Message from the Principal 

I am very much looking forward to our annual Talent Quest next Wednesday. It will be my first as I contracted Covid last year not long after I commenced as Principal. It is not to be missed, and is well-known as a great night out for students and families of all ages. You can expect a wide range of student and staff acts and to well entertained – singing, dancing, music and acting and all in between. 

For many of the performers, hours of practice have led to this point. There is always much anticipation for the Year 12 final act – not to be missed! There will be hot food (mini pizzas and roast beef gravy rolls) available before and during the night (but not inside). You can purchase tickets via our school app Compass using this link.  Cash ticket purchases can be done in person via Reception.  See you there Wednesday 5th March from 5pm in our very own Performing Arts Centre (via Edwards Street).

Last day of Term 1 - early finish

A reminder that the last day of Term 1 is Thursday 6th March. As usual, the school day will conclude at 2.25pm. Bus departure times have been adjusted accordingly, and will all leave an hour earlier.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Easter and school holiday break. Term 2 commences on Monday 24th April. Note that Tuesday is the ANZAC Day Public Holiday.

Dave Armstrong

Executive Principal, March 30th 2023

New Campus Fencing

I am pleased to be sharing with the school community a further significant investment by the Department of Education into our wonderful school. A new full-height fence will be installed around the full perimeter of our sprawling site. It is the biggest fencing project the Department has undertaken in Victoria, which reflects just how big our site it is!! The tender process was opened this week. It will be an attractive, consistent and expertly constructed black 2.1m palisade-style fence. 

I have advocated strongly for such an improvement since commencement, and it is pleasing that is now coming to fruition. Protecting the security and integrity of our campus is critical, and we have a significant duty of care to all our students and staff. Like any workplace, we need to have effective measures in place to ensure we are able to control and monitor who enters and leaves our campus, and this investment by the Department will greatly facilitate that.

Once installed, the campus will operate quite differently during the school day and after hours - but all changes will be focused on ensuring the safe and effective operation of our school. We expect to utilise only two pedestrian access points to the campus daily – one pedestrian gate on Phillipson Street (open for school commencement and closure, but locked throughout the day) and on Edwards Street near our sign (that will remain open for the whole school day and be our main entrance). This will significantly improve our campus operations and safety. 

The fencing has been designed to allow the bus interchange to function even if our campus is closed. We do not envisage the Omeara Street gates to open regularly, except for essential services. A full-length fence on Phillipson Street, all the way to the One Mile Creek bridge, will cease any informal and unauthorised thoroughfare during the school day or after hours. It is also pleasing that we can finally stop unauthorised and sometimes unsafe vehicle access to our site, and prevent the consequential damage (either deliberate or accidental) that occurs when vehicles drive on our gardens and ovals. The staff car park will be controlled with motorised gates remaining closed all day.

I expect construction work to commence in late April.

Excess Fencing Available for Community Salvage

Our entire existing fencing will be removed and disposed of by the appointed contractor. However, we are keen to offer all of the materials to the community for use. We welcome enquiries from organisations or individuals who want to take all or some of the fencing. It will be provided free and ‘as-is’, and there will be some conditions attached to the timing of collection to ensure the project is not disrupted. 

If you are interested, please make contact with your details and the sections of fence that you want to Wangaratta.hs@education.vic.gov.au

Have a happy and safe Easter Break and we will see you back on the 24th of April.

Dave Armstrong

Executive Principal