Newsletter 11

18 December 2025


Calendar

Term Four, 2025
Monday 15 DecemberGumbuya World
Tuesday 16 DecemberStudent Activities
Wednesday 17 DecemberStudent Activities
Thursday 18 December Clean Up Day 
Friday 19 December Last Day of Term Four - no students

School Holidays
Monday 22 December - Monday 26 January  

Term One, 2026
Tuesday 27 JanuaryFirst Day of Term One - no students
Staff Only
Wednesday 28 JanuaryFirst Day for Year 7 only
Thursday 29 JanuaryFirst Day for Year 8 (with Year 7s attending)


Principal's Report

School Council
Thank you to our School Council parent members for volunteering your time to be parent representatives on School Council. The effort you give to support our school is essential for the running of the school and greatly appreciated. Thank you to our community member, Noel Hawthorn in the role of School Council President and parents Himani Panda as Vice President and Kylie Coverdale in the role of Treasurer. It is a pleasure to work with all of you and I hope that you will all continue on Council next year.

Parent Information Session for Grade 6
We held our Parent Information session for Grade 6 students transitioning into Year 7 on Thursday 6 November. Over 400 people attended to learn more about starting Year 7 at Wulerrp Secondary College. Information provided covered our vision and values, curriculum areas, bell times, classes, homework expectations, uniform requirements, digital devices, booklists, mobile phone policy, lockers and the Orientation Program.

Year 7 Camp
We held our first school camp at Bayview Adventure Camp at Grantville in mid November, with 136 students attending and 14 school staff supervising. Although the conditions were cool on the first day, the weather warmed up. it was ideal for being active on the giant swing, in the canoes, on the ropes course, doing archery, exploring the camp grounds by following clues on a camp map, enjoying the after dinner activities (Trivia Quiz run by Rhys and Rayanne) with some free time as well. Students learnt about working together on challenges, about challenging themselves and about getting along with each other. The efforts of school staff are greatly appreciated as they do work additional hours for us to take students on camp.

Awards Presentation
On Thursday 4 December, we held our first Awards Presentation to celebrate our first year and the achievements of our students recognising excellence in academic achievement and endeavour through consistent effort. Other awards were given out for students who showed our School Values, for our Student Leaders, for Attendance, for those who participated in the Department of Education High Ability Program and for Sports. Green House were the winners of the House Competition in 2025. Congratulations to all students for completing Year 7 and taking up opportunities inside and outside the classroom. The event closed with 55 volunteer students dancing the Indian Dance they learnt in their Dance subject. Thank you to staff from Bhangra Dance Academy.

2026 Timetable
Our fortnightly timetable for 2026 has been completed by Jodi Wilson and we tested out Week 1 during our Head Start (where the current students move up to the next year level before the end of year to help with a smoother start the following year). Attendance of students was expected as they were starting on their Year 8 learning. It is exciting to be introducing new subjects in Year 8: Technology - Wood, Technology - Food, the Arts – Music and the Arts – Visual Art and for Year 7 and 8 introducing Languages – Japanese.

Orientation Day
We held a very successful Orientation Day for the Grade six students who are coming to us next year. Teachers were able to run 3-4 subjects on the day with students in their new classes. The assistance of our current student leaders in classrooms and during lunchtime and recess was greatly appreciated. Grade six students said they had a great day exploring their new school, meeting staff and our student leaders. Thank you for the support of other current parents on this day as well.

Annual Implementation Plan
We have completed our annual evaluation of our Implementation Plan and we are tracking well on our school goals. Next year, we continue with an Annual Implementation Plan which will be similar to our plan this year. In term 4 next year, we will have our Strategic Review which will lead to us forming our 4 year Strategic Plan. The School Council President will be involved in this process and School Council will be informed of the process and progress.

Reports
Reports have been published on Compass. I encourage parents to support your child to read during the school holidays as well as during the year. It is relaxing and enjoyable. Independent reading helps learning in all subject areas.

Have a very relaxing and happy holiday.

2026
Tuesday 27 January - staff return

Wednesday 28 January - new Year 7 students start. A day with only Year 7 gives a chance for them to settle in to the school

Thursday 29 January - Year 8 students first day of attendance


                             
                            Our student leaders who assisted on Orientation Day 




Leanne Winfield
Principal

Junior School Report

It has been a fabulous year opening a new school and being part of building the foundational history of our college. It has truly been a privilege to work so closely with our students and families during this significant first year. I would like to sincerely thank our staff for the countless hours they have dedicated to supporting students as they transitioned into secondary school. Together, we have celebrated many important milestones and it has been wonderful to witness the growth, resilience and confidence our students have shown throughout the year.

It was an absolute pleasure to see students acknowledged and celebrated for their achievements across a range of areas within the college at our Awards Presentation. Our Year 7 cohort has demonstrated outstanding effort, positive attitudes and a strong sense of community and they have contributed greatly to shaping the culture of our school. We are already seeing the impact of their values, leadership and willingness to support one another. It was heartening to see families and friends come together to cheer on our award recipients and share in these moments of pride. We are incredibly proud of everything our Year 7 students have achieved, both within and beyond the classroom.

Our Activities Week, organised by Ms Devenyns, offered a wide range of engaging and meaningful activities were planned, including an excursion to Gumbuya World, as well as on-site experiences such as laser tag, a murder mystery challenge, STEM activities and gratitude-based activities. These experiences provided students with opportunities to build positive relationships, strengthen teamwork skills and reflect on wellbeing and gratitude. Students were highly engaged throughout the week and many expressed their appreciation for the variety and enjoyment the program offered. Activities Week was a valuable opportunity for students to connect with peers and staff in different ways and celebrate the year together.

On December 9th, we proudly hosted the Statewide Orientation Day, welcoming approximately 230 Grade 6 students from over 40 primary schools. This day was an important milestone in preparing students for their transition to secondary school. I would like to thank the staff who thoughtfully designed and facilitated a range of activities, allowing students to experience aspects of our curriculum in an engaging and supportive environment. Students also had the opportunity to meet their teachers, connect with their Growth Group and participate in a tour of the school. The day helped ease nerves, build excitement and ensure students felt welcomed and confident about starting their secondary school journey with us.
 
                          

The Headstart program provided our students with a valuable opportunity to commence their Year 8 coursework. This program is an important part of supporting a smooth transition between year levels, allowing students to familiarise themselves with new subjects, expectations and learning routines. Headstart helps build confidence, reduces anxiety about the year ahead and sets students up for a strong and successful start in the new school year. It also allows teachers to establish positive learning relationships early and tailor support to students’ needs.

As we conclude the year, I would like to wish all Wulerrp families a wonderful, safe and restful break. We thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting year ahead.


                        

Harveen Khera                                
Assistant Principal - Junior School         

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy

Changes to School Council Requirements

From 2026, parents, carers and community members who would like to join the school council need a working with children (WWC) clearance to nominate. If you are considering nominating for school council, and don’t already have a WWCC, I encourage you to apply for a volunteer WWC check as soon as possible. This will allow for processing times, which are estimated to be from 3 to 12 weeks.

Please note that if you do not hold a WWC clearance, you will not be able to nominate for school council, so it is vital that you prepare in advance. Obtaining a WWC clearance is free for volunteers, and you can apply online at Service Victoria.

When applying for your volunteer WWC check, please nominate the Department of Education as the organisation you are working for.

If you already hold an employee WWC clearance, you do not need to obtain a volunteer WWC clearance to nominate for school council.

Victorian Institute of Teaching-registered teachers and school students who are interested in joining school council are not required to obtain a WWC clearance.

Current parents and community members of school council do not need to apply for a WWC check immediately. Current members only need a WWC clearance if their term ends and they wish to nominate or be co-opted again. For more information, refer to Ministerial Order 1280 (Constitution of Government School Councils) 2020.

 



Year 8 Headstart

A Valuable Beginning for 2026


As we approach the end of the school year, we are excited to welcome our current Year 7 students into Year 8 Headstart Week. This 4 day transition program is designed to give students a confident and connected start to their learning for 2026.

Headstart Week offers students the opportunity to meet their new teachers and classmates. Establishing these relationships early helps create a supportive and familiar environment, ensuring students return in the new year feeling prepared rather than overwhelmed. Throughout the week, students will participate in introductory lessons for their Year 8 subjects, gaining an understanding of course expectations and beginning key learning activities that will support a strong start next year.

In addition to curriculum-based sessions, students will receive their Year 8 locker allocation and become familiar with the routines and spaces they will use throughout the year. This practical preparation helps reduce first-day nerves and allows students to settle quickly into their timetable when they return.

We strongly encourage all students to attend Headstart Week. This program plays a vital role in building confidence, organisation, and positive connections with peers and staff. By attending, students ensure they are well prepared for the year ahead—academically, socially, and emotionally.

We look forward to seeing all our soon-to-be Year 8 students ready to make the most of this important week of learning and preparation.


Jodi Wilson
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning



Booklists Year 7 & Year 8

REMINDER

Dear Parents & Carers 

Campion is the school resource supplier for Wulerrp Secondary College (VIC). Please order online by 19-Dec-25 to get first choice of school needs and best available handling costs. 

Please head to: order.campion.com.au

School resource code: TWKD

Family help: 

Tel 1300 433 982

Science Showcase: Brilliant Rube Goldberg Machines!

Our Year 7 students have amazed us once again with their creativity, persistence and problem-solving skills during their recent Science project on simple machines and forces. As part of their learning, students were challenged to design and build their own Rube Goldberg machine—a chain reaction device that performs a very simple task in the most delightfully complicated way possible.

The results were nothing short of spectacular.

Classrooms transformed into mini engineering workshops filled with levers, pulleys, ramps, domino runs, spinning wheels, marbles, balloons and plenty of imagination. Students experimented, redesigned, tested and refined their machines, demonstrating genuine scientific thinking as they explored energy transfer, cause-and-effect relationships and the mechanical advantages of different simple machines.

What impressed us most was the teamwork, resilience and problem-solving on display. Each machine was a unique combination of creativity and scientific understanding, and many surprised us with their clever design features and smooth chain reactions!

This hands-on project was not only a fun and engaging way to apply the concepts learned in class—it was a wonderful celebration of curiosity, innovation and the joy of learning.

Well done to all of our talented Year 7 scientists for producing such inventive and entertaining Rube Goldberg machines! We cannot wait to see what you create next.

            

            

                              

       

           




Anita Punnoos
Teacher, Mathematics/Science Leader



Year 7 Humanities

Economics and Business Spotlight

The Consumer Game

This term in Year 7 Economics, students at Wulerrp Secondary College stepped into the role of game designers, creating original board and card games that teach players how to recognise scams, understand their consumer rights, and make smart financial decisions.

What began as a study of needs, wants, scarcity and consumer law evolved into a hands-on design challenge that blended creativity, critical thinking and real-world application. Students explored the complexities of the marketplace, from misleading claims to refund rights and were then tasked with turning that knowledge into something playable, educational and engaging.

Working in design teams, students brainstormed game mechanics, built prototypes, drafted clear instruction manuals, and tested their ideas with peers. They applied key principles from the Australian Consumer Law, including:

  • the right to safe products
  • the right to accurate information
  • the right to remedies
  • and the responsibilities of consumers

Through this challenge, students demonstrated:

  • creativity as they designed game boards, action cards, storylines and characters
  • problem-solving as they balanced fairness, strategy and educational clarity
  • understanding of consumer law by embedding real scenarios such as online shopping scams, fake discounts and faulty goods
  • strong instructional writing through rulebooks and step-by-step guides
  • design thinking as they refined their games based on class playtesting and feedback

What made the project particularly powerful was its authenticity. Students were not just learning about being responsible consumers, they were teaching others how to be responsible consumers. Their games showed a mature grasp of rights, risks and ethical decision-making in an increasingly digital marketplace.

By the end of the unit, the classroom had transformed into a lively expo of prototypes, each game reflecting unique creativity and practical understanding. Teachers were impressed by the depth of insight and the level of engagement, with many students commenting that they now feel more confident navigating financial choices in their everyday lives.

The Consumer Rights Game Design Project is a shining example of how Economics at Wulerrp Secondary College goes beyond textbooks. Empowering students with the knowledge and skills to become informed, ethical and financially savvy citizens.

  

  



Kavitha Kannan
Humanities Teacher



Sports Report

Girls Regional Cricket Day – Aspendale Gardens (7 November)

Our Girls Cricket Team competed at the Regional Cricket Day held at Aspendale Gardens on the 7th of November. It was a busy and exciting day, with the team playing five matches across the competition. The girls showed outstanding teamwork and positivity throughout the day.

Although they did not advance to the state finals, they should be incredibly proud of their efforts, finishing with 3 wins and 2 losses to cap off a successful and memorable experience.

House Captains

During Term 4, the pace of sporting events slowed down, with most major competitions having wrapped up in Term 3. Despite this, our House Captains continued to demonstrate dedication and leadership by showing up to meetings and contributing to the behind-the-scenes organisation of several key school events. Their commitment ensured that Term 4 still ran smoothly and that students across the school remained engaged and supported.

Our House Captains played an important role in the planning and preparation of our 3 x 3 Basketball Tournament, helped lead their house teams throughout the SEPEP unit in PE, and offered valuable assistance during various student-led activities at camp. Their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute highlights the strength of our leadership group and the pride they take in representing their houses.



          

           

            

              


Congratulations to all students who participated in the Handball competition during Term 4 Physical Education classes.

Congratulations to the premiers of each class!

                               
Emily Sloothaak                                            Brodie McConnell
Teacher, Health and PE Leader                Teacher, Sports Coordinator

Library

Term 4 in the library

The library shelves are filling up nicely with students currently having access to almost 3000 titles to borrow for reading at home. It is amazing how this collection has grown over the year with the library now providing 12 books per student! The Australian Library and Information Association recommends that at our full capacity a school library should contain 15 books per student, so we are well on our way.

                    

This term we created book boxes for each English and EAL class. Students choose a book they wanted to read and this book lived in their class book box. Each library lesson, students would continue to read this same book. This practice encouraged students to persist with a book helping them to connect with the characters and story. Reading a story all the way to completion helps students develop comprehension skills, attention span, critical thinking, and an appreciation for narrative structure and character development. Teachers could also borrow these boxes meaning that students could have the opportunity for more independent reading. 

Overdues

There are a lot of overdue books. It is important that all library resources are returned to the library. Please have a look around the house and return any books to school if they have our barcode on the back cover. Students will receive an email to their school account if they need to return items to the library. Please encourage them to check their emails for further instruction. If you cannot find any emails from the library, it may be going to the junk folder and will need to be moved to their inbox. If students cannot find a borrowed resource, they need to visit the library to inform library staff that the item is lost.

Holiday reading

It is very import that students continue their reading over the holidays. Encourage students to read by reading with them and reading your own books over theses school holidays. It is important that everyone chooses something they like to read! It does not matter if it is a reread, if it has pictures, if you read with your eyes or your ears, or if it is an information text. All reading is reading! 

Students will continue to have access to the digital collection at the library which they can access from Compass. Scrolling an eBook or listing to an audiobook is a great alternative for students and can help support them through the Social Media ban that comes into affect on December 10. 

Alternatively, visit your local public library Connected Libraries. Membership is free! There are many events that will keep everyone entertained over this long break from school. With branches in Bunjil Place (Narre Warren), Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Hampton Park, as well as Library Lockers for Click and Collect at Cranbourne West Community Hub, Manna Gum Family and Community Centre, and Orana Community Place, you are bound to find your next read for everyone in the family with ease. 

Comics Plus

We’re excited to share that all students at Wulerrp Secondary College now have free access to Comics Plus—a digital library of age-appropriate comics, graphic novels, and manga! With thousands of titles available, students can explore their favorite stories and build a personalized reading collection using the My Shelf feature. Available anytime, anywhere—at school, at home, or on the go. 24/7 access with unlimited checkouts and no waiting!

     

Getting Started:

  1. Log into Compass
  2. Click the star icon (favourites)
  3. Scroll down to Comics Plus!

Have questions?
Email the library: library@wulerrpsc.vic.edu.au

Happy reading!


Sarah Barrett
Library Manager

Year 7 Camp

From Tuesday 12 November to Thursday 14 November, 136 of our Year 7 students headed to Bayview Adventure Camp in Grantville for three days of fun, teamwork and challenge. We were very lucky with the weather, enjoying three sunny days that made it perfect for being outdoors.

Across the camp, students rotated through a huge range of activities, including High Ropes, Archery, Capture the Flag, the Amazing Race, Giant Swing, Canoeing, Radio Runabout, Crate Stacking and Raft Building. Many students pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, showed great resilience and encouraged their peers to have a go. Some of our amazing staff also had a go at some of the activities!

In the evenings, students took part in trivia and group games, as well as enjoying time in their cabins to relax, hang out with friends and form new friendships. A special shout out to students Rhys Coverdale and Rayanne Naeimei for their fantastic work in organising and running the trivia night.

There was also plenty of wildlife to spot around camp, which was a highlight for many, especially the excitement of seeing an echidna up close. Overall, camp was a wonderful opportunity for students to build confidence, strengthen friendships and create lasting memories.

                 

                
 

               



Holly Entwistle
Year 7 Coordinator (2025)



Indian Dance Project

In Dance classes this term, teachers from Bhangra Academy have come in to the school to teach our students Indian Dance. Each class had three dance sessions in semester one or semester two, culminating in students volunteering to perform at our Awards Presentation Session in period 5 on Thursday 4 December. It was joyful, so wonderful to see students have fun, learn and develop such confidence in dancing and performing with others and for others. Thank you to Ms Devenyns and Ms Entwistle for including these sessions in your Dance curriculum and to Gursher, Sunny, Harpreet and Parneet, thank you and we hope that we can do this again next year with our new Year 7s.

Thank you to students who volunteered to dance at the Awards Presentation Assembly.















Wellbeing Report

What a fantastic year it has been for our Wellbeing Team! From the very first bell of Term 1 to the colourful celebrations of Term 4, our school has been buzzing with activities, programs, and moments that strengthened connection, confidence, and community spirit.

Welcoming Our Year 7s

We kicked off the year by greeting every Year 7 class with warm, engaging sessions on gratitude, support networks, and what wellbeing truly looks like at our school. These sessions helped set the tone for a positive and connected year ahead.

Breakfast Club

Every Thursday morning, the café came to life with the smell of toast and the buzz of friendly chatter. Breakfast Club continued to be a much-loved space for students to grab a nutritious bite and start the day with good energy and good company.

Cultural Connection & Community Events

This year we were proud to see our Koorie students involved in Close the Gap Day, engaging in meaningful cultural activities alongside peers from nearby schools. The artwork that was completed on this day is proudly hung in our school office.
Harmony Day brought everyone together with wonderful student performances and wellbeing had giant games out to play and was great to see plenty of smiles celebrating the diversity that makes our school strong.

The Casey 360 Bus

Students enjoyed the hands-on experience of the Casey 360 Bus, learning about the wellbeing resources available both at school and out in the community. Lunchtime visits were a highlight, giving everyone a chance to explore the activities and supports the service offers.

Citizens of the World Program

Delivered by the City of Casey, this engaging anti-bullying program covered online behaviour, gaming, and how students can step up safely as positive bystanders. These sessions empowered students to look out for one another on and offline.

Empower Her & Cyber Safety

Our lunchtime Empower Her sessions provided a safe, uplifting space for girls to explore resilience, confidence, friendships, and self-esteem.
We also hosted a Cyber Safety Project presentation for both students and parents, guiding our school community in building healthy digital habits.

Growing the Wellbeing Team

This year we welcomed social worker Bec Barker, who has been supporting students through one-on-one sessions. We also hosted a placement student who quickly became a friendly, familiar presence across the school.

Celebrating Inclusivity & Having Fun

Wear It Purple Day saw the school glowing with colour and pride as we celebrated LGBTQIA+ young people.
R U OK? Day encouraged meaningful conversations about mental health and checking in with those around us.
Halloween brought games, colouring, face painting, and plenty of fun to finish the year with a smile!

A Huge Thank You

To our students, families, and staff thank you for your enthusiasm, kindness, and involvement in wellbeing this year. Your support helps us create a school where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. We look forward to an even bigger and brighter year ahead! ?

Support Services

If you or someone you know needs support over the holidays, these services are here to help:

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800

Free, confidential counselling for young people (24/7).

Lifeline – 13 11 14

24/7 crisis support for anyone feeling overwhelmed or needing to talk.

eHeadspace – headspace.org.au

Online and phone support for young people aged 12–25.

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

Support for anxiety, depression, and mental health concerns.

Emergency Services – 000

If you or someone else is in immediate danger.

 



Shannon Pook
Wellbeing Leader

Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road Intersection Upgrade

Upcoming intersection closure
Big Build Roads - upgrading the Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road intersection to ease congestion and make your journey safer and more reliable.

What’s happening
From 7pm, Monday 12 January to 5am Friday 13 February 2026, we’ll close the intersection while we:
  • Remove the existing roundabout
  • Install underground traffic signal infrastructure
  • Relocate water and services and upgrade drainage
  • Asphalt the southbound lanes on both sides of Thompsons Road
  • Start work on the shared walking and cycling paths on the south-east and south-west corners of the intersection.
When the intersection reopens, there’ll be a smaller, temporary roundabout in place. This is to help keep traffic flowing while we continue to work behind barriers to build the upgrade.

Please see attached correspondence for more information:
Click Here

Community News

               

    

             

           

               

Gallery

Student Award Winners - Congratulations!!

School & Vice Captains
Ayush, Arya, Basuru, Alyssa

     

SRC Members
Suhani, Sarleen, Arya, Ayssa, Maria, Audrey
Rhys, Rayanne, Paehal, Akain, Ayush, Amberlynne, Shristi, Basuru

          

House Captains
Kunnh: Agam, Arshia
Bannh: Faran, Afsa
Biik: Max, Isabelle
Ngerwin: Yumeth, Parmaan

          

          

Excellence Awards

          

Endeavour Awards



VHAP Awards

      

100% Attendance Awards

        

Values Awards Growth

       


Growth Excellence Award


         

Sports Award