Principal Class Update

Staff and students were excited to return after the term break and we have started to return to the rhythm and routines of a busy school, post 2020. However, as a community we are still working through this challenging time and the stress and uncertainty that our community faces is evident in the lives of our students.

Students have been participating in a range of exciting and positive activities this term. Excursions to the Tech School, mountain bike programs and Careers activities have further developed students’ skills and support the curriculum that they are learning in class. Days such as the Domestic and Family Awareness Day bring real issues to the forefront of student’s awareness and sometimes, we do things just for fun such as Zumba Fridays, Table Top Roleplays and lunchtime sports.

Last week it was great to see so many students and staff get behind the Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Day and wear orange and/or purple on the day. Students participated in games at lunchtime, had a photo taken in the themed selfie frames, VCAL students ran a sausage sizzle and Year 10 and 11 students gained insight into the issue of bullying listening to our guest speaker Lizzie Harms. Statistics show that it is imperative that we educate students around domestic and family violence. It will take a whole community effort to reduce the number of cases, which in turn will increase the educational opportunities of our students and have a real impact on their lives.

NAPLAN was also held last week. It was pleasing to see how positive our students were in engaging in the process and we look forward to using this data when available later this year. NAPLAN has had many critics over the years but as a school the data can be very valuable in determining where our students are academically and where the school needs to focus its energy and resources to support teaching and learning and continual school improvement. The coordination of the assessments is a big undertaking and I would like to thank the team who helped organise the week. 

It was exciting to see so many families and future students attend our Grade 6 Information Evening earlier this term. Prospective families gained an appreciation of the programs Lowanna offer and what to expect next year. The Lowanna students who performed and spoke on the night really highlighted the caliber of the students who come to Lowanna and epitomize what high expectations are: Ben Hall played a guitar solo, Amelia Reid sang, Bella Taylor and Zane Poxon spoke to parents about their experiences in Year 7 this year and VCAL students provided barista quality coffees to parents. A big thank you to Ms Taylor and her team in organising the evening. We look forward to working with families and Grade 6 students as they transition into the secondary setting. The evening was followed up by several school tours where students and parents could see the college in action during the day. If any prospective parents wish to visit Lowanna College, please contact the General Office, and we will be happy to conduct a personal tour.

The college has been competing in several Interschool Sports over the last few weeks. The highlights being Girls Football and Junior Volleyball. Our Year 8 Volleyball team came second in the Gippsland Finals and the Year 7 Volleyball team won the Gippsland Finals and will progress to the State Finals! The Junior, Intermediate and Senior Girls Football teams have all progressed to the Gippsland Finals! Of note, we have Alisha Molesworth who has been selected for the U17 Girls Vic Country football team and Bailey Humphrey who is currently trying out for the U17 Boys Vic Country team. If Bailey is successful, then he will be working alongside Mr Chandler who has been appointed the U17 Boys Forward Coach for Vic Country.

The Careers team have been busy this term and around 45 Year 10 students recently participated in Work Experience. Work Experience provides opportunities for students to learn about their own abilities and skills, to explore possible career options, enhance their independence and self-confidence and increase student’s motivation to continue studying or look at alternative training pathways. If any Year 11 VCE student wishes to complete Work Experience over the upcoming term break, please speak to Kirsty or Lauren in the Careers Room. All Year 9 students completed the Morrisby Assessment this term and were thoroughly engaged in the process. A report will be provided to students and parents which will help students explore future careers. Individual Careers Counselling sessions for those students who completed these assessments will occur next week. 

Education Week is occurring next week and the theme ‘Building Connections’ celebrates the connections between schools and local communities and aims to strengthen bonds with families and carers. The College has several activities planned for staff and students. Staff will have clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller as a guest speaker, Year 12 students will have a Bake Sale, VET music students will perform for students on Wednesday in the auditorium and SRC members will attend the GRIP Leadership Conference in Melbourne.

Over the next two weeks, all students will undertake the annual Student Attitudes to School Survey. It is an important survey for the school, as it provides us with vital information on how students are feeling at school and how they are learning at school. We will be taking students through the survey one class at a time and each class should complete it in about 30 minutes. We are encouraging students to take the survey seriously and provide us with feedback on areas we are doing well in and others we need to improve.

Mid-Year Exams for Year 9 to 12 students are fast approaching, with an exam schedule to be released shortly. We would like to wish students the best for these exams. Exams are an important assessment that help students to consolidate their learning and receive feedback for future growth.  Doing well on exams is not about luck but is a result of hard work, preparation, persistent and determination. GPAs have recently been released and this is a great opportunity for students to reflect on their preparedness for exams and to set some goals around their learning behaviours for the next five weeks. 

As I mentioned earlier, we understand that our community and students are still facing stress and uncertainty as we return to school which is why we are working closely with students to re-establish routines and expected behaviours. Consistency and routines reinforce high expectations and lead students to develop good learning habits. 

How can parents help? 

By reinforcing the school’s expectations around phones, uniform, being at school and on time. 

School prepares students for experiences in the world and societal expectations. Going to work, being on time, wearing the correct uniform or personal protection equipment and completing work is an expectation of every adult who is employed in the workforce. School is no different. We want students at school, on time to class, attempting all set work and in uniform.

Hoodies and puffer jackets are not part of the school uniform. If students wear them, they will be asked to remove them. Hats are only to be worn outside in the yard. Students are to leave hats in their lockers during class time.

As per the Department of Education’s, and therefore the school’s, mobile phone policy, phones are not permitted to be used between the first and last bell. They are to be stored in students’ lockers or within a secure storage facility located in each mini school. If students are seen with a mobile phone, they must hand it over to the staff member to be secured in the relevant mini school till the end of the day.  

Education is and always will be a partnership between the school, families and students if we are to achieve the best outcomes and pathways for our students. Thank you for your continued support as we all work with our students to learn and strive for their chosen endeavours.

Lowanna College’s Vision

The Lowanna College community is committed to high expectations and believes all students will achieve excellence in their endeavours.

Lowanna College’s Values

Respect – We respect ourselves, each other and our community. We get along and support each other.

Integrity – We make good choices, do the right thing and are fair and just in our decisions and our behaviours.

Determination – We work hard to achieve our goals, and we show strong resilience in the face of adversity.

Growth – We pursue life-long growth in both learning and character, and we support each other in our endeavours.

Excellence – We aim high, we don’t settle for second-best and we celebrate our achievements.

Michael Lakeman

Acting College Principal