Principal Team Editorial

Locked In!

That’s an expression I’m hearing as I visit classes and talk to students across the College. Last week I interviewed a few students from Year 8-11 to get an understanding of whether they had high expectations for learning. Many students used the expression, ‘we are locked in’ and spoke of embracing the learning challenges and opportunities in their classrooms and beyond (and for those of us who need to decipher ‘teen talk,’ the term ‘locked in’ means students are focused and committed).

This week we held our termly Parent Forum with the theme of High Expectations – Challenge and Stretch. It was an opportunity to provide parents/carers with an update of how we are challenging and stretching all students to achieve their best and we appreciated listening to feedback which we have already fed back to some of our teaching teams.

A critical part in establishing and maintaining high expectations for learning is homework. Research supports that homework in secondary schooling is important for several reasons:

Reinforces Learning: It gives students a chance to practice what they've learned in class, helping to reinforce concepts and improve understanding.

Time Management Skills: Homework teaches students how to manage their time, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines, which are important life skills.

Encourages Responsibility: By completing assignments on their own, students learn responsibility and how to be accountable for their own learning.

Fosters Independent Learning: Homework encourages students to learn and think independently, fostering problem-solving skills and self-discipline.

Preparation for Future Challenges: It prepares students for higher education or the workplace, where independent work and self-motivation are essential.

Parent Involvement: Homework provides an opportunity for parents to see what their child is learning and get involved in their education.

While homework can sometimes feel overwhelming, it serves as an important part of the educational process and helps our students not only grow as learners, but as people too!

College Captains' Editorial 

I’m excited to have our College Captains share the editorial space with me and provide their unique student perspective. 

With the school year already in full swing, it is clear that both our peers and teachers were eager to return to the classroom, being fully engaged and determined to succeed. High expectations has been established as a key focus for this year, with teachers emphasising this through the inclusion of addressing the success criteria for each lesson, encouraging prereading prior to class as well as providing and advocating for a wide range of endless resources to extend our learning outside of the classroom.

In the last few weeks, we have noticed teachers focusing more on communication and one-on-one feedback, with the utilisation of Maestro as the platform for our developmental rubrics. This central area for feedback for everyday classwork and formative assessments has allowed us as students to visualise what we are working towards, with stretch skills showing us continuous room for growth, promoting us to continue aiming high. This in conjunction with teachers regularly acknowledging hard work through the use of Green Compass Posts, motivates us to continue trying our best and be actively involved in our own learning. 

We have also found that our teachers have been prioritising communication, with a more active presence on Teams channels by posting lesson plans and resources prior to class, consistent reminders for upcoming assessments, as well as always being available on teams to answer questions and provide direction when necessary. 

This approachability makes these great teachers stand out, leaving us students feel supported and energised to achieve our very best.

As Year 12 students, we have also noticed our cohort to be fully “locked in” for the busy and demanding year we have lined up. Whether it be in the classroom, during study sessions or senior boost, the collective motivation and determination to strive for excellence is prevalent. We have found our peers to be fully utilising class time, by not being afraid to contribute to discussions, ask questions and work collaboratively, in addition to actively seeking ongoing feedback to reach stretch skills and our learning outcomes. We have also found that out peers are engaging in creating positive study habits and routines through finding which study techniques work best for them and making sure to consolidate their learning outside of class through revision and active recall, preparing them for assessment periods.

As a student, it’s clear to see how high expectations are being set in every class, with teachers pushing us to reach our full potential and motivating us to work harder and stay focused on achieving our very best. We are so excited to see all the outstanding accomplishments this year will bring and can’t wait to hit the ground running as we tackle Year 12 together.

International Women’s Day 

Saturday 8 March

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience, ambition, and brilliance of female students at Wantirna College and other Victorian schools. When women and girls are educated, they not only change their own lives but also transform their communities and the world. Tomorrow, we also honour the incredible parents and teachers who create an environment where girls can thrive, where their potential is seen, and their voices are heard. Thank you staff, parents and families for your role in ensuring every girl has the chance to learn, lead, and change the world.

Mooroop Centre – We are moving in!!

We will be moving into our brand-new state of the art sporting and performing arts facility within the next two weeks! This is a very exciting time for Wantirna College with classes starting in these new spaces on Monday 24 March. 

Carrie Wallis

Principal