SSP NEWS

WHC Athletes Shine at SSV State Athletics Championships! 🥇🥈🥉

Western Heights College athletes delivered outstanding performances at the SSV State Track and Field Championships on Friday 16 October, bringing home an impressive collection of medals and showcasing their talent against some of Victoria's best young athletes.

Special congratulations to Oliver Schouten-Durham, who had an incredible day, claiming four gold medals in the U15 100m, 200m, 400m, and Javelin. Oliver also broke the state record in the 400m, a remarkable achievement!

Our other medal winners included:

● 🥇 Macy Brdar – Gold, U13 Triple Jump

● 🥈 Ethan Young – Silver, U16 Triple Jump

● 🥈 Tahnee Hutchison – Silver, U17 Long Jump

● 🥉 Zahlie Snijders – Bronze, U17 1500m

Congratulations also to Raina Snijders (U14 1500m) and Aria Lockwood (U13 3000m), who both performed strongly in their respective events against quality opposition.

With an incredible five gold, two silver and one bronze medal, it was a fantastic day for Western Heights College athletics.

We are extremely proud of all seven athletes for their dedication, hard work and the way they represented our college at state level.

Well done, Team WHC! 💙🧡

FREE: AFL, Basketball, Netball and Soccer Clinics for 10-12 Year Olds.

Know a talented young athlete aged 10–12 who loves sport and wants to take their skills to the next level?

Western Heights College Specialist Sports Program invites aspiring young athletes to join us for our FREE Sports Clinics and Q&A with Coaches on Wednesday, 18 November!

These clinics offer a fantastic opportunity to develop sporting skills and experience a high-performance training environment across the four sports: AFL, Basketball, Netball and Soccer.

The clinics will be delivered by an outstanding group of coaches and athletes, including former Geelong Cats AFL/AFLW players, Australian Diamonds netballers, Australian Institute of Sport basketball coaches, and a former Socceroo and Croatian international soccer player. The clinics will challenge and inspire the next generation of athletes.

During the 90-minute sports clinic, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Develop sport-specific skills through challenging drills and activities.

• Improve their game sense with high-level coaches.

• Explore our gym and experience elements of our sport science testing, as well as our strength and conditioning program.

• Meet other young athletes who share a passion for sport and education.

EVENT DETAILS

Wednesday, 18 November | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

• Netball & Basketball: WHC Sports Centre

• AFL: WHC Oval and Quamby Gym (Craft Room)

• Soccer: Corio Leisure Time Centre (clinic concludes at 4:45 pm)

INFORMATION SESSION | 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Following the clinics, families are invited to our brand-new, state-of-the-art Sports Centre at Western Heights College to learn more about how children can flourish in sport and education, by participating in a Q&A with our coaches.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

Know a young athlete who might be interested? Please feel free to share this invitation.

REGISTER BY 16 NOVEMBER: https://compasstix.com/e/h5w1m16134

Bring: Sports gear, a drink bottle and plenty of enthusiasm!

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of talented young athletes, seeing their skills in action and sharing our passion for sport, education and youth development!

Cancelled: Free Parent-Carer Workshop: Sleep and Recovery

Wednesday 4th November

We are sorry to inform you that we unfortunately need to postpone our upcoming parent-carer event on Wednesday 4th November, with VIS presenter Alex Bauer (on Sleep, Fatigue and Recovery).

We will run this event in Term 2, 2027.

Specialist Sports Program: 2027 SSP Trials

Western Heights College is pleased to announce that trials for the Specialist Sports Program 2027 intake will be held in Weeks 6 & 7 (November 13–20).

Families are encouraged to review the flyers below for each program and register their child using the QR code or links provided. Please note the strict registration deadline; late applications will not be accepted.

Students must be playing at club level or above to be eligible.

Register for trials:

• AFL: https://compasstix.com/e/oh4s04vtxe 

• Basketball: https://compasstix.com/e/zo7lu54i9o

• Netball: https://compasstix.com/e/cenf4nry8j

• Soccer:https://compasstix.com/e/58wn68zrkk 

Once your child has completed the expression of interest, we will review their Compass profile: 

• Attendance (above 85%) 

• Learning behaviours (above 3.0) 

• Positive behaviour (<3 yellow or red chronicles per term)

If they do not meet the required standards, we will not add them to the Compass event, and they will not be invited to attend the trial. 

Parent/guardian consent is required for travel to and from trial venues and participation in trials. Students without consent will not be permitted to participate. All trial participants will travel with current program students, and the session will appear on their Compass schedule.

Selection Criteria

Selection into the Specialist Sports Program is based on:

• Program numbers and available positions

• Attendance (above 85%) 

• Learning behaviours (above 3.0) 

• Positive behaviour (<3 yellow or red chronicles per term)

• Demonstrated athletic skill and ability (playing at a minimum Club level)

Aspiring Athlete Program

The Aspiring Athlete Program is currently at capacity. As a result, we are unable to invite any Year 7 & 8 students who are not selected for a Specialist Sports Program to trial for the Aspiring Athlete Program. If places become available in 2027, we will offer this opportunity at our May trials.

For any enquiries, please contact Cate Johnson at Cate.Johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Constellation Cup: 

Western Heights College Specialist Netball Program is pleased to offer students the opportunity to attend Game 4 of the Constellation Cup at John Cain Arena and watch elite international netball. There are only a couple of tickets remaining (as at time of newsletter completion) and are available on a first-in, first-served basis, through compasstix. Transport and supervision must be arranged by families and will not be provided by the school. 

Representative Trials: 

Please see Representative Trial dates below. GFL registrations have now closed. If you are not within the Geelong area, you will need to source when and where your local association trials are.

Extended Sporting Absence

Attending school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day.

WHC understands that student-athletes may require absence from school for extended periods due to sporting commitments (training or competition). In this event, parent-carers must gain prior approval and provide advance notice to WHC for any extended absence (More than 3 days).

The advance notice will allow for an approved exemption (at the discretion of the Principal) from school attendance for state, national or international sporting commitments (training or competition). In short, this means it will be a school approved absence, and will not impact your child’s or the school’s attendance record/data.

Parent-Carer Responsibilities – What you need to do:

All absences of more than 3 days should be reported by parents/carers on Compass as an ‘Attendance Note’.

In the attendance note – please select Parent Choice, School Unapproved - we will adjust this at WHC as approved if the Principal deems the absence meets the state, national or international sporting commitment criteria.

In the Attendance Note, please outline:

• Dates of absence

• Reason for absence (Sport / Competition / Location)

• Attach any supporting documentation regarding the sporting event (for example: Letter from Sporting Governing body)

WHC will then action the following communication (automatically);

• Log on compass (discretionary – as approved absence)

• Notify

  - Principal: Fiona Taylor for approval

  - SSP Leader: Renee Lane

  - SSP LCL: Paul Rogers

  - Year Level Sub School Leader and Classroom teachers

Year 7-10 Student-Athletes

It is expected that all Year 7-10 student-athletes that are absent for an extended period of time (more than 3 days), notify WHC when representing and competing at a State, National or International level.

The SSP Learning Community Leader: Paul Rogers will help to support you in completing a Student Absence Learning Plan for your core subjects: English and Maths.

It is an expectation of WHC that during your sporting absence, you will complete the designated work within these two subject areas (either prior to leaving or by your return date). Of course, if you wish to obtain work from all subject areas, please feel free to do so.

VCE Student-Athletes

It is crucial for any student-athlete studying a Unit 1-4 subject to notify WHC of extended sporting absence (more than 3 days), where representing and competing at a State, National or International level.

If a VCE student-athlete is absent from a SAC, without an approved exemption (or medical certificate) may receive a score of zero for the SAC, which will have a significant impact on their final Study Score for the subject.

It is expected that all VCE student-athletes that are absent for an extended period of time, communicate with their teacher’s prior to the absence to ensure work completion whilst away. This is non-negotiable.

Absences which are for activities that are student/parent choice and not a recognised requirement of the sport, will not be approved and the absence may impact VCAA requirements for school attendance.

Please Note:

• It is the family and student-athletes' responsibility to notify WHC of any upcoming absence in advance.

• It is vitally important that all student-athletes regardless of age find out what work is required prior to leaving, during the event or competition (if realistic) and what to do upon their return – so that students can remain up to date and engaged in their learning.

Importance of Attendance

At WHC, it is important that we are clear on our attendance standards and expectations for students in our College.

Across the state, it is expected that student attendance is above 90%

School attendance is crucial:

• Every day missed impacts academic achievements

• For social-emotional development (communication, resilience, wellbeing etc).

• For future life opportunities (further learning, employment, providing skills, knowledge and values for greater community engagement and participation)

• Improved health outcomes

• Higher income across the lifespan

Please continue to support us and your child to maintain high levels of attendance at WHC (daily) and please communicate proactively via compass; attendance note, regarding any sporting commitments that may impact your child’s attendance.