College Updates 

Victoria Education Excellence Awards- Mr. Daniel King

The entire Lowanna College community would like to congratulate Mr Dan King on winning a Victorian Education Excellence award in recognition of his outstanding leadership of numeracy improvement across the school.

Well deserved and hard earned - Congratulations Dan!

Powers of Words- Writing Competition

Congratulations to Mr Gary Garside on being awarded First Runners Up in the Latrobe City Power of Words Writing Competition. Mr Garside had to write a fiction story relatable to Latrobe City. From the Lowanna College community- Congratulations Mr Garside!

If you wish to read his entry titled "Luck Filled Platypus" you can view it here:  https://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Luck%20Filled%20Platypus%20by%20Gary%20Garside.pdf 

Ancient Rome CAT

Recently in Year 7 Humanities, students were given a list of 10 things to choose from -including 3 creative tasks such as make your own shield, make a diorama or a comic strip. It was an exploration into ancient Roman life that was formulated for the students to follow what interested them about Ancient Rome, whilst ensuring they practiced using their research skills as well as historical inquiry. Bailey Parnaby from 7C welded a shield with the help of his Dad over the holidays! Check out the picture- it is amazing! 

Beleza VIP Sale

Beleza School Uniforms is holding their Annual 20% off VIP Sale from Saturday, November 6th until Saturday, November 13th to get you ready for the 2022 school year.

If an item is not available at the time of the sale, Beleza will happily take an order and honour the discount when the stock arrives.

Please make sure that all COVID safe measurements are met when visiting the store.

Science Update

Students in Year 7 Science have been exploring classification and ecosystems. Students have been learning about how energy flows through an ecosystem and exploring local ecosystems.

Students in Year 8 have been investigating light and as part of that have learnt about the eye. Students have been dissecting eyes and investigating its components.

Students have been experimenting how to make realistic fake wounds out of various products. Lots of trial and error were involved and students were engaged!

Year 7 English Writing Challenge

Our Year 7s are currently learning about characters and settings in preparation for the Writing Challenge CAT in English. The best entries will be judged and published to our school community. For more information see your English teacher.

VCAL Update

Our VCAL students have been busy working on their community projects. Just before the school holidays the students finished painting the checker board outside middle school. The students did all the planning and used non-slip paving paint to ensure it is safe in wet weather, now everyone is back at school we hope the students have fun using it.

The VCAL program is all about developing employability skills and participating in the community, this is often difficult during periods of lockdown. This year several students and staff participated in One Foot Forward a walk to raise money for The Black Dog Institute. The Black Dog Institute conducts research into mental health and also provide programs to improve mental health and assist dealing with mental illness. Mental Health has been a focus for the PDS Projects class this semester, all members of the class felt it was particularly important to them. As well as One Foot Forward we have had a presentation from the Well Being Team.  Students have had out of uniform days and they have presentations to be used throughout the school to educate others. We raised $1205 for The Black Dog Institute. Thank you to all those that donated and supported us. 

Welcome back to the Library

Welcome back to the library, it has been so great to see so many students coming in to borrow books now that we are all back on site. We have a long list of overdue books at the moment and ask that if you have an overdue book to please return it.

Our Premiers reading challenge finished last term. A big congratulations to those students who finished the challenge. The feedback from the students who participated is that they really enjoyed the challenge and we thank them for their enthusiasm. 

We were very lucky to have had a large donation from Keith and Jenny Atkins of Australian Geographic magazines, if you get a chance, come in and have a look and take one or two to read. 

The Library has a large range of books and we love to hear suggestions from students on what to get next. If you have any suggestions or would like us to order the next book in a series that you are reading pop into the library and the library staff can show you how. 

Facilities Update

Check out the new tables that were installed out the front of the gym that have already been put to good use by our students! These are a great addition to our college and will be utilised well over summer especially. We also have 2 new trees being planted in the area to create more shade.

Outdoor Education Update

It’s been quite a while since our year 9 and 10 students have been outdoors doing what they love. Pleasingly, our Outdoor Education programs for the middle school students have re-commenced. Our year 9 students have begun the Bike Education program, learning about road safety and riding etiquette. On Monday November 8, they will attend The Summit Outdoor Adventure Park to conclude their Jump and Climb program.

Our year 10 classes are lucky enough to be beginning the canoe program. They have been preparing for a day trip to Lake Narracan and overnight camp to Lake Tyers. Since being back at school they have learnt about the local environment, how to set up tents, canoe safety and how to use a Trangia stove.

Ashley Scott

Outdoor Education Coordinator

PE Update

On behalf of the PE department we would like to congratulate Joseph Skinner and Izabella Rosato on receiving the Sport Traineeship role for 2022. We are excited to have you onboard and cannot wait to see you both achieve so much! 

A huge congratulations to Callum Ross, Preston Laidlaw and Joey DeVent on a high achievement on making it into the Under 16 Boys Energy Basketball teams. We wish you all the best and hope you have fun playing and win a few games, good luck!  

On Friday 15th of November, grade 6 students will be onsite for half the day trialling for the Academy next year. These will be potential students for next year. At the start of the day they will be going on a tour around the school, parents may attend with the students. We apologise for any disturbance that will occur to classes when the trials start, they will mainly be based at the gym. 

RSA Course

After school on Monday October 11th,  some Year 12 students sat the RSA (Responsible Serving of Alcohol) course. Well done to those students who are upskilling and adding qualifications to their resume.

Year 12 Study

Some of our Year 12 students have made the most of the new 'Books & Chips' initiative. 

Students study with the support of teachers and tutors until 4.30 or later after school whilst enjoying a feast of hot chips (we hear it's great brain food!)

Leadership for Sustainability 

On Wednesday, October 13th, the Leadership Students were very excited to put together their first aid kits with components donated by Lowanna College and the Royal Flying Doctors.

The students also finally received the outcomes of their voting for membership positions.

President: Ian Morgan & Jackson Bird

Vice President: Montana Maher

Secretary & Fund raising manager: Maycee Murray

Treasurer: Grace Murray

PR Person: Gemma Webb

Events Manager: Alan Philip

We are looking forward to the activities planned for the rest of term 4:

• Webex visit by Moe Police to receive an online guided tour of the Moe Police station and a divisional van, to answer any questions
• Energy Audit
• Waste audit
• Biodiversity audit
• Permaculture concepts
• Wicking garden construction
• making native bee hotels,
• making wax food wraps
• Self defence
• Assertiveness skills

Lowanna College Headwear

Why  not purchase a Lowanna College beanie to keep your head warm when it's cold or a bucket hat or cap to be sun smart? These are available to purchase from the General Office for $15 each.

Whilst these are NOT to be worn inside they are permitted (and encouraged) in the yard at recess and lunchtime.

Community Volunteers To Help In The School Vegetable Garden

Lowanna College is seeking community volunteers to help out with the vegetable and fruit gardening program.

Volunteers would work with students in the garden area watering, planting, harvesting, and weeding.

People offering to be Garden Helpers must have a current Working With Children Check, or be eligible to apply for one.

(NB: Working with Children Checks are Free for volunteers and the application forms can be found at the Moe post office or online.)

For more information please contact Judy Stewart on judith.stewart@education.vic.gov.au or on 5127 9200.