From the Principal

Welcome

Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2.

We particularly welcome those students and families who are new to the school.

A number of staffing changes have occurred at the beginning of this term.  From this term, we welcome Amruta Shah who will be taking on the Mathematics vacancy for the remaining of the year.  We also welcome Bert Collard who will be taking on the Science vacancy for the remaining of the year.  From next week we also welcome Elana Van Der Merwe who will join us and take on an English role until the end of the year.  Cassidy Allport and Petek Cagrier, will be taking family leave from early this term and we wish them the very best for their new adventures.

As you are aware, staff shortages and teacher workforce continues to dominate the news this year in education and we are working very hard to fill any unfilled vacancies. Our school is not alone with this issue and many schools across the state are dealing with the exact same issue. While we are short of an Italian teacher currently, please note that the curriculum and instruction for the classes without a regular teacher have not been compromised. Students are still provided the required instructions, resources and assessments through the use of casual teachers who are trained in the specific subject. We expect students to continue to work solidly on their required classwork and assessments.

As you read this edition of the newsletter,  you will notice that our students have been actively engaging with the community, both locally and more broadly, in many different ways over recent weeks. Whether through welcoming parents to the college at the LEAP, Football Academy information and college discovery evenings, parent morning tours or participating in sporting events and year level excursions, our students have shown themselves to be excellent representatives of Taylors Lakes Secondary College, and leaders whom we can be extremely proud of. Their positive behaviour and attitude is regularly noticed and appreciated by all members of the college community.  

School Upgrades and Improvements

Over the break, a lot of school upgrades and improvements has occurred on campus. Work has been done on the cleaning of all gutters; gardens, trees have been pruned back and removed, rubbish has been removed, all the heaters and coolers have been serviced and all other plumbing issues rectified. We have had some split systems repaired too. 

The following have also occurred:

• Library: Installation of new heating and cooling systems, installation of new ceiling tiles, plastering of old vents and painting
• Removal of 18 trees around the school fence line (due to OHS/plumbing issues)
• Painting of several rooms including S6, S9, S10 and PA5 and outside doors/render of S Block
• Major resurfacing of student outdoor hard courts (to be completed in Week 1)
• Mould remediation works in H6
• Skip bin removal of old furniture
• Concrete grinding to address trip hazards round the campus
• Plumbing backflow testing
• Installation of science decals in S1 and S2

All of the above projects are totally school funded, from funds we raise through the generous support of parents and careful financial management at the school level. 

Year 10-12 Exams - Parent Information Evening: Tuesday 11th May 2026

Years 10 - 12 students and their parents attended the Parent Information Evening on the upcoming examinations on Tuesday May 12th 2026.  The focus of the presentation was how parents can best support their child/ren through the senior years and VCE which can be a stressful time for many students and parents.

The presentation included general information on effective strategies for preparing and completing exams, how to organise time outside of school in the lead up to exams, and advice on how to manage stress and remain healthy during the exam period.  How the VCE is structured and assessed was also covered.

College Council Composition for 2026

The new College Council for 2026 has now held its first meeting. The composition of the current Council is as follows:

Parent Representatives:

Grant Fawcett (President), Suzana Grujevski, Angie Patsalides, Rafik Sanij (Vice President), Tanya Seath, Germaine Gambian, Tina Kerr and Rafael Tsotalos.

DET Employed Representatives:

Rick Hudson, Sasha Mildenhall (Treasurer), Joe Laganga and Matthew Wilson.

Co-opted Members :

Ragni Andriopoulos and Jenny Hammersley

(Parents, Family & Friends Representatives), Amelia Erichsen-Burgess, George Katsaros (Student Representatives) and Ava Smeaton (Student Observer).

Executive Officer (Principal):  Danny Dedes

We would also like to thank the DE employed representatives, parent representatives and students who have all been very active participants on the previous college council.

Uniform Reminders

A reminder that students are to be in full school uniform at all times.  Occasionally there may be an issue with your child’s uniform that means they are not in full uniform.  Please note that on these occasions, your child must bring a signed note from you and in the morning report to their mentor group teacher or student support centre with this note.   Students who are often out of school uniform will be followed up with school consequences where necessary and we appreciate your support in this matter. 

As the colder months approach we have a few timely reminders. At no times are students to wear hooded jumpers to school (this includes with a parent note). These will be confiscated and the student can collect it at the end of the day.

Track-suit pants (blue and black) are not an acceptable part of the College uniform and cannot be worn.  The new tight flare style girls pants that is becoming popular with female students now is not part of the uniform code and must not be worn.  Each sub school will be following up with female students who are wearing these.

Navy blue tights can also be worn by girls under the school skirt or dress but leggings should not be worn instead of school pants. Where families are having difficulties in purchasing the appropriate uniform we encourage parents to contact the College to discuss this matter.

2026 Student Attitudes to School Survey

The AtoSS is a voluntary student survey offered by the Department of Education every year to help schools and the department understand students' experiences of school. We will ask your child about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

ORIMA Research Pty Ltd has been contracted by the department to manage the collection of the online survey and will provide support to schools through a telephone hotline and email.

This year, the survey will be conducted at school from 11th May to 5th June 2026.

and finally...

When communicating with staff at the college we ask all parents to follow the College's Communication Policy. This policy can be found on the College's Compass Management System. Parents can communicate with staff via email or by phone. Any concerns or complaints should be directed to me directly.

We greatly appreciate the support we receive from parents to make sure that your child attends school regularly and punctually, is in full school uniform, and is ready to learn in all classes with correct books and equipment.

Danny Dedes

On behalf of the Principal Class

Rick Hudson, Sasha Mildenhall and Louisa Norwood