Assistant Principal
Year 11 & 12
It’s a busy time of term for our Year Senior students!
With four weeks left of Term 3 and all formal assessment scheduled to be completed by the end of Term 3, Year 12 students need to be focused on SACs for Unit 4, but also taking opportunities to do as many practice exams as possible to ensure that they are refreshing and retaining the Unit 3 knowledge required for exams.
Students have free access to Edrolo which I have mentioned in the past. This means that students have a range of resources, that they use in class and can access at home that allows them to refresh all content taught in class, let’s them complete practice exams and tests and gives them an opportunity to concentrate on concepts that they need additional support with. This is an invaluable resource that students should have been accessing all year, but certainly should be accessing now and as they prepare for their VCAA examinations.
There is a lot of pressure on students to manage the demands of study at this time and this requires organisation, stamina and self care. Students need to fully commit to do their best at this busy time of the term.
We have two evening celebration events for Year 12 students at the college. The Year 12 Formal on the 22nd of November and The Graduation Evening on 17th December. The formal is a student focused evening where students bring themselves and a partner. The Graduation Evening is a formal recognition of student achievement and an opportunity to celebrate with students and their families the significant milestone of receiving either a VCAL or VCE certificate. These events have been published for students and parents and deposits are being taken now for these events. I look forward to seeing you all at both evenings.
Ms. Julie Ryan
Assistant Principal
Year 9 & 10
Year 9 Gold Coast Camp
Lalor Secondary College is proud to offer Year 9 students the opportunity to attend the Gold Coast camp between the 2nd and 5th September. This year we have 59 excited and enthusiastic students. These students will engage in a range of activities and visit some of the big theme parks where they can learn things about themselves and others. Wet ‘n’ Wild and Warner Brothers Movie World give the chance for students to step outside of their comfort zone and try the big thrill seeking rides. Sea World will allow for students to see some wild animals such as polar bears and dolphins, while also learning a bit about the environment, and how humans have impacted the world, in particular the oceans. A trip up to the top of the Q1 building sends students 230m up to the observation deck, where they are offered 360o degree views of the Gold Coast and the feeling of standing on top of the world. If stepping into nature is more up students’ avenue, they have the opportunity to go tree surfing at Thunderbird Park! This allows students to climb, twist and squeeze through a range of obstacles up to 30m above ground level. I know the students are very much looking forward to all of these exciting opportunities, amongst the incidental Uno games and beach volleyball sessions, and with temperatures around 22o I’m certain the dedicated staff attending the camp are looking forward to getting away from the cold weather of Melbourne.
For those students that are not attending the Gold Coast camp, the Year 9 Student Managers, Ms. Kotsopoulos and Mr. Murcott, have arranged an alternate program, where all students are required to attend school as normal. Part of this alternate program is attending The Enchanted Adventure Garden on the Mornington Peninsula on Friday 6th September. On this day, students are encouraged to arrive to school no later than 8am for an early departure. It should also be noted that students are not expected back to school until 4:30pm, dependent on traffic.
Languages Week and Soiree
Next week marks Lalor Secondary College’s Languages week. The LOTE faculty led by Ms. Ricco have been busy planning and implementing work for programs to run next week both during and after school hours. During the week, students will have the opportunity to view a range of international films, some of which are included in the very impressive mural and art work created in the Year 7 area. This will occur over two days, and students are very lucky to see such films to further understand the Languages Soiree on Tuesday 27th August, which sees students from Year 7 reciting poems and foreign literary pieces to an audience of friends and family. I would urge parents of these students to come and be welcome to the recitals, and also enjoy a range of multicultural food and drinks to feed the appetite.
Students are certainly encouraged to look at their Languages study in a positive manner and engross themselves in as much of the culture as possible. This year I was lucky enough to attend the Lalor Secondary College Europe Trip which travelled through France, Italy, Greece and Macedonia. It really was because of the students and their experience around their LOTE studies that allowed for such positive and amazing memories to be had. Languages and an understanding of different cultures certainly allows for individuals to experience a greater appreciation in life, both through the possibilities of travel and work. It is this kind of attitude that students should show, and it’s that passion that exudes from our LOTE teaching staff that allows these appetites to develop in our students.
Mr.Chris Danher
Acting Assistant Principal
Year 7 & 8
So nice to see some sun peeping through, sure sign that Spring is around the corner.
I want to thank the many staff members that have assisted during several weeks period of absence on account of a pesky illness that had plagued me. I’m feeling much better and enjoying being here for families and students once again.
I want to comment specifically on the wonderful Kryall Castle excursion that occurred last week involving the entire year 8 co-hort. This excursion dovetails with the year 8 Humanities medieval unit of study, and brings some ‘living history’ to the experience of our students. Reports from the day have been excellent, with much rich learning in abundance. The day was (appropriately) misty, cool and drizzling thus setting the scene for authentic atmosphere. The students learned first hand about life of the period in terms of diet, daily activities, jousting etc etc. Please see some of the photos from the day below.
A reminder that as we approach the last weeks of term, our junior students will become a little weary. Please ensure good sleep, healthy eating patterns and (as always) positive communications with staff regarding set tasks, any wellbeing matters. Communications are always welcomed by our Junior team, or myself.
Mr. Tim Cottrell
Assistant Principal
