Principal's Message 

It has been a productive and positive fortnight at Lakes Entrance Secondary College, with students continuing to demonstrate our values of Respect, Trust and Try as we move toward the end of the 2025 school year.

Our Year 9 and Year 10 students recently completed their exams, and I want to acknowledge the majority for the mature and responsible way they approached this period. Their effort and positive attitude were evident throughout the week. Our Year 7 and Year 8 students also finalised their assessments for the year, showing pleasing levels of focus as they wrapped up their learning for 2025.

Last week, our 2026 Year 12 students completed their Headstart Program, with staff sharing very positive feedback about the maturity, effort and leadership they displayed. Their strong engagement has set them up well as they move into their final year of schooling.

We also thank Lesley Falk and Vanessa Gilchrist for taking some our Year 8 and 9 students to Melbourne for a University Experience Day, providing valuable insight into tertiary pathways. Likewise, thank you to Pauline Rouget and Gwen Ross for supporting some our Koorie students at the Mogji – Next Gen Youth Forum, where they explored cultural learning, leadership and future opportunities.

Thank you also to Jack Dooley for taking our student leaders to the Yellow Arrow Leadership Workshop in Bairnsdale, and to Miranda South for organising the TAFE Orientation Day for students beginning vocational training in 2026.

Another highlight this fortnight was our students visiting local primary schools to help younger students create Christmas cards to send to Fiji. We greatly value our partnerships with feeder schools, as they create meaningful leadership opportunities for our students while making the transition to high school smoother and less daunting for incoming Year 7s.

Looking forward, next week we begin our Year 7–11 Headstart Program, which will give students an early opportunity to meet their 2026 teachers, settle into their new classes and get a jump start on next year’s curriculum. Headstart is an important part of setting students up for success, and we expect all students to attend in full school uniform, arrive to class ready to learn, and actively participate in every learning opportunity. Students must also follow our mobile phone expectations by not having their phones on them during the day. Mobile phones should be kept at home, secured in lockers, or placed in the lock boxes each morning. Strong attendance, positive learning habits, and consistent engagement during Headstart help students build confidence, establish routines, and begin the new year with momentum.

Thank you to our staff for their ongoing support of students, and to our families for the encouragement you provide at home. Together, we continue to build a strong and supportive learning community.

Owen Henderson

Acting Principal