Secondary News

Dear Families,

With Term 2  well and truly underway, our Middle and Senior Classrooms have been filled with exciting learning and development for all our students.  

In recent weeks we have celebrated many exciting events including the ‘Girls in Physics’ breakfast, which saw some of our senior female students travel to the Century Inn in Traralgon for the opportunity to network with other students over a shared love of Science, in particular Physics. The College extends its thanks to Mr Nevil Schultz for making this opportunity available to our students who thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from this amazing experience.

A gentle reminder to all families, that all students should be wearing their full winter uniform to school, except for days when they have PE. The College has noticed an increased number of students with their nose pierced and we ask for your support, that if you permit your child to have their nose pierced, they must wear a clear nose ring to school that is not easily visible. 

The College wishes to advise that School photos will be held on Friday 14th June.  All families should have received an email from our administration team with the ordering information for the school photos.  Please note, all students must wear their full winter uniform (including blazer for Secondary students) on photo day.  Should your child not have any items of the winter uniform, we ask that you reach out to their Homeroom teacher so we can work together to arrange this.  Please send your child to school with a pair of runners if they have PE timetabled on this day. 

On behalf of our College staff, we warmly invite you all to attend our annual mid-year Thanksgiving Service, held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Thursday 27th June. This is a wonderful event where we come together to celebrate and acknowledge our students and present our Learn, Care and Achieve awards to the deserving recipients in areas of dedication to their learning, personal growth and development including the care of others and their academic achievements. The Secondary service will be held from 1.30 pm- 2.45 pm and the Primary service from 5.30 pm- 7.00 pm.  We hope to see you all there. 

There are still many events still to come in Term 2, which we eagerly await and give thanks for: 

Key dates for Term 2

• Friday 31st May - House Athletics
• Wednesday 5th June - Years 7-10 Cyber Safety Incursion
• Thursday 6th June - Senior Boys and Girls Basketball
• Thursday 6th June - PTFA Popcorn Day
• Friday 7th June - Year 9 Sovereign Hill Excursion
• Monday 10th June - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Tuesday 11th June - Year 7 Boys and Girls Soccer
• Wednesday 12th June - Year 8 Netball
• Thursday 13th June - Winter Recital
• Friday 14th June - School Photos
• Monday 17th June - Exam Week Years 10 & 11
• Monday 17th June - Secondary Girls AFL
• Tuesday 18th June - GAT for students doing a Unit 3 & 4 subject
• Thursday 20th June - Secondary Regional Cross Country
• Monday 24th June - Year 8 Boys and Girls Soccer
• Tuesday 25th June - Wear Pink for Breast Cancer
• Thursday 27th June - Thanksgiving Service
• Friday 28th June - Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies Excursion
• Friday 28th June - Term 2 ends, Semester 1 reports released to families

Helping your child cope with exam anxiety

With exam season just around the corner, it’s no surprise that a majority of students — and parents too — are feeling anxious right now.

What can parents do to help soothe their children and not let them go down the dark path of anxiety? The first step is to look out for the signs of anxiety, say experts.

“Anxiety often is accompanied by signs of restlessness or fatigue during waking hours, problems in concentration or sleepiness during the day, accompanied by muscular tension or trouble in sleeping at night,” said Irena Constantin (M.Phil), an educational psychologist at Scott Psychological Centre.

“It’s important to pay attention to your child’s feelings and signs of anxiety and to stay calm when your child becomes anxious about a situation like exams.”

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR

Dr Sara Delia Menon, a clinical psychologist at Alliance Counselling, suggested that parents determine if the anxiety is proportionate to the stressor and compare their child’s response to past behaviour.

So, for instance, greater anxiety can be expected for national or other milestone examinations, compared to class tests.

It’s also important to look out for changes that are out of character. She cited examples such as mood changes, changes in social interaction or differences in activity level.

If these changes are temporary — lasting no more than a few hours — and related to a specific trigger, such as being scolded by a teacher or parent, and infrequent, the stress response is likely to be normal.

“However, it warrants further exploration if the changes in your child’s behaviour are more long-lasting, are not associated with specific triggers and occur on a regular basis,” said Dr Menon.

If your children are indeed going through an anxious phase, you should let them know that you are there for them. Constantin said one can provide support by accepting your child’s feelings and empathising with his or her situation.

“Anxiety is a very scary feeling and your child needs the reassurance that you’re together with him,” she said.

“Make sure you’re taking the child’s feelings seriously and providing a good balance between learning and playing, together with healthy food and enough sleep.”

Constantin also pointed out the importance of recognising small accomplishments and not punishing mistakes. In fact, allowing your child to make mistakes can actually be used as a motivator.

“We do learn from our mistakes,” she explained. “Mistakes force us to rethink and reflect what went wrong so we avoid doing the same ‘learning mistakes’ next time. Reflecting is a good tool and will help your child decrease his anxiety levels and to gain control over the exam situation.

“Keep going on as a parent to believe in your child and encourage him to go ahead even if they have failed,” she added.

THOUGHTFUL ACTS

Dr Menon recommended reassuring children that exam stress is normal in the short term and to draw on past instances where your child successfully managed a stressful situation, to provide hope and motivation.

Parents should also certainly spread the love, in order to “affirm your child’s self-worth”, she said.

For example, you can engage in acts of thoughtfulness such as making your child’s favourite meal, provide verbal praise or positive feedback that includes but isn’t limited to academic achievement, and give your child generous amounts of affection, through hugs, kisses and loving words.

While you’re at it, make sure that your child is getting the right amount of sleep and level of concentration during this exam period.

“Reinforce the importance of rest and maintain pockets of time for leisure or relaxation even during the examination period,” urged Dr Menon.

“Try to plan a study schedule with your child in advance and emphasise consistent hard work, rather than last-minute panic. Also always send the message to your child that their well-being is ultimately most important.”

Since exam season is also a stressful time for parents, experts said it’s essential that they too, look after themselves.

Dr Menon proposed separating your own feelings from your child’s feelings, and to be aware of and manage your personal stress and tiredness.

“Many parents overreact to their children after a long day at work because they have other demands on their time and energy,” she said.

“Try and build in self-soothing activities like deep breathing, or physical activity like walking to prevent an escalation of conflict with your child.”

Not only will this help ease any tense situation in the home, it can perhaps also help your child cope better with exam stress, knowing that parents aren’t seemingly unnecessarily haranguing them.  

“Learning is challenging enough; scolding, threatening or bargaining with your child is not going to get him or her to learn any faster,” Menon said.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Joanne Rothwell                                                                                          Mrs Amanda Trewin

Head of Middle School                                                                                      Head of Senior School

Girls in Physics Breakfast

Three of our year 10 students were attendees at a very successful Girls in Physics Breakfast in Traralgon on Friday 17th May.  The event is part of an ongoing series run by the Vic Physics teacher organisation. Among the guests they sat with at the tables were six women from the

 RAAF base at East Sale.  Their various career paths include helicopter pilot, air traffic controller, maritime aircrew, aviation training, electrical engineer and weapons officer, and aviation instructor. The students had lots of questions for them as well as the other guests and the speaker, Natalie Clements, a leading medical physicist.

Comments from our students:

• A Warm-up get-to-know-you activity at the start gave us the confidence to get 2-way communication happening really well!
• There were many successful leaders there in Engineering, the ADF (RAAF), nurses and doctors who were excellent role models for us giving us plenty of ideas for the future
• We were able to talk to other people in STEM fields who shared with us valuable personal experiences in their careers
• An ADF representative was at each of the tables who told us about their rewarding professional life, generous training and exciting job prospects.

Mr Nevil Schultz

Physics Teacher

Interschool Chess Tournament

The recent Northern Star Chess Competition held at Pakenham Secondary College was not just a platform for friendly rivalry; it was a stage where talent blossomed, and dreams took flight. Every student from Lakeside College who participated contributed to the vibrant tapestry of the event, showcasing their passion for chess and their commitment to excellence. From the seasoned players to the newcomers, each one brought their unique strengths and insights to the board, enriching the experience for all involved.

Amidst the intense matches and friendly rivalries, one name stood out: Zac Matar, a student whose exceptional performance earned him a well-deserved spot to represent Lakeside College at the state level. With each move, he demonstrated a deep understanding of the game, earning the admiration of his peers and the recognition of Northern Star Chess selectors. His selection to play at the state level is not just a personal triumph but a source of pride for the entire school community.

Northern Star Chess Competition was not just about winning or losing; it was about the invaluable lessons learned, the friendships forged and the dreams ignited.

Mrs Regi David

Secondary Division Cross-Country

On the 21st of May, our students participated in the Secondary Division Cross-Country event, showcasing their athleticism and determination. The competition was fierce, but our athletes rose to the occasion, achieving remarkable results across the board.

A special congratulations goes to Emily L, Kayla M, Teresa M, Madeleine C, Luca H, Oscar G, and Marlon P, who all finished in the top 15 of their respective races. Their outstanding performances have earned them a place in the upcoming Regional Cross-Country competition. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and look forward to supporting them as they prepare for the next level.

In addition to our top 15 finishers, we are delighted to report that all other competitors from our school finished in the top 30 of their races. This is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of our entire team. Each runner gave their best effort, and their commitment to excellence was evident throughout the event.

As we look ahead to the Regional Cross-Country, we wish our top 15 finishers the best of luck. 

We are confident that they will continue to represent Lakeside with pride and determination. Go team!

Mr Ben Hillard