Whole School Achievement

Victorian Education Excellence Awards

Finalist – Outstanding School Improvement

How did we get here? Through bold cultural change, clear expectations, and consistent routines, Western Port SC has built a safe, focused learning environment where students and staff thrive.

Key Outcomes: 

✅ Staff psychological safety rose from 41% (2022) to 97% (2025)

✅ Student behavior perception jumped from 50% to 84%

✅ VET participation increased from 13.3% to 45%

✅ VCE Mean Study Score lifted to 25.8, with 27% of scores above 30

✅ NAPLAN Reading & Numeracy exceeded similar school benchmarks

✅ 266 Classroom Mastery observations in Term 1; 97% of teachers reported improved engagement

✅ SOLAR strategies led to a 250% increase in students reading above benchmark

We’ve deepened inclusion through Elevate and Outreach and strengthened First Nations leadership via our Marrung Action Plan and partnerships with Willum Warrain and the Bunurong Land Council.

This is what happens when a school listens to its students, staff, and families. 💚🖤🤍 

Finalist – Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal 

How does a school go from surviving to thriving? It starts with outstanding leadership.

Our Principal, Chris Quinn, is the heartbeat of Western Port SC — welcoming students, families, and staff at the gate each morning and setting the tone for a culture built on warmth, consistency, and high expectations.

Under Chris’ leadership: 

📈 Teacher confidence in curriculum planning rose from 51% to 75% 

📚 NAPLAN growth from Year 7–9 exceeded state averages 

🧠 Students at significant risk dropped from 88% to 34% 

🎓 Senior certificate completion rose from 88% to 95% 

💬 Staff endorsement of PD as “a good use of time” rose by 32% 

🏆 Winner of the 2024 Peninsula Applied Learning ‘Best Practice’ Award

Chris also chairs the Mornington Peninsula Learning Guarantee, a cluster of 10 schools driving evidence-based practice and influencing statewide reform.

From curriculum reform to inclusive education, Chris ensures every learner is seen, supported, and set up for success. 

📷 Credit: Rocky Puglisi, Year 11 student

Student Voice. Cultural Pride. Emerging Leaders. 

Western Port Secondary College is honored to be named a 2025 VEEA Finalist for the Outstanding Koorie Education Award, alongside our KELiS cluster partners.

Over the past year, we’ve proudly hosted two Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools (KELiS) events, led entirely by our incredible Western Port Mob. These transformational days explored identity, belonging, and leadership, with students and staff sharing stories, culture, and aspirations across the region.

KELiS Highlights: 

🎤 Student-led sessions on leadership and cultural identity 

🌿 Partnerships with Bunurong Land Council, Didgeridoo Australia, Willum Warrain & headspace 

💬 Growing student voice and pride across all year levels 

🌟 Emerging leaders now mentoring others and shaping our Marrung journey

We’re proud to partner with Elisabeth Murdoch College (KELiS founder) and DET in this journey. This recognition is a celebration of our students, staff, and community. 

🖤💛❤️    💙🤍💚

Performing Arts

Performing Arts News 

Music Detention on Tour – Our Intermediate band Music Detention are going on tour to 3 of our local primary schools on Friday 17th October. We will be pumping them up with a mini concert, some Q&A about music and WPSC and then rehearsing together for our combined Spring Concert coming up in November. 

Battle Of The Bands – Hot Pocket and the Midsummer Sons will do battle against schools across the region (and each other) in the SEVR Junior Battle of The Bands competition on Monday 20th October. They will need to deliver red hot performances on the day but will also get the chance to watch other bands and hang with like minded souls.  

M2 Boogaloo – Guitar Choir will get the crowd going with a good old sing along at our Term 4 M2 Boogaloo. The date is yet to be decided. 

Production Auditions – I don’t want to say too much yet but if you’ve been dreaming of starring in a musical extravaganza! Warm up your voice, rehearse that knockout monologue, reach for the top note and prepare to audition. Watch this space! 

Inter School Sport

It’s been a huge term of sport at Western Port, with our students showing grit, teamwork, and pride across a range of district and regional competitions. Here’s a snapshot of our standout achievements:

District Competition Results

• 9/10 Girls Hockey – 🥇 1st Place

• 9/10 Boys Basketball – 🥈 2nd Place

• 9/10 Boys Hockey – 🥈 2nd Place

• Year 8 Girls Table Tennis – 🥈 2nd Place

• Year 7 Girls Table Tennis – 🥈 2nd Place

• Year 7 Boys Table Tennis – 🥈 2nd Place

• Year 7 Boys Hockey – 🥉 3rd Place

• Year 7 Boys (B) Futsal – 🥉 3rd Place

Regional Representation

• Year 7 Boys Badminton

• Year 8 Boys Badminton

• Tui competed in Regional Cross Country, showing incredible endurance and spirit

• Daniel Collins represented Western Port in State Swimming, with outstanding results!

   

New Partnership Alert!

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Basketball Partnership with Elisabeth Murdoch College, opening up fresh opportunities for skill development, inter school collaboration and student leadership in sport.

Congratulations to all our athletes, coaches, and supporters, you’ve made Term 3 one to remember.