Welcome to Issue 3 of the College Newsletter! This issue includes: - Primary Teaching & Learning - Year 1 & 7 Reflections - New House Names! - Student Engagement Policy - Student Leadership Positions - What’s On @ The Lakes
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter
Term 1, Week 7
ISSUE 03 2025
Welcome to Issue 3 of our College Newsletter. In this issue: Primary Teaching & Learning Year 1 & 7 Reflections New House Names! Student Engagement Policy Student Leadership Positions What ’ s On @ The Lakes
Image : Year 8/9 VIA at ACMI
COLLEGE REPORT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
SCOTT MCLEAN PRIMARY TEACHING & LEARNING
01 College Report
Welcome to all our students and families,
breakfast, and approach the tests with a calm and positive mindset. A fully charged device and headphones are essential for the online assessments. From Foundation to Year 2, students are building a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. Foundation students are actively developing their literacy skills by learning letter sounds, decoding words, and enhancing comprehension through discussions about story characters and events. Year 2 students continue to refine these skills while further developing their literacy skills in composing different text types and improving their punctuation. In their Numeracy classes, our Year 1 and 2 students have been focusing on their
03 Student Perspective
This week, students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be completing their NAPLAN assessments. Catch - up sessions will be scheduled in the weeks to follow for any participating students who are absent. While NAPLAN provides valuable insight I nto student progress, it is just one snapshot in time and should not be viewed in isolation. Families are encouraged to consider these results alongside Semester - based reports, Common Assessment Task (CAT) feedback, assessment rubrics, and teacher insights shared through Learner Review meetings. To help students feel prepared, ensure they get a good night ’ s sleep, eat a healthy
04 Community Connections
06 2025 Student Leaders
08 School Council
09 Policy Spotlight
10 Social Scene
11 What ’ s on @ The Lakes
18 Community Noticeboard
The Lakes South Morang College respectfully acknowledges that beneath the significant River Red Gums that feature across our school's landscape lay the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri - Willam people of the Kulin Nation.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE REPORT
numeracy skills. This ranges from developing their ability to count, add, and subtract numbers up to 120, and using tally marks to represent data. They are also practicing skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, working to deepen their place value knowledge, and work on addition and subtraction with two - and three - digit numbers. Together, these learning stages prepare students for more advanced concepts and broader explorations. From Years 3 to 6, students are developing essential skills through engaging, hands - on learning experiences. In Years 3 and 4, students are strengthening their critical thinking, literacy, and numeracy skills. They are investigating Australia ’ s unique features, asking big questions, and making connections between ideas. They are building reading comprehension by drawing inferences and comparing texts, while also refining their writing through procedural and recount texts. In Mathematics, they are developing their understanding of time, working with analogue and digital formats, measurement, and conversions. In Years 5 and 6, students are applying their problem - solving skills to real - world contexts. They are exploring Number and Algebra, working with factors, multiples, and efficient multiplication and division strategies. They are also deepening their understanding of economic principles, investigating consumer choices, and bringing ideas to life through hands - on projects like designing environmentally friendly fun parks through their "Five Mile Creek" project and following the "Journey of a Product." Across these years, students are building confidence, refining essential skills, and preparing for more complex learning and deeper inquiry. In Junior Secondary, students are entering a key period for Common Assessment Tasks (CATs). These assessments provide an important way to gauge students' understanding of the curriculum and their learning progress. Assessment rubrics and teacher feedback will be made available to families on Compass, allowing for continuous monitoring of student achievement. Families are encouraged to review these alongside their child to discuss strengths and areas for growth. In Senior Secondary, students have now entered their first round of School Assessed Coursework (SACs) for the year. Developing strong study habits and effective preparation will set them up for success. Practice SACs are a fantastic tool to improve performance—students should embrace the feedback from their teachers to refine their understanding and strengthen their skills. Across the school, students have been completing their Learner Review Profiles with their Learner Coaches. These profiles, now displayed in every classroom, position our students as learners with key strengths that support their progress and ability to achieve success. Understanding oneself as a learner is a crucial foundation for growth, and the ability to reflect on strengths, challenges and goals - building a strong sense of ownership over learning. A deep understanding of oneself as a learner leads to greater confidence, motivation, and success in the classroom. A huge thank you to families for the great turnout at the Secondary Learner Review meetings and we look forward to seeing our Primary school families at their Leaner Review meetings on Tuesday 1st April. Your involvement reinforces the importance of parent/carer partnerships in student learning, and we value the role you play in supporting your child ’ s education.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
PRIMARY SRC REPORT YEAR 1: TAHER & MARLEE
So far, Term 1 has been really exciting, and as part of the Student Representative Council (SRC), we ’ ve had a lot of fun helping to organise and be involved in some awesome events. One of the highlights was the Whole School Crazy Hair Day on Friday, March 7th. It was so amazing to see students from all year levels go all out with their crazy hairstyles. Some of the things we saw were totally wild—balloons, Easter eggs, vibrant colours, and even spikes! Everyone ’ s creativity really stood out, and it was so cool to see how much effort everyone put in. What made it even more fun was seeing the teachers join in on the action too! Mr Abney - Hastings had pink and purple spikes in his hair, Ms Giles rocked a rainbow wig, and Ms Adams, Ms Sutton and Ms Heyton all had their hair in awesome shades of pink and purple. It was great to see the whole school coming together for such a fun day. We also raised over $100 for our school, which is fantastic, and the energy around the event was just awesome. On top of that, we ’ ve been running the Zooper Dooper sales on Fridays, which has been super popular! We ’ ve already raised over $600 this Term, and it ’ s really rewarding to know that all the money goes towards supporting our school and future events. Overall, Term 1 has been really positive, and we can ’ t wait for the rest of the year. It ’ s been so great to see everyone getting involved in our school activities, and as SRC members, we're proud of what we ’ ve achieved so far. Can ’ t wait to see what else we can do!
SECONDARY SRC REPORT YEAR 7: LACHLAN & LOGAN
Hi everyone,
We are Lachlan & Logan your Year 7 SRC Representatives. We are excited to report to you about what is going well for the Year 7’ s so far in 2025. All the Year 7’ s are working hard, learning new things, and adjusting to Secondary school. We are really enjoying our lifestyles classes including Technology, PE, Performing Arts, Visual Art & Digi Tech. The whole of Year 7 is looking forward to Camp, Interschool Volleyball, Production and some of us have excursions coming up too. Its been great to settle in to the year, get to know our new campus, meet our teachers and make new friends
We are looking forward to reporting to everyone later in the year.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
A NEW ERA FOR OUR COLLEGE HOUSES
The Lakes is excited to announce a meaningful change to our House system. Previously, our Houses were named after Australian sporting heroes. While this reflected achievements in sport, it limited the broader relevance of the House system we envision—one that spans across all aspects of school life. To better reflect our local area, history, and commitment to cultural revitalisation, we have adopted Woi - wurrung names, with permission from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. These names connect deeply to Country and provide a more adaptable foundation for all areas of learning and community - building within our College.
We are currently collaborating with an Indigenous artist to visually embed these new House names throughout our College, ensuring they become a strong and lasting part of our identity. We look forward to embracing these changes and strengthening our connection to culture, community, and learning.
WOI - WURRUNG HOUSE NAMES
Biik - Ground
Bial - Red Gum
Ngawan - Sun
Yayal - Rain
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY AT THE WHITTLESEA SCHOOLS NETWORK
Lani (Yr 11), Jayda (Yr 7), Somma (Yr 10), and Milly (Yr 8) proudly represented The Lakes at the first Whittlesea Schools Network Principals Forum of 2025. They shared their culture, spoke on the meaningful impact of heartfelt acknowledgements, and offered valuable advice to school leaders on engaging with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Well done for representing yourselves as leaders, your culture, and our College!
“ We have a voice and are leaders in our own right. It is important to both be heard and to feel heard by sharing our voices. ”
“ Educating your school community about our culture is powerful. ”
“ Celebrating all people from diverse community and cultural backgrounds helps us all to feel included and connected to each other. ”
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter 2025 STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
PRIMARY CAMPUS
Kenzi E Lachlan M Maneel R Jerusha L
Primary Captains
Bial
Sophia CR & Thomas B
Biik
Miah MT & Harry A
House Captains
Ngawan
Steven N & Tania FZ
Yayal
Trinity A & Georgina M
Eloise C Kian S Jonah B Fletcher U
STEM Leaders
Yasmin F
Peer Mediators
Kathy N
ART Leaders
Addison M
Year 1 - 6 SRC
Year 1
Taher A & Marlee M
Year 2
Gavin F & Anorah C
Year 3
Krish P & Evelyn M
Year 4
Eli M & Ella A
Year 5
Tadana C & Katelyn B
Year 6
Levi B & Charlotte M
SECONDARY CAMPUS
Anhad S Aiden J
College Captains
Zaf P Hasti K
College Vice Captains
Bial
Riania K & Ella B
Biik
Eva L & Hayley B
Year 9 House Captains
Ngawan
Melbourne T & Khan O
Yayal
Rubi A & Zahra B
Skye B Carmel S Tori D Sierra T
Year 10 Peer Mediators
Year 7 - 10 SRC
Year 7
Logan M & Lachlan C
Year 8
Hiya D & Jana N
Year 9
Kiara W & Kris T
Year 10
Lucas K & Mihail D
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SCHOOL COUNCIL
Hello all,
A very (belated) warm welcome to all our new families and returning families to The Lakes in 2025. Hope everyone has settled in OK – amazingly we are already in the last weeks of Term 1!
For our new families, School Councils play an important part in Victorian schools and are made up of parent/carer representatives, teacher representatives, students and the Leadership Team. We are essentially the number one, leading parental/carer voice of the school community and act as a conduit regarding school issues between the parent/carer community and the school. Council meets eight times per year on a Tuesday and visitors and observers are always welcome!
Our February meeting was our last meeting for the 2024/25 Council term. At this meeting we:
• Were presented with our school ’ s 2024 VCE results, 2025 student pathways, and our performance compared to others schools in our region. We were also presented with an update on our VCE offerings/status for 2025.
• Heard about the new Primary Schools Nursing Program for the Primary Campus;
• Heard that we have received grant approval from the Department ’ s Emergency Maintenance Program for over $70k. This money will be used towards refurbing the art rooms on Secondary;
• Were presented with the results of the 2024 Parent Opinion Survey; and
• Endorsed to discuss and prioritise the 2025 School Council Initiatives list and a timeline for actioning works. School Council Initiatives are a separate budget line item dedicated to works as decided by School Council.
• Moved to prepare thank you letters to the key players involved in February ’ s Welcome Back BBQ;
• Endorsed the community organisations wanting to hire our facilities for their activities in 2025; and
• Heard an update on the status of changing our House names to Indigenous names and the introduction of a new optional Indigenous uniform polo shirt.
Our next meeting will be the AGM on March 18 at 5pm, where the results of the recent call for nominations will be announced and the new 2025/26 Council will be formed. All parents and carers are welcome to attend. As always, if you have any issues, ideas, questions that you would like raised at our next Council meeting, or any other support, we are more than happy to hear from families so please feel free to send me an email to amanda.farrelly@education.vic.gov.au.
Cheers,
Amanda Farrelly School Council President
POLICY SPOTLIGHT
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & WELLBEING POLICY
thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/student_wellbeing_and_engagement_policy_2024.pdf
The Lakes South Morang College is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment for all students. We understand that students reach their full potential only when they are happy, healthy and safe, and that a positive College culture, where student participation is encouraged and valued, helps to engage students and support them in their learning. Our College acknowledges that student wellbeing and student learning outcomes are closely linked. Supporting both wellbeing and engagement at the College, we boast a multi - disciplinary wellbeing team, comprising Leading Teachers, Learning Specialists, School Nurse, Mental Health Practitioner, and Youth Workers. This team is further supplemented by Departmental student support resources and external organisations (e.g. Austin CAMHS). The Lakes South Morang College is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure our students are supported intellectually, emotionally and socially. The Student Wellbeing team plays a significant role in developing and implementing strategies to help identify students in need of support and enhance student wellbeing. The Lakes South Morang College will utilise the following information and tools to identify students in need of extra emotional, social or educational support:
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personal, health and learning information gathered upon enrolment and while the student is enrolled
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attendance records
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academic performance
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observations by College staff such as changes in engagement, behaviour, self - care, social connectedness and motivation
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attendance, detention and suspension data
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engagement with families
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self - referrals or referrals from peers
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information obtained through the MARAM Information Sharing Scheme
For more information on our tiered - response model visit http://www.thelakes.edu.au/wellbeing.html
Policies are available to all families via our website http://www.thelakes.edu.au/policies -- reports.html
We would LOVE your input and support, to enable us to continue fundraising events! Our next meeting is on Thursday 13th March at 5pm in the Primary Campus staffroom. For more information or to express interest in joining us please email amanda.farrelly@education.vic.gov.au
Hope to see you there!
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SOCIAL SCENE
WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Breakfast Club on Primary Campus Every Wednesday 8.15am - 8.45am (Except for the first week and last week of the term)
MARCH:
WEEK 8
Primary Assembly 9.15am in Gym
Monday 17th
Secondary Intermediate Volleyball
Year 11 WRS - Career Network Event
Tuesday 18th
Primary Cross Country
School Council AGM 5.30pm on Primary Campus Easter Raffle Donation & Harmony Day Celebrations
Thursday 20th
Friday 21st
Year 5/6 Interschool Sport
WEEK 9
Year 7 Information Session 5:00pm - 6:00pm on Secondary Senior Information Session 6:15pm on Secondary
Tuesday 25th
Wednesday 26th
School Photos
Thursday 27th
Year 5 Parliament Incursion
DUE MARCH 21ST
Friday 28th
Year 5/6 Interschool Sport
APRIL:
WEEK 10
Primary Assembly & Easter Raffle Draw 9.15am in Gym
Monday 31st
Primary Learner Review Meetings 10.30am - 6.30pm
Tuesday 1st
Year 7 Whittlesea Tech. Excursion
Wednesday 2nd
Year 7 Interschool Volleyball
Thursday 3rd
Whole School Athletics Carnival
Term 1 Ends 1.15pm dismissal
Friday 4th
Book Now for Primary or Secondary Tours on 9404 9000 for individual School Tours
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Parent/Carers are welcome to attend
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES ON PRIMARY
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES ON SECONDARY
PARENT INFORMATION Schools | Providing Consent
Secondary School Immunisation Program
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free vaccines from the National Immunisation Program schedule to all eligible students in Year 7 and Year 10 students.
The Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019 authorise schools to release parent and student information to local councils enabling councils can follow up with parents/carers after consent has been requested. This means that we will provide the City of Whittlesea with your contact details and a member of their Immunisation team may contact you if they have not received notification of consent or non - consent for immunisations for your child. Council WILL NOT contact you if you have provided a NO consent unless they require verification. If you do not wish for your details to be provided to the City of Whittlesea, please advise me in writing before close of business 28 February 2025. If you cannot contact me by the above date you will need to contact the Immunisation Administration Programs Supervisor at the City of Whittlesea on 9217 2170 if you have queries about your contact details. Immunisation is an important public health initiative. It protects individuals and communities from preventable diseases. All Victorian secondary students can receive these vaccines for free through the school - based program.
Year 7 students
Diphtheria - tetanus - pertussis (whooping cough)
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Year 10 students:
Meningococcal vaccine
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Local councils deliver the program and schools provide student and family information to the council, this enables families to register with Vitavo, our online immunisation registration program, and provide consent.
Year 7 Immunisation Date: Monday August 4th 2025 Year 7 Vitavo App Link: https://
whittlesea.book.vitavo.com.au/school/ TheLakesSouthMorangCollege - sp7OJx
Year 10 Immunisation Date: Monday May 12th 2025 Year 10 Vitavo App Link: https://
whittlesea.book.vitavo.com.au/school/ TheLakesSouthMorangCollege - sp7OJx
Thank you for assisting in this important Health program,
A parent/carer guide on providing consent using the Vitavo App can be found below.
Bec Young - School Nurse
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
OFFICE HOURS AT THE LAKES Parents/carers are welcome in our office areas when they are making payments, bringing a child in late or picking up a sick child from sick bay.
BELONGINGS, AMBULANCE & INSURANCE
Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Parents and carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and carers of students who do not have student accident insurance/ ambulance cover are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.
Students are not to use these areas before school or after school.
The Lakes South Morang College ’ s grounds are supervised by College staff from 8:45am until 3:15 (Secondary Campus), or 3:30pm (Primary Campus). Outside of these hours, College staff will not be available to supervise students. If a student is not collected before supervision finishes at the end of the day, the Principal or nominee staff member will consider whether it is appropriate to:
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attempt to contact the parents/carers
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attempt to contact the emergency contacts
CSEF (CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND)
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place the student in an out of school hours care program (Primary Campus only)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps, and sporting activities. If you have a valid means - tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families. Payment amounts this year are $150.00 for eligible primary school students and $250.00 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions, and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. Prep and Year 7 government school students who are CSEF recipients are also eligible for a uniform voucher. Schools are required to make applications on behalf of parents, so please register your interest at the school. It is important that funding made available in 2025 supports students to participate in school trips, camps, and sporting activities this year rather than being held for future years. This funding can also be used in conjunction with any funding accrued from previous years. If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the College on 9404 9000 and ask for an application form. You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training ’ s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page. Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
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contact Victoria Police and/or Child Protection to arrange for the supervision, care and protection of the student.
Please also be aware that both the Primary and Secondary Campus offices will close at 4:00 pm each day.
Please support us in making sure all students are safe.
ATTENDANCE - EVERY DAY COUNTS If you are aware that your child will not be attending school due to illness or other circumstances, please contact either office to ensure our attendance records are accurate.
Ways of communicating absences include:
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Placing a future Absence Request through the Compass Education Portal;
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Calling the office;
As required by the Department of Education, all schools must notify parents/carers informing that their child is absent. Please inform the office of absences before 10am each morning.
NO HAT - NO PLAY We will be enforcing our ‘ No Hat, No Play ’ policy in Term 1 on the Primary Campus. Wide - brimmed hats (with the school logo), are available at the uniform shop.
Please call 9404 9000 if you have a service or upcoming event you would like to promote through our Newsletter.
PHOTOGRAPHING, RECORDING AND FILMING CONSENT
thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/photographing_filming___recording_of_students_policy_2024.pdf
The Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Consent Form is provided by The Lakes South Morang College at enrolment. Recent Departmental changes to this policy mean that this now only has to be completed once during your child ’ s educational journey at The Lakes. As a component of our transition to Compass, all families across the College will be sent a message on Compass or contacted by a member of staff in regards to Permission to Publish for your child provided at enrolment. If at any time parents/carers wish to give or withdraw their consent, they can by contacting the College or completing the form below.
To update or make changes to your Photographing, Filming and Recording consent, please download and complete this form before returning to the front office.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS (SSB)
Department of Education will email you twice:
In Term 4, 2024 families with a child enrolled in Government schools from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will have receive the one - off $400 School Saving Bonus. The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education - related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks. The School Saving Bonus is not available for full fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
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October to verify you email address
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November, providing details on how you can access the $400 bonus.
Please check your junk email regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email. To learn more about the SSB please see attached sheet for government school parents and carers or visit https://www.vic.gov.au/school - saving - bonus
Actions for parents and carers
Parents and carers of children who meet the School Saving Bonus eligibility above are required to do the following by Friday 18 October 2024:
Click here for more information.
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Complete enrolment If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025, please complete enrolment. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. Check your contact information Ensure your contact information is up to date with your school. You can check this information by contacting your school directly.
Your feedback is valued. Please use the following link to provide our College Council and Leadership Team with feedback to help make The Lakes a positive learning community for all.
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THE LAKES COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
CANTEEN ORDERS
Scan the code to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College. Orders need to be in by 9am on the day.
This year the school canteen is offering lunch orders through the Flexischools app. Follow the steps below to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College.
Nominations close 5pm Friday 15 November 2024
Please ensure you have booked your child/ren into Your OSHC on Tuesday 1st April to ensure the Camp Australia program can go ahead.
To thrive, children need a safe and supportive environment at school, at home and in the broader community; no exceptions. At The Lakes South Morang College, we believe meeting the physical and emotional needs of our students is paramount in laying the foundations for a fulfilling future. We pledge to provide an environment that has zero tolerance to child abuse and will strive to work in partnership with our parents/carers and community members to keep our students safe every day, in every way.
The Lakes South Morang College Child Safety Statement
PRIMARY CAMPUS: Telephone: 9404 9000 275 Gordons Road South Morang 3752 SECONDARY CAMPUS: Telephone: 9404 9000 80 Jardier Terrace South Morang 3752 ABN 52 938 171 499 PO Box 207 South Morang 3752 lakes.south.morang.co@education.vic.gov.au
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