Secondary News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As Term 3 comes to a close, we reflect on what has been a busy and productive term of learning and community in the life of our Secondary School.
Our students in Years 7-12 have worked with energy and determination across all subject areas, engaging in rich classroom learning, assessments and co-curricular activities. Highlights of the term included excursions, sporting competitions, the school musical, Year 7 and 10 Camps, our Years 10-12 Formal, and a variety of service and leadership opportunities. These experiences not only enrich academic growth but also strengthen friendships, resilience and school spirit.
Parent–teacher interviews earlier in the term provided valuable conversations around progress and next steps and we thank families for their ongoing support and partnership in nurturing each child’s journey.
As we move into the final term of the year, we encourage our students to continue striving for excellence in their studies while maintaining balance, well-being and care for one another. Term 4 brings many exciting opportunities and events, including end-of-year celebrations, excursions, final assessments for our Year 12 students, and Year 12 Graduation.
As our Year 12 students enter their final weeks of secondary schooling, we pause to acknowledge the dedication, perseverance and growth they have shown throughout this important year. With final assessments concluding and revision underway, the atmosphere is one of focus and determination, and some stress and excitement too! We acknowledge these last few weeks are about more than just preparing for exams—they are a chance for students to celebrate friendships, reflect on how far they have come in their educational journey to date and take pride in their achievements. We pray for wisdom and perseverance for our Year 12 students and their teachers this holiday break as they attend their VCAA exam preparation sessions and the Units 3&4 Trial exams.
We wish all students and families a restful and refreshing break. Thank you for your continued support of the Secondary School this term, and the busy Term 4 ahead.
Key Dates for Term 4
Tuesday 7th October - Term 4 begins for students
Thursday 9th October - Year 7 Healesville Excursion, Secondary Regional Athletics
Friday 10th October - Wellbeing Fair 2 pm - 6 pm
Thursday 16th October - Year 12 Celebration Day, Year 11 Wellbeing Day
Friday 17th October- Year 12’s Last day and Graduation Ceremony
Monday 20th October - Secondary State Athletics
Tuesday 28th October - Year 12 VCAA exams commence
Wednesday 29th October - Year 11 Biology Excursion
Monday 3rd November - Student Free Day
Tuesday 4th November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Monday 10th - Thursday 13th November - Year 7-11 Exam Week
Friday 14th November - Exam Correction Day, Student Free Day for Secondary Students
Monday 17th November - Headstart for Year 11 and 12 2026
Thursday 20th November - Secondary Celebration of Learning Service, 1 pm - 3 pm
Friday 21st November - PTFA Colour Run
Monday 24th November - Year 12 Valedictory
Friday 28th November - Last Day for Students - Year 10 and 11
Tuesday 2nd December - Year 7 2026 Information Evening, 6 pm
Thursday 4th December - Year 7 - 9 Gumbuya World Day
Friday 5th December - Last Day for Students - Prep - Year 9
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Joanne Rothwell Mrs Amanda Trewin
Head of Middle School Head of Senior School
Year 7 Camp
Coaches from the Summit reflection based on our camp.
What a start! On Monday 1 September 2025, Lakeside College’s Year 8s rolled through The Summit gates buzzing with energy and ready to take on a huge five days of fun, growth, and teamwork. From the very first welcome in the Stadium to the final celebration, your crew brought the vibe, the courage, and the smiles. We loved watching you set goals, back each other, and push past limits together.
The Five Keys
Have Fun
Play All In
Make Lots of Mistakes
Get Uncomfortable
Don’t Go Home Wondering ‘What If’
Activities & Tribe Names
Tribes: 6–7 Princesses, Brave Unicorn Riders, Lemon Sharks, Jet Pack Shrimps, Tellietubbies.
Activities across camp: Leap of Faith, Scavenger Hunt, Sky Bridge, Inflatables, High Wire, Summit Window, Orienteering, Jump Free, Snowy River Challenge, Snake & Nails, Giant Swing, Cave, Flying Fox, Rockwall, Bush Challenge.
Day One – Launch Day
After settling into accommodation, everyone gathered in the Stadium to meet the coaching team and dive into our Five Keys. Down at the BBQ Shelter, icebreakers, minis, and Target–Stretch–Super Stretch set the tone before our first activity rotation and creative time making tribe flags. Big start, big laughs, big heart.
Day Two – Choose Your Day
Coach-led intentions kicked off the morning—owning your attitude no matter the weather, people, or activity. After a warm-up game (Crane–Tiger–Egg), tribes crushed four rotations, then brought the noise with 20-second Tribe Chants judged on creativity, volume, and participation. Massive effort from everyone!
Day Three – The Power of Language
With Coach Mim, we explored how words shape things (yes, even complimenting plants!). After “Jockeys,” we powered through two pre-lunch rotations and three more after lunch. Momentum growing, confidence rising, teams gelling—so good.
Day Four – Physiology & The Monster Course
Coach Cal fired up the morning intentions: move your body, shift your state, lift your team. After three activity rotations, it was time for The Summit’s legendary Monster Course—a full-send, all-in mud run done twice, with the winner decided by biggest improvement time between laps. You showed courage, grit, and world-class teamwork.
Final Day – Gratitude & Greatness
We wrapped with GMICs (Great Moments In Camp), gratitude circles, and one last rotation to truly not go home wondering “what if.” Camp debriefs used Rock, Stick & Leaf—what rocked, what will stick, and what to leave behind. Then it was celebration time for our Values Winners. What a finish!
Tribe Reflections & Tank Time
To honour those who lived the Five Keys all week, our Values Winners (and teachers!) scored an unforgettable hot lap in The Summit Army Tank—a perfect full-throttle finale for a full-throttle camp.
Competition Results
Bush Challenge (fastest times)
Brave Unicorn Riders – 25:26
Tellietubbies – 26:12
Jet Pack Shrimps – 28:31
Lemon Sharks – 29:41
6–7 Princesses – 41:17
Snowy River Challenge (fastest times)
6–7 Princesses – 18:51
Brave Unicorn Riders – 25:43
Jet Pack Shrimps – 25:56
Lemon Sharks – 26:19
Tellietubbies – 26:49
Scavenger Hunt (highest points)
Brave Unicorn Riders – 940
Tellietubbies – 870
Lemon Sharks – 800
Jet Pack Shrimps – 790
6–7 Princesses – 780
Orienteering (highest points)
Tellietubbies – 560
Lemon Sharks – 420
6–7 Princesses – 410
Jet Pack Shrimps – 320
Brave Unicorn Riders – 300
Tribe Chants (out of 90)
Jet Pack Shrimps – 83
Tellietubbies – 70
Lemon Sharks – 66
Brave Unicorn Riders – 62
6–7 Princesses – 53
Rockwall – Team Average (per person)
Lemon Sharks – 5.3
Tellietubbies – 4.6
Brave Unicorn Riders – 3.5
6–7 Princesses – 1.9
Jet Pack Shrimps – 1.0
Monster Course – Biggest Improvement
Brave Unicorn Riders – 15:53
Lemon Sharks – 15:48
6–7 Princesses – 14:20
Jet Pack Shrimps – 11:51
Tellietubbies – 9:34
Values Winners & Special Shout-Outs
6–7 Princesses: Arabella
Brave Unicorn Riders: Maddie
Lemon Sharks: Deng
Jet Pack Shrimps: Katie
Tellietubbies: Melvin
These legends lived the Five Keys—encouraging teammates, embracing challenges, and finding the fun every day. Tank time well earned!
Thank You, Lakeside College!
From monster mud to sky-high wins, you showed courage, care, and commitment. Across 15 activity rotations, two Monster Course laps, and daily games, your teamwork and positivity shone through. Thanks for playing all in and making camp unforgettable—we can’t wait to see what you do next back at school!
— The Summit Coaching Team (Spinks, Mim, Cal, Lucy, Chris)