by Rosina Fotia, Principal

Welcome Back!

Thank you for all your amazing support during these past few weeks of remote and flexible learning. Staff are excited to have the senior students back at school and look forward to welcoming all students on June 9. The sound of students interacting with each other, the ringing of the school bell and Canteen’s queues have brought smiles to our faces.

The College priority is to ensure that all students are kept safe and well. To support the health and wellbeing of all our students and staff, our school will continue an enhanced cleaning routine and will encourage frequent hand washing. I would like to take this opportunity to remind families that if your child is ill or is feeling unwell, they must not attend school. They must remain at home and seek medical advice. Learning tasks will still be available on Compass for student access.

Learning Focus

Establishing normal school routine has been a focus for all staff. Classes remain committed to improving Literacy and Numeracy skills and a renewed sense of connection to the College and staff is slowly developing. Staff are working to capture the learning we have gained through the remote learning experience and hope to identify ways to incorporate our learning into College processes and structures.

Funding Grant: $5,000,000

Earlier this month the Minister of Education, The Honourable James Merlino, announced that Lilydale Heights College will receive over 5 million dollars for Stage Two Building Works as a part of the Lilydale and Upper Yarra Education Plan. The College welcomes this exciting news, thanks the Minister for his support and looks forward to further upgrading of facilities for our school community.

Murrundindi and Town Square Design

Student Voice and Agency is a powerful tool and remote learning has not stopped the College seeking input from students. Last week, a student focus group was hosted by Murrundindi, Wurundjeri Elder, to finalise plans for landscaping on the College site. Murrundindi shared a creation story that will be captured in the design and students provided their perspective. Collaboration within the group was powerful and we look forward to enjoying the facility once it has been completed.

In This Together

Reconciliation Week May 27- June 3

This week is a time when we commemorate significant milestones in the reconciliation journey being undertaken as a country.

On May 27 1967, the national referendum voted to change the Australian constitution to include the improvement of services available to Indigenous Australians. On June 3 1992, the High Court of Australia made the decision – known as the Mabo decision – which recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to the lands that existed before the British arrived and continue to exist today. The theme for 2020 is “In this Together,” because “when we come together to build mutual respect and understanding, we shape a better future for all Australians.”

Parent Survey

Learning from home has been a big change for schools, teachers, students and families. We would love to know how this new way of learning is going for your child so far, so we are inviting you to please take the time to complete the Learning from Home Survey. The information you provide will be used to drive school improvements. Links to the survey have been provided via Compass News Feed and the survey is open until June 26.

Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential. The survey is conducted anonymously and it is important to us that you complete the survey as honestly as possible. We thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

Building Update

Work on Stage One buildings continues to progress on schedule. The upcoming month will see the completion of the roof on the sports gymnasium and joinery works completed in the Staffroom and Canteen. All going well, the new Canteen will be open to students from the beginning of Term 3, when work on the Sustainability Hub will commence. The Town Centre area of the school has also been cleared in preparation for new design landscaping.

Uniform Shop Reopens

A quick note to remind families that PSW, our uniform supplier, has reopened and is currently taking online and in store orders. Please note the current trading hours are Wednesday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am -1pm.