Later Year's Sub School

Welcome Back

The Year 12 students were amazing ambassadors for the school on their first day back, taking care of our new year 7 students and showing them the ropes.  The Year 12s certainly lived up to the trust that was placed in them to support our new community members of their first day when many were incredibly nervous.  The younger students were certainly very grateful for the care and consideration they were shown by the oldest students in the school.

Each year level began the year with a Year level assembly.  There was lots of enthusiasm as students greeted their friends and teachers after the long break.  Key messages in the Later Years were about stepping up and giving yourself your best shot by trying hard and stepping outside your comfort zone.  A big emphasis was placed on attendance and striving to do your absolute best.  We also talked about how students could care for their local and global environment by considering how much rubbish they produce and ways in which they can reduce single use plastic and rubbish in the school.  Mr Murphy was keen to talk to students who wish to be a part of a task force that would look at all matters concerning waste in the College.

The Year 12 students received their year 12 jackets on Friday in the 43 degree heat.  They must have been excited about them as there was a significant number wearing them after lunch despite the temperature.  At least next week's forecast might be a bit more conducive to showing them off.  We love the pride the kids show in these as it shows they have a real sense of achievement and connection with being in year 12.

Dina Mingos

Later Years Sub School Leader

Meet some of the team

My name is Michael Paneris. I teach Mathematics and Science which have always been a passion of mine. Mathematics is the underlying language of the universe and science endeavors to explain the universe around us, which makes them interconnected in an elegant way. This is what drives my passion for mathematics and science education. 

One of my goals as a teacher is to constantly be improving and refining my teaching practice using evidence based teaching and learning strategies, in order to achieve the best outcomes for all my students. Part of my decision in becoming a Year Level Leader is to understand my students' learning, help them achieve growth in their learning and development as a young person. 

Some of my interests outside of teaching include gardening, spending time with friends and family, and heading down to the beach. I look forward to working with students, staff and the wider Wantirna College community this year.

Hello everyone, I’m Phuong and I have been working at Wantirna College since 2015. I love my role as a year level leader and science teacher. Previously, I worked as a scientist in Sheffield, UK and Tokyo, Japan. However, the one thing I enjoyed most was educating and working with young minds, hence my transition into teaching. In my spare time I love reading, travelling and gardening.

Ms Chamberlain (Chambels). I teach Science and Dance, and am also one of the choreographers for the College Production. I’m a qualified and licensed wildlife rehabilitator specialising in bats, which takes up much of my time, especially during summer.  I know many people don’t like bats, but they’re critical to our ecosystems; grey-headed flying foxes are the only night-time pollinators of gum trees, and microbats eat 40% of their own weight in insects each night! This year I’m really looking forward to going on the Performing Arts New York Tour in March, and another wonderful Production.

Hi, this year I am one of the Year 12 Level Leaders with Benn Pollock. I am really looking forward to working with our Year 12s this year. I have worked with a lot of this cohort through Year 9 and 10 Science,  some in Year 10 Maths,  Year 11 Chemistry and I was one of the Year 11 Level Leaders last year.  On Thursday we had the whole day to start talking to the Year 12s about maximising their learning, creating opportunities to form effective study groups and general organisational information. It was great to see them all after the Christmas holidays.  Most of my spare time at home is currently being taken up with our new puppy, Bowie who is a 10 week old border collie X Labrador, preventing her chewing anything she can find. 

We will introduce the rest of the team in the next newsletter.

Mr John Davison:  Year 11 Leader

Mr Ben Pollock:  Year 12 Leader

Mr Phil Newham:  Careers Counsellor

Ms Katrina King:  Catalyst Programs and VCAL Leader

Ms Dina Migos:  Leader of Sub School

Ms Catherine Ford:  Assisatnt Principal Later Years