Junior School Update

Year 7 Update

Tiegan Whitby, Sophie Balfour and Jess Lazzaro

As Term 1 comes to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our Year 7 cohort on an outstanding first term of secondary school. The way students have approached new routines, expectations, and challenges has been impressive, and they should be very proud of the way they have embraced the transition to the WPSC community.  

Earlier this term, students participated in NAPLAN, and we commend them for the positive manner in which they approached the assessments. They demonstrated resilience, effort, and a willingness to do their best, which reflects the strong foundations being built across the year level. 

Our Year 7 cohort also took part in their first Athletics Carnival. It was great to see so many students participate in all the events and begin to build further relationships with both their peers in Year 7 and other year levels. Congratulations to all students who have been selected to represent WPSC at the district level.  

We also were lucky to have the Cybersafety Project present to our Year 7s about navigating the online world safely and responsibly. Through this learning, Year 7 students developed an understanding of digital footprints, cyberbullying, respectful communication and who can help them to stay safe online.  

Finally it wouldn’t be a term one without camp!! The Year 7s spent three days at Peninsula Outdoors where they surfed, swam and canoed and climbed. They have created lasting memories with both their peers and teachers. We are so proud of how much the confidence has grown on all students and also so proud of how well they dealt with challenges.  

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout Term 1. We are incredibly proud of the Year 7 students and look forward to an exciting Term 2 ahead. 

Year 8 Update

Jade Kairys, Jaydn McGruddy and Maddy Boyd

The entire Year 8 Team are in shock at how fast this first term has gone! However, across these past 10 weeks, the Year 8 Team have felt incredibly proud and privileged to be a part of a busy yet rewarding term. We have thoroughly enjoyed learning alongside our cohort, learning their unique personalities, their strengths and curiosities, and witnessing them settle into Year 8 life! 

Learning Highlights

Our Year 8s were visited by the Cyber Safety Project, where they explored our online world, deepening their understanding and knowledge of personal data and the steps to take to protect their online privacy. This incursion beautifully linked with our Term 1 ICARE Unit – Online Safety and Awareness, aiding our young people in being the safest they can be in this digital world. 

Now, if you’re squeamish, I suggest skipping this next section… Because in Science, students dissected a sheep heart! This hands-on activity provided our Year 8s the opportunity to directly observe the hearts chambers, linking the theory of the circulatory system to real biological structures, providing an understanding of anatomy and physiology that textbooks cannot replicate. 

And lastly, in English, students were discovering the power of persuasion, with many creating compelling arguments around the removal of homework and lunchtime redemptions. Some students were almost too convincing as Ms Kairys hovered her mouse over the ‘delete all homework’ button before realising the trickery of our smart and inspired Year 8s. 

Athletics Carnival 

On the 10th of March, we celebrated our annual Athletics Carnival, with many of our Year 8s showing off their house pride by creating a sea of Red, Blue, Green and Yellow clothing galore. It was fantastic to see many of our students participating, however, a special shout out to Jersey Becker who was practically a blur as she sped down the 100m track and to Toby Hook who would have been a Historical Olympic Gladiator if born 1000 years ago with his 34m javelin throw. We wish him luck at District Athletics! 

Celebrations and Awards

Student of the Week began in Week 3, where each week a Year 8 student was nominated by their teachers for displaying academic success, respect to all, and enthused engagement in their classwork. In addition, this student received a ‘gold star’ for their Home Group, and any Home Group that receives 5 Gold Stars will win a class lunch and party! A big congratulations this term to Emily Wheeler, Raven Hearnden, Flynn Adair, Leah Mcauley, Ruby Thredgold, Jack Wright, Evangeline Manoni, and Violet Folliard. The race is on… which Home Group will be the first to receive 5 gold stars?!

Term 2 Class Changes

As mentioned throughout Term 1, understandably there have been some hiccups along the way as our amazing humans find their groove after the long summer break. The Year 8 Team have reviewed our current class lists and have prepared the necessary changes for a fresh start in Term 2. We hope that these changes will provide your child with an improved and safe learning environment. 

We wish your family a safe and happy Easter break, and look forward to Term 2 with this group of inquisitive, hardworking, and expressive young individuals.

Year 9 Update

Robyn Williams, Georgia Skilton and Melissa Mackenzie

Term 1 has been a vibrant and memorable start to the year for our Year 9 students, filled with rich learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. From cultural immersion to personal goal-setting, students have embraced opportunities to grow, reflect, and connect.

A standout moment this term was the excursion to Point Nepean, where students participated in an immersive on-country learning experience guided by Uncle Josh, a respected Bunurong Elder.

Highlights from the day were a cleansing smoking ceremony that welcomed students onto Country and introduced them to cultural protocols. Our students learned about native bush foods and plants, including how they were traditionally used for nourishment and healing. We explored traditional tools and equipment used by the Bunurong people, offering insight into ingenuity and sustainable living. After lunch we went on a nature walk along the foreshore at Point Nepean, where Uncle Josh shared stories about his totem and the deep cultural significance of the land and waterways.

We explored the historic Quarantine Station, giving students a glimpse into early European settlement and its impact on the region.

The weather was spectacular, making the day not only educational but also a beautiful opportunity to appreciate the natural landscape of the Mornington Peninsula.

ICARE: SMART Goal Setting

This term in ICARE, students focused on developing SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Using their Semester 2 Year 8 reports as a starting point, each student created three personal goals to guide their learning and wellbeing throughout Term 1.

These goals have shaped classroom habits, study routines, and personal development. In the final week of term, students will take time to reflect on their progress, celebrate achievements, and consider areas for continued growth.

English update:

This term, our Year 9s have been engaged in fierce competition on Education Perfect, honing their literacy skills. Students across the year level have answered over 76,000 questions, with our Top 3 students each reaching a score of over 6000 points.

• Coming in Third is Mehar Kahlon, at 6,238 points.

• Second is Mary Grace Leorag, at 6,290 points

• And our First place winner is Summer Farrell, at 6,611 points!!!

These students will receive an individual prize, with high-achieving students also receiving a hot lunch to finish off Term 1.

Term 1 has set a strong foundation for the year, blending cultural understanding, personal responsibility, and meaningful reflection. It will be exciting to see how students build on these experiences as we move into Term 2 where we will commence of Morrisby profiles and dive into the careers and work space.