SSP NEWS

Year 7 (Class of 2026) Parent-Carer Welcome and Expectations Evening

We would love to invite all parent-carers of our Year 7, 2026 Specialist Sports Program community (including our Aspiring Athlete Program) to an information evening regarding our program, people, structures, and expectations for 2026. It will also be a terrific opportunity to hear from our incredible team of coaches - who you will get to meet and greet on the night.

We would encourage all incoming families and their student-athletes in the Year 7 SSP and AAP program to attend this event. We are keen to set our SSP and WHC community up to succeed in all areas of learning and sport. 

Please find event details below and see the attached flyer for further information.

Date:  Wednesday 18th February, 2026

Session Times: Please nominate one of the following session times when registering (limited places available in each session)

Session 1: 4.45-6pm

Session 2: 6pm-7.15 pm

Where: Performing Arts Centre (PAF), Western Heights College, Vines Road.

Cost: Free 

Registration: Please click on this link to register: https://compasstix.com/e/hs6zdjqndu 

*Registration closes: Tuesday 17th February

NEWS:

SSP News

Welcome all parent-carers and students to 2026! We are excited for another incredibly successful year ahead – both on and off the sporting field.

Parent-carers, I will be sending a direct email to each of the families from our 680 student-athletes in the program over the coming days to officially welcome our community to 2026, as well as outlining some key expectations for our student-athletes to remain in the Specialist Sports Program, this year and beyond.

Staffing Profile: 2026

Our staffing has remained really stable for 2026. We welcome 2 wonderful new additions in Brad Ottens and Kate Darby to the AFL Program. Both staff members will be valuable additions to our 240+ budding young footballers in the AFL program. Brad and Kate will both be part time within the program, and we can’t wait to work with them.

In an ever-growing environment of staff and students, it can be tricky to navigate who to contact and when. Please see below, our Specialist Sport Program contacts for 2026. If you have any sport or injury related concerns that impact your child’s needs within the specialist sports program directly, please contact the staff below. 

Please ensure that the relevant Year Level Sub School Leader and Learning Community Leaders are engaged for any mainstream concerns, outside of SSP.

Staffing Key Contacts for the Specialist Sports Program;

SSP Leader

Renee Lane – SSP Leader Renee.Lane@education.vic.gov.au

SSP Management Team

Cate Johnson – Operations Manager Cate.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Nick Richardson – High Performance Manager Nicholas.Richardson2@education.vic.gov.au

SSP Learning Community Leader

Paul Rogers Paul.Rogers@education.vic.gov.au

Please contact the appropriate staff / coaches at each of the Year Levels below if you have any concerns regarding your child’s athletic performance;

AFL Program:

Thomas Hunter (Yr 7-9): Thomas.Hunter@education.vic.gov.au

Will Sexton (Yr 10-12): William.Sexton@education.vic.gov.au

For any student injury concerns, please contact Ryan Spoors: Ryan.Spoors@education.vic.gov.au

Coaching Team: Matthew Scarlett, Brad Ottens, Kate Darby, Brendan McCartney, Georgie Prespakis and Ryan Spoors 

Basketball Program:

Head Coach - Ashley Arnott: Ashley.Arnott@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Kaleb Sclater, David Herbert and Kris Blicavs: Kaleb.Sclater@education.vic.gov.au

Kris.Blicavs@education.vic.gov.au

David.Herbert@education.vic.gov.au

* The program will continue to be supported by players from Geelong United WNBL team, including Taylor Mole.

Netball Program:

Head Coach - Susan Meaney: Susan.Meaney@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Stacey Dodds and Ainsley Corrigan: Stacey.Dodds@education.vic.gov.au

Ainsley.Corrigan@education.vic.gov.au

For any student injury concerns, please contact Seth Tomlinson: Seth.Tomlinson@education.vic.gov.au

Soccer Program:

Head Coach - Joseph Didulica: Joseph.Didulica@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Sean Mahon and Dan Conte: Sean.Mahon@education.vic.gov.au

Daniel.Conte@education.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Victory Coaching Team: Peter Kofinas and Cassian Anghel.

For any student injury concerns, please contact Nick Richardson: Nicholas.Richardson2@education.vic.gov.au

Please note: Any mainstream concerns are via the relevant Sub-School Leader or Learning Community Leader

Sporting Achievements

Arlo Shawcross – Year 9 (High Performance Program): At just 14 years of age, our very own Arlo has finished runner-up in the Australian Open, Junior Boys wheelchair event. Arlo was competing against athletes nearly 5 years older than him. An incredible achievement on the international stage, which will set him up for future competitions at major events like the US and French Opens later in the year. Wow Arlo!!! Well done.

Rhyder Zdybel – Year 9 (AFL Program): Rhyder has come off a stellar season of Victoria Premier Cricket (Marg Jenning Cup), representing Geelong and making an impressive 237 runs for the tournament. Rhyder also scored a century (101 runs). An outstanding performance from one of our athletes currently in the AFL program – big things to come I’d say from this multi-talented all rounder!

Link to Purchase Sport Uniform

* For SSP and AAP students only

https://indigowolf.com.au/whcssp

Travel to and from SSP Training Venues Friendly Reminder:

Every child, regardless of their postcode is expected to travel with their class to and from practice venues, as a part of our Duty of Care. Students are not to arrive late or leave early from venues. In 2026, there will be no permanent ‘late’ arrivals or ‘early’ departures issued. It is expected that choosing WHC and the SSP, means you are committed to our 9am-3pm school hours – every day of the week. 

If, your child is required to leave early or arrive late (on the odd occasion), due to an appointment, please contact Anthe Petrovics our Attendance Officer via email to arrange this, so that it is visible on compass (for all staff). This is not to be arranged via Sport Coaches or Teachers.

Anthe Petrovics: Anthe.Petrovics@education.vic.gov.au