Welcome to this month’s edition of the W-Files. Please enjoy reading and viewing a number of articles and photos on events that have occurred at both campuses this term. It has been a very productive half year for our students and the positive energy at both campuses has been clearly evident. Our Year 12 formal, camps, sporting events, Morrisby career assessments and Years 9-12 midyear exams have been just a few of the key activities.

Year 9 Immersion

The recent Year 9 Immersion project showcase was inspiring and engaging. I was impressed by the work put in by all groups and enjoyed listening to how working on these projects had a profound impact on them. A first-time topic that I found quite educational as well as surprising was the ‘Pink Tax’ display. The students enjoyed both my participation in their quiz as well as my surprise at the range and type of items that attract a pink tax. The Term 2 Immersion students were keen to have their project display included in my W-Files report so, since they were all so amazing, please enjoy the roll of display photos below.

Celebration assemblies

The end of term campus celebration assemblies provide a wonderful opportunity to both reflect on the term, acknowledge outstanding achievements and attendance results as well as delivering key messages. I personally appreciated the opportunity to address the students at both campus assemblies with a small speech on my vision for their journey at WHS from Year 7 through to Year 12. This included highlighting how our school values and motto guide our vision for creating and delivering a safe and dynamic environment that allows each individual to grow into “the best version of themselves”.

I also took the opportunity to emphasise that equal, if not greater than all else, student voice should influence what our school should be. I concluded by announcing that to further enhance our wonderful school environment, I would be conducting student forums at each campus together with our youth worker, Alanah Meilak. These forums will provide an opportunity to hear directly from our students. We want to hear both what is working well and what else we can do to allow each student to be the best version of themselves.

I am quite excited to hear from our students and currently planning how to make this a safe space for all interested students, both quiet and loud, so as to have their voices and ideas heard. The forums will be held in the middle of Term 3, from 3:15 to 4:30 on a Monday or Wednesday, with precise details to follow once we finalise the number of students involved.

If you are interested in participating in the student forum at either campus, please email your name and year level to Alanah at her email address below. Those who show interest will be sent a follow-up Google Form to provide precise location and timing details, as well as take dietary requests for potential light refreshments and ask a few other general questions. Please consider signing up; we want to hear from you!

alanah.meilak@willihigh.vic.edu.au

New facilities at Bayview

I am pleased that both the Bayview futsal court and the covered cafeteria works will be commencing soon, with the futsal court to be made available to students early in Term 3 and the cafeteria later in the term (permits, planning and construction require an 8-10 week period).

At the end of term assembly, I announced a naming competition for the covered cafeteria area. My initial idea was “Hold Fast Café” but this has been used by food technology classes in the past when showcasing their cooking skills. I’m looking for an inspiring name and/or a potential mural/artwork that could be added to the area to highlight healthy eating and students happily sharing safe dining spaces, etc. If your name suggestion or artwork is subsequently chosen, you will receive a personalised certificate highlighting your contribution as well as earn a free Hot Wings lunch for your homegroup, hosted by me. Please send names and artwork directly to my email address below:

Giorgio.Catalano@education.vic.gov.au

Education Support staff celebrated

This term we celebrated and acknowledged our hardworking Education Support (ES) staff. The principal team hosted a lunch for our 45-strong ES team during the recent report writing day. Each individual ES staff member was also given a small gift with a personal note of thanks from staff members. The lunch, small gifts and personalised notes were extremely well received and appreciated by all in attendance.

High demand for places at WHS

Enrolment demand for our school continues to be strong - well in excess of the places we have available. In line with statewide policy, all students in our school zone are offered places, as are all siblings. The remaining places are offered to students purely on a closest distance to the Bayview Campus criteria. Once offers are made, students who have obtained a place are then able to apply for select entry classes or accelerated sports programs.

This continued demand is very pleasing and reflects well on the standing the school has in the community, but also presents a number of challenges in managing the enrolment process and the number of requests from prospective families.

Looking ahead to Term 3

In preparation for Term 3, I would like to encourage all families to discuss and reflect on student achievements through the semester reports, as well as help support goal setting for further improvement.

For staff professional learning, we are well underway with planning for our curriculum day, which will be primarily focused on the theme of teaching and learning, implementing the new Victorian Teaching Learning Model, and conditions for enabling learning and explicit teaching. We will share what we have learnt in next term’s newsletter.

From a staffing point of view, Daniel Pearce will be returning from a term of long service leave to the position of Pasco Campus Principal, with Gavin Clifford - having filled the role admirably this term - returning to his Strategic Assistant Principal role. Our Bayview Campus Principal Karen Anderson has been asked to extend her acting principal role at Peter Lalor SC for Term 3. Hence, as previously announced for Term 2, acting arrangements will continue as follow:

Corrine Hall - Bayview Campus Principal

Michael Patchel - Pasco Assistant Campus Principal

David Urwin - Year 12 Coordinator, Leading Teacher

Ian Hume - Year 12 Coordinator

Long-serving Pasco student wellbeing coordinator Ann Goller is also retiring. This is wonderful for Ann and we thank her for her amazing work over a number of years supporting so many students and families. Ann will be missed but we look forward to hearing of the adventures that await her. Lucy Cottee, our recent appointment, will take over Ann’s role for the remainder of this year.

While we will also have a handful of staff moving on midyear, I am pleased to announce that despite ongoing staffing shortages across the system, we will be commencing Term 3 fully staffed with quality teachers in our classrooms. Campus leaders will update us on changes as required.

I wish all staff, students and their families a relaxing and enjoyable midyear break and look forward to a productive and successful second half of the year.

Hold fast.

As Term 2 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the dedication and enthusiasm shown by our students and staff. It has been a rewarding term filled with a variety of learning experiences and memorable events that have aimed to increase our students’ sense of connectedness to Williamstown High School.

From IDAHOBIT Day celebrations and interschool sports to Music Camp, Year 8 Camp, and the Morrisby careers profiling for our Year 9 students, there’s been no shortage of opportunities for students to challenge themselves and grow. Our Year 9 students also impressed us with their creativity and confidence at the Immersion Expo, an event that truly showcased their learning and passion.

Breakfast club on Friday mornings has continued to be a well attended and valued part of our school week, with the smell of cheese and ham jaffles wafting through the atrium providing a warm and welcoming start to these cold mornings! A special highlight this term was a visit by our local state member, the Hon. Melissa Horne MP, who spoke to students about their experiences and aspirations.

One personal highlight this term for me was attending the Year 12 Formal on Friday, 20 June. This event is always a wonderful celebration, not just of the final year of schooling, but of the entire journey our students have taken from Year 7 to 12 at Williamstown High School. It was particularly heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of our Year 12 students when they noticed their former Bayview homegroup teachers had come along to share in the celebration. Watching students and teachers reconnect, reminisce, and laugh together over old memories and photos was a powerful reminder of the strong, lasting relationships that are built during students’ time at our school and the importance of the homegroup teacher role.

With the release of the Semester Two reports we encourage parents/carers to discuss your child/s learning goals and reflect upon their progress. Please reach out to homegroup teachers about any further support that may be needed during Semester Two.

Attendance

At Williamstown High School, we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.

Attending school every day means experiencing what counts - the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future. At the end of term assembly, we celebrated the 31 students who had 100 percent attendance for the semester.

We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school. However, to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.

If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their homegroup teacher, Year Level Coordinators or Wellbeing staff about getting support.

We know that parents and carers may be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible via Compass so we can work together to support them.

For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School.

Remember, Every Day Counts.

Thank you to everyone for making Term 2 such a success. I look forward to seeing what Term 3 brings as we continue to support, inspire and grow together.

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of Term 2 - the eleven-week term that never seemed to end! As I finish up in the Acting Campus Principal role and return to my position as Strategic Assistant Principal, I want to take this chance to share my thanks and deep appreciation for the Pasco Campus community.

It has been a genuine privilege to step in this term and see firsthand just how vibrant, hard-working, and connected our campus truly is. From day one, I was struck by the energy and spirit on display here—students showing real pride in their learning, in their friendships, and in the school itself.

It’s been inspiring to see students engaging confidently with rich, challenging tasks, supported by teachers who bring expertise, care, and creativity to every lesson. Our staff have gone above and beyond to maintain high expectations and a strong culture of learning—something I know our whole community values deeply.

Our student leaders, too, have continued to shine, modelling the inclusive, respectful values that make this campus special. Their initiatives, from Breakfast Club to IDAHOBIT and other events in between, have helped bring us together in meaningful ways, reminding us of the kind of school we want to keep building.

Programs like the alumni tutor sessions and VCE Masterclasses have remained well attended, reflecting our senior students’ commitment to making the most of every opportunity. It’s been wonderful to see students supporting each other in learning spaces and having fun together in others—like on the new futsal courts.

I also want to acknowledge the ongoing work on our facilities upgrades, including the accessibility improvements and the restoration of Q Block. Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as this work continues.

Above all, I want to thank our students, staff and families for the warm welcome I received in this role and for the way everyone has worked together to make Term 2 such a success. I’ve been genuinely impressed by what our campus community achieves each day, and I’m excited to keep supporting that work in my ongoing role.

Pasco Campus students feature heavily in our upcoming production of 'A Chorus Line' which I am very excited to see. If you have ever caught a production led by Mr Commons and the student drama team before, you'll already know the incredible quality put on display for us - so if you haven't, don't miss out on what will be an incredible production run from 22-26 July (Term 3, Week 1). And staying with the Performing Arts theme, our annual Warchild Benefit Concert takes place on Thursday 7 August (Term 3, Week 3) - so much musical talent from both the Pasco and Bayview campuses will be on show here again - can't wait!

Wishing everyone a safe and restful break. Let’s carry this momentum into Term 3.

Hold fast,

Gavin Clifford
Pasco Campus Principal (Acting)

Farewelling Ann Goller

As seen in Mr Catalano’s College Principal Report, Ms Ann Goller, Pasco Campus’ Student Wellbeing Coordinator, is retiring at the end of this term after 24 years at Williamstown High School. Ann has undertaken many teaching roles at the school, including subjects such as Maths and Science, but it is her work in the school’s wellbeing space that has had a profound and lasting effect for so many of our students, families and staff. We thank Ann for all she has done for the school community, and wish her well in her retirement. Ann reflects on her time at the school below:

“It has been a privilege to work with the students and families of the Williamstown High community in the wellbeing space, witnessing personal growth in so many students who have fulfilled their potential when given the opportunity and support to do so. Over my time at the school I have seen many changes, most notably the building of Bayview Street and the Centenary Theatre, and the growth of the wellbeing team at both campuses. I have always appreciated the support of external organisations, such as Western Chances, Headspace, Western Health, and Hobsons Bay Youth Services; without their assistance it would not have been possible to achieve so many positive outcomes for so many students at the school. There are too many people to thank within the walls of Williamstown High School, but I have loved working directly with so many great staff, with countless now friends, rather than just colleagues. I will miss so much about the school, and the people who make it such a great place every day; however, I am looking forward to having more flexibility in my life and the time to pursue other interests.”

MAT Life Skills Program

This term, a small group of Year 10 and 11 students were able to engage in an eight week MAT Life Skills Program, where students focused on building important skills for school and life afterwards. Key skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, decision making and communication were explored through the concept of movement and martial arts. All students set a goal at the beginning of the program, with a ceremonial breaking of a wooden board, Karate Kid style, to celebrate the reaching of these goals at the end of the program.

WHS Community Sale

On Thursday, 26 June the inaugural WHS Community Sale was held, giving the opportunity for pre-loved items to find a new home. This recycling initiative was supported by Hobsons Bay Council and led by student leaders, bringing the community together to raise funds for future environmental projects. We look forward to the next instalment of the Community Sale in 2026.

Bayview Breakfast Club Team-Building Day

To build upon the fantastic work that fifteen students are already doing each week at the Bayview Breakfast Club, a team-building day was held at Clip ’N Climb before moving back to school to focus on group activities with the school’s Youth Worker, Alanah Meilak, and our Mental Health Practitioners, Christina Frei and Erin Immel. The purpose of the day was to invest in the future leadership capabilities of the students who already volunteer their time each week to run an invaluable school community service through the Breakfast Club.

With an eye to Term Three, we are looking forward to a Global Ambassadors Program for young culturally and linguistically diverse students to explore culture, identity, mental health and advocacy. This program is run in conjunction with Headspace. There will also be a six week Yoga Program for female students to learn numerous skills, such as stress management, presence and tools for day-to-day wellbeing inside and outside of the school setting. Yoga movements will be the vehicle for the learning of these skills in a relaxed and safe group environment.

We wish to thank Alanah Meilak, our Youth Worker, for driving the planning, coordination and delivery of these programs in Term Two and Three, and look forward to many more fantastic programs that support the health and wellbeing of Williamstown High School students in the future.

Parent resources

There are a number of upcoming opportunities for parents to take part in free and very well-regarded programs and webinars to help you understand your teenage child and support their mental health and wellbeing. Please see the links and course descriptions below:

Tuning Into Teens

A six-week program for parents/carers of teens. You would normally have to pay for this program but Hobsons Bay Council runs it free for the community once a term, with more information via this link.

Their next rounds are:

Tuesdays (29 July to 2 Sept) 6:30-8:30pm

Mondays (13 Oct to 24 Nov) 6:30-8:30pm

ReachOut Parents

Four free 1:1 custom one-hour coaching sessions for parents/carers on general parenting support and/or teen related issues.

As mentioned in our last W-Files, eSafety is currently doing a free webinar series throughout August and September covering online safety topics, such as: coercive control, sexual safety, AI, cyberbullying and a major one on supporting young men to navigate harmful content and ideologies.

House of Wellness

Following on from the recommendation of The Role of a Lifetime in our previous W-Files, we would like to make you aware of another great series airing on 7two every Friday evening at 8:30pm. The House of Wellness is a lively and informative program dedicated to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. With practical advice on topics like nutrition, sleep, exercise, mindfulness and managing stress, it is a great resource for young people navigating the demands of school. We encourage families of Year 10-12 students to tune in together, as it is an easy and engaging way to support healthy habits at home.

We wish all members of our school community a relaxing holiday break. We look forward to seeing all students refreshed and recharged in two weeks’ time ready for Term Three.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Can you believe we’re already at the halfway mark! What an incredible 6 months we’ve had. Please see below some key notices regarding financial support:

School Saving Bonus

As our families have been made aware, access to the School Saving Bonus (SSB) portal closed on Monday, 30 June 2025 and any unused online supplier vouchers have expired.

All remaining SSB funds after this date, including unused online voucher amounts, will become a credit to use on school activities and is expected to be made available to schools from early August.

The SSB key activities timeline outlines the main steps and milestones for schools and families in the final phase of the SSB program, through to the end of 2025.Please contact the office if you have any questions.

I would like to thank our families for the patience you’ve given to the school since the release of the School Saving Bonus. It’s been one of the most challenging times for the office team due to the increased workload and minimal communication/guidance from the SSB team (which is due to their own pressures), though I know the support of $400 has made a massive impact for our eligible families.

School Student Broadband Initiative

The School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), which offers eligible families with school-aged students free NBN broadband internet at home, has reached its target. This means the initiative is no longer accepting new applications.

Families or carers with unused vouchers to take part in the initiative need to activate them as soon as possible. Please note:

• Families and carers had until 11:59 pm on Monday, 30 June 2025 to redeem their voucher with their chosen participating internet provider.

• From Tuesday, 1 July 2025, all unredeemed vouchers will become invalid.

For those who have an existing SSBI connection or will secure one by redeeming their voucher before the end date, the program will continue until 30 June 2028.

For more information, refer to the School Student Broadband Initiative.

For further program-related enquiries, contact the National Referral Centre by phone: 1800 954 610 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm).

Year 7 Leading the Way!

Classroom Environments - Seating plans and arrangements

The classroom environment plays a crucial role in student learning, and a key component of this environment is the seating arrangement. How students are seated can significantly influence their engagement, collaboration, and overall academic performance. When students are seated in a way that minimises visual and auditory distractions, they are more likely to pay attention to the teacher and interact with what is being taught. When students are seated in a way that promotes positive social interactions, they are more likely to engage in collaborative learning and support each other. This can lead to improved academic performance and a more cohesive classroom community.

This year, all Year 7 classrooms have been configured in specific arrangements and seating plans have been developed by teachers to optimise student learning and engagement. The feedback from staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive.

Clean Up Bayview (CUB) Program

A discussion between Mr Graham, Ms Roberts and Mr Nassiep in Term 1 started the ball rolling on a new initiative at the Bayview Campus. Being in an enviable position on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and on the doorstep of the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, these teachers knew that the students would want to be involved in making sure we take care of our school environment on a daily basis - and so the CUB program was born!

With unwavering passion and enthusiasm, Mr Nassiep is visiting each Year 7 homegroup for a week at a time, reminding the students of our need to respect and care for our environment. With that in mind, when venturing outside, students have been making sure that any litter on the ground is picked up and put in the appropriate bins, so that it does not make its way into the bay.

This program has led to students being more and more aware of the collective responsibility of us all to look after our planet. Teachers have also come on board, using their time on yard duty to help the cause.

Students in 7A and 7B were also given the opportunity to participate in a Waste Education program “Beyond the Bin” run by Hobsons Bay Council.

Celebrating Year 7 students

Positive posts

We are always striving to celebrate the wonderful students we have here at Williamstown High School. Positive posts are one way we can send that message home to families. This term alone, there were 1152 positive posts sent out to Year 7 families. 7H, 7A, 7K and 7B are leading the charge, with the other homegroups close behind.

Student of the Term Awards

Continuing from Term 1, every teacher across Years 7–12 will nominate a Student of the Term for each of their classes. This student will be recognised for their consistent effort, positive attitude, and contribution to class throughout the term. Each nominated student will receive a handwritten card from their teacher, along with a Sun Theatre Yarraville movie voucher - a small token of appreciation for their hard work and commitment. A chance to have a great day out on the upcoming school holidays!

Upholding school values

Congratulations to the following students who will receive awards determined by teacher nominations as part of the End of Term 2 Celebration Assembly being held on Friday, 4 July.

Creativity and Excellence: Pippa Hatton 7G & Archie Jamieson 7K

Integrity and Honesty: Zara Skrekovski 7A & Alexandra Mataia 7H

Diversity and Inclusion: Aaliyah Berjaoui 7A & Barnabee Diep-Dubois 7B

Strong and Open Communication: Toa Roordink 7E & George Naylor 7B

Commitment: Alvaro Blank-Agundez 7E & Keanu Krosher 7A

Continuing to help students develop into responsible young adults

This term, we’ve continued working alongside the HAPE program to support students in building respectful relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Here’s what some students had to say about the program:

• Toa: “It was really useful to see others point of view” “It good understand how different people can be”
  
  

• Alexandra: “We learned about the different gender identities and to respect people's boundaries.”
  
  

• Teniesha: “We could talk about our different opinions without starting arguments” “I feel like that all of us had different views and by the end of the program we were all on the same page”
  
  

• Mckenzie: “We learned about different stereotypes and not to assume things”
  
  

• Bailey: “It was very helpful for a lot of people”
  

In addition to the Respectful Relationships program, a strong emphasis for Year 7 has been placed on eSafety, which included targeted homegroup activities and a guest presentation from Victoria Police. These efforts continue to support our goal of helping students become respectful, responsible, and informed young adults.

Term 2 recap

Year 8 – Term 2 Recap

Term 2 has been a busy and rewarding term for our Year 8 students, filled with memorable events, curriculum reflections, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Key Events & Highlights

• Year 8 Camp (Week 4): A major highlight of the term, where students developed friendships, challenged themselves through outdoor activities, and built stronger peer connections.

• Music Camp (Week 6): A number of Year 8 students participated, showcasing their talents and collaborating with other young musicians from across the school.

• Sporting Achievements: Year 8 students performed strongly in interschool sport, achieving excellent results and showing great team spirit and sportsmanship.

• Footy Tipping Competition:
  The Year 8 Footy Tipping Competition has been a fun and competitive activity across all Home Groups this term. As described by student Nicolas (8G):

“The footy tipping competition is between all Year 8 homegroups and revolves around the AFL. It gives students a chance to support their teams and get rewarded if their homegroup finishes on top. It's fun but competitive, giving students a reason to follow footy. My homegroup, 8G, is currently third on the ladder and aiming for the top. Out of all homegroups, 8G is leading, and our main rivals are the Year Level Coordinators. Hopefully, we’ll take it home!”
Well said, Nicolas! (8G)

Home Group Curriculum Focus

• Careers Action Plans: Students have been exploring their interests, strengths, and future pathways as part of their Careers Action Plans.

• Goal Reflection: Students revisited the goals they set in Term 1 and reflected on their achievements and areas for growth as they prepare for Semester 2.

• Bullying & Healthy Relationships: HG sessions have addressed the importance of respectful behaviour, identifying bullying, and understanding the qualities of safe and supportive relationships.

A special congratulations to Angus Mortimer and Henry Bettiol, who have both achieved 100% attendance so far this year. Their consistent presence and commitment to school is a fantastic example for others and reflects their dedication to learning and making the most of every opportunity. Well done, Angus and Henry!

We’re incredibly proud of the way our Year 8 students have conducted themselves this term and look forward to continuing the momentum in Term 3.

As Term 2 draws to a close and the chill of winter settles firmly over our Williamtown, we reflect on a semester with a large amount of growth shown by all. Despite the cold winds rolling in from the bay, our students have remained vibrant and active in their learning, completing their first ever exams at Williamstown High School.

With the release of Semester 1 reports, we encourage all families to take the time to sit down with their child and review the report together. These moments of reflection provide valuable opportunities to celebrate progress, identify areas for growth, and set goals for the term ahead.

Real Life Resilience incursion

To help prepare our students for the exam period we had Real Life Resilience present to the cohort around the importance of embracing challenges and developing a support network to help cope when they come up. Mike and Ben discussed the challenges they have faced in their lives and what helped them get through with a positive attitude towards what’s next. It was a highly engaging presentation in which students came out with some key skills to reflect on their own support networks.

Learning materials

Over the last week of term we encouraged students to complete a general clean up of their lockers to make sure they are organised for Semester 2. We also ask parents and carers to take a moment over the break to speak with their child about being organised for the start of Term 3. This includes checking that students have the correct learning materials for their subjects, replenishing any stationery or exercise books as needed, and ensuring they are ready to begin the new semester with confidence and focus.

We have also noticed that some students are missing locks for their lockers. These locks are crucial since part of our school’s mobile phone policy requires students to lock their phones in their lockers at the start of the school day.

Community service

As part of our Immersion program students complete community service at a range of venues. This term we had students complete this at the local Vinnies Op Shop. Some students have chosen to continue volunteering their time; a student summarised what they learnt below:

For community service I volunteered for vinnies in newport, everyone who worked there was very nice, the manger was very helpful telling me and the other people working there if items were dirty and if not we put price tags on them, but what I enjoyed most was being on the counter, directly with customers to take orders and handle transactions for them and the manger who helped me was very impressed on how I interacted with the customers. I chose to continue to volunteer my time a Vinnies to keep getting more experience and put on my resume when applying for jobs.

Grayson Bradfield

Year 10 families

As we reach the end of Term 2, it’s a perfect time to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together in the first semester here at the Pasco Campus.

Year 10 Camp

This term, our Year 10s had the unforgettable opportunity to attend camp in Queensland, staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying some fun-filled days at the famous theme parks. From the thrills of Dreamworld’s roller coasters to the adventure-filled Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Sea World, it was a week full of excitement, laughter and bonding.

The camp not only gave students the chance to step outside their usual classroom environment but also allowed them to work together as a team in new and unfamiliar settings. Whether they were navigating the queues or cheering each other on during the rides, the students demonstrated excellent teamwork, resilience and a great sense of fun. This experience is sure to be one they remember fondly for years to come!

We would like to extend our thanks to Iolanda Diamantis and her Student Leaders in running a fun trivia evening for us on camp. We would like to thank the following teachers for the warmth and care they brought with them to our Queensland camp - we appreciate them giving up their own personal time to be away from their families with our students on camp: Isla Jamieson, Dusko Preradovic, Tom Gentry, Jonathan Watson, Beth Richardson, Cam Mellor, Hannah Erasmus, Ben Cork, Iolanda Diamantis, Alanah Meilak, Nils Heymann, Michael Patchell, Alison Duffy, Tim Wraight and Ash Lubicz.

Work experience

One of the key highlights of Term 2 was the work experience program. Our students were fortunate to spend time in various industries getting a first-hand look at the world of work.

Through this program, students not only gained practical skills but also learnt valuable lessons about responsibility, professionalism and the realities of different careers. Many students came back feeling inspired and more confident in making decisions about their future pathways. For others, it may have made them consider a change in direction from what was already considered. We were especially impressed by the maturity and dedication shown in their work placements.

The following are some reflections based on the experiences had by some of our students:

Lucas Tilkeridis

Ozanam House is a crisis accommodation service that provides short-term housing to single adults who are homeless. The accommodation service consists of 134 units where people can stay up to twelve months until they access long term suitable housing. The site also has a drop in service called “The Homelessness Resource Centre” that provides basic amenities and support to rough sleepers and disadvantaged people in the community. Services include: bathrooms, laundries, storage bays, and access to health and support services. The site provides over 90,000 meals per year through its commercial kitchen, and heavily relies on donations and volunteers. There are a total of 78 employees for the site ranging from case managers, engagement workers, councilors in drug and alcohol mental health, and housing support workers.

During my placement, I spent a significant period of time working in the catering program to support the kitchen in the preparation of meals. This included working with cooks and volunteers to prepare and serve meals, cleaning and organizing the inventory in the dry store and fridge areas. I also supported the community development worker to establish an activities calendar and to circulate the published posters across the site. The Community Development role also required me to engage with volunteers on a daily basis to assist with their roles. For example, I supported Gary, who runs the gardening program to prepare and operate his weekly class. Finally, I worked closely with the Office Administrator, to fulfill key administrative functions which included filing, sorting of documents, and developing a more efficient storage system for PPE and stationary. Throughout my placement, I also met with key staff and management to familiarize myself with their roles and responsibilities.

Zoe Birch

During my Year 10 work experience, I had the opportunity to work with Tim Watts, the local MP for Gellibrand. It was a valuable experience where I learned a lot about the inner goings on of a political office. I saw firsthand how the pace can shift quickly from calm to busy, and I assisted with a range of tasks including admin work and graphic design. One of the highlights was creating an Instagram post to help promote local Art Grants. It was a great insight into both the fast-paced world of politics and the behind the scenes teamwork that keeps everything running.

Jack Watson

I worked at sjbdesign.co . It is my family friend's business and I worked with Joc. He owns his own business and specialises in carpentry and cabinet making.

We went to bunnings alot, to get wood and cut it to length. We needed it for the skirting boards for the bedrooms of the house we were working on, we also made cabinets like wardrobes for the rooms. We put up wall boards on the walls of the rooms to make it look better. We had to cut the boards in the front yard on tressels because they were big and didn't fit in the backyard. We used many tools like a multi tool, drill, staple gun and many different types of saws. Overall it was a great experience and I gained a wide range of skills and I really enjoyed working with Joc.

Our students will finish the term looking at their Career Action Plan in the lead up to next term and subject selection. Please make sure that you keep the following dates free:

• Evening of 31 July for Year 10 into 11 Course Selection Information Evening

• Day of 21 August for Year 10 into 11 Course Counselling Day

If you do not have a physical calendar at home please use this one in the link below. We also have some remaining calendars at the front office if you want to collect a hardcopy.

https://willihigh.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/WHS-A3-Term-Planner-2025-PROOF.pdf

Exams across all subjects for the first time

The last few weeks were crucial for revising and solidifying knowledge in preparation for exams. This is the first time that students have had exams in all subjects. In response to student feedback, in Term 3 we are looking forward to working with our alumni students to hold workshops on effective study and understanding best class practices to achieve success.

Respectful Relationships curriculum

We know this is a very tricky time in the lives of our young people as they get a sense of who they are and the direction they are taking. As Year 10 YLCs we have been working closely with Alanah Mielak (our youth worker), Darcy Murphy (our school nurse) and Ann Gollar (our wellbeing coordinator) in developing a curriculum and incursions that respond to the current needs of our cohort.

We are also part of the Hobsons Bay Network, where we contribute and source information and organisations to support our young people. If you are not aware, there is a Hobsons Bay Youth Service upstairs in the library at Newport. They provide lots of after-school and holiday programs for young people and also provide counseling services. They have lots of information and are always welcoming to young people and their families seeking advice.

• This term we had an incredible Respectful Relationships incursion from Tomorrow Woman and Tomorrow Man, and will continue with reinforcing the messages of that day and unpacking it even more next term.

• We ask that you continue to monitor your child's digital platform. If you have concerns, the eSafety commissioner website has lots of information to support parents, carers and victims. They have many free webinars to navigate this area. It is important to build your knowledge of this online world your child is part of so you know how to support them or their friends when things go wrong. You can also seek support and report online bullying or abuse. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

• Next term we have organised a workshop incursion on vaping run by highly engaging presenters from Barwon Health. Alanah and Darcy are also developing some additional supports next term.

• We highly recommend this free six-week program sponsored by Hobsons Bay Council. It is about building connection, improving communication and supporting your child when resolving conflict. If you want to take advantage of this program for free, please apply here: https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Community-services/Young-People/Resources-for-Parents-Families/Tuning-in-to-Teens
  There are some spaces available in Term 4. Further information is available on the website Tuning Into Teens.

Naidoc Week

We would like to thank Ben Jolley for organising an amazing presenter for our Year 10s as part of our Naidoc Week celebration. Danica Pederson discussed her experiences as an Indigenous athlete, the transition from being in the military to becoming a police officer, her cultural identity, inclusion in sport and the significance of the upcoming indigenous round (June 28th 2025):
https://www.playhq.com/public/profile/2db1eae5-687c-4e69-b7c6-ad4d550777f0/statistics

Her story can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA8HP6dZiWY

Award winners & student achievements

We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students in the recent Celebration Assembly. Congratulations to the following award winners:

A special congratulations to Madi Harris, Chloe Haugh, Sophia Minh, Daniel Kettle, Sona Lamba, Mia Polidano, Ben Symmonds, Alexandra Trigger and James Vartuli for achieving 100 percent attendance so far this year. Your commitment to being present and engaged in all aspects of school life is commendable.

Classroom teacher recognition

Teachers have recognised one student in each of their classes this term, commending their focus on academic growth and support for a positive classroom culture:

To finish off, we want to thank our fantastic wellbeing coordinator, Ann Gollar, who is retiring at the end of this term. She has not only been an incredible support to students but also to staff and a guiding rock to us Year Level Coordinators to lean on. She has really supported both of us as we joined the Pasco Campus this year and last. We hope she enjoys her well-deserved break and we will miss her presence. We will also miss Lottie.

Good luck with your studies and enjoy the well-deserved break at the end of the term. Keep striving for excellence and take pride in all that you’ve achieved!

Chris Blattman and Isabella O’Malley

Year 10 Coordinators

Year 11 Update

After a two-week break filled with exams, things got a little too quiet for Mr Rodda and myself - we genuinely missed seeing our Year 11s around campus! So, to mark their return and celebrate those who have well and truly locked in to their learning, we hosted a special assembly featuring the grand reveal of our Lock Smith Prize Wheel.

This exciting addition comes with an array of awesome prizes for our Lock Smith Award recipients such as Churgers, JB Hi-Fi vouchers, Sun Theatre vouchers, and canteen treats. But we didn’t stop there... The YLC team decided to raise the stakes. That’s right, we added a water balloon toss at Ms Walker and the chance to give Mr Rodda a haircut to the prize pool!

Our most recent Lock Smith Award winner, Mischa Johnston, was the first to spin the wheel and you wouldn’t believe it but Mischa will be launching water balloons at Ms. Walker - what a moment! Our second winner, Francis Bond, earned his spot in the spotlight after delivering a powerful and passionate speech at the Wynspeak Public Speaking Competition. While he didn’t take out the top prize, Francis impressed the judges so much that he was personally awarded the Annual Encouragement Award by the Wynspeak Chair for his exceptional potential as a public speaker.

As part of his Lock Smith prize, Francis spun the wheel and landed the golden opportunity to give Mr Rodda a haircut of his choice!

To mark this monumental moment in Year 11 history, we’re hosting a sausage sizzle celebration on Tuesday, 1 July, at lunchtime. Join us for some sizzling snacks and to witness the epic balloon and haircut showdown!

Important Reminders

• Year 11 into 12 Course Selections are due 2 July. Students must use their personal code to submit preferences for their 2026 VCE subjects. If you’re unsure about your options or future pathways, please speak with the YLC team or connect with our Careers Leader, Anna Bovdis, for guidance.
  
  

• Uniform Reminder: As the weather cools down, please ensure students are wearing the correct school uniform. Approved jumpers, spray jackets and pants are essential. Non-uniform items (like tracksuit pants or incorrect shoes) may result in students receiving a YLC consequence. For full details, visit the school website.

Congratulations, Year 11!

We want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the entire Year 11 cohort for successfully completing their Unit 1 studies. Semester 1 was a challenging journey, but students approached it with resilience, focus and dedication. The Unit 1 trial exams provided valuable preparation for the road ahead, and we’re so proud of everything our students have achieved.

Here’s to a fantastic Term 2 filled with growth, celebration and momentum as we dive into Unit 2!

Jaslyn Walker and Angus Rodda - The Year 11 Team

As the Year 12s pull themselves blearily from the Learning Pit™ at the end of Term 2, they can look back and know that they have effectively broken the back of the VCE. With nine weeks of Term 3 to finish off the content for their classes, and then only a couple of weeks before exams start in Term 4, they are well and truly past the halfway mark.

As the content for Unit 3 came to a close, the Class of 2025 managed to summon up one more burst of energy for a week of trial exams. These serve as an important revision exercise, as well as giving students a taste of what the end of the year will be like. It was great to see so many students engaging with the opportunity enthusiastically; the feedback from this process will help the real version run that much more smoothly.

One thing that has helped move the students through is our ever growing list of films! Despite some (unkind, uncharitable) suggestions that the selections reflected poorly on the age and taste of the coordinators, we have managed to continue to chart the Year 12 journey with the use of some fine examples of Australian, Hollywood and World cinema, including:

• But I’m A Cheerleader, with its focus on LGBTQI relationships, chosen to mark IDAHOBIT;

• Bastardy and All My Friends Are Racist to celebrate Reconciliation Week

• Terminator 2, to remind students as they started Unit 4 that sometimes the sequel can be better than the original

Our penultimate film of the term, Carrie, was chosen in relief that the Formal went off without a hitch! Undoubtedly the social highlight of the term, the Year 12s impressed with their style, dance moves and…punctuality at the Medallion Club. Although it’s bizarre to see students without uniform on, it was great to have such a positive, inclusive night.

Another highlight of the term has involved our homegroups taking responsibility for the Acknowledgements to Country in our weekly assemblies. It has been a great chance to hear some different perspectives: we have been fortunate enough to learn about Mabo Day and the 1967 referendum; hear some poetry; and reflect on the different places around Williamstown that hold significance for the original custodians of this land.

One more full term to go!

David Urwin and Ian Hume

It’s been a busy and productive Term 2 for students at Pasco Campus! Over the past few weeks, students have been working hard to complete their major assessments for Semester 1, including their CATs (Common Assessment Tasks), SACs (School-Assessed Coursework), and SATs (School-Assessed Tasks).

Between June 2 and June 13, students also sat their end-of-semester and Unit 3 trial exams. While these particular exams don’t count toward their final results, they offer valuable practice and help students get used to the exam environment—an important step as they prepare for Year 12.

On Tuesday, June 17, all students enrolled in VCE and VCE VET Units 3&4 subjects, along with senior VCE VM students, took part in the General Achievement Test (GAT). The GAT helps ensure that students’ school and external assessments are marked fairly and consistently across the state. It also includes literacy and numeracy sections to check that students are meeting the expected standards by the end of their schooling.

For many, this was their first official VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) exam, and it was great to see how seriously they approached it. Students showed real responsibility in preparing—whether it was learning the rules ahead of time or making sure they had all the right equipment on the day.

Yr 10 Sports Science - Fitness Testing

During Term 2, our Year 10 Sports Science students participated in a series of fitness testing activities conducted by METS Performance Consulting. These sessions were part of their Training Programs unit, in which students design personalised training programs informed by their understanding of fitness components, training methods and training principles.

This hands-on experience provided students with an engaging opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a practical setting. It was a highly enjoyable and educational experience for all involved.

Year 11 Outdoor and Environment Studies - Grampians Camp

The Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies group recently completed an expedition to the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. Students hiked to Mount Stapylton, Mount Hollow, Mount Zero and the Pinnacles, taking in the region’s natural beauty and diverse landscapes.

Camping at Stapylton Campground, the group visited nearby Aboriginal rock shelters featuring artwork that dates back over 40,000 years. This experience provided valuable insight into the cultural and environmental significance of the region.

Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies

Recently, the Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies group partnered with Parks Victoria to support a coastal restoration project at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary. As part of their hands-on learning experience, students planted over 30 native saltbush plants to help stabilise the eroding banks and protect the coastline.

During the excursion, students also had the opportunity to observe the aftermath of a recent planned burn carried out by the Bunurong Land Council. These activities provided valuable insights into land management practices and directly supported their learning in Unit 2, Area of Study 1: Understanding Outdoor Environments.

Yr 11 PE - Acute Responses to Exercise

As part of their studies in Unit 1, Area of Study 2: What role does the cardiorespiratory system play in movement?, the Year 11 Physical Education students recently participated in a series of practical activities, including the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and a game of basketball.

Students wore heart rate monitors throughout the session to collect real-time data, which they later analysed to investigate key acute responses such as heart rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation.

A special congratulations to Josh Longshaw, who achieved an impressive score of 17.2 on the Yo-Yo Test. Well done to all students for their enthusiastic participation and insightful analysis.

Yr 12 PE - VO2 max & Wingate testing

The Year 12 Physical Education class recently conducted and analysed two key fitness assessments – the VO₂ Max Test and the Wingate Anaerobic Test – as part of their studies in Unit 3, Area of Study 2: How the Body Produces Energy. These tests provided students with valuable insights into the different energy systems used during physical activity.

A special congratulations goes to Hunter Mace and Tyler Young, who achieved outstanding, elite-level results in their respective tests. Well done to all students for their active participation and thoughtful analysis.

It has been a busy and exciting semester in the Technology subjects at Bayview Campus. Students have been engaging deeply with the design process across a range of technologies, while also developing their skills in using tools safely and effectively. Their creativity has truly shone through in the variety and quality of their work.

Year 7 students have explored several areas of technology and produced an impressive range of projects. In Textiles, they created felted doorstops, designed personalised bags, and silk-screened pillow covers. In Wood, students crafted chopping boards based on their own designs and constructed light boxes.

Year 8 students have continued building on their knowledge in Food and Horticulture, developing skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom. In Food, they have designed and prepared pizzas, afternoon teas and healthy breakfast muffins. In Horticulture, they’ve worked in the school gardens, created signage, propagated plants and constructed window pots. Students have also explored their interests through Year 8 electives. In Game Design, they developed playable 2D games while learning about the impact of microtransactions and loot boxes. Holdfast Café students produced a variety of delicious café-style recipes and refined their food presentation skills.

Year 9 students have been applying themselves with enthusiasm in their elective subjects, taking their knowledge and creativity to new levels. In Horticulture, they designed and built “bee hotels” to support the environment. Product Design (Wood) students used modern technologies to create unique clocks, lolly dispensers and trinket boxes. In Food Technology, students experimented with fusion pies and developed concepts for food trucks. The Iron Chef elective had students baking and creating pastries using seasonal ingredients. In the STEAM Synergy program, students visited Wyndham Tech School to explore advanced technology systems, where they designed 3D game worlds and built gas-powered F1 cars. In ICT, students created computer applications and examined the societal impacts of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Textiles students produced mixed media wall art and began garment construction projects.

As we approach the new semester, students will rotate into new technology subjects, gaining fresh skills and exploring new areas of interest. There is much to look forward to in Technology, and we’re excited to see what our students will achieve next.

Daniel Marshall

Technology Leader - Bayview Campus

It has been a busy and productive semester in the Technology area at Pasco. We have seen many students approaching these subjects in a dedicated and focused manner, spending many additional hours in these spaces completing outstanding work.

In the Food area, the Year 10s had the exciting opportunity to visit Sebastian Restaurant in Williamstown as part of their food studies curriculum. The excursion offered a behind-the-scenes look into the workings of a professional hospitality venue, leaving students both impressed and inspired. They met and heard from the restaurant manager and chef, who shared valuable insights into the daily operations of the successful business.

The manager spoke about the importance of sourcing seafood ethically and sustainably, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Students also learned about the Basque influences behind the menu and the team’s focus on nurturing a positive, supportive work culture. The chef highlighted how investing in staff training was key to maintaining high standards and encouraging long-term careers in hospitality.

Students enjoyed a guided tour of the stunning waterfront restaurant and its commercial kitchen, even sampling some Basque inspired cuisine. This excursion was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real world industry practices, and many left feeling more motivated than ever to pursue their own culinary goals.

Additionally, Food students have enjoyed collecting produce from our very own grounds, learning at a focused barista coffee making workshop and working together to create nutritional and healthy meals.

In Wood and Resistant Materials, students in all year levels have enjoyed the investment in new technologies within the area. The Year 10s had the opportunity to work with these innovative tools, creating personalised designs with the CNC router using resin inlay to highlight their designs. The laser cutter was also used to engrave multiple materials within the design process, allowing innovation and creativity. The school’s focus in these areas has provided a chance for students to work with cutting-edge, industry standard technology.

The Year 11s have been working on designing a storage unit and using computer aided design programs such as Fusion 360 to develop their designing skills. These projects are highlighted in the attached photos.

Across in Fashion and Textiles, students have been involved in real life design and production tasks. Year 10s made a wearable, functional product - in this case a pair of jeans. Unit 1 students have been honing their design and illustration skills while Unit 3 students worked diligently on their School Assessed Task, creating a substantial body of work that responds to a real life situation in a creative and innovative manner. This space encourages students to work within their own time and many students have been enjoying this extended access to these spaces to ensure their work is at the highest possible standard.

Semester 1 has been full of collaboration in the Arts at the Bayview Campus. Students across all year levels have embraced a wide range of artistic challenges, both in and out of the classroom.

Our Dance students enjoyed a memorable excursion to the Arts Centre Melbourne to watch a VCE Dance Showcase, offering them inspiration and insight into senior-level performance. Art Club has continued to run every Thursday lunchtime, giving students a fun and relaxed space to explore their creativity.

Our Arts Leaders are currently finalising an exciting competition that will invite students to decorate our wellbeing spaces - an initiative that aims to bring warmth, colour and student voice into shared areas of the school. We encourage everybody to take part.

In Visual Arts, Year 7s have been working on paper mâché creations, while Year 8s have put a modern twist on a classic by designing their own Mona Lisa adaptations. Year 9 students have continued building their skills across a range of disciplines including Art, Visual Communication Design, Media, Dance, Drama and Music.

We also welcomed two new staff to the Arts team this semester: Ms Johnstone in Visual and Performing Arts, and Mr Jones in Drama. We’re excited to see what Semester 2 will bring!

Semester one Humanities at Willy High School has been both engaging and educational across all year levels. Each year group had unique, hands-on experiences that brought history and geography to life beyond the classroom.

For Year 7 students, the virtual reality experience has been well received across the year level. It allowed students to explore ancient civilizations in an immersive way, making it easier to visualise what life was like in the past. Seeing historical structures and environments through VR helped deepen our understanding and made learning more interactive and enjoyable.

In Year 8, our excursion to Kryal Castle brought medieval history to life. Walking through the castle grounds, seeing the jousting demonstration, and interacting with historical reenactments gave us a real sense of life in the Middle Ages. It connected well with our studies of feudalism and medieval society, helping us understand the roles and daily lives of people from that time.

In Year 9, those classes studying history had the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Remembrance, which was a powerful and reflective experience. Learning about Australia’s military history in such a significant and symbolic place made the impact of past conflicts feel much more real. The stories of soldiers and the symbolism of the Shrine helped us reflect on the sacrifices made during war and deepened our understanding of Australia's national identity.

Overall, Semesterone has shown how Humanities can be explored in dynamic and meaningful ways. These excursions and experiences have made learning about history and geography just more informative and memorable.

It’s been an exciting start to 2025 for students studying humanities courses with our dedicated teachers providing even more opportunities for students to examine the world around them.

It was particularly exciting for our VCE Geography students who attended the inaugural Geography Camp in Anglesea during Term 1 to conduct some vital fieldwork. This overnight experience allowed students to see first-hand the impact of soil erosion, speak to a guest from Ecologic, conduct surveys and go for bushwalks where they encountered jumping jack ants along the way. The Year 12 class also conducted some fieldwork closer to home, by measuring land use change and urban renewal in Altona North.

Late in Term 2, our VCE Legal Studies students again had the opportunity to head into the city and visit the courts in order to witness the justice system in action. Our Year 11 class went to the Supreme Court, where after an excellent question and answer session with Judge Elliot they sat in on some expert testimony taking place during a murder trial. The next day the Year 12s visited the County Court where Judge Rosen regaled the class with tales from their career, before sitting in on a matter involving the attempted recovery of the alleged proceeds of crime. Both classes left the courts with a deeper appreciation of the realities of the justice system.

Well done to Pasco and Bayview students as we wrap up term 2 with final assessments, exams and reports. I encourage all students to use this time over the break, to recognise the progress they’ve made and to set their goals for the second half of the year.

The term break also offers the perfect chance for students to dive into next term’s English class texts or catch up on reading of their own choice. Just 10 minutes (let’s aim for 20!) of reading a day can make a big difference in comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence. Check in with your child and /or their English teacher about the class text being studied next term.

The Principal’s Writing Competition is now well underway! The theme this year is Lost and Found and we’re entering the exciting phase where students are editing and conferencing their pieces. Just a reminder that it is not too late to get started or join the Creative Writing Club to work on your ideas. We’ve had a number of budding authors at the Bayview Wednesday Creative Writing Club, and this will continue into Term 3.

Keep a look out for a Persuasive Writing Masterclass happening early next term if you want to take your persuasive speech entry to the next level. Why not join the Principal’s Writing Competition google classroom where information and writing strategies are shared? Ask our librarians Alice and Marnie or Mr R Clifford and Ms Lorenc for more details. There’s lots of great prizes to be won and the closing date for entries has been extended to the end of week 7, term 3.

We look forward to seeing the creative energy and inspiration continue next term. Until then, happy reading and writing — and enjoy a well-earned break.

There has been significant public discussion and media coverage recently regarding the Victorian Government's extension of payroll tax to non-government schools. The tax will be applied to school who charge more than $15,000 per year for tuition. One widely circulated piece by The Age’s education editor, Noel Towell, titled “‘This tax will break them’: The private schools about to be slugged with huge bills”, focused heavily on the financial burden for these schools.

While those concerns have merit, it’s important to consider the broader implications for our public education system, particularly issues of funding equity and the realignment of public priorities.

For example, comparisons made between payroll tax obligations and only the state government’s contribution to private schools can be misleading. The Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) is funded through a negotiated blend of federal and state contributions, and that funding arrangement also shapes how GST is distributed back to states. Omitting that broader context risks skewing public understanding of how much support schools, including private schools, actually receive.

Take one school, referenced in the article, according to MySchool data, in 2023 the school received approximately $5.7 million in total government funding, not the sub-$1 million figure cited in the article. Non-government schools have also benefited from capital works support through the Victorian School Building Authority. These facts illustrate the importance of transparency when discussing school funding.

It’s also worth noting that all Victorian government schools are subject to payroll tax, just as some private schools will be. Public schools must compete with their non-government counterparts to attract and retain staff. And thanks to multiple funding streams, many non-government schools offer lower student–teacher ratios, more support staff, and higher salaries, making them highly desirable workplaces for teachers.

This brings us to a deeper structural issue. As pointed out in the book “Waiting for Gonski: How Australia Failed Its Schools” by Tom Greenwell and Chris Bonnor, Australia doesn’t face a teacher shortage so much as a teacher misdistribution. Their analysis reveals that non-government schools have an excess of approximately 7,000 teachers, while government schools face a shortage of roughly the same number.

Seen through this lens, payroll tax is not merely a revenue tool; it also represents a modest step toward levelling the education playing field. If private schools factor payroll tax into their staffing costs, it may reduce the competitive advantage they hold over under-resourced government schools when recruiting staff.

Ultimately, this debate isn’t about class warfare. it’s about equity, sustainability, and fair competition for limited public resources. The aspiration to choose a school shouldn’t come with an invisible public subsidy or contribute to deepening divides in teacher access and school quality.

That’s enough from the soap box, now for some fun stuff. I’m very excited that the school production is almost upon us, this year it is the iconic Broadway musical; “A Chorus Line”. I know it’s a favourite of many and I can’t wait to see it

This production showcases the incredible talents of our students across acting, singing, dancing, music, and backstage production. A heartfelt thank you to the cast, crew, staff, and volunteers who have poured their energy and creativity into bringing this show to life. Your dedication continues to make the performing arts a vibrant part of our school culture.

The performance dates and ticketing details are:
Tuesday 22 July – Saturday 26 July 2025
Venue: Centenary Theatre, 71 Railway Place, Williamstown
Tickets: Available now via TryBooking

I hope everyone has a great holiday. Parents and carers, I know managing work, life and school holidays can be a challenge, but in a blink of an eye they won’t want us around. So I hope you all can take some time out and enjoy a break.

Next meeting:

Tuesday 29 July, 7.30pm @ Bayview campus and online

Guest speakers – Simone Barlow and Lazarus Kong, Inclusion Leaders at Paso and Bayview Campuses

Guest speakers from within the school community at PFA meetings give real insights into the work, research and preparation that goes into the teaching and support of WHS students.

Two of WHS’s learning specialists, Grace Robertson and Glenn Kellam, spoke at the PFA meeting in June. They explained how the learning specialists work with teachers to identify and target needs at both ends of the ability range of students. The learning specialist team incorporate numerous elements such as student feedback and the new Victorian Teaching and Learning model to focus on effective teaching strategies. Many thanks to Grace and Glenn for their interesting and comprehensive presentation.

PFA funding new school sport uniforms

The PFA has received funding requests from the PFA department, for new sets of matching sports uniforms for students to wear during interschool competitions. Available uniforms are currently mis-matched and in limited sizes, so the PFA is very pleased to fund new reversible basketball singles, netball singlets and junior soccer tops. This is in addition to funding within the last 12 months of AFL tops and multi-purchase tops/socks. These new uniforms will benefit many students over the years ahead and help them perform with pride in smart WHS uniforms.

Refreshments at school musical

The school musical production of A Chorus Line is coming up in July, and the PFA is very pleased to assist the drama department by running the canteen before the shows and during interval.

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