Principal's Update

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2022. It has been terrific to welcome students back to the College, without the threat of lockdowns. A special welcome to our new Year 7 students and parents to Lowanna College. It certainly has been a testing time, but the students should be applauded for the way that they have faced the challenges presented.  

College Principal Adam Hogan is on long service leave until the end of term, and we wish him an enjoyable break. I feel extremely privileged to be acting Principal for this time and will endeavour to do my best for the Lowanna community. 

The year began on a positive note with the annual swimming sports. Weather wise, we were treated to a lovely day of competitive races, novelty events and a free swim for all at the end of the day. Congratulations to all of those involved, our age group champions and the winning house – Blue Sharks. 

The following week our Year 7’s attended camp down at Phillip Island. It was a great opportunity for students to get to know each other as a year group in a more informal setting. For many students, and staff, the highlight of the camp was the surfing lessons. All students returned a little tired but with plenty of smiles. 

Over the summer break, there were many projects undertaken around the College.  A new fence has been installed across the front of the school, improving the look and providing increased safety for our students. Outdoor table tennis tables have been installed in mini school outdoor areas and these have been a big hit amongst students at recess and lunch times. Extra picnic tables have been installed outside the senior common room which have already proven popular with our senior students. 

It has been fantastic to see students back in classes, and also seeing students participating in the wide variety of extra curricular activities that the school has to offer. Interschool sport is back, camps are back, concerts are back and masks are gone. Normality is finally returning to the College.  

Covid Update (RATS & Masks) 

To keep schools as safe as possible, the Victorian Government has extended the COVIDSafe measures introduced for the beginning of Term 1. This includes extending the availability of free rapid antigen tests (RAT) for screening until the end of term. It is anticipated an additional 24 million RATs will be provided to schools and early childhood settings to continue to support early detection and prevent infection, for use at home. 

The need for this program will continue to be monitored and may end earlier based on health advice. This is great news and will mean we’re able to continue identifying COVID-19 cases as early as possible, reducing the impact on our school and individuals. 

The department will continue to supply RATs to our school for your use. Twice-a-week testing continues to be strongly recommended for both students and staff. Testing will be conducted at home, and students and staff must report any positive result. There is no requirement to report a negative result. Masks are strongly recommended but are no longer required in secondary schools. 

School Council Nominations 

All government schools in Victoria have a school council. This is a legally constituted body that is given powers to set the key directions of a school within statewide guidelines. In doing this, a school council is able to directly influence the quality of education that the school provides for its students. Parents on school councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Those parents who become active on a school council find their involvement satisfying and may also find that their children feel a greater sense of belonging. 

The principal will issue a Notice of Election and Call for Nominations following the commencement of Term one each year. All school council elections must be completed by the end of March unless the usual time line has been varied by the Minister. If you decide to stand for election, you can arrange for someone to nominate you as a candidate or you can nominate yourself in the Parent category. Department employees whose child is enrolled in a school in which they are not engaged in work are eligible to nominate for parent membership of the school council at that school. Once the nomination form is completed, return it to the principal within the time stated on the Notice of Election. You will receive a Nomination Form Receipt in the mail following the receipt of your completed nomination. Generally, if there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on council, a ballot will be conducted during the two weeks after the call for nominations has closed. 

Nomination forms can be collected from the General Office and must be returned by Friday 11th March. Please contact Trevor Cox for any more information. 

Trevor Cox 

Acting Principal