Principal's Message

Thank You

I would like to thank our families for their ongoing support of our great school.  Despite the many challenges that we continue to face whilst in the grip of a global pandemic, I can not speak highly enough of the wonderful support we are receiving from our families.  Thank you!

Areas of Focus, 2021

Successful organisations seek to continually improve and we are no exception at Wheelers Hill Secondary College.

We have identified the following Areas of Focus this year:

• Ensuring a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
• VCE Results
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Use of Data by Teaching Staff to gauge and monitor student learning growth

We have Action Plans in each of these areas which guide us in our work.  We look forward to further improvements for our students in each of these areas throughout 2021.

Buses

Students are reminded to tap on and off using their Myki Card when using public transport, including when using the public bus system to and from the College.

All users of public transport need to access bus, tram and train networks in this way.  Furthermore, when our students use their Myki card correctly, it gives the Public Transport Victorian (PTV) authorities valuable data as to the level of patronage on these services to and from the College by students. Data highlighting high levels of use can strengthen any future discussions that may be held for additional PTV bus services that could be provided for the College and our families.

Cycle Two Reports, 2021

The end of Semester One Reports (Cycle Two) will now be released after the mid-year break.  In light of the recent Lockdowns, the Department of Education and Training (or DET) have allowed schools up until 23 July to release Reports to families.

Given the circumstances, we have decided to use this extension of time to best allow our teaching staff to get through final assessments, and to develop and complete Reports.  We will distribute the Cycle Two Reports (2021) on Friday 23 July.

Principal Awards, Semester One, 2021

Student achievement from Semester One this year will be recognised through our Principal Awards. Semester One Reports for example will be used to determine which of our students are eligible for our Principal Awards. Our Principal Awards will be presented at a special Whole School Assembly next term.

State Selection!

We congratulate both Makayla Larkin (Year 8) and Tom Pattinson (Year 12) on being selected in a State Sporting Team recently.

Makayla has been selected in the Junior Victorian Swimming Team and will compete as part of the backstroke event, while Tom has been selected as Captain of the U18 Victorian Rugby Team.  We wish both Makayla and Tom all the very best with their State Team commitments. Please read on in this Newsletter to learn more of their achievements.

In Closing…..

We were again able to transition from remote to onsite teaching and learning with seamless efficiency, and it has been such a terrific team effort amongst families, staff and students throughout this process.  Again, we thank our families for their wonderful support.  Our students have been outstanding in their ability to transition as well as what they have achieved, while our staff have been exceptional in providing a high-quality teaching and learning program during this time.   

The wellbeing of our local and broader community remains our number one priority – please read on in this Newsletter for a list of resources and contacts that can assist families. With the recent easing of restrictions, it is hoped that we can continue on a path to a more normal existence into the future, including our ability to hopefully re-schedule some of the co-curricular activities and events recently postponed at the College.

Please be aware that our last day for Semester One will be Friday 25 June and we will finish the day at 2.30pm.   

Be sure to have a happy and safe school holiday period everyone.

Aaron Smith

College Principal, 

Wheelers Hill Secondary College