Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Carers,   

We are now just over the halfway point of Term 1, with lots of exciting developments occurring so far this year. 

College events and activities

Over the past few weeks, our college has had a number of significant events running that have seen our students represent themselves and our college with immense pride.

This included our school-wide Swimming Carnival held in late February at Monash Aquatic and Recreation Centre.  Students competed, cheered and dressed up in house colours and costumes all to support their peers and their house.  I congratulate all students who successfully earned a ribbon in events on the day, as well as every student who participated to earn all-important house points!

On Thursday 9th March, our college celebrated our annual Harmony Day.  This celebration was bigger and better than ever, with students and staff coming together to recognise and celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity at our college. This day was marked with the following activities:

• Traditional Smoking Ceremony conducted by members of the Bunurong Land Council
• Whole school assembly featuring cultural presentations and performances from students and staff
• Lunchtime activities and international food stalls with performances showcasing a variety of different cultures
• A colour run to celebrate the festival of Holi, as well as period 5 activities focused on cultural understanding and harmony

I thank the team of staff involved in the planning and running of the day and look forward to this becoming part of our college’s annual celebrations for many years to come.

School review and Strategic Plan

As part of the Department of Education cyclical review process, all schools undertake a review against their School Strategic Plan every four years.  Lyndhurst Secondary College’s Strategic Plan concluded in 2022, so we entered into our whole school review in Term 1, 2023.

As part of this process, five days of data analysis, focus groups and other activities were conducted at the college to best understand our achievements from the last Strategic Plan, as well as plan for our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

This process was incredibly important and enlightening for our school community, and it was pleasing to see much of the work we have already commenced in 2022 featuring as highlights from the previous Strategic Plan, as well as getting us setup for a positive start to our next Strategic Plan.

I thank all the students, parents/carers and staff involved in the many focus groups that were running as part of this process.  Your feedback was invaluable, with great insights gained from these focus groups.  I would also like to thank members of our review panel for their support in this process, which included:

• Robert Miller – School Reviewer
• Victoria Golding – Senior Education Improvement Leader, Department of Education
• Meagan Cook – Principal of Cranbourne East Secondary College (challenge partner)
• Peter Langham – Principal of Monterey Secondary College (challenge partner)

As a college, we will continue to use the information and reports from the review to design our next Strategic Plan, and I look forward to this plan coming into place during Term 2 this year.

Updates to important school policies

As part of our review process, the college has undertaken a number of updates to policies. These policies support the college to ensure good governance, strong financial management, effective curriculum, sound teaching practices and safe environments for children.

A copy of all updated college policies as ratified by our School Council are now available on our website: https://www.lyndhurst.vic.edu.au/our-college/policies-and-publications/. In particular, parents and carers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the following key policies that affect everyday life for their student at the college:

• Attendance policy
• Mobile phones and electronic devices
• Bullying prevention
• Student dress code
• Student wellbeing and engagement

Child safety standards updates

Lyndhurst Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment, where students are safe and feel safe. 

In addition to updates to school policies, we have also undertaken significant updates to our Child safe policies and documentation.  This is in response to the updated standards introduced in 2022.

A copy of all Child safe policies and procedures can be located on our website at the very end of the page located at https://www.lyndhurst.vic.edu.au/our-college/policies-and-publications/.   Further information on Child safety at Lyndhurst Secondary College can also be located at https://www.lyndhurst.vic.edu.au/our-college/child-safe/.

Term 2 commencement and other important dates

Finally, please find a summary of key dates for your calendars for the beginning of Term 2

Ms Eloise Haynes

College Principal

Ms Eloise Haynes

Principal