Welcome to Issue 6 of our College Newsletter. In this issue: - Mother’s Day Breakfast - Teaching & Learning Report - Building Resilience - Model UN Experience - Education Week Dates
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter
Term 2, Week 4
ISSUE 06 2025
Welcome to Issue 6 of our College Newsletter. In this issue:
Mother ’ s Day Breakfast Teaching & Learning Report Building Resilience Model UN Experience Education Week Dates
Image : Year 4 Science Works Excursion
COLLEGE REPORT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
RENEE SHORT ACTING SECONDARY PRINCIPAL & SECONDARY TEACHING & LEARNING
01 College Report
03 Student Perspective
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. This Term the focus of staff Professional Development on both Primary and Secondary has been on Explicit Teaching. Explicit teaching is a vital approach across both Primary and Secondary campuses, as it provides students with clear, structured, and direct instruction that sets them up for success. By clearly outlining Learning Intentions, modelling processes, and guiding practice with timely My name is Renee Short, and I am proud to be stepping into the role of Acting Secondary Campus Principal after 17 wonderful years at our school. I am genuinely excited by the challenge this new position brings and am committed to leading with energy, purpose, and a clear vision. My primary focus will be on the continued enhancement of teaching and learning, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and achieve success across all areas of their education. Just as importantly, I am passionate about supporting each student to grow into the very best version of themselves, both academically and personally.
04 Education Week
06 School Council
07 Policy Spotlight
08 College Connections
10 Curriculum
11 Social Scene
12 What ’ s on @ The Lakes
16 Community Noticeboard
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE REPORT
feedback, explicit teaching helps students build strong foundational knowledge and develop confidence in their abilities. This approach ensures that all learners, regardless of their starting point, understand what is expected and how to achieve it. Consistent use of explicit teaching across year levels also supports continuity in learning, reduces gaps in understanding, and promotes high expectations for all students. The Primary campus focus will be on Numeracy this Term and the Secondary focus is ‘ The language of Learning ’. The next step after explicit teaching is Feedback. Feedback in the classroom can take many forms, including verbal, written, peer, and self - assessment, each playing a crucial role in supporting student growth and learning. Verbal feedback allows for immediate, personalised guidance, while written feedback provides detailed insights that students can revisit. Peer feedback encourages collaboration and critical thinking, and self - assessment empowers students to reflect on their own progress and set meaningful goals. Continuous reporting complements these feedback strategies by keeping students and families informed of progress in real time, rather than relying solely on end - of - Term reports. This ongoing communication strengthens the partnership between school and home and allows for timely interventions and support, ultimately leading to improved learning outcomes. We encourage all parents/carers to regularly check Compass Learning Tasks across all subjects to have a clear picture of how your young person is travelling in their learning journey. End of Semester reports contain a significant amount of summarised information. This includes:
Progress against Victorian Curriculum Standards (Prep to Year 10)
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Completions of School based Assessments (SAC ’ s) in VCE (Years 10 - 12)
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Skill Checklists (Primary)
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Assessment Marks in percentage form (Secondary)
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Student self evaluations of their learning (New to 7 - 12 in 2025)
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Work Habits (Prep to Year 12)
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We strongly encourage every family to access these reports at the end of the Semester. Prep to Year 10 reports will be published in the final week of Term 2. Year 11 and 12 reports will be published in the first week of Term 3 to allow for exam marking.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
PRIMARY SRC REPORT YEAR 2: GAVIN & ANORAH
This term in Year 2, we have been learning about the environment. We've been talking about what people and animals need to survive, like food, water, and shelter, and how that ’ s different from things we want, like toys or lollies. It ’ s been fun learning about the difference between wants and needs, and we understand now that we need the basic things to live, but we don ’ t always need the extra things. In our reading lessons, we compared two books: The Three Little Pigs and The Three Little Pigs New Neighbour. We really enjoyed this because both stories were about pigs, but the new neighbour book was a little different, and it was fun to talk about how the stories were the same and how they were different. It helped us think more about characters and how they can change a story. In writing, we ’ ve been working on creative narratives. We learned that stories need a problem and a solution, and we also need to have exciting characters and settings. We really like making up stories, and now we know how to add a problem to make my story more interesting. We can ’ t wait to share our stories with our friends and teachers. We ’ ve been missing our Year 2 teacher Leah who is on holidays. As part of the Primary SRC, we ’ ve been working with Ms Hayton on a proposal for a school disco in Term 3. It ’ s going to be so much fun, and we're excited to see how it turns out! We ’ ve also organised a Winter Woolies Day for Thursday, June 5th, where everyone can wear their cosiest clothes. We think it will be a great way to stay warm and have fun while raising money for our school, so don ’ t forget to bring a gold coin donation!
This term has been really exciting, and we're looking forward to all the fun activities we still have to come!
SECONDARY SRC REPORT YEAR 8: HIYA & JANA N
In week 1 of this term the Year 7 and 8 cohorts went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum, as part of our Connection to Country learning for LOTE, which was a fun experience to learn about Australia ’ s past. In the museum we explored the First People ’ s gallery, the Forest Gallery, the Melbourne Story exhibition and another exhibition that took us back 600 Million Years. In week 2, the Year 8 girls had an incursion for a drone program named “ She Maps ”, where they learnt about different jobs that are used with drones, and they also got an opportunity to operate drones. The Year 8’ s have just started a Math CAT on decimals, fractions and percentages, we are all looking forward to demonstrating how much we have learnt.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Education Week is an annual celebration of Learning in Victoria
We invite all of our Lakes families to enter our classrooms to view our best practise teaching and learning in action. We are very proud of our robust curriculum programs we have created as well as our calm and supportive learning environments. There will also be a range of student led activities for all students to participate in throughout the week. Our families are an integral part of the wellbeing and learning of our students and we look forward to sharing this experience and strengthening these partnerships.
WEDNESDAY MAY 21 ST Primary Campus
Open Morning for Existing families 9.00 - 10.00am Secondary Campus School Tours for Existing families 10.15 - 10.45am
Tours for perspective families available at set times Scan QR Code to Book a Tour or visit our website
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SCHOOL COUNCIL
FUNDRAISING & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Hello all,
What an absolute awesome turnout to celebrate our mothers and special persons in our school community at the Mother ’ s Day breakfast last Friday! We estimate that almost 170 plates of pancakes were served; the keyring and bracelet making station was always busy; and there were some lovely words spoken by our students about how wonderful their mums were at the open - mic set - up. A huge thank you to all the mums, grandmothers and special persons who attended. A very special thank you goes to our parent/carer volunteers from our Fundraising team - Jenny, Veronica, Jenevieve, Caitlyn and Laura – for all of their organising and legwork in the weeks leading up to the event and to parent Grant and our principals Mr Panas and Mrs Short, who cooked up a storm on the BBQs, cooking literally hundreds of pancakes. A massive thank you also to Ms Lee and the many staff who also helped towards the day from getting in early to help set up; selling food tokens; helping serve; to taking photos, it is appreciated, and the Fundraising team are grateful for your support. Lastly, I would also like to acknowledge Camp Australia for their contribution towards the cost of the event and Frankies Café for providing the coffee. Our Mother ’ s Day breakfasts are an important event in engaging our school community and strengthening school pride; both of which align with the core areas of our Strategic Plan. I must also mention and thank parents/carers for purchasing gifts from our Mother ’ s Day stall on 7 May. Thank you must go to parents Josie and Helen who volunteer to organise and run this stall (and the Father ’ s Day stall) each year, with planning starting many months in advance. The next Fundraising activity will be a pie drive in winter, so look out for details on how to order shortly! In addition, if anyone would like to help in the organising of Fundraising events, or has any feedback, please reach out to me at amanda.farrelly@education.vic.gov.au.
Click here to see the photobooth photos!
Cheers,
Amanda Farrelly School Council President
POLICY SPOTLIGHT
CHILD SAFETY AND WELLBEING
thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/child_safety_and_wellbeing_policy_2024.pdf
Child safety is a shared responsibility. Every person involved in our College has an important role in promoting child safety and wellbeing and promptly raising any issues or concerns about a child ’ s safety. The Lakes South Morang College is committed to communicating our child safety strategies to the College community through:
The Lakes South Morang College is a child safe organisation which welcomes all children, young people and their families. We are committed to providing environments where our students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Our child safe policies, strategies and practices are inclusive of the needs of all children and students. We have no tolerance for child abuse and take proactive steps to identify and manage any risks of harm to students in our College environments. We promote positive relationships between students and adults and between students and their peers. These relationships are based on trust and respect. We take proactive steps to identify and manage any risk of harm to students in our College environment. When child safety concerns are raised or identified, we treat these seriously and respond promptly and thoroughly.
ensuring that key child safety and wellbeing policies are available on our website including the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Child Safety Code of Conduct, and the Child Safety Responding and Reporting Obligations (including Mandatory Reporting) Policy and Procedure
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displaying PROTECT posters around the College
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updates in our College newsletter
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ensuring that child safety is a regular agenda item at College leadership meetings, staff meetings and College council meetings.
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Policies are available to all families via our website http://www.thelakes.edu.au/policies -- reports.html
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
BUILDING RESILIENCE TOGETHER: THE LAKES' ONGOING COLLABORATION WITH MARIA RUBERTO
At The Lakes, our commitment to student wellbeing and resilience is exemplified through our ongoing collaboration with Maria Ruberto,
Resilience First Aid: A Proactive Approach
A key component of Maria's work is the Resilience First Aid (RFA) program, which she co - designed. RFA is a two - day certification program that teaches the neuroscience of resilience, focusing on six domains: Vision, Composure, Reasoning, Health, Tenacity, and Collaboration. The program provides participants with practical tools to build resilience in themselves and others, fostering a proactive approach to mental health. The Lakes staff have completed this training with Maria in 2025 and are utilising these approaches within classrooms.
founder and director of Salutegenics Psychology.
Maria is a psychologist and certified neuropsychotherapist with over 30 years of experience in education, clinical, and industry settings. Her work is grounded in the theory of Salutogenesis, focusing on building mental fitness and life - health by developing positive human resilience, including affective functioning and strengths - based skills.
The Power of the Physiological Sigh
A practical strategy Maria teaches is the 'Physiological Sigh' – a simple, scientifically backed breathing technique that can instantly reduce stress.
Integrating Neuroscience into Education
Maria's approach is anchored in neuroscience and brain function, framed by the science of optimism. She emphasises the importance of understanding the biological foundations of behaviour, highlighting how beliefs about stress can significantly impact health outcomes. Her work underscores the role of co - regulation and social connection in building resilience, particularly in young people whose prefrontal cortexes are still developing.
The technique involves:
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Taking a deep breath through the nose.
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Taking a second, smaller breath at the top of the first.
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Slowly exhaling through the mouth.
This technique helps regulate the nervous system, making it an accessible tool for students to manage anxiety and regain focus.
Practical Applications at The Lakes
Through our partnership with Maria, The Lakes has integrated these principles into our school culture. Staff have participated in professional learning sessions to understand the science behind resilience and how to apply it in the classroom. Students are engaged in activities that promote emotional regulation, problem - solving, and social connection. For example, we've implemented strategies that encourage students to navigate challenges independently, fostering their ability to cope with adversity.
Looking Ahead
Our collaboration with Maria Ruberto continues to enrich our school's approach to wellbeing. By embedding the principles of Salutogenesis and the neuroscience of resilience into our practices, we aim to equip our students with the skills they need to thrive both academically and personally.
Herald Sun Article: Strategies for Raising Resilient Children
For more information on Maria Ruberto and Salutegenics Psychology, visit www.salutegenics.com.au.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter CURRICULUM
On Monday 28th April, 8 VIA students from Years 8 and 9 attended the Model UN at Ivanhoe Grammar, joining a number of schools from around Melbourne to debate a set of resolutions related to Conflict and Peace in the world. Each team represented an allocated country, with our school presenting the interests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the other the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Student reflections on the day include:
• I liked being able to talk with other school students who I would never have met otherswise.
• It helped me gain more confidence because I saw all these different school kids getting up and talking. It was very motivational. • I really enjoyed working with other students to solve real - world problems and speaking on behalf of a country. I learned how countries debate, make compromises, and write resolutions to support peace. • I learnt a lot about how the Model UN works and it ’ s not about what you believe is good but what the country thinks, so I had to really get used to talking and representing Bhutan.
SOCIAL SCENE
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Breakfast Club on Primary Campus Every Wednesday 8.15am - 8.45am (Except for the first week and last week of the term)
MAY:
WEEK 5
EDUCATION WEEK
Monday 19th
Year 11 PDS First Aid
School Council AGM 5.30pm on Primary Campus
Tuesday 20th
Primary Open Morning 9am - 10am Secondary Tours 10am - 11am
Wednesday 21st
Friday 23rd
Year 5/6 Interschool Sport
WEEK 6
Primary Assembly 9.15am in Gym
Monday 26th
Year 7/8 Boys Netball & Girls Football
School Readiness Program 9.30am on Primary
Wednesday 28th
Wednesday 28th - Friday 30th
Year 5 & 6 Camp
JUNE:
WEEK 7
Year 1 Traffic School Excursion
Tuesday 3rd
Year 9/10 and 11/12 Girls Football
Wednesday 4th
Year 8 Girl Netball
Thursday 5th
Whole School Winter Woolies Day
Year 7/8 Wetland Excursion
Friday 6th
Pupil Free Day
Book Now for Primary or Secondary Tours on
9404 9000
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
OFFICE HOURS AT THE LAKES
BELONGINGS, AMBULANCE & INSURANCE
Parents/carers are welcome in our office areas when they are making payments, bringing a child in late or picking up a sick child from sick bay.
Private property brought to school by students, staff or visitors is not insured and the Department of Education does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage. Parents and carers are reminded that the Department of Education does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and carers of students who do not have student accident insurance/ ambulance cover are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs.
Students are not to use these areas before school or after school.
The Lakes South Morang College ’ s grounds are supervised by College staff from 8:45am until 3:15 (Secondary Campus), or 3:30pm (Primary Campus). Outside of these hours, College staff will not be available to supervise students. If a student is not collected before supervision finishes at the end of the day, the Principal or nominee staff member will consider whether it is appropriate to:
CSEF (CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND)
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attempt to contact the parents/carers
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attempt to contact the emergency contacts
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps, and sporting activities. If you have a valid means - tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card, or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families. Payment amounts this year are $150.00 for eligible primary school students and $250.00 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions, and sporting activities for the benefit of your child. Prep and Year 7 government school students who are CSEF recipients are also eligible for a uniform voucher. Schools are required to make applications on behalf of parents, so please register your interest at the school. It is important that funding made available in 2025 supports students to participate in school trips, camps, and sporting activities this year rather than being held for future years. This funding can also be used in conjunction with any funding accrued from previous years. If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the College on 9404 9000 and ask for an application form. You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training ’ s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page. Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.
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place the student in an out of school hours care program (Primary Campus only)
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contact Victoria Police and/or Child Protection to arrange for the supervision, care and protection of the student.
Please also be aware that both the Primary and Secondary Campus offices will close at 4:00 pm each day.
Please support us in making sure all students are safe.
ATTENDANCE - EVERY DAY COUNTS If you are aware that your child will not be attending school due to illness or other circumstances, please contact either office to ensure our attendance records are accurate.
Ways of communicating absences include:
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Placing a future Absence Request through the Compass Education Portal;
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Calling the office;
As required by the Department of Education, all schools must notify parents/carers informing that their child is absent. Please inform the office of absences before 10am each morning.
Please call 9404 9000 if you have a service or upcoming event you would like to promote through our Newsletter.
PHOTOGRAPHING, RECORDING AND FILMING CONSENT
thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/photographing_filming___recording_of_students_policy_2024.pdf
The Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Consent Form is provided by The Lakes South Morang College at enrolment. Recent Departmental changes to this policy mean that this now only has to be completed once during your child ’ s educational journey at The Lakes. As a component of our transition to Compass, all families across the College will be sent a message on Compass or contacted by a member of staff in regards to Permission to Publish for your child provided at enrolment. If at any time parents/carers wish to give or withdraw their consent, they can by contacting the College or completing the form below.
To update or make changes to your Photographing, Filming and Recording consent, please download and complete this form before returning to the front office.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BONUS (SSB)
Department of Education will email you twice:
In Term 4, 2024 families with a child enrolled in Government schools from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will have receive the one - off $400 School Saving Bonus. The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education - related costs, such as school activities and/or school uniforms and textbooks. The School Saving Bonus is not available for full fee international students, home schooled students, TAFE students and students attending kindergarten in 2025.
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October to verify you email address
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November, providing details on how you can access the $400 bonus.
Please check your junk email regularly to make sure you do not miss an important email. To learn more about the SSB please see attached sheet for government school parents and carers or visit https://www.vic.gov.au/school - saving - bonus
Actions for parents and carers
Parents and carers of children who meet the School Saving Bonus eligibility above are required to do the following by Friday 18 October 2024:
Click here for more information.
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Complete enrolment If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025, please complete enrolment. For more information, read about Enrolling in School. Check your contact information Ensure your contact information is up to date with your school. You can check this information by contacting your school directly.
Your feedback is valued. Please use the following link to provide our College Council and Leadership Team with feedback to help make The Lakes a positive learning community for all.
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THE LAKES COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
CANTEEN ORDERS This year the school canteen is offering lunch orders through the Flexischools app.
Scan the code to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College. Orders need to be in by 9am on the day.
Follow the steps below to setup an account and select The Lakes South Morang College.
To thrive, children need a safe and supportive environment at school, at home and in the broader community; no exceptions. At The Lakes South Morang College, we believe meeting the physical and emotional needs of our students is paramount in laying the foundations for a fulfilling future. We pledge to provide an environment that has zero tolerance to child abuse and will strive to work in partnership with our parents/carers and community members to keep our students safe every day, in every way.
The Lakes South Morang College Child Safety Statement
PRIMARY CAMPUS: Telephone: 9404 9000 275 Gordons Road South Morang 3752 SECONDARY CAMPUS: Telephone: 9404 9000 80 Jardier Terrace South Morang 3752 ABN 52 938 171 499 PO Box 207 South Morang 3752 lakes.south.morang.co@education.vic.gov.au
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