Senior School Report

Message from the 

Director of  Learning - 

Mr Jason Tickner

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate our Year 12 students on the completion of their schooling. Their final day concluded with an assembly organised by student leaders, Monica Maroki and Ishmeet Kaur, where staff and students of Years 9-11 participated in the celebration. At recess, students shared a celebratory lunch with staff before being dismissed for the final time. Collectively, their behaviour and approach on their final day was outstanding and a fitting end to their journey as secondary students.

The Year 12s now turn their attention to the main VCE examination period, which commenced with the English and EAL exams on Wed 26/10. Our students have worked hard to get to this point and we hope that their effort and dedication to their learning pays off in successful outcomes and ATARs. The exam period can be an extremely stressful time, so ensuring that students have support and understanding at home, is crucial. Here are some simple and useful tips  https://www.melbournechildpsychology.com.au/blog/practical-tips-for-helping-your-child-through-exams/ that parents may access to support students completing VCE exams.

Our Year 12 VCAL students finished off the term strongly, completing their final assessments within their programs. At this stage, we have a majority of our Year 12 VCAL students transitioning into an apprenticeship, employment, or vocational pathway in 2023.  This is a fantastic result in recognition of their hard work across all areas of their VCAL program this year. 

Looking ahead, we have graduation coming up for our graduating Class of 2022. Congratulations to the student leaders and Ms. Ellen Rankin for doing such an amazing job in organising this and other Year 12 events this term. 

Ms. Helen Ifandis is finalising the schedule for Year 11 VCE end-of-year examinations. This is a great opportunity for Year 11 VCE students to engage in an authentic exam experience, in preparation for 2023. At this stage, students should be revising content and preparing for these exams, which will run from the 17th to the 23rd of November. Our Intermediate and Foundation VCAL students are continuing to engage in their subjects and completing any outstanding work requirements for their classes at school and/or external VETs and SBATs. These students are encouraged to finalise these work requirements to ensure a trouble-free transition into Senior VCAL and the first year of the new VCE Vocational Major certificate.

Well done to all students, and thank you to families for your support this term!

Mr Jason Tickner

Director of Learning – Senior School

BIG NEWS 

- Christopher Chum's Solo Flight

Christopher, our Year 12 VCE student is very proud that he has completed his Diploma in Aviation - VET Aviation through Tristar Aviation, Moorabbin.  Well done, Christopher.

Ms Geraldine Borgonha

Careers & Pathways Advisor

VCAL Foundation Student Run Bowling and Laser Tag Excursion

The Foundation VCAL class of 2022 planned an excursion as a project with the aim of social activity to have a break/celebration at school after lockdown. This was achieved by students planning the excursion, from pricing and costs to transport. Importantly, an itinerary with the departure and arrival times was essential. This involved transport such as a train, bus and walking as well as what needed to be done. The excursion took place on the second week of Term 4. It was a great success, we all had great fun from bowling to socializing at M-city. We completed the excursion with the help of Mr. Bottomley, who helped us successfully complete several Outcomes from Unit 2 of our Personal Development Skills.

By Daro, Ethan, William

VCAL Students

VCAL Intermediate Personal Development Skills

Biodiversity Blitz Excursion to The Grange

On Monday, 24th of October, the VCAL Intermediate Personal Development Skills class, attended an excursion to The Grange Reserve in Clayton South. Here, the class collected data for Kingston Council on different plants and animal species living in The Grange. We did this by using an app called iNaturalist.  iNaturalist enables users to identify plant and animal species and upload them to The Kingston Council database. VCAL students at Westall Secondary College are contributing positively to the enhancement of the local environment by participating in this Citizen Science data collection. 

The VCAL students learned a lot about how First Nation Australians used many of the species at The Grange for both food and medicine. For example, we learned that the native Kangaroo Apple was used as a natural morning-after pill. This was fascinating for us!

Written by Soe Mar Yar, Sofia -  VCAL Students & Ms Paula McIntosh - Science/VCAL Teacher

VCAL Product Design

The students in Product Design have been working on a range of outdoor collaborative projects. Jumaed and Vaithesh in Year 11 have worked on the beautification of the space between the Year 11 locker bay and B Block. Their proposal was to create a giant outdoor ‘Checkers Board’, where students can play during their break times. Jumaed and Vaithesh created a model for their idea, which was presented to Mr Lanarus for approval.

The project was larger than they realised. Steve, our facilities manager, did all the negotiating work with our business manager and landscape gardener, Mark, to get the project up and running. Mark and his crew, bought in crushed rocks, pavers, and sand to develop the space. Jumaed’s highlight was driving the tractor, with Mark’s guidance, of course. The students’ achievement of this project was amazing!

Ms Helen Ifandis

Year 11 & Arts Coordinator

Year 12 Formal

On 19th September, the Year 12 students celebrated their Year 12 Formal at the Park on Albert Park Lake. It was a great night, full of laughter and dancing! Everyone looked amazing, all dolled up in their dresses and suits. Teachers and students all got down for a boogie and enjoyed a delicious three-course meal. We also had award winners in the following categories:

• Formal King: Yosef Delos Santos
• Formal Queen: Vicky Puia
• Best Dressed Male: Naier Chowdhury
• Best Dressed Female: Peggy Panopoulou
• Best Dressed Teacher (Male): Mr Hieu Tran
• Best Dressed Teacher (Female): Ms Ellen Rankin
• Best Dressed Couple: Manuth Kem and Alexandra Triantafillidis 
• Best Dancer: Nathan Thongyoo

It was a great night of celebration at the end of Term 3 before knuckling down and preparing for the examinations. 

Ms Ellen Rankin

Year 12 Coordinator

Year 12 Celebration Assembly 

On Wednesday 19th October, the final day of classes at Westall for Year 12s, Ishmeet Kaur and Monica Maroki led the Year 12 Assembly, to celebrate the Class of 2022 and their achievements in their journey of finishing high school. They also wanted to show their appreciation to their teachers for their guidance and hard work throughout the year. The assembly began with a video created by the students thanking their teachers and the Westall community. The teachers then surprised the students by modeling the school uniform, which was met with lots of laughter. Students then presented some teachers with a range of awards including; the most cheerful, most prone to injuries, most likely to win a karaoke contest, and the human megaphone award. We had two excellent musical performances from Chariss Tolipas, who performed a lovely solo of ‘The Climb’ by Miley Cyrus, and The Year 9/10 band, Distortion, who played Harry Styles' ‘As it was’. Jeanette Moreno concluded the assembly with a contemporary dance performance, showcasing her talent. Following the assembly, Year 12 teachers and students were invited to a morning tea out in the sun on the grassed area. Students had a lovely time signing their uniforms with farewell messages and celebrating their final day as Year 12 students before the exam period started. It was an excellent way to end their time at Westall! 

Ms Ellen Rankin

Year 12 Coordinator

Studio Arts

The Year 11 and 12 students have been working on completing their final folio pieces. Some of the artworks are works in progress. The students explored a wide range of media and art styles – paint on canvas, cardboard dioramas, felt sculptures, digital images, photography, and garment construction. They are now working towards the presentation, display, and exhibition of these works. The students consider conservation techniques whilst their artwork is on display, and also factor in the audience for their art making. A 2022 Art Exhibition will be coming soon!

Ms Helen Ifandis 

Year 11 & Arts Coordinator