This year, staff at MSJ are continuing to focus on practices that enhance pedagogy that directly impacts the success of students.
The four main areas of focus for MSJ that are outlined in the school’s Annual Action Plan are:
In order to work towards these goals, MSJ continues to work with MACs in the Secondary Learning Network. Here our planning, development and work are guided by the fundamental principles of the Vision for Instruction. Teachers at MSJ in 2026 will develop their pedagogical knowledge and practice through a guided professional learning program. The evidence of this development will be seen through SIMON lessons, school publications and student tasks.
Our development and practice will aim to ensure consistency, clarity and excellence for student achievement. Our MSJ Learning and Teaching framework (2025) and the MSJ Instructional Model (2026) will guide our work towards these aims.
2026 saw the commencement of a number of new staff at the College. It has been a wonderful start to this new journey for these new staff and I hope that we are able to make the staff welcome and engage with their talents and expertise.
Our new staff for 2026 are:
Name |
Faculty and Extra Responsibility |
Janeta Melich |
Religious Education Domain Leader Religion Teacher |
Jenny May Wilson |
Year 9 Level Leader Health & Human Development and Religious Education Teacher |
Megan Dreyer |
English Domain Leader English Teacher |
Nathan Kennedy |
Learning Development Leader VET Trainer and Religion Teacher |
Susan Brandt |
Food and Product Design Teacher |
Amy Ngo |
Mathematics Teacher |
Nivas Todorovic |
Science Teacher |
Larissa Lever |
Head of Library |
Tina Leonard |
Head of LSO |
Katie Kenna |
Library Assistant |
We also congratulate staff who are undertaking new positions of leadership this year and wish them the best with their Leadership journey.
At the Academic Assembly on 17 February, the College celebrated the achievements of the 2025 VCE and VM graduates. We welcomed back our 2025 College Dux for both VCE and VM and other outstanding award winners who shared their MSJ school journey and their commitment to pursuing excellence throughout their educational pathways.
Students who achieved the Subject Dux awards and the Above 90 ATAR scores, along with those who achieved 40 or more in individual study scores, were recognised at the assembly.
The College Assembly was a wonderful celebration of students’ success with family and friends in attendance.
As our 2025 Year 12 students start the next exciting chapter of their educational or life journey, our thoughts and prayers go with them.
Please see the snapshot of the results below. Congratulations to all students on a fantastic outcome!
|
Subject |
Name |
|
LANGUAGES: JAPANESE SECOND LANGUAGE |
GUINEVERE A |
|
PSYCHOLOGY |
KATE B |
|
VCE VET Certificate III MUSIC |
JASMIN B |
|
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT |
OLIVIA B |
|
MATHS: FOUNDATION MATHEMATICS |
MADELEINE B |
|
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT |
EMMA C |
|
ENGLISH & VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN |
GEORGIE C |
|
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT |
CATHERINE F |
|
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT |
ISABELLA F |
|
PHYSICS |
ANYA K |
|
LEGAL STUDIES |
SOPHIE M |
|
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT |
ALANNAH M |
|
MEDIA |
ELENA M |
|
ENGLISH |
IZABELLA M |
|
FOOD STUDIES |
SOPHIA N |
|
ART MAKING & EXHIBITING |
CHRISTINA O |
|
ENGLISH |
ANASTASIA O |
|
RELIGION AND SOCIETY & ITALIAN |
MICHELINA P |
|
ENGLISH, ACCOUNTING & PHYSICS |
NATALIE P |
|
CHEMISTRY, MATHEMATICAL METHODS & SPECIALISTS MATHEMATICS |
IVY Q |
| Subject | Name |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 44 | GALE A |
| PSYCHOLOGY 43 | KATE B |
| VET MUSIC 45 | JASMIN B |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Perfect score of 50 | OLIVIA B |
| FOUNDATION MATHS 41 | MADELEINE B |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 48 | NATASHA C |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 40 | SHREYA C |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 40 | AVA D |
| PSYCHOLOGY 42 | INDI H |
| PSYCHOLOGY 40 | KIANI H |
| HUNGARIAN 41 | KINSCO K |
| LEGAL STUDIES 42 | SOPHIE M |
| HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 45 & PHYSICAL EDUCATION 41 | ALANNAH M |
| MEDIA 40 | ELENA M |
| HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 40 | IZABELLA M |
| HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 42 | SHARLENE N |
| FOOD STUDIES 42 | SOPHIA N |
| ACCOUNTING 40 | NATALIE P |
| CHEMISTRY 44 MATHEMATICAL METHODS 43 & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 43 | IVY Q |
| PRODUCT DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGIES Perfect score of 50 | LOLA R |
| MEDIA 40 | EBONY S |
| PSYCHOLOGY 41 | MATILDA T |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 43 | AVA T |
| ENGLISH LANGUAGE 48 | SOPHIA T |
| GEOGRAPHY 42 & HISTORY: REVOLUTIONS 42 | CLARE W |
| VET MUSIC 41 | AMY W |
| BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 40 | KEELY W |
Name |
Score |
ANASTASIA O |
91 |
JASMIN B |
91.8 |
KATE B |
93.45 |
CLARE W |
93.9 |
MICHELINA P |
94.55 |
SOPHIA T |
95.55 |
NATALIE P |
96.85 |
Abby excelled in the VM VCE program, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving her personal best. Highly regarded by her peers, Abby modelled respect, collaboration, and positive leadership within the classroom. Her initiative shines through in the way she approached challenges and extended her learning beyond general expectations. Through her determination and focused work ethic, Abby produced work of an exceptional standard.
We wish Abby well with her future endeavours.
Hello everyone. For those who don’t know me, my name is Abby, and I’ve had the privilege of being named the 2025 VCE-VM Dux.
I didn’t always take the most traditional path through school - and for a while, that made me doubt myself. When people around you are doing things differently, you feel pressure to show that your path is just as valid. But choosing a path that actually worked for me changed everything.
That choice gave me confidence. It gave me direction and most importantly, it reminded me that there is no single ‘right’ way to reach your goals - just the way that’s right for you.
So, what is VM?
To me, VM is a more hands-on way of doing school. It focuses on practical learning and real-life skills, and it’s designed for students who already have an idea of where they want to head after school.
It still takes effort, commitment, and responsibility - it’s just a different approach to learning. For many, it meant being able to work towards your future while still at school, instead of waiting until after you finished.
For me, I’ve always wanted to work with animals. I just didn’t want the pressure of undertaking surgeries or diagnosing them - I’m more of a “support the heroes” kind of person, the one holding the animals, not holding the scalpel. With the incredible help of the MSJ pathway leaders, I worked out that vet nursing was the right pathway and career for me, which can be achieved through completing certificates at TAFE.
Once I realised that an ATAR wasn’t going to affect the pathway I wanted to take, choosing VCE-VM became an easy decision - and honestly, the best one I’ve ever made.
Over the years, you’ll make friends, and some will drift away - usually over a group project or a stolen pen. But the ones who stick with you through thick and thin? Keep them close. They’re the ones who’ll be there when life gets messy… and when the snacks run out.
With only one year left of my certificate 4 in vet nursing I can’t begin to explain how proud I am of myself - not just for how far I’ve come in my schooling, but in life. In 2019, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, leukaemia.
I missed an entire year of schooling, spending Year 5 in a hospital bed going through treatments and surgeries that no child should ever have to experience. We all face challenges in life - and this was mine.
I often imagine 12-year-old Abby looking up to 18-year-old Abby, and I hope she’d be proud of the person I’ve grown into. Because the 12-year-old Abby would have never thought she'd get to this point in life today.
So, my message to you today is this: don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t let people shut you down. Believe in yourself, trust your path, and be proud of how far you’ve come.
Life will throw challenges at you, but every obstacle is a chance to grow stronger, wiser, and braver. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, chase the things that excite you, and never be afraid to take the road less travelled.
Celebrate the small victories, learn from the mistakes, and always remember: the person you are becoming is just as important as the goals you achieve. Thank you
During her time at MSJ, Ivy Quach consistently excelled in all areas of her studies, demonstrating precision, perseverance, and a genuine love of learning. Highly regarded by her peers and always open to feedback from her teachers, Ivy displayed strong academic commitment, rigorous study habits, and a natural curiosity that enriched her learning.
Beyond the classroom, Ivy was an active member of the Earth Team, promoting sustainable practices within our school community, and she generously supported junior students through the Aced It tutoring program. With a well‑rounded approach to her education, Ivy embraced every opportunity available to her at MSJ.
Ivy achieved the outstanding result of an ATAR of 98.95, and in 2026 she has accepted a place at The University of Melbourne to study Oral Health.
Good Afternoon everyone, I hope the start of the new year has been kind to you all.
I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award today. Above all, I thank God for your blessings, lifting me up when I felt down, and giving me guidance through my prayers. Behind this achievement is the quiet strength of someone who has believed in me, encouraged me, and made countless sacrifices throughout my primary and high school years – my mum. Mum, I want to express my deepest gratitude for allowing me the freedom to learn at my own pace without putting pressure on me to achieve a certain ATAR, and for giving me moments to rest when I needed it. I truly wouldn’t be standing here without you.
In Year 9, I received an offer to study at a selective school, but after careful thought, I chose to stay at MSJ, promising myself that I would work just as hard here as I would anywhere else. Standing here today, I can confidently say that I made the right decision. MSJ gave me more than an education, but a place where I felt supported and challenged. I want to acknowledge and thank our teachers and staff, whose care and dedication have helped us reach our potential.
I’m especially grateful to the people at MSJ who saw my potential long before I recognised it in myself. I remember attending this very ceremony a few years ago, watching the VCE dux walk on stage. One of my friends leaned over and whispered, “That’ll be you up there one day.” At the time, I laughed it off and said, “No way.” I simply couldn’t imagine myself being the one speaking in front of the whole school. But I guess life finds a way to slowly nudge you beyond what you thought was possible.
Moments like this remind me that growth often happens quietly, over time, with determination and confidence in ourselves. And before we know it, small efforts gradually prepare us for what comes next. I’d like to congratulate the 2025 cohort and wish you all the best for the future. Wherever life takes you, may MSJ remain a cherished part of your memories.
Let me end by once again thanking my friends, teachers, and family who made this possible. To the students here today, the road to success can be difficult, but always prioritise your wellbeing and be kind to yourself. Keep working hard, and never lose sight of your dreams, because at the end of the day, that’s what truly matters. Best of luck class of 2026!
Here at MSJ we continue to focus upon creating opportunities for families to engage with their child’s learning environment. It is through this relationship that we believe a strong and consistent foundation can be created which enhances student outcomes and achievement.
So far this year we have had a number of opportunities where families have been engaged with the school. Year 7 families were welcomed into the school for Meet the Learning Mentor, Years 8 - 10 were provided with an online session providing information for the various year levels. VCE and VM students were provided with an information evening - providing information about key dates and VCAA policies and procedures.
The Learning Management System: PAM provides another opportunity for families to engage with learning. The Learning Management Systems provides parents / guardians with timely feedback of student achievement. It is a system where parents can access the learning programs for their child and promote at home conversations around what students are learning within the classroom. Students and families moved to using this platform as the sole mode of communication from the start of 2025. We encourage parents and guardians to work through their subject teachers and Learning Mentors to obtain further information where necessary.
Congratulations to all students for the effort they have put into their studies in recent weeks. As Term 1 comes to an end, students have been involved in a number of assessments of student learning as well in year 7 and 9 completing NAPLAN Assessments.
Assessment and reporting are vital processes which provide information about what students know and can do, and to make recommendations for their future learning. Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning program at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College.
Student assessment may take a variety of formats depending on the nature of the subject. Students receive feedback through rubrics outlining the criteria assessing the task or unit of work.
Formative assessment is used to monitor learning progress during a learning sequence. It provides continuous feedback to teachers and students, which enables them to monitor progress and identify and address needs in learning.
Summative assessment seeks to establish the level of achievement attained by a student, and typically occurs at the end of a learning sequence, course or unit. The main purpose of summative assessment is to establish levels of achievement for reporting.
We encourage families to continue to monitor school based assessment on PAM which is reported to families in real time. Parents will also be provided with feedback via the Interim reports set to be released in the final week of term. In these reports all students will receive feedback related to work habits for each of their subjects. The work habits include:
Parents will have an opportunity to meet teachers to discuss these outcomes at the commencement of Term 2 at the Parent Teacher Student Conferences.
Parent Teacher Student Conferences are occurring on:
We urge families to book sessions through PAM, with guidance provided in upcoming weeks. Feedback to families about your child’s progress is viewed as an important part of the relationship between the College and families.
Chantelle Gauci
Deputy Principal - Learning & Staff
Congratulations to Amelia Martin, our 2025 Year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting student, who was recognised at the Catholic Education Creative Arts Exhibition Awards Afternoon held on Sunday.
Amelia received Highly Commended – Secondary, Portraiture Prize for her artwork Fragments of Byzantine, which is currently on display as part of the exhibition. The Creative Arts Exhibition showcases outstanding student work from Catholic schools across the Archdiocese and celebrates excellence in visual arts.
This recognition is a wonderful achievement, and we commend Amelia on the dedication, creativity and skill she has demonstrated through her Year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting work. We are very proud of her success and the way she has represented the College at this year’s exhibition.
At MSJ, every student is supported to discover their strengths, explore opportunities, and confidently pursue a meaningful future pathway.
Our Pathways Office is led by two professional careers practitioners who provide structured support across Years 7–12. Students engage in a comprehensive careers education program, individual pathway counselling, and a range of planning tools and experiences designed to build clarity and confidence about life beyond school.
A key resource for families is our College Careers website, which includes up-to-date event information, fortnightly careers newsletters, senior secondary guidance, post-secondary planning support, and a dedicated parent information section.
Access the website HERE.
We value working in partnership with families to support each student’s aspirations. If there are particular topics you would like included in future Careers and Pathways communications, please feel welcome to contact us at pathways@msj.vic.edu.au.
We look forward to continuing to work with your daughter throughout her time at MSJ.
Naomi Nolan & Ana Stafrace - Pathways Team
MSJ Debating teams are continuing to achieve impressive results. Through competitions and regular training, MSJ students develop valuable skills while representing our schools with pride.
MSJ Teams are spend lunches hours preparing arguments, researching topics, and practising speeches before competitions. The adjudicators stated that Our Teams respond to opposing arguments with a clear and solids opinions.
MSJ students competing at regional debate events often deliver dozens of speeches and place highly among large groups of competitors. In one recent competition, our debaters Saanvi Nadig and Rin Tanaka were both named the Best Speaker of the
night. Alannah Green once again got the best speaker for the third times.
With strong dedication and teamwork, MSJ debating teams continue to perform well in competitions while developing skills that will benefit students for years to come.
Anthea Heiniger & Meaghan Paul - Teachers
As part of a recent Religion class activity, Year 7 students were invited to explore their understanding of God through creative expression. Students could respond through writing or art, using their own thoughts and experiences to guide their work.
Leda chose to share her reflection in the form of a poem titled “What is God.” In her writing, she thoughtfully considers what God does and how God is often described or presented by others. Her poem shows a willingness to question, reflect, and express personal ideas about faith.
Through this creative piece, Leda encourages readers to pause and think more deeply about their own understanding of God. Her work reminds us that faith can be explored in many different ways, and that honest reflection is an important part of spiritual growth.
We thank Leda for sharing her thoughtful and creative response with our school community.
It has been a fantastic start to the year! The library has been buzzing with energy as we settled back into the school routine. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new Year 7 cohort, as well as our newest staff members: Larissa Lever, who joins us from Emmanuel as Head Librarian, and Katie Kenna, our new Library Assistant.
To encourage students to kick-start their leisure reading, we have introduced a large new range of books across all genres to our collection. It’s been wonderful to see these and many other books being borrowed with many popular titles being reserved in advance!
A special mention goes to all the students who completed the Summer Reading Challenge over the holidays. Students who read 5 books covering different genres gained a point for their respective houses, well done!
Some of the other activities we have hosted in the LRC this term are:
Harmony Day: We celebrated the diversity of our MSJ community by encouraging students to add a "Harmony Hand" to our flower display. Students celebrated their culture by writing their heritage on a hand along with what is most important to them, creating a beautiful visual representation of our school's identity.
Lunchtime Clubs: Whether it’s the strategic battles in Chess, the creativity in Lego Club and Makerspace, or the digital fun in Gaming Club, the library remains the place to be at lunch.
Literature Club: The "Lilian Scribes" are working hard behind the scenes and are currently preparing to publish their first 2026 edition for Term 1. Keep an eye out for their debut!
Thank you to everyone who made this term so vibrant. We can’t wait to see what Term 2 brings!
Katie Kenna & Larissa Lever - Librarians
