OURS Week 5 Term 2 2025

Principal’s Report

Supporting the Mental Health of Young Men

At Melbourne High School, we are proud to support initiatives that encourage honest and meaningful conversations around men’s mental health, masculinity, and mateship.

We are excited to have taken part in Locker Room Talk, a powerful new content series created by AIA Australia in partnership with Bullfrog. The series features AFL players and AIA Ambassadors Patrick Cripps from Carlton Football Club and Tom Mitchell from Collingwood Football Club, engaging with young men in open, real conversations about the challenges and pressures they face growing up.

We are especially pleased to share that Chris King, Senior Producer at Bullfrog and an Old Boy of Melbourne High School, reached out to us for this project. The Locker Room Talk was filmed in the Unicorn Club’s locker room, adding a special connection to our school’s own sporting community.

A group of our own students—Henry Lake, Evan Shields, Lennon Havea, and Charlie Tanner—joined the conversation, asking meaningful questions and sharing their perspectives. Their involvement highlights Melbourne High’s commitment to fostering mental wellbeing and encouraging young men to speak openly about their experiences.

We look forward to continuing to support these vital discussions and creating environments where our students feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Ensuring that Students Have the Best Physical Resources to Reach their Fullest Potential

You will have recently received an invitation to contribute to our annual donation appeal. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of the Melbourne High School Foundation Ltd., which coordinates this vital fundraising effort on behalf of our school community.

This year, your generosity can help ensure our students have access to the physical resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive. One of the major priorities of the 2025 appeal is the repair and upgrade of our swimming pool. For over 30 years, the pool has been central to our Sport, Health and Physical Education programs, providing a foundation for both swimming and water polo, two disciplines that have long been sources of pride and excellence at MHS. These programs build not only physical skill but also resilience, teamwork, discipline, and school spirit. With the heater now requiring urgent replacement, your support will help us complete these critical upgrades and keep this essential facility thriving.

Every contribution helps ensure our students benefit from a rich, well-resourced environment—where tradition and innovation meet.

A Voice for Inspiration: Victor’s Big Moment

When Year 9 SRC representative Victor set his sights on bringing an inspiring guest speaker to Junior Assembly, he knew exactly who to call. What followed was a journey of determination, personal connection, and a powerful moment of leadership on stage in Memorial Hall. In his own words, Victor reflects on what it meant to introduce someone who shares not only his sporting passion, but also his story. But now, let’s hear from Victor himself.

“Hi everyone, my name’s Victor and I’m a Year 9 SRC representative.

Since I joined the SRC, I’ve wanted to introduce you all to guest speakers who honour hard work and perseverance—and to me, Col Pearse, a Paralympic swimmer, is the perfect candidate.

I’ve met Col twice before: once at the hospital when I was just a baby, and once at a para sports event last year. Some of you may also recognise him from a Woolworths commercial he starred in a while ago.

Col inspired me with his success story—overcoming all the hurdles life has thrown at him. He even has red hair and a prosthetic leg, so today will probably be the first and last time there are two of us in Memorial Hall!

Since I became an SRC representative, I knew exactly who I wanted to invite to speak at Melbourne High. Col Pearse has virtually the same disability as me, the same hair, and has won Commonwealth Gold and Paralympic Silver. Talking to Col one-on-one before Junior Assembly where he delivered his speech, I realized that he is very similar to a lot of MHS students. He pushes himself to the limit day-in day-out, and he’s only going to get better and better. Inviting him is by far the biggest thing that I have ever organized and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to invite people like Col to the school.”

Dr Tony Mordini with Col Pearse and students, Victor Pidriz, Hriday Singh, Rafael Belofastov-Gee, Scott Howie, Jason Foong

Vale Colin Green OAM

Melbourne High School 1959–1962
Teacher, Mentor, Executive, and Lifelong Servant of MHS

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Colin Green OAM, an extraordinary member of the Melbourne High School community whose service and dedication spanned more than six decades. A student from 1959 to 1962, Colin returned to MHS as a teacher, mentor, and leader whose impact on generations of students, staff, and Old Boys was profound and enduring.

Beyond the classroom, Colin played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the Melbourne High School Association and the MHS Old Boys’ Association, where his leadership, energy, and vision helped forge stronger ties between the school and its broader community. He was central to the success of a major capital campaign that secured the construction of key facilities, and in later years, continued to serve through the GM&B Patrons’ Club, championing mentoring and heritage programs with tireless passion.

Colin’s humility, generosity, and unwavering belief in the value of education will be remembered by all who knew him. He leaves behind a remarkable six-decade legacy that continues to shape Melbourne High School today.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Barbara Jean Green, A.M., and his children Scott, Claire, and Adam, their families, and to all who mourn his passing.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 27 May 2025 – 7:00pm sharp

MHS Chamber Concert

We warmly invite families and friends to the Melbourne High School Chamber Concert on Tuesday 27 May 2025. The concert will be held in the Memorial Hall, Melbourne High School, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm.

This special evening will showcase the work of our talented small ensembles and give senior students the chance to perform concertos with larger groups — a rare and rewarding experience. These performance opportunities are the result of steady, dedicated rehearsals throughout the term, and the concert provides an important stage to bring their music to life.

No tickets are required — all are welcome to attend.

Your presence in the audience helps make this event memorable for our students and affirms the value of their hard work and commitment. We look forward to sharing this inspiring night of music with you.

Thursday 29 May 2025 – 5:30pm sharp

Chorale Collaboration: You’re Invited!

We are excited to invite parents, carers, and families to a special musical event on Thursday 29 May, featuring the combined Chorales of Melbourne High School and The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School.

This event will include an extended rehearsal and time for students to socialise, culminating in a short, informal concert at 5.30pm sharp. The performance will feature highlights from Term 1 as well as newly rehearsed combined works. The concert will be held at The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne VIC 3004.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our Chorale students to experience singing in a large SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Bass) choir, connect with like-minded peers, and build both musical excellence and community spirit.

Friends and family are warmly encouraged to attend — entry is free!

We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of harmony and celebration.

Dr Tony Mordini
Principal