College Updates
Easter Raffle
We are excited to be hosting an Easter Raffle! Tickets are on sale at the General Office, cash sales only. Money raised will go towards Beyond Blue and the Year 12 Activity Day. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday the 28th of March!
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews are now open for bookings via Compass. The interviews are a great opportunity to meet your student's teacher (or teacher's), and discuss their progress in class. Interviews will be held on Wednesday the 27th (4-7pm) and Thursday the 28th (9-1.30pm) of March.
Please see the photo attached for instructions on how to book in your interview/s.
Year 11 Outdoor Education Camp
On Wednesday February 28 to Friday March 1, the Year 11 Outdoor and Environmental Studies class headed to the Mornington Peninsula for camp. We had many rich learning experiences, the first of which was at Enchanted Adventure in Arthurs Seat. There students participated in the tree-top climbing challenge featuring over 50 aerial obstacles across 5 unique levels including bridges and ziplines linked to tree-based platforms up to 10m high. After lunch we headed to Portsea where we were met by school leader Beau Stump and former Lowanna College student, Charlotte Horter, who now works at BayPlay in Portsea, where we were staying. Once we settled in, we went for a walk to the beach and Portsea Pier. The views were amazing, and views of Port Phillip Bay and the infamous Portsea Hotel did not disappoint. The next morning, we snorkeled around Portsea Pier. We explored the different biomes and saw a vast array of fauna and flora, including the Weedy Sea Dragon, puffer fish, wrasse, and a smooth ray. That afternoon we headed to the Quarantine Station in Point Nepean National Park where we met a local echidna. We also began our Sea Kayak journey there. We learned so much in regards to human threats and impacts, and motivations for outdoor experiences. We even saw some dolphins! The last day we packed up and headed off to Point Nepean National Park, where we explored the history of the area. Overall, it was an awesome camp and brought the class closer together. We learned so much about the Mornington Peninsula, ourselves, and the outdoor experiences we had there!
Written by Mr. Stokes.
Year 12 Outdoor Education Camp
Our Year 12 Outdoor and Environmental Studies students attended camp at the Mornington Peninsula a couple of weeks ago. They walked along coastal dunes and learnt about the history of the area, and also went out on a snorkel charter and heard about the history of Pope's Eye and the Chinaman's Hat. While snorkelling they saw stingray, starfish, many species of fish and the weedy sea dragon.
Compass Canteen
We are excited to launch the new Compass Canteen, where students and parents can pay for canteen items using their Compass Wallet, which is linked to students Compass cards. Please refer below to view the 'How-To-Guide'.
*Please note that the College Canteen takes cash or Compass payments, there are no eftpos facilities.
College Uniform and Uniform Exchange
To view our Uniform Policy, please visit our website.
https://www.lowanna.vic.edu.au/college-uniform/
Our Uniform Exchange ensures that students are in the correct school uniform every day. For more information, please contact the General Office on 5127 9200.
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support at Lowanna College
School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a framework that brings together school communities to develop positive, safe, supportive learning cultures.
SWPBS assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.
When SWPBS is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
- increased respectful and positive behaviour;
- increased time focused on instruction;
- improved social-emotional wellbeing;
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff;
- increased adoption of evidence-based instructional practices and;
- a predictable learning environment with improved perceptions of safety and increased attendance.
Our SWPBS journey began in 2023 where we worked with all students and staff developing our behaviour expectations across the school. All students in Year 7 were delivered lessons through their Learn2Learn classes, based around what these behaviour expectations look like in the various settings across the school. Our SWPBS Team is working with staff and students to develop a common language and approach when dealing with both challenging and prosocial behaviours. Lowanna College values the positive outcomes that SWPBS can deliver, and this will remain an important focus for us in coming years.
Actions to help eliminate bullying
Please see below some helpful tips for parents/guardians to read and share with their students regarding how to help eliminate bullying. The elimination of bullying is a collaborative effort between the school, students, home and community.
Falls Creek Snow Camp EOI's
EOI's now closing Thursday 28 March!
We are currently taking Expressions of Interest for the Falls Creek Snow Camp later this year, which is open to students in Years 7-11. Snow Camp is a highlight of many students schooling, where they have a week of learning how to ski/snowboard as well as making lifelong memories with their school friends and building strong relationships with their teachers.
Dates: 18-23 August 2024
Cost: Approximately $1200-$1400
EOI's close Thursday 28 March. Students will be advised shortly after this if they have been selected to attend. Full payment is due by Friday 19 July.
Express your interest on the link below; https://forms.office.com/r/aYS8ft7z6t
*Please note that this camp is subject to School Council approval.
Year 12 and Sports Academy Group Photos
The Year 12 Group Photo and Sports Academy Group photo are taking place on Tuesday 16 April.
Open Day 2024
This year we are hosting Open Day on Wednesday the 24th of April with an Information Evening for families at 7pm to follow. If your child does not attend a local primary school but you are interested in sending them to Lowanna College, please contact the General Office on 5127 9200.
Medical Action Plans
A reminder to supply Lowanna’s First Aid Team with your child’s medical action plans.
For your convenience, we have attached the following links for action plans (below). Please note that a medical practitioner must fill out and sign the document before returning to the school.
Anaphylaxis Action Plans:
https://www.allergy.org.au/hp/anaphylaxis/ascia-action-plan-for-anaphylaxis
Asthma Action Plans:
Diabetic Action Plans:
Epilepsy & Seizure Management Plans:
Science Update
Our Year 7's have been learning about safety in science and how to use different science equipment, including the Bunsen burner.
Our Year 8's have been learning how to use the microscope and about cells.
Our Year 9's have been learning about ecosystems.
Our Year 10's have been learning about Chemistry and Genetics, and completed flame testing (below).
Science Club
Science Club runs every Thursday lunchtime.
Check out the exciting experiments students have been taking part in (below).
Art Update
Year 7 Art
In Art this term Year 7 students have been exploring Still-Life through the artform of drawing. Students have developed their drawing from observation skills by focusing on different shapes, objects, and compositions. A range of drawing techniques, including shading, hatching, cross-hatching and stippling have allowed students to experiment with creating texture, value and form on the objects in their drawings. We can't wait to see their final drawings progress!
Year 9 Painting and Drawing
Students have been learning about drawing techniques. They have just finished their CATs, demonstrating their observational skills with the ability to use a specific drawing technique.
Students are working on a collaborative ink drawing with traditional and non-traditional materials.
Year 10 Ceramics
Students have been working on finishing up their teapot and mug projects. They have learnt the hand-building technique of slumping.
Year 11 Art Creative Practice
Students have moved into the experimentation and development area of their practice. They have been experimenting with various techniques and mediums in the art form of drawing in their folios.
Art Club
Earlier this week our young artists completed some beautiful paintings at Art Club. Art Club runs every Tuesday at lunchtime in B20.
Year 9/10 Agricultural Studies
Congratulations to Hudson and Jasmine who won the Tallest Plant Competition in Mrs. Stewart's Year 9/10 Agricultural Studies Class. Hudson and Jasmine's secret was watering their plants with peach juice! Other options for watering were rainwater, worm juice, chicken manure, fermented bokashi juice, water from pH 3 to pH 11, fish tank water and town water. What an interesting experiment, well done Hudson and Jasmine!
Italian at Lowanna!
Earlier this term Mrs. Tumino's Year 8 Italian class enjoyed eating cornettos with Nutella and making Italian coffee, allowing students to imagine what it would be like to eat an Italian Breakfast.
Year 7 Humanities
Our Year 7 students have been learning about Ancient Egypt in Humanities, including the importance of The Nile River to their civilisation. Over the course of the term, they have analysed many primary and secondary sources and learnt about the reliability of different sources of information. Some of the students have then used all of this knowledge to create a model of The Nile River.
Their eye for details, creativity, and focus was outstanding!
Clean Up Australia Day
Friday the 1st of March was Clean Up Australia Day! Thank you to Mrs. Judy Stewart for organising a group of staff and students to clean up the area near the Ollerton Avenue Bushland Reserve, next to the college.
