The Lakes South Morang College - Issue 04

Welcome to Issue 4 of the College Newsletter! IN THIS ISSUE: - Whole School Athletics Carnival student reflections - STEM at The Lakes - Agency & Engagement throughout Term 1 - Primary End of Term Awards - Easter Raffle Winners! - Holiday activity ideas

THE LAKES SOUTH MORANG COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 2022 - ISSUE 10 Date 00, 2022

Term 1, Week 9 Issue 4 - 2024

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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.

Principal Report

Compass Information

School Council Report

Student Perspective

PRINCIPAL REPORT

College Connections

BILL PANAS COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

Agency & Engagement

End of Term Awards

Sports Scoreboard

SRC News

Week 8 Primary Awards

Our College community has successfully embraced our vison for a positive learning culture to begin 2024. This has been underpinned by significant changes to College operations and a commitment by all to implement a harmonious, inclusive and high performing environment for learning. Students have: adapted to an extended recess and reduced lunch break; felt enormous support provided by teachers as Learner Coaches; slowly adapted to greeting teachers by surnames; been at the forefront of the co - design of their Individual Education Plans; and, adjusted to the benefits of flexible learning spaces with the installation of partition walls across both Campuses. Traffic congestion along Gordons Road has significantly reduced with the Secondary Campus dismissal time changing to 3:05 pm, enabling students to clear the area and have enough time to collect younger siblings from the Primary Campus at 3:15 pm. Over the last few weeks and continuing into next term, we will be conducting Discovery Interviews with students, staff and parents/carers to gauge their thoughts on the progress of the College in meeting the educational needs of our students. We are also shifting our communications platforms to Compass in Term 2 and our families have been amazing at transitioning so seamlessly to what will be a vastly improved process. Congratulations to the Prep students, teachers, and their families for a very smooth start to school life. It is such a pleasure to see their smiley faces and the establishment of routines and friendships. This term, we have also had a range of summer sports to compliment Year 5 - 6 sport on Fridays, a wonderful team building Year 7 camp and the completion of the important NAPLAN testing for Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 students. Wakakirri rehearsals are in full swing and our Performing Arts program will culminate with Song, Dance & Drama evening at Plenty Ranges Arts Centre at the end of next term. Thank you to the newly appointed School Councillors for nominating and volunteering their time and expertise (our School Council delegates list is enclosed in this newsletter). The School Council is an integral part of our College because its function is to ensure that our processes are transparent and that we are accountable and fiscally responsible in our operations. Our School Councillors are particularly keen to hear from you, to bring topics that concern families to the table, and to make significant efforts to connect our College with families. An initiative of School Council saw 2024 begin with a tremendous Welcome Back BBQ on the Primary Campus, setting the stage for a number of fundraising activities

Policy Spotlight

Bring it Home

Social Scene

What ’ s on @ The Lakes

Community Noticeboard

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE:

• Whole School Athletics Carnival student reflections

• STEM at The Lakes

• Agency & Engagement throughout Term 1

• Primary End of Term Awards

• Easter Raffle Winners!

• Holiday activity ideas

Secondary Campus 80 Jardier Terrace, South Morang 3752 (03) 9401 3919 Primary Campus 275 Gordons Road, South Morang 3752 (03) 9400 9000

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter PRINCIPAL REPORT

and events. From both the College and School Council, we thank you for your participation in this year ’ s Easter raffle and upcoming Mother ’ s Day stall. Our initial fundraising initiatives will go to the purchase of new sport uniforms for the Primary Campus. We are also looking at purchasing permanent outdoor table tennis tables on both Campuses through the next round of fundraising efforts. Thank you to all families for their financial support in increasingly difficult economic times. To top off term 1, we also had our first ever Alumni gathering. It was great to see so many ex - students come along to share their journeys, reconnect with the College and identify opportunities that will support our college moving forward. Our new Student Leadership Teams (of which there are many and varied this year including: School Council Representatives; School Captains; Student Representative Council members; House Captains; Peer Support Leaders; Sport Team Captains; and, Cultural Leaders) have embraced opportunities to lead the school assemblies, become ambassadors for transition and school tours, organise fundraising events through the SRC, lead whole school events like the Athletics Carnival, take on coaching roles and work with Learner Coaches to review College operational processes with diligence and maturity. We are slowly increasing student voice and agency both in learning and leadership which will only enhance our goal of high expectation and school pride. Congratulations to all our end of Term One Award Winners. You have demonstrated the College Values to a very high standard and set the tone for your peers. You are working at your personal best and role modelling our four pillars: academic rigour, high expectation, positive climate for learning and community leadership. Keep up the standards and challenge yourself to achieve new heights for the remainder of this year. Your families, your classmates and your teachers applaud your effort and this wonderful achievement. All students have completed a range of assessments and had the opportunity for a Learner Review Meeting so that goals/pathways can be discussed and altered as required. Our Secondary students have also been introduced to a fast and simple online tool named VERSO which captures their responses, educational and emotional needs, and enables the teacher to review: class engagement; learner comprehension; learner strengths and questions; lesson activities; flow of the class; and, interest of students, so that a proactive narrative exists between them. This is an exciting development that students have quickly grasped. At Senior School level, our VCE students participated in the highly regarded Elevate Education training, have set targets for themselves so that they are ready for applications into Tertiary and further education, both through ATAR and Early - Entry programs offered at universities, through School Based Apprenticeships, VETs and pre - apprenticeships including our local polytechnics, TAFEs and Trade Training Centres. It is uplifting to have our seniors develop into young adults, role models and school leaders. They are adding so much to the development of our positive school culture and we look forward to sharing their journey and pathways with you this year. Our College has been recognised by Principals and educational leaders within our region, North - East Melbourne Area, for our response in developing explicit targets for parents/carers to support their child ’ s learning plans, to engage you in our vision and to provide opportunities for authentic feedback through “ hot topics ” at School Council. The elevation as parent/carers as equal partners in learning has created an expectation that all adults at our College are role models that address concerns with a calm, problem solving, solution - based mindset. This serves to send key message to our children that it is with care, kindness and cooperation that problems can be resolved and that success is linked to a safe, proactive, rigorous and caring learning environment. Over the holidays, we will be carpeting the VCE building spaces and the general office on the Secondary Campus, CCTV will be installed on the Primary Campus and some upgrades to the ramps leading to our portables will be completed. Finally, I encourage you to read our 2023 Annual Report to the Community. This is a comprehensive and uplifting review of our performance and is a statutory regulation for Government schools. Once released by the department of Education ’ s Quality Assurance team, you will find this document on our website under College/Policies/Annual Report. Ms Lee, Mr Abney - Hastings and I would like to wish all families a safe and relaxing holiday period and a Happy Easter to the families celebrating this occasion on the weekend. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for an exciting term 2.

Mr Panas

College Principal

COMPASS UPDATE

The Lakes South Morang College is now using Compass for events. The College will be transitioning from Sentral to Compass Education as the communication portal for our College from Term 2, 2024. The College has made this decision on the grounds that Compass offers a superior product and better meets our education needs (see below regarding the suite of products). By now you should have received an email with your family login. Please ensure you have setup your account so that you can complete permission and payment for your child ’ s upcoming excursion.

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SCHOOL COUNCIL REPORT

Our school AGM was held on Tuesday 19 th March 2024 on the Primary Campus. We would also like to congratulate Amanda Farrelly who accepted the position of School Council President.

We discussed at length the purpose of the sub - committees and what they try to achieve, outside of regular School Council meetings. Finance is a mandatory subcommittee, as per the Department of Education, but as a school we can decide what other subcommittees we hold. Therefore we decided that Education will run on a more ‘ as needed ’ basis to discuss policies as they need to be renewed.

Education:

Finance:

Fundraising: Jenny Archibald (parent) Veronica Marsh (parent) Amanda Farrelly (parent) Helen Skendaris (parent)

Bonnie Lee (DET - staff) Josie Benfari (parent) Nash (student rep) Keara McIntyre (DET - staff) Rebecca Sutton (DET - Staff) Tijana (student rep)

Bill Panas (DET staff) Marcus Hastings (DET staff) Anna - LisaTewma (parent) Amanda Farrelly (parent) Grant Voss (Parent) Kathryn Lieschke (parent)

Hello Parents/Carers,

Amazingly, we are at the end of Term 1 already, feels like yesterday that we were at the Meet & Greets! Lots of events have already taken place including Harmony Day; Athletics Day (no rain delays this year!); Learner Review Meetings; Year 7 camp; and excursions for many year levels. New carpeting and glass partitions have revitalised our learning spaces and there has definitely been a new feel and vibe to the school this year. Our journey to meet the goals of our four - year strategic plan strongly continues. In February The Lakes was recognised by our regional Department of Education office for our significantly improved School Improvement Data. Mr Panas, Ms Lee and Mr Abney - Hastings were invited to present to their fellow principals from the north - east metro area on how this has been achieved by showcasing our parent/carer/community partnership strategies, including the changes we have made to School Council meetings. We believe this is the first time ever The Lakes has been selected to showcase its strategic activities to other schools, which we can be very proud of.

Lastly, the 2023 Annual Report to the School Community was also presented and endorsed.

March School Council Meeting

Following the AGM, our regular March meeting commenced. At this meeting we:

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Endorsed the 2024 Annual Implementation Plan.

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Reviewed our School Councillor Protocols for 2024 - 25.

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Viewed samples of the proposed new interschool sport uniforms and endorsed expending Fundraising money towards them.

Annual General Meeting

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Endorsed expenditure for our Executive Leadership team to undertake a study tour of New Zealand in June.

Our most recent meeting on March 19 began with our AGM. I am pleased to announce that the five vacant parent roles were filled by Grant Voss, Josie Benfari and Helen Skendaris (all returning), Veronica Marsh and Kathryn Lieschke. The two DE vacancies were filled by Bek Sutton and Keara McIntyre and the student vacancy was filled by Tijana M. We welcome Veronica, Kathryn, Bek, Keara and Tijana and know that their ideas for our school, together with their backgrounds and skills will add to the depth and diversity of our Council membership.

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Discussed Fundraising ’ s upcoming activities (Mother ’ s Day Breakfast on May 10 and Trivia Night on 1 June).

Curriculum Charges

A huge thank you to families who have paid 2024 Curriculum Charges, it is appreciated. Schools provide students with free instruction to fulfil the standard curriculum requirements and we want to assure you that all contributions are voluntary. Nevertheless, the ongoing financial support of our families ensures that our school can offer the best possible education and support for our students. The school ’ s budget is partly reliant on voluntary contributions – voluntary contributions allows program area budgets to increase and goes towards building and ground upgrades, all for the benefit and enjoyment of our students. It is important that we work together to provide the best facilities.

Our Council members for the 2024/25 term are:

Parent members:

DE members:

Jenny Archibald

Bill Panas (Executive Officer, College Principal) Bonnie Lee (Secondary Principal)

Josie Benfari

Amanda Farrelly (President)

Bek Sutton

Kathryn Lieschke

Keara McIntyre

Veronica Marsh Helen Skendaris

Student members:

Anna - Lisa Tewma (Treasurer) Grant Voss (Vice President)

Tijana M Nash C

Thank you again for your support and partnering with us in 2024.

Observers: Marcus Abney - Hastings (Primary Principal) Belinda Pattison Dale Saliba (Secretariat)

Community Issues & Concerns

Finally, Council is here to represent the whole school community, so as always, if you have any issues, ideas, questions that you would like raised at our next Council meeting, or any other support, please feel free to approach any of our members or send an email to amanda.farrelly@education.vic.gov.au. Council meets twice per term on a Tuesday and visitors and observers are always welcome.

The three Executive Roles were declared vacant and nominations held and accepted for the President, Vice President and Treasurer roles. School Council rep membership of the three sub - committees, Education, Finance and Fundraising, was also decided.

Have a wonderful break,

Amanda Farrelly

The Lakes South Morang College's Fundraising Committee warmly invites all College families to our inaugural Mother ’ s Day breakfast and special person ’ s

Friday 10th May, 2024 8:00am— 8:45 am

Primary Campus

We will be serving pancakes free of charge and there will be a coffee van with free coffee (for Mother ’ s or special adults) on site as well.

Lakes Family Trivia Night!

Saturday 1st June, 2024 6:30pm - 11:00pm

Riverside Community Activity Centre Doreen Rogan Way, South Morang

This is an 18+ event. More details on how to book your tickets coming soon!

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter STUDENT PERSPECTIVE

HOUSE CAPTAIN REFLECTIONS

PRIMARY SCHOOL HOUSE CAPTAINS

The House Athletics Carnival was an electrifying event that brought together students from our 4 Lakes houses for a day filled with thrilling competitions and fun. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as everyone showed up dressed in their house colours, ready to cheer on their teammates and give their all in each event. It was heartwarming to witness the incredible sportsmanship displayed by all students, with everyone supporting and encouraging each other throughout the day. The spirit of Teamwork and Respect was truly inspiring to see, creating a positive and inclusive environment where everyone felt valued and supported.

Everyone was cheering their house colours and chants filled the air as students pushed themselves to be the winners! The competition was fierce, but in the end, it was Beachley House that emerged as the ultimate champions, dominating the events and claiming The Lakes House Cup. Congratulations to Beachley House for their outstanding performance and to all the students for their hard work and dedication. The House Athletics Carnival was a memorable and exhilarating day, showcasing the incredible talent and spirit of our school community. Thanks to Alex and Secondary PE team for organising the day.

SECONDARY HOUSE CAPTAIN REFLECTION

What a day athletics carnival was! It was a really nice sunny day, and it was great to see so many students from both Primary and Secondary participating in at least one sport. The Year 12’ s dressed up in great costumes, shout out to Izak F who was best dressed. The highlight of the day was the whole school chant. Everyone got involved and it is a great tradition that should continue every year.

The Secondary School Leaders, plus a few other student volunteers assisted Primary teachers with the Prep - Year 3 novelty events. All the students had heaps of fun, the most popular activity was the egg and spoon race and the handball. We had a really good time running those events.

Although it was close, Beachley won the cup. We had a great day helping run the event and we hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

WHY IS STEM IMPORTANT?

WE NEED A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO CHANGE AUSTRALIA ’ S FUTURE IN STEM Industry and education both play a key role in changing Australia ’ s future. They can:

STEM skills are crucial for Australia ’ s changing future The world is changing around us. Digital technology has become a core part of our everyday lives. Advances in technology impact everything, especially the world of work. Entire job sectors are emerging or disappearing, and workforces are rushing to keep up with change. Automation and globalisation are changing the way we think about, and define, careers. Employment is becoming fluid, and people will go from having one profession to several in their working life. These may be entirely different roles, across entirely different sectors. As the world of work changes, we will need to change our skills to match. The gap between the knowledge generated in the education system and the skills demanded by employers and individuals is widening. Overcoming these limitations requires a priority focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including the development of workplace skills in STEM. Future careers will also rely heavily on ‘21 st century skills ’ — for example, critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness, collaboration and problem - solving. When done well, STEM education complements the development of 21st century skills. It ’ s predicted that future workers will spend more than twice as much time on job tasks requiring science, maths and critical thinking than today. It ’ s vital that Australia keeps pace with technological change to advance its economy and prosperity. Without adequate STEM skills and understanding in Australia, there is a risk that companies searching for these skills will be forced to set up elsewhere. But if we prepare Australians for the jobs of the future, we will enjoy a thriving cycle of jobs and opportunities. STEM learning is also important for students in their everyday life in our contemporary world, with the rise of new technologies in biomedicine, microfabrication, robotics and artificial intelligence. The ability to understand and apply data, and develop solutions to complex problems, will be important life skills.

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Support students to understand the realities and needs of the STEM workforce.

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Prepare students for the big career challenges and opportunities ahead.

Schools, businesses and other groups have already started working together to create STEM programs to improve student outcomes in STEM. But there is more work to do. Together, industry and education can work to improve Australia ’ s STEM future. There are lots of others who can make important contributions, too. Many not - for - profit groups and community organisations support STEM education, or would like to. Parents also play a critical role in shaping the attitudes of young people and helping them succeed.

Original article published:

www.education.gov.au/australian - curriculum/national - stem - education - resources - toolkit/introductory - material - what - stem/why - stem - important

SECONDARY: SHE MAPS!

Students on the Primary campus have the opportunity to not only participate in STEM lessons, but they also attend weekly Digital Design lessons where they are learning and applying the design process to different engineering challenges. The Preps, Year 3’ s and Year 6’ s have been developing their scientific literacy and scientific knowledge in STEM with Mr McLean. The Prep ’ s have been starting to learn what science and STEM is and learning about what scientists do. They have been doing this through hands on activities where they make predictions on what will occur during their tests (e.g. will things float or sink, or what is heavier and what is lighter) and then observe if their predictions are correct. The Year 3’ s have been actively engaged in our ‘ Is it ALIVE and how do we CLASSIFY? ’ unit where they have been looking at how we define if something is alive or not and how we can use these characteristics to sort between living and non - living things. In particular they have learnt about why MRS GREN provides a range of characteristics (Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion and Nutrition) that helps to define all living things as distinct from something that is not living. Students are now starting to investigate and explore how they can classify animals using a dichotomous key. The Year 6’ s have shown great focus as we work through our ‘ Space … how far away is it? ’ unit. Students started off this unit developing an appreciation for distances and travel times they are familiar with so that they can then compare them to the size of planets and the magnitude of the distances involved when travelling in space. PRIMARY: BUILDING CONNECTIONS

Across Prep to Year 6 in Digital Design this term students have taken on a variety of challenges. In Prep, students have been exploring how different materials function and move. Students in Year 1 to 6 have worked through a variety of different tasks, using their imagination to create solutions both individually and as teams.

Here are some photos from our classes this term:

On Friday the 15th of March, myself amongst my fellow female peers took part in the She Maps drone incursion. We began the incursion with an introduction to the various roles and tasks drones are used for in not only the STEM industry but safety service sector. We learnt about the many different types of drones and how drones can be programmed to cover large landscapes and collect data. We then completed a safety checklist about procedure and protocol when flying drones. Then we got into the exciting stuff, flying the drones. We separated into our groups of three and had a test of our drone with each person allocated either pilot, copilot or safety officer. After we had tested the drones we got on to coding them. We coded our drones to cover specific areas on a map, with a flood plain, gaining practical experience in using drone technology for tasks such as surveying, mapping, monitoring and inspection. Overall I had an amazing experience which opened my eyes and made me learn many ways drones can make data collecting easier and accurate. Thank you She Maps! By Lexi, Year 10

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter AGENCY & ENGAGEMENT

Across the College students have been engaged in Learning Coach sessions weekly. In these sessions, coaches and students have focussed on the school values of Learning and Teamwork. Through individual meetings learning goals have been set and reflected on regularly. Collaboration was on display earlier in the Term with groups competing in the Spaghetti Tower Challenge which was a fantastic opportunity to see teams building connections, sharing ideas and experiencing success together.

THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR PRIMARY SCHOOL CAPTAINS...

“ As part of our role as School Captains we will be giving you a snapshot of the Primary Campus for 2024 so far. A bit about me, I love playing tennis and playing with friends online in my spare time. We are very excited to be part of the Student Leadership team and we ’ re looking forward to working with staff and students throughout the year. A sense of School Pride has been strong so far, students are putting rubbish in the bin, our yard looks fabulous and nearly all our students are in full school uniform. This has created a sense of feeling safe, a sense of feeling calm and a sense of feeling connected to our school ”. - Tri Than “ I ’ m excited to be a School Captain and to have this wonderful opportunity to help others in the school. Speaking of myself I like to play keyboard and playing board games with my family. Swimming is something that gives me joy and makes me happy. The upgrade of the toilets has been fantastic, they are much cleaner and inviting to use. Although, sadly, we have noticed that some students are beginning to mistreat and take these facilities for granted. It ’ s all our combined responsibility to maintain the hygiene. On a more positive note, we have noticed that the change to the timings of recess and lunch has had a valuable impact on students. They have enjoyed having more time outdoors in the morning to play and eat their snack or at lunch if they choose to. Students are more energised and switched on throughout the day ”. - Saanvi

YLAA YOUTH LEADERS CONFERENCES On the 12th & 13 th of March our Primary Leaders as well as our Secondary College Captains and several members of our SRC and Peer Support Team attended the YLAA Primary & Secondary Youth Leadership Conferences at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. They were joined by over 1,200 student leaders from nearly 100 schools across Victoria. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with other like - minded young people. Our leaders were enthralled by some incredible guest speakers including ex - AFL footballer and current Western Jets Coach, Trent Dennis - Lane; young entrepreneurs who have started businesses from scratch and inspiring young people who have overcome homelessness and adversity to become leaders in their community.

We are looking forward to working with all our young leaders to lead positive change here in The Lakes Community

“ I ’ m very excited to help the school and looking forward to being a School Captain. Firstly, a bit about me, I like soccer and playing with my sister at home. The new addition of the glass partitions through the learning street have been terrific, when walking through the Learning Street it is clear to see that students are more focussed in the classroom, it is a calmer and a more optimal environment for learning. And In addition to this, we are looking forward to the range of Lifestyles that are going to be provided for us this year. we are very lucky to have PE, Art, Dance, Drama, STEM and Digital Design with expert teachers ”. - Vishal “ I like hanging out with my friends, walking my dog, playing sports and being active. To enhance students time at recess and lunch all classes have access to their own sports equipment, this has helped students stay engaged during their time outside. Students have helped each other in the yard by telling a yard duty teacher about problems that have occurred. The Year 5s and 6’ s have enjoyed spending time on the Secondary Campus during 5/6 sport, it has been great to have a different scenery and to use the facilities. Another highlight was our Welcome Back BBQ, it was awesome to see the school community getting together to launch the start of the year ”. - Grace

We look forward to reporting to you again soon!

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter PRIMARY END OF TERM AWARDS

LEARNER OF THE TERM AWARDS

PREP:

For working hard to learn about our College Values and to show these inside the classroom and outside in the yard.

Prep A

Akira D

For showing The Lakes Value of Respect and Leadership by following and modelling our class routines and expectations.

Prep B

Ysabella P

For showing The Lakes Value of Leadership and Teamwork when he listens to and helps his peers.

Prep C

Taher A

YEAR ONE:

For making a great effort to try her best and complete all learning tasks to a high standard.

Savannah W

For making a great effort to be a hardworking student who always exceeds expectations.

Mia C

For making a great effort in all learning tasks and being a great friend to others.

Viraaj C

YEAR TWO:

For consistently completing all learning tasks to a very high standard and demonstrating a clear understanding of the Year 2 curriculum.

Cooper Z

Dhven M

For displaying a growth mindset when attempting his learning tasks.

YEAR THREE:

For making a great effort to further her learning by taking on teacher ideas and feedback.

Isla J

For making a great effort to learn and master new and challenging math concepts.

Olivis S

For making a great effort to complete all her learnings tasks to a high standard.

Monica D

YEAR FOUR:

For making a great effort to ensure that she is always on task and her work is completed to the best of her ability.

Aubrey H

For making a great effort to challenge himself in Mathematics and take on teacher feedback.

Joseph F

For persisting with work tasks and using problem solving strategies to seek support.

Nickan G

YEAR FIVE:

For consistently demonstrating a positive attitude and perseverance across all learning tasks.

Miah MT

For displaying a positive mindset when faced with challenges in all school settings.

Kenzi E

YEAR SIX:

For being a leader and showing all our Lakes Values, being a great role model for all other students within our school.

Naeema M

For showing how important it is to be respectful and work together as a team by being kind, helpful, and working together to make everyone feel happy and included.

Arvisraaj S

For showing initiative in group projects and discussions and consistently displaying the Lakes Value of Teamwork.

Selena G

CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

Respect

Learning

Teamwork

Leadership

Prep

Genevieve M

Ryder

Evan M

Thieven S

Year One

Gavin F

Charlotte J

Mia M

William P

Year Two

Mason B

Jack T

Mackenzie T

Ellie B

Year Three

Nestora M

Sarah T

Jasmine B

Charlotte S

Year Four

Amani B

Wren F

Leila J

Cohen V

Year Five

Fletcher U

Cynthia Z

Kian S

Connor P

Year Six

Samira B

Kara T

Diesel C

Hollie F

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SPORTS SCOREBOARD

TERM 1 PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL SPORT RESULTS This term the Year 5 and 6 students played Basketball, Soccer and Cricket against local schools. Students participated each week with energy and enthusiasm, modelling the school Values and pride.

Basketball

Soccer

Cricket

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Round 1:

BYE

Round 2:

The Lakes vs.

Edgars Creek

Round 3:

The Lakes vs.

Wollert PS

Round 4:

121

108

The Lakes vs.

114

Harvest Home

Round 5:

The Lakes vs.

Marymede Catholic College

208

Round 6:

The Lakes vs.

171

Epping Views PS

Round 7:

137

100

The Lakes vs.

Glowrey College

Keep an eye out for weekly results through the Instagram and Facebook. We will post the Term 2 scoreboard in the newsletter at the end of the term with all results from the Term ’ s activities.

TERM 1 TEAM PHOTOS:

FUNDRAISING AT THE LAKES

SRC NEWS The Student Representative Council (SRC) has had an action - packed and rewarding Term 1, filled with exciting events and initiatives that have brought The Lakes community closer together. One highlight of the term was the Easter raffle, which was a huge success thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated Easter prizes and chocolates. A special thank you goes out to Helen S for her dedication and time in wrapping all of the Easter prizes, ensuring that the prizes looked amazing. In addition to the Easter raffle, the SRC Year 6 members had the incredible opportunity to attend a Student Leadership conference, where they were able to develop their leadership skills and gain valuable insights into what it means to be a strong and effective leader. The conference was a transformative experience that will undoubtedly benefit the Student Leadership team in their future endeavors.

As the term comes to a close, the SRC is gearing up for one last celebration with Crazy Sock Day this Thursday 28 th . This fun and colourful event will be a joyful way to wrap up the term and showcase the creativity and spirit of The Lakes community. Harmony Day was another highlight of the term, with students coming to school dressed in their cultural clothes to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. It was a heartwarming sight to see the school filled with colour and traditions, highlighting the richness of our multicultural community. Overall, Term 1 has been a whirlwind of activity and growth for the SRC, with each event and initiative reflecting the dedication, creativity, and unity of our student leadership. A big thank you to everyone involved for making this term a memorable and successful one. Here's to more exciting adventures and achievements in the upcoming Terms!

EASTER RAFFLE WINNERS!

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WEEK 6 PRIMARY CAMPUS AWARDS

LEARNER OF THE WEEK

Prep A

Prep B

Prep C

Junior F

Liam B

Alexander H

Jennifer J

Hunter B

Mia M

Olivia H

Asher C

Trisha S

Charlotte S

Chace K

Athena M

Macie W

Axel T

Levi B

Eva R

Lual C

Sienna T

Devika S

LIFESTYLE AWARDS

Sport

Art

STEM

Performing Arts

Prep

Theo C

Isla W

Jaxyn L

Year 1

Hunter B

Victor J

Vandansh R

Jasmine B

Year 2

Nathan N

Dhven M

Ray T

Dhven M

Year 3

Ella A

Rantej S

Anastassia L

Year 4

Scarlett G

Misha M

Siena C

Wren F

Year 5

Levi B

Fletcher U

Aleen J

Year 6

Jagger B

Ally M

Lucas L

POLICY SPOTLIGHT

COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/communication_policy_2024.pdf

Successful communication strategies are an integral part of building The Lakes South Morang College ’ s reputation and image, both within our community and the wider public.

The Lakes South Morang College aims to build a community where all members – students, families and staff are able to communicate with integrity in an honest and respectful manner. The development of a partnership where all are valued, connected and informed are primary considerations. The Lakes South Morang College Communication Policy provides guidelines for the provision of effective formal and informal communication between the College and our school community.

The Lakes South Morang College is committed to:

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Promoting a friendly, collaborative and cooperative relationship between students, parents/carers and teachers.

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Listening and respecting both students ’ and parents ’/ carers ’ ideas, opinions and suggestions.

Therefore it is essential that all members of the community consider and incorporate the school Values and protocols when communicating information so as to:

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Providing opportunities for parents/carers to share information both formally and informally with the College.

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preserve the professionalism of the school,

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Nurturing a spirit of respect and cooperation between students, parents/carers, and the College.

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protect the rights of individuals,

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Providing an environment that is sensitive to the cultural and social values of families and the community. Ensuring confidential information is managed in a manner consistent with community expectations, professional standards and legal obligations.

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uphold our duty of care to students, and

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comply with departmental and legal requirements.

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Policies are available to all families via the Sentral Portal (under Resources) or via our website http://www.thelakes.edu.au/policies -- reports.html

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter BRINGING IT HOME

HOLIDAY FUN OUTDOORS Are you ready to go on a nature scavenger hunt? There are so many wonderful things to discover! Do you have bugs in your backyard? I wonder what they are? Look for tracks, scat and evidence of animals in your local area. Perfect for parents/carers to share time with their child in nature, for children to do alone or for teachers to use as a teaching resource. This Australian themed nature scavenger hunt has been hand illustrated and painted by artist and Eco Explorers bush playgroup facilitator Kate Rijs.

HOLIDAY LEARNING Over the school holidays students can continue to consolidate their understanding of skills learnt in Term 1 through games, helping with shopping or planning family trips and continuing to read each night. Students with BYOD iPad ’ s have apps that can support holiday learning and engagement in areas of Literacy, Numeracy and the Arts.

Here are some apps your child can try:

LITERACY:

Reading Eggs (Prep– Year 2)

ABOUT THE ARTIST Kate Rijs is an artist, qualified and experienced Primary School Teacher, Art Teacher and bush playgroup facilitator who is passionate about creativity and nurturing creativity and imagination in both children and adults. She believes that nature is the best classroom that there is.

Reading Eggspress (Year 3 - 6)

Epic!

Epic is a digital library of books that students can read and listen to.

Book Creator This app can be used by students to make stories, information texts or even a journal of their holildays to share back at school.

NUMERACY:

Essential Assessment

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Sunset Math

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My Numeracy

Targeting Math

BeeBot

This app is a beginning step in developing students understanding of computational thinking by using directional and instructional steps.

ARTS:

Arts at The Lakes

This website has been created by our Primary Art teacher Duong to engage students in a range of skills and techniques.

Source: https://www.ecoexplorers.com.au/downloads/free - australian - scavenger - hunt - print - out

SOCIAL SCENE

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES

APRIL:

Monday 15th

Term 2 begins

Monday 22nd

7 - 12 Badminton

Thursday 25th

ANZAC Day

Friday 26th

Pupil Free Day

Year 11/12 Winter Sports

Tuesday 30th

Primary District Cross Country

MAY:

Tuesday 7th

Year 9/10 Winter Sports

Wednesday 8th

Mother ’ s Day Stall (Primary Campus)

Mother ’ s Day Breakfast 8am on Primary Campus Primary Assembly 2.30pm in Primary Gym

Friday 10th

Tuesday 14th

Year 5/6 Tee Ball Gala Day

Year 9/10 Dance & Drama MTC Excursion

Wednesday 15th

Friday 17th

District Athletics

Tuesday 21st

Year 7 Winter Sports

Year 9/10 and 11/12 Girls AFL

Thursday 23rd

Year 5 VSSEC Excursion

Primary Assembly 2.30pm in Primary Gym

Friday 24th

Book Now for Primary Tours on 9404 9000 for individual 2023 School Tours

Book Now for Secondary Tours on 9401 3919 for individual 2023 School Tours

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES SECONDARY

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

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:

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.

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Placing a future Absence Request through the Parent SENTRAL Portal;

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Calling the office;

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Sending an SMS on 0427 226 537.

As required by the Department of Education, all schools must notify parents/carer informing that their child is absent. Please inform the office of absences before 10:00 am 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.

CSEF (CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND) The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps, and sporting activities.

It is important that funding made available in 2024 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 Primary Campus office on 9404 9000 or Secondary Campus office on 9401 9419 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.

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. Foundation 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.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

Please call Karen on 9404 900 to discuss further, if you have a service or upcoming event you would like to promote through our Newsletter.

CANTEEN ORDERS

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.

Scan the code to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College. Orders need to be in by 9am on the day.

The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

THE LAKES COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

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.

We are always looking to build new or foster current connections within our community!

Please call Karen on 9404 900 to discuss further, if you have a service or upcoming event you would like to promote through our Newsletter.

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 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: 9401 3919  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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