From the Principal's Desk
Principal's Report
As we approach the end of the 2023 school year, it brings me immense joy to reflect on the incredible journey we've experienced together here at Wyndham Central College. It's been a year filled with growth, accomplishments, and cherished memories for our entire school community.
From the outset, we refocused on recharging our Community of High Expectations and our journey toward excellence, and the unwavering support and collaboration of our staff, parents/cares and students have been integral to this year’s success. Together, we've witnessed our students embrace any challenges, demonstrate resilience, and achieve remarkable milestones in their academic, personal, and social development.
Throughout this year, our dedicated staff have passionately guided and inspired our students, nurturing their curiosity, fostering creativity, and instilling a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Our collective efforts in creating a nurturing environment have allowed our students to flourish and reach new heights in 2023 which we celebrated at our Awards Afternoon, farewell assemblies, graduation dinners and many other events in December. This newsletter outlines some of these and I ask that you celebrate along with us as you read the reports.
Beyond the classroom, our school community has celebrated numerous other achievements. This year I am excited to announce that we as a college have achieved the accolade of being the School Sport Victoria – School of the Year. Along with our Demonstrate School status due to our classroom practices – AVID, being ranked number one in our pathways and transitions as our students graduating achieved outstanding results and being recognised for our outstanding Naplan growth. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, and parents working together in fostering the well-rounded educational experience we provide.
I sincerely want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for your continuous support, trust, and engagement in our school's mission. Your involvement, whether through volunteering, as part of our Community Hub, attending events, or supporting your children's education, has been invaluable and deeply appreciated. 2024 brings new opportunities as we move into a review year with a new 4 year plan to be written for 2025. I look forward to working with you to build a plan that will continue to ensure we are improving and achieving the best for all members of our community.
50 years celebration
I would also like to announce that in 2024 the school will reach its 50th anniversary milestone. We look forward to sharing our plans with you early next year as we take the time to celebrate and recognise our history from 1974 to 2024. We look forward to seeing you at our planned events but also to invite our Alumni to share their stories, photos and achievements since graduating from Werribee Technical School, Galvin Park Secondary College and Wyndham Central College.
Year 6 into 7 Transitions
On Tuesday 12th December, our new 2023 year 7 students came to visit us for the day. It was fabulous to be able to welcome them in person and to meet so many of their parents/carers during our partnership presentation. I congratulate and applaude Mr. Rowe, Ms Webster and Ms. Fracalossi and the Year 7 team for their tremendous efforts.
I thank the Tutor teachers who really worked very hard to help the students feel supported and not be overwhelmed and worked closely with our new parents at our goal setting interviews this Monday and Tuesday. If any of our new parents/carers haven’t had an opportunity to meet with their child’s tutor teacher, please contact the College to make time for this important meeting in February 2024.
Stepping up into 2024 classes
I have been very impressed at how our students have applied themselves during the step-up classes as they moved into their 2024 tutor groups, subjects, programs, and electives. It was so pleasing to see many of our parents/carers attending the goal setting meetings with their child’s new 2024 year 8-12 tutor teacher. These meetings are crucial as we form strong partnerships to ensure we can prepare all children for their learning and support their wellbeing. I also thank parents for their payments of the financial contributions towards their children’s education and the purchases of their textbooks and laptops. Your contribution means that we can continue to offer the full school programs, both curricula and co-curricula in 2024. A reminder to families that our student services team and our business managers are available if any form of support is required to start the new school year.
School Captains
The selection of the School Captains for 2024 has been completed and I am pleased to announce that we have two School Captains, Riya Saini and Morrisham Teariki and two Vice Captains. Ashley Schellhorn and Kyaw Hai Hser - Congratulations ! This newly established leadership team did a wonderful job leading the school community in their first event as the Masters of Ceremony at our Awards afternoon. Student voice and leadership is an important aspect of our school culture, and our year 8-11 class captain and student representative council member processes are underway, and we look forward to announcing and presenting our leaders to the whole school community at our first assemblies in 2024. Leadership roles for our 2024-year 7 cohort will begin in term one.
Awards afternoon
On Friday 15th of December, we were able to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students at the Annual Awards event. Students were awarded Year level DUX, academic and general excellence, AVID, music, sport and various other individual prestigious awards. We also celebrated our student achievements with our faculty awards, STEM academy and Spanish Immersion awards, English as a second language award and awarded our student with the highest ATAR score in year 12. We congratulate each well deserving award recipient. You will find in this newsletter the names of our students who have been celebrated at the Awards afternoon and at our year 12 Valedictory dinner. The college would also like to thank our guest Alumni speaker Ms. Chelsea Veal (class of 2021) who is currently studying teaching and gave an inspiring speech about her time at the school and her journey during the pandemic and the message to take every opportunity and never give up.
I would also like to congratulate our Year 12 students on the excellent results they achieved in 2023. Our student results were very high, and the school has continued to build on the median study score due to many students achieving significant ATAR scores and scores about 37 for individual subjects. This year we celebrated a top score of 97.25 with other students in the 90’s, 80’s and high 70’s. This was despite completing their senior years after two years of lockdown and a disrupted year 11. We could not be prouder of them, and their achievements, and we wish them the best of luck as they await their University and TAFE placement offers, or for others who have already started apprenticeships and moved into full time employment. A reminder to families that our Transitions and Pathways leader Ms. Pina Siragusano is available via phone and email for all students to support their pathways planning.
I take this final opportunity in 2023 to thank all members of the school community for the kindness and care that has been shown. Thank you to our parents/carers/families and students for sharing how deeply grateful you were for our sustained commitment to your children. We recognise our staff at Wyndham Central College who are committed to our school vision of ‘Creating a community of high expectations’, ensuring that it is at the forefront of all we do every day, in every classroom and with every interaction.
On behalf our school community I would like to make a special mention of our School Council. To the community, staff, parent, and student representatives that ensure that the Wyndham Central College community has a voice that is heard and is represented in all policy and decision making, and for holding each student at the heart of all processes ensuring that each child in our care can reach their full potential.
As the holiday season is before us, I wish you and your families a peaceful and rejuvenating break. May this time be filled with laughter, joy, and precious moments spent together.Looking ahead to the upcoming year, I am excited about the opportunities and possibilities that await us. Together, let us continue to inspire and empower our students to reach for the stars and achieve their fullest potential.
Thank you once again for being an integral part of our vibrant school community. Please stay safe, take care, and enjoy the well-deserved break.
Leanne Gagatsis - Principal
Creating a Community of High Expectations
Respect, Cooperation and Excellence