Senior School Report
Message from the
Director of Learning -
Mr Jason Tickner
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our Year 12 students on completion of their schooling, especially given the significant challenges in a year so interrupted by COVID-19.
Our Year 12 VCAL students finished off the term strongly completing their final assessments within their programs. At this stage, we have all Year 12 VCAL students that will transition into an apprenticeship, employment or vocational pathway in 2022. This is a fantastic result for these students and recognition of their hard work across all areas of their VCAL program this year.
The official exam period finished for Westall VCE students on Wed 17/11. To complete VCE exams in such a difficult year has been an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience for our VCE students. These students were met with many obstacles throughout the year and with the support of families, friends, and their teachers they were able to navigate their way through this time with great success. Results for VCE exams will be release to students on Thursday 16th December, however no matter the end outcome Senior School teachers and School Leadership could not have been prouder of their persistence and resilience through this stressful time in their young lives.
It is at this time that I would like to acknowledge our dedicated teachers and educational support staff across Senior School. Their care for our senior students and professional approach throughout 2021 has been instrumental in ensuring our senior students were supported academically and emotionally through this time.
Equally, our Year 11 VCAL and VCE students have continue to work hard in their respective programs. Students have handled modifications made to their curriculum and assessments with great flexibility and maturity, consistently demonstrating the iCARE school values along their journey. As a leader of Senior Sub-school, I would like to point out that the future is very bright as our Year 11 students transition now to be the student leaders and the most experienced students of Westall. We are lucky to have such an amazing cohort moving through to be our Year 12 students next year.
In what has been a very busy term, some of the highlights have been:
- Our VCAL students completed their final PDS projects under the constraints of COVID-19 where students managed their community projects relating to a Year 7 Health & Wellbeing Day, homelessness, and ‘The Amazing Race’ activity.
- The success of the 2021 student leader selection process which saw our Year 11 students complete panel interviews and conduct speeches to the senior school via Teams. Well done to Ms Vasilakis for leading this process.
- Continued participation and support of Breakfast Club which started up again in Term 4 following COVID-19 protocols.
- Finally, our Year 12 students participated positively in their final day at school. This was a special opportunity for our exiting Year 12 students to thank and celebrate with staff on the completion of their secondary schooling and time at Westall.
Looking ahead, we have graduation and formal events which are coming up for our departing Year 12 students. Congratulations to the student leaders and Mr Jared Bandara for doing such an amazing job in organising these events, despite the constant disruption and unknown caused by COVID-19 throughout the year. For our current Year 11 students, the transition to Year 12 commences with Head Start in Week 9 of term. This week is so important for our senior students to gain valuable academic skills and familiarise themselves with curriculum and assessment to be taught in 2022.
Well done to all students and thank you to families for your support this term!
Mr Jason Tickner
Director of Learning: Senior School
Year 11 Legal Studies
The Year 11 Legal Studies students have been learning about Human Rights and how they are protected in Victoria and Australia through the Australian Constitution and the law. They have learnt that other countries have very different laws concerning Human Rights and this knowledge then helps them to formulate possible reforms to further protect our rights. Students are also studying the Mabo case in depth as well as another influential case – Roach V Electoral Commissioner (2007) which dealt with the validity of Commonwealth Legislation. Its been a great learning exercise for the students as they have looked at the more complex areas of the law through this area of study.
A couple of student examples above.
Ms Sue Stenning
Librarian & Legal Studies Teacher
Studio Arts
A showcase of the Year 12 folios 2021 you will see here: The students worked in a range of media, art forms and styles throughout Semester 2. A significant aspect of the production phase was also the presentation and promotion of their art works in an exhibition space. Most of the students chose to exhibit their work art works at school. You will see the incredible skill and talent on display in the main school corridor.
The students worked in contemporary media such as digital animation and projection and digital photography as well as traditional media including - embroidery, ceramics, Japanese scroll painting charcoal on raw linen, black and white darkroom photography and fashion design.
Ms Helen Ifandis
Year 10 & Arts Coordinator
Product Design - VCAL
The VCAL students worked in a team to design, produce and evaluate a product based on the idea of sustainability, function and in response to a design brief. They explored a selected design movement which they drew inspiration from to create a series of products in collaboration with their team.
The students worked with Computer aided design - TINKERCAD and Inkscape to prepare design models and prototypes. The students used upcycling and recycling to create key design features - Mer De Na and Sophia visited the school garage and found a deserted metal framed table which they re-surfaced in dressed pine and timber varnish, Tara brought in a pair of old denim jeans that she upcycled with scrap brocade fabric found in the art room, Kameti used timber off cuts to design a table for a child in 'Memphis' colours. Connor and his team had a big idea for a large Asian influenced wardrobe, due to limited resources at home and no real team to work with during remote learning he downsized his idea and produced a timber shelving system. Jeanette made a series of beautiful brooches in 'play doh' based on 'Memphis' design inspiration.
Congratulations to the VCAL group and in persevering with the final product and made the impossible - possible!
Ms Helen Ifandis
Year 10 & Arts Coordinator