Other School News
Careers Week
Westall is proud to announce that we are celebrating CAREERS WEEK from 13th to 17th May.
As we did last year, we have scheduled our yearly Career Expo on Tuesday 14th May for Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 students from 9 to 1 pm. It is an opportunity for parents and guardians to join us this year and talk to the Exhibitors about your children’s pathway.
Speed Careering is also being offered on Tuesday 14th May from 9 to 1 pm to our Year 10, 11 and 12 students
What is Speed Careering – I hear you ask ? Good question!
Speed Careering is an activity designed to build student awareness of the a various roles / work options available in our community including the fact that there are just as many individual career pathways as there are roles.
It involves small group informal discussions.
The feedback received last year was that all students were respectful and engaged, WELL DONE STUDENTS - and that Exhibitors were happy to return to our school in 2019.
All students were given a passport and if they asked a question, the Exhibitor could stamp their passport.
Here is some feedback from our Exhibitors/Panel Presenters :
"The organisations attended presented diversity and provided useful information to students".
"Staff were on site to assist stall holders with various queries and solve problems in a timely manner".
"The involvement of students to prepare the lunch and give out fruits to stall holders provided a greater sense of leadership and opportunities to learn about event management".
"Congratulations on a successful day. Your students were so engaged!"
"The passport was a good way to get students to actually come up and see what we do".
The following organisations were represented:
Ms. Geraldine Borgonha
Careers
Kingston District Swimming Carnival
On the 14th of March, 10 students from year 7-12 travelled to Caulfield Memorial Swimming Pool to compete in the Kingston District Swimming Carnival. We competed against many bigger schools including McKinnon, Brighton, Bentleigh and many more. We were by far the smallest school; however, we weren’t intimidated by these bigger schools as we posted a number of amazing results. We had participants in almost every discipline, however, a special mention goes to Annie Ye who competed bravely in the individual medley; swimming 50 meters of all four strokes. A special shout out also goes to Jason Phan who managed to finish with 3 first place medals and a third place, winning the overall age group champion. Jason will now go on to represent Westall Secondary College on Friday 29th March at The Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre. Well done to all who attended, and Westall will be back bigger and better next year.
Written by Emily Duncan & Annie Ye of Year 7
Harmony Day Assembly
On Tuesday March 26th, the whole school community came together for its now-famous Harmony Day celebrations, in conjunction with World Harmony Day. The school was ablaze with colour as many students wore their cultural attire for the day, however it was the whole-school assembly during Period 3 that was the showstopper. This event has rightly become a highlight on the school calendar, with student performances including music, dance and speeches celebrating the diversity within our school.
The assembly began with a Welcome to Country from Year 12 student Steph Hollyfield, acknowledging the Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school stands. There were group dances from Vietnamese, Cambodian, Samoan, and Cook Islander students, with the boys’ performance of the Haka being a particular highlight. With fourteen musical performances ranging from choirs to duets (and even a solo dance performance from Alfred), the students showed the incredible range of skills that we are so lucky to have here at Westall Secondary College. A special mention to two of our quieter students, Abinshan and Abi Akilan, whose performance of the Indian song “Ganah Parthiye” left our drum teacher Mr Coco speechless. Thanks to all the teachers and students that spent countless hours preparing and practicing in their own time to make the day so memorable.
We were very fortunate to welcome Mr Meng Heang Tak, the State Member for Clarinda, who inspired students with his own journey as a migrant to our community to become a member of parliament. Our Principal, Mr Lanarus and our School Captains Angie Koeng and Sally Maele spoke on the theme of “Harmony”, and the beauty and richness that we all get to enjoy when different people, religions, cultures and beliefs come together. Two of our Muslim students in Year 10, Ka Hsar and Inamarzi Ya, gave a brave and touching speech on the recent tragedy in Christchurch, while Mr Lanarus led us in a minute of silence to remember the victims. It was a sombre note on an otherwise joyous day. We really are lucky to have such a wonderful community here at Westall Secondary College!
Mr. Rodger Clark
Student Activities Leader
Westall House Swimming
On Monday 4th March, Westall Secondary College participated in the annual House Swimming Competition at the Noble Park Aquatic Centre. It was the perfect day with plenty of sunshine but not too hot. This lead to the most participants we have ever had jumping in the water and giving it a go. There were races for everyone with the competitive swimming, novelty and the water slide. It was an amazing day with staff and students all enjoying the festivities of the day.
The competitive swimming produced a few stand-out individual performances across all houses. Maruyah from Year 8 won the 50m Freestyle and Breaststroke for Gordon. Jibriel from Year 11 won the 100m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke for Lawson. Bronica from Year 10 won the 50m Freestyle and 25m Freestyle and Charlie from Year 12 won the 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke for Dennis. Emily from Year 7 won the 50m Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke while Connor from Year 9 won the 50m Freestyle and Backstroke. However it was Jason from Year 12 that absolutely dominated the pool. He won the 200m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, Breaststroke and Backstroke.
After students competed in the novelty races like the surfboard race, mat race and T-shirt relay, it was neck and neck between Paterson and Dennis. Although Paterson had stronger individual performances, it was Dennis with stronger participation that earnt them more points to become the 2019 House Swimming Champions. They were followed closely by Paterson 2nd, Lawson 3rd and Gordon in 4th place. Congratulations to all the Dennis participants and supporters on a glorious victory.
A big thank you to all the staff and students who helped in creating another special House Swimming carnival.
Mr. Jonathan Roberts
Director of Learning - Senior School
Experience the World of STEM first-hand at CSIRO
To all Year 10, 11 and 12 students, who are interested in gaining first-hand experience of CSIRO’s core research in a scientific or engineering environment please continue reading.
CSIRO is the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. CSIRO is an independent Australian federal government agency responsible for scientific research. Its chief role is to improve the economic and social performance of industry for the benefit of the community.
At Westall we have a strong relationship with CSIRO and we have been lucky to be offered this fantastic opportunity for our students to be involved in some exciting initiatives and STEM programs happening at CSIRO. The work experience program aims to give year 10, 11 and 12 students the opportunity to:
- gain insight and experience into everyday work in the field of STEM, which involves solving the big questions facing our country and planet
- enquire about the type of work undertaken at CSIRO
- find out the types of jobs that are available in the science industry
- gain relevant work experience and/or skills
- explore research interests
- align school studies with career aspirations
Students can complete the experience program during the school holidays or year 10s can do this as part of their work experience program in Year 10. If you are interested in the above please see Ms Kerwick. This is an amazing opportunity for any students thinking about a career pathway in science, maths, research, or engineering.
The CSIRO work experience program, will be held at CSIRO, Monash Uni, Clayton Campus and aims to give year 10, 11 and 12 students an insight and experience into the everyday work of scientists or engineers and the type of work they do.
Ms. Amy Kerwick
Learning Specialist Numeracy/STEM