Dear Parents/Caregivers,
As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a highly productive period, filled with many noteworthy events.
End of Term Music Night
Congratulations to our amazing Music students for their fantastic performances at Music Night on Thursday 12 September. It was such a joyful evening, filled with talent, energy, and a love of music that shone through every performance. A special mention also goes to the students who MC’d the evening, their confidence, warmth, and professionalism helped the night run so smoothly. Thank you to our dedicated Music staff, Ms Mawson and Ms Warrick, for their commitment, passion, and support, and to the families and friends who came along to cheer on our students. It was wonderful to share the evening together as a community.
60 Years Celebration
On Saturday 13 September, Modbury High School proudly celebrated its 60th birthday with an evening filled with joy, memories, and connection. Ex-scholars enjoyed revisiting classrooms, catching up with old friends, and seeing how the school has grown over the decades. Highlights included reflections from former students Julie Caust and Meredith, a fun memory game hosted by Ms Woolford, and lively entertainment from DJ Nick that had everyone dancing. Many guests spoke of how wonderful it was to be back, and I extend my thanks to the planning committee and staff who made this milestone celebration so memorable. A very special thank you goes to Tash Claxton and Karyn Benham for the extraordinary number of hours they dedicated to ensuring the event was so well organised.
Final Weeks for Year 12 Students
Our Year 12 students now have just four weeks remaining—the final two weeks of this term and the first two weeks of Term 4. The coming weeks are especially important, with students working hard to complete their final school-assessed tasks before shifting their focus to revision in Term 4.
As students prepare, it’s also important that they look after their well-being by eating well, resting properly, and taking regular breaks. Parents can play a vital role by encouraging a healthy balance between study and rest.
During the school holidays, many teachers will be holding revision and work-completion sessions to support students. This is a valuable opportunity, and we encourage students to make the most of it. Details have been sent home by Ms Woolford.
School Uniform
We ask for your support in ensuring students wear the correct school uniform each day. In particular, staff have noticed some concerns with jewellery, trousers, and skirt length. If you are unsure of the requirements, please refer to the uniform poster here.
Wearing the uniform correctly is more than just following rules—it reflects our shared values of being united, passionate, and accountable. It also helps create a positive, inclusive school environment where all students feel a sense of belonging. Your support at home makes a big difference, and we thank you for helping us uphold these expectations.
School Attendance
Are mornings a challenge because your child is reluctant to come to school? If so, we are here to help. Please contact us so we can work with you and your child to develop an attendance plan that supports their return to school.
Friendly reminder if your child needs to leave early for any reason, please write a note in their diary so they can show their teacher and student services when they sign out. We encourage a note instead of emails to their home group teacher as students are not often with their home group teachers during the day when they need to leave.
Ms Joanne Costa
Principal
It has been a busy and exciting start to the term for the Modbury High School music department, with our students involved in a range of workshops, performances, and achievements.
Instrumental Music Beginner Band Workshop
Earlier this term, Modbury High School hosted the annual Instrumental Music (IM) Beginner Band Workshop. We were delighted to welcome 64 students from 11 local schools, who came together for a morning of collaborative music making led by IM staff. Our own Modbury High music mentors supported the event, creating a fantastic opportunity for younger students to connect, learn, and play together.
Navy Reserve Band Visit
In Week 4, our Concert Band and Year 12 Ensemble had the privilege of working with musicians from the Navy Reserve Band, South Australia. Through engaging workshops, the visiting musicians helped students to refine their ensemble skills and strengthen their technical control. It was an inspirational experience that left our students motivated and excited about their own musical journey. Thank you to our Instrumental Music Brass Teacher, Mr Mark Heinjus for organising this opportunity.
Student Achievement – Eisteddfod Success
Congratulations to Eileen Zhang on her outstanding achievements at the recent Eisteddfod. Eileen was awarded first place in the Grade 5/6 Flute section, as well as first place with her Flute Quartet in the Primary/Secondary School Flute Ensemble section. We are incredibly proud of Eileen’s dedication and success.
Year 8 Music Class
Our Semester 2 Year 8 Music class has been making excellent progress on their instruments. They are now working towards their very first public performance. We look forward to sharing their hard work and musical growth with the school community later this term.
Ms Kate Mawson
Music Teacher
It was such a rewarding experience for us to exhibit in a location offsite this year. ‘Natural Wonders’ was our third year participating in the SALA festival and our first time hanging works on the walls of a local business. Topiary restaurant is in the grounds of Newman’s Nursery and restaurant proprietor Adele was very supportive of us and crucial in making the event such a success. The public got to see the fantastic creativity and practical skills of our years 7 -11 students and many families visited for a drink, bite to eat and to buy a plant whilst admiring the student works in the space. Families and the public visited over the two weeks and many pictures were taken of students standing proudly by their creations. Works included clay, and papier mache sculpture, collage, linoprints, photography, drawing and painting. All works had a connection to the nature theme. It was so nice to see students confidently talking about their work to families, staff and MPs at the opening event. Feedback from the restaurant was that it was a great point of interest and discussion for their customers. Congratulations students on a great exhibition.
This Year’s Ski Trip was another unforgettable adventure, building lifelong memories on the slopes of Mount Hotham, Victoria. Students from Modbury High and Hallett Cove visited Hotham from the 2nd to the 9th of August for a week of skiing, snowboarding, and plenty of laughs along the way. This was my second time visiting Hotham on the MHS Ski trip, and as someone who travels often, I can confidently say it was the most incredible holiday I have ever been on.
We experienced all types of weather, enjoying clear blue skies, fog-covered mountains, and lots of powdery fresh snow; watching it snow was a highlight for everyone on the trip. With such incredible snow this year, we were lucky enough to experience parts of the mountain that are rarely open. These varied conditions made each day on the slopes exciting and gave us a chance to improve and build on our skills in fun new places.
Our days consisted of ski and snowboard lessons, warm lunches in Hotham Central, free time to hit the slopes with our friends, and game nights after dinner. But those weren't the only times filled with smiles and laughter; the unforgettable night skiing and silent disco at the Big D was undoubtedly everyone's favourite night.
By the middle of the week, everyone was confidently making their way down the mountain, tackling blue and even black runs. My favourite moment of the trip was when we all met at Brockhoff Cafe and enjoyed hot chocolates with a stunning view.
Being in Year 12 meant this was my last school trip, and it’s something I will always look back on with a smile. Not only was this year’s trip filled with amazing experiences on the slopes, but it also gave me the chance to strengthen friendships, make new memories, and appreciate how lucky we are to have opportunities like this at Modbury.
Thank you to Mr. Read for organising such an amazing trip, and also to Mr. Bartlett and Mrs. Thomas for their efforts in making it such a memorable and fun time for everyone involved. I’m so grateful I got to experience this trip again; the memories and opportunities it has given me are lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Imogen Janicki
YEAR 12 STUDENT
If you would like to go on the next snow trip, see Mr Read or Ms Thomas
We have been so busy at MHS that I didn’t even have time to publish an article last issue. So much has been going on with student voice, programs and initiatives, fundraising and events, all part of continuing to develop a positive learning environment. We are dedicated to help maintain a positive culture here at MHS through our staff shout out initiative and positive behaviour records for our students. Staff at the school have sent out over 1000 positive behaviour records to students for upholding our school values. Staff shout outs have also topped over 500 from students, community members and other staff. If you know of a staff member you think is doing a great job, use the link below to let them know.
Student Voice Council has been busy fundraising and starting projects around the school. They were able to make a small contribution to the brand new backboards in the quad area, and have made grant applications for more seating and shade for our students. SVC students haved an input into making the uniform more appropriate for all students, as well as providing more convenient locations to access free feminine hygiene products.
School TV continues to produce new and relevant resources to help support parents navigate the brave new world of raising teens. We have noticed a rise in the amount of time students are spending gaming or on their laptops at school, have you noticed a rise in the amount of time your child spends on their phone or computer at home? We have also seen an increase in the amount of online bullying and students unable to manage the complexities of social media. SchoolTV has a resource that helps parents to identify if your child is developing an addiction and gives strategies to support your child use devices appropriately. There are also video resources to help navigate this and help start conversations with your child. Click the ‘cybersafety’ link for specific advice on gaming and social media use, or the ‘home page’ link for all the other resources SchoolTV has to offer.
CyberSafety Series | Modbury High School
Home Page SchoolTV | Modbury High School
Mr Rob Yeend
Year 7/8 Assistant Principal
We believe in a culture of achievement in a respectful and rigorous learning environment
