PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

As we pass the mid point in the term, we have had a busy couple of weeks, with plenty of events and activities taking place and news to share. I am sure everyone is looking forward to this coming long weekend and a chance to rest as we move into the final weeks of a very busy term.

NAPLAN 2023

NAPLAN 2023 is fast approaching, with the shift to mid-March testing. NAPLAN will run from 15 March until 27 March for all Year 7 and 9 students. Students will undertake testing in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. All tests will be online. 

NAPLAN testing is an important time at the college and the tests are important in supporting our students with their learning. NAPLAN is just one aspect of the school's assessment process, but it provides vital information about students' educational progress. NAPLAN testing is for everyone. We support inclusive testing so all students have the opportunity to participate in the testing program. We strongly encourage all students to participate. Adjustments are available for students with a disability who have diverse functional abilities and needs. Please contact Shona Scorringe at the school if you have any questions about adjustments.

College Council 2023

Congratulations to the following parents and carers who have been elected to our college council for the next two years unopposed.

1. Kerry Evans

2. Paris Gittins

3. Dan Davies

Cate Johnson (staff member) has also been elected unopposed to the council as a DET representative.

I would like to inform families that our School Council Annual General Meeting is coming up on 20 March at 6pm. This is an important event where the school's Annual Report is presented, and following the report, Council members are elected for the year ahead. I would like to congratulate our new members of School Council and thank them for nominating. Each year, schools are expected to present the Annual Report to the school community, which provides an opportunity for the school community to celebrate achievements, reflect on the school’s performance, and understand where and how improvement efforts have enhanced student achievement, engagement and wellbeing. We invite all families to attend the presentation of the Annual Report or download the report from the school website following its endorsement at the School Council meeting.

Labour Day Public Holiday

Monday 13 March is the Labour Day Public Holiday in Victoria. There will be no classes.

Congratulations

Well done to our Soccer program students and coaches for their success this week at the Elite Soccer Schools Invitational Cup conducted in Dandenong. Both our Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 boys team took home the cup and enjoyed a fabulous day out. Well done to all – we are very proud of you.

International Women’s Day

This week as a college, we have been reflecting on International Women’s Day which was acknowledged worldwide on Wednesday 8 March. We aim to empower a community of fearless, confident young women, dedicated to supporting one another, building a future full of prospect whilst having fun along the way. This is reflected in the many amazing young women in our community who strive to make waves and move mountains every day. 

This year’s theme is #crackthecode, designed to build and grow confidence in our female community of leaders.

Year 7 2024 Information and Open Night

Last Wednesday 1 March, our college opened its doors, hearts, and classrooms to welcome prospective families into our college. The weather was perfect, and we were thrilled with the large crowd of families (700+) who took the time out to visit our community, talking to students and staff whilst exploring our college grounds and facilities, guided by wonderful student tour guides. It was a great evening, and we look forward to the crowd converting into a terrific intake of Year 7 students for 2024.

Interhouse Athletics Carnival

We were greeted with sunshine and wind for our annual athletics carnival held at Landy Field on Tuesday. Thanks to Mr. Beasley and Mr. McArlein for their administration of the whole event.

Enjoy your very well-deserved long weekend, 

Fiona Taylor

College 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 or contact the school for a copy. 

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 2023

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 10 community languages:

* Amharic

* Arabic

* Dari

* Gujarati

* Mandarin

* Somali

* Sudanese

* Turkish

* Urdu

* Vietnamese.