02 Feb 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the 2024 school year. I hope that you and your families were able to enjoy a break over the Christmas/New Year period. I would like to particularly welcome all new families to our wonderful WBHS community. I look forward to working with you to help your child thrive at WBHS. This week has run smoothly with students settling well into their timetables and routines. It was great to see them all again.
Staff Update
I would like to welcome several new staff to the WBHS team this year: Mr May and Mr Walkling (English); Mr Reeks (History/English); Ms Bramble and Ms Zok (Social Science); Ms Skinner and Ms Carraro (Languages); Mr Greive (Wellbeing); Ms McGregor and Ms Barkley (office); and Ms Davies, Ms Young, Ms Conway and Mr Turville (SLSO's). Several staff have moved into new roles for 2024: Ms Crowe - Learning and Support and Year 7 Adviser; Mr Forbes - Social Science (mostly); and Ms Cummins - HT Wellbeing Years 7-9.
School Development Days
January 30 and 31 were productive school development days for staff with professional learning focused on student wellbeing, the school's mission statement and curriculum reform. At WBHS, our mission is to deliver a quality education that empowers all students to live rewarding and productive lives.
New School Improvement Plan - Parent/Carer Feedback Invited
We are currently in the consultation phase of developing the new School Improvement Plan for 2024-2027. We have received feedback from our students and staff and we are also keen to hear from our families. Please click here for a short two-question survey. The survey closes on Sunday 11 February at 9pm.
New Year 7 Orientation Days
This year we trialled something a little different to support our Year 7 students' transition to high school by running two full days of orientation activities. These included scavenger hunts, outdoor games, peer support sessions, and lessons around organisational skills, CANVAS, the library and WBHS processes and protocols. It was great to see students engaging with these sessions and enjoying such a positive start to high school. Year 7 students were supported brilliantly by our Year 10 peer support leaders who did an outstanding job, including returning to school one day earlier.
New Roll Call Trial
This year we are trialling a different approach to roll call, sometimes referred to as 'vertical rolls'. Each roll call will typically consist of students from across Years 7-12 (rather than from one year cohort), grouped alphabetically by surnames, and aligned with our sports houses: Gelfius A-E, Phillips F-K, Speers L-Q, Warners R-Z. This initiative was proposed by our Positive Learning Environment team and several senior students as part of our commitment to student wellbeing, belonging and connection.
New Online Canteen Ordering
Our P&C will be trialling an online canteen food ordering system this year. The new service is intended to start in a few weeks. More information to come.
New Powered Vehicle and Pedestrian Gates
Our new powered gates are now operational at Gate 3 (Myles Ave near the lights). These gates will be closed from approximately 9.15am-3.20pm. If you need access, please press the small button with the minus symbol (see pics below). This will alert the office staff who will unlock the gate. Please see pics below.
At the pedestrian gate you will hear, "The gate is open". Immediately open the gate as it is unlocked for one second (press the button again if needed). We are hoping to be able to extend the time that the gate is unlocked.
Once you press the button at the vehicular gate, the gate will slide open. When leaving, drive up to the gate and it will automatically open.
New Mural
One of our demountable rooms now features a fantastic mural designed and painted by several Year 10 students and local partner primary students under the creative inspiration of indigenous artist Lizzy Stageman and WBHS art teacher Ms Rogers. Well done to all involved. Please see pic below.
New Student Behaviour Policy and Suspension Procedures
The Department has released a new Student Behaviour Policy and associated Suspension procedures, effective now. Please see here for more information.
Swimming Carnival
Our annual school swimming carnival takes place on Wednesday. I hope to all see students attending and participating in some way, and enjoying what is always a great day.
Student Wellbeing Support
Please reach out if your child needs additional support, especially at the start of the new year.
Deputy Principals: Ms Fletcher - Years 7, 10; Mr Husband - Years 8, 11; Ms Lawler - Years 9, 12.
Head Teachers Wellbeing: Ms Cummins - Years 7, 8, 9; Ms Riley - Years 10, 11, 12.
Student Support Officers: Ms Smith, Mr Greive.
Year Advisers: Year 7 - Ms Crowe and Mr Rosser; Year 8 - Ms Wilk and Mr Lloyd; Year 9 - Mr Forbes and Ms Somerville; Year 10 - Ms Lewis and Ms Ling; Year 11 - Ms Cummins and Mr Bruce; Year 12 - Ms Husband and Mr Burton.
School Counsellors: Mr Harrison (Mon-Wed), Ms Tudball (Wed-Fri).
Same Mobile Phone Policy in 2024
There has been no change to our school's mobile phone policy in 2024. Students received their new mobile phone Yondr pouch at their first assemblies. Students have been asked to return their 2023 Yondr pouch to the school office. Students are required to bring their pouches to school every day, even if they do not carry a phone.
P&C
Our wonderful Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) will be meeting on Tuesday 27 Feb, 7pm at WBHS. Our P&C is made up of parents and carers, teachers and community members. The P&C meets regularly to contribute to decision-making, developing policies and management plans as well as fundraising. P & C Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of every month during school terms. Meetings start at 7pm sharp and are held in Room A1. See map here. It would be great to see you there.
Looking forward to a great Term 1.
Yours sincerely,
Marcus Neale
Principal
