Primary Campus Reflection
MARCUS ABNEY-HASTINGS
As we come to the close of another school year, I find myself reflecting on the journey we have shared as a school community. This year has been one of growth, challenges, and remarkable achievements — a true testament to the resilience and dedication of our students, staff, and families. From the outset, our focus was on fostering an environment where every student felt supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. I am proud to say that we made significant strides in academic performance, extracurricular engagement, and community involvement across our College. Our students demonstrated not only academic excellence but also compassion, creativity, and leadership, taking themselves out of their comfort zone at times. I also want to acknowledge the vital role our families played. Your partnership, encouragement, and support were integral in helping our students thrive and build a strong partnership between home and school. ACADEMIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH This year, our students have made tremendous progress across all areas of learning. From early literacy and numeracy skills in our P-2 spaces to the development
of critical thinking and creativity across the senior year levels, I have witnessed firsthand the eagerness and enthusiasm with which our students approach their learning every day. Our NAPLAN data across Years 3 and 5 continue to be steady and in line with network, similar schools and State benchmarks. Our dedicated teaching staff have implemented innovative and engaging programs that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that each child is supported and challenged appropriately. These results were on the back of the introduction of several new initiatives this year aimed at enhancing foundational skills, building a more consistent approach to the way we teach through the new Victorian Teaching and Learning Model and The Science of Learning. These new initiatives have resulted in considerable improvements in student confidence and output across Prep-Six and will be a stepping stone for 2026. SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELLBEING Educational settings like our College are not just about academics, but also about nurturing the whole child. At The Lakes, we place a strong emphasis on social- emotional learning. Through the introduction of the Resilience Project in 2025, we saw a consistent approach to wellbeing that allowed our students to engage in activities that fostered empathy, resilience, and cooperation. This program, doubled with our
whole-school approach to School-Wide Positive Behaviour Supports meant that as a school, we were able to prioritise and support students with their mental health and wellbeing. Our Youth Worker and wellbeing programs provided vital support to both students and families, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all. This was evident in the 2025 Attitudes to School Survey where The Lakes continued to perform above network and similar schools across the State. COMMUNITY AND PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT Our school community has never been stronger. We greatly appreciate the ongoing partnership of parents and caregivers, whose involvement in classrooms and school events meant that we were able to bring the partnership between home and school even closer in 2025. Events such as our annual Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations, our Welcome Back BBQ, and our fortnightly assemblies brought us closer and enriched the educational experience for our students. These opportunities for connection were essential in the strong Parent/Carer Opinion Survey data in 2025 and for building a sense of belonging and pride in our school. Thank you to all our parents and carers who have contributed or given feedback throughout the year.
JERUSHA, KENZI, MANEEL & LACHLAN 2025 PRIMARY CAPTAIN REFLECTION
LOOKING AHEAD As we look forward to the next school year, we are committed to building on our successes of 2025. We will continue to innovate in teaching practices, strengthen our wellbeing programs, and deepen our engagement with families and the wider community. I am confident that the foundation we have laid this year will support our students in becoming confident, curious, and caring learners who are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the years ahead. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of our school community — students, parents/carers, teachers, support staff, and volunteers. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and spirit make our school a special place to work.
Enjoy the well-deserved break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting year of learning and growth in 2026.
Thanks again for all your support.
Mr. Abney Hastings
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