From the Principal's Desk

It has been a very positive start to term 4, with plenty of events, celebrations and milestones taking place across the college.

Week 3 was particularly special as we celebrated the end of formal secondary schooling for our Year 12 students. It was fantastic to see them embrace the celebrations, with some very creative costumes, a BBQ breakfast and our whole-school celebration assembly. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise their achievements, friendships and contributions over the past six years. 

Our Year 12 VCE Vocational Major students presented their final portfolios, showcasing their hard work and growth over the past two years, while our Year 12 VCE students have been busy and preparing for their end of year exams. A reminder that our teachers remain available to support students with their final preparations and future pathways planning. 

A huge congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are very proud of you all and wish you all the best over the coming weeks and look forward to celebrating with you again at graduation.

2027 School Captains 

At our Year 12 Celebration Assembly, we were also pleased to announce our student leaders for 2027: 

School Captains: Gioele Cavallo and Billie Italiano 

Vice Captains: Holly Apps and Chelsea McMillan 

Congratulations to all four students! We look forward to working closely with them throughout 2027 as they present our student body, contribute to College improvement and continue to strengthen student voice and leadership across our school. 

I would also like to sincerely thank our outgoing 2026 school captains, Annalise and Austin and Vice Captains Elsha and Seth, for their leadership, commitment and positive contribution to the College and our community throughout 2026. 

Teaching and Learning, Our College Priorities 

Alongside the many events and activities taking place, our staff continue to focus on our whole school priorities of strengthening classroom practice and creating calm, predictable learning environments, improving learning outcomes for all students. 

Our work with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) continues, with a particular focus on Daily Reviews. By regularly revisiting and practicing previously taught concepts, students strengthen their understanding and retain learning in their long-term memory, building the confidence to apply their knowledge to new learning.

We are also continuing to embed our Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS), including consistent classroom routines, entry and exit routines and our whole college call to attention. These routines help create calm, predictable learning environments where students know what to expect and can focus on their learning. 

It has been wonderful to see our teachers embracing and leading this work in their classrooms and to see these practices becoming more consistent across the college. We are committed to continue building on these practices for the remainder of the year and beyond. 

Upcoming Exams and Senior School Commencement 

Next week, our Year 11s will commence their end of year exams, followed by two weeks of Year 12 commencement. This program provides students with an important head start on their final year, introducing course work, expectations and wellbeing support that enable students to begin year 12 with clarity and purpose. 

A reminder that our VCE attendance policy continues to apply during commencement, and all students are expected to attend their scheduled classes. 

Our Year 7 - 10 students will also commence their exams in week 8. This is a valuable opportunity to practice revision and study skills, build confidence and develop positive learning habits as they progress towards their senior years. 

International Study Tours and Camps 

Over the school holidays we welcomed back our students and staff who participated in the Indonesian Study Tour and France Rugby Tour. All students stepped out of their comfort zones and presented themselves and our college with pride. Both provided opportunities for students to experience different cultures, build independence and represent our College internationally. 

Closer to home, a group of Year 10 students enjoyed our first WILD Camp near Nelson, with fishing, kayaking and caving, while our Year 9 students return today from their overnight camp at Cumberland River in the beautiful Otways.

A sincere thank you to all staff who give up their personal time to make these opportunities possible. The planning, organisation and care involved is significant, and we are very fortunate to have staff so committed to providing these experiences for our students. 

Lara Secondary College Trivia Night a Huge Success!

Our first Trivia Night last Friday was a fantastic success, with 16 tables and close to 140 people joining us for a great night!

A special mention to our amazing quiz master(Mr Graham) who kept everyone entertained throughout the evening.

With ticket sales and incredible support from our local business community who donated some fantastic silent auction prizes, we raised close to $5,000!!

The event was warmly supported by current and past students, teachers, families and friends of our school community. It was wonderful to see so many people coming together to celebrate, reconnect and support our school. Their enthusiasm, generosity and encouragement helped make our first year one to remember!

Stay tuned for 2027 dates...it's going to be bigger!

Lara Secondary College School Council 

Celebrating Our Staff 

On Friday 30th October, we celebrated World Teachers Day with a delicious morning tea for our staff. We are grateful to have such a dedicated and caring team of teachers and staff who work hard every day to support, encourage and challenge our students. Teaching is about so much more than delivering lessons. It is the relationships, encouragement and care that make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. A sincere thank you to all our teachers for their commitment and everything they contribute to our school community. 

A big congratulations to one of our rugby coaches, Ephraim, who has been selected as the forwards coach for the Lofa XV Tonga Women’s International Rugby Team! We wish Ephraim and the team all the best over the next 3 weeks, as they spend 10 days in Sydney prior to heading to Hong Kong. 

As we head into the second half of Term 4, I would like to thank our families and wider college community for your ongoing support. It was wonderful to see so many families, staff and community members come together for our first-ever Trivia Night fundraiser. 

With a busy few weeks ahead, I encourage families to keep up to date with the key dates and events relevant to their child. If you have any questions or require support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, Year Level Coordinator or Sub -School Leader. 

There is still plenty to look forward to before the end of the year, and I look forward to celebrating more of our student’s achievements together. 

Brylee McNamara 

Acting Principal