Message from the Executive Principal 

Presentation Night December 13th 2023

Despite an extended power outage on the day, a severe storm and oppressive heat, there was a great turnout for our annual Presentation Night. Here is a copy of what I said to the school community on the evening:

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, students and teachers – the whole community that defines our great school – the champions of our young people. A special welcome to our special guests and those that offer sponsorship and support to our school, and to other friends of Wangaratta High School.

Thank you for making it a priority to be here this evening. It’s great to see so many students, staff, parents, carers and friends of our school. 

It is Meg Whatley’s special honour to be closing off tonight with our Year 12s, but I would like to take the opportunity to reference them on their very last school engagement. As I hope you have heard, we have had some amazing results – again. Really impressive results. I am going to break with protocol to acknowledge our school DUX early in the proceedings. Orlando Bulmer– will be presented with his award later. I wanted to emphasise that not only did Orlando achieve the highest ATAR at the High School, but it was also the highest in Wangaratta. Go Orlando and go to Wangaratta High School. Orlando follows in the footsteps of many others of our students who have done so well at the High School over the years. Concurrently, our median VCE score is equal or on par with our peer schools. The same applies to the percentage of VCE study scores, which are either equal or higher than our peer schools. I share this news not to gloat. I am mindful that such successes ebb and flow from year to year, but my job is be an advocate of our school and our students - who deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged here and beyond. This audience already knows that we are a great school!

There are countless other stories of endeavour, persistence and achievement - many more triumphs in various forms that are not evident in “the number”. For some, this means not even completing their VCE – in that they got themselves to a point where they needed to pursue other options or even come back to their studies one day in the future. I don’t need to read off a list of names and accomplishments of those significant Australians or citizens of the world who did not get to their pinnacle by following a straightforward path. Don’t get me wrong, we are exceptionally motivated as a school and as a staff to serve our students differently and better so, even more, stay on and pursue their final years of studies at school. However, it is the private and personal journeys of our young people that deserve our acknowledgement. It’s a hard life stage at any time – the class of 2023 have done amazingly despite a pandemic that hit them especially hard while they were in years 9 and 10. 

Wangaratta High School is delivering an education worth having. It is authentic, diverse, unsheltered and a genuine reflection of the world our young people they are launching themselves into. We deeply value and deliver quality teaching and learning, but our staff, culture and traditions value and encourage much beyond the classroom. This includes but is not limited to student leadership, visual arts, sport, music and performing arts and learning in the outdoors. In 2024, we have a new strategic plan that further focuses on ensuring that student's learning and well-being are maximised. This will include a renewed focus on what matters most. 

Complimenting this is the government’s commitment of $12 million to upgrade and modernise our campus further. The appointed architects are well underway with their master planning, with the costing of the identified projects currently underway. Our next priority will be determining what is done first and engaging with staff and students on the specifics of building design. In addition to this, I am pleased to announce that, largely thanks to the work of our students, we have secured an additional $30,000 in ActiveSchools funding for 2024. The school ordinarily receives an annual $14,000 grant. This year, I handed over decision-making on spending this money to the students. Through a wide engagement with students, they have selected a specialist adolescent adventure parkour course. They did so well at the consultation process that the students were invited to share their process with other schools and were invited to apply for special extra funds to top up. Overall, we now have almost $60,000 to spend on this adventure course. Its placement will be determined by our new master plan – watch out for further updates in 2024.

Last year, we renewed our tradition of acknowledging significant length of service to the High School with a bit of a catch-up of some overdue celebrations. We now proudly celebrate staff who have worked at the High School for 10, 15, 20, 25 years so on. Tonight, it will be 10, 15, 25. It is important to note that many of our staff have worked for the Department for many years beyond their years with is, but this acknowledgement is focused on the High School. It is very special for us and a special part of the school dynamic to have so many staff who have served as such. 

I congratulate and thank the following, and invite them to the stage:

For ten years of service: Andrea Belci

For 15 years of service, there are two: Scott Solimo, Meg Whatley

For 25 years of service: Lesley Forman: 

As it is each year, we say goodbye to a few staff who are heading off on new adventures. We sadly farewell several staff this year. We wish them all the best and thank them for all they have done for our students and our school. You are all aware of the national and international teacher shortage, which has had a very significant impact on regional and rural schools. I am pleased to report that we are fully staffed for next year's curriculum model. That is not to be taken for granted as other schools are not faring as well – “touch wood” of course, as people's circumstances can always change It is worth noting that we continue to seek out by teachers from elsewhere, a testament to our reputation, the calibre of our current team, innovation and the important work that we do.. 

I would like to thank all of our staff – every teacher, administration staff member and all education support staff for their work this year. Thanks also to the senior leadership team that I work closely with – Kylie Fountain, our Business Manager, and our two Assistant Principals, John Paola and Sheri Parkhouse. "

I wish everyone a safe and fun summer together. Farewell to those families and students who are finishing with Wangaratta High School, especially our outgoing class of 2023. Please do stay in touch, and thanks for all that you have brought to our community in your time at our school.

The school year commences on Wednesday, January 31st. Please note that there is a curriculum day (student-free) on Wednesday 6th March.

New video series promoting our school

We have been working with past student and professional videographer Ben Christie to create a series of videos that showcase our school. I am pleased to be sharing one of those with you in this newsletter - making its world premiere. They are all on our YouTube channel, . 

Expect to see them also on our social media channels. Enjoy!