Learning & Teaching

Term 4 Key Academic Dates

Thu 29 Oct - Fri 5 Nov: Yr 11 Exam  Revision

Mon 2 Nov (day before Melb Cup): Alternative program based on low numbers of students attending school.

Mon 9 - 17 Nov: Year 11 Exam Period & VM Work Placement 

Wed 18 Nov: Student Free Day EXCEPT for Learning Recover & VM Exam make-up day

Thu 19 - 27 Nov: Year 11-12 Step-up (all Year 11 expected to attend)

Tue 1 Dec: College Awards Night, 6:30pm Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash Uni

Wed 2 Dec: Year 9 & 10 Step-up assemblies

Thu 3 & Fri 4 Dec: Year 9 into 10 & 10 into 11 Transition Days & PAT Testing

Mon 7 Dec: Year 7 into 9 & 8 into 9 Transition Day

Thu 10 Dec: Year 12 VCE results released

Tue 15 Dec: Year 12 Morning Tea, 10-11am: Reconnect, celebrate & received your VCE/VM certificate (banner image from 2025 event)

Wed 15 Dec: Semester 1 reports released on Compass & Maestro

Year 12 Celebration Day

Celebrating the final day of official classes for our Year 12 students, this special event has gathered momentum with both students and parents over the last few years.  This year, we had over 200 family members attend our morning tea special whole-school farewell assembly. 

Our Year 12 leadership team planned and delivered an excellent day of fun activities for the students, culminating in a memorable staff and family guard of honour (which stretched over 50m) applauding the Graduating Class of 2026 as they paraded arm in arm out of the Mooroop Centre. 

The impeccable behaviour or our Year 12s reflects the respect they have for the College, their teachers and each other. There was laughter and tears in equal measure, throughout the day.

Year 12 VCAA Exams in Full Swing

On Tuesday 27 October, our VCE Unit 3 and 4 students commenced their Exams with approximately 130 VCE English students sitting the 3+ hour written exams. We are very proud of the efforts of our students in preparing for exams, and wish them all the best for their VCE exams, which they sit with over 92,000 other Victorian students.

Wantirna College Teacher Professional Development

Teachers have worked through our Whole School Coaching Program with leading staff this year, recording their teaching to share with colleagues during coaching sessions, for analysis and feedback. All staff rehearse and then get feedback for specific skills such as classroom questioning, choral response and explanations.

This week, we had the opportunity to share the work we do to improve teaching practice at the Outer-east Secondary School Assistant Principal Network. Wantirna College has become an exemplar on how to build teacher confidence and precision in class. The proof of impact is in our improved NAPLAN results and our continually improving Student Attitudes to School Data. 

Whilst we have improved our teaching practice and results, we there is still work to do to improve individual teachings skills and in reducing the variation in teaching between classes. Here is some of the data shared with our regional colleagues in other secondary schools:

1. Stimulating Learning - Student Attitudes to School: Wantirna College in the Orange Bar was top this year across 30 other 'Like' (similar size and demographic) secondary schools in the State for Stimulating Learning

2. NAPLAN Reading Growth year 7-9 2026: Wantirna College in the Orange is top for growth compared to 30 other similar secondary schools.

Natalie Manser 

Assistant Principal

mar@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au