Assistant Principal

 7 & 8 

Dear Families,

We are so happy to have welcomed back our Junior school students to what we dearly hope will be a far less interrupted year!

Our year 8s commenced last Friday and have already become absorbed into their classes following the assembly period. We are very excited to be working with them on the new pastoral program that continues to develop and will enrich the students’ ideas about caring for themselves and each other through mindfulness, resilience practices, a greater appreciation and gratitude for their strengths as learners and as young people. There are many other topics covered, and staff have been eagerly preparing for delivery of the program.

Today marks completion of the four-day year 7 Orientation Program and by all accounts it has been very well received by students and staff alike.

We at Junior are extremely grateful to all presenters as the workshops were very demanding in planning and delivery and staff really embraced the opportunity to build connection and belonging for the kids.

Mr Garth and a merry team of supporters worked tirelessly last week and throughout to organise and schedule the new laptop computers prepared by I.T., and to deliver the roll out to the kids. We are now all the beneficiaries of this in our classes, as we are so far down the track with use of the laptop devices. 

Part of Orientation was Mr Matzke’s grand feast which treated kids from each house to a BBQ lunch during the week. As subschool leader  Mr Simpson, reflects, this time really allowed a sense of community to flourish and the kids to socialise in their house groups. It was truly wonderful to witness.

Maria Stip was run ragged! with the creation of INCREDIBLE house banners. I don’t think she will be able to get out of bed for a long time. They are a triumph and the kids firmly believe that we have the most vibrant house program imaginable. It will be fun to see these unveiled at the upcoming Athletics Carnival. Forms for the Carnival went home yesterday. Please ensure these are returned to the office with payment in a timely fashion.

Many of the workshops collected valuable information about the kids as people and allowed them to express themselves authentically. This information will be gold for our relationship building.

I can’t help but to touch on the beauty of the panel provided by our longest serving staff for the benefit of the newest members of our community. I have no words. Oh ok some - The grace, insight, warmth and distance of this legacy deeply touched the kids. Including the words of Mr Peter Leos who was present in heart and words that he had put down for the event. Anamaria Rudeska and Katerina Piromalis of year 10, hosted this occasion in a distinguished manner. It was also joyous, hilarious. 

Mr Simpson, Ms Laird, Ms Duncan and I have been greatly moved by what the children have been able to share, express and experience.  It is not lost on ANY child that they are welcomed as cherished members of the Lalor learning community and feel that they are going to be loved. We are sure this will resonate into their classes tomorrow, and forever after. Our community can all be very proud of this.

There was so much to see and enjoy, and  - thanks to Ms White (!) – there is a veritable library of footage that is now being gone through with some semblance made for our community to enjoy. 

Our new students are universally thrilled at the prospect of commencing their classes on Friday as they feel they already have a substantial connection with our college. They are eager to live, to learn and to grow as young people. And they are passionate.

As one of our kids said during a workshop, ‘It’s amazing what we can achieve if we work together’.

We do hope every year 7 family will attend our Meet The Teacher evening from 5.30pm on Monday, 1st of March. This should go straight into the family schedule as it is not only a wonderful community event where you can meet other families, bring your entire family for a BBQ dinner (all dietary requirements catered for), but also have informal though valuable discussions about how your child is making the adjustment to secondary school. Many teachers will be on hand to speak directly with. I join our Principal in warmly inviting every family to this event.

Timothy Cottrell.