Year 7 Camp | Student Reflections

On Sunday, February 7th, our Year 7 cohort and a team of staff started off on the Year 7 orientation Camp. The students got to meet students from different home groups in their activity groups, where they had the opportunity to challenge themselves with a range of activities, such as an orienteering challenge, canoeing, raft building, the giant swing, rock climbing and the flying fox. They also had the opportunity to get to know people in their home groups better in their cabins and in our trivia competition on Sunday night, where they showed their knowledge of movies, songs and their teachers – congratulations to the winning team, ‘The Furious 7’! They also participated in a movie night on Monday, and were lucky enough to experience an interactive wildlife show on the last day of camp, where they were able to see and touch a range of Australia’s diverse fauna, from snakes to lizards to birds.

Thanks to Ms. Angela Field for her coordination of the camp, and to Mr. Nick Molan, Mr. Cameron Patience, Ms. Melissa Mandarino, Mr. Ryan Joyce, Ms. Shelby Morwood, Ms. Sarah Subity, Mr. Pedro Mello, Mr. David Gill, Ms. Fei Hu and Ms. Asha Lal for attending and supporting the students throughout the camp!

Ms. Gemma McMahon | Year 7 Coordinator

“Camp was really fun and it was enjoyable to make new friends and get to know my homeroom more. Thank you to all the teachers who organised it, and thank you to the teachers who looked after us and made it so much fun.” - Amyliah P

“Camp was amazing, the food there was great and the activities were so much fun. I wish we could have done all of them! I am now friends with all of the people that I met at camp.” – Drew T

"My favourite part of camp was the flying fox. I got to go backwards and spin the whole way down. In my cabin I had Chelsea, Shelby, Thalia and Abi. This was the best camp that I had ever been to." – Ellie A 

"I really loved connecting with new people and making new friends. My favourite part of camp was the activities and getting to know new people in my cabin." – Teisha B

"My favourite part about camp was raft building, because we got to swim in the lake I also loved the wildlife show, because it was interesting, informative and fun." – Emily L

"I think camp was so much fun because I got to meet more people from my homegroup." - Abi E

"As I was at camp I liked all the fun activities like the rock climbing and flying fox. Also I got to make a lot of new friends and have a lot of fun. 😊" – Mitchell P

Lunar New Year | Year of the Ox

Lunar New Year fell on Friday, February 12th this year, but due to the lockdown our planned celebration activities were postponed until February 16 to 23. Students enjoy participating in activities each year, including favourites such as the Chopstick Competition, paper cutting and craft, brush calligraphy, and Chinese Checkers (newly added this year). Students had a great time taking part in these activities during lunchtime in the Library on Tuesday, February 23rd.

On Wednesday morning homegroup, students also took part in a Kahoot completion regarding some knowledge based on Lunar New Year. Winners were a warded with Red Pockets filled with sweets.

Year 9 Surf Day

The Year 9’s enjoyed their ‘rescheduled’ Surf Day recently, with an opportunity to learn the safety of surf and experiencing the waves of Smith Beach. Students were enthusiastic for a day, happily guided by the staff. Thanks to Ms. Robinson, Ms. Jepson, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Nolan and Ms. Badoche.

“I have always wanted to learn how to surf so when we got the opportunity to go on a surf trip, I was very excited. I liked standing up on the board and learning about it with my friends. Even though I fell off many times, I really enjoyed the experience” -  Jasmine H

Dallas Woods Incursion | Year 10 Futures

Dallas Woods is an Indigenous Hip-Hop Artist who came in to speak and perform for the Year 10 Futures students. The students completed feedback on the session and the results of these were amazing! The quality of the submissions and the information that students shared about their experience is commendable. We did have a competition for the top two feedback entries, with the prize being tickets to see Baker Boy. Our winners were Amineh R and Chloe K, and their reflections are included below, along with several other commendable reflections.

Ms. Michelle Galea | Year 10 Futures

“I loved how [Dallas] made it super fun and engaged with the audience in such a positive way. He rapped his songs and attempted to do an acapella with everyone. Dallas was an inspiration to everyone he talked to in the theatre. He was super engaging, fun, and friendly in the way that he spoke and acted towards all of us. Personally, the messages that I received from this incredible speaker was that we should always speak our minds if it means saving, or benefitting, other people that may be suffering from issues. You never know the things people are going through because we all have different lives and upbringings, so when approaching them, be mindful and considerate, but truthful as well. Additionally, I learnt that we all have our gifts, therefore we should focus on ourselves before anyone else. As well as this, he spoke very clearly in a way that teenagers would understand and have fun at the same time. Plus, his songs were like a fun and truthful reflection with a very catchy and upbeat rhythm." - Amineh R (Co-Winner)

“I got many strong feelings from this some hit hard and I got to relate to some which were great to hear. I am so glad we had the privilege that Dallas Woods took the time to come out of his way and inspire us which was successful. Hearing him talk about his life experience changed my point of view and opened my eyes wider to the life ahead of me. I enjoyed every single second of this session, I especially went home looking at life and little things from a different perspective and a much better view. I think Dallas Woods is such an incredible artist but by learning more about him and his life he is much more and I loved getting the opportunity to see that. First of all, I am a huge fan of Baker Boy and have been inspired by him, Dallas Woods, and many other Indigenous artists. After getting the chance to not only meet Dallas Woods but to listen to him perform and being a fantastic motivational speaker. I guarantee if not all, then most students went home thinking about this and started listening and taking in a few of these words. I was so blown away but this session I even went home and listened to these songs again on repeat but listening and understanding the lyrics and the meaning behind them. I support everything he said. Again I am so so happy I got this opportunity. Many thanks to Ms. Galea." - Chloe K (Co-Winner)

“It was really, really good to see Dallas Woods. I liked his songs, about rights and wrongs and how to stay strong. I wish he did a backflip, whilst wearing all that drip; I hope he doesn't slip. He was walking through the school, and talking so cool, he ain't no fool, ain't breaking no rules. He's rapping like post Malone with a peanut butter scone." - Sienna P

“Having Dallas Woods come to our school was amazing. He is so inspirational and having him at Wheelers Hill is such a privilege. I enjoyed having Dallas at our school performing and talking to the year 10s because he told us his personal story and struggles of growing up Indigenous. Dallas taught us about the region he grew up in and how different it is to here in Melbourne. When anybody raised their hand to ask a question Dallas answered it in a really informative way and i feel like everyone who was their left having learnt something about being Indigenous. I love Dallas' music because it tells a story and you can tell he is really passionate about it. I liked that while Dallas was at our school he spent a good amount of time singing his songs and telling us about them but he also spent a lot of time just talking to us. Having Dallas at school was truly an amazing experience that i will never forget." - Krystal B

“Some messages I got from Dallas Woods' performance was that you should never be afraid of who you are and to be yourself no matter what. You should be comfortable in your own skin as no one has gone through the exact same thing as you so they have no right to judge you from only what they see. You also never know what someone has been through or is currently going through so you should try your best not to judge people form just looking at them, you never know what situation they are in." - Patricia D

“Overall, I enjoyed Dallas' performances and the way he talked about things. He made me see things from a different perspective and that no matter how hard it is or embarrassing it is, you must always stick up for something even when it doesn't seem like the right thing to do. Even when, people downgrade you or look down on you, strive for the best and prove them wrong, because when you put your mind to something, you can get it done.” - Jesrien D'S C

Performing Arts Update | Term 1

Instrumental Music

The Instrumental Music program has had a great start, with students beginning their lessons this year. We have had a new percussion teacher, Tyler Campbell, join us and will be taking drum lessons on Tuesdays this term. We have also had some amazing guitar ensemble (pictured) and choir rehearsals, with percussion and concert ensembles to begin towards the end of the term.

School Production 2021

The school musical of 2021 has been announced! "School Of Rock" will be performed for 6 shows in December here in D1 at the Bunjil Centre, and we cannot wait to begin rehearsals in Term 2. Audition information has been posted on Compass, so all students interesting in participating should check there for all audition times and dates.

Mr. David Gill | Head of Performing Arts

Senior School Update | Term 1

My name is Michelle Galli and I would like to introduce myself as the new Senior School Leader at Wheelers Hill Secondary College for 2021. I am very excited to take over this role and look forward to working with the students and parents/guardians at our school to help students “Be The Best That They Can Be”.

The Senior School Team for 2021 is:

Senior School Leader: Michelle Galli (mgal@whsc.vic.edu.au)
VCAL Leader: Michelle Galea (gale@whsc.vic.edu.au)
Year 10 Coordinator: Anna Anetoudis (aa@whsc.vic.edu.au)
Year 11 Coordinator: Yeneo Pousoulis (ypou@whsc.vic.edu.au)
Year 12 Coordinator: Louise Ford (fd@whsc.vic.edu.au)

As a College, we understand students will need more support in 2021 and remote learning. There are a number of support classes available this year:

VCE English Support Class: Thursday lunchtime (V01)
VCE Maths Support Class: Monday lunchtime (V02)
Year 12 Biology Support Class: Thursday before school (V02) (8:00am - 8:45am)
Year 12 Math Methods Class: Wednesday before school (V02) (7:45am – 8:45am)

We also have a Year 12 Mentoring Program this year to further support our students. Teachers and mentees will be catching up regularly to check in and offer strategies to help students succeed.

I want to remind parents of important College policies. The Uniform Policy is available on the website and lists the uniform items permitted. Students are not permitted to have facial piercings, except for one pair of earrings in the ears of studs or sleepers. Only natural hair colour is allowed.

One final reminder on attendance. Students are required to attend 90% of their scheduled classes to pass VCE or VCAL. If a student is absent, students are required to contact the college and provide a medical certificate on their return.

We look forward to more events throughout the year which will be showcased in the Newsletter.

Ms. Michelle Galli | Senior School Leader

Year 12 Study Skills Day

On Monday, February 8th, all Year 12 students were involved in a Study Skills Day to prepare them for the year ahead and equip them with the right tools to succeed. Two of our leaders reflect on the day:

The study skills day was a rewarding day run by Ms. Galli and Ms. Ford to educate the Year 12 class on how to better improve their study skills, and provide tips to get through the year ahead. We began the day off with a brief presentation from Ms. Ford related to the behaviours expected of us as the new Year 12 students. We broke off into groups to discuss the values and behaviours that we believed to be appropriate! The values we decided on as a cohort were respect, motivation and collaborate. These are the things we would like to be seen as across the year by other students, teachers and observers.

We went on to attend a Tai Chi session, hosted by an eccentric bodyguard and MMA fighter, known as Lucky. He gave us advice on helping clear our minds in order for us to be able to focus on the important year ahead. During the program, Lucky gave us some life lessons about always trusting your gut and believing in yourself! He taught us meditation and breathing exercises to help us overcome the more stressful days of VCE.

Afterwards, we attended a session organised by the group "Elevate", which was aimed at training us to set goals and mentally prepare us for the challenges of VCE studies, explaining that when we give ourselves high expectations, we are more likely to follow through with higher results. Elevate interviews the top-scoring students from past years and uses their proven study techniques to educate senior school students in how to use their time effectively by having a balance between school and social life!

Chloe F, College Vice Captain

Following the Elevate session, we went on to attend a presentation given by our Vice-Principal, Mr. Dixon. The focus of this presentation was excuses, and about how, going into Year 12, we should be dropping them in all facets of our learning. This final year for us is the most important in all our schooling and one of the most consequential years in our lives. Thus, we were told we could not make the same excuses that we had in the past and expect the same outcome, we are competing against tens of thousands of other students, so those who make excuses now, will only be left behind.

He finished by talking about the importance of retaining and constantly revising content from throughout the whole year, as many a student has failed to recall information from the beginning of the year in their earliest areas of study. As a consequence, they leave a large mental gap for themselves once exams roll around, as they cover content from the whole year and not just the past couple months. Constantly refreshing our memories is a key in gaining an edge in terms of memorising key concepts and learning, which can be utilised to the fullest once exam week is on.

Following this session, we went on to congregate in D01 where we listened to a presentation from our Careers Coordinator, Ms. Jakubicki. We learned about a variety of different things during this session. Importantly, we were informed about the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre, a.k.a VTAC, and the processes and important dates and fees that were associated with that. She also emphasised the importance of different pathways, reassuring us that university was not the only path for higher learning and pursuits following the end of our high schooling years, encouraging us to always keep an open mind. This kind of information is vital for Year 12s as we prepare for the year ahead.

Nearing the end of the Study Skills Day, we had a speech from our former College Captain, Mikayla Harvey, who gave us some of her words of wisdom and advice in regards to how we could ready ourselves for the challenges ahead of us. She shared her study and revision tips with us and asked that we try to enjoy this final stretch to the fullest, as we would dearly miss it afterwards.

Finally, to end the day off, Mr. Smith wrapped everything up with a speech wishing us the best of luck in our VCE studies and reaffirming his confidence in our abilities to achieve excellence and be the best that we can be. Overall, the day was an insightful experience for us and certainly went a reasonable way in aiding us in our preparation for our final year here at Wheelers Hill Secondary College.

Rabi Z, College Captain

Community Notices

Our students, parents, and staff may be interested in attending or participating in one of these local community events.