Student Engagement & Management
It has been a busy and highly successful term for the majority of our students. One of the highlights has been our Year Level Celebration Assemblies, where students have been recognised for their hard work, commitment and achievements in the classroom. Celebrating student success is at the heart of what we do, and I congratulate all students who have worked diligently throughout the semester.
One of our favourite events each year is the 100% Attendance . It is wonderful to recognise and reward students who have demonstrated outstanding attendance. Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, wellbeing and positive post-school outcomes. We are incredibly proud of the students who have made such a strong commitment to their education.
We also concluded the term with our Careers Expo and Senior School Information Evening. These events provide invaluable opportunities for students and families to explore future pathways and make informed decisions about subject selections and career aspirations. Thank you to the many staff members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the evening such a success.
Finally, our Student Representative Council has begun fundraising efforts towards the production of a school yearbook. As part of this initiative, our senior students ran a BBQ during the Careers Expo and Information Evening. They sold out of everything they had prepared, which was a fantastic result and a great start to their fundraising campaign.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported the event and contributed to its success.
One of the things I genuinely look forward to each year is the opportunity to step away from the daily rhythm of school life and spend time thinking deeply about teaching and learning alongside school leaders from across the state. This year's Principals' Conference in Melbourne did not disappoint. I came away feeling energised, inspired and more excited than ever about the direction we are heading at Lyndale Secondary College.
I wanted to share a little about three of the speakers who really stood out to me, because their ideas connect directly to what we are doing in our classrooms every day and what your children experience as learners.
Dr Carl Hendrick — What Really Works in the Classroom
Dr Carl Hendrick is a former classroom teacher who has spent years studying the gap between what popular teaching trends tell us to do and what research actually shows works for students. He is a widely respected author and speaker whose thinking has influenced educators across Australia and beyond.
What struck me most about his session was how practical and honest it was. Dr Hendrick spoke about how students store and retrieve information, why keeping students busy does not always mean they are learning, and how effective teaching is far more deliberate and purposeful than it may appear from the outside. As a parent myself, I found it reassuring to hear that the approaches underpinning great teaching are grounded in decades of research about how the brain learns, rather than passing fads or trends.
Dr Nathaniel Swain — Explicit Teaching and What It Means for Your Child
Dr Nathaniel Swain is a Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University and one of Victoria's leading voices on evidence-informed teaching. He has been working closely with the Department of Education on the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0, which is the state's framework for effective teaching practice.
At the heart of this model is explicit teaching. Despite the technical name, the idea is quite simple. It means teachers clearly explain what students are going to learn and why, demonstrate how to complete tasks successfully, regularly check for understanding, and provide guided practice before expecting students to work independently.
For us at Lyndale Secondary College, this is not new territory. Explicit teaching is already at the core of what our teachers do, and it was wonderful to see this approach validated so strongly at a state level.
Dr Simon Breakspear — Leading Schools Well
Dr Simon Breakspear is one of those speakers who manages to leave a room full of school leaders both challenged and motivated at the same time. He holds a PhD from Cambridge and has worked with school leaders and education systems across the world. What makes him stand out is that he never loses sight of the human side of schools.
His session focused on what it really takes to lead meaningful and lasting improvement. His message was clear: the schools that continue to improve are not necessarily those with the most elaborate plans, but those with strong cultures, clear priorities and leaders who are genuinely committed to supporting their teachers to grow. He spoke about creating the right conditions for learning, not only for students but also for the adults within a school community.
I share these reflections not to overwhelm you with education theory, but because I believe it is important for families to know that the approaches shaping your child's learning are backed by genuine research and are being championed by some of the brightest minds in education.
At Lyndale Secondary College, we are not standing still. We are always learning, always refining our practice, and always looking for ways to do better for our students and community.
As we head into the holiday break, I would like to thank our students, staff and families for their continued support throughout the semester. I wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable break and look forward to welcoming students back for another successful term.
Diana Kennedy
Assistant Principal
Student Engagement & Management
Lunchtime Music Performances
For the last two weeks on Thursdays at lunchtime, some of our talented Instrumental Music students performed in the canteen in front of their peers.
Our Year 12 students were first to step up to the stage. It was great to see the talent and support among our students.