Welcome to the final W-Files of 2024. It has been pleasing to see a large number of events, activities and end-of-year excursions take place during this busy time. This includes arts and media showcases, music concerts, transition events, Year 9 Immersion project expo, debate the debating team event, exams and Headstart programs. We welcomed new families with our Year 6-to-7 orientation evening, followed by an orientation day for our next cohort of students.

We also attended Williamstown Town Hall for our traditional end-of-year whole school assembly, where we celebrated student achievements, showcased our Languages and Arts programs and presented reflections and plans for the future.

In my address to the students, I spoke about many highlights from the year that was, as well as plans for 2025. Please see below, extracts from my address.

When I reflect on this year from a principal’s point of view there are several highlights that I believe are quite significant.

Our academic results have once again been outstanding and are consistent with the highly-focused environment we foster that encourages effort, commitment and care. We began this year acknowledging the achievements of the class of 2023, such as VCE VM outstanding student of the year Katie Hogan, and highlighting not only the results of a WHS record number of 40 plus study scores and ATAR high achievers, such as our 2023 dux, Sophie Page, and her ATAR of 99.15, but all the accomplishments and pathways to further study and careers that our wonderfully diverse group of students achieved.

Two events highlighted the standing WHS has in terms of academic and pathway excellence. Firstly, being chosen as the school to host Premier Jacinta Allen to celebrate the 2023 release of Year 12 student results and, secondly, being asked to showcase our achievements, programs and strategies in delivering outstanding pathways in both VCE and VCE VM to other government schools across the state. These school leaders greatly appreciated hearing and learning about the highly effective environment at WHS.

However, academic excellence is only part of our focus and what we value. In 2024 we continued to increase leadership and staffing in the wellbeing space. This year we added a youth worker, the amazing Allanah, to our wellbeing team - a well received addition to the team of staff supporting our students.

We also put in place a further 25 percent increase in time for our two year level coordinators at each year level, as well as a significant increases in budgets for these leaders to deliver year level programs, lunches, gifts and activities focused on “Wellbeing of Learning”, particularly on increasing school pride and connection to the school. These factors have a significant impact on individual student resilience, wellbeing and success.

This year we also doubled our staffing for disability inclusion, with a team of leaders in this space now present at each respective campus improving support for students with a disability and building a more inclusive school for all our students. Inclusive schools have better outcomes in learning, engagement and wellbeing for all students.

Particular highlights this year have been the return of our international trips for French and Indonesian, and the completion and opening of stage two of our Performing Arts Centre and new Year 12 Study Centre.

Due to demand, we ran three language trips - two tours to France and one to Indonesia - providing wonderful immersive experiences for our students that will no doubt greatly enhance their academic and cultural growth.

Finally after several years and unavoidable delays, we delivered the final stage of our Centenary Legacy Project. In 2017 we opened our 304-seat Centenary Theatre, delivered with significant community support. This year, on April 15, we opened the second stage of this facility, adding music classrooms, a recording studio, band room, green room, art display space and instrumental music rooms. A personal highlight has been the excitable reactions from students when showing them through this state-of-the-art space - a space that will benefit both our current students and generations of Willi High students to come.

We also completed our new Year 12 Study Centre, a facility that all Willi High students will enjoy in their final year of secondary schooling. It supports students by not only providing an academic space and honouring the history of previous successful cohorts, but also provides a home within a home for our Year 12s during a key year in their young lives.

Further highlights this year have been:

● The outstanding work of our student leadership teams at both campuses. Our student leaders have led awareness raising activities for the school community in a range of social issues, not only within our school grounds but well beyond too. Our senior student leaders also introduced a well-received teacher appreciation initiative that had teachers feeling all warm and fuzzy!

● Updating and relaunching our SWPBS matrix posters and behaviours explicitly aligning these with our school values, as well as including a subtle but significant change from: “Be respectful; Be a learner; Be Safe” to “We are respectful; We are learners; We are safe”.

● Continuing our expansion of STEAM awareness and activities for our students, including immersing virtual reality into our Year 7 Humanities and Year 8 English curriculum.

● Outstanding contributions and participation in the seventh year of the WHS Principal’s Writing Competition, with this year’s theme being “It’s just a game”. This competition helps highlight the importance of building and promoting literacy skills across the school.

● Facility upgrades across both campuses, including new synthetic courts, portable decking, painting, carpeting, basketball surface upgrades, outdoor seating and Q-Block courtyard redevelopment and new wellbeing spaces.

● Academic enhancement leaders at both campuses, providing masterclasses and embedding our Alumni Tutoring program.

● Interschool debating success.

● Interschool sporting success with a number of teams making state finals and the senior boys delivering a first for WHS, becoming the first soccer state champions the school has ever had.

● Reflecting on the meaning of our school motto “Hold Fast” throughout the year at assemblies and reinforcing its significance to all Willi High students by presenting a second year of Hold Fast Awards.

In 2025 we will continue to offer international study opportunities with an Arts trip to New York as well as the end of year World Challenge expeditions running once more.

Today I announce we are committing to significant upgrades of the school’s outdoor areas, including surface renovations and improved seating. This will include:

• An outdoor covered cafeteria area for Bayview.

• Two outdoor futsal courts to be built at Pasco in front of the old Study Centre (already under construction).

• A third outdoor futsal court to be built in the second half of next year between the gym and the horticulture centre at Bayview.

• Student leadership offices for both campuses.

• An increase in inclusivity spaces including providing sensory rooms at each campus.

• Additional ramps being installed over the holidays to ensure both campuses are fully accessible to all.

Our Pasco Q-Block restoration and enhancement has been delayed several times this year due to the complex structural works required but we have now secured a government commitment to have this project - worth several million dollars - completed in the near future once funding is approved.

We will continue to have the highest expectations of our teaching and learning programs, continue our focus on the “Wellbeing of Learning” and, having this year introduced a youth worker, we are looking to appoint a qualified nurse to join our expanding wellbeing team. Your physical, social and mental wellbeing is of the highest importance to us and sits alongside your academic growth as the priorities WHS values most.

I have thoroughly enjoyed promoting to you our school motto: “Hold Fast”. Please continue to be inspired by its powerful message in your personal and school lives, making sure to embrace every opportunity, overcome all challenges and to stay the course. Throughout your lives, draw on “Hold Fast” to help you to do and be whatever you desire.

Finally, thank you to all of you for your growth, for your efforts and for your attitude. Our school community is one we are all very privileged to be a part of. Have an amazing summer break and see you all next year.

Hold fast!

Principal’s Hold Fast Awards

I also announced the recipients of the Principal’s Hold Fast Awards, which aim to recognise students’ efforts for “staying the course, overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities” - criteria that underscores the significance of our school motto and reflects the journey many of our students have had in recent years. These names will be added to honour boards at each campus, both highlighting these achievements and expounding the meaning behind “Hold Fast”.

PFA and School Council

I would like to recognise and acknowledge all members of our School Council and Parents and Friends Association for their time, energy and support this year. Early in 2025, I will be calling for nominations for a number of vacated School Council positions. I certainly encourage everyone to consider joining.

Music Donation

We receive many donations both through various school improvement funds and scholarships. There is one contribution though that I would like to acknowledge. Former long serving WHS staff member and music leader Finn Koren has funded a music award at our graduation night for a number of years now since his retirement. This year, however, he has donated over $11,000 for the purchase of a $5399 tuba (we will be offering it for lessons for the first time in 2025) and a $5798 timpani (to complete our set of four). These are wonderful contributions and reflect both Finn’s and the music department’s passion for their subject area and will benefit Willi High students both now and into the future. On behalf of the WHS community, thank you Finn!

2025 School Captains

Congratulations to our new school captains and student leadership team, who were announced and proudly presented at the recent year-level assemblies:

The Class of 2024

The class of 2024 will indeed be remembered fondly for many reasons. The way they have conducted themselves over the years, and in particular this year, has us feeling very proud of both their attitudes and achievements. They have been an extremely talented and caring cohort. Thank you to the fantastic team of Year 12 teachers and Year Level Coordinators Angus Rodda and David Urwin for their great leadership and care. The support from parents, guardians and families during the students’ final year of schooling is a vital component and something that is appreciated by all staff members at Williamstown High School.

It was very pleasing to be able to finish the year with our Year 12 Graduation, held at the Town Hall. Students and staff were able to celebrate the many successes and reminisce about the challenges in a relaxed yet formal setting. Our students received some outstanding results, with 110 study scores over 40, placing them in the statewide subject high achievement category. An ATAR of more than 90 was achieved by a record number of 38 students, with 20 attaining an ATAR over 95, and three over 99. We had a perfect study score of 50 in Geography and two in General Mathematics. Charlie Muliett was named this year’s Dux with an ATAR of 99.5.

We are extremely proud of the efforts and achievements of all our students and staff. Additional information relating to student achievement will be published in the W-Files next year. We wish the class of 2024 the best of luck as they venture beyond the school walls, and we look forward to hearing about their future successes in the years that follow.

I would like to wish the whole school community a happy and safe holiday and I look forward to an exciting 2025.

Hold fast!

Pictures of awards evening

Gino Catalano | Principal

Year 10-12 Headstart

Congratulations to all Year 9-11 students who have completed the Headstart program. I was especially impressed with the commitment to learning shown by all students. There was an air of excitement amongst the study body as they embraced the challenges of their 2025 classes. On behalf of the school, I would also like to welcome our new students to Willi High. We’re looking forward to you being part of our community and am sure you will enjoy learning and making new friends at the Pasco Campus.

VCE/ATAR Results 2024

Congratulations to all students who undertook a scored Unit 3/4 subject in 2024, and also to their teachers. There were some fantastic results achieved and we are very proud of your efforts. Further information is available to the school community via the school website. Williamstown High is a great place to learn and achieve the highest of scores. Excitingly, many students have been offered a first-round place at their chosen university; the hard work, commitment and perseverance has paid off and you deserve every success.

Year 12 Graduation

The Class of 2024 has participated in their final event for the year. As always, the graduation ceremony was a wonderful night, and we were able to celebrate those students who have achieved exceptional success throughout the year. We wish our graduates well for the future. Your results are testament to the hard work you have put in, and your families and school are proud of your success. Continue to make the most of the opportunities that are afforded to you and please remember to pop into your ‘old’ school from time to time as we love hearing about how life is going for our ex-students. You are also able to access careers advice for the first half of next year should you need it.

Pasco Overview

Our staff are busy preparing for an exciting 2025 and will participate in the Curriculum Area Team planning days in the last week of school. New staff joining us in 2025 will also attend these days to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum is in place from day one. Facility upgrades are continuing into 2025, which will ensure WHS has outstanding facilities for our students. Community updates will be shared via the W-Files throughout 2025.

Please have a safe and enjoyable summer break, spend precious time with family and friends, and I look forward to working with you next year.

Hold fast.

Daniel Pearce

Pasco Campus Principal

2024 has been an exciting year for STEAM education at Williamstown High School. Our new STEAM Education Centre, located in Bayview’s Room 13, has become a hub of innovation, particularly with the integration of virtual reality (VR) into Year 7 Humanities and Year 8 English. Students used VR headsets to enhance creative writing, explore mise-en-scène in film analysis, and assess liveable cities in Geography. Special thanks go to our VR Captains and staff for embracing this new technology and supporting its rollout in the curriculum. The addition of our 75-inch interactive Clevertouch Panel is going to further elevate the learning experience in 2025.

The STEAM Club also flourished this year, providing students the opportunity to design, build and program robots under the guidance of alumni and robot soccer champion Tamas Simonds. Mondays were filled with collaboration, creativity and skill-building, making the club a standout extracurricular highlight.

Our partnership with Wyndham Tech School extended STEM learning beyond our walls. Students participated in events such as the inspiring Women in Tech program and the immersive Deadly Tech Day, engaging with industry experts from Amazon Web Services and beyond.

NAIDOC Week was another highlight, with vibrant activities celebrating culture and connection, including Yidaki performances, mosaic-making and library displays. It was a powerful reminder of the strength of community and shared learning.

The GHD STEM Pathways program gave Year 10 student Sadie Derrig a week of hands-on experience in a professional setting, exploring digital mapping, collaboration and STEM career pathways. Sadie’s reflections emphasised the importance of real-world learning and the opportunities available in STEM fields.

As we look ahead to 2025, our STEAM initiatives will continue to expand with new apps, gadgets, and professional development opportunities for staff. We’re excited to push the boundaries of innovation and ensure our students remain on the cutting edge of learning.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer break. We look forward to another great year of learning and collaboration in 2025.

Gavin Clifford
Strategic Assistant Principal

With the school holidays approaching, some students may find the change to their daily routine makes them feel stressed, isolated and alone. Below are some tips and resources for parents, carers and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care during the school holidays. This includes services to reach out to if more support is needed.

Actions that support positive mental health

• Exercise boosts mood and mental health – make it fun!

• Eat healthily to improve mood

• Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing

• Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies

• Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones

• Make time to do things they enjoy

• Practice positive self-talk – and remind them they are not alone

• Seek professional help if needed

Signs a child or young person may need mental health support

In some cases, these actions will not be enough to support positive mental health. Keep an eye out and seek professional help for changes that last two or more weeks such as:

• Loss of interest or involvement in activities normally enjoyed

• Feeling ‘low’, unusually stressed or worried

• Ordinary things get harder

• Being easily irritated or angry

• Taking more dangerous risks, like using alcohol or drugs

• Withdrawal or feeling overwhelmed

• Difficulties with concentration and motivation

• Having a lot of negative thoughts

• Changes in sleeping and eating

Young people supporting each other

Young people are most likely to turn to each other for support before seeking out an adult or service provider. Young people can support each other by:

• Contacting 000 if a friend needs urgent assistance or is at risk of harming themselves or others

• Reaching out to a friend, offering support and letting them know you care

• Letting their friend know they may need to tell a trusted adult about their concerns

Mental health support

• Your local GP

• Victorian government secondary school students, including those who have just finished schooling, can access counselling services from headspace. During the holidays, students can self-refer by calling their local headspace centre.

• Online and over-the-phone counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families is also available through eheadspace: 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au/eheadspace

• Kids Helpline provides online and phone counselling for young people aged five to 25: 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au

• Parentline provides counselling and support for parents and carers: 13 22 89 services.dffh.vic.gov.au/parentline

• Lifeline provides crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au

• Beyond Blue is an online and phone support service for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety, as well as their families: 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au (including translated resources to help parents and families support young people’s mental health).

• Head to Help has compiled digital mental health resources from Australian organisations: 1800 595 212 www.headtohelp.org.au

• Suicide Call Back Service provides online, phone and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

• Contact 000 if you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others

Family violence support and resources

• Safe Steps provides support for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence: 1800 015 188 www.safesteps.org.au

• 1800RESPECT provides sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service (including information in 28 different languages): 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au

• What’s Okay at Home is a domestic violence resources centre: www.woah.org.au

Self-harm and suicide prevention resources

• Getting a mental health care plan (ReachOut)

• What you need to know about self-harm (headspace)

• How to help when someone is suicidal (SANE Australia)

Mental health resources

• The Mental Health Toolkit contains resources for students, parents and carers to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care

• Raising Learners Podcast Series provides expert advice/information to parents/carers on topics including how to keep your child safe online

It's December again, which means a time of celebration, some sad farewells and a lot of new beginnings. Oh, and holidays - which means some well-deserved time off work.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredibly committed staff at Williamstown High School. Yes, it’s their job but due to the extra care and commitment they continue to deliver day-in and day-out, our school continues to thrive as one of the most sought after in the region.

I’d also like to say a massive thankyou to the PFA; the work they do helps deliver the school additional funds to improve our intra and extra-curricular school activities. To the School Council, I’m very grateful for the hard work you put in all year. And I’d like to acknowledge our departing council members: department representative David Child and student council members Lachie Patterson and Nayimah Falzon.

It is no revelation to any of us parents or carers that the landscape our children are navigating is vastly different to our own experiences. The connectivity through social media, and our children’s accelerated adoption of this due to the pandemic, opens amazing opportunities but also presents risk. The risks the online environment presents include cyber bullying, exposure to inappropriate content and the potential for predatory behaviour.

On November 28 the Australian parliament made global headlines as the first government in the world to pass legislation to restrict access to social media for children under 16, known as the Social Media Minimum Age Bill 2024. The legislation, which is likely to be adopted by other countries, restricts children under 16 years of age from having accounts on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and X. This law aims to protect young users from online harms. Exemptions to the legislation will include educational apps, YouTube Kids and apps that are primarily used for messaging.

As with any legislation, there can be unintended consequences and this will be no different. Critics argue that the ban could negatively impact social development and mental health, as social media is a key communication tool for many young people. As our world grows to be more digitally dependent, there is an argument that young people’s digital literacy could be impaired. And of course, the capability of government to implement and enforce the legislation and the ability of young people to get around the restrictions is also an issue. That being said, a YouGov survey completed by 1,515 respondents found that 77 percent of Australians support the ban with a further 87 percent in support of stronger penalties on social media companies who fail to comply with Australian laws.

The state’s Education Department has expressed cautious support for the legislation. They acknowledge the potential benefits in protecting students but emphasise the need for comprehensive digital literacy programs. They also raised concerns about the practical challenges of enforcing the ban and the potential for students to circumvent the restrictions.

Overall, while the legislation aims to create a safer online environment for children, its success will depend on effective implementation and ongoing education efforts. While the legislation has been passed, over the next 12 months affected platforms will roll out systems on how they will enforce age restrictions, which won’t come into effect until 2026. On balance, I believe the legislation will be positive in making the online environment safer for our future generations.

Some resources for cyber safety can be found at:

www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources

www.childsafe.org.au/help-for-families/e-safety-online/

On a final note, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Year 12 students. As a cohort, they have achieved remarkable success and should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Their families, too, can take pride in the dedication and perseverance that brought them to this milestone.

Remember, there is much more to life than an ATAR score. Even if the desired result wasn’t achieved, the effort and commitment you have shown to reach this point are truly worth celebrating.

I wish all our graduates the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to the legacy of Williamstown High School. Hold fast!

To everyone, have a great and safe holiday and see you in 2025.

Regards

Kane Harnden

School Council President

Payment arrangements are live on Compass

School payment arrangements for 2025 have been posted on Compass and are now available for payment. Please refer to my previous Compass post for the complete breakdown of contributions by year level. These are also available on our website.

Compass is our preferred method of payment for all contributions and events. Please contact reception if you are unable to log in to Compass. Attached is the guide on how to process payments via Compass.

Building Fund receipts

WHS’s School Council holds a School Building Fund with an established deductible gift recipient (DGR) status. This means that families who wish to contribute via Compass will receive an official DGR receipt to claim a tax deduction in your next personal tax return. These DGR status receipts can now be generated by our families on Compass. Please see the attached guide on how to generate receipts. The school will no longer be sending these out separately.

User agreements

WHS has three agreements that must be completed on an annual basis via Compass. For 2025, the following agreements have been moved into the 'payment centre' of Compass and require acceptance to proceed to the payment arrangements:

• Use of Image Consent - permission for student images to be used internally and/or externally

• Acceptable Use Agreement - ensures the acceptable use of our network and ICT systems by all students

• Local Excursion Consent - permission for students to go on excursions in the local area as part of their classes

The Billing Parent Guide includes instructions on how to accept these agreements. Please ensure these agreements are signed and relevant questions answered before students return to school. Please note that we are required to disconnect students from our WiFi network and ICT systems if the relevant agreement is not signed by Friday, February 14.

Our Year 7-12 booklists are available via the JP Books website.

Please contact the school via email williamstown.hs@education.vic.gov.au if you have any questions. Thank you very much for your support.

New Canteen Manager Commencing Term 1

Please see the attached introduction letter from Teresa Nobile, who will be joining the team at H&H Canteens at WHS starting Term 1, 2025.

With our support, Teresa will be implementing an online ordering system called “Flexischools” at our canteens and we will send out information about this before we return to school in Term 1.

We look forward to sharing the new menu with our families in January.

School Saving Bonus - Activities, voucher updates and FAQs

School activities

If you have allocated a portion or the full SSB amount toward activities, please complete the following survey to indicate the activities you wish to allocate your funds to: forms.gle/23tS1GmsvXDf31h89

Families with multiple students will need to complete a survey for each individual student, but only if SSB funds have been allocated via the portal to activities.

If you have already completed this form for your student/s and followed the steps on the SSB portal to allocate a portion to activities, then we have allocated your receipt to the appropriate excursion/camp and updated Compass.

Portal errors with uniform and booklist supplier online vouchers

We have been informed by several families about errors when requesting online vouchers via the portal. Since contacting the SSB hotline for advice, the Department of Education has notified us that online vouchers are unavailable at Dobsons for uniforms, and JP Books has exhausted its maximum online voucher threshold allocated by the department. Until further advice is provided, please select ‘in-store purchase’ for both stores.

UPDATE - Families should now be able to order online vouchers via the SSB portal for JP Books.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will have received a few emails from the Department of Education and the school over the past month with information about the new School Saving Bonus. Attached is a list of answers to the Frequently Asked Questions we have received at the school.

Please be patient with administration of these funds, as this is a new system for schools and we are experiencing some teething issues. The department is aware of the issues and is providing updates to schools when available.

We will continue to provide updates to our families as we receive them. Thank you.

Our Year 7 families,

We have arrived at the end of a very busy year. We just had an amazing day at Adventure Park Geelong to celebrate the end of one of the most important years at school.

This term the students finished their homegroup netball competition, Respectful Relationships program and Girlosophy program. We were also fortunate enough to have a few wonderful karaoke sessions during lunch. Thank you Ms Brogan and Mr Salisbury for organising.

We would like to congratulate Amy Fowler from 7I and Tomasz Palmowski from 7D for receiving the Parents and Friends Award, for displaying the school’s values in their daily actions, at the Whole School Celebration Assembly at the Town Hall.

Our Year 7 students Amy Fowler and Amelia Durham also provided us with a wonderful performance at the assembly. Looking forward to seeing more of them in the school production next year. Congratulations as well to Gauri Gautham, who was recognised for her amazing artwork, which will grace the front cover of our school resource diary next year.

This term two students from each homegroup have been selected by their teachers for demonstrating the values we love to see in our learners. Congratulations.

Students have started the transition part of the Headstart Program, where they get to know new classmates that they will collaborate with in their learning. Their Year 8 coordinators are James Riccobene and Jenny Fsadni.

We would like to thank all of the teachers and education support staff who worked alongside the students this year. Special thanks for the extra work our SRC reps did with the guidance of Kathyrn Harik in representing the Year 7 cohort. Thank you also to parents and carers for your support throughout the year.

Have a relaxing break.

Isabella O’Malley and James Riccobene

Year 7 Coordinators

Year 8

This year has flown by and I can’t believe we are already at the end of Term 4. The Year 8s achieved so much this year, not only academically in the classroom but also socially as young adults. As the end-of-year reports are made available to families, please spend the time to read through them and celebrate your child’s growth.

Recently we had our whole school assembly, where we were able to celebrate two students from Year 8 who were exceptional all year and consistently showed our school values. It was a hard decision to make but congratulations to our recipients of those awards:

Sebastien McKenzie-Wee (8D)

Eva Commons (8G)

End of year excursion

On 10 December all students had the opportunity to celebrate with their homegroup excursions. We were spread across three different venues:

Luna Park - 8B, 8C, 8F, 8H, 8I

Archie Brother Arcade - 8A, 8D, 8G

O’Brien Icehouse - 8E, 8J

Year 9

On Friday, students experienced a day as a Year 9, taking part in their 2025 classes. It was a really successful day. Students completed some testing that will inform our teaching next year. They also completed an immersion lesson to introduce them to the big issue of homelessness in Australia.

A friendly reminder to make sure your child has the correct uniform and learning materials so they are ready and prepared for day one next year.

Mr Wilson is excited to be staying with this cohort next year into Year 9, with the two year-level coordinators being Stewart Wilson and Sandie Johnstone.

Finally, we wish all students and their families a safe and restful break. We look forward to seeing what you can achieve in Year 9.

Stewart Wilson

Jenny Fsadni

With the end of the year upon us, the Year 9s had a huge transformation to becoming Year 10s by attending classes at the Pasco Campus! Students began Headstart with a positive attitude, and have been enjoying the new experiences and challenges. The first day began with a welcome from the Year 10 coordinators, Isabella O’Malley and Christopher Blattman. Then each Year 9 (now Year 10) homegroup completed activities with both their Bayview homegroup teacher and their new Pasco homegroup teacher. This allowed for students to get to know their new teacher, and the new Pasco Campus, with a familiar face to guide them. Students have since begun their Year 10 subjects, with some students even beginning their VCE subject!

To finish off the year we like to celebrate our end of term award winners. Congratulations to our many award winners at the end of term assembly:

• Larry Ngyuen and Millie Hunt for the Parents and Friends Association Award - in recognition for outstanding demonstration and commitment to the school values of “Be Safe”, “Be Respectful” and “Be a Learner”.

• Kael Kerr and Amelia Cahill for the Ex-Students Association Scholarship - in recognition for outstanding results throughout the year.

• Isla Briggs-Kennedy for the 60 Years On Scholarship - in recognition of outstanding work in the form of humanitarian endeavour.

• Charlie Cox for the Melissa Horne Book Award - for their efforts towards social justice and contributions in the local community.

• Alyssa McPheat for the Tim Watts Book Prize - in recognition of a high standard of academic achievement throughout the year.

• Isla Paramanis-Skinner for the Bayview Hold Fast Award - for fantastic contributions to the school.

Back at Bayview a student from each homegroup was awarded with a Sun Theatre voucher for being most punctual. And Edward Stanley won the draw for 100 percent attendance for the year.

Students celebrated their final week at Bayview with a trip to Funfields theme park. The weather was perfect on the day, and students enjoyed the water slides and rides. Students returned to school for final curriculum, feedback on final assessments, and of course class parties to farewell the campus.

All of us at Bayview wish the Year 9s a positive time at the Pasco Campus, and success with their future studies.

Carmen Wiseman & Thomas Gentry | Year 9 Coordinators

Year 10s wrap up year in style

Our Year 10 students finished the year on a high note, excelling in their exams, electives and Year 11 Headstart classes. Their efforts and achievements were celebrated in a memorable end-of-year assembly, where several students were recognised for their outstanding contributions to academic excellence, leadership and embodiment of our school values.

Congratulations to award winners

Parents and Friends Association Award
For demonstrating exceptional commitment to Williamstown High School’s core values of “We are Respectful”, “We are Learners” and “We are Safe.”

• Eli Culha

• Bridie Mead

Ex-Students Association Award
For achieving outstanding academic results throughout the year.

• Hayden Galea

• Vicky Lin

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Award
For exceptional leadership and teamwork within the school and broader community.

• Mirka Cumming

• Molly Hughes

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program
For academic excellence and selection into this prestigious enrichment program, which fosters a community of high-achieving students.

• Mischa Johnston

A huge congratulations to all our Year 10 award recipients - you’ve made your school and community proud!

Looking ahead to Year 11

Our soon-to-be Year 11s have already made an impressive start to their VCE VM studies, demonstrating commendable attendance, focus and positive behaviour during the Headstart program. Teaching staff praised their dedication, and the Year 11 coordinating team, Jaslyn Walker and Angus Rodda, are excited to support such an enthusiastic and motivated cohort in the year ahead.

To the 2025 Year 11 cohort: congratulations on an incredible year! Enjoy your well-deserved break, recharge, and get ready to ‘Lock In’ for another action-packed year at Williamstown High School.

Wishing you all the best for the holidays,

Jaslyn Walker & Christopher Blattman
2024 Year 10 Leadership Team

We are now at the end of what has been a fantastic year of learning and achievement for Year 11 students and their teachers. The majority of students have laid a solid foundation this year to enable them to navigate Year 12 smoothly, and achieve to the best of their ability in 2025.

I spoke with many students during Headstart about keeping the momentum going after the program finished, continuing a reduced study schedule for a couple of weeks to complete the reading of English texts, and finalising any holiday homework so they could enjoy the festive period and then relax and recharge during early January, ready to make a strong start to 2025 at the end of that month.

The holiday period serves as a brilliant opportunity for families to review any uniform items that need to be purchased over the summer. The school uniform and the method for purchasing items is linked on the school’s website and it is expected that every student will be in the correct uniform on the first day of school in 2025.

To celebrate the unofficial end of Year 11 studies, a pizza party was held in L-Block on the last day before the exam period. Approximately 50 pizzas were ordered, and it did not take long for the Year 11s to finish them all, with Mr Catalano and the Year 11 homegroup teachers kindly offering their assistance in handing out pizza slices to students.

A Hot Wings lunch was also organised for the winners of the Semester 2 Homegroup Challenge, 11F, during the first week of Headstart. With the assistance of their homegroup teacher, Mr Hume, 11F were able to hold off fierce competition from 11B to claim the top spot. A lunch of hot chips and a soft drink was a great way to recognise their achievement.

The Year 12 jumpers for 2025 were finally moved out of the Year Level Coordinators’ Office and approximately 260 of them were collected by students at the end of the exam period, ready to be worn at the commencement of Headstart. The jumpers reflect a change in design from last year, showcasing the school colours, and it was fantastic to see them being worn around the school by so many students during Headstart.

To permanently acknowledge the Year 11 students of 2024, a ceiling banner will be hung in L-Block from the beginning of next year, as the start of a new tradition at Pasco Campus. Students were given the opportunity to sign the banner during Headstart to mark the start of their VCE journey at the school.

There has been a focus on attendance across the Pasco Campus this year, especially in Year 11. A high level of attendance at school is one of the key factors that underpins learning and wellbeing, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Soren Madadi and Vince Mandado for their incredible achievement of 100 percent attendance throughout the year. To recognise their perfect record for the year, Soren and Vince were given a certificate of achievement and a gift card by Mr Catalano in the first week of Headstart.

I would like to congratulate the Year 11 students who received awards at the whole school end-of-year assembly held on the final day of Headstart. Seven students were recognised for their achievements across different areas of the school. The award winners are listed below:

Hold Fast Award

Vafa Ighaniyan - “I could not believe it when I was told that I would be receiving such an award; I thought I was dreaming! It has motivated me to keep being a ‘Hold Fast’ student in 2025.”

Ex-Students Association Scholarship Award

Chloe Wilson

Liam Kaye - “I am truly honoured to receive this award, and I am grateful to all of my teachers and peers for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this year. I will strive to continue working hard over the course of Year 12!”

Year 11 Parents and Friends Association Award

Anais McColl - “I was very grateful to receive an award - I have been working hard this year, and I am happy it has paid off! I am looking forward to what is to come next year in Year 12."

Soren Madadi - “I genuinely feel excited and thrilled receiving this award based on my accomplishments!”

Year 11 VCE VM Parents and Friends Association Award

Sam O’Dea - “I was surprised to have won this award, but I am extremely happy that I have.”

Mackenzie Speakman - “At first I thought they had the wrong student when Miss Hall told me I had won an award. Receiving this award has made me feel appreciated.”

I would also like to congratulate all the successful candidates for school leadership positions in 2025, especially our new School Captains Chloe Hodgman and Rivi Zdraveski. I was part of the interview process, and it was extremely difficult to separate candidates with so many strong interviews and testimonies from teachers. I look forward to seeing the whole leadership team working together in 2025 to create exciting new programs and initiatives for all students at the Pasco Campus.

I would like to thank Mr Bernardi for his work in supporting students this year as one of the Year 11 coordinators. Mr Bernardi is taking up a new role as the VET coordinator at the Pasco Campus next year and I wish him all the best in this role. Also, I will be moving year levels in 2025, becoming the Year 12 coordinator; I look forward to working with Mr Urwin to assist the learning and wellbeing of all students.

Finally, I wish all members of the Williamstown High School community a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break.

On Friday, we celebrated and bade farewell to the graduating class of 2024 at the Year 12 Graduation and Awards Ceremony. It was a fitting conclusion to an incredible six-year journey at Williamstown High School.

The evening provided an opportunity to honour significant achievements, particularly the outstanding VCE results. This year saw a record number of study scores above 40 and ATARs exceeding 90. A special mention goes to Charlie Muliett, who earned the title of school Dux for 2024 with an impressive ATAR of 99.50.

While we take pride in these academic accomplishments, it’s equally important to acknowledge that a student’s time at Williamstown High School is about more than just ATAR scores. It’s about the memories made, the experiences shared, and the friendships formed. It’s about how each student has grown and evolved during their time with us and is now equipped and ready to follow their dreams.

To conclude, as coordinators we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for making this year so incredibly rewarding. Your energy, enthusiasm and the dynamic atmosphere you created made the Study Centre an inspiring and exciting place to work each day. You will forever be known as the baggy pants TN year level and we cannot wait to see what good you do in the world!

Mr Rodda & Mr Urwin

Farewell VCE VM Year 12s: A tribute to your achievements

As the school year draws to a close, it is with a mix of pride and nostalgia that we bid farewell to our incredible Year 12 vocational students. This group has not only excelled academically but has also left an indelible mark on our school community through their passion, creativity and leadership.

One of the highlights of the year was the School Garden Project, a true labour of love. Spearheaded by the Year 12s, this initiative transformed a simple patch of land into a vibrant, sustainable garden. Their dedication to creating an eco-friendly space for future students to enjoy is a testament to their forward-thinking mindset and commitment to the environment.

Our Year 12s also showcased their artistic talents in various ways, most notably through the dance classes at Williamstown Primary School. Sharing their skills and fostering a love for dance among younger students highlighted their generosity and ability to inspire. It’s heartwarming to see how they became role models for the next generation.

In addition, the framing photography project was a stunning display of their creativity and attention to detail. These framed masterpieces not only beautified our school but also demonstrated how art can tell powerful stories and connect us as a community.

Finally, their entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly during the Parent Information Evening, where they set up engaging and informative stalls. These stalls were not only a platform to showcase their projects but also a reflection of their teamwork, communication skills, and dedication to sharing their knowledge to help inspire a new generation of applied learners at Williamstown High School.

To our departing Year 12s: thank you for your contributions and the legacy you leave behind. Your energy, creativity and determination have set a high bar for future cohorts. While we will miss your presence, we are excited to see how you continue to thrive and make a difference in the world beyond these school gates.

Congratulations on an amazing journey, and best wishes for the adventures ahead. The entire school community is cheering you on!

The break between Term 3 and 4 was a busy time for our Units 3&4 students, who attended revision lectures, masterclasses and trial examinations at school. The start of Term 4 saw the completion of the final school-based assessments (both SACs and SATs), before the focus was shifted to the end-of-year exams.

For all students completing a scored Unit 4 subject, the externally assessed VCAA exams are the final step in achieving a study score and/or an ATAR result. While there was a lot of nervous energy prior to the exams, it was clear that all students were prepared to give each exam their best effort.

VCE Headstart commenced in Week 7, which allowed the students to join their 2025 classes and have a proper feel for their VCE subjects before the holiday break. In Week 9 we welcomed the Year 9 students, who started their transition to the Pasco Campus. All students completed seven days of Year 10 classes, which gave them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the campus, meet their new teachers and trial their classes for 2025.

I wish all the students and their families a relaxing holiday and look forward to working with them in 2025.

Hannah Vu | Curriculum Leader, Pasco Campus

A year of leadership and community

As we conclude a remarkable year at Willi High, the 2024 leadership team reflects on a term filled with impactful initiatives and memorable moments. Term 4 was a period of growth, collaboration and community engagement, marked by a series of successful events and projects.

Here’s a report from Shannon, our 2025 Inclusion Captain, about some of our activities:

“The leadership team made a strong start to the term by hosting two events in the first week. We celebrated Mental Health Awareness Day, recognising the importance of looking after our mental health, especially during the challenges of school life. We participated in meditation led by Mr Heymann and taichi led by Mr Hrasko to promote mindfulness. Students also had the opportunity to enjoy a free cookie organised by Megan or pick up a pamphlet with tips on maintaining positive mental health during SACs and exams.

We also showed our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our teachers by celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day. This was an out-of-uniform day, with all proceeds going towards the upcoming renovations to the Year 11 area. Students enjoyed fairy floss and made cards to thank their teachers.

Both events were a great success for Pasco Campus, and we thank everyone who participated.”

Introducing your 2025 School Captains

As we turn the page to a new year, we’re excited to introduce our 2025 School Captains, Rivi Zdraveski and Chloe Hodgeman. We sat down with them to discuss their aspirations and vision for the year ahead.

Congratulations on being selected as School Captains! How does it feel to take on this leadership role?

Rivi: “I’m a little nervous. I know it’s not going to be easy but at the same time, I feel that being a school captain will be a really worthwhile and rewarding experience.”

Chloe: “I’m extremely excited to be selected as school captain. I am also very aware that this role is a big responsibility but I am looking forward to embracing the challenge. I hope that I can represent our students well as an influential and approachable leader.”

What goals do you have for the school? How do you plan to make a positive impact?

Rivi: “I don’t have any specific goals but I plan to work closely with Willi High students and listen to their concerns and suggestions on how we can work with the leadership team and the principals to create positive change at Willi High next year.”

Chloe: “One goal I have is to further bridge the gap between the Bayview and Pasco campuses. I know that younger kids really look up to students in the Pasco Campus (or at least I did) and it can be really rewarding for older students to act as mentors towards Bayview students. I would also like to implement simple but effective ways to give students a voice in issues that matter most.”

What events or initiatives are you most excited to work on this year?

Rivi: “I’d like to organise some free dress days next year to help fundraise for some charities that do a lot of work to make a positive difference in students’ lives regarding mental health and general wellbeing.”

Chloe: “My favourite events at Willi High are the Athletics Day, Warchild and IDAHOBIT Day, so I am very excited to see what I can bring to these events!”

We look forward to seeing the positive impact that Rivi, Chloe and the rest of the 2025 Student Leadership Team will have on our school community.

Earlier in the term as part of the Principal’s Writing Competition, some of our talented writers visited the Odyssey Literary Festival at RMIT’s Capitol theatre in October and engaged with a panel of published graphic and teen lit authors to learn more about the magic of storytelling.

Authors Sarah Firth, Judith Russell, Biffy James and Keshe Chow shared their writing tips and strategies along with a few funny anecdotes, which was very much appreciated by the students.

Students also had their work published in the Williamstown High School Anthology, titled: ‘It’s just a game’. We have copies of the anthology at both the Bayview and Pasco libraries for all to read.

We look forward to seeing even more students entering the Principal’s Writing Competition in 2025.

Preparations for NAPLAN 2025 are already underway for next year’s Year 7 and 9 students. I would like to encourage Year 8 parents and carers (in readiness for Year 9) to download the 2025 NAPLAN browser onto their child’s device for a smooth transition next year. Information and support can be found at the ACARA website: Locked down browser | Online National Assessment Platform

All students are encouraged to read their novels over the summer holidays in preparation for their English classes in 2025. For those wanting to access 2025 booklists, please see the link here to the JP Books website and the Williamstown High School catalogues for Years 7-12.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and merry holiday season. Happy summer reading!

Term 4 in Humanities at Bayview has always been a favourite for students and teachers alike. It’s the time of year when we embrace the opportunity to step outside the classroom and explore the beautiful world around us. This term, the Year 8 students studied their local area by investigating the stunning settings at Williamstown Beach and the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary. Here, students explored coastal landscapes and delved into how these environments are protected. The fresh air, the sparkle of the ocean and the chance to experience nature firsthand made for unforgettable lessons. How lucky we are to have such wonders in our own backyard!

The spirit of exploration continued as Year 7 students journeyed to Footscray and Docklands. These two suburbs provided a fascinating contrast - Footscray’s vibrant, multicultural energy and historic charm compared to Docklands’ sleek, modern skyline and quiet waterfront. Students examined how different environments serve the needs of their communities, sparking insightful discussions about liveability.

For our Year 9 students, the term shifted focus to a different kind of investigation - politics and policy-making. Part of the cohort took on the challenge of forming their own political parties. Against the backdrop of worldwide elections, they debated key issues, crafted policies, and gained a deeper understanding of how the media influences elections. One hot topic this year was the proposal to ban social media for those under 16. Students explored the steps of turning this idea and others into legislation all while sharing passionate opinions about issues that impact their generation.

As we wrap up the year, the Williamstown Bayview Humanities team would like to thank students for their curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and the best of luck in 2025!

Hannah Erasmus

Another year is reaching its conclusion as the Year 9s join us on Pasco for Headtsart as I write. I am hearing great things about their engagement in Mathematics from our teachers.

Our team of teachers will look a little different next year with Mr Milutinovic and Mr Child both moving on to new schools. They have both contributed enormously to our maths programs and will be missed.

The highlight of Semester 2 was Maths Week, returning for the first time since pre-COVID. Students had the opportunity to get involved in using an online spirograph, playing sudoku, badge making and even compete in a Connect Four battle. We are looking forward to building on this event in 2025.

• Thanks and congrats to everyone who participated in the Year 7 Karaoke Competition and Karaoke Day. Connor Ivory’s performances were a standout, and we hope he and his homegroup enjoyed their prizes!

• Congrats to the Year 9 students of ‘The Big Gig!’ This semester they organised a gig at the Pirates Tavern in Williamstown, which was very much enjoyed by their families and friends.

Vocal, Guitar and Piano Concert

On Tuesday, December 3, the Bayview Atrium was filled with the sound of our talented students at the annual Vocal, Guitar and Piano Performance Evening. This year’s event was particularly special as it featured the addition of piano performances to the program.

This memorable evening was a wonderful celebration of the hard work and dedication that our students have put into their instrumental lessons and ensembles in 2024.

For some, a first performance, and for our Year 12s, a great representation of their musical contributions across their time at the school.

A big thank you to all who attended, and the following music staff for their contributions in what was a great opportunity for cross-campus music making and performance:

Will Salisbury (Senior Guitar Ensemble), Tim Van Roon (Junior Guitar Ensemble), Holly Defina (Piano), Elissa Rodger (Piano/Vocal), Zoe Mitchell (Junior Vocal/Choir) and Kathy Hinch (Senior Vocal/Choir).

Summer Picnic Concert

This year’s Summer Concert was filled with the beautiful sounds of our talented Concert Band Ensembles. Students had spent weeks rehearsing, and their hard work shone through in every note. The concert included pieces by renowned composers and arrangers like Jodie Blackshaw, Queen, Kris Berg, Ralph Ford and Alan Silvestri.

Families gathered with picnics and camping chairs, enjoying the perfect summer night, replete with great music. The atmosphere was one of community and celebration. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to next year’s event.

Kit Millais (Senior Band), Richard Giles (Junior Band, Intermediate Band), Karen Morris (Junior Band), Will Salisbury (Pasco Stage Band, Bayview Stage Band), Robert Harry (Senior Band) and Lachlan Wyatt (Senior Band).

State School Spectacular

Catch the televised 2024 Victorian State School Spectacular, featuring WHS students and principal vocalists Indy Readsmith and Excelsior Madden. Hosted by Home and Away’s Ada Nicodemou, the special broadcast with behind-the-scenes highlights was aired live in Melbourne on Saturday, December 14, at 7pm, on Channel 7 and made available on streaming platform 7Plus.

The 2024 school year at Bayview Campus showcased the creativity and talent of students through various Visual Arts events and excursions that enriched classroom learning.

Arts Week provided a platform for students to perform and exhibit their talents across visual and performing arts, fostering a vibrant and inclusive school culture.

Year 9 Visual Arts students visited the National Gallery of Victoria, exploring diverse exhibits that connected their classroom learning to the broader artistic world. Similarly, Year 9 Digital Photography students participated in local photo walks, using their skills to capture the beauty of Bayview’s surroundings from fresh perspectives.

A standout opportunity for Year 9 students was displaying their canvas art at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre. Under Helen Bacon’s guidance, students created impressive pieces that were showcased alongside works from other schools in the district. Seeing their art in a public space was a proud moment, both for the students and the local community.

Term 4 culminated in the Art and Tech Show, a celebration of students’ achievements. This exhibition, featuring exceptional work from various classes, was warmly received by parents, teachers and the wider school community. It highlighted the incredible talent within the school and allowed students to appreciate the creativity of their peers.

A heartfelt thank you to the students and staff who contributed to these events. These opportunities not only enhanced students’ artistic skills but also encouraged them to view their world through a more creative lens. It was inspiring to see the school community come together to celebrate the arts and acknowledge the outstanding work on display.

The Woods Street Youth Art Show received over 100 submissions from the Hobsons Bay area for its biennial Youth Art Show, running from November 14 to 29. Four of our students were shortlisted: Year 12 students Harriet Ronchi and Violet McCurly, and Year 11 students Han Nguyen and Tiffany Temuskos. We are especially proud to announce that Harriet received the Encouragement Award along with a cash prize, while Tiffany earned an Honorable Mention and a gift certificate for art materials. These students have demonstrated outstanding talent, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Food Technology Year 9

Year 9 students this semester explored the many factors that make Australia a multicultural mecca for food. They reimagined the “Great Australian Pie” and designed and produced food suitable to be served in a food truck for Harmony Day.

HORTICULTURE 2024

Year 8

This semester Year 8 students had their first experience of horticulture as a subject. This hands-on subject gave students the opportunity to put what they learnt in the classroom into practice in the school’s horticulture area.

Some topics that were covered this semester were: plant propagation, cultivation, different types of plants and how to identify them, and the different tools used in horticulture. Students enjoyed seeing their seeds sprout in the windowed pot CAT, where they learnt the differences between monocots and dicots.

The Horticulture team looks forward to the addition of a new greenhouse in 2025.

Year 9

The year began with us thinking about our favourite foods and how nice it would be to grow our own.

We needed to learn about soil, water and light and how these contribute to plant growth. We needed to find seeds, build garden beds, bug hotels, greenhouses and irritation systems. So that’s exactly what we did!

Photography Multi-Technologies Year 9

Photography students this term were well engaged in several practical tasks that required looking closely at objects, framing their images and considering lighting and composition. Students use Canon cameras that have very similar settings to an SLR camera.

The students did a variety of activities this year, going out on field trips to photograph and working within a studio environment. Their focus was to learn tools such as Photoshop, which is a program that takes photographers and designers years to perfect. It is a highly used program in all facets of design and photography.

This term students completed calendars, which take some time to create and perfect the images in Photoshop. To work with Photoshop is a highly sought after skill in the design industry. To be a specialist in that field requires you to continue your studies in Visual Communication and Design or Photography.

Please click to view Art & Technology Exibition

The Williamstown High School 2024 Art & Technology ExhibitionTechnology Wood

Year 7 Product Design Wood

In Year 7 Product Design Wood, students engaged in a hands-on learning experience where they followed the design process to create their own projects. They began by researching and brainstorming ideas, then moved on to designing, making and finally evaluating their finished products. Throughout the process, students learnt essential skills, such as how to safely use various tools and machines, ensuring their work adhered to safety protocols.

The main projects were a unique chopping board and an LED light box, both of which allowed students to explore different materials and techniques. By the end of the course, they gained practical experience in crafting functional items while developing their ability to critically assess their work and make improvements.

Year 9 Product Design Wood

In Year 9 Product Design Wood, students expanded their skills by developing a deeper understanding of wood joinery techniques, and how this can be used to make complex projects. Emphasising safety, students were trained in the proper use of tools and machines, ensuring they could work efficiently and securely throughout the project.

For their first assignment, they were given the option to create a card box, a clock or a lolly dispenser, each providing opportunities to practise different joinery methods and woodworking techniques. For their second project, students had the freedom to research and design a product of their own choosing, allowing them to apply their skills creatively and work on a project that reflected their individual interests. This progression helped them build both technical expertise and confidence in independent design.

Digital Technology Year 9 Wyndham Tech

Students have completed another successful semester at Wyndham Tech School. Students presented their pitches for selection of their team project for the esports topic. In Term 3 the teams worked to design and run an esports tournament. They learnt different tools used for managing, promoting and running an online esports game.

They followed up this project by working on a racecar in CAD software 3D printing their desighns and then racing them on a track. The cars were able to reach speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. The students also got to meet some university students who design and race cars.

Year 7 and 9 Textiles 2024

Students have trialled and used a range of simple and complex textile processes and techniques to produce a designed solution for a target audience.

Year 7 students completed a unit on Australian Endangered Animals and produced a silk screened and machined bag or pillow cover to promote awareness in the community. They designed and produced a shoulder bag/satchel using a range of techniques to decorate it for the end user. They learnt a range of embroidery stitches while constructing a doorstop.

Year 9 students further developed their skills in garment construction and used a commercial pattern to produce a hoodie and/or pyjamas for a client.

Next meeting – 18 February 2025 – further details and guest speaker to be advised via Compass.

Many thanks to Simone Barlow, one of the Inclusive Education Leading Teachers, who spoke at our last meeting of the year in early November. Simone introduced the staff that make up the Inclusion team at WHS across both campuses and explained the Department of Education’s new Disability Inclusion Funding Model, and how that works and is implemented within the school.

Thanks for your support

Thanks to all families for supporting the PFA in 2024. Through parent donations, a Bunnings sausage sizzle and the Scout and Schools Monster Raffle, we have been able to:

• commit to donating $15,000 over the next three years to enhance the Year 11 area at the Pasco campus

• fund student leaders to go to a leadership conference

• donate a smart new sports kit for interschool competitions, and

• provide recreational equipment for students to use at recess and lunchtime at the Bayview Campus

In addition, we have:

• donated $3000 to the student welfare teams

• hosted a ‘thank you’ afternoon tea for our hard-working teaching and non-teaching staff

• presented $100 Citizenship Awards to two students from each year level at the end of year assembly/graduation

There is more information about the PFA on the school website under the “Parents” tab. Alternatively, email presidentwhspfa@gmail.com to receive PFA updates or get in touch.