Senior Years Report

End of Term Wrap Up

What a fantastic start to the year it has been for our Senior Years students! Across VCE, VCE-VM and VPC, students have hit the ground running—settling into their classes, building positive routines, and getting stuck into their learning.

This term has been all about setting ourselves up for success, and it’s been great to see students showing resilience, independence and a real commitment to their goals as they navigate the challenges of senior school.

A highlight for our Year 11 students was their Elevate Education session, where they picked up practical study strategies to help them tackle VCE with confidence. From time management to exam preparation, students walked away with tools they can start using straight away.

Our Year 12 English students also had some fantastic learning opportunities this term, including the English Protest Incursion and the Literature King Lear incursion. A big thank you to Ms Foot and Ms Knappet for organising these valuable experiences.

Looking ahead, Year 10 students have the opportunity to attend the Deakin University DEAP Day (Deakin Engagement and Access Program). This is a great chance to experience university life and explore future pathways. Please ensure consent and payment are completed via Compass.

We’re also excited to offer a range of short courses for Senior students in Term 2, including a barista course, food handling, first aid, and white card training. If you’re interested, be sure to sign up by visiting the Careers Team (Mr Hauser and Ms Foster in the Senior Subschool).

We’ve loved seeing students connect with their teachers, ask for help when they need it, and take more ownership of their learning and future pathways.

As we head into the holidays, it’s time for a well-earned break! We encourage all students to rest, recharge, and maybe even stay on top of a little bit of work where needed.

We’re looking forward to another great term ahead—bring on Term 2!

Senior Years Team

Year 12 English Incursion

On Thursday 26th March Year 12 English and Literature students participated in workshops to support their current unit of study with ‘Eagles Nest Theatre Company’.

Year 12 English students completed protest style performance activities and short writing tasks about their experiences of those protests. Literature students had key scenes from ‘King Lear’ performed in different ways to broaden their interpretation of the play.

Thank you to ‘Eagles Nest’ for visiting Lara Secondary and providing a fantastic learning experience for our students.

SWPBS Bronze Award Recognition

We are very proud to announce we have again been recognised by the Department of Education for our implementation of the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. In 2025, the college moved from Blue level to Bronze level acknowledgement. Within the SWPBS framework, Blue recognises foundational implementation, while Bronze recognises the consistent application of positive behaviour practices across the school. There are 4 tiers of implementation, with Silver and Gold ahead of us. Schools can only progress one level at a time, and implementing SWPBS with fidelity is typically a 4–5 year journey for schools. We are pleased with the progress we are making and are continuing to build on these strong foundations. We are also very proud of our students for how they have responded to key SWPBS initiative including our Responding to Behaviour flowchart, Positive Recognition and College-wide Routines.

This recognition reflects the work happening every day in our classrooms and learning spaces by both our staff and student. These approaches help create a calm and orderly, supportive learning environment where students can learn and feel successful.

Thank you to our staff, students and families for your ongoing support in helping us create a positive and supportive school community.

Josh Walker

Leader of SWPBS & SVAL

Year 10 Outdoor Education

It’s been an action-packed start to our Year 10 Outdoor Education program with four engaging field trips held during Term 1.

First up, a fine weather-window provided ideal conditions for a Surf Safety and Rescue course at Torquay Surf Beach. Here, Go Ride A Wave instructions provided tuition on rips, waves and currents, first aid and CPR, and basic rescue techniques to assist a struggling swimmer. Our ocean kayaking adventure proved a real highlight, with students taking on the picture-perfect waves at Point Roadknight. Earlier in the day, a visit to the National Surfing Museum at Torquay, enabled students to observe the changes in surfboard design technology and how modern advancements have influenced participation in wave-riding activities over time. A canoe expedition on the lower Barwon River at Ocean Grove proved a challenge as steady rain persisted through much of the morning. Despite the damp and gloomy conditions, students remained in high spirts with plenty of smiles and laughter throughout the journey. More recently, a coastal trail walk at St Leonards, coupled with a visit to the Marine Discovery Centre at Queenscliff prompted discussions around environmental protection through Marine National Parks and RAMSAR listed wetlands.

Next term, we have a three-day camp scheduled for Week 1 (Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th April) with surfing, bushwalking, camp-cooking and tent-based camping on the agenda. Students will be briefed in class on nutrition and hydration requirements, meal suggestions, outdoor cooking, tent pitching, hygiene, as well as safety and etiquette. Further information regarding this adventure has been provided direct to students via Google Classroom.

Brent Hodges

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

HAPE

Lara Health and Fitness session $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

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.

The importance of attendance at secondary school 2026.docx

Pierre Grzybek - Senior Years Assistant Principal