Principal’s Report
Character First, Talent Second
Brian Cook, the current CEO of Carlton Football Club, has dedicated over 30 years to serving the AFL in various leadership roles, including at West Coast and Geelong. In a 2021 interview with the Geelong Advertiser, Brian reflected on his time at Geelong, particularly his relationship with the late Frank Costa.
Frank Costa, who served as Geelong’s Club President from 1998 to 2010, was known for his business motto: ‘Character First, Talent Second.’ This principle guided Frank not only in his business dealings but also in his personal life and leadership of the football club. For him, integrity and personal qualities such as hard work, perseverance, kindness, and humility outweighed an individual’s natural talent.
At the heart of this philosophy is the idea that we should be remembered not for what we achieved, but for the type of person we were. At Melbourne High School, this ethos aligns with our mission to graduate students who excel academically, but who also embody our core values: respect, integrity, courage, and compassion. We strive to cultivate not only academic success but also well-rounded individuals who make a positive impact on the world around them.
VCE Results – Outstanding Individual Achievements
In our first edition of OURS this year, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of the 2024 graduating class, and I would like to acknowledge four exceptional students who achieved the pinnacle of academic success with an ATAR of 99.95:
- Nathan Wong (Dux)
- Patrick Phan
- Rohan Green
- Vaibhav Rao
Congratulations to them and to all of our graduates! We wish them the very best as they embark on their future endeavours.
Swimming Carnival – A Great Start to the Year
Our sporting year has begun with impressive success, including a gold medal win at the Rutherglen Regatta. The 2025 Swimming Carnival was another highlight, featuring two record-breaking performances:
- Eugene Tu (Yarra) set a new record in the open 100m breaststroke.
- Harold Xu (Forrest) broke the record for the 15’s and under breaststroke.
The overall house standings were as follows:
- 1st: Forrest (296 points)
- 2nd: Waterloo (287 points)
- 3rd: Yarra (278 points)
- 4th: Como (181points)
A special thank you goes to our Director of Sport, Mr Chandler, and his dedicated team, along with the teachers, education support staff, and student volunteers who contributed to making the event a great success. The day ran smoothly and was a true reflection of our school spirit.
Dr Tony Mordini
Principal
News
Events
- 24 February: Year 10 Fathers and Sons Evening
- 2 March: Friends of Music Sausage Sizzle, Bunnings Collingwood (179-201 Victoria Parade)
