Principal's Report 

As we approach the final weeks of the academic year, we find ourselves in busy, yet familiar territory as we work through everything that needs to be done to finish the current year off and prepare for the year ahead. Over the past few weeks, many areas of the College have been busy preparing to induct, farewell and showcase our student’s talents. 

On Monday 28th November, WHSC hosted the Spring Music Showcase. This was a wonderful musical event where our students had the opportunity to perform for our community. A big congratulations to all the students and teachers who supported them to make this event the success that it was!  

Another key event that our College was proudly represented at, was the supersized Monash Maker Faire which was held on Sunday 4th December. What is the Maker Fair you ask? Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists, to scientists and crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments and projects. 

Abbey Novak, our STEAM Learning Specialist, facilitated our 

presentation and was wonderfully supported by Nery Soto, our Numeracy Learning Specialist and Katia Takla, our Technology Leader. The event saw over 9,000 visits make their way through a myriad of displays hosting innovation in technology and design at Monash University. Our own display of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Mathematics was overwhelmingly supported by the queues of children waiting to try our programs. The event was a terrific endorsement of excellence at WHSC and a celebration of our partnership with the Monash Tech School. A big thank you and congratulations to Abbey Novak and her team for their hard work on this day! 

At this time of the year, we are extremely busy visiting Primary Schools so that we can meet with our future Year 7 students and gather as much information as possible to make their transition to Secondary College a positive and supportive experience. To facilitate this, the transitions team hosted a Small Schools Transition Day on Thursday 1st December. We also look forward to welcoming our future Year 7’s at the state-wide Year 7 Orientation Day on Tuesday 13th December. This day offers our future Year 7 students the opportunity to meet fellow students and teachers and to familiarise themselves with WHSC prior to commencing in 2023. We warmly welcome all our new students to our College. 

Over the past few weeks, students in our Senior School have been busy undertaking the valuable feedback week following on from their end of year examinations. This was followed by a two-week Step-Up Program to prepare them for the subjects they will be studying in 2023. We hope that all students in Years 10 and 11 have taken advantage of these opportunities so they can commence 2023 in a positive and well-prepared manner. We also thank all the teachers who have prepared and facilitated these programs for our students. 

From the 5th - 9th of December, our Middle School students participated in the highly anticipated, inaugural Design Sprint. The purpose of the Design Sprint is to provide students with a real-life problem that challenges them to use essential 21st Century Skills such as, collaboration, communication, creative problem solving and critical thinking.  

Their task was to create more meaningful identities for our House System which are more 

inclusive and representative of contemporary values and views, while keeping our connection to College traditions. This event proved to be a huge success and was thoroughly enjoyed by students who had the opportunity to work with new people and in the process, learn new techniques on how to approach their learning using design thinking. I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work of our Learning Specialist for STEAM, Abbey Novak, who is facilitating this wonderful opportunity for our students and of course to the staff who ran the sessions. 

On Monday 12th December, our Year 12 students will receive their ATAR results. We wish all students the very best and congratulate everyone on their efforts. If students wish to seek advice after receiving their results, they are encouraged to make an appointment with Mrs. Jakubicki who will be available from Monday the 12th for course advice.  

At this time of the year, it is customary to farewell staff who are leaving the College. At the end of 2022 we send our very best wishes to the following staff: 

Adam Watson 

John Mehes 

Hayley Tait 

Sarah Abdat 

Kellie Goebel 

A special farewell goes to Paul McGlynn who after around 22 years at WHSC is leaving the College to work in another setting.  

Michelle Galli will be taking a year’s leave in 2023.

 A heartfelt thank you to you all, and we wish you all the best for your future pursuits in 2023. 

On behalf of the Principal Team, I would like to wish everyone a safe and restful summer break! A special farewell to those families who are ending their association with WHSC, we wish you and your children all the best for the future! 

A reminder to families that the commencement date for students in 2023 is Tuesday 31st January. 

Happy holidays! 

Principal Team, 

Fern Brisbane, Judy Anderson and Andrew Dixon