Year 11 Outdoor Ed Camp

Year 11 Outdoor & Environmental Studies students recently returned from their camp at Eildon where they ventured up to explore Wells Cave at the Cathedral Ranges, followed by some instructional sessions on the rapids of the Goulburn River learning about whitewater safety and how to guide rafts.

A big thankyou to Ms Amanda Pitcher , Mr Kim Baker, and Mr Ben Craddock for their time and effort during the camp. Well done to all of the Yr11 OE students for their excellent behavior and rolemodelling Lara SC’s college values.

Ben Craddock

Year 11 Outdoor Ed teacher

SVAL Update

Our student leaders have had a fantastic start to the year and continue to make a positive impact across the college community.

Earlier this term, our student leadership team planned and delivered an outstanding Harmony Day celebration. Students led a wide range of activities throughout the day that celebrated culture, diversity and inclusion across our school community. It was fantastic to see so many students involved and engaging positively with the event.

Our student leaders also proudly represented Lara Secondary College at the local ANZAC Day ceremony at the RSL. Students conducted themselves exceptionally well throughout the service and delivered a moving speech reflecting on their own family and community connections to war and service. They represented the college with maturity, respect and pride, and received very positive feedback from community members in attendance.

Our Be Bold Be Heard leaders, Senior House and Year Level Captains, and Junior House and Year Level Captains are also now well into planning and developing their own student-led initiatives for 2026. It has been exciting to see students beginning to take ownership of projects and ideas that aim to further strengthen student voice, school culture and connectedness across the college.

We look forward to sharing more of their work and achievements throughout the year.

Pak Walker & Ms Bald

Leader of SVAL & SVAL Coordinator

Indonesian Update

It has been a busy and exciting start to the year in Indonesian, with a number of exciting opportunities happening across the program.

In Term 3, ten students from Years 8–11 will take part in our upcoming Indonesian Study Tour. Students will travel to our sister school, Sekolah Alam Cikeas, where they will participate in a homestay program with Indonesian families and experience daily life in an Indonesian school community. Students will attend classes alongside Indonesian students, take part in cultural activities and use their Indonesian language skills in authentic real-world situations throughout the trip.

As part of the tour, students will also visit Yogyakarta, Indonesia’s cultural hub, giving them the chance to experience Indonesian language, culture, history and daily life firsthand. Students will explore important historical and cultural sites, experience traditional arts and performances, and further develop their understanding of Indonesia beyond what can be taught in the classroom. The study tour has been designed to challenge students to build independence, intercultural understanding and confidence in communicating across cultures while representing Lara Secondary College overseas.

As a College, we have also been fortunate enough to be provided a significant grant through the BRIDGE program that will enable me to travel to Indonesia in the Term 2 holidays to work with SMPN6 Langke Rembong in Ruteng, Flores for one week. We are one of only 5 schools, both primary and secondary and public and private, across the country to receive this support. The purpose of this grant is to strengthen teacher practice in public schools in Indonesia, particularly in relation to neurodiversity and inclusive education. This work is fully supported and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the University of Melbourne, and I look forward to reciprocal learning from Indonesian teachers about best practice in teaching foreign languages and utilising this knowledge in our Indonesian classrooms at LSC.

Both partnerships continue to provide exciting opportunities to create more authentic learning activities and intercultural experiences for all students across our Indonesian program.

Our Year 9 students recently travelled to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Melbourne, where they took part in a traditional Indonesian music workshop and learned more about Indonesian culture and diplomacy. Students had the opportunity to work with traditional Indonesian instruments and explore how music plays an important role in Indonesian cultural identity and celebrations. Following the workshop, students visited Garam Merica restaurant to enjoy a shared Indonesian meal and further develop their intercultural understanding through authentic food and dining experiences. The excursion was a fantastic opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with real-world cultural experiences.

Meanwhile, our Year 10 and 11 Indonesian students have been tackling one of the most challenging language skills — listening comprehension. Students have been working with increasingly authentic Indonesian audio texts and conversations, developing strategies to identify key information, context and meaning even when not understanding every word. While challenging at times, students have shown strong persistence and resilience, and it has been great to see their confidence continue to improve throughout the semester.

Their next unit of study will focus on Indonesian film, where students will analyse how films reflect Indonesian society, values and everyday life, while also continuing to strengthen their language skills through authentic cultural texts.

Pak Walker

Indonesian Teacher

SWPBS Update

Our SWPBS work has continued strongly this year, with students earning over 7,000 Success Passes so far in 2026. It has been great to see so many students recognised for consistently demonstrating our college values of Excellence, Respect, Teamwork and Commitment both inside and outside the classroom.

Congratulations to all students who received a Success Pass award at our recent assembly. These awards recognise students who consistently contribute positively to our college community and model our values each day.

One really pleasing milestone from Term 1 was that every student who attended school received at least one positive recognition home through Success Passes. Ensuring all students are acknowledged for positive behaviour and effort continues to be an important focus for us as a college.

Students have also done an excellent job following our college-wide routines this term. Across the school, students have continued to enter classrooms calmly in two lines, listen to staff instructions at the door and begin lessons in a settled manner. We have also seen strong consistency with our exit routine, with students waiting behind chairs, ensuring spaces are tidy, pushing chairs in and waiting for teacher dismissal before leaving classrooms.

These routines might seem simple, but they make a significant difference in creating calm, orderly learning environments where everyone can focus on what matters most - the learning.

Thank you to our students, staff and families for continuing to support the positive culture we are building together at Lara Secondary College.

Pak Walker

Leader of SWPBS

Term 2 Key Dates

Year 10

Monday 20th April - First day of school

Friday 1st May- White card training (optional event)

Thursday 14th May- Consent Labs Healthy Relationships Incursion session 2

Thursday 21st May- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Tuesday 2nd June- Deakin University Immersion Day

Thursday 4th June- Your Money Matters (Financial Literacy) Incursion session 4

Monday 8th June- King’s Birthday (no school)

Friday 12th June- Year 10 English Exam

Monday 15th - Thursday 18th June- Year 10 Exams

Friday 19th June- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Friday 26th June- Last day of term 2 finish at 2:30pm

Year 11

Monday 20th April - First day of school

Friday 1st May- White card training (optional event)

Thursday 14th May- Year 11 Study Skills Time Management Seminar session 3

Friday 15th May – Food Handling Course (optional event for those that signed up)

Thursday 21st May- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Thursday 4th June- Your Money Matters (Financial Literacy) Incursion session 3

Monday 8th June- King’s Birthday (no school)

Tuesday 9th-Friday 12th June- Year 11 Exams

Friday 12th June – Barista Course (optional event for those that signed up)

Tuesday 16th June- GAT Exam (Only for students studying a Unit3/4 subject)

Friday 19th June- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Thursday 25th June- ADF School visit session 3

Friday 26th June- Last day of term 2 finish at 2:30pm

Year 12

Monday 20th April - First day of school

Friday 1st May- White card training (optional event)

Friday 15th May – Food Handling Course (optional event for those that signed up)

Thursday 21st May- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Tuesday 26th May- Meli Gambling and Money Matters

Monday 8th June- King’s Birthday (no school)

Friday 12th June – Barista Course (optional event for those that signed up)

Tuesday 16th June- GAT Exam

Friday 19th June- Curriculum Day- Staff Professional Learning

Friday 26th June- Last day of term 2 finish at 2:30pm

Incursions and Excursions Update

Dear Families and Carers,

As we look ahead to next term, we are pleased to share a range of incursions and excursions that will support and enrich student learning across the curriculum.

These experiences have been carefully selected to complement classroom programs and provide students with engaging, hands-on opportunities to deepen their understanding, build confidence, and connect their learning to the wider world.

Throughout the term, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance learning in areas. These may include visiting performances, educational workshops, cultural experiences, sporting clinics, and local excursions.

We know that these opportunities are often among the most memorable parts of the school year, and we are excited to offer experiences that are both educational and enjoyable.

Further information about each incursion and excursion — including dates, exact costs (if applicable), permission requirements, and what students may need to bring will be shared with families in the coming weeks via the Compass portal.

We encourage you to keep an eye on school communications and your child’s year level updates so that important information and permission forms are completed by the required deadlines.

Thank you for your continued support in helping us provide rich and meaningful learning opportunities for all students. We look forward to an exciting and rewarding term ahead.

Year 7

Maths

Local excursion - playground layout analysis $0

Wellbeing

Batforce - Online Safety $0

Bunji - Social Emotional Learning (Select students) $0

____________________________________________________________________________

Year 8

Languages

Indonesian Consulate Visit and Restaurant $20

Wellbeing

Consent Labs - Consent In the Digital World workshop $0

The Workshop (Select students) $0

____________________________________________________________________________

Year 9

Camp

City Camp Urban Experience $460

Languages

Indonesian Consulate Visit and Restaurant $20

Wellbeing

Consent Labs- Consent In the Digital World workshop $0

The Workshop (Select students) $0

____________________________________________________________________________

Year 10

HAPE

ODE Camp $Incl. Levy

ODE Mountain Bike Excursion $Incl. Levy

ODE Indoor Rockclimbing $Incl. Levy

ODE Fish and Release Excursion $Incl. Levy

Careers

Year 10 DEAP uni immersion day $20

Wellbeing

Consent Labs - Healthy Relationships workshop $0

Consent Labs -Your Money Matters Workshop $0

Financial Literacy (presented by Meli)

____________________________________________________________________________

Year 11

VCE VM

Trade and Tech Fit Career Expo $0

Mindfullaus $0

Gym $10

Foodhandlers Certificate $80

Barista Course $195

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) $75

HAPE

ODE Camp Hike/Rafting $150

Serendip Wildlife data collection walk $0

Science

Physics - Engineering Industry Exposure $15

Careers

Citipower careers $0

Australian Defense Force (ADF) presentation $0

Pathways

Elevate Education $0

ARTS

Top Arts $6

____________________________________________________________________________

Year 12

Humanities

Business Management - Great Ocean Road

Chocolaterie Operations $50

Legal Studies - Magistrates’ Court Excursion $15

HAPE

Deakin VCE Sports Science $0

Science

Physics - Engineering Industry Exposure $15

Psychology - Melbourne Zoo $30

VCE VM

Trade and Tech Fit Career Expo $0

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie Operations $50

Gym $10

Foodhandlers Certificate $80

Barista Course $195

Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) $75

ARTS

Top Arts $6

Wellbeing

Consent Labs - Your Money Matters Workshop- Financial Literacy (presented by Meli) $10

____________________________________________________________________________

ConnectEd

Project

You Yangs - Mountain Bike $0

You Yangs - Mountain Bike $0

You Yangs - Mountain Bike $0

HAPE

Lara Health and Fitness session $0

Lara Health and Fitness session $0

Fort Visit $0

Fort Visit $0

____________________________________________________________________________

Academy Events (costs included in Academy levy)

Cricket

Junior Cricket Academy - Winter Indoor Program (4 x sessions)

Junior Cricket Academy - Indoor Cricket Competition (year 7-9)

Senior Cricket Academy - Indoor Cricket Competition (year 10-12)

Rugby

Geelong Grammar

Wednesday May 6th Lara vs Melton 1st XV

Thursday May 21st Grange vs Lara 1st XV [Boys]

Wednesday June 3rd Lara vs Sunshine 1st XV

Monday Aug 10th/24th Finals

Wednesday May 27th Lara vs Grange U15

Wednesday June 17th Lara vs Sunshine U15

Wednesday July 22nd Melton vs Lara U15 [Boys]

Monday Aug 17th/31st Finals

Thursday July 30th Grange vs Lara 1st XV [Girls]

Monday 7th September Rugby 7's carnival

Minimising Classroom Interruptions & End-of-Day Procedures

Dear Families,

At Lara Secondary College, we are committed to ensuring that teaching and learning remain our priority. To support a calm and focused learning environment for all students, we ask for your assistance in minimising disruptions to classes throughout the school day.

Early Departures

If your child needs to leave school early, we encourage families to arrange collection during our designated break times where possible. Using these windows helps reduce interruptions to classroom routines and learning.

Break Type	Time Window
Recess	10:14 am – 10:30 am
Changeover	11:49 am – 11:55 am
Lunch	1:09 pm – 1:45 pm

Important Afternoon Collection Reminder

Please ensure students departing early are collected prior to 2:45 pm. Due to end-of-day transitions, student collection may not be available between 2:45 pm and 3:04 pm.

Staff Carpark Reminder

For the safety of our community, the staff carpark is strictly reserved for staff use and should not be used for student drop-off or pick up before or after school.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain consistent routines and minimising disruptions to ensure a safe and focused learning environment for all students.

Brylee McNamara

Assistant Principal

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

At Lara Secondary College, we know that every day at school matters. Daily attendance helps students make the most of learning, friendships and opportunities that shape their future.

We understand there are times when your child may need to miss school. To help minimise disruption, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical appointments outside of school hours. If your child is feeling worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, coming to school is the best way to get support — staying home can make worries feel bigger.

If your child is finding it hard to attend, please reach out to their Year Level Coordinator or Sub School Leader — we’re here to help. And remember to let us know about any absences promptly via Compass.

For more information about the importance of everyday attendance, see Attendance and Missing School.

Remember, Every Day Counts.

Pierre Grzybek - Senior Years Assistant Principal

Important dates