From the Princpal's Desk:

Principal Report

At all times, it is important to be aware of things that define us and the values that make us who we are. A school community is unique in the sense that it provides an opportunity for many people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to come together to secure a common goal. When we reflect on our college values of respect, determination and excellence we know we are promoting the right values that can act as a foundation on which to build a school that can get the best out of every student.

If we respect one another then we are able to get along and see other perspectives. We can recognise the rights of others to an education and a life free from bullying or discrimination: by respecting others we can learn to respect ourselves.

If we are determined we understand that there are no barriers that can hold us back. We can set ourselves goals and push through the obstacles that others, or even ourselves, might put in our way. We can embrace failure as learning and see the hard times as temporary. We can aim for something better and work with others to achieve it.

And in aspiring to excellence, we need to realise that this is more about being better than we were yesterday, but not as good as we are going to be tomorrow. Excellence is about giving things your best go and never judging success by comparing what you have achieved to someone else: true fulfilment comes from knowing that you have given your all and knowing that life will provide further chances to regroup, grow and go again.

The power of a school community- and the power of sharing common values- means that you do not stand alone. At Woodmans Hill, we look after our own and we support each other through good times and bad. We have a clear sense as to what is right and what is wrong because our values reflect those of our families and our wider community. As principal, it is my job to ensure that our students learn from their mistakes and are able to do so in an environment that is driven by high expectations and is safe, supportive and respectful. We know, as experienced educators, the journey that teenagers are on; we know that they will make mistakes but that they also have an incredible capacity to learn and grow. The best part of my role is to see this in action and we are incredibly lucky at Woodmans Hill to have so many students who get what we are about and want to make a massive difference.

You just need to read the local press to see our values in action, but that is only the tip of the ice-berg: we’ve got great kids doing amazing things every single day.

But I do get goose-bumps when I read the words in the Courier from our VCAL students as they describe, with incredible maturity and empathy, their work supporting members of our community who suffer from dementia. I am equally as proud when I see our musicians light up the stage and give it their all during performances- each one thankful for the support and facilities that they have which are there to provide the best learning environment in which to grow and soar.

And our values in action are confirmed whenever I walk around the college and witness the learning first hand.

We are working towards something special at Woodmans Hill and it is our values and our belief in our students’ capacity to learn and grow that drives us. I challenge all of our students to learn and grow alongside us and to always remember what we stand for and what we believe in.

Stephan Fields

2020 Student Enrolment Applications: