Lowanna College

Mini School Updates

Junior School Update

Hello from the Junior School.

 

How are we already at Week 5 of Term 2? This year is just flying by. We have had such a great start to Term 2 and hope this continues for the remainder of the term. We have had a busy term with a lot of activities and events and have a lot coming up too. We remind families and students as the weather gets colder to please make sure students are in full school uniform. Tracksuit pants and hooded jumpers are not part of our uniform and cannot be worn.

 

Tech School Visit

Recently, our Year 7 students engaged in a visit to the Tech School in Morwell where they were able to immerse themselves in a world of innovation and creativity. The Tech School visit served as an entry point to expose students to cutting-edge technology that encouraged a deeper understanding of our ever-evolving world.

 

Open Day

We are delighted to report a remarkable turnout at our recent Open Day, where over 500 eager Grade 5 and 6 students from our local primary schools joined us to explore the learning opportunities at Lowanna College. The energy and enthusiasm showed by these young visitors were truly inspiring, reflecting their eagerness to take on high school. 

For those who may have missed our Information Night and are seeking more information for 2025, please feel free to contact the college on 5127 9200.

 

Term 1 RIDGE Award Winners

Congratulations to our RIDGE Award recipients from Term 1. These outstanding individuals have exemplified the core values of Respect, Integrity, Determination, Growth, and Excellence in their everyday school life. We applaud their dedication and commitment to embodying the spirit of our school community. 

 

Congratulations - Shaun Brodie, Cooper Corti, Avah Disisto, Blake Polik, Klohe Sena, Braxton Casey, Jorja Meredith, Mason Boothman, Tehya Bird, Tieran Casey, Hannah West, Jesse Matthews, Marah Xerri, Nicky Dyer, Rheanna O’Connell, Seth Chandler, Taylah Mangion, Destin Peluso, Ellie Smith, Emily Bastin, Kale Ryan, Levi Flintrop, Lilly Forsaith, Lucky Ling, Olivia Ouchirenko and Seth Carroll.

 

Year 7 Home Group Leaders

As we promote a culture of leadership and responsibility, we are thrilled to introduce our Year 7 Home Group leaders for 2024. These students were self-nominated and then voted by their peers. These leaders will serve as mentors and role models and will act as a voice for their peers. Well done to the below students on stepping into this role and we look forward to working with them throughout 2024.

 

7A- Shaun Brodie

7B- Holly Taylor

7C- Jorja Meredith

7D- Hannah Jizba

7E- Willow Bounds

7F- Asha Falls

7G- Violet Jackson

7H- Eva Bantock

 

We would also like to congratulate Shaun Brodie and Holly Taylor on being selected as Year 7 Captains. 

 

Year 8 Excursion to O'Brien IceHouse and ArtVo

Looking ahead, our Year 8 students are gearing up for an exciting excursion to the O'Brien IceHouse and ArtVo in Melbourne as part of our Year 8 Camp Program on Thursday the 13th of June. This immersive experience aims to ignite student's creativity and spark a sense of adventure as well as creating a positive space for interactions with their teachers in an external environment. Permission slips and more information will be coming home soon!

 

Kristy Bannister

Junior School Leader

Middle School Update 

I would like to congratulate the students who participated in the Lowanna Athletics Day - the weather was a bit grey, but the students made the day fantastic with their participation and encouraging their house mates.

 

Our Year 10’s had an assembly facilitated by the Careers Team in preparation for their work experience which will occur in Term 3 from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August. We hope that all Year 10 students are thinking about where they would like to go for their placement to get an idea about what future career pathway they would like to take. 

 

As the weather has become cooler, we ask that students dress for the conditions in the correct uniform. Hoodies under school shirts and tracksuit pants are not permitted. If a student needs assistance, they can attend the Uniform Exchange.

 

We would like to congratulate all of the following students for obtaining RIDGE Awards. These are given to students who continually uphold Lowanna Colleges values of Respect, Integrity, Determination, Growth and Excellence.

 

Year 9

Jax Cowton

Shylah Chak

Shelby Malady-Williams

Cooper Dunn

Makayla Turner

Oricle Ling

Dempsey Ryan

Nevaeh Gordon

 

Year 10

Jack Airey

Claire Osborne

Bodie Wendt

Isabella Walravens

Dominic Booth

Darries Kam

Summer Krznaric

Jakson Palmer

Matilda Wood

 

The Middle School have been running some fun activities in the homegroups with students playing 1% questions with prizes given to the participants. Staff have also been taking on students during recess and lunchtime with table tennis.

 

We would like to remind students of the phone policy; all student phones need to be in lockers (or stored away) and turned off between 8.45am and 3pm, or they can be placed in the phone lockers in the Middle School and picked up at the end of the day. If a student's phone has been confiscated it will need to be picked up by a parent. Students are more than welcome to use the Middle School Office phone if they need to contact home, and parents can always call the Middle School Office to deliver a message to students.

 

I also ask all students to try to achieve 100% attendance. While there are circumstances such as illnesses or family issues that are unavoidable, absences impact highly on student outcomes. If your student needs to be absent, please enter it on Compass or contact the Middle School on 5127 9246.

 

The Middle School Team would like to acknowledge the students on their fantastic start to the term and we look forward to building a strong and positive culture with them, both in and out of the classroom.

 

Daniel Board

Middle School Leader

Senior School Update 

It’s been a busy yet productive start to Term 2 for students and staff alike.

Our College Athletics Day in Week 1 was a fantastic opportunity for our senior students to showcase their athletic talents and sportsmanship. Thank you to all the participants, organisers, and supporters who made the day fun and memorable.

 

Thank you to our school leaders and students for their respectful participation and engagement during their attendance at the local ANZAC Day ceremonies. It is heartening to see our young minds embrace the values of remembrance and gratitude, ensuring that the legacy of the ANZAC's live on for generations to come.

 

In Week 3, 36 Year 11 students attended the VCE Camp over three days in Melbourne. This wonderful event allowed students to explore and gain a better understanding of their pathway options after school. Students had campus visits to RMIT, Melbourne University, Deakin University, Torrens University, and Monash University. Students also attended the VCE Careers Expo at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, getting to see and speak with over 100 exhibitors and universities to help to inform their future career aspirations. It wasn’t all serious, with students also enjoying a movie, some bowling and arcade games and restaurants. A huge thank you must go to the Careers Team for all the planning and preparation that went into making this camp such a success, as well as the staff that attended.

 

On the topic of Careers, our Year 12 VCE students this week attended the annual Tertiary Information Session at Federation University which showcased the options for further study for our Lowanna students, and discussed some of the considerations including VTAC applications, budgeting and accommodation. It’s been great to hear the excitement and conversations following on from these events, as well as watching students plan the steps needed to help turn their dreams into reality.

 

Over the coming weeks students will be participating in the Department of Education's annual Attitudes to School Survey. This is a great way to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school and the feedback helps to drive ongoing school improvement. The survey will take around 20 minutes and students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.  If you have any questions, please contact the school.

 

Towards the end of this term Years 10 and 11 students will be undertaking mid-year exams. Thorough revision and effort in exams during these middle years lays a strong foundation for success in Year 12. Students should set high expectations for their own achievement and seek advice and support from their teachers, including factoring in feedback received during the semester as well as feedback discussed at parent teacher interviews. We wish all students the best of luck in their exams. 

At home, students can be supported by implementing the following recommendations:

  • Providing a quiet study space at home free from distractions,
  • Encouraging attendance at after school study sessions,
  • Encouraging your child to eat well and get plenty of sleep,
  • Encouraging students to limit social engagements around this time, including their use of social media. Students should focus solely on their studies during study time, without distraction from Instagram, scrolling on TikTok, and other apps.

 

Senior School staff are looking forward to celebrating and enjoying the Senior School Formal on Friday 14 June at the Moe Racing Club. This is a great opportunity for students to dress up and celebrate the end of the mid-year exam period before refocusing for Semester 2 and Headstart to round out the term.

 

A few reminders about expectations of the College. We understand that many students gain their license during the year – this is an exciting rite of passage to adulthood. In line with Department of Education policy and to ensure the safety of our students, students who drive to school must not leave the property in their car during the school day. They are also not permitted to transport friends unless parental permission has been obtained. All students are also expected to attend school (including home group) every day unless they are unwell or have scheduled appointments that cannot be made outside of school time. Any absences should be accompanied by a medical certificate or other documentation as appropriate. It should be noted that in line with VCAA procedures and policy, where a student has completed all tasks satisfactorily but there has been a substantive breach of attendance rules, the school must assign ‘N’ for one or more outcomes and thus the Unit. Lowanna College has agreed that an ‘N’ can be given for a Unit if a student’s attendance for that Unit falls below 80%, thus preventing the student from ‘satisfactorily completing’ the Unit. Approved absences (illness, etc.) are not included in this figure.

 

Finally, as we continue to move through Term 2, I seek your support in reinforcing our school’s core values of respect, integrity, determination, growth and excellence with your child. It’s important that we consistently encourage our students to embody these values in their daily actions both in and out of the classroom. Kindness and demonstrating the best versions of themselves are qualities we want to instill in all of our students.

 

Nicole Taylor 

Senior School Leader