From the Principal's Desk

End of Term Update

As we move towards the end of another busy term, there is plenty to celebrate at Lara Secondary College.

Firstly, congratulations to Seth and Annelise, who will join Ella George in representing young people through the Geelong Youth Council this September. This is a significant honour and a wonderful opportunity for our students to have their voices heard and contribute to conversations that affect young people across our region. We are extremely proud to see Lara students stepping forward in this way.

Our Year 12 students are also entering an important period. For our VCE students, the final push towards exams is well underway, with students intensifying their preparation and making the most of the remaining weeks of classes. Our VCE Vocational Major students are completing their final outcomes also and preparing for the next stage of their lives, including further training, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment. I encourage all of our Year 12 students to finish strongly and take advantage of the support available from their teachers.

It has also been an extraordinary period for opportunities beyond the classroom. Two groups of Lara students have recently travelled internationally, with Pak Walker leading our Indonesian trip and our Rugby Academy travelling to France. Experiences such as these provide students with opportunities to develop independence, confidence and a much broader understanding of the world. It has been fantastic to see them all doing so well and having a great time. 

Our Rugby Academy continues to achieve outstanding results, with our Under 18 Boys becoming Victorian state schools champions and our Under 18 Girls finishing as runners-up. Congratulations also to our Cricket Academy, which recorded its first win of the year in their first match so far, including what I am reliably informed was a world class catch! Our music students also represented the College exceptionally well during their performances in Torquay last wee - fantastic to see such talent amongst our Lara student community.

At the end of this term, we farewell Ms Perkins and thank her for her contribution to our school. Ms Friend will take over her classes, helping to provide continuity for students.

Families may also notice some changes next year. Arthur Reed Photography will become our school photography provider. A number of photographs will be taken of each student, with families able to view and select images through an online portal, choose from a range of packages and have their orders delivered directly to them.

Also, I want to flag an important expectation for 2027 regarding headphones. In 2027, mobile phones and headphones should be kept in students’ lockers during the school day. Headphones should not be worn during teacher instruction, while a class is being addressed, when speaking with staff, or during recess and lunchtime. This supports attentive learning as well as the social connection and positive interactions we want to encourage across our school.

We recognise that some students with diagnosed conditions may require noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs as a reasonable adjustment to support their learning. Where this is required, it will need to be supported by appropriate medical documentation and approved through our Disability and Inclusion processes, consistent with relevant VCAA requirements.

Thank you again to our students, staff and families for their contribution to what has been another positive and productive term at Lara Secondary College. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and well-earned break, and I look forward to seeing our students return ready for a strong finish to 2026.

Andrew McConchie

Acting Principal