Principal's Report

Farewell and Good Luck Year 12

With both a sense of excitement and a sense of sadness we farwelled our Year 12s this week from their 13 years of schooling.  There were a lot of tears and a lot of laughter as they reflected on what they had been involved with at Wantirna College, and what they would be leaving behind.  If I had been giving out re enrolment forms I think a few of them would have been lining up to fill them in.

Monday was the last formal day of classes and we had the traditional "Springfest" party for the whole school at lunchtime to say goodbye.  The College Captains and the SRC organised music, a fire twirler, caricturist, ballon artist, tattoo artist, and face painter for entertainment. The Orchard staff had put on all sorts of delicious 'spring' food - spring rolls, springy potatoes, fairy bread and more.  We had a "bike and Blend' make your own smoothy event and a Cup Cake decorating competition.  Everyone joined in for a huge party.  

During last period there was a final assembly where the College Captains, Ben, Tess, Teaghan and Tyler gave their best speeches of the year and showed enormous growth in their leadership and empathy with their fellow students.  I would like to thank them for taking on these imporant roles this year.  The photo on the front cover of the newsletter was the group shot taken at the end of the assembly.  Just in case you were wondering, the students are not modelling a new uniform - the tradition is to reinvent your uniform for the last day, and we do see some amazing and creative sights!

The following day the students headed off to a fun event away from the school with their teachers before they returned to settle back into the routine of serious study.  They are now offically on SWAT Vac, getting ready for the first exam next week.

We were so proud of the way they joined in the fun, but didn't go overboard as happens in some schools.  They have been a terrific year level and we know they will strive to achieve their best in the coming exams.  We wish them well!

Day Before Cup Day

The Melbourne Cup Day holiday is coming up the week after next.  This is just a reminder that we do things slightly differently on that day.  Because many Wantirna families take the opportunity to have a long weekend away, we end up with fewer students at school.  We are still here and running, but we combine classes and release some teachers to work on curriculum development or other important development work.  Students who attend school on that day will be welcomed, and will need to ensure they have class work with them to continue with under the supervision of a teacher other than their own.  The Orchard will not be selling food that day, so students should be lunch and drinks with them.

Sue Bell

Principal

Year 8 Personal Best

Congratulations to all the students who presented at the Personal Best Showcase in the Theatre last week.  The diversity of topics the studetns take on to research and build / create / make is always astounding.  The projects are as diverse as the young people involved and gives us a real insight into them as individual human beings. Thank you to parents, grandparents and coaches who helped - they certainly couldn't have done it without you.  We hope you got as much out of it as they did!  Thank you also to Ms Dina Mingos and the Mentor group and Class teachers - it was the best orgnaised and most amazing Personal Best I've seen!

The following students were peer selected to participate in this program and should be very proud of all of their efforts:

Bryce Alford 8H                                                     

Isaac Lokot 8H                                                       

Jasmine Razmoski  8A

Megan Gurney 8C                         

Samantha Styles 8S                               

Ben McLeod 8D               

Maddison Dods 8C                         

Sarah Paxton 8F

Ryan Brock  8G  

  livia Walter 8E    

Adele Hall    8B