PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Principals Newsletter Report 26 April 2024

 

It’s been a terrific start to term 2 for our Western Heights College Community. I was truly proud of our college community on Tuesday as we paused as a school to reflect and commemorate ANZAC Day.  Our student leaders and College Captains led a very moving service as we reflected on what ANZAC spirit means to us as a school community. ANZAC spirit encompasses the values of courage, integrity, loyalty and teamwork – 4 values very closely aligned with our values here at Western Heights College. During the assembly the students were asked how they could show ANZAC spirit every day, here at WHC by trying to do their best at school, home and with their learning. By taking pride in everything they do and never giving up, even if the task is difficult or challenging. By showing courage and learning from mistakes and standing up for yourself and others by always saying no to bullying or from being a bystander. We asked our school community to have integrity. Know what is right and wrong and choose to do the right thing whilst committing to teamwork and working together at school, home and in our community. Show loyalty to ourselves and have belief that we can achieve all our dreams and goals.

 

ANZAC Day is an important day on our annual calendar and at Western Heights College and we will always stop to remember the significance of the day and the ANZAC spirit that embodies it so deeply.

 

Welcome to our community.

At the start of term, we welcome several new staff to our community. John Chandran joined our school community teaching Mathematics and tutoring in the mathematics Year 7 program. Aimie Rocci returns to Western Heights College to the basketball program after playing for the Melbourne Boomers in the WNBL for season 2023/2024. We also welcomed Emma Gilligan to the office and Wilhelmina McCrae to our school to teach in the music program both instrumental DJ and digital music and vocals. We wish them all well in their roles.

 

The Resilience Project

 

This week all our students participated in a 1-hour workshop with Martin Heppell. His energy was incredible during his presentation. Martin has a unique background. He spent a considerable amount of time growing up in Borneo living with a Dayak headhunting tribe. He was also educated in different parts of Southeast Asia and has been heavily influenced by the morals and values that he and his family were immersed in whilst living with the Dayaks.

 

After finishing high school in Melbourne, Martin spent 6 years in the AFL and SANFL systems playing for the St Kilda, Melbourne and Norwood Football Clubs. Following this, he travelled the world backpacking for nearly 3 years. Upon return to Australia, Martin studied primary teaching at Melbourne University. After completing his degree, he taught 1/2- and 5/6-year levels for 4 years before being promoted to Assistant Principal at Auburn Primary, where he focused on Student Wellbeing, Educational Leadership and Change Management.

 

After 4 years as Assistant Principal, he joined The Resilience Project. Since 2016, he has conducted over 1,700 presentations across Australia to key stakeholders at schools and their communities, corporations and elite sporting organisations. He especially enjoys situations that present challenges and require an optimistic focus to address. He is passionate about children being raised in a supportive and encouraging environment that evokes self-confidence and a zest for life.

 

Martin’s presentation shared the benefits of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness, and easy ways to practise these in everyday life. It also showed students and staff how to incorporate Emotional Literacy, Connection and Physical Health education and activities as they are foundational contributors to positive mental health.

 

The presentations were supported by our collaborative partnership with the Geelong FC and GMHBA and we are incredibly appreciative of their support of our school community to be involved in this program.

 

 

Teacher Professional Practice Day

 

Our college will have our only Teacher Professional Practice Day on Friday 7 June. This day will be pupil free day for students. Monday 10 June is a public holiday for the Kings Birthday.

 

Learning Conversations attendance

 

It was pleasing to see so many of our families use this event to reinforce the partnership we share in forming successful learning pathways for our students. From my observations and feedback provided throughout the sessions, the interviews and conversations were valued by parents and students and the mood was very positive. Thank-you for your attendance.

 

Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

 

We value student voice to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of Western heights College. The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. This survey has been running for nearly 20 years and is invaluable in helping schools understand student views to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience. The survey responses also help the Department of Education understand how student’s learning experiences can be improved.

 

Your child will be invited to complete the survey online during class time using a purpose built secure online survey tool in the next few weeks. It is important to note that we are not in any way “testing” your child. Please note:

 

·         Student participation in the survey is voluntary and students may withdraw at any time.

·         The survey will take around 20-45 minutes to complete.

 

Your child will be provided with a unique login to complete the survey from their teacher. The student login is an assigned identifier that may be used to link data for statistical and research purposes only. Personally identifiable data will not be recorded in the survey response file to ensure the confidentiality of your child’s responses is protected at all times.

 

The survey results will be reported back to the school in aggregate form throughout the survey period. All survey data that is made available in reports are for groups of students only so that no individual student can be identified.

 

We annually share these results to students, parents and each year’s annual report.

 

 

Congratulations

 

A big congratulations to Meyah Fursland for her representation of Victoria Country U16 AFL team during the school holidays. A big well done also to Nyapath Machot and Roor Ackhour who participated also during the holidays in Brisbane in the U18 National Basketball Championships.

 

Thank-you to all players and coaching staff who represented our Senior Boys AFL team V’s Xavier College in the school holidays in a practice game. I was super proud of all students and spectators who came along to support our students. Our student players showed they were up for the fight and showed the values we expect of them in their performance.

 

Keep smiling and enjoy your weekend,

 

 

Fiona Taylor

Principal