Senior Years 2023 Review

In the Senior School …

Bursting onto the scene came the class of 2022. They’d come through the bushfires, they’d overcome pandemics and remote learning and were ready to take on the challenges of their final year of secondary education. A year of study and culminating in final exams …

But first there were the traditional Rites of Passage that took their attention. Waiting for the Year 12 jumpers to arrive was a hot topic, and test of patience. Copious amounts of energy went into selecting suitable costumes (in House Colours) to be seen and heard at the annual WHS swimming sports. Who’d have thought someone could cut a swathe through water with so many obstacles in their path. Thankfully they didn’t have to use these skills when the floods hit in October. A big thank you to our VCAL students and Prefects who looked after the food, drinks and the BBQ.

Next, their attention turned to the philosophical debate around what truly constituted an Australian Icon, with hours devoted to fine tuning their co-ordination for the WHS Talent Quest. After the dust had settled on the outdoor stage, it was only 2 terms left to go, the pressure gradually began to build and there was less open space in the Year 12 study section of the library.

This was the first year in a long time that all exams were held on site and the students seem to have coped with this arrangement.

Our Year 11’s enjoyed being granted access to the sandwich maker, microwave and kettle. They too had their special event, namely the Debutante Ball – which proved a hot topic as students researched dresses, shoes, hair and make-up. It was all worth it to see the students looking spectacular as they went through their paces on the dance floor. Even a couple on notable sacrifices were made where some mullets were sacrificed for the night – nice work gentlemen. 

Not to be outdone, our Year 10’s geared up for their end-of-year Formal, also accompanied by many hours searching for outfits as well as a lot of time practicing their dance steps – something their family enjoyed watching on the night. They also had the chance to participate in work experience, some of whom gained employment from it.

With the lifting of covid restrictions, we were able to have several guest speakers and presenters come in to work with all three year levels. Camps were also back on the agenda and a number of students braved the cold to venture up to the ski slopes.

As always, senior students participated in sporting events carrying the flag for WHS. A few weeks back many televisions were tuned to the live feed from the State School Athletics carnival to watch 4 of our Senior boys compete.

A big shout out to our Prefect team were out and about this year, not just manning the BBQ at the swimming sports, but also representing our school at a range of events such as ANZAC Day services in Wangaratta and Melbourne and running school assemblies. Meeting regularly to discuss and plan ways of making Wangaratta High School an even greater school – they are well on the way to being leaders of the future.

On behalf of all of the senior teachers, year level leaders and myself, I wish all of the students a safe and enjoyable summer and best wishes to each student who is leaving to head off into the workforce or further their education elsewhere. In particular, I’d like to thank each and every parent and carer for your support this year. 

Lesley Forman

Senior Years Leader