Principal's Page

WHSC Production, 2019 - Singing in the Rain

The College Production of 'Singing in the Rain' promises to be another outstanding performance this year.  The Performing Arts Team have been working incredibly hard over recent times with rehearsals, visits to Primary Schools and production meetings being a feature of their work.  

The College Production will again be held at the Burrinja Theatre in Upwey this year from Wednesday 31/7 to Friday 2/8/19 inclusive. We again will be working with Primary Schools as part of the Production with Wheelers Hill and Waverley Meadows Primary Schools involved.

The Performing Arts Program continues to be an important part of our school and our College Community can not wait to see another first class Production in 2019. 

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (or VCAL) at WHSC in 2021

After considerable consultation and discussion, we have decided to offer the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (or VCAL) at the College from 2021.  This is an exciting development for the College Community.  VCAL is a course that allows for more applied or experiential learning in areas such as Work Related Skills, Numeracy, Literacy and Personal Development.  

VCAL is seen by some students and their families as as a viable and worthwhile course of study.  Many schools currently offer VCAL to their Senior School students as an alternative to the more academic course being the VCE. 

We have formed the view that VCAL will provide a viable alternative to the Victorian Certificate of Education (or VCE) for some of our students.  Furthermore, we have also been receiving feedback from families and students themselves that VCAL would be of interest to them as part of their senior education at the College.

We will now work to develop and implement a VCAL program with the relevant authorities in readiness for its inception at the College from 2021.  Please contact the College should you have any queries about VCAL at Wheelers Hill Secondary College.

Year 7 'Extension Program' in 2021

We are also thrilled to announce a Year 7 'Extension Program' in 2021.  The inclusion of such a Program will meet the learning needs of students and their families who are interested in extension studies across their subjects.

Whilst it is our responsibility to extend all of our students as much as we can, the inclusion of a stand alone group at Year 7 for 2021 can further meet the needs of students and their families who are wanting this type of learning Program from our College.

A Working Party is to be established as early as next term to develop, promote and implement the Program for 2021.  Families will need to formally apply to be accepted into the Program.  More details will be shared with our College Community about the Year 7 'Extension Program' for 2021 when they come to hand.  Any queries about our Year 7 'Extension Program' for 2021 can be directed to the General Office.

Cultural Activity - International Students Program

Our International Students Program (or ISP) is an important part of the College.  Our ISP provides for cross cultural understanding between students, staff and our College Community.

The ISP provided a cross cultural activity just last week with a lunch held in the Library for students, staff and families.  Importantly, ISP students invited students from outside the program to come along.  Our lunch on the day had a distinctive Chinese theme with many traditional dishes offered as part of the buffet format.  We thank our families for contributing such a delicious array of cuisine on the day.  Well done to all involved!

General Achievement Test (or GAT), 2019

"The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences (VCAA, June 2019)" and it taken by all Victorian students prior to completing their VCE.

"The GAT is an essential part of the VCE assessment process. While it is important that you attempt the GAT, the test does not count directly towards your VCE.  However, GAT results may play a very important part in determining your final assessments for the VCE.  GAT results are used to check that your VCE external assessments and Schoolbased Assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed.  The GAT is used in these checks because its results are a good predictor of final assessment for VCE studies.  If a student has done well in the GAT, they are likely to do well in their external assessments and School-based Assessments (VCAA, June 2019)."

The GAT was held earlier in the week.  Typically, it is an activity for our Year 12 students to complete but some Year 11 students also embark on the GAT if they are studying a Year 12 (eg Units 3 and 4) sequence of study.  Results from the GAT are published as part of a student's final results package that they receive at the end of the year.  

Cycle Two Reporting, 2019

We are busy preparing our Cycle Two Reports for release to students and families by the end of the term.  Teaching staff continue to assess student work and develop reports accordingly.  Students and families can expect to receive Cycle Two Reports via Compass on Friday 28th of June.  Any queries concerning Cycle Two Reporting can be directed to the General Office.

Value of the Week - Creativity

Well done to all of our students who competed in the local Dance Competition at Fairhills Secondary College recently (31/5).  There was a variety of genres performed on the night from Tap Dancing to Hip Hop.

The Competition had us competing against other schools and when the results were in we found ourselves victorious!  Well done to all the students involved:

Caitlin Henry, Mia Matheas, Tarlyia Cust, Charlotte Bowley, Simone Janjua, Megan Norton, Renae Volk, Nicola Himbury, Lani Himbury, Jessica Hindmarch, Hayley Tidd and Jack Thomson

And finally.................

Thank you to the WHSC Parents and Friends Committee for the successful BBQ Fundraiser Activity at Bunnings (Notting Hill) last Saturday (8th of June).  We were able to raise over $1000.00 due to the hard work of the Committee.  Thank you to all of our parents and students in attendance on the day:

Sarah and Mick Gason, Andy, Seb and Daniel Watt, Steve and Carol Kourtis, Rowan Cunningham, Jenny Phillips, and Sharon and John Morris.

Special mention must go to one of our Committee members in Sarah Gason who lead and implemented this fundraising event.  Funds raised will support the purchase of sporting equipment for the College.  Well done to all involved! 

Left to Right: John Morris, Mick Gason, Sharon Morris and Sarah Gason

Aaron Smith

College Principal