SSP NEWS

SSP NEWS:

Our SSP Leader Renee Lane will be on Long Service Leave for Term 3 (this was scheduled prior to Renee commencing her role in 2024). Susie Robinson will be Acting SSP Leader for Term 3 and we wish her all this best throughout the Term!

Team Selection Process for Tournaments and Competitions

It is an exciting time for WHC with over 530 students in our Specialist Sports Program. However, this also creates complexities around team selection for tournaments and competitions. It is simply not possible for all student-athletes to be selected.

Please understand that although student-athletes are a part of the SSP, this does not guarantee automatic entry to any WHC interschool or representative team. Head coaches are responsible for team selection and any factors contribute to this process, including; skill, ability, team dynamics, effort, behaviour and attendance.

We know that non-selection can be difficult for parent-carers, but we thank you for your understanding and support of our program and all student-athletes, whilst we move in to a heavy phase of competition over the next three terms.

Netball 

It’s been a very busy fortnight in the Netball Program with teams out competing in SSV Western Metropolitan Region and Netball Victoria School Championship events. 

After dominant SSV Geelong Region wins the Senior and Intermediate Girls teams headed to Altona Netball Stadium. Our Senior Girls had 2 solid convincing round match wins and lost a game by 1. The Intermediate Girls also had 2 solid round wins and lost one by 4. 

The Intermediate Girls headed to Melton for the Netball Victoria Schools Championships coming away with 2 wins and 1 loss.

Player should be commended on their effort on and off the court and the way they carried themselves through out both events. A big thankyou to Madi McCarthy and Lotte Sharrock our C Grade Badged Umpires who assisted at the NVSC event.

Our Boys intermediate and Senior students battled out some great matches at Western Metropolitan Region SSV last week. The Intermediates winning 2 and losing 1 by a goal and Seniors going down in the GF. Some great performances and efforts from them. 

The Senior Boys and Junior Boys -  part of our High Performance Boys Program will head to Parkville for the State Boys Championships on Tuesday. We wish them all the best.

Our Yr 8 Girls are busy preparing for SSV State Championships in September.

Off court our education has focused on Match Analysis and Statistics and their use in identifying game patterns, as well as around Strength & Conditioning education to improve knowledge and understanding to complement and improve the students training and development.

It certainly is a jam-packed term of matches and exciting opportunities!!

AFL

Darwin Trip:

I’m thrilled to share the highlights of our recent Darwin trip with 20 awesome Year 11 and 12 SSP AFL students from WHC. It was an action-packed adventure filled with fun, learning, and some pretty amazing experiences!

We kicked things off with a splash at Litchfield National Park. Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole were just stunning—perfect for adjusting to Territory Time and soaking in the natural beauty.

The next day was incredibly memorable. We got to meet Charlie King, a Gurindji man who shared his powerful story about his family, his country, and his work to address indigenous disadvantage. His story was both moving and inspiring, and it gave us all a lot to think about.

We also had a cool tour of AFL NT and met Michael 'Magic' McLean, a true NT AFL legend. It was awesome hearing about his journey and impact in AFL. After that, we hit the gym for a workout and then had a match against the Clontarf Academy. The game was packed with some seriously impressive young athletes.

Wednesday was all about giving back and having fun. Our students went to Haileybury Rendall School and ran AFL clinics for PE classes from Year 2 to Year 8. It was great seeing the younger kids getting into the sessions and having a blast. We wrapped up the day with a friendly match against the Senior and Middle School boarders and enjoyed a sausage sizzle. Everyone—students and staff alike—was buzzing about how well the day went.

To round off our trip, we had a bunch of awesome local experiences. We explored the Pudakel Aboriginal Ecological Experience, which gave us a better understanding of local indigenous culture and the environment. Then, we had an exciting time seeing Jumping Crocodiles—definitely a highlight! The trip ended on a high note with a visit to the Sunset Markets.

A huge shoutout to Ms. Fowler and Will Sexton for their support, the buffet breakfast (thank goodness) and of course, a massive thank you to our fantastic WHC students. Your energy, enthusiasm, and positivity truly made this trip special and unforgettable.  (More photos on social media)

Basketball

Soccer

We are thrilled to share the incredible success of the Western Heights soccer program in the recent Bill Turner U/15 boys competition. Our team embarked on a journey to Albury for a two-day competition and emerged victorious in the round of 32 with a resounding 9-0 win against Eden Marine Catholic College. The winning streak continued as we triumphed over Marian High School in the round of 16 with a score of 6-0. Both opponents hailed from NSW, showcasing our team's prowess on a national level. With nearly 900 schools competing from around Australia we are now down to the last 8 schools. 

The dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship displayed by our boys was truly outstanding, making us proud of their achievements. Their exemplary behavior on and off the field exemplified the values we instill in our players at Western Heights, and they have undoubtedly set a high standard for future competitions.

In addition to the boys' success, our girls teams have also been making waves in the soccer scene. The girls from year 7 and the intermediate girls have secured spots in the state finals, with the intermediate girls claiming victory at the Western Metro Championships. Their hard work and determination have positioned them as strong contenders in the upcoming State Championships scheduled for early September. The year 7 girls have shown remarkable progress and are now considered front-runners for the title of Victoria's best soccer school.

We commend all our players, coaches, teachers and parents for their unwavering commitment to excellence in sports. The achievements of our soccer program are a testament to the dedication and talent within our team, and we look forward to continued success in future competitions.