Principal's Report

Mr Tristan Lanarus

Principal

Dear Westall Secondary College Community

Well it is fair to say we have never before seen a school period like Term 2, 2020. Who would know whether we will ever see anything like this again? What we do know is this uncertainty and change has made us stronger. Through this challenge and adversity, we have learned new skills and found some new ways of doing things. The trick now will be to keep the “good stuff” from the remote learning phase and integrate that with our normal day to day business at school. The most obvious one in this regard is the use of our computer devices. For the last 3 years we have pushed for all students to bring your own device (BYOD) to every lesson, every day.  Staff and students have undergone huge change and upskilling over the last 8 weeks in the use of Microsoft Teams and other computer based applications. It is so important to now convert that to sustained progress and transformation. Of course human interaction and other traditional approaches still do, and I believe always will, play a part. But there is no doubt being digitally literate, both now and into the future, is so important to function and to be employable. As a school we will continue to use Compass and other computer platforms in our daily work and I urge all students and families to be “on board” with this journey. In short, just like being on time and in correct uniform, having your device with you every lesson, every day, is now a basic and minimum expectation in being “ready to learn”.

If you are like me, your perception of time and where we are in the year, has become a little distorted the last 2 months. I am looking at the calendar and it is telling me we are in June. Wow, how did that happen? This is a real challenge because we are trying to slowly transition everyone back to “normal” in a caring and supportive way, with another eye on the fact that this year is half over. Each year, as we head into the mid-year break, we are finalising subjects and course selection information for the following year. Then when we return in Term 3, course counselling interviews and information sessions are held that culminate in students selecting their subjects and program for the following year. This is all completed by mid-Term 3 to allow the timetable to be developed. So . . . this timeline does still need to be followed and whilst we are trying to move a little slower (eg. Semester 1 reports will be released early next term), important subject decisions will need to be made when we return next term. Detailed information will be communicated to you on this.

I really do hope that the remainder of the year goes smoothly. It was very pleasing for our Year 12 students to hear that the VCE and VCAL exams and requirements will all be completed by December this year. The normal end date has only finished up being pushed back a couple of weeks. This is hopefully a really positive sign that certainty and routines are coming back. It was also very pleasing to know that at Westall, we continued running all classes and assessments throughout the remote phase so as not to disadvantage our students. We are as well placed as any school for our students to succeed later this year when final exams and assessments occur.

Another item around normality and routine is punctuality and school uniform. We have all had the last 8 weeks working from home and probably all sleeping in a little later and spending a lot of time in tracksuit pants and casual clothes. We have had a small number of students a little slow to get back into the school routine. We seek your support in ensuring students arrive at school on time each morning and in full school correct Winter uniform. This includes all students wearing Westall ties, long sleeve shirts, jumper/jacket/blazer, blue trouser pants or shorts/winter skirts (minimum length at the knee).

The last day for Term 2 is Friday, 26th June. Students will be dismissed at 2.30pm. First Day back for Term 3 is Monday, 13th July.

Until next time!

Mr. Tristan Lanarus