On Sunday 17 May, our College community warmly opened its doors to prospective families and visitors for what proved to be an incredibly successful and vibrant Open Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only our facilities, programs, and opportunities, but more importantly the spirit, values, and sense of belonging that makes MSJ such a special place.
Thank you to all the students who generously gave their time, energy, and enthusiasm throughout the day. From leading tours and performing musical items, to assisting in classrooms, welcoming families, sharing personal experiences, and helping behind the scenes, our students represented the College with pride, warmth, and authenticity. Their confidence, kindness, and willingness to engage with visitors reflected the very best of our community.
I also wish to acknowledge the dedication of our staff whose preparation, organisation, and commitment ensured the day ran so smoothly. Open Day is a significant whole-school effort, and the care taken by staff to create engaging displays, interactive learning experiences, and welcoming spaces was evident throughout the College.
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making the day such a memorable and successful occasion.
The College has continued to advocate strongly on behalf of students and families regarding ongoing concerns with bus services provided through PTV. A meeting was convened with representatives from PTV and Transport Victoria in response to continued parent complaints and concerns relating to the reliability, consistency, and overall quality of services accessed by MSJ students. The purpose of the meeting was to review current challenges, discuss service performance, and explore opportunities for improvement moving forward.
During discussions, several service quality concerns were highlighted, particularly regarding reliability, communication, and driver familiarity with routes. Concerns were also raised regarding the inconsistent responsiveness of bus contractors when issues are reported.
A shared priority identified through the meeting was the need to ensure that bus services are safe, reliable, and responsive to student needs, while continuing to explore practical adjustments to routes and scheduling where possible.
The College will continue to engage with representatives from the Department of Transport and other relevant stakeholders, with the potential for further follow-up meetings as discussions progress.
Over the last eighteen months we have been working with Y2 Architects in designing a new Arts/Technology facility for the College. This work is progressing well, plans have been developed and we are currently at the tender process stage. To accommodate the construction of this three-storey building, we are in the process of relocating our maintenance facility to land adjacent to the Police Station. Along with these developments, we are in the process of renovating one of our Science Laboratories to better meet the needs of our students.
Kate Dishon - Principal
