PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Principals Newsletter Report
Next week we will be halfway through term 1 and officially starting to hit the groove in terms of settling into the new school year. It has been a very busy fortnight of learning with some fantastic activities.
Swimming Sports
It was pleasing to see the high level of engagement from our participating students and leaders in perfect 36-degree warmth for our annual swimming carnival on Tuesday. A big thank-you to our Sports Coordinators Mr. Dundan and Ms. Johnson and our senior student leaders for conducting the day. It was a fun and enjoyable day.
Year 12 Camp
Our Year 12 students are currently enjoying their 3-day camp to Federation University in Ballarat. It has been terrific to hear such positive feedback from the camp providers about our cohort of Year 12 students and to see our students enjoy themselves, connect with each other, and learn essential study skills which will set them up for success across the course of the year. They are a fantastic group of young adults who I can't wait to see thrive this year.
School Council Elections 2026
Calls for Nomination - Opens Monday 23 February. Closes at 4pm, Friday 6th March 2026.
One of the challenges of secondary schools is gaining involvement of parents. After significant time spent in school-based activities in primary schools, it is not uncommon for parents to step back from similar activities at secondary school. In recent years parent involvement and interest in our School Council have been increasing. We hope to continue this growth of engagement.
There is a call for nominations for parent and DE Employee categories.
In the 2026 School Council Elections there are two vacant parent category positions.
Nominations forms can be provided in hard copy from reception or downloaded from this newsletter and emailed to info@whc.vic.edu.au by the closing date.
Students travelling to and from school
This week we have reminded all our students of the expectations we have on them as part of our school, to behave responsibly in our community on the way to and from school. This includes following traffic rules on bikes and scooters, behaviour on country and public buses, and on trains. When in school uniform students are easily identifiable and we have high expectations of them when wearing school uniform representing our school or when travelling to and from school. Parental support in reminding students of these expectations will be appreciated.
Warm Weather Adjustments
With the recent warm weather and some warmer days predicted for next week, we encourage all students to do the following to ensure they stay well during warm weather:
Hydrate - with water before, during and after school, especially if you are participating in PE, AAP or the SSP program.
Avoid standing or sitting in hot environments at lunchtime and recess. At lunchtime, both today and tomorrow, there will be designated classrooms by your Learning Community Leader in each building for you to sit quietly and eat your lunch. We also encourage you to use any of the shaded outdoor areas in the yard.
Stay cool and remove jumpers and layers in warm weather.
Speak up - if you begin to feel unwell, let your teacher know who can support you.
Year 7 2027 Information and Open Night
This year's Information and Open Night will take place between 4:30pm-8:00pm on Wednesday 25 February 2026. The night will include a formal welcome and presentations about WHC and the learning/curriculum programs available (including the Accelerate Program for High Ability Students and the Specialist Sports Program - AFL/Basketball/Netball/Soccer).
Self-Guided tours of the facilities and grounds will also be provided - offering plenty of opportunity for prospective students, parents, and carers to ask questions and understand the year 7 2027 enrolment timelines and process.
We look forward to welcoming all guests to our Information and Open Evening to discover more about our WHC college community.
School Photos 2026
Student School Photos for Year 8/9/10 and family groups will be taken on Friday 27th February. Information has previously been distributed to parents and carers on compass but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school on 5277 1177.
Breakfast Club “Grab and Go”
A free Breakfast Club will run at the school from the Food Technology centre (in the PAF building) every Monday – Friday from 8.15am -8.45am. There will be fresh apples and non-perishable foods available such as cereal, muesli, baked beans, toast, fruit cups and milk. All students are welcome!
Marrung Scholarships 2026/2027
We were delighted late 2025 to learn 3 of our first nations students, Tahlia Saunders, Aiden Hunter and Bailey Hammence were awarded the prestigious Marrung Awards. Marrung Education Scholarships are Victorian government scholarships that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete senior secondary education (Years 11 and 12) and pursue their post‑school pathway.
What they are awarded for:
Demonstrated potential to succeed in a chosen pathway, shown through school reports, Year 10 results and references.
Commitment to completing Years 11 and 12.
Goals and aspirations for further education, training or employment.
Resilience, motivation and positive engagement with learning.
Involvement and leadership in the Aboriginal community and contribution to culture and school/community life.
Scholarship value and use
Around 30 scholarships are offered around the state, each valued at 5,000 dollars over two years (2,500 dollars per year).
Funds are paid directly to the student (in two instalments) and must be used to support completion of Years 11 and 12, for example: books and devices, uniforms, travel, specialist equipment, tutoring, or study furniture.
Ongoing payment depends on satisfactory attendance, progress and continued enrolment in Year 12, confirmed each year by the school
Insurance and Ambulance Cover for Students
Parents/carers are reminded that the Department (and the College) does not provide personal accident insurance, personal property insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/carers are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their child/ren, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.
Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Parents/carers can purchase insurance policies and ambulance cover from commercial insurers if they wish for their children.
Congratulations to our 3 students.
We have a busy few weeks ahead of us, take care and keep smiling,
Fiona Taylor
Principal
Child Safety at WHC
Western Heights College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse. Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.
Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website.
Commitment to Child Safety
Child Safety Policy
Child Safety Code of Conduct
Child Protection Policy and Procedures
Annual Privacy Policy Reminder for 2025
Our school collects, uses, discloses, and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy (found on the college's webpage).
Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents and carers on the webpage. This information is also available in nine community languages:
* Amharic
* Arabic
* Dari
* Gujarati
* Mandarin
* Somali
* Sudanese
* Turkish
* Urdu
* Vietnamese