Welcome to this month’s edition of the W-Files. Term 1 has flown by with a range of exciting learning experiences and extracurricular activities occurring on both campuses. Our respective year level coordinators and homegroup teachers, in particular, have been actively delivering a range of activities and initiatives to increase students’ connectedness to Williamstown High School, strengthen friendships and impact positively on student wellbeing.

Personally, I’m looking forward to competing against the Year 8s in their homegroup footy tipping competition. I also enjoyed presenting academic awards at a recent Year 12 assembly to our high achieving students who undertook an accelerated Year 12 subject when they were in Year 11. It is worth noting that three of our current Year 12 students achieved a maximum study score of 50 in their subject last year.

Highlights thus far this term have been our whole-school Athletics Carnival, Harmony Day, International Women’s Day and the World’s Greatest Shave. School tours have also taken place with demand for a place at WHS reaching record levels - a fantastic reflection on our wonderful school community, made up of fantastic staff, highly engaged and supportive families, and exceptional students. Many other activities, such as the Immersion Program showcase, breakfast and alumni clubs, sports, debating, camps, incursions and excursions, among others, have been held as well. Please enjoy reading about some of these events and the photos taken of them in this edition of the W-Files.

Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics Carnival is one of two events on the calendar where we bring both campuses together as a whole school (the Town Hall Assembly being the other). This has truly become so much more than the sporting events alone, with Year 12 dress-ups, students in house colours, a musical showcase, a World’s Greatest Shave event and a real bonding and celebratory vibe.

Students engaged in a range of activities on the day and were treated to a complimentary barbeque sausage, which was well received by all. Once again, I would like to congratulate the students on their behaviour and school/house spirit displayed throughout the day and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with a large number of friendly, colourful and respectful members of our student cohort

School Council elections

I am pleased to announce the 2025 members of the WHS School Council. The Department of Education positions are occupied by new council members Clayton Warren, Corrine Hall, Karen Anderson and returning member Daniel Pearce. Joining our returning parent representatives, Aaron Hunt, Karen O’Duil, Blake Taylor and Steph Viljoen, are newly elected and also returning parent members Kane Harnden, Jake Mansfield and Natalie Blurt. We also warmly welcome our newly elected student representatives, Chloe Hodgman (Year 12) and Sienna Azad (Year 9).

I would like to thank all parents, students and staff for engaging positively in the nomination process. In recent years, we have also welcomed at our meetings student leaders and a Parents and Friends representative member, Elizabeth Cushion, who attend to provide reports from their associated teams.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Kane Harnden, who has been nominated and elected as our School Council president for this year. Steph Viljoen has accepted the role as vice president and Karen O’Duil will commence in the position as treasurer.

Campus improvements

As previously mentioned, this year we have a significant focus on updating our external environments.

Significant work is currently underway at Pasco. This includes major works for access ramps (due to be completed by the end of this term); two new futsal courts (entrance asphalting was recently completed and the courts are now accessible for students to enjoy); as well as our Q Block internal and external upgrade (these works will occur over the next six to nine months, with planning to minimise student and staff impact currently underway). Plans to upgrade the Year 11 upstairs courtyard, update Pasco grounds seating and replace “old” asphalt will be the next stage of our Pasco improvement work.

At Bayview, students and staff are enjoying our new sensory/collaboration pod recently installed in the Bayview library; the slab for our new covered outdoor cafeteria is currently being laid; quotes and plans for a futsal court are being finalised (with the intention to begin construction in Term 2); and upgraded front entrance fencing and boom gate is being installed (to improve both appearance and student safety around vehicle access areas). We are also looking to update and improve our A and B Wing student toilets as well as introduce a new accessible toilet (with the recent allocation of funds from a grant application). Plans for increased seating, gaga ball pits (and/or other outdoor activity facilities) and also replacing some “old” asphalt areas will be the next stage of our Bayview improvement work.

Curriculum Day

Our recent Curriculum Day saw staff come together to work collaboratively on our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC), learning intentions and success criteria. These are not necessarily new areas for us to work on, but with recent Victorian Curriculum updated requirements, a great opportunity for our staff to collaborate, review and reflect.

The day began with the teaching and learning leaders, Matt Grose, Grace Robertson, Glenn Kellam and Sarah Barry, taking the staff through some discussion and activities to deliver both a clear shared understanding of learning intentions and success criteria, as well delivering activities for staff on how they can be effectively incorporated throughout lessons to maximise the clarity and depth of student learning. Our curriculum leaders, Hannah Vu and Clayton Warren, then spent the afternoon leading staff in reviewing and improving current curriculum resources.

Staff were greatly engaged and appreciative of the time allocated for this work that will now lead to enhanced classroom experiences for all.

Wishing all families and staff a restful break leading into a busy and exciting Term 2.

Hold fast.

Gino Catalano

Dear parents and carers

Delineations in time can prompt reflection, like when a term concludes. We intend that our Parent Teacher Student Conferences and feedback on learning, to date, will have students leaving for the term break feeling confident about progress. Interim reports and PTSC are key means of understanding where students are at, which allows us to plan for further learning and improvement. Term 1 Living and Learning Goals have hopefully been set by students on page 10 of the homegroup student resource; page 11 is for recording progress. Please speak with your child about the content on these pages before Term 2 commences. Goals for Term 2 can be set on page 34.

You may also have noticed that Positive Acknowledgements in Compass now reflect our values:

• Creativity and Excellence: demonstrated excellence and creativity in achievement and ambition

• Integrity and Honesty: shown integrity and honesty in their actions and/or relationships

• Diversity and Inclusion: been a positive role model, demonstrating inclusiveness

• Strong and Open Communication: displayed strong and open communication

• Commitment: exhibited a commitment to social justice and contributed towards a positive school culture

In our interactions and work with students as teachers and staff, it is important to explain why we take the actions we do. Dialogue of this nature can help to develop and confirm understandings and allow meaningful ‘re-teaching’, when required.

We trust your child has received positive acknowledgement from a teacher or staff member during this term - in person, via the homegroup student resource, via Compass or other means.

Our learning environment

The recent Curriculum Day saw teachers working on our Year 7-12 guaranteed and viable curriculum (work of US education researcher Robert Marzano and adopted by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority [VCAA]). In essence, this approach confirms the knowledge and skills that all students have the opportunity to learn and develop regardless of the class and teacher. Scope and sequence allows learning to be built upon, year after year. Aligning content to VCAA Victorian Curriculum P-10 2.0 allows full analysis and evaluation of what we are currently teaching - an exciting and challenging task for teachers.

We hope that if you ask your child what they learnt at school today that a thorough and clear response can be provided! Please contact the school if further information is required.

Our physical environment

Term 1 saw the replacement of the ramp to our mental health practitioner workspace (formerly Dobsons opposite reception); fencing/a gate along Bayview Street and around the reception carpark to improve safety and use; and the beginnings of a covered outdoor eating area for students adjoining the canteen. During Term 2, work will begin on the addition of a disabled toilet in A Wing, the result of a grant application the school made to the Victorian School Building Authority.

In early 2022, the school contacted Hobsons Bay City Council about adding pedestrian crossing points on Bayview Street. Finding a spot to cross the street can be challenging with the hundreds of students cycling to and from school each day. HBCC secured a Transport Accident Commission Infrastructure Grant for the project and has shared proposals with local residents. If the timeline unfolds as planned, safer crossing points will be ready for our students to use towards the end of this year.

For safety of all and effiiciency, if you are driving your child to/from school, please adhere to the 40km/h speed limit and use the 10 minute parking spaces and not the bus bay.

Our recent End of Clean Up Report from Clean Up Australia Day was highly productive and pleasing to see a reduction in the use of single use plastics. Please provide ‘nude’ food for your child wherever possible, to reduce this even further. Thank you to parents/carers who joined us for this. Our Environmental leader at Bayview, teacher Riedwaan Nassiep, has commenced working with homegroups each day during the 12 minute lesson to keep their areas litter free. As this program grows, it will involve education and hopefully ResourceSmart Schools Star Certification - for more information: https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/our-work/resourcesmart-schools

Staff farewells and welcomes

Tom Jones is due to take leave for the first four weeks of term and Ann Dennis, English and Drama teacher, will be teaching these classes.

Helen Bacon is due to take leave for Term 2 and we have rearranged classes so that current Visual Arts teachers will pick up where the students are at next term. Michelle Jepsen is due to return from leave - we thank Leigh Thomson from Pasco and Amanda Casey for teaching these classes during Term 1. Amy Curran will continue to take leave and Ally Hutchings will continue teaching the students next term.

We are in the process of developing our timetable and assigning teachers to these classes and this will be communicated via Compass.

We are currently in the Iuk season of the Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar, as described by Woiwurrung traditions - Eel Season. As I write, I can hear a bird repeating its call - not the usual crow we hear most loudly. I will consult our ornithologically inclined Science teachers and will find out the type of bird before the next edition!

Kind regards

Karen Anderson

It has been a fantastic start to the year with a wonderful range of events over Term 1 that have been thoroughly enjoyed by students and staff. The Year 12 camp was a great success, and we can see the information about study habits and work ethic being lived by our Year 12 students each day as they set the example for the campus and commit to their studies. This hard work and commitment is clearly evident at both the alumni tutoring sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the VCE masterclasses that have been offered to VCE students in all years.

Student Leadership

The student leadership team has been doing some great work around the campus to make school life fun, enjoyable and inclusive. Breakfast club has become a huge hit with many students dropping in to grab a bite to eat before classes. Rumour has it the best ham and cheese toasted muffins are to be found at the Pasco Campus. We’ve had several ‘out of uniform’ days, which are always popular with students, and the Harmony Day barbeque was a good fundraiser and provided a chance for students to enjoy spending time together. To finish off the term we’ve got the Staff vs Student Netball game - the student team currently hold the title but I’m sure the staff will put up a better fight this year!

Academic Enhancement

As mentioned earlier, the Alumni Club has been running on Mondays and Wednesdays. We have eight wonderful tutors available to help all students. We’ve had between 50-100 students attending and accessing the extra support. It’s a great way for students to prepare for assessments and practise new learning with some extra guidance. Our VCE masterclasses are well attended, with more than 90 students at the English masterclass in Week 7, which was presented by our head of English, past students and members of the English team. Congratulations to all who attended and thanks to the presenters. These extra supports can make a huge difference to academic outcomes, and I encourage families to discuss the benefits of attending with their children.

Debating

I had the pleasure of attending the second Interschool Debate this term. Our students were amazing, if you have never seen a debate, it’s an incredible experience. We hosted the event at the Bayview Campus with more than 100 participants from western suburbs schools. There were high levels of nervous energy prior to the commencement of the debate, as what seemed like frantic preparations and discussions on tactics and arguments to put forward were busily being made. This led into robust discussion and rebuttal. Our students were articulate, intelligent and persuasive as they negotiated topics on universal basic income and holding CEOs to account for data breaches. The level of respect between competitors was endearing and I am so proud of all our debating students. Congratulations!

Facilities

By the time you read this the futsal courts will be open for students. We look forward to adding seating and plants around the area in the coming months. The state government has also provided funding to schools to construct ramps to ensure better accessibility to rooms around the campus. We have been working closely with the Victorian School Building Authority and the government to expedite the process and have them finalised in the coming weeks. We are commencing major works on restoring our beloved Q Block to enhance our learning spaces there, particularly in the Arts and the staffroom.

I would like to thank families for supporting their children at WHS. Please ensure full school uniform is worn every day and continue to reach out to the school for support as you need. Have a safe and enjoyable break from school over the holiday period and we hope you arrive refreshed and ready to learn in Term 2.

Hold fast.

Daniel Pearce

Pasco Campus Principal

STEAM Immersive Media Creation Club

Williamstown High School is excited to introduce the 2025 STEAM Immersive Media Creation Club, open to Year 7-10 students. This hands-on program offers 26 places and will run at the Bayview Campus from Monday, 28 April (Term 2, Week 2), to the end of Term 3, every Monday after school from 3:05-4:30pm.

Hosted by Mindflight7, this program will immerse students in the world of Virtual Reality, 360-degree film, and interactive storytelling. Students will learn how to run a film set, use 360-degree cameras, plan interactive stories where the player decides the direction, and develop their own VR experiences. They will also gain experience using industry-standard software such as Adobe Premiere Pro (video editing), Photoshop (image editing), and Unity (game development).

Why Join?

Students interested in film production, video game design, emerging media or digital storytelling will gain valuable, real-world skills. They will experience first-hand how immersive media differs from traditional digital formats, learning to develop and structure interactive stories, coordinate film productions, and use professional-grade software.

Working individually and in teams, participants will create multiple Extended Reality (XR) experiences, from simple short 360-degree videos to fully interactive narratives. This is a unique opportunity to explore one of the fastest-growing areas in digital media while developing technical and creative skills.

Key Details:

Program Duration: 19 sessions across Terms 2 and 3

Cost: $60 per student

Commitment: Students are expected to attend all sessions as each lesson builds on previous skills.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore cutting-edge digital media, develop their storytelling abilities, and gain hands-on experience in a growing industry.

For more details, see the attached 2025 STEAM Club Flyer or contact Mr Clifford with any questions.

We look forward to seeing students bring their creativity to life in this exciting, future-focused program!

VR in Year 8 English

We are now in the second year of VR being embedded in Year 8 English, with students this year enhancing their analytical skills in preparation for their learning task on the film The Sapphires. Thank you to Teaching and Learning Leader Ms Sarah Barry, and all Year 8 English teachers.

STEAM Captains Club

The Year 8 STEAM Captains Club members have been meeting fortnightly on Thursdays across Term 1, and are a great help to the teachers who often access their expertise to assist others. And in a message for all, Willi High is looking into entering a Beat Sabre VR rhythm game championship - watch out for more news regarding that exciting competition soon!

2025 School Review

We are now in the final year of our 2022-25 School Strategic Plan, and therefore also in the year where we review our efforts to create the best possible teaching and learning environment for our community. In this review, we will be looking at a wide variety of data sources and taking feedback from the community to inform our direction for 2026-29. Please look out for our notices and opportunities to provide feedback throughout the latter part of the year.

Gavin Clifford
Strategic Assistant Principal

Broadband initiative extended

The School Student Broadband Initiative has been extended to offer eligible students and households free broadband internet at home until Friday, 30 June 2028.

Households already connected through SSBI, or with a voucher to do so:

Families and carers currently connected to the NBN network through the initiative will have their connection automatically extended with their participating internet provider until Friday 30 June 2028.

Eligible families and carers who already have a voucher to take part in SSBI should activate their free service with a participating internet provider as soon as possible. This voucher will become invalid once the cap is reached.

For all other households:

Please encourage families and carers who haven’t been assessed and may be eligible for SSBI to contact the NBN’s National Referral Centre for an assessment. If they are eligible, they will be sent a voucher to access free home internet until Friday, 30 June 2028. However, this voucher must be activated before the 30,000 cap is reached.

To be eligible for SSBI, families must:

• have a child living at home who is enrolled in an Australian school (up to Year 12 including Prep)

• not have an active NBN network internet service at home (excludes mobile internet services)

• not have had an active NBN connection during the previous 14 days

• live in a premises that can access the NBN network via a standard connection (NBN will confirm this)

For more information, refer to:

• School Student Broadband Initiative

• School Student Broadband Initiative: information for parents and carers

School building fund

As mentioned in Mr Catalano’s college principal’s report, we have recently installed a ‘sensory’ study pod in our Bayview library to support students with additional education needs and that’s all thanks to our families. Our Building Fund was used to purchase the pod and it’s already made a huge difference to the library space by providing a safe study area for our students with sensory needs. Please see photos of the pod below.

Families can contribute to our Building Fund via the Compass payment centre. Our Building Fund is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient so donors are able to claim their donation as a deduction at tax time. Families who have already donated, thank you. You will be able to download your DGR receipt from Compass.

Student ID cards

Student Compass ID cards will be arriving soon. They are used for:

• Exams

• Public transport applications

• ‘Tap’ for late pass

• ‘Tap’ for photocopying

Cards are $15 and can be purchased via Compass 2025 School Contributions or by cash/eftpos at reception. Students with paid student ID cards will receive their cards in homegroup when they arrive.

School Saving Bonus (SSB)

I hope that all our families have now received their SSB portal code and have begun utilising the initiative. For our families who intend to use the fund to purchase uniforms and textbooks, I encourage you to process this request and payment soon, as from 1 July any unspent amounts via the portal will automatically become a school activity credit for you to use on activities.

If you would like to use your funds for activities before 1 July, please log in to the portal and process the allocation to activities.

For families who have allocated a portion or all of their SSB funds to activities and have not yet used the funds for any activities, please proceed to the following link to advise the school which activities you’d like to allocate your funds to - https://forms.gle/23tS1GmsvXDf31h89

For more information on the SSB, including ‘how to’ guides, please head to the SSB webpage.

With each year in Term 1 we welcome a new cohort of students ready to embrace their time at Willi High and embark on their student journey. To all of our new families, I would like to welcome you to Williamstown High School.

With each new year we see a renewal of the School Council. We say farewell to our student council representatives Lachie Patterson and Nayimah Falzon; along with department representatives Alice Arablou, Andre Bernardi and David Child. I’d like to thank each of you for your commitment during your terms on School Council and your subcommittee contributions.

Continuing their terms are Aaron Hunt, Karen O’Duill, Blake Taylor and Steph Viljoen. Jake Mansfield, Natalie Burke and myself will be returning as parent representatives. Your student representatives for this year’s School Council will be Siena Azad and Chloe Hodgman. Each year at School Council, the executive positions are filled, and this year Steph Viljoen will return as Vice President, Karen O’Duill will be our new Treasurer, and I will continue as President.

In addition to parent and student representatives, we also have staff representatives. This year we welcome Corrine Hall and Warren Clayton and I thank Karen Anderson and Daniel Pearce for their continued support. In addition to voting members of council, we have Tess Duerden, school Business Manager and Leanne Ivory as Parents and Friends Association (PFA) representative attending meetings. Leanne is new to this role, and I’d like to thank Elizabeth Cushion for her contributions as the PFA representative over the last four years.

In addition to confirming new members, the most recent School Council meeting saw the tabling of Williamstown High School’s 2024 Annual Report to the School Community.

Some key areas of the Annual Report measure parent satisfaction, academic achievement and student engagement. The result for WHS’s parent satisfaction survey is that 74.4% of parents agree or strongly agree, that they are satisfied with the school. Student wellbeing is measured by a sense of connectedness factor as reported in the Attitude to Schools survey. The WHS result for 2024 was 48.6%, which compares favourably to the similar schools’ result of 47.8% and to the statewide result of 46.9%.

For academic performance, the NAPLAN Year 9 Reading result shows that 68.1% of WHS students are in the top three bands compared to similar schools’ result of 64.7%. Additionally, 98.8% of students successfully completed their VCE in 2024 with a mean study score of 31.

The full report will be uploaded to the school’s website and presented at a public meeting during Term 2. When the date and location is confirmed for the meeting, it will be advertised through Compass and posted on the school’s website.

At the March School Council meeting, the council established two new working groups, the first working group seeks to enhance engagement with the school community and the second working group will be working directly on the school uniform policy.

The Community Engagement working group aims to enhance community input on school policy, and your children’s school experience. This group will help recognise the importance of parental and carer involvement. Engaging parents and carers in their child's education fosters a supportive environment, improves student outcomes, strengthens the school community and most importantly improves student wellbeing. By including diverse perspectives, the group will seek to ensure policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the entire school community, promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach to education

The second working group formed will focus on the school uniform policy and will seek to incorporate feedback from last year's school uniform survey. This group aims to ensure the uniform policy is inclusive, equitable, and offers good value for money. The school will remain a full uniform school, balancing formality with utility in its uniform policy. I look forward to communicating with you the outputs from these working groups.

At the February Education and Policy Committee meeting, the group held a safety moment and discussed the child safety and preparations for school camp. Karen Anderson led the discussion and provided detail on the preparation involved in ensuring the safety of your children while in the care of the school. This topic was raised due to the recent news reporting, of a student from another school, dying while on school camp from issues related to diabetes. I raise it here to honour that child’s memory, and a reminder to ensure your child’s appropriate health action plans are updated; and to reassure you of the lengths the school staff go to in order to ensure the safety of the students.

Returning from summer you may have noticed some changes at both the Bayview and Pasco campuses. A lot of work was done to improve accessibility at our campuses. These works included automated doors at Bayview, and visibility aids and ramps at Pasco. I would like to acknowledge the work of our Campus Principals, Karen Anderson and Daniel Pearce, and all involved for their work to improve accessibility at our school.

While I’m writing about accessibility, I would like to talk about the lift at Paco. This lift is approaching the end of its useful life and spare parts will not be available when it breaks down. I can assure you that regular maintenance and engineering checks are completed to ensure the lift is safe. However, funding is not available for the lift’s replacement, as the school does not run specialty classes that would require use of the lift to access them. School staff and school council will be working with the department and the Victorian School Buildings Authority, to remedy this and seek funding. However, if you would like to write to your local member or the appropriate authority, please feel free to do so.

Melissa Horne, local state member: melissa.horne@parliament.vic.gov.au

Tim Watts, federal member: melissa.horne@parliament.vic.gov.au

Ben Carrol, education minister: ben.carroll@parliament.vic.gov.au

If you would like to get in contact with me, please do so via kane.harnden@education.edu.au.

Kane Harnden

School Council President

School nurse

Williamstown High School is very excited to announce the appointment of a school nurse to work across both campuses, beginning in Term 2. Darcy Murphy will join the WHS Wellbeing Team with a focus on health promotion and education for all students and families.

Study pod at Bayview

This term, the Bayview Campus introduced a quiet ‘study pod’ into the Bayview library space. With noise reduction properties, dimmable lights and the ability for private working conditions, the primary purpose of the pod is to support students with specific Inclusive Education needs (ie. sensory concerns) with their learning. It may also be used at lunchtime and after school by students wanting an extra opportunity to complete private or group study in a calm environment.

Benefits of the study pod include:

• Reduced Distractions: a quiet, isolated space where students can focus without distractions from noise, visual stimuli or other environmental factors.

• Sensory Regulation: Adjustable lighting, noise reduction and sensory-friendly furniture can help students self-regulate and manage overstimulation, leading to better focus and performance.

• Support for Neurodiversity: These pods promote inclusivity by providing a dedicated space for students who may need accommodations or alternative learning environments. It helps ensure that all students, regardless of their learning style or sensory needs, can engage with their education in the way that works best for them.

Western Chances scholarships

In Week 9, Corrine Hall and I attended the Western Chances Awards ceremony where the achievements of new Western Chances Scholarship recipients were celebrated. This year, there are four new recipients of a Western Chances Scholarship at Williamstown High School, making a total of eleven recipients. Each student that receives a Western Chances Scholarship is recognised for their hard work, talent, motivation and commitment to their studies.

As well as providing each recipient with a financial scholarship, Western Chances offers scholarship recipients the opportunity to participate in their Links program through various initiatives like free maths tutoring, leadership camps, VCE masterclasses and access to full residential/non-residential scholarships with their college partners.

We would like to thank Western Chances for their ongoing support of students at Williamstown High School and for helping our recipients fulfil their potential.

Ann Goller

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Pasco Street

eSafety

To report when something goes wrong online

If your child experiences something harmful online such as cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal and restricted content, you can report it directly to the social media service, game, app or website where the incident occurred.

Often young people will need the support of an adult to report. The eSafety Commissioner (www.eSafety.gov.au) advises taking the following steps:

1. Collect evidence before reporting to the platform or taking other action. If the issue is ongoing, make sure you collect screenshots showing what has been happening and for how long.

2. Report to the platform where it happened. Use the eSafety Guide to help you. After you report, the service may remove the content straight away. They may also block those responsible or delete their account. If the post involves something illegal, like grooming, they may refer it to law enforcement or another agency to take further action.

3. If the platform does not take action, you or your child can report it to eSafety. eSafety will ask you to complete an online reporting form and include evidence.

School holidays

With the holidays just around the corner, your children might be spending more time online for entertainment and to connect with their friends. As a parent or carer, you can help them have safe and positive experiences online. Have a conversation with your child today about how to stay safe online and to deal with online safety issues like cyberbullying, inappropriate content or unwanted contact. The eSafety Commissioner (www.eSafety.gov.au) has lots of great advice and resources for parents and carers to help keep young people safe online.

Role of a lifetime

The Role of a Lifetime is an ABC TV series about how to parent teens and tweens in a rapidly changing modern world. With eye-opening Australian data and testimonials from leading experts, the show uses well known Australian actors to dramatise authentic parenting moments, before unpacking these scenarios and providing parental advice and best practice for the real world. The show covers lots of current topics like social media, bullying, body image and more.

We recommend beginning with Episode 1: Smartphones - something that most young people (and parents) grapple with regarding its impact on the social health, emotional regulation and mental focus/attention of our young people, both at school and at home.

Students at the Pasco Street Campus have had a productive start to the school year, with many successfully completing their first round of assessments. Year 10 students have seamlessly settled into the new campus, engaging actively in both their core subjects and the diverse range of elective options available.

Year 11 students have officially commenced their VCE journey, navigating the challenges of academic rigor and the organisational demands of balancing schoolwork with external VET courses in the VM program. They have approached these challenges with determination, making effective use of the support systems in place, such as seeking guidance from teachers, utilising the SAC calendar for assessment planning, and attending the alumni mentoring program after school on Mondays and Wednesdays.

For Year 12 students, the pressures of their final school year are palpable, yet they remain highly motivated. Their commitment is evident in the strong participation in VCE masterclasses and the number of students staying back daily to study in the Study Centre.

As we approach Term 2, I encourage all students to take a well-deserved break to recharge. With the final SACs and CATs for all subjects, Semester 1 exams, Unit 3 trial exams, and the GAT (General Achievement Test) ahead, Term 2 is set to be the busiest yet.

We have started this year with a focus on establishing Professional Learning Teams for 2025. PLTs are groups of four to six teachers who meet at least three times a term to analyse student learning data, conduct research and develop specific teaching strategies. Whilst collaborating and sharing their expertise with one another, they work with the goal of extending learning for all students.

So far in Term 1, teachers have been using our student Data Dashboard to identify students who need additional support or extension, to then begin designing activities to support those students. They have also used Student Feedback to reflect on their Explicit Teaching practice, which will be developed across the year as we move towards the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0.

We have also been running Learning Walks at each campus most weeks this term. On these walks, teaching teams led by the Learning Specialists observe different classes over a double period to notice the classroom routines and teaching and learning activities happening around the school. They then meet again to share their observations, which are then compiled and shared with the whole staff with the goal to learn from one another to develop shared best practice.

In preparation for the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, the Teaching and Learning team also presented to all teachers on Curriculum Day on writing and using effective learning intentions and success criteria throughout their lessons to clarify learning for students.

Our STEAM initiative also continues this year, with our Year 8 students exploring film techniques in English through the lens of VR. We have also hosted several training sessions with our excellent Year 8 VR Captains, getting them to test out new apps for a variety of subject areas. Additionally, we are excited to announce that applications are now open to students from Years 7 to 10 for our WHS STEAM Immersive Media Creation Club, which will begin next term. In this program, students will learn how to create their own works for the VR headsets right here at our very own Bayview Campus. It’s a great opportunity for students of all coding abilities!

Sarah Barry, Matt Grose, Glenn Kellam & Grace Robertson

Teaching & Learning, Learning Specialists

Kangaroobie Camp

Some 250 Year 7 students attended Camp Kangaroobie, near Port Campbell on the Great Ocean Road, in February. The weather was perfect across the five days and the students participated in numerous group activities that tested their communication skills, teamwork and resilience. It was also an invaluable opportunity for the students to get to know their homegroup teacher in an alternative setting and begin to make new and lasting friendships with students in their homegroup and year level.

“At Camp Kangaroobie we did lots of different activities, such as canoeing, life or death team games, running games and lots of other fun activities. We slept in small cabins. There were eight people in mine, but other cabins had different amounts of people. The food was better than most other food at camps and we did a night hike. It was overall very fun and I enjoyed my stay.”

Joshua Bakatsoulas (7F)

“Kangaroobie was amazing! Even if the bus ride can be bad for people who get travel sick, when you get to the camp it’s all worth it! First off, the activities are incredible, even if you may get pretty (very) dirty in some activities. I liked the teamwork activity. You do it with other people in your homegroup and it’s a great way to find who you work well with. If you are terrified of one of the activities, it’ll all be good because you’ll find them fun in the end!

“The food is amazing. There are also nighttime activities, which are a blast! The cabins are okay; you won't be with the exact people you want but you’re allowed to switch. My favourite activities were the farm tour, dinner and the survival games. I especially loved my cabin because I was with really good people and I made a lot of new friends during camp.”

Olivia Nguyen (7K)

It has been a fantastic start to the year for our Year 8 students, with plenty of exciting activities and initiatives underway. One of the highlights so far has been the launch of our Year 8 Footy Tipping Competition, where students are competing against each other - as well as the Year 8 YLCs and College Principal Mr. Catalano - to see who has the best footy knowledge. This friendly competition has created a great buzz among the cohort, adding some extra excitement to the AFL season.

Our Year 8 students have also been making their mark in interschool sports, with some fantastic results across different competitions. Both our boys’ and girls’ cricket teams have progressed through to the next stage, and our volleyball team put in a stellar performance last week. Additionally, many of our students proudly represented the school in the Hobsons Bay Tennis Competition, showcasing their skill and sportsmanship. Well done to all who have participated so far!

A friendly reminder that the Year 8 Camp to Roses Gap is fast approaching. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build friendships and engage in a range of outdoor adventure activities. The dates for the camp are 13-16 May (Week 4, Term 2).

As we approach the final weeks of Term 1, our focus is shifting towards punctuality and ensuring all students are making the most of their learning time. We have also placed a strong emphasis on student voice, gathering feedback on what Year 8 students would like to see in their school experience. The YLC team is currently reviewing this feedback and working on new initiatives to reflect student input. It’s been a brilliant start to the year, and we look forward to finishing the term on a high!

As the term comes to an end, it is important to acknowledge the hard work and resilience demonstrated by our school community. It has been a demanding period, with students navigating a full schedule of academic and extracurricular commitments. While there have been challenges along the way, the dedication and effort shown by all have been commendable. We saw student resilience and excellence during NAPLAN testing - we’re looking forward to sharing those results with families later in the year. Students also undertake more elective classes in Year 9 than they have ever had before, which provides continued engagement and student agency in their learning.

As we look ahead to the next term, we remain confident that the lessons learnt and the progress made will provide a strong foundation for continued growth and success.

Immersion Expo

We held our first Immersion Expo for the year this term, where students from 9A, 9B and 9C presented their ‘Make a Difference’ project. All groups did an amazing job in presenting their chosen research topics to our Year 7 and 8 students. Below are some pictures of the boards some groups presented. We followed up the theme of making a difference on the Immersion Camp recently, where the Year 9s participated in a range of activities, including assisting FareShare in packaging over 800 meals for the less fortunate.

Student of the Term Awards

At the end of the term, each teacher will present an award to a student from their class who has shown excellence throughout the term and made a positive difference in the class. Teachers are really excited to have this opportunity to recognise student achievement in the classroom.

Get to Know Our Team

Liam Kurzemnieks

I am very pleased to have joined Williamstown High School this year as a teacher. The welcome from the students, fellow staff and broader community has been warm. Aside from my Year 9 homegroup duties, I mainly teach English. English is my passion; being able to share my knowledge and skills with the students is an immensely satisfying experience. I am looking forward to all the opportunities that this year will bring.

Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked in a few different professional settings doing IT and cybersecurity consulting. My hobbies include reading, bouldering and enjoying nature (going to the beach, walking in the countryside, those sorts of things...). I also enjoy spending time with my family and watching football (soccer) - I follow Spurs.

Riedwaan Nassiep

Joining a school with such a huge passion for the environment is an absolute thrill for me. In the few months that I have been at Willi High, I have been amazed at this love and care for our planet, and the various programs and initiatives that are in place to support this drive to preserve and improve our community through the education of our young people, who will ultimately be the custodians of our planet in the future.

Beyond the gardens and the sporting facilities at Willi High, I am a very keen beach goer, soccer dad and advocate for human rights. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel welcome, and I’m looking forward to an exciting year ahead, supporting and guiding our amazing students.

Year 10 students and Families

As we wrap up the first term of 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on our achievements and look ahead to what’s coming next. The year started on a positive note, with students settling into their routines, engaging enthusiastically in their studies and participating in a variety of school activities. Our futsal courts have just opened up as a new resource for our students. Mr Hume, Ms Diamantis and the student leadership team have begun house competitions. The energy and commitment shown by students and staff alike has set a fantastic tone for the rest of the year.

Work Experience

A key focus this term has been work experience planning. Work experience provides students with invaluable real-world insights and skills that help prepare them for life beyond school. We strongly encourage students to secure their placements as soon as possible to ensure they gain the best possible experience. This is about them testing possible work placements to see if that would be a career they enjoy.

Remember, students just need to log into their portal using their credentials where they will find a list of potential employers. Part of finding work is open communication with employers accepting or declining offers. If any students or parents/carers need specific support, they should reach out to Ms Bovdis. Local businesses have been very supportive, and we thank them for the opportunities they provide to our students.

End of Term School Values Awards

We have been very happy to see a large amount of positive posts recognising students for demonstrating our school values in and out of the classroom this term. We thank the following students who have achieved a high number of nominations. Congratulations.

Classroom Teacher Recognition

One of the benefits of being on the Pasco Campus is that students get to choose their own path. Teachers have recognised one student in each of their classes that they have seen focus on academic growth and support positive classroom culture.

We would like to congratulate Ava Palser who has come back as a National Champion winning Gold at the Australian Youth Beach Volleyball Championships for U17 Girls. An incredible achievement.

We would also like to congratulate Jack Young. In Horseshoe Valley Canada he participated in three National Championship races and placed 2nd, 1st and another 1st.

This week in Colorado USA Jack took home the National USA SA title!

Thank you to our students, parents, carers and staff for making this term a success. Enjoy the well-earned break, and we look forward to another exciting and productive term ahead!

Isabella O’Malley and Chris Blattman

Year 10 Coordinators

Since our last report, the Year 11 students have well and truly settled into their subjects, engaging in various classroom, cohort and school-wide activities.

A key focus of Term 1 has been supporting students in their transition to VCE and VCE VM by reinforcing study habits and time management skills through our daily homegroup sessions. This was further enhanced by an incursion from Elevate Education, where students gained valuable strategies to manage their time effectively, build confidence, and set themselves up for academic success.

Beyond academics, there have been plenty of opportunities for social engagement within the school community. Athletics Day was a highlight, with students proudly representing their house colors and cheering on their peers. The final VCE house points for the day were:

1st Place: Red House - 201 points
2nd Place: Blue House - 144 points
3rd Place: Yellow House - 136 points
4th Place: Green House - 125 points

We are incredibly proud of our students and continue to recognise their achievements through our fortnightly Locksmith Award. Choosing just one recipient each time is always a challenge, as we have so many dedicated and inspiring students in our cohort. Our most recent award recipients were:

Ella Bishop - For her commitment to her studies, positive attitude and kindness towards others. Ella has consistently worked hard and achieved academic success - all while bringing a smile to those around her.

Emily Jessop - For her dedication to social justice, participating in the World’s Greatest Shave and raising much-needed funds for cancer research.

Archer Russell - For his initiative in organising and fundraising for a worthy cause, taking it upon himself to coordinate efforts and engage with students.

Overall, we couldn’t be prouder of the Year 11 cohort and hope they have found their experience both rewarding and enjoyable so far. Let’s lock in and finish the term strong!

Jaslyn Walker & Angus Rodda
Year 11 Year Level Coordinators

On multiple occasions this term Year 12 students have packed out the study centre for VCE masterclass sessions run by teachers. Mr Craig has run two maths masterclasses, and Mr Harris and Mr Cork ran an English masterclass prior to the first written assessment piece of the year. We encourage all students to take advantage of these sessions, and the Alumni Mentors Program that runs in the Pasco library every Monday and Wednesday after school, to strengthen their understanding and application of subject knowledge for SACs and the end of year exams.

The Athletics Carnival was blessed by fantastic weather again this year, setting the stage for high participation levels in track and field events, alongside musical items performed by students, Year 12 dress ups, and fundraising via the World’s Greatest Shave. One of the highlights of the day was the large crowd that formed around the high jump mat as Jack Thurston attempted to beat the Year 12 record of 1.90m. Jack reflects below on doing exactly that, jumping a height of 1.91m:

“Setting a new Year 12 high jump record was not bad considering the lack of training I had heading into the Athletics Carnival. I could not have done it without Ollie Russell’s coaching. The atmosphere was incredible and the support from everyone made it even better. However, my shoes didn’t survive the jump and it could be time to invest in some spikes! I will be ready to push the record 5cm higher at Divisonals.”

As seen in the photos, there were many creative, imaginative and colourful dress-ups from Year 12 students at the carnival. One of the outstanding combinations was James Greenham and Imogen Taylor, with James reflecting on the process behind his fantastic costume below:

“At our last Athletics Carnival, Imogen and I were inspired to dress up as Galinda and Elphaba after watching the film Wicked. I took the liberty to make my Galinda costume, utilising the skills I have learnt in my VET Applied Fashion and Design course. I created a pattern by sticking large pieces of paper together and cutting out a shape that will allow the fabric to drape in a certain way to give the dress a flowy bouncy look. I carefully cut fabric petals, hand-sewing the skirt and corset then adding intricate details such as beading, glitter and sequins. The skirt itself was a layered piece of work, beginning with a hoop skirt, then a tulle petticoat, a pink satin skirt, and finally the pink organza petal layer. To finish the look, I painted my eyebrows blonde and wore a lace-front wig while Imogen also wore a black wig and painted herself the iconic green. It was such an exciting and rewarding project.”

In late February, debating got off to a riveting start with the first debating night for the year. The Year 12 team, comprising Vafa Ighaniyan, Jack Lay, and Lachlan Wilson, won a convincing victory over their opponents, debating the topic of whether all pharmaceutical research should be funded by the government. Vafa was particularly proud to receive his first, hopefully of many, ‘best speaker’ awards of the year. The best part of the night was seeing so much support for our WHS teams. Multiple students who were not debating came along to support their friends, as did some families, which all added up to a strong start to another year of debating.

The Senior Boys Futsal Team attended the School Sport Victoria divisional round on Monday, 31 March. Unfortunately, due to a number of injuries and illnesses the team had to play one player short. After being 3-1 down at half-time in their first game against Point Cook Senior Secondary College, things were looking bleak, but a revision of tactics led to a 5-4 victory. After this first win confidence grew, and an 8-6 win against Laverton College booked a place in the semi-final. Legs were starting to tire in a close game against Homestead Senior Secondary College, with a 7-5 victory secured late on in the game. The first half of the final against Laverton College's second team was a tight affair, so the decision was made to bring on an injured player at half time to make up the full allocation and try to win the game. These tactics worked, with the team winning 6-2 with four second half goals. It was a fantastic effort from Christopher Iacovou, Aydin Metin, Charlie Rossi, Brandon Valamios to run all day a player short; and a special mention to the 'super sub' Rhys Hammond. We look forward to more players being available for the regional round next term to hopefully get the win in an easier fashion.

This year, teachers of every class across Years 7-12 will nominate a Student of the Term who has displayed the school values and SWPBS behaviours in their learning during the term. The deserving student in every class will be awarded a handwritten card by the teacher and a Sun Theatre movie voucher, which includes a complimentary small popcorn. As this award will be running throughout the year, if your child missed out on the award in Term 1 they will have the opportunity to earn it in Terms 2 and 3. We congratulate all successful recipients of the award this term.

A recent focus in the Year 12 homegroup curriculum has seen students finding out how much time they are spending on their mobile phones each day. Year 12 students were asked to review their screen time statistics, exploring the time spent on their mobile phone each day for a week; how many notifications they received on average each day; and how many pickups they made each day. At an assembly, we reviewed strategies for lowering these figures.

During the second half of Term 1 the school celebrated International Women’s Day and Harmony Day. A range of activities to explore the importance of both these issues were offered at Pasco Campus and students worked with their homegroup teachers to further their understanding in these two areas. This work will continue in Term 2. Congratulations to Han Nguyen, who was judged to have worn the best cultural dress on Harmony Day.

At another assembly in the second half of Term 1 we acknowledged students who achieved the top study score in a Unit 3/4 subject in 2024, and those who achieved a study score of 40+ in a subject. Congratulations to the following students for ‘topping the class’ last year:

• Ella Doyle - Environmental Science

• Connor Frisby - Software Development

• Annie Hough - Health and Human Development

• Amelie Miller - Product Design Technology

• Angus Naden - Outdoor Environmental Studies

• Matthew Page, Lachlan Reynolds and Jack Thurston - General Mathematics

• Henry Reid Uebergang - VET Music Performance

• Lucius Satchell - Geography

• Samuel Thornton - Mathematical Methods and Physics

The Homegroup Challenge continues to be a tight and seesawing battle between the Year 12 homegroups, with points being awarded for participation, positive posts, trivia and homegroup games. Currently, only three points separates the top two, with 12C leading 12G. There are still plenty of points to play for over the rest of the year, and plenty of time for the leaderboard to change.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards determined by teacher nominations as part of the End of Term Celebration Assembly held on Friday, 4 May:

Creativity and Excellence: Anais McColl and Rivi Zdraveski

Integrity and Honesty: Stephanie Lonie and Soren Madadi

Diversity and Inclusion: Ella Macleod and Eddie Mason

Strong and Open Communication: Maisy Lipnicki and Connor Gostencnik

Commitment: Amelie Miller and Angus Naden

Congratulations also to the following students who form the top echelon for receiving positive posts in Term 1: Abiye Woldemariam (16), Cara Egry (13), Kaitlin Muftar (13), Lucius Satchell (12), Archie Bentley (11), Ella Macleod (11) and Frankie Norris (11). As always, thank you to all staff that take the time to recognise students by issuing positive posts, in particular Ms McKeegan, Mr Russell, Mr Lilley, Ms Deng, Ms Erasmus, and Mr Criag.

A high level of attendance at school is one of the key factors that underpins learning and wellbeing, and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that 37 students in Year 12 have managed to maintain their 100 percent attendance for the year so far.

Continuing on from our previous list of weekly recommendations to students as part of our theme, A Year at the Movies, below are the films put forward in the second half of Term 1. The holiday break provides a great opportunity for a family movie night to watch one of these films:

• Chariots of Fire

• Lady Bird

• Her

• Do the Right Thing

• The Devil Wears Prada

• The Social Network

Finally, carrying on from introducing ourselves and the 2025 School Captains in the last issue of the W-Files, we would like to present the homegroup teachers of 12A and 12C, and the 2025 school vice captains:

12A - Mr Wraight

Mr Wraight has taught at WHS for 10 years after attending the school as a student, and this year is teaching Applied Computing and Maths. His top three movie recommendations are: The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back and Avengers: Endgame. Mr Wraight believes The Room to be the worst movie ever made due to it being so poorly made. His favourite actor is Sir Ian McKellen, as he did such an amazing job bringing the characters of Gandalf and Magneto to life. Mr Wraight cannot remember the first movie he ever saw at the cinema, but whenever he goes nowadays a mint choc top and popcorn are his favourite snacks. The most recent film he watched was Captain America: Brave New World.

12B - Ms Roussel

12C - Mr Craig

Mr Craig was also a student at WHS and has now taught at the school for seven years. In 2025 he is teaching VCE Maths, General Maths and Maths Methods. His top three movie recommendations are: The Darjeeling Limited, Knives Out and In Bruges. The worst movie that he has ever seen is The VelociPastor. He enjoys the work of Keanu Reeves, as he feels he is a great actor and a great all round human being. Mr Craig’s watched The Magic Pudding on his first trip to the cinema, and his favourite snack while watching a movie is popcorn. The most recent movie he watched was A Complete Unknown.

Ellen Barker - 2025 School Vice Captain

Ellen’s top three movie recommendations are: Back to the Future, Little Miss Sunshine and Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The worst movie she has even seen is Final Destination. Ellen’s favourite actor is Robert Pattinson, as she feels he is an overlooked, underrated and underappreciated actor who has a phenomenal range of indie films. The first movie Ellen ever saw at the cinema was Rise of the Guardians, and a choc top is her favourite snack while watching a movie. Like Mr Craig, the most recent movie she saw was A Complete Unknown.

Vince Mandado - 2025 School Vice Captain

Vince’s top three movie recommendations are: Avatar, Dune: Part Two and Green Book, and the worst movie he has ever seen was Five Nights at Freddy’s. Recently, Vince has appreciated the work of actor Timothee Chalamet, as he has been in a lot of films Vince has watched recently. The first movie he saw at the cinema, which he can remember, was Shaun the Sheep. Vince likes to tread a different path for cinema snacks, as he likes to eat grapes. The most recent movie that he watched was Counterstrike on Netflix.

Swimming Carnival

Once again the school year kicked off with the Swimming Carnival at Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre on Friday, 7 February. While we were spared the summer heat, with the temperature not exceeding 26 degrees, the competition in the pool was still red hot. Competitors from all three year levels participated in each of the races and novelty events, with the day being declared a huge success.

The next round of competition for swimming was Monday, 17 March, with the HBD Swimming Carnival at Werribee Pool. Our team had a successful day at the event with a number of individual students and relay teams making it through to the next round. The WMR Swimming will take place on 3 April at Kardinia Park Aquatic Centre. If successful at this event, our swimmers will compete in the SSV State Swimming Finals at MSAC on Thursday, 1 May.

School Results at Hobson Bay District Swimming Carnival

Term 1 Interschool Sports

Term 1 Summer Sport Competitions have commenced with our Senior, Intermediate and Year 8 teams competing in the HBD Competition.

Senior Teams

The Pasco Campus sent out Male and Female Volleyball teams, Tennis and Male/Mixed Cricket, with the following results:

Senior Boys Cricket - Runners Up

Senior Baseball received automatic entry into the Western Metro Finals, which are on Monday 12 May at the Geelong Baseball Centre.

Intermediate Teams

The Pasco and Bayview Campus sent out teams for the Intermediate Competition with the following results:

Intermediate Boys Cricket - through to the WMR Final on 5 November at Eastern Park in Geelong.

Bayview Intermediate Boys Tennis - Runners Up

Bayview Intermediate Girls Volleyball - Third overall

Year 8 Teams

The Bayview Campus sent out Girls and Male/Mixed teams in Cricket, Volleyball and Tennis with the following results:

Girls Cricket - through to the WMR Final on Wednesday, 12 November, at Fairbairn Park

Boys Cricket - through to the WMR Semi Final on Thursday, 6 November, at Fairbairn Park

Girls and Boys Tennis - Runners Up

Girls and Boys Volleyball - both finished fourth overall

Year 7 Teams

The Year 7 Competition was on Tuesday, 25 March.

Boys Cricket - Runners Up

Boys Tennis Team A - Runners Up

Girls Volleyball - our two teams played off for 3rd and 4th position

Our Year 7 Male/Mixed Baseball team has made it through to the WMR Final later in the year due to no competition from other HBD schools.

Term 2 Sports

Winter Sport 1 and 2 sports are on in Term 2, with both the Pasco and Bayview campuses entering teams in the HBD Competition.

Senior Sport Days

Tuesday, 13 May - Netball, AFL, Badminton and Soccer

Intermediate Sport Days

Tuesday, 14 May - Intermediate Futsal

Friday, 23 May - Netball, AFL, Badminton and Soccer

Year 8 Sport Days

5 June - Netball and AFL

10 June - Badminton and Soccer

23 June - Junior Futsal

Year 7 Sport Days

28 May - Netball and AFL

2 June - Badminton and Soccer

23 June - Junior Futsal

Girls AFL and Boys Netball

8 May - All Levels

Athletics Day

And if that was not enough sport in Term 1, the school’s Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday, 27 February. This was again a great day with favourable weather and, unlike the Swimming Carnival, it was a whole school event, with the Year 12 students dressing up and starting off the day with a parade along the 100m track. We had some fierce competition in both the track and field events, with the following students breaking records - and in some cases, these records have stood for a number of years.

Jack Thurston broke the Year 12 Boys High Jump record with a jump of 1.91m, breaking the 1.90 mark set by Jarrod Pageot in 2009.

Max Dmytrenko broke the Year 11 Boys 1500m record with a time of 4 minutes and 24 seconds, breaking the 4:33 set by Aidan Smythe in 2005.

Toa Roordink broke the Year 7 boys Discus Record with a throw of 26.66m, breaking the record set by Isaac Makitae-Marlow of 25.3 set in 2018.

The next events in the SSV Athletics calendar are:

HBD Cross Country Monday, 26 May

WMR Cross Country Thursday, 19 June

State Cross Country Thursday, 24 July

HBD Athletics Wednesday, 10 September

WMR Athletics Wednesday, 8 October

State Athletics Monday, 20 October

Other Sports

Volleyball

Siblings James and Ava Palser represented Williamstown High School at the Victorian Beach Volleyball Championships. They ended up making the quarter-finals, where they lost a close fought match to the eventual champions. Well done to both, especially Ava who was competing against males who were two years older than her.

Netball

Charlie Cox has made the Victorian State Reserve Team. Well Done Charlie!

Swimming and Life Saving

Mia Mifsud of Year 10 and Marissa Batazogiannis of Year 8 have made it through to the National Swim Trials in Queensland in April. A big congratulations to them both.

Mahli McCarroll of Year 10 and her sister Bonnie in Year 8 are competing in the Australian Championships for Surf Lifesaving in Queensland in April. A big congratulations as well.

We wish them all the best in their events.

House Netball

The inaugural Pasco House netball competition took place in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 1. Greenwich defeated Phillip (16-7) and Gellibrand defeated Hobson (6-5) to progress to the final. The final saw Gellibrand jump out to an early lead before Greenwich pegged them back, tying them at the end of regulation time. The match went to sudden death - both sides had the opportunity to score but Gellibrand ultimately prevailed 9-8. Well done to all students who took part and we look forward to this becoming a feature of Williamstown High School going forward.

A Chorus Line

Williamstown High School presents: A Chorus Line - Teen Edition. This stunning concept musical captures the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition. Exploring the inner lives and poignant ambitions of professional Broadway performers, the show features one powerhouse number after another. Memorable musical numbers include “What I Did for Love,” “One,” “I Can Do That,” “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror,” and “I Hope I Get It.”

A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance and compellingly authentic drama, this hit musical is instantly recognised as a classic. The show provides great opportunities to feature the diverse talent across Williamstown High School and showcase the amazing performing arts of dancing, singing, acting, musicianship and production crew. Be sure to support this limited season of musical theatre.

Show dates and times: Tuesday, 22 July; Wednesday, 23 July, 7pm; Thursday, 24 July, 7pm; Friday, 25 July, 7pm; Saturday, 26 July, 2pm and 7pm.

Tickets: trybooking.com

Cost: $33 Adults; $28 Child/Student/Concession.

Book Here

Sickle in the Snow

You are invited to Sickle in the Snow. After a long, long year in an elite private boarding school - students and teachers celebrate their end of year Christmas event. Parents are due to pick up their children to leave for the Christmas break but never arrive due to an unusual amount of snow on the roads. Trapped, events start to unfold.

Written by the Drama Studies students of 2025, Sickle in the Snow is a drama that explores self-identity, loss, privilege and class.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 22-23 April, 7pm in Soul City.

$10 Tickets @ trybooking.com

Tickets are limited so please be quick.

Book Here

Book Here

As we conclude Term 1, I would like to take this opportunity to share an overview of our students’ learning and progress in Science at the Pasco Campus. It has been a fast paced, yet productive and engaging term, with students developing critical scientific skills and deepening their understanding of key concepts across Year 10 Science and VCE Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.

In Biology, students have been exploring cellular structures and functions, with a strong focus on biochemical processes and the process of protein synthesis. Experiments have reinforced theoretical knowledge, helping students to build essential analytical and problem-solving skills. We’ve also had a lot of fun introducing new practical experiences for our students, such as with chlorella, a type of algae that comes in a gelatine orb, allowing us to conduct some interesting experiments in their response to the environment.

In Chemistry, the focus has been on atomic structure, chemical bonding, and the properties of elements and compounds. Students have conducted experiments that illustrate key principles, fostering both scientific curiosity and technical proficiency in laboratory settings. Our Year 10 students have been enjoying a range of experiments around chemical reaction rates, including the classic sodium in water explosion.

In Physics, students have been investigating motion, forces and energy transformations. Through practical applications, they have been learning to apply mathematical models to real-world physical systems, strengthening their understanding of the role maths plays outside of the classroom, alongside the excellent practical work being conducted in Maths classrooms as well.

In Psychology, students have been introduced to the fundamentals of human cognition and behaviour. Topics such as brain function, perception and learning have been explored, with students engaging in case studies and experiments, such as Pavlov’s dog, as well as having fun examining social behaviours, seeing if anyone would socially loaf while working in groups to make the classic toilet paper wedding dress. Unfortunately students had such a good time, no one really took a back seat.

Throughout the term, students have also undertaken a variety of formative and summative assessments, including practical reports, data analysis tasks and tests. These assessments have provided valuable insights into their progress and have guided targeted feedback for improvement.

We encourage students to actively seek feedback and, as we move into Term 2, we encourage them to maintain consistent study habits and seek clarification whenever needed to ensure they stay on top of their learning.

Best regards,
Mathew Hrasko
Science Curriculum Leader

Wow! What a whirlwind start to 2025 - it’s hard to believe Term 1 is nearly over. Across the school, students have been diving into exciting mathematical concepts: Year 9s have been mastering financial mathematics, exploring real-world applications like budgeting and tax; Year 8s have been sharpening their skills with fractions, decimals and percentages; and Year 7s are building strong foundations in number properties and patterns.

Welcome to Our New Team Member

We are delighted to welcome Louise Collins to our Mathematics team! Louise brings a wealth of experience in astrophysics and applied mathematics and has taught at two schools before joining Williamstown High School. We’re excited about the expertise and fresh ideas she brings to our department.

Victorian Curriculum 2.0 – What’s Changing?

As part of our commitment to providing the best possible learning experience, our team has been updating programs, assessments and resources in line with the gradual transition to Victorian Curriculum 2.0. This curriculum ensures students develop the essential knowledge and skills to thrive in an ever-changing world. Some key benefits include:

• A more streamlined and structured approach to learning.

• Stronger connections between early years, primary and secondary education.

• A focus on real-world applications to support students’ future pathways.

For more details, visit Victorian Curriculum 2.0.

Booklisted Resources – Setting Students Up for Success

To support students both in class and at home, we rely on three key resources:

✅ Cambridge Essential Mathematics [3rd Edition] – This new edition for 2025 remains an essential classroom resource. We encourage students to activate their online code, which unlocks an interactive textbook and a downloadable PDF version for offline use. Instructions are inside the cover but if there are any issues, please contact your child’s teacher.

✅ IXL – This online platform provides personalised learning by identifying mastered skills and areas for improvement. Used weekly in Mathematics, IXL is a powerful tool for reinforcing learning and supporting student growth.

✅ Calculators – A calculator is an essential tool in the Mathematics classroom. From 2025, the book-listed calculator is the TI-30X Mathprint. During this transition, students may also use the TI-30XB Multiview, which has been used previously at our school. It is important that students bring their calculators to all assessments to ensure they are fully prepared.

An Easter Challenge!

Finally, a bit of fun! The first Bayview student to email me at felicity.christmass@willihigh.vic.edu.au with the correct answer to the Easter Mathematics Puzzle will win a prize! Get your thinking caps on!

Felicity Christmass
Mathematics Curriculum Area Team Leader - Middle Years

2025 NAPLAN

Recently our Year 7 and Year 9 students completed the 2025 National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy. Nearly 2000 online assessments took place over the testing period - well done to all. Students were fortunate to have Ms Kate McArthur, former literacy coach and NAPLAN expert, visit the Year 9 English classes to help support NAPLAN revision and discuss useful test strategies.

NAPLAN adaptive testing - where the questions become more, or less difficult, depending on student responses - allows for a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and therefore measures student achievement more precisely. A NAPLAN individual student report will be provided to parents and carers later in the school year.

IXL

As part of the English and Mathematics curriculum at the Bayview Campus, Year 7 to 9 students can now complement their learning with the IXL for Learning online platform. IXL for English helps students gain confidence in spelling, grammar, punctuation, reading and writing skills.

IXL can track the progress of students, and teachers can get immediate feedback on where further literacy support is needed. IXL is a great tool to practise and reinforce topics studied in class. Students can access IXL via Compass, under the school favourites ‘star’ icon, using their IXL login details. Please contact your child’s English or Maths teacher if you have any questions.

The Year 10 wider reading program, now in its second year, is in full swing at the Pasco Campus. Glenn Kellam and Marnie, the Pasco librarian, were busy this term organising class book boxes and supporting teachers and students with this initiative.

Year 10 students are encouraged to read for 10-15 minutes at the start of Period 5 every day. Benefits include building reading stamina, as well as fostering an enjoyment of reading.

PRINCIPAL’S WRITING COMPETITION

The Principal’s Writing Competition will be officially launched in Term 2. There will be fantastic prizes to be won along with author visits for writing masterclasses, showbags of goodies and having work published in an anthology. So, watch this space!

Recently, students have been busy at lunchtimes in the Bayview library, creating an incredible collaborative collage for this year’s prompt: Lost and Found. It was lovely to have students popping by to share their ideas. Thank you to Alice, our Bayview librarian, for organising this inspirational artwork. We’re certain this will encourage student writers from both campuses to further develop their creative skills and talents through the medium of writing and illustration.

Wishing you all a safe break with lots of excellent holiday reading!

Students Take the Lead

The VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) student executive team is making a positive impact at our school by spearheading a series of health and wellbeing projects. These initiatives aim to promote a healthier lifestyle among students and staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.

Holistic Approach to Wellbeing

Understanding that good health goes beyond just physical fitness, the student executive team has developed projects that focus on mental, emotional and social wellbeing as well. Their initiatives include awareness campaigns, fitness challenges and mental health workshops.

Upcoming Projects

The team has lined up several exciting projects for the school community:

• Mindfulness and stress management workshops to give students techniques to handle stress and improve focus, particularly helpful during exam periods.

• Healthy eating campaign to both teach about nutrition and provide access to healthier meal options in the school cafeteria.

• Physical activity challenges to encourage movement, including school-wide fitness challenges, sports days and yoga sessions.

• Peer support and wellbeing ambassadors to be trained to offer peer support and promote a positive school culture.

Student-Led, Community-Focused

One of the key strengths of these projects is that they are student-driven. By allowing students to take ownership of health and wellbeing programs, the initiatives are more relatable and engaging. The executive team has also been working closely with teachers, school counsellors and external experts to ensure their projects are effective and sustainable.

Get Involved!

The success of these initiatives depends on the participation of the entire school community. Students and staff are encouraged to join events, share their ideas and support their peers. Together we can build a healthier, happier school environment!

Stay tuned for more updates from the VCE VM student executive team as it continues its mission to enhance health and wellbeing at our school.

Term 1 has been an exciting and productive time for our student leadership team, with a range of events and initiatives that have brought our school community together and made a meaningful impact.

Our student leaders began their journey at the end of last year with the annual Student Leadership Conference. This event provided them with an opportunity to bond as a team, engage with inspiring guest speakers, and set ambitious goals for the year ahead. Equipped with a shared vision, they returned in 2025 ready to make a difference.

Here’s what our School Captain Chloe had to say:

“At the end of last year the leadership team met at the Substation for an all day Leadership Conference. It was the perfect chance to get close with the peers we will be working with for the rest of the year. Thanks to the first hour being dedicated to icebreaker activities, we learnt about each other’s pets, hobbies and everything in between. We were able to do some hefty planning for events and goals in 2025 which reinforced our intentions for the year to come.

“Mr Catalano and Mr Pearce let us in on the story of their leadership journey and it was awe inspiring to be advised by the leaders of our school on how to make the most of our leadership positions. We also got the chance to talk to Melissa Horne MP and grill her on all things leadership and politics. Her thoughtful and personal answers to our flurry of questions revealed that leadership is not entirely about power or control, but considering the people who you are representing and fighting for change that you want to see. I am so grateful I got the chance to learn these lessons with the remarkable student leadership team of 2025.”

Their first fun event was the Year 12 Camp Quiz Night. Held at the start of the year, this event was a fantastic way to foster camaraderie among our senior students while providing an evening of fun and friendly competition. The quiz night was a great success, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

Our Languages Captain Darcy shared his thoughts about camp:

“Year 12 Camp served as a perfect opportunity to showcase the strength of the bonds we’ve developed over the past six years. Throughout the week, we were enthralled by numerous activities, from archery to giant swing, high ropes, raft building and, of course, taichi with Mr Hrasko. Not to mention the ‘Survivor’ tournament under the searing Thursday sun (in which only few survived Mr Pearce’s sinister dodgeball aim).

“The highlight of camp was most certainly the critically-acclaimed Talent Show. From stunning performances to unexpected surprises, Thursday night perfectly demonstrated how close and comfortable we've become as a cohort. Without question, those strong connections will prove invaluable over the next few months.

“We have undoubtedly started off the year in the best way possible, as I’m sure we’ll continue to reflect on the lessons of camp, like our place in the VCE system, how to make safe decisions and how to maximise our relationship with stress.”

Athletics Day was another highlight, showcasing both school spirit and a deep commitment to important causes. One of our team, Emily Jessop, Year 11 school culture representative, took part in the ‘World's Greatest Shave’ initiative, bravely shaving her head to raise awareness and funds for blood cancer research. Her incredible effort inspired the school community and raised over $2500 for this vital cause.

Our fundraising efforts this term also extended to International Women’s Day and Harmony Day. The International Women’s Day fundraiser supported a local domestic violence shelter, contributing to the important work of assisting women and families in need. Meanwhile, funds raised on Harmony Day will go towards the student leadership-led redevelopment of the Year 11 space, an ongoing project aimed at improving facilities for our students.

With such a strong start to 2025, our student leadership team has demonstrated passion, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference. We look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the coming terms!

Dates to look out for next term:

IDAHOBIT (on the 16 May but we’ll be celebrating on 19 May)

National Reconciliation Week

The beginning of Disability Pride Month

Term 2 meetings:

Tuesday, 13 May, 7:30pm @ Bayview campus and online

• Guest speaker - to be announced via Compass

Tuesday, 10 June, 7:30pm @ Bayview campus and online

• Guest speaker - to be announced via Compass

Guest speakers

are an important part of PFA meetings, giving families the chance to learn more about specific curricula, specialist areas and how the school supports students’ wellbeing.

• Liz Lorenc spoke at our first meeting about the upcoming NAPLAN processes and how the school was supporting students to complete this testing.

• Gavin Clifford spoke about the STEAM room and how VR headsets are being used to enhance skills and learning in the English and Humanities curriculum at the Bayview Campus. Gavin has invited parents to try out the headsets at a PFA meeting later in the year, so keep an eye out for Compass notifications about this.

Generous family donations

Thanks to all the families who included a contribution to the PFA as part of their 2025 school payments. Your generosity means the PFA can fund more extras for WHS students.

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.