From the Principal's Desk

WELCOME

Welcome back to all of our wonderful staff, students and families as we commence another academic school year, and I extend a very special welcome to our new Wyndham Central families. 

I know 2025 will be a successful year for our community, and I look forward to getting to know our new students and families whilst continuing to support current families through their child’s secondary education.

It’s always a wonderful feeling to feel the buzz of the students as they acquaint themselves with their new classes, teachers and surroundings.  I encourage our students to make this year as fulfilling as possible and make the most of every opportunity presented.

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

Once again, the college student population has grown as we are a school of choice by many in the Wyndham community.  We welcome back our returning staff, and we warmly welcome our talented new leaders, teachers and educational support staff into our school. In 2025 we welcome: 

English teacher: Oscar Davis 

Science teachers: Dominic Peterson, Ashley Cornell 

Art/Textiles teacher: Ellie Lee

Humanities teachers: Emily Wrigglesworth, Raquel Barrio, Nicola Castleman and Katherine Neall

HAPE/Football development program: Alexander Rolevski

Vocational Major: Filip Obradovic

Learning Specialist: Fiona Toloa and Matthew Ward

Leading teacher year 11: Callum Walker

Educational support staff: Administration - Chloe Dyer and Madeline Greaves 

IT:  Ben Gill

PARTNERSHIP IN EDUCATION

Thank you to our incredible parents and carers for assisting students to be organised, punctual and in full uniform. Creating strong partnerships between parents and staff is part of the key to success at Wyndham Central College. Knowing that families can be relied upon to attend events such as concerts, drama nights, information evenings as well as keeping up to date with school information such as reading the newsletter, and Compass feeds will ensure you keep informed and up to date with all relevant events.

We value these quality relationships, and I know that students greatly benefit from knowing they are supported. This all contributes to student success and building strong relationships and I thank everyone for your support.

A reminder that our Compass system will provide updates regularly. 

To support our joint communication could all parents/carer ensure that all addresses, telephone, and email details are always correct. This can be done directly into Compass or via our administration staff in the front office. Any change in January should be updated asap to ensure the safety of all children. Compass also holds important information – bulletins and school policies, that staff, students, and families are expected to implement, support and follow. 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP 

It was a pleasure to introduce the 2025 Captains at our first whole sub-school assemblies. These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities and dispositions over many years, and I wish them all the very best in undertaking these leadership roles. I congratulate them all and know they will serve our community with pride. 

School Captains for 2025:             Tala Clarete and Alice Di

 School Vice Captains 2025:         Liam Power and Nicole Sarmiento

Student leadership is an important part of student individual growth, school agency and voice. Therefore, I would encourage students to undertake the many leadership roles offered by the college. Applications are open for our House Captains (sport), Student Representative Council (SRC) and class captains. Our cultural captains, music captains and interact team are already making an impact at school events. Shortly, we will be opening the nominations for students to join as student representatives on the Wyndham Central College School Council. 

SCHOOL VISIT from our Victorian State Premier and Deputy Premier

On Monday 3rd of January, the Honourable Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria along with the Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Minister for Education hosted an announcement and press conference from Wyndham Central College. It provided the school the opportunity to showcase the school and in particular the opportunities we provide for our students with the support of the Camps and Excursions Fund. Our school student leaders, outdoor education students and our Football Academy teams were able to speak with the Premier and discuss the importance of the excursions they are able to attend to improve their learning and engagement, as well as the opportunity to compete in many local, regional and state competitions. 

AVID CAMP

Our Year 9 -12 AVID Tutoring students enjoyed our first 2025 school camp at Deakin University last week. This camp is an important experience and sets the tone for the year ahead, with key sessions on goal setting, study techniques, wellbeing and pathways beyond school. It's also a great chance for the students to connect with each other and have fun with the team building activities. 

Thank you to Assistant Principal Connie Faranda and Leading Teacher Amy Cole along with our AVID tutors for their organisation and support of this important camp. I also thank all the staff who were in attendance to ensure the success of the program. Well done to all involved.

YEAR 7 INDUCTION AND PEER SUPPORT 

As a part of the Year 7 induction program, students partake in three days of ‘setting up for success’ and in 2025 the reintroduction of a Peer Support Program. This program provides Year 7 students with the opportunity to make new friends, develop skills that may better equip them for secondary school and connect them with mentors who can support this transition. 

Similarly, this program provides our student peer support leaders a chance to demonstrate and refine their leadership skills. I'm looking forward to our Year 7 and student leaders forming positive connections, learning new skills, and have fun together.

I thank all staff involved in the program and I particularly thank Chris Mejia for training the student Leaders. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

Parents have the opportunity to contribute to the school via the school council and council sub-committees. Our current school Council comprises of the following members;

President                             Mr Anthony Monaghan

Vice President                    Mr Darren Clifford

Treasurer                             Mr Matthew Rasmussen

Secretary                             Ms Michelle Guse

Elected WCC staff representatives:   Leanne Gagatsis, Bryan Woollard, Connie Faranda,

                                                                      Ashley Rowe, Alex De-Leon

Elected student representatives:        Layderya Moo

Elected parent representatives:          Jade Gonzalez, Veerappan Veerasekaran, 

                                                                       Swapnil Goya, Prem Sadineedi, Jasmine Allen

The school council plays a key role in the governance of the school and supports the principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for students. Our parent representatives are available at school functions and via email if at any time you would like to discuss or share your ideas for the school, or for a chat about what the council is currently focusing on. 

During this term families will be receiving information for the upcoming 2025 school council elections. If you would like to take this opportunity to nominate to join our council, please make contact with Michelle Guse our Business Manager and complete the process that will be advertised shortly. The council looks forward to presenting and sharing with families throughout the year. 

2025 School Priorities

2025 is the first year of our new Strategic Plan.  I am delighted to say we have already begun to implement our new goals, actions and activities as were reimagined with the help of the community during term four last year.  

During term one the college will be establishing new sub-school offices for our middle and senior school teams in order to build on the sense of community and to refine our processes and the support for our students. More information will be provided as we open these new spaces this term. 

The reimaging provided a new timetable structure, our new WYNtime, reading for pleasure program, and study and elective blocks driven by student voice.  We thank the staff, students, and families that when invited to the review provided input as to the future direction of Wyndham central College. We look forward to sharing more information to the community during this year. 

In 2025 we will continue to focus on the learning and wellbeing of every student, we will continue to grow student voice and agency to increase engagement in learning and connections to school and we will continue to provide opportunities to build student capability to thrive in a contemporary world. This will continue with the AVID strategies, our programs, Enrichment, STEM academy, Football Development program, and the Spanish Immersion program. 

We will continue to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and expand on student opportunities with break time clubs and student action groups, as well as expanding on our existing Community Hub – Link Centre projects with our families and industry. 

I am looking forward to leading the Wyndham Central College community in 2025 and I value your input, feedback and suggestions as we continue to work together to create a great school community for all students as they continue their educational journey and strive to reach their full potential. 

Leanne Gagatsis -  Principal

Creating a Community of High Expectations 

Respect, Cooperation and Excellence