From the Principal

Students on the secondary campus are gearing up for their final assessments and exams for the year. In Years 8 & 9, exams will begin in a fortnight on Monday, November 25 and conclude on Tuesday, November 26. Dealing with an exam is an important learning experience as a range of skills are developed. Organisation, planning and collaboration are also key areas that become a focus leading into an exam period. Families can support by providing a quiet place at home for study, helping with organisation, actively participate in revision quizzes and other question and answer sessions and be understanding of the extra stress that can be experienced at this time. Feedback post exams is also crucial providing an avenue for reflection and forward planning. Equally important is the emphasis on other work tasks that need to be completed and the complex nature that comes with each assessment.

The final quarter of the year is also very busy with events and celebrations that families are encouraged to support beginning with Song, Dance & Drama Night at the Secondary Campus on Thursday, November 14 and Night Under the Stars on the Primary Campus on Tuesday, November 19. Both events will highlight learning experiences during this semester and an opportunity for our students to perform for our families which they all cherish. On the Secondary Campus, each year level has a scheduled activity for the end of the year and the Year 6 team are currently finalising a celebration day event. Please check with respective Home Group teachers if you have any queries in regard to the end of the year programs.

Our Christmas Hamper fundraiser was launched this week. In true Lakes tradition, I am sure our families will enthusiastically participate in this initiative to support our local families and at the same time generate goodwill at this special time of the year. Each week a different product can be dropped off for the hampers. Week One is canned foods. Contributions are to be dropped off at the general offices of either campus and we are hoping for a bumper response. Thank you in advance for your efforts.

An increasing number of students are riding their scooters and bikes without helmets. We request that you prevent your children from riding without helmets. It is against the road laws and sets a poor example for respecting the law not even citing the risk of injury. All scooters/bikes are locked in the shed at the beginning of the day and cannot be accessed until the final dismissal bell on the secondary campus. We are being asked by families for access during the day for early leavers. This is increasingly disruptive and not conducive to good learning. It impacts on classes and other students. Do not allow your children to ride to school if they will need to leave before the end of the school day. Similarly, there has been a spike of lateness that results missing important information during Home Group or session one classes. Once again, it sets a poor tone for learning at the start of the school day. Can you please affirm that arriving to school and to class on time is essential.

Last week a number of students from Years 5-8 participated in the City Of Whittlesea Emergency Evacuation Simulation Exercises at Plenty Ranges. Our students did a wonderful job with the wide range of drills they faced identifying resources and building organisational capacity through training, exercises and procedures for the provision of emergency relief and recovery to the community. Each challenge was different and stretched their thinking and problem solving. The feedback from staff and students was extremely positive, building their maturity and reinforcing the importance of emergency management processes. Thank You to Jose for convening the day and to Chris for organising the students.

Thank You for your ongoing support and have a lovely weekend!

Bill.