Westering High School

Worst decision I made was putting my child in this school. Always treated differently for learning disability. Yet bright hardworking teachers Always treated my child like a criminal of some sorts and expected the worst. Mr Hayward needs to go that school is all about appearances once inside you just a number.

Its always a struggle to get through when You try to call reception and the minute You put down and call back the line is suddenly engaged. Its really a nightmare and when they eventually, it seems like You a burden to the staff at the reception. When I went there once I heard how the one teacher spoke to one of the students who arrived late. I was so disgusted. If ever a teacher should speak down to my child I would definitely not leave it there. And the school shop is always out of stock. Its a pity we can only get the uniform from the school. Just wondering why it changed now.

PS. Please start answering the phones

I attended WHS and my experience with teachers was traumatic at times. Mr Hayward and Mr Abrey suspended me from school for having henna - mendi on my hand. They did this quietly, they would call me to their office and say racist things to me like once Mr Hayward told me that if I came to school with henna I should leave his school and attend an ‘Indian school’. Mr Abrey rubbed turpentine on my hands to remove the mehndi and it burned my skin. My HOD didn’t even help me during this dark time, Mrs Kruger, she agreed that I was wrong to participate in my own culture by having henna mendi on my hands. This made me feel so alone because Indian students were so afraid to stand by me. I attended this school during the time Mr Ownhouse had to leave and I saw him constantly get away with his inappropriate behaviours like walking into girls bathrooms while we were changing and touching girls in appropriately. I saw it happening but it was deemed acceptable at this school. Christianity is taught in a disrespectful way at this school. I remember preachers telling Hindus students, Muslim students that they will go to hell and the principal allowed this preacher into our school. It wasn’t safe, this preacher had been on drugs and had done some awful things in his life time and he was meant to be a good influence, how so, explain. I had such a hard time with Mrs Jenneker, she got away with so much, she would make racist remarks towards Indian students and get away with it because she is non white. Mrs Harris once accused me of writing my own sick note for sport, she shouted me and she refused to speak to my mother who had written the letter. She just took out her frustration on me and didn’t want to involve my mother because that would prove that she was wrong. I had such a cringy experience as an ‘Indian’ looking girl at Whs. The few staff who seemed nice and friendly were never strong enough to stand by students like me who were easy prey victims for staff as I was quiet, shy and very nervous kid. I wish I had a nice high school career. Today as a teacher, my students are allowed to be themselves and they are respected as young human beings. I’m a graduate from 2010 at this school. How did I even make it to the end, determination and a supportive mother by my side.

Most parts of this school are ridiculously unreliable. The teachers clearly dont know how to treat us and everything feels so janky. Sometimes it actually feels like you're burdening the teachers by asking them to do their jobs. Im only in grade 8 and im most definitely not looking forward to my coming years