Principal Team's Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we approach the midway point of Term 3, it provides an opportunity to reflect on student progress in the first four weeks. From students commencing their Semester 2 elective classes, final preparations for The SpongeBob Musical or our interschool sporting teams representing the College in region and zone competitions, the school calendar of events is in full swing.

Staffing News

We take this opportunity to welcome back Fern Brisbane from leave and, at the same time, thank Judy Anderson for her leadership as Acting Principal and Nery Soto as Acting Assistant Principal in the first three weeks of the term. Sally Pryde, Max Ellis, Nick Molan, Jacinta Wilson and Yeneo Pousoulis have also returned from leave.

We also welcome new staff member, Rita Ramsaran, to the College. Rita joins the English team and fills our final teacher vacancy for the College. In doing so, we are pleased to announce that all teaching positions have been filled. This will no doubt help to further increase consistency of students’ learning programs for the remainder of the year.  

The SpongeBob Musical

Congratulations to the staff, students and parent helpers for the immense time and effort towards the preparation for the College production. From the rehearsals I attended, it was obvious the cast and crew were extremely excited for their run of shows commencing this week. I encourage as many of the school community to attend and celebrate the work of the Performing Arts team in what I am sure will be a huge success. A special mention to Mikayla Ellis (Production Leader), David Gill and Kirsty Mechielsen for their work since auditions and rehearsals began in Term 4 2022. 

On Thursday 3rd August two of our local primary schools were lucky enough to attend a matinee performance of the musical.

Dates for the production are:

• Friday 4th August
• Saturday 5th August – both matinee and evening performances
• Thursday 10th August
• Friday 11th August 
• Saturday 12th August (SOLD OUT)

Limited tickets are still available for the first five shows. For further ticket information please access - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1051236 

Learning and Wellbeing Conferences

Learning and Wellbeing Conferences will be held remotely on Thursday 24th August. The booking portal via Compass will be open within two weeks. The timing of the conferences this term has been planned so student progress can be discussed, and strategies implemented by students before the Term 3 Progress Reports are completed by teachers. Any families who require updated Compass login details, please contact the General Office. 

Community & Events

A few events of last two weeks included:

• An amazing effort by the Year 11 Vocational Major class who organised a donation drive in support of Uniting Vic.Tas Food for Families. This drive was also supplemented by a free dress day for students which raised $594.30 for the charity. Thank you to all student and families for their donations and support of this worthy cause. A special note to ?? family who donated three car- boot load of food for the drive.
• Lego Masters Challenge - To assist Year 9 RISE students in their Lego-drone project this term, special guest, Ryan from seasons 3 & 5 of Lego Masters attended the College. Ryan imparted some of his Lego wisdom with the students to help them progress with their project.
• Australian Mathematics Competition – conducted Wednesday 2nd August, 80 Wheelers Hill students participated in this annual competition across the Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories. Thank you to Laura McClure for running this event and we look forward to hearing of our student’s achievement.
• Interschool Sport – the PE team were busy with training session and competition days for teams attending the second level in senior basketball, junior boys netball, and Year 7 girls’ soccer. Good luck to the boys intermediate Australian Rules football team who have their competition day next week.
• Student Free Day – Friday 18th August there will be a Professional Practice Day for staff. Student will not be permitted onsite at school.

Clubs

I encourage all students to consider joining one of the clubs currently at various times throughout each week. Participating in a club can help to make develop or make new connections with peers at school or even build a new skill set. Please see current clubs in the College:

• Art Club - Every Wednesday 3pm-4pm in A01. All student welcome.
• Breakfast Club –occurs fortnightly on Tuesday mornings in F02 from 8.15am. All students welcome. Toasties, cereal and hot drinks available. Dates for this term: 15th and 29th of August; 12th of September.
• Chess Club - Chess Club is on every Thursday lunchtime in L3
• Drama Club – Friday Lunchtimes 
• Diversity Club – Diversity Club is back. Running every Monday at Lunchtime in L01. All students are welcome. This is a space where you get to spend some time with your friends and also to make new friends. You get to share how you feel and what you want.
• Quiet Study Time – Quiet Study Day is happening in the Library at lunch time on Thursdays. Students may choose to read or study only. There will be no chess, cards, whiteboard table or board games available on Thursdays. This gives students who need a quiet area in which to read, study or catch up on homework the opportunity to do so. 
• Weights Room - If you would like to improve your fitness, the weight room will be supervised on Tuesdays at lunchtime for the rest of the year. Please contact Mr Ellis if you have any questions.

Attendance

A reminder to families to please ensure your student’s absences are updated with the College. Notifying the school could be completed via the Compass Parent Portal, emailing your student’s Learning and Wellbeing Leader or by contacting the General Office.  

Thank you to students, staff and families for your hard work and support so far this term. Please continue to stay up-to-date with the College via the College website, Compass Parent Portal and general communication with staff and school leaders. We hope students are able to continually demonstrate and develop the positive learning behaviours identified in the two rounds of reporting so far and wish Year 12 students good luck with their coursework heading into their final eight weeks of secondary school classes. 

Jeremy Woods, 

on behalf of the Principal Team