WHSC Newsletter

Assistant Principal's Page

Wheelers Hill Secondary College is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all its students, including LGBTI students.

National and international research shows that positive and inclusive school environments lead to improved academic results, increased confidence and better attendance at school. All young people have a right to feel safe at school but many young people who identify as LGBTI, or same sex attracted, gender diverse or living with an intersex variation, have negative experiences in Australian schools. Many studies around the world show that LGBTI students experience higher rates of harassment, social exclusion and bullying than their non-LGBTI peers. Writing Themselves In 3, the third national study on the sexual health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and gender questioning young people found that:

 

61% of LGBTI young people report experiencing verbal homophobic abuse

18% report physical homophobic abuse

69% report other types of homophobia, including exclusion and rumours

80% respondents experienced the reported abuse at school

 

In addition to poorer educational outcomes, LGBTI young people are at greater risk of self-harm, suicide, excessive drug use and sexual risk behaviours compared to non-LGBTI young people. In many cases, this is due to the effects of school bullying and can be even more pronounced for young people from multicultural or multi-faith backgrounds, or from regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. Schools can be places where same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students experience discrimination, and severe bullying, leading to feelings of not belonging and isolation. These experiences significantly affect students’ emotional wellbeing and social health as well as their engagement in learning and school activities.

 

It is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

 

Anti-discrimination laws:

 

• require schools to take reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status, including by taking positive steps to promote an inclusive school environment

• prohibit direct and indirect discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

 

We encourage all members of our College community to familiarise themselves with the appropriate legislation:

  • Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)
  • Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
  • Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)

Update from

Judy Anderson.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Claire Hanley for performing my role during my extended absence. As you may be aware I have been away from the college for most of this term. The first few weeks of term was dedicated to long service leave, where I  traveled in the US, while the following 5 weeks was spent as an intern Principal at Dandenong High School. The Principal internship is part of my studies relating to the Graduate Certificate of Principalship which is facilitated through Monash University in partnership with Bastow. Whilst at Dandenong High School, I had the privilege of being directly involved in a variety of areas in relation to the  leadership of a large secondary school. While taking on a range of tasks, my internship provided me with the opportunity to take a balcony view into the leadership and operations of the school. It provided me with the chance to reflect upon and synthesise my own understanding of instructional school leadership to provide for the best conditions in improving student outcomes.  Whilst the internship took me out of the college , I feel that I have not only learnt from my experiences but I have also affirmed many of my beliefs about the breadth and importance of the role of a school Principal as an instructional leader. I would like to thank Aaron Smith for supporting me in my studies by releasing me for the internship and also for the related workshops.

Uniform

To ensure our students are attired appropriately, we request that over the break students and parents check items of the school uniform to ensure that they are fit for wear, the correct size/length and ready for term 4. Items that may require replacing can be sourced from Lowes at Knox City. Day 1 of term 4, we look forward to all students wearing clean, correct and appropriately fitting school uniform. For your information, please refer to the college website for the uniform policy.

 

Finally, We would like to wish all members of the college community a safe term break. During this time many of our year 12 students and their teachers will be preparing for the final examinations. Use this time wisely so that you are prepared and ready for the final sprint in November- as your supporters, we are with you all the way!

 

Judy Anderson & Andrew Dixon

Assistant Principals