Senior Executive

Principal's Message

Tony Hicks

Principal

Welcome back to Lake Illawarra High for a brand new year!

A special welcome goes to our Year 7 students and also to our new arrivals from all over Australia. We start the year with plenty of optimism that we are going to be able to enjoy a “normal” year where all of the extra-curricular activities that we enjoy so much are going to be available to everyone. So far we have managed to have a number of events including our very successful Swimming Carnival!

My congratulations go to our 2020 HSC students who did so well under such difficult circumstances last year. We had more students in the top 2 bands of the HSC since 2010 which is an outstanding effort. Of course, a huge thank you needs to go to our dedicated staff who supported all of our students during last year's challenges.

This year we will be focussing on Literacy, Numeracy, the HSC, and the well being of our students. If our students feel safe and enjoy coming to school then they will excel.

It is so important that each student attends school EVERY DAY. Attendance is key in being able to keep up with what is happening in not only class but also within friendship groups. It is a major key to success.

The year ahead is an exciting one. I encourage every student at Lake High to get involved in the many things we have to offer... as that is what makes school a fun place to be!

From the Deputies' Desk

This term really has started in a busy but exciting way for all students and staff with many new changes happening across the school. Recently we held our very successful School Swimming Carnival where we had many students compete in our traditional swimming events, as well as our always popular novelty events. Congratulations to all our students who attended and participated and, in particular, our age champions! There will be more on this in the PDHPE article but I would like to thank Ms Hartas and her team for organising this event. What a positive way to start the year!

Year 7 has also recently participated in their leadership day and from all accounts, the kids had a great time. I am sure it will have created many positive memories for the students. They endured obstacles and challenges they had to overcome throughout the day. A big thank you to Mr Shannon who put together this exciting opportunity for his year group, as well as all the staff who attended and worked with our Lake kids.

Another exciting opportunity now exists for our Years 7, 8 and 9 students with our STEM electives and classes. This action-packed and engaging subject has been developed by the teachers of Lake Illawarra high School to excite the students with ‘hands on’ activities with the intent to work through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics concepts. Students will explore and solve practical problems in this exciting new class. The students are also the first group in the school to use our brand new flexible learning space, the ‘Jubborsay Learning Hub’ which was designed and constructed by staff and students here at Lake. I am really looking forward to seeing what our kids can achieve in this class!

Recently we have seen an increase in reports that students may be using e-cigarettes (otherwise known as ‘vaping’) across local schools and in the community. We take this issue seriously due to the negative health effects vaping can have on young people, who are often unaware of the risks associated with the practice. 

Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapour produced by an e-cigarette or electronic vaporizer. The vapour can contain nicotine and other substances and may expose users to chemicals and toxins which are harmful to health. The devices are small and can be easily hidden in a pocket or bag. The most popular disposable vapes resemble large USB sticks or highlighter pens.

Vaping is not allowed here at school and we take this unhealthy practice as serious as smoking.