WESTERN HEIGHTS COLLEGE PARENT NEWSLETTER

WESTERN HEIGHTS COLLEGE
PARENT NEWSLETTER
College Principal: Mrs Robyn Jeffery
Telephone: 5277 1177 Absence Line: 0407 356 695 www.whc.vic.edu.au
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
HAPPY 1 ST BIRTHDAY!
On Tuesday 1 August 2012 it
was exactly one year since the
Vines Road Campus was
opened. To many members of
the Western Heights College
community it hardly seems like
a year ago that the move was
made yet significant changes
have occurred in that time as
students and staff alike have
s ettled i nto t he new
surroundings. We celebrated
the first birthday with balloons
in each learning communities.
Thanks to Ms Tami O‘Hare –
Associate Principal for organising this touch of festivity.
This week Year 5 students and teachers from Rollins,
Hamlyn Banks, Herne Hill and Manifold Heights Primary
Schools have participated in a day of transition activities at
the Vines Road Campus. The students have participated
in problem solving activities around ‗Spud Olympics‘ where
each team‘s potato competes in a variety of challenges.
The Year 5 students and teachers alike have enjoyed the
activities but are overwhelmed with our Year 7 students
who were helpers for the days and by the outstanding
facilities of the learning communities. It has certainly been
a pleasure for staff and students alike to host activities for
some of our closest primary schools.
The Vines Road Campus has also hosted the Teesdale
Primary School staff for their Professional Learning Day
this week. The feedback from both the Year 5 visits and
the Teesdale Primary School staff have reminded us of the
outstanding new facilities that we have and that we are
privileged to be able to learn and work in these purposely
designed spaces for effective teaching and learning.
As many families will already be aware the transition
processes into 2013 have begun. Upcoming information
sessions for students and their parents for Year 8 into Year
9 is on Tuesday 14 August at 7pm and Year 7 into Year 8
Tuesday 13 November at 7pm. The transition process for
current Year 6 students who will begin Year 7 is also
underway.
We have course counselling day for all Years 10, 11 and
12 on this Wednesday 15 August. Information has been
distributed about this and all students are booked in for
individual sessions.
10 August 2012
The focus of these sessions for the Years 10 and 11
students is their programs of study at Western Heights
College in 2013. For Year 12 students the session is
planning for next year, further study and/or employment,
which includes completing VTAC applications. Parents
have been invited to join their child at these sessions.
The college staff are working to provide a smooth and
informed transition process for all students as they
complete this year and move into their classes for 2013.
It is important that students with their parents, discuss
and carefully consider their units/subjects in the
transition process to plan a course that suits and meets
the needs of the individual. The information sessions
also include information on extra curricula activities at
each level including camps. The College Council has
approved a college wide Camping Program which will
provide the opportunity of a camp or tour at each year
level.
The staff participated in a most productive professional
learning day last Thursday. The first part of the day
offered a variety of sessions on ‗feedback‘, ‗quality
task‘, ‗success criteria‘ and ‗learning intentions‘. This
was followed up with staff working in teams to plan
specific learning tasks for students. The time for staff to
plan together in teams for an extended period of time
and to share their learning is invaluable and really
appreciated by teachers.
Feedback from this event has prompted our next event
which will be on Monday, 20 August 2012, from 4 - 5pm
in the Year 7 Learning Community (green building). As
noted in the newsletter the topic will be ‗Learning in the
Space‘, explaining the design of the
learning spaces, how they are used by teachers and the
use of the space and the furniture is linked to enhance
students learning. This will be an opportunity to
understand and ask questions about your child‘s
learning in the Learning Communities which is very
different to the traditional schooling that many of us
experienced. I encourage you to attend and bring other
parents along too.
Robyn Anderson
Vines Road Campus
Principal

MACBETH ON TRIAL
Macbeth is an old text now, over four hundred years
old, and this makes it very challenging to study. Our
Year 11 students studying VCE English are nearing
the end of their study of this classic play, and two
classes have unlocked this complicated text by
putting Macbeth, or the ghost of Macbeth, on trial for
the crimes in this play. In the past week, we have
had the actual trials, with students playing the part of
lawyers and witnesses and competing in front of a
real jury of their peers for a guilty or not-guilty
verdict.
While everyone involved has emerged with a good
understanding of the play, special credit should go to
the ―lawyers‖ and the Year 10 jury. The ―lawyers‖
went beyond expectations and vigorously argued
their cases. And the ―jurors‖ - who only knew this
story from what they heard in the trial - shone in their
understanding of the story and conviction about
what the verdict should be.
If you have a student studying Year 11 VCE English,
be sure to ask them about Macbeth. It‘s a terrific
story about loyalty, ambition
and conflict. And if they were
part of one of the trials, ask
them about that battle, too.
Mark O’Meara
Year 10 Learning Community
Leader
BOOK WEEK AT WHC
Friday 24th August is the date for
the Book Day Parade at both
Vines and Quamby campuses.
On that day we are asking students and
staff to come dressed as their
favourite book character and enter
the 'Best Dressed' competition in their campus
LIBRARY at lunchtime.
The prize is movie tickets for the best costume in each
year level, judged by your campus librarians.
Whether they dress up or not, the gold coin mufti day
charge will be used to buy books for local
disadvantaged children…because everyone should
have access to books.
Friday 24th August is also the date for Reader's Cup
2012 at Quamby library. Teams compete in a trivia
competition answering questions on selected books. .
Prizes: Movie tickets to the winning team BUT the
ultimate glory is having 'your‗ name engraved on the
Reader's Cup.
Both libraries will run quizzes
and games during this week.
Susan Harrington and Karen
Roberts
The Librarians.
AUSTRALIAN MATHS COMPETITION
On Friday August 3 rd , 202 Western Heights College
students competed in the Australian Maths Competition.
This included 153 Year 7s, 12 Year 8s, 6 Year 9s, 16 Year
10s, 10 Year 11s and 5 Year 12s.
The competition involved solving problems for 75 minutes
in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior sections.
Congratulations to all students who competed.
We will receive the results later in the year.
Janine Koch
Maths Domain Leader
RECYCLE YOUR OLD PHONES, CHARGERS &
BATTERIES
Year 7 G are collecting old phones,
chargers and batteries as a
fundraiser for destitute mothers and their
children in a village in India. Please clean
out your drawers and donate your unused/
broken phones to this cause. The silver and gold on the
circuit boards can be recycled and therefore reduce the
need for further mining as well as reducing landfill. There
is a collection box in the Year 7 foyer.
Mrs Gwyneth Dickens
Year 7 Learning Community
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE AND COURSE
SELECTION
Over 130 of our Year 10 students went into the community
this week to take part in work experience. We have been
in contact with most employers and the feedback has
been overwhelming positive, so congratulations to those
students for fantastic work.
When the Year 10 students return next week, fresh with
an understanding of the world of full-time work, they will be
making their course selections for 2013. Each student has
an individual time with their mentor on Wednesday and we
strongly encourage parents and guardians to come to the
appointment and be part of this important step.
Mark O’Meara
Year 10 Learning Community Leader
UPCOMING DATES
AUGUST
Wednesday 15th Course Counselling: Year10 to 11
2013 Year 11 to 12 2013 Year 12
VTAC Applications
Wednesday 22nd Year 11 to 12 2013 courses submitted
Friday 24th
Mufti Day– Book week
Dress up as your favourite book
character

YEAR 8 REPORT
In the MESH unit, ‗Healthy, Wealthy and Wise‘,
students have been completing activities about
budgeting. All students have completed surveys
about health and careers to gain an understanding
of what they know. Workshops about health and
careers are about to commence. Students will also
begin resume writing.
In Numeracy, students are studying ‗Indices‘ and
have started attending workshops on the different
Index Laws. We encourage students to access
activities on ‗Indices‘ through the Mathletics website
at home to reinforce their understanding of the topic.
Maths Mate PREP is submitted on a weekly basis.
In Literacy, students are working through the
Reading Program based on a library book of their
choice. The focus is on improving their
comprehension skills and developing an
appreciation of literature and the techniques that
authors use to engage their audience. Students
have started a major oral assessment task that will
involve researching an issue and presenting a
persuasive speech.
The students have had the opportunity to watch a
performance presented to them from the brainstorm
production company ―Cyberia‖. The performance
addressed cyber bullying issues and some
techniques to deal with it.
The Year 8 term sports have commenced with boys
and girls hockey. Further sports continue next week.
We wish all students good luck.
The Year 8 camp is coming around quickly and we
have had a great response. Further notes will be
sent home shortly regarding what to bring on camp
and the camp itinerary. We are looking forward to a
fantastic 3 days completing a range of activities.
The Year 9 – 2013 Information Evening is a valuable
evening to attend. It will give our current Year 8
students an understanding of the year 9 program
and the course selection process. We look forward
to seeing you all there.
Mr Greenhalgh and
Mrs Deo
Year 8 Learning
Community Leaders
CHIKUSHI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM
FUKUOKA, JAPAN
20 students arrived in Australia on Wednesday, 26 July.
They had a busy schedule during their short stay. On the
day they arrived, they went sightseeing in Melbourne
visiting St. Paul‘s Cathedral, Federation Square and the
Victoria Market. By the time they arrived at Quamby
campus, they were pretty tired and cold, but as soon as
they saw their Australian families, their faces brightened up.
Students were all welcomed by their family and went home with
their big suitcase full of Japanese souvenirs and a little bit of
anxiousness.
While they were at Quamby Campus, students had their English
classes in the morning. Each Japanese student was buddied up
with WHC senior student studying Japanese. They spent time
together at recess and lunch time, and joined classes to
experience Australian school life with our students. Interacting in
both languages with some of our Year 8 students was another
enjoyable experience. WHC students were so delighted when
they were given a cute Japanese eraser and a good-luck 5 yen
coin.
The students had a chance to explore Geelong Waterfront,
Pakington Street and visited local shops. Also they went to
Jirrahlinga Wildlife Sanctuary in Barwon Heads. They
particularly enjoyed taking photos of animals. At Narana
Creations in Grovedale, they learned about Aboriginal culture.
Each student painted a boomerang and kept it as a souvenir.
During weekends, their host family took them to see AFL
games, some shopping in Melbourne and sight-seeing at
Sovereign Hill. A lot of students also experienced an Aussie
BBQ for lunch.
The night before their departure, we celebrated their stay with a
farewell ceremony at Quamby Campus Drama Centre.
Japanese students demonstrated traditional Japanese culture
such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy, and sang songs. It
was an emotional time for them when they presented a gift to
their host families. The Drama Centre was full of smiles and
some heart-warming tears.
The following day, it was time for the students to leave WHC.
Some students and host families were teary when the students
finally had to get on the bus. With all the great memories and
experiences in Australia, the students left for Japan.
ありがとう(Arigat) Chikushi students for sharing your culture
with us. Also thank you to Claire, the home-stay co-ordinator, all
the teachers, students, host families who were involved in the
program.
Okamura sensei
Japanese Teacher
GEELONG FOOD RELIEF CENTRE
The College is once again supporting
the Geelong Food Relief Centre
Toucan Appeal. The Centre assists
more than eight thousand people, who
through a variety of circumstances are
unable to provide enough food for
themselves and their families.
The centre would greatly appreciate donations of nonperishable
grocery items eg: canned food, breakfast
cereals, pasta, rice, noodles, spreads, tea and coffee.
The appeal will run for the month of August, collection
boxes have been placed at the Quamby General Office,
Years 7, 8 and 9 pods.
Thank you for supporting this very
worthwhile cause.
Western Heights College
Wellbeing Department

SENIOR/INTERMEDIATE SPORT REPORT
Senior/Intermediate Sport was held during the first two
weeks of this term in Hockey, Netball, Soccer and
Basketball. All teams performed to the best of their ability
on the day with some teams gaining ultimate team
success and winning their Geelong Barwon Division to
progress to the next level, that being Barwon South West
Regional level.
Snr Boys Hockey, Barwon Division Winner, BSW Finalist
(Coach Mr Bullock)
Snr Boys Netball, Barwon Division Winner, BSW Finalist
(Coach Ms Dudley)
Int Girls Netball, Barwon Division Winner, BSW Finalist
(Coach Mrs Loe)
Int Boys Netball, Barwon Division Winner, BSW Winner,
State Finalist (Coach Ms Dudley)
Congratulations to the Intermediate
Boys team who progress to the State
Finals which will be played in Waverley-
Melbourne on Friday, 31 August.
Mr Beasley
Later Years Sport Coordinator
HEALTH NOTES
Parenting: Positive Communication
Parents often say they want their children to be happy, feel
good about themselves and see themselves as capable,
lovable human beings.
The way we communicate to our children and the words we use
can either increase or decrease their feelings of confidence and
self worth.
Positive communication includes using encouraging words,
listening with all your attention and using a calm tone of voice. It
also includes checking to make sure you have understood
.
One of the best ways to encourage your child and develop their
confidence is to give them positive messages about themselves.
You could say, ―I love you‖, ―That was great the way you helped
me tidy up‖ or ―You really tried hard well done‖. Children also
love to feel accepted for who they are, not just what they do.
Messages like ―You‘re a good kid‖. Look for your children‘s
strengths and catch them being good. Sometimes we can all be
good at commenting on the things children do wrong and forget
to comment on when their children are doing the right thing
.
We communicate a lot through non-verbal messages such as
facial expressions and body language. Giving your child a wink,
pat on the head or a smile when they have done what you
asked can build children‘s confidence. When you get down to
the same level as your child, look them in the eye and smile,
they will more likely hear what you have to say rather than
yelling from another room.
It can also be helpful to communicate to children what you
would like them to do, rather than what you do not want them to
do. Instead of ―Don‘t mess up the lounge room‖ try ―Remember
mum wants you to keep the lounge room clean.‖ This lets your
child know in a positive way what you would like them to do.
Saying what to do takes a bit of getting use to, as most of us are
more used to saying what not to do.
Being clear when we give messages to children is another
important skill we need to practice as parents. Rather than
saying ―Be good― let your child know exactly what behaviour you
want them to do, such as, ― Sit up in your chair when you are
eating.‖
It is important to let your child know that they
don‘t have to achieve and succeed at
everything they do. Encourage them to accept
their mistakes, because nobody is perfect and
making mistakes can often be a learning
experience.
The message parents and other important people in children‘s
live give them can stay with them into adulthood so the
messages we give our children can be extremely powerful.
Let‘s try and program our kids to feel good about themselves
and give them the ability to believe in themselves so they will
have the confidence to try new things and feel good about who
they are.
Pauline Doak
Year 9 Learning Community Teacher

A CAREER IS NO LONGER ONE JOB FOR LIFE
A career includes a lifetime of experiences including
periods of education, training, paid employment,
unpaid employment, unemployment, volunteer work
and life roles.
Young people need the skills, knowledge and
capabilities to navigate through these various
experiences, and use resilience to move forward
when their preferred option does not follow a direct
pathway.
In 1995, Canadian career development leaders Pat
Butter, Donna Davidson, Barrie Day, Aryeh
Gitterman, Helen Hackett, Tracy Lamb, John
McCormick, Dave Redekopp and Michele Tocher
created the: High Five Principles of Career
Development.
You can begin your careers conversation with
your young person by drawing on these High
Five Principles:
1. Know yourself, believe in yourself and
follow your heart
2. Change is constant
3. Change is constant
4 Focus on the journey
5. Access your allies
Career conversations
It is helpful for young people to talk through the
many options for further education, training and
employment that are available to them. They can
have these conversations with you, a careers
practitioner, MIPs staff at your school (Diana
Anderson, Quamby Campus), teachers and other
trusted adults.
You can start a conversation when your child asks
questions about life after school. Most young people
respond well to casual conversations about careers.
Talk about the world of work as you have
experienced it. Share some of your work and life
experiences and those of other family members and
friends.
The most important thing is to be positive about
the ideas and choices made by your child and their
chances of finding a satisfying career path. This
needs to include a consideration of their aptitudes
(what they are good at), interests (what they like or
enjoy doing), values (what is important to them),
aspirations (what they want to achieve) and skills
(what they can do).
This information is taken from
www.education.vic.gov.au/sensecyouth/careertrans/
careersandplanning.htm
Diana Anderson
MIP’s Coordinator
THIS COULD BE THE RIDE TO YOUR FUTURE…
Are you a high school student in
years 9 to 12 and keen for maths
and science?
Are you interested to know what
it means to be an engineer?
Here at Holden, we are giving
you the opportunity to step
behind the scenes of our iconic
Australian brand, to get up close and personal with the
technology, the engineers and the
exciting products we create. There are so many parts that
make up the cars we drive on our
roads today and these will be on display, with engineering
experts on hand to answer your
questions - whether they relate to how the parts are
created, how they make the car work or
maybe even how that expert came to follow an
engineering career!
Whether you like maths and science subjects at school,
have a passion for technology or just
want to know more, this is an opportunity not to be
missed.
There will be interactive engineering displays,
competitions, interesting stories - and of course,
lots of cars.
A sausage sizzle will be provided on the evening.
DETAILS OF THE EVENT
Time: Please arrive at 6:00pm, the session will conclude
at approximately 8:00pm
Date: Wednesday 15th August 2012
Where: Holden HQ - 191 Salmon Street - Port Melbourne,
VIC 3207
RSVP: Please register with:
- Your name
- Your school
- Your grade
We urge you to register quickly as numbers are limited!
Contact Leiah Richardson if you have any questions or to
register
your interest:
Email: leiah.richardson@gm.com
Phone: 9647 7519 M: 0418 499 405
Diana Anderson
MIP’s Coordinator

National Electrical and Communications Association
NECA APPRENTICESHIP PRE-SELECTION
ASSESSMENT
For more than 26 years the electrical contracting
industry has been conducting a pre-selection
assessment for students interested in an electrical or
electronics career.
The assessment is highly regarded by employers as
it provides one common assessment of all
candidates from an industry standpoint. The
assessment is set at about year 10 level
T o a p p l y - w w w . n e c a . a s n . a u
(go to NECA Victoria site and go to Careers and
Apprenticeships on the left hand menu)
It is strongly recommended that if you are interested
in a career in the industry that you have a go at the
PRACTICE TEST on the NECA website it will show
the sort of questions asked and the level of
understanding required
The assessment will be conducted in MELBOURNE
and 8 regional Centres during OCTOBER 2012
Cost: $55.00(PLUS CREDIT CARD FEE)
INFORMATION NIGHT- register online
Ballarat - Wednesday 19 September
TEST DATES - register online
Melbourne - Brunswick
Saturday, 6 October and 13 October—multiple test
times from 8.30 start to 3.45 start
Ballarat 12 October 1.30 start to 2.30 finish
Bendigo 10 October 2.00 start to 3.00 finish
VINES ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS
The Community Centre offers a wide range of
classes and activities that are available to everyone:
If you are not yet familiar with the community centre,
we are located in the same building as the library
and the Vines Road Campus General Office, call
into Reception for more information about us.
Are you interested in Cooking? The Centre offers a
number of options including a Community Kitchen
group that meet on Tuesdays 9.30am - 12.30pm to
cook affordable and healthy meals in a relaxed and
friendly environment. The next in the Centre‘s series
of cooking workshop is on Saturday 25 August on
Mediterranean cooking. For bookings please
contact reception on 5277 9027.
Looking for a Walking Group? The Community
Centre hosts a walking group that meets Mondays at
9am for a 30-45 minute walk from the Centre.
Are you interested in joining our Book Group? This
group meets the 2 nd Monday of the month at
7.30pm. Cost $2 per meeting.
For full details of the Vines Road Community Centre‘s
program check out our website:
www.vinesroadcc.com.au
Mike Trickey
Centre Co-ordinator