FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Term 4

We were able to finish the year with events that lifted the spirits of staff and students following the uncertainties of 2021.  It was a joy to see our students out and about enjoying each other’s company.

 Year 10

6 Day Victorian Road Tour

21 November to 26 November

Our normal Central Australia trip for the Year 10 students this year ended up as a tour of our own beautiful home state, and what a tour it was! The students had a fabulous time seeing the sights of western and northern Victoria with their friends and teachers. 

Thank you to the teachers; Mr Bourne, Ms Younger, Ms Stavrou, Ms Morrow and Mr Thornton who were part of the tour and to the families who supported their children to make the trip a success. 

 Valedictory Dinner

Wednesday 8 December

Crown Palladium was this year’s venue for the Valedictory Dinner and Presentations that enabled Year 12 students, teachers and their families an opportunity to celebrate two extremely trying years for a very resilient group of students.  It was a night filled with happiness, gratitude and relief that everyone had been able to navigate the ups and downs of 2021. 

Thank you to the Senior School team; Daniel Toma, Jye Cuff, Katie Wilson, Janine Sayers, Mark Beatson, Jodie Street, Jess Kilkenny and Jenny McLean for their perseverance in organising the event despite the obstacles and the constant threat of cancellation, it was very much appreciated. 

To the student leadership team; Brendan Kirk, Molly Keyhoe, Emily Gerdes and Emma Darke, well done and thank you for your contribution to the success of the evening.

To our  talented performers; Ms Cummings, Ms Wells, Brianna Birthisel-Mulready, Tyler Borg, Tobi Phillips, Bec Clark and Sarah Davies, thank you for musical contribution.

My thanks to the Key Learning Area Coordinators who presented the subject awards to students and guided the teaching staff throughout the year.

Our Valedictorians Brenda Kirk and Mackenzie Coakley farewelled the class of 2021 with heartfelt speeches – congratulations to both for contributing to LHS over the past 6 years. 

Congratulations to everyone who received an Excellence and Endeavour Award.

Finally, to our subject award winners, congratulations on being recognised as 'High Achievers' who worked consistently and studiously through the very long year.

Art: Zac Hoiles

Visual Communication and Design: Zac Hoiles

Studio Arts (Photography): Sophie Mastaing

Theatre Studies: Caitlin Serong

Drama: Emma Darke

Music Performance: Rebecca Clark

English Literature: Ayzia Mitchell 

English Language: Sarah Jane Kellett

Philosophy: Brendan Kirk 

History Revolution: Ella McLeod 

French: Ayzia Mitchell 

Further Mathematics: Tobi Phillips 

Mathematical Methods: Jake Duffy

Specialist Mathematics: Mackenzie Coakley 

PE: Tayla McDonald

Certificate 2 (Sport and Rec): Salena Johnson

Psychology: Emily Gerdes

Physics: Jake Daffy 

Biology: Yani Bown 

Chemistry: Mackenzie Coakley

Food: Salena Johnson 

PD&T (Wood): Jordan Eales 

PD&T (Textiles): Beau Pollard 

Systems Engineering: Tyler Swann 

Senior VCAL Award: Hannah Bedford

William Everard/Betty Lynch Environmental Award: Tayla McDonald  

School Production - Xanadu

 2 December to 4 December

It was two years in the making, but finally the show went ahead and was a huge success! The camaraderie amongst the cast, crew and band was wonderful to see, and it was also great to see the 2020 cast members who had left the school return to be part of the celebrations. 

The show would never have gone ahead without the perseverance, resilience and commitment to our students from the directors, Amy Cumming and Jonathan Bleakley, hearty thanks to them and to everyone involved. It certainly was a wonderful way to end the year.

 Staff farewells

We wish the following staff our very best wishes as they leave LHS and thank them for their contribution to our wonderful school;

Cameron McBride

Kristy Bjarnelind

Abbey McMahon

Madi Young

Laurie Smith

Sarah Fagerland

Matt Nicholls

Pierre Wallin

Sabrina Solomons

Shirley Watson

Rachel Main

Jackie De Stefano

In Closing....

Merry Christmas and happy 2022 to the whole Lilydale High School community -  please have a safe summer.

We look forward to seeing students back at school on, Tuesday 1st February (Year 7 and 12) and Wednesday 2nd February (whole school). 

Those families who are leaving us, thank you for being part of LHS, may you enjoy good health and happiness over the coming years.

Wendy Powson

Principal