The Western Port Word

Senior School Update

Years 10 - 12

Assistant Principal's Update

Laura Higgins

Senior School Newsletter  

We’re well into the term now, and for our Year 11 and 12 students, Unit 2 and Unit 4 coursework has been at crunch point. Students have been working hard on SACs and assessments, and it’s been great to see how they’ve engaged in their learning through hard work support by our Classroom Mastery and SOLAR practices. 

 

For our Year 10s, the students have also been putting in the effort to prepare for their final term before stepping up into VCE in 2026. Alongside their regular studies, students have been leaning into Careers and Pathways learning in iCare, which has given them the chance to reflect on their strengths, explore their future options, and set goals for what lies ahead in senior school and beyond. 

 

Senior School Formal 

On Tuesday 12th August we celebrated our Senior School Formal at Toscano Italian Restaurant in Hastings. This was a highlight of the term, giving Year 11 and 12 students the chance to come together, celebrate, and create memories in a more formal setting. Everyone looked fantastic and it was wonderful to see students enjoying themselves over a night of music, food, and plenty of laughter. The event also showed the positive culture in our senior school, students were respectful, inclusive, and made the night enjoyable for all. A big thank you goes to committee who planned the event and to the staff who supported and supervised, making sure the evening was safe, well-organised, and special. A huge thank you goes out to Mr Nolan for all his hard work organising the event! 

 

NGV Excursion – French Impressionism 

Our VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students, along with selected Year 10 students, attended an excursion to the NGV International to experience the French Impressionism exhibition. The day began with a VCE-focused lecture that unpacked the techniques, themes, and historical context of Impressionist art. Students then explored the exhibition firsthand, seeing famous works up close and connecting what they’ve been learning in class to original, world-class artworks. This experience not only inspired their own creative practice but also helped strengthen their understanding of visual analysis and art history. For many students, seeing such significant works in person was both inspiring and unforgettable. 

 

Year 10 ABCN – Interview to Impress 

Year 10 students had the chance to participate in two Korn Ferry sessions facilitated by ABCN. The first, Find Your Purpose, encouraged students to think deeply about their passions, strengths, and values, helping them to gain clarity around what motivates them and where they might want to go after school. The second, Interview to Impress, gave students practical interview skills, including how to present themselves confidently, answer questions effectively, and leave a strong impression on employers. Travelling into the city by train and navigating the day also gave students an added sense of independence and responsibility. These programs are an important stepping stone as Year 10s prepare for VCE and for pathways beyond school. 

 

Book Week Day 

This year’s Book Week theme was “Book an Adventure”, and our Senior School students joined in by dressing up as book characters and taking part in lunchtime activities. It was fantastic to see the creativity and energy students brought to the day, with costumes ranging from classics to modern favourites. Events like this show that while we work hard in our studies, we also value opportunities to come together as a community, have fun, and celebrate creativity. The participation and enthusiasm on the day really highlighted the positive spirit of our senior school students. 

 

VCE Psychology Excursion – ARTVO & NGV 

Our Unit 2 Psychology students enjoyed an excursion that perfectly combined theory and practice. At ARTVO, students immersed themselves in 3D artworks and optical illusions, giving them the chance to experience first-hand how visual perception works. By engaging with illusions and interactive artworks, they deepened their understanding of key concepts such as depth cues, perceptual constancies, and figure-ground relationships. Students were able to directly connect these experiences to the content of their upcoming AOS2 SAC, making this excursion both highly educational and engaging. It was a perfect example of how learning can come alive outside the classroom. 

 

Senior School Assembly: Music and Awards! 

During Week 7 we held our termly Assembly and it was a great opportunity to get together and reflect on the term, student achievements and update the cohort on exciting events and things to come! The real highlight was the musical performances by our student bands including: 

  • John Vincent Juan Solo 

  • JV, Willy P and Rocky P Band  

  • Music Detention  

     

High Performance Learning Culture Awards:At Western Port Secondary College, we are proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students. This certificate represents more than just results, it reflects a commitment to our high-performance learning culture, where continuous improvement, collaboration, and the courage to embrace challenges are at the heart of everything we do. Through growth mindset, accountability, and shared responsibility, we empower one another to strive for excellence and reach our fullest potential. 

 

We are proud to recognise the following recipients of the High-Performance Learning Awards. These awards are to recognise consistent effort and excellence in High Performance Learning on School-Assessed Coursework in the following subjects. 

Unit 4  

  • Jenna Chalkitis – Unit 4 Health and Human Development 

  • Shania Gratton – Unit 4 Work Related Skills 

  • Zach Panting – Unit 4 Legal Studies 

  • Marcus Harwood – Unit 4 English 

  • Henry Graham – Unit 4 General Math 

  • Lily Smith-Watson – Unit 4 Biology 

  • Ella Felstead – Unit 4 Ancient History  

  • Maxine Green – Unit 4 Psychology 

Unit 2 

  • Kaitlyn Stow – Unit 2 Biology 

  • Rohan Trickey – Unit 2 English 

  • Precious Villamil – Unit 2 Health and Human Development 

  • Liam Ricard – Unit 2 Sociology 

  • Kayne Fakira – Unit 2 Mathematical Methods 

  • Liam Ricard – Unit 2 Mathematical Methods 

  • Harry Mirrabella – Unit 2 Physics 

  • Lucas Cusack – Unit 2 Psychology 

  • Jayden Lee – Unit 2 Food Technology 

  • Jasmine Bannan – Unit 2 Work Related Skills 

  • Brodie Barrett – Unit 2 Personal Development Skills 

  • Naeema Mohammed – Unit 2 Literacy 

  • Mia Jones – Unit 2 Literacy 

  • Cayden Pike – Unit 2 Work Related Skills 

  • Zach Panting – Unit 2 History  

  • Lara Bassingthwaigte – Unit 2 General Math 

  • Addison Wakeman – Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting 

  • Nova Beckett – Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting 

  • Abby Dudas-Fleetwood – Unit 2 Art Making and Exhibiting 

     

In closing, this has been a busy and rewarding stretch in the Senior School. From the fun and celebrations of the Formal, to the learning and inspiration gained from excursions to the preparation for future pathways through programs like ABCN, our students have really stepped up. Each of these opportunities has helped you grow, not only as learners but also as young people preparing for the next stage of your journey. Well done to everyone for your commitment, your participation, and the positive way you’ve represented yourselves and our school.