From the Principal's Desk
Welcome back to a very exciting 2006. I hope that the holidays were both restful and enjoyable. The Higher School
Certificate results were again very good, with Sean Ireland of Year 11 topping the state in Japanese Extension. Sean has
visited Japan twice, once on a Westfields Scholarship and once on exchange. The top UAI appears to be Lisa Truong with a
score of 97.6 and there were 31 distinguished achievers with a subject score of 90 or more. Most subjects were on or above
State Average. It is very pleasing to note that 74 students have already been offered University placement, with the
possibility of other students obtaining a second round offer. This means that 40% of the Year 12, including a number who
did not seek University placement, obtained a University offer. This represents a very strong academic performance.
Congratulations to Uyen Dang upon her award of a Scholarship in the Bachelor of Information Technology at the University of
Technology system. The scholarship is for three years and is valued at $39,000. Well done.
The continuing academic success has its cost. The demand for places continues to grow. For each of the past nine years
there have been in excess of 1100 applications. The school population should be 50% local area and 50% sports enrolments.
However, the local area is 64% of enrolments because of high demand. Unfortunately, a significant number of false addresses
are used to gain entry. While we detect many of these applications before enrolment, a number slip through, and it is these
enrolments that are causing great difficulties. Current numbers are 1617, and repeated increases pose a threat to the
continuing success of our school in all areas of endeavour. I have requested the Department of Education and Training to
examine the drawing area of our school with a view to reducing it.
Staffing is almost complete, with only one teacher transferring and a new position created with the selection of Mr Brett
Clements as Head Teacher – Teaching and Learning.
Mr Jaunalksnis gave 20 years of wonderful service inside and outside the classroom, and we wish him all the best with his
return to his home city of Newcastle.
Our uniform is a source of self and school pride, and provides further security as we seek to provide a safe environment
protected from outside problems. Schools are not meeting places and we do not encourage visits from friends. Parking space
is limited and there is no provision for student/parent motor vehicles to enter school grounds. Council and highway patrol
regularly monitor local roads to ensure the safety of our students.
With the construction of a Social Sciences classroom block behind the canteen, Stage III Phase II of the building program
will be complete. This will conclude our building program, and work will commence on the entry/exit to the school and the
parking facilities. The monies allocated by the Department of Education and Training were insufficient, and the school had
to agree to raise $250,000 before planning and construction could go ahead. We have to fundraise this year to pay for this
much-needed building.
Congratulations to the current and former students who have been selected for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Good
luck to:
Dani Samuels (Year 12) Discus – Shot Put
Fabrice Lapierre Long Jump
John Thornell Long Jump
Karyn Dimarco Hammer Throw
Andrew Richards Swimming
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24th February 2006
Edition: # 6/1
Calendar
7/3/06
ELLA Test
Years 7 & 8
9/3/06
SNAP Test
Years 7 & 8
3-13/04/2006
Year 12 Half-Yearly Examinations
13/04/2006
Last Day - Term One
1/05/2006
School Development Day - Staff only
2/05/2006
Term Two commences
2-12/05/2006
Year 11 Half-Yearly Examinations
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A Journal of Westfields Sports