PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

I feel like I say it at the end of every term, but it is again, hard to believe we are at the end of term and that we have completed one quarter of the year. 

It has been a very successful term across the board in so many ways, with co-curricular activities such as preparation for the state school spectacular, instrumental music programs, sport, alumni program presentations, camps and excursions all back in the swing of things. We have once again been able to enjoy the very many enriching activities of school life. These activities really help to create communities within community and allow for our students and staff to make connections and bonds with their peers beyond their classes and across year levels. I think we all agree, that the long-lasting memories of school stem from these types of events, and we encourage all students to engage with the many, varied opportunities on offer. 

Student Success

Congratulations to 2 of our Year 12 students who have recently been successful in receiving state awards for excellence. Firstly, to Tyler Michalik for being awarded the AEN School Based Apprentice of the Year Award for 2020 for his work at Geelong Galvanising. Tyler’s story is a fantastic one with his experience commencing at the workplace by volunteering on weekends to get experience. This progressed to casual work and then to a school-based apprenticeship. We are very proud of Tyler’s courage to go and seek this employment and follow through with a wonderful work ethic.

Secondly, I was incredibly proud to accompany Jasmine Whatley with her family to the MCC Dining Room last Friday to receive the very prestigious sporting blue award in Basketball awarded at the annual School Sport Victoria Awards. Jasmine is a wonderful basketball player with a bright future as a dedicated learner in our community. We are so proud of both the students.

College Council News

Recently we have conducted elections for vacancies on the college council.  I am pleased to report that the following parents, staff and students have been elected unopposed to college council for the next 2 years; -

• Craig McGough (Parent Representative) 
• Rebecca Laity (Parent Representative)
• Claire Sullivan (DET Representative) 
• Paul Rogers (DET Representative) 
• Alex Tortora (DET Representative) 
• Jesse Miller (Student Representative)
• Nathan Sutcliffe (Student Representative)
• Matthew Pantelimon (Student Representative)
• Alice Irving (Student Representative)
• Tiana Prodonov (Student Representative)

The new or re-elected representatives join the following parents in the second year of their 2-year term.

• Tania Briese (Parent Representative) 
• Christine Baldock (Parent Representative)
• Kristy Mostert (Parent Representative)

We thank the following outgoing council members who have provided wonderful support to the council over the years.

• Elizabeth Dimovski
• Violetta Prodonov
• Simone Spitty
• Lu Temelkovski
• Alvin Ang

Parent Student Teacher Learning Conversations

We look forward to the many discussions that will take place this week on Wednesday and Thursday at Parent Student Teacher Learning Conversations. We know that the conversations have a real impact on student learning. 

Learning Progression Reports 

Learning Progression reports were released to parents via compass on Tuesday of this week. This year’s reports provide a GPA (Grade Point Average) score for each unit of study. Progress Reports or GPA’s are used to report your child’s learning behaviours in relation to our school values and your child’s work habits. The intention is to report on these values and work habits each 5-6 weeks and they will be available on demand through the Compass Parent Portal. 

The GPA is an average of the ratings each student achieves on the key indicators on the Progress Report.  These indicators align with our school values and desired work habits. Each of these areas is allocated a score based on the level of performance;

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Absent

NA*

*(Does not affect GPA Score)

For each subject the scores are tallied and averaged by the number of subjects studied.  This then gives a score or GPA. As you can see the highest possible score of 4.0 would be generated by achieving “Always” in every area in every subject.

Students with a GPA of lower than 2.0 will asked to complete an individual learning plan to improve their work habits in subjects below this GPA.

Day 1 Term 2

Monday 19 April as advised in previous newsletters will be a Pupil free day to enable staff to focus on developing a new learning and teaching model for Western Heights College classrooms. This day is the first day of 2 professional learning days staff are entitled to during the school year. All students will return to classes on Tuesday 20 April.

Happy, safe and restful holidays 

The holidays could not have come at a better time. Students and staff are very tired as I’m certain parents and carers are as well. As we move into the Term 1 holidays, I wish everyone a restful and happy break – we certainly deserve a few chocolate eggs! 

Please take care and remain safe. 

Congratulations, one and all, on a tremendous Term 1. 

We look forward to seeing you all back here, safe and sound for the beginning of Term 2.

Fiona Taylor

College Principal

Child Safety at WHC

Western Heights College is a child safe organisation committed to protecting students from all forms of abuse.

Our College has stringent protocols in place and endeavours at all times to be fully compliant with the Child Safe Standards set out under Ministerial Order 870.

Our College has the following documents and policies in place to achieve compliance with the Standards. All of these documents are available for downloading on our website or contact the school for a copy. 

1. Commitment to Child Safety
2. Child Safety Policy
3. Child Safety Code of Conduct
4. Child Protection Policy and Procedures