Senior School Report

Message from the Acting Director of Learning

- Mr. Jarrod Johnstone

We’re heading into the final few weeks of the school year, and for many students, these are the most important few weeks of their schooling journey. Secondary school can be a juggling act, with many students balancing their schoolwork with work and home commitments.  Now is the time for students to dedicate as much time as possible to their study, to ensure they set themselves up for their future. Parents, guardians and family members can still have a significant impact by supporting your children by removing possible external stressors, remaining positive and encouraging them to study as much as possible at home and at school.

 

2019 SENIOR SUB SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Welcome back to Ms Hari Nikolaou, who will resume her role as Director of Learning for the Senior School from Week 6. The new leadership team for 2019 will begin in their roles from the week of Head Start, 3rd December. The fantastic team of experienced, dedicated teachers are:

  • Year 11 Coordinator - Mr Jared Bandara
  • Year 12 Coordinator - Ms. Freda Gatsios
  • VCAL Coordinator - Ms. Rochelle Travitz

 

YEAR 12

Our Year 12 students have concluded their final classes and VCE students are preparing for their final exams. Ms Nguyen, Ms Kerwick and the team of teachers have worked tirelessly this year to help students to achieve their best. Students are reminded that your teachers are available to support you, and you are welcome to come to school and study in the Senior Centre, Library, Study Room or other areas. The Westall Hub is another excellent space for study.

 

YEAR 11 EXAMS 

The Year 11 exam timetable has been made available to all students via email and is on Compass News Feed. Year 11 exams will take place between the 21st and 29th November. Please note that these exams will cover Units 1 & 2 to prepare students for their Year 12 exams, which cover subject matter from the whole year.

 

STUDY TECHNIQUES 

 

By this time of year in the senior school, it is expected that you have found the study habits that work well for you. Some reminders of what works well:

 

  • Repetition – repeated exposure to content strengthens your neural pathways and makes it easier & quicker to recall that information in an exam.
  • Remove distractions - put your phone away, find a calm space to study as much as possible.
  • Give yourself short, regular breaks -there are a few ways to manage this. I suggest blocks of 25min study, then a 5min break. After 2 hours, take a longer 15min break. During your breaks, don’t be on your phone! Let your mind wander, close your eyes or do something that doesn’t engage your brain. This is a great time to make sure you’re eating and drinking well to fuel your brain!

 

VCAL

Our Year 12 VCAL students have finished their scheduled classes, with the exception of some students who are completing further classes to meet their attendance requirement or to finish off their work.

 

Year 11 VCAL students are working towards the completion of their current units, which in most cases will give them an Intermediate VCAL Certificate at the end of this year. These students should have worked out their VET and Structured Work Placement plans for next year.

 

At the same time, VCAL students have experienced applied learning at its best through a range of incursions and excursions. The 2019 Year 11 VCAL cohort visited the Optus headquarters in Mulgrave for interview workshops, which have given them valuable skills when applying for jobs. The VET Sport & Recreation students have had a ‘Wheeltalk’ incursion, which enabled them to experience wheelchair basketball, and have been offered an excursion to watch A-League soccer with Mr. Henderson, who is a very handy soccer player himself! Senior VCAL students had a day in the city this week with Mr. Bandara completing numeracy tasks.

 

Mr. Jarrod Johnstone

Year 12 Celebration Day

Year 12s ended their journey at Westall Secondary College with a bang. On Thursday, our Year 12s held their farewell assembly in the sports centre thanking their teachers and peers for their support throughout their VCE year and their time at Westall. It has been an emotional rollercoaster over the past few months, with just a few weeks to go till they reach their finish line.

 

On Friday, the Year 12s were acknowledged for all their hard efforts and successes over the past few months by celebrating at Side Tracked Entertainment Centre. Students and staff participated in go-karting, laser tag, dodgem cars and mini golf, followed by a celebratory barbecue at the school. The day was really special for all involved, and was a great final hurrah before our VCE students put their heads down for their exams. A great way to finish off the year and put an official end to the Year 12 classes. 

 

On behalf of all the staff at Westall SC, we would like to wish our current VCE students all the best with their upcoming exams. We know you have done the school proud. Good luck over the coming weeks.

 

Ms. Amy Kerwick

Year 12 Coordinator