Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to our first community newsletter for 2024.

Time flies by so quickly it seems. I have enjoyed greeting returning students, all of whom seem to have grown in stature and / or maturity. Our young people are really a great source of pride, and I’m greatly looking forward to celebrating their achievements of all kinds through our re-vamped values rewards program, which will see our students recognised every week for their personal qualities and all kinds of efforts and endeavour. Through the new rewards program, I’m doubly excited that I will have the opportunity to write personally to families of students who feature regularly in our rewards program.

Our administration office has been a very busy place since opening again in January. Community members often speak to me about the high level of service they experience when they enter the college administration office. We are so grateful to this endlessly patient and hardworking ‘front of house’ team that juggles many tasks – seemingly at once. Again, many new enrolments are processed every week, systems managed with aplomb, communications relayed, enquiries expertly handled, and caring, proactive attention given to everyone who enters our doors. Please take the time to express gratitude to this wonderful team – we are so proud of their diligence and bright, responsive and re-assuring presence.

The first day back for all students was joyous. Of course, there is the inevitable need to come back to those familiar routines in learning, adjust our body clocks, and re-acquaint ourselves with peers and friends. Activities on day one provided just this opportunity, with the working together on positive projects including goal setting, and expression of hopes and plans for the year in colourful wooden bracelets and hand painted tiles. This pause in getting down to subject curriculum gives staff and students a chance to focus upon support and appreciation for each other and the year ahead.

Our year 7s have started brilliantly. They are a wonderful bunch and this year it has been necessary to add an additional class, as well as an extra Engagement Leader, to Junior School as our numbers of students at year 7 have nearly doubled as more and more families become aware of the Northern suburbs ‘best-kept secret’ in education at Lalor North Secondary College. I met all of the new students when speaking with them about our college values of Imagination, Belief and Courage on their first day. Such an exciting time for all of us.

Our Senior students also launched into a preparation program to equip them with timely knowledge and advice about the year ahead. We seek to build strong confidence and determination among these students, no matter their pathway in Senior School – I congratulate all at years 11 and 12 for their near perfect attendance upon return, and I look very much to understanding and sharing their ideas and dreams for achievement – to make sure they become reality.

As always, if I can assist anyone in anyway, please contact Jackie Cujic in Administration who will make an arrangement for you to speak with me personally. Warm wishes to all for a wonderful term one!

Timothy Cottrell

Principal

Interschool Basketball