Facilities: The modern facilities provide buildings for each learning community, creating an environment for community, collaboration and effective relationships; a key organisational factor in the college. The design and use of flexible learning spaces support the curriculum and instructional practice. The Vines Road Campus, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, provides a range of community facilities onsite. A gymnasium, together with extensive recreational areas, is set in pleasant surroundings including ovals, basketball and tennis courts. Other facilities include a versatile drama centre and comprehensive technology wing.
Curriculum: The Year 7 and 8 program focuses on breadth, supported by goals and targets. Subjects include Literacy and Numeracy, MESH (Maths, English, Science, Humanities), Personal Learning, LOTE, the Arts, Design, Creativity and Technology, and Health and Physical Education. The Year 9 program enhances the key elements of the Year 7 and 8 programs, while addressing the particular needs of Year 9 students. The Year 9 model consists of Advisory, Literacy and Numeracy, Focus, Personal Choice Modules and Health and Physical Education. In Year 10 each student is offered a choice of studies, including VCE units and the VET Taster Program, which operates in the Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre, to which Western Heights College is one of seven equally shared owners. Student programs begin to become more pathways focussed. Formal mentoring is scheduled for 100 minutes each week. Students in Year 11 and 12 are offered a wide range of VCE, VET and VCAL studies, and are encouraged to choose a program which is tailored to suit their individual needs in preparation for their possible future pathway.Year 11 students are each involved in 100 minutes per week of Mentoring, and 100 minutes per week of scheduled tutorials. Sport: A wide range of skill and opportunity is developed and available through Physical Education classes, in-school and inter-school competitions. The college has a house structure which supports participation in college carnivals; swimming, athletics and cross country. Students from the college participate in inter-school competitions in summer and winter sports, coached by a member of staff. Many students make their way through the local interschool sports competition to regional and state competitions. Extra-curricular activities: The college has a strong camping program, where students in Years 7 to 10 are offered an outdoor experience. Students may participate in a range of sporting competitions, supported by the college house structure leading into interschool sports competitions, where the college has gained much success. Student leadership provides opportunities for students to contribute and lead college life. College student leaders are members of the college council. Students may choose to participate in drama productions, school band, outdoor education, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, debating, public speaking, international tours and a range of community partnership experiences. Student wellbeing programs: Every student within the college is connected to a significant adult who is their learning mentor. The college has a student health and wellbeing team, which includes student wellbeing officers, a chaplain, and a secondary school health promotion nurse. This team’s work with the students and families is located within supportive structures within the college and the wider community.