WELC Report

Message from the

acting WELC Coordinator

- Ms Debby Morgan

This term we have had a large number of new students begin their studies in the Language Centre secondary classes.  These students come from a number of different countries including Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Greece, China and Korea.  Returning students have helped our new students settle in well and all students are enjoying spending time together while improving their English.  We hope all students enjoy their time at the Language Centre and make the most of this opportunity that will set them up with the skills they need for mainstream schooling.

New Primary Class

This year, we also have to announce the exciting news that Westall English Language Centre now has a primary class!  Now students from Foundation to Year 10 can all attend the Language Centre.  The Primary class is located in Westall Primary School and has begun with Ms Sathy Allen as the teacher.  If anyone has inquiries about enrolling in this class, please ring 9546 1732.

Secondary Beach Life Saving Program

In February the Secondary Language Centre students attended a Beach Life Saving Program where they learnt essential water safety skills.  All students participated well in each activity and learnt many new things.

Parent Teacher Interviews

WELC will hold their Parent Teacher Interviews on Tuesday 3 March.  All parents and guardians are welcome to come along and discuss their children’s progress.  The collaboration between parents, teachers and students plays an important role in helping students achieve success at school and we hope all families can attend.

At the Beach

Last Friday WELC students went to a surf lifesaving excursion to Aspendale beach. We learnt about beach safety and did several interesting activities.

WELC Group 1

Early in the morning, we gathered at school with our casual clothes and left for the beach at 10 am. It only took about 30 minutes by bus.

When we arrived at the beach, the first thing was to go inside a building and listen to the presentation about beach safety. The lifeguards told us many rules. Always swim with someone else and swim between the red and yellow flags are the two most important rules to remember.

After that, we were made into groups of 8 students and did many activities. We got to try out two kinds of surf boards on the day, and the first one was the one we have to paddle with our legs. It was cold when we first went into the water, but after several minutes, it felt ok. Then, we swam in our life jackets and tried floating on water. Afterwards, we played soccer on the sand. Playing soccer was the best part of the day for me.

We were all exhausted by the time we ate lunch. We shared our snacks and food. The lunchtime felt so short. Before I had finished my lunch, we had to go back out to the beach.

After finishing lunch, we still had two more activities left. One was trying out another kind of surfboard, and the others were practicing saving people with various objects and playing flag games on the sand.

Later in the evening we went back to school and looked at out photographs taken at the beach. Everyone looked happy at the beach.

Overall, the excursion to the beach was a meaningful experience to me. My friends and I made a really good memory at the beach and we also learnt many things about staying safe in the water. I wish to go to an excursion like that again.

by Lee Seeyun

WELC Group 1

WELC Beach Excursion

WELC Group 2

On Friday 14th February, all WELC students and teachers went to Aspendale Life Saving Club. We went there by bus, to learn about beach safety. 

When we arrived at the beach, we first got changed into our swimming clothes. Then we had a lesson on how to be safe at the beach. We learnt that we should never swim alone, always swim between the red and yellow flags and read the signs on the beach. After that, we went onto the beach to do some activities, such as paddling on surfboards, using rescue equipment and playing soccer and running games. We did four activities and then we stopped to have lunch. After lunch, we did another two activities. Finally, we dried up and got ready to get back on the bus.

We had a fun day, but most of all we learnt how to be safe at the beach.

Ms Anna Kotsiou

WELC Teacher