Junior School Report
Ms Jessika Cichy
Westall Secondary College
Message from the
Director of Learning
Junior School
Miss Jessika Cichy
As we approach the end of Term 1, I want to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of our Year 7 and 8 students. It has been a term full of learning, challenges, and exciting opportunities, and I am incredibly proud of how well our students have adapted and engaged. Thank you to all families for your ongoing support in ensuring a positive and productive start to the year.
Recap of the Term
NAPLAN Success – Well Done, Year 7s!
Our Year 7 students completed their NAPLAN assessments a couple of weeks ago, and we could not be prouder of the way they approached each test. They demonstrated resilience, focus, and determination throughout the process, and we are confident that their hard work will be reflected in their results. Thank you to families for ensuring students were prepared and supported during this important milestone.
Year 8 Global Literacy Excursion – Half Moon Bay
On March 20th, our Year 8 students ventured to Half Moon Bay in Sandringham for their Global Literacy Excursion. This field trip allowed students to witness first-hand the landscapes and landforms they have been studying, reinforcing their understanding of coastal erosion, environmental changes, and geographical features.
It was fantastic to see students applying their classroom knowledge in the real world, asking insightful questions, and making connections between theory and practice. Despite the long day, students remained engaged and worked incredibly well together. Well done, Year 8s!
Upcoming Events & Notices
Junior School Triumph Days (1st to 2nd April 2025, Wk 10)
We are excited to introduce the Junior School Triumph Days, a two-day alternative program for Year 7 and 8 students, running on April 1st and 2nd in Week 10.
This initiative is designed to promote teamwork, collaboration, and a strong sense of community as students continue their transition into the 2025 school year. Throughout the program, students will take part in interactive challenges and team-based activities, and through problem-solving and friendly competition, students will strengthen communication skills, build positive relationships, and learn to work together in a fair and respectful way.
As part of Triumph Days, students will also have the exciting opportunity to participate in a Rock Climbing and Caving Excursion at Bayside Rock on April 1st. To accommodate all students, two Year 8 and two Year 7 form groups will attend each session, with two sessions running across the day. This excursion provides an engaging way for students to challenge themselves, step outside their comfort zones, and develop essential life skills while working alongside their peers.
It is $18 per student, and they will be taken there and back by a charter bus. All students will be back at school by the regular finish time of 3:11pm.
By engaging in these physical and mental challenges, students will strengthen their confidence, peer relationships, and collaborative skills in a fun and supportive environment. This excursion is a fantastic way to enhance learning beyond the classroom while reinforcing key skills that will benefit them throughout the year.
We look forward to seeing our students embrace this opportunity, challenge themselves, and celebrate the spirit of Triumph Days!
CAT Season & Reports
As we near the end of the term, students are likely completing their first Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) for 2025! These tasks are designed to assess their understanding of key concepts and provide valuable feedback on their progress, as well as enable them to see where they are at in their learning, and where they can go from here!
Parents and carers will soon receive student progress reports, which will include a grade for different learning behaviours in each subject. You will also be able to see the grades for their CATs.
Below I have included an overview of the marking guidelines for CATs, which tells you how our grading system works at Westall. It is important to know that a ‘C’ at Westall means that the student is working at level and is where we expect most students to be. A ‘C’ means they are achieving the standards we expect for someone at this time in their year level, which is great!
I have also included the general descriptors for their progress reports. In their progress reports, an ‘A’ means that they are showing the behaviour all the time without requiring assistance or direction from their teacher, while a ‘C’ means they often do this, but they do need assistance or prompting.
We encourage families to take some time to go through their child’s work and reports together. If you have any questions or would like to discuss ways to support your child’s learning, please reach out to their classroom teachers or year level coordinators via Compass.
Balancing Rest & Routine Over the Holidays
With the term break fast approaching, we want to remind students and families of the importance of rest and recharging. The holidays are a perfect time to:
Spend time outdoors and get some fresh air
Catch up with friends and family
Engage in activities that promote mental and physical well-being
At the same time, maintaining good routines will help students transition smoothly into Term 2. We encourage families to:
Support regular sleep schedules to avoid exhaustion when school resumes
Encourage light academic engagement, such as reading, creative writing, or completing holiday homework
Get outside and enjoy the sunshine
If you need suggestions for books or activities, please feel free to ask the Junior School Leadership Team or classroom teachers.
Caring for Others – Hands-Off Policy
A reminder to all students about the importance of respecting personal space. We have noticed an increase in hands-on behaviour, with some interactions beginning as playful but escalating into more serious situations.
To ensure that all students feel safe and comfortable at school, we encourage families to discuss appropriate boundaries with their children. Keeping hands to themselves allows everyone to focus on learning in a positive and supportive environment. We appreciate your support in reinforcing this message at home.
Term 2 – Winter Uniform
Lastly, this is to note that students will be transitioning to the winter uniform for Terms 2 & 3. The winter uniform includes:
School shirt (long or short sleeve)
School pants
Winter skirt
Black/navy tights
Navy scarf (optional)
Black leather school shoes
Please note that non-uniform items (i.e. hats, puffer jackets, jumpers) that are worn in school will be confiscated. Students who repetitively wear the incorrect uniform will receive escalating consequences, potentially being sent home. If you require any support with uniform supplies, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Junior School.
Thank You & Looking Ahead
As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to thank our students for their hard work and commitment, and our families for their ongoing support. I also want to give a big shoutout to our teachers and staff, who have worked incredibly hard over the term to support our students and make sure we have a supportive, flourishing school environment. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break, and look forward to an exciting Term 2 filled with more opportunities for learning and growth!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Miss Jessika Cichy
Director of Learning - Junior School
Year 7 Immunisations
For any students who have missed their immunisation and would like to still receive it. Please find information below on where you can still get immunised.
