The end of our first school year is now upon as at Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College and what a year it has been!  As we head into the summer break, I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all members of our school community who have contributed to making 2024 an amazing year for our school and students.  Firstly, to our students, thank you for the energy and vibrancy that you bring to our community, there is no doubt you have kept us on our toes as we have got to know you and support you in 2024.  Congratulations on your achievements, willingness to tackle new concepts and challenges, and for your resilience.  Our teaching team has been amazed by your achievements and growth, both academically and personally, and you have much to be proud of as you successfully complete Year 7.  To our amazing staff team, thank you for your ongoing commitment, professionalism and the high levels of care you offer our students.  You have contributed both within and beyond the classroom and helped us to create a positive culture and climate for our students.  To our parents, carers and broader community, thank you for your support and the engagement you have had with our students and school and for encouraging the best in our students and staff.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a relaxing and safe summer break, and a bright start to the New Year. We look forward to seeing our students and families return in late January 2025, as we also welcome our new Year 7 families to the College.

Farewell and Gratitude
I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to some of our staff who are departing at the end of this year. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their contributions, dedication, and the positive impact they have made on our school community in our founding year. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

We wish Kayla Johnson every success as she makes the move to Hester Hornbrook Academy in 2025.  Kayla has actively worked throughout the year to connect our students to their learning with genuine and authentic experiences linked to the real world.  She has also led our Global Perspectives team and the development of our curriculum in English and Humanities for Year 7 and the commencement of Year 8. 
 Let’s also thank Mark Johnston, who has taught our students in Digital Technology, Materials Technology and as a Belonging teacher. We wish Mark every success as he moves to Emmanuel College for 2025 and beyond.

A big thank you to Vihang Ahlawat, who has been a brilliant ES Learning Mentor and is now going on to complete his teacher training. Vihang’s strong relationships and genuine care for students has made such a difference, and we are grateful for his hard work and dedication. 

New Staff for 2025
In 2025 we will be more than doubling in size as our student enrolment moves beyond 400 students.  With this increase in numbers, we are delighted to be welcoming our next wave of talented staff to our team in 2025.

Please join with me in welcoming:

	My name is Matthew Beggs and I am very excited to be joining Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College in 2025 as a Maths and Digital Tech teacher. I have spent most of my 15+ year teaching career living and teaching in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and I truly wound not teach anywhere else. I have a love of sport (Go Cats) and enjoy listening to music and playing video games in my spare time. I have a family with a single daughter and two wonderful cats and I absolutely love taking my daughter to her karate classes each week. I am so excited to be a part of the WNSC community in 2025 and look forward to many exciting years ahead.
	Hello, Walcom Ngarrwa Community! My name is Zhiliang (Robbie) Yan and I am thrilled to join the staff team at Walcom Ngarrwa as a Chinese language teacher. Growing up with both parents as teachers, I developed a lifelong passion for learning and for making language education more interactive and creative. My teaching philosophy focuses on engaging students through interactive, real-world applications, inviting them to embark on a rewarding journey of discovering the beauty of learning a second language. It is an honour to be a part of this wonderful community, and I look forward to working together to build bright futures.
	Hi all, my name is Mrs. Anthony. I have a deep passion for Humanities and Art, and I truly enjoy guiding students through these subjects. I began playing netball at the age of 8, but after a major injury in 2020, I discovered a new love for golf. I’m also a painter, primarily working with acrylics on canvas, and I have three bouncy boxer dogs that keep my husband and I very busy. As an enthusiastic and vibrant educator, my goal is to support students in all areas of their growth, not just academically, but personally as well. I’m here to help them evolve, thrive, and always feel supported.
	My name is Olga Dudikova and I will be joining Walcom Ngarrwa in 2025 as a Science Teacher.  Coming from a medical background, I have a passion for science with a focus on biology. My spare time is spent hiking trails and spending as much time as possible at the beach. I have 2 children who share my love for strategic board games, sci-fi space odysseys, and exploring different cuisines.
	My name is Gabriela Fabiane, hi everyone... I enjoy writing, art, music, movies, travelling and meeting people from all walks in life.  I like learning about different cultures and traditions, and their languages. My cultural background is Spanish, Italian and I can speak and write both these languages fluently. I have taught these languages prior, also French. My journey in life has taken me to fulfill many different roles and careers, however one that has always been there, in one form or another, is that of building a childhood dream of learning and teaching.  Yes, I am the "Life-Long Learner"... that knows that learning and teaching is not just in a classroom, but throughout life lessons and life experiences as well. I am grateful to be here and looking forward to meeting you all soon.
	My name is Gurmeet Kaur, and I am a second-year teacher specialising in Mathematics and Science. Next year, I will be teaching Year 7 and 8 students, and I am eager to continue inspiring curiosity and critical thinking in these subjects. Outside the classroom, I am passionate about technology. I also enjoy cooking and travelling, which help me stay energised and bring new perspectives to my work. I am committed to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for all students. I believe in creating a supportive atmosphere where students feel encouraged to explore and develop their skills.
	My name is Yogesh Kumar and I am looking forward to joining you as a Mathematics and Science teacher in 2025.  I am a dedicated secondary school teacher with experience teaching in rural NSW, specifically in Goulburn. My teaching journey has provided me with a deep appreciation for the values of sacrifice and resilience, which I aim to instil in my students. I am passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, I am an avid cricket enthusiast and enjoy staying active through regular gym sessions. These interests not only keep me grounded but also inspire me to promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle among my students. With a focus on personalised and innovative teaching methods, I strive to make learning both meaningful and engaging, equipping students with the skills they need for lifelong success.
	Hi everyone.  My name is Marie-Louise Marollas and I am an English and Humanities teacher. I consider myself lucky because I love my job and working with young people. I am very excited to be joining the Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College community and I cannot wait to meet all my students and colleagues in the new year.  I enjoy cooking, gardening and of course, as an English teacher, reading is a very important part of my life. I also enjoy travelling  and during my recent long-service leave I enjoyed a wonderful 10-week trip with my partner to the Peloponnese in Greece and to Sicily.  I have two sons and daughters-in-law, and three amazing granddaughters. My family is a great source of happiness and pride for me.
	Hi, I’m Andrea La Motta and looking forward to joining Walcom Ngarrwa in 2025 as an English & Humanities Teacher.   I've been a primary school teacher for seven years, so you may recognise me from Thomas Chirnside PS! On my weekends, I love going camping with my husband and our dog. We built our house locally and have been in for a few years now, enjoying hosting family and friends. I am looking forward to a change to a secondary setting, meeting all my new students in the new year and seeing some familiar faces too!
	My name is Jeremi Chamberlain, I am coming into my fifth year as an educator, my background is in Maths, Science and Design Technologies. My interests include playing games, playing sports and socialising with my friends. I love talking to people about their animals and at home I have a dog and four guinea pigs. If you see me around please feel free to say hello and I am looking forward to joining your community in 2025.
	Hello, my name is Wei Qu.  I have taught various levels of Chinese in Adelaide for over 10 years. I am enthusiastic in teaching Chinese language with special interests in using authentic texts/materials in my class to enhance my students understanding of Chinese culture in both China and Australia. It will be exciting to build students’ curiosity of Chinese traditional and contemporary culture into the classroom through bridging the gap between their prior knowledge and authentic life.  I visit my families in China every year in school holidays and take the opportunity to collect authentic teaching resources for my students. I look forward to joining in Walcom Ngarrwa community and working with students as well as their families in 2025.
	Hello, my name is Cleo Schaap, and I’m excited to join the team as a new teacher. Originally from Geelong, I have a strong passion for physical education and health, and I am dedicated to promoting active and healthy lifestyles. I believe that fostering a love for movement and wellness is one of the key aspects to supporting students’ overall well-being. Outside of teaching, I play football for my local club and enjoy spending weekends down the coast with my family. I look forward to working with and getting to know everyone in 2025!
	My name is Narissara Allen. I am excited to work with the wonderful learning community at Walcom Ngarrwa next year as a Learning Mentor. I love reading and going camping with my family. Travelling and exploring the new places is fun and exciting for me. I have a Kelpie dog at home and his name is Charlie. I enjoy going for a walk with him and giving him a tummy rub
	Hello everyone!  My name is Alexandra, and I'm very excited to work at Walcom Ngarrwa Secondary College next year:). I currently live with my partner and our beautiful cat!  This is my first time working in a school after completing my Certificate in School Based Education Support.  I'm eager to contribute to the development of the school community and can't wait for they one of term 1, 2025!

Canteen – Opening in 2025

We are delighted to be able to inform our school community that we will be welcoming a canteen service to the school in 2025.  Lunchbox Lab will be joining us as our canteen provider and commencing on Wednesday 29^th January 2025.

Please find attached a copy of the Canteen Menu, which is also available on our school website.

Information about ordering, will be provided to all families before the commencement of the 2025 school year.

Semester Reports

In Semester 2 our students have demonstrated some amazing growth and this is reflected in many of the student reports that will become available via Compass on Thursday 19^th December.

I encourage you to take the time over the coming days to discuss your child's report with them, there are lots of things to celebrate and an opportunity to set some goals for the semester ahead.

New webpage to help families and students prepare for a new school year

 A new school year is an exciting time for students and families, but it can be a big step – particularly for those starting Prep or moving to secondary school.

The Department of Education has published a webpage with resources and information to help you prepare for the new school year.

During the school holidays, please consider reading through the resources, which include:

• tips to help transition between kinder and Prep and primary to secondary school
• what to expect at school
• help with school costs and fees
• health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health. Please refer to the New year of learning webpage.

As we approach the conclusion of first school year at Walcom Ngarrwa, we take great pride in celebrating our students' achievements at inaugural Awards Presentation. This special event recognised the substantial contributions our students have made to their learning, growth and school community.

Throughout the year, our students have demonstrated qualities that support their aspirations, reflecting genuine pride in their learning and significant personal growth. The Awards Presentation highlights outstanding performances across various aspects of college life, including learning mindsets, student growth and achievement and student leadership. 

The list of Award recipients is detailed below, and we commend their success across many facets of College life and the love of learning.


Learning Mindset Awards:

Willingness to Learn Award - Riley Haywood

Positive Attitude Award - Emma Zeccinato

Comminication Award - Dexter Mudie

Effective Collaboration Award - Braxton McAdams

Self Management Award - Khadeejha Hameed

Resilience Award - Tauaiti Hollis


Learning Area Awards:

English Award - Harveen Saini

Humanities Award - Yana Jindal

Math Award - Paher Rao

Science Award - Riki Newbegin

Physical Education Award - Gibson Winpea

Technology Award - Mae Trawn

Art Award - Aparajita Ryali

Music Award - Angeline Nair


School Values and Growth Awards:

Academic & Personal Growth Award - William Dunlop

Belonging Award - Azayliah Folau

Achievement Award - Farheen Rabbani

Curiosity Award - Ashmeet Kaur

2024 Student Awards

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2025 Booklists and Student Supplies

We are now able to provide you with details of our student booklist and required supplies for Year 7 and Year 8 in 2025.

Our Booklist supplier for 2025 is Lilydale Books and they offer an online portal where all families can order student requirements for 2025. Their online portal can be accessed at https://www.lilydalebooks.com.au/BookList/School/Walcom-Ngarrwa-Secondary-College

Being parents ourselves, we understand the financial pressures of starting school and getting everything ready. Please don’t feel obligated to purchase everything from Lilydale Books.  If you can get better prices at other stores, please take the best option for your family.

We do however ask that students have all the materials that we have specified, as this will allow them to fully participate in our programs for the year ahead.

Our Booklists and student supplies for each year level are attached for your information.

Essential items that must be purchased through Lilydale Books by all Year 7 students are:

• English – The Secret Library of Hummingbird House
• Maths – Mathspace subscription
• Science – Stile X Student Resource Booklets

Essential items that must be purchased through Lilydale Books by all Year 8 students are:

• English – The Giver (Essential Modern Classics)
• English – Flying Lessons & Other stories
• Maths – Mathspace subscription
• Science – Stile X Student Resource Booklets

The School Saving Bonus for Government school students can be accessed via the School Saving Bonus online system in November 2024.

Families can choose how they spend the School Saving Bonus. It can be used towards 2025 school costs, which may include:

• camps, trips, excursions and incursions
• swimming and sporting programs
• outdoor education programs
• graduations
• school uniforms

The School Saving Bonus will be emailed directly to parents and carers in November 2024. Please check your junk folder if you cannot locate the email. If you do not receive information by 25 November 2024, please contact our office team on 03 8000 6688 for support.

Families can allocate all or part of the bonus to help with the cost of school activities. This allocation will be made within the online system.

The bonus can also be used at your school’s designated textbook or uniform suppliers in-store or online, or through State Schools’ Relief until 30 June 2025.

If any amount allocated to textbooks or uniforms is unspent as at 1 July 2025, it will become a school activities credit for you to use for excursions, incursions and activities.

Support

If you require any further assistance or support around our booklist and student supplies, please do not hesitate in contacting a member of our friendly office team on 03 8000 6688 or via email at Walcom.Ngarrwa.SC@education.vic.gov.au

On Wednesday November 13^th, 2024, I had the privilege of taking a small group of students to the L’Oréal-UNESCO Girls in Science Forum, held at GTAC (Gene Technology Access Centre) in Parkville.

Students had an opportunity to work with the GTAC STEM coaches (all current PhD students) who showcased their research through interactivities using research grade equipment. Following this, students meet and five trailblazing female scientists, both from Australia and New Zealand, who had received the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship and funding to support their research.

The Fellows were:

• Dr Leah Smith – her research looks at harnessing the power of ‘good’ viruses in a post-antibiotic world
• Dr Brittany Mitchell – her research looks at the genetics behind mental health and how depression is treated
• Dr Mengyu Li – her research looks at tracking our global footprint and how our happiness is affecting climate change
• Dr Emily Roycroft – her research looks at giving endangered Australian mammals a fighting chance at survival
• Dr Kaye Minkyung Kang – her research looks at using microscopic technology to remove carbon dioxide from the air and turn into harmless chemicals

Despite the wet weather, all students involved had an enjoyable day and, more importantly represent WNSC with pride.

GTAC

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Students who studied Visual Arts this semester have created some fantastic work in their recent Ceramics unit. Starting with the basic techniques of creating a ‘pinch pot’ and joining using the ‘score and slip’ method, students then designed their own vessels and brought them to life with coloured glaze. Well done to everyone who created something special!

Students studying Design & Technologies this semester have recently completed their Metalwork unit. The beautiful examples shown here were designed, cut, engraved, stamped and polished, all by hand!

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 $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks.

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

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.