The Western Port Word

Senior School Update

Years 10 - 12

Assistant Principal's Update

Laura Higgins

Dear Parents and Carers, 

 

As we reach the end of Term 4 and the year, it’s time to reflect on the extraordinary achievements of our Senior School students. This has been a term of dedication, growth, and celebration. We are immensely proud of the hard work and determination shown by our students, and we’d like to take a moment to highlight some of our successes!

 

Celebrating Year 12 Success

We are thrilled to share the incredible achievements of our Year 12 students this year! A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers, education support staff, parents, carers, and senior team for their unwavering support in helping our students achieve these amazing outcomes.

 

We are proud to announce that our 2024 DUX is Nash Jones, with an outstanding ATAR of 91.00! Nash’s commitment and perseverance have been exceptional, particularly this year. He is a proud leader within our Western Port Mob and a strong First Nations voice for change and community. Well done, Nash!

 

Additionally, we’re thrilled to celebrate Beau Finch, who has joined the prestigious 90s Club with an ATAR of 90.1! Beau epitomizes dedication and is a valued contributor to our College community.

 

Both Nash and Beau will be returning to Western Port next year in Education Support roles:

🌟 Nash will mentor younger students in Youth Empowerment with our Western Port Mob, and

🌟 Beau will join the Tutor Learning Initiative, focusing on Maths intervention.

 

“Nash and Beau didn’t compete with each other – they pushed each other, lifting each other up with their strengths and driving one another to reach the next level. From early mornings in the Senior School Commons to late afternoons with onsite tutors, they made the most of every opportunity. By embracing feedback from their teachers and sharing it, they proved that teamwork isn’t just for sport. They showed us all what happens when rivalry turns into collaboration and effort meets strategy.” – Mrs Higgins Assistant Principal for Senior School 

 

Congratulations Nash and Beau! We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll continue to have in your new roles!

 

Year 12 Achievements at a Glance

  • DUX ATAR: 91

  • 2 students in the 90s Club

  • Over 10% of our cohort received 40+ Study Scores

  • Since the Senior School Reform in 2023, there has been a 15% increase in All Study Scores

  • 27% of Study Scores are above 30

Valedictory Celebration

Our Year 12 students, both VCE ATAR and VCE VM, celebrated their achievements in a beautiful Valedictory evening. This event marked the culmination of their incredible journey, and we were proud to honour their hard work and dedication.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing team who organised the event, the families who supported their students, and most importantly, to the students who exemplified The Western Port Way and lived out our school values right to the very end. We are so proud of each and every one of you and can’t wait to see what your future holds.

 

Senior School Launch Ceremony

During Jump Start we celebrated our Year 11 & 12 2025 Launch Ceremony, a moment of pride and commitment to high performance. The ceremony began and ended with the strong voices of our Koori leaders, Mon and Austin, grounding us in culture and community. Students received their Senior School badges, symbolising their readiness to embrace greater responsibilities, and Year 12 students received their jackets for 2025. We were inspired by reflections from students past and present (Jenna, Marcus, Emerson, and Leila) and a motivational speech from guest speaker Trav Reints, who reminded us all of the power of positivity in our actions, habits, and relationships. Parents and carers, thank you for your presence—it truly made the day special.

Together, we witnessed a shared promise to high performance and future success at Western Port!

 

Jump Start Program

As we moved into Term 4, the Jump Start Program helped Senior School students transition smoothly into Year 11 and Year 12. It included a variety of workshops, assemblies, and incursions, setting the stage for success in the upcoming year. Students explored new subjects, gained an understanding of course requirements, and were provided with their Holiday Outcome Tasks, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead after the Christmas break.

 

School Captain Announcements for 2025

We are thrilled to announce the School Captains and Vice Captains for 2025! After much anticipation, the student body has spoken, and we are excited to celebrate the leadership potential of these outstanding individuals.

  • Captains: Jenna Chalkitis and Marcus Harwood

  • Vice Captains: Hala Riyad and Rory Kingdon

These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities in leadership, responsibility, and a strong commitment to upholding the values of The Western Port Way. Throughout their time at Western Port, they have continuously shown initiative, empathy, and dedication to their peers and the broader school community. Their leadership journey will be one of collaboration, inspiration, and service. We are confident that Jenna, Marcus, Hala, and Rory will continue to inspire those around them, motivate their fellow students, and make a lasting impact on the Senior School in 2025 and beyond

 

VM Market & Bake Sale: Showcasing Applied Learning:

This term, our VM students put their learning into action with two fantastic events: the VM Market and the VM Bake Sale. At the Market, students sold their 3D-printed creations in the Year 7 Centre, and junior students were excited to purchase these unique items. It was a great success, with our senior students showcasing their entrepreneurial and creative skills. The VM Bake Sale also proved a hit, with student groups using start-up funds to create delicious treats. The Staff Room was filled with an array of cakes and biscuits, all in support of raising funds for future applied learning experiences and excursions.

Both events were a wonderful example of the hands-on, real-world learning that defines the VCE VM program!

 

Individual Student Achievements

We also want to highlight some amazing individual achievements:

  • Cody Scoble and Cam Gramberg, who graduated from the Advance Community College Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystems Management SBAT program, with Cody named Trainee of the Year and Cam receiving the Encouragement Award!

  • Lara Bassingthwaighte (Year 10), who represented Western Port at the Interschool Dressage Day at Boneo Park and earned 3rd place in both sections of the competition on her horse, Mini Escapee. Well done, Lara!

 

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up an incredible year, we want to thank all our students, staff, and families for their commitment to excellence. We are excited to continue supporting our students in the new year, helping them reach even greater heights.

 

We wish everyone a restful and joyful Christmas break, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.