The College Times

Senior Years Report 

Reminder: Energy Drink & School Uniform Expectations

 

As we continue to promote a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, we would like to kindly remind families of two important expectations to support a positive and focused learning environment:

 

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks (e.g. Monster, V, Red Bull) are not permitted at school. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can negatively affect students' concentration, behaviour, and overall wellbeing throughout the day. If students are seen with energy drinks, they will be asked to dispose of them.

 

School Uniform

Students are also reminded that hoodies are not part of the approved school uniform and should not be worn during school hours. We ask that students come to school in full uniform each day, which supports a sense of belonging and school pride. If students are seen in a hoodie or non-uniform jumper, they will be asked by staff to put it in their locker or their relevant sub school for the day. If you need support in purchasing any of our school uniform items, please reach out to your child’s Year Level Coordinator via phone or email. 

 

We appreciate your continued support in reinforcing these expectations at home to ensure a safe, respectful and positive school environment for all. 

 

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

At Lara Secondary College, we are committed to supporting every student to attend school regularly. Daily attendance ensures students stay connected to their learning, peers, and the many opportunities school provides to support their personal and academic growth.

 

We recognise that there are occasions when absence is unavoidable. To minimise disruption to your child’s education, we kindly ask that family holidays and appointments be scheduled outside of school hours wherever possible. If your child is feeling uncertain about attending school, please reach out. Avoiding school can often increase feelings of worry or disengagement.

 

Should your child experience challenges in attending school, we encourage you to contact their Year Level Coordinator or Sub School Leader via phone or email. We are here to work in partnership with you to provide the support they need.

 

If your child is absent, please notify the school promptly via Compass or by contacting the front office. 

 

For more information about the importance of every day attendance, please see Attendance and Everyday Counts.

 

Brylee McNamara - Junior Years Assistant Principal

 

SWPBS Update

 

This year, Lara Secondary college has made strong progress in strengthening a culture of positive behaviour and student engagement through our School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework.  We were recently awarded a ‘Blue’ Award by the Barwon Region for commitment to implementing the SWPBS framework across the College. 

 Our work so far this year has focussed on continuing our positive recognition across the College, and building our consistency across the College.  Over 11000 Success Passes have been awarded across the year, recognising students who demonstrate our College values of Excellence, Respect, Teamwork, and Commitment.  We have continued explicitly teaching our Positive Behaviour Matrix through the TLC/Pathways curriculums. 

We look forward to sharing more in relation to our implementation of SWPBS in future newsletters.

 

Pak Walker

Leader of SWPBS & SVAL

Student Voice, Agency & Leadership update

 

This year, we’ve taken big strides in strengthening student voice, agency and leadership (SVAL) across the College. From everyday contributions to whole-school initiatives, we aim to provide our students the opportunity to take an active role in improving student experiences across the College.

 

In 2024, we expanded our student leadership structure, creating more roles and opening our and greater diversity in representation across year levels.  As we come to the close of Term 2, we are beginning to plan our application process for Student Leadership in 2025.  As such, current Year 11 students should keep an eye out for communication in early Term 3 regarding the College Leader application process, with applications for other year level and House Captain positions anticipated to be open towards the end of Term 3.

Our student leaders have been busy taking the lead in several initiatives this year, including developing a proposal for and organising lunchtime basketball every Wednesday in Term 3, to provide another lunchtime activity inclusive way to connect students across year level, and PA system bulletins delivered by student leaders every Monday and Thursday morning, ensuring the whole college starts the week informed and connected.  Additionally, our student-organised themed dress days are taking place across Terms 2, 3 and 4, in the interest of improving student experiences, engagement and connection across the College.  Term 2 sees a ‘Sleepy Sports Day’, with further details on Compass.

 

Our student leaders have a guided in their initatives by our Attitude to School Survey results, which have just taken place.  We are looking forward to sharing a summary of the results of this survey to our community in Term 3. 

 

Thank you to all of our student leaders and contributors — your voice, ideas and leadership have helped make our school a more inclusive, fun, and co

nnected place to learn.

 

Pak Walker

Leader of SWPBS & SVAL

LOTE (Indonesian)

 

This year has been full of energy, curiosity and connection in our Indonesian classrooms, as students engaged with language and culture in meaningful, real-world ways. 

Learning Across Year Levels

  • Year 7 students have spent Semester 1 being introduced to the Indonesian language and explored aspects of daily life, food, and celebrations through interactive activities, games and basic conversation.
  • Year 8 students investigated school life and teenage culture in Indonesia, comparing routines, subjects, and social customs while building confidence in reading and writing.
  • Year 10 students developed their analytical skills through a film study of Merantau  and produced their own dream house video presentations, showcasing vocabulary, grammar, and intercultural knowledge.

Cultural Exchange and Global CitizenshipLSC continues to strengthen its opportunities for students to realise their potential by building on international partnerships with Indonesian schools through the BRIDGE Program (an initiative led by the Federal Government to improve connections between Indonesian and Australia educators and their students), and our sister school relationship with Sekolah Alam Cikeas (SAC) in Indonesia. Highlights of the year so far include:

  • Pak Walker having the opportunity as part of our BRIDGE partnership to lead professional learning at SMPN6 Langke Rembong in Flores, East Indonesia, over the Term 1 holidays
  • Finalising plans for our reciprocal visit from SAC students to LSC in 2025, where host families will have the opportunity to share Australian life with our Indonesian guests.
  • Beginning the early stages of 15-day study tour to Indonesia in 2026, which offers students the opportunity to live with an Indonesian host family for one week, participating immersive language and cultural experiences across in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

We are still looking for a couple of host families for our Sister School’s visit in August.  If you are willing and able to support with this, please get in contact with me (Josh.Walker@education.vic.gov.au) via email or phone at the College.

Terima kasih! A big thank you to our learners and families for supporting our Indonesian language program.

 

Pak Walker

LOTE KLA Leader