PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

A very warm welcome back to Western Heights College for another year of learning and a special welcome to our 156 new students including 91 new Year 7 students.  The Year 7 camp in Wensleydale was a fantastic few day for the students and staff to really get to know each other and develop those positive relationships with teachers – necessary for successful learning in any environment. I enjoyed dinner with the students and staff on camp on Wednesday evening and enjoyed getting to know many of them and the banter that was flowing. Many wonderful photos of camp were shared on our college Facebook page and I’m sure you will enjoy reading the reports in the newsletter.

Well done also to the parents and carers for ensuring their students were school ready and attended our “Ready to Learn” interviews prior to commencement. The interviews seemed to be successful and an opportunity for students, teachers, parents and carers to discuss the school year and ensure we have the right information and mindset for a positive start for 2021.  It was particularly great to see parents in the flesh for the first time since March last year!

A special welcome to a number of new students and families who have also joined our college as part of our community for their learning It has been wonderful to engage with you all and get to know your understand your goals and aspirations for learning and pathways.

This year we have also welcomed back to our college a number of new staff and we look forward to learning more about them over the next few newsletters when we will profile each one of them. All new staff members were introduced to our college community at our assembly last Monday morning. It’s great to see them all settling in really well and working with our school community. We wish all new members of our school community well. New staff include -

• Mr. Warwick Lamb (Assistant Principal) 
• Mr. Billy De La Warr (Maths Science)
• Ms. Jenny Jerbic (Maths)
• Mr. Matthew Bolton (Music)
• Ms. Claire Sullivan (English)
• Mr. Kaleb Sclater (VCAL/Maths/Technology and SPB program)
• Mr. Andrew Ervin (Maths/Science)
• Mrs. Leeanne Irving (Education Support)
• Ms. Premila Veerasamy (EAL Program)
• Mr. Chris Dennis – (Specialist Sports Program High Performance and Rehab Leader)
• Mr. Brendan McCartney (AFL Program)
• Ms. Susie Robinson (AFL Program)
• Mr. Tom Hornsey (The Academy Program)
• Mr. Sam Dassanyake (IT Technician)
• Ms. Melinda Boyd (Education Support)
• Ms. Amie Clydesdale (The Academy Program and Specialist Basketball Program)

Looking back on 2020 

Given the 2020 Senior Years results were released on 30 December 2020, we thought it worthwhile celebrating them again. We thought it important to remind everyone of the outstanding success of our 2020 graduates. We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements, and the pathways they have gained entry into. Congratulations to our 2020 College Dux Nathanael Briese. Nathanael has successfully obtained placement at his desired destination of Deakin University Geelong to study Mechatronics Engineering. Nathanael was invited back to our first school assembly on Monday 1st February and was presented in front of the whole school with a plaque and recognition of his wonderful efforts during a very challenging year. At this assembly we also recognised the terrific study scores obtained by Alessandra Colmenares for her English result of a 41, Tiana Prodonov with her result of 41 for Health and Human Development and Owen Green for his outstanding study score in VET Engineering of 43.

It was pleasing to note that the majority of students received first round offers for University courses of choice and we wish all 2020 graduates with every success as their learning or vocational journey now continues in an exciting variety of directions.

School Council and Sub-Committees – call for interested parents

During February, we will once again be seeking nominations for School Council and its various Sub-Committees. 

They are all enjoyable and positive experiences. There are 3 mandatory membership categories for a school council:

1. parent members (4 members)
2. school employee members (3 school employees)
3. student members — 3 College Captains and 2 other students (5 students in total)

Many school councils also have community members (up to 4 members)

All parents or carers of students enrolled at the school are eligible to vote for parent members, staff vote for school employee members, and students vote for student members. Community members are co-opted by the school council.

School Council - meets 8 times per year (twice per term) during the evenings on Mondays from 6:00 – 7.30 pm. 

Please find a parent self-nomination form for school council with this newsletter or please collect it from the General Office of the college. 

Nominations for College Council will open on Monday 15 February and close on Friday 26 February. If more nominations for parent/carer council places are received a ballot will take place during the week of 1 -5 March. Each parent/carer will be permitted to vote.

If you have any questions – please do not hesitate to contact me.

Making noise to build our new school gym

A major part of Council and parent community involvement this year will be to advocate for funding to advance the completion of the Western heights College regeneration project which commenced in 2006. We know that a great school does not rely on its facilities, but great facilities certainly enhance the learning opportunities and collaboration between students and between staff, and they also inspire us. Our school grounds are beautiful and our learning environments bright and engaging but our school is still making use of the old single court gym on our previous site of the Quamby campus. Last year many of our students, staff and parent community wrote letters and emails to our local members and education minister for Victoria.

We need our community to come together to demonstrate the need for funding to construct a new gymnasium and multi-purpose sports centre on our Vines Road site. It will be important for both parents and students to represent our needs. 

We have strong support from our local member, Mr John Eren (Member for Lara), and last week Mr. Eren again visited our college to hear student voice in expressing how important it is to fund the building of our new school gym on our Vines Road campus as planned back in 2006.

Mr. Eren is keen to hear from our college community and it would be wonderful if parents/carers would like to send him an email and discuss this important final stage 3 in our school masterplan development. His email address is  john.eren@parliament.vic.gov.au;

Uniforms

A reminder to all students and parents/carers that students should be in full school uniform. It has been really pleasing to see so many students wearing the new uniform adopted for the first time in 2020. The changeover transition period for the whole school to be wearing the new school uniform is at the end of this year 2021.  Our uniform is gender-neutral and all items can be worn year-round. We are in the last year of the change-over period from the old to the new uniform: students in Years 10 -12 may wear a combination of old and new uniform items. Please do not hesitate if you require support in obtaining pieces of uniform to contact the colleges well-being team by emailing Jenny Eastwood at the college by emailing Jennifer.eastwood@education.vic.gov.au;

Families may also request assistance with purchasing school uniform from the following organisations: 

Smith Family Learning for Life provides support and financial assistance to help disadvantaged children stay at school. The program runs in select disadvantaged areas.

A Start in Life provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students and families to ensure they can access the same learning opportunities as their peers. For information phone (02) 9264 3017.

Opening the Doors Foundation provides education assistance for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in an independent educational institution in Victoria.

The Queen’s Fund Financial assistance with the cost of educational expenses for children. Applications must be completed by a social worker or a community agency that works with you.

Good Shepherd Micro-finance is a great initiative that has financial programs to assist families on low or limited incomes with educational costs and other expenses. One of their programs is the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) which gives access to fair and safe credit up to $1,200 for essential educational items.

Saver Plus  This is financial education and up to $500 in matched savings for education costs for individuals and families who have at least some regular income from work. For information phone 1300 610 355.

Second-hand uniforms are also bought and sold by local families on our colleges Facebook page, buy, swap and sell.

Education Plus

This year education plus for the first time are our supplier of electronic textbooks and online learning resource. It is important that all students bring to school regularly their laptop so they can access learning material and have this software deployed which will be rolled out progressively via learning areas over the next month.

Breakfast Club “Grab and Go”

Breakfast Club will run at the school canteen every Monday – Friday commencing next from 8am-8.45am. There will be fresh apples and non-perishable foods available such as cereal, muesli, baked beans, toast, fruit cups and milk. All students are welcome!

College Yearbook

One of the highlights of each year is the publication of our College yearbook. Once again, it did not disappoint. Congratulations to Ms. Anna Hurley on producing a creative and entertaining snapshot of our 2020 year. The yearbook captured well the interesting year we had. Students can receive a copy of the yearbook by collecting it from the general office in the administration building.

Open Night for 2022 Prospective Students

Our Open Night will be held on Wednesday 3 March between 6-8pm. This is a great opportunity for prospective parents and students to see our learning spaces and to hear about the rich program of learning and extra-curricular activities that we offer. Our leadership team will be visiting local primary schools with information for Grade 4, 5 and 6 students over the next few weeks. 

There will be morning tours offered on subsequent Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9.30am until May during term 2. Due to density limits, all families must pre-book to attend the Open Night evening or a school tour by calling 52771177 or by clicking on the link provided on the social media ads commencing next week. 

Insurance and Ambulance Cover for Students

Parents/carers are reminded that the Department (and the College) does not provide personal accident insurance, personal property insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents/carers are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for their child/ren, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.

Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Parents/carers can purchase insurance policies and ambulance cover from commercial insurers if they wish for their children.

Finally

While it is great news that all schools have returned to on-site learning, it is critical that we all remain vigilant in maintaining a COVID-Safe environment. Actions such as staying home when unwell, performing regular hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distance and wearing masks in class are simple measures, but are of the utmost importance. 

That said, it is exciting to once again allow all students and staff to experience the full richness of school, particularly those aspects that were so difficult to maintain through last year, including participation in performing arts, sport, practical activities in science and technology, school performances, camps and excursions. 

We learnt a lot about what Victoria’s education system is capable of last year, as WHC successfully innovated and adapted like never before. The lessons learned from 2020, combined with parents' help and support, will stand us in great stead for the year ahead.

Thank you also for your excellent support in ensuring that your children have been well prepared for the start of the year. We have had such a positive start, and this is in part due to your efforts, especially with books, equipment, devices and uniform.

If you have any concerns or questions about how your child has settled in, please do not hesitate to contact their Learning Community Leader.

I wish you all well for the year ahead and look forward to working with you.

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

Pathways News

Tuckwell Scholarship 2022

Australian National University (ANU) launched the Tuckwell Scholarship Program in 2013.  The Tuckwell Scholarship Program at the ANU is the most transformational undergraduate scholarship program in Australia.  A Tuckwell is not just about a students’ intellect.  It is also about their desire and determination to use their natural abilities to realise their full potential so that they can make a difference in the world. 

Tuckwell Scholar students will receive:

$22,200 per annum (2020 rate) (increasing with inflation) for each year of their degree, for up to five years, to cover on-campus residential costs, books, and general living expenses

priority access guaranteed to ANU-approved student accommodation

an annual allowance of up to $2,000 to assist with their move to Canberra and to support two annual return journeys (e.g., airfares) between their home and the University for each year of their degree. The allowance will be dependent on the proximity of their family home to ANU.

a domestic economy return airfare, or other transport costs, for their parents to visit at the start of the program, and

an ANU Fitness Centre membership for the length of their degree.

Scholarships are awarded based on four criteria:

1. academic potential and achievements to date;
2. other significant achievements to date, of any type;
3. demonstration of the Attributes of a Tuckwell Scholar; and
4. a desire to eventually give back to Australia.

NOTE: Specific details regarding how to apply for a Tuckwell Scholarship to commence study at ANU in 2022 will be available on this website in early 2021 - Tuckwell Scholarship.   

Tax File Number (TFN)

Any student will need at tax file number if they start work (part-time and full-time) and all students planning on a tertiary education require one when they start. Importantly, current Year 12 students are reminded that they cannot enrol in a CSP (Commonwealth Support Place) course at university without a Tax File Number, so it is worthwhile getting an application submitted early!  Students must apply for a TFN online and have their identity verified through an interview at a participating Australia Post office.  To apply and also to find out about participating Post Offices, visit TFN Application

Start learning an instrument in 2021 

Would you like to learn an instrument?

Would you like to share the joy of creating music in a social setting?

Learning music can help students’ self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. Music helps students progress in other important learning areas such as Maths and English. Music Australia also notes that countries with a strong focus on music education tend to have higher scores in literacy and numeracy. Engaging music programs have been shown to help with attendance and can be particularly beneficial for students who are not achieving well in school.

"All of this evidence for music’s extrinsic benefits make a strong case for music education but should not overshadow the sheer joy people experience making music, nor the value of the artform itself”. – Music Australia.

It’s not too late to join the Instrumental Music program in 2021. Please contact Mr. Mathew Bolton or Christina Bowden on 52771177.

Debating or Public Speaking in 2021

Come and join the team!

 This year Mr. Edmonds will be coordinating the debating and public speaking related extracurricular activities in 2021. If you would like to get involved or are interested. Please speak to Mr. Brett Edmonds.