Secondary News

Dear Families

On behalf of the Middle and Senior staff of Lakeside College we warmly welcome you to Term 1 of a new school year. We hope you have had a very peaceful and relaxing Christmas and New Year break. We very much look forward to working with your students in what promises to be another exciting school year. Whilst Term 1 is a shorter term this year, it is sure to be a busy one with many exciting school and sporting events on our College calendar.

Our Year 11 and 12 students have already had their retreat programs, enjoying time away on the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island. Both staff and students enjoyed many fun and exciting activities and enjoyed the time spent together to strengthen friendships and prepare for the busy year ahead.

In Term 1 students are required to wear their summer uniform on days they do not have Physical Education, including a hat. Over the summer break, Mr Tassoni emailed all families the updated uniform policy, and this has been discussed with all students in their Homerooms. Should you have any questions surrounding the uniform policy, please email your child’s Homeroom teacher.

A reminder to all parents/guardians that Monday 26th February is a student-free day across the College due to the Pastoral Care Interviews. Please be sure to check your emails to receive the link to make time to meet with your child’s Homeroom Teacher.

Yours sincerely,

Key dates for Term 1

Tuesday 20th February- Intermediate and Senior Volleyball
Wednesday 21st February- Year 7-9 Parent Information Evening from 6.00 pm
Thursday 22nd February - Year 7 Excursion to Royal Botanical Gardens
Monday 26th February- Pastoral Care Interviews (Student-free day)
Friday 1st March - Checkpoint Reports released to families
Tuesday 5th March- Secondary Division Swimming Carnival
Monday 11th March- Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 12th March- Year 7 Volleyball
Wednesday 13th March- Monday 18th March- NAPLAN for years 7 & 9.
Thursday 14th March- Year 8 Volleyball
Tuesday 19th March- Friday 22nd March- Year 7 Camp
Thursday 21st March- Harmony Day
Thursday 28th March- Checkpoint reports released to families
Thursday 28th March- Last day of Term 1

Term Awards

The Secondary school will again be presenting students with term awards in each year level, which will be presented at the end of the each term. These awards are to acknowledge positive choices and efforts of our student cohort in each year level, separate to our Learn , Care and Achieve awards that are given at our Thanksgiving Services.

Areas of focus in 2024 are:

Wears College uniform correctly
Engages positively with peers and staff
Demonstrates resilient behaviours
Demonstrates enthusiasm and a keen interest in learning

School TV

SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.

SchoolTV topics are conveniently arranged into a number of series. Topics feature interviews with leading youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world offering hours of relevant and practical information. Additionally, each topic includes a compilation of related resources from key organisations providing a comprehensive stream of content. Resources include informative fact sheets, articles, apps, books, podcasts, websites, and other videos - all related to a single topic, in one place for easy access!

Topic Series:

Cybersafety
Mental Health
School Survival
Healthy Body
Positive Parenting
Diversity and Inclusion
Special Reports

School TV can be accessed via Parent Lounge. It is under the School Links Tab and in the Parent Resources section.

School TV Flyer.pdf

Yours sincerely

Mrs Joanne Rothwell Mrs Amanda Trewin

Head of Middle School Head of Senior School

Year 12 Camp

During the second week of the school, us Year 12’s were privileged to a 3-day retreat to Phillip Island with our friends and teachers, allowing us to bond with each other, as well as forming memories that will last beyond our school years.

After we arrived at Phillip Island on the first day, we went on a brisk walk along Cape Woolamai with all of our friends, visited some animals at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm, and then headed off to the accommodation. We were immediately greeted by the friendly staff, who quickly showed us to the second floor, where we would all be staying. The accommodation included a spacious kitchen, social area and a games room, all freely accessible on the second floor of the building, which was reserved for Lakeside students and staff to enjoy. After settling in, we headed off to the Nobbies Centre to enjoy the ‘Arctic Experience’, where Mr Tassoni kindly bought us all some ice cream. Finally, we made our way to the penguin parade, where we all eagerly awaited the arrival of over 100 penguins to the island shore. Shortly after 10 PM, we headed back off to the accommodation where we would all get a good night’s sleep, despite the late-night chatter.

Year 12 camp was a fantastic experience filled with joy and excitement. The second day kicked off with a visit to a Koala Conservation Reserve, where we were able to see several koalas and enjoyed a short trail walk in the lovely weather. Just across the road, we walked to A Maze N Things, where we played a few rounds of golf and were able to see some optical illusions, this was especially exciting for us Psychology students as we were able to see the "Ames illusion" first hand and finished off with a maze. Shortly after we had a delightful lunch in the rotunda and soon set out for our next adventure at YCW beach, where surfing lessons became the highlight of the day. With the guidance of the instructors, the majority of us were able to catch some waves and create many memories. The day concluded with warm pizzas and a visit to Clip and Climb, where we had some friendly competition.

On day three, we started our morning with the final breakfast followed by us all packing our bags in preparation for the journey back to the college. We made sure not to leave Phillip Island without visiting the iconic chocolate factory. Inside the chocolate factory, we were able to learn about the process of making chocolate, as well as playing a couple of rounds in the arcade and making our own chocolate creations. We finished our trip to the chocolate factory by purchasing souvenirs and being served by the cafe robot. Before we departed on the last leg of the journey, we had a short stay at San Remo where we ate a nutritious lunch and were able to watch the pelicans be fed. We then promptly returned back to the college back where we had started our retreat on Wednesday.

We all ended the retreat relaxed and ready for the school year ahead.

Jeremy, Makiah & Tanisha

Year 11 Camp

The Year 11 Cohort recently enjoyed their annual camp to Golden Valleys at Flinders. The camp aims to build friendships across the year level and foster a sense of community within the group. Our campers are offered challenges like the Zipline, Vertical Challenge Giant Swing and Leap of Faith to build their confidence in overcoming challenges and activities such as Archery, the Obstacle Course to test their teamwork and critical thinking skills.

Opportunities like camps are a wonderful means of nurturing independence and rising to the challenges set before them. Our Year 11 students embraced the spirit of ‘challenge by choice’ going beyond their expectations to surprise themselves with their success! It was a pleasure to spend such a great time with our terrific students beyond the classroom.

Huge thanks to the staff who made this experience possible and the accompanying teachers: Miss Rochelle Rabba, Mrs Regi David and Mr Ben Hillard.

Ms Michelle Roberts

Homeroom/Wellbeing Coordinator Years 10-12