WANGARATTA HIGH SCHOOL
17-49 Edwards Street Wangaratta VIC 3677 PO Box 235 Wangaratta VIC 3677 P 03 5723 0500 E wangaratta.hs@education.vic.gov.au www.whs.vic.edu.au
24th January 2025
Dear Year 7 Parents and Carers
I shared a smaller version of this letter in the Wangaratta Chronicle in late 2024 as a message to all families with students starting Year 7. This version has more details and I hope it supports you ahead of your child’s commencement at Wangaratta High School on Thursday, 30th January (they should be at school by 8.50am at the latest).
We are very much looking forward to welcoming and educating your child.
In 2025, we will welcome the Class of 2030! We are excited about this new chapter and I wish to share some insights and advice as you embark on this journey with your child ahead of the last summer break before high school and their graduation from Primary School.
1. Embrace Adolescence as a Positive Time
"Adolescence is not a disease; it's a critical stage of development. Approach it with empathy and support." Andrew Fuller
"Don't fear adolescence; it’s a chance for parents to rediscover the joy of connecting in new ways." Maggie Dent
Adolescence is a period of tremendous growth and opportunity for young people, and it can also be a rewarding time for parents and carers. Unfortunately, there is a pervasive narrative suggesting that these years are fraught with difficulty, especially for parents. I urge you to challenge that view it’s key to a great life stage.
While this stage will bring significant changes, it can also bring much joy and love if approached with the right mindset. Remember, nothing worthwhile comes easily. It’s also worth acknowledging that despite the challenges in the world today, this is a time of unprecedented opportunity for young people to grow, connect, and innovate. You play a critical role in fostering their resilience and sense of purpose during this unique period.
2.
Keep
Your Dreams and Hopes for Your Child in Focus
"Your aspirations for your child become the blueprint for their future." Dr Justin Coulson
"Don't fear adolescence; it’s a chance for parents to rediscover the joy of connecting in new ways." Maggie Dent
As your child begins high school, take a moment to reflect on the dreams and hopes you hold for them. Research shows that parental aspirations significantly influence a child’s motivation and success. High aspirations, when realistic and supportive, can inspire children to reach their potential. Unrealistic or excessive expectations can lead to stress and anxiety, making it harder for them to thrive but don’t let that stop you from holding high expectations grounded in love and optimism. We are living in a time where your child has access to unprecedented opportunities to explore their talents, build skills, and dream big – even if others contend otherwise. .
3. Educate Yourself and Get Prepared
"Every parent has a learning curve. Embrace it and grow alongside your child." Steve Biddulph As your child starts high school, equipping yourself with knowledge can be one of your greatest assets. I highly recommend Steve Biddulph’s Raising Boys and Raising Girls. I also recommend you have a look at our Above the Line model whs.vic.edu.au/abovetheline when reflecting on mindset, ownership and accountability. Other great writers, some very accessible online include Maggie Dent, Andrew Fuller and Dr Justin Coulson.
The Australian eSafety Commissioner’s website (https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents) is an outstanding resource. It provides practical advice on managing apps, phones, and technology in the home. The guidance on screen time and device use is particularly helpful (hint: devices should only ever be used in communal areas, never in bedrooms, and phones should always stay out of bedrooms at night).
4. Take Charge of Social Media and Mobile Phones
"Be the parent first, not the friend. It's your job to set the rules around screen time." Justin Coulson "Smartphones and social media are like a playground slide that never ends; kids can't get off, and it's making them miserable…The data is clear: the more time teens spend on social media, the more likely they are to report depression and anxiety…We have to recognise that social media is an environment that promotes constant social comparison, which is toxic for young minds. It's crucial for parents to delay the age at which their children get smartphones and access to social media." Jonathan Haidt, an international expert on phone use
At the High School mobile phones are not allowed during the school day. You can read our full policy here https://www.whs.vic.edu.au/mobile_phones/ Please help (per my Point 5) by discussing this your child. Social media and mobile phone use are one of the most critical areas impacting adolescents' wellbeing and success. I have written and spoken about this extensively in the media and to our parents. Left unchecked, it can make adolescence far harder and more painful than it needs to be for both young people and their families. While changes are coming in terms of legislation to better regulate minors’ access to social media, do not wait for these changes to take effect. Take charge and ownership of this issue now.
Protect your child by setting clear, firm boundaries around technology use. Delay access to social media and smartphones for as long as possible (16 is a good number and will ultimately be enforced under new laws) to help them build healthier habits and stronger interpersonal skills. If your child is already using social media, consider revisiting and restricting their access it’s not too late to revoke.
It’s important to understand that smartphones are absolutely not essential, especially during early adolescence. If you need to contact your child, a simple ‘dumb phone’ is more than adequate. These devices can allow calls and texts without exposing your child to the challenges and risks of social media, excessive screen time, or unfiltered internet access.
The evidence is overwhelming: excessive screen time, online pressures, and exposure to harmful content can significantly impact mental health, sleep, academic performance, and social development. By addressing this proactively, you will create a safer, more supportive environment that allows your child to thrive during these formative years.
This is one area where your action or inaction can have profound and lasting effects. Take the lead, set boundaries, and guide your child toward a balanced and healthy relationship with technology.
5. Partner with Wangaratta High School
Our school is an essential partner in their growth and development. Actively engaging with the High School helps to build strong connections and demonstrates to your child that their education is a shared priority. It is critical to attend parent-teacher interviews, concerts, and other school events. Use and check Compass regularly. Support your child’s full participation in camps, excursions, and extracurricular activities. Encourage them to step outside their comfort zone whether it’s learning a musical instrument, trying a new sport, or joining a band or club.
At Wangaratta High School, key contacts are their classroom teacher (noting that they will have 10 teachers compared to 1 in primary school!) and their Year Level Leader. For Year 7 our two Year Level Leaders are Alice Reynolds and Nathan Manning. See https://www.whs.vic.edu.au/about/staff/ for our key staff. I invite you to find out more about our comprehensive offering, our unyielding focus on aspiration and caring, and our rich teaching and learning framework: www.whs.vic.edu.au.
I recommend that you connect with us on Facebook for snippets of the range of of opportunities on offer and a helpful Week Ahead Bulletin.
If you haven’t received it already, look out for instructions on connecting to our school app Compass. It is an essential tool and makes communicating with the school much easier. You can see your child’s timetable, message their teachers, submit absence notes, give consent and organise excursion. Search for Compass School Manager on the Android or Apple App Store. Its free.
If there is any way I can serve or assist you or your child please do not hesitate to get in contact, noting that the Year 7 Year Level Leaders are your key contacts at the school.
Wishing the Class of 2030 all the best!
I look forward to speaking with you at our Year 7 Welcome BBQ at 5.30pm on Monday 10th February at the High School.
Dave Armstrong Executive Principal