Principal Team Report

As we approach the end of Term 3, there is a great deal to celebrate and prepare for as our students move into an important stretch of the school year. From finalising Term 3 learning to preparing for VCE exams, Year 9, 10 and 11 exams and the Headstart program in Term 4, this is a busy and significant time across the College, and we want to make sure our whole community feels informed and supported as we head into the new Term.

We are delighted to share some wonderful news with our community. WHSC has been chosen to receive a Community Service Grant Voucher to the value of $3,500 from the Rotary Club of Monash Glen Waverley. We are incredibly proud and grateful to have been selected for this generous support, and we extend our sincere thanks to the Rotary Club of Monash Glen Waverley for their continued investment in our students and College community.

It was wonderful to see our music students shine at Stage Band 26, held on Tuesday 1 September at the stunning Hawthorn Arts Centre. Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and the fantastic performance they shared with our community.

Our Year 10 students have also had a busy few months. Their Construction Essentials 8-Week TAFE Taster, which began on Friday 24 July, concluded on Friday 18 September, giving students a valuable hands-on introduction to the construction industry. Year 9 students also enjoyed an excursion to the MCG on Wednesday 2 September, a great opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

Before we close out Term 3, our Year 10 students will head off on Camp from Monday 14 September to Wednesday 16 September, a great opportunity for students to build connections with peers and staff outside the classroom before the exam period begins. That same week, our Year 11 students will celebrate their Formal on Wednesday 16 September, a wonderful occasion to mark this milestone in their final year of schooling.

Moving into Term 4, our Year 9 students will take part in the Roadstart Incursion from Wednesday 21 October to Friday 23 October, an important program supporting their development as they prepare for the years ahead.

For our Year 12 students, the countdown to VCE exams is well and truly underway. To help students prepare, we will be running a Finish Line study skills workshop, giving students practical strategies for managing revision, wellbeing and exam conditions in the lead-up to their final exams. We remind families that consistent routines, adequate rest and open communication at home can make a real difference to how students manage the pressures of this period.

Our Year 12 cohort will also come together for their Final Assembly on Friday 16th October, marking the formal end of their secondary schooling and a chance for the College community to celebrate everything they have achieved. It's always a meaningful moment for staff, students and families alike.

Year 10 and Year 11 exams will run from Wednesday 4 November to Tuesday 17 November, and Year 9 students will also sit their end-of-year exams from Monday 16 November to Friday 20 November. These exams are an important opportunity for students at every level to demonstrate their learning across the year and practise the exam skills and conditions they will rely on in the years ahead. We encourage families to support their children in preparing calmly and consistently through this period.

Immediately following exams, our Year 11 and Year 12 students will move into the Headstart program from Wednesday 18 November to Wednesday 2 December, giving them the chance to begin their VCE studies ahead of the new school year. Headstart is a valuable head start, quite literally, allowing students to build familiarity with subject content, expectations and routines before Term 1 begins in earnest. We encourage all eligible students to make the most of this opportunity, as the extra preparation time often makes a noticeable difference to confidence and readiness in Year 11 and Year 12.

With so much happening, attendance remains just as important during this period as at any other time of the year. We ask families to continue prioritising attendance through the final weeks of Term 3 and into the exam and Headstart period, as every session plays a part in student success.

We also want to acknowledge the effort our staff are putting into supporting students through this busy stretch, from Stage Band, the TAFE Taster and MCG excursion, through to Camp, the Formal, Roadstart, revision sessions and exam logistics across every year level. Their dedication ensures our students are well placed to finish the year strongly and begin the next one with confidence.

As always, we encourage students and families to stay connected through Compass and our College communications for further details on each of these events as they draw closer.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for your continued support as we move through this important period of the school year, guided by our shared values of Respect, Excellence and Creativity.

Michael Lyristis

Assistant Principal