Principal's Report

Dear Westall Secondary College Community,

The COVID situation has challenged us all throughout 2020 and unfortunately it has again had a significant impact on us all in 2021. Care, Resilience, Optimism, maintaining a routine are just some of the things that have been so important. I am incredibly proud of how our school community has responded to this unprecedented situation. On the whole, we have consistently demonstrated these traits and supported each other with kindness, patience and goodwill. To all students, parents, carers, and staff, I sincerely thank and commend you all. With vaccination rates rising and a national exit plan from future lockdowns, I believe we are almost through this. Later this year into 2022, life will finally return to normal.

Whilst things at the moment are of course far from normal, so much is happening across the school both for now and for 2022.

So what is happening now?

• Remote lessons running every day as per our 4 period timetable. Students log in at the start of each period for roll marking, instructions and a wellbeing check in. Staff have been encouraged to vary lesson lengths where possible and combine the academic focus with fun and wellbeing each lesson.
• VCE and VCAL assessments are being planned and timelines organised. The GAT (General Achievement Test) for all students completing a Year 12 subject is scheduled for Tuesday 5 October and the VCE Exam Timetable has been confirmed to be running as scheduled from late October through to mid-November.
• We have wellbeing bulletins and activities sent out each week to help everyone stay positive, healthy and connected.
• We are currently selecting our Architect to lead the $9.3 million funding we have received to demolish our existing C Wing and build a new Arts, Technology, Science and Food Facility.
• We are working with our canteen provider on a more healthy eating menu and greater focus on good nutrition. The vending machines in B Wing will be removed by the end of this term.
• 2 long-serving members of our school community have just finished with us. Arnold our specialist technician and Kathy our Crossing Supervisor. We thank you both and look forward to you having a proper farewell at the end of this year. A new technician will begin shortly and we welcome Steve Garbellini who joins Alex in a shared Property Manager role. Alex is no longer working afternoons.
• Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 14 September (details will be sent to you all) and last day for Term 3 is Friday 17 September.

So what is happening for 2022?

• All students have selected their subject preferences.
• All teachers have submitted their subject preferences.
• This information is used to build the timetable for next year and determine what subjects will run, how many classes will run and what the staffing requirement is to run the timetable. Student selections are the priority and then ensuring the maximum number of students are able to enrol in the maximum number of their subject preferences. This is a big process and is due to be largely completed by the end of this term.
• Current Year 6 students and families (Year 7 2022 cohort) attended an online welcome and information evening on Thursday 26 August. I am pleased to let you know Year 7 numbers have grown from 54 in 2021 to 78 in 2022.

Take care. Stay safe. Be strong. Keep looking after yourselves and each other. We will keep doing everything we can as a school to look after you.

Until next time!

Tristan Lanarus

Principal