Principal Team Editorial
It’s been another smooth and positive start to the school year as we welcomed back all staff and students last week. After a long break over summer, it’s always exciting to return knowing it’s an opportunity to start afresh with new possibilities, fresh goals, and renewed enthusiasm.
Over the past week, I’ve spent lots of time visiting classes and have been impressed with how focused and engaged students are in their learning. Staff have worked hard preparing for their classes as we know how important it is to start the year with positive connections and ensuring we know our students not just as people but as learners too. Our meeting time afterschool prioritises teachers working in teams and sharing teaching strategies that we know will make a difference in the classroom and ensure every student is cognitively engaged in their learning.
Positive Connections
At each year level assembly last week, my messaging to all students was tailored around the importance of positive connections with teachers and peers. I extend that message to our families too and look forward to creating as many opportunities as we can to partner with families to support our students to thrive. Last night we hosted our year 7 family night and we were thrilled to see so many families attend as we detailed what learning looks like in our classrooms and what supports we have for all students to achieve their best. Throughout the year, we look forward to hosting a range of opportunities to foster partnerships with families such as our Parent Forums.
Parent Forum
Tue 4 March, 6pm - 7:30pm
Term 1 Topic: High Achievement and Challenge
The forum is an opportunity to meet with the Principal, learn more about the school, meet other parents and provide feedback about what’s working well and areas for improvement. This term, the focus for our Parent Forum is ‘High Expectations and Challenge.’ We invite all families to come along to discuss how we support students to achieve their best and what strategies teachers use to stretch our students to meet high expectations.
High Expectations
The other significant message that I communicated to staff and students last week was the high expectations we have for every one of our students. We have high expectations because we believe every student deserves to have teachers who believe in them and can support them to reach their very best, regardless of where their starting point is. And with high expectations, it’s critical for teachers to provide high support (which depends on knowing our students as people and learners), high challenge and high accountability.
We need to support students to achieve their best but also know when to challenge them and hold them to account. Like parenting, it’s complex, however we are committed to working as a team and partnering with families to ensure every student at Wantirna has access to the quality education they deserve.
'we believe every student deserves to have teachers who believe in them'
Mooroop Centre
Our new state-of-the-art gym and performing arts facility is nearing completion and still on track to be operational at the start of Term 2.
Our PE and Performing Arts staff are planning their move into this brand new space and are leading the naming process of the new spaces within the Mooroop Centre. As part of our commitment to celebrating and recognising the outstanding contributions of Indigenous peoples, we will be naming the spaces at the Mooroop Centre after Indigenous Australian athletes and performers. This initiative aims to honour the incredible achievements and cultural impact these individuals have made, both within their communities and beyond. By naming our spaces in their honour, we hope to highlight their stories, raise awareness of Indigenous excellence, and inspire future generations. Each name will serve as a reminder of the strength, resilience, and talent within Indigenous cultures.
The four spaces that are in need of naming are as follows:
Stadium Court 1 (Athlete)
Stadium Court 2 (Athlete)
Dance Room (Performer)
Drama Studio (Performer)
Families, students and staff will be given the opportunity to have their say in a survey next week.
College Captains
It’s my great privilege this year to work closely alongside our College Captains, Phoenix Rigano, Fiona Bui, Katherine Styles and Harrison Bedford. As leaders of the school, I have asked them to partner with me each fortnight to provide a unique student perspective about what’s happening in our classrooms and beyond.
Leadership Role Changes
This year, we have made significant changes to the leadership roles of our school leaders to better support the learning and wellbeing of our students. A big thank you to our leadership team for the flexibility and work in preparing for a great start to the year.
Assistant Principal Team
Andrew Lewis - Operations
(HR, Facilities, Sport & Instrumental Music)
Natalie Manser - Learning & Teaching
(Learning improvement, Inclusive Practices)
James Doble - Senior School
(Student Leadership, Careers & Pathways)
David Black - Middle School
(Student Services, Inclusion, Wellbeing)
School Leadership Team
New Learning Improvement Team
Year 7/8 and Middle School Transition: Andrew Biggs
Year 9/10: Stuart Horner
Year 11/12: Elise Roper
Year 7-12: Ben Karwan
New Engagement and Wellbeing Team
Year 7/8: Bec Howell
Year 9/10: Vicky Rumble
Year 11/12: Caitlin Scholefield
Operations
Leader of School Operations: Peter Kos
Student Services Leaders
Leader of Inclusion: Kylie Rackham
Leader of Inclusive Practices: Tanya Moran
Leader of Wellbeing: Chelsea Collings
Sub-school Leaders
Leader of Middle School - Management & Engagement: Daniel Brooks
Leader of Senior School - Management and Engagement: Tim Pearson
Leader of Senior School - Transition and Pathways: Darren Hoogkamer
Learning Area Leaders
Leader of Art and Technology: Benn Pollock
Leader of Science: Ricky Strange
Leader of English: Juanita Blair
Leader of Performing Arts: Danny van Bergen
Leader of Humanities: Luke Mason
Leader of Maths: Tamara Gavazis
Leader of PE/Health: Janelle Cavarra and Taylor Dougherty
Carrie Wallis
Principal