From the Secondary Principal 

Hello Secondary families

The holidays may be in sight, but the last few weeks of Term 2 remain jam packed with learning, excitement and celebration.

This week's Song, Dance, Art and Drama night was a wonderful celebration of student achievement. It was so heart-warming to see students buzzing with excitement at the prospect of performing to a live audience - something that we have been unable to do for the last few years. Backstage there was nerves, laughs and support abound for students from Years 7 to 12. The showcase highlighted the talent, courage, and performance skills of our students. The visual arts display was incredibly moving, capturing stunning displays of artistic expression that were made pre-, during, and post Covid-lockdowns. As evident in the amazing artworks, and in the evening itself, there was a real sense of our College community emerging from what have been very challenging times and moving towards connection and positivity. A huge congratulations to our incredible Arts team, to all of our performers and artists, and, to the VCAL students who kept us well fed with their delicious barbecue.

The Year 10, 11, and 12 exams were a great opportunity for students to practise the art of examinations. The week-long exam period was highly successful, and it was great to see students fully apply themselves to their learning and to the task at hand. We thank students and families for supporting the College to facilitate these exams, giving students first-hand experience that will prepare them for their final year exams later this year. A huge thank you to George and Belinda for their organisation of the exams, and to students from years 7 to 9 who were incredibly supportive and accommodating towards our senior school students during this week. We look forward to sharing some outstanding results with you all.

Next week, will see a Year 10 students off and about as they undertake a week's worth of work experience. Students have been busily preparing for this opportunity all year, and a very much looking forward to developing their vocational skills. This is the first time the College has been able to participate in work experience, having had to do it online for the last few years, and as a College we have been overwhelmed by the generous support local businesses have shown towards our students. Year 10 teachers are equally as excited as students and cannot wait to be able to go out to visit our students on their placements to see them apply their learning within their workplace. As a College we are hopeful that this opportunity will see students begin their journey towards their chosen pathway.  Next week, students will be heading off to work in general retail, sporting retail, aged care, pharmaceuticals, mechanics, plumbing, carpentry, early childhood, osteopathy, electronics, beauty and photography just to name a few. 

The last few weeks have seen incursions and excursions abound. Our Year 7 VIA students have been working in partnership with the Whittlesea Tech School, installing an aquaponics system that will see them all become urban farmers growing microgreen crops. The Year 10 product design class had a visit from a local upholsterer, supporting them to develop their skills in furniture restoration. Year 8 students will be heading to the city this week for a tour of the ‘G’ and the Melbourne Sports Museum. Our Year 10, 11 and 12 Legal Studies students will also be heading out for a Court House experience. Our Year 9 cohort participated in the ‘Man Cave and ‘She Shed’ programs.  Students spent the day learning about, from, and with their peers, all based in a foundation of Respectful Relationships. Students and families have shared extremely positive feedback about the day, encouraging the College to explore opportunities to extend this experience to additional year levels.

Semester reports for students in Years 7 to 10 will be distributed early next week. Given the ongoing nature of illness that has impacted senior school students across the state, the Department of Education have recommended schools to extend their senior school reporting timelines. The Lakes welcomes this recommendation as it will allow for students to catch up on missed SACs over the next few weeks. Students completing VCE or VCAL programmes will receive their reports on July 15.

Thanks Bill and Bonnie