FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Term 1

Welcome to the 2024 school year. We started the year with staff professional learning and time to settle in.  We then welcomed our Year 7 and 12 students on Wednesday 31 January, our Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 students on Thursday 1 February and our Vocational Major students on Friday 2 February.

To those families joining us for the first time, special welcome and thank you to those who were able to attend the Year 7 Information session on day 1.  We are looking forward to a very productive and positive year for all.  

This year your key contact people in each of the Sub Schools are:

JUNIOR SCHOOL

Head of Year 7 - Maddy Ignatiadis            

Head of Year 8 and Junior School - Liz Nevins

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Head of Year 9 - Zoe Younger 

Head of Year 10 and Middle School - Michael Bourne 

SENIOR SCHOOL

Head of Year 11 - Morgan Wyatt           

Head of Year 12 and Senior School - Daniel Toma               

Each Sub School has a team of coordinators who work alongside the Heads of Year Level, please don’t hesitate to contact the relevant Sub School for assistance.

Student Free Dates 2024 

Tuesday 11 June

Assessment & Reporting 

Friday 9 August

Professional Development Day

Friday 22 November

Professional Practice Day

Please note that our Three Way Conference Days are a change in schedule where students attend their scheduled interviews with their parents.  Classes do not go ahead on these two days. 

The dates for them are: 

Friday 8 March - Onsite

Wednesday 21 August  - Online

Attendance

Regular attendance at school is important not only for learning but for social connections and positive mental health. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at school every day making the most of the opportunities available. 

If you are concerned about your child and school attendance, please contact the relevant Sub School or Student Wellbeing. 

Our Wellbeing Team this year are:

• Jane Robbins
• Janine Sayers
• Shannen Bayley
• Kate Fisher
• Candice Richards
• Barkley ..Therapy dog

Uniform

Lilydale High School is a school that requires a uniform. Whilst we have noticed mainly a good level of compliance, we have had cause to speak with a number of students regarding correct shoes and facial piercings. 

The shoes are black polishable hard leather low-heeled school shoe, either lace up or T bars and facial piercings are not to be worn. 

There has also been considerable growth of some students over the summer break which will require adjustments to skirt, short and dress lengths.

As is always the case, any family experiencing financial hardship can contact our Wellbeing Team who will be able to assist.  

Progress Reports

Our first round of progress reports will be available for students and parents/carers on March 7, just prior to Three Way Conference day (March ).

Students will be scored on Effort, Organisation, Behaviour and a Grade Point Average will be provided.  There will then be an allocated time for students to reflect on their report and set goals for the next cycle.  

Teacher Professional Learning 

We had the pleasure of Dr Jodi Richardson presenting a PD on day 1 (Monday 29 January), which centered around anxiety and its causes and some fantastic strategies to deal with it.       

An educational leader, Dr Jodi Richardson is one of Australia's leading lights in managing anxiety and amplifying wellbeing.  She supports parents and teachers to understand anxiety, change their relationship with it, dial it right down and light the way for their children and students to do the same.

Jodi is an international speaker, the best-selling author of 'Anxious Kids' and 'Anxious Mums', a wellbeing science consultant, creator and host of the podcast 'Well, hello anxiety' and a respected media commentator in the wellbeing and parenting space.

Academically accomplished, professionally experienced and intrinsically compassionate, Jodie has commented via The TODAY Show, ABC Breakfast, Studio 10, Sunrise, The Age, Weekend Today and more.  

We are looking to invite Jodi back to do some work with our students, more details to come.