by Rosina Fotia, Principal

Welcome back to Term 3. I trust everyone had a warm winter break. The school term has started well and students are now well engaged in their classes as we move into the second half of the school year. This term, the College welcomes two new staff members: Mrs Michelle Pezzimenti who will join the Japanese Language faculty and Ms Priya Smith adds some more strength to our Education Support team.

Learning Focus

As a follow up to the reporting and examination period, students have been completing some self-reflections during their SELF classes. The aim of these sessions is for students to identify areas where they have shown growth in their learning as well as to identify areas they need to target for more improvement throughout semester two.

Independent Reading Program

Many parents of students in Years 7 to 10 may be aware of the Independent Reading Program that operates at the College. This program has had outstanding success in terms of student learning outcomes and recently, the College was asked to present at the State Principals’ Forum. The aim of our Independent Reading Program is to enhance the enjoyment of reading, to create a culture of reading, and to improve the literacy skills of students. Our Independent Reading Program runs every day for 20 minutes, rotating through the timetable each fortnight to ensure an equitable distribution of time between subjects. In order to further support the program, parents are encouraged to discuss reading with their children and to model and encourage reading at all opportunities in and around the home.

International Mathematics Olympiad

On Tuesday July 25, Lilydale Heights College hosted the International Middle Years Mathematics Olympiad. Over 120 students from Asia and surrounding schools competed in the one-day event. The aim of the event was for participants to develop an enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics, develop skills in problem solving and critical thinking and to provide opportunities for intercultural acceptance and understanding. The event was a huge success and the program of activities allowed students to test their skills as well as develop new friendships.

Congratulations must be extended to all the students from Lilydale Heights who competed. Special congratulations to Seb Dickson who received a Gold medal in the competition. An outstanding achievement Seb!

Thanks must also be extended to Mr Greg Hancock for his support with the co-ordination of the program and to the many student helpers for their work on the day.