Principal's Message
Well Done! We Have Got This!
As a College Community, we should be very proud of our efforts and achievements during the pandemic. This once in 100 year event has challenged us all and we as a College Community have come through time and time again. We are an outstanding team with students, families and staff coming together to support one another during these very challenging times. As a College Community, we have been very successful in providing a quality Teaching and Learning Program for all of our students.
Let us continue ‘to stay the course’ everyone. It appears that the positive COVID-19 case numbers are continuing to fall which is critical in our ability as a community to work through the Steps of the Roadmap to then support a further easing of restrictions. Our resilience, commitment and support of one another will continue to help us all ‘stay the course’ and get through to the other side.
As a College, we continue to work towards furthering the learning outcomes of all of our students, and we look forward to this work in Term 4 understanding that the wellbeing of students, families, staff and the broader community will continue to remain our number one priority.
Our Wonderful Staff
I can not speak highly enough of my colleagues. The Staff of WHSC have been exceptional. Throughout 2020, my colleagues have responded so incredibly well in the face of huge challenges brought on by the pandemic.
My colleagues have been just so dedicated. They have gone over and above what anyone might expect during these challenging times. The level of care and support they have afforded our students has been outstanding. Importantly, my colleagues have been innovative and effective in their approach with respect to our Remote Teaching and Learning Program to best support the learning growth for all of our students. I would expect that my colleagues will have a well-earned break come the Term 3 School Holiday period.
Keeping Spirits High
There have been a number of events in recent times to maintain and further the spirits of our students. Wellbeing Wednesdays, Trivia Events, Dress Up Days, Key Presentations and various Home Group and Year Level Activities are just some of the things we have been implementing as a College to best look out for our students. I thank our staff, families and students for engaging with these events.
Cycle Three Reporting, 2020
Whilst wellbeing has been our priority right throughout the pandemic, we have not forgotten about our important obligation to further the learning outcomes of all of our students. A part of our obligations here is to provide families with Reports. Our Cycle Three Reports will be available to families at 3:00pm today (Friday, September 18th) via Compass. Please take the time to read through these Reports to best gauge your child’s achievements across their subjects.
The Class of 2020 - Our Year 12 Students
Our Year 12 Students have simply been amazing. Your final year of secondary schooling is challenging enough but with COVID-19 to also contend with, the final year for our Year 12 students has been a year like no other.
I am inspired by the efforts and achievements of our Year 12 cohort. As a group they have remained positive, dedicated and focused on their studies throughout. They have worked so well with their Year 12 Teachers in order to work through the course requirements across their studies. Our Year 12 Students are to be commended for their wonderful approach to their learning in 2020.
Given the pandemic, the Class of 2020 have missed out on many of the experiences that come with a student’s final year of secondary school; as a College, we are doing everything we can to try provide for our Year 12 Students in this area.
WHSC College Production, 2020
As a College, we have found a way to develop and make available a College Production in 2020. Given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, this is truly a remarkable achievement.
The Performing Arts is an important part of the College. 2020 has presented so many challenges for the Performing Arts team yet they have found a way to keep our students interested and engaged through Remote Teaching and Learning throughout the year. Ms. Genelle Lentini and her team have been outstanding given their ability to stage the College Production with our community this year. The final product will be a film of the Production and this will be shared with families and staff towards the end of the year.
WHSC’s 40th Birthday Celebrations (1980 – 2020)
It has been very challenging to mark our 40th anniversary year given COVID-19 but this has not stopped us! We would much prefer of course to do something on site this year to recognise this very special milestone however this can not happen in 2020 given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19.
Members of our community, including current staff, students, and members of our College Council, have met to discuss the format and structure of a large scale, whole-school celebration, and will continue to refine this concept in Term 4. This will be held in 2021 (COVID-19 allowing); please stay tuned for further updates and developments.
In the meantime, we are marking our 40th anniversary with a dedicated Birthday Message Wall, located on our website. If you'd like to read these messages, or contribute one yourself, please click here.
Community Survey Results - Remote Teaching and Learning, Version 2.0
The Surveys Results are in from our parents and carers with respect to our Remote Teaching and Learning Program this term.
Whilst Version 1.0 (Term 2) of our Remote Teaching and Learning Program was very successful, those parents and carers who completed the recent survey have shown overwhelmingly that Version 2.0 (Term 3) is the preferred option.
We are continuing to analyse the survey results from not only parents and carers, but also from our staff and students. Our analysis will be helpful in our ongoing review of our Remote Teaching and Learning Program. We thank families for their ongoing support of our Remote Teaching and Learning Program.
Arrangements for Term 4, 2020
Families can expect the following for Term 4, 2020
- Our Remote Teaching and Learning Program will continues for all students (Years 7-12), from Monday, October 5th (Day One, Term 4).
- VCE students studying a Unit 3 - 4 sequence will be required to attend on site for the General Achievement Test (or GAT), Wednesday, October 7th. Details of how the GAT will be administered will be shared closer to the time.
- VCE students will return to on-site Teaching and Learning on Monday, October 12th. On-site Teaching and Learning will adhere to any of the necessary conditions associated with social distancing, hygiene and other requirements. Year 7 to 10 students will continue to follow (which will first commence for Term 4 on Monday, October 5th) our Remote Teaching and Learning Program.
Whilst we will review of our Remote Teaching and Learning Program and our Supporting Handbooks, families should not expect too many changes in these areas (if any) leading into the start of Term 4. Further confirmation here will be provided closer to the time.
Please note that the Arrangements provided above can be subject to change given the circumstances concerning COVID-19, and we will as a College continue to follow the advice of the authorities (eg. The Department of Education and Training). I would ask that our College Community please continue to look out for Compass Posts for any updates when and if they come to hand leading into the start of Term 4, 2020, on Monday, October 5th.
Our Wonderful Families
In closing, I thank our wonderful families for all of their terrific support during these challenging times. The support from our families has truly been exceptional and I look forward to working with our College Community in Term 4 to provide the very best Teaching and Learning Program we can for all of our students.
I again remind families to please look out for any updates via Compass concerning COVID-19 and the College. Please do your best to enjoy the school holiday period everyone, ensuring that you continue to stay safe and connected.
Thank you and regards,
Mr. Aaron Smith
Principal, Wheelers Hill Secondary College
Contact Us
Ph: (03) 9561 5811
Email: wheelers.hill.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
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