Inspire 2023

Welcome to the 2023 issue of Inspire. This publication is the expression of student voice at The Lakes and showcases the amazing learning that happens throughout the year on both campuses.

Issue 2023

inspire.

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, we at The Lakes South Morang College would like to say thank you to the traditional custodians throughout Victoria where we have continued to explore and engage in our learning this term. We pay respects to the Wurundjeri - Willam people of the Kulin Nation who have cared for the grasslands, the waterways, the animals, and sky where our Primary and Secondary campuses are placed. Through our ongoing learning and connection to land, stories, and cultures we share our journey this term through Inspire .

Contents 01

Principal ’ s Welcome Bill Panas 02 School Council Report Amanda Farrelly 03 Primary Campus Marcus Abney - Hastings 04 Primary School Captains 05 Secondary Campus Bonnie Lee 06 Secondary School Captains 07 Celebrating Staff 09 Student Representative Council 11 Community Connections 13 A Fun Filled First Year! Prep 15 Exploring Minibeasts Year One 17 The Best Things About Year Two 19 Exciting Events in Year Three 21 Indigenous Studies Year Four 23 Preston Market Excursion Year Five 25 Life in Year Six 27 Creative Expression Primary Visual Art

29 Interschool Sport Primary Sport 31 33 House Captains Report 34 Athletics Carnival 35 Bubbling with Curiosity STEM

Representing the Lakes Secondary Sport

37 Wellbeing at The Lakes 39 Adventures in Year Seven 41 Inspiration for Future Thinkers Year Eight

43 City Experience Year Nine 45 Learning in Action! VIA

47 Learning Experiences Year Ten 49 Secondary Writer ’ s Anthology 57 The Final Years VCE 58 Saving the Planet VCE - VM 59 Bring it On! Secondary Preforming Arts 61 Career Pathways

Principal ’ s Welcome Welcome to the first annual edition of the Inspire magazine. I am truly amazed by the diversity of experiences, reflections and collaborations that are evident, highlighting the wonderful future ahead for our inquisitive and creative young people. This publication is as much informative as it is thought provoking. This year ’ s entries highlight the vast range of exciting learning experiences and different environments that our students have had to learn in, both within and beyond our College. I would like to acknowledge our parent/carer community for the support and encouragement that you give your child, so that they stretch and fly to greater heights. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff for their commitment to empower and invest in education at our College. It is the combined efforts and partnership between families and College staff that goes into making each school year count, ultimately providing each of our young people with many fond memories of their college life. Congratulations to the organising and publication team for the professional presentation of the body of work and to the authors who have brought to life this amazing magazine.

BILL PANAS

School Council President Reflection As a group, School Council has continued to kick some amazing goals in 2023! The year started with members of School Council being on the selection panel for the formal recruitment and appointment of Bill Panas as our College Principal. Bill ’ s leadership and vision has had an immediate impact to the school, with significant attention to improving high expectations of students, academic rigour, school pride and community connectedness.

AMANDA FARRELLY

Both school - led and School Council - led activities have been well - attended and supported, such as: Mothers Day afternoon tea; Fathers Day Breakfast; the fundraising raffle at Production; fortnightly school assemblies; and, Open Days during Education and Science Weeks. I would like to thank all School Council members for their time and efforts this year. It certainly has been a team effort and everyone has added value by coming in with different perspectives and backgrounds in meeting discussions. It has been a privilege to lead such an aligned and committed group. To The Lakes Leadership team, thank you for all that you do for us and lastly, thank you to The Lakes staff for supporting School Council in our initiatives. If anyone would like to join Council in 2024, then please reach out. It ’ s the parent/carer community that make a school, so we would love parents/carers to be involved, the more the merrier!

Our goal for School Council last year was to upgrade facilities, and this came to fruition in 2023 by specifically allocating money in the budget for: new carpets; wall partitions; landscaping; the long awaited and much needed toilet upgrade on the Primary Campus, all of which have either started or have been completed. The synthetic basketball courts on Primary and learning pod partitions on Secondary are still works in progress, however fingers crossed these will be done early in 2024. Perhaps even more excitingly, School Council ’ s number one goal for 2023 has been to engage families and re - create a sense of community! Re - establishing a Fundraising Sub - committee has been the biggest achievement, together with a successful inaugural Parent/Carer Engagement Survey, which has given School Council and the Leadership Team some really interesting insights and ideas on how to create a stronger community culture and what the school can improve on.

Amanda Farrelly School Council President

Primary Principal Reflection

MARCUS ABNEY - HASTINGS

What a wonderful year 2023 has been! I would like to acknowledge with genuine gratitude the partnerships that make our school a productive and enjoyable working environment—our parents/carers, students, and staff together. When I reflect about this year, it is a great sense of pride and excitement that I feel. Our students have showcased outstanding academic achievements in various subjects. It is always hard to pinpoint school highlights for a year, as these will inevitably vary between students and families. It is certainly hard to choose from the myriad of engaging learning experiences, or our new initiatives introduced this year including greater student access to targeted high ability programs across Prep - Six, or, the introduction of STEM into our specialist curriculum. There are many examples throughout the year to support enhanced student learning outcomes. Every year level across the school have had extraordinary wins and opportunities to celebrate through camps, excursions, and special celebrations. The hard work and dedication of our teachers have played a significant role in fostering this growth. However, l think the activities that can be grouped under the heading of ‘ building connections ’ would have to be our

greatest success. Our school concert was simply spectacular in every way, bringing our College together. This event, you could say, even triumphs our 100 days of Prep celebrations, our 3/4 and 5/6 Camps, our Year 1 dinner or Year 2 sleepover that have happened over the year. I will let the students decide on that. These experiences have enriched our curriculum, fostered teamwork, leadership, and our students ’ social skills. It is heartwarming to witness their growth beyond academics. Another highlight this year has been our ever - improving NAPLAN data in Years 3 and 5. Yes, it is a snapshot of a student ’ s ability on a given day, but this is something that our students continue to have great success in - especially across the areas of Literacy. Our Attitudes to School Survey data continues to be strong compared to similar schools within our network and across the state of Victoria. This means that our students love coming to school, feel safe and have a connection at school. This is something that l am proud of. These 2 data sets continue to show the strong partnership between our school, our students and our parents/carers. Thank you for the trust and support you give to your children and the school.

2023 has also brought with it several facility improvements throughout our Campus. New carpets throughout the learning streets and classrooms, new toilets in the Prep/1 space, continuation of landscaping improvements throughout the front of our school to build a sense of pride and belonging - just to name a few. These improvements will continue throughout 2024. We want all our families to love your school and be proud of it. This does not aways mean we get everything right, but we work hard to support our families through providing the best education and facilities available. Thank you and a short farewell to our Year 6 students who are moving onto our Secondary Campus or other educational settings in 2024. We congratulate you on your effort, connection, and sense of enjoyment in your learning. We look forward to seeing you in 2024 as Year 7s. To our parents/carers on School Council, thank you. The support and work you have done across the year has been much appreciated. The organisation of the Father ’ s Day Breakfast, Mother ’ s Day stalls and hours spent at School Council to make our college a better place continues to enrich our College.

Congratulations for finishing 2023. Everyone ’ s shown massive improvement in their attitude towards learning and respect towards their peers. Everyone has been showing a lot of commitment towards school pride and have made some amazing achievements. Our school is ready for change, and we can ’ t be more excited to see what 2024 has in store for our amazing school and community. We believe that with the help of our peers, our teachers and community we can reach our goals and strive for success. We hope you all had an amazing year and that you enjoy your holidays and stay safe. Will see you ready for learning and fun in 2024! Primary School Captains to everyone

KIARA, ASHWIN, HARRY & NEHA

Starting all the way from the Prep ’ s learning new things to the Year 1’ s exploring the wonders of mini - beasts, Year 2’ s studying forces in inquiry, the Year 3’ s and 4’ s going on camp to the Year 5 & 6’ s representing our school in interschool sport and creating their own game in STEM. There ’ s also been some significant changes to the school such as our new and renovated toilets, much cleaner school yards, visitors from our community such as kindergarteners to the Minister of Education. There have been lots of changes within The Lakes, and that ’ s only the beginning.

Secondary Principal Reflection

BONNIE LEE

Reflecting on a Year of Learning, Growth, and Achievement at the Secondary Campus As we turn the pages of this yearbook and journey through the learning, growth, and achievement that has defined our school year on the Secondary Campus, it becomes clear that our students have not only grown academically but also personally. Embracing New Horizons: This year, our students engaged with opportunities to explore new horizons. Whether it was mastering complex mathematical concepts, delving into the world of literature, or experimenting in the science lab, each day brought a chance to learn and grow. Our commitment to providing a well - rounded education ensured that students had the tools they needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Unlocking Potential: One of the most rewarding aspects of education is witnessing the transformation of students as they discover their potential. Throughout the year, our students took on challenges that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. They learned that success often lies just outside the boundaries of familiarity and that they are capable of achieving greatness when they believe in themselves. Academic Excellence: Academic excellence has been a priority for our Campus this year. Our students achieved outstanding results in a wide range of subjects and standardised tests. Well done to you all in your learning growth.

Creativity and Innovation: Our College, and our Campus, is a place where creativity and innovation flourish. Students explored their creative talents through art, music, dance, and, displayed clearly in the bi - annual Song, Dance & Drama showcases and the school production. They also embraced technology and digital literacy, harnessing the power of innovation to solve real - world problems and tackle complex challenges, demonstrated most evidently through our ongoing partnership with the Whittlesea Tech School. Community and Connection: Learning is not confined to the four walls of a classroom; it extends to the relationships and connections formed within and beyond our school community. Our students cultivated strong bonds with their peers, teachers, and the community, creating a supportive network that uplifted them throughout the year. Our Year 7 & 8 students engaged in REACH sessions, our Year 9s in both City Experience and Big Sister/Man Cave sessions, and our Senior School Students in VET courses, Work Experience, Career Expos and Real Life Interviews - all of which saw them positively acknowledged by the wider community as exemplar young people who will make an extraordinary impact on our world. These connections are an essential part of the learning experience at The Lakes. To our Secondary students, as you move forward into the next chapter of your educational journey, carry with you the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the knowledge that with determination and passion, there are no limits to what you can achieve. Congratulations to our remarkable students for a year filled with growth and achievement, and here's to the bright futures that await each and every one of you.

Secondary School Captains

BRIDIE, LAURA, CHLOE & ADRIAN

Staff at The Lakes in 2023

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP Bill P | Bonnie L | Marcus AH

Celebrating Staff Achievements

In every great institution, there is an unsung hero behind every success story. Our school is no exception. The heart and soul of our educational community are the dedicated educators and staff members who work tirelessly to shape the minds and futures of our students. Our school prides itself on a commitment to excellence in education, and our staff members are the embodiment of that commitment. This year, we are thrilled to recognise their outstanding achievements in the classroom. From innovative teaching methods to creative curriculum development, our educators have continued to inspire and motivate our students to reach new heights. The achievements of our staff members extend beyond the classroom. They contribute to the creation of a supportive and inclusive school community where everyone feels valued and empowered. Their commitment to fostering a positive school culture has a lasting impact on our students and creates a sense of belonging for all.

This year we congratulate:

Alisha, Deepti, Jaz, Liv, Letitia and Pande for successfully completing their Career Start programs. Amanda, Dylan, Vanessa and Jodie for competing the Middle Leadership Development Program through Huddle Learning Systems

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Nicole who completed the Leaders in the Making course.

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• Gemma who was successful appointed as the Assistant Principal at William Ruthven Primary School • Letitia for winning the Design & Technology Teachers' Association of Victoria ’ s New to Technologies Teaching award • Patricia who successfully completed her Masters in Education – Learning Inclusion from QUT

Deepti for contributing to two international, peer - reviewed research publications in the areas of Medical Science.

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• Pande for obtaining her Doctoral Degree in as a part of the by La Trobe Postgraduate Research Scholarship and La Trobe Full - Fee Research Scholarship. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to every staff member who has contributed to the success of our school community. Your achievements inspire us all and remind us that with dedication and passion, we can continue to achieve great things together.

Primary Fundraising

PRIMARY SRC STUDENTS

The Primary SRC students have been working really hard on fundraising for The Lakes. During the year, our Student Representative Council organised several exciting events that brought joy and a sense of community to The Lakes. Three memorable events that stand out are Footy Day, Crazy Hair Day, and Zooper Dooper Fridays. These events provided us with opportunities to have fun, express our creativity, and come together to voice our ideas and thoughts. Footy Day was an incredible event that celebrated our love for sports. It was a day filled with enthusiasm, team spirit, and friendly competition. Students and teachers came to school dressed in their favorite footy team jerseys, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to the College. We participated in various sports activities, including skill challenges. Footy Day not only allowed us to showcase our athletic abilities but also taught us the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition. Crazy Hair Day was another exciting event that allowed us to unleash our creativity and showcase our unique personalities. On this day, students and teachers arrived at school with all sorts of wacky and colorful hairstyles. From crazy colors to outrageous hairstyles, it was a sight to behold. This

event encouraged us to think outside the box, be bold, and embrace our individuality. It was a day filled with laughter, compliments, and a sense of unity as we admired each other's creative hair designs. One of the most refreshing events during the year was Zooper Dooper Fridays. With the weather getting warmer, the Student Representative Council organised Zooper Dooper Fridays to cool down and enjoy a delicious treat. Every Friday, during lunchtime, we sold refreshing Zooper Doopers.

Thank you to all the members of the SRC for their hard work and dedication in making 2023 so memorable and enjoyable for everyone.

Secondary Highlights

SECONDARY SRC STUDENTS

Year 7: One of the main highlights for was Year 7 Camp in Term 1 when we all went to Phillip Island with some of the Year 9s. We have also really enjoy participating in th House Cup every fortnight, where we got to choose from the following different events: STEM Challenges, Sport, eSport, Performing Arts & Team Challenges. This has been a great way for Year 7 - 10 work together and build some House pride! We also really enjoyed the chance to get out and represent our school at interschool sports ,the Year 7s played Volleyball in Term 1 and Basketball in Term 3, although we didn ’ t make it through to the final, we all really enjoyed playing together. ~ Kiara & Mannat Year 8: This year has been so fun and joyful as we went to a few excursions and incursions during the year. Our cohort has made so many highlights this past year and it needs to be shared upon. This year the Year 8s have visited the Australia ’ s National Museum, ACMI at Federation Square, The Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick where we got the opportunity to listen to Andy Factor, a 98 - year - old Holocaust survivor about his traumatic

childhood and how he survived that devasting time. On August 1st and 2nd The Lakes South Morang College preformed the musical Bring It On. The cast of the show– main cast, ensemble, backstage crew and the band were all from the Secondary Campus from ages 12 - 18. These individuals spent over a year practicing nearly every day to make the show the best of the best and the students nailed it. ~ Carmel & Tori Year 9: This year has been incredibly busy for the Year 9’ s, some of us attended camp with the Year 7’ s early in the year. We were excited by our outstanding NAPLAN results and loved getting out to City Experience in Term 3, we particularly loved going to Parliament House and The Shrine of Remembrance. We had some representatives from Year 9 lay a wreath at the Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Ceremony in August, and were proud to share our school values with the wider community We are looking forward to the challenge of next year with many of us starting early entry VCE and VET courses. ~ Zaf

Year 10: The Year 10s have had a number of highlights this year. In Term 1, Year 10 Applied Computing completed a Drone Control workshop at Melbourne Polytechnic, many of us got to go to Grand Prix. We had to take photos of race cars on the day and then figure out the velocity from 2 photos.

In Term 2 we completed Work Experience placements which offered a glimpse into potential career paths, providing invaluable insights. In Term 3 we had an Invaluable visit to La Trobe University, where we got a firsthand glimpse at the opportunities they offer. The University tour provided us with insights into potential academic pathways and expanded our horizons. We are all eagerly awaiting the challenge of VCE in 2024. ~ Anhad & Aaliyah

Farewell, Au revoir, See you later and Cheers Community Connections

School is more than just a place of academic growth; it's a microcosm of the world, a space where young minds are shaped, dreams are nurtured, and friendships are forged. At The Lakes South Morang College, we understand the profound impact that community connections have on our students' growth and development. Building a Strong Foundation: Our College is more than just a collection of classrooms; it's a vibrant community in which students, educators, and families come together. The relationships formed here serve as the foundation for a well - rounded education. We believe that a sense of belonging and support is essential for students to thrive academically and personally. Learning Beyond the Classroom: The connections our students make extend far beyond the classroom walls. Through extracurricular activities, clubs, and sports teams, students have the opportunity to explore their passions, develop new interests, and build lifelong friendships. These experiences not only enhance their social skills but also teach them valuable life lessons about teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

Mentorship and Guidance: Community connections also play a vital role in mentorship. Our students benefit from the wisdom and experience of others who can provide guidance on academic pursuits, career goals, and personal development. These connections inspire them to reach their fullest potential.

Work experience

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Community Engagement: We believe in the power of giving back. Our College encourages community engagement through learning opportunities. These experiences not only instil a sense of empathy and social responsibility but also connect students with a broader network of individuals and organisations that can support their future endeavours.

Kinder reading sessions

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Salvation army sessions

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Fare share

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Preparing for the Future: As our students move forward into the world beyond school, the connections they have cultivated at school will continue to serve them. Whether pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or exploring new adventures, these connections will be valuable resources, offering guidance, networking opportunities, and a sense of belonging. At The Lakes, we understand that education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about building relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and preparing our students for a future filled with opportunities and challenges. The importance of community connections cannot be overstated; they are the threads that weave together the tapestry of our students' lives, creating a strong and supportive network that will serve them well throughout their journeys.

A fun filled first year! The 2023 Preps have had such a fun filled first year of school, with lots of learning and many special activities and events. Our favourite subjects at school have been STEM, PE, Art and Dance. We also loved engaging in Nature Play and even had one of our Indigenous families share their family treasures, traditions and stories with us. The Preps loved getting to know our Year 4 Buddies by having them play with us on the playground or having them help us with our different learning tasks. This year we learnt all about the people in our community who help us. We had visits from the Police, the Fire Brigade and the SES. The Preps got to sit in a police car and a fire truck. We even got the chance to switch on the sirens and spray water from the fire hose. The Preps joined the rest of the Primary and Secondary students in Athletics Day and the School Production. We were a little nervous at first but we had so much fun performing on a real stage, in front of a big audience. Early on in the year, we also performed a surprise Flash Mob dance with the rest of the Pri- mary students for all our parents/carers. We celebrated Science Week by building marble mazes and experimenting with all sorts of bubbles. Whilst Book Week was celebrated with us dressing up in our favourite costumes. We got creative with our hairstyles on Crazy Hair Day and donned our footy gear and team colours on Footy Day. The highlight of our year, however, was celebrating our first 100 Days of School. In the lead up to the day we learnt everything we could about the number 100 and made paper chains with 100 links to decorate our learning spaces. On the big day, we celebrated by coming to school dressed up like 100

PREP

year old people, with grey hair and walking sticks. We made fairy bread with 100s and 1000s, held a disco dance, a high tea picnic, then went on a parade around the whole school and participated in a 100 Days Fitness Trail. All the Preps have come such a long way this year. We have made many new friends and met many wonderful teachers and school support staff. We have learnt how to read and write and how to think creatively and critically. We have become so much more confident and brave. Most importantly, we have begun to develop the values of Leadership, Teamwork, Respect and Learning. We know that these values will help us to grow even more throughout the rest of our school years at The Lakes.

Exploring Minibeasts

YEAR ONE

In Term 3, the Year One students were researching various Minibeasts in Inquiry. They took part in a Minibeast Incursion where the students were able investigate all kinds of minibeasts.

I was excited to hold the minibeasts and I liked looking at them. Olivia

I was looking at a butterfly through the microscope. I saw the wings of the butterfly. They were orange and black. Crew

The Minibeast Incursion was really fun. I had to find a cricket in the dirt which is where it lives.

Ellie

At the Minibeast Incursion there was a tiny scorpion in the glass and I was looking the stinger that is on the tail. Gray

I was looking for the minibeasts that were on the paper and the last creature I had to find was a beetle. It was hard to find it. Stella

I liked holding the butterfly on the stick with the red cordial that it was drinking. It was fun! Anaya

The Best things about Year Two! Year Two has been very fun! Let us tell you all about it. The best thing that we have loved this year is the Athletics Carnival. On Athletics Day, we did some fun activities. We did a 100 - metre dash but before that we had to go on the bus to the athletics field. First, we got selected into our House groups. Once we were in our groups, we did lots of fun activities. We all got a well - done badge and then we had to go on the bus and go home. - Imogen, Max, Ozzie, Isla Year Two has been the most exciting year! Let us tell you about it. We loved Book Week. We loved the dress up parade. We also had Science Week. The best thing about it was blowing bubbles. We also did the Production. We danced to the song called ‘ Butter ’. We sat in the dressing rooms and played games. We liked the Production because we got to see our parents/ carers. - Rantej, Agam, Anissa, Elisha

YEAR TWO

This year has been the best! In Year Two, we have learnt lots of brand - new things. We have learned all about books, we've also learned all about science. For Science Week, our mums and dads came and it was so much fun. We were able to make lots of bubbles! - Layal, Jorawar, Leeban This year has made us feel excited! We have learned a lot of fun things. We have liked library because we've been able to borrow lots of books and been able to practise our reading. We loved Science Week, we blew lots of bubbles with straws we also did a bubble dance. It was so fun! We also had Book Week! Katie and Liam were dressed up as crayons. Katie was a blue crayon and Liam was a red crayon. - Soifa, Sarah, Isaac, Hunter We have done so many fun things in Year 2! Some of the things we have loved to do was going to Athletics Day, visiting Westgarth Town and swimming. When we went to athletics day, we got to play with parachutes and footballs. - Ethan, Bailey, Murphy, Krish

Year Two has been a wonderful year! Our favourite part was Science Day. We liked the bubble dance. We liked making all the different bubbles. In Year Two we also loved the concert. We really loved the Year Two Sleepover. We could not wait to listen to the music at nighttime. - Diya, Rolanda, Trisha, Ariyah Year Two has been the most exciting year! We have liked science week; we liked the bubble dance. We have also liked Athletic Day. We won the race! We also liked book week because we got to dress up as our favourite characters. - Aleen, Charlotte, Jasmine

In Year Two, we have loved lots of things! Here are some of our highlights - We got to go to Athletics Day. We got to run in a race, we also got to go on the playground with a parachute. Another time, we got to do a Book Week Parade. We dressed up as our favourite book characters. Katie and Liam dressed up as a crayon. We even went to Westgarth Town. At Westgarth Town we even saw a water pump! In Term Two, we made our own narratives. We even got to illustrate our books. - Olivia, Gurbir, Laurance, Mason

Exciting Events in Year Three Harmony Day Gundiwindi Camp

YEAR THREE

When we got to school, we were separated into 4s and 3s on two buses. We left on the 30 th of August on Wednesday. The drive was two hours long, but it was worth it. When we got there, we went into our cabins. I was in 13 with Leila, Katelyn, Pyper and Siena. On Day 1 I did the flying fox, and giant swing. Day 2 were the ropes and damper. Day 3 Archery and roasted MARSHMALLOWS!! For free time there was skipping, and I did the Teddy Bear rhyme. It ’ s fun to go to camp! When we were going home, we had lunch at the park and then we came home.

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we went to camp. The activities we did were the giant swing, ropes, damper, scavenger hunt, flying fox, archery, and toasted marshmallows. We watched a movie. It was Luka. It was the second time I had watched Luka. The giant swing was 16m tall and fast. I went to the very top. It was lots of fun. The flying fox is 5m tall and it was up on a big hill. The cabin number I was in was 14. In my cabin I slept with Macie, Scarlett, Beatrice, Avery, and Neve. For tea, we had pasta, salad, and chicken. For lunch we had, buns and peas and salad. For breakfast we had cereal and pancakes. It was lots of fun on camp.

On Harmony Day, I dressed up in a splash of orange. I ’ m Australian, my mum, my dad and my sister is Australian too.

Macie W

Hi I ’ m Aleks and I ’ m from Macedonia, and I was actually born in my country. I came here when I was only two years old. All my family are from Macedonia, but not my cousins. They are from Australia. Aleks P

Aria B.

On the very special Harmony Day, I dressed up in an orange t - shirt. My family cultures are Arabic and Australian. Harmony Day is about representing your culture and including everyone. Ryan L .

Elise S

Democracy & Me Incursion

At the incursion we learnt about Democracy and the Government. There were 6 candidates ~ flower, chief, cabbage, court & brick. The class voted who would be Mayor and there were bodyguards next to the voting box. The Mayor was Aubrey H. Overall, I felt happy about the incursion. Beatrice R. Yesterday was a fun day we learnt about the Government ~ Mason won because he won most of the votes and became mayor. Nicole said “ Mason will break the table with the gavel ” all the students laughed. We were voting if we should keep dogs on their leash or off; I voted dogs on the leads. I felt excited participating in the incursion. Jayden J.

Indigenous Studies

YEAR FOUR

My picture is about three snakes under a starry night sky, one element fire, one water, and fire and water combined, which is light or rainbow. Kathy N

The Term 3 inquiry focus was on Aboriginal histories and cultures. We have been focusing on the relationship between Country and culture, and the connection to place. A few key topics we have learnt about are the meaning of traditional Aboriginal artwork, song and dance, and the creation of the land. As part of our Inquiry, the Year 4s also went to the Melbourne Museum and explored the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. There they learnt stories of the First Peoples of Victoria, and celebrated the Aboriginal culture through performances, artwork, and traditions.

The Year 4s went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum. The best part of it was seeing the exhibition of Bunjil, the Aboriginal spirit and creator, who gave spirit and life to people. I also loved the First People exhibition. One of my favourite parts was when we had to sort out different cards labelled with Aboriginal related items, into different cultural bags and purses. Yasmin

My artwork shows Aboriginal ’ s meeting at the meeting place and hunting to get the emu and they got one. Alex K

Preston Market Excursion

YEAR FIVE

On Thursday the 31 st of August the Year 5s travelled by to train to Preston Market as part of our Geography unit in Inquiry. We walked from the Primary campus to South Morang train station and caught the train to Preston. Our focus was to learn about the different cultures and background at Preston market and how they connect with Australia. When we arrived, we had our brain food in a local park. After this, we went on a tour of Preston Market and were lucky enough to meet some of the owners of the vendors. They spoke to us about their shop, including the history of how long they had been involved at Preston Market, and their own cultural background. We visited a bakery, run by Giacomo, an Italian man who had been working at Preston Market for 15 years! We were lucky enough to get a free bread roll each. Next, we visited Beti, an Australian woman who sold poultry and game meat. She even sold possum meat, gross! Last, we visited Brian, a Chinese man who runs a fishmonger stall. We got to touch a fish and even a squid! After our tour, we had snack. For our next activity we were split into groups and were able to explore Preston Market. We were searching for answers to our booklets, which asked us to find

some different things around the market, inclduing French, Mexican and Japanese food. We also had to answer questions about the history of Preston Market by asking some of the vendors questions. The highlight of the day was being able to spend our money on some food from the market. We explored the different cultures of food, and bought some crepes from France, drinks from Mexico, muffins from England and bread from Italy. But most of went to the lolly shop or jam donut stall and enjoyed a sugary treat. We had a great time at Preston Market and learnt lots about different cultures!

Life in Year Six 5/6 Health In Year 6 we learnt about our own health including mental health, friendships and relationships and sexual health education. In friendships we learnt lots of ways to understand people ’ s feeling by their body language, more ways to express your feelings to other people and how to make people feel better. During mental health we started to find out more ways to be cautious about cyber safety like not wearing school uniform in photos/videos then uploading it. Sometimes people online can pretend to be of a young age but could be very old. It is also important to try and not to share lots of information that could possibly make you and your family get into danger. Lastly in relationships and sexual health education we learnt about the changes through puberty such as growth spurts, more hair around your body, deeper voices learnt, about body functions and where and how babies are born. Bertrand & Angus

YEAR SIX

5/6 Camp This year we had a fantastic time at 5/6 camp at Forest Edge. We went for 3 days and 2 nights and it was a two hour bus ride to the camp. Some of the activities were camp cooking, mountain boarding, archery , hut building, flying fox, there was also a playground and Gaga pit. There was beautiful nature. We also went for an amazing night walk. After all that we had some delicious dinner. One night we watched The Incredibles. At last we had to leave, but we had an immaculate time. Hiya, Olivia & Ramneet

Inquiry In Inquiry, we investigated physical and chemical changes of solids, liquids and gases. We went to a great excursion at Earth Ed where we experimented with solids, liquids and gases and had to uncover a mystery murder by testing different solutions we got to use the bunsen burners, safety glasses and lab coats which was a highlight, we felt like real scientist working in a laboratory. Another topic we investigated was physics with a specific focus on energy. We had an incursion where we investigated sound, light, heat and electricity. We experimented with circuits and conducted experiments that helped us to learn about the different types of energy. For our project, we chose an electrical device to research and we built a circuit to power the electrical device. Lots of people took their inspiration from real places and items in the real world. Students showed great persistence and dedication and teamwork to build their projects. Tijana

Creative Expression

PRIMARY VISUAL ARTS

This year in Art I learnt so much. I was able to explore different art and styles of and different artists who are an inspiration to many. I made a number of different artworks such as a hand made of Modroc, paintings, an Eiffel tower replica drawing and explored how to make art with science this term. The school has a wide range of supplies and resources to help me improve any skills and gives students choice on what they want to learn. Art was a fun experience that I definitely enjoyed this year and I can ’ t wait to continue with it next term. Kiara

Hayley

I love Art because I like painting. I like making

We like how we can be creative and make what we like and work together in groups. The Creeper from Minecraft was fun to make. It turned out better than expected. Bertrand, Angus & Harry I love Art because we ’ re allowed to create any art we want and we get to explore which helps us learn new skills. I also love how we have competitions so that we can challenge ourselves. Aleen

Dylan

different colours with paint. I painted space because I like the different planets. Lucas

We love Art because we get to paint and draw stuff. We wanted to make a volleyball court because we were inspired by sports. We love art because we get to make like cool designs. Aubrey & Neve

I enjoyed how we got to do Modroc this year. It was really fun. I also enjoyed how we got to create broaches for the Minister of Education. I like how we got the freedom to cre- ate and freedom with what materials we could use. I en- joyed how we could use almost every material. I really like how the Art Room is a welcoming environment. Yvonne

Ava

I love Art because it inspires me to do new things and it makes me feel free in what I do. My satchel got inspired by my culture which is Aboriginal and it make

me feel closer to my culture because I drew Aboriginal symbols on it. Miah

Miriam

Art has been great this term because we got to build lots of things from Modroc. We got to paint them. We also got to do lots of clay. My favourite thing in Art was polymer clay. I enjoyed making a frog, mushroom, galaxy glove out of Modroc. It turned out really well and it was my favourite project. I have it displayed on my desk at home. Siena C

It ’ s what you call the galaxy. Its our galaxy the milky way. What I like about Art is making pictures and using cardboard to make ships. Gray

In Art this year we were introduced to Modroc. A fun new medium with the properties of a plaster strip. We used these to build many things from volcanos to hands. I used Modroc to make a cool and creepy face mask. Kara

Interschool Sport

PRIMARY SPORT

This year saw another tremendous amount of opportunity to participate in Interschool Sports! Students from Years 3 - 6 represented the school in events including Athletics, Cross Country, Netball, Football, Soccer and Basketball, amongst others.

The Lakes had several success stories this year:

• 5/6 Girls Netball placed first in the District and went on to represent our school again at Division level, a very difficult feat to achieve.

5/6 Boys Netball placed second at District

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5/6 Boys Handball placed second at District

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• Miah MT and Phoenix T made it through to Division in Cross Country

• Noah MT won High Jump and went onto Division in Athletics

Well done and thankyou to everyone who both represented the school and put their hand up to do so.

Representing the Lakes YEAR 10 PHYSICAL EDUCATION Throughout the first semester, the Year 10 PE class demonstrated what excellent young leaders they are through their coaching and mentoring of our Primary school students every week during 5/6 sport. Their passion for sport and dedication to helping our blossoming athletes with patience, kindness and enthusiasm should be commended and we look forward to seeing these leadership skills continue to develop as they move into VCE next year. The Year 10s are definitely a sporty bunch and represented the school well in both Term 2 and 3 interschool sport programs. In Term 2 we had the intermediate soccer team and in Term 3 the intermediate Basketball team. Both teams played with focus and determination against some very strong local competition. The teamwork and leadership demonstrated throughout both competitions was fantastic and they should both be proud of their efforts.

SECONDARY SPORT

YEAR 7 VOLLEYBALL Our school Volleyball team jumped on the bus and headed to the volleyball courts nervous and hyped to play and to see old friends from the other schools. Once they arrived they could see all of the other schools practicing for their games so they copied the memo and chucked there bags down and started warming up. As they hopped onto the court with Morang South on the other side of the net they came out firing and beat them by a fair bit. As they had heaps of momentum from their first game they just got over the line against Mill Park B team. Then they played one of the strongest Volleyball teams - Mernda Central which they got smashed in. Then lastly they played Mill Park A and by then they were really tired and they just lost by a few points. After they finished their games they all hopped back on the bus with a smile of pride on their faces. Kris & Seyhan

House Captain Report

HOUSE CAPTAINS

SECONDARY REFLECTION This year as House Captains we have attended meetings and contributed to our school. We went on an excursion to the city to listen to Ben Pettingill talk about his struggles and experience being blind and how he lives through adversity. This was inspiring and made us feel like we could do anything we put our minds to. We helped with the organisation of Athletics Day, which unfortunately was initially cancelled due to poor weather. This didn ’ t stop us though! On that day we ran a variety of activities at the school and the athletics day was moved to a later date. Getting two days for our houses meant that we built our school spirit and we got to see everyone dressed up on BOTH days! At the Secondary Campus, everyone was given the opportunity to participate in every sport! This included Volleyball, Basketball, Netball, Soccer, Athletics and Cross Country. Not only this, but some students in year 11 helped coach the year 7 team which was another leadership opportunity and chance to build inter year level relationships. We had students from nearly every year level advance to not only Region and State events, but also Nationals.

This year we FINALLY got to do a school production (after years of being cancelled because of Covid - 19), ‘ Bring It On! ’. There were lots of opportunities to get involved including being backstage, in the band, helping with costumes/hair and makeup, and performing on stage! It was a great experience for all involved and we can ’ t wait until the next one. Over the course of the year we had LOTS of excursions, including, but not limited to Whittlesea tech; Girls In Stem; Melbourne Zoo; as well as our Year 9 City experience; and, a music workshop at the Arts Centre with many upcoming events like YES YES YES and an end of school activity for all year levels. At these excursions we learnt new things, made new friends and had fun with our peers. In conclusion, this year Thes Lakes South Morang College has been a journey filled with growth, inspiration, and camaraderie. We've faced challenges head - on, learned valuable life lessons, and created lasting memories. As the academic year progresses, we look forward to seizing every opportunity for personal and academic development, further strengthening the bonds within our school community.

Athletics Carnival

PRIMARY REFLECTION

On May 24th, our school had the opportunity to host our highly anticipated Athletics Day, which had been postponed earlier due to inclement weather. Finally, the entire school gathered at the Meadowglen Athletics Centre. Our Athletics Day was a spectacular display of talent, athleticism, and enthusiasm. From the crack of the starting pistol to the exhilarating finish lines, students showcased their skills in a wide range of events. Sprinters dashed with lightning speed, long jumpers soared through the air, and shot putters displayed remarkable strength. The energy at the track was electric as cheers and applause filled the air with each impressive performance. Amidst the fierce competition, there was also a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship, as athletes encouraged and celebrated each other's achievements.

Bubbling with Curiosity

PRIMARY & SECONDARY STEM

PRIMARY STEM

SECONDARY STEM On August 18th, the Year 9 girls embarked on a trip to Whittlesea Tech School for the 'Girls in STEM' event, coinciding with National Science Week 2023. Overcoming their initial nerves, the girls collaborated with students from other schools to create teams of four. The focus was on addressing a sustainable future within key areas: Energy, Waste Management, Wellbeing, and Liveability. During the event, the teams had the invaluable opportunity to design, construct models, utilise coding and micro:bits to develop prototypes, and ultimately present their ideas to professionals within the STEM industries. Regrettably, the restrictions posed by the participation of multiple schools meant that photography was not possible. However, the rich experiences and knowledge gained undoubtedly overshadowed this limitation. This event served as a platform for the Year 9 girls to explore the diverse realms of science and technology collaboratively and hands - on.

This year the Primary Campus embarked on the exciting journey of STEM learning as part of our Lifestyle classes. Students from Prep to Year 6 applied curiosity and enthusiasm to learning activities that explored the roles of Scientists, Engineers, Designers and Technicians. In Semester 1, we took on engineering challenges. From designing towers to get to the moon in Year 1 to creating a prototype of a building to survive a natural disaster. Students then developed their understanding of computational thinking. Preps took their first steps to understand the basics of coding whilst Year 3 and 4 students programmed a game in Scratch Jr. and Year 5 and 6 students learnt about binary numbers and conditional coding. Semester 2 saw students exploring continents of the world, observing features of Australian animals and using Dash robots to present their invented animal reports. We were lucky enough to trial a 3D printer and Year 5 and 6 students developed their design skills to make use of it!

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

During National Science Week, the Primary Campus celebrated National Science Week with a bubble investigation! With the help of some Year 9 students we asked “ How big can you make a bubble? ” As scientists we made predictions, experimented and investigated all things bubbles and then finally reflected and applied our knowledge to other bubble themed challenges. It was great to also share our learning with our families and friends who visited in Session 1 to see Learning in Action!

On Science Day we experimented with bubbles and learnt that bubbles are much better for the environment than balloons. We learnt that balloons end up breaking into lots of pieces and can harm our wildlife. So we are encouraging people to use bubbles instead. We experimented with blowing bubbles on a table and learnt that if the table is wet the bubble won ’ t break. We had an escape room puzzle where we tried to solve the problems to exit the escape room. I like that we were challenged to problem solve and think creatively. Harry , Year 6

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