Secondary Campus Handbook

OUR STORY

Nestled in the heart of South Morang, The Lakes South Morang College stands proudly, its roots deep within the soil, much like the majestic River Red Gums that grace its grounds. The land on which The Lakes stands has long been a place of teaching and learning, as it has been for the Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of this Country. For generations, knowledge, culture, wisdom, and nurturing of the land has been passed down to all who inhabit it. In their spirit, we too embrace our role as custodians, committed to protecting and caring for all that lives and learns on these grounds. We honour the Country of the Wurundjeri - willam people by fostering an environment of respect, custodianship, and growth, ensuring that this land continues to be a place of learning for generations to come. The ancient River Red Gums adorning our grounds have watched over the land for millennia, their towering forms symbolising resilience, growth, and the passage of time. As with every tree, our students begin their journey as tiny seeds, full of potential and promise. Just as a tree grows through different stages—from seedling to sapling, and finally to a mature tree—so too do our students as they progress from Prep through to Year 12. Each year brings new branches of knowledge, each experience adds to the richness of their character, and every challenge strengthens their core, just as the trunk of a tree becomes sturdier with age. Our College is home to many types of eucalyptus trees, reflected in our College emblem, each one unique yet connected by a shared environment. This diversity mirrors our school community, where each student, staff member, and family brings their own individuality to our collective experience. Like the

eucalyptus trees, we stand tall together, celebrating our differences while nurturing a shared commitment to growth, learning, and connection. Our emblem also features gentle waves, which represent the natural ebb and flow of learning and development. These waves symbolise the Plenty River and surrounding waterways that sustain the River Red Gums and also represent the different levels of schooling that our students navigate— starting from the early ripples of Prep, moving through the steady currents of Primary school, and eventually riding the stronger waves of Secondary education. In every wave, there are moments of calm and moments of challenge. Our students learn to navigate these with resilience and adaptability, just as the eucalyptuses bend with the wind but remain rooted in the earth. As they progress, they are supported by the entire school community— teachers, peers, and families—ensuring that no wave is too daunting to overcome. The Lakes is not just a place of learning; it is a thriving ecosystem where every individual is nurtured and where the growth of each student is as natural and inevitable as the growth of the great River Red Gums that have stood for generations. Together, we are all part of this vibrant, interconnected community, each contributing to the legacy of strength, diversity, and growth.

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