Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
“Empowering students for learning and life”
High Expectations
As we move into the latter part of the first Semester it is timely to remind students of the importance of doing their best in all forms of assessment. For our Year 12 VCE students, it is in preparing adequately for their school based assessment and continually revising work throughout the year in readiness for their end of year exams. Though the GAT has currently been postponed, most likely to Term 3, it is important that our Year 12 students focus on doing their very best when they finally do complete the GAT. This year we are also running Unit 3 Exams for our VCE students during the first week of the school holidays. All students are expected to attend the exams and information has been provided to them, including the timetable. The exams will be running on Monday 28th June through to Wednesday 30th June. We have external examiners running the exams, mirroring the conditions our students will be facing in November.
Our VCAL students, whether they are completing their Senior Certificate, Intermediate Certificate or Year 10 Pre- VCAL course, need to ensure they complete all set work to demonstrate their outcomes and participate fully in the Work Related Skills work and VET courses as appropriate.
For our Year 10 and 11 VCE students it is continually revising their work and seeking feedback from their teacher to support them in doing their best in their Semester 1 exams, which they completed two weeks ago. Feedback from these exams is critical for continual improvement and in achieving growth in their learning. I wish all our Senior School students well in their assessment and remind them that by applying themselves and revising diligently they will achieve their goals. A continuous effort that is required throughout the year.
A reminder also that for all students, Years 7 -12, this week is the beginning of semester 2.
Year 10 Work Experience
Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, our Year 10 students were unable to attend work experience last week. Plans are in place to provide a different type of opportunity for our students to participate in some form of work experience or community work to support them in achieving their minimum hours required to achieve an S in Industry and Enterprise that all our Year 10 students complete as part of their World of Work unit. More information regarding this will be provided next term.
Course Counselling
Early Term 3 we will be starting the course counselling phase in planning and preparation for 2022. This process is extremely important, particularly for our students moving from Year 9 into Year 10 and our Middle School Students moving from Year 10 into Year 11, ensuring they are in the best pathway to support them in achieving their careers goals. As part of the counselling process, we will be considering student results/reports to ascertain student readiness for the course they aspire to; thus the need for students to do their very best in their assessment. Our information evening is scheduled Wednesday July 14th (first week in Term 3) and we encourage all families to attend. More details of the course counselling process will be provided later this term and early next term.
Art Competition
The Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre art competition, “Grow your ideas” has now entered into the final stages and many of our students beautiful and creative pieces are currently on display at the shopping centre. Our community is still encouraged to head in-centre to vote for your favourite or visit the Lynbrook Village facebook to vote! (Voting closes Monday 21st June).
1st, 2nd, 3rd winners will be announced and a ‘Peoples Choice’ voted for by the public will be presented prizes at a special celebratory lunch next week, subject to restrictions being eased. We are very proud of our students and are grateful to Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre for providing our students with this opportunity. Our Academy program has also supported our students in following their passion and producing these inspiring pieces of art. The winners will be announced in the first newsletter of Term 3. Thank you to Lynbrook Village for our continued partnership and we would also like to send a special thanks Lynbrook News & Lotto for donating Art supplies to the school again this year.
Student Feedback Survey
Over the last term, our school has been conducting a survey to find out what your child thinks of our school. The Attitudes to School survey is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training. The survey assists schools in gaining an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Due to COVID, the survey will continue to run until the end of Term 3, to ensure all students have the opportunity to provide us with feedback.
Our school will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.
The survey results will be reported back to the school in Term 3. Survey results will be communicated to parents through annual reporting and at school council.
Later in the year, we will be seeking feedback from our parent community and we encourage you to complete the survey, should you be randomly selected. Our school values the voice and opinions of our community in helping us to make improvements to our school.
School Holidays
The last day of the school term is Friday 25th of June. The school day will finish at 2:30 and the office will be closed at 3:30 on that day. There will be staff on yard duty until 3:00 pm. We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday, 12th of July, for the start of Term 3.
A Sad Farewell
Finally, it is with mixed emotions that I write to advise you that I will be leaving Lyndhurst Secondary College to take up the exciting opportunity to open up a new school in Clyde.
I have had the privilege of working at Lyndhurst for the last 23 years with the last 5 years as Principal. The school has undergone major changes over my time at the College and I am proud to have led this wonderful community on the school’s improvement journey.
It has not been an easy decision to leave as I have valued and loved my time at Lyndhurst. The students and staff at Lyndhurst will forever be in my heart.
I will miss the students and staff and wish everyone well as you continue on your journey at Lyndhurst.
My last day at the College will be June 25th, at the end of this term.
Wishing you all the very best.
Konnie Prades
Principal