Western Heights College Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Principal’s Newsletter Report August 12, 2025

We are flying through the start of term 3 and are looking forward to commencing week 4 this week. It’s been nice during the past week to observe some longer days and some winter sunshine to give us a little spring in our step. The Year 12 student cohort has started a ‘countdown’ as students enter the last 40 days of school remaining before they undertake their exams. 

 

Construction Commencement of School Gymnasium

I am pleased to announce that we officially have a builder appointed to our project.

 

After a thorough evaluation process, Plan Group Pty Ltd will deliver the construction of our school upgrade and bring the project to life. Construction has commenced early August 2025 and is forecast for completion in Quarter 2, 2026. 

 

We’ll share details about the impact construction will have on our school community. Rest assured that our top priority will be to minimise disruption to student learning. As per my previous communications via email a week ago. No student drop offs and pick-ups should take place in the rear staff car park off Carey St. Parking in this vicinity will be limited (unless you are requiring access to the DDA car park as a parent or visitor. Parents and carers are advised to use the drop off and pick up point in Vines Road or make plans to pick up children over at the Bell Park FNC. (A reminder that students should not be waiting in the Bell Park FNC Social Club). Parents, carers, and student drivers are also reminded that car parking at the Gem Club is also not permitted. This area is private property and designated for use of patrons from the GEM club only.

 

It has now been confirmed that the project scope will include a competition grade gymnasium equipped with spring loaded, FIBA approved timber sports floor suitable for a variety of sports, a sport science testing, training and recovery lab and change rooms. I will share designs for our project as they become available. 

 

There's much to look forward to. While we navigate the upcoming period of transition at Western Heights College, I trust that you can also recognise the remarkable benefits that this project holds for our community in the long run.

 

More information: 

If you have any questions about the Western Heights College works, you can contact the VSBA by phone at 1800 896 950, email vsba@education.vic.gov.au or visit their website: https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au

 

Celebration of Success – Semester 1 Achievers Awards Ceremony

Last Tuesday afternoon, several of our students received academic achievement awards for their learning during semester one. The students were invited to a light lunch and brief awards ceremony attended by their parents and carers and special people in their lives. It is always important to pause and acknowledge our students who have displayed academic excellence, outstanding attendance and leadership during semester 1.

 

National Science Week

National Science Week is being acknowledged in Australia this year between 9-17th August. This year's theme for National Science Week is 'Decoding the Universe - Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language'. At WHC this year, our students will be engaging in some fun STEM activities and experiments during lunchtimes. Science and STEM is a focus in our college and our students engage deeply across all domains of Science and STEM. A big thank-you to our WHC Science department, led by our Science domain leader Christine Henderson for inspiring our students to love the Sciences and STEM.

 

Year 9 Camp

Congratulations to the staff and students who last week represented our college on the Year 9 camp at PGL Campaspe Downs Camp in Tylden. The PGL managers and staff were full of praise for our students but also for our WHC staff. One of the managers stated that our students were his favourites because they were friendly, diverse, and open for a chat but also working so well as a team! Well done to Julie McNamara, Lucas Wintels and the team of staff who supported the camp and to our terrific Year 9 students for stepping outside their comfort zone and engaging in the opportunity.

 

Mount Buller Ski Trip

Congratulations to staff and students who last week participated in the annual senior student ski trip to Mount Buller. From all reports the trip was very successful, and the ski conditions were perfect. A big thank-you to Cam Parker for organising and leading this opportunity along with the accompanying staff and fabulous students.

 

Teacher Professional Practice Day

Next Wednesday 20th August will be pupil free day as staff complete their one teacher professional practice day for 2025. This day is where staff can choose to use the time to assess, report, plan, or complete some professional development. It is intended as a day to support teachers with managing their workload. This will be a pupil free day. 

 

Sports Congratulations

Congratulations to our sports teams in Basketball, Netball and Soccer who have recently won at either local divisional or WMR level recently. We are proud of all our students representing our college and wish them well as they progress through the SSV levels. Please refer to a more detailed report in our newsletter.

 

Parent Opinion Survey

We will be soon sending out a random sample invites of 30% of our parent cohort to complete the 2025 Parent Opinion Survey via a Compass Newsfeed. I again ask you to please take the time to complete the survey as your opinions are important to us and will contribute to the future planning and organisation of our school. The online survey is expected to only take 20 minutes to complete. 

 

Learning Conversations Term 3

Parent Teacher Student Learning Conversations are later this term (last 2 days of term) with bookings opening soon. It's always a great opportunity to meet and speak with teachers to hear about how students are progressing. As always, we strongly encourage students to be part of these conversations to contribute and reflect on their learning to date and be part of setting goals moving forward. 

 

Have a great fortnight,

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 2025

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