Inspire 2024

Welcome to the 2024 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 2024

inspire.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Lakes South Morang College respectfully acknowledges that beneath our classrooms, learning streets and significant River Red Gums that feature across our College’s landscape lay the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri - Willam people of the Kulin Nation. We thank the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay tribute to their ongoing connection to land, water, knowledge and culture. We are inspired by those who have inhabited, nurtured and cared for this land since the beginning, and we aspire to continue caring for this land for the rest of time. We pay our respect to ancestors, elders, and, those emerging to lead future generations, as well as any First Nations people connected to our College community. Through our ongoing learning and connection to land, stories, and cultures we share our journey this year through Inspire .

Contents

College Principal’s Welcome Bill Panas

An Unforgettable Journey Year Six

School Council President Reflection Amanda Farrelly

Interschool Sport Primary Sport

Primary Campus Marcus Abney - Hastings

House Athletics Carnival House Captains

Primary School Captains

Representing The Lakes Secondary Sport

Secondary Campus Bonnie Lee

Fresh Opportunities Year Seven

Secondary School Captains

Fine Arts on Secondary Secondary Visual Arts

Celebrating Staff

Making Connections Year Eight

Raising Money for our College! SRC Students

Expanding our Understanding Year Nine

Community Connections

Enterprising Actions VIA

Primary Art Show Primary Visual Arts

Quantum Victoria Experience Secondary Science

Hands on Learning Prep

Humanities at The Lakes Secondary Humanities

Performing Arts Showcase Primary Performing Arts

Adapting to Change in Mathematics Secondary Mathematics

Exciting Experiences Year One

Dynamic Investigations Year Ten

Data in Action Primary Numeracy

63 Student Voice & Leadership Secondary Agency & Engagement 65 Secondary Writer’s Anthology Secondary English 71 Great Expectations Year Eleven 73 Wakakirri Secondary Performing Arts 75 Productive Pathways Senior Pathways: VCE, VCE - VM & VET 77 Graduating with Pride Year Twelve 79 The Lakes Alumni

Learning with Enthusiasm Year Two

Learner Agency Hour Primary Agency & Engagement

Primary Writer’s Anthology Primary English

Engaging in Education Year Four

Fantastic Adventures Year Five

Hide & Seek for Science Week Primary STEM

College Principal’s Welcome

BILL PANAS

Welcome to the 2024 edition of Inspire magazine, where words scarcely suffice to convey the pride and joy I feel in leading such a spectacular, vibrant, and unyieldingly brilliant College community. What a privilege it is to work and learn alongside our extraordinary students, whose creativity knows no bounds and whose collaboration is nothing short of a marvel. Each page of this magazine is an awe - inspiring testament to the imagination and resilience that thrives within our College walls. Every story told, every reflection shared, and every artwork displayed radiates with the brilliance that only our students can deliver. Simply put, this magazine isn’t just a publication — it’s a testament of our commitment to excellence. The level of excellence showcased in these pages truly reflects the astounding dedication of our students, who push themselves not just to meet expectations but to soar above them. Their motivation is nothing short of phenomenal, and it’s an undeniable testament to their character. But let’s not forget the steadfast dedication of our incredible teachers, whose passion for education is both boundless and infectious. Their commitment to nurturing academic excellence and sparking creativity is the lifeblood of this College. They don’t just teach — they inspire, provoke, and cultivate an environment where anything is possible. Our parents and carers form the bedrock of our key goal of being partners in learning. Their belief in the College’s vision fuels everything we do, providing the encouragement that drives our students to reach for the stars. They are not just spectators in their children’s educational journey but active participants, helping shape the future with every encouraging word, every shared laugh, and every moment of guidance. The unity between families, students, and staff supports an unbreakable bond that allows our College to thrive.

It must also be said that this magazine serves as yet another vibrant chapter in the storied history of our College. Year after year, Inspire continues to showcase the immense skills and talents that our students have worked so hard to cultivate. It stands as a beacon of pride and celebration, not just for them but for our entire community. I must extend a heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated organising and publication team, whose efforts have brought this body of work to life. The professionalism, care, and creativity with which this magazine has been crafted is truly remarkable. Their commitment to upholding our College’s pillar of high expectations is evident on every page. It’s no small feat to capture the heart and soul of an entire year’s worth of achievement, but they have done so with grace, style, and unparalleled flair. As you turn each page, may you feel the same sense of awe, pride, and inspiration that I do, knowing that we are all part of something truly extraordinary. Here’s to our College — our community of lifelong learners, innovators, and dreamers. The future is ours, and it’s looking brighter than ever.

School Council President Reflection

AMANDA FARRELLY

After a whirlwind year for Council for 2023, our very active and action - led body of staff and parents/carers continued with the similar momentum in 2024, underpinned by the College’s journey to meet the goals of our four - year strategic plan. The College’s student literacy and numeracy data continues to grow, as demonstrated by our data collection in general and our 2024 NAPLAN results. The increasing number of students achieving ‘exceeding’ results in these areas across the whole - school is impressive and it is exciting to see how that growth/forward trajectory will continue in the future years, particularly the Year 5 and 3 cohorts whose results were outstanding this year. In February, The Lakes was recognised by our regional Department of Education for our significantly improved School Improvement Data and Mr. Panas, Ms. Lee and Mr. Abney - Hastings were invited to present to their fellow principals from the North - East Metropolitan Area on how this has been achieved by showcasing our parent/carer/community strategies. We believe this is the first time ever The Lakes has been selected to showcase its strategic activities to other schools, which we can all be very proud of. Then, in June, Mr. Panas and Ms. Lee undertook a study tour of schools in New Zealand, which has led to thinking about a wide range of initiatives that will be introduced to The Lakes to celebrate, preserve and connect with our local Indigenous history.

However, perhaps the biggest highlight of the year was the announcement by the Department of Education that the College was selected to have a kindergarten built on the Primary Campus, to open at the start of the 2026 school year. This project will bring numerous benefits to our school but also our wider South Morang community. In other College highlights, the introduction of the Learner Agency Hour and Learner Coach sessions have been very successful; we have seen success with students at Regional Athletics; and the transition to the Compass and CompassTix platform has been very seamless for families. We held two wonderful Rhythm Revival nights in June and October - the creation of this new event in our College’s calendar not only showcases our students' talents, but also brings both Campuses together as a united school and boosts school pride, all of which align with the core areas of our Strategic Plan. To finish off the year, the College won the Health & Wellbeing Story State Award at Wakakirri and was nominated for a National Award for their performance ‘The Fabric of You’. In determining facilities expenditure for 2024, at the end of 2023 School Council took a 360 - degree feedback approach and workshopped over 70 ideas and suggestions from students, our parent/carer representatives and staff to determine facilities expenditure, resulting in the second toilet block upgrade on Primary, classroom air - conditioning, partition walls, new pathways, CCTV camera installation, locker replacements and new classroom tables. We have also been very excited to finally see the completion of the synthetic basketball courts on the Primary Campus! Perhaps the biggest achievement specifically for School Council this year was bringing to life the vision of a Welcome BBQ in February to: celebrate

the beginning of a new school year; welcome new families; and reconnect with each other after the summer break. Our inaugural Mother's Day breakfast was also a success, and together with continuing the Father's Day breakfast for a second year, we are proud to have these three strategic and community - building events now cemented into the College’s calendar. A massive thank you to our families who attended and supported these events, it was great to see our College community come together to create a wonderful energy to begin the new school year. I would like to thank our much - valued School Council members, plus the Fundraising Sub - committee team, for their time and efforts, their dedication and their commitment to continue to engage with the College community in 2024 and acknowledge the hours and hours our parent/carer representatives put in voluntarily to make positive changes to our school. We come from a wide range of professional backgrounds which gives the group many different perspectives when endorsing decisions. Lastly, I would like to thank our Executive Leadership team and our Administration staff for their wonderful support of Council’s ideas and initiatives, and we appreciate everything they have done for us this year. The College is still in a process of positive change, so School Council welcomes your ideas, your thoughts, and your feedback on ways we can make our College the best it can be. Please reach out to me or any of our Councillors to facilitate a discussion. We look forward to working with all of you as we continue on this journey.

Primary Campus Reflection

MARCUS ABNEY - HASTINGS

What a year 2024 has been for our College community. As l reflect upon the year that has gone, it has been a time of growth and reward. Throughout the year we have seen significant changes on the Primary Campus, all aimed at building Academic Rigour, School Pride and Community Connections throughout our College. These changes have been designed to support students’ success, foster a sense of community, and strengthen the College Values of Learning, Leadership, Teamwork, and Respect. As a College, we continue to lead the way with our academic results. In the domains of Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation, The Lakes scored higher when compared with similar schools and network schools across Victoria, in both Years 3 and 5. In Numeracy, we were well ahead in Year 5, with comparatively similar scores in Year 3. This is an outstanding result for our school and shows the tireless work our staff and students put in to make our school a high achieving school and school of choice within our community. This NAPLAN result is also in line with the excellent Attitudes to School data our students gave on top of the already strong Staff Opinion and Parent/Carer Opinion Survey data collected over the past two years. As a Campus, we have had a standout year for building the social and emotional capacity of our students. Many students embraced leadership roles, stepping up as representatives and advocates within the College and the broader community, running assemblies, lunchtime clubs, being big buddies to our younger students and developing a sense of connection

with their work as peer mediators in the yard. Through all the opportunities our students receive, the one consistent theme throughout the school has been the unwavering commitment to high expectations. Whether this be in the classroom or participating in extracurricular activities, they have shown tremendous Leadership, a passion for Learning, the spirit of Teamwork, and the utmost Respect for their peers and teachers. One of the highlights this year has been the ongoing upgrades of our facilities across the Campus. The installation of the double basketball court has transformed the front of our school and has meant even more play spaces for students at recess and lunch. It has also been wonderful seeing students using these spaces during PE and 5/6 Sport sessions. Another great addition this year has been the glass partitions throughout the learning spaces. This has provided our staff and students with dedicated learning spaces, creating opportunities for targeted learning to foster stronger outcomes for students. The refurbishment of learning spaces with new carpet and the upgrading of toilets across the Campus has successfully created a school that our community can be proud of. Due to our hard - working Parent/Carer Fundraising team and SRC, we were also able to purchase new sporting uniforms for our students to represent our school at Gala days and during Year 5/6 Interschool Sports. Thank you to our Parent/Carer Fundraising team, Ms. Hayton, the SRC team, and Ms. Price for making this happen. With the announcement by the Department of Education of The Lakes South Morang College Kinder opening in 2026, the school has continued with its focus of making this area an educational precinct for our families. It is hoped the addition of the Kinder will become an important part of our school community with our existing Secondary Campus, Collingwood

TRI THANH, VISHAL, SAANVI & GRACE

English Language School and Merriang Special Development School all in close proximity. 2024 has also meant changes to the way we

communicate with our families with the introduction of Compass across the College. This communication change has made it easier for staff, students, and families to stay informed and connected. Learning progress can now be tracked seamlessly, allowing families more involvement in their child's academic journey. 2024 has been a year of growth for our College. A massive thank you to our staff, parents/carers and students for being an integral part of the journey with us.

Secondary Campus Reflection

BONNIE LEE

This year we have seen significant changes on the Secondary Campus, all aimed at refining processes and enhancing the environment in which our students learn and thrive. These improvements have been designed to support students’ success, foster a sense of community, and strengthen the College values of Learning, Leadership, Teamwork, and Respect. One of the most visible upgrades across the Campus has been the installation of glass partitions in our learning spaces. These have played a pivotal role in creating dedicated learning spaces, establishing routines and consistency that students have greatly benefited from. The enhancement of our learning environments has created a more focused atmosphere, which has encouraged a culture of growth and allowed for the development of stronger study habits, ownership of learning, and achievement of personal academic goals. In addition to physical upgrades, we’ve undertaken a significant digital transformation by transitioning to Compass. This switch has been a game - changer for communication across the Campus, making it easy for staff, students, and families to stay informed and connected. Learning progress can now be tracked seamlessly, allowing families more involvement in their child's academic journey. Moreover, Compass has supported our renewed focus on improving attendance and punctuality, key factors in ensuring that students make the most of their time in the classroom. One of the most exciting introductions this year has been the vertical Learner Coach program. These sessions have provided students with the

opportunity to reflect on their individual progress, set realistic learning goals, and track their learning growth over time. Learner Coach groups have also served as a platform to reinforce and embody the College Values, not only as individuals but also as members of a wider school community. By working across year levels, students have gained insight into their roles as both learners and leaders within the school, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. These sessions have been an invaluable addition, helping students build self - awareness and accountability for their own learning journeys. This year, we also introduced a more intensive transition program for new students to our Campus. These initiatives have helped smooth the sometimes daunting leap from school to school. By gradually introducing students to the expectations, routines, and rhythms of our Secondary Campus, students are better prepared, both academically and emotionally. The program’s success is reflected in how quickly and confidently new students have adapted to life at the College, ready to embrace new challenges and responsibilities. Beyond the classroom, we have had a standout year for student accomplishments across a range of diverse opportunities. Many students embraced leadership roles, stepping up as representatives and advocates within the College and broader community. The City Experience and Work Experience programs provided students with real - world insights and practical learning, while others pursued School - Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, blending hands - on work with their academic studies. Additionally, students accelerated their learning through Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs and Early - Entry VCE subjects, further demonstrating their drive and commitment to their future

CHARLOTTE, SARAH, ISSAC & NASH

pathways. A particular highlight was the College's success at the Wakakirri competition, where students received a prestigious State Award, and nomination for a National Award for their outstanding creativity and performance. These achievements speak volumes about the ambition and resilience of our students as they continue to thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Through all these developments, one thing has remained constant: our students’ unwavering commitment to meeting the high expectations set before them. The way in which students have embodied the College Values has been truly commendable. Whether in the classroom or participating in extracurricular activities, they have shown tremendous Leadership, a passion for Learning, the spirit of Teamwork, and the utmost Respect for their peers and teachers. These Values are not just ideals on paper but have become a lived experience for our students, guiding their actions and attitudes - both on and off Campus. As we look ahead, we do so with confidence that the changes and improvements made this year have laid a strong foundation for even greater achievements in the future. 2024 has been a year of growth, and we are excited to continue building on that progress together.

ABSENT IN PHOTO: NASH | ABSENT IN VIDEO: SARAH

Staff at The Lakes in 2024

College Leadership Bill P | Bonnie L | Marcus AH

Celebrating Staff Achievements

This year has been one of remarkable achievements by our dedicated staff, whose commitment to professional growth and passion for education continue to inspire our community. Here, we take a moment to highlight their outstanding accomplishments: Ms. Wilson: Selected as part of the Zoos Victoria Mentoring Program, Ms. Wilson contributed to the Teacher Conservation & Wildlife Mentoring initiative. Her work involved developing digital and design projects aimed at fighting extinction and promoting conservation awareness. These efforts were integrated into the classroom through the Year 6 Social Enterprise Day, Year 5 Computer Games, and Year 4 Enrichment Designs. Ms. Wilson’s exemplary work earned her an invitation to present at the Zoos Victoria Showcase Day in Term 4, an honour that reflects her dedication to environmental education. Ms. Mukavec: Congratulations to Ms. Mukavec who was awarded an AIMS Super User by the Department of Education. The AIMS software (Asset Information Management System) is used by schools across the State, and Ms. Mukavec has been formally recognised for her expertise and skills at navigating this system with excellence. Ms. Hislop: Ms. Hislop was invited to present a VCE Business Management revision lecture for students preparing for their final end - of - year exams from across the Whittlesea Schools Network. Ms. Hislop's exemplary expertise was called upon to help benefit students and teachers from our local area. Mrs. Solaja: We congratulate Mrs. Solaja for being approached by the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority to join the 2024 VCAA Assessment team in assessing VCE Serbian Language students from across the State.

Mr. Ross and Ms. Mansfield: Both Mr. Ross and Ms. Mansfield successfully graduated from the Create: Middle Leaders program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. This rigorous program is designed to equip educators with the confidence and skills to lead improvements in classroom practices and pedagogy, further enhancing the learning experience for our students. Dr. Nayyar and Ms. Hayton: Our congratulations extend to Dr. Nayyar and Ms. Hayton, who graduated from the Whittlesea Schools Network "Leaders in the Making" program. This initiative supports emerging leaders in developing the skills necessary to be more influential, confident, and effective within their school communities. Their accomplishments signal a bright future in leadership for both. Miss Freind, Mr. Zebrowski, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Mackenzie and Mrs. Harris: Congratulations to Miss Freind, Mr. Zebrowski, Mr. Collins, Mrs. Mackenzie and Mrs. Harris for their completion of the Huddle Middle Leaders Program. This team worked together on a practice - based inquiry, strategically supporting professional knowledge acquisition and leadership capacity development. Ms. Gessas, Ms. Spence, and Ms. Adams : We also celebrate the recent graduates of Initial Teacher Education programs, including Ms. Gessas, Ms. Spence, and Ms. Adams, who are taking their first steps in their teaching careers. Their energy and fresh perspectives will no doubt be a valuable asset to our students and school culture. Dr. Nayyar: In addition to her leadership achievements, Dr. Nayyar has been accepted into her second Doctorate program and recently had her paper, "Effect of High Linoleic Acid Diet During Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes," published in the

international journal - Nutrients. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how maternal diet influences birth outcomes, adding to the global conversation on maternal and infant health. Ms. Mansfield: Ms. Mansfield continues to shine, having been selected as an Australian Education Union representative on a study tour to Japan. This follows her participation in a similar program in Canberra earlier in the year. During these field - based study tours, she has examined industrial practices and agreements for teachers and school staff. Mr. Abney Hastings: A special congratulations to Mr. Abney Hastings, who graduated from the Unlocking Potential program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, as well as The Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA). These programs empower educators to unlock their leadership potential and drive school improvement as part of a system - wide approach to identify and prepare Victoria’s next generation of Principals. Mr. Panas: We congratulate Mr. Panas who has been appointed to the Whittlesea School’s Network Chair for 2025. This vital role will see Mr. Panas working with Principals and Assistant Principals from across our region, in conjunction with Department of Education specialists, to support the continual growth and improvement of schools in our area. Well done Mr. Panas. Celebrating Our Team’s Growth and Learning : We are incredibly proud of the professional milestones our staff have achieved this year, and their continuous growth reflects the vibrant and evolving learning culture at our College. Their hard work not only enriches our community but also ensures that our students are receiving the highest quality of education. Congratulations to all!

Raising Money for our College!

SRC STUDENTS

The Colour Run 2023 was a vibrant and exhilarating event that not only brought our Lakes community together but also significantly contributed to the enhancement of our school environment. It was a day filled with laughter, energy, and a sense of purpose as students, parents/carers, and staff united for a common cause. The money raised during this event has gone towards supporting various 2024 initiatives within The Lakes South Morang College. Thanks to the generous contributions from participants and sponsors, we were able to allocate the funds raised in 2023 towards essential resources that enrich our students' educational experiences. The funds allowed us to purchase new sports uniforms for our Primary students, promoting team spirit and encouraging active participation in sports. These uniforms not only enhance school pride but also foster a sense of belonging among our young athletes. Additionally, we invested in comfortable bean bags and classroom fidgets that create a more calm learning environment. These items are particularly beneficial in promoting focus and engagement, especially for students who may require alternative seating or sensory input to thrive in the classroom. Mini whiteboards were also bought, providing an interactive tool for learning.

We were able to set aside money to contribute towards benches for our Primary Campus for 2025. These benches will provide much - needed seating for outdoor activities, encouraging students to spend time outside and socialise.

Contribution to the Cancer Council In Term 3, SRC students raised money for Cancer Council. We raised and donated $514.40 to the Cancer Council. Supporting the Cancer Council aligns with our values of compassion and community service, reminding our students of the importance of giving back and making a difference. As we reflect on the success of the Colour Run 2023, our eyes are set on the upcoming Colour Run 2024. Building on the momentum of this year’s event, we aim to continue fostering community spirit while raising funds for further improvements in our school. One of our key goals for 2024 is to prioritise the purchase of additional benches for the Primary Campus.

The SRC students have had an exciting and rewarding journey with our Zooper Dooper sales in Term 1 and Term 4 2024. This initiative not only provided a refreshing treat for our school community but also served as a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in fundraising efforts that directly benefit our school. We are thrilled to share that our SRC students successfully raised just over $1100 through the sale of Zooper Doopers. They took the lead in organising the sales, promoting the initiative, and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Their teamwork and commitment have been inspiring.

The SRC is excited to continue selling Zooper Doopers, with the goal of hitting $1300.

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

CLARE HALLIHAN

A new venture for The Lakes this year was our very own school readiness program. This involved six sessions for our 2025 enrolled families, allowing for them to come into our learning spaces and engage in fun and educational experiences. We worked on recognising and repeating syllables, rhyme and individual sounds in words. We also introduced our systematic synthetic phonics program, so newly enrolled students and families will be off to a flying start next year. This program also taught important social skills like saying hello to our friends, telling the group what our name is and working alongside friends. Students grew significantly in their confidence over the course of the program, and we are so proud of them. The final highlight was visiting our local kinder rooms for a bubble incursion. The children enjoyed using bubble mix and straws to blow humongous bubbles. They were so excited when they were able to see how large their bubbles were becoming. After this they enjoyed a bubble colouring in to help celebrate Science Week. We look forward to further strengthening these relationships in 2025.

2024 has seen us embark on some exciting community connection opportunities that continue to strengthen our already strong relationships with our Kinder colleagues and local community members. The start of the year saw The Lakes visiting our local kindergartens to discuss goal setting. Kinder students then thought about what they wanted to achieve this year and responded to this through drawing. It was also a great opportunity for our College to model oral language structures that lead to speaking in full sentences. These visits also ensure that our enrolled children have a familiar face when they start with us which helps with their confidence and settling in. A little later in the year we attended Parent/Carer Information sessions at Paradise Kids Early Learning Centre and Little Learners Early Education. Both sessions involved presenting to prospective families about school readiness, information about starting school and what they can be doing at home to build the early foundations of phonological awareness. We love to go out into our community and speak with children and families about the foundations for becoming literate, numerate, and enhancing their social skills development and emotional regulation needed for school.

Primary Art Show

PRIMARY VISUAL ARTS

Sun and Moon Ari D 6A Taylah and I both did a connected artwork with one side being a beau- tiful, tropical, bright, vibrant, colourful sunset and the other side is a dark, shiny, mysterious, magical moon. I want people to notice how hard we worked together and how bright my sunset is. Our idea was just two girls who got bored until one of them got an idea to paint a connecting sun and moon. We used paint, glitter, and brushes. We also used our fingers to smudge the colours together and Taylah helped me create the sunset. We displayed it on a canvas and we’re going to connect the two canvases into one whole painting. My goal as an artist is that I want to be a pretty well known artist and I think my painting might help me because it’s really good and creative. Sculptemort Kara T 6A The artwork is a hand sculpted, shaded, and painted Voldemort face, with a black adorned box. Notice the oil pastel contour and shading, along with the handmade snake eyes, clouded. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and when your soul’s split in seven, the windows get foggy. Notice the hand arranged, snake scale like bead decor surrounding the face, and the shimmering blue additions to add an extra pop of colour, bringing the greens and yellows in his eyes to life. This artwork was originally formed from an accident. I had crafted a human face, and as it dried, it looked more and more unnatural. I took a look at it, comparing it to an alien, then to Voldemort, which stuck as an idea. I tried to capture Voldemort’s soulless feeling. Using a wire base, I built onto it with plaster and clay, before using oil pastel dust to add shade, contrast, and contour, each scale was individually arranged and glued to the box. My goal was to be creative, and I think having to alter the design and process helped me reach the goal.

By Primary Art Leaders: Miriam, Georgina, Maddy At the Art Show, students displayed their artworks and descriptions of them. Students were really happy and proud to have their art displayed and show their creative artworks to their parents/carers while the Learner Review Meetings were happening. The amazing artworks displayed showed lots of imagination and creativity such as a guitar made out of cardboard and painted sunsets

on canvas. There were paintings, drawings, canvas paintings, collages, clay, cardboard box structures and even some crochet art. The Secondary Campus students also had some of their artworks displayed.

My Guitar Steven N 5A I made a guitar out of cardboard. It has strings, and an egg carton on the back. It also has a bunch of tape on the back and sides. I want people to notice how close it looks to an actual guitar. The big idea is because I always like playing guitar with my brother. I created my art by cutting the cardboard into a guitar shape then added the back piece and added strings. My goal is to make more of them.

The Great Ship Vishal 6B The ship is a pirate ship. I made some things out of wood, and it looked like a ship. I used hot glue, paper and wood.

Smell the flowers Siena C 4B

Toothless in Space Thaemela 4A Toothless flew to a world of glitter and shiny crystals and is starting to shine turning into the Alpha version of himself. I want people to notice all the different materials I used and how a little sparkle can change the design of a sculpture. I got the idea from watching “How to train your dragon 2 &3. I used clay, paint, 2 different glitters, sand, beads, wire, ribbon, felt and foam.

I made a crochet flower bouquet made out of lavender and roses. I want people to notice the different types of flowers. I found ideas for this on YouTube and Safari. I crocheted it with yarn, a hook, chopstick (for the stem), and hot glue.

Hands on Learning! The 2024 Preps have had such an amazing and fun first year of school. They have learnt and achieved so much at The Lakes and made so many amazing memories. Over the year, the students have

PREP

SEMESTER ONE During the first Term Preps settled in to learning. They enjoyed making new connections and exploring various activities such as writing letters, counting games, constructing and reading.

During Inquiry, we have learnt all about Community helpers. We had Kiah’s mum Stephanie, who is a Paramedic, come out and visit us with her Ambulance. The students loved going inside the ambulance and learning all about a Paramedic’s job.

engaged in subjects such as Art, STEM, Physical Education, AUSLAN, Digital Technology, Performing Arts, Dance, Inquiry, Literacy, Numeracy, Perceptual Motor Program, Social and Emotional Learning and School - wide Positive Behaviours. We have also enjoyed learning about Indigenous Culture through engaging in weekly outdoor nature play and yarning circles to share ideas and stories with each other. It has been an amazing experience watching the Preps grow this year whilst developing The Lakes Values of Learning, Respect, Teamwork and Leadership. We can’t wait to watch the Prep’s grow throughout their time here at The Lakes South Morang College.

“I have loved to learn how to write. I can write the word cat.” – Gen

“I really loved my mum coming out to show us her Ambulance.” - Kiah “I loved to see the inside of the Ambulance and hear the siren.” – Arnav

“I like writing because I can write big, long words.” – Theo “I like learning about Capacity. I have learnt about what holds more and what holds less.” - Cormac “I like counting to 100.” - Marlee

SEMESTER TWO Our favourite moment of the year was celebrating 100 days of Prep. This year we got to dress up as either a 100 - year - old person or anything that represents the number 100. We loved making our fairy bread, fruit loop necklaces and biscuits for morning tea and eating it with our class friends and Year 4 buddies.

Exploring the Farm! The Preps enjoyed their excursion to the Bundoora Farm in Term 4. The student's were able to learn all about the animals that live on this farm and also feed them.

“I loved making my 100 days biscuit. We got to keep it and take it home.” - Chief “I loved dressing up in my top that had a 100’s chart on it.” – Cormac “I loved celebrating 100 days of school. Doing the parade and making biscuits.” – Theo

“On our excursion to the Farm we saw lots of animals” – Genevieve “I loved going to see the pigs at the Farm” – Levi

“I loved to make fairy bread on 100 days.” – Jaxyn and Marlee “I loved making cookies and eating it at home.” - Ysabella

Performing Arts Showcase

PRIMARY PERFORMING ARTS

This year The Lakes South Morang College presented our very first whole - school Performing Arts Showcases. The Semester 1 showcase, Rhythm Revival, took the audience on a journey to see and hear music and dance across the decades. There were a range of different performances including instrumental musical items, and dance spectaculars from the Year 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 classes.

The Semester 2 showcase, Curtain Call invited the audience to see items from different musicals. All students worked very hard to get their performances ready for the evening and each item showcased the excitement and pride each student felt. In my Year 10 Elective class, Music, for our assignment we had a choice of learning a song and performing it. I chose to form a band. My band made a collective decision to perform “We Will Rock You”. At first, we had some trouble learning our parts and playing together. We had a Term to learn it but for the first few weeks we were messing around and having fun with the music. Half way through we had mastered it and we could perform it well. Time flew past and it was the day we had to perform. A lot of us were a bit nervous and we had to do a few practices on the stage to make sure everything was right. We first played in front of our peers and friends where we had a few issues but they were all sorted before the show. When it was time to perform, I was nervous. This was the first time I had played in front of a very large crowd. Walking on stage was an experience,

but when I sat down at my chair and got ready it was amazing and I had fun. I was smiling and laughing the whole time with all my friends. It was fun learning and playing with a band, it was a great experience. – Lucas M, Year 10 Firstly, I would like to state that every grade including Prep, Year 3, and Year 6 made an amazing effort to keep the audience entertained. They were OUTSTANDING! When the Prep’s came on stage, they all had smiling faces and with the extra help from the Secondary students for their performance. I even enjoyed coming on stage myself, it was a once in a lifetime experience and everyone performing was SUPERB! It was amazing seeing students enjoying the stage and I bet the audience LOVED IT! My overall experience has to be 5 stars. It was really nice to see the students behaving when they were waiting for their turn to perform. You must be asking what was my favourite performance? Well, my favourite performance had to be the Time Warp. I

loved how everyone was on stage performing and younger levels were listening to teachers for their positions. Overall, I think it was BREATHTAKING!! – Anitej S, Year 6 I was a little bit worried while I waited for my turn to perform. But I got to pair up with my friend and he helped me stay confident. He encouraged me to be brave and then when we danced together, I felt ok dancing in front of everyone. Isaac M, Year 3

Exciting Experiences!

YEAR ONE

SEMESTER ONE Numeracy Exploration: The Year 1 students went outside to explore the different ways they can represent numbers using chalk.

YEAR ONE SRC REFLECTION Year 1 has been so much fun!

Procedural Writing: As part of our procedure writing, we followed a recipe to make fairy bread. Students loved this delicious experience.

One of the coolest experiences was the mini beast incursion. We had a visitor bring in all sorts of insects, like butterflies, spiders, and bees. We even got to touch them and feed them, which was really exciting. Afterward, we each chose a mini beast to learn more about. We created booklets with details about their life cycles, interesting facts, diets, and habitats. - William and Matzu

Art Play: During Art sessions students constructed paper structures.

Rhythm Revival: We loved being a part of the Semester 1 Performing Arts Showcase this year!

SEMESTER TWO Bugs Alive! As part of our Inquiry unit the Year 1 students participated in a minibeast incursion that involved a range of activities. This included holding butterflies, creating their own minibeast, searching for minibeasts in their habitat and using magnifying glasses to look at their features.

In Term 4, I am excited to learn about dinosaurs. I want to see when they existed. I am also excited about our Year 1 dinner as I want to see what food we will eat. - Savannah In Term 4, I am looking forward to the Year 1 dinner at school because I have never seen this before. I am wanting to learn how dinosaurs became extinct. - Lucas M I am looking forward to coming to the Year 1 dinner and disco and I am excited to learn about how long dinosaurs lived on Earth. - Mia C I am excited to have Zooper Dooper Fridays because I get to eat Zooper Doopers on a hot day. We will also have a Year 1 dinner where we will get to play games with our friends. - Ava

Data in Action

PRIMARY NUMERACY

As we have progressed through the school year, students across the Primary Campus engaged with all three strands of Mathematics: Number and Algebra, Statistics and Probability, and Measurement and Geometry. In Terms 1 and 2, there was a particular focus on Number and Algebra. That focus shifted to Statistics and Probability in Term 3 and Measurement and Geometry in Term 4. Here, students demonstrate Learning in Action by connecting their predictions with the data they collected, comparing the two, and presenting their findings through graphs. The Year 1’s showed this through their tallying and collection of data, graphing it visually on the ground and then replicating this in a tabulated and graphical format on paper.

Feedback from our Year 2 students has been extremely positive when they were asked ‘what they learnt about chance and probability’. Krish said he liked ‘sorting jellybeans, tally marks and asking questions. I liked writing, I liked answering questions and I liked the picture graph.’ Dominick ‘liked asking questions about data. I liked sorting jellybeans - most and least. I liked the tally marks.’ Remi and Norton both ‘liked answering the questions’, Remi also ‘liked sorting the events by counting’, whereas Norton also enjoyed the ‘tally marks’. Eleftheria ‘liked the sorting out’, but she also ‘liked writing statements about data and sorting the jellybeans - most and least, while doing the tally marks.’ While learning about chance and probability Martin ‘liked writing the sentences that were certain and impossible and when sorting the events into probability’. This year, in Year 3, we learnt about Chance and Data. First, we learnt about all the different kinds of graphs, including; pie

graphs, line graphs, bar graphs and picture graphs. Then we got to draw some graphs ourselves to show information about some of our favourite things. To get information for our graphs we asked everyone in the class to vote on something they liked. We asked the class for their favourite fruit, their favourite sport and their favourite country. We drew tallies to show the answers and then drew our graphs. When we learnt about Chance, we talked about words such as impossible, possible, likely, unlikely, certain and uncertain. We tossed coins and predicted whether heads or tails would come up the most. We also talked about the Chance of picking a particular colour marble out of a jar. Learning about Chance and Data was fun because we played fun games. It was exciting to try and predict what the most popular result would be when exploring different questions and problems. - Gurbir S, Adam S, Isla J and Arjun B To give students an authentic and engaging experience with Statistics and Data, the Year 4 students participated in

the 'The Potato Olympics.' Here each student selected a potato athlete to compete in various events, including shot put(ato), sprinting, curling, equestrian, spinning, and gymnastics. Throughout the games, students gathered a wide range of data, such as time, weight, length, and points scored. They used this data to create graphs, interpret trends, and draw meaningful conclusions. The Olympics concluded with a closing ceremony, where potato athletes received medals before being humorously 'sacrificed' and transformed into hot chips, adding a fun twist to the learning experience. In Year 5, Jerusha ‘liked how we learnt about all the different types of graphs such as dot plots, line graph and side by side graphs’. Tania also ‘enjoyed making side by side graphs’, while Sophia enjoyed ‘learning about new graphs such as dot plots and line graphs. Trinity ‘liked gathering the information and putting it on a graph’ and Jonah ‘liked seeing the outcomes of chance in the data that we collected’.

Learning with Enthusiasm

YEAR TWO

SEMESTER ONE Westgarthtown: The Year 2’s visited Westgarthtown in Term 1. Westgarthtown is a really old village in the outskirts of Melbourne where German and Wendish settlers started farming in 1850.

YEAR TWO SRC REFLECTION

Numeracy: In Term 2 we learnt how to use ‘Friend of 10’ and ‘Friends of 20’ to solve simple addition problems using concrete materials. We also invited our parents/carers in to share what we have been learning in Math.

Year 2 has been really exciting! Visiting Westgarthtown was a fun experience. We explored old houses, learned about the museum, and walked through the heritage garden. It was like stepping back in time and seeing how people lived long ago. The push and pull incursion was also awesome; we got to discover how forces work through fun activities and experiments. Learning about these concepts hands - on made science so much more interesting. Overall, Year 2 has been full of amazing learning adventures, and we’re excited for more fun experiences in Year 2 . - Rocco and Stella

Even though it is part of Thomastown and Lalor now, there are still old bluestone buildings there which gave students a glimpse into the past. At school students continued to explore how our local area, and

items we use daily, looked in the past.

SEMESTER TWO

Somethings we looked forward to in Term 4:

Push & Pull Incursion: During the Push and Pull Incursion I liked when we played with the water bottles and made a tornado. I also liked playing with the tubes and magnets. - Edward

I am looking forward to Zooper Dooper Fridays coming back to school. – Rhyder

I am looking forward to the Elf on the Shelf coming back to school for Christmas . – Rylee

I am looking forward to the Year 2 sleepover because we can wear our pyjamas to school. – Audrey

I am looking forward to the Year 2 sleepover because we can see our friends. – Noah

Next term, I am looking forward to seeing what new topic we are learning in Inquiry. - Martin

ScratchJr Stories: Students created their own animated fractured fairytales during Digital Design lessons.

Learner Agency Hour

PRIMARY AGENCY & ENGAGEMENT

At The Lakes South Morang College, fostering a vibrant and engaged learning environment is at the heart of our mission. One of our most exciting initiatives this year has been the introduction of the 'Learner Agency Hour,' a program designed to deepen student engagement and cultivate a strong sense of agency among our young learners. The results have been nothing short of transformative.

Promoting Cross - Level Collaboration One of the standout features of Learner Agency Hour is its ability to foster cross - level collaboration. The program’s vertical class structure brings together students from different year levels, encouraging

Soccer and Yoga through to Mindfulness, Performing Arts and Australian Rules Football. These activities have been targeted at students from Years P - 2 and 3 - 6. This initiative isn’t just about choice; it’s about agency. By giving students the power to choose their activities, we are placing the reins of learning in their hands, empowering them to pursue their interests and passions while also stepping outside their comfort zones. A Successful Start Learner Agency Hour has proven to be a resounding success. The variety of activities offered has sparked excitement and enthusiasm across the school. Students have been seen eagerly participating in activities such as Guided Drawing, Lego - building, and Quizmasters. There’s been a palpable buzz of energy as students explore new interests and engage with their peers in meaningful ways.

them to work together and share experiences. This interaction not only enhances social skills but also builds a sense of community across the Primary campus.

What is Learner Agency Hour? Learner Agency Hour is an innovative approach that allows students from our

For staff, the program has provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with students outside their usual classroom environment. Teachers have been able to build relationships with students from other year levels, creating a more cohesive and supportive school culture. By engaging in activities that they are passionate about, teachers are also able to share their interests with students, further strengthening these connections.

Primary Campus to engage in activities

chosen by dedicated staff. Teachers have designed a diverse range of activities, spanning interests from Digital Technology,

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84

www.thelakes.edu.au

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker