Top News
Middle School Kayaking Day - March '18
by Clare Rayner
What an action packed day on the Yarra River – all students made it down the river coping with rapids, rocks and in some cases masses of water ending up in their boats.
Students were extremely helpful and supportive towards each other learning. I certainly feel the majority of student’s demonstrated growth in their ability to control their kayaks and read the movement of the river.
Fantastic work looking forward to our next day in May, 1000Steps and tree tops adventure!
Valleydale Café Redecoration
Valleydale Café has undergone a redecoration and is looking fantatstic.
Thanks to the Café culture students for all their decorating ideas and to Mr Waddell for all his assistance with the new menus and 3d printed menu holders.
We are looking forward to Valleydale opening first week back next term.
Eildon Tour and Cathedrals Rock Climbing - March '18
by Clare Rayner
The Great VCE Outdoor and Environment Studies Experience
Our students have just return home after completing a mammoth 28 hours camp. All of our senior students embraced this experience combining the theory knowledge with the practical skills and experiences.
After a full day at school we packed and departed for Eildon Dam – we walked the dam, tracked the pathway of the water and cooked our evening meal alongside the wildlife. All students took the initiative; they cooked, cleaned and constantly worked as one group. They were building their individual resilience, but developing a group identity setting up tents and camp after dark with minimal issues. They continued this respect and responsibility into the rock climbing adventure up at a tricky cliff face section of the Cathedrals Ranges National Park. Many students were extremely fearful and cautious to begin with, but yet again they got fully involved, connected with each other and the instructors and achieved many difficult climbs and Abseils.
I could not speak highly enough of our group, many students constantly stepping up with “Gusto” extending their learning and abilities, meeting fears and challenges.
Great job to all – looking forward to our next camp in 3 days hiking the Alpine Trails in May.
Mountain Biking Sessions - Term 1 2018
Middle School Outdoor Education – Mountain Biking Sessions
Over the past 2 weeks, our middle school group has been working on embracing a different activity for many of the students – Mountain Biking.
Certainly not without its risks we have been working on simple bike handling skills around school and then extending them to riding in various situations: roads, cycle tracks, single track around the lake, over obstacles and finally the Lilydale BMX track. All had their ups and downs and excitement.
I was extremely impressed with our middle school group. They have totally excelled themselves, managing their bikes, themselves and responding to various challenges along the way.
These students clearly adopted the nature of outdoor adventure activities, really wanting to extend themselves and have a go at things they do not normally find comfortable.
Well done, our next activity is Kayaking in a couple of weeks - please return all permissions and the Kayaking medical form as soon as possible.
Compass and Duke of Edinburgh Award Presentation 2018
This week we had our awards presentation evening and launched our new program for 2018. Thank you to all those parents and families that attended, it was great to feel the enthusiasm for an opportunity I am extremely passion about. The Compass and Duke of Ed Award program allows the students to build confidence, communication, teamwork, resilience, problems solving, adaptability and leadership when working through the 4 areas of the program. They have to complete a number of hours per week developing a skill, completing physical activity and giving to a community service; then the whole experience finishes in a camping adventurous journey into a natural environment.
Well done to our Compass Level 3 and 4 awardees!
Level 3
Isabella Theophanous-Maddison
Aimee Norris
Chloe Sheerman
Tayla Andersen
Level 4
Jonah Go
Mahan Davodikandaragh
Phaelin Senior
Cat D’Couto
The launch of our 2018 program was excellent with an outstanding number of students across year levels registering for the Compass and Bronze/Silver Duke of Ed awards.
I look forward to our year ahead and can’t wait to show our college community of the skills, experiences and journey we complete. Well done Award Students 2018!
Principal's Report - February 2018
by Rosina Fotia, Principal
I would like to welcome everyone from the school community to the 2018 school year. I trust that everyone had a safe and restful summer break and is ready for the upcoming year. The school year has started smoothly, students have settled quickly and the focus in the classroom has moved to improving learning outcomes. We have also officially welcomed all our new staff and students at a whole school assembly. A special welcome must be extended to our 120 Year 7 students and their families.
2018 Learning Focus
The main focus areas in terms of students learning outcomes were developed during 2017 and were outlined to staff at the beginning of this school year. The College priorities this year include:
Improving literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students;
Improving curriculum and assessment practices;
Increasing students’ level of active engagement in learning;
Building student capacity to become more resilient, self-reflective learners and productive global citizens.
Professional Practice Days
As part of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2017, teachers will receive one day per term when they are out of the classroom to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning.
Your child’s teacher will spend four days per year further developing their skills in areas that are aligned to the school priorities. Your child will directly benefit from these improvements in their daily learning.
On these days, an alternate teacher will be provided with the learning plan for the day and be well equipped to assist your child with their learning needs.
We are scheduling the professional practice days ahead of time so there is minimal impact to students and, where possible, there is consistency in teaching.
If you would like more information on the professional practice days and when they are planned, please contact me at the College.
Professional Learning Community (PLC)
Lilydale Heights College has been selected to join the PLC initiative in 2018. This opportunity to join the PLC initiative, will allow a team of College leaders access to a comprehensive program of professional learning. The training aims to equip principals, school leaders and teacher team leaders with the PLC practices that reliably increase teacher effectiveness and student learning.
2018 College Student Leadership Positions
Congratulations to the following students who were elected into student leadership positions for 2018. They were officially recognised at a whole school assembly on Thursday February 22.
College Captains: Jack Day, Jonathan Burgham, Sophie Liszka
Year 12 Prefects: Kira Cassidy, Emily Hall, Maddy Ellis
Year 11 Prefects: Damian Dao, Rebecca Nel
Year 11 Vice Captains: Gen Bowen, Kacey Buller, Hannah Smith
College House Captains
Castella Captain: Prue Angove. Castella Vice Captains: Beaudon Nash, Connor Wishart.
Melba Captain: Amy Boyce. Melba Vice Captains: James Mann, April Jeeves, Jess Jeeves.
Yarra Captains: Chloe O’Hea, Emily Hall. Yarra Vice Captain: Kacey Buller.
Olinda Captains: Lisa Breslin, Jack Day. Olinda Vice Captain: Shae Scott.
College Music Captains: Jack Hudson, Prue Angove, April Buttress. College Music Vice Captains: April Farkashazy, Taylah Griffiths, Joshua McKinnon.
VCE Results
The 2017 VCE cohort completed a very successful year of study and again produced some exceptional results. The top ATAR achieved at Lilydale Heights College in 2017 was 91.65, ranking this student in the top 9% of students in the state. 76% of the class of 2017 indicated that they wished to continue with further study in 2018 and received a first round offer.
In addition to this 16 students completed their Senior VCAL certificate and have transitioned to full time employment/training in 2018.
Soaring Start Camp
Preparation for the Year 12 VCE class of 2018 is well underway with students already having completed their “soaring start” study skills and careers camp. Year 12 VCE students spent three days at Ormond College based at the University of Melbourne where they undertook study skills tutorials as well as visited Melbourne University and other city based universities etc such as RMIT, ACU, William Angliss and Swinburne.
Yarra Valley VCE Creative Arts Showcase
This regional showcase occurs each year and is held at the Red Earth Gallery in Mooroolbark. The showcase is open to the public from Feb 16th of this year. Eight of our VCE students will have their works showcased at this year’s exhibition. Congratulations to the students and their amazing teacher Laura Morley!
It has clearly been a very successful start to the school year and we look forward to many more successes and positive opportunities for students.
College Council Elections
Nominations for vacant positions on the College Council close at 4pm on Friday Feb 23. If necessary, an election will be held in the week beginning March 5th, 2018. Details are below.
Notice of Election and Self-nomination Form
Investigating the historical relationships of the Cape Liptrap area
Our year 12 group completed their first outdoor experience this week: 3 days investigating the historical relationships of the Cape Liptrap area.
Structured Workplace Learning
Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is on-the-job training that allows students to develop their work skills and understand employer expectations. SWL is available to Lilydale Heights College students undertaking a VET program as part of their VCE or VCAL studies.
Principal's Welcome - January 2018
I would like to welcome everyone from the school community to the 2018 school year. I trust that everyone had a safe and restful summer break and are ready for the upcoming year.
Principal's Report - December 2017
Another year has very quickly come and gone. It is difficult to believe that this is the final newsletter for the 2017 school year. It has been a very busy year and December has been no exception. While the College is busy preparing for the 2018 school year, many programs and activities have continued to be prepared and delivered to students still at the College.
School Production 2017 - Merry Christmas
Congratulations to everyone involved in the school productions this year!!!
It has been a busy one for the family, with the biggest student involvement in both the whole school and junior productions ever!
The level of talent, dedication and skill displayed by all those involved, both on stage and back stage, was excellent. It has been fantastic to see everyone grow in so many ways over the year.
Well done all, and I look forward to seeing what we achieve next year!!!
Merry Christmas, and see y’all later.
Fundraisers for the Kmart Wishing Tree
Throughout the last few weeks of the year, each of the year 10 students worked on a variety of fundraisers within their SELF classes.
