From the Principal

Welcome to 2024!

I am very pleased to say that this year has commenced very smoothly with a number of new students joining us in both Prep and Year 7. Transitioning to a new school or starting school for the first time can be a daunting experience for young people. I watched with great interest as I saw our youngest students, our Preps, commence school for the first time. I could see in their faces that classic mix of excitement and nervousness about what life at school will be like. In checking in with our new Preps during the days following their arrival, I was delighted to see how settled and happy they were in their classrooms, interacting with each other and their new teachers. I congratulate all of our Prep students on making such a great transition to school and I look forward to spending more time with them as the year progresses.

Our new Year 7 students have also settled into life at Secondary School well. Students who moved across to the middle school from Lakeside College have settled into their new surrounds beautifully. I was so proud to see them taking Year 7 students completely new to Lakeside College under their wings and making them feel welcome. I was also impressed with the way in which our older Middle School students went out of their way to assist our Year 7 students who are still navigating a different timetable and learning environment. Hats off to all teachers and school leaders involved in the transition process!

Many of you may have noticed a significant number of changes to our outdoor areas. In particular, the inclusion of some new outdoor furniture. This furniture was purchased with the aim of not only providing extra seating areas for students, but to allow learning to take place outside of the classroom. I know many teachers have already made use of this

furniture for outside classwork – I certainly have with my Year 9 Humanities class. One of the most important things about having this furniture is that it provides students with a more flexible learning environment. All students are unique and have a particular style or way in which they like to learn. Having this new furniture supports students to do this.

After parents, teachers probably have the most profound impact on the formation of young people. The calling of a teacher is sacred and their responsibility great. Those who can look back fondly upon the wise instruction of a beloved teacher are lucky indeed. We are thankful for all of our teachers and for the important gifts they bring to their ministry. In Colossians chapter 2 versus 2 to 3 we read:

“I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of Gods mystery, that is, that Christ himself, in

whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

We ask God to bless all of our teachers, so that they guide and nurture those for whom they are responsible and that they will always be guided by God’s grace.

Mr Robert Tassoni

Principal