PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Principal’s Newsletter Report 17/12/24
2024 has been a fantastic year for Western Heights College.
Learning and growth has been the focus, whilst ensuring that the wellbeing needs of our young people have been prioritised. As I walk the classrooms of our school, I see students who love learning with their teachers. I see teachers who make learning engaging and fun each day. I see students participating in challenging lessons where they persevere while solving difficult real-world problems. I see students conducting science investigations where they ask questions, make observations, and collect data. I see art and music being created by excited and energetic students. I see students excelling in our Specialist Sport Program. It is because of the teacher's hard work and dedication that students get to participate in engaging and relevant learning experiences each day at WHC. It has been so great to feel the energy of students in our college classrooms and grounds in 2024.
There have been many wonderful highlights to celebrate. The whole community, college, and I invite you to enjoy reading the many reports in our upcoming online magazine. It is a reflection and review of our college year put together by students and staff from WHC, which will be posted in the new year on Compass.
I know that many students and teachers feel exhausted and tired at the end of the school year. Teachers continue to make a huge difference every day to students, and I continue to be proud to be an educator working to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve.
As we close out the year, I want to thank our parents and carers for their wonderful support of our young people. 2024 has been a year of consolidation for our college as we grow towards a school enrolment of 1100. We have so much to look forward to as a community, and I cannot wait to continue our school journey together and grow as a community in 2024.
Year 12 Results and College Dux 2024
Year 12 results were released last Thursday. It was pleasing to note an increase in our VCE English median score, and a number of students who received study scores in the 40's. We achieved a 100% pass rate for all 99 students who were in Year 12 studying VCE or Vocational Major or VPC. Congratulations to all students. Whether our students received the result they were hoping for or not, I want them to remember that this is just the beginning and there are endless opportunities ahead for the future – and endless pathways to reach those goals. No score or number can define anyone’s future.
Congratulations to Ilijana Todova and Kiara Woods who were our college dux in VCE and Vocational Major respectively. Illiana is planning on studying a double degree in Criminology and Psychology, and Kiera is looking to work and play VFLW with the Geelong Cats. We wish them both well and every success.
The first-round tertiary offers will be released on Monday 23rd December and the school's pathways office will be open in the community centre between 10am -12pm for any students who would like some advice or pathways support next week. All Year 12 students are most welcome to attend.
AFLW draft
A huge congratulations to Rebecca Clottey in Year 11 who was last drafted to the Hawthorn FC in the AFLW. Becca has only been playing AFL for 2 years and her progression and improvement has been significant, as she was a key player for the Geelong Falcons and the Victorian Country Team at nationals. We are so proud of her and wish her well in 2025.
Awards Evening
Our Awards evening and Arts & Technology exhibition was conducted last Thursday evening at GMHBA stadium. The evening was a wonderful success, and I thank the Art and Tech team for their wonderful exhibition, as well as the students, staff, parents, and carers who attended on the night. It was a great celebration of the year.
Grade 6 Orientation Day
Orientation Day is the bookend to graduation. It is always a delight to welcome our Grade 6's to the WHC school community on our orientation day.
Our transition program will continue for students at the beginning of 2025 to ensure that the foundations established are built on as soon as we return. Special thanks to Marli McCarthy and the transition team for their leadership prior to and during the days.
2025 Return to School Dates
Tuesday 28th January 2025 – Teachers return to school today
Wednesday 29th January 2025 – Teacher Curriculum Day (Student Free Day)
Thursday 30th January – Year 7/11/12 students return to school
Friday 31 January – Year 8/9/10 return to school
Thank you and best wishes for the break.
I hope you finish the year with a sense of achievement and optimism. I am so incredibly proud of everyone. Well done.
I sign off now with immense gratitude.
Best wishes to all for the summer break.
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 or contact the school for a copy.
Commitment to Child Safety
Child Safety Policy
Child Safety Code of Conduct
Child Protection Policy and Procedures
Annual Privacy Policy Reminder for 2024
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