Melissa Harford - Head of Primary & Director of Learning and Growth 

Dear Lakeside Community,

Having been part of this wonderful community for the past six years, it is a particularly special feeling to step into the role of Head of Primary. 

It is a privilege I do not take lightly. Shaping the learning journeys of our students is a great responsibility, and a deeply meaningful one. I am wholeheartedly committed to serving our Lakeside community in this new capacity, and I want you to know that I will also be continuing in my role as Director of Learning and Growth. So please, if questions arise in that space, I remain very much available.

What continues to inspire me each day is the character of our students. They are loving, compassionate and wonderfully curious learners who engage with one another and genuinely serve each other. It brings me great joy to see every student striving for excellence, not simply in academic pursuits, but in becoming the very best version of themselves.

I have also had the honour recently of sitting in on our Prep interviews for 2027. Meeting our future community members has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my early weeks in this role. What struck me time and again is why families choose Lakeside. It is not something that can easily be put into words, but families feel it the moment they walk through our doors, a genuine, wholehearted care. Not just from our teachers, but from our students and families too. There is a deep belief here in the worth of each and every child, and that is something truly special.

Speaking of community, I want to say thank you! Your commitment to partnership with us is evident in so many ways, not least in the wonderful turnout we saw for Parent Teacher Interviews. That level of engagement is a testament to the investment our families make in their children's education, and we are deeply grateful for it.

A very special mention must go to our PTFA, which organised a beautiful Mother's Day stall for our students. It is one of those lovely moments that means so much to so many, but it is just one example of the countless quiet, behind-the-scenes things our PTFA do to support our students and enrich school life. Their dedication and generosity do not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for everything they bring to our community.

We also had the joy of celebrating our school's 20th birthday. What a milestone! While the weather had other ideas and our carnival was not quite meant to be on the day, the spirit and excitement were very much alive. Rest assured, the carnival is coming later in the year, and it will be amazing. In the meantime, we will practise our patience and enjoy the anticipation!

There is never a quiet moment in our Primary school, and that is exactly how we like it! Whether it be our Book Fair, National Simultaneous Storytime, camps, excursions, or the deep and rich learning happening every day in our classrooms, we strive to offer our students experiences that shape them as humans and allow them to truly flourish. One particularly exciting development has been our Year 2 students visiting Millhaven Lodge, where they have had the joy of meeting new people and learning from our remarkable elderly citizens. These intergenerational connections are priceless, and the warmth shared on both sides has been beautiful to witness.

Our Year 6 students have also been shining brightly, leading their own Wellbeing Fair to our community. This is a wonderful example of our senior students taking ownership of something that truly matters and sharing it with our students. It is exactly the kind of initiative that speaks to the heart of what we hope to nurture in our young people. Meanwhile, our Preps continue to do amazing work building a classroom culture of belonging, establishing from the very beginning what it means to welcome others and create a community where everyone is valued.

Our student leaders have also been busy, with Leadership Training Days for our Student Ambassadors strengthening their skills and sense of purpose. Our Year 5 students are gearing up for their Walk My Way service project in support of ALWS, and we were thrilled to welcome the incredible Emma Vulin, who met with Year 5 to empower them to use their voices to advocate for others. We have no doubt they will rise to the occasion beautifully. And of course, these are just some of the snapshots of life in our Primary school. Behind every one of these moments is a talented and dedicated team who work tirelessly to create these opportunities for our students, and students who welcome them with open hands, open hearts and open minds. I could not be prouder of both.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing contribution to our community. Your partnership truly makes all the difference and we look forward to a wonderful next couple of weeks.

A couple of reminders:

• We are now in full winter uniform. Please ensure your child comes dressed each day accordingly. If there are uniform supply issues, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher.

   

• We value open communication and warmly encourage you to reach out to your child's classroom teacher if you have questions or concerns, as they are your first point of contact. Please do not hesitate - we are always here to help.

Kind Regards,

Melissa Harford

Head of Primary /Director of Learning and Growth