Rhett Burnie
CELEBRATIONS began at Wallan Secondary College last week when the school welcomed its first group of Year 12 students.
Principal Wendy Caramarco congratulated all staff and students at the first assembly, which was held on Friday.
More than 100 new Year Seven students were also welcomed to the school at the assembly, which was conducted by college captains Christopher Brockwell and Ashley Triffett.
Each of the 69 students enrolled in Year 12 were presented with a commemorative badge that had been made especially for the occasion.
The College now has an enrolment of over 600 students and 75 staff, 54 of whom are teachers, and 21 education support staff.
“2011 is a year to celebrate what we have achieved together and to move forward into the consolidation of Wallan Secondary College as a high performing academic school,” Ms Caramarco said.
The first Year 12 group is studying a wide range of subjects within the VCE and VET (Vocational Education and Training) certificates.
Ms Caramarco said she is proud of the range of studies on offer and the choices available to students.
“We have worked hard in the past five years to create relevant and high quality courses to offer our students, and 2011 sees the culmination of our efforts.
“Our senior students have far more studies on offer than I had originally envisaged back in 2006,” she said.
A number of new teachers were also introduced, including Ms Rachel Barnes, Ms Maria Chan, Mr Chris Feltoe, Ms Veronica Guthrie, Ms Melanie Hayek, Ms Jessica Hill, Ms Erin Mason, Ms Kasey Stephenson, Mr Ben Woolmer, Ms Debbie Smith and Mr Ian Porter.
Three stages of the building program for Wallan Secondary College have been completed and although the school has grown from one year level to six, the final stages are still pending.
Ms Caramarco also took time to thank local organisations for their support.
“With the wonderful sponsorship of the Wallan Branch of the Bendigo Community Bank of our outdoor netball and basketball courts, and the partnership we have developed with Mitchell Shire Council for community use of our facilities after hours, Wallan Secondary College is well placed to become a major centre for sporting and recreational activities for the Wallan community,” Ms Caramarco said.






