MWSC College News – Issue 9

Star Performer

Congratulations to Hayden V of Year 12 who has had some recent cycling success. He won the National Cyclocross Series Races 1 and 2 in the Elite Men’s division at Perth on the weekend of 23-24 May, and on 30-31 May he won the the Under 19 Men’s National Gravel Championships in Adelaide. Congratulations Hayden!

Top Scribe

I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Top Scribe 2026 with Ms Elizabeth Sutherland, Head of English and Ms Lauren Kelly Campus Principal-Senior School last Friday to recognise Tasmiya H (Class of 2025). Tasmiya’s English Literature work was one of 25 pieces which was chosen from more than 200 submissions to be published in the Top Scribe 2026 book. Top Scribe is one exhibition linked to the VCE 2026 Season of Excellence which recognises the top students in their fields from the 2025 VCE cohort. Congratulations to Tasmiya for her achievements in this area.

Year 9 Explore Program

Our Year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed the Explore Program based in the city last week. Many of our students have not had the opportunity to explore the CBD before and so this was a great learning experience. I would like to thank Mr Callum Hope – Middle School Leader and his team for organising this event and all the teachers who volunteered to take part in this program.

Year 12 Wellbeing Day

Year 12 Wellbeing Day was held on Wednesday 10 June. Students listened to a guest speaker Mr Eric Agyeman in the Unicorn Theatre and then took part in a range of activities including outdoor sports, board games, gardening, painting, card games and a reptile incursion. Students were then treated to a sausage sizzle before heading home to get ready for the Formal.
Thank you to the Wellbeing team for organising this special event.

Year 12 Formal

Congratulations to all the Year 12 students who attended the Formal at Leonda on the Yarra on Wednesday 10 June. The venue and security staff were extremely impressed with our students’ behaviour. Thank you to the Mr James Johnston- Senior School Leader and the Senior School team for all of their work behind the scenes and a very big thank you to my staff who volunteered their time to help with supervision on the night. I know the students had a great time!

Regional Cross Country

Congratulations to:

Hayden V – Year 12
Julian D – Year 12
Frances SM – Year 12
Aisha H – Year 12
Aleisha C – Year 12
Hannah R – Year 11
Imogen W – Year 7
Ismail N – Year 9
Daisy W – Year 10
Seth J – Year 9
Liam B – Year 10

Special thanks to Mr Danny Gwynne and Mr Jay Newport our Sports Leaders and Mrs Sally Robotham for accompanying our students on the day.

Student Wellbeing Forum

On Friday 12 June our school hosted our 2^nd Annual Student Wellbeing Forum for staff from other schools. The theme of the day was ‘Fostering a Safe and Inclusive School Environment’.

Over 40 people attended and we heard from guest speakers from Toolbox Education, Wellbeing in Schools Australia, Cheltenham Secondary College and Mount Waverley Secondary College. Our Music Therapist Ms Xin Yi Lee ran a session ‘Introduction to Music Therapy in a School Setting’ and our Inclusive Education and Wellbeing Specialist Mr Jack Metcalfe ran a ‘Lego Therapy’ session.

Special thanks to Mr Paul Graham our Student Support and Resources Manager for organising this important professional development opportunity.

Mid-Year Examinations

Our Year 9,10 and 11 students have now finished their mid-year examinations. Thank you to all of the teachers for supporting our students through this important process and special thanks to the Middle and Senior School teams for overseeing the organisation of this assessment period.

Semester 2 classes begin on Monday 15 June. The VCAA GAT exams will be held on Tuesday 16 June for Unit 3 & 4 students, therefore no Year 11 or 12 classes will run on this day.

Victorian Maths Camp

The Department of Education is inviting students in years 9 and 10 who are high ability in mathematics to take part in a Victorian Maths Camp.

The free 5 day, 4-night residential camp is an opportunity for students to:

• work with peers and mathematics specialists to solve real-world, team-based problems
• hear from industry experts and professionals working in the field.

There will be 4 camps during 2026. They will be delivered by the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, based at The University of Melbourne, in collaboration with the Mathematical Association of Victoria. This is a non-school activity.

The camps will take place in Y Discovery Camps across the state. Registration for the first camp during the Term 2, 2026, school holidays is open.

The camp will take place at Lake Dewar Discovery Camp in Myrniong from Monday 6 to Friday 10 July 2026.

For more information and to register, refer to: Victorian Maths Camps Application.

If you would like to know the schedule for future camps, please contact the department’s Student Excellence unit by email: student.excellence@education.vic.gov.au

Mrs Karen Wade
College Principal 

Well done to all staff and students at the Junior Campus for a wonderful semester of teaching, learning, and extra-curricular activities.

We have again thrived in and out of the classroom, with our students not only demonstrating their application to their learning, but also embodying the college values in all of their interactions.

Integrity

The Junior Sub School team should be commended for the ‘Upstander’ culture they have developed with students at the Junior Campus. Regular assemblies have had a focus on being an upstander, as opposed to a bystander, and we frequently have students coming forward to speak up about issues that may concern them or their peers. We value our safe and supportive learning environment, and it is wonderful that this is being driven by our students.

Learning

Semester reports will be available in the coming weeks, and it is a wonderful time to celebrate the excellent academic achievements of our students. We are very privileged to have a school in which learning is greatly valued.

Excellence

Even more important than the high-level academic results, is the efforts of our students in self-improvement. This is seen in the classroom and beyond, with students applying themselves to all of their endeavours.

Accountability

A normal part of secondary schooling is students testing boundaries and learning about decision-making. Every day is a new start for our students, and we pride ourselves on the ways in which students are supported to take accountability for their conduct and seek to improve. The manner in which our students engage in meaningful, reflective conversations (even when things might have gone awry) is truly impressive.

Respect

One of the great assets of our school is the diversity we have on display. As the college vision statement says, ‘Mount Waverley Secondary College is a proudly diverse learning environment where everyone is empowered to strive for growth and excellence.’ We regularly celebrate a range of events that highlight our diversity. We are immensely proud of the respectful ways in which our students recognise and celebrate diversity.

Nurturing

Whether in the classroom, in the yard, on the sporting field, on the bus, or in any other forum, I am constantly reminded of the capacity of our students to show care, compassion, and empathy to each other.

Students thriving at the Junior Campus

In addition to the amazing work that happens in the classroom, our students thrive in a number of areas. In recent weeks they have participated in round robin sports, attended Monash Tech School, and completed some careers activities with the support of our Careers team.

Our Mount Matters program continues to thrive. Over recent weeks I have had the privilege of visiting both year level meetings to discuss what we can do to improve the campus. As a consequence, we have made changes to yard duties, begun some consultation with the City of Monash, addressed a number of maintenance issues, and started to plan for some longer term projects. It is great to see our students taking pride in their school, and giving up their time to support its improvement.

Mr Matt Sheehan
Campus Principal – Junior School

Students in the Middle School will start Semester II including moving into new subjects in this coming week.  Well done to our middle school students for completing their exams across these last few weeks.  As we move towards the term break it is worth reflecting on the first half of the year which has included learning across the eight learning areas as well as sport, excursions and competitions.

Year 9 Explore Program

The Year 9 Explore Program was a tremendous success, providing students with three action-packed days of memorable city experiences. Highlights included visits to ArtVo, the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG, and the Old Melbourne Gaol offering students engaging and enriching opportunities beyond the classroom. A big thank you to the Middle School Team for their exceptional organisation and seamless delivery of this outstanding program.

Year 10 Work Experience

Our Year 10 students will step into the world of work when they begin their Work Experience on Monday 22 June. This valuable opportunity allows them to gain real-world insight into various industries, explore potential career pathways, and develop a deeper understanding of how businesses and organisations operate.  Work Experience is a significant step in helping students connect their learning to future aspirations and build essential workplace skills.

Semester Reports

Semester reports are coming later this term, offering students and parents a broad picture of progress and achievement. A sincere well done to every student who has committed themselves this semester — particularly those who have reflected on their assessments, embraced feedback, and put suggested strategies into practice. That willingness to grow is itself a mark of character.

It is worth remembering, though, that report time can be difficult for some students. Even those who have genuinely given their best may feel they have fallen short or let others down. This kind of self-doubt deserves to be taken seriously.

So how do we build genuine, lasting self-esteem in young people at this time of year?

A good starting point is taking a strengths-based approach — making it clear that your care and respect for them is not contingent on grades or behaviour. This means recognising and celebrating the full range of a student’s abilities: their creativity, resilience, kindness, curiosity, and every other quality that does not show up on a report card. When young people feel seen and valued as whole people, they are far better placed to take pride in their efforts rather than measuring themselves purely by outcomes.

Ultimately, what we want for every student is a commitment to their personal best — across all facets of their lives.

Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School 

We are nearing the end of Semester One, with Semester Two classes beginning on June 15. Congratulations to those students who have made it through their first semester of VCE studies. We are very proud of the way you have approached your studies, been seeking teachers for help and asking for support when needed. 

Year 11s, we hope the exam period has given you a chance to reflect on what you did well this semester, and identify areas where you could improve. 

Year 12s, you now have less than 100 school days left before exams begin. Think about how you can make these last days count. Use the start of the semester to reset, recalibrate and recharge. What is one tiny habit you could begin today that will help you stay on track? Is it ensuring that you make time to move your body, have a healthy breakfast, go to sleep a little bit earlier, or allocate 10 extra minutes of study per day? One little change that you commit to can make a big difference. 

Subject Changes for Year 11 Students

Some students may have requested to change subjects. Subject change requests for Semester Two closed last week. Our Head of Senior School, Ms Sarah Chase, has worked through these requests and communicated with students as to the outcome of their request. Any student who changes subjects is encouraged to talk to their teacher regarding any work from Unit 1 that would be beneficial to revise to assist them in preparing for Unit 2. 

The General Achievement Test (GAT)

The GAT is a test sat by all students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject and will take place on Tuesday 16 June. As a result all VCE classes will be cancelled on this day. Students sitting the GAT require an English and/or bilingual printed dictionary and a scientific calculator. 

The GAT is structured into two sections, with a range of question difficulties. Section A is a literacy and numeracy assessment comprised of multiple choice questions relating to reading and numeracy, and a writing task. Section B assesses general knowledge and skills and is comprised of multiple choice questions relating to maths, science, technology, arts and humanities and an extended writing task. 

The GAT plays a role in the quality assurance of all VCE assessments and it is important that all students try their absolute best on this assessment. Students will be receiving information relating to the GAT in their mentoring classes and year level assemblies. 

Year 12 Wellbeing Day

On Wednesday 10 June, Year 12 students participated in a Wellbeing Day. Guest speaker Mr Eric Agyeman shared his stories of resilience and overcoming adversity. Students then opted to participate in a range of activities including, a wildlife incursion, pot painting, sports, board games or a movie. At lunch students were treated to a sausage sizzle and cookies. Thanks must go to the Wellbeing team for organising the day for our students, the teachers and the subschool team for their support on the day. 

Year 12 Formal 

After months of planning outfits and grand arrivals, 258 students traded their school uniforms for their finest dresses and suits, making a dazzling entrance at Leonda on the Yarra. They danced the night away and not only impressed us, but the venue and security with their amazing behaviour. A fantastic night was had by all and it marks another milestone for our 2026 Year 12s.
Thank you to Mr Rob Cetincic, Mr Anthony Borya, Mr Hans Wang, Ms Sarah Smith, Ms Jo Rogers, Mrs Tanya Alderton, Mr Tristan Kent and Mr Kelvin Nguyen for volunteering their time to supervise on the night. Thanks also to the subschool team for their work behind the scenes, Mr James Johnston, Ms Sarah Chase, Mr Adam Wheeler, Mr Chris Bamford, Ms Lisa Worthy and Ms Sunita Sewani. 

VCE Student Parent Teacher Conferences

Student Parent Teacher Conferences for VCE students will take place in the first week of Term Three on Thursday 16 July  between 4pm and 7pm. Parents will receive information about the booking process. All interviews will again be held virtually via WebEx. We encourage parents and students to use this opportunity to meet with teachers to reflect on Semester One. 

Ms Lauren Kelly
Campus Principal – Senior School

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.

If your child has commenced at the college this year, please ensure a new application form is completed. For further information, please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund.

Sustainability Update

We’re excited to share that our school is now part of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). By using our Donation Partner ID or barcode when returning eligible drink containers, you can help raise funds that directly support our school’s sustainability projects — from reducing waste on campus to improving our gardens and environmental learning spaces.

Looking ahead, funds raised through the CDS will also help us work toward larger green initiatives, including future projects such as installing solar panels to reduce our energy footprint and create long term environmental benefits for our students.

Please share our Donation Partner ID or barcode with your family and friends. Every container returned helps our students learn, lead, and live more sustainably, and together we can turn everyday recycling into real support for our school’s green future.

MWSC Zone ID Barcode:

C2000083787

Ms Kari Simmons
Business Manager

ThinkUKnow – Free Online Session for Parents

Monash City Council is running a FREE online session for parents, carers and teachers.  Help your child stay safe online with practical, up-to-date advice presented by online safety experts ThinkUKnow.  This session will provide a clearer understanding of what young people are experiencing online, and what you can do to support and protect them.  If your child/student has a device, this session empowers you with the tools to help them use it safely and responsibly.

Date: Monday 22 June 2026
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Location: Online (A Microsoft Teams link will be emailed to you after registration)
Registration: www.trybooking.com/DMHGK

Please note that this this session is for adults only.

Wellbeing Team

Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is progressing particularly well at the Junior Campus. So far, 26 students have completed the challenge, which traditionally requires students to read a prescribed number of books from the challenge list.

Library staff can adjust these requirements to suit individual students so that we can recognise the efforts of all readers.

Successful participants receive a certificate from the Premier of Victoria and a prize.

Students also earn House points. The Year 7s, in particular, have a fierce competition between Homegroups.

All readers are rewarded, so encourage your children to participate and help them build a love of reading, which contributes significantly to both their literacy and their mental health.

PRC Completions as of 9 June 2026

Fantastic effort!

Happy reading everybody.

Ms Robyn Whitelaw
Resource Centre Manager, Junior Campus

July School Holiday Events

Discover upcoming events at universities over the school holidays. Register early to avoid disappointment. See flyer here for more details.

Year 7 & 8

This week, our Year 7 and 8 students completed their Career Action Plans as part of their career development program. Students explored their interests, strengths, and personal. Students began setting goals and developing an understanding of the many opportunities available to them. This important activity encourages students to start thinking about their future aspirations and take the first steps towards planning their career journey.

Year 12 Career Interviews

Year 12 students have been emailed a link to make their Careers appointment. They are encouraged to choose a convenient time to make their 30 minute meeting.  Whether they are looking into university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or employment, we are here to support their next steps.

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

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

We had the pleasure of welcoming back students from our Class of 1996 for a special school reunion tour. It was great connecting with our student discussing stories and memories of the school.

We had wonderful weather to walk around the school pointing out where school lockers used to be, where they sat at lunchtime and recess.

We are excited to share more about their journeys and experiences in our upcoming Alumni Newsletter. Be sure to register to have it delivered straight to your inbox.

Click the link to sign up. Register

Next Alumni School Tour Reunion in August!

Don’t miss out. Come and see how things have changed since you were last at school.  Meet up with old school friends and teachers.

Bookings essential.

Class of 2016 Reunion – Thursday 20 August 2026

We are also happy to include students from previous classes.  Click here to book your ticket.

Ms Victoria Tortopidis
Alumni Coordinator