PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Western Heights College acknowledges the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our College stands, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

Principal’s Newsletter Report 30/10/26

What a fortnight it has been at Western Heights College. Our Year 12 students have begun their final VCE and VCE exams, and we were thrilled to welcome football superstar Juan Mata to the college. With Term 4 well underway, there is a lot to celebrate and plenty still to come.

World Teachers Day Today

Today, Friday 30 October, we celebrate World Teachers' Day, and this year's theme is "Shine a light on Teachers". Our teachers do far more than deliver lessons. They know our students well, set high expectations and support them through challenges as well as celebrations. Nowhere is this clearer than in our Year 12 cohort, who have just completed 13 years of education and begun their final exams with the preparation, encouragement and care of many teachers behind them. On behalf of the whole Western Heights College community, thank you to every teacher for the difference you make each day. I also thank our education support staff, who work alongside our teachers and are essential to everything we do. Students and families are warmly encouraged to take a moment today to say thank you to a teacher who has made a difference to them. 

Year 12 – A Positive Finish to 13 Years of Education

Our Year 12 students began their final exams on Tuesday 27 October with the English exam. For many, this is the final stage of 13 years of education, and I could not be prouder of the way this cohort has finished their schooling. Their farewell celebrations were positive and respectful, and they have approached the start of their exams with maturity, focus and care for one another.

Thank you to our Year 12 staff, led by Year 12 Learning Community Leader Brett Bullock, to the teachers who have prepared our students so thoroughly, and to the families who have supported them every step of the way. To all of our Year 12s: do your best, look after yourselves and each other, and know that the whole college is behind you.

Exams continue until Wednesday 18 November, followed by our Year 12 Graduation evening on Thursday 19 November at GMHBA Stadium. VCE results will be released on Thursday 10 December.

Juan Mata Visits Western Heights College

Last week we were delighted to welcome Spanish football superstar Juan Mata to our college. A World Cup and Champions League winner who starred for Chelsea and Manchester United, Juan joined Melbourne Victory and was named the club’s Victory Medallist last season.

It was a wonderful thrill for our students, particularly those in our Soccer Program, to meet a player who has competed at the very highest level of world football, and a valuable reminder of what dedication, humility and hard work can achieve. Thank you to Melbourne Victory and to our Soccer Program staff for making the visit possible.

New Gymnasium Officially Opened

On Tuesday 27 October we conducted a soft launch and opening of our new gymnasium, with Ella George MP, Member for Lara, joining students, staff and School Council members for the occasion. On behalf of the Western Heights College School Council and community, thank you to the Victorian Government and in particular to Ella George and her predecessor John Eren. Their advocacy for this $7.55 million investment has been truly valued.

Our school captains, Finn Hynes-Carnegie and Chloe Wolfenden, spoke on behalf of our students about what the gymnasium means to them. The gym has been in use since July and is already a valued part of our sport programs, physical education classes and school community. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate.

Pupil Free Day and Melbourne Cup Day

There are no classes for students on Monday 2nd November (Pupil Free Day – Teacher Professional Practice Day) Classes resume on Tuesday 3rd November.

Early Commencement Program (ECP 2027)

On Monday 30th November, all students in Year 11 and 12 for 2027 (and 2027 Year 10 students studying a VCE subject) will commence 1 week of an early commencement program to enable the students an opportunity to obtain a head start with their learning for 2027. A timetable will be released shortly for students for this program. It is imperative that all students attend this program until its completion on Friday 4th December for current Year 10 and 11 students. This will be the last day of school for Year 10 and 11 students for the 2026 school year.

End of Year Dates for 2026

• Monday 2nd November – Pupil Free Day (Teacher Professional Practice Day)

• Wednesday 18th November – Final VCE examination

• Year 12 Graduation, GMHBA Stadium – Thursday 19th November

• Early Commencement Program 2027 – Monday 30th November to Friday 4th December

• Last day of classes for 2026 Year 10 and 11 students – Friday 4th December

• Last day of timetabled classes Year 7-9 students – Friday 4th December

• Year 7-9 Domain Based Learning Activities – Monday 7th December to Wednesday 16th December

• Whole College Awards Evening – Thursday 10th December

• 2026 Report Feedback by appointment only – Thursday 17th and Friday 18th December

AIP and Planning for 2027

Planning for 2027 continues, including our 2026 AIP self-assessment and the 2027 AIP, which will continue to focus on student learning. 2027 is our school review year, which we complete every 4 years. During this review we will be planning a new strategic plan for 2028 – 2032.

Enjoy the next fortnight,

Fiona Taylor

Principal

Child Safety at WHC

Western Heights College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse. Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.

Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website.

1. Commitment to Child Safety

2. Child Safety Policy

3. Child Safety Code of Conduct

4. Child Protection Policy and Procedures

Annual Privacy Policy Reminder for 2026

Our school collects, uses, discloses, and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy (found on the college's webpage).

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents and carers on the webpage. This information is also available in nine community languages:

          * Amharic

          * Arabic

          * Dari

          * Gujarati

          * Mandarin

          * Somali

          * Sudanese

          * Turkish

          * Urdu

          * Vietnamese