Welcome to issue 16 of the College Newsletter! IN THIS ISSUE: - Term 4 Calendar of events! - Helping Your Child Read - Part 1 - Making Wellbeing Visible - What are The Lake’s Goals and Targets? How can parents/carers support our vision? - SRC Update! - Dress Code Policy at The Lakes
THE LAKES SOUTH MORANG COLLEGE NEWSLETTER 2022 - ISSUE 10 Date 00, 2022
Term 4, Week 1 Issue 16 - 2023
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 Welcome
01
Student Perspective
06
Policy Spotlight
07
Term 4 Calendar
08
Curriculum
10
Wellbeing
11
PRINCIPAL WELCOME
What ’ s on @ The Lakes
12
Social Scene
14
BILL PANAS COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Community Noticeboard
15
Hello Lakes families and welcome to Term 4! I hope that you have enjoyed some family time and your children are refreshed for an exciting and rewarding final Term of 2023. You may have noticed a number of physical changes to our environment. Front of house landscaping has begun with new planting and refreshed garden beds on both campuses. We have a new signage wall erected that will have our College name on it for clarity and as a key feature of the works. The Prep - Year 1 toilet facility refurbishment is almost finished for students. We will follow this up with other toilet upgrades throughout the Term. The Primary Campus bike shed floors have been concreted, and, new air - conditioners have replaced older versions in some key areas across the school. We are also awaiting the installation a new electric car park gate for the Primary Campus carpark. On the Secondary Campus, our Year 7 outdoor space is almost complete. We have cleared land along Gordons Road to install a passive outdoor work space that will include chess tables. CCTV has also been installed across the Secondary Campus, with planned installation for the Primary Campus in 2024. There are many key dates in our schedule that impact student assessment, including: exams, transition days, step - up programs, celebrations, graduation nights and end of year activities. Please support us by highlighting and making sure your child is organised and ready to participate in these exciting programs. We continue our efforts to work in partnership with students and families to meet this important outcome and enhance student engagement and achievement. At the beginning of the year I highlighted the importance of communications in our protocols and goals set for the year. Please reflect on your practice in line with the checklist (below) and how you can continue to support your child with their school performance goals for the year.
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE:
• Helping Your Child Read - Part 1
Making Wellbeing Visible
•
• What are The Lake ’ s Goals and Targets? How can parents/carers support our vision?
SRC Update!
•
• Dress Code Policy at The Lakes
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
Our Staff Opinion Survey (SOS) has just been released for 2023. This is similar to the
SCHOOL STAFF SURVEY - SUMMARY, 2023 TEACHING AND LEARNING FACTORS
Parent Opinion Survey (results still pending). I
wanted to share how positive and excited our teachers feel in meeting the needs of our educational community, our annual goals and our plan for success. The results are indicative of the drive and determination of our whole staff (leadership, teachers and support/administrative staff) to meet the needs of your children. In summary, our results exceed similar school, network school and the state in almost every category and in most surveyed items by a considerable margin. Our commitment to high expectations, a positive culture for learning and school pride as our framework, supported by your positive partnership with teachers and contributions to support with curriculum delivery, can only sharply enhance engagement in our school. We need to continue to work confidently and together for ongoing student success.
Looking forward to a great term and thank you for your support and constructive feedback.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS & TARGETS? HOW CAN PARENTS/CARERS SUPPORT THE VISION?
Goal 1: Optimise Learner Growth
GOAL
TARGET
PARENT/CARER
Target 1.1
By 2026, increase the percentage of students achieving above NAPLAN Benchmark Growth in:
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Provide a safe and engaging learning environment at home
•
Numeracy Years 3 – 5 from 16% (2021) to 22%
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Support and assist with individual student education learning plans (IELPs)
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Numeracy Years 5 – 7 from 14% (2021) to 21%
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Support and assist with student intermediate goal setting and reflection
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Numeracy Years 7 – 9 from 3% (2021) to 12%
•
Writing Years 3 – 5 from 17% (2021) to 21%
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Provide regular feedback to teachers regarding student progress at parent - teacher interviews
•
Writing Years 5 – 7 from 32% (2021) to 36%
•
Writing Years 7 – 9 from 12% (2021) to 16%
Target 1.2
By 2026, increase the VCE
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Attend VCE Information Evenings
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Median study score from 23 (2022) to 26
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Support students with important VCAA & VTAC correspondence
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Percentage of English study scores at or above 30 from 18% (2022) to 25%
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Resource visits to careers days at further education providers
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Resource students with essential learning requisites including laptops and all textbooks
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Respect increased study needs by being calm and being flexible at home
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Proactively support your child ’ s wellbeing
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Contact teachers and welfare staff to assist with complex matters
Target 1.5
By 2026, increase the percentage of positive endorsement on the AtoSS for:
•
Check that your child is being challenged with their learning and program
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Students in Years 4 – 12 for Stimulating learning from 60% (2022) to 66%
•
Monitor student progress against individual student learning goals
•
Students in Years 4 – 12 for Differentiated learning challenge from 68% (2022) to 74%
•
Contact teachers or wellbeing support staff when you feel that your child is experiencing difficulties at school.
•
Students in Years 4 – 12 for Effective teaching time from 70% (2022) to 76%
Key Improvement Strategy 1.a
Build a culture of high expectations for learning with all staff, students and parents/carers.
Support 21 st Century learning skills: curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication
•
•
Challenge your child to perform at their best every day
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Ensure they bring the right resources to school eg technology
•
Be consistent with the language around school values and protocols so that high expectation is routine and promotes a high level of school pride
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter PRINCIPAL REPORT
Goal 2: Optimise student wellbeing.
GOAL
TARGET
PARENT/CARER
Target 2.1
By 2026, increase the percentage of staff positive endorsement on the SSS for:
•
Work to build student independence and resilience
•
Promote student ownership of learning from 52% (2021) to 60%
•
Provide strategies that encourages student ownership of issues at school
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Collective efficacy from 50% (2021) to 55%
•
Build confidence in your child so that they proactively engage in their learning and wellbeing responsibilities Work in partnership with teachers at the school to problem solve and maximise student performance
•
Target 2.2
By 2026, increase the percentage of student positive endorsement on the AtoSS for:
•
Attend Assemblies and other key college events to support their child ’ s education
•
Students in Years 4 – 6 for Sense of connectedness from 75% (2022) to 79%
•
Engage in college wide feedback forums held regularly at school
•
Students in Years 4 – 6 for Student voice and agency from 74% in (2022) to 78%
•
Read the College Newsletter and other official accountability data
•
Students in Years 7 – 9 for Sense of connectedness from 46% (2022) to 55%
•
Send through “ Hot Topics ” to School Council members for discussion
•
Students in Years 7 – 9 for Student voice and agency from 41% (2022) to 50%
•
Join our official social media pages on Instagram & Facebook
•
Students in Years 10 – 12 for Student voice and agency from 50% (2022) to 60%
•
Check, note and participate in upcoming school events on the Sentral calendar
•
Students in Years 7 – 9 for Effort from 69% (2022) to 75%
•
Actively support college policy and procedures.
Target 2.3
By 2026, decrease student absence for:
•
Ensure your child attend ’ s school each day and are punctual to school
•
F– 6 students from 25.4 days average per student (2021) to 22 days.
•
Provide a note for all absences and medical certificates where applicable
•
F– 6 students with 20 or more absences days from 28% (2021) to 24%
•
Contact teachers for school work on teams where your child is likely to have an extended school absence Follow up to make sure tasks at home are completed at the expected level for your child.
•
Years 7 – 12 students from 15.6 days average per student (2021) to 12 days per student.
•
•
Years 7 – 12 students with 20 or more absences days from 24% (2021) to 20%
Goal 3: Optimise community partnerships.
GOAL
TARGET
PARENT/CARER
Target 3.2
By 2026, increase the percentage of student positive endorsement on the AtoSS for:
•
Maintain high levels of positive communication with your child and their teacher Take an evidenced based approach to your child ’ s performance at school and help them set achievable steps for success Provide opportunities for your child to grow socially and emotionally by encouraging participating in leader ’ s programs, sports, performing and visual arts, lunchtime clubs, camps and excursions
•
Years 4 – 12 students for Sense of connectedness from 57% (2022) to 65%
•
•
Year 7 – 12 for Community connections from 44% (2022) to 55%
•
Target 3.3
By 2026, increase on the POS:
•
Read your child ’ s Academic School Reports
•
Parent overall general satisfaction from 65% (2021) to 75%
•
Complete the DET Annual Parent Opinion Survey
•
Participation rates from 9% (2022) to 30%
•
Complete school - based surveys
Key Improvement Strategy 3.a
Strengthen community partnerships in both learning and wellbeing •
If you are an ex student join the new college Alumni
•
Attend school networking and social functions
•
Support, encourage and assist with volunteer work, community and part time/ casual work placements
•
Support to enhance school programs using your professional expertise
•
Promote the virtues and achievements of our college and students in the local and wider community Participate in school improvement programs and fundraising to develop facilities and grounds
•
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
SRC NEWS In the first week of Term 4, The Lakes had a lot of exciting things happening! We enjoyed Zooper Dooper Fridays, had beautiful weather on Monday, and even got new toilets for the Prep - 2 students. One of the highlights of our week was Zooper Dooper Fridays. They came in different flavours like raspberry, cola, and blue heaven. Another exciting event that happened during our first week of Term 4 was the opening of the new toilets for the Prep - 2 students. These toilets were specially designed for us, and they looked so nice and clean. The walls were painted with bright colors and everything looked so new! It made going to the toilet feel more enjoyable and comfortable. Thanks Marcus!
A reminder also, The Lakes will be hosting..... The Lakes 2023 COLOUR RUN! The colour run will be hosted on November 30 th with more details to come very soon! Watch this video to see more …
SRC
We are looking forward to more amazing experiences and adventures in the coming weeks of Term 4.
POLICY SPOTLIGHT
STUDENT DRESS CODE
http://www.thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/student_dress_code_policy_2022.pdf
The Student Dress Code aims to:
• foster a sense of community and belonging and encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
• support The Lakes commitment to ensuring that our students feel equal and are dressed safely and appropriately for College activities
reduce student competition on the basis of clothing
•
• enhance the profile and identity of the College and its students within the wider community.
The College Council has developed a dress code that we believe provides a range of choices for students and is cost effective for families. Students are expected to comply with this Student Dress Code while traveling to and from school, during school hours and when attending College activities. Uniform items can be purchased from A - plus uniforms retail outlet located at Unit 3/30 Heaths Ct, Mill Park. Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 9.00 - 5.00, Friday 9.00 - 3.00 and Saturday 9.00 - 12.00. https://www.aplusschoolwear.com.au/Default.aspx Please contact the College Wellbeing team to discuss support that we may be able to provide to families experiencing difficulty meeting uniform costs, including information about eligibility for uniform support through State Schools Relief.
Policies are available to all families via the the Sentral Portal (under Resources) or via our website http://www.thelakes.edu.au/policies -- reports.html
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter TERM FOUR CALENDAR
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
WEEK 1
Oct 2
Oct 3
Oct 4
Oct 5
Oct 6
All Day Term 4 Begins
WEEK 2
Oct 9
Oct 10
Oct 11
Oct 12
Oct 13
All Day Year 9 Drama, Arts Centre excursion
All Day Year 7 ACMI excursion
2.30pm Primary Assembly
WEEK 3
Oct 16
Oct 17
Oct 18
Oct 19
Oct 20
All Day Final day of Year 12 classes
All Day Year 12 Celebration Day (Ice Skating)
Year 12 Exams Persian
All Day Year 9 Girls - Big Sister program
5pm - 7pm Year 1 Dinner
5.30pm School Council Meeting
6.30pm Year 2 Sleepover
WEEK 4
Oct 23
Oct 24
Oct 25
Oct 26
Oct 27
Year 12 Exams English
All Day Year 7 Immunizations
All Day 3/4 Soccer Competition
Year 12 Exams Biology Maths (exam 1)
2.30pm Primary Assembly
WEEK 5
Oct 30
Oct 31
Nov 1
Nov 2
Nov 3
Year 12 Exams Maths (exam 2)
All Day 5/6 Victorian Coding Challenge Competition All Day Year 9 & Year 11 VM Real Life Job Interviews
Year 12 Exams Business Management
Year 12 Exams Health & Human Development
All Day Year 3 Edendale Farm excursion
WEEK 6
Nov 6
Nov 7
Nov 8
Nov 9
Nov 10
Student Free Day
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Year 12 Exams Legal Studies
All Day Final day of Year 11 classes 2.30pm Primary Assembly
Year 12 Exams Agricultural & Horticultural Studies (offsite) History Revolutions (offsite)
All Day Prep farm excursion
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
WEEK 7
Nov 13
Nov 14
Nov 15
Nov 16
Nov 17
Year 11 Exams
9.15am - 10.30am 2024 Prep Transition All Day Year 5 Melbourne Zoo Excursion
All Day Final day of Year 11 VM classes
6.30pm Year 12 Graduation
WEEK 8
Nov 20
Nov 21
Nov 22
Nov 23
Nov 24
Year 10 Exams
All Day 2024 Year 12 Step Up
All Day 2024 Year 12 Step Up
9.15am - 10.30am 2024 Prep Transition All Day 2024 Year 12 Step Up
All Day 2024 Year 12 Step Up
All Day 2024 Year 12 Step Up
Year 10 Funfields
5.30pm School Council Meeting
2.30pm Primary Assembly
WEEK 9
Nov 27
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 1
Year 11 Redemption
Curriculum Day
All Day 2024 Year 11 Step Up
All Day 2024 Year 11 Step Up
9.15am - 10.30am 2024 Prep Transition All Day 2024 Year 11 Step Up
All Day 2024 Year 11 Step Up (Final day of Year 10) 11.30am - 3.15pm Prep - 10 Colour Run!
WEEK 10
Dec 4
Dec 5
Dec 5
Dec 6
Dec 7
Year 10 Redemption
9.15am - 10.30am 2024 Prep Transition All Day Year 9 City Experience Amazing Race
All Day Year 7 - 9 Funfields
3.30pm Song, Dance & Drama Showcase
2.30pm Primary Assembly
5.30pm Year 6 Graduation
WEEK 11
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Year 9 Redemption
All Day Year 7 Transition Day
Time TBC Team Dream Performance on Primary
6.30pm Awards Night
WEEK 12
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Year 9 Redemption
Curriculum Day
All Day Year 6 Funfields
9am - 1.15pm Final Day of Prep - Year 8 Classes
1.15pm Dismissal
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter CURRICULUM
HELPING YOUR CHILD READ
Part One: Reading together
Reading together is a valuable thing to do. Reading increases your child ’ s vocabulary, expands your child ’ s understanding of the world, and gives them confidence when using language. Reading helps children make the connection between written words and spoken words. This demonstrates the explicit link between reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Some helpful hints to help your child to read:
Talking is important in building a range of vocabulary, and confidence with varied sentence structures. These are essential to be successful in reading and writing. Reading can be hard work, and your child needs to be praised often. Encourage your child to choose books, magazines, catalogues and online texts according to their interests. Share wordless picture books to develop imagination, ideas and vocabulary by naming and describing things in pictures.
•
Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books. This will help your child experience some fun with language. Point out important features about a book – for example, the words and pictures, the front cover, the spine, the contents page, or the title. When reading to your child, read stories with expression, or try putting on the voices of characters.
Encourage your child to take over some or all of the reading if they feel confident. If your child is confident with their reading, allow them to read without interruption. Fluency is gained with confidence.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Give your child the opportunity to re - read books.
•
•
•
Explore words using a dictionary.
•
WELLBEING
MAKING WELLBEING VISIBLE
Making wellbeing visible is a strategic goal for The Lakes in 2023. According to the Black Dog Institute, wellbeing is a heightened state that ’ s beyond just feeling happy or having good health. It ’ s a condition of flourishing, where we thrive in many aspects of our lives.
Further to this, wellbeing helps us to:
stay resilient when times get tough;
•
build social supports and self - efficacy; and, emerge from our challenges even stronger, knowing we have the ability to cope with adversity.
•
•
Wellbeing considers how we:
cultivate meaning and good relationships;
•
Teachers have been considering how they might promote the visibility of wellbeing within their classrooms. This week we encourage your family to consider how do you, or how might you, make wellbeing visible in:
use our strengths;
•
contribute to a ‘ greater ’ cause; and,
•
find pleasure in losing ourselves in things we find challenging and enjoyable.
•
your home,
•
your interactions with others, and
•
your interactions with the school.
•
HOW WAS YOUR DAY?
WELLBEING TEAM
Have you ever asked your young person how their day was, what they learnt, and, who they played with - only to get a one or two word response? It can be difficult to reconnect with your young person after a long and
Why not try some of the following questions with your young person. This could be done when picking them up from school, around meal times or before bed.
• What made you smile today?
• In what ways were you creative?
busy day when minimal information is offered.
• Did you help get the chance to help anyone today?
At The Lakes we are constantly asking children to critically reflect upon their learning, their strengths and their actions. The act of allowing time and space for a child to process the question and formulate an answer is important. Just as important, is our capacity for deep and active listening.
• When were you brave today with your learning?
• When did you have to problem - solve today? How did you do it?
• How were you able to show kindness today?
• What would you like to work on tomorrow?
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Breakfast Club on Both Campuses Every Wednesday - 8.15am - 8.45am
(Except for the first week and last week of the term)
OCTOBER:
Brainstorm Productions Performance on Primary
Friday 6th
Wednesday 11th
Year 9 Drama, Arts Centre excursion
Friday 13th
Year 7 ACMI excursion
Monday 16th
Last day of Year 12
Tuesday 17th
Year 12 Celebration Day
Wednesday 18th - 8th November
Year 12 Exams
Thursday 19th
Year 9 Big Sister program
Year 1 Dinner
Friday 20th
Year 2 Sleepover
Wednesday 25th
Year 7 Immunisations
Thursday 26th
Year 3/4 Soccer Competition
5/6 Victorian Coding Challenge
Tuesday 31st
Year 9 & Year 11 VM Real Life Job Interviews
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
A reminder to our current families who are planning to enroll siblings for Prep 2024. With Prep orientation
sessions fast approaching.
Please see the office for information about enrolling your child for 2024. All new enrolments receive a free T shirt!
THE LAKES COMMUNITY FEEDBACK PRIMARY & SECONDARY CAMPUSES
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.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SOCIAL SCENE
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. CURRICULUM CHARGES We can see that many parents/carers have began to make financial contributions towards the 2023 Curriculum Contributions through QKR Payments. The College is most appreciative of the continued support and commitment shown by families through their contributions. Your financial contributions are what enables our College to operate and deliver the best possible education and support for our students. With exciting upgrades happening throughout both campuses this year including new carpets, sporting facilities, fencing, lockers and upgrades of toilet facilities, it is important that we work together to provide the best facilities for our wonderful students.
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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.
STUDENTS LEAVING AT THE END OF 2023
If your child / children are not returning to the Lakes in 2024, please ensure that you have notified either the Primary Campus office or the Secondary Campus office.
NO HAT - NO PLAY We will be enforcing our ‘ No Hat, No Play ’ policy in Term 4 on the Primary Campus. Wide - brimmed hats (with the school logo), are available at the uniform shop.
STAY CONNECTED The Sentral Parent Portal is the primary method for home - school communications at The Lakes. We are excited to say that most families have access to the Parent Portal. The portal allows students and parents\carers to keep up to date with important information and communication.
Thank you for your support and partnering with us in 2023.
Sentral Portal
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.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Scan the code to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College. Orders need to be in by 9am on the day.
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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