Middle School Report

Message from the 

Director of  Learning - 

Mr Tom Tahos

Everyone should be commended on the way they are conducting themselves.  We have really focused on being prepared and engaging in all facets of schooling.

Our school value of care for your learning asks for us to be aware of and implement actions and behaviours that will lead to the best learning outcomes, such as: actively participating in class, following the Westall way, seeking feedback from teachers, and staying positive.

Our school value of care for yourself asks us all to be ready for school such as taking pride in and wearing the correct uniform, looking after your physical and mental health, being mindful, striving to improve, regularly attending and being on time, and being organised for class.

Our school value of care for the school asks for us to be ready to learn, treat school classrooms and facilities with respect and enter situations and classrooms in a calm manner.

Our school value of care for others involves making others feel comfortable and welcomed, communicating in a positive manner, showing integrity and kindness, and acknowledging and valuing the diversity that exists amongst us.

Growth and Development Middle School Work Experience Program

The Middle School work experience ‘Growth and Development’ program will run for the entire last week of this term, Monday 20th June to Friday 24th June.

All Year 9 and 10 students are expected to be immersed in this program.

It is vital that all students return their ‘work Experience Agreement form’ which they have been given.

Congratulations - State Champions!!

Well done to our year 9 & 10 Girls team for winning the Intermediate Girls State Volleyball Championship.

They were one of the top eight teams in Victorian State Schools to compete.

Our girls demonstrated wonderful skills and teamwork, as well as fantastic values throughout the day. The girls did not drop a match or set for the entire day.

In the pool games, Westall finished first defeating Eltham High, Bass Coast College and St Brigids College. 

We won the right to challenge Kew High in the semi-final. This was a hard-fought match with the first set being close but being in control of the second set.

Just to put things into perspective, several of the opponents our girls faced are from specialised Volleyball Sports Schools, including Maribyrnong College, who our girls faced in the final.

Again after a close first set, in which our girls prevailed, we then took control of the second set with accurate serving, great team structure, skills, defence and attack.

Our girls became the 2022 State Volleyball champions winning 2-0 in sets and 40-20 in overall points.

Amazing effort and result Girls, the Westall Community is proud of your hard work!!!

Cyber Safety: Keeping Safe Online

We all have the right to feel safe in any environment, including the cyber world. We also have a responsibility to make others feel safe.

Remember these key messages/tips:

• If anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe- take a screenshot and let your parent/guardian or teacher know.
• Everyone needs to be aware that any bullying and abuse over the internet can become a police matter.
• Do not share passwords, pics or other personal details like your location or phone numbers.
• Be kind!!!

Westall Way Rewards

Congratulations to the following year 9 and 10 students who are currently (as of 17/05/22) leading the Middle School rewards points program.

MORRISBY PROFILE

Congratulations to all the year 9 students who completed their online profile and had their one-on-one interview with a ‘My Careers' consultant. This will give each student a better understanding of what line of work matches their interests and skill sets.

This, together with the work experience program and the school-based careers workshops and expo, will help each student make more informed decisions regarding their subject selection which will occur next term.

The aim of the Morrisby task is to have a true and accurate profile so that when students have their one-on-one counselling session with a Course Selection Panel member, they will be advised appropriately. 

Mr Tom Tahos

Director of Learning - Middle School

Years 9 and 10 Forensic Science at GTAC

Our forensic science students had the opportunity to use their scientific and investigation skills at GTAC to solve a murder case on Monday 16th May! After getting some background information, they used both their knowledge and skills based on DNA modelling, blood typing and gel electrophoresis! They were so excited once they figured out who was the murderer but there was a plot twist, the murderer had a child and who was the father? Many of us were frustrated and provided our hypothesis and reasoning so here’s hoping there’s a sequel!

Ms Loan Luong-Nguyen

Learning Specialist: Numeracy & STEM

Year 9 and 10 Forensic Science

On the 23rd of May, the year 9 and 10 Forensic Science and Lit Histories students visited the Old Melbourne Gaol. We were met by Sergeant Samuel Henderson, who gave us an exclusive tour of the eerie watch house and cell blocks. Students were given a remarkable convict experience, which included being searched, yelled at, and getting their mugshot taken. Students got to see first-hand, the exact location where outlaws such as Ned Kelly took their very last breath. We also got to participate in a re-enactment of Ned Kelly’s court case in the Old Magistrates Court. This experience really opened our eyes to the injustices of colonial Australia and gave us a flavour of this country’s past.

Anita Soghmayan & Isabelle Lette

Year 10

Year 9 English Excursion – Romeo & Juliet

On Tuesday, the Year 9 English students travelled into the city to visit the Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square. We were treated to a private screening of Baz Luhrmann’s beautiful, bold and brash retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. The students have been studying the timeless play this term, so this excursion was an enjoyable way of reinforcing the key themes of the text. The students then had an opportunity to explore the permanent Story of Moving Image exhibition at ACMI, which charts the journey and evolution of film, tv and video games in a fun and interactive way.

Ms Sian Moore

Humanities Coordinator