From The Principal Class

Welcome

A warm welcome to Term 4 and a very special welcome to the students and families who are joining our school community for the first time this year. We wish you all the very best for your time at Taylors Lakes Secondary College. If, as parents, you have any questions or concerns about your child’s program or how they are settling in, please feel free to call your son or daughter’s Year Level Leader. We also welcome Ms Elenoar Chan who joins us this term teaching Mathematics and Ms Bianca Alessi supporting the Careers and Pathways Team.

Congratulations to all of students who have successfully involved themselves in a range of different activities over recent months from Camps, Study Tours, Sport, Performing Arts, Work Experience, Leadership Programs and Competitions. So much has occurred at the college during this time and we hope you enjoy reading about them in the college newsletter.

Year 12 Celebrations

At the end of last month, we said farewell to the Year 12 class of 2023. It was a lovely occasion, and a fitting tribute to a really delightful, caring and thoughtful group of young people. Lots of emotions were witnessed from the students as they celebrated their final day of school on Thursday, October 19th  2023.

Their costumes were creative and colourful, and the students, although sad at leaving, enjoyed the wonderful celebration of them and their time at the school. After being clapped into school for the last time by Year 7 students in a guard of honour, students participated in a day full of activities.  After the assembly, they were invited to a 'Last Lunch' where they enjoyed a feast of food and then danced in the afternoon. Many, many photos were taken to capture their last official school day, and their treasured friendships.  The last song brought tears to many students and it took them a very long time to exit the grounds once the festivities were over.

Thank you to the senior sub-school team and all of the other teachers that organised a lovely day; and to the Year 12’s who celebrated with joy and respect and, again made us so proud to work with them.

I would like to acknowledge the amazing contributions of Belle Botoulas, Caitlyn Derks and Ava Josifovska as school captains this year and many thanks also go to all of the Year 12 student leaders. I have been incredibly impressed with the work being done by these student leaders and the wonderful support they continuously provide their peers.

All the best for the upcoming examinations and we look forward to seeing Year 12 students at their Formal Evening on Thursday November 16th 2023 and with their families at the Year 12 Graduation on Tuesday November 28th 2023.

Senior School Examinations

As we approach the end of the year, our Year 10 to 12 students are busy preparing for the end of year exams. Our Year 12 VCE students are just undertaking  their VCAA exams and will continue until Wednesday, November 15th 2023. VCE teachers have prepared them very well and we wish each and every student well as they complete these exams.

Year 11 VCE students will start their Semester 2 exam on Monday, November 13th 2023. These will be completed on Friday, November 17th  2023. Year 10 Semester 2 exams will run from Monday, November 20th to Friday, November 24th 2023. Year 10, 11 and 12 students are only expected to be at school for their exams. It is expected that students use the times between exams when no classes are running for exam revision and preparation. We wish all our students all the very best with their exams. Good luck can be created with good preparation. Year 10 and 11 examinations will be followed up with a week long orientation program where all VCE students are expected to attend. 

2024 College Bell Times

Over the last few months, the school has been working on reviewing the bell times for 2024 in line with the changes within the new Victorian Government School Schools Agreement 2022. Each lesson in 2024 will be 48 minutes in length (a reduction by 1 one minute). Recess will be 25 minutes and lunch will be 50 minutes in length. The school day will commence at 8:50 am and still finish at 3:04pm. 

8:45am - 8:50am      Warning Bell

8:50am - 9:00am       Homegroup

9:00am - 9:48am       Period 1

9:48am - 10:36am     Period 2

10:36am - 11:02am  Recess (Warning Bell rings at 10:53am)

11:02am - 11:50am  Period 3

11:50am - 12:38pm  Period 4

12:38pm – 1:24pm   Lunch ( Warning Bell rings at 1:16pm)

1:28pm - 2:12pm      Period 5

2:12pm - 3:00pm      Period 6

2024 Student Booklists

Years 7 - 11 students and parents will soon be receiving their booklists via Compass for next year. Parents should note that a number of textbooks will be changing across all year levels due to changes to the college's curriculum in line with the Victorian Curriculum Standards. 

Danny Dedes

On Behalf of Assistant Principals - Rick Hudson, Sasha Mildenhall and Louisa Norwood.