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We have had a busy start to Term 4. This week we have enjoyed the company of the Grade 5 students from our local primary schools as part of the All Rounder Day. Providing primary aged students a high school experience is an important part of their transition program. Simply being in a big school and moving from one classroom to another is an important way of preparing them for the next part of their educational journey. On Thursday 19th October, the annual Year 7 Showcase Night and Literacy Bake Off was held at the College. It was a wonderful way for our Year 7s to celebrate and share their work with parents/guardians and teachers. I was very impressed with the level of knowledge and degree of confidence that many of our Year 7s showed when talking about their work. The Showcase Night is also an opportunity to celebrate literacy and it was wonderful to see so many cakes entered in the annual Literacy Bake Off. Classes have finished for our Year 12 students and as a whole school we said goodbye to them at the General Assembly on Monday 23rd October. This group of Year 12 students are a kind and compassionate group of young adults who have demonstrated enormous commitment and genuine care for each other throughout the year. I want to congratulate them on their maturity during the celebration period. Their behaviour and respect for the College was outstanding. With exams already commenced, we wish them all the best in either their pursuits for further study or their pathway in to work. As part of the General Assembly, the 2018 College Captains were introduced to the student body. Congratulations to the new captains and I look forward to working with them in 2018. College Captains: Angus Fern & Tiani Welch-Phillips House Captains; Red House: Hayden Watkins & Stephanie DeVincentis Blue House: Nicola Johnson-Clarke & Georgia Boundy Green House: Jana McConnell & Brad Menheere Yellow House: Keeley Hocking & Alanah Fischer With Year 11 exams commencing on Wednesday 8th November, I would like to remind our Year 11 students on the important role these exams have in preparing them for 2018 and their final year of study. Exam results count for up to 70% of a student’s final VCE grade. The ability to do one's best in an exam environment requires individual students to know what study methods work best for them, how to pace themselves in an exam, how to overcome exam nerves and how to perform under the pressure of time constraints. To learn these skills practice is required so that students can try new study habits and techniques, have practiced pacing themselves through an exam and developed strategies to overcome exam nerves. On Monday 6th November, the College will be running an alternative program for students. Normal timetable classes will be replaced with educational activity based classes. Please don't forget to the support the College's PTCA BBQ at Bunnings in Chirnside Park on Tuesday 7th November. There will be the opportunity to earn House points by buying a sausage. I want to acknowledge the work of Peter Phillips, PTCA President, the PTCA volunteers, the parents, staff and students who have volunteered their time on Tuesday. Finally, no we didn't forget an edition of the Mooroolbark Messenger. The newsletter has now gone monthly and will be published on the first Friday of each month. You can keep up to date on our website or by liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Mooroolbarkcollegeofficial/ to see what activities are occurring around the College. Formal communication will still be communicated through Compass Newsfeed, so please log on regularly to keep up to date. Ann Stratford
Principal |
Parent, Teachers & Citizens Association Please let me introduce myself. I am Peter Phillips, appointed earlier this year to the position of President of the Mooroolbark College PTCA, inheriting a role so capably performed by Deb Alsop for many years. All members of the PTCA and school community are indebted to Deb for her tireless commitment and dedication to ensuring that Mooroolbark College is a great school. I have one boy at the school, Daniel in Year 9, and have been privileged to be involved in the PTCA and College Council for the past three years. Many of my colleagues in the PTCA have had and still do have sons and daughters at the school and appreciate the opportunity the PTCA gives them to contribute and assist the staff and students. Even though Deb has stepped aside as President, she continues to be an active member of the PTCA while she still has one of her children at school. Unfortunately some of our committee members will be leaving our fold as their sons and daughters complete their secondary school education this year. We would like families to consider getting involved with the PTCA so our numbers are strengthened and we can continue our role supporting the school community. Some of the school activities we have assisted in this year and previous years have been: assisting with the Year 7 BBQ, providing refreshments for the School Open Night / Information Night, School Production Nights, Winter Music Concert, assisting with the pancake breakfast on Ride To School Day, assisting with the Year 11 Debutante Balls and providing finances for the purchase of equipment and facilities around the school such as bench seating and shade sails, bicycle equipment for the Bike Ed. Programs as well as landscaping and school beautification projects. Fundraising is one aspect of our function but it is limited due to our own personal commitments and time. We have promoted the Entertainment Books as a fundraiser and those who subscribe to it know it is money very well spent. We are also fortunate this year to secure a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Day on Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 7th November 2017 and we really would like volunteers to help us to make it a very successful day. The PTCA performs an important function in the College Community and the College encourages parents and guardians to become involved. The PTCA meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.00pm in the College staffroom. Aims & Objectives The aims and objectives of the association are:
• To contribute to the wellbeing of the College community
• To encourage the participation of parents in the life of the College and the education of their children
• To provide opportunities for parents of students to discuss the welfare and the general education policy of the College
• To help in the development of a shared parent view
• To contribute to proposals on College policy and other educational issues to the College Council
• To provide opportunities for parents/guardians to get to know each other and to be informed about their child’s school
• To provide information that enables parents/guardians to extend their understanding of school issues
• To work in co-operation with the College Council and the Principal
• To raise funds for the benefit of the College (optional).
Membership: Membership is open to any parent or guardian of a child attending the school or other interested parties, such as past students or those from our community. |
On Thursday 19th October we conducted our 4th annual Year 7 Showcase night. This is a great opportunity for students to present some work that they are proud of and continue to build on the culture we want at the College. A culture where hard work and effort is acknowledged, celebrated and valued. Inviting parents to see and ask questions about our students work is an integral part of this ongoing push to really value learning and the education process. A huge well done to the students who were brave enough to present their work. You created a great energy and vibe. Also an enormous thanks to the turn out from family members. It was pleasing to see so many parents, guardians, grand-parents, brothers and sisters on the night. Although several of the students were anxious about talking to adults about their work, it was wonderful to see their confidence increase as the night progressed. Challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone is a vital step in truly improving your capacity as a learner. Something our students who participated in the evening certainly did and I have no doubt benefited from their experience on the night. Again, a privilege to work with terrific young people who are eager to become the best they can be. An enormous well done to all our students involved in the evening and the support given from their teachers. Adam Lorkin
Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning and Transition Click for photos |
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge for 2017 has now concluded. Congratulations to the 54 students that successfully read at least 15 books this year to complete the challenge. As a College, students in Year 7 to 10, read over 3,000 books with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets being the most popular non prescribed book. Congratulations also goes to 7A as they won the Year 7 form group competition reading 187 books. Congratulations to the following students that completed the challenge. Aarnav Vatsa
Acacia Pearce
Alayna Corner
Alexander Jackson
Alexander Newman
Andi Vanderspek
Arnold Tan
Asher Dryden
Bianka Hazeldene
Brendan Wimalaratna
Caitlyn Kavanagh
Caitlyn O'Rorke
Cara Schofield
Cheyenne Martin
Chloe Bellinger
Christopher Misiewicz
Connor Shiel
Dung Quoc Nguyen
Dylan Grey
Dylan Lamb
Emily Reid
Emma Whitford
Forum Patel
Georgia Gray
Hayley Knight
Jack Schofield
James Basford
Jesamine Newman
Jessica Voigt
Jessie Dawt Tha Hlei Par
Johnathon Lee
Joshua Edwards
Joshua Kuszlaba
Joshua Musgrove
Joshua Rowe
Kayley Jarrott
Liam Allen
Maddy Heffernan
Marley Smirnow
Melissa Hand
Molly Barnewall
Morgan Schmidt
Noah Coles
Reilly Jacobs
Rhys Thomson
Riley Price
Sam Thomas
Stephanie Troiano
Tanayah Godley
Thomas Macneish
Tial Cung Lian Ching
Tyla Tarrant
Washalom Luri
Zachary Sposito Matthew Neil
Library Coordinator |
VCAL is an opportunity for connecting students to the real world and their community through an integrated program. This year some of our VCAL students have been working on a friendship chair project with Edinburgh College. This very successful project was recently published in their newsletter. Great work, well done! “A suggestion by Year 5 student, Caitlin, to have a friendship chair in the playground area for students to sit when needing some extra care or friendship from peers, has come to fruition. Four Mooroolbark College students working on a VCAL subject were looking for a project which would benefit someone in the community. They approached Mrs Pascoe with their proposal which was excitedly agreed to. Funds were raised, materials purchased and the completed seat was installed this week. Thank you, boys. Pictured: Caitlin on the seat with students Jaymie, Lachlan, Aidan and Ben.” Thank you to Edinburgh College for permission to reprint. |
Isla MacLeod Blue House Captain What do you hope to achieve in your role this year? This year my aim as captain was to encourage all Blue House students to work to the best of their ability. In order to motivate them, we devised a new system of merit collection to make sure student's hard work was properly recognised, as well as making it easier for all blue house students to contribute to the house points system. The system has been relatively successful as it made both merit collection, as well as awarding Principals Awards much easier for students and teachers in Blue House. Who is a leader you admire, and why? I admire Malala Yousafzai, she is an activist for female education in Pakistan, and in 2012 Malala was shot by the Taliban. Despite the extreme diversity she has faced in her lifetime, she continues to speak up for her beliefs, and the rights of all women to have an education. She became the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace prize for her efforts, and continues to inspire people across the world of the importance of equal opportunities. I admire her for her strength, resilience and determination, as she is an example of how important it is to stand up for what you believe in, even at times of severe struggle. What are your goals for the future? In the future I hope to attend university to study history, aiming to one day work in as a museum curator. I would love to travel the world, and see as many historical sites as possible, as well as to experience the many different cultures, and traditions our world has to offer. Final statement for readers A quote from Mahatma Ghandi; "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." Don’t let life's ups and downs prevent you from succeeding, everyone is capable of amazing things, but you just need to believe that you can achieve them. |
On Monday 16th October, music students from our Junior and Senior Concert bands went to the Burrinja Community Centre and theatre in Upwey, for a one day intensive workshop with guest conductor, Amanda Morrison. It was wonderful hearing the bands perform at the end of the session, and the progress they made throughout the day. The students and staff all had a great day, and we look forward to hearing the bands perform at their next concert. Lisa Gaudion
Instrumental Music Coordinator Click for photos |
Each night in Australia 105,237 individuals are homeless. This means they do not have somewhere safe, secure or long term to call home. Of that number, 42% are under the age of 25 and considered ‘youth’ . On Sunday 22nd October, 7 Year 11 VCAL students were involved in a homeless simulation for 22 hours as part of their Community Issues Project. The students involved were Mark Biggin, Zack Burns, Adam Gaudiano, Spencer Moulton, Brad Connaughton, Mat Reuter and Riley Edwards. We used the ECA as our ‘crisis accommodation’ for the night. Some slept on cardboard, created a shelter or even tried to sleep outside in the cold and wet. Overnight they endured the sounds of cars rushing by, trains, trams, people talking or arguing, doors slamming and a random man standing in the doorway when they woke (it was the cleaner). Their food was rationed, they had no mobile phones, some had more spending money than others and by the morning their moods were low. They carried their garbage bags with their belongings in it around the local area and completed small tasks, along with reflection time. One task involved them sitting in the yard at recess with a cardboard sign they had made to create awareness about the big issue of youth homelessness. Many found this very confronting and embarrassing, much like someone who is homeless would feel. “Its boring and lonely and not much to do. You can’t have fun when you’re trying to survive” – Mat Reuter “I could not do this every day. I think I would not enjoy life at all” – Zack Burns “I get hungry way too often and I like to have big meals. I wouldn’t like to be alone for 1 week” – Adam Gaudiano By the end of the 22 hours, the students were tired, frustrated and very keen to get their personals back and have a real feed. This project was undertaken to create awareness about how we as a society can make a change. A small ripple can create a big wave. A big thank you to Mrs Roach and Mrs Davis who came along on the Sunday and helped with dinner at the ‘Soup Kitchen’. Also another thank you to Natasha Tough who came along on the Monday and spoke about mental health, housing, domestic violence and drug use within homeless communities. Tracey Lackman
VCAL Assistant Coordinator Click for photos |
Thank you to everyone who created beautiful cakes based on a book for our 4th Annual Literacy Bake off. With so many talented students across the school the standard of cakes was very high. Voting was very well supported with over 500 votes cast from across our Showcase Night, Facebook and Library, with the final results being very close. Congratulations to our winner Chloe Bellinger from Year 7 for her amazing Beauty and the Beast cake and runner up Sharnhi Webb from Year 11 with a Winnie the Pooh cake. Special thanks to all the cake masters including Molly Gerson, Mia Gordon, Joshua Webb, Jacqueline Sykes, Nicola Mackey (staff) and Principal Ann Stratford for all their support. Matthew Neil
Library Coordinator Click for photos |
On Tuesday 24th October, the current Year 9 Bike Ed team made our way to Lysterfield Mountain Bike Park. We had an amazing day - great weather, hard work, many learnt skills on show and kangaroos galore! The best part of the day was some of the comments on the way back to school: "I'm definitely going back there" and "Do you want to go this weekend"! Thanks to Miss Cannington and Miss Battersby for coming along. Mr Mac.
Bike Ed Instructor Click for photos |
On Monday 23rd October, athletes competed at the Eastern Region Athletics carnival at Knox Park. Well done to everybody involved. A special mention to Lateisha and Tayleb Willis for claiming 5 gold medals between them and also Tom Hardstaff and Tom Sheridan who also progressed through to the State Championships. Lachlan Mann
Sports Cordinator Click for photos |
College Office HoursMONDAY- THURSDAY: 8.15AM- 4.00PM FRIDAY 8.15AM- 3.30PM November
YEAR 12 EXAMS WED 1ST – 24TH NOV
Tuesday 7th MELBOURNE CUP
Wednesday 8th YR 11 EXAMS 8TH NOV – 14TH NOV
Tuesday 14th Education (6pm)
Resources (7pm)
Wednesday 15th Yr 12 2018 Course Confirmation (VCE & VCAL)
Friday 17th Pre-Orientation day
Monday 20th Yr 12 VCAL 2018 Orientation day
Tuesday 21st German Heritage Tour information night (7pm T Block)
College Council (7pm)
Wednesday 22nd Year 10 exams 22nd -28th
Thursday 23rd VALEDICTORY DINNER (6pm)
Monday 27th Yr 7 parent information night
ASELL Day
CAMBODIA Tour 2017 26th Nov -10th Dec
Tuesday 28th Community Relations (4.30pm)
Wednesday 29th General Assembly
Thursday 30th Yr 11 Course Confirmation 2018 (VCE & VCAL)
Christmas Concert (7pm – A3/A4)
December
Friday 1st Yr 11 VCAL 2018 orientation day
Yr 7 Rookie Band Workshop Lilydale Heights SC (9am- 3pm)
Tuesday 5th PTCA (7pm)
Wednesday 6th VET Orientation day
Thursday 7th Yr 10 Course Confirmation 2018 3pm – 7pm
Friday 8th Yr 9/10 picnic day
EAST COAST TOUR 8-14TH DEC
Monday 11th Yr 8-9 Course Confirmation 2018 (No Yr 7 or 8 classes) 11am – 7pm
Tuesday 12th Grade 6 Orientation
C.S. Celebration
Thursday 14th SRC AGM
Tuesday 19th AWARDS NIGHT (7pm)
Friday 22nd Accelerus Report available for parents 3pm
Final day of 2017 |
Mooroolbark College is committed to supporting our local community, below are notices from our community: Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
Entertainment Memberships
Croydon Rangers Grid Iron
Chirnside Park Auskick
Mooroolbark Junior Football Club
Mooroolbark Soccer Club
Curves Gym Offer
Kilsyth Cricket Club
Danielle Sargent Photography
Anglicare Victoria Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Support Mooroolbark College PTCA sausage sizzle at Chirnside Park Bunnings on Cup Day 2017 Click for details Entertainment Memberships Support our fundraising by buying the NEW 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Membership.Everyone who has purchased a 2017/18 book and those that do in the months of June and July have the chance to win one nights accommodation staying at the Star Sydney, The Astral Tower and Residence. With Christmas coming soon, it’s a perfect time to buy your Entertainment Membership or as a great gift idea. Entertainment Memberships are filled with hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you'll be helping our fundraising at the same time! Buy from us NOW! Click for details Croydon Rangers Grid Iron A great way for kids to learn about the sport in a safe environment. Click for details Chirnside Park Auskick Are you interested in Auskick for 2018? Click for details Mooroolbark Junior Football Club Mooroolbark Junior Football Club Registration Day 2018 is the 12th of November. Click for details Mooroolbark Soccer Club Mooroolbark Soccer Club is a great family and community club. All Junior coaches are volunteers. Our senior men's and women's team play in State League 1 and unlike other teams at this level all players play for no payment. With the increasing popularity or the women's game and our national team the Matildas, doing so well on the international stage, we are taking this opportunity to build our female participation numbers. Three seasons ago Mooroolbark Soccer Club had only one under age girls team and in 2017 we have grown to four full teams. In November we are starting our Summer Series which is a training group to encourage new players to give the sport a try with some of our experienced and qualified coaches with the aim of potentially playing in one of our teams. Click for details Curves Gym Offer Offering ladies a $1 joining fee, giving ladies a great opportunity to come and see what our facilities are. Click for details Kilsyth Cricket Club It’s time for milo in2cricket program for boys and girls aged 5 to 9 to learn the skills of the game.
Every Friday commencing 10th November 2017 from 4.00pm to 5.15pm. Click for details Kilsyth Cricket Club wants you!!
Come join the Redbacks for the 2017/18 season
Players needed for u10, u12, u14 & u16 teams Click for details Danielle Sargent Photography Looking for a photographer to capture special memories of the family, newborn, glamour, portfoilio or event? Contact Danielle Sargent Click for details Anglicare Victoria Due to circumstances beyond their control, some children can no longer live with their birth family. Their experiences have left them frustrated and confused about where they belong. The children need to feel part of a family that can provide them with love, encouragement and support. Can you help them Click for details |
Mooroolbark College has recently developed a partnership with The Professionals Real Estate – Mooroolbark through former student, Regina Atkinson. On behalf of The Professionals Real Estate – Mooroolbark, a donation of $500 will be made to Mooroolbark College for every house sold through the Mooroolbark College community. If you are considering selling your home, Regina can be contacted on 0417 565 624 and mention that you belong to the Mooroolbark College community. |
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