PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

The past fortnight at Western Heights College has been one of our most active and rewarding of the year. Across a range of experiences, from the mud and mountains of Papua New Guinea to the hallowed turf of the MCG, and to our classrooms, our students and staff have demonstrated the character, resilience, and spirit that define this college.

Our Year 10, 11 and 12 students will commence and complete their mid-year exams, and we encourage them to continue to remain focused during this important time. These assessments not only reflect academic progress but also help develop essential skills in time management and organisation.

GAT Assessment – Tuesday 16 June

All students undertaking a VCE Unit 3–4 subject, including those in the VCE Vocational Major, will complete the General Achievement Test (GAT) next Tuesday 16 June. We wish all participating students the very best in this important assessment.

Best wishes to Charlie

Recently, Charlie McFarlane of Year 9, was seriously injured in a motocross accident at the Victorian State Motocross Championships in Horsham. Charlie was airlifted by ambulance to the Royal Children’s Hospital where he remains now receiving high level care and treatment. We wish Charlie well as he faces a long recovery and journey back from his injuries. Our thoughts are also with Lee, his mother who is also our School Council President, Shaun his dad, and Bonnie his sister, also a student at Western Heights College. Our thoughts and well wishes go out to Charlie and his family.

Kokoda Leadership Trek 2026

Yesterday a group of Western Heights College student along with students and staff from Belmont HS completed the wonderful achievement of the Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea. We are so proud of our students and Mr. Chudoschnik for supporting our students with their preparation and training for this once in a lifetime experience. This is a remarkable achievement that demands physical endurance, mental toughness, and teamwork, and our trekkers should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished.

We will look forward to hearing more about their adventures on their return.

Polly Farmer Follow the Dream – Dreamtime Day Camp Melbourne

On Monday 2 June, Western Heights College shared highlights from the Polly Farmer Foundation's Dreamtime Camp, which saw our Follow the Dream students travel to Melbourne for a series of powerful cultural experiences as part of the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

The final day of the camp included:

• A visit to The Long Walk Education Hub at Birrarung Marr, including hands-on cultural activities and time with The Long Walk founder Michael Long

• The extraordinary honour of carrying The Long Walk banner, leading thousands of people — including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese — in the annual walk for reconciliation

• Attending the Dreamtime at the 'G AFL match at the MCG a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence

This experience steeped in identity, pride, and reconciliation is exactly the kind of meaningful opportunity the Follow the Dream program exists to provide. We are grateful to the Polly Farmer Foundation and proud of every student who participated.

Gymnasium Construction Update

We are hopeful to have handover completed for our new gymnasium early next week. I will look forward to celebrating the opening of this wonderful new facility with our community as soon as we can. Plan Group have been magnificent working alongside our architects to complete build in less than 12 months. They have been a super team to work alongside.

College Uniform

As winter settles in, a reminder to students and families of the importance of wearing correct school uniform, including appropriate warm layers. The College uniform is an important part of our shared identity, and we appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring it is worn with pride.

End of Term and Start of Term 3

• Term 2 will conclude on Friday 26 June with an early dismissal at 2:30pm.

• Term 3 will begin on Monday 13 July 

With just three weeks remaining in the term, I encourage all students to continue attending regularly, remain engaged in their learning, and seek support when needed. Let’s maintain the high standards of respect, effort and inclusion that define our college community.

Wishing you all a safe, warm and restful weekend.

Warm regards,

Fiona Taylor

Principal

Child Safety at WHC

Western Heights College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse. Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.

Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website.

1. Commitment to Child Safety

2. Child Safety Policy

3. Child Safety Code of Conduct

4. Child Protection Policy and Procedures

Annual Privacy Policy Reminder for 2026

Our school collects, uses, discloses, and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy (found on the college's webpage).

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents and carers on the webpage. This information is also available in nine community languages:

          * Amharic

          * Arabic

          * Dari

          * Gujarati

          * Mandarin

          * Somali

          * Sudanese

          * Turkish

          * Urdu

          * Vietnamese