2019 has been another busy and productive school year. It is difficult to believe that this is the final newsletter for the year. December has been very industrious with students engaged in classroom and extra-curricular activities. While the College is busy preparing for the 2020 school year, many programs and activities have continued to be prepared and delivered to students still at the College.

Learning Focus has been on examinations and On Demand Testing as a part of our assessment schedule. On Demand Testing allows students and staff to check student growth in literacy and numeracy throughout this year.

Congratulations to Ms Clare Rayner, Duke of Edinburgh instructor for her official recognition as an award leader in the State of Victoria.

Senior students have prepared for and sat practice examinations over the term break. Feedback from these exams provides students with an insight into the areas they need to focus on in preparation for the end of year examination period.

Learning focus has been clearly placed on improving learning outcomes in the classroom. Students have been completing Progression Tasks and Common Assessment Task across all subject areas.

Term 3 has an uninterrupted focus on teaching and learning. Students are busy in all classes where teachers are actively involved in challenging their learning and developing environment, where students are encouraged to extend themselves.

The end of semester has come around very quickly and the winter months have set in. The College remains a very busy place in the lead up to the mid-year break.

Year 7 and 9 students have just completed their NAPLAN testing for this school year. This year NAPLAN was completed online. Although there were some minor hiccups on day one, the system worked efficiently and all testing was completed smoothly.

Welcome to Term 2, I trust that everyone has had a restful Easter period and is enjoying the beautiful autumn weather we are currently experiencing in Melbourne. This term promises to be very busy and includes events such as: NAPLAN, Work Experience, Open Night, Examination Periods, Self-Evaluation, Attitudes to School Survey and Reports.

Many thanks to College Leaders and Captains Eden, Kacey, Gen and Hannah for their representation at the local Lilydale ANZAC Day dawn service.

Staff Professional Learning with a focus on Literacy continues this term. Staff have completed sessions on Independent Reading, Writing to Learn (WTL) strategies and Substantive Talk (ST) strategies for use in the classroom.

I would like to welcome everyone from the school community to the 2019 school year. I trust that everyone had a safe and restful summer break and are ready for the upcoming year.