From the Principal's Desk

 Mid Term Update

It has been a very positive start to the VCE end-of-year examination period, and I want to congratulate our Year 12 students on the positive and focused way they have been completing their final secondary school assessments. The commitment they have shown reflects their preparation and the strong support of their teachers, who have worked to ensure each student is confident and ready. I would also like to remind students and families that 201 remains open every day throughout the examination period as a quiet and supportive space for private study. Class teachers continue to make themselves available to assist students as they revise and prepare for upcoming exams, and I strongly encourage students to take advantage of this support, as we near the final Unit 3&4 exam on November 18. 

Similarly, I would like to congratulate the Year 11’s who have now completed their end of year exams and now begin their Year 12 commencement program. These assessments are more than a measure of student achievement — they are valuable opportunities for students to practice and refine the skills required to perform well under exam conditions. As a College, we place great emphasis on teaching students how to prepare for and complete exams effectively, including time management, reading comprehension, question analysis, and written expression. By embedding these skills within our teaching and learning programs, we ensure that every student gains confidence in demonstrating their learning in formal settings.

The Year 11 into Year 12 Commencement Program has begun, running from 14th to 27th November, provides senior students with an important head start on their VCE studies. This two-week program introduces key coursework, study expectations, and wellbeing supports that enable students to begin Year 12 with clarity and purpose. Similarly, the Year 10 into Year 11 Commencement Program, held 24th to 28th November, focuses on orienting students to the demands of VCE and VCE-VM pathways, helping them build study routines and confidence as they take this next significant step.

At the other end of the secondary school journey, we are excited to be welcoming our 2026 Grade 7 students through an extended transition program, including our Orientation Days on 8th and 9th December. These experiences introduce new students to life at Lara Secondary College, familiarising them with teachers, peers, and learning spaces in a supportive and engaging way that helps reduce nerves and builds excitement for the year ahead.

Collectively, these commencement programs reflect our strong commitment to student growth and wellbeing. They ensure that every student — from incoming Year 7s to those entering their final year — has the structure, confidence, and support needed to make a positive and successful start to the year ahead.

Over the last two weeks our Year 9 students have participated in their camps to Cumberland River and the surrounding Otway’s, bushwalking, cooking their prepared meals on trangias and allowing students to build resilience, teamwork, and independence while connecting deeply with the natural beauty of our environment.

Students in all year levels consistently tell us that camps are among the most memorable experiences offered at school. The challenges presented at all of our camps provides rich opportunities for personal growth and reflection. I would like to thank all staff who continue to give up their personal time to make these camps possible. Their planning, supervision, and encouragement ensure that students not only stay safe but thrive through these rich and rewarding learning experiences. 

I would also like to provide a friendly reminder that electric scooters and bikes are not permitted on school grounds under any circumstances, even if they are walked onto the grounds. We encourage active travel and students are encouraged to walk, ride, scoot and skate to school where practical and store their equipment in the bike shelter for the school day. 

If students arrive to school with an electric scooter and bike, parents/carers will be contacted and asked to collect it. 

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Lara and District Community Bank who continue to support Lara Secondary College. This year they are again significantly subsidising the cost for our students to access our annual leadership camp in addition to their ongoing support of a range of programs from our Academies to us facilitating STEM sessions with our local primary schools. 

Student Collection and Car Park Access  

Thank you to families who have been communicating with us about student absences. We greatly appreciate this and have been working hard to ensure that students are at school as much as possible. Research confirms that there is a strong correlation between students attendance and their social and academic outcomes. All students should be aiming for a minimum of 95% throughout. 

Finally, I would like to again remind families of when they are picking students up during the school day that to minimise disruptions to learning, we kindly ask that student pick-ups be scheduled during our break times to allow continuity of learning. Wherever possible it is best if students know what time they will be picked up. If you do need to collect your child during class time we will not make unnecessary calls to classrooms, as we do not want to disrupt the learning of all students. 

Please see our break times below:

Recess: 10:14-10:35am

Changeover between session 2 & 3: 11:49-11:55am

Lunch: 1:09- 1:50pm

I would also like to give a friendly reminder to please drop off students to school outside of the school gates, the carpark next to the school can be an excellent spot for this. We have experienced issues of congestion in our staff carpark.

 Thank you for your assistance with this. 

Luke Skewes

Principal