Principal's Report

Acting Principal’s Update

Principal’s Report – Celebrating Term 3

As Term 3 draws to a close, it is a fitting time to reflect on and celebrate the many achievements, activities and milestones that have made this such a positive and productive term at Westall Secondary College. Throughout the term, our students have demonstrated enthusiasm for their learning, pride in their school and a willingness to participate in the many opportunities available to them. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, through the Arts or in activities promoting wellbeing and inclusion, our students have represented Westall exceptionally well. I am also very happy and proud to confirm that I will continue in the role of Acting Principal during Term 4. It is a privilege to lead Westall Secondary College, and I am grateful for the support I have received from our students, staff, families and broader community. I look forward to continuing our improvement work and building on the many achievements of Term 3.

Outstanding recognition for student learning

One of the most significant achievements this term has been Westall’s outstanding result in the 2026 Attitudes to School Survey. At the recent Kingston Principal Network meeting, Westall Secondary College was recognised for achieving the fourth-highest Stimulated Learning result among more than 400 schools across the South-Eastern Victoria Region. An impressive 74% of our students responded positively when asked whether their teachers make learning interesting, engaging and motivating, while encouraging them to think deeply and participate actively.  This is an exceptional result and one of which our entire school community should be extremely proud. It reflects the dedication and expertise of our teachers and Education Support staff, as well as the positive contribution our students make to their classrooms each day.

 Throughout Term 3, our teachers have continued to strengthen classroom practice through Professional Learning Communities and targeted student support. Staff have completed a seven-week inquiry cycle focused on improving literacy and vocabulary instruction across all learning areas. This work is particularly important at Westall, where approximately 86% of our students come from an English as an Additional Language background. We have also continued our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum work, supported by professional learning delivered by Education Excellence Australia. This work is helping us develop a more consistent, carefully sequenced and high-quality curriculum across every learning area.

Every Day Counts, Every Day Matters

Student attendance has been another significant Term 3 success, with our average attendance rate currently sitting at 88.6%, above our 2026 Annual Implementation Plan target of 88%. This represents a considerable improvement compared with 2025 and reflects the combined efforts of students, families and staff. Regular attendance provides students with the best opportunity to learn, develop positive relationships and maintain a strong sense of connection and belonging at school. Our Sub-School, Wellbeing and teaching teams have continued to support students through early intervention, targeted assistance and positive recognition. Our PANDA Awards have also provided opportunities to celebrate students who demonstrate excellent attendance. I thank our families for reinforcing the importance of regular attendance and supporting our shared message: Every Day Counts, Every Day Matters.

Celebrating sporting success

Term 3 has provided many opportunities for our students to participate in sport and proudly represent the College. Our House Athletics Carnival was a wonderful display of House spirit, participation and encouragement. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved, supporting one another and contributing to the energy and colour of the day. Thank you to the HPE team and the many staff who helped organise and support such a successful event. 

Our students also represented the College proudly at the Kingston Athletics Carnival. Their enthusiasm, positive attitude and commitment were outstanding. I had the pleasure of presenting ribbons at the event and was extremely proud to see our students competing and encouraging their teammates. Westall also achieved exceptional results at the Volleyball Victoria Schools Cup. Our Year 7 Girls were crowned champions, while our Year 7 Boys and Year 8 Girls finished second, and our Year 8 Boys finished fourth. Congratulations also to Grace Anavataua, Jamil Esmeil and Zairence Fernandez, who received Most Valuable Player awards in their respective divisions. These are fantastic achievements and reflect the commitment of our students and the strength of Westall’s sporting programs. I also acknowledge the staff and coaches whose encouragement, organisation and leadership make these opportunities possible.

Creativity on display during Arts Festival

Arts Festival was another highlight of Term 3 and a wonderful celebration of student creativity, talent and expression. Throughout the week, students participated in and enjoyed a range of performances, exhibitions and activities. For a school of our size, Westall has an exceptionally strong and diverse Arts program. The creativity and enthusiasm displayed during Arts Week were a credit to our students and the staff who support them. A special thank you to Helen Ifandis for coordinating such a successful week and to every staff member and student who contributed. Arts Festival brought energy and colour to the College and provided another valuable opportunity for students to share their talents with the broader school community.

Wellbeing, inclusion and belonging

A strong focus throughout Term 3 has been supporting the wellbeing, inclusion and sense of belonging of every student. Our recognition of R U OK? Day and World Suicide Prevention Day reinforced the importance of connection, kindness and looking out for one another. 

Through a range of activities, students were encouraged to consider how a simple conversation can make a meaningful difference. Our Year 11 students also participated in a nine-kilometre Out of the Shadows Walk, representing the nine Australians who, on average, lose their lives to suicide each day. This student-led initiative strongly reflected our College value of Care for Others and highlighted the importance of creating a community in which students and staff feel supported, connected and comfortable seeking help when needed. Earlier in the term, the College also recognised Wear It Purple Day. These initiatives reinforced our commitment to inclusion, respect and belonging, while reminding us that small acts of kindness, speaking up and including others can have a significant impact.

Thank you to our Wellbeing and Sub-School teams, as well as the many students and staff who supported these important Term 3 activities.

Supporting the health of our students

Another positive Term 3 initiative was the visit from the Dental Van, which provided 58 students with access to dental services. More than 30 students received fillings, highlighting how valuable the service was in identifying and addressing dental health needs.

In addition to supporting the health and wellbeing of our students, the initiative potentially saved participating families hundreds of dollars in dental costs. Thank you to our Sub-School teams for coordinating the service and helping students access this important support.

Stronger connections with families

Our Parent-Teacher Conferences were also a significant success this term, with 33% of families participating either face-to-face or online. This was a substantial increase compared with participation rates of approximately 23–24% during 2024 and 2025. The conferences provided an important opportunity for students, families and teachers to discuss learning progress, celebrate achievements and identify areas for continued growth. I thank all families who participated and encourage parents and carers to continue maintaining regular communication with the College.

Term 3 Progress Reports will provide families with a further update on each student’s learning, engagement and work habits as we move into the final term of the year.

Child safety and school improvement

The College recently received confirmation that we have met the requirements of the Minimum Standards for School Registration Child Safety Assessment. This followed a comprehensive process undertaken over several months and represents an important milestone for Westall.

Meeting these requirements reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for every student. I acknowledge the significant work undertaken by our staff and College leadership to achieve this outcome. Our Pre-Review Self-Evaluation has also been completed in preparation for Westall’s formal School Review during Term 4. This extensive process has allowed us to examine a broad range of student learning, wellbeing and engagement data and to evaluate the impact of our improvement strategies.

The review will provide an important opportunity to celebrate the progress made during the current strategic planning cycle and identify the priorities that will guide Westall over the coming years.

Preparing our students for 2027 and beyond

Course counselling was another important focus during Term 3. It was pleasing to see so many students arrive at their course confirmation interviews well prepared and able to clearly discuss their intended programs and future pathways into further study, training or employment. I thank the staff who supported students and families through this process. The College has now commenced the complex task of constructing the 2027 timetable and confirming the subjects and programs that will operate next year. This work will continue during Term 4 as we prepare to offer our students a broad, engaging and sustainable educational program.

Supporting our Year 12 students

As our Year 12 students approach the final stages of their secondary education, I would like to acknowledge their persistence and effort throughout the year. The final weeks of Year 12 can be demanding as students complete assessments, prepare for examinations and make important decisions about their futures. I encourage our entire community to continue supporting and encouraging them during this significant time. I also extend my sincere thanks to our Year 12 teachers and Senior School staff, who continue to provide students with academic guidance, encouragement and care as they approach the completion of their studies.

Thank you to our community

Term 3 has provided many reasons to feel proud of Westall Secondary College. Our outstanding student perception data, improved attendance, sporting accomplishments, creative achievements, wellbeing initiatives and increased family engagement demonstrate what can be achieved when students, staff and families work together. Most importantly, these achievements reflect our shared College values: Care for Learning, Care for Self, Care for School and Care for Others. Thank you to our students for the enthusiasm and pride they bring to the College. Thank you to our staff for their professionalism, commitment and care. Thank you also to our parents, carers and community partners for your continued encouragement and support. I am very proud of what our community has achieved during Term 3, and I look forward to continuing as Acting Principal in Term 4 as we build on this positive momentum. I wish every member of the Westall community a safe, restful and enjoyable term break and look forward to welcoming our students and staff back for another exciting and successful term.

Mr Jason Tickner 

Acting Principal