Teaching and Learning
STUDENT REPORTS AND PARENT CONFERENCES
Thank you to all the parents and students who attended our Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday 30th June. These meetings are an invaluable opportunity to share progress, set goals, and work together to support each student’s learning journey. We greatly appreciate your time and commitment to your child’s education.
Our elective subjects are now well underway, and I hope students are enjoying their new classes and getting to know their teachers. Looking ahead, Year 7 and 8 students will soon have the opportunity to choose some of their elective classes for next year. This will take place during a dedicated assembly on Tuesday 26th August, with more details to be shared with families in the coming week to help guide these decisions.
NAPLAN RESULTS 2025
By now all Year 7 and 9 students should have received their NAPLAN results via mail. If you have not received these results, please contact Jessica Quinn and I can send these to you.
We are very proud of the growth our students demonstrated in all areas of the NAPLAN this year. A higher proportion of our students moved into the ‘Strong’ and ‘Exceeding’ proficiency levels for Numeracy, Reading, Writing and Spelling and Grammar, than ever before. This is an achievement that should be widely celebrated amongst our school community.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION
One topic currently being discussed in schools worldwide is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Universities are already using AI in a variety of ways from helping students with research and data analysis, to providing personalised learning support, to assisting staff in streamlining administrative tasks. While these tools have great potential, universities are also setting clear guidelines to ensure academic honesty and critical thinking remain at the forefront.
To deepen our understanding, we will be attending a professional learning session with Jo Blannin, a leader in digital pedagogies who is working to support teachers teaching in the age of Artificial Intelligence. We look forward to bringing back her ideas and discussing them with our wider school community, ensuring we make informed and future-focused decisions about AI in our classrooms.
Write a Book in a Day
Another exciting event on the horizon is Write a Book in a Day, taking place next week. This is the ultimate test of teamwork, challenging writers to create something amazing within a 12-hour time frame. Our school has 10 teams and 90 students participating this year.
On the morning of Wednesday 20th August, each team receives unique parameters for their story, ensuring a level playing field and no early starts. Every completed book is made available for free to children in hospitals around Australia — potentially brightening a child’s day — while also raising vital funds for medical research.
All books will be assessed by a panel of talented judges, with prizes and awards for state and national winners in categories such as Best Overall Book and Best Illustrations. We wish our teams the very best as they embark on this creative and meaningful challenge.
There’s No Such Thing as ‘No Homework’
Many parents are familiar with this moment: you ask your child what homework they have, and the answer is, “None.” While it’s true they may not have a set task to complete, that doesn’t mean their learning stops once they leave the classroom.
One of the most powerful ways students can boost their progress is by revisiting the day’s lessons at home. This regular review helps strengthen understanding, improve memory, and make the connections in the brain that support long-term learning.
Even without an official homework sheet, there are countless ways to revise including re-reading class notes, practising new skills, or explaining concepts to someone else. These small efforts add up over time and can make a real difference to both confidence and results.
- Why home revision works:
- It clears up misunderstandings from class.
- It gives extra time to practise and apply knowledge.
- It builds readiness for future tests, projects, and challenges.
It doesn’t have to be long, even 10 minutes a day can have an impact. The school day may end at 3:00, but learning can (and should) continue well beyond the bell!
On that note, remember all students are welcome to join our Study Support Group from 3:15 – 4:15pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. All students need to do is bring their homework, class notes, and questions, then meet our tutors in Rooms S6 and S7. It’s a great way to get extra help, stay on top of work, and build strong study habits.
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Lyndale Secondary College - SRC Team at the 2025 Youth Summit: Into the Future
Dear Lyndale Community,
We are thrilled to share an exciting experience from the 2025 Youth Summit: Into the Future, held at Springvale City Hall. Our Year 9 and 10 Student Representative Council (SRC) team had the privilege of attending this inspiring event alongside 70 students from 9 different schools. It was a day of learning, connection, and empowerment, as our students interacted with others, participated in engaging workshops, and heard from two incredible speakers.
A Day of Engaging Workshops
The summit offered five diverse and interactive workshops that challenged our students to think critically, creatively, and confidently about the future. Our SRC team participated in the following:
· Young Leaders Workshop: A session focused on honing leadership skills, where students shared ideas and strategies for becoming effective leaders in their communities.
· African Drumming Workshop: This lively and energetic session celebrated cultural diversity, where students learned to express themselves through rhythm and music.
· Dance Workshop: More than just movement, this workshop helped students focus on building confidence and letting go of concerns about what others think. It was a powerful exercise in self-expression and personal growth.
· Art Workshop: In this creative space, students explored what Dandenong means to them. They used visual art to express their personal connections to the community, showcasing the unique perspectives of our students.
· Youth Voice Workshop: A highlight of the day, this workshop allowed students to discuss how they can amplify youth voices and take an active role in shaping their own futures. The discussions were inspiring and empowering.
Inspirational Speakers
The summit featured two incredible guest speakers who shared their stories of resilience and leadership:
· Deputy Mayor Cr Sophie Tan, who spoke passionately about her journey as a leader and advocate for young people in our community.
· Tim Wamala, a talented musician who shared his deeply moving personal story of overcoming adversity. His experiences growing up shaped his career, and his message to the students was clear: resilience and determination can turn challenges into opportunities for success.
Building Connections
Our SRC team had the chance to communicate with 70 students from nine different schools, exchanging ideas and building connections that will last beyond the summit. This collaborative environment was a perfect opportunity for our students to develop a sense of leadership while engaging with peers who share similar interests and concerns. The experience also reinforced the importance of youth voices in shaping a better, more inclusive future.
Reflections and Takeaways
The summit left a lasting impact on our SRC team. Many students reflected on how the workshops challenged them to step outside their comfort zones, especially in areas like self-expression and leadership. They also discussed how much they valued the opportunity to connect with peers from other schools and learn from their experiences. Our students felt more empowered to use their voices, embrace their unique strengths, and take on leadership roles within our school community.
A Bright Future Ahead
We’re incredibly proud of the growth and confidence our SRC team demonstrated at the summit. They returned to Lyndale Secondary College with fresh ideas and a renewed passion for representing their peers. With their newfound knowledge and leadership skills, we’re excited to see how they’ll continue to inspire others and create positive change in our school.
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Title: Geocaching Excursion (Year 11/Year 12 VCE VM and Year 11 Applied Computing Students)
The Geocaching excursion in Melbourne City was one of the most exciting school activities I’ve done. We took part in a geocaching challenge, a high-tech treasure hunt where you use a mobile app and GPS to find hidden items around the city. The app gave us clues and coordinates, and we worked in groups to track them down.
It made the experience even more fun, as we had to communicate, solve problems together, and think creatively. Some caches were really well hidden, but my group managed to find two of them, which felt super rewarding. After that, we got to hide one of our own items and create a clue for another group to find it. Watching them try to figure it out added a whole new level of excitement! We also filled out a form after each find, which helped us reflect on the activity. It was a great mix of technology, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving. I really enjoyed it and would definitely love to do something like this again.
Student: Zamin MEHDI
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