and Roof access points checked
• Plus lots more

Thanks to Wendy, Ari and our newest team member Chris for their great work across the holiday period.

 

 

 

 

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School 

Welcome back to our Senior School students, particularly to any new students and families who have joined the college community in 2026.

Staff returned on 27 January and started their day by hearing from Scott Darlow. Scott is an Aboriginal singer songwriter who shared his music, culture and his heart for Reconciliation. His key word “FLUTE” (Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy) resonated with our staff, particularly as our School Vision calls for us to celebrate our diverse learning community.
 
 
 

Senior School Special Programs

Last week, Year 11s participated in the ‘Flying Start’ program that focussed on setting themselves up for success in 2026. It included guest speakers, sessions run by Elevate Education and school run sessions on careers and wellbeing. Students also spent a day at Deakin University to give them a taste of university life, and to hear about the different pathways current Deakin students took to end up studying their chosen degree.

Year 12 students attended The Summit camp, with the most talked about activity being ‘The Monster Course’. It was fantastic to see all students embrace the challenges this camp offered. A great time was had by all, and it was an excellent opportunity for the year level to bound prior to the start of their final year of formal schooling.

Thanks to all staff who supported the running of the Year 11 program on campus and at Deakin, as well as the staff who attended the Year 12 camp. A special thanks to Head of Senior School Ms Sarah Chase, Senior School Leader Mr James Johnston, Year 12 Coordinators Mr Chris Bamford and Mr Adam Wheeler, and Year 11 Coordinators Ms Sunita Sewani and Ms Lisa Worthy for all the work in setting up these valuable programs.

 

Compass

Announcements about important year level events, excursions, sport days and other information are all communicated via Compass. It is also used by teachers to communicate student learning progress in assessment tasks, any concerns around learning and to recognise students who demonstrate our College Values. Please ensure you have downloaded the app and have announcements turned on to avoid missing any important communications.

 

Student Diaries

All students should have now received their 2026 MWSC student diary. Students are encouraged to record homework, due dates for assessment tasks, as well as events they are participating in to assist with their organisation. Their diary is also required for them to leave class to use the bathroom, see the nurse or access the Resource Centre. The diary also includes study tips, wellbeing advice and goal setting strategies.

 

Safety and Parking

The college is a busy place, particularly at drop off and pick up times. Students are reminded that they should be using the dedicated crossings where possible and taking care when crossing side streets. The carparks on both campuses are for staff only and parents are not to use these as a drop off or pick up point.

 

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to school

Parents/carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident or ambulance cover for students. Parents and carers of students, who do not have private health insurance or ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their injured child.

Private property brought to the college by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education is not responsible for any loss or damage. This can include mobile phones, calculators, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.

It is recommended that parents/carers consider insurance policies that can be purchased from commercial insurers.

 

E-Scooter Safety – What Students and Parents Need to Know

E-scooters are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transport for students and community members alike. With their growing use, it’s important that both parents and students understand the safety requirements and legal responsibilities that come with riding an e-scooter in Victoria.

Below is a summary of the key rules, as outlined by Transport Victoria:

What You Must Do When Riding an E-Scooter

E-scooter riders are required to:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Wear a helmet at all times
• Ride at a maximum speed of 20 km/h
• Ride single file – not in tandem or side by side
• Ride only on:
  • Shared-use paths (not footpaths)
  • Bicycle paths
  • Roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less
• Not carry any passengers
• Use front and rear lights (steady or flashing) when riding at night or in low-light conditions
• Park responsibly, ensuring the scooter does not block pedestrian paths or create safety hazards

Why It Matters

These rules are in place to help keep riders and others safe. Failure to follow them can result in fines and puts both the rider and others at risk. As e-scooter use grows, it’s essential we all do our part to promote safe and respectful riding in our community.

For more information and updates, please visit:
Transport Victoria – E-Scooter Road Rules

 

 

 

 

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School 

The Middle School would like to extend a warm Welcome to the Senior Campus for the new year of 2026.  We trust that you have had a restful and relaxing break, spending much-deserved time with family and friends.  It gives us great pleasure to introduce the 2026 Middle School Team:

Campus Principal: Mr Ian MacLeod
Head of Middle School:  Mrs Asha Vazirani
Middle School Leader:  Mr Callum Hope
Middle School Administrator:  Mrs Karen Box
Year 10 Level Coordinators:  Ms Jessica Panther and Mr Aayush Khosla
Year 9 Level Coordinators:  Ms Cathleen Howell and Mr Tristan Dunkley

The Middle School Team is committed to supporting our students to develop skills in resilience, persistence, independence and respect.  We are confident that our parent community will support us in ensuring high standards in each of the core areas mentioned below so that together, we can build a safe and positive learning environment for all our students.

We would like to congratulate the Middle School students on demonstrating these standards and engaging in a positive and seamless transition into the 2026 year.  Students took part in and enjoyed a range of different activities during the Year 9 INSPIRE and Year 10 Induction Day program.  Despite the fact that some Year 10 students may have been disappointed in the postponement of camp, they started the year with adaptability and enthusiasm during their Year 10 induction program.

 

Important Dates Term 1

2nd  Feb – House Swimming Sports
5th Feb – Photo Day
18th Feb – Photo Catch up day
23rd Feb – 25th Feb – Year 10 Camp
23rd Feb – 27th Feb – Year 9 Morrisby Testing
9th March – Labour Day Holiday (Student Free Day)
1st April – Parent Teacher Student Conferences (Student Free Day)
2nd April – Last Day of Term 1
20th April – First Day of Term 2

 

Attendance

The Department of Education (DE) requires that children of school age (six to seventeen years) are in full-time attendance at a government or registered non-government school unless formally exempt.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don’t fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximizes life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School also helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community.

All students in Years 7 to 12 at the college are required to have an attendance rate of at least 90%. Mount Waverley Secondary College will keep a record of the reason given for each absence.  If a student is arriving late to school, they are to report to the Middle School Office to sign in. If a student is leaving early, a parent is required to sign them out at the Main Office.

 

Mobile Phones

As per the Department’s policy, mobile phones should be kept in lockers throughout the duration of the school day.  Students are expected to place their phone on silent and in their school bags upon entering the school gates.  Their bags should be securely locked in the lockers and students can take their phones out once they have exited the school gates. We expect all our students to follow this expectation. Students cannot use their mobile phones to pay at the Canteen, they are expected to bring cash or a card.

 

ILEARN Values

As a student of MWSC, we expect our students to demonstrate the College’s ILEARN values at all times and uphold the highest standard of behaviour inside and outside of the classroom. Mount Waverley Secondary College will be launching the ILEARN Behaviour Matrix in the next few weeks.  This has been a joint collaboration project involving students and staff.  We are very excited with this new educational initiative and look forward to community support to ensure its success.

We look forward to working with you all during this year to ensure our students achieve their personal best in all areas of school life.  Please feel free to contact your student’s Year Level Coordinators if you would like clarification in any matter.

Wishing you all a great start to the year.

 

 
 

Ms Asha Vazirani
Head of Middle School

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s financial circumstances and their outcomes.

Please refer to link for further information: csef-financial-assistance-information-families

 

Ritches Community Benefit Program

The Ritchies Community Benefit Program allows shoppers at Ritchies Supermarkets and Liquor Stores to donate a percentage of their purchases to Mount Waverley Secondary College by using their Ritchies Card or app. To participate, shoppers simply need to register their card or use the Ritchies Card App and select Mount Waverley Secondary College as the recipient from the list available on the app or website.

All funds raised through this program will go to student-led initiatives.

 

New Outdoor Seating – A Block Senior Campus

Our brand new outdoor seating and turf is now complete and it looks fantastic!  This was a student-led initative, using funds raised by our Uniform Shop.

 

Bonsai Tree – STEAM Centre

The Bonsai Tree and seating in the STEAM Centre atrium is complete and looks fantastic! This was another student-led initiative using funds raised from our annual raffle and mango fundraisers, and we can’t wait to see the students decorating this with varying themes throughout the year.

 

2026 Parent Financial Contributions

The 2026 Parent Financial Contributions are available on your Parent Portal in Compass. Please click on the ‘Payments Centre’ tab, under the heading of 2026 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 such as salaries, utilities, some repairs to buildings, 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 2026 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, repurposing buildings, additional furniture and shade sails are all only made possible via fundraising and voluntary parent contributions. Over the past few years, we have been able to make several upgrades across the college using the contributions made to our Building Fund, including the Wellbeing Hub and Outdoor Learning Space.

You can find the Compass contributions parent guide here: Compass Billing – Parent Guide

You can pay in full or instalments. If you would like a custom payment plan, please call the finance team on 9803 6811 or email finance@mwsc.vic.edu.au.

Thank you for supporting our college.

 

Volunteers and Uniform/Book Donations

We are looking for volunteers to help across the college, particularly in the second-hand uniform and book shop. If you are interested in volunteering, please email mount.waverley.sc@education.vic.gov.au.

If you have any uniform or book items to donate, please drop them into the Senior Campus office at any time. Please ensure all items are current, clean and in good condition.

 

 

 

Ms Kari Simmons
Business Manager

I would like to warmly welcome several new staff who will be valuable additions to the support we provide our students and families.

In 2026, we are excited to be expanding our wellbeing supports through the introduction of music therapy. Our new Music Therapist, Ms Xin Yi Lee, will be working part-time on Mondays and Tuesdays, providing both individual music therapy sessions and small group work. Music therapy offers students an alternative and engaging way to build emotional regulation, communication skills, confidence and wellbeing.

Within our Inclusion Team, we are pleased to welcome Ms Jodi Woolf as our new Inclusion Coordinator. Jodi will be primarily based on the senior campus, where she will provide daily support to students, work closely with teaching staff, and support our inclusion aides to ensure students receive consistent and responsive support throughout their learning day.

We are also delighted to welcome Ms Charli Bartlett to our Careers Team as Careers Education Coordinator. Charli’s appointment strengthens our careers support and will allow us to further expand individual counselling, run more group programs and provide pathway planning to support students as they explore future study, training and employment options.

We also welcome Ms Tanya Alderton as our new Teacher Librarian. Tanya will be overseeing our Resource Centres, supporting students and staff to access high-quality learning resources, and fostering a love of reading and research skills across the school.

In addition to these appointments, in Term 4 last year we welcomed Ms Gaby Orr to the role of Student Wellbeing Coordinator, based on the Junior Campus. Gaby provides individual counselling support to students, while also developing and delivering targeted Tier 2 wellbeing groups. A key focus of Gaby’s role is supporting student transitions, particularly the move from Grade 6 to Year 7 and Year 8 to Year 9.

These new staffing positions reflect our ongoing commitment to providing additional support to our students and we are thrilled to have such skilled professionals joining our community.

 

 

 

 

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager

2026 House Swimming Carnival

On Monday 2^nd February, 420 Mount Waverley Secondary College students headed out to the Oakleigh Recreation Centre to take part in our annual house swimming carnival!

The purpose of this carnival is to select our division team, which competes next month against the best swimmers from Glen Waverley Secondary College, Highvale Secondary College and Vermont Secondary College.

The weather on the day was fantastic, as was our students’ performance in the pool. Some standout performers were Molly R, Katia K and Daniel K (Year 8), Olivia T Hannah R and Alex Z of Year 11 and Isaac C of Year 12.

We are excited to see what our squad can do at the Division Swimming Carnival early next month. Students who made the team will be notified shortly through Compass.  We look forward to watching all students compete, as MWSC aims to win its 8th swimming division title in the last 9 years!

Thank you to all involved in helping run the day, especially all the students who competed hard and represented the college in such a respectful manner.

Mr Danny Gwynne and Mr Jay Newport
Sports Leaders

We have successfully completed our first week of school! Leading up to our first day of school we were hurriedly buying school stationery and packing the school bags. On our first day we walked through the massive double gates we knew that we were not in primary school anymore. Parents were crying tears of pride and teachers smiled to see such eager new students. We had our first assembly of the year and enjoyed it immensely. We learned all about our new homegroup teacher and other teachers who came to visit. We worked our way through many enjoyable ‘get to know you’ activities and had practice drills of what the year ahead was going to look like. So far we have received our new lockers and timetables. The whole school is packed full of students longing to find their way to class! So many people have already made new friends and connections and can’t wait for more. The Year 7s are having so much fun and I think we have a great year to look forward to.

By Benita (7M)

 

I was so excited yet so terrified at the thought of my first day as a Year 7 student in Mount Waverley Secondary College. It felt like my first day as an adult, the first day I ever felt grown up. My dad pulled up at the back entrance and as I entered school, I asked myself if some of these strangers were going to become my new friends.  It looked so big compared to my old school. How was I ever going to learn my way around? As I pushed open the bulky doors of the gym, a sudden wave of deafening noise came gushing into my ears.  Heaps of children were all over the place. Everyone was in their friendship groups, lined up in their classes. Moreover, on our first day, our different subject teachers didn’t discuss a lesson but they orientated us on the rules and we introduced ourselves. It was the best day of my life. I had a doubt about friends but l made so many. MWSC is really friendly and so were the teachers. I love it.

By Prisha (7M)

The first day of Year 8 at MWSC marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, bringing together familiar faces, new responsibilities, and a strong sense of belonging across year levels. The day began in our new homegroups, where we met our homegroup teachers and reconnected with peers after the summer break. Conversations quickly turned to holiday highlights and what we were most looking forward to in 2026, setting a positive and forward-focused tone for the year ahead.

While the return to school was exciting, the day did begin with PAT testing in reading and mathematics. Although not the most anticipated way to start the year, it was a necessary part of the academic journey and a reminder that Year 8 brings higher expectations and new challenges. Despite this, it was genuinely uplifting to see friends again after such a long break, even if many of us agreed the holidays could have lasted just a little longer.

Throughout the morning, students familiarised themselves with new schedules, met their teachers, and received their school diaries, an important step in preparing for a more independent year of learning. After recess, we returned to our homegroups to complete the remainder of PAT testing before heading to lunch.

Lunch provided an opportunity not only to relax but also to connect with the new Year 7 students. It was encouraging to see older students welcoming them, offering guidance, and beginning friendships that will strengthen our campus community.

The highlight of the day came after lunch, when the Year 7 and Year 8 cohorts came together for a special program focused on rebuilding the house system. As a united campus, students split into their house colours and collaborated to generate ideas for new house names, symbols, and coats of arms. This session powerfully emphasised the importance of year levels coming together, bonding, and contributing to something bigger than ourselves. It fostered teamwork, creativity, and a shared sense of pride in shaping the future of MWSC.

Overall, despite a busy schedule and academic testing, the first day of Year 8 was a successful and meaningful start to the year. It balanced responsibility with connection and set a strong foundation for growth, collaboration, and campus spirit in 2026.

 

By Harjas N (8N)

Student Leaders are off to a flying start on the Junior campus. They have had to “jump into” their new roles and have already performed a number of important duties well.

Last December, they welcomed and supported Year 6 students during their Orientation Day to the college. Our student leaders even started their 2026 school year one day early to assist the new Year 7s during their two day special Launch Pad program.

This week, we appreciated their assistance with MWSC Photo day. They acted as “runners’ and had to help coordinate when different classes were required by the photographers. Not an easy task when 600 + students were having their photographs taken!

Our Junior Campus Leadership Team for 2026 is:

• Zahan B – JC Captain
• Audrey D – JC Captain
• Aamena M – JC Deputy Captain
• Harjas N – JC Deputy Captain

• Ria B – Wellbeing Captain
• Aima L – Wellbeing Captain

• Jia D – Sustainability Captain
• Parnavi K – Sustainability Captain

• Oliver H – House Captain (Red)
• Molly R – House Captain (Red)
• Caitlin W – House Captain (Blue)
• Kathleen H – House Captain (Blue)
• Geeth G – House Captain (Green)
• Archer L – House Captain (Green)
• Mayumi M – House Captain (Yellow)
• Ekaterina K – House Captain (Yellow)

 

 

 

 

Mr Anthony Borya
Student Leadership Coordinator – Junior Campus

An iconic moment of our final year of high school began with a school camp at ‘The Summit’. The camp lived up to the hype, and exceeded all expectations, setting the tone for a year filled with unforgettable memories and endless adventure.

There were a plethora of great activities, from Abseiling to a Bush Walk, and it definitely kept us on our toes for the entire three days! People had to overcome their fears and step outside their comfort zones, and it was good to see everyone encouraging each other and bringing the vibes throughout the whole journey.

One activity that stood out to us was the ‘Leap of faith’. Harnessed up, we had to climb a set of ladders to a ledge and then leap to grip a metal bar. At the beginning it was quite intimidating but it was amazing to challenge ourselves and some of us were even given a second go at it, where we tried doing some cool tricks!

But the absolute pinnacle of this experience was the mud run. It was a set of obstacle courses, paired with a splash of mud, lakewater, but ultimately, teamwork. Initially, it looked impossible, with carrying tyres, swimming through rivers and dragging ourselves through sludge. And on top of that, doing the route twice over! It’s a core memory that will stay with us and help us develop resilience and perseverance.

Overall, our last ever high school camp was one to remember. It was so nice to spend time with our peers, having fun, getting dirty and doing things we definitely would not do otherwise. To SUMMIT up, each and every one of us had an absolute blast, and we would like to thank all the teachers, camp staff, parents and our peers, who made this camp possible!

 

By Hruthi M (12F)

A group of eight MWSC students left bright and early on 21 November 2025 for the nine-week exchange, sent off by Mr Sheehan, Campus Principal-Junior School. The students returned on Saturday 24 January, accompanied by the eight Japanese students from Owa Senior High School in Osaka, who our students stayed with and Sensei Luk.

In Osaka, the students were welcomed and cared for by their host families. They participated in both school and daily life, and despite a couple of unforeseen challenges, the group was a credit to MWSC as they learned how to communicate, live and navigate a different culture.

 

 

 

 

Mr Peter Jackson
Head of Languages

Building a Reading Nation

In 2026, Mount Waverley Secondary College Library staff will continue to engage in promoting lifelong reading and learning. Australia Reads is a not-for-profit national initiative to increase the reading rate across the country through research, policy, and program advocacy. The Australia Reads initiative is a collaboration between the major Australian book industry associations, Australian publishers, and Australian authors. Australia Reads advocates that reading improves the health, happiness, and social connection of individuals and the Australian nation.

Many MWSC students and their families tell us the same thing: “We’d love to read more, but there is just no time.” Australia Reads suggests the issue is often less about the clock and more about competing priorities and the effort it takes to get started – finding a book, choosing one, and settling into reading when time is already fragmented. The encouraging news is that small, practical changes can make reading easier to return to reading and avoid digital distractions.

Enjoy the Australia Reads article below:

“What does it really mean when people say they “don’t have time to read”? And what can we do about it?”

 

 

 

Ms Tanya Alderton
Teacher Librarian – Senior Campus

Welcome from the Careers Team!

We are excited to welcome Ms Charli Bartlett to the Careers team this year. With this addition to our team, we will be able to offer even more support, opportunities and personalised guidance for our students. We are looking forward to working closely with students and families throughout 2026, providing tailored career counselling to help students make confident, informed decisions about their future pathways. Our career education programs run across all year levels, ensuring every student is supported as they explore, plan and grow.
 

Year 7 and 8

This year there will be a Careers team member based at the Junior Campus 1–2 days every week, working directly with our Year 7 and 8 students. Also, students are encouraged to drop by the Junior School Library every Tuesday lunchtime for career-based activities.

 

Year 9

Year 9 students completed their Morrisby profile last week and will soon be given individual support from an accredited counsellor to unpack the results. The profile helps students identify their interests and strengths and is a valuable tool for pathway planning.

 

Year 10

Work experience is a valuable opportunity for Year 10 students to gain insight into the world of work and understand the expectations of the workplace. It is a chance for students to develop skills, knowledge, and experience that will benefit them in their future careers. Work Experience placements will take place during the week of 22 June – 26 June 2026.

 

Year 11

Year 11 students completed their “Mapping Your Journey” last week, an exploration of career and occupations. Last week they went to Deakin University as part of their program. In May, students will spend the day at the VCE and Careers Expo which is Australia’s biggest education and careers event.

 

Year 12

The Careers team is available to help students plan their 2026 destination and beyond. This could be apprenticeships, gap years, employment, or for many students, university.  Book an appointment.

 

 

Careers have a wide range of resources for students, including a regular newsletter packed full of up-to-date information.

 

 

 

 

Mr Phil Newnham, Ms Victoria Tortopidis, Ms Charli Bartlett
Careers Education Team

 

 

Alumni School Tour

We are pleased to advise that our tours in 2026 will start at 9am from the main reception of Senior Campus and conclude with a morning tea. Bookings essential.

 

Class of 1976, 1986 Reunion

Thursday, 26 March 2026

Click here to book your ticket

Class of 1996, 2006 Reunion

Thursday, 11 June 2026

Click here to book your ticket

Class of 2016 Reunion

Thursday, 20 August 2026

Click here to book your ticket

 

If you have family or friends who went to Mount Waverley in the years listed, please pass on the exciting news.  Bookings essential.

 

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 below to sign up.   To register your details, click here.

 

 

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator