Welcome to our term 3, week 7 newsletter.

Next week will see our schools quadrennial review, where a team will come and talk to all levels in our school to understand how we operate and then give us recommendations for improvement. This will help us to formulate the strategic plan for the next four years at Wilsonton SHS.

As a parent you might also be contacted for your input and say on our great school.

The review team will be here from Tuesday 2nd until Thursday 4th September.

New Operational Structure for Wilsonton State High School

Deputy Principals & Behaviour Referral Responsibilities and Wellbeing 

To support our ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships between staff, students, and parents—and to meet the demands of a large and multi-faceted school environment—behaviour referral responsibilities have been strategically allocated across the Deputy Principal team. This structure ensures that each year level receives dedicated support, enabling more consistent follow-up, targeted intervention, and stronger connections within our school community.

• Brayden Insley
  Junior Secondary – Year 7 Behaviour Referrals and Wellbeing
• Matt Buchanan
  Engagement & Wellbeing – Year 9 Behaviour Referrals and Wellbeing
• Karen Sheales
  Teaching & Learning – Year 10 Behaviour Referrals and Wellbeing
• Jacinta Alexander
  Senior Secondary – Year 11 & 12 Behaviour Referrals and Wellbeing
• Nicole Burns
  Inclusion – Year 8 Behaviour Referrals and Wellbeing

By aligning behaviour referral responsibilities across the Deputy Principal team, we aim to provide clear points of contact and more effective support tailored to the developmental needs of each year level. This strategic structure supports our ongoing focus on strengthening relationships with staff, students, and parents in a large and multi-faceted school environment. It is important to note that Deputy Principal involvement is part of the broader support framework and is typically engaged after other key supports have been accessed. The first point of contact for any concern should always be your child’s classroom teacher, followed by the relevant Head of Department for subject-specific matters. For wellbeing or broader support needs, Year level Coordinators play a central role. Our student support team—including the Guidance Officers, School-Based Youth Health Nurse, School Support Worker, and School-Based Police Officer—also provides vital assistance. For our First Nations students and families, additional culturally responsive support is available through our Community Education Counsellor (CEC), Beyond Broncos, and Clontarf programs. Together, this layered network ensures a collaborative and holistic approach to supporting all students.

Attendance and Punctuality

Regular school attendance is crucial to your child's academic success and overall development. When students are in class consistently, they not only keep up with lessons and assignments but also build strong learning habits and social connections that support their growth. Missing even a few days can lead to gaps in understanding that may affect confidence and performance. As parents, your support in ensuring your child attends school daily sends a powerful message about the value of education and commitment. Together, we can help your child reach their full potential by making attendance a top priority. Below is a table which explains the impact of student absence over a period of time.

Punctuality plays a vital role in your child's success — both now and in the future. When students arrive late to school, they miss valuable learning time, disrupt the class, and start their day at a disadvantage. Consistently being on time helps children develop a strong sense of responsibility and discipline, which are essential qualities in both education and the workplace. As parents, encouraging punctuality helps your child build a solid work ethic — one that will serve them well when they become employees, where arriving late can affect job performance, reputation, and career opportunities. Instilling these habits early sets the foundation for lifelong success.

Uniform Policy – A Shared Responsibility

At Wilsonton State High School, every student and family receive a copy of our uniform policy upon enrolment, and it remains readily available on our school website. Students are also reminded weekly during parade about the importance of wearing the correct uniform.

The school uniform is more than just clothing—it represents our shared identity and plays a key role in maintaining safety across the campus, allowing staff to easily identify students who belong to our school. Items such as hoodies are not part of our approved uniform and should not be worn.

Just as uniforms are expected in many workplaces, our school uniform policy helps prepare students to understand and follow expectations they will encounter in their future employment. Wearing the correct uniform is one small but important way students learn about responsibility, standards, and respect for community guidelines.

It is also essential to note that no staff member—regardless of their role—deserves to be spoken to or treated disrespectfully for simply upholding the school’s policies. As parents and carers, we respectfully ask that you revisit the enrolment agreement you signed and continue to support Wilsonton SHS in maintaining a consistent and respectful school culture by ensuring your child complies with our uniform policy.

Lou Oberholzer
Principal