SSP NEWS

Western Heights Vs Geelong Grammar. Wednesday 6th April.

On Wednesday 6th April, Senior Western Heights male football students headed to Geelong College to play a practice match that will hopefully be the beginning of a long term relationship between the schools that will give students opportunities to pit their skills against a new cross town rival.

While the team was mostly comprised of Academy students from Year 11 & 12 we also had Edan Ibbetson and Isaiah Harrison from Year 11 mainstream who both performed wonderfully well.

From the outset, Western Heights were able to dominate play with clean and fast ball movement that left Geelong College players in their wake. Leigham Elzinga was unstoppable up forward booting 6 goals as a key target who marked everything in sight while Michael Cilmi provided more than ample support helping himself to 4 goals and assisting in many others.

Ned Duyker, Jesse Colville, Daniel Harms and Diesel Moloney were able to patrol the midfield thru two way running not allowing their opposition to break free while also providing first class service to their forwards who feasted on their exceptional delivery.

Caleb Hurley was dominant in defence thwarting many Geelong College forward entries with his reading of the play and courage to put himself between the ball and oncoming traffic.

We look forward to the Geelong Secondary Schools Championships which will happen in Term 2.

Western Heights: 20.10.130

Geelong College: 7.5.47

Best Players WHC: Leigham Elzinga, Jesse Colville, Edan Ibbetson, Michael Cilmi, Caleb Hurley

AFL

Students in the AFL program have been working particularly hard in the classroom and out on the field, with all students submitting their graded assignments this week. This task required them to work in pairs, look at vision, edit it using the Sportscode software and then use this as a basis to design a drill which they then presented to their peers. The coaching staff were so impressed with the quality and innovation shown by these students that they will be incorporating some of these drills into their program in Term 2.

Susie, Macca, Will, Scarlo and the whole team wish all students the best of luck for the start of their 2022 season. It’s certainly pleasing to see that all students are involved in playing at the club level. Next term, they look forward to the Monday morning review sessions to hear how the students take what they learn in the Western Heights program and apply it to their respective clubs.

Basketball

It has been a busy term for the basketball students both at school and in the community. This past week saw many of our students competing in their end of domestic season finals; congratulations to all those who had some success; Grand Final victories are hard to come by. The end of March also saw the VJBL season start after two grading phases. It is very pleasing to see many of our students represent various associations, take what they have learned in our program, and apply it to their performance in these teams.

Best of luck to Max Zalakos and Nate Hargrave, representing Victoria Country at the U18 National Championships in Ballarat this coming weekend. This team is also coached by one of our school basketball coaches - Kaleb Sclater. In the second week of the holidays, Tanielle Knight and Dave Herbert will be heading to Mackay to represent Victoria in the U20 National Championships. Do us proud and bring home a medal!

Netball

Wow! Term 1 has flown for the Specialist Netball Program with a steep learning curve of the work rate and intensity required in the program leading to some significant development and foundations of fitness, skills, knowledge and strength and conditioning.

Perhaps one of the essential aspects learnt has been around attributes of being a Specialist Sport Program student, being organised, punctual, respect of self and others and creating a mindset of committing to all tasks to the best of your ability to be brave and take risks to push yourself further than you may have. It has been exciting to watch the progression of all students. Well done, you have come a long way, and it’s gratifying to see the improvement in your netball and connection as a group. 

In Term 2, we will be extending these areas further. The specialist Sports Program will also be holding trials for the 2023 first years on Friday, April 29th. Students interested in joining the program in the second semester or 2023 (Yr. 8 - 11) are invited to an information night: Wednesday, May 18th 6 - 8 pm in the Performing Arts building. Netball trials for this intake will take place Friday, June 3rd.

Please get in touch with Cate Johnson for more information: cate.johnson@education.vic.gov.au

Soccer

Last week, Circus media was onsite to film some footage for our upcoming social media blitz; there was a buzz in the air. People were curious when they saw a tall, athletic guy walking around campus wearing a Specialist sports WHC jacket. Those with a soccer background automatically recognised one of Geelong’s most famous soccer players: Joey Didulica. We are so fortunate and extremely excited to have Joey join our staff to head up the Soccer program in 2023. Feel free to spread the word and let any Grade 6 aspiring Socceroos know that the Talent ID session for the 2023 Yr. 7 intake will be on Monday, May 2nd, on our school oval 4 - 5 pm - to register for this session; please go to our website: https://www.whc.vic.edu.au/specialist-sports-program

Rowing

Yesterday we were very fortunate to have who’s who of rowing attend our school assembly. Ian Robson, CEO Rowing Australia, Ron Blatt, Participation and Education Manager Rowing Australia, Ian Jickell, Rowing Victoria, Jeff Sykes, Australian National lightweight champion, Ian Brigland and Alan Darker Corio Bay Rowing Club. Rowing Australia have partnered with Coles and have introduced an indoor rowing program of which Western Heights College was selected as a pilot school. We were given a concept 2 ergo and had the pleasure of listening to Rosie Popa, Tokyo Gold medallist member of the women’s coxless quad.  Rosie gave valuable training tips and advice to our specialist sports students and showed how it is possible to transfer skills into another sport - Rosie was an elite basketballer as a junior.

Twenty students were privileged to have the opportunity to learn first hand from Rosie the correct technique to use on the ergo and I am sure they will be incorporating this in their future training sessions.

                                        Rose showing off her gold medal winning technique

                                              Ron Blatt introducing Zac McInnes to rowing

On behalf of the staff in the Specialist sports programs, I would like to wish all students and their families an enjoyable and restful term break. A google form survey will be emailed out to all families to allow you to provide some feedback on how you feel the program is going. After completing our first full term onsite, we are proud of what we have achieved but acknowledge there is still room for improvement.

Happy Easter!

Cate Johnson

UNIFORM FOR SALE 

We have some old stock available for sale at the General Office for a discounted price. 

Very limited sizes available, first in best dressed!

SBP Everyday shorts: 3xs

SBP Training top: kids 14, xs

SBP Softshell Jacket: kids 14

SBP grey zip jacket: 2xs, XS, M, L, XL, 2XL

SBP Trackies:  2xs

SBP Orange/Navy shorts: xs, kids 12, kids 14

Navy playing shorts: M,L, XL

Reversible singlet: M

SFP Longsleeve Training top/jersey: small, 2xs, 3xs, Medium, Large 

SFP Polo: kids 14, small 

SFP Training top: kids 12, kids 14, small, Xs

SFP Womens shorts: 10/small 

SFP Footy Shorts: XL, Xs 

SFP Everyday Shorts: 3xs 

Cap: x5

Mid Length Socks:x5(2-8)

Long Footy socks: x8

Ankle length socks: x5(2-8)

Grey zip jackets - 50% off 

All other stock - 30% off 

If you need to purchase SSP Uniform throughout the year you will need to order through this link - https://orders.indigowolf.com.au/whcssp

Please note we will no longer be keeping stock here at WHC, once you place an order through Indigo Wolf they will send it directly to your address. Any issues with sizing, you will need to contact Indigo Wolf directly.