Year 7
Year 7 Project – ‘Strong Start’ Program Launch!
We are excited to officially launch our new subject…Year 7 Project Class! And along with it, the WHSC Strong Start Program for 2026!
Project Class is a once-a-week subject where, in Terms 2 – 4, students complete a mixture of STEM and Passion Projects to develop their skills in Critical and Creative Thinking, and Personal and Social Capabilities. In Term 1 however, the curriculum acts as a vehicle for the Strong Start Program and focuses on developing skills in understand how our brain, body and emotions work together when we are faced with challenges, both in the classroom and in their everyday lives.
In our very first session, students explored the Learning Pyramid — the foundation model for the unit. To bring the concept to life, students worked collaboratively to build their own physical pyramids using everyday materials. There was plenty of creativity, problem-solving and laughter as students tested what happened when foundational layers were removed and rebuilt! It was a fantastic hands-on way to explore how regulation, movement, emotions and thinking all support learning at the top (have a look at the photos of some of our awesome pyramids!).
A key feature of Strong Start is parent partnership. Research consistently shows students thrive when families and schools work together, and this program has been designed with that in mind. Each Year 7 family will receive a Strong Start Toolkit this week — a booklet filled with information, reflection prompts and short interactive activities to complete together across the term. These activities align directly with what students are learning in class and are designed to build a shared understanding and consistent language between home and school.
Families will receive their Strong Start Toolkit this week as they are sent home with students, and we encourage you to begin working through it slowly across the term as classroom learning unfolds.
A brief overview of the program will be presented at Thursday’s Year 7 Meet and Greet, where you will also have the opportunity to connect directly with the Project teachers and ask any questions.
We are incredibly excited about the journey ahead and look forward to partnering with out Year 7 parents to support their child’s strong start at WHSC.
Abbey Novak, Kathleen Kennedy, Nancy Cardo - Year 7 Project Class Team
Year 7 Transition Camp
Our Year 7 students kicked off the year with an exciting adventure at YMCA Mount Evelyn Discovery Camp on 11 February. Over two nights and three action-packed days, students embraced the outdoors from the very beginning, walking in from Mount Evelyn Reserve through beautiful bushland and across log bridges.
Camp provided a fantastic opportunity for students to build new friendships and strengthen existing ones outside the classroom. They challenged themselves, stepped outside their comfort zones, and developed valuable skills in independence, problem-solving and resilience. It was also wonderful to see students connecting with teachers and support staff from Wheelers Hill Secondary College in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Throughout the camp, students enthusiastically took part in a wide range of activities, including the high ropes course, the giant swing, water safety sessions, building bush huts, and a variety of team-building challenges. The laughter, encouragement and determination on display were highlights of the experience.
Camp was a memorable start to secondary school, setting the tone for a positive and connected year ahead.
