Welcome to the 2026 school year. It has been extremely pleasing to see the staff and students at both Bayview and Pasco begin the school year in such a positive and settled manner. The sense of pride and connectedness among families, students and staff at several events I have attended, such as family welcome and information evenings, Year 12 camp, Swimming Sports Carnival, Pasco cultural activities, Bayview student leadership workshop, and just walking through the school grounds, has been wonderful to see. I am also happy our new covered “Eat Fast” cafeteria has quickly become a favoured space for Bayview students, particularly our new Year 7 students.

Our alumni tutor initiative continues to provide a point of difference for Willi High students. Our high-achieving 2025 Year 12 students have been appointed as alumni for 2026 providing opt-in support and tutoring to our current students across all year levels. These sessions are provided after school on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Pasco library and Wednesdays at the Bayview library. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this beneficial initiative.

We value and strongly believe that when families connect to the school - as their children initially make the jump from primary school, and then from year-to-year - it has a significant positive impact on the students’ journeys over their six years at Willi High. Our family evenings saw a record number of attendees with families embracing the opportunity to connect with the school and work together to support the students’ experience.

I was appreciative and filled with pride at the number of parents and carers who approached me wanting to shake my hand and express thanks for the work we do and the supportive environment we provide. The school has received a number of emails expressing similar sentiments, and these are very much appreciated and valued by both the staff and leadership team at the school.

Some examples of emails received include:

- A happy parent sharing that their daughter, who rarely came home talking about school, has come home every night since starting Year 10 to excitedly share her experiences that day.

- Numerous comments on what amazing academic results the school students are achieving.

- A lengthy email describing the amazing support their child has received, describing each individual teacher’s and leader’s impact and care.

- One that simply stated: “Thank you for making parents feel included, informed and confident about the year ahead. We feel very grateful to be part of such a caring and committed school community.”

There are many more comments I could share, but I highlight just a few to convey our sincere thanks to our families for emphasising how wonderful it is to be part of the Willi High community.

I would strongly encourage all families whenever possible to please continue to engage with these evenings as it sends a strong message to every student that we are truly committed to working together to best support their secondary schooling journey.

At our Day 1 student assemblies, I announced to the students that this year we will have a significant focus on improving and updating the school grounds and facilities. This will include resurfacing work and extra outdoor seating at both campuses, a redevelopment of the upstairs Year 11 courtyard, synthetic downball courts added to the Bayview Campus and transformation of the old Year 12 study centre into a Youth Hub. This will house inclusion provisions, the international student program, youth worker and nurse supports, and student leadership. A significant aspect of this new and exciting facility will be both highlighting the value of student voice and providing spaces for student leadership to amplify student voice in all that we do.

Every four years, government schools undertake a review and develop a new strategic plan. This year is Year 1 of our new strategic plan, which was developed last year and is now available on our website. Our focus for the next four years is to continue to develop and provide an environment for our students that delivers both high-impact explicit teaching and an engaging, inclusive and safe environment that impacts positively on student outcomes and wellbeing. Through our review we were once again provided with feedback that Williamstown High School is highly regarded and highly performing.

This year we will review our leadership structure to ensure our strategic plan priorities are resourced with relevant leadership positions for the next four years.

WHS continues to attract teachers of the highest quality, and I am pleased to say that we start the year fully staffed with a group of exceptional teachers and support staff. A list of new and returning staff has been included below. I would also like to formally welcome Debra Francis and congratulate her on her appointment as Pasco Assistant Campus Principal. Debra is a highly experienced educator and we look forward to the positive impact her leadership will bring.

Please enjoy reading about the range of student experiences that have already taken place this year in our first edition of the W-Files for 2026.

2025 VCE Results

Our students received some outstanding VCE results, with 103 study scores over 40, placing them in the high achievement category for the state. An ATAR of more than 90 was achieved by a record number of 44 students - this represented an incredibly impressive 25 percent of the Year 12 cohort scoring more than 90.

In fact, over half (51 percent) of the 2025 cohort attained an ATAR of more than 80. To put this in perspective, only 20 percent of students statewide achieved an ATAR over 80.

We had a perfect study score of 50 in VET Music Performance. Declan Rumble was named last year’s dux with an ATAR of 98.90. These are exceptional results that continue to place us amongst elite schools in terms of VCE outcomes.

We also celebrated our second year of the VCE VM program, with students sharing they are now working full time in their chosen career pathways as a direct result of completing this program. James Greenham received the VCE VM outstanding student award.

A majority of our students continue to receive first-round tertiary offers. It is pleasing to hear many of these individuals, with their diverse pursuits, attribute their success and the doors that have been opened to them to their time at WHS. We wish the Class of 2025 the best of luck with their future endeavours, and we look forward to hearing of their achievements in years to come.

School Council Elections

Please find in this edition of the W-Files, information about the upcoming School Council elections. Our School Council is dynamic and plays a key role in policy development and setting the direction of the school. I would encourage any interested parents or guardians to consider nominating for School Council. Please note, all school councillors are required to have current Working with Children Checks or acquire one once elected (this is free for volunteer categories). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions related to the election process.

Key Roles

Please see below the names of staff attached to key roles within the school:

Campus Principal Teams

Leading Teacher Positions for 2026

Learning Specialist Positions for 2026

2026 Year Level Coordinator Teams

2026 Student Wellbeing Coordinators

Mental Health Practitioners

Youth Worker

Nurse

New Staff

I am looking forward to working with the following new and returning staff as they join our team in 2026:

Appendix A

Fact Sheet 1. School Council elections - Information for parents

What is a School Council and what does it do?

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. They are legally constituted bodies that are given powers to set the broad direction of a school in accordance with their constituting Order and the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In doing this, a School Council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students.

Who is on the School Council?

For most primary School Councils, there are several possible categories of membership:

• A mandated elected Parent member category – more than one-third of the total members must be from this category. DET employees can be Parent members at their child’s school as long as they are not engaged in work at the school.

• A mandated elected DET employee member category – members of this category may make up no more than one-third of the total membership of School Council. The principal of the school is automatically one of these members.

• An optional Community member category – members are co-opted by a decision of the council because of their special skills, interests or experiences. DET employees are not eligible to be Community members.

• A small number of School Councils have Nominee members.

For all schools with a Year 7 and above cohort, there is an additional category of membership:

• A mandated elected Student member category, two positions.

Generally, the term of office for all members is two years. The term of office of half the members expires each year, creating vacancies for the annual School Council elections.

Why is parent membership so important?

Parents on School Councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help inform and shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a School Council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging.

Why is student membership so important?

Students have a unique perspective on learning, teaching and schools. Having student members on School Council allows students to have a say in the future direction of their school and ensures student input into decision making.

Student representation on secondary School Councils will assist in the development of students’ skills, including leadership and communication skills.

Do I need special experience to be on School Council?

Each member brings their own valuable life skills and knowledge to the role. However, councillors may need to develop skills and acquire knowledge in areas that are unfamiliar to them. It is important to have an interest in your child’s school and the desire to work in partnership with others to help shape the school’s future.

Code of conduct for school councillors

School Councils in Victoria are public entities as defined by the Public Administration Act 2004. School councillors must abide by the Code of Conduct for Directors of Victorian Public Entities issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission. The Code of Conduct is based on the Victorian public sector values and requires councillors to:

• act with honesty and integrity (be truthful, open and clear about their motives and declare any real, potential or perceived conflict of interest and duty)

• act in good faith in the best interests of the school (work cooperatively with other councillors and the school community, be reasonable, and make all decisions with the best interests of students foremost in their minds)

• act fairly and impartially (consider all relevant facts of an issue before making a decision, seek to have a balanced view, never give special treatment to a person or group and never act from self interest)

• use information appropriately (respect confidentiality and use information for the purpose for which it was made available)

• exercise due care, diligence and skill (accept responsibility for decisions and do what is best for the school)

• use the position appropriately (not use the position as a councillor to gain an advantage)

• act in a financially responsible manner (observe all the above principles when making financial decisions)

• comply with relevant legislation and policies (know what legislation and policies are relevant for which decisions and obey the law)

• demonstrate leadership and stewardship (set a good example, encourage a culture of accountability, manage risks effectively, exercise care and responsibility to keep the school strong and sustainable).

Indemnity for School Council members

School councillors are indemnified against any liability in respect of any loss or damage suffered by the council or any other person in respect of anything necessarily or reasonably done, or omitted to be done by the councillor in good faith in:

1. the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of a councillor, or

2. the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the exercise of a power or the performance of a function of a council.

In other words, school councillors are not legally liable for any loss or damage suffered by council or others as a result of reasonable actions taken in good faith.

How can you become involved?

The most obvious way is to participate in and vote in the School Council elections, which are held in Term 1 each year. However, ballots are only held if more people nominate as candidates than there are positions vacant.

In view of this, you might consider:

• standing for election as a member of the School Council

• encouraging another person to stand for election.

What do you need to do to stand for election?

The principal will issue a Notice of Election and Call for Nominations following the commencement of Term 1 each year. All School Council elections must be completed by the end of March unless the usual timeline has been varied by the Minister.

If you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate or you can nominate yourself in the Parent member category.

DET employees, whose child is enrolled in a school in which they are not engaged in work, are eligible to nominate for Parent membership of the School Council at that school.

Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the Notice of Election. You will receive a Nomination Form Receipt via post, email or by hand following the receipt of your completed nomination.

If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed.

Remember:

• Consider standing for election to School Council.

• Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do.

• Be sure to vote if the election goes to ballot.

Contact the principal for further information.

Williamstown High School Council Election Process and Timetable 2026

The following School Council members’ tenures conclude at this election:

Parent members: Aaron Hunt, Steph Vilojen, Karen O’Duil

DET employees: Daniel Pearce, Corrine Hall

Student members: Chloe Hodgman

Seconded community member: -

G. Catalano

Gino Catalano - College Principal

Form 2: Notice of election and call for nominations

An election is to be conducted for members of the School Council of Williamstown High School.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the school and must be lodged by 4pm on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

The ballot will close at 4pm on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Following the closing of nominations, a list of the nominations received will be posted at the school.

Welcome to 2026

As we begin the 2026 school year, I would like to warmly welcome all students, families and staff to what promises to be a year filled with growth, opportunity and achievement. It has been wonderful to see our campus buzzing with energy and purpose.

At our first assembly on Day One, I spoke to students about what anchors us as a community. At Bayview, everything we do is guided by our five school values: Creativity and Excellence, Integrity and Honesty, Diversity and Inclusion, Strong and Open Communication, and Commitment.

As part of that message, I set a challenge for each year level to focus on one value during these important first weeks of school.

• Year 7 - Commitment
  Starting high school means committing to new routines, new expectations and new challenges. Students are encouraged to commit to giving things a go, even when they feel unfamiliar; to commit to being organised, asking for help, and showing up each day ready to learn.

• Year 8 - Strong and Open Communication
  Year 8 students were challenged to express themselves clearly and respectfully with friends, teachers and in the classroom. Speaking up, listening well and resolving issues calmly are lifelong skills that strengthen both learning and relationships.

• Year 9 - Integrity and Honesty
  As leaders of the campus, Year 9 students were reminded that leadership is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching. It is about responsibility, fairness and setting a positive example. Leadership is not about titles; it is about trust, consistency and character.

I am incredibly proud to share how strongly our students have embraced this challenge. Already this year we have celebrated 658 positive posts for Year 7, 804 for Year 8, and 584 for Year 9.

These numbers reflect hundreds of positive choices that demonstrate our values in action. Well done to every student who has contributed to creating such a strong start to 2026.

I would also like to sincerely thank our families for your support. The Year 7 Family Gathering and the Year 8/9 Parent Information Evening were both extremely well attended and a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school. Your presence, engagement and feedback are deeply valued, and we look forward to continuing this strong collaboration throughout the year.

Camp Kangaroobie

Recently, our Year 7 students attended Camp Kangaroobie for three days, celebrating Williamstown High School’s 35th anniversary of visits to the popular site near the Twelve Apostles. The camp provided students with the opportunity to build independence, resilience and teamwork skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

I was fortunate enough to attend with Group 1 and had a fantastic time participating in the activities and getting to know our new students. It was wonderful to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, encouraging one another and forming new friendships. Their enthusiasm and willingness to have a go truly reflected our value of Commitment.

I hope that all of our Year 7 students had a wonderful time and returned home feeling proud of what they achieved. Experiences such as Camp Kangaroobie play an important role in developing perseverance, interpersonal courage and empathy, qualities that support students’ personal growth beyond the classroom.

Thank you to our staff who gave their time and energy to ensure the camp was such a success.

Facilities

We are pleased to share several exciting facility updates across the Bayview Campus.

Our new Eat Fast cafeteria area has been open since the beginning of the year, with students already enjoying the new undercover seating space at recess and lunchtime. It has been wonderful to see this area quickly become a hub for students.

The Year 7 portables have also been upgraded with new 85-inch TV screens, enhancing the learning environment and supporting high-quality teaching and engagement in the classroom.

Looking ahead, we are excited about further improvements planned for 2026. These include upgrades to the area surrounding Eat Fast, the addition of more seating for students across the campus, enhancements to the space near the Year 7 portables, and work to update the front entrance of the school.

I look forward to sharing further updates as the year progresses.

Welcome

I would like to welcome back all students and staff for the 2026 academic year and encourage our school community to welcome our new staff and students to the campus. Please take an extra moment in your day to make a new friend, point someone in the right direction or say hello. Those acts of kindness make a big difference for those new to our school and go a long way to ensuring we have a safe, supportive and welcoming environment at Willi High.

We have made a wonderful start to the year and there is certainly a lot of positivity and thirst for learning around the campus, with students focused on building their skills, often in subjects they are doing for the first time.

Alumni Club has commenced. On Mondays and Wednesdays, students can access free tutoring in the library after school. All students are encouraged to drop in when they need extra support. We see many students consolidate their learning when they commit to this program.

11 & 12 Parent Information Evening and Year 10 Family Orientation Barbeque

It has been pleasing to see so many of our families attend the parent information evenings this year. There were record numbers in attendance and it is so pleasing to see families make that strong commitment to support their children at school. These nights are a great way to start the year and for families to meet key staff who oversee learning, wellbeing and pathways for their children. We strongly believe these sessions set the foundation for success and consolidate the three-way partnership between home, the student and the school. I personally thank those families for being there. I hope you enjoyed the BBQ and ice cream too.

Year 12 Camp

As always, the Year 12 Camp is a special event for our senior students and really helps to bring the cohort together in their final year of high school. Students took part in a range of academic and team-building activities that allowed students to plan for a successful Year 12, bond and have a wonderful time together. The talent show was a particular highlight and was well supported by all. It was lovely to see the genuine support that was shown by our students for each other. I have every confidence the Class of ’26 is ready to tackle the challenges of Year 12 and we will celebrate their achievements throughout the year.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is up and running on Friday mornings. It’s a great way to end the week and all students are encouraged to stop by for a chat and something to eat. Our student leaders run the breakfast and are keen to see it being well attended.

Hold fast.

Daniel Pearce

Pasco Campus Principal

Making WHS the Best Place for Our Students - 2026 Is Taking Off!

There’s something special about the beginning of a new school year - fresh energy, big ideas and a renewed commitment to making Williamstown High School the very best place for our students to learn and thrive. As we launch into 2026, that momentum is already building across both campuses.

And speaking of launching...

STEM Aviation Club - Get Ready for Take-Off!

We are incredibly excited to announce that we are currently building an After-School STEM Aviation Club, set to run on Monday nights at the Bayview Campus from Term 2 onwards.

This new initiative will give students the opportunity to explore the science of flight, aerodynamics, engineering design, drone technology and immersive simulation experiences - combining theory with hands-on creativity in a way that sparks curiosity and builds real-world skills.

To help get the program ‘off the ground’, four of our passionate staff members - Rachelle Capitano, Nick Axaris, Emma Huang and Monique Ardizzone - recently attended an introductory day of training at Parade College. This professional learning session assisted with developing understanding of both the theoretical and curriculum links for the STEM: Aviation Project.

So far we know that we are going to have the following equipment to make this project fly:

• a Centripetal Thrust Generator (CTG) to fly student-built planes

• Student Resource Kits for students to build, test and modify their planes

• Engines

• Propellers

• Teacher demonstration aircraft

• Wire cutting and wire stripping tools

• digital workbooks for students

More information will be on its way to you this term about how to sign up and get involved.

We can’t wait to see students soaring in this program!

Strengthening Our VR Infrastructure - Upgrading Room 13

Our commitment to immersive learning continues with exciting upgrades to Room 13, which is being transformed with solid infrastructure for VR charging and secure storage.

This will mean:

• Faster access for teachers and students

• Reliable charging and organisation

• Increased sustainability and equipment longevity

• Easier integration of immersive technology across subjects

VR is an embedded learning tool across Humanities and English. These upgrades ensure that innovative teaching remains practical, accessible and scalable.

Our 2026-2029 Strategic Plan - Building on Strength

Late last year, following an extensive and affirming School Review process, we developed our new 2026-29 Strategic Plan.

The review reaffirmed what we already know - WHS is a school with:

• A strong shared moral purpose

• A culture of high expectations

• Cohesive and collaborative staff

• Genuine, student-centred relationships

Importantly, it also identified clear opportunities for us to grow even further.

We have now begun actively enacting our Strategic Plan goals - refining curriculum clarity, strengthening instructional practice, enhancing student voice, and deepening wellbeing supports. This is not a document sitting on a shelf. It is a living roadmap guiding our daily work. Please take a look at it on our website in the following section: About Us > Policies and Public Documents > School Strategic Plan

Friday 6 March - Curriculum Day

Our improvement journey continues on Friday, 6 March, when staff will engage in a student-free Curriculum Day focused on strengthening consistency across teaching practice and aligning our work directly to the Strategic Plan priorities.

Looking Ahead

From aviation to immersive media, from curriculum refinement to wellbeing support, we are building momentum.

2026 is already taking shape as a year of lift-off.

Gavin Clifford

Strategic Assistant Principal

Williamstown High School

Acceptable Use Agreement and Local Excursion Annual Consent

WHS has two agreements that must be completed on an annual basis via Compass. For 2026, the following agreements have been published via Compass Events and require consent by the start of Term 1.

• Acceptable Use Agreement: Ensures the acceptable use of our network and ICT systems by all students.

• Local Excursion Consent: Permission for students to go on excursions in the local area as part of their classes.

Please note that we are required to disconnect students from our Wi-Fi network and ICT systems if the relevant agreement has not been signed by Friday, 20 February.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.

The annual CSEF amount per student is $400 for all school students. Applications for 2026 CSEF support close Friday, 26 June 2026.

Please see our website for the application form. 2025 applications have been rolled over for 2026.

Real Support Right Now

Cost of living support is available at Williamstown High School. Please reach out and ask us about the following supports:

• School Breakfast Clubs

• Free period products in all government schools

• State School Relief for uniform and stationery support

• Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

For more information on Victorian Government support, please visit the Real Support Right Now webpage.

Annual privacy reminder for our school community

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection notice.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy policy: Information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages:

• Amharic

• Arabic

• Chinese

• Dari

• Gujarati

• Mandarin

• Somali

• Sudanese

• Turkish

• Urdu

• Vietnamese

Photographing, Filming and Recording Students

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

The Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Consent is provided by Williamstown High School at enrolment and applies to standard uses of images for the time your child attends the school.

We will notify parents to review their consent during the annual enrolment information form check during Term 1 each year and when implementing software that may include photos of students, giving parents an opportunity to discuss any concerns or preferences.

Please note that image consent can be withdrawn or updated at any time by contacting the school reception via email.

Student Accident Insurance Arrangements

Main points:

• The DET does not provide personal accident insurance OR ambulance cover for students.

• Parents/carers of students who do not have student accident insurance or ambulance cover are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injuries at school, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs.

• Parents/carers can purchase insurance policies from commercial insurers.

• Parents/carers are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.

• These costs may be recoverable where an injury is caused by the negligence (carelessness) of the DET, a school council or their employees or volunteers.

• Student accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers. These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

• Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage.

WELLBEING PRESENTATION AT PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS

The Parent Information Evenings held at the Pasco and Bayview campuses were a great success at the beginning of this year. Some of the key messages covered in our wellbeing sessions are explored below:

• Communication is key. If you feel your child needs some assistance with their mental health and wellbeing, please let us know so we can then structure support for your child at the school.

• Your child’s homegroup teacher is your first point of contact to let us know about any wellbeing issue your child may be facing.

• Creating clear and agreed routines, especially around sleep and technology use, will assist your child’s wellbeing in the short and long term.

• WHS has an excellent Wellbeing Team to support your child. Each campus has a Student Wellbeing coordinator and mental health practitioner, with our youth worker and school nurse moving between the campuses.

NEW CHAPTER IN THE WELLBEING SPACE AT WHS

The start to 2026 has been a bittersweet one in the wellbeing space at Williamstown High School. We are welcoming new Student Wellbeing coordinators at both campuses, who will introduce themselves in our next edition. Unfortunately, this means Celina Aguiar and Alisha Kattar have vacated their positions. Celina returned to Sydney to be closer to her family, and Alisha has recently started her honours year in Psychology. When completed this will make her eligible to apply to gain entry into a master’s degree or PhD course, which will lead to official accreditation and registration as a psychologist, Alisha’s dream career. Alisha reflects on her time at Williamstown High School below:

“My time as SWC has been deeply rewarding. It has been a privilege to help create a safe place where students can seek support when they need it most. Reducing the stigma around mental health care has always been important to me, and I am proud to have encouraged students to see reaching out not as a weakness, but as a brave step in advocating for themselves. The wellbeing team at Williamstown High has been wonderfully supportive throughout my time in the role. Their care and encouragement have meant so much, and I truly believe the strength of our support for students begins with the strength of our team. Stepping away is bittersweet, but I am excited for the next chapter and to continue working towards positive change in the mental health and wellbeing space. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity given to me and for everyone who has been part of this journey supporting me along the way.”

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER SUPPORT AT PASCO CAMPUS

Helen Vaxevanis is our mental health practitioner at the Pasco Campus. Below, she outlines her role and a fantastic opportunity open to students at the beginning of this year - the Mental Health Lunchtime Club.

“I am the mental health practitioner at Pasco Campus and a qualified psychologist. I support students with all aspects of mental health and wellbeing, whether that’s managing stress, navigating friendships, coping with school or home pressures, experiencing anxiety or low mood, or simply needing someone to talk to.

“I provide counselling support in the Wellbeing Hub, a confidential, safe and welcoming space where students can meet one-on-one to talk about anything on their mind. Sometimes having the opportunity to pause, reflect and feel heard can make a real difference.

“Students are welcome to drop by and say hello, ask their teacher or Year Level Coordinator for an introduction, or send me an email to arrange a time to meet. I look forward to getting to know and support students throughout the year.”

MENTAL HEALTH LUNCHTIME CLUB - PASCO CAMPUS

Together with a group of passionate students and student leaders, we are excited to be facilitating a Mental Health Club every Wednesday at lunchtime at the Pasco Campus.

The club is a safe, inclusive and relaxed space where students can come along to learn more about mental health and wellbeing while connecting with others in a supportive environment. Each week will include different activities such as stress-management strategies, mindfulness and relaxation exercises, creative activities, wellbeing discussions, guest speakers, and practical tips to help manage school and life pressures.

The Mental Health Club is not therapy, it’s a welcoming space to build awareness, develop coping skills, strengthen friendships, and have some fun along the way.

WHOLE SCHOOL FITNESS CHALLENGE

Our School Nurse, Darcy Murphy, has designed, and is leading, a whole-school fitness challenge for both students and staff. This five week program, which started this week, is built to target a range of muscle groups, test overall fitness, and highlight individual areas for growth and improvement.

Each challenge is designed to push participants in a supportive yet motivating environment. Encouraging students and staff to compete not only against each other, but against themselves. The focus is on progress, resilience, and personal development.

Across the five weeks, participants have clear opportunities to build strength, improve performance, and track their growth. Whether they are aiming to win, improve their personal best, or simply get involved, this challenge is about stepping outside our comfort zone and embracing the process.

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Courtesy of Youth Worker Alanah Meilak, we would like to make you aware of a number of fantastic opportunities that are available to parents and students over the coming weeks:

TEENAGE BRAIN PARENT WEBINAR

Hobsons Bay Youth Services invites you to attend our upcoming parent webinar, featuring Dr Justin Coulson, author of nine parenting books and cohost of Channel 9’s ‘Parental Guidance’.

The Teenage Brain will help parents understand teen behaviour and to navigate the teenage years with more confidence and less stress. Please share this with any parents who may benefit.

Date: Thursday, 19 March

Time: 7pm to 8pm

Online via Zoom

Registrations essential: The Teenage Brain (parent webinar) - Hobsons Bay

WESTERN BULLDOGS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

This program is designed for young people aged 14-16 in Melbourne’s West who want to grow as leaders and make a positive impact in their community. Participants will develop leadership skills, confidence, and resilience, connect with other young people and expand their networks. The program wraps up with a social impact project, where students design and deliver an initiative that addresses an issue they care about.

Program Highlights:

• Two-day camp during the April school holidays

• 10 fortnightly workshops with inspiring guest speakers, based at Whitten Oval (April onwards)

• Hands-on social impact project development

• Match day experience and other fun activities

• The program is completely FREE

Registrations close 15 March, and young people can scan the QR code to register their interest – or link to form here: 2026 Youth Leadership Project Registration Form

YOUTH DROP-IN SESSIONS

These sessions have reopened for the year at Youth Services Community Hub, 13-15 Mason St, Newport, every Thursday from 3-5pm. The drop-in program is a chance to hang out and meet some new people in a space just for young people.

Drop-in offers a range of activities: Snacks, outdoor games and sport, table tennis and foosball, art activities, cooking, board games, movies, quiet space for homework or chat with a youth worker for 12-17 years olds. No registration required.

WESTSIDE OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS

The Westside Open Studio Sessions will run every Thursday from 5-7pm, with open use of the Newport Community Hub music studio in Program room 1 & 2 downstairs, Newport Community Hub, 13-15 Mason St, Newport.

If you are 15 to 25 years of age, this is your chance to create, connect and chill in a fun and supportive space. Each month will bring something different, but here’s what you can look forward to: hop on the mic - to sing, rap or perform spoken word jams with others; bring your instrument or join the vibe performing for peers; show what you’ve got in a no-judgment zone; hang out and catch a set; enjoy music and meet new people.

Additional information: Free with snacks provided. This is a fully supervised event hosted by Westside Studio Crew and Hobsons Bay Youth Services.

Inclusion at Willi in 2026

The Inclusion Team is excited about what this year holds for us! For 2026, our team has had some changes. We wish to thank Kerri Wangeman for the incredible job she has done over the past several years supporting our students at Bayview. We welcome Okan Husnu, who has moved to the Bayview Campus to continue his excellent work supporting students in the classroom, combined with his role as Inclusion Education Coordinator.

Lauren Withers has taken over some of the admin side of things while Anna McMahon is on family leave. Leigh Thomson is continuing to be the Inclusion Education Coordinator at Pasco. Simone Barlow is the Inclusion Leader at Pasco, and Lazarus Kong the Inclusion Leader at Bayview.

Changes to the Yearly SSG Process

With some students in each cohort having a Student Support Plan or Learner Profile, have effective processes in place to make it easier for our staff to know your child, their strengths, goals and interests, and the best way to support them in school. To this end, we have rolled out the Learner Profile with the Year 7 cohort, with the aim to transition our Year 8 and 9 Student Support Plans to the Learner Profile by the end of the year. As such, we have slightly pushed back the usual annual review for the Year 8 and 9 students, as it will be integrated with the new Learner Profile over the next few terms. Please reach out to Lazarus Kong or Okan Husnu if you have any questions or concerns.

At Pasco campus, you should receive an email from a member of our team with a copy of your child’s plan this term. We ask that you review it with them and suggest any changes to the document. We will review your suggestions and then share an updated version with you. SSGs (Student Support Group meetings) will then be available if the parent or student feels it is necessary - if their needs have greatly changed, or you want to discuss any of the adjustments or supports in place.

We will continue to offer bookings for in-person meetings at Years 9 to 10, as we consider this transition period very important, and the SSGs are a vital way to get to know your child and how we can best support them.

At any stage, please feel free to reach out to us.

Looking ahead in 2026

• Inclusion Club continues to run at Pasco. It is now on Mondays at lunchtime, and will be in the Inclusion Hub (or A2 when the Hub is under construction).

• The construction of a Student Youth/Inclusion Hub (name TBC) at Pasco is underway! Works began earlier this term to revitalise the facade, before further changes later this year, or next, to the inside. This will allow Inclusion, Student Leadership, Youth Services and International Students to come together in the one space.

• We will continue to support staff by offering neuroaffirming Professional Learning opportunities internally and externally.

• We look to celebrate diversity through Disability Pride Month. This celebration allows us to acknowledge and celebrate our students and staff with physical, mental, cognitive, neurological, invisible and sensory disabilities. This year we will be celebrating during Week 3, Term 3, at both campuses. We acknowledge that there are many other important days (such as Autism Awareness and International Day of Disability), but Disability Pride allows us to recognise our diverse community and celebrate without disruption of VCAA exams or school holidays.

Fantastic Start to 2026

The 2026 school year is off to an exciting start at the Bayview Street Campus. Students have jumped into their subjects and begun exploring a diverse and engaging curriculum. From hands-on learning and collaborative group activities to using online platforms like Google Classroom, IXL for English and Mathematics, STILE and Carousel for Science, and Education Perfect for Languages, and a new edition of Target Learning for Year 9 Visual Communication Design, students are already making great progress.

It’s fantastic to see students actively participating in their learning - whether through practical tasks, discussions or written work. We look forward to an exciting year ahead!

This year marks the first year where ALL curriculum areas will implement the Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0, making it easier for teachers to plan lessons and track student progress. The Victorian Curriculum 2.0 can be accessed on the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.

At Williamstown High School, we are constantly reviewing our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum to ensure we continue delivering high-quality teaching and learning for all students.

Semester 1 Learning Tasks - Stay Informed on Compass

Over the next few weeks, your child’s Semester 1 Learning Tasks will be available on Compass, giving you insight into the key assessments for each subject. You can view the task names and descriptions by clicking on the Learning Tasks tab.

Each subject will have two or three Learning Tasks throughout the semester. Checking these can help you understand what your child is working on and how you can support their learning at home.

Progress Reports - Tracking Your Child’s Learning

To stay updated on your child’s progress, you will be able to review their Progress Reports on Compass in Week 9 before the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences in Week 10 of Term 1 and Term 3. These reports, found under the Reports tab, provide valuable feedback on engagement, progress and areas for improvement.

Parent/Carer Evenings - Science of Learning

We have recently held our Year 7-9 Parent/Carer Information Evenings, which were well attended and a great opportunity to connect with our school community and share and gather key information for the year ahead.

At the Year 8-9 Parent/Carer Information Evening, we had several staff present on topics ranging from improved learning and year level programs to student wellbeing.

A resource promoted in the Science of Learning workshop, run by our WHS Learning Specialists, was ‘the Science of Learning: Parent Guide’ by Rachael Thornton. The resource highlights some of the key strategies parents and carers can promote at home to support their child’s learning - from both a science of learning and wellbeing perspective.

Clayton Warren

Years 7-9 Curriculum Leader

A great START to Year 7

That first morning really did feel like a collective deep breath before something big. Crisp uniforms - just a tad too big - shiny shoes, nervous smiles and backpacks bursting with new books and stationery were the order of day one.

The overarching theme for our Year 7 students this year is “Start”. Not only is 2026 the start of their high school journey, but we hope it is also the start of many great friendships, personal achievements and a growing sense of confidence and belonging. Over the past three weeks, students have been learning new routines, navigating a larger campus, meeting a wide range of teachers and discovering what it means to be a Willi High student.

It has been wonderful to see their resilience, curiosity and willingness to give new things a go. We hope that this trend continues throughout Year 7 and students start to challenge themselves in all aspects of school life.

Year 7 Family Gathering

We enjoyed a wonderful start to the year with our Year 7 Family Gathering. It was fantastic to meet so many families and to share great food, music and an official welcome led by Uncle Mark Brown, a Bunurong elder and senior cultural heritage officer, who conducted a traditional smoking ceremony.

We hope that meeting your child’s homegroup teacher provides a valuable opportunity to begin a collaborative and productive partnership, supporting your child throughout the school year ahead.

Toolbox Education Workshops for Students & Parents

On Tuesday, 3 February, all Year 7 students participated in an Emotional Regulation workshop run by Toolbox Education. Students were informed how our emotions can get the better of us and possibly lead to friendship breakdowns, arguments and even fights. Using a soft drink bottle as a metaphor for our bodies, students were made aware of how experiencing unfairness, falling short, embarrassing moments, missing out and having low energy can “shake” our bottle and lead to feeling overwhelmed, angry and sad.

Students were then shown tools they can use to calm themselves down before things spill over. These tools included slowing down breathing, lowering body temperature, using some energy, connecting with their senses, and activities to help them switch between being tense and relaxed. This workshop to improve our students’ emotional literacy is an important part of our Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum.

On Tuesday, 10 February, parents and carers were also given the opportunity to attend the parent version of the workshop.

“I found it very informative and found the analogies easy to understand,” said one parent. “I feel I can take a lot from the workshop to use with my daughter.”

And another: “Good to know what's been shared with our children.”

Year 7 CUBS

In the coming weeks, the Clean Up Bayview (CUB) program will return for 2026. Run by Horticulture teacher Riedwaan Nassiep, the program helps students understand the unique nature of our location and the importance of keeping our school clean to protect the health of Port Phillip Bay.

Each week, one homegroup will be CUBs, learning about the negative impact litter has on the environment before taking part in a litter sweep of the campus. Let’s hope that being a CUB is the start of an upswell of Year 7 eco-warriors!

Thanks for reading. Remember, we are here to help so please reach out!

Rachel Roberts Rachel.Roberts2@education.vic.gov.au and

Lee Williams Lee.Williams@education.vic.gov.au

The Year 8 Standard

Our theme for Year 8 in 2026 is Growth: growth in confidence, growth in learning, growth in character and growth in the way our students represent themselves and our school community.

It has been a fantastic start to the year. Students have returned with positive energy and a willingness to step up into the expectations of Year 8. In classrooms, around the yard and in homegroups, we are already seeing students take greater responsibility for their learning and behaviour. Setting strong habits early is key, and the cohort has made a promising start. This aligns directly with our Term 1 focus of “Setting the Standard”. Term 1 is about establishing the expectations that will shape the rest of the year.

Parent Information Evening

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Parent Information Evening. The strong attendance reflects the value our families place on partnership and communication. When school and home work together, students are best supported to thrive. We appreciate the time that families took to connect with us and learn more about the year ahead.

Healthy Minds Program

A major focus for Year 8 this year will be the Healthy Minds program. Supporting student wellbeing, resilience and emotional regulation is central to long-term success. We have a Healthy Minds Parent Information Evening coming up and look forward to sharing practical strategies and insights with families. In addition, our first student workshop will take place on 2 March, providing students with tools to better understand themselves and make positive choices. It has been an encouraging beginning to the year, and we are excited about the continued growth ahead.

Homegroup Competition

Our Focus of the Fortnight (FOTF) initiative has now kicked off, setting the tone for high standards in uniform, punctuality, organisation and respectful behaviour. This friendly competition between homegroups is about more than points, it’s about building consistency, pride and gives every homegroup the opportunity to be recognised for their amazing efforts. Early signs suggest it will be closely contested!

Homegroup Spotlight: 8A - Ms Konig

A homegroup highlight: 8A’s highlight has been doing electives this semester. In 8A we are doing Outdoor Education, Marine Science, Cooking and Ceramics.

A standard that has been set: We have been working toward completing all of our work. In 8A we have been consistently working well in Maths and English specifically.

Growth Focus: In 8A we are working very hard toward not being late to our classes. This week our focus is on checking our rooms on Compass and listening to the music so we are not late.

Acknowledgements

A big congratulations to YouYou Qing, Rainbow Marley, Kabir Khan, Shaurya Singh and Adella Courtney for representing Williamstown High School as part of our Year 8 Student Leadership Program. As members of the Events Committee, these students are helping shape the culture and spirit of our cohort through their initiative, teamwork and willingness to step up.

The start of the 2026 school year marks an important milestone for our Year 9 students as they continue to build independence and responsibility in their learning. As Year 9 coordinators, we are excited to support all students on the Year 9 pathway, to support student wellbeing, engagement and successful transitions throughout the year.

Students have made a positive start, demonstrating commitment to learning, preparedness for classes and respectful participation within the school community. Teachers have acknowledged this effort with 578 positive posts so far. We look forward to working collaboratively with families to support each student’s progress and success.

Parent Information Night

We would like to again thank families for their support and attendance at the Year 8 and 9 Information Night. We aimed to provide multiple opportunities to share important information that supports your child’s learning and wellbeing at school. The evening had a positive atmosphere and was buzzing with conversation around key topics, while also providing a valuable opportunity for families to connect and reconnect with one another.

A Year of Leadership, Choice and Opportunity

Year 9 is an exciting and important year, as students step into their role as the leaders of the junior school. This is a time for them to demonstrate our school values of Excellence and Creativity, Integrity and Honesty, Diversity and Inclusion, Strong and Open Communication, and Commitment, and to “Hold Fast” to these values in their learning and interactions. As leaders, Year 9 students play a vital role in shaping a positive, inclusive and respectful school culture.

One of the highlights of Year 9 is the opportunity for students to engage in a wide range of elective subjects. These electives allow students to explore their interests, discover new passions, and develop skills beyond the core curriculum. Students can choose from areas such as Visual Arts, Media, Ceramics, Health and Physical Education, Humanities, Technologies and Languages. These subjects provide valuable hands-on learning experiences where students can be creative, work collaboratively and challenge themselves in new ways. Electives also help students begin thinking about their future pathways.

In addition, students will participate in the Immersion Program, which offers meaningful real-world learning through community involvement, excursions and collaborative projects. The Morrisby Career Assessment will help students identify their strengths and interests, supporting future pathway planning, while NAPLAN provides important feedback on their literacy and numeracy progress.

Year 9 is a year of growth, independence and leadership. We encourage all students to embrace the opportunities available to them, commit to their learning, and continue to support one another. We look forward to seeing our Year 9 students lead with confidence, creativity and integrity throughout the year.

Dear families,

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all families who attended our recent Year 10 Family Welcome Evening. It was wonderful to see such strong engagement from our community, with over 60 percent of families joining us on the evening. Your engagement and partnership play an important role in supporting students throughout this significant year.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Anna Bovdis, Hanh Vu and Jesse Craig for their informative and engaging presentations. They provided valuable insights into key aspects of the Year 10 program, expectations and support available to students. The information presented on the evening has also been discussed directly with students at assemblies and shared via Google Classroom to ensure they refer to this information. We would also like to thank Simone Barlow and Alanah Meilak for their guidance to families on Inclusion and Wellbeing support on the night.

We would like to thank the homegroup teachers for cooking up a storm on the BBQ and for creating a positive, welcoming homegroup environment for your child.

Year 10 Homegroup Teacher contact details

This week our homegroup students began their first homegroup challenge designed to build camaraderie and positive competition. Our “Winter Potato Olympics” aimed to strengthen homegroup identity and encourage teamwork. We have some beautiful team flags and cute potato characters.

Our students also rose to the challenge. Alex Gros was first to submit the flag on behalf of 10J, while Zeb and Bowen from 10B were first to submit a potato character. Both homegroups set a really high standard for other homegroups to follow. This week our new assistant principal, Debra Francis, lit the cauldron to signal the beginning of the Olympics. We welcome her to our campus in her role supporting student engagement and wellbeing.

As we progress through the term, we would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work of our staff in supporting Year 10 students. The cohort has settled in extremely well, and this is a reflection of the consistent care, high expectations and welcoming classroom environments fostered across the school.

We are particularly mindful that students who commence at our school in Year 10 can experience the transition as a significant adjustment. Joining a new community at this stage can be daunting, especially when friendship groups are already well established. In response to reflections from previous years, we hosted an informal lunch for new and international students to further strengthen their sense of belonging.

The feedback from students about the school was overwhelmingly positive. They shared that they have felt genuinely welcomed by both staff and peers, and that their classroom experiences have helped them feel connected and included. We are proud of the warm and inclusive culture that our staff cultivate each day and are proud to have these wonderful young adults join our community.

We would also like to acknowledge the dedicated support provided to our international students by Julia Genis. The care and guidance offered to these students ensures they feel safe, supported and well integrated into our school community.

Year 10 is a significant year as students build strong study habits, develop independence and begin preparing for their senior pathways. We encourage families to continue conversations at home about learning goals, organisation and wellbeing, and to reach out to the school should you require any clarification or support. Over the next three weeks our students will undergo an Alumni Mentor Study Skills and Classroom Application workshop. This program is led by our team of dedicated mentors and Mr Jessie Craig, our Academic Enhancement Leader.

This term has a theme of “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Futures”, which is a DET initiative. We thank Darcy Murphy, our school nurse, who has begun a STRAVA fitness challenge at our school.

We are having a huge focus on starting strong with good daily habits. This will not only support students in their learning but also get them ready for work experience. We need you to ensure they leave home early, are dressed correctly according to our uniform policy and are ready to learn. We have high expectations for students and will work with them to ensure they meet their potential. We look forward to working closely with you throughout the year to ensure your child is well supported and positioned for success.

Year Level Coordinators (YLC), Year 10

Isabella O’Malley and Chris Blattman

Isabella.OMalley@education.vic.gov.au

Christopher.Blattman@education.vic.gov.au

As we begin our 2026 school year, we are excited to welcome our Year 11 students into their senior years. This is an exciting time for our students, and they have settled into their new subjects well.

We started the year with the VCE Parent Information Evening. This was a great opportunity for students and their families to meet their homegroup teachers and learn more about VCE, VET, Careers and how we can support students to reach their post-secondary school goals.

Additionally, the Year 11 students have had an incursion presented by Elevate Education. The incursion focused on helping students establish productive study routines and improve their time management skills to help them navigate their personal lives with the study loads of VCE.

There will be another incursion later this term from BATYR. They will discuss mental health and explore how self-efficacy and confidence can support boosting young people’s mental health.

Lastly, we will have the parent-teacher-student conferences at the end of the term, which is an excellent opportunity to meet the classroom teachers and discuss subject-specific strategies to help students achieve their best from each of their classes.

In the next few weeks, many students will be undertaking their first VCE assessments. This can be a challenging time for students managing their workload. Please encourage them to keep on top of their work and to speak with their teachers if they are having any difficulties with the material.

If you have any concerns, please reach out to us.

The Tour de Twelve, the theme introduced to the Class of 2026, is off with a bang! Aiming to evoke images of dogged determination, uphill battles, heroic efforts and, of course, lycra, the peloton has stuck together admirably thus far.

The Parent Information Night offered a great opportunity to come together and recognise the importance of finding various ways to support our young people as they move through the rigours of Year 12. The value of the shift away from a longer presentation in the theatre to a more communal event was evident in the ways that families found opportunities to catch up with one another, and with a range of staff who will play such an important supporting role over the next nine months.

The highlight of the start of the year is, undoubtedly, the Year 12 camp. Almost 200 students ventured to the Lady Northcote Discovery Camp for three days of team building, fun and cohesion. Although some of the activities offered - the giant swing, raft building, the high ropes - might have sent some of them back to memories of primary school, the way that these offerings united people was purely focused on the future. The refrain for camp was, and will remain for the rest of the year, that together we are stronger and more capable. And what better way to come together than being cramped in a room with subpar AC?

The highlight of the camp for many was the Thursday night talent show. From bizarre abilities to rousing singalongs, the show reinforced the many ways in which the Class of 2026 is special. The highpoint was perhaps Matthew Medved’s enthusiastic rendition of perennial favourite ‘Mr Brightside’, but everyone who performed walked away, justifiably, with their heads held high.

As we turn to the second half of Term 1, the key is to take the lessons of camp - togetherness, supportiveness, encouragement and resilience - and apply them to the routines that will enable success. The Study Centre has been buzzing. Let’s hope it stays that way!

A New Chapter for Student Leadership

Student Leadership at Bayview has got off to a great start with a brand new team of enthusiastic and committed leaders. I am excited to step into the role of Student Leadership Coordinator for 2026 to support our Student Leadership Team. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside this group as they’ve stepped into their new positions and begun building strong relationships with each other and fostering leadership skills over two exciting days of leadership development. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve this year and the positive impact they will have on our whole school community.

Michelle Roberts

Student Leadership Coordinator, Bayview

Welcome from our Bayview School Captains

On behalf of the Bayview Student Leadership team, we are so excited to step into our new roles and represent our school. This year our leadership team consists of many students from Years 8 and 9, including school captains, house captains, events committee and curriculum leaders. We’ve already started working on our team-building skills and are excited to use these throughout the year at all upcoming events.

So far we’ve already had two leadership development days. The first day took place on Wednesday, 11 February. We went into the city and participated in the Urban Quest, where we split off into six groups and spent the morning competing in a fun scavenger hunt. Throughout the morning we developed bonds, grew our communication skills and used our critical thinking to drive our teams to complete the quest. To further strengthen our connections, we got to go bowling and had a fun time through a friendly competition.

On the second development day, we all headed to the Newport Community Hub and enjoyed team-building activities within our specific leadership group. Later on, Mr Patchell taught us in greater depth what it meant to be an effective leader through different leadership styles. Finally, we got back into our smaller teams and planned to make 2026 the best it can be.

We’d like to thank all of the terrific staff who made these amazing days possible, including Ms Roberts, Ms Meilak, Mr Murphy, Mr Patchell and a special surprise visit from Mr Catalano. We hope that we can keep this positivity and teamwork going for upcoming events like: the Swimming Carnival, Athletics Day, Harmony Day, International Women’s Day and much more. Thank you to our wonderful school community. We are so excited for what we can all achieve together in the future.

Miles Nicholson, Eloise Robson, Isabelle Ngatai and Charlotte Dunbar

Bayview School Captains and Vice Captains

Leading the way at Pasco

What a fantastic start to the year it has been at Williamstown High School!

Our student leaders have hit the ground running, and for the first time our pillar system feels truly alive. Senior leaders are confidently chairing their own meetings, setting agendas, and working together across teams to solve problems and develop ideas.

Instead of waiting to be told what needs improving, students are identifying issues themselves and imagining the kind of school they want to help create in 2026 - then getting straight to work to make it happen. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch the collaboration, initiative and leadership already on display.

Very soon, the wider school community will have a chance to get involved through our first out-of-uniform days for the year:

International Women’s Day - Tuesday, 10 March

Free dress with a touch of purple or purple ribbons. Funds raised will support endometriosis research.

Harmony Day - Friday, 20 March

Free dress, cultural dress and/or a touch of orange. We will also be running a bake sale on the day.

These events are always a highlight of Term 1, and a great opportunity to celebrate the values of inclusion, respect and community that our students care so strongly about.

Thank you to our student leaders for the energy and enthusiasm they have already brought to their roles. I’m excited to see what they continue to achieve across the year and look forward to sharing their progress with you.

Here’s an update from Emily Jessop, one of our school captains on the plans for the year so far:

The 2026 leadership team is greatly looking forward to all the activities, initiatives and events that we are working hard on this year.

Our School Culture team is planning a teachers vs students basketball game, house sports and is currently focused on planning activities such as novelty games, fairy floss machine, best-dressed competition and relay for the upcoming Athletics Day at the start of March.

The Creative Endeavours team is looking forward to incorporating more of Willi High’s amazing music and arts this year, including a competition/show for stage bands and more promotion and visibility for our visual arts.

The Academic Excellence team is driven to create a more positive mindset around academics in the school community, organising events such as debating competitions and subject week activities. They are also planning to create an online subject supermarket for students and families to access so that they can browse and learn more about subjects before choosing them.

Our Social Justice team is focused on all of our incredible celebrations at school this year, including International Women’s Day, Harmony Day and IDAHOBIT, and is organising events for these celebrations such as bake sales, charity donations and cultural dress-ups.

Emily Jessop

2026 School Captain

Welcome to the 2026 school year everyone!

This year I am continuing in the Mathematics Learning Specialist role based at the Bayview Campus. As a Mathematics team, we have already been working to continue the development of high impact teaching and learning within our Mathematics classrooms.

This has included the continued use of ‘Do Now Tasks’ at the start of our lessons, which aim to get students thinking mathematically as soon as they walk in the classroom door, as well as accessing prior knowledge they will need for the day’s lesson, and targeting skills identified as areas of potential growth through previous NAPLAN and PAT testing.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind our Year 7 and 9 families that NAPLAN testing will be taking place across Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 1 this year.

Our Year 7 and 9 students will complete assessments in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy from Wednesday, 12 March, through to Monday, 17 March.

The testing will continue to be run as an online assessment. With that in mind, we ask parents and carers to ensure that all student devices have the NAPLAN ‘Locked Down Browser’ installed, as it will be needed for the assessment.

Instructions for installing the browser can be found on Compass under Favourites (*star icon):

Homegroup teachers will be checking student devices for the browser over the coming weeks, and there will be support available to any students experiencing difficulties with the installation.

Students may also find extra NAPLAN preparation questions through their IXL account under the Test Prep Skill Plans.

2025 continued a tradition of high scoring VCE results for the maths department. Our VCE students had another outstanding year with 23 students scoring study scores over 40 in every stream and every class of mathematics from General Maths to Methods and Specialist. This included many of our current Alumni whose success in General Maths and Methods have contributed to their selection in the schools selective tutoring program.

We have been very fortunate to welcome Anthony Pedrana into the Maths team. Having taken time away from teaching to work in publishing, Anthony has returned to the classroom and we could not be happier that he chose Williamstown High school. He is a passionate and skilled Physic’s and Maths teacher, and I am thrilled that our students have the opportunity to be taught by him.

It has been a strong start to the year in Science at Bayview, with students quickly settling into practical investigations and big scientific ideas.

Our Year 7 students are exploring the particle model and changes of state. Through hands-on laboratory work, they are learning how particles behave in solids, liquids and gases, and how heating and cooling cause substances to change state.

Year 8 students have begun their unit on Cells, learning about the structures and functions of plant and animal cells. Using microscopes and diagrams, they are building their understanding of how living things are organised at a cellular level.

In Year 9, students have launched into Homeostasis and the Nervous System. They are investigating how the body maintains a stable internal environment and how electrical signals travel through neurons to coordinate responses.

We commence 2026 with a dynamic English team comprised of familiar favourites like Sarah Barry, Corey Genis, Liz Lorenc, Niamh Hall, Paul McArthur, Bradley Nicholls, Liam Kurzemieks, Bethany Evans and Christopher Di Pasquale and the exciting new faces of Michael Patchell (joining us from Pasco Campus), Hannah Thomas, Alex Liu and Siena Galeotti Medina. I am proud to be working alongside such a talented and diverse team this year.

In term one, Year 7 students are studying Nature Poetry, exploring the ways in which poets employ language and structure to capture, ponder and celebrate the natural world. Bayview Campus is uniquely positioned as a vantage point for nature poetry, open as it is to the sea and wetlands. Students have undertaken field writing in the Marine Biology lab, writing free verse poems about rays, puffer fish and anemones. Students are also starting to analyse classic works of nature poetry from throughout history and across cultures.

Our Year 8’s are currently engaged in a film study of The Sapphires (2012) with a focus on the theme of belonging. In this unit, students will develop their skills in film analysis, building a vocabulary of film techniques and an ability to interpret sequences of visual language. The Sapphires is an amazing showcase of Aboriginal Australian talent and testament to the power of music as a driver of social change.

Year 9 is a vibrant and distinctive year at Bayview, where students participate in Immersion and continue to explore and refine their learning interests. In English, students begin the year with a Creative Writing unit focused on genre conventions, followed by a Media Analysis unit. Throughout these studies, they have the opportunity to shape their unique storytelling voices within forms such as horror, romance, science fiction, mystery, fantasy, and a range of other literary subgenres. Students also further develop their skills in analysing and presenting persuasive language within media texts.

We look forward to watching our students find their voices and hone their interests.

So far this year, Pasco English students have been reading about how memories can shape who we are and the dangers of oppressive governments. They have seen how decisions can have ‘sliding doors’ moments with far reaching consequences, and how family heirlooms can reverberate over time. They have also vicariously experienced how a joyful dream of independence and escape can be achieved, but then later shattered. In each of the texts this term, students see that anxieties and fears of disaster do not always come to fruition.

Recently students have been making videos that relate to a personal connection they see in the first texts that they have been reading, discussing and analysing. Hopefully, by making these videos they learn more about the texts they are exploring and about themselves. We are looking forward to seeing and hearing their reflections on their own lives, relationships and moments that have shaped them.

Term 1 meetings

Thanks to the families who attended our first meeting of the year on Tuesday, 17 February. Michael Patchell, assistant principal at the Bayview Campus, was our guest speaker and spoke about the leadership team at both campuses, giving families an update on some changes/areas of focus in the year ahead.

Tuesday, 18 March will be the AGM. Starting at 7:30pm, both on site at the Bayview Campus and online, the guest speaker will be confirmed and communicated via Compass.

Tips and tricks for new families

It was good to welcome some new families, and there were many discussions between new and existing parents regarding tips on second-hand books and uniforms, what lies ahead with subject selections and a lot of other topics. Families were keen to hear that you can request weekly Google Classroom summaries for your child’s subjects - just send an email to the various subject teachers.

We’re currently compiling our list of guest speakers for the year ahead. A tour of the Marine Science room and its aquatic inhabitants led by the school’s resident marine biologist, and a tour of the new Year 12 study centre and music/backstage facilities adjoining the Pasco Theatre are just some of the suggestions.

We hope to see you at a meeting soon. Keep an eye out for Compass posts about upcoming guest speakers and meetings, or email us at presidentwhspfa@gmail.com to receive PFA updates. You can also join the WHS Parents and Friends Association Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/889585218296588