Message from our Assistant Principals

Leading Together for Excellence and Equity

On May 28th and 29th, Executive Principal Dave Armstrong and myself joined leadership colleagues from across the state at the 2026 Government Schools Principals Conference held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

The theme for this year’s conference was “Leading Together for Excellence and Equity,” providing a fantastic opportunity for Victorian leaders to collaborate, share evidence-informed practices, and discuss the future of public education in our state. 

Official Opening by the Minister for Education 

The conference officially commenced with an opening address by the Minister for Education, the Honourable Ben Carroll. Minister Carroll welcomed delegates and set a collaborative tone for the two days, re-emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting school leaders, fostering equitable educational outcomes, and investing heavily in the future of Victoria's government schools. 

Professional Workshops: Strengthening Our School Culture 

Throughout the two days, I had the opportunity to attend various deep-dive workshops designed to bring highly practical strategies back to our classrooms and community. Two sessions particularly resonated with our current goals: 

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): This framework focuses on how schools can target academic, behavioural, and social-emotional support to match the specific needs of individual students. It was an excellent opportunity to learn how we can further refine our early intervention strategies so that every student thrives. 

Building Your Narrative—Inspiring School Pride and Confidence: This workshop focused on the power of storytelling in education. It explored how we can better share the incredible achievements, daily joys, and unique strengths of our school to continue inspiring great pride, trust, and confidence among our students, staff, and families. 

Spotlight Session: AI in the Classroom 

Another major highlight was a vital panel discussion titled "Artificial Intelligence Use in Schools," hosted by the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. The Academy's CEO led a brilliant panel that brought together front-line school perspectives, led by Dave, alongside academic representatives. 

The conversation focused heavily on how schools can navigate the introduction of AI tools ethically. Key takeaways included: 

Balancing Opportunity and Risk: Exploring the immediate practical implications of AI across teaching, learning, assessment, and school policy. 

• The Human Element: Dave highlighted that while AI offers exciting ways to streamline administrative tasks and differentiate learning, it must always serve to enhance—not replace—the vital human relationships between teachers and students. 
• Equity & Access: Ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have equitable, safe, and critical literacy skills to navigate these emerging technologies. 

Celebrating Our Strengths 

One of my biggest personal takeaways from the two days was an immense sense of pride in our own school community. Listening to the state-wide benchmarks and expert presentations truly reinforced how our school is already doing great things in several key areas: 

• Our Teaching Practices: Our ongoing focus on evidence-based, high-impact teaching strategies aligns perfectly with the high standards championed at the conference. 
• Our Attendance Monitoring: Our rigorous, proactive systems for tracking and supporting student attendance ensure our students are in class and ready to learn. 

• Our Engagement and Wellbeing Supports: The holistic frameworks we have in place to care for our students' social and emotional needs perfectly mirror the state’s best-practice models for student success. 

   

It is incredibly reassuring to know that the hard work of our staff, students, and families keeps us firmly on the right track. 

Meanwhile, Wangaratta High School students have been involved in a range of activities over the past few weeks that have focussed on building relationships and leadership skills, moving outside comfort zones, and showcasing the best of the talent the school has to offer. 

Over two weeks, our Year 7 students made their way to Rubicon Outdoor School to participate in a range of outdoor education activities to build stronger friendships, experience personal challenges, and participate in activities with the aim of developing an understanding of themselves and others. Both groups over the two weeks had a fantastic time and the first group even got to experience snow! 

Thirty-five of our Year 9 students attended Future Makers, a 12-day camp run at 15 Mile Creek in conjunction with the Outdoor School. This opportunity allows our students to explore the environment and develop new skills, with a particular focus on their global footprint and the future they want to make for themselves and others. Students completed a range of team building activities, with a focus on collaboration and building connections with group members they may not normally work with. They built their paddles from scratch, learnt how to canoe, and completed many camp activities such as orienteering, flying fox and rock climbing.  

Students spent the four days canoeing down the Murray River, and on return to the camp spent some time sledding down the King River and working with Landcare in Moyhu.  

Many found it challenging to be away from home with no contact for 12 days, however they all agreed it was fantastic experience.  

On Wednesday 20th May, a postponed date from Term One, many of the most talented students from our school entertained the audience at our Annual Talent Quest. The theme for this year was ‘The 2000s’, and our Year 12s did not disappoint with their short skits and final dance based on this theme. The staff acts, as always, were well choreographed and practiced to perfection. The standard of our student acts from across the school, both solo and in groups, were of a high quality and showcased the calibre of our talent from dancing, singing, and instrumental performances. Thanks to our MCs for the night and to all the staff who gave so much of their time to ensuring the night ran so smoothly. 

One of the bands who performed on the night was CHEX, our saxophone quartet, who had the special honour of performing at Hamer Hall in the week prior to the Talent Quest as part of the annual North East Victoria Region (NEVR) concert. They performed in front of over 2000 audience members and had an amazing experience – definitely one to remember.  

Well done to all our students who continue to represent Wangaratta High School in their many different pursuits while demonstrating our school values our in the community. Many thanks to all the staff who support these students in these important activities. Your time and dedication are appreciated. 

John Paola

Assistant Principal, June 2026

Meg Whatley 

Acting Assistant Principal, June 2026