Senior Executive

Principal's Message

As term 2 draws to a close I would like to acknowledge some of the wonderful things that have occurred at Lake Illawarra High over the last 10 weeks. 

I have managed to stick my head into a number of classrooms over this term and I must admit to being absolutely impressed by what I have seen in many of these rooms. I have seen a growing number of students engaging in Project Based Learning, where they are gaining knowledge through DOING, rather than passively sitting and taking in information. Classes are coming up with some terrific projects which have really engaged our students. I have seen reusable coffee mugs being designed and marketed, pulley systems for hauling cargo developed, as well as ice cream being made. These projects involve higher order thinking and skills and are really engaging our students. We have had students working with the UOW in a number of STEM projects. A group of our year 9 students have worked with a couple of our primary schools students on STEM activities as well.

We have had students participating and winning public speaking competitions. As I write this Mikayla Amos of year 10 will be competing in the prestigious Youth of the Year competition. We have had students excel on the sporting field with Jarrod Dyer selected in an Australian Swimming team to compete in Brisbane layer in the year, and Chelsea Ezeoke continuing to break records almost every time she competes in any athletics meet. Our SRC has just spent a planning day developing their projects for the next 12 months which will improve the school life of our student body. Next week we have some terrific celebrations planned for NAIDOC week....and of course, our CLONTARF program continues to offer some wonderful programs and support for our Aboriginal lads. As mentioned in a previous newsletter our Agriculture students and teachers achieved great success at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

These are just a few of the highlights for this term....there are many more which happen daily. Well done and thank you to everyone who has been involved in making this, another terrific term here at Lake.

Mr T. Hicks

Principal

Deputies' Desk 

Attendance 

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options. NSW public schools work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children and young people. When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.​ For any further questions, myself or Mr Meizer and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Did you know that if students miss as little as eight days in a school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed an entire year of education?

If you are experiencing difficulties with getting your kids to school, please let us know. You can speak to your child’s classroom teacher, an executive member, or even the front office staff about how we may assist you. Our aim is to fix attendance issues as soon as they arise.

Why is regular school attendance important?

Regular school attendance will help your child succeed later in life. Attending school every day makes learning easier for your child and helps children build and maintain friendships with other children. If your child doesn’t learn the basic skills in the early years of school, they may develop learning problems in later years.

Why is arriving at school on time important?

Arriving at school on time:

• Ensures that your child doesn’t miss out on the important learning activities scheduled early in the day when they are most alert.

• Helps your child to learn the important of punctuality and routine.

• Gives your child time to greet their friends before class and therefore reduces the opportunity for classroom disruption.

Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the school the same way as other forms or absence.

Getting your child to school: Problems/Solutions 

• Won’t get out of bed/Have a set time to be out of bed

• Won’t go to bed/Have a set bedtime

• Can’t find their clothes, books, homework, school bag/Have uniform and school bag ready the night before

• School lunches are not ready/Make lunches the night before

• Slow to eat breakfast/have a set time for starting and ending breakfast. A routine is important.

• Homework not done/Set time for daily homework activities and check that it is done

• Watching television late at night or when they should be getting ready for school/Turn the television on for a set time and only if appropriate

• Test or presentations at school/Provide lots of positive encouragement

• Birthdays/Be firm, a birthday is not a holiday

• Screaming and not letting go/Time arrival at school to coincide with bell time and leave quickly, happily and confidently. You may say something like “I’ll see you this afternoon” to reassure them. If arranged with the teacher beforehand, place your child’s hand into that of the teacher and then leave.

When is being away OK?

Sometimes it’s hard to decide when it is acceptable to keep your child home from school. Below is a list of acceptable and unacceptable examples:

Acceptable

Unavoidable medical, specialist or dental appointments (Try to encourage appointments outside school hours, or close to home time.)

Religious holidays

Urgent family situation (E.g. funerals)

Sick or infectious disease (E.g. conjunctivitis)

Unacceptable:

Shopping

Sleeping in

Working around the house

Minding siblings/other children/older relatives

Minor family events (birthdays)

Hair cuts

Weather conditions: Rainy/Windy/Hot

Frequent car problems

Frequent late train/bus

Airport/Visitors from overseas or other states

Other member of the family is sick

Hospital Visits to relatives or friends 

Head Lice (This can be treated effectively at home after school).

Myself and Mr Meizer would like to congratulate Jarrod on his fantastic  achievements  at the  National Open and Age Swimming Championships and the Australian Age Swimming Championships, we are very proud to hear that Jarrod has been selected to join the Australian Team to compete in the upcoming  INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019.  On behalf of the Lake Illawarra School Community, myself and Mr Meizer would like to wish Jarrod the best of luck in Brisbane.

Mr T. Wilson                                                                       Mr C. Meizer

Deputy Principal                                                            Deputy Principal                  Years 7, 9 and 11                                                           Years 8, 10 and 12