Principal’s Report
Celebrating our achievements.
As we approach the end of the 2025 academic year, Melbourne High School pauses to reflect on yet another year of remarkable achievements, creativity, and connection. From the courage and character honoured through the Bluey Truscott Scholarship, to the imagination and skill on display in the Arts Showcase, the camaraderie rekindled through our Old Boys reunions, and the subject, community and sports prizes we will award on Speech Night Thursday December 4th.
Bluey Truscott Scholarship
At Melbourne High School, certain names echo through the generations, names that remind us of courage, character, and a life lived with purpose. Among them, Keith “Bluey” Truscott, after whom one of our most emblematic scholarships is named.
Bluey was one of us before he became one of Australia’s great wartime heroes. Walking the same corridors our students walk today, he carried with him a spirit that blended humility with fearless determination. He was the kind of young man everyone seemed to know—light on his feet, quick with a grin, a gifted sportsman, and a loyal friend. Bluey’s love of football was matched only by his devotion to service, and both reflected his deep integrity and unwavering sense of duty.
When World War II broke out, Bluey answered the call with the same wholehearted energy he brought to school life. As a fighter pilot in the RAAF, he became a symbol of skill, courage, and quiet leadership. His flying was legendary, his character even more so. Those who served with him remembered not only his extraordinary bravery but also his warmth, his humour, and his instinct to put others first.
The Bluey Truscott Scholarship carries his legacy forward, recognising students who exemplify resilience, integrity, generosity, and the courage to step forward when it matters most. This year, the Interview Panel was delighted by the exceptional calibre of applicants. After careful deliberation, Shantan RS and Damien Hau were selected as the 2026 recipients, with the Melbourne High School Foundation also recognising the other three shortlisted students, Yong Rui Fong, Siddarth Rao and Avie Singla for their outstanding achievements.
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar 2026 – Congratulations to Siddharth Rao
MHS alumnus Professor Kwong Lee Dow has had a distinguished career as a teacher and academic, including serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Established in his honour in 2007, the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program recognises high-achieving students and provides selected Year 11 entrants with a valuable head start on university life.
Scholars gain access to peer networks, university libraries, and a range of enrichment opportunities, as well as eligibility to apply for scholarships to support future tertiary study.
MHS 2025 Arts Showcase
Celebrating excellence across Visual Communication Design, Art, Media Arts, and Theatre Studies, the Showcase opened on Thursday, 20 November, offering our community an immersive display of students’ remarkable work. Congratulations to our 2025 Arts Prize recipients:
- Risith Jayasekara – MHS Tony Award
- Damien Hau – Prof Terry Smith Art Award
- Khang Hoang – Mihaela Brysha Award
These students, alongside their peers, demonstrated exceptional originality, technical skill, and a willingness to push creative boundaries.
We extend our thanks to Arts Technicians Nixx Hertzog and Paul Narkiewicz for their invaluable support, and to teachers Lena Torikov, Sarah Narkiewicz, Emily Azcona, Paul Morton, Leonie Besley, Tyler Howie and Kelli Simpson for nurturing the talent and creativity showcased in this year’s exhibition.
Orientation Days – Welcoming Our Future Students
On Friday, 21 November, the school buzzed with excitement as students preparing to enter Year 10 and Year 11 in 2026 experienced their Orientation Day. They enjoyed a taste of their upcoming classes, explored the campus, and began meeting fellow students, setting the stage for a smooth and enthusiastic start to their Melbourne High School journey. This successful day was made possible thanks to the thoughtful planning by the Head of Senior School, James Taylor, Acting Head of Junior School, James Guthrie, Year 10 Coordinators David Blencowe and Ken Leong, and Year 11 Coordinators Fran Neal and Jeremy Hardy.
We are also looking forward to meeting next year’s Year 9 students during their Orientation Day on 9 December, giving them their first taste of life at Melbourne High School.
Summer Soiree
Thank you to the Music Department, Friends of Music, and the P&F for their hard work in bringing this annual event to life. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity for our smaller ensembles to showcase their talents. With performances ranging from rock to swing to jazz, the audience was once again captivated by the remarkable skill of our students.
One of our promising rock stars!
Old Boys Reunions – Celebrating Connections Across the Years
It has been a joy to welcome so many Melbourne High School Old Boys back to celebrate milestones and reconnect with friends. Recently we have hosted:
- The Class of 1995 30-Year Reunion – Wednesday, 19 November
- The Class of 2005 20-Year Reunion – Friday, 21 November
- The Class of 2015 10-Year Reunion – Wednesday, 26 November
- The Class of 1985 40-Year Reunion – Friday, 28 November
VCE / End of Year Exams
We would like to congratulate all our students on completing their examinations. Our Year 12 students have successfully completed their VCE exams, while all other year levels have undertaken their end-of-year examinations, demonstrating dedication and perseverance throughout the year.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Paula Fuentes, VASS & Senior School Administration, James Taylor, Head of Senior School, and Joshua Slocombe, VCE Coordinator, for securing a suitable external venue that met the high standards required by the VCAA and Melbourne High School and supported the students’ needs.
This organisational mega-task included setting up a dedicated phone system to field questions from parents and students, ensuring smooth communication throughout the examination period. We also thank all the staff who travelled to Caulfield Racecourse to supervise the exams, demonstrating remarkable commitment and dedication to our students during this important time.
Looking Forward to Speech Night
As we draw the 2025 academic year to a close, we look forward to celebrating the achievements of all our students, especially our Year 12 cohort as they prepare for the next stage of their journey. Speech Night will be held on Thursday, 4 December 2025, at 7:00 pm at the Plenary, Melbourne Exhibition Centre. I look forward to seeing you there.
Dr Tony Mordini
Principal
