Community &
Positive Environment
As we dive into the second half of the year, Term 3 has been filled with excitement, growth, and plenty of memorable moments. From special events and student achievements to engaging classroom activities, this term has truly showcased the vibrant and dynamic spirit of our school community. We hope you enjoy reading about all the wonderful things that have taken place this term!
Wyndham Central Come and Try Olympics 2024 – A Week of Fun and Friendly Competition!
In week 3, the Wyndham Central Gym was buzzing with excitement as the 2024 Wyndham Central Come and Try Olympics took place from August 5th to August 9th. The event brought together students of all year levels to participate in a variety of engaging and light-hearted activities, with each day offering something new and exciting to try.
Here’s a recap of the highlights from each day:
Monday, August 5th – 30m Sprint Year 12s
The week started with a burst of speed as participants took part in the 30m Sprint. With runners of all ages lining up at the starting line, the gym echoed with cheers and excitement as each participant gave their best to race across the short distance. Whether a seasoned runner or trying it for the first time, everyone felt the thrill of crossing the finish line in style.
Tuesday, August 6th – Plane Making Year 7s
On Tuesday, creativity took centre stage with the Plane Making event. Participants crafted their own paper airplanes and competed to see whose creation could fly the farthest. The gym was filled with laughter and cheers as some planes soared majestically while others took a nose dive.
Wednesday, August 7th – Bean Bag Shot Put Year 10
Mid-week fun came in the form of the Bean Bag Shot Put! Participants tested their strength and precision, tossing bean bags as far as they could. There were some impressively long throws, and the supportive crowd made the event even more thrilling.
Thursday, August 8th – Table Tennis Flip Flop Year 9
Thursday brought a unique twist to table tennis with the Table Tennis Flip Flop challenge. Students had to keep the ball in the air, and flip flop their bats.
Friday, August 9th – Basketball Free Throw Year 8
To close out the week, the Basketball Free Throw event was all about accuracy. Participants of all skill levels lined up to see how many baskets they could score. Every successful shot was met with cheers from the crowd, making it a fun and exciting finale to the week's festivities.
Overall, the 2024 Wyndham Central Come and Try Olympics was a fantastic celebration of community spirit, creativity, and friendly competition. From the sprints to the flip-flop challenges, the event highlighted the joy of trying something new and coming together as a community.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a success. We look forward to even more fun next year!
Congratulations to our house winners
1st Green House
2nd Blue House
3rd Yellow House
4th Red House
Volleyball Victoria Award
This term, we were honoured to receive the WCC Volleyball Victoria Award, a recognition of our commitment to the sport and our growing volleyball program. A special thanks goes to Cori from Volleyball Victoria, who graciously presented the award.
In the group photo, you'll see Cori in the center, alongside Angeline, our dedicated volleyball coach, standing to the right of me, with Mr Barker and the students from our volleyball club proudly joining us during last night’s event.
Down Ball Australia
Students in Year 7 and 8 participated in an exciting down ball workshop, hosted by Down Ball Australia on the 9th September. The students had an absolute blast learning the techniques and strategies of the game while engaging in friendly competition with their classmates. The atmosphere was full of energy and laughter, as they honed their skills and embraced the fun, fast-paced nature of down ball. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to stay active, learn new skills, and enjoy a memorable session with friends. We look forward to potential competitions with down ball Australia in the future!
Here are some pictures from the session.
Rotary Mental Health Seminar
I had the pleasure of attending on behalf of WCC, an impactful mental health seminar hosted by Werribee Rotary at McKillop College, featuring esteemed guest speakers Maria Roberto and Alexandra Chidiac. The seminar focused on raising awareness about mental health challenges and providing valuable insights into building emotional resilience. Maria Roberto, a renowned psychologist, shared practical strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental well-being, while Alexandra Chidiac, a mental health advocate, offered a personal perspective on overcoming adversity and supporting loved ones facing mental health struggles. The event fostered an open dialogue, leaving attendees empowered with knowledge and tools to improve their mental health.
Water Safety Program 9E
Year 9E students took part in a fantastic learning opportunity with a series of workshops run and funded by Life Saving Victoria. These workshops covered a range of essential skills and knowledge aimed at promoting safety around water. Key topics included:
- Water Safety Awareness: Students learned about potential risks around water and strategies to stay safe in aquatic environments.
- Becoming a Lifeguard: Insight was provided into the pathway to becoming a qualified lifeguard, including the skills and qualifications required.
- First Aid & CPR Training: Hands-on practice in first aid techniques and life-saving CPR methods, equipping students with critical skills that could help save lives in emergencies.
This comprehensive program will be followed up with an exciting excursion to the beach, where students will have the chance to put their newly acquired knowledge into action. This excursion promises to be an invaluable experience, reinforcing the theory they’ve learned in the classroom with practical, hands-on application. It’s a fantastic way for students to build confidence, awareness, and a sense of responsibility when it comes to water safety.
We are proud to see 9E embracing this opportunity and look forward to their continued growth in these essential life skills!
Comments from some students:
Manuao "The session was cool because we learnt about water safety and CRP”
Esther “ I learnt to save people and all safety things to do at the beach”
Sophia “ I could save everyone life from this water safety and CRP program”
Eh Gay “ I learnt CRP and how to use it when there is danger”
Thanks to Surf Lifesaving Victoria for providing the experience, and to Ms Herbert and
Ms Zhou in supporting the program to be implemented. Can;t wait to update you after the beach excursion!
Year 7, 8 ,9 Peace education Program
Peace Education recently launched a tutor program for selected Year 7-9 tutor groups, aimed at fostering values, knowledge, and skills that promote living in harmony with oneself, others, and the environment. Through this program, students engage in activities and discussions that encourage positive attitudes towards conflict resolution, empathy, and understanding. By participating, students learn how to navigate relationships with respect and care, enhancing their ability to contribute to community. We look forward to the student feedback about the program and looking to implement across the school in the future.
Living Library
During the Term, our school had the privilege of hosting members of the Wyndham Community for a special “Living Books” event. Students from 7E and 10B had the unique opportunity to engage with these incredible individuals, who shared inspiring stories from their lives. Each story offered valuable lessons on resilience, self-belief, and the power of choice.
At the end of the sessions, we asked our students to reflect on what they had learned. Here are some of their thoughtful responses:
- “To believe in yourself.”
- “You have choices.”
- “If plan A does not work out, do not give up.”
- “To like myself.”
- “You don’t have to follow one path.”
This event not only enriched our students’ understanding of the world around them but also encouraged them to reflect on their own journeys and the importance of staying true to themselves. Thanks very much to Ms Cutter for her support in making this event such a success!
Meet a House Captain
Lastly, in Week 9, we held our House Captain meeting, where we had the opportunity to celebrate and bid farewell to Mr. Barker, who will be leaving the college at the end of the term. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Barker for his unwavering support and guidance to this group throughout his time with us. He will be greatly missed.
In this edition we will meet two of our most active house captains in Year 10 & 7:
Name: Alex
Year Level and House: Year 10 Blue House
What is your favourite sport?
Soccer
Why did you want to be a house captain?
To improve leadership skills and teamwork
What has been the best thing you have done in the role this year?
Going to the Galvin Park Gala day and referring for soccer matches
What is your goal as a leader this year?
To his enjoyable events for my year level
And if you can meet any famous sports person, who would it be and why?
Christian Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Lebron James, Stephen Curry, as I admire them and their skills
Name: Hayley
Year Level and House: 7 Yellow House
What is your favourite sport?
Footy and Netball
Why did you want to be a house captain?
I have been wanting to make a cool experience for others to participate in. And I have always wanted to become a leader ever since Year 3
What has been the best thing you have done in the role this year?
We had a famous guest speaker come and talk about wheelchair rugby
What is your goal as a leader this year?
To make great memories for the students
And if you can meet any famous sports person, who would it be and why?
Bob Hill and Nick Daicos, Collingwood footy player
Rebecca Sandlant - Assistant Principal