From the Principal

To both our returning and new members of the Lakeside College community, welcome to the 2025 academic year. It was truly a joy to greet our students on their first day back. The excitement on the faces of our new Prep students was absolutely priceless - though I did notice a few parents with tears in their eyes. Our new Year 7 students received a warm welcome from both staff and peers, and it has been wonderful to see them settle into Secondary school life so smoothly.

Moments like these often make me reflect on my own journey as a parent and the milestones we all experience as our children grow and move closer to adulthood. I can still vividly remember taking my youngest child to school on his first day, and the emotion I felt. My wife and I knew that our little one was stepping into the next chapter of his life - no longer the child who spent his days playing, napping, eating, and eagerly waiting for his older brother to return from school. It’s safe to say that we felt a little sadness at the thought of this change. But as the year went on, we were delighted to watch him grow and thrive. It’s these moments of growth, along with the care and compassion we show each other every day here at Lakeside College, that make our community truly special.

Our students’ ability to learn and flourish is deeply tied to feeling safe and supported at school and this is something we are dedicated to ensuring for every student at Lakeside College.

This year, we have also had the pleasure of welcoming new staff members across both our Primary and Secondary schools. On the first day back, we held our annual Installation Service to formally introduce them to our community. 

During this service, new staff publicly commit to serving with love, care, and compassion, while honoring our Lutheran tradition of education. Some of our new staff members are graduate teachers, fresh out of university and stepping into full-time teaching roles. I’ve had the privilege of observing them working with our students and I’ve been truly impressed by their passion, expertise, and the strong rapport they’ve quickly developed with our learners. Taking on a full-time teaching load right after university is a challenging yet rewarding experience - one that offers tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth. I’m confident that this time will be remembered fondly as they build their careers, and I’m proud of how well they’ve been prepared by their university training.

Looking ahead, our strategic focus for 2025 is to further strengthen and solidify our learning culture. This includes actively incorporating student feedback into the teaching process, which helps both students and teachers improve the overall learning experience. When students have the chance to provide input about their learning, it empowers them to take ownership of their education while giving teachers valuable insights into how they can continuously enhance their teaching methods. Our Director of Learning and Growth and I have spent considerable time planning this aspect of our strategic goals and I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress throughout the year.

As I conclude this newsletter, I’d like to share a reflection from; 

1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.” 

It is a powerful reminder that God sees every act of love as significant. Whether it’s holding the door open for someone or simply offering a kind word, no act of love is too small in His eyes. While most of us may not be called to do grand deeds, we can all make a difference through small acts done with great love. You don’t have to help hundreds of people to make a meaningful impact; sometimes, it’s the small acts of kindness toward a friend, a neighbor, or even a stranger that truly matter. Lord, we ask for your blessing as we begin another school year. 

May we all be reminded that every small act of kindness is great in your eyes. 

Amen.

Mr Robert Tassoni

Principal