Middle School Report

Message from the 

Director of  Learning - 

Mr Tom Tahos

As we approach the latter part of Term 3 (and past the cold spell we have endured), It is the perfect time to reflect and refocus our energies in the learning behaviours that support our learning.

You are what matters most, and your continual improvement with your learning.

As your school we strive to maintain a wonderful, supportive, and safe learning environment

As your school we will continue to strive for best outcomes, by doing all we can to improve our teaching and learning, our relationship and communication with you.

As your school we will always strive for excellence, aiming for high standards for students and staff.

You, as a student, can control how much your learning improves, by:

• Coming to school prepared! - Homework completed, in full uniform, with all your class materials and your devices fully charged.
• Coming to school on time! - This includes getting to every class on time.
• Coming to school ready to learn! - Going to class with a mindset ready to explore and ask questions and trying the class tasks.

Guess what happens when we all work together and focus on this behaviour?

IMPROVEMENT!!

BEST OUTCOMES!!! 😊

Mr Tom Tahos

Director of Learning - Middle School

Year 10 Shape Your Destiny Workshop

All Year 10 students were involved in the ‘Shape Your Destiny’ workshop presented by Darren from Integrated Success. This workshop focused on understanding and developing strategies students can adopt to support and strengthen their Mindset, Resilience, Motivation & Study behaviours.  Each area is essential and can lead to success. In the area related to mindset, students worked on developing a growth mindset; they reflected on and worked on raising their expectations, their self-efficacy and motivation for academic success.

In relation to the study behaviours section, students were shown, and practiced effective organisation tools and they were exposed to study and exam strategies which will help maximise their academic results.

The program works on inspiring students to set goals, work on positive self-talk, and start seeing the advantages of a disciplined approach to raise their achievement.

Finally with the resilience section of the program, students were offered effective coping strategies which work towards helping students develop grit and persistence required to thrive, socially, emotionally, and academically.

Westall Way- Middle School Rewards System

Congratulations to the following year 9 and 10 students who are currently leading the Middle School rewards points program.                                                   

These students have been acknowledged for their wonderful contributions to their studies and to the wider Westall community.  They have supported their teachers and peers in various ways.

Great effort!!

Beacon - High Impact ‘POLISH’ Program (HIP)

Year ten students had the wonderful opportunity of attending a high performing corporate organisation for their POLISH- High Impact Program run by BEACON foundation. 

This amazing program worked on developing real-life work-related job interview skills.

The program also provided authentic networking opportunities for our students. 

Feedback from all students (and all organisations) were nothing but positive. The companies that hosted the days included Lawyer firms, accounting giants and engineering corporations. Our students were amazing, each organisation had glowing comments about how our students presented themselves in attire, in the way they communicated and the way they engaged in all activities.

All students commented on how much they gained through the days experience and really opened their eyes in realising the challenges one must prepare for in the work force.

Well done to all students and staff that attended these sessions 😊 

Final Debating Update for 2022

On Thursday 28th July, our Year 10 Debate Team competed in their last round of Inter-School Debating against Sacred Heart College.

I am so pleased to inform you that our team, comprised of Anita Soghmayan, Janeeta Nasim and Yuden Tobgye were once again victorious!

Well done girls and thank you to Ms Tomkins for taking accompanying them that night! 

Finally, well done to all Westall debaters this year, including:

• Janeeta Nasim
• Anita Soghmayan
• Yuden Tobgye
• Omaida Sultan
• Merzia Chowdhury
• Isabelle Lette
• Kaif Qais
• Joe Bonnyjose
• Monineath Seang
• Alexandros Balatsas-Kartsiounis 

An amazing effort! We look forward to continuing debating next year!

Ms Anna Papagiannopoulos

English Coordinator

Middle School Camp

At the beginning of August, our year 9 and 10 students were able to participate in our Middle School camp – for some students, this was the first camp they have experienced as a part of their secondary school education!

Once we arrived at the PGL Campaspe Downs site in Kyenton, students were able to experience a range of outdoor and adventure activities over three days. This included facing their fears on the giant swing and the ‘Leap of Faith’, showing their survival skills in Bushcraft, rely on teamwork in the initiative games and hit a bullseye in archery. Although it was cold and a little muddy, our students impressed both the camp leaders and Westall staff with their determination, resilience and willingness to try new things and support one another. 

Thank you to all the Westall staff for coming to support our students and to the PGL staff for being so accommodating and welcoming. Camps are such a vital part of a students’ overall school experience for both their wellbeing and developing life skills. Lastly, thank you to all the students who came to camp! We hope you all had a fantastic time. 

Ms Rebecca Tomkins

Year 9 Coordinator