MWSC College News – Issue 2

Star Performers

Two of our 2025 students (who completed Unit 3&4 studies last year) have been invited to exhibit their works in the VCE Season of Excellence this year. This is a fantastic achievement and credit to our staff who work tirelessly to promote Literature and Arts across our school.

Congratulations to Tasmiya H, who has been selected to be published in the Top Scribe 2026 anthology in recognition of her outstanding achievement in VCE Literature. Congratulations also go to Ananya H, who has been selected to perform in Top Class Music 2026 at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Scribe and Top Class Music are part of the VCE Season of Excellence, presented by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The Season is an annual showcase of work produced by outstanding VCE students who completed performing, visual, multimedia, or cinematic arts; technology; design; writing; or research studies in 2025. Events are presented at Melbourne’s major cultural venues, alongside associated education programs.

You can find more information regarding the Season of Excellence program on the VCAA’s Season of Excellence website.  Tickets are currently on sale for all Season events, and bookings can be made directly with each venue.

Communication is Vital

Mount Waverley Secondary College has a commitment to provide all the care and support necessary for each student to do their best and achieve the highest possible learning outcomes.  It is important that when families have concerns about their children, they contact the relevant staff members immediately to ensure a quick supportive response.

I encourage families to maintain open communication with staff members to ensure each student is provided with optimal support.

The most appropriate staff members to talk to when you have specific concerns are the classroom teachers, then Year Level Coordinator, then Sub School Leader or Head of Sub School prior to contacting one of the Campus Principals.  These are the staff members who have a thorough understanding of the needs of the students in their care: –

Year Level Coordinators

Year 7         Mr Jackie Chan, Ms Brinda Manogaran
Year 8         Mr Will Keep, Ms Eliza Yates
Year 9         Mr Tristan Dunkley, Ms Cathleen Howell
Year 10       Mr Aayush Khosla, Ms Jess Panther
Year 11       Mrs Sunita Sewani, Mrs Lisa Worthy
Year 12       Mr Chris Bamford, Mr Adam Wheeler

Junior School Leader                          Ms Danielle Robertson
Head of Junior School                        Ms Jo Rogers
Middle School Leader                         Mr Callum Hope
Head of Middle School                       Mrs Asha Vazirani
Senior School Leader                          Mr James Johnston
Head of Senior School                        Ms Sarah Chase

During the last few weeks, I have observed classrooms and I have been very impressed with how focussed the teaching and learning activities have been and have noted that our teachers and students have a lovely rapport in the classroom.  Teachers and students are clearly demonstrating our motto ‘Community, Choice and Engagement’.  I am particularly pleased to report our new Year 7 students are making a very smooth transition to the college.

Our college is a safe and caring learning community, and our students and staff believe that Mount Waverley Secondary College is a very special place which offers magnificent learning opportunities.

Community Involvement

Research clearly indicates that if parents are involved in their child’s education, they enhance the learning outcomes for their students.  I would like to thank all the parents who have already volunteered to be involved in our learning community.

2026 MWSC Secondhand Uniform/Book Shop

Thank you to all our wonderful parent volunteers who have been running the MWSC Secondhand Uniform/Book Shop this year.  The shop is open on selected Fridays between 11.30am – 1.30pm on the Senior Campus (refer to Compass posts for actual dates).  For any queries regarding textbook and uniform availability please email pnf@mwsc.vic.edu.au

Ritchies – Community Benefits

I encourage all parents to patronise Ritchies Supermarkets and access a Community Benefits Card or you can download the Ritchies Loyalty App on your phone, nominating Mount Waverley Secondary College as your preferred beneficiary.  Each time you shop at Ritchies you will be actively contributing to your child’s education by helping us continue to provide quality resources throughout the college.

MWSC Alumni

In 2026 we are continuing to build our MWSC Alumni (past students and staff association). There are three ways our alumni community can stay in touch. They can register to receive a monthly MWSC Alumni newsletter, join the MWSC Alumni Facebook page or join the Mount Waverley Secondary College LinkedIn Group.

Lions Club of Ashwood Mt Waverley

We have close links to the Lions Club of Ashwood-Mt Waverley. Whilst they are part of a global organisation their focus is on the needs of our local community. The club would be interested in hearing from anyone who would like to draw their attention to a particular need or who would like to join in some of their local activities. Please contact Mr Roy Willmott for membership enquiries via email ashwood@lions201V5.org.au

Student/ Parent/ Teacher Conferences

Our virtual student/parent/teacher conferences for the year will be held online via Webex on Wednesday 1 April from 1.00pm-7.30pm.  Further information will be sent out closer to the time.

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal 

Year 7 Camp

Well done to all of our Year 7 students for their participation in the Phillip Island Adventure Camp last week. Students and staff braved uncertain conditions and had a wonderful time getting to know each other and having some fun in the sun. A particular thanks goes to our Junior School Leader, Ms Danielle Robertson, and our Year 7 coordinators for their preparation and leadership. I would also like to extend my thanks to all staff who gave up their time to go along. Only through the willingness of our wonderful staff are we able to make these events happen.

Read ahead in this newsletter to read some student accounts of their experiences as they wrote them in English class during the week. 

Year 8 Challenge

While the Year 7s were at camp, our Year 8s had the chance to test their resilience and courage with our annual Challenge Week. Students got the chance to dance, climb, improvise, touch reptiles, and many other challenging activities. I would like to commend the students for participating in the right spirit, and being so encouraging of their peers as they tested their limits.

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 close to 700 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.

Save the date

On Wednesday 11 March we will be hosting our new Year 7 parents/carers for our annual Welcome Picnic at the Junior Campus. This is a great way to meet other families, and many MWSC teachers. Note: this is an alcohol-free event.

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

Well done to all Middle School students on a fantastic start to 2026 as we have settled back into timetabled classes. It has been very pleasing to receive positive feedback about the way students have approached their learning during these first few weeks.

Looking ahead, our Year 9 students will be engaging in the Morrisby Careers Program and completing NAPLAN testing in the coming weeks. These are important opportunities for students to reflect on their strengths and plan for future pathways.

Our Year 10 cohort will be heading to Camp Coonawarra from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 February. The camp will involve a wide range of activities and provide a valuable opportunity for students to connect with one another in a different environment while building teamwork and resilience.

School Photos

Arthur Reed Photos have now completed our school photos and are currently busy processing the images. Information regarding photo ordering will be forwarded electronically in the coming weeks to parents and carers.

Drop off and pick up around the college

The streets around the College are very busy during drop-off and pick-up times. Please take extra care when driving in the vicinity, particularly during these periods. When dropping off or picking up students, it is important to adhere to all parking signs and avoid parking across any driveways.  Please respect our neighbours and other road users by following all road rules when driving around the College.

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.

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School 

The school year is in full swing and many of our senior students would have already completed assessment tasks that contribute to their progress in their subjects. An assessment task calendar has been shared with students and parents/carers to support students with planning and preparing for these tasks. There are strict requirements regarding attendance and procedures for these tasks that students and teachers must follow.

Our senior students are incredibly lucky that their teachers organise many out of classroom experiences to support their learning. Over the last couple of weeks, we have had senior students involved in excursions for Art Making Exhibiting, Drama, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, and Product Design. Thanks to all the teachers for their work behind the scenes to allow our students to have these opportunities.

Tips and strategies to support your child in VCE

The jump into VCE is always a big one and at times students and their families can feel overwhelmed and anxious. Please ensure that your child talks to their teacher if they are having difficulties with the work or the Year Level Coordinators if they are struggling with the demands of VCE.

Some of the top tips to assist in VCE success include:

• Creating a study timetable and sticking to it (around 3 to 4 hours outside of class time per day).
• Finding a place to study and setting it up.
• Studying without mobile phones or devices – or using an app to lock access to distracting websites or apps.
• Practicing applying knowledge – not just remembering it.
• Using mind maps, tables and graphic organisers to summarise the main points.
• Using the expertise of teachers – they are always happy to assist you.
• Maintaining a good work/life balance – make sure you get enough sleep, exercise and social time. If you have a part time job, be mindful of spending too much time working at the expense of study time.
• Study time that includes revision of work covered, not just homework.
• Making sure that you stay up to date with your coursework and regularly engage in revision.

The Year Level Coordinators are here to support your child, please encourage your child to see them if they are struggling with getting on top of their study.

Communication at the College

Supporting senior students through their chosen VCE pathway is a team effort and requires a partnership between the college, students and parents.

While our staff make every effort to respond to parents in a timely manner it can sometimes be difficult given the size of our school community. All staff, including those in subschools, have a teaching allotment and may not always be available via phone. Email is usually the best way to reach our staff, or a phone message can be left if necessary.

Compass is used as our primary method of communication with parents/carers. Please check this regularly and ensure your email address and other details are up to date. Compass is used to report on student progress for CATs and SACs, provide information about attendance, notifications regarding excursions and other upcoming events at the college.

VCE Vocational Major (VM)

The college is entering its fourth year of running the VCE Vocational Major (VM). This Senior Secondary Pathway offers students the opportunity to pursue practical, work-related and applied learning. This week our VCE VM students had the opportunity to participate in Barista and Food Handling courses. These courses provide our students with the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications, to support them to be job ready when they complete their secondary schooling. Thanks to Mr Wayne Griffin (Senior Pathways Leader) and the VCE VM teachers for their support in organising and supervising the running of these courses.

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School 

Year 7 Emotional Regulation

Starting secondary school is a significant milestone. For our Year 7 students, it represents new routines, new friendships and new expectations. That’s why explicitly teaching emotional regulation at this stage of schooling is essential.

We all understand that adolescence is a period of rapid brain development and whilst we acknowledge that our Year 7’s have shown great resilience in managing the transition to high school – their emotional regulation is still developing. This means students can feel emotions intensely, even when they don’t yet have the tools to manage them effectively.

One of our key partners, Toolbox Education, last week delivered workshops to our Year 7’s providing them with tools to name, understand and regulate strong emotions. These workshops were well received by students with the following feedback provided:

• I learn lot of way to calm down when I’m feeling to explode
• I liked the strategies
• The fact we could relate to the different tools that we can use
• I liked everything was definitely a 5 star
• I need to say a big thank you to toolbox for coming to Mount Waverley Secondary College to teach us ways to control our emotions

Importantly, emotional regulation is not a one-off lesson. It is a skill that develops over time in and of the classroom.

Teaching social and emotional skills is a key element of our whole school wellbeing model. Not only are we invested in supporting our students to get the best out of themselves academically – we are also focused on helping them navigate the world with the appropriate soft skills.

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager 

This year, Year 7 camp took place in Phillip Island Adventure Resort on the 11 – 13 February. When the Year 7s and I arrived at camp, we couldn’t wait to try everything, but first, most of the Year 7s wanted to find out their cabins. Before anything, we first had to put our bags underneath a shelter spot, then we all ran to the auditorium to have a welcome by the staff. They went through all the rules and expectations, and after all the boring parts, we got to eat our lunch, we were allowed to change into any specific clothes for each activity. 

I was in activity group twelve with all my friends and when we found out, we were so cheerful. Our group got to do kayaking and swimming for the first day. We also went to the kayaking site and our instructor told us how to get in and out of the water safely. When our group came out of the water, I was the only one who looked like they fell in and that water was freezing. Over the following 3 days, all of the groups rotated through the different activities.

Some of my favourite times during camp were the giant swing, archery, cabin selections and honestly the whole experience!

At the end of camp I had realised all of the memories I made, but only one sticks to me. I will never forget all of the times my friends and I laughed at even the smallest things. To conclude this, I want to give a piece of advice to next year’s Year 7 students, and that is, don’t be scared to make any new friends, because there has to be someone you find that has the same interests as you. Even if it means just getting to know someone a bit more, keep trying. Hope you have a spectacular time.

By Lara A (7M)

The Challenge Program was an unforgettable week filled with laughter, smiles, new friendships and – above all- meaningful challenges. In these three days, students participated in a range of activities aimed at pushing them outside their comfort zone and encouraging them to try new experiences.

Throughout the program, students took part in African Groove Drumming, Manga drawing, a visit from Bernard Mangakahia, Circus Arts, Reptile Encounters, Hip-hop dancing, Improvisation, Rock Climbing, and Yoga. Each activity offered its own test of limits. Whether it was physical effort, mental barriers, or simply trying something new, students learned to step beyond their personal boundaries.

Some of the more challenging experiences included Reptile Encounters, where students faced their fears of different animals; Rock Climbing, where participants confronted their concern for heights; and Circus Arts, where pupils explored their capabilities through various acts.

Overall, the week boosted self‑confidence and introduced students to new concepts.

By Geeth G (8N) and Archer L (8M)

In partnership with Wellbeing, we are offering personalised, one-on-one workshops across both campuses providing individual sessions designed to build confidence, develop skills and support students in thinking about the future. Workshop topics include:

• Thinking About the Future: Let’s Talk Careers
• Resume Writing and Job Ready Skills

These tailored sessions are designed to meet the unique needs of each student, offering practical guidance, encouragement and the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable support to help them feel prepared and confident about their future pathways.

Year 7 and 8

The Careers Team is now regularly based at the Junior Campus every Tuesday and Thursday, providing ongoing support and guidance for students. Over the coming weeks, each Homegroup class will have the opportunity to meet the Careers Team and be introduced to the range of resources available through the Careers Corner website, helping students begin exploring future pathways and opportunities.

Year 9

We are busy scheduling all the Year 9 students who have completed their Morrisby Profile to take part in their one-on-one Morrisby Unpack Interviews starting Monday 23 February and concluding Friday 6 March. These individual sessions with an accredited Morrisby careers counsellor will help students better understand their personalised results, including their interests, strengths and potential career pathways.

Year 10

Work Experience placements will take place during the week of 22–26 June 2026, and Year 10 students are encouraged to begin exploring possible placements now. This is a great opportunity to investigate areas of interest, speak with family, friends and local businesses, and secure a meaningful experience. Early organisation will ensure the best chance of securing a placement that aligns with your interests and future goals.

Year 11

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

Year 12

The Careers team is available to help students plan their 2027 destination and beyond. This could be apprenticeships, gap years, employment, or for many students, university.  Book an appointment.

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

We love hearing about the incredible achievements of our Alumni so please keep sharing your success stories with us!

This week we celebrate MR Connor Templeman, Class of 2024, whose recent accomplishment was shared by the Richmond Institute:

“I’m reaching out to share some exciting news that Connor Templeman has graduated from the Richmond Institute with a Diploma of Sport and a Diploma in Leadership & Management! I have attached a photo from graduation to share this moment with you.”

Alumni School Tour

We are pleased to advise that our tours in 2026 will start at 9:00am from the main reception of Senior Campus and conclude with a morning tea.

Class of 1976, 1986 Reunion
Thursday 26 March 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