Issue 7 2023 - Residential Manager
Residential Manager
John Overton
Term 4 has started at a cracking pace with a busy schedule and a variety of events to celebrate our Graduating students, whilst also acknowledging our remaining students as they too transition into the next phase of their journey at WACoA – Denmark. Week 1 of Term 4 was all about our Year 12’s, with the Residential Team coordinating the Year 12 Graduation Dinner. The evening was special and captured the moment really well for our graduating students.
Given we are an Agricultural School and a fully operational farm, we decided to link our event to a local, functional and successful Agri-Business – Boston Brewery. The Graduation Dinner event included tours of the facility and tapped into the theme of “paddock to plate” with students being exposed to another sector of the industry. The formula was simple, align to a venue that grows produce which in turn becomes either marketable products or consumable items. The weather was perfect on the evening, with the addition of live music and photography, it really celebrated and recognised our student achievements.
Narrogin Ag College Visit
Week 2 of Term, we hosted students and staff from Narrogin Ag College, who were treated to tours of our facility and our local attractions which included a swim at Greens Pool, a Monkey Rock hike and Ice cream at one our favourite pit stops. The overnight experience provided the opportunity for students to engage with like minded peers and share experiences and activities together.
Harvey Ag College Visit
In week 3, it was our turn to travel and visit Harvey Ag College. The trip also coincided with the Brunswick Show, which based on the feedback from our students, was popular and will certainly be considered in our 2024 planning to commit more time to the show next year. Other activities included; ten-pin bowling, time zone and a visit to the famous Last Slice Pizza in Bunbury. The excursion was well received and again the integration between College’s was a positive one and healthy for our students to experience. During our visit to Harvey Ag College, the students also played a competitive game of basketball which sets the scene for next year’s Harvey Sports Carnival.
Awards Ceremony
We welcome back our Year 12 students on Friday 17th November for our annual Awards Ceremony and officially send off our graduating students. The event is a highlight of term 4 and an opportunity to celebrate the Year 12 students’ time at WACoA – Denmark. Following the event, we move into a closed weekend with students departing at 1pm on Friday 17th November. Residential students can return to the College on Monday 20th November from 2pm.
Week 7
Week 7 marks the final week for our Year 11 students who will be undertaking work experience or are enrolled into a Certificate III Wool Handling course. The Year 10 students will continue their studies at school until Week 10.
Other Activities
This Term we organised two fishing competition days;
Day 1 - Hay River
Day 2 - Point Hillier Beach.
The Hay River produced some decent bream and some of our Year 10 students caught their very first fish. The Point Hillier Beach Day was slow going for the anglers with the best catch at the fish and chip shop in Peaceful Bay on the way home.
We have also added after-school surfing to the list of activities for this term on a Tuesday, which is run by South Coast Surfing Lessons. As the warmer weather greets us, we have also had plenty of opportunities to visit Greens Pool, Prawn Rock Channel and Ocean Beach for swims and walks over the weekends.
End of Year
As we race towards the end of the year, our focus starts to shift into planning for 2024 which is exciting. We welcome a new group of students to the College in 2024 and in Week 7 we have the opportunity to meet and greet our new students during the planned enrolment days. Our enrolment days this year are an overnight experience for all new students as we introduce them to College life. Our aim is to welcome and embrace the new students with a blend of formalised commitments, plus structured engagement activities to ensure their first official contact with the school is a positive one.
Following enrolment, we have looked at how we can best cater for students arriving in 2024 and our orientation planning looks exciting and more supportive of student needs. We are focused on positive transitions into our unique school setting and working with our newly elected College leaders.
John Overton
Residential Manager
WACOA - Denmark