Principal’s Report

Dear MAC Community,

As we come to the end of the term, I’m reminded of the many wonderful qualities that make MAC such a special place. One of our greatest strengths is the strong sense of community and the positive relationships we share. The vibrant culture at MAC doesn’t happen by chance — it’s the result of consistent effort, care, and the everyday actions, words, and expectations we uphold together.

The term has been a super busy one with several highlights:

• A well-attended and fun Athletics Carnival
• EID Celebration lunch with our year 12s
• Adventure Day excursion for Above Entry 9 and 10 students
• Excursions and enrichment activities which have provided rich learning experiences across subjects, helping students make real-world connections including a Q&A with Australia’s First Female Astronaut
• Our Year 12 VCE and VM students continued to demonstrate focus and leadership as they move through key assessment tasks and major projects, including Year 12 VM MAC Market Day which was very successful
• Our student leadership team remained active and vibrant, contributing positively to school culture and student voice, including running assemblies and fundraising activities such as the Big Pour.
• End of Semester 1 Music Concert which featured 16 high quality music acts from orchestras to string ensembles, to cover and original rock bands and vocal duos
• Production rehearsals for the upcoming performance of Shrek in Term 3

Congratulations to our Pre-VCE and VCE Unit 1 students on completing their end-of-semester exams, and to our Unit 3 students who successfully completed the GAT.

To accommodate several large examination groups, exams were held in the Gym this year. A sincere thank you to all staff involved in the planning, organisation and supervision of these assessments. We also commend all students for their effort, preparation and participation throughout the examination period.

We are concluding the term with Unit 3 practice examinations, providing students with a valuable opportunity to refine their exam skills and strengthen their preparation and revision for the end-of-year assessments.

We also celebrated Education Support Staff Day this term — a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and thank our dedicated ES team for the invaluable support they provide to both students and staff every day. Their contribution plays a vital role in the smooth running of the school and in supporting the wellbeing and learning of our students.

Uniform Reminders

Please note that black tracksuit pants may only be worn as part of the PE uniform and are not permitted with the regular academic uniform. The approved academic uniform pants are the College grey pants available at the uniform shop.

We are pleased to offer an additional uniform option for girls: a dark grey bootleg pant. The design and fabric were selected by students last year, and feedback from students currently wearing them has been very positive, with many finding them both comfortable and warm during the colder months.

These pants are available for purchase from the uniform shop.

The second-hand uniform shop that operates the first Monday of every month 3.30pm – 4.00pm and the uniform shop operates Monday and Thursday from 3.00pm – 4.00pm. Families are encouraged to contact the college if they need support in purchasing uniform. At MAC we believe that wearing a uniform promotes respect, unity and pride. Wearing the school uniform helps create a sense of belonging and increases student connection. It also helps foster a sense of responsibility and discipline; these are all traits that matter at school and in life.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I would like to wish the staff and students a restful break and look forward to another successful term ahead.

Dani Angelico, Principal

School Council President’s Report Meeting 19-May-26

You can download this report as a PDF here. 

Dear school community,

School Council hopes the year is going well for students. Here’s a summary of our May meeting.

👥 Respectful communication in our school community

School Council discussed the importance of respectful communication following recent camp concerns. Council noted that staff attend camps in good faith and work hard to support students and manage changing conditions. Concerns are best raised through the school’s established processes in a respectful and measured way that keeps students’ interests at the centre and supports staff wellbeing. Parents and carers are encouraged to refer to the school’s Parent/Carer Complaints Policy and Camps and Excursions Policy for more information.

🍳 “Master Chef” kitchen – grant application

School Council and school management are busy working on a Capital Works Fund grant application to improve our “Master Chef” kitchen classroom. The aim is a more modern, inclusive and practical learning space for Food Technology, with planning focused on the most important upgrades and a strong, realistic proposal.

🫶 First Nations engagement – Marrung Champion report

This was the first Marrung Champion report since Marrung (a Woi-wurrung word meaning “we belong”) became a standing School Council agenda item. Marrung is the Victorian Government’s Aboriginal Education Plan, guiding schools to improve outcomes, inclusion and cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families. Council also noted student engagement around National Sorry Day, which recognises the Stolen Generations, and the deep intergenerational harm caused by past government practices, including in and around Naarm (Melbourne). The new Bringing Change Together: First Nations Learning Suite will also support staff learning in culturally safe practice, truth-telling and respect. Thank you to Kate Stevenovic (AP) in her role as one of the school’s two Marrung Champions for her insightful reflection.

📱Mobile devices policy – changes to come

School Council noted proposed Department changes that may officially extend mobile phone use policy to other personal devices, such as smart watches, headphones and earbuds, from 2027. Families should keep this in mind when considering device purchases, as expectations around student access and contact during the school day may tighten. There is no change for 2026, and further information will be shared as advice becomes clearer.

🌞 Solar PV project – savings to date!

By the end of April, the school’s solar project had delivered more than $11,500 in electricity bill savings compared with the same time last year.

Finally, we welcomed Claire Topliss as a community member to the School Council.

For more information about School Council, visit the school’s website. The next meeting will be held on the evening of 23 June 2026. Community attendance as guest observers is welcome; please let the school know in advance if you’d like to attend.

Thank you to families, students and staff for your ongoing support and engagement with School Council.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Hormann – School Council President 2026

ANZAC Assembly

Elliot Mohummadally & Sienna Barrios-Seupule, 2026 College Captains

Whole-School Athletics Carnival

VCE VM MAC Market and Twin Day

Twin Day saw such wonderful costumes and brought a great spirit and joy around the school! To everyone who dressed up, it was wonderful to see, and hopefully next year we’ll see even more extravagant costumes!  

Olivia del Rio, Apollo Student Leader, Graduate of 2027

Apollo House Fundraiser – The Big Pour

What a wonderful set of term 2 events. Apollo’s big pour flagship event was a resounding success this year! The auction was incredible, with students getting to bid on their top-voted teachers and college captains. The event not only raised an incredible amount ($565!) but set a precedent for years to come.

The engagement for this event was incredible, and I can’t thank our gracious teachers, Ms Angelico, Mr Stephanou, Mr Campbell, Mr Card and Mr Dal Forno, and student volunteers, Sienna Barrios-Seupule, Elliot Mohammadally, Seamus Mac Hale and Ines Abood, enough!

Olivia del Rio, Apollo Student Leader, Graduate of 2027

End of Semester Concert

Our End of Semester Concert showcased some serious skills from our instrumental music and music elective subject students. We had over 130 community members come to enjoy the show, and as always we are immensely proud of the passion and talent of our MAC musicians!

Music Department

Islamic Museum Excursion

I led our excursion to the Islamic Museum via the Board of Education with Ahmed S, Amina M, Sudays F, Hana O, and Fareda M. The excursion was centred around giving students the opportunity to share and amplify their voices as African Muslims, while reflecting on their personal experiences with racism, identity, and sense of belonging. At the beginning of the visit, some of our students were a little shy and reserved. However, as the day progressed, they slowly began to include themselves more in the discussions and activities. By the end of the excursion, they had become very involved, communicative, and confident in sharing their thoughts and experiences.

During discussions and activities, students spoke about what makes them feel safe, supported, and understood both within school and in the community. One activity asked students whether they felt supported at school and whether they had someone they could go to for support. Students were asked to physically choose a side representing “agree” or “disagree,” and all our students confidently chose the “agree” side. When asked further questions, they shared that they do feel supported and that they have people they can go to for help when needed.

The excursion created a safe, fun, and welcoming space for students to connect with other young people, celebrate their Muslim identity, and feel proud of who they are. Students also spoke a lot about how good it felt hearing students from other schools share similar concerns, challenges, and experiences. It helped them feel understood and reassured that they were not alone in some of the things they experience.

It was great to see our students become more comfortable throughout the day and build confidence in participating and communicating with others. I also want to acknowledge how respectful, engaged, and thoughtful all students were during the day. They represented themselves and our school/community well.

George Green, School Community Liaison Officer

Thoughts from our students:

“It’s great coming here and talking about others experiences and sharing my own.”- Sadia

“I had a great experience and I learned a lot more stuff about Islam.”- Fareda

“It was amazing to learn about the views of others in Islam.”- Hanan

“I learned how other school cooperate with their students and had a mutual understanding of others.”- Amina

“This was the first time I felt like I was a part of a great change. This was one of the best experiences I had.”- Ahmed

2026 University Open Day Expo

On 12 May 2026, Mount Alexander College’s International Students attended the Uni Open Day Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where they had the opportunity to explore a wide range of tertiary education pathways and speak directly with university representatives.

Year 12 student Danyal Fariborzinejad said:

“I began to understand the prerequisites and entry requirements for different university courses.”

Another Year 12 student, Alvin Yim, was surprised to learn that:

“International students can receive scholarships of up to 15% offered by Monash University.”

The excursion provided students with valuable insights into university study options and helped them make more informed decisions about their future educational pathways.

Gavin Yuan, International Student Coordinator

Middle School – Enchanted Adventure Excursion

Middle School students attended an adventure day out to Mornington Peninsula’s Enchanted Adventure where they experienced the ‘Tree Surfing’ activity amongst other aspects of the park. The Tree Surfing experience being the highlight, students completed five different courses over two hours which included zip line flying foxes, suspended bridges and tunnel obstacles. All students had an enjoyable day out of the city!

Jordan Donnelly, Middle School Teaching and Learning Leader

As part of the Entry Geography unit for Liveability, we went on a class walk through Flemington. We measured the liveability of the local area, looking for the features that made Flemington a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. We looked for objective factors such as access to education and public transport infrastructure, as well as our own subjective factors such as a variety of restaurant cuisines and sporting facilities. Using a checklist, we found that the liveability of Flemington is high and that living in our 20-minute neighbourhood makes for a good life!

Charlotte Iannella, Student Leadership Coordinator, English & Humanities Teacher

MACtive – Mind Body Move

Bridging Generations: Art and Smiles at Gregory Lodge

Our students recently visited Gregory Lodge for a heartwarming Intergenerational Program, connecting young minds with elderly residents through creativity and storytelling.

Through shared holiday memories and favorite recipes, students and residents sparked lively conversations to create beautiful scrapbook artworks. Our students loved assisting their older friends, filling the room with laughter, memory-making, and warm smiles.

“Our residents absolutely loved the activity and had a wonderful time with the students… they are already looking forward to seeing their young friends again soon!” – Gregory Lodge

We are incredibly proud of our students for their empathy and kindness, and we look forward to many more visits!

Nicole Beran, Visual Arts and Fashion Teacher

Interschool Sport

Intermediate Girls Netball

Pre VCE students represented MAC beautifully at the interschool netball in Term 2. This team was supportive of each other all day, and produced their most consistent tournament to date.

There were a few creative change-ups at different points, and the girls took it all in their stride and progressed through the early rounds with strong wins against Buckley (2-29), Sunshine (5-26) and Rosehill (6-17).

As always, Strathmore Secondary College were a strong line-up, and despite a gutsy performance from this MAC dream team in the Grand Final, we didn’t quite get over the line this time. Valiant runners up for 2026.

Thank you to Florence C, Winnie, Polly, Abby, Hafsa, Sofie, Florence L, Frankie and Millie for being a pleasure to coach. A very talented bunch of netballers – we’ll go again next year!

Belinda Crowe, English and EAL Teacher, Learning Specialist Instructional Practice

Intermediate Boys Netball

Senior Boys Football

Divisional Cross Country

Humanities

Unit 1&2 Business Management Excursion – Sovereign Hill

On Tuesday 5 May, our VCE (Units 1 & 2) Business Management classes participated in a Business Master class at Sovereign Hill accompanied by Miss Ciavarella and Mr Alderuccio.

The bus ride was lots of fun and everyone was excited to embark on the Sovereign Hill Business Master class adventure and go back in time and learn about the Gold Rush era in the gold fields of Ballarat. 

It was a great opportunity  to socialise with our peers and take in the great views of Victoria, despite our emergency stopover involving one of our classmates and a Hungry Jack’s.

At Sovereign Hill, we were greeted By Micahel our Master Class Instructor and he have us guided tour of Sovereign Hill and all its glory.  He then directed us to a quaint ( but cold)  cabin and  gave us a dedicated session about Sovereign Hill and how it operates as a business. He went through the external environment of a business in relation to Sovereign Hill and we discussed the strategies they employed to adapt to the changes in the global world and how these macro factors have shaped the business as it is today. He  helped us link the business concepts that we have been learning about into our VCE studies to the current business model at Sovereign Hill.  It was a great opportunity to learn about both history and business.

We also got the chance to explore Sovereign Hill. We had a demonstration session on the process of melting down gold and turning into gold nuggets.  Faiqua and Miss Ciavarella were lucky enough to hold a real gold 3 kilogram  nugget worth  approximately $400,000.  They wanted to take it home of course but the Gold miner would not let them! It was very interesting to learn about gold mining operations that previously took place and having the opportunity to pan for gold.

We had some free time to explore Sovereign Hill and students did a range of different activities including   buying hot freshly baked sausage rolls, panning for gold, eating the delectable old fashioned lollies and participating in the nostalgic horse and cart rides.

It was a really fun excursion and a great educational experience too!

Elliot Mohummadally, College Captain & Member of School Council, Above Entry 10

Unit 1&2 Legal Studies Excursion – Old Melbourne Gaol

On Thursday 7 May, our Legal Studies class accompanied by Miss Ciavarella and Mr Alderuccio went on an excursion to The Old Melbourne Gaol.

The Old Melbourne Gaol took us back in time and  provided us with significant information on the history of this landmark building and the harsh reality of life in the watchhouse.  

Melbourne graced us with great weather and my class was very lucky. It was a sunny and wonderful day to be out in the city. 

Our first activity of the day was the watchhouse experience, where we went through an immersive experience of being an inmate at the city watchhouse. Our tour guide made quite the menacing sergeant and even got Miss Caiverella and Mr Alderuccio got involved. We were all ‘booked’ and spent time in the cell while learning about what it would be like if you were a criminal spending time in the watchhouse.

 Even though I’m not the fondest of the dark, getting to see what it would be like to spend time in a creepy cell overnight offered a unique insight into what the legal system is like and provided me with an opportunity to engage with the real world.

After our ‘release’ from the watchhouse, we enjoyed an immersive mock trial. Everyone had a role to play in the mock trial. It was an absolute highlight for me. I played the judge, presiding over an indictable offence case of culpable driving causing death. It was my role to impose a sanction appropriate to the severity of the case. With gavel and script in hand, I really got into character, as did the rest of the class and we brought the case back to life. 

Having the opportunity to sit in the courtroom was so exciting, and I had never been to a court before, so I was so grateful for the opportunity. We finished our day off with a tour of the Gaol, learning about the history and practices of the prison leading up to its closure. I particularly enjoyed hearing about Ned Kelly and his time as a prisoner.

 Overall, The excursion was rich with history and information and it was an opportunity to reflect on criminal law and in particular imprisonment as one of the sanctions for indictable offences. The day was full of laughs and unique experiences! I can’t thank Miss Ciav enough for the wonderful experience (and Mr A for playing along in the watchhouse), and I think anyone in Legal studies would tell you that it was a highlight!

Olivia del Rio, Graduate of 2027

Unit 3&4 Accounting KFC Excursion

KFC and Accounting

Mr Alderuccio (Mr A) took the accounting class to KFC for a fun-filled excursion to think about what assets and liabilities are owned by businesses operating in the real world. After a nice walk down from school, we all got to order our preferred KFC lunch and have a wonderful feast together!

After enjoying the secret herbs and spices of the Colonel, we worked through a worksheet about the assets and liabilities that might be owned by KFC Flemington and how they contribute to the businesses balance sheet and liquidity.

Olivia del Rio, Graduate of 2027

Making sure our assets are extra crispy

Our class went to our local KFC, in Flemington, in order to observe a business and apply our knowledge on how it operates with its revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. It allowed us to apply our own knowledge before a SAC. It was awesome to be able to snack on some delicious food and learn about the real world. Thank you to Mr Alderuccio for a fun way to help us learn!

Ren Nguyen, Graduate of 2026

Unit 3&4 Accounting Firm Excursion

Our class excursion into the city to visit SV Partners and the ANZ banking museum with Mr Alderuccio (Mr A). The excursion exposed me to so many new ideas about accounting and how finance has shaped history. 

Our journey to the city first took SV partners to enjoy the gorgeous view on the 17th floor and learn about insolvency accounting. Getting to hear from Michael Carrafa was really eye opening, and taught me a lot about what potential career pathways studying accounting from high school into university could bring me. We also got to hear some great stories about what personal and business insolvency accounting can look like in the real world. 

We were also very kindly given a tour and some biscuits, it was such a great experience and I felt really welcome.

After this we headed to the ANZ banking museum, the name of which doesn’t do justice to the gorgeous gothic architecture and rich history inside. Learning about how banks started in Australia, how the history of money has changed over time and how technology has altered the way we interact with finances was of great interest to me personally. The vintage piggy banks were also a highlight.

Ultimately, the excursion was a 10/10 trip for me.

Olivia del Rio, Graduate of 2027

We, as a unit 3/4 Accounting class with our teacher (Mr Alderuccio – Mr A), attended SV Partners in order to further our understanding of different types of careers that involve accounting. We applied our current knowledge to information we looked at during the seminar with Mr Michael Carrafa and also learned about topics that will soon relate to unit 4 of accounting in relation to analysis of business performance.

After the seminar, we visited the ANZ banking museum to observe the gothic architecture and history of the bank itself, whilst gaining knowledge on its historical importance.

It was the perfect blend of modern career inspiration and historic discovery of the origin story of banking in Australia, and definitely beats sitting in a classroom all day!

Ren Nguyen, Graduate of 2026

Unit 3&4 Business Management Excursion – Probiotics & Production Lines

For my Year 12 (Unit 3/4) Business Management class with Mr Alderuccio (Mr A) we went on an excursion to Yakult in Dandenong, via charter bus. We were looking at Operations Management, we had to fill out a booklet that linked to the area of study by filling out the booklet it really helped and reinforced my understanding. 

We had a tour through the factory. I was able to have a deeper understanding of a manufacturing business, making it way easier to write responses on the topic. Our class listened to a presenter, who explained how and what each machine contributed to the manufacturing process.

By the end of the day we received a delicious free yakult drink. Overall, the Yakult excursion, really helped my understanding of Operations Management.

Taj Russell, Graduate of 2027

Languages

Dragon Festival Activities

Interviewing A Student from China on the Examination Process Compared to Australia

Do you think students should pass both Maths and English to go onto the next level of learning?

I agree with that. It is not a bad thing to pass both main subjects. It can always make students have appropriate pressure to push them to improve study. However, compared to Australian primary schools, China’s primary schools still give students too much pressure. That’s China’s education model based on the traditional way.

I think Chinese students only have one expectation, which is ranking. Whatever subjects you study, there is a monthly exam, middle exam, final exam. The teacher will put a ranking on the wall, then all students can know the whole class’s score and ranking. Higher ranking and score are what Chinese students and their parents want and expect.

On the other hand, Australian students, in my eyes, the junior students, don’t have anything to expect in academics. It seems like they don’t care about study. At least I don’t like China ‘s model of expectation on score or ranking. Australia doesn’t even have a ranking like China. For the senior class in Australia, students are going to do VCE, so students suddenly have huge pressure. The senior classes’ expectation is also to get a good score.

My essential task is to learn English and improve my ability to use English.

Chinese students wake up very early, as we need to arrive at school at 7:15. I usually wake up at 6:30, when the sky is still dark. Then when I’m at  school, we usually start with morning reading. It means you need to read the textbook content out loud. Sometimes, we get some other tasks at morning reading time .Then we will do exercises after two lessons. Every student in the school needs to attend unless you are sick. This is mandatory for every student. What we do is run around the playground, then do activities like push-ups and jump rope. In Australia, if students haven’t chosen PE class, you don’t have to do exercise at school; however, you can do sport at recess time.

In China, we have a long break time to do exercise. This is for every student in school. We also have three PE classes every week. Australia also has PE classes and every student loves sport. Australia often makes students take part in sport activities.

Written by international student Justin Huang, Above Entry 10

Food Studies – Masterchef

In Masterchef we learn the fundamentals of cooking like knife skills and how to be safe in the kitchen. We have cooked a range of meals from lots of different cuisines like Dumplings and Bahn Mi from Vietnam, San Choy Bow and Rice paper rolls and some more traditional western things like spiced sausage rolls, two types of muffins, and even some seasonal hot cross buns (but with no cross).

We have had one MAT so far and we had to make an apple dish of different difficulties. There was apple crumble, apple muffins and mini poached apple cakes.

Masterchef is an incredible elective and I highly recommend it.

Ciaran May, Entry

Before taking Masterchef, I didn’t know how to cook at all. I learned lots of new things and got to try great recipes I made with a partner. It was really fun, and the food – especially the apple streusel muffins – tasted great! 

Anika Dwyer, Above Entry 8

Student Wellbeing

SchoolTV

SchoolTV is an online resource designed to empower parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies. You can access SchoolTV by either clicking the SchoolTV icon on the home page or this link.

In this edition of SchoolTV – Dealing with Conflict

Conflict is a natural and unavoidable part of family life. As children grow, differences in opinions, emotions and expectations can sometimes lead to tension at home, at school or with peers. While these moments can feel challenging, they also present valuable opportunities to teach young people important life skills. How conflict is managed within the family plays a key role in shaping a child’s ability to communicate, regulate emotions and navigate relationships.

For adult carers, supporting children through conflict means staying calm, listening with empathy and modelling respectful problem-solving. When handled constructively, conflict can strengthen relationships, build resilience and help children develop the confidence to manage disagreements in healthy and productive ways.

This edition of SchoolTV explores practical strategies to help families approach conflict with greater understanding and confidence.

Click HERE for the Dealing with Conflict edition of SchoolTV.

Resource Centre

Staff and students can use the Library Catalogue (login using the Single Sign On with your school email address and password) from school and from home. It’s a great way to see what books are on offer in the library and to reserve a book that you’ve been looking forward to reading.

A friendly reminder to anyone who has overdue books to please return them to the Resource Centre. Bringing books back by their due date ensures that everyone is able to enjoy our collection.

Do you know we have ebooks and audiobooks?

The Eplatform has over 2500 ebooks and audiobooks that you can read or listen to with new books being added every day. You can access it by downloading the app on your device and signing in with your school details in the Single Sign On (SSO). Find out more here: mountalexandercollege.wheelers.co

2026 Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is in full swing at Mount Alexander College. The PRC application offers a range of exciting features including:

• access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs)
• a modern user-friendly interface
• rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved
• the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 4 September 2026.

Students from Year 7 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

Remember

Students were given a physical copy of their login details during Mentoring. If a student needs to get these details again, they can contact Carla Iannarella in the Resource Centre.

To log in, visit the PRC website. Click the sign in button below ‘School Coordinator or Student’ and select ‘VPRC login’. Then insert your login details.

We have already seen an enthusiastic response from students, but please note that 10 out of the 15 books read must be from the Challenge list. You can access this list on the VPRC website here.

Students can also find books on the Challenge list in our school Library Catalogue in the Quick Lists. There is a list for Years 7 and 8 and Years 9 and 10.

Insight Creative Writing Competition

Carla Iannarella, Resource Centre, Communications and Marketing Manager

Community News and Advertising

We advertise and support local organisations that reside in our catchment area. These suburbs include Flemington, Kensington, Ascot Vale, Moonee Ponds, Maribyrnong, West Brunswick, North Melbourne, and Parkville.