Welcome Back

Welcome to 2016 at Wantirna College! We are all looking forward to another terrific year and are pleased you will be with us on the journey.

This year we are not sending out the Parent Information booklet as we have our new website which contains all the information you need. Our new newsletter also has a list of all the dates you need for the year in each addition, and this is available on your phone. However, some of you have told me how useful the hard copy booklet is, so we will still print it off and you can drop in and collect one from the office, or ask your child to collect it for you. It will still be an easy place to find who to contact, or when the uniform shop is open, or how much lunch will cost at The Orchard, to name a few.

This newsletter will be emailed via a link every week now, so they don’t get too big to view easily. We’ve had some very positive feedback about the new format, and we’ll be working to make it better as we go along. If you would prefer a printed copy, rather than an email, please have your child drop by the Office on Friday afternoons to collect a printed copy.

Welcome to the new and returning staff

With a number of staff retiring or taking promotion positions at the end of last year we have a number of new staff starting with us this year and we welcome them into the Wantirna family. Welcome back to Mr Bruce Churward, Assistant Principal, after his time at Bayswater Secondary and on long service leave.

We welcome the following new Leading Teachers to our Leadership Team:

Mr Mark Oudshoorn who will be Leader of the Later Years Subschool
Ms Katrina Katz who will be the new Leader of Student Wellbeing, taking over from Mr Shane Kruger who will move into Leader of Curriculum.
Mr David Black will take on the new position of Leader of Physical Education and Sport.

We welcome the following teachers:

Ms Andrea DIGBY (English and Humanities) who is returning from Family Leave
Ms Fabiana SCIALABBA, who will be teaching Spanish
Ms Eve DAVIS who will be teaching Mathematics and English
Ms Jessica IVANKOVIC who will be teaching Mathematics
Mr Matt PATTISON who will be teaching Mathematics
Ms Tiarn RANDLE who will be teaching Accounting and Business Management
Ms Sarah NG who will be teaching Art
Mr Daniel BROOKS who is returning to teach PE and VCAL
Ms Shannon EAGLAND who is teaching Science and Biology
Ms Elaine Nieva who is returning to teach English

Ms Sherrin Sibly teaching Strings and Ms Chris Gelok, Double Bass, join us in the Instrumental program.

Work completed around the College during the holidays

A lot of work has been done around the College during the holidays to keep moving to the excellent standard we know has a positive impact on students. The major project was the painting of the exterior of the library. Graeme Booth, our facilities Manager has continued the replacement of the old wooden lockers with the new metal ones to which parents are contributing through the Locker Levy. This makes a huge difference to students as the new lockers are easier to keep clean and open and shut.

The big event last week was the working bee undertaken by parents of music students and the students themselves. 25 people were here last Tuesday to paint the new music instrumental rooms that have been built at the front of C block, where the old Year 10 locker bay was. They have also planted a new garden and the whole area is looking fantastic. A very sincere thanks to those who participated. There are some photos of the event here.

Return to School

We will welcome all Year 7, 10, 11 and 12 students to school on Thursday 28th January. They should be at school by 8.45am. Year 7 students should go to the Theatre and Year 10, 11and 12 to the Senior Centre. We have a staggered start to allow the Year 7s to settle in with the spaces being a little less busy.

Year 8 and 9 students will start on Friday 29th February. They should check their Home Group at the Middle Years Office and go to Home Group.

Year 12 students Orientation Program at Deakin University on 9th February.

School Photos

Every student will be bringing home an information sheet about School Photographs, which will be taken on Tuesday 2nd February. All orders are made on line, if you wish to purchase a photo. On the form that comes home there will be a special online ordering code you will need to use; no money or orders need to be sent to the school.

Refer to page 5 of newsletter for further information..

The Year Ahead

This year is our Review Year, where we measure our progress over 4 years and set the next four year plan for improvement in our Strategic Plan. There will be many opportunities for you to give your opinions on the future directions for Wantirna College and we hope you take these up – this school belongs to this community and it should reflect your values and aspirations. If you would like to become even more involved, please look at joining one of the vibrant groups – the College Council, the Parents Association or the Performing Arts Parents Group.

Looking forward to a terrific year!

Sue Bell

Principal

Working Bee