Middle School Report

Message from the 

Director of  Learning 

Mr Peter Tarwala

This semester has been one of the most eventful yet for our Middle School students. Year 9 students completed NAPLAN, participated in Future You Week, attended excursions, and undertook their Morrisby Profiling assessment, which helps students identify their strengths and interests to support future career choices.

Year 10 students completed work experience and, for the first time, Semester 1 exams.

The feedback from teachers and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Our students represented the school exceptionally well when they went out into the workforce, and they rose to the challenge of exams with determination and effort. This bodes well for the future of Westall, and we are all incredibly proud of both year levels.

Attendance will again be a major focus next semester, as we need students in classrooms and engaged in their learning. One missed day is one day of learning lost, and the only way students can truly fulfil their potential is by being present, participating, and making the most of every opportunity.

Our school can be the greatest school in Melbourne, and one of the greatest in the country. The families who make up our community are a huge part of that. People outside our school regularly comment on how wonderful Westall students are. There is so much to be proud of. However, there is still much to do. The foundations are in place to create something enduring for our community, but we all need to play our part. The first step is maintaining a very high standard of attendance.

We will also continue to focus on academic excellence. Students will rise to the standards we set for them, so let’s make that bar as high as possible, knowing they are capable of reaching it.

I am very proud of our Middle School students and excited to see them continue to scale new heights of accomplishment next semester.

Mr Peter Tarwala

Director of Learning – Middle School

Year 9 Future You Week

During the Year 9 Future You week, the students learnt about workplace dynamics, leadership styles and problem solving. Demonstrating their knowledge and skills, the students had a competition to build the tallest tower out of paper and sticky tape only! To complicate matters, the students had to build these towers by adopting one of four different leadership / team dynamic styles. Reflecting the world of work, these were: consultative, dictatorial, technocratic and collaborative. 

To make the task a little more challenging, one student from each team moved teams during the task and had to then adjust to the style of their new team. The students reflected on the pros and cons of each style, plus the impacts of losing and gaining a team member during the task.

Exploring specific career options, the students also enjoyed a question and answer session with members of Victoria Police. Our students asked the members a range of relevant and interesting questions about life in Victoria Police and the enormous range and interesting and important career opportunities available.

Later in the week, the students spent a morning discussing and reflecting on respectful relationships. This important initiative helped to provide the students with valuable knowledge and tips about making better choices. 

Mr Joel Broughton

Humanities Teacher

Year 9 visit to the Shrine of Remembrance

Our Year 9 students recently visited the Shrine of Remembrance as part of their History studies. The excursion gave students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Australia’s wartime history, commemoration, and the experiences of those who served. Students explored the Shrine, engaged with historical displays and reflected on the importance of remembrance in Australian society. It was a fun day, and the weather held out, a great experience for all.

Matthew Forrest

English and Humanities Teacher

Year 10 Exams

Year 10 students sat their mid-semester examinations last week. A significant milestone, as it was their first experience in a formal exam setting. We are pleased to report the week was a great success, with students conducting themselves with real focus and maturity, displaying the "I care" values of Westall Secondary. 

The exams were designed to introduce students to formal exam conditions, including reading time, supervised protocols, and managing their time under pressure. Getting comfortable with these processes now is an important step in preparing them for the demands of their senior years.

We encourage families to chat with their child about the experience. A huge well done to the year 10 cohort! 

Mr Luciano Murray

Year 10 Coordinator

Year 10 

Melbourne Holocaust Museum Excursion

At the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Year 10 Global Literacy and Personal Development students were led through the museum gallery and examined various artifacts, clothing, propaganda, and models from WW2. They participated in a workshop where they analysed primary sources and connected them to the different stages of genocide. Students also had the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor and participate in a Q&A session. 

Ms Emily Herod

English and Humanities Teacher