Principal’s Report
Thank You for a Great Start to 2025!
Term 1 has been a resounding success! The phrase more than marks has been at the forefront, highlighting the many sporting, musical, and social activities we have undertaken. As you will read below, our students have excelled across various events, showcasing their talents and dedication. A heartfelt thank you to all staff who generously contributed their time and expertise.
Crawford Shield – A Convincing Win
The shield is safely back at Melbourne High School after a 12-month sojourn at North Sydney Boys’ High School. It was a dominant victory, with Melbourne High winning 10 out of the 12 events. Despite the friendly rivalry, the North Sydney exchange—dating back to 1959—is one of the many opportunities the School provides to build lifelong connections with students from similar schools.
A sincere thank you to the families who provided billeting and ensured our visitors had a home away from home.
Special thanks to Director of Sport, Mr Chandler, Ms Carruthers, and the sport team for their dedication. Many months of planning go into our exchange programs, and the commitment of our staff does not go unnoticed.
Music @ Melbourne High School
The last few weeks have been an extremely busy time for music. The C.J. Breen House Chorals and Instrumental Competition at Melbourne Town Hall was a fantastic showcase of musical talent. Each house was conducted by students, with music arranged by students, and every student took part as a performer on the day!
Congratulations to all participants for their hard work, dedication, and passion throughout the rehearsals and performances.
- Instrumental Competition Winner: Forrest (Yarra – Second Place)
- Choral Competition Winner: Forrest (Yarra – Second Place)
- Special Awards:
- Best Instrumental Conductor: Jayden Ha (Como)
- Best Accompanist: Brandon Yong (Yarra)
- Best Choral Conductor: Wesley Harjadi (Waterloo)
Mr Andrew Sloan coordinated this event for the final time, and we thank him for his many years of dedication to what he describes as the “Best Day of the Year at Melbourne High School”.
On Tuesday night (1 April), the Family Concert showcased even more student talent. The Tattam-Wallis Band kicked off the evening with a bang, followed by outstanding performances from the String Orchestra, Camerata, Symphony Orchestra, Stage Band, Singers, Chorale, Davis Band, Unicorns, and Langley Band. Many of the performers were new to the school, and their parents were thrilled with how much they had mastered in just a few weeks. A few well-placed April Fools’ gags added to the fun!
Thank you to Friends of Music for their continued fundraising efforts and for keeping the audience hydrated.
To end the term, all Year 9 and 10 students performed in their first Singing Assembly of the year. The diverse repertoire ranged from The Beatles and Pixar soundtracks to Schubert’s “Tod und das Mädchen” (sung masterfully in German!) and the traditional sea shanty “Leave Her Johnny”, featuring a solo by Johnny Su (Year 10).
A huge thank you to the Music Department for providing these incredible experiences for our students. Special thanks to Mr Gareth de Korte, Mr Angus Grant and Mr Todd McNeal for their dedication.
Senior Social at St Kilda Town Hall
The Senior Social was a memorable evening filled with music, dancing, and camaraderie at St Kilda Town Hall. The theme, Pink Friday, saw many attendees adding their own creative flair—some with a little pink, others with a lot! It was a fantastic night of celebration, reinforcing our school’s strong sense of community.
A big thank you to the SRC Executive for their outstanding organization, to Ms Kelli Simpson for her guiding hand, and to the staff who ensured the evening ran smoothly.
AAC & AAFC Cadet Camps
Over the last weekend of term, the Air Force (AAFC) and Army Cadets (AAC) held their first major camps of the year.
- The AAFC Camp took place at Rowallan, Riddells Creek.
- The Army Cadets camped in the bush outside Heathcote.
For many Year 9 students, it was their first experience sleeping under canvas, particularly in a hootchie. Senior students worked with staff to develop lesson plans, covering navigation, compass use, fire-making, and first aid. Despite the excitement, all students appreciated returning to the comforts of hot showers and washing machines!
A heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers who facilitated these enriching experiences.
Staff Changes for Term 2
Mr Robert Sette
Melbourne High School is pleased to announce that Mr Robert Sette will be acting as Assistant Principal while Ms Pelissa Tsilimidos is on leave. During this time, the role of Head of Junior School (Years 9 & 10) will be taken on by Mr James Guthrie.
We appreciate their leadership and dedication and look forward to their contributions in these roles.
Ms Lauren de Bomford
Ms Lauren de Bomford will be commencing maternity leave near the start of Term 2, and we extend our very best wishes to her during this exciting time.
During her leave, Ms Emily Azcona will be stepping into the role of Year 9 Student Learning Coordinator, ensuring continuity and support for our students.
We thank Lauren for her dedication and contributions and wish her all the best for this special new chapter.
Farewell to Chris Greig
We extend our heartfelt best wishes to Chris as she embarks on her next role.
As a school community, we are deeply grateful for her leadership in recent years, guiding us through a period of significant transition and change. Chris has played a vital role in ensuring our policies, procedures, and processes align with best practices and meet all Department expectations.
The School Council has also expressed special appreciation for Chris’s outstanding financial governance skills. Thanks to her expertise and dedication, we now have a strong and stable foundation to build upon.
As we farewell Chris, we warmly welcome Laura Rizk, our current Assistant Business Manager, who will step into the role and continue building on the great work Chris has done.
Once again, our sincere gratitude to Chris for her invaluable contributions. We wish her every success and happiness in the future.
MHS on the Go
- A group of students is currently visiting the USA for a STEM Tour, returning on 22 April 2025. They are currently in New York, soaking in the sights and experiences of this vibrant city.
- On Saturday, 12 April 2025, another group of students will depart for Japan to visit our partner school, Kasukabe High School.
We look forward to hearing their amazing stories upon their return!
Wishing Everyone a Safe and Restful Break
As Term 1 concludes, we encourage students to take a well-deserved break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term of learning and activities.
School Resumes on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
Enjoy the holidays, stay safe, and see you next term!
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