Dear MHS School Community,

It has been a busy but incredibly rewarding first term of school. New students have settled in well and adjusted to what can often be a very busy schedule that not only includes academic tasks but managing their co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

We have also welcomed new staff, who have had to adjust to new traditions and the unique activities that we undertake at Melbourne High School. This includes interstate excursions, House Competitions, weekly sport and supervising student clubs.

The rich co-curricular program could not be undertaken without staff members’ generous support.

I am currently in England with a group of students and staff. We arrived in London on Tuesday evening London time.  It was a long journey and after a good night’s sleep we set off to our first day of activities on Wednesday which included a cruise on the River Thames from Greenwich to Westminster, extensive walking around areas of central London, including Picadelly Circus, Covent Gardens, a visit to the London Science Museum, and the O2 Entertainment Centre where we enjoyed the view of London from its roof platform.

Bunnings Collingwood Sausage Sizzle – Sunday 22 March
Friends of Music Fundraiser

The lure of a Bunnings sausage is hard to resist and when the Friends of Music called, the Melbourne High community came in droves. Thanks to everyone who joined in, shared in the fun, and supported our musicians. An enormous 520 sausages (35 kg), along with bread, drinks, and onions, changed hands over the day, raising approximately $1,600 for the Melbourne High School Music Program. Your generosity, energy, and smiles helped make the event a wonderful success.

The day was filled not just with delicious food, but with music, laughter, and community connection. A Year 10 quartet played beautiful tunes, while students, families, and friends came together to enjoy the atmosphere, lend a hand, and celebrate what makes our school community so special.

We are especially grateful to past Friends of Music leaders, Eduardo Morillo, Sofia Morales, and Rohini Chahal, as well as all volunteers, including the Cabrera and Chai families, Junko, Andrew Harrison, Shiyi, and Noville Rosia. Students from Years 10 and 11 also contributed, whether as part of community service or simply to support the event.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to Bunnings Collingwood for giving the Friends of Music the opportunity to host this sausage stall and raise vital funds for the Music Program.

We hope to see all those who enjoyed their sausage, music, and social interactions return for the Friends of Music’s Bunnings sausage sizzle in 2027. Missed it this year? Don’t worry—you’ll have another chance to join the fun!

n

House Choral & Instrumental Competition – Music, Leadership, and House Spirit

For many years, Andrew Sloan, Assistant Principal until the end of 2025, organised the House Chorals with passion, knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail. He created the Books of Chorals to share his expertise and make the process easier for future leaders. A big thank you to Andrew for his wonderful work, which allowed his successor, Pelissa Tsilimidos, to step into the role smoothly. Pelissa has successfully passed her “baptism by fire” and is already looking forward to next year’s Chorals.

Traditions like these truly live on at Melbourne High School.On Thursday 19 March, Melbourne High School boys filled Melbourne Town Hall with music, energy, and house pride for the annual House Choral and Instrumental Competition.

In the Instrumental section, Year 11’s Jeffrey Li not only scored highest as a soloist, but also led Como to a stirring victory as Best Instrumental Conductor. Waterloo, with thanks to Amos Banyasz, placed second, followed by Yarra and Forrest.

The Choral Competition was just as exciting. Como’s students earned top individual awards—Jeffrey Li as Best Accompanist and Isaac Yip as Best Choral Conductor—but it was Yarra, under the direction of Iannis Theodoropoulos, Pei Zhang, and Sebastian Kuo, who claimed the overall win. Como came second, followed by Waterloo and Forrest.

Beyond the scores, it was a day that showcased student leadership, teamwork, and sheer musical talent. From solos to full house performances, every boy played or sang with dedication and pride, making the event a true celebration of the Melbourne High School music program.

Whether you were watching or performing, it was impossible not to be impressed by the energy, skill, and house spirit on display—an unforgettable day of music and community.

Joy at the Family Concert

On Tuesday night, we had the great privilege of welcoming families to our first ensemble concert of the year. Memorial Hall was packed with families—young siblings, alumni, parents, staff, and grandparents—and from start to finish, it was a delight.

Approximately 300 students performed on the night, filling the hall with energy and enthusiasm. For some Chorale members, this was their very first concert, while Year 12 students in the Symphony Orchestra are seasoned performers. Regardless of experience, all participants had spent the past nine weeks learning new repertoire and coming together as new ensembles. The result was a remarkable testament to the commitment, talent, and teamwork of both students and staff.

Some ensembles are auditioned, while others are open to all students who wish to join. No matter where students are on their musical journey, everyone involved should be proud of what they achieved on the night.

Highlights included the collaboration between the Singers and Stage Band performing Georgia, Chorale’s moving rendition of Shenandoah, and Camerata’s performance of American Sketches. With such a wide range of musical styles and genres, every audience member would have had their own favourites.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff who prepared and conducted the ensembles: Mr Steve Colebrook, Ms Gayle Gardner, Ms Lotti Dorkota, Mr Tom Campbell, Mr Curtis Bayliss, Mr Vladimir Goncharov, Mr Todd McNeal, Ms Maya Flood, Mr Shannon Millard, Ms Nadine Delbridge, Mr Yu-Tien Lin, and Mr Gareth De Korte. A special thank you to Mr Todd McNeal, whose planning and direction on the night helped make the concert a seamless and memorable event.

If you missed this concert, watch this space for upcoming performances—particularly the Combined Winter Concert with Mac.Rob on the first day of Term 3.

Crawford Shield Exchange – Saturday 21 March to Tuesday 24 March

From Saturday 21 March to Tuesday 24 March, 78 students and 10 staff from Melbourne High School travelled to Sydney to continue a proud tradition with North Sydney Boys High School, a partnership that has connected the two schools since 1959.

Across 10 sports and activities—including Basketball, Volleyball, Water Polo, Badminton, Table Tennis, Cricket, Futsal, Music, Chess, and Debating, our students demonstrated remarkable talent, determination, and sportsmanship. While the final result was 4.5–5.5, the commitment and effort shown by every member of the team reflected the strength of our sporting program and the character of our students. As both schools share a similar philosophy and high standards—academically as well as in sport—this competitive encounter pushes students to rise to the challenge. Beyond the competition, the exchange offered invaluable opportunities to build friendships, strengthen connections, and immerse students in a rich social and cultural tradition. Shared moments with host families and time spent together as a team created lasting memories and a strong sense of community.

We extend our sincere thanks to the staff and students of North Sydney Boys High School for their warm hospitality in welcoming our students into their homes and school. We also acknowledge the dedication and guidance of our own staff: Michael Chandler, Anthony Mordini, Sonya Mulholland, Christopher Wyatt, Helen Bekos, Silvy Wantania, Mitchell Moschetti, Joy Lee, Adrian Cannatelli, and Tomeeka Neil, whose support made the trip possible.

Finally, congratulations to all students who represented Melbourne High School with pride, both on and off the field. We look forward to welcoming North Sydney Boys High School to Melbourne in 2027, as this proud tradition continues.

Parents & Friends Welcome (Back) Dinner – 27 March

Last Friday, 27 March, the Parents & Friends Association hosted its inaugural Welcome (Back) Dinner at William Angliss Restaurant, bringing together parents, students, staff, and members of the wider school community for a truly memorable night.

The restaurant buzzed with energy as 120 guests gathered to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the start of another exciting year at Melbourne High School. Year 10 parent and P&F Vice President Ken Ihara guided the evening as master of ceremonies, and Dr Tony Mordini welcomed everyone, setting the tone for an evening of conversation, connection, and celebration.

Two inspiring guest speakers shared their stories: Dr David Chong, a plastic and craniofacial surgeon at the Royal Children’s Hospital, spoke about his journey from immigrant beginnings to a distinguished medical career and his ongoing humanitarian work, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended. Entrepreneur Suren Chandrajit offered a complementary perspective, speaking on empathy in business. The true highlight was the connections and camaraderie, with laughter and lively conversation creating a sense of community that stayed with everyone long after the formal program ended.

We were delighted to welcome Paul Drew, Pelissa Tsilimidos, Megan Wilson, Sam Owen, and Chris Wyatt, and extend a big thank you to the P&F team, volunteers, and William Angliss staff for making the night run smoothly.

We look forward to building on this momentum throughout the year. The P&F’s next event is the Parents-Only Weekend Camp and Working Bee at Millgrove on 16–17 May, with further details to be shared on Compass shortly.

The P&F thrives on the involvement of our parent community. We warmly encourage you to consider joining the executive committee by nominating for one of our key roles. The AGM will be held on 4 May 2026, with more information to follow.

Curriculum Day – Wednesday 25 March

On Wednesday 25 March, our staff came together for a full day of professional learning and collaboration, focused on both compliance requirements and enhancing teaching and learning across the school.

Safety was front of mind, with all staff completing the bi-annual anaphylaxis training. Several staff also undertook recertification in first aid and CPR, practicing on training dummies to ensure they are confident and ready to respond in any emergency situation (see photo).

Teaching staff dedicated time to the continued implementation of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, working together to moderate assessment tasks and outcomes. The day also provided opportunities for forward planning to support the effective delivery of VCE programs and ensure students receive the highest-quality learning experience.

Professional learning days such as this are a vital part of our ongoing commitment to staff development. They build consistency in practice, strengthen our curriculum delivery, and ultimately help our students thrive.

Other Important Reads

The school has a clear view on tutoring and how it supports student learning. For more information, please click on this link  to access our full guidance.

Term Break

We wish all students, families, and staff a safe and relaxing term break. School resumes as normal on Monday 20 April.

Dr Tony Mordini

Principal