College Principal Report

Welcome to this month’s edition of the W-Files. On behalf of the teaching staff I would like to start by acknowledging the parents who attended our second semester Parent-Teacher Interviews. We greatly value the partnership we have with families and the role these events play in improving the learning and pathways for students. I would also like to thank families who responded to our uniform survey. This feedback will help inform School Council if our uniform is meeting our school community needs and expectations or if there are items we need to review.

In recent weeks, the Williamstown High School community has been actively engaged in a range of events including: the School for Student Leadership program, immersion and vocational major project showcases, the Raise mentoring program, wellbeing activities, R U OK? and Wear It Purple days, subject selection, interschool sporting competitions and a number of wonderful musical concerts.

Both our senior girls and boys soccer teams made the state finals this year - a great achievement by both teams and their coaches, Andre Bernardi and Ian Hume. I thoroughly enjoy supporting our students at these events when possible. I particularly had a great time last Thursday high fiving and celebrating with our senior boys as they were crowned state champions - a first for Willi High in senior boys soccer.

Our student-led end-of-term assemblies not only celebrated outstanding student achievement across the school but additionally provided another platform for students to display their diverse and wonderful talents. Our Year 12 students were also able to reflect on their time at school and advise the Year 10s and 11s about making the most of the opportunities ahead. Please enjoy reading about the whole range of activities our students have been involved with in our W-Files.

Students and staff enjoying book week activities
Students and staff enjoying book week activities
Students and staff enjoying book week activities
Students and staff enjoying book week activities
Senior Boys celebrating being crowned Soccer State Champions
Senior Boys celebrating being crowned Soccer State Champions

School survey

Attitudes to School Survey for staff, students and families are conducted every year at all government schools (the parents/carers’ survey closes on Friday 20 September). These surveys help us gain insight and understanding into student and parent/carer experiences of school as well as insights into staff perceptions of their workplace. They provide valuable data about parent perceptions and our students’ wellbeing and opinions on teaching, learning and school in general. This information is analysed and used to reflect on current practices and programs.

This year’s survey results show that our students generally feel safe and positive about their learning environment; our parents are positive about the school and the school experience; and the staff feel supported by an environment that allows them to deliver highly effective teaching and learning experiences.

PFA thanks

Our Parents and Friends Association is an amazing team of people who are always looking for ways to add value to our school environment and community. As a result of their successful fundraising efforts, the PFA is able to each year fund a number of special projects around the school.

The PFA also hosts an afternoon tea at the end of Term 3 for all staff at the Bayview Campus Atrium. This has become a highly anticipated event where staff certainly feel appreciated and valued by the parent community. We were very pleased to once again be treated by our wonderful PFA. Once again, a big thank you to our PFA for its ongoing support and commitment.

Spectacular achievements

I would like to highlight and congratulate two of our students who, following a rigorous selection process, participated as lead vocalists in the recent Victorian State Schools Spectacular. This is a fantastic achievement and another wonderful example of the pool of talent we have in our school community.

Indy Readsmith - Principal Vocalist
Excelsior Madden - Principal Vocalist

VCE Music students Indy and Excelsior celebrate their last Victorian State Schools Spectacular rehearsal with the incredible Kate Ceberano over the weekend! Kate shared her wisdom and artistry with members of the main cast before production week at John Cain Arena.
VCE Music students Indy and Excelsior celebrate their last Victorian State Schools Spectacular rehearsal with the incredible Kate Ceberano over the weekend! Kate shared her wisdom and artistry with members of the main cast before production week at John Cain Arena.



Campus Principal Report Bayview

Dear parents and carers

As third term concludes, we anticipate that students will reflect on their progress thus far including during Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Semester 1 reports included absences from school for the first time in recent history. Although this information is readily available, its inclusion provides further evidence for students to demonstrate their commitment to punctuality and learning. Learning opportunities missed are very difficult to replicate.

Please speak with your child about their Work Habits and Personal Learning Goals and seek support from your child’s homegroup teacher, as required, to make progress with goals in the final term of the academic year.

We look forward to continuing this work and thank you for your support in this regard.

Our learning environment

We are continuing to work on maintaining and improving learning environments for our students. The handrails for our decking have recently been installed and the remaining temporary fencing will be removed shortly. This area is now much improved for all of our students and staff.

The development of our engagement and wellbeing wing for students and staff is almost complete. Student Welfare Coordinator Ann Hyland, Mental Health Practitioner Chris Frei, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Alex Robinson, and Youth Worker Alanah Meilak will be able to work shoulder to shoulder, supporting our students from the beginning of next term.

Our staff wear purple high visibility vests when on duty in the grounds. These personalised garments enable students to clearly see who is on duty during the breaks and can seek them out, if required. We have noted the presence of snakes in our wetlands area already this season. Please help us to keep your child safe by asking them to only use paths in this area and report any sightings to the staff member on duty.

Our working bee on the morning of Thursday, 29 August, was productive and saw a small team of interested and willing members of the school community collect litter and remove weeds and debris from along Bayview Street. It was fabulous to have students join us - thank you to parents/carers that encouraged their child to attend. Thank you to the parents and carers that joined us to further improve the grounds for our students.

Working bee 29 August 2024
Working bee 29 August 2024

‘Nude’ food only to school each day please! If this is a challenge, ask your child to leave their waste in their lunch box/bag to be returned home, ie. take the sandwich out into the grounds only. Students can access their lockers during the breaks, however, we don’t see many students returning their waste to their lockers. As outlined above, we will continue to address this issue as a school and as part of the local community.

Staff farewells and welcomes

We are due to welcome Helen Bacon and Liz Lorenc back for Term 4.

Karen Mahoney is due to take leave in the first three weeks of next term, Nick Axaris for the first 7 weeks and Diana Sheldrick for the entirety of the term. We have arranged for existing teachers at our school to continue the work with these classes.

The Poorneet/tadpole season of the annual Eastern Kulin Seasonal Calendar, as described by Woiwurrung traditions, sees temperatures rising and rain continuing, which is evident at Bayview.

Year 10 French students and three teachers, including myself, are currently in France on a school expedition. Travelling to the northern hemisphere and another season will almost certainly have us longing for home a little, and all that makes Australia fabulous. I recently located some ‘Yarra Yarra’ to English translations in an old document that included many words and a song. Within it was “twaginin”, meaning “farewell”. We will bid Australia twaginin but then return, hopefully with stories of amazing learning experiences.

Wishing all students and families a safe and enjoyable break.

Kind regards

Karen Anderson

Campus Principal Report Pasco

As we approach the end of Term 3, students are busy completing assessments and gearing up for the last part of the teaching year. Our Year 12 students are in the final few weeks of learning before those undertaking the VCAA Examinations begin the revision process guided by their teachers. It is an exciting time, and I encourage students from all year levels to seek out their teachers for support, work hard and enjoy the success that comes with that.

From Mr Bernardi (Soccer Coach)

The Williamstown Tillys senior girls soccer team embarked on a wonderful journey across two rounds, winning the Western Metropolitan Sports Region and then progressing to the Senior State Finals.

We experienced our fair share of thrills and spills, not making the final game, achieving a shared third place in the state of Victoria. The team showed courage and determination using skills and strategies that defined a climactic moment in our sporting history.

Hold fast, our Williamstown Tillys!

Williamstown Tillys
Williamstown Tillys

Learning support for students

Alumni Mentors - The Alumni Club is going strong, with past students available to help current students every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:30-5:30pm in the library. These sessions are well attended. Students can just drop in for support or are welcome to stay for the whole time.

Year 12 Term 3 Break - Practice exams are available for Year 12 students over the break. These exams are the final opportunity for students to receive feedback before completing the VCAA Examinations in Term 4. Year 12 students undertaking the examinations are expected to attend these practice sessions.

Connect Lectures - Many Year 12 students have taken the opportunity to enrol in a VCE Connect Lecture for their subject. It is fantastic to see so many students giving themselves the very best chance of success.

End of school celebrations

Between all the study and hard work, there is still time for Year 12s to engage in some fun and celebrate the end of their high school journey. The class of ’24 will be acknowledged in the final celebration assembly at the end of the year; the annual staff vs students volleyball match will be held in the gym; and music, food, jumper signing and the excursion to FunFields will all take place early Term 4. I have also heard rumours of a ‘Battle of the Bands’ between Year 12 musos and the staff band. These are great events, and I am confident all students will celebrate appropriately and respect themselves and the school in line with school values.

Wellbeing Hub

The renovation of the Wellbeing Hub - Parents Pavilion is now complete. Our mental health practitioner and student welfare counsellors will be moving into the space over the break, and we expect it to be fully operational from the start of Term 4. Many students benefit from the services our wellbeing team are able to provide, and having a more quiet and private space will only enhance their work.

Year 10 Assemblies

Finally, just a quick shout out and congratulations to our Year 10 students, who have been running their weekly assembly. I feel proud to see the respect and engagement shown each week, and a nice balance between sharing key information and having some fun with challenges and games to bring the cohort together.

Year 10 Assembly
Year 10 Assembly

Term 3 is a long term and I encourage all of our community members to take a well-earned break over the holidays and arrive back to school ready to meet the challenges that the final term of the year will present. I wish all the best to the Year 12 cohort, who will be busy preparing for their final assessments. You are well aware that the hard work you put in now will pay off later.

Hold fast.

Daniel Pearce

Pasco Campus Principal


Strategic Assistant Principal Report

Year 7 Humanities ‘STEAM’-ing along with VR

Semester 2 has seen the introduction of virtual reality into the Year 7 Humanities curriculum and the students have taken to their new devices with great enthusiasm in the STEAM Education Centre (Room 13). Recently, Year 7s “visited” different cities to assess their liveability and explored the effects of climate change through a special VR application.

The semester VR Captains program is also up and running again - thank you to those students who have volunteered to either share their skills and experience with their classmates or shown a willingness to become our go-to experts in the classroom via new learning. In addition to students expanding their skills in effective VR use, our teachers are also very keen to continue building their VR repertoire, and took part in professional development to seek ways to enhance curriculum in other subject areas. Over the term break, we will also be installing a range of apps on the headsets that cater for a wider range of subjects - stay tuned for more information about this in our future W-Files issues.

Year 7 Humanities students exploring a ‘Cataclysmic Earth’
Year 7 Humanities students exploring a ‘Cataclysmic Earth’


WHS Teachers are keen to know where else VR can be applied in the curriculum
WHS Teachers are keen to know where else VR can be applied in the curriculum

GHD STEM Pathways Program

The Year 10 Girls GHD STEM Pathways Program is currently underway. Our selected students went through an induction session with GHD, and will now undertake five days of placement at their Melbourne headquarters. You can look forward to reading about our students’ experiences in the next W-Files.

Gavin Clifford | Strategic Assistant Principal


Wellbeing

Williamstown High School aims to provide a safe, respectful and optimal learning environment for all students. To achieve this, social and emotional needs are recognised and addressed in a coordinated manner to strengthen the resilience of students as they learn and develop.

As part of a tiered approach, a Yoga and mindfulness program has begun at Pasco for selected Year 10 students. The Teens Yoga and Mindfulness Program is designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Through a holistic approach, the program encourages students to engage in sessions that promote present moment awareness, connectedness, inner strength, emotional regulation, concentration and connection to core values.

Each 60-minute yoga session incorporates a sequence of discussion, movement, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, offering a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Students will also receive a resource pack to help integrate these practices into their daily lives, fostering a greater sense of wellbeing and resilience.

Feedback from Year 10 students:

“It was great!!! Enjoyable.”

“I felt relaxed. My mood improved.”

Yoga students
Yoga students
Yoga set up
Yoga set up


Business Manager Report

Overdue library books

It’s important that all students return their library books to the Bayview and Pasco libraries before the end of term. A list of students with overdue library items has been distributed to homegroup teachers. Please ensure students look in their lockers and at home for any overdue library books. Families will be invoiced $15 per lost/damaged book early next term.

If you have any questions, please speak to Alice or Soula at Bayview Campus, or Marnie at Pasco Campus.

Thanks in advance.

School Saving Bonus

Earlier in the year, the Victorian government announced a new one-off $400 support for families called the School Saving Bonus. In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off payment. The $400 School Saving Bonus will support the costs of school uniforms, textbooks, and school activities like camps, excursions and sports for 2025.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers:

To receive the School Saving Bonus, parents and carers of children who are attending a government school in 2025 are required to do the following by Friday, 18 October, 2024:

  • Complete enrolment: If your child, or children, are changing government school for Term 1, 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025, please complete enrolment. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.

  • Check your contact information: Ensure your phone number and email address is up to date with your school. Please contact the school ASAP to update your details.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

  • in October, to verify your email address

  • in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system

Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email.

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers or visit vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

School Savings
School Savings

We’re on a mission to improve our food and drink environment.

Exciting news! We are part of the new Vic Kids Eat Well movement. This statewide

movement is focused on transforming the food and drink environments where

kids spend their time, including in schools. All Victorian kids deserve access to healthy

and delicious food in places where they learn and play.

We wanted to let you know all about the changes we plan to make:

  • Refresh the fridge - giving sugary drinks the boot and let water take the spotlight

  • Switch up the snacks - ditch the sweets and offer delicious healthy snacks that give kids the fuel they need

  • Change up the menu - give fruit and veggies a chance to shine

  • Put the ‘fun’ into fundraising and marketing

Learn more about Vic Kids Eat Well.


School Council Report

WHSC President’s Report

At the September school council meeting, we were very fortunate to have Pascoe School Captains Indy Readsmith and Lachlan Patterson deliver a presentation on changes being made to the Pasco student leadership structure. After a process of self-evaluation, the student leadership felt that some roles within the present structure were too task oriented and once the task was complete, this left some members feeling somewhat disengaged for the remainder of the school year.

With Ms. Iolande Diamantis the Pasco Campus Student Leadership Coordinator, the student leaders have developed a new structure that will aid engagement of the student leaders over the duration of the entire school year. The revised structure is across four pillars; School Culture, Social Justice, Creative Endeavours and Academic Excellence. I was really impressed with the level of self-awareness and the pursuit of improvement by WHS’s student leaders. I look forward to hearing from the student leadership as they develop their revised leadership team.

Part of the responsibility of the school council is to periodically review school policies and ultimately, approve these policies before they are implemented across the school. Over my time at school council, we have progressed the uniform policy to be more equitable and where possible less prescriptive and less intrusive. The uniform policy in its previous iterations was much more prescriptive, for example hair colour was to be “natural colours” only. The previous policy, mandated that a maximum of two piercings per ear were permitted whilst at school, the current policy with regard to piercing refers to safety in learning areas as opposed to dictating what a student wears.

Over time, the school council has heard from members of our school community on issues with regard to the uniform and made changes as required, such as a heavier material weighting for the white polo shirts. The school council felt that prior to the next uniform policy review, the views of the school community should be sought.

As part of this process a survey seeking views on the school uniform and policy was sent out to the school community at the end of July this year. I thank everyone who participated in this review, the information garnered from this process is being reviewed and will be provided to school council’s education and policy sub-committee and will form part of the consideration for the formation of future school uniform policy. As this process progresses, I look forward to sharing with you the findings of the surveys and the impact and updates on the school uniform policy.

As we close off term three, our year 12 students enter the final phase of their final year marathon. While I’m sure you will be studying hard over the term break, I hope you do get some time to replenish for the final push to exams. I wish you all the very best for the final term and I know you will do the school, your families and yourselves proud.

Finally, I hope our entire school community has a happy and safe break over the term holidays, and everyone returns relaxed and replenished for the run to the end of the year with the madness that entails.

Regards

Kane Harnden

Year 7 Report

Term 3 has been very busy for our students in their academic focus. Students have recently received their NAPLAN results and we are very proud of their success. This term as a school, we are also in the process of delving into the NAPLAN and Attitudes to School Survey data to guide improvements.

We would like to congratulate Jonathan Griffen’s homegroup, 7J, on winning the Footy Tipping Competition. They also won the handball competition earlier this term. Will they get three in a row...? We are looking to introduce a netball competition in Term 4.

At our recent assembly we discussed the importance of R U OK? Day to remind us to check in on our mates and actively look out for one another. We discussed the importance of recognising that although we are all different, which makes life interesting, it is expected that we are all treated equally and with respect in all of our interactions. We also discussed the importance of forgiveness and moving forward.

As we end Term 3 we would like to congratulate the following students on achieving the academic and citizenship awards:

TERM 3

HG

Academic

Citizenship

7A JBR

Amber Simpson

Ava Boyce

7B RRO

Niamh Sanderson

David Kettle

7C DMA

Chloe Szambelanczyk

Ava Graham

7D GDR

Loic Cudennec-Lenne

Lillian French

7E LPE

Juliet Alman

Riccardo Cerutti

7F SCR

Dylan Nguyen

Michael Gorgioski

7G MVR

Pippa Ronchi

Alec Vasiljkovic

7H RNA

Fennick Walsh

Sebastian Haszard

7I ACU

Rosie Cushion

Lucinda Collins

7J JGR

Maria Ganci

Lachlan Gilchrist


As we enter the holidays, we would like to make you aware of the following programs and resources that could support you:

There is a worthwhile workshop through Hobsons Bay called “Tuning in to Teens”.

- Tuning in to Teens - free six-week parenting support program running in Term 4.

We also know students often spend an excessive amount of time on screens during the holiday break. This is a concern for most parents, so check out the following resources:

- The Unplugged Psychologist: The Tech Diet for Parents - free workshop through Hobsons Bay for supporting parents with managing screen time

- Managing screen time: Strategies for teens - Raising Children Network

- Six Screen Time Solutions For Your Kids And Teenagers (and You) - Triple P (triplep-parenting.net.au)

- Help your teenager take a break from technology - technology (reachout.com)

- Managing your family's screen time - technology and teenagers (reachout.com)

- Top 5 motivation boosters - setting goals (reachout.com)

- Tuos story of switching off - cyberbullying (reachout.com)

- How to be awesome at self care - self-care (reachout.com)

- How to balance screen time for a healthy headspace - headspace

- Use Screen Time on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

- Manage how you spend time on your Android phone with Digital Wellbeing - Android Help

As the weather warms up in Term 4, we would like to remind you that you may need to organise uniforms that suit the heat: dobsons.com.au/schools/williamstown-high-school/williamstown-dress


Year 7 Coordinators: Isabella O’Malley, James Riccobene

Year 8 Report

It seems hard to believe that we are now three-quarters of the way through the year. We have started to feel the warmth of spring and can’t wait to enjoy that warmer weather. Again students have been excelling and showing excellence during classroom learning experiences and teachers were able to share these experiences with families during the parent, student and teacher conferences.

On 6 September the Year 8 cohort had a day dedicated to wellbeing, with external presenters covering topics such as body image, staying safe online, and checking in with your family and friends. The day was very powerful and students were highly engaged. We will continue reinforcing these messages throughout our homegroup lesson to keep them in the front of students’ minds. It is also a good opportunity to have a conversation with your child about that day and the key takeaways they gained from it.


Meet our Year 8 Homegroup Teachers

Emma Huang - 8D

Emma HUANG
Emma HUANG

I began teaching at Williamstown High School last year, and this year I’m excited to be teaching Year 8 and 9 Mathematics along with Year 9 Science. I’m passionate about making learning enjoyable and accessible while fostering curiosity and critical thinking in my classroom. I strive to create a supportive and engaging environment where my students can thrive in both math and science!



Sam Konig - 8C

Sam KONIG
Sam KONIG

Hi I'm Sam! I am a new teacher at Willi High this year. I am a Visual Art and Design teacher. I love ensuring students have a creative space in school to explore new art styles and get a chance to hone into their interests.

I have also taught the Year 9 Immersion program over a couple of terms. The immersive and hands-on experience in this subject is great for students to learn about the world, and provides lots of opportunities for students to create deeper relationships with each other.

In my spare time I enjoy seeing live music, reading new books, and getting into the arts scene in Melbourne!


Year 9 Report

This term has brought many exciting experiences for our Year 9 students. In Week 6, all 260 Year 9 students attended Course Counselling Day with members of staff - either online or in-person. Students selected their subjects for next year, after weeks of focus on careers and their interests in homegroup curriculum. Students walked away with a Williamstown High School pen, and either a Williamstown High School portable charger or a donut as a reward for their hard work in choosing their subjects.

Jon and Sam of 9K with their new Willi High portable chargers
Jon and Sam of 9K with their new Willi High portable chargers

This term classes 9F, 9G and 9H participated in Immersion. Kiani Karklins reflected on her experience doing Immersion:

“I really liked all the experiences, such as the amazing race excursion and the one night camp in the city. I also really enjoyed interacting with everyone while doing our expo. I love the fact that the Immersion program really gives you many opportunities to be independent, also giving us a lot of freedom.

Doing the expo was a really fun experience as we could choose our own topic to conduct research on. We were also given the opportunity to design our own expo board however we liked which was really fun.

I loved all of the activities that we could participate in during the camp, such as go-kart driving, ten pin bowling and having one hour for free time in the arcade. The camp really gave everyone a chance to be independent when we were given dedicated time to go off and get lunch on our own.”

Arcade time on the Immersion camp
Arcade time on the Immersion camp

As part of the homegroup curriculum at Year 9, students attended an incursion called ‘Think U Know’, run by the Australian Federal Police. This session helped students understand important legal aspects of their own (and other people’s) online behaviours, advice on how and where to seek help if issues of online bullying or unwanted image sharing occur (families should take note of the e-Safety Commissioner website), as well as some important reminders about protecting themselves and their online privacy. We encourage families to continue these conversations with their children, as online safety continues to be an important issue for our young people.

Carmen Wiseman & Tom Gentry | Year 9 Coordinators

Year 10 Report

As we close another successful and busy Term 3, we reflect on some wonderful memories, including numerous incursions, Year 11 subject selections, course counselling day, and excursions.

Throughout the term, students worked during homegroup periods to navigate their subject selections and pathway options for Year 11 and beyond. Students eagerly explored the curriculum across VCE, VCE-VM, and VET courses, which was followed by the Course Counselling Day. These events allowed staff, students and families to collaborate and discuss subject selections in depth.

This term, we have also been fortunate to offer several excellent incursions aimed at supporting students’ social and emotional development. This included a powerful talk from the Pat Cronin Foundation about violence prevention and making positive choices. We also came together to support R U OK? Day, where messages of encouragement and support were shared, culminating in a mural displayed in the Year 10 space. This serves as a constant reminder to care for ourselves and one another as we approach Term 4. Looking ahead, we have the Empower seminar planned for next term, along with several insightful talks to further support our students. Below is an excerpt from one of our Year 10 leaders, Emily Jessop, outlining some of her experiences this term:

RUOK
RUOK

“This past month has been a very busy time for all Year 10s as we embarked on the scary but exciting journey of selecting our Year 11/12 subjects, which meant lots of hard thinking about our future, many assemblies about the unfamiliar world of VCE and the dreaded realisation that school is now getting serious. The Year 10 leaders also helped celebrate R U Okay? Day by organising everyone to write positive messages on paper, and then making a mural out of all of them. We are all looking forward to the upcoming break so we can come back ready for our last term of Year 10.

We would also like to thank staff, students and parents for their ongoing support of the school’s uniform and phone policies, which help create a safe and positive learning environment. As we move into (hopefully) warmer weather, please ensure that students are prepared with their summer uniforms. For more information on the uniform policy, please visit the school website or contact the YLC team for assistance.

We would like to acknowledge our Year 10 Term 3 award recipients and commend the tremendous effort they have demonstrated throughout the term:

  • Excellence and Creativity: Ella Bishop

  • Integrity and Honesty: Francis Bond

  • Diversity: Liam Jackson

  • School Spirit: Lila Geyle

  • Making a Difference: Emily Jessop

The Year 10 cohort continues to impress us with their enthusiasm and commitment. We are incredibly proud of all their efforts and look forward to our final term of 2024!

Warm regards,
Christopher Blattman and Jaslyn Walker
Year 10 YLC Team

Year 11 Report

The end of Term 3 has come upon us very fast; it only seems like yesterday we were welcoming students back to school at the beginning of the year and now we only have one more term before the end of the academic year for 2024. In Term 4, students will be working toward their final assessment tasks in Unit 2 before shifting their attention to Semester 2 examinations and the Headstart program that follows immediately afterwards.

During the second half of Term 3, the Year 11 homegroup curriculum has focused on the consideration of gender norms within society, the inequalities that exist, and the reasons behind gender-based violence. Students have explored strategies that can be implemented within society, and directly by themselves, to support greater equity between different groups. This work will continue in Term 4, where students will explore positive and healthy relationships.

On Friday, 30 August, the work of the Term 3 homegroup curriculum was supported when all Year 11 students took part in an Elephant Ed workshop designed to develop and consolidate their understanding of consent, respectful relationships and making informed decisions around safe sexual relationships. Student feedback on the success of the workshop was overwhelmingly positive and we hope students took away significant learning from the day.

On Wednesday, 21 August, the Year 11 Outdoor Education students embarked on an alpine camp to investigate the health and characteristics of alpine environments, and to better understand the pressures and threats to this environment. They also analysed the different user groups and conflicts that exist within this environment and evaluated the processes used to solve them. That is what Mr Blattman said the camp was for, but we think they just went for three days of skiing and lots of snowball fights. Charlotte Short and Ella Macleod give us their review of the camp below:

“This term the Year 11 Outdoor Education students visited Mount Stirling for a three-day camp. On day one we learned the basic skills of cross country skiing, such as how to go up and down hills and the double poling method. That night we slept in tents at the High Country Holiday Park in Mansfield that we set up ourselves. There was a games room with a foosball table and table tennis to keep us entertained! We then got to go into the town of Mansfield and have dinner. After dinner, we headed back to the campsite where some students had a swim in the freezing cold pool for the amazing reward of a positive acknowledgement from the one and only Mr Cork!

On day two we hiked up the steep trail with our skis and daypacks for two kilometres until we made it to our next campsite in the snow. We then dropped off our bags and started the big day of making it to the summit. We split into two groups and started skiing uphill until we eventually reached the summit. We stopped to get a group photo and had a snowball fight at the top, which was super fun! We all made it down very tired and sore from the big day, so we warmed up and all sat around the fire in the main teepee. To end the day, everyone made dinner and stayed up around the campfire talking about the day and listening to music.

On day three, our last day, we woke up and packed up the campsite before going for a quick ski session. We found a little jump in the snow that we made bigger and everyone had a turn going down and over the jump. There were a lot of funny stacks! We hiked back down the mountain with our daypacks, returned our ski hire gear, loaded the bus and started to head back home. We had a quick lunch stop in Mansfield before continuing the three-hour journey back to school. Overall, everyone had a fun and exciting experience and we cannot wait for the snow camp next year!”

Outdoor Education Alpine Camp
Outdoor Education Alpine Camp

We would like to congratulate the Senior Boys Soccer Team, who on Thursday, 12 September, became State Champions. The team, largely made up of Year 11 students, remained undefeated during the day, and Mr Hume wrote this report recapping the day:

The Senior Boys Soccer Team managed to win all three group games 1-0, which took them through to the final against John Fawkner College. After a goalless first half, the boys scored two quick goals early in the second half, and despite some physicality from their opposition they managed to hold on to their 2-0 lead to become the 2024 State Champions!

It is a fantastic achievement by a group that has been working hard for this ever since they arrived at Williamstown High School. The boys carried themselves extremely well and were a credit to the school. Special mention should go to Charlie Rossi, who scored the two goals in the final, and Chris Iacovou, who kept a clean sheet in every game.

We would also like to congratulate the Senior Girls Soccer Team, who recently came third at the State Soccer Finals held on Tuesday, 10 September. The team experienced their fair share of thrills on the day, and showed courage and determination to more than match it with the best school teams in Victoria.

Your child may have received an email from Reform Clothing recently, informing them that production of the 2025 Year 12 Jumper has commenced. 258 orders were processed and we are hoping that delivery of the jumpers will be made in late October, in time for the start of the Headstart program a couple of weeks later.

For Year 11s who are undertaking a Unit 4 subject, Ms Vu reminded students of the Year 12 revision lectures and trial examinations that will be held during the holidays. If applicable, please ensure your child attends these to give them invaluable guidance and practice heading into the VCE examinations later in the year.

A new initiative started in Term 3, where teachers of all Year 11 classes were asked to nominate a student within their class for the ‘Student of the Month Award’ for August and then September. The award aims to recognise those students in each class who regularly display the positive behaviours seen in the WHS ‘School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Matrix’. Winners of the award received a flask engraved with the school logo, with some small treats inside, and a hand-written card from the teacher thanking the student for their efforts in class. There are still awards to be given for October in Term 4 for those students who are yet to be nominated by one of their teachers.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards determined by teacher nominations as part of the End of Term Celebration Assembly held on Friday, 20 September:

Excellence and Creativity: Imogen Taylor

Integrity and Honesty: Archie Bentley

Diversity: Alexandra Kokolios

School Spirit Award: Rivi Zdraveski

Making A Difference: Marlee Bevan

Congratulations also to the following students who are the top five for receiving positive posts in Term 3: Oscar Nguyen (21), Sudes Hagos (16), Soren Madadi (16), Declan Rumble (16) and Hunter Mace (14). As always, thank you to all staff that take the time to recognise students by issuing positive posts, in particular Mr Hume, Ms Bui, Ms Murray, Ms Moutray-Read and Ms McKeegan.

WHS School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Matrix
WHS School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Matrix

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 Daniel Damevski, Soren Madadi, Vince Mandado and Han Nguyen, who have all managed to maintain their 100 percent attendance for the year so far.

Finally, although it may seem like the finish line is just around the corner, there is still so much ground to cover in Term 4. We encourage all students to relax and refresh over the holiday break, but then return to school with a renewed energy to maintain their focus and maximise achievement all the way through to the end of the school year.


Year 12 Report

We’re coming to the end of a long road, and the anticipation in the Study Centre has been building. Obviously, the main issue for the cohort at the moment is trying to gauge who is going to take home the crown as the Homegroup Games champion of 2024, but the prospect of finally finishing their secondary education is probably playing on people’s minds too!

Term 3 is a busy one: a semester of work is essentially packed into 10 weeks, and it all comes to a fairly pointy end. However, the Year 12 students at WHS have navigated this admirably; they have dealt with the nightmare run of SACs that brings Unit 4, and therefore their coursework, to a close with aplomb, and should be proud of all of their efforts so far. In particular, it has been wonderful to see some of the VCE-VM community projects, with great work being done around the gardens near the food room; some strong messaging around health being circulated around the school community; and a quiz being run for the cohort during homegroup.

We were lucky enough to have a presenter from Elevate Education come in to present to the students who will be sitting exams at the end of the year; it is always gratifying to see such positive responses to an external voice, and to hear the different ways that our students’ study habits have been revitalised. This is of particular importance as we approach the September break - ‘holiday’ isn’t quite the right term for this time of year - and the Year 12s have the opportunity to engage with a range of different revision options in the first week before sitting a series of trial examinations in the second week. The VCAA exams, beginning in October, are a daunting hurdle, and - as unpleasant as this is at times - the only real way to feel confident and assured going into them is to have had exposure to as many exam style tasks as possible.

There are, of course, many criteria for success in VCE, and these will vary from student to student depending on context, aspirations and previous experience. Each person going through Year 12 has the opportunity to create their own vision of achievement, and to work toward this. Ultimately, when you sit down at the end of the year, whether it’s in an exam, or at graduation, or in a job interview for whatever might come next, the only real question you can ask yourself is: “Did I do the work I wanted to before getting here?” If the answer to that question is a resounding “Yes”, then that’s all we can really ask for in life - the outcome becomes secondary to the process, because the process is really all we can control.

The following award winners for Term 3, our last full term at school, should be particularly proud of their efforts in managing to remain positive, studious and engaged amidst the business of Year 12:

Excellence and Creativity: Catrin Walker

Integrity and Honesty: Remy Van Merkestein

Diversity: Lily Barnes

School Spirit: Ryan Chang

Making A Difference: Maggie Lynch

Reflecting on the efforts of these students, but also the cohort in general, brings up some vivid memories, memories that suggest that the Class of 2024 will live long in the memories of those of us at Williamstown High.

We wish all the best to our students who will be concluding their studies with us at the end of this term, and look forward to seeing them at our celebratory events in Term 4.

VCE-VM students run a quiz for the year level to help determine who will be Home Group Games Champion of 2024
VCE-VM students run a quiz for the year level to help determine who will be Home Group Games Champion of 2024


Inclusion Report

Pasco update

Inclusion Club is still the highlight of our week, with numbers of students attending fluctuating between about five and 20. It’s always good to see some new faces come along (even if they’re just there for the hot chocolate and biscuit!), and to discuss inclusion issues such as accessibility, inclusion events, neurodiversity and challenges at school. Students raised some concerns, so I invited Campus Principal Daniel Pearce along to address some of them, and students were happy with the outcomes. All students are welcome to come along to Inclusion Club at lunchtimes on Tuesday in the Old Study Centre.

Exam provisions

Students with provisions in Years 9-11 would have received an email asking them if they wished to use their provisions for Semester 2 internal exams. We have approximately 50 students at each year level who are entitled to provisions, so talking to students individually takes a lot of time. Furthermore, scheduling the required spaces for these students is no mean feat either! We encourage students to advocate for themselves by completing the Google Form. If they don’t complete it, then we have to assume they don’t want to use them. If a student has not yet received the email, they should immediately contact Ms McMahon (Quan): anna.quan@willihigh.vic.edu.au

Rizza Nguyen, Bayview Aide
Rizza Nguyen, Bayview Aide









Aide Profile: Rizza Nguyen (Bayview)

What kind of student were you at school?

I was a quiet achiever, an enthusiastic learner, and a curious student who was always eager to learn new things. I loved participating in sports and was competitive in interschool track and field events, although netball was my all-time favourite.

Why did you choose to become an aide?

My neurodivergent children have inspired me to pursue a career as an Educational Support (ES) aide. They have taught me compassion and have given me a unique perspective on the world. They were fortunate to receive support from some amazing ES aides who helped them thrive in their learning. I want to pay it forward. I find it rewarding to contribute to a positive and productive learning environment and to support both students and teachers in achieving their goals.

How do you see your role at school?

I see my role as an integral part of the team, supporting teachers and students with their individual needs and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. My goal is to be a resource and a positive role model, contributing to the overall success of the school community.

What’s your favourite subject?

My favourite subject is Arts because I find it therapeutic and love the challenge it presents. The endless possibilities for creativity, exploration, and learning are what make it so engaging for me.

What do you do to relax?

Relaxing is something I’m still learning to master, but I’m sure I’ll find the perfect way to unwind soon enough!

What’s your favourite TV show at the moment?

My favourite TV show at the moment is The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

What is your motto in life?

My motto in life is to make each day count!

Aide Profile - Amanda Commons (Pasco & Bayview)

What kind of student were you at school?

I was a very social and enthusiastic student at school.

Why did you choose to become an aide?

I chose to become an aide because I enjoy supporting young people and making a difference. I also enjoy working in the high school environment.

How do you see your role at school?

I see my role as an integration aide as important. I believe integration makes a difference. Seeing students achieve their goals from having the extra support of an aide is very rewarding.

What’s your favourite subject?

At high school my favourite subjects were cooking and art.

What do you do to relax?

To relax I enjoy watching TV, calling a friend or reading a magazine.

What’s your favourite TV show at the moment?

My favourite TV show at the moment is Emily in Paris.

What is your motto in life?

My favourite motto is: 'You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.'


Teaching & Learning Specialist Report

Throughout Terms 2 and 3 at Williamstown High School, the Teaching and Learning team has continued its work on leading our enhanced Professional Learning Team (PLT) program, with staff using student data to create targeted interventions for their students. Through collaboration, peer observation and following an inquiry cycle model, staff have used High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) to improve student outcomes across all ability levels.

In Term 4, staff will reflect on the progress that they have made within their PLTs and share their successes with each other in a celebration of increased student outcomes.

In other Teaching and Learning news, 2024 has seen the implementation of virtual reality headsets in the classroom, specifically in Year 8 English for Semester 1. In Term 1, students used the headsets to understand the context of ‘The Sapphires’ film by exploring the Vietnam War; in Term 2, students continued using the headsets for their ‘Creative Writing’ unit, allowing them to explore setting and world-building in a whole new arena.

Oliver of 8J
Oliver of 8J

VR use has continued in Semester 2, this time with our Year 7 students. Our SEALP class were able to explore ‘Liveability’ on the opposite side of the world, navigating the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, through the perspective of someone with a physical disability. They were able to then compare it with the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods to assess its overall liveability and the ethical implications of this.

Our mainstream Year 7 students have learned about how water exists in our world and how we use it during their ‘Water in the World’ unit. Using interactive VR technology, they were able to canoe through Antarctic waters while looking for a penguin colony, climb up the side of a glacier with ice hooks and secure a tent in an oncoming storm! They have since been able to use this experience to understand what a vital resource water is for all who live on this planet.

Humanities teacher, Mr Paul Mcarthur
Humanities teacher, Mr Paul Mcarthur


Bonnie of 7D exploring Antarctica
Bonnie of 7D exploring Antarctica

Here are some student comments about their experiences using VR:

“I have loved using the VR headsets this term because it was a fun way to find a new perspective in learning and it grasps the attention of everyone in my class.” - Solenne Taylor, 7B

“I liked how it was very eventful to use and that it was very fun because it was like an adventure and it felt like real life and we even got to learn at the same time!” - Silver Chrisant, 7I

“This term, I really enjoyed exploring and learning through quite literally a different perspective. It was fun as well as educational, which made the experience really interesting. The interactive approach to learning was very enjoyable and exciting. I know from my VR lesson that my class liked it and had lots of fun with it as well. Overall, VR was a pleasant experience and I hope that we can continue our fun with it in Term 4.” - Gauri Gautam, 7I

We are excited to continue using the VR headsets to complement our Year 7 Humanities curriculum next term.


Pasco Curriculum Report

Term 3 is the term of transition at the Pasco Campus. On 23 July, Year 10 students and their families attended the Year 10 to 11 Information Evening and Subject Supermarket. The event was a great success with a record number of attendees, filled with the passion of the teachers introducing their VCE subjects and the buzz of excitement from the students exploring different study paths.

At the same time as the Year 10s begin their VCE journey, the Year 12 students are gearing up for the final stretch of theirs. The last few weeks of term have truly been a monumental challenge for the Year 12s, juggling study for multiple SACs and SATs. Term 3 also marks the final school term for the VCE VM students before they embark on future studies and employment.

For the VCE students, the upcoming Term 3 break will be the busiest break yet, with revision lectures and trial examinations as they start preparing for their final end-of-year exams.


Sport Report

Term 3 has seen a number of teams and individuals compete in SSV and other sporting associations in a variety of different competitions.

Netball

Victorian Men’s Netball League U/17 State Team trials - Charlie Cox has made it through to the final selection.

Manon Muir played in the SSV U/15 team in the National Competition on the Gold Coast in August. Manon was also vice captain of the team.

Year 7 Girls made the State Final at the Waverley Netball Centre on Friday, 6 September.

Year 7 Girls Netball
Year 7 Girls Netball

Basketball

Year 7 Girls and Intermediate Girls have made it through to the WMR Finals in October at Altona Sports Centre. Intermediate competition is Friday, 25 October, and Year 7s play Tuesday, 29 October.

Year 7 girls Basketball
Year 7 girls Basketball

Athletics

A number of students have made it through to the WMR Athletics, which will be held on Wednesday, 9 October, at the Moonee Valley Athletics Centre in Aberfeldie Park on Corio Street in Moonee Ponds.

Our senior boys relay team, consisting of Dash Muir, Kai Hunak, Charlie Rossi and Aydin Metin, represented the school in the Athletics Victoria School Championships on Wednesday, 4 September, and won the 4x400M event. They also competed in the 4x100M, finishing fifth.

Senior Boys U20 Relay School Championships 2024
Senior Boys U20 Relay School Championships 2024

Lacrosse

WHS had five teams play in the Years 9-10 and VCE male and female Lacrosse Victoria Tri-Ball Competition on Friday, 30 August. All teams were competitive, with WHS winning the VCE Boys and Girls competitions. As there was a clash with the Years 7-8 competition day, due to our all school curriculum day on 2 August, many of the competitors were from Years 7 and 8.

Lacrosse Girls
Lacrosse Girls
Lacrosse Boys
Lacrosse Boys

Gymnastics

Darby Weston competed at the National Gymnastics Championships and achieved a fantastic result, winning the Level 6 Uneven Bars category. A huge congratulations for an amazing result.

Volleyball

Ava Palser has been selected to represent Victoria in the National Youth Volleyball Championships, which are being held during the last week of Term 3, from 15-20 September.

AFL

Kade Warrener and Hugo Hanrahan both received the Interleague Best and Fairest Award for the Western Football Netball League. They were also part of the leadership groups, with Kade being named vice captain for the U15 Boys Div 2 team, and Hugo being named captain of the U15 Div 1 team. Both players also received Best on Ground medals.

Kade and Hugo Western Jets
Kade and Hugo Western Jets
Kade and Hugo
Kade and Hugo

AFLW

The number of girls playing AFL has increased rapidly at WHS, with a number of our girls playing for Williamstown and Newport. A big congratulations goes out to our students who played in the Williamstown U14 and U16 teams, who won the grand final in their local competitions.

U14 Team

Eden Ellis

Ava O’Toole

Delani Pascoe

Isla Karakiozakis

Ella Gleeson

Olivia Munro

Amelie Maloney

Georgia Loutakis

U16 Team

Eden Ellis

Ava O’Toole

Congratulations are also in order for Ava O’Toole, who won the U14 League Best and Fairest.

Snowboarding

Angus and Jack Young competed in the Victorian and National SnowSport Championships. These took place at Mount Buller and Perisher, where they competed against students from both public and private schools. A huge congratulations to both boys for an amazing season of snowboarding. It was just a pity that it turned out to be a disappointing snow season.

National Results

Angus

2nd Div 1 Boys Snowboard GS

Angus Snow
Angus Snow

5th Div 1 Boys Snowboard Cross

Jack

8th Div 2 Boys Snowboard GS

Futsal

Futsal was recently introduced as an additional sport outside of the regular SSV competition. It has been extremely successful and plans are afoot to include it the Hobsons Bay Division in 2025. Our Years 7-8 and 9-10 Boys team made it through to the WMR Futsal held at Derrimut Football Stadium on 3-4 September. Both teams were extremely competitive, just missing out on making it through to the State Final.

Soccer

Soccer has been a very popular and successful sport at WHS this year. Our Senior Girls and Boys teams both made it through to the State Finals. The Girls team performed extremely well, winning two out of three of their pool games. The Senior Boys team were successful making it through to the final and defeating John Fawkner College 2-0 to become State Champions. A huge congratulations to the boys from all of us here at WHS.

State Championships are a rarity at WHS, with us having to compete against specialist sports academy schools such as Maribyrnong and Western Heights at the WMR round, so this is an amazing achievement. Our Year 7, 8 and Intermediate Boys and our Years 7&8 Girls team made it through to the WMR Finals. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful in making it through to the State Finals, but we have some amazing talent here at WHS and with more development through our junior levels, we hope to reach more State Finals in the future.

Williamstown Tillys Senior Girls Soccer
Williamstown Tillys Senior Girls Soccer
Senior Boys Soccer
Senior Boys Soccer

Lifesaving

Heath and Ashton Corry competed in the National Lifesaving Championships on the Gold Coast.

Heath

Bronze U19 100m manikin tow

Brown U19 100m manikin carry

Silver U19 4x50m Lifesaver relay

Ashton

Australian gold medal for U15 line throw

Bayview Maths Report

In Term 1, some students from the Bayview Campus competed in the Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF). It is inspired by the Australian Maths Trust’s Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and is now the largest mathematics competition in the world, with more than six million participants each year. Held in March, the KSF was a great opportunity for students to experience mathematics in a competition environment prior to the AMC in August. Students completed 30 multiple choice questions of varying difficulty and were awarded based on their performance compared to all Australian participants.

Students were selected to participate in the KSF based on their results from the previous year’s AMC. Congratulations to the following students who completed the KSF after school on Wednesday, 27 March, and achieved amazing results!

Junior Distinction:

  • Owen Henderson - 8C

Junior Credit:

  • Amelia Durham - 7B

  • Archie Maticevski - 7B

  • Jayden Nguyen - 7I

  • Niamh Sanderson - 7B

  • Sam Mackie - 8B

Intermediate Credit

  • Bowen Wu - 8B

A special thank you to Mr Bangun for organising this opportunity for our students and for supervising the event.

In Term 3, the Bayview Mathematics team held Mathematics Week at Williamstown High School. This ran from Monday, 5 August, to Friday, 9 August, and coincided with the AMC.

“The AMC is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives; it is open to students in Years 3 to 12. Australia’s leading educators and academics, with a deep understanding of our national curriculum standards, actively design the unique AMC problems each year.”

The Bayview Campus had approximately 140 students participate in the AMC, including all students from the Year 7, 8 and 9 SEALP classes. Congratulations to all participants who stretched themselves academically to ‘be a learner’ and we look forward to sharing the results with everyone once made public.

Additional activities held throughout Mathematics Week included:

  • Mathematics Meme-Master Competition!

  • Mathematics Art Competition (Theme - Superheroes and Superpowers.)

  • Lunchtime activities (Time Game, Rubik’s Cube Challenge, Lock Box Challenge and Mathematics Trivia)

  • Atrium and library displays

  • Homegroup Kahoots

  • AND mathematics inspired bell music!

Mathematics Meme-Master Competition Winners

1st Place - Zeb Van Luinen [8B]

2nd Place - Cooper Hodgman [8B]

3rd Place - Omid Ighaniyan [7C]

Teachers’ Choice - Erik Rutherford [8J]

Mathematics Art Competition Winners

1st Place: Belle Hart

Winner - Belle Hart [8H]
Winner - Belle Hart [8H]

Student participation and support of all activities was overwhelming, and we are already planning for 2025. A huge thank you to all teaching staff for your contributions to ensuring the success of this week. We received positive feedback from both students and staff about the success of the entire week, stating it provided a variety of engaging activities, enabling mathematics to be viewed with a different lens - do I dare say FUN!?!

Felicity Christmass

Bayview Mathematics Team Leader

Pasco HAPE Report

Beach clean-up brings together adventure and community spirit

In an inspiring blend of adventure and community service, the Year 10 students recently took part in a beach clean-up event. This initiative not only aimed to protect the environment but also foster a sense of teamwork and responsibility among the students.

The clean-up effort was more than just a routine task. As students combed through the sand and shoreline, they encountered various types of waste - plastic bottles, food wrappers and other litter. Each piece collected was a reminder of the impact humans have on the environment and the importance of every individual’s role in mitigating that impact.

The event was also a valuable learning experience. Students engaged in discussions about environmental conservation, the effects of pollution on marine life, and the significance of maintaining clean natural spaces. These conversations deepened their understanding of the issues at hand and reinforced the importance of their contribution.

Beyond the environmental benefits, the day offered a chance for students to connect with each other outside the classroom. As they worked side by side, they shared stories, laughed together, and built stronger bonds. The shared experience fostered a sense of community and accomplishment, highlighting the power of collective action.

By the end of the day, the beach was noticeably cleaner, and the students' spirits were high. They not only left with a tangible sense of achievement but also with a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship. The success of the event underscored the importance of integrating practical actions with educational experiences, making it a memorable and impactful day for everyone involved.

This beach clean-up was more than a simple environmental task; it was a testament to the Year 10 students' dedication to making a difference. It showed that adventure and community service can go hand in hand, leaving a lasting impact both on the environment and on the participants themselves.

HAPE team Williamstown High School

Beach clean up
Beach clean up
Beach clean up
Beach clean up
Beach clean up
Beach clean up

Literacy Report Bayview

Delving into NAPLAN data

All parents and carers would have received their child’s NAPLAN data earlier this term. Starting last year, changes to the proficiency levels were made to allow for clearer identification of students who “need additional support,” those who are “developing” towards the standard, students who are “strong,” and those who are “exceeding” expectations for their year level.

This term, teachers have been delving into the data using the school’s Maestro program. Never before have we had access to such detailed information about our students. Maestro allows teachers to see every question a student answers, highlighting specific skills that need targeted support. With this data, our school is better equipped than ever to focus on areas of improvement.

Creative minds shine bright

Congratulations to the winners of the Bayview 2024 Principal’s Writing Competition!

This year, emerging writers have created pieces centred around the idea of “It’s Just a Game.” Please see below for each of our four winners. Along with a reading and writing inspired prize pack, winners will have their names enshrined on our Principal’s Writing Competition Honour Board in the Bayview Library. A special round of applause goes to our overall esteemed writer, Isla Briggs-Kennedy, who is the recipient of our coveted “The Odysseus Award.” For the outstanding work and commitment to the competition, Isla will be awarded a well-deserved iPad, presented by Mr Catalano at our Term 3 Celebration Assembly. Participants of the Principal’s Writing Competition have also been invited to attend the Odyssey Literary Festival run by RMIT in early Term 4.

The Odysseus Award

Isla Briggs-Kennedy 9K

The Darwin Award

Amelia Cahill 9G

The Tempest Award

Holly Simpson 9B

The Guerin Award

Cleo Dillon 9H


Hannah Erasmus

Acting Literacy Learning Specialist


Literacy Report Pasco

The 2024 Principal’s Writing Competition has been run and won and our thanks go out to all the students at the Pasco Street Campus who put pen to paper, fingers to keyboards or chisels to clay tablets and clobbered out some amazing responses to the over-arching statement:

  • It’s Just a Game.

Last year’s winners Isaac and Sophie held writing workshops at Pasco and Bayview during term two and clearly inspired a whole new batch of budding bards. The judging team had their work cut out for them, and with great prizes on offer (reading and writing prize packs, writers’ workshop masterclass with an author and an I-Pad) the pressure was well and truly on.

Additionally, students were limited to 1000 words and the responses were constrained into four categories:

  • Esteemed Writer’s Award
  • Poetry and lyrics
  • Narrative fiction
  • Narrative fiction notable entry

Our Pasco Campus winners will be included on our honour board, and they are:

The Poseidon Award

Hayden Galea

The Amphitrite Award

Harriet Ronchi

The Triton Award

Imogen Turton

The Proteus Award

Mirka Cumming

Bayview English Report

This term Willi High celebrated its biggest and best Children’s Book Week. This year’s theme ‘Reading is Magic’ highlighted the extraordinary power of books to captivate, transform, and transport us to realms beyond our imagination. The week was marked by a series of engaging events, activities, and discussions designed to showcase the magical impact of reading and to inspire a love for books amongst our students.

There was something for everyone this Book Week as students partook in a range of activities including a Taylor Swift lyrics party, trivia to test their knowledge of manga and young adult fiction, ‘shelfie’ book recommendations, and book-themed guessing games. Students also got creative by designing their own bookmarks and participating in a comic and zine making workshop with special guest Lydia Schofield. The week was topped off with a fantastic dress up day organised by the student leadership committee.

Thank you to all who were involved in making Book Week 2024 a resounding success!

Bookmark making
Bookmark making
'Shelfie' Recommendation
'Shelfie' Recommendation


Pasco Humanites Report

It’s always exciting when students have the opportunity to experience what they’ve learned in the classroom in the real world. In early September, some of Ms Jamieson’s Year 11 legal studies class were able to see firsthand how the justice system works. They spent an enlightening morning at the Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne’s CBD, where they witnessed a range of hearings, from traffic offences to applications in the Drug Court.

The afternoon saw the class tour the historic Supreme Court of Victoria. This included a Q&A session with Justice David Harper AM, a retired Supreme Court judge who sat on the bench for more than 20 years. The students asked some excellent, probing questions from his most memorable matters to whether he had ever cried during a trial. The tour finished in the Supreme Court library, where - amongst many artefacts - was the court book declaring Ned Kelly guilty of murder and sentencing him to death.

Court Excursion Sep 2024
Court Excursion Sep 2024
Court Book - Ned Kelly
Court Book - Ned Kelly


Drama

PFA Report

Next meeting - Tuesday, 8 October, 7:30pm - online and at Bayview Campus

Guest speakers - assistant campus principals discussing the homegroup curriculum for 2025

Many thanks to Jesse Craig and Hannah Vu, who spoke to us at the PFA meeting on 20 August about how the school prepares students for the VCE years. There is an enormous amount of work put into this, and WHS is very lucky to have such a dedicated team preparing our students.

Thank you event

After school on Friday, 20 September, the PFA will host an afternoon tea in the Bayview Atrium for all teaching and non-teaching WHS staff members. This is a favourite event on the PFA calendar as it shows the school community’s appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication shown by staff towards our kids throughout the year.

Fundraising raffle tickets - NOW ON SALE

The Scouts and Schools Monster Raffle is one of the PFA’s greatest sources of fundraising, and tickets are NOW AVAILABLE. The PFA receives 75 percent of every ticket sold, so please click on the link below to purchase your tickets.

This year the PFA has committed to donating $15,000 over the next three years to enhance the Year 11 area at the Pasco Campus, has funded student leaders to go to a leadership conference, provided smart new sports kits for interschool competitions, and recreational equipment for students to use at recess and lunchtime at the Bayview Campus. Your ticket purchases will enable the PFA to continue to provide additional resources like these for WHS students.

scoutsvic.raffletix.com.au/willyhigh

There is more information about the PFA on the school website under the Parents tab. Or email presidentwhspfa@gmail.com to receive PFA updates/get in touch.

Williamstown High School W-Files Issue 6, 2024 - 20 Sep 2024