Welcome to this month’s edition of the W-Files. What a busy and eventful term it has been. Our students have been actively participating in a myriad of events such as the Film and Print Festival; art, design and technology exhibitions at both campuses; a Principal’s Writing Competition workshop; Year 12 jumper-signing and celebration days; and numerous exam preparation sessions. At present, our Year 12 students are also currently undertaking their final examinations. Our senior students have also submitted applications and interviewed for the 2026 student leadership positions.

Our academic enhancement leader, Jesse Craig, introduced a new initiative this year for our senior students. On top of all the midyear trial exams and formal/informal exam preparation we provided our students (including over the recent Term 3 holiday break), we also offered optional timed exam practice sessions for students once Year 12 classes concluded but prior to the first VCAA exam. These were well received by many of the Year 12 cohort with some initial feedback as follows:

‘They are good how they are, but please run more.’

‘Literally they are perfect since I can never focus when I study at home. Just need more of them. Hopefully next week and the week after for my other exams.’

In the coming weeks, the Year 9, 10 and 11 students will commence their internal exams and conclude the year, having successfully completed the Headstart program, which supports and prepares students for the 2026 school year.

World Teachers’ Day

We celebrated World Teachers Day on October 31 with a staff morning tea, notes of appreciation and lucky dip prizes (such as use of the principals’ carparks for a day, having a principal cover your yard duty, and other various treats). Our Parents and Friends’ Association also hosted a coffee van at each campus with free thank-you coffees and muffins (a huge thank you to our PFA once again for their ongoing support of our staff and programs). It was also nice to read the beautiful notes and treats that so many of our appreciative families sent to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our wonderful staff.

School Review

As previously reported, our school recently conducted a review and developed a new four-year strategic plan. This involved external and internal staff reviewing extensive school performance data over the past four years; classroom observations; student, staff, leaders and parent focus group sessions; and an audit of our curriculum documentation and teaching resources.

Throughout the four-day review process, the review panel was extremely positive and praised our school’s performance and culture. This is indeed reason for the whole WHS community to be proud, and I personally found myself smiling on the drive home each night reflecting on the comments that had been shared about our amazing school. The chief reviewer is now finalising the official report, which will include goals to focus on over the next four years as we continue to strive to be better no matter how well we are performing. I look forward to sharing this with all stakeholders, students, staff and families over the next few months.

Rotary Education Excellence Awards

Last term several of our teaching and support staff were nominated for the 2025 Hobsons Bay Rotary Emerging Teacher Award and Excellence Team Award. Senior art teacher Grace Hopton, the Pasco administration team, and the Year 7 Year Level Coordinator team were all winners and celebrated at the Kooringal Golf Club in Altona on Tuesday, 21 October. Congratulations to Grace Hopton, Rhiannon Carassellos, Leanne Steele and Amanda DeAbel, as well as Rachel Roberts and Lee Williams.

Below are the citations that were submitted as part of their nominations:

Grace Hopton

Grace Hopton is in her second year of teaching and her first year at Williamstown High School, and in that short time she has made a significant impact on both students and staff. Grace teaches two VCE Visual Communication Design classes and Year 10 Ceramics, and while this has been her first experience teaching within the VCE framework, she has embraced the challenge with energy, care and creativity. Grace started her career teaching Visual Arts and French in Darwin, and since moving to Melbourne she has quickly established herself as a valued and respected member of our teaching team. Her approach to teaching is hands-on, student-centred, and grounded in kindness. She creates a classroom environment where students feel supported to explore their creative ideas and take risks in their learning.

Grace is passionate about giving students the tools and freedom to express themselves artistically, and her dedication to their growth, both creatively and personally, is clear in every lesson she teaches. She has become a fantastic addition to our staff, and her positivity, openness to feedback, and commitment to continuous improvement are deeply appreciated by colleagues and students alike. Grace would be a very deserving recipient of a Hobsons Bay Rotary Teacher Award. She embodies what it means to be a caring, reflective and inspiring early career teacher, and we are excited to see what she continues to achieve as her teaching career progresses.

Pasco Administration Team

These three incredible staff members work seamlessly together to ensure the daily operations of Williamstown High School’s Pasco Campus run smoothly, calmly and efficiently. They are, quite simply, the A-Team. Rhiannon, Leanne and Amanda create a consistently welcoming atmosphere for students, staff, families and visitors. Their professionalism, kindness and commitment underpin everything that happens on campus. Whether it’s managing the flow of the day, supporting student wellbeing, or assisting staff with countless administrative tasks, they do it all with warmth and unwavering dedication.

They are highly process-driven, constantly reviewing and refining how things work to improve efficiency and clarity for all. Their communication is excellent, both within their team and across the wider staff, and they are always willing to cover for each other, assist others, and go the extra mile, often without being asked. The administration team’s work is often behind the scenes, but it is absolutely essential to the functioning of our school. Their diligence, adaptability and collaborative spirit make them worthy recipients of recognition through the Rotary Teacher Team Award.

Rachel Roberts and Lee Williams

The Year 7 Year Level Coordinator team consists of Rachel Roberts and Lee Williams, both highly experienced and dedicated teachers who consistently go above and beyond for their students. Together, they provide exceptional leadership to the Year 7 teaching team, ensuring a smooth transition into secondary school for all students. Rachel and Lee play a pivotal role in building a supportive and inclusive school environment. They lead the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework, setting high expectations while nurturing a culture of respect, responsibility and belonging. Their work ensures consistency across the year level and strengthens student engagement and wellbeing. By working closely with staff, students and families, they foster strong connections that empower students to achieve their personal and academic potential. Rachel and Lee would be worthy recipients of a Hobsons Bay Rotary Teacher Team Award. They epitomise what it means to be there for your students and encourage them to achieve their potential.

2025 Year 12 Students

Our Year 12 students recently enjoyed their final two days of formal attendance with jumper-signing and dress-up celebrations, as well as a year-level excursion to Funfields Themepark. The jumper-signing was as enjoyable as ever for me, as I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 12s lining up for a “Hold Fast Cat 25” jumper signing. I truly believe our school motto remains with students throughout their lives, a message I have reiterated to them all this year.

This will also be the third year of what I hope will become one of the most prestigious awards a student can receive during their time at WHS, the Principal’s Hold Fast Awards. The recipients of these awards will be announced during the Town Hall whole-school assembly and Year 12 Graduation evening.

Best of luck to our Year 12 students for the remainder of your exams, and we look forward to one final celebration with all of you and your families at Graduation.

Hold fast,

Gino Catalano
College Principal

Term 4 has gotten off to a wonderful start.

Sister School Visit

During the first week of term, Williamstown High School was delighted to host 20 students, two teachers and the principal from our sister school, SMP Labschool, in Jakarta, Indonesia. The week began with a warm welcome assembly where each Indonesian student was introduced to our school community. They then spent the week experiencing life as a WHS student, shadowing their buddies and participating in a range of classroom activities and excursions.

The visit concluded with a farewell ceremony attended by federal MP, the Hon. Tim Watts. Our Indonesian visitors had an amazing time and it was heartwarming to see the connections formed between our students and theirs. A very big thank you to all the families who generously hosted our guests - your support makes this special program possible.

Art & Technology Exhibition

It was fantastic to see the atrium come alive with colour and creativity during the Bayview Art and Technology Exhibition. The event showcased the impressive talents of our Year 7-9 students through an inspiring display of art and technology projects. The exhibition was well attended, with many families from both the Bayview and Pasco campuses joining us to celebrate the students’ achievements.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Grade 6 transition is well underway, with our Transition Information Evening having taken place on Monday, 27 October. We look forward to officially welcoming our incoming Year 7 students on Transition Day, to be held on Monday, 9 December.

As we approach the final weeks of 2025, further details about our end-of-year program will be shared shortly. This will include information about the Year 7-9 homegroup excursions and the Year 8/9 Headstart programs.

Thank you to the families who have contacted me regarding homegroup placements for 2026. Our team is carefully considering all placements to ensure we continue to create the best possible learning environments for every student. Parents will be notified of any changes prior to the commencement of the Year 8/9 Headstart program.

As we move through the final weeks of Term 4, I look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students and staff, and to finishing the year on a positive and productive note. Thank you to our families for your continued support, which is greatly valued and appreciated.

Term 4 is always an exciting time as we celebrate the Year 12s finishing school. The Class of ’25 enjoyed a wonderful few days to acknowledge the completion of 13 years of schooling. Finishing school is one of the ‘big’ moments in our lives and marks a significant point where we step out of the safety net of school and into the world of university and work. I am proud of all our students and the respectful and supportive way they celebrated. Celebrations included breakfast, dress-ups and music followed by a day at Funfields Themepark with students and homegroup teachers enjoying their time together and discussing what the future might hold for our latest batch of Willi High graduates.

As I write this, the VCAA examinations are well underway. I have spoken to many students before and after their exams and the vast majority of students are speaking very positively about the experience and appreciating the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the amazing topics they have studied this year. Those Year 11s undertaking a VCAA exam for the first time are doing really well and I am confident we will receive some incredible results when they are disseminated to the school later in the year. Please remember, as Ms Bovdis always says, there is a pathway for everyone no matter the results you achieve. Just seek the support and guidance you need from the school.

Headstart

The Headstart program commences after the Year 10 and 11 exam period. Headstart is where students will begin their 2026 program and it is important for all students to attend, on time and ready to learn. Your teachers will begin instruction and provide work to be completed over the summer break. Headstart is about setting students up for success and ensuring you get off to a great start.

There will also be some fun activities scheduled throughout the period to end the year on a happy note. I will also be welcoming several families to the campus with new students joining us at Williamstown High, so please extend the hand of friendship and make them feel welcome at their new home.

Building Update

We are in the final stages of completion of the Q-Block works and will take possession of the building in the coming weeks. It will take some time to move staff and furniture back into the rooms. It will be exciting to have a dedicated Media space, an Arts wing, a VCE VM home for our vocational students and the Year 10 coordinators’ office overlooking the courtyard.

World Challenge

Safe travels to our students heading off on World Challenge to Sri Lanka later in the term. This will be an experience to remember, and I am sure it will shape the attending students’ thinking and understanding of their role in the global community.

Hold fast,

Daniel Pearce
Pasco Campus Principal

A STEM Experience

Each year we have the opportunity to send some students on a fascinating STEM industry work experience placement. The GHD STEM Pathways program was held once again this year. GHD is a global network of multi-disciplinary professionals committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and communities. The objective of the program is to provide students with exposure to STEM career pathways. This year, Year 10 students Tatum Grant, Ella Regan and Violet Elbourne spent five days in September on placement at GHD’s Melbourne headquarters. Tatum had some insightful and inspiring things to say about her placement opportunity:

Interview with Tatum Grant (10G)

1. What were your daily tasks and activities?
   As a geologist and hydrogeologist, my daily tasks involved viewing our mock project site and creating a geological report on it.

2. What did you learn about GHD and their organisation?
   I learnt that they have many different aspects to their organisation other than engineering. I also learnt that there are many different types of engineers and that it is a very broad career.

3. What is it like to be in a workplace like GHD?
   It's really interesting as you meet a multitude of different people in different professions in a really flexible and open working environment. There are many social events and networking events as well.

4. What was the most enjoyable part of the experience?
   The most enjoyable part was when we (the work experience group) had lunch with a group of real-life clients. They gave us insight into their day-to-day and individual careers.

5. What was a challenging aspect of the experience?
   A challenging aspect for me was to learn how to develop a geological report without any prior knowledge.

6. Will you continue to pursue a career in STEM/STEAM/science/tech after your experience?
   Yes, that is a possibility.

School Review: Reflecting to Improve

In October, we undertook our official School Review across four intensive days. This followed extensive preparation beginning in Term 2, when staff engaged in three college meetings analysing student, parent and staff data, followed by 12 specialised focus groups in Term 3 to develop evidence-based recommendations. The review itself featured classroom observations across both campuses; presentations from our curriculum leaders on our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum approach; discussions with teaching teams, learning specialists, year-level coordinators, Wellbeing Team members, education support staff and focus groups comprising students and staff across all areas of the school and even our parent members. The reviewer commended the school’s cohesion, shared moral purpose and effective communication, while the panel’s observations confirmed the integrated, student-centred approach characterising our support structures and the genuine relationships underpinning our school community.

As we move into 2026 with our new Strategic Plan, we build on strong foundations. STEAM initiatives demonstrating our commitment to innovation are embedded in our curriculum. Collaborative practices highlighted during the review are part of our daily operations. Student voice reflects genuine partnership in learning.

The work continues - supporting every student to achieve their potential, building on successes, learning from challenges and maintaining focus on creating the best possible learning environment for every student at Williamstown High School.

Gavin Clifford
Strategic Assistant Principal

Welcome to Our New Pasco Wellbeing Team

We are happy to introduce to the school community the new members of our Pasco Wellbeing Team: Student Wellbeing Coordinator Celina Aguiar and Mental Health Practitioner Helen Vaxevanis.

Celina is a social worker by trade, who was born in NSW and moved to Victoria in 2022 because, as we all know, Victoria is the better state. Celina’s passion in work is ensuring all young people are safe, secure, stable and empowered in their lives. Celina has a background working with young people and supporting victim-survivors of family violence. She has a strong understanding of how intersectionality, the different aspects of our identity, impacts individuals in their experience of life, and a strong belief of empathy, equity and empowerment. Celina is excited to be part of the Williamstown High School community and looks forward to getting to know everyone.

Helen is thrilled to be joining our school community this year. With a strong passion for supporting student wellbeing, she is dedicated to helping every student feel heard, valued and empowered. Helen is a registered psychologist and brings experience in promoting positive mental health and fostering a safe, supportive environment. She has a rich background in public mental health where she supported both adults and young people. Her goal is to collaborate closely with WHS staff, students and families to ensure the success of the ‘whole student’. Helen is excited to build meaningful relationships and be a resource for our school community.

Celina and Helen have already made a fantastic start caring for the wellbeing of our students and staff, working in collaboration with key stakeholders at the school and external organisations. We look forward to these strong relationships continuing into the future to benefit the school community.

Body Project Australia Program

This term, 22 girls from our Year 7 cohort took part in the Body Project Australia program, a four-week course focused on building confidence, self-esteem and positive body image. Across the sessions, students explored how media and everyday messages can shape the way we see ourselves. They learnt how to respond to negative comments, challenge unrealistic beauty standards and support one another with kindness and confidence.
The group were highly engaged and comfortable in sharing their thoughts, often showing insight and understanding well beyond their years. They finished the program by creating posters promoting self-worth and empowerment to be placed around our school. We are looking forward to bringing back this program in 2026.

‘You Can’t Ask That’ Year 10 Wellbeing Program

Earlier this term, our Year 10 students took part in the “You Can’t Ask That” wellbeing program, a guided, discussion-based session designed to open up honest conversations about the questions young people often hesitate to ask.

Led in collaboration with the school nurse and the Wellbeing Team, the session created a safe and supportive environment where students could anonymously submit questions on topics that matter most to them. Together, we explored areas relating to all things health, such as relationships, identity and emotional wellbeing, helping students to break down misconceptions, learn accurate information and approach sensitive issues with respect and empathy.

These discussions provided factual, health-based insights and promoted a message of self-awareness, inclusivity, harm minimisation and support-seeking tactics. Programs like “You Can’t Ask That” help equip our students with the knowledge, confidence, empathy and understanding they need to navigate real-world challenges and to look after their own and each other’s wellbeing as they grow into young adults.

Social Media Age Restrictions

As you are probably aware, Australia is introducing significant changes to how social media platforms operate for younger users. Under the new law, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024, platforms that enable interaction between users, posting and commenting, will be required to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from having accounts. This means that from 10 December 2025, many major social media services will have to take “reasonable steps” to ensure under-16s are not creating or continuing accounts. The purpose of these changes is to help protect young people from the risks associated with social media, including pressures around screen time, exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and challenges to their wellbeing, while ensuring that parents and carers feel more supported.

For parents and carers of our students, this is a good moment to open up conversations with your child about how they use social media, what they enjoy about it, and what concerns there might be. You might ask them about what time of day they are on their devices, how long for, and how they feel after using certain apps. Encourage them to think about whether their online use is helping their connection with friends and families, or whether it might sometimes be creating stress, comparisons or isolation. It is also a valuable time to review family rules and boundaries around devices, for example having tech-free time before bed, charging devices out of the bedroom overnight, limiting notifications, and regular check-ins about posts and content. The changes to legislation give parents a supportive backdrop for these conversations and a reminder that social media is not just harmless free time, but an environment where wellbeing, privacy and safety need to be part of the dialogue.

A useful website to guide you about the change in law, and how to address this with your child is linked here: eSafety Commissioner - social media age restrictions

Parent Resources

Hobsons Bay Youth Services provides various programs and services for 12-25 year olds in Hobsons Bay. They aim to promote the health and wellbeing of young people by supporting their healthy development and empowering them to participate in their community. Their website is a fantastic resource for students and parents/carers, and we highly encourage you to check it out.

Another excellent resource from Hobsons Bay Youth Services is a downloadable list of local and relevant support services for young people aged 12-25 years and their families. We highly recommend you download and print off a copy to have at home.

Teen Mental Health Matters

60 minutes could transform how you support your teen’s mental health. Learn evidence-based strategies to start difficult conversations and build trust with your teenager.

Evidence shows that 75 percent of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25. Parents and carers play a pivotal role in recognising the wellbeing of their teen, yet many struggle to understand how they can support their young person with their mental health.

Co-designed with parents and delivered by a clinical psychologist facilitator from the Black Dog Institute, this free parent presentation is an opportunity for high-school parents and carers to learn more about adolescent mental health and how to best support and connect with their young person during tough times.

Date: Tuesday, 25 November
Time: 7-8pm
Online via Zoom
Registrations essential: Teen Mental Health Matters - Hobsons Bay

Presented by Hobsons Bay Youth Services and the Black Dog Institute.

Extended Hours for Bayview Uniform Store

Dobsons Uniform Store at the Bayview Campus will be providing extended trading hours over December and January. Details can be found here.

Bayview Outdoor Cafeteria and Futsal Court

Thank you to our families for contributing to our Building Fund and Grounds and Enhancements Fund via our school payment arrangements. These contributions have allowed us to improve our grounds and create spaces for our students to play and create lasting memories outside of the classroom. The Bayview futsal court is now open and the outdoor cafeteria is currently being built. We look forward to sharing photos and progress of the cafeteria with our community over the next couple of months.

School Payment Arrangements 2026

Under the Department of Education and Training’s Parent Payments Policy, Victorian government schools are required to provide transparent information to their school community on voluntary parent contributions. Please find our payment arrangements for 2026 available on our website.

Please refer to Compass for further information regarding the payment arrangements and booklist items for 2026. Thank you.

Term 4 has only just begun and we already have an eye on 2026. In recent weeks, Bayview hosted the families of our future Year 7 students during our transition evening, where families had the opportunity to listen to both staff and students present information about the curriculum, wellbeing, music and sports programs, camps and other key aspects of the school. We are looking forward to seeing next year’s Year 7s start their secondary journey here at Williamstown High School.

Our current Year 7, 8 and 9 students have also been achieving their goals as they continue with their final learning tasks for 2025. Moreover, these students recently completed their subject preferences for 2026 and will be notified of the outcome in the coming weeks, along with the release of our 2026 booklists.

Our Year 9 students have their Semester 2 examinations coming up in Week 8, on Wednesday and Thursday, 26-27 November. The exam timetable will be sent out to families and students shortly. Following the exam period, our Year 9 students will begin their Pasco Campus experience with the Headstart program, starting in Week 9 on Thursday, 4 December. This allows our students to get a jump on Year 10 content before the end of the year, and also helps them settle into their new environs.

Finally, we will also get the chance to acknowledge our students’ success at our end-of-year assembly during our final weeks of term. This is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge academic, musical and sporting achievements across 2025. The assembly will be held on Wednesday, 3 December, at Williamstown Town Hall.

It’s been a fun and eventful few weeks for our Year 7s as we move into the final stretch of the school year! Students have continued to show great energy and enthusiasm across a range of learning activities, wellbeing programs and, of course, the beach.

Over the past fortnight, students completed their PAT testing, showing focus and perseverance across the session. We’re really proud of the effort and positive attitude displayed by everyone during this important part of our learning program.

During homegroup, we have had and will continue our TRIBE Education sessions. These have been a highlight, focusing on what it means to be a good friend and how to support one another both in and out of the classroom. Students have been exploring teamwork, empathy and communication - all key skills for building strong and positive relationships.

The new futsal court has been a big hit, with students enjoying friendly matches during breaks and in some Sport lessons. It’s been great to see so much participation and sportsmanship on display. In addition, some of our Year 7 students also had the opportunity to take part in wheelchair basketball, an eye-opening and engaging experience that encouraged teamwork, inclusion and respect for all abilities.

We also hope that the parents and families who came to see their child’s artwork on display in the atrium enjoyed the exhibition and were as proud of the creativity and effort as we are.

We’ve also been heading outdoors as part of our water safety program, preparing for summer and learning how to stay safe at the beach. These sessions have combined fun with practical learning, helping students build confidence in the water and awareness around beach environments, which is of utmost importance to our Williamstown students.

Four of our students did a fantastic job speaking to the upcoming Year 7 cohort for 2026 - sharing their own experiences and helping new students feel confident about starting high school.

Looking ahead, there’s plenty to be excited about! The silent disco and Adventure Park excursions are coming up soon, and both are sure to be amazing celebrations of the students’ hard work this year.

Thank you to all our Year 7 students and teachers for their continued enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment to finishing the year strong. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the term brings!

Rachel Roberts & Lee Williams
Year 7 Team

It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks for our Year 8s as we head into the back end of the year! Students have continued to engage in a range of learning opportunities, wellbeing programs and fun competitions designed to finish the year on a positive note.

Over the past fortnight, our students took part in an Elephant Education incursion, focusing on Respectful Relationships. We are fortunate enough to have them back in Week 6 to look at body image issues. The sessions provided valuable discussions around self-awareness, empathy and respect for others, key themes that continue to support our homegroup curriculum this term.

‘Elephant Ed was a great experience and it was interesting to learn about Respectful Relationships. We started off with a game, which really got my class into the competitive spirit. A lot of activities were getting people’s opinions, which I liked because hearing people’s opinions can challenge you in lots of ways. I also really liked our presenter, who was really nice and positive, making me feel safe throughout the session.’

Ava Caldwell (8J)

We also kicked off our new Focus of the Fortnight initiative, designed to help students continue to build positive habits around key areas such as uniform, attendance, punctuality and positive behaviour. Each fortnight, homegroups compete in a “mini sprint” to see who can best uphold the focus area. Congratulations to 8B, who won the very first challenge on uniforms, earning themselves a free-dress day as a reward for their consistency and effort.

‘Focus of the Fortnight, or FOFT, is a fun way to finish off the year. How it works is that each fortnight there is a different focus. This fortnight it was uniform. We all found it very encouraging to make sure the entire homegroup was in the correct uniform, as the first of four awesome prizes was on the line. Overall, FOFT is a fun and productive way to teach and encourage us Year 8s to focus on many different aspects of school life.’

Eloise Robson (8J)

Students are also taking part in a Year 8 Trivia Competition, with homegroups testing their teamwork and general knowledge in a lively challenge. Looking ahead, in Week 5 we will be welcoming a group of Year 10 peer mentors who will be working with some of our Year 8 classes. This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to connect across year levels and campuses.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge and congratulate the recipients of our School Value Awards, which were presented in the final week of Term 3. These students consistently demonstrate the values of Integrity and Honesty, Diversity and Inclusion, Strong and Open Communication, Creativity and Excellence, and Commitment, a reflection of what it means to be part of the Williamstown High community.

Congratulations once again to all of our award winners and thank you to our Year 8 students and teachers for their continued enthusiasm and effort as we head towards the end of the school year.

James Riccobene and Jenny Fsadni
Year 8 Team

Believe it or not, Term 4 marks the beginning of the end of the Year 9 journey at our Bayview Street Campus. It’s an exciting time of the year as students continue their learning while preparing for the transition into senior schooling. This term brings a wonderful mix of celebration and focus, with students completing their final Year 9 assessments and exams over the coming weeks. We’re incredibly proud of the effort and growth our Year 9s have shown throughout 2025 and encourage them to maintain that commitment and enthusiasm right through to the end of the year.

Conflict Resolution Incursions

We recently welcomed Toolbox Education to work with all of our Year 9 students to understand and manage conflict in a respectful way. These workshops acknowledged that conflict can take many different forms and provided students with practical strategies and a clear framework for resolving it thoughtfully. Over the next few weeks, students will continue to apply these strategies in their homegroup classes as they build their skills in communication and respectful relationships.

Student Feedback Forums and Focus Groups

As we approach the end of the year, we’re inviting students to share their thoughts through focus groups about what has worked well and what could be improved. Their feedback plays an important role in helping our Year 10 teachers understand what supports students’ learning most effectively, while also guiding us in planning a positive and engaging Year 9 experience for 2026 that meets the needs of all learners.

Building Knowledge, Connection and Confidence

We are proud to celebrate the success of our How to Study Workshops, which has provided current students with valuable mentoring opportunities and study support from recent graduates. These workshops focused on not only subject specific strategies for English and Mathematics and skills but more broad effective studying techniques that would help students maximise their success heading into VCE and VCE-VM next year. The program has been a wonderful example of our school community coming together to support each other’s growth and success. Thank you to Academic Enhancement Leader Jesse Craig and the Alumni Mentors (Andi Jackson, Vernie Bugeja, Catrin Walker, Zachary Everett, Elyse Rider, Anh Lily Ngo and Adam Kaye) for running these programs with our Year 10 cohort in smaller groups.

Over the past four weeks, our Year 10 students have participated in a highly engaging rotational program designed to strengthen wellbeing, relationships and community awareness. Each week offered a unique learning experience, sparking meaningful conversations and personal reflection. These link directly with our respectful relationships program.

• Session 1: What Makes a Healthy Relationship?
  Led by Chris Blattman and Alanah Mielak, students explored the foundations of healthy relationships and identified red flags to be aware of. The session encouraged open discussions about respect, trust, communication and boundaries - important skills for life both inside and outside of school.

• Session 2: Homelessness Is All Around Us
  This powerful documentary session helped students understand the realities of homelessness and how quickly life circumstances can change. Students reflected on empathy, resilience and the importance of community support networks for those in need.

• Session 3: Team Building Workshop
  Our Year 10 student leaders, supported by Year 11 leaders, facilitated an interactive team-building session aimed at strengthening cooperation and leadership skills. Students participated enthusiastically in group challenges that promoted communication, problem-solving and trust.

• Session 4: ‘You Can Ask That’ Forum
  In a safe and supportive space, students anonymously submitted questions to our school nurse, Darcy Murphy, with support from Wellbeing Coordinator Celina Aguinar and Mental Health Practitioner Helen Vaxinas. Questions were grouped into key themes including party safety (drugs and alcohol), sexual health, body image, consent, family conflict and feeling different to others. The session fostered open dialogue, reassurance and valuable health education.

Across all four sessions, students demonstrated maturity, curiosity and compassion. The program provided a strong foundation for informed decision-making, positive relationships and personal wellbeing. It was also a great opportunity to work with students from other homegroups, to make new connections as well as informally meet key people in the youth health and wellbeing space.

Our Year 10 students now turn their focus to end-of-year exams and the upcoming Headstart program for Year 11. This next stage marks an important transition as students begin preparing for senior studies. Exam and Headstart timetables will be released shortly to assist families with planning and preparation.

We also have a mentoring program starting between our current Year 10 students and Year 8 students. The goal is to develop connections across both campuses and will continue next year when those students step up into the next level. This will enable our future Year 10 students to have a few more familiar faces by the time they get to Pasco.

We would also like to thank four of our Year 10 students: Raahil Islam, Cooper Edgar, Izzy Goodman and Zoe Birch.

We commend our Year 10 students for their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the term so far and look forward to seeing them finish the year with confidence, purpose and pride.

Isabella O’Malley and Chris Blattman

We have officially unlocked!

It has been an insanely busy Term 4, with Unit 2 SACs, preparation for end-of-semester exams and, for some, even completing their Unit 3/4 exams. There has been so much hustle and bustle in the halls, and we are really impressed with how the Year 11s have embraced their ‘Lock In’ mantra over the past several weeks. Before we bid our goodbyes as Year 11 coordinators, we would like to offer some friendly reminders to the Year 11 students and their families.

Recent events

As part of the Relationships homegroup curriculum, Year 11 students, along with their parents, participated in an engaging and informative sexual health workshop. The session provided a valuable opportunity for families to have open and honest conversations about key aspects of wellbeing and respectful relationships. Students explored essential topics including sexual health, consent, harm minimisation and accessing support services, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed, responsible decisions beyond the school gates. This collaborative learning experience fostered critical dialogue between students and parents, reinforcing the school’s commitment to building safe, respectful and informed young adults.

Year 11 Exam rescheduling

If a student needs to reschedule their exam, please email the Year 11 YLC team with the name of the exam to be rescheduled, the reason and the preferred time for the rescheduled exam, which will be held on Wednesday, 19 November.

Class of 2026 jumpers

The wait is over. The Class of 2026 jumpers for Year 12s have arrived! During the exam period, students are welcome to visit the Year 11 YLC office to collect their 2026 school jumper. Students may wear their jumpers on the first official day of Year 12, which is with Headstart on 20 November.

School captain applications

This is your opportunity to apply to be a 2026 school captain! Students are encouraged to look at the Year 11 Google Classroom for more information and fill in the Google Form.

Now for the fun stuff!

This year, we have been celebrating students who have ‘locked in’ with their academics, school spirit or general attitude. Our last Locksmith Award of 2025 was recently announced, and the winner is… Addison West!

Addison has been an all-round amazing student all year! Addison has achieved fantastic results, represented WHS in sports and is respectful and kind in all her classes. Well done Addison for such a fantastic year!

Congratulations to all our award recipients throughout the year.

Inspired by Mr Rodda’s Survivor dream, our Year 11s have also competed fiercely to win this year’s Survivor Challenge. From the original Bamu and Wadgil tribes, to the final face-off between 11C and 11J, it’s been a test of strategy, teamwork and grit. After an epic final pitch and cohort vote, the Year 11 Survivors have been crowned: 11J. Well done to all participants. Truly outwitted, outplayed and outlasted!

Mr Rodda and Ms Walker would like to end the W-Files with a thank you to the Year 11 cohort. You have survived, locked in and smiled all the way through. The L-Block/Year 11 corridors were consistently alive with conversations about new learning, new friendships, new challenges and new opportunities. We thank you for all that you gave this year. It has been a pleasure being your coordinator this year.

Ms Walker is so excited to be following you as your coordinator, along with Mr Urwin, for your final year as WHS students. Sadly, we say goodbye to Mr Rodda, who is taking Outdoor Adventure to the next level by moving to Kakadu in the Northern Territory with his beautiful family. We wish him all the very best as he begins this next chapter and thank him for the enthusiasm, fun and passion he has brought to his role as coordinator. His positivity and care have made a lasting impact, enriching the lives of so many students in both big and small ways.

To the Class of 2026, the race is about to begin!

Signing off,

Guslyn Rolker (Angus Rodda and Jaslyn Walker)
Year 11 Coordinators

And just like that it’s over! For such a short term, the Year 12s have managed to pack a lot in. It’s difficult to find that balance between finding as many ways to celebrate as possible and gearing up for exams; as they have done with basically everything else this year, the Class of 2025 have handled it with aplomb.

A morning of festivities over at the Gym gave the students one final chance to dress up and let loose with their peers and teachers. A range of amazing costumes, including a full complement of Trolls and an almost pristine set of crayons, ensured that there was just a touch of primary school about the final morning on campus; not inappropriate given how much nostalgia bleeds into the end of Year 12. As students were thrown helter skelter from the mechanical bull, strove to dunk their teachers, and just generally milled about, it was hard not to start preemptively missing them! The bull operator, left with a stained beast from too many students covered with too much poor quality body paint, might have had a different opinion! The positivity and camaraderie from Thursday followed into a great day at Funfields on Friday. One final bus ride and one final excursion for our graduating class; the weather was kind to us - kinder, at least, than the three bus drivers who missed the exit on the West Gate coming back to school!

Of course, these final events are merely an entree for what is, for the majority of our students, the main course of Term 4 - the VCAA examinations. Something that has stood out all year with this group of students has been the way that they have used the Study Centre; there have almost always been students in the space before and after school. Happily, this carried through to their SWOTVAC period before the start of exams; it’s safe to say that this was the most the Study Centre has been used in that period for the last four or five years. It’s a great sign for the exams, and a huge testament to the way that these students are able to work together and support one another. It’s true that the YLCs perhaps get a little less done, as the rate of ‘drop-ins’ climbs exponentially, but it’s well worth it to see members of our community show such enthusiasm for each other.

Appropriately, the final two films for the year, introduced at the start of Term 4, both focused on that idea of assistance. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King gave Mr Hume an opportunity to wax lyrical about the inspirational friendship of Samwise Gamgee, exhorting everyone to play their part and help each other bear the ring on the journey to Mount Doom (the metaphor, perhaps, fell apart a little towards the end). Seeing students in the Study Centre and in the yard, watching them enter the Gym together and walk out with genuine smiles (sometimes of triumph, sometimes just relief); it all was a little bit like a fantasy. I’m not sure if Mr Catalano can do an Ian McKellan impression; perhaps we’ll ask him at Graduation.

Our final film was one from a great Australian director, and perhaps the ultimate ‘dad movie’: Peter Weir’s Master and Commander. Perhaps it was for the touching narrative of friendship and loyalty; perhaps it was for Paul Bettany’s character’s true commitment to education and discovery. Or perhaps it was just for an old sailor’s knuckle tattoos, shown in close-up as he is getting open brain surgery on the deck of a 19th-century warship: “HOLD FAST”.

It has been an amazing few weeks in the HAPE world with a number of exciting activities and events taking place. We kicked off the term with an amazing HAPE Week, offering a number of exciting activities for both students and staff to get involved with. We were delighted with the excellent levels of participation and seeing our students engage with as much sport as possible. Thank you to all the staff that contributed to running the activities, including: House Sports, Beat the Teacher, Teacher vs Student Netball, quiz games, sports photography and much more.

Our Year 7 students have been completing the Water Safety unit, exploring the dangers found at the beach and workshopping appropriate skills to keep themselves safe. Our unit began with sessions at Williamstown Beach with Lifesaving Victoria, who supported students to identify rips, use rescue boards and learn basic first aid for when things go wrong. Staff from Lifesaving Victoria were extremely complimentary of our students and their engagement, with excellent participation throughout.

Students have implemented this learning in classroom sessions with scenario-based learning challenges requiring an assessment of the situation and considering what they would do. We have loved seeing our students work so collaboratively and apply their learning in practical situations.

Our Year 8 students have challenged their leadership skills in the Game Creation unit, where small groups invented new games or sports to deliver to peers. We loved seeing the creativity of their new games, with a huge variety of skills needed to participate. In addition to developing their creativity, students have been challenged to step into the role of leaders. We have been delighted to see some really confident work and some budding future teachers or coaches amongst the cohort.

During Health lessons, the Year 8s have been learning about risk-taking behaviours for teenagers and the harm that can be done to their bodies. Students put together presentations to highlight the dangers of these behaviours and warn young people of their impact. We have loved seeing students engage so maturely with this content and discuss openly the ways these behaviours are impacting people they know. We hope the skills they have learnt in resisting these temptations support their sensible decision making around risk-taking behaviours.

Year 9 students have built on their leadership work in Year 8 and completed the peer teaching unit of work, delivering various games and activities to their classmates. Building on their Year 8 success, they have been able to develop confident leadership styles and support one another exceptionally well during this process.

Students have also completed a unit of work exploring Lifelong Sports, and how engaging with sport can have long-term physical benefits. Sessions have included: fencing, martial arts, lawn bowls and crochet. We have loved seeing students engage with these awesome activities and are delighted to hear that some students will be attending additional sessions and engaging with the clubs we have visited.

Outdoor Adventure students in Year 8 have had a fun term exploring the outdoors and learning about how their emotions impact their responses to different situations. Students have attended excursions including treetop hikes, rock climbing and mountain biking in the You Yangs Regional Park. We are very proud of how our students have engaged with the activities and pushed themselves out of their comfort zones.

Fitness students in Year 9 have been working on their training plans and fitness goals. Students have been highly motivated during these sessions and we have been impressed to see their dedication to achieving their goals.

It has been another busy semester in Technology, with students working tirelessly on the demanding School Assessed Tasks across our learning area. These SAT assessments encourage students to solve real-life problems by brainstorming potential solutions and designing different options. Students then plan and implement the production of these functional services or products and, finally, evaluate the success of their ideas.

Students have been working on a wide variety of products in the Wood, Textiles and Information Technology areas. They have spent countless additional hours designing, developing and refining their individual projects, all tailored for a specific end user. Some of this product development process is illustrated in the accompanying photos, showing some outstanding examples of student work. We would like to thank our teaching team for spending their time - in and out of class - to support students with these projects.

In Food Styling, students have been learning about responding to a design brief and creating an elegant high tea as part of a special occasion catering for upmarket clientele. Students designed and planned a menu, ordered ingredients for the components and then created the individual items for their presentation. A focus has been on putting the parts together in a creative and interesting yet appetising manner. The product examples in this article reflect the care, commitment and value that students put into this experience.

Students in Year 12 Applied Computing created some amazing SAT projects, which included a live supermarket price comparison between Coles and Woolworths; a projectile motion grapher for use in Year 12 physics; and a research project into the links between unemployment and inflation.

We would like to thank all students for their commitment and effort, and of course, their teachers for taking them on this journey.

The science team has been hard at work this term, with our VCE students preparing for their Year 12 exams; exciting events in the Year 10 and 11 space, like the Girls in Physics Breakfast; and our staff preparing to make next year another successful one.

Earlier this year, Karen Read took a group of our Physics students to the Girls in Physics Breakfast, which is always an exciting time to meet some world-leading physicists and other students who are passionate about Physics. It was a great occasion to socialise and clarify questions with experts in the field of physics, including engineering and astrophysics. The experience also intended to empower and excite students about studying Physics in the future. Thank you to Karen for continuing to build a supportive environment for our female physics students.

Some of our dedicated VCE teachers have also undertaken the extra role of marking VCAA Science exams, which is an amazing opportunity for professional development that helps drive the academic support that allows our students to thrive in our VCE classrooms. It gives our students a big advantage in preparing for their exams, and when combined with engaging teaching and unique learning experiences that our teachers provide, it helps to make the academic space a very successful one. A big thank you to Brianna Murray for taking on the extra responsibility to help our students succeed in Psychology.

I would like to thank all of our staff for their dedication and enthusiasm in teaching science, our students for their commitment to learning and for their inquiring minds, and the wider community for supporting our students in their ongoing studies in science.

Mathew Hrasko

Senior Science Curriculum CAT Leader

This term, our Year 8 Science classes had the exciting opportunity to work with the AVISTA Aerospace Education team. Students explored flight, rockets and propulsion, autonomous systems, and the importance of STEM in future industries. Hands-on demonstrations such as vortex rings, Bernoulli bags, the Coanda effect and the combustion “whoosh bottle” brought scientific concepts to life, along with a VR flight challenge and an AI robot dog showcasing real-world applications of robotics.

Meanwhile, our Year 7 students are currently studying ecosystems and will soon be heading outdoors to investigate the rich biodiversity of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary - an exciting opportunity to apply classroom learning to a local environment.

Our Year 9 students are preparing for their final Science exams at Bayview, which will focus on tectonic plates and electric circuits, consolidating their understanding of how Earth systems and physical forces shape the world around us.

An AVISTA presenter about to demonstrate the combustion bottle in the library!

As the year is coming to an end, the Mathematics Team has been using Term 4 to best prepare our students for 2026.

Across Weeks 4-6, our Year 7-10 students have all completed PAT Testing in both Mathematics and Reading. The results of these tests will give teachers another piece of evidence to best understand what our students know, and what they can be better supported with. This data will aim to inform our teaching for 2026 as we prepare to meet our new classes during the Headstart periods.

At Year 9, teachers have recommended Mathematics pathways to our students, and students have made their selections between Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Advanced for Year 10. With those selections now made, during Term 4 the Year 9 Mathematics classrooms have looked a little different, with students working on topics that will best prepare them for their Year 10 Mathematics selection:

• Students enrolled in Mathematics Standard have completed Probability and are moving on to Statistics to finish the year.

• Students enrolled in Mathematics Advanced have completed Algebra Techniques and are now learning about Quadratic Equations.

A big thank you goes out to the Year 9 Mathematics teachers for developing two sets of resources to support all Year 9 students with their chosen pathway, and for taking on the challenge of teaching two different topics at the same time in the one classroom. If you have a student in Year 9, I would recommend having a look at the booklets that they have been working through, which we believe have been a great support to their learning.

Martyn van Reyk

Learning Specialist - Mathematics

Building a reading culture in the digital age

One of the biggest challenges I have embraced this year is how to support busy teenagers to read for pleasure in the digital age. Time is precious to us all and everyone seems to be short of it. For our students, outside school hours are filled with competing demands from work, study, friends and family, sports, music, scrolling, binging, gaming, keeping up with social media and sleeping. No surprises that reading often misses out.

There is ample research to support the notion that reading for pleasure supports mental health and wellbeing, it connects people, improves literacy and learning outcomes and helps you discover new things. Teenagers know that, yet are still too busy with crammed schedules to stop and enjoy the benefits of reading. This is where I hope I can help.

The Pasco library has undergone a transformation to encourage our students to read for pleasure:

• New slatwall shelves that allow titles to face forwards;

• A large collection cull to remove old, outdated fiction books that have not been borrowed and are unappealing to our students;

• Purchase of new, popular ‘BookTok’ titles and authors to feed the book appetite of those students who keep up with the latest book news;

• Book reviews from students (just like at the bookshop!) to share feedback with their peers;

• The opportunity to request books to be purchased for the library; and

• New collections of ‘literary fiction’, ‘true crime’ and ‘watch it or read it’. Who doesn’t love a debate on which is better, the book or the movie?!

Culling the collection has raised many eyebrows and questions. I am often asked why I am “getting rid of books”. For me, the answer is simple. Given the competing demands for non-school time, why would students choose to use whatever free moments are available to stand at a shelf and randomly select a dusty book that is older than them, with brown pages and written by an unknown author (often with outdated terminology and expression)? Compare that scenario with a new release, true crime, seen on BookTok, or the book of a movie. There is a higher chance of grabbing their attention with the latter. From what I have seen, students rarely browse. They select based on recommendations or something familiar.

This is just the beginning of the story - to recreate a space that supports reading for pleasure. The next challenge is how to get students to engage with the resources. I am full of ideation and the programs, activities and promotions are in the planning stages.

With exams soon to be over and Headstart fast approaching, I look forward to working with our students - particularly those who are returning next year - to take the summer reading challenge and pack something to read these summer holidays. Hopefully, they will discover the benefits of slowing down just enough to relax with a book… Even if it takes all summer to get through.

The PFA is very grateful to the teachers and school leaders who are our guest speakers throughout the year, taking time to give families a deeper insight into what makes the school ‘tick’.

• The PFA is looking forward to our final guest speaker of the year, WHS’s Youth Worker, Alanah Meilak who will tell us about her role and priorities at Willi High.
• Many thanks to Michael Patchell who gave families an insight into the 2026 Home Group Curriculums for both campuses at our October meeting.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle fundraising success

A beautiful spring day contributed to a bumper day for Bunnings and for our sausage sizzle on the last Saturday of the recent holidays, resulting in a profit of $2700. We are currently in discussion with the school about a couple of funding requests… watch this space!

‘Thank You’ coffee vans for World Teachers Day

The PFA’s annual ‘thank you’ event for WHS staff fell on 31 October, World Teacher’s Day. The PFA funded coffee and cake at both campuses, to show families’ appreciation for the incredible job that teaching and non-teaching staff do to ensure our kids have the best possible experience at Willi High.

Final chance to buy tickets – raffle drawn 18 November

Click here for your chance to win a Suzuki Swift Hybrid GL 1.2L CVT 5Dr Hatch plus loads of other prizes – and enable the PFA to continue to fund teachers’ requests for extra resources for WHS students.

https://scoutsvic.raffletix.com.au/willyhigh

Thanks to all the families who’ve supported the PFA in 2025. We hope to see you at a meeting in 2026. Keep an eye out for Compass posts about meetings or email us at presidentwhspfa@gmail.com to receive PFA updates. You can also join the WHS Parents and Friends Association Facebook page.