The Ovens Murray Public Health Unit (OMPHU) is monitoring a significant increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in our region this year, particularly among school-aged children.

Who is at risk?

In Victoria and NSW, there have been over 10 times the number of pertussis cases in 2024 than for the whole of 2023. Children aged 9-12 years account for nearly 40% of all notified cases. Anyone can get pertussis. Infants less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk of severe disease, hospitalisation, and death. These infants are too young to be fully immunised. Many infants who get pertussis catch it from older children and adults who might not even know they are infected.

What is pertussis (whooping cough)?

Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection that can cause very serious illness. The disease begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough (‘whooping’ sound) develops. This cough may last up to 3 months, even after antibiotic treatment is completed and the person is no longer infectious. Symptoms may be indistinguishable from other respiratory infections, especially in its early stages. Testing to confirm a pertussis infection can be conducted by a GP.

What should families do?

• Whooping cough needs to be diagnosed and treated immediately. Seek medical attention for any of these symptoms:
  • a severe cough which that may occur in bouts. The child may appear well between episodes of coughing.
  • characteristic ‘whooping’ sound when they breath in.
  • vomiting at the end of a bout of coughing.
  • the child stops breathing for periods of time and may go blue.
• Doctors might diagnose whooping cough by checking symptoms, doing a swab of the nose and throat, or by taking a blood test.
• Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, which can help reduce the seriousness of symptoms and the ability to spread the infection to others.
• Keep unwell children home from childcare or school for 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have received 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
• Ensure that all family members are up to date with immunisations and follow good hygiene practices. If unsure, discuss this with an immunisation provider, such a GP.
• If anyone has a cough or respiratory symptoms, take particular care to stay away from babies.

Click here to download the position description.

More information about the role of Student Agency within Victorian schools can be found here:

JOB PURPOSE
To assist the Student Agency Leading Teacher, and WSSC Careers Team to meet student outcomes within the Student leadership and voice, Student Transition and Work Experience Programs. To mentor and lead the College Captains and Student Leadership Council, to become a motivating student governing body who deliver engaging opportunities to the wider school.

OBJECTIVES

• To increase student aspiration
• To increase student participation in structured workplace learning
• To increase student participation in Student Agency and Passion Projects
• To increase student outcomes linked to WMYC Year 9-10 Transition
• To increase student outcomes linked to WSSC Year 12 out Transition
• To increase Â鶹´«Ã½ community partnerships
• To mentor and support the College Captains and Student Leadership Council

POSITION DESCRIPTION/DUTIES
To assist the Student Engagement Coordinator and Workplace Learning Coordinator:

• To support students to actively engage in Student Agency and purposeful Passion Projects
• To support students to engage in meaningful work experience opportunities and assist staff and students in navigating the relevant policies and procedures
• To mentor and support the College Captains and Student Leadership Council to deliver an engaging program and variety of opportunities within the College curriculum and extracurricular activities
• To assist with the connection and collaboration with agencies, councils and educational settings within the Wodonga community.
• To assist with meaningful and targeted student Transition from WMYC and other educational facilities
• To assist with meaningful and targeted student Careers Pathway and Exit Transitions from WSSC
• To facilitate weekly SLC meetings

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note that as this position is a traineeship, the successful applicant will undertake nationally recognised training as part of their employment. The exact qualification undertaken is negotiable and Â鶹´«Ã½ will work with the successful applicant in determining the best qualification upon appointment. The applicant will be given adequate time within their working week, and during school holidays to undertake the training, and it is essential that this training be maintained in order to continue in the role.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. An understanding of the principles of student agency and its role at Â鶹´«Ã½.
2. Ability to organise and prioritise a number of tasks at any one time working to deadlines.
3. Promote a safe school environment.
4. High level communication skills (including ICT) and ability to act in a professional manner with colleagues and, where appropriate with students.
5. Good team and leadership skills
6. To be adaptable to changing situations
7. Display a high level of initiative and be able to work independently when required.

HOW TO APPLY
If you wish to apply for this position, please include the following in your application:

• A cover letter explaining your reason for applying.
• Current resume including the names and contact details of 2 references.
• Written or typed response to the 7 Key Selection Criteria listed above.

For assistance with responding to selection criteria, please see the link below:

Applications close October 11th 2024.
If you require more information, please call (02) 6043 7500 or email phil@wssc.vic.edu.au

BACKGROUND
Victorian Government schools are child safe environments. Our school actively promotes the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. The school’s Child Safety Code of Conduct is available on the school’s website.

JOB PURPOSE
The purpose of this position to assist the Position of Responsibility (POR) Sport Coordinator and the Outdoor Education staff to promote student and staff involvement in extra-curricular activities and excursions through the sport and outdoor education programs. The role supports the running of the sports and outdoor education programs by organising trips, excursions, equipment, bookings and consent forms, and working with the relevant staff members to organise any other jobs required for the excursion.

OBJECTIVES

• To be a positive and influential role-model for students and demonstrate our school values of Aspiration, Respect and Engagement.
• To take the opportunity to follow a passion for sports and the outdoors whilst working in a dynamic, inclusive, supportive and fun team.

POSITION DESCRIPTION/DUTIES

To assist the Sport & Outdoor Education Coordinators through:

• Assist Sport, Physical Education and Outdoor Education staff with classes and co-curricular activities
• Assist in coaching and supervision of sporting teams
• Assist the Sport & Outdoor Education coordinators with administration of School sport, School Sport Victoria interschool sport programs & Outdoor camps and excursions
• Sports & Outdoor Education gear packing, gear return and repairs / maintenance
• Assist classroom teachers with learning support for students with learning difficulties
• Attend camps and excursions in capacity as School Council approved staff member
• Assist with administration tasks in conducting the outdoor education and school sporting program: including, gear preparation and maintenance, consent forms and student attendance, bookings and trainings.
• Assist with transition and engagement of students across the college

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note that as this position is a traineeship, the successful applicant will undertake nationally recognised training as part of their employment. The exact qualification undertaken is negotiable and Â鶹´«Ã½ will work with the successful applicant in determining the best qualification upon appointment. The applicant will be given adequate time within their working week, and during school holidays to undertake the training, and it is essential that this training be maintained in order to continue in the role.

Particular skills to be concentrated on during formal training:

• Level 2 Workplace First Aid
• Various computer software applications including Meet Manager, WSSC School Portal and Microsoft Teams.
• Certificate III or IV in chosen course (enrolled upon appointment)

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Confident and competent in sport and outdoor education activities.
2. Ability to organise and prioritise a number of tasks at any one time working to deadlines.
3. Promote a safe school environment.
4. High level communication skills and ability to relate to teachers, parents, students and the wider community in an appropriate and supportive manner.
5. Good team skills and be adaptable to changing situations.
6. Display a high level of initiative and be able to work independently when required.

HOW TO APPLY

If you wish to apply for this position, please include the following in your application:

• A cover letter explaining your reason for applying.
• Current resume including the names and contact details of two references.
• Written or typed response to the six Key Selection Criteria listed above.

For assistance with responding to selection criteria, please see the link below:

Applications close October 11th 2024.
If you require more information, please call (02) 6043 7500 or email phil@wssc.vic.edu.au<.a>

The Victorian Government is making life that little bit easier for families by providing a one-off $400 School Saving Bonus. This support will help cover the cost of school uniforms, textbooks, and school activities like camps, excursions and sports. The School Saving Bonus is in addition to existing and continuing means-tested supports for Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and the Affordable School Uniforms Program.

The School Saving Bonus will be provided to schools and families in Term 4, 2024.

Who receives the School Saving Bonus

The School Saving Bonus is available for parents and carers of all Victorian government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025, except for full-fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers

Parents and carers of children who meet the School Saving Bonus eligibility above are required to do the following by Friday 18 October 2024:

Complete enrolment
If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025 ie: WMYC to WSSC, please complete and send back the 2025 WSSC Enrolment paperwork.

Check your contact information
Ensure your contact information is up to date you need to make sure your phone number and email address are correct. Please check your junk mail regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email. The Department of Education will email you twice:

• In October, to verify your email address
• In November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus

Accessing the $400 School Saving Bonus

You do not need to apply for the School Saving Bonus.
The Department of Education will email you in November 2024 with your $400 School Saving Bonus. You will be able to access it via an online system.
You can decide how to best use the School Saving Bonus for your family’s needs. You can choose how to allocate the $400 in the online system.

The bonus can be used towards 2025 school costs, which may include:

• camps, trips, excursions and incursions
• swimming and sporting programs
• outdoor education programs
• graduations
• school uniforms
• textbooks

The bonus can be used at your school’s approved textbook or uniform suppliers either in-store or online, or through State Schools’ Relief. The list of suppliers may include a school uniform or bookshop. Any amount that you choose to allocate to textbooks and uniforms will be valid until 30 June 2025. It will then transfer to your child’s school account for future activities.

Funds will roll over for use in future years if it is not all spent in 2025.

Families with more than one eligible child

Families who have more than one child at the same school can combine their School Saving Bonus payments to use on one child, or for a specific activity. So, for example, a family with 3 children who are all government school students would receive support to the value of $1,200 and choose how they spend those funds. The School Saving Bonus cannot be combined across different schools.

More information

To learn more about the School Saving Bonus visit . Translated information will also be available on the School Saving Bonus website in the next few weeks.

Biomolecular Horizons 2024

Who: Victorian students in levels 9 – 12, their parents, and their teachers
Date: Wednesday 25th September, 2024
Congress tour: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Public lecture: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Cost: Free

The evolving field of biomolecular science is re-shaping our understanding of the natural world and driving innovation in domains as diverse as medicine, genetics, nutrition, and agriculture. Biomolecular Horizons 2024 is an international congress that will bring thousands of scientists from across the globe to Melbourne to discuss ground-breaking advances in this field.

Students, their parents, and their teachers are invited to join an exclusive behind-the-scenes Congress Tour where you will have the chance to meet scientists in the field and explore the exhibition hall to learn about cutting-edge technologies that are driving innovation.

You are also invited to a special Public Lecture featuring three internationally recognised molecular scientists. You will learn about their career path and research interests and see where a career in science can take you!

Deadline Aug 31, 2024. Numbers are limited. Register now to avoid disappointment.

To express your interest in the Congress Tour go to:

To register to attend the Public Lecture go to:

Their first stop was William Adams a renowned product support and supplier for Caterpillar equipment. The students were given a guided tour of their facility located in Clayton, where they witnessed firsthand the career options that are available in an organisation like William Adams. They learned about Apprenticeship programs, site safety and the latest technologies and innovations being used in the industry.

The second stop on the field trip was PACCAR in Bayswater. On this site they engineer and assemble Kenworth and DAF trucks. Here, the students observed a highly efficient and quality controlled “just-in-time� assembly line. They gained valuable insights into the skills and knowledge that go into engineering and building such and iconic vehicle.
Thank you to the team at William Adams and PACCAR for hosting our students.

The field trip proved to be a long day, but the feedback from students suggests that it was a valuable experience, providing them with a glimpse into some of career paths available in the automotive sector.

Our team played Balwyn HS in the first of the Pool B matches and won 4-1. Our good play was rewarded with goals to Elisa Bardy (2), Indi Drummond (1) and Jem Mann (1). In game two we played Chairo Christian School – Drouin. This team were State Winners in 2023. Wodonga Senior SC started well leading 2-0. Chairo were able to score a goal and we led 2-1 at half-time after conversions from Kaitlyn Mulrooney and Indi Drummond. Jem Mann scored our 3rd goal in the 2nd half to put us up 3-1. Chairo did not give up and managed to convert a penalty corner to bring the score to 3-2. Eliza Moran in the Goal Keeping role performed well to repel several late penalty corners. With seconds to go in the match a final penalty corner to Chairo was awarded. Our girls defended well as a team and the final score was a 3-2 win to us.

The final pool round match was against Belmont HS. A draw or win would secure a place in the State Grand Final. The team continued to set up goal scoring opportunities and won this game 3-1. Imogen Edgar (1), Kaitlyn Mulrooney (1) and Indi Drummond (1) were our goal scorers.

Credit to our team and the support crew of families and parents who came to watch. Windy, cold and damp conditions prevailed all day at the Footscray Hockey club. The grand final was played against another country school – Mildura Senior College. This game was played in great spirit with the best two teams reaching the State Final. Mildura had not conceded any goals thus far in the competition winning comprehensively in their 3 Pool matches.

Wodonga Senior SC battled hard and valiantly with the increased intensity and pressure placed on the defence. Mildura scored a late first half goal to put them up 1-0. Not to be denied our team continued to set up opportunities but unfortunately, time ran out before we could convert an equalizer. Congratulations to Mildura Senior SC on being awarded SSV State Champions.

Our team were presented with the Runners-up pennant for the school and a runners-up medallion for each participating player. Congratulations team. You make me proud to be your Sport Coordinator and the manner in which you represented yourselves and the college is fantastic. Let’s try again in 2025.

Di Larkin
Team Coach