From the Principal Class
Welcome
Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2.
We particularly welcome those students and families who are new to the school.
A number of staffing changes have occurred at the beginning of this term. From this term, we welcome Jasmina Jeftic who will be taking on the Mathematics vacancy for the remaining of the year. We also welcome Kristy Maricchiolo who will be taking on the English vacancy for the remaining of the year. From next week we also welcome Hamish Sinnott who joins us as ES Learning Support Officer for the remaining of the year. Jenny O'Brien and Carmel Gusman, both loyal staff members to the college for over 30 years, have both retired from the beginning of this term. Michelle Cairns has also retired from the department and we thank her for her service to the college.
As you are aware, staff shortages and teacher workforce continues to dominate the news this year in education and we are working very hard to fill any unfilled vacancies. Our school is not alone with this issue and many schools across the state are dealing with the exact same issue. While we are short of a few English teachers currently, please note that the curriculum and instruction for the classes without a regular teacher have not been compromised. Students are still provided the required instructions, resources and assessments through the use of casual teachers who are trained in the specific subject. We expect students to continue to work solidly on their required classwork and assessments.
As you read this edition of the newsletter, you will notice that our students have been actively engaging with the community, both locally and more broadly, in many different ways over recent weeks. Whether through welcoming parents to the college at the LEAP, Football Academy information and college discovery evenings, parent morning tours or participating in sporting events and year level excursions, our students have shown themselves to be excellent representatives of Taylors Lakes Secondary College, and leaders whom we can be extremely proud of. Their positive behaviour and attitude is regularly noticed and appreciated by all members of the college community.
A big congratulations to Penny Earl and Lorne Anderson who have been recognised with their 40 Year and 50 Year Teacher Service Recognition Awards respectively in the last week. Both Penny and Lorne has been teaching at the college for over 15 years and we congratulate them on this milestone and thank them for their service to public education.
Penny attended the award ceremony on Sunday May 18th 2025 with the Education Minister, Ben Caroll MP, presenting her award.
Congratulations to Lucas Waddleton and Lawson Richards of Year 9 who designed the Essendon FC Dreamtime Guernsey for 2025. Both boys have been involved in several AFL
Year 10-12 Exams - Parent Information Evening: Wednesday 21st May 2025
Years 10 & 11 students and their parents attended the Parent Information Evening on the upcoming examinations on Wednesday May 21st 2025. The focus of the presentation was how parents can best support their child/ren through the senior years and VCE which can be a stressful time for many students and parents.
The presentation included general information on effective strategies for preparing and completing exams, how to organise time outside of school in the lead up to exams, and advice on how to manage stress and remain healthy during the exam period. How the VCE is structured and assessed was also covered.
VCE Performance Musical Soiree
Thank you to the instrumental music team led by Bobby Vasilevski and Tracy Lee, for the VCE solo and group soiree performances on the evening of Thursday 15th May 2023 in our performing arts centre. We had a high number of families attending the evening and supporting the college.
We have lots of talented students and they should be congratulated in their achievements.
The next performances will showcase our wonderful instrumental music students later in the term.