by Shane Kruger, Acting Principal

Warm Welcome

I wanted to begin my first newsletter article at Lilydale Heights College by saying thank you. It is an honour and a privilege to have been appointed to this role in such a wonderful school. From my first day on Monday 18th July, I have been warmly greeted and welcomed by staff and students. Many of them have gone out of their way to introduce themselves, to tell me about the school and to share with me their thoughts on what makes Lilydale Heights College a great school. I have spent my first week learning about the College (something that I am sure I will continue to do over the coming weeks), visiting classrooms, staffrooms, wandering the yard at recess and lunchtime speaking to students, visiting clubs and going to Breakfast Club. The common element amongst everyone I have spoken to, students and staff, has been that everyone has spoken positively of the school. Whether it is the collegiality of the staff, the opportunities that students have in and out of the classroom or the focus on teaching and learning; all members of our community have spoken positively about the school.

Just as I am learning about Lilydale Heights College, I feel that it is important to share with you some information about me so that you can learn what drives me as an educator and leader. Over the years I have led a number of portfolios in a range of leadership roles including Curriculum (Teaching and Learning, Assessment), Wellbeing, Sub School and Inclusion. I am passionate about ensuring that we are providing a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment that maximises the learning growth of every student. I want to ensure that both the wellbeing and learning needs of students are met so that they continue to develop as lifelong learners. At Lilydale Heights College, I will continue to strive to create a positive learning culture that enables effective teaching and learning to occur for all students in every aspect of their development. There is always a lot to learn when joining a new school and I look forward to getting to know the Lilydale Heights College community further over the coming weeks.

Thank you Rosina Fotia

As you are all aware, Rosina Fotia took on the Principal role at Ringwood Secondary College from last week. On behalf of the Lilydale Heights College community, I wanted to both congratulate Rosina and to thank her for her leadership of the College and for her ongoing dedication to improving the learning for all students. We wish her all the best in her new position and for the positive impact she will continue to make on the education of young people.

Course Selection Process

Last Wednesday we hosted our Middle School and Senior School Information Night. It was a wonderful evening where our Senior School Leader Emma Steeper, Curriculum Leader Bryce Denny and Assistant Principal Team Isabella Phillips and Tim Wright, shared with our community valuable information about the course selection process. All of the information presented at the evening is available to families and students via Compass. Curriculum Handbooks are also available via our College website at https://www.lilydaleheights.vic.edu.au/learning

Year 9 Curriculum Handbook Year 10 Curriculum Handbook

Year 11 Curriculum Handbook Year 12 Curriculum Handbook

I would encourage all students and families to familiarise themselves with the information that is available regarding the subjects on offer and to have conversations at home about their course for 2023. If you have any questions about the course selection process, please do not hesitate to reach out to the College. Thank you to Emma, Bryce, Isabella, Tim, the Senior School Team, the Middle School Team and the Careers Team for their support of students through the course selection process.

Building Updates

Construction on our new C-Wing has been completed! This new complex is outstanding and will provide a modern, engaging learning environment for our students. Classes will start to move into C-Wing shortly and we cannot wait to see this learning space in use. It is a very exciting time for Lilydale Heights College.

Masks

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, especially influenza, throughout the remainder of the winter season, expectations around the wearing of masks have been updated. Staff and students are encouraged to wear masks indoors from now until the end of winter. Further information about the wearing of masks is available on Compass. Wearing masks is a simple step we can all take this winter to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and ensure our schools are as safe as possible. We ask for the support of staff, parents and students to ensure that we can do our best to keep everyone safe.