Principal Team Editorial
Low Tech or No Tech, that is the Question…
Earlier this term, we brought students, parents and teachers together to discuss the impact that digital devices are having on learning.
We discussed evidence that expert, Dr. Jordan Cooney Horvath, presented to staff a couple of weeks earlier showing a stark decline in learning outcomes from when digital devices were introduced into classrooms in 2015, not just in Australia but internationally.
The consensus of everyone who attended this special meeting was that at Wantirna College next year, we need to do something different and lessen the impact that digital devices are having on our students’ ability to focus, sustain attention and learn.
As a school, we have decided to have less tech in the classrooms in 2027.
At this stage, we are working with curriculum leaders about what the low tech guidelines will be and how we can increase students using mini whiteboards, books and pens in every class for the majority of their lessons.
This year, our teachers have been delivering lessons which are more interactive, with teachers asking students to use mini whiteboards to quickly check understanding, particularly at the start of lessons.
Resource lists for 2027 (published next term) will be asking parents to purchase textbooks for certain subjects like maths and all students Year 7-12 will be required to have their own mini whiteboards and markers which will be used in all their lessons.
We are still in the process of working through what our low-tech guidelines will be and we will share them with parents and students next term.
A Clean Sports Carnival Sweep…again
For the second year in a row, our Division Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics teams have won all three Knox Division carnivals.
This exceptional achievement shows the depth of sporting talent across all year levels of Wantirna College, and we thank students for their participation, commitment and dedication.
VFL Box Hill Captain - Stuart Horner
And while talking about sport, it would be remiss of me not to give a shout out to one of our leading teachers, Stu Horner, who this Sunday will captain the Box Hill Hawks VFL team in the Grand Final. On Monday night, he was named in the VFL Team of the Year AND Captain of the VFL Team of the Year. We wish Stu all the best for Sunday.
Gala Concert
Last Friday night, Performing Arts students showcased their talents at our annual Gala Concert evening at Bunjil Place Theatre.
It was a wonderful night of dance, drama and music performances with our award-winning Symphonic Band closing out the night.
I was especially proud to announce that our Leader of Performing Arts, Danny van Bergen, received the highly prestigious, inaugural Australian Society of Music Education (ASME) Award, which was presented to him at the conclusion of the Gala Concert by Dr Sue Artley and Matt Roche from the ASME Victoria Council.
Danny received this Award for his outstanding leadership with, and the impact of, Wantirna’s music program within our school and community. With increasing enrolments (nearly a quarter of our student population are involved in the music program), award winning ensembles and excellent VCE results, our music program is not only thriving, but rivalling all government and non-government music programs across Victoria.
On behalf of the College, we thank Danny for his ongoing leadership and commitment to our Performing Arts program.
Victorian Government Schools Agreement
Additional Student Free Days
In recent months, there has negotiation between the Government and the Australian Education Union to agree on working conditions at government schools over the next four years.
An outcome of these negotiations, which will impact students and families, is the addition of four extra student free days per year.
Though we are still working through when these days will be in 2027, below are the dates for Term 4 and Term 1.
Term 4 2026:
- Friday 30th October (Week 4)
- Wednesday 18th November (Week 7)
Term 1 2027:
- Wednesday 26th January (Week 1)
- Thursday 27th January (Week 1)
- Friday 28th January (Year 7 & 12 students only)
VCE & VM students
This week, our VM students finished classes and spent Thursday and Friday presenting their exit portfolios to a panel.
We were impressed with the professionalism of their presentations and wish them all the best as many of them transition into the next phase of their lives.
All students finishing this week will be returning next term to participate in Primary School Day, Celebration Day and of course the very stylish and sentimental Valedictory celebration at the Palladium, Crown in November.
Meanwhile our VCE Unit 4 students collected their massive pile of practice exams and are preparing to launch into an intensive study period with subject specific revision lectures in Week 1 of the holidays, practice exams in Week 2, and revision classes for the first 3 weeks of next term.
We wish them all the best as they embrace the final weeks of their schooling journey and encourage them to do their absolute best. After another action-packed term, I wish our community of staff, students and parents a restful and safe break.
Carrie Wallis
Principal