Assistant Principal (Years 7/8) Report 

Report from Assistant Principal Years Yr 7/8

Alice Paget

Dear Westall SC community,

This week marks the half-way point of the Term and I would like to congratulate the Junior School students on the way they have transitioned into their Semester 2 timetables and new subjects. Over the course of Junior School (Year 7 and 8), students complete 8 semester-based subjects, on top of their core subjects. Studying a range of subjects in the Junior School helps to inform the direction they would like to take their studies in Middle School and beyond.

Course Counselling 

Next week leads further into the Course Counselling process for all students across the college. At Year 8, students complete a short discussion / interview with a staff member regarding the subjects they have selected for their Year 9 program, including both  their 9/ 10 Elective and their iCreate preferences. This interview process supports students in ensuring they have made informed decisions about their subject choices, that are in line with their strengths and passions. As students transition into the Middle and Senior school, they begin to take more agency in their educational pathway and program.  

Year 7 students should have also finalised their section of their iCreate subject for 2026. Students may wish to continue on with the same iCreate subject, or try a new one for the following year. 

Brain Care (Year 7 and 8 Wellbeing Curriculum)

Each week on Monday and Tuesday, each year level have one period dedicated to Wellbeing. This Semester all Year 7 and 8 students will be completing the Resilience Project Curriculum. 

Resilience Project

The Resilience Project is an evidenced based program that aims to support mental health in the classroom and family home. This done through building knowledge, skills and capabilities in 3 key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, with Emotional Literacy being a foundation skill to practice these strategies. 

Click here for an activity you can complete at home to support some of the skills the students are learning about in the classroom. 

Being prepared for learning:

It is vital students come prepared to class to set them up for success in their classes. This includes a different exercise book for each class, as well as their diary (which includes a mini whiteboard), device (with online textbook) and pencil case. Please remind your child or young person to bring these items to each and every class.

These mini whiteboards are used as a ‘checking for understanding’ tool in the classroom and help to inform the direction the teacher takes in the classroom.

Until next time, take care and look after yourselves. 

Ms Alice Paget

Assistant Principal (Years 7/8)