The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter
Term 4, Week 7
ISSUE 15 2025
College Report Prep & Year 7 Reflections Understanding ATAR scores
2026 Contributions Inspire OUT NOW! What ’ s on @ The Lakes
Image : Year 3 Excursion
COLLEGE REPORT
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
CAMERON TAYLOR SECONDARY AGENCY & ENGAGEMENT
01 College Report
03 Student Perspective
What a busy Term 4 we ’ ve had at the College.
04 School Council
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. Even though the year is coming to a close, expectations remain high. Our Year 11 students are completing exams this week before stepping into the Year 12 Step - Up Program. Junior year levels will also take part in exams and a Step - Up period to prepare them for their 2026 studies. This initiative comes directly from the feedback of our Senior students, who shared that they would have benefited from earlier exposure to exams and the academic demands of Senior School. Our Year 12 students are now deep into their exam period, and we congratulate them on their hard work, resilience and commitment throughout the year. We ’ re looking forward to celebrating their achievements at the Graduation Ceremony later this week.
06 Curriculum
07 Policy Spotlight
08 Curriculum Contributions
10 What ’ s on @ The Lakes
11 Social Scene
12 Community Noticeboard
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE REPORT
Across the Primary Campus, it has also been an exciting and meaningful Term. Our Grade 1 Dinner and Grade 2 Sleepover were both outstanding successes and represented a real leap in independence for our young learners. Students embraced the experience with confidence, teamwork and enthusiasm—an important milestone in their early schooling journey. This year also marked our first involvement in the Glasses for Kids program. The uptake has been incredibly positive, with 25% of participating students identified as having previously undetected vision issues. These early interventions mean we can actively support their learning—both in the classroom and beyond—and ensure every student has the best chance to thrive. Additionally, our Prep Transition Program is well underway. The energy, curiosity and excitement from our new 2026 Preps has been wonderful to see, and our staff are working closely with families to ensure a calm, confident and joyful transition to Primary school. On the Student Agency front, we are currently interviewing all applicants for the 2026 student leadership positions. Thank you to every student who has applied—it ’ s going to be incredibly challenging to separate such high - quality candidates. Throughout the Term, our student leaders have been analysing the latest Attitudes to School Survey data, with a particular focus on lifting our results in School Pride and Connection. Their insights have already led to new initiatives across the school, including outdoor table - tennis tables, spikeball sets and the hugely popular Teachers vs Students competitions. It ’ s currently one - all: Students edged out the teachers in Basketball, but the teachers redeemed themselves on the Volleyball court. More lunchtime activities are planned for the remainder of the year and into 2026.
Please see the attached policies for further detail:
•
Mobile Phone Policy
•
Student Dress Code Policy
THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
At The Lakes, attendance is a key priority. Being at school every day means gaining the full benefit of learning, friendships, routines, and opportunities that shape a young person ’ s future. To put it into perspective: missing just one day a fortnight adds up to more than four weeks of learning lost in a year, equating to a full year of lost learning throughout the P - 12 school journey. We recognise that illness and unavoidable appointments happen, but where possible, please schedule family holidays, medical visits or other commitments outside of school hours. If your child is feeling uncertain about friendships, schoolwork or assessments, encourage them to attend—avoiding school often increases anxiety and creates patterns that are harder to reverse. If your child is finding school attendance difficult, please reach out to their Learning Coach or Year Level Coordinator so we can work together to support them. We know many families juggle significant challenges to get children to school each day, and we appreciate your ongoing partnership. If your child will be absent, please notify us promptly via Compass or by calling 9404 9000.
For more information, see the Department of Education ’ s Attendance and Missing School policy.
Remember: Every Day Counts.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
A reminder to students and families about the importance of full school uniform each day. Wearing the uniform builds a sense of community, belonging and pride in our College. We also reiterate the State Government Mobile Phone Policy: mobile phones must not be used on school grounds during school hours. Reducing distractions leads to greater focus, stronger engagement and better learning outcomes for all students.
Cam Taylor Learning Specialist - Student Agency & Engagement
PRIMARY REFLECTION AMELIA & PENNY PREP STUDENTS
SECONDARY REFLECTION LOGAN & LACHLAN YEAR 7 STUDENTS
This year in Prep has been so much fun! We loved The Lakes Smoking Ceremony. The First Nations people came and talked to us about their beliefs. There was a big fire, and we saw smoke go up into the sky. We listened to songs and music. It was very special. In our Sounds with Soundwaves, we learned all of the sounds. We liked saying the sounds and finding words that start with them. We like Maths because we get to draw, colour in, and count. Counting is fun and helps us learn about numbers. In Art, we made things using lots of different boxes and materials. We liked making and creating with our hands. We have buddies in Year 4. They help us and play with us. We like when we go on the playground with our buddies and have fun together. At playtime, we love playing outside with our friends. We run, climb, and slide on the playground. We went on excursions too! On Athletics Day, we ran races and played games. At Bundoora Farm, we fed animals like dogs, sheep, cows, and goats. It was so much fun seeing all the animals. We have loved our first year in Prep at The Lakes. We learned so many new things and had lots of fun with our friends and teachers!
This year, Year 7 has been full of exciting opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Early in the year, students proudly represented the school in inter - school Volleyball, enjoying the chance to compete and build team spirit. Throughout the year, we took part in a range of excursions, including visits to Whittlesea Tech School and the Melbourne Museum, which added depth and fun to our learning. One of the most memorable experiences was our three - day camp at Phillip Island — a fantastic opportunity to make new friendships and bond as a year level. Another highlight was our very first Performing Arts Showcase, where students showcased their talents and creativity. The standout moment of the year was without a doubt our Freaky Friday production. While it was definitely exhausting, it was an incredible experience that brought everyone together and created lasting memories. As we look ahead to the end of the year, we ’ re excited for our upcoming excursion to Funfields and one last visit to the Whittlesea Tech School — the perfect way to finish off an amazing Year 7 journey.
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter SCHOOL COUNCIL
Meet Our Wonderful Parent/Carers Volunteer Fundraising Team!
The Lakes South Morang College ’ s fundraising team is made up of a small group of parents/ carers who volunteer countless hours and energy into making fundraising activities and events a success, consisting of Jenny Archibald, Veronica Marsh, Josie Benfari, Helen Skendaris, Jenevieve Soria, Laura Johnson and Caitlyn Cox. The team ’ s incredible dedication and hard work have made it possible to bring to our school our annual Mother ’ s Day & Father ’ s Day Stalls, Mother ’ s Day & Father ’ s Day Breakfasts and our Welcome Back BBQ, all events which bring together parents/carers, teachers and students to foster a sense of community and shared purpose, creating a vibrant and supportive educational environment. School fundraising and parent/carer participation are essential. If you have any specific fundraising ideas or would like to participate, please email the fundraising team via School Council at amanda.farrelly@education.vic.gov.au
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter TEACHING & LEARNING
WHAT IS ATAR
& HOW IS IT CALCULATED?
One of VCE ’ s big mysteries is how the magical ATAR is calculated. Here ’ s a brief overview of what is done.
AGGREGATE SCORE BEFORE ATAR
The word “ aggregate ” means something that is formed by several parts. For example, a cake is an aggregate because it is made from flour, milk, sugar etc. The Aggregate Score is calculated by adding the Scaled Study Scores of English, the next three highest Scaled Study Scores and 10% of a fifth and sixth Study Score where applicable.
WHAT IS THE ATAR?
Mathematical Methods
Business Management
English
Psychology
Physics
Philosophy
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number that ranks students according to their academic performance in VCE. It is used by universities in their selection process.
Scaled Study Score
32
43
41
39
37
25
It is a number up to 99.95 with increments of 0.05 that represents a student ’ s rank within Victoria.
Aggregate Score
= English + Top 3 Subjects + 10% of 5 th and 6 th subjects
For example, if you score 99.95, this is akin to being in the top 0.05% of Victoria. Likewise, an ATAR score of 80.00 is indicative of being in the top 20%.
=
32 + 43 + 41 + 39 + 3.7 + 2.5
= 161.2
FINALLY, ATAR IS CALCULATED FROM THE AGGREGATE SCORE
THEN WHAT ’ S A STUDY SCORE?
The Study Score is a value out of 50 which ranks a student's performance for a particular VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) subject. Completed Year 12 subjects are each given a Study Score which are then used to calculate the ATAR.
The ATAR score comes directly from the aggregate score. All students aggregate scores are placed on a scale from lowest to highest and this is used to determine the percentiles. With each year ’ s results VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) provides a table which shows the relationship between the two numbers. An example of such a table from a few years ago can be seen below.
SCALED STUDY SCORE
The word “ scale ” means to adjust a number by a certain amount or proportion. For example, if you scale up someone ’ s wage, you are increasing the amount that the person receives. You may have heard of certain subjects being “ scaled. ” This is when a number is either added to or deducted from a Study Score. It is used to make all VCE subjects comparable in terms of the study score, regardless of some subjects being more difficult than others. Scaling was introduced so that there is a level playing field and students can pick subjects they are interested in without worrying about how it will affect their ATAR.
ATAR
Aggregate Score
99.90
208.98
95.00
173.89
91.00
162.57
90.00
160.27
80.00
142.29
In that particular year an Aggregate Score of 161.2 would be the equivalent to an ATAR of approximately 90.50.
POLICY SPOTLIGHT
COMPLAINTS
http://www.thelakes.edu.au/uploads/8/3/9/0/83901006/complaints_policy_2022.pdf
The Lakes welcomes feedback, both positive and negative, and is committed to continuous improvement. We value open communication with our families and are committed to understanding complaints and addressing them appropriately. We value and encourage open and positive relationships with our College community. We understand that it is in the best interests of students for there to be a trusting relationship between families and our College. When addressing a complaint, it is expected that all parties will:
•
be considerate of each other ’ s views and respect each other ’ s role
• be focused on resolution of the complaint, with the interests of the student involved at the centre
•
act in good faith and cooperation
•
behave with respect and courtesy
•
respect the privacy and confidentiality of those involved, as appropriate
• operate within and seek reasonable resolutions that comply with any applicable legislation and Department policy
• recognise that schools and the Department may be subject to legal constraints on their ability to act or disclose information in some circumstances.
Students with a concern can raise them with a trusted adult at the College, or can also ask a parent or carer to talk about the issue instead.
Parent/Carer concerns in the first instance should be directed to your child ’ s Learner Coach or Year Level Leader. Where concerns cannot be resolved in this way, parents/carers may wish to make a formal complaint to the Principal team on either campus.
Policies are available to all families via our website http://www.thelakes.edu.au/policies -- reports.html
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter COLLEGE CONTRIBUTIONS
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are excited to embark on another year of teaching and learning at The Lakes South Morang College in 2026. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we would like to advise you of important information regarding the College ’ s voluntary financial contributions for 2026.
While Government schools provide free instruction to meet standard curriculum requirements, assuring that all contributions are voluntary, the ongoing financial support from our families is crucial. Your contributions enable us to maintain high - quality teaching and learning programs, enhance extracurricular offerings, and ensure the upkeep of our buildings and grounds. These resources significantly enrich the educational experience for all our students.
School Council, along with its Finance Committee, collaborates closely with our Leadership Teams to establish recommended student fees that align with the College's budgetary needs. Your support has allowed us to implement vital student wellbeing programs, make upgrades to our facilities, and enhance classroom technology—all of which directly benefit our students.
We are committed to transparency regarding the allocation of school funds and will continue to provide regular updates through school communications and official School Council reports.
Attached you will find details of the 2026 contributions. For additional information on the Department ’ s Parent Payments Policy, please refer to the one - page overview attached.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to enriching the educational environment at The Lakes South Morang College.
Regards,
Bill Panas
Amanda Farrelly
College Principal
School Council President
2026 CURRICULUM CONTRIBUTIONS
PREP Prep Curriculum Charges Prep Booklist
VIA Year 5 - 6 VIA Booklist Year 7 VIA Booklist Year 8 VIA Booklist Year 9 VIA Booklist
YEAR 1 Year 1 Curriculum Charges Year 1 Booklist
YEAR 7 Year 7 Curriculum Charges Year 7 Booklist
YEAR 2 Year 2 Curriculum Charges Year 2 Booklist
YEAR 8 Year 8 Curriculum Charges Year 8 Booklist
YEAR 3 Year 3 Curriculum Charges Year 3 Booklist
YEAR 9 Year 9 Curriculum Charges Year 9 Booklist
YEAR 4 Year 4 Curriculum Charges Year 4 Booklist
YEAR 10 Year 10 Curriculum Charges Year 10 Booklist
YEAR 5 Year 5 Curriculum Charges Year 5 Booklist
Year 10 - 12 Early English Booklist
YEAR 6 Year 6 Curriculum Charges Year 6 Booklist
YEAR 11 and 12 Year 11 and 12 Curriculum Charges
Year 11 Booklist Year 12 Booklist
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION How to order resources with Campion Education Understanding the Parent Payment Policy BYOD Program
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter WHAT ’ S ON @ THE LAKES
Breakfast Club on Primary Campus Every Wednesday 8.15am - 8.45am
NOVEMBER:
WEEK 7
Monday 17th - Friday 21st
Year 12 Exams
Year 11 Exams
Tuesday 18th
7B Excursion
Thursday 20th
Year 12 Graduation
WEEK 8
Monday 24th - Thursday 27th
Year 12 Step Up
Primary Assembly 9.15am in Gym
Monday 24th
Tuesday 25th
Year 3/4 Cricket Gala
Wednesday 26th - Friday 28th
Year 10 Exams
DECEMBER:
WEEK 9
Monday 1st - Thursday 4th
2026 Year 11 Step Up
Monday 1st
Year 7 Exams
Tuesday 2nd
Year 8 Exams
Wednesday 3rd - Thursday 4th
Year 9 Exams
Friday 5th
Curriculum Day
Book Now for Primary or Secondary Tours on
9404 9000
SOCIAL SCENE
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)
•
attempt to contact the parents/carers
•
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.
•
place the student in an out of school hours care program (Primary Campus only)
•
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:
•
Placing a future Absence Request through the Compass Education Portal;
•
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.
YEAR 5/6 NOTEBOOK PROGRAM - 2026
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.
We ’ re writing to inform you of an important change to our technology program for Year 5 and 6 students starting in 2026. After careful consideration and in consultation with the School Council and broader school community, The Lakes South Morang College has made the decision to transition from iPads to Windows touchscreen notebook computers for students in Years 5 and 6. This move aligns our Primary and Secondary learning experiences and brings our technology use in line with most primary schools across Victoria, who have already adopted Windows - based programs. It also ensures our students are better prepared for the digital expectations of Year 7 and beyond .
ROAD SAFETY AROUND THE LAKES SOUTH MORANG COLLEGE The Lakes South Morang College is situated near busy roads with heavy traffic throughout the day, with particular attention to the front of our school, where we have several busy intersections and shared pathways with Coles, Collingwood Language School, Merriang SDS and the Kinder. We strongly remind all families that students must always use the designated school crossings. We are increasingly noticing students exiting or entering vehicles while crossing or weaving through traffic, which poses a serious risk. Please use the designated drop - off zones and encourage your child to cross only at supervised crossings. Holding your child ’ s hand near roads and vehicles is a simple but effective way to support their safety. Please also take the time to talk with your child about how to stay safe near parked cars, footpaths, and driveways. Please note that the designated entry and exit gate on Lakes Boulevard will be closed in Term 4. This is due to construction starting on The Lakes South Morang College Kinder. Students and parents/carers are asked to either enter/exit the school through the Gordons Road gate or the front office.
Why Are We Transitioning to Notebooks?
While iPads have served many learning purposes, they are limited in supporting the broader skills needed in upper primary and secondary education. Windows - based touchscreen notebooks:
•
Offer a full desktop computing experience
•
Support keyboard proficiency and multitasking
•
Provide compatibility with the software and systems used from Year 7 onwards
•
Offer improved file management, software flexibility, and better integration with our college systems
•
Devices purchased through our approved portals will be supported at The Lakes in Years 7 and beyond.
•
Support stylus use for handwriting and drawing
SIBLING ENROLMENT FORMS This is the final call for any sibling enrolments for Prep in 2026. With 2026 planning in full swing, this is essential for the school to be able to allocate appropriate class structures and set our students up for success. It is vital that if you have a student starting school next year that you put in an enrolment form and come in and speak with me at school.
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.
CAMP AUSTRALIA
The Lakes South Morang College Newsletter UNIFORM PRICING
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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