Principal's Message

Principal’s Report 

Thank You to Our College Community  

It is incredible how things can change so quickly! Mid-last week, I shared a post celebrating the news of zero reported cases of COVID–19. Within a day after this post last week, we were back in Lockdown, and we now learn that the Lockdown has been further extended for Metropolitan Melbourne until Thursday 19.8.21 (11:59pm) - circumstances can change very quickly! 

I would like to again extend a huge thank you to students, staff, and families for the way that we have responded to the most recent Lockdown. Despite little warning, our College Community were able to swing into action in such an effective and efficient manner with respect to our Remote Teaching and Learning Program and Lockdown number 6. 

It is so important that we look after ourselves and others during these uncertain times. I encourage staff, students, and families (within the current allowable COVID–19 restrictions) to continue to have quality time with immediate family, to keep in touch with friends and extended family via platforms such as social media, and to get some exercise on a regular basis. It is imperative that we have a higher rate of vaccination in the broader Community as a means of trying to avoid any future Lockdowns. Until the majority of the population is vaccinated, reports reveal that Lockdowns will continue. As challenging as the current situation is for our Community, I again urge our staff, students, and families to stay as positive and as optimistic as you can– we will get through this. 

If your child / children need support, please reach out to our staff at the College– Home Group Teacher, Year Level Co-ordinator, Sub School Leader, Social Worker, etc.; we are here to help.  

2021 Parent / Carer Opinion 

Survey, Responses Due, 3 September, 2021 

Many of our Parents / Carers have been randomly selected to complete The Department of Education (or DET) 2021 Parent Opinion Survey.  Please complete the Survey by Friday 3 September. The data from the Survey will be carefully analysed as part of our ongoing work to further improve the College. 

Elephant Ed 

We are proud to be able to partner with Elephant Ed, a leading sexuality education provider to hundreds of schools around Australia.  Their workshops and presentations to students, families and staff are evidence–based, age–appropriate and mapped to State and National curriculum guideline. Elephant Ed is also endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. 

We have been working with Elephant Ed throughout the year and we had a successful presentation from them just last week on Online Safety.  

The presentation was provided remotely last week (4.8.21) with over 50 families in attendance. The presentation included the following areas: 

- Relationship between young people and social media - Knowing the prevalence and impact of sexting and exposure to pornography - Sexting and the law - Strategies to implement if things go wrong - Strategies to start open and effective conversations with children at home 

We look forward to continuing our work with Elephant Ed into the future to further support students, families, and staff. 

Co-curricular Activities and Events 

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the College’s Co-Curricular Program. Everything  

from Excursions and Incursions to Camps and Interschool Sport has been affected- we do  

appreciate the understanding and patience of our College Community here. When we are  

allowed to do so, we will look to re-schedule any postponed Co-curricular Activities and  

Events as best we can. 

WHSC 40th Birthday Event (1980–2020)– Cancelled for 2021 

The WHSC 40th Birthday Event (1980–2020) that was to be scheduled for Sunday 24 October 2021, has been cancelled 

Our College Community may remember we had plans to best celebrate this important event last year (2020), however COVID-19 got in the way. Again, in 2021, COVID-19 is creating so much uncertainty that the WHSC Parents and Friends Committee cannot plan with any confidence that we will be allowed to stage the event on site later in the year. 

As a result, and with great disappointment, the decision has been made to cancel the WHSC 40th Birthday Event that was to be scheduled for later this year, Sunday 24 October. 

This is now the second year in a row that we have not been able to hold our 40th Birthday Celebrations on site. The College Community may now need to wait until our next milestone (our 45th in 2025, or our 50th in 2030?) in order to best celebrate the wonderful achievements of our great school– no decisions have been made just yet as to what might be possible for the future. 

A great deal of planning had gone into our 40th Birthday Event celebrations and we thank our WHSC Parents & Friends Committee (P&FC) President, Steve Kourtis, and his WHSC P&FC for all their hard work. We do look forward to the efforts of the WHSC P&FC in other areas such as tailored fundraising activities for the College. Again, we thank the WHSC P&FC. 

Once again, a huge thank you to our College Community for your wonderful efforts in the face of some challenging circumstances. Please stay on the lookout for further updates via Compass as they come to hand. Be sure to stay optimistic, safe, and connected everyone, 

Regards,

Aaron Smith 

College Principal  

Wheelers Hill Secondary College 

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus please visit this site for information concerning COVID-19.