PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Principal's Newsletter Report November 2019

Japanese Visitors

On Friday we had a number of students from Naha Nihisi High School in Japan join us for a one-day cultural immersion visit. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with our friends from Japan. We thank AIIU for arranging the visit.

College Captains 2020

Today we announced our new college captains for 2020. After a process that involved a written application, short-listed interviews, a speech in front of the whole school and a voting process. We completed our process on Friday and the successful candidates were informed. On behalf of the college community I would like to congratulate Nathanael Briese and Laura Dimovski for their successful applications to represent our college in the role of College Captains for 2020. We wish both Laura and Nathanael every success in the role and also congratulate all our other applicants for this very important and prestigious role in our college community. Our 2019 captains, Jacque Worpel and Kody Pulleine have been wonderful role models for our school this year. A big thank-you to Mr. Rogers for managing the process.

State Final for Chess

Congratulations to Emily Matthey, Esmail Heidari, Ali Jamshidi, Hayden Leiper, Connor Mann Feldman and Raza Saki Dad for their recent qualification and participation in the state chess finals. We are very proud of their achievements and would like to thank both Mr. Travers and Mrs Blakeborough for supporting them through the events and process.

WHC 2020 Breakfast Expansion Program

The school breakfast clubs expansion program is a Victorian Government initiative delivered in partnership with Foodbank Victoria. During this term our school was informed that it has been accepted to be part of this program for the start of the 2020 school year. Already in 500 primary schools across the state our school has been lucky to be included into this program for next year.

Each day next year, all students in our college will be provided with a healthy breakfast from our school canteen. The program will support our healthy eating approach and ensure that no student is hungry to commence the day. The program will also expand into lunch packs for students who require them and school holiday hamper packs for students who require some support.

We are delighted to have this program expand on our one day per week breakfast program currently being delivered by the Uniting Church at a small cost for students on a Wednesday morning.

This is a great initiative that we are really thrilled to be a part of for 2020 onwards.

Year 7 Orientation Days for 2020

For Year 7 students 2020 we will be running 3 orientation days commencing on Tuesday 26th November, Tuesday 3rd December and the state-wide orientation day on Tuesday 10th December. Attendance at least on 10th December is strongly advised for our new year 7 students. We look forward to welcoming them into our community.

Transition program 2019 for 2020

The College will conduct a Transition Program for 2020 Year 8 - 12 students. The Program will run from Monday 2 December until Thursday 12 December. All students are expected to attend program to transition into 2020 classes and complete essential assessment and outcomes.

Return to School Dates for 2020

All students will be expected to return to school on Wednesday 29th January for their “Ready to Learn Mentor Meeting with the first day of formal classes for all students taking place on Thursday 30th January.

Ready to Learn Mentor Meetings 2020

In 2020, we will continue with our very successful mentor meetings to start the school year. All students and their parents/carers are invited to attend a 15 minute ‘Ready to Learn’ meeting with their Mentor Group Teacher on Wednesday 29 January 2020.

Students are to attend in full College uniform and bring all of their books and stationery, which they will leave in their locker after the interview.

Students must attend a “Ready to Learn” interview prior to commencing 2020 classes. Please contact the College if your family is unable to attend on Wednesday 29 January and other arrangements will be made for you.

The purpose of the interviews is:

To provide the opportunity for all Mentor Group Teachers to meet their students with their parent/carer and have a positive supportive interaction with them
To ensure that students are fully organised and prepared for learning and are able to meet all of the requirements of a Western Heights College student including having the correct uniform and equipment
Deal with administrative matters in a timely and efficient manner. The “Ready to Learn Day” process will ensure a positive, smooth and productive start to the school year and will ensure that every student is prepared for learning.

Awards Evening 2019

This year’s awards evening will take place on Monday 16th December in the Presidents Room at GMHBA Stadium. We will commence the evening with our “create” art and technology exhibition in the foyer commencing at 6pm - 6.30pm. The Awards evening will then kick off at 6.30pm. All Western Heights College Community members are most welcome to attend and celebrate our students learning in 2019.

Fiona Taylor | Principal