It is very important that our Year 10 students understand the importance of their move into Year 11 in 2024. At WACOA – Denmark, we will be assisting Year 10 students with making informed choices about their options for Senior School and the importance of the qualifications we deliver on site.

I start this newsletter by celebrating our hard-working team of staff. As I mentioned in our last newsletter, our College was due to engage in a Public School Review. As you know, these occur in public schools every three or four years. The routine nature of reviews are meant to be reflective of the improvement cycles we have occurring in schools, so aren’t supposed to be huge impositions, rather a validation of work already happening in the school.

Important Dates for Term 1 2024

This is the first article for the year and there have been a few losses in our community. Firstly, Vale Kathleen Ipsen, wife of 1952-1953 past student Don Ipsen, passed away on 23rd December 2023 at the age of 81 years. A private cremation was held, followed by a get together of Manjimup folk at the Country Club on 12 January 2024. On behalf of all Old Boys/Old Collegians, we extend our sympathy and condolences to Don, son Tony, daughters Gail and Belinda and all family members on your sad loss. May she Rest in Peace.

The start to the school year has been exciting and full of opportunities for our new and existing students to integrate and settle into the College for 2024. We are really pleased with the approach the College has endorsed to commence the school year, which aimed to provide a meaningful transition and comprehensive induction for our newly enrolled students.

Busy start to the year as always. An influx of new students combined with the demands of the farming enterprise certainly puts the emphasis onto efficiency. Farm Staff would like to welcome all students, old and new back to the farm and look forward to working together on this wonderful property.

The Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs. To be eligible for the allowance the parent/carer must hold a Centrelink Family Health Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card that represents a statement of low income for the family.

Well hello there, I’m Keir and I have been given the absolute privilege of being part of the Student Services team this term whilst Brad Woodruff is enjoying well deserved long service leave. My background is in Disability Support Services, Medical & Mental Health Administration, and of course for the last 6 years I have had the honour of being part of the amazing Residential team here at ‘Ag’, where my focus has always been on pastoral care.

My first 4 weeks at the College have flown by as I try to get to know student names and find my way around the College – luckily there are only 7 classrooms on my side of the school! It is lovely to see students looking their best in their uniforms and following the school’s values of pursuing personal excellence, building positive relationships, and demonstrating social responsibility.

Welcome back to all students and families, the first few weeks of the Term have been very busy getting organised for our Year 12 large projects course requirements, planning excursions and welcoming new students.

Seeing the 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.

Welcome to families new and returning. I am pleased to report that the year has begun well with staff and students hitting the ground running!

Important Dates for Term 1 2024

It seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago that I wrote the last segment for the newsletter. Aren’t the weeks flying by? Mike Martin and myself attended the Graduation ceremony at the college on the 17th November. The George Elliott Memorial Scholarship was presented by Melanie Constable to recipient Jordan Proctor.

That’s a wrap - the school year is all but completed and as we look back on 2023, we can be proud of our students and staff achievements. For me personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed observing all aspects of College life this semester, and embraced the high functionality of our staff and students. Everyday our people commit to growth and ongoing improvement and the school is well placed to prepare our students for not only the Agricultural sector, but any industry they may choose to pursue.

As we move into the holiday period we want to make you aware of the supports that are available to your young person when they are not at school. Changes to routine can be hard and your young person may experience times when they feel a range of challenging emotions such as sadness, stress, or loneliness.

Many things have taken place since the last newsletter, despite it feeling like time has flown. I have enjoyed my time at WACoA Denmark immensely when 5 weeks turned into 15 weeks, it feels like it was meant to be. I look forward to stepping in for relief next year as needed and I’m very excited about the process, opportunities and structures the College has planned for 2024.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate the Year 12 students on their successful journey through school.  Our recent Awards Ceremony was a fantastic event with many students recognised for their efforts and achievements. Overall, we have had a successful year and the students leaving in 2023 appear to be well prepared for the next steps they take. Well done to all. Any students requiring references for employment should contact us directly, we are happy to support you as much as we can.

We would like to capture our history and share all the great experiences and stories of our past students. We are proud of our College staff and our students, and we know that as a selective school, we are privileged to be able to provide agricultural and vocational education to students.

Welcome to the final newsletter of the year! Firstly, it would be remiss of me to not mention our Annual Awards Ceremony. I think all of those four hundred and fifty people in attendance would agree it was a fantastic day. This day is always such a great opportunity to celebrate success. What makes it even more special is that the format of the day allows the College, families, community and industry to come together to celebrate that success. Of course, living in Denmark, we know it’s always helpful if the weather is good, and it was nice to see the sun play its part also! Thank you everyone for your continued support.