Ann Stratford

Welcome to the first edition of the new online newsletter aptly retitled as the “Mooroolbark Messenger”.  This name came about as a result of a competition within the student body.  Congratulations to Dung Nguyen who submitted the winning entry, I would also like to thank all students who participated.  It is interesting to note, that the first newsletter produced by Mooroolbark College was also named the “Mooroolbark Messenger”.  The College has changed significantly since then, including the canteen prices, which have definitely changed. With a meat pie no longer costing 75c, Big Ms are not on the shelf for 59c and you cannot buy a hard boiled egg for 25c.  However, some things haven’t changed,  Outdoor Education and our camps and tours still play and important part in College life.  While there is still a ‘Tassie Camp’, students then didn’t have the chance to travel to China like our students do today.  Don’t forget if you are interested in the 2017 September China Tour see Ms Delgas at the College for more information.  The library is still a hub for learning in the school, but there are far less non-fiction books stocking the shelves than there used to be, as we research and gather information digitally.  A collection of original “Mooroolbark Messengers” are available in the library which certainly make for interesting reading.

With our lives being so busy the new newsletter will now be delivered each fortnight directly to the email you provided for Compass. Through this online version you will be able to readily access all the important information it contains. A link to the newsletter will also be posted through Compass, as well as a copy available on our website. If you do not receive an email newsletter and you would like to you can sign up via our website. Click here to sign up

As normal there are lots of things happening at Mooroolbark College.  Firstly, I would like to emphasis Mooroolbark College’s commitment to protecting children and young people from abuse.  As a Mooroolbark College community it is the responsibility of all adults:  staff, parents and visitors to ‘watch out’ for our children and young people.  The College has both a Child Safe Policy and a Child Safe Code of Conduct which is available for our community to view on the College Website

The Child Safe Standards form part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry (the 2013 Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations).

Mooroolbark College has also adopted the Victorian Curriculum replacing The Australian Curriculum which has been the basis for teaching and learning for the last 8 years.  From Term 1 2017, Victorian government schools are using the new Victorian Curriculum F-10. Staff spent 2016 preparing for the new curriculum framework and have incorporated it into the teaching program in a seamless manner.  For more information on the curriculum:
see: The Victorian Curriculum F–10 – VCAA

This week Mooroolbark College’s Year 8 Science staff began their professional learning to facilitate a program where every Year 8 student experiences learning at the Yarra Ranges Technical School situated in Lilydale.  Unlike the Technical Schools of the past, the Yarra Ranges Technical School is a “high tech” environment where students further  develop their coding skills and using humanoid robots to problem solve in a real life situation.  Mooroolbark College students will be attending for three days in terms two and three as part of their science studies.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students.  For more information visit http://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Schools/Yarra-Ranges-Tech-School.aspx.

Finally, it has been an exciting week for our Year 7 students, attending their first Mooroolbark College camp.  The Year 7 camp is an important part of our transition program for our Year 7s but it also allows students to interact with their teachers in a less formal environment and challenge themselves.  I want to acknowledge the great behaviour of our Year 7 students, who certainly represented the College with pride.  I also want to thank Mr Lorkin and his team for their tremendous enthusiasm and commitment throughout the camp.

I hope everyone enjoys the next two weeks

Ann Stratford, Principal