Newsletters

From the Secondary Principal Team 

Hello Lakes families,

 

I will begin by letting you know of some changes to positions of responsibility across the campus that have taken place due to a range of staffing factors and extended absences: 

 

Bek has kindly offered to act in the role of Year 8 Student Manager effective immediately, replacing Cam who will be on leave for the next month. Bek will spend most of her available time in Year 8, however, please understand that she will be shuffling this with her ongoing welfare role and extensive teaching allocation. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the hard work of the Year 8 Home Group teachers Vanessa, Chrissy & Monica plus numerous staff who have supported and managed Year 8 students and families over the week.

 

We are still working towards recruiting both English & Science teachers to The Lakes, which has required both patience and creativity, as employing suitable teachers is becoming very difficult to say the least. Changes to the timetable will be implemented, including additional digi-tech classes in Year 7, enabling appropriate coverage of all classes so that Teaching & Learning can continue across our school in these unusual times. 

 

Positive shifts in community involvement with our Year 11 & 12 VCAL groups has been observed. You may hear about our wonderful VCAL students as they embark on a range of on and offsite initiatives over the course of the term. This will continue to build momentum for the program and our profile as a dynamic senior school throughout the community. We continue to build partnerships with local business, further education and private providers, as well as our existing families to raise expectations and support for our school. 

 

The Morrisby program has been commenced, beginning the Year 9 pathway journey. An imperative way we embrace and engage Year 9 students is to enable them to see, feel and identify the areas through which they complete their senior school education. Thanks to Marc for getting this rolling and to the staff who were part of the first stage of the process. We will continue with an extensive campaign and plan to engage the Year 9 students and their families over the semester to highlight the virtues of our senior school and the opportunities that will be realised at The Lakes. Alyce is continuing to provide systemic and individual counselling to students and her expertise and capacity to provide pathways information to our students will be crucial over this time. 

 

There is an understandable apprehension amongst our Year 12 students as we begin our first SAC period. We have full confidence that the students are preparing well and have got this! Be a part of the journey by staying positive, a good listener, providing a suitable work environment at home and encouraging students to talk with their teachers and mentors. Many of us here have 25 or more years of experience in teaching Year 12, so there are experienced and trustworthy teachers at your disposal!!!  Staff are working diligently to support all their students, to keep them on task, optimistic and to provide the resources that maximise the learning opportunities.

 

 

I would like to share our key aims for the next month and seek your support at home:

 

  1. Uniform and punctuality to class – don’t be late for school!
  2. Completion of the first school assessment to the best of your ability 
  3. Know your Home Group teacher’s name as they are the first point of call for families
  4. Make sure you make an upcoming appointment to attend Parent-Teacher Interviews on March 2 
  5. Show your commitment to our school values so that you receive a positive incident report
  6. Masks indoors continue to be mandatory so there is zero tolerance 

 

 

The Leadership team is working to meet the aim of ongoing and transparent communications. Please work with us at all times! 

 

Look out for each other and we will all make significant strides in 2022. 

 

Have a lovely weekend. 

 

Bill & Bonnie.