Assistant 

Principal Report 

While we are no longer enduring lockdowns and lengths of time in remote learning, we are still dealing with the pandemic and like most schools around the state, we are dealing with absences from staff and students due to surging rates of various health related concerns. Whilst it is challenging, we have not let this get in the way of our students having the opportunity to engage in a range of activities. There have been numerous sporting activities, such as: netball, combined athletics with Balmoral, cross-country, football and volleyball, Kowree Sports training for Year 5 & 6 students (partnered with Apsley, St. Malachy’s, Goroke and Balmoral), the VCAL Job Camp, the Equestrian Program beginning practical sessions, Drama Camp and the list goes on. Whilst it can be challenging, it is incumbent of us, as a student focused school, to continue providing our students a broad range of enriching experiences.

And there will be further opportunities in Term 3 for our students!

Year 9 students will have the opportunity to have an alpine experience, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and downhill skiing whilst staying at Bogong outdoor school. We will be joining our cluster partners, in Balmoral and Goroke. If there are vacancies available, Year 10 students will have the opportunity to join in as well.

We have received 6 allocations for students from Year’s 5 & 6 to attend Somers School for 9 days in August. Somers is a residential program for Victorian Government School Students, where students can develop their personal and social capabilities, progressing their understanding of sustainable practices and enhancing their ability to meet challenge and change by encouraging resilience. Whilst immersed in Somers life, students participate in the following activities: archery, art, bush craft, boating, bike ed, challenge swing, drama, high ropes, initiative games, low ropes, initiative games, rock climbing/abseiling, flying fox, surfing and swimming.

Most recently we have been able to secure a FREE, three-day camp at Camp Lorne for students from Year’s 7 – 10, with our cluster partners. The camp is inclusive of all transportation, accommodation, activities and food whilst at camp. It is a tremendous opportunity for students to engage in water and beach activities such as sea kayaking, surfing and bushwalking (may need to pack a thermos to put in the wetsuits!).

Since the last edition of Whytalla we held our student-parent-teacher interviews which was very successful, indicated by the great attendance of parents and students. As a school continuously seeking improvement, we are seeking your feedback to improve parental engagement. A link will be sent out via Xuno in the coming days asking parents to complete a brief survey. It would be greatly appreciated if you could take the time out to complete this.

As we near the end of this term and head into Term 3, students will be looking at their subject selections for 2023, particularly students moving into Year 9, 10, 11 & 12. Our careers teacher and faculty heads are currently working on the 2023 electives which we aim to showcase to students and parents on Wednesday July 20th, with students making their elective decisions on Friday July 22nd.

It is and has been a very busy second term and will continue to be so. It is important to remember that amongst the chaos there is always opportunity.

Chad Frost

Assistant Principal