SSP News: High Performance and Olympic Pathway Program

Ryder Takes on the Road Racing Scene

We are excited to share some outstanding news about Ryder, a Year 7 student in our Aspiring Athlete Program, who continues to impress in the world of motorcycle racing.

Ryder competes in Motocross at an A Grade level, but until November last year, he had never ridden a road bike. After receiving an email from Yamaha inviting him to trial for the Oceania Junior Cup, he decided to give it a go for the experience.

In November, Ryder attended a selection clinic at Winton Raceway. Despite coming from a dirt background and transitioning to the very different demands of road racing, he was selected as the only Victorian rider to make the team. A remarkable achievement given the technical differences between motocross and road racing.

In 2026, Ryder has an exciting and demanding season ahead. He will compete in the Oceania Junior Cup as well as State and National Motocross Championships.

His Oceania Junior Cup rounds are scheduled as follows:

Round 1: Sydney Motorsport Park March 27–28

Round 2: The Bend Motorsport Park May 1–3

Round 3: Morgan Park Raceway May 29–31

Round 4: Queensland Raceway June 26–28

We look forward to following Ryder’s progress and wish him every success for what promises to be a huge year of racing.

Netball News

It’s been a huge fortnight in the Specialist Netball Program. Last Thursday our SNP Head Coach Susan Meaney, SSP Leader Renee Lane and WHC Principal Fiona Taylor attended the Melbourne Vixens Partners Luncheon with guest speakers Vixens Coach Di Honey along with players Hannah Mundy, Sophie Garbin and Rudi Ellis.

Past Vixens Captains and Australian Diamonds players Sharelle McMahon and Bianca Chatfield were also in attendance. This event marks the commencement of an exciting partnership with Netball Victoria and Melbourne Vixens, creating some amazing high-performance experiences for our student athletes and coaches. Watch this space with more information to come!!!!!

This week we will announce the players who will be attending the SNP QLD Tour – competing in the All Schools National Netball Championships from August 30th to September 4th.

Students will be staying at the Gold Coast High Performance Centre and competing at the Coomera Indoor Sports Complex a sensational venue where the 2018 Commonwealth Games were held. We look forward to working closely with the students to create a fantastic tour experience.

Our students involved in playing in the Barwon Region Junior Netball Competition are nearing their end of their season we wish them all the very best for those competing in finals. With the netball representative season ramping up State Titles are this weekend and Association Championships not far away, a great opportunity for players to represent their association or region and be front and centre for state talent ID Pathway scouting.

Have a great week everyone

The Netball Crew!!

Soccer news

WHAT A START TO THE PREMIERE LEAGUE !

Our Senior Men’s Soccer Team is making a statement in our inaugural Premier League campaign, and they are doing it in style! Taking on the very best school teams in Victoria, our boys have come out fearless, relentless, and hungry for success.

10–3 demolition of Mill Park Secondary College

5–1 dominant victory over SEDA Kensington A’s

Two massive performances. Two commanding wins.

We now sit proudly on top of the table, ahead of Maribyrnong College, our next challenge. And if the intensity, grit and passion we’ve seen so far is anything to go by, this team is only just getting started.

The opposition coaches were left praising the unbelievable tempo and pressure our boys maintained, from the first whistle to the last. Every tackle. Every sprint. Every goal. It’s a squad playing for each other and leaving everything on the pitch and determined to win the Premiere League in their first attempt.

The belief is building. The standard is set. We just need to keep the momentum rolling.

Go Western Heights !

Western Jets U16 Representatives

Congratulations to Our Western Jets U16 Representatives

We are proud to congratulate Specialist AFL students Phoenix Rotondi, Jarmayne Rowan-Seivlialii, Lual Deng, Evan Massari and Riley Morris on their selection into the Western Jets Under 16 representative program.

This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the hard work, commitment and consistency each of these students has shown both at school and in their football development. Selection into a representative program of this level is highly competitive and provides an important step in the AFL talent pathway.

We are especially pleased to see our Specialist AFL Program supporting and contributing to these opportunities. It is rewarding to watch our students progress and take the next step in their football journey.

Congratulations to you all. We are very proud of this accomplishment and wish you every success in the Western Jets program.

Staffing Key Contacts for the Specialist Sports Program;

SSP Leader

Renee Lane – SSP Leader Renee.Lane@education.vic.gov.au

SSP Management Team

Cate Johnson – Operations Manager Cate.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Nick Richardson – High Performance Manager Nicholas.Richardson2@education.vic.gov.au

SSP Learning Community Leader

Paul Rogers Paul.Rogers@education.vic.gov.au

Please contact the appropriate staff / coaches at each of the Year Levels below if you have any concerns regarding your child’s athletic performance;

AFL Program:

Thomas Hunter (Yr 7-9): Thomas.Hunter@education.vic.gov.au

Will Sexton (Yr 10-12): William.Sexton@education.vic.gov.au

For any student injury concerns, please contact Ryan Spoors: Ryan.Spoors@education.vic.gov.au

Coaching Team: Matthew Scarlett, Brad Ottens, Kate Darby, Brendan McCartney, Georgie Prespakis and Ryan Spoors

Basketball Program:

Head Coach - Ashley Arnott: Ashley.Arnott@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Kaleb Sclater, David Herbert and Kris Blicavs: Kaleb.Sclater@education.vic.gov.au

Kris.Blicavs@education.vic.gov.au

David.Herbert@education.vic.gov.au

* The program will continue to be supported by players from Geelong United WNBL team, including Taylor Mole.

Netball Program:

Head Coach - Susan Meaney: Susan.Meaney@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Stacey Dodds and Ainsley Corrigan: Stacey.Dodds@education.vic.gov.au

Ainsley.Corrigan@education.vic.gov.au

For any student injury concerns, please contact Seth Tomlinson: Seth.Tomlinson@education.vic.gov.au

Soccer Program:

Head Coach - Joseph Didulica: Joseph.Didulica@education.vic.gov.au

For any student or program correspondence, Please also include, Sean Mahon and Dan Conte: Sean.Mahon@education.vic.gov.au

Daniel.Conte@education.vic.gov.au

Melbourne Victory Coaching Team: Peter Kofinas and Cassian Anghel.

For any student injury concerns, please contact Nick Richardson: Nicholas.Richardson2@education.vic.gov.au

Please note: Any mainstream concerns are via the relevant Sub-School Leader or Learning Community Leader

Link to Purchase Sport Uniform

* For SSP and AAP students only

https://indigowolf.com.au/whcssp

Travel to and from SSP Training Venues Friendly Reminder:

Every child, regardless of their postcode is expected to travel with their class to and from practice venues, as a part of our Duty of Care. Students are not to arrive late or leave early from venues. In 2026, there will be no permanent ‘late’ arrivals or ‘early’ departures issued. It is expected that choosing WHC and the SSP, means you are committed to our 9am-3pm school hours – every day of the week.

If, your child is required to leave early or arrive late (on the odd occasion), due to an appointment, please contact Anthe Petrovics our Attendance Officer via email to arrange this, so that it is visible on compass (for all staff). This is not to be arranged via Sport Coaches or Teachers.

Anthe Petrovics: Anthe.Petrovics@education.vic.gov.au

WHC COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT