As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term at Wimmera Lutheran College, there is much to celebrate and to be thankful for across our College community.

Long service leave Term 4

As previously communicated, I will take long service leave during Term 4 and will return to Wimmera Lutheran College for the commencement of the 2027 school year. I am grateful for the opportunity to take this period of leave and appreciate the support of the College Board, staff and wider community.

During my absence, Mrs Kate Carter will serve as Acting Principal, with responsibility for overseeing operations at the Horsham Campus and providing College-wide leadership as required. Our existing leadership arrangements at Nhill and Dimboola will continue, with our Campus Principal and Campus Head maintaining responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of their respective campuses. At Horsham, a revised leadership structure will also operate during Term 4, with a number of our existing leaders taking on expanded responsibilities across the Middle Years, Senior Years and key year-level and VCE coordination roles.

I am confident that these arrangements will provide continuity and stability throughout Term 4, and I thank each of our leaders for their willingness to take on additional responsibilities during this period.

Our Mission, Vision and Values

An important milestone for Wimmera Lutheran College has been the recent endorsement by the College Board of our new Mission, Vision and Values. These statements have emerged from the strategic planning work undertaken throughout the year and provide a clear expression of who we are, what we believe and what we aspire to become as a College.

Our Mission affirms that Wimmera Lutheran College provides a Christ-centred education where every learner is known, supported and empowered to grow in faith, character and learning to contribute purposefully to the world. Our Vision captures this aspiration simply and powerfully: Inspired by Christ. Empowered to flourish.

Supporting our Mission and Vision are our five College Values: Community, Grace, Excellence, Respect and Integrity. Together, these values speak to belonging and service, God's love and forgiveness, striving to use our God-given gifts, recognising the worth of every person, and acting with honesty, courage and responsibility.

The endorsement of these statements is not the conclusion of our strategic planning process, but an important foundation for the next stage. Our Mission, Vision and Values, together with our strategic signposts of Shaping Identity, Growing Community and Transforming Learning, will now sit at the heart of the broader WLC Strategic Plan. From these foundations we will develop priorities, goals and actions that will guide the College over the coming years. Importantly, our Strategic Plan will provide a common direction for our three campuses while recognising and celebrating the unique communities that make up Wimmera Lutheran College.

Visit from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott

This week we also had the privilege of welcoming former Prime Minister Tony Abbott to Wimmera Lutheran College for a special student leadership forum. Student leaders from across WLC (and other schools) were given the opportunity to participate, providing an experience that extends beyond the classroom that gave our young people direct access to someone who has served in one of Australia's most significant public leadership roles.

The session began with introductions before Mr Abbott spoke to the students about his experiences and perspectives. A Q&A session allowed our student leaders to ask questions and engage directly in conversation. Regardless of individual political perspectives, opportunities such as this enable students to hear first-hand about public leadership, government and civic life, while developing their own questions, ideas and understanding.

Thank you and God bless

As I prepare to commence long service leave, I want to express my sincere thanks to our students, staff, families, Board, churches and wider community for your contribution to Wimmera Lutheran College throughout 2026. There has been significant change and growth across our College, and I am grateful for the commitment of so many people who continue to make WLC a welcoming and purposeful place for our young people.

I wish everyone a safe, refreshing and enjoyable holiday period and, as I will be away throughout Term 4, I look forward to seeing you again in 2027!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

May God bless each of our students, staff and families over the holidays, and may He continue to guide and strengthen the Wimmera Lutheran College community in the term ahead.

Mr Jason Przibilla, Executive Principal

As students and staff look forward to the holidays ahead, we acknowledge that these school holidays will be a different experience for most of our Year 12 students as they prepare in earnest for their final exams.

We know there are many promises from God that are relevant to them in this season. Below is a list, by no means exhaustive of what God wants us to know in times of stress or challenge. These promises are relevant to us too.

1. Jesus is always with us, we are never alone in our challenges.

In the Old Testament God told His people that they could take courage from the fact He is ever with them. "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8). Later, Jesus reiterated the same message: "Surely I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). What a comfort it is to know that no challenge is met alone, rather we have Jesus by our side.

2. God is an ever-present source of help.

Psalm 46:1 says: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 121:1-2 says: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth."

Whatever our need, be it peace, wisdom, courage or practical help, our Heavenly Father God is ready, willing and able to help us.

3. Whatever lies ahead for us, Jesus is there to lead and guide us, both for our own good and for his name's sake.

Psalm 23:1-3 tells us: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."

Jesus is the good shepherd who guides us along even as he protects and cares for us.

4. Psalm 23 also reminds us that Jesus restores our souls. When we are tired, busy, stressed, worried or facing challenges, getting out into nature is an opportunity to connect with our eternal, creator God and experience the peace, rest and restoration He offers us.

We pray great blessings and peace on our Year 12s and their families as they navigate the next few weeks of preparing for, and undertaking their exams. May they be conscious that God is with them.

Mrs Kate Polack, College Chaplain

by Jonathan Krause

… and then you will see clearly … (Matthew 7:5b).

When I turned 50, I gave myself a gift. I’d saved for three years to afford to have my eyes lasered. In what seemed like moments, I could toss away the glasses I’d worn ever since I was 13. Glasses that needed to get thicker and more complex (and expensive) the older I got. I don’t remember the lasering hurting (apart from the hip-pocket), but it felt like a miracle.

Part of my working life was with an aid agency restoring sight in Africa through simple cataract operations. It was fascinating to watch the operations, often in remote villages in the poorest parts of the world, sometimes powered only by a car battery. I remember the joy as we peeled back the bandage, the patient slowly opened their eyes, and we saw the look of joy on their face as they realised they could see.

(Except for one old gentleman who hadn’t seen for 20 years. Through all that time, he had been cared for by his devoted wife. When his bandage was taken off, and he saw his wife for the first time in 20 years, he asked out loud, ‘Who’s this ugly old woman?’ Oh dear. It’s a wonder she didn’t give him two black eyes.)

It’s so easy for us to see the fault in others. To look at them and wonder why they did this, why they didn’t do that, and how could they?!

Too often, though, we fail to consider what might lie behind other people’s actions and the stories that have led them to do things we are quick to judge.

And how often do we fail to turn that mirror back on ourselves, to see how what we do may be hurting others?

There is an amazing liberation in having your sight restored. To see the world in all its true beauty. It’s not so lovely when you look at yourself, warts and all.

Yet, while that’s what God sees in looking at us – all the bits we try to hide away, cover up, ignore, defend and justify – somehow, God sees beyond that and loves us anyway. He sees a beauty in us that maybe we don’t when we hold ourselves in judgement.

Knowing God does that for us encourages us to do the same for others, no matter how tough that can sometimes be.

Let’s never lose sight of that.

Father God, thank you for letting me see you in Jesus. Help me be the person who helps other people see you, too. Amen.

Curriculum & Pedagogy

NAPLAN results: celebrating achievement and continuing to grow

We are pleased to share the summarised 2026 NAPLAN results for our Horsham Primary Campus. These results provide valuable insight into the learning growth of our students and help us to identify areas of strength, as well as opportunities for continued development.

Our Year 5 results are particularly encouraging, with students performing above the national average across all five NAPLAN domains: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Numeracy, and Grammar and Punctuation.

The Year 3 results also show a number of positive outcomes. Students performed above the national average in Reading, Writing, Numeracy, and Grammar and Punctuation, providing a strong foundation for continued growth as students progress through the Primary School.

NAPLAN is one source of information that assists us in understanding student achievement. We use these results alongside classroom assessment, teacher observations and other learning data to develop a comprehensive picture of student learning. Importantly, we see assessment data not simply as a measure of where students are now, but as a tool to help us determine where to next.

For 2026 and into 2027, our teaching and learning focus will continue to strengthen the consistency and impact of evidence-informed approaches across the Primary School. These include:

• continuing to strengthen explicit instruction in phonological and orthographic understanding, vocabulary development and opportunities for students to apply their spelling knowledge across authentic contexts
• deepening comprehension, vocabulary, written expression and students' ability to communicate increasingly complex ideas effectively.
• with both Year 3 and Year 5 students performing above the national average in Numeracy, we will continue to build on this foundation through explicit teaching, mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and opportunities for students to apply mathematical thinking in a range of contexts.

Looking ahead

Our 2026 NAPLAN results provide much to celebrate while also giving us clear direction for our ongoing work. Most importantly, they reinforce our commitment to knowing each learner, responding to their individual needs and continually improving the quality of teaching and learning.

As we move towards 2027, our goal is not simply to improve NAPLAN results. Rather, we will continue to develop capable, confident and curious learners through high-quality, evidence-informed teaching.

We look forward to building on these results and continuing to see our students grow, flourish and achieve their potential.

Richest blessings,

Mrs Jacqui North, Assistant Head of Primary School(s): Curriculum & Pedagogy

The final two weeks of term have been filled with rich and rewarding experiences across the Secondary School. From excursions and showcases to subject planning and important learning opportunities, it has been wonderful to see our students engaging in such a diverse range of experiences.

Science Showcase

In Week 9, we held our Middle School Science Showcase, with students from Years 7-9 proudly displaying their learning from throughout the term. The evening featured dynamic displays and engaging practical demonstrations, with students doing a brilliant job of sharing their knowledge and explaining their learning. Well done to all students involved, and thank you to our Middle School Science teachers for supporting the students and facilitating such a wonderful evening.

Road Smart

This week, our Year 9-12 students took part in Road Smart Interactive sessions, designed to promote road safety and encourage safer choices on our roads. Through a range of digital exhibits and immersive activities, including virtual reality and crash-force simulations, students explored the real-world impact of road accidents. The sessions provided an engaging and powerful reminder of the role we can all play in preventing serious injury and loss of life on our roads.

RACE Ag Roadshow

Our Year 8 students recently attended the RACE Ag Roadshow, where they explored how technology and innovation are transforming modern agriculture. Students took part in a range of interactive workshops, including digital dairy and drone mustering, providing a hands-on look at some of the technologies being used across the industry. The excursion gave students valuable insight into the diverse career opportunities available in agriculture, while highlighting the important role STEM plays in shaping the future of our region’s agricultural industry.

Youth Allowance session

On Tuesday 15 September, we held an information evening for Senior School families, presented by Gavin Simmons from Simmons Advisory Services. The session provided valuable information to help families understand Youth Allowance and the financial support that may be available as students transition to further study after school. Thank you to Gavin for sharing his knowledge and helping families better understand the options available to them.

VCE subject confirmations

This week, our 2027 VCE students met with the Subject Counselling Team to discuss and confirm their subject selections for next year. Students were supported through the process to ensure their choices align with their interests, goals and future pathways. Families are welcome to request an additional meeting if they would like to discuss their child’s subject choices or pathway further.

Welcome back for Term 4 including the leadership change

I wish all our families a wonderful holiday break and hope you are able to enjoy some well-deserved time to rest, recharge and spend time doing the things you enjoy.

In Term 4, I will be taking on the role of Acting Principal while Jason Przibilla enjoys some well-deserved long service leave. I look forward to serving our school community during this time and continuing to support our students, staff and families.

While I undertake this role, Mrs Samantha Engert will take on the role of Middle School Coordinator and Mr Ryan Metelmann will take on the role of Senior School Coordinator. I thank them both for their willingness to step into these roles and know they will provide strong support and leadership to ensure the smooth running of the Secondary School throughout Term 4.

I look forward to welcoming everyone back for our final term of 2026 on Monday 5 October.

Important coming dates

• Term 4 commences - Monday 5 October
• Year 9 camp - Monday 20 October
• Year 12 exams start - Tuesday 27 October
• Student-free day - Monday 2 November
• Year 12 graduation - Friday 20 November
• Student-free day - Monday 23 November
• Final day for Years 10 and 11 students - Friday 27 November
• Final day for Years 7-9 students - Tuesday 8 December

Mrs Kate Carter, Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary

Little Desert Division athletics results

Twenty-four Year 4, 5 and 6 WLC - Horsham Campus students participated at the Little Desert athletics in Stawell on Wednesday last week. Students that finish first or second in individual events or first in relay have progressed to Greater Western Region Athletics on Friday 9 October.

Results:

Health and PE Week

This week we celebrated Health and Physical Education Week by staging activities to promote a healthy lifestyle. Throughout the week students participated in morning exercise and lunchtime sport activities. These included minor games and dance for F-2 students, basketball, volleyball and badminton competitions for Years 3-6 students

School holiday cricket clinics

Registration to attend a free holiday cricket clinic for 5-12 year olds on Thursday 1 October at Coughlin Park are now open.

Term 4 sports events

• Greater Western Region athletics - Friday 9 September
• Little Desert Division Years 5 and 6 Cricket Blast - Wednesday 21 October
• Years 3-4 Girls Hoop Time region final - Monday 19 October
• Greater Western Region volleyball - Thursday 29 October
• State athletics - Thursday 29 October
• Foundation and Year 3 Learn to Swim Program - 20-23rd and 27-30 October
• Years 1-2 Learn to Swim Program - 4-6th and 16-20 November
• F-2 Tabloid Sports Day - Friday 27 November

Mr Gary Davidson, Head of Sport (F-6)

We look forward to our final term of the year with plenty more sporting events coming up. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday break!

Coming events

October

• 8 - Greater Western Region secondary track and field
• 12 - Black Ranges Year 8 cricket
• 20 - Black Ranges Year 7 tennis
• 21 - Black Ranges Year 8 tennis

Miss Jayde Ellis, Head of Sport (7-12)

School provides the opportunity for all children to become active members of their community and make friends with their same age peers. Inclusive schools provide opportunities for meaningful relationships, but unfortunately just “being there” won’t be enough for deep authentic friendships to be built. Together schools and families can increase the possibility of students with significant disability making and keeping friends by being intentional in nurturing relationships.

More information can be found here https://wlc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter-resource/7067/8074

Periods of change are an inevitable part of growing up. Whether it's the start of a new school year, moving between year levels, or stepping beyond the school gates for the final time, each transition presents both opportunities and challenges. These moments often require young people to use and strengthen the skills needed to manage uncertainty, adjust to new environments and build resilience. While some may embrace change with enthusiasm, others can find it unsettling and disruptive to their sense of routine and security.

Research consistently shows that transitions can be stress points, often linked to heightened anxiety, reduced academic engagement and changes in peer connections. For families, these times can also place additional pressure on communication, expectations and emotional regulation. Understanding the psychological and emotional impact of change allows parents, caregivers and educators to better support young people as they adjust.

The ability to manage change is closely tied to resilience. Developing this capacity doesn't happen overnight; it is built over time through consistent guidance, clear boundaries and access to supportive adults. When we work together to create a shared understanding of how to support transitions, students are more likely to feel confident, connected and capable.

Change can be challenging, but it also offers valuable opportunities for growth. By normalising these experiences and keeping the lines of communication open, young people can feel more secure during times of transition. When schools and families work together to provide encouragement, reassurance and structure, it creates a strong foundation that helps students not only adapt to new beginnings but approach them with confidence and curiosity.

More information can be found here - https://wlc.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-embracing-change-new-beginnings-au