MWSC College News – Issue 3

Minister of Education visits the college

On Tuesday 24 February the Hon Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education visited our college along with Mr Matt Fregon MP for Ashwood. The Junior Campus Captains Zahan B, Audrey D, Aamena M and Harjas K, met the Minister and answered questions about why the School Breakfast Clubs Program was so important to have in schools. Foodbank who donates food to 1,381 schools were also present and were celebrating the fact that they had supplied 65 million breakfasts to students across the state. Thank you to all the staff and students who were involved in this visit.

Swimming Success

Congratulations to fifty-five of our students who competed in the Division Swimming Competition on Monday 2 March. We won the overall shield beating Vermont Secondary College by 50 points. Our college has won the Division Swimming Competition nine times over the last ten years. What an amazing effort.

Our students’ determination throughout the day was a credit to them and their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and compete in every event to gain points for our school was incredible.

Special congratulations to the following students who were awarded as Year level champions:

Year 8 – Katia K
Year 10 – Zoe S
Year 11 – Olivia T
Year 12 – Isaac C and Camryn R

Our students will now go on to compete at the EMR Competition later this month. Well done to all involved and thank you to Mr Danny Gwynne and Mr Jay Newport for overseeing this event.

School Council Election 2026

Congratulations to our new and returning members; (Mrs Judy Kim, Ms Zendyn Lakdavala, Ms Rekha Prabagaran, Ms Jo Rogers, Mrs Sally Robotham, Mr Mekesh Shetty, Harshaal C, Cecelia T, Nicholas L, Tejasvi S) who were successful in their nomination for College Council for the term March 2026 to February 2028. They will join our other parent, staff, student, community representatives and the Executive Team on our College Council with the first meeting of the new council to be held on Thursday 19 March. Members of our learning community who would like to hear me present the 2025 Annual Report are welcome to attend this meeting. Please contact the General Office for further information.

2026    Parent Members are:

Mrs Judy Kim
Mr Slava Kurenyshev
Ms Zendyn Lakdavala
Mr Ian McKindley
Ms Rekha Prabagaran
Mr Mukesh Shetty
Mrs Ruth Woodgate

2026    Staff Members are:

Mr Ian Davidson
Mrs Tom Grant
Ms Jo Rogers
Mrs Sally Robotham

2026    Student Members are:

Harshaal C (Year 10)
Cecelia T (Year 9)

2026    Community Members are our College Captains:

Nicholas L
Tejasvi S

Morrisby Interviews

The Morrisby Careers Counselling Interviews for our Year 9 students ran over the past two weeks. A total of 267 students completed their profiles and participated in individual online meetings with external Morrisby-trained careers consultants. The consultants were very positive in the feedback they gave about our students and the way they conducted themselves. These interviews offer a valuable opportunity for students to identify future career options and pathways. Thank you to our Careers team and in particular Mrs Victoria Tortopidis for supporting our students in this valuable program.

International Women’s Day

On Friday 6 March we celebrated International Women’s Day by holding a breakfast event to celebrate the social, political, economic, and cultural achievements of all women globally.
This International Women’s Day spotlights the theme ‘Balance the Scales’, which is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives.

Encapsulating the theme of ‘Balance the Scales’, staff and students heard from Aarna C, one of our Wellbeing Captains who gave a captivating speech and guest speaker and alumni Ms Suellen Whitebrook who held the position of IT Strategy Manager at the Ford Motor Company. Thank you to our Student Wellbeing Programs Coordinator for organising this special event.

Parent /Student /Teacher Conferences

The focus for students at Mount Waverley Secondary College is to achieve their very best and to continually improve their learning. An important part of this focus is the partnership between school and home, between teacher and parents/carers and student. Parent /student /teacher interviews play a key role in this partnership where all parties meet to discuss the student’s achievements, progress, and strategies for improvement.

As per the notice that will be sent out on Compass, Parent/student/teacher conferences for semester one will be scheduled on Wednesday 1 April between 1pm and 7:30pm. These conferences will once again be held online via Webex links.

Wednesday 1 April is also a scheduled student free day. No classes will be running on the day.

Please note the following dates and times:

Friday 20 March at 5pm – Conference bookings are due to open to parents/carers via Compass.
Monday 30 March at 9am – Conference bookings are due to close.
Monday 30 March by 3pm – Confirmation email to parents/carers to be forwarded, noting selected conference times and Webex teacher links.

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal

Year 7 Welcome Picnic

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. There will be a barbecue cooked by some of our wonderful teachers, but to avoid disappointment, please BYO picnic food. Note: this is an alcohol-free event.

School Song

Last week, during Year 7 assembly, I had the privilege of sharing with the students some of the 60 plus year history of our school, and how it led to our wonderful school song. I urge parents to speak to any Year 7 or 8 student and ask them to explain some of the background we talked about. We’ll continue to practise singing the song at upcoming assemblies and other events.

Student Parent Teacher Conferences

Term One Student Parent Teacher Conferences will occur on Wednesday 1 April. There are no scheduled classes on this day to enable students to attend. The conferences will take place virtually using Webex between 1-7.30pm. Bookings will open to parents/carers from Friday 20 March at 5pm, and close Monday 30 March at 9am. Further details will be shared via Compass on Friday 13 March so please ensure you have notifications switched on and your email address is up to date.

Accessing Student Learning Task Feedback

As we progress through the semester your student will begin to receive feedback on their assessment tasks. The steps outlined below will allow you to access a summary of all the Learning Task comments and grades your student has received so far for all their subjects. This can be accessed at any point in the semester prior to the formal end of semester report being released.

1. Log onto Compass using your parent access details.
2. Click on ‘View Academic Reports’
3. Click on ‘2026-2026 Semester 1 Current Learning Tasks’

A report will be generated that will include all Learning Task comments and grades currently entered on Compass for your student. Note: if no Learning Task data has been entered a report is unable to be loaded.

Road Closure – Lechte Road

Please be advised that roadworks will take place on Lechte Road between Bicton Street and Roe Court from Thursday 5 March to Friday 13 March.

During this period, traffic conditions will be impacted, with the road reduced to a single lane and, at times, fully closed. Traffic controllers will be on site each day from 7:00am to 4:00pm.

To help minimise congestion and ensure student safety, families are asked to avoid this section of Lechte Road during drop-off and pick-up times. Alternative access via Gordon Road or Beaufort Street is recommended.

Be Safe around School Crossings

There are Council Parking Officers attending schools in the area regularly to ensure that vehicles are parking safely and legally.  We kindly request parents to be mindful that they will be present and to obey all traffic signage in the area.  School Crossing Information Sheet.

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School 

Term 1 is moving along quickly.  I have been incredibly impressed with the overall work ethic of our students and the positive way they have engaged in so many aspects of school life. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, through the arts, camps, leadership opportunities or co-curricular activities, students have approached the term with enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose.

It has been particularly pleasing to see students developing greater clarity around what they are expected to know, understand and be able to do in each of their subjects. Clear learning intentions, success criteria and regular feedback are helping students take greater ownership of their progress and build confidence in their abilities. When students understand the ‘why’ behind their learning and what success looks like, they are far more empowered to strive for improvement.

Our focus on maximising student learning growth will remain a key priority throughout 2026. This means continuing to challenge every student at their point of need, supporting them to set meaningful goals, and providing the targeted feedback and instruction required to help them achieve their personal best. I look forward to seeing this strong start to the year continue as we move through the remainder of the term.

Morrisby Year 9 Careers Program

The Morrisby Careers Program, funded by the Department of Education, is a valuable initiative that combines an online questionnaire with a follow-up careers counselling session for our Year 9 students. Over the past few weeks, students have completed the online assessment and participated in individual counselling sessions.

The program is designed to encourage students to reflect on their interests, strengths and possible future pathways. Importantly, it marks the beginning of an ongoing conversation about careers and subject choices — one that should be revisited regularly as students’ progress through Middle School and into Senior School.

Our sincere thanks to Ms Victoria Tortopidis and Mr Phil Newnham from the Careers Team, for their work in coordinating and delivering this outstanding program for our students.

Year 10 Camp

Camp Coonawarra provided a fantastic setting for our Year 10 Camp, with students enthusiastically participating in a wide range of activities. From camp favourites such as the flying fox and giant swing to a variety of other activities, there was no shortage of energy, adventure and fun throughout the 3 days.

A sincere thank you to the staff who generously gave their time to support the camp: Mr Matt Hall, Mr Samuel Zanardo, Mr Josh Halliday, Mr Rishton McCardle, Ms Achala De Alwis, Ms Sharona Jarman, Ms Melissa Chapman, Ms Cailey MacDonald, Ms Elektra Sassos, Mr Tom Grant, Mr Tristan Kent, Mr Mitch Waterman, Mr Jack Metcalfe, Ms Sophie Kondogiannis, Ms Aya Tamir Regev, Ms Madi Muir, Ms Ruby Regan and Mr Tristan Dunkley. Your commitment ensured a safe, engaging and memorable experience for our students.

Special thanks to Mr Callum Hope, Mr Aayush Khosla and Ms Jess Panther for their outstanding work in organising and leading the camp. Your leadership and preparation were instrumental in making the camp such a success – well done!

School Photos

Our annual school photos have now been taken and are ready to order.

Arthur Reed Photos offers a convenient online ordering system, allowing families to view their child’s photos before placing an order. Your unique ordering code was emailed to you this week.

If you have not received your code, please contact the General Office and we will be happy to provide it to you.

For any assistance with the ordering process, please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly on 5243 4390 or via email at customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Student Safety

With the recent 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 children and emphasise the need to follow correct road safety practices to keep everyone safe.

Road Closure – Lechte Road

Please be advised that roadworks will take place on Lechte Road between Bicton Street and Roe Court from Thursday 5 March to Friday 13 March. During this period, traffic conditions will be impacted, with the road reduced to a single lane and, at times, fully closed. Traffic controllers will be on site each day from 7:00am to 4:00pm.

To help minimise congestion and ensure student safety, families are asked to avoid this section of Lechte Road during drop-off and pick-up times. Alternative access via Gordon Road or Beaufort Street is recommended.

Be Safe around School Crossings

There are Council Parking Officers attending schools in the area regularly to ensure that vehicles are parking safely and legally.  We kindly request parents to be mindful that they will be present and to obey all traffic signage in the area.  School Crossing Information Sheet.

Student Parent Teacher Conferences

Term One Student Parent Teacher Conferences will occur on Wednesday 1 April. There are no scheduled classes on this day to enable students to attend. The conferences will take place virtually using Webex between 1-7.30pm. Bookings will open to parents/carers from Friday 20 March at 5pm, and close Monday 30 March at 9am. Further details will be shared via Compass on Friday 13 March so please ensure you have notifications switched on and your email address is up to date.

Accessing Student Learning Task Feedback

As we progress through the semester your student will begin to receive feedback on their assessment tasks. The steps outlined below will allow you to access a summary of all the Learning Task comments and grades your student has received so far for all their subjects. This can be accessed at any point in the semester prior to the formal end of semester report being released.

1. Log onto Compass using your parent access details.
2. Click on ‘View Academic Reports’
3. Click on ‘2026-2026 Semester 1 Current Learning Tasks’

A report will be generated that will include all Learning Task comments and grades currently entered on Compass for your student. Note: if no Learning Task data has been entered a report is unable to be loaded.

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School 

We are just over half way through the term and it is pleasing to see how hard the senior students are working, and the effort they are putting into their learning. It has also been great to see a number of senior students meeting up with teachers to receive feedback and support with their learning at all times of the school day. We encourage them to keep up the dedication to their studies and to reach out to their teachers if they need assistance.

Student Parent Teacher Conferences

Term One Student Parent Teacher Conferences will occur on Wednesday 1 April. There are no scheduled classes on this day to enable students to attend. The conferences will take place virtually using Webex between 1-7.30pm. Bookings will open to parents/carers from Friday 20 March at 5pm, and close Monday 30 March at 9am. Further details will be shared via Compass on Friday 13 March so please ensure you have notifications switched on and your email address is up to date.

Accessing Student Learning Task Feedback

As we progress through the semester your student will begin to receive feedback on their assessment tasks. The steps outlined below will allow you to access a summary of all the Learning Task comments and grades your student has received so far for all their subjects. This can be accessed at any point in the semester prior to the formal end of semester report being released.

1. Log onto Compass using your parent access details.
2. Click on ‘View Academic Reports’
3. Click on ‘2026-2026 Semester 1 Current Learning Tasks’
4. A report will be generated that will include all Learning Task comments and grades currently entered on Compass for your student. Note: if no Learning Task data has been entered a report is unable to be loaded. 

Plagiarism

Students are reminded that plagiarism, which includes using the work of others without acknowledging, is not permitted. Plagiarism involves the act of taking and using the thoughts, writings, inventions or creations of another person and passing it off as one’s own. This includes the use of AI and submitting another student’s work as their own. There are consequences for students who have been found to have plagiarised work which will vary depending on the year level and if any previous offenses have occurred. Staff will continue to work with students to support them in conducting research, correct use of AI, and how to use referencing.

Road Closure – Lechte Road

Please be advised that roadworks will take place on Lechte Road between Bicton Street and Roe Court from Thursday 5 March to Friday 13 March. During this period, traffic conditions will be impacted, with the road reduced to a single lane and, at times, fully closed. Traffic controllers will be on site each day from 7:00am to 4:00pm. To help minimise congestion and ensure student safety, families are asked to avoid this section of Lechte Road during drop-off and pick-up times. Alternative access via Gordon Road or Beaufort Street is recommended.

Be Safe around School Crossings

There are Council Parking Officers attending schools in the area regularly to ensure that vehicles are parking safely and legally.  We kindly request parents to be mindful that they will be present and to obey all traffic signage in the area.  School Crossing Information Sheet.

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School 

Single Session Workshops

Student Wellbeing and Careers are offering a range of single session, one-on-one workshops covering a range of topics such as managing anxiety and stress, music therapy, study skills, careers pathways, transitioning to VCE, and more. The workshops provide tailored support to meet individual needs, improve mental health and wellbeing, enhance academic skills, and boost confidence for key life transitions.

For more information on the workshops and to register your child’s interest, please click here.  Please note – to be accepted, parents/carers must receive student consent.

Once the form is completed, the student will be contacted to organise a suitable time to run the workshop. These workshops will be delivered during class time unless a student is happy to attend before school, lunch or afterschool.

These workshops have been extremely popular, often providing students with that extra 1% to help them achieve their personal best.

Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager 

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend school camps, excursions, and sports and outdoor education programs. If you are eligible for CSEF, please ensure you have your application form submitted to the school office or via email to finance@mwsc.vic.edu.au by 26 June. For further information, please visit
https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund.

Financial Contributions

If you have elected to pay the voluntary financial contributions via instalments, a reminder that the second instalment is due to come out of your nominated payment method on Monday 23 March. Thank you for supporting our college.

Family Financial Statements

If you recently received a family financial statement in the mail, it was to inform you that your account is in credit. This is for your information only. Next time you have an event to pay on Compass, please select the ‘use CSEF/Credit’ button and your credit will be applied to that event. No further action is needed. If you have any questions, please contact the finance team on finance@mwsc.vic.edu.au.

Refund Requests

Refund requests are reviewed in line with our Camps and Excursions Policy. In most instances, bookings and payments for camps/excursions are made a year in advance and refunds are not made for costs that have already been paid or committed to a third party. For more information, please refer to the Camps and Excursions Policy located on our website. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Ms Kari Simmons
Business Manager

The Junior Library is currently conducting training for the Library Leaders programme. It is an opportunity for students to become involved in lending books and shelving returns as well as to contribute to displays and activities such as Book Week. Any interested students should talk to Mrs Whitelaw at the Junior Campus Library.

The Premiers Reading Challenge will begin soon across the college. Students are encouraged to sign up to read 15 books over 6 months. This may seem like an overwhelming amount for some students but we are keen to support readers and subsequently can provide a range of titles for different abilities. Books may be read in other languages and in other formats. They may be chosen from the college libraries or elsewhere (home, public libraries etc). Library staff can assist with selection. For more information, click here.

It is a great opportunity to develop literacy skills and discover the wonderful world of language and imagination. Students receive a certificate from the Premier of Victoria and a book prize at the completion of their challenge. An email will be sent in the coming weeks to sign up.

Recreational reading for teens

Many parents are understandably concerned about the apparent lack of interest in reading. Students are digital natives and regularly navigate between reading platforms. Websites, games and YouTube all contribute to the reading experience. The following article concerns a study examining the ways in which teenagers explore different modes of reading.

Moving In and Out of Reading: Teens Talking About Books, Digital Games, Social Media and Fanfiction

Australia Reads

Reading Matters: Why Teen Reading Is Declining – and Why It Matters

Reading is one of the most powerful ways young people develop knowledge, empathy, and curiosity about the world. At Mount Waverley Secondary College, our Junior and Senior Campus libraries support students in discovering books that spark their interests and encourage lifelong learning.

A recent article highlighted by Australia Reads draws attention to a concerning trend: teenagers are reading less for pleasure. The article summarises findings from the UK’s National Literacy Trust, which show that enjoyment of reading among young people has fallen to its lowest level in almost two decades. Many teenagers report that they simply do not read as often for enjoyment as previous generations.

You can read the full article here:  Australia Reads – New report shows crisis in teen reading.

Why does this matter? Research consistently shows that reading for pleasure supports literacy development, academic success, and wellbeing. Students who read regularly tend to develop stronger vocabulary, improved comprehension skills, and greater confidence as learners.

Importantly, this trend is not limited to the United Kingdom. Similar patterns are emerging internationally. Research discussed by the University of Miami reports that only 14% of American 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2023, compared with 27% in 2012, suggesting that reading increasingly competes with digital media for teenagers’ attention.

Read more about the U.S. research here.

Mrs Robyn Whitelaw
Resource Centre Manager, Junior Campus

Mrs Tanya Alderton
Teacher Librarian, Senior Campus

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
• Transitioning to VCE

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.

Year 9

We recently completed the Morrisby Interviews with our Year 9 students, and it was fantastic to see them engaging with their future pathways. Our accredited Morrisby careers counsellors worked one-on-one with students to unpack their personalised profiles, helping them better understand their interests, strengths, and potential career directions.

The feedback from the counsellors was overwhelmingly positive. Many shared comments such as:

“The students were lovely as always – I enjoy working with Mount Waverley Secondary College.” 

“Great students who were eager to explore and have meaningful conversations.”

“Wonderful students who were truly engaged in the process.”

It was a valuable experience that encouraged students to think more deeply about their strengths and the many possibilities ahead of them.

Year 10

Work Experience placements will take place during the week of 22–26 June 2026, and Year 10 students are encouraged explore possible placements as soon as possible.

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

Alumni News

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

International Women’s Day

We were thrilled to welcome back our Alumna Suellen Whitebrook (Kent) from the Class of ’85 as our guest speaker in celebration of International Women’s Day. Suellen reflected on her time as a student here and shared her inspiring journey from those early days through to her career at Ford Motor Company. She spoke openly about the importance of building strong professional networks and how the connections she has developed throughout her life have supported her career growth. Suellen also discussed some of the challenges and issues women can face in the workplace, encouraging our students to be confident and support one another.

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 

Mount Waverley North Primary School Open Day

Mount Waverley North Primary School would like to invite any prospective families to their Open Day on Saturday 21 March. This will be a wonderful opportunity to tour the school, meet their staff and students, and learn more about their program.

Please refer to the Mount Waverley North Primary School Open Day flyer below.

For any further information, please contact Mount Waverley North Primary School on (03) 9802 3168 or visit their website.