Issue 1 2024 - Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal

Alf Mungioli

A terrific start

Seeing the new Year 10 students arrive and commence their first day was similar to seeing pre-primary students arriving for their first day of school. There was a mixture of emotions and feelings from being eager, nervous, and excited about starting a new adventure. They have started the year well and have immersed themselves into a variety of dynamic programs that we offer here at WACOA - Denmark. I am sure parents are taking the time to hear what is happening across their courses.

I am enjoying being back in the classroom! Year 10 students have a weekly 1 hour session called Career Education/Wellbeing. We will be focussing on tools and strategies to manage the various challenges they may face over the coming years. An important focus is to explore career options and enable students to investigate their values, skills and interests in order to assist them to make informed decisions about their employment and training pathways.

Year 11 and 12 students have begun the term brilliantly – there seems to be a great energy on producing quality work in and out of the classroom. Year 11’s have begun experiencing more intense theory and practical training for their Certificate II in Agriculture. Year 12’s only have 27 weeks left until the graduation and awards ceremony!!! They are busy completing their required tasks with a select few working on their Certificate III Agriculture.

Timetable changes

The College is proud of the achievements of our 2023 Year 12’s. As stated in the past, we believe in the mantra of continuous improvement and have looked at ways that we may make things better for our students and staff.

The College continued to transition into a restructured timetable to be a more effective educational tool for 2024 and the future. All feedback throughout 2023 regarding timetabling adjustments was considered when planning for 2024.

Student well-being and success were central in the decisions made. A few of the continued and newer adjustments include;

·         Class sizes across Year 10-12 being more supportive for student success,

·         ATAR students have small class sizes and have supervised and structured study time,

·         Flexibility for students when selecting courses in Year 10-12,

·         More double periods for all classes,

·         Prioritising the importance of Farm Skills and extra support for students training in Certificate II and Certificate III in Agriculture. Students now have increased focus time on developing specific skills in groups on Farm via practical activities, observations and demonstrations.

Attendance

We can understand that at times family commitments and personal health issues can impact student attendance.

Late last year we had noticed a number of students whose attendance was seen as a concern and we encouraged parents to continue to support their child and the College with them maintaining regular attendance. For example, in some instances students had been leaving site early on a Friday and/or returning a day late after a weekend. This had a detrimental effect on their course work.

Absences add up. Missing just 2 days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year. We are training students to cope with workplace expectations and when students have high attendance rates, they improve their employment prospects and chances of graduating. We will conduct attendance reviews every 5 weeks.

2024 Year 11 & 12 ATAR University Tour Camp

WACOA – Denmark has invited all Year 11 and Year 12 students studying ATAR subjects, or considering an alternative pathway to university, to attend a two night camp to visit the Murdoch University and Curtin University Open Days on March 23 and March 24.  

Students and staff will visit both university Open Days and participate in the presentations and activities. Students will have the opportunity to view and get information about accommodation facilities at each of the universities.

The Year 11 & 12 ATAR University Tour Camp will depart WACOA Denmark at 1.30pm Friday 22nd March and will return at approx. 7.30pm Sunday 24th March. Residential students and local Day students will be transported by a College vehicle. Day students will need to make their own way to and from the College before and after the event.

As we only have 25 seats available, preferences will be given to ATAR students and students who did not attend this event last year.

Alf Mungioli
Deputy Principal
WACOA - Denmark