by Rosina Fotia, Principal

Learning Focus

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. Year 12 students approach their final few weeks of school and will undertake practice exams during week one of the term break. Teachers continue to develop lessons using our instructional model and incorporate writing to learn and substantive talk tasks in each of their lessons.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results have been released and the College is very proud of the results. Student results have been mailed home to parents. Lilydale Heights has shown improvement in its relative growth areas across Numeracy, Writing and Reading. This improvement has been from Years 5 to 7 as well as Years 7 to 9. The College improvement is in line with DET priorities and endorses the improvement plans and work of staff.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews are currently underway and form an integral part of our continuous reporting process. Response to bookings has been positive and student attendance at meetings is strongly promoted. Parent Teacher Interviews provide an important opportunity for you and your child to discuss his/her progress and to build communication between parents and the College.

Year 8 Howqua Camp

Year 8 students have just returned from a three-day camp at Howqua. Students participated in activities such as bush walking, high ropes, horse riding, mountain biking and archery. Congratulations to Mr Denny and his team and thank you to students and families who supported the event.

Sustainability

Congratulations to Shannon Sargeant and the Sustainability Team on their first Resource Smart School star. In addition, Year 8 students have just completed a trial integrated unit focusing on “plastics” and examples of their work have been showcased in the Library during Parent Teacher Interviews.

Debutante Ball

Congratulations to the organising committee involved in this year’s Debutante Ball; Ms Gentile, Mr Wright and Mrs Butterworth. The night was a great success. 22 couples were presented and over 250 guests were at the event. Thank you to Ann Wheeler, President of the Rotary Club of Lilydale, for her attendance as Guest of Honour.

VCAL Trade Day

As a part of the VCAL Personal Development Program, VCAL students were asked to hold a Market Trade Day. This year, students focused on using local products for their stalls. Choices included: homemade jam and lemonade, pizza and sweets. All products were sourced and/or made locally. Congratulations to Ms Kinder and the VCAL class for their work, originality and support for local businesses and networks.

RUOK DAY

RUOK Day is a program designed to encourage connection between people in our communities. Its goals include: boosting confidence in ourselves, developing connections with others and building a sense of belonging in communities. Well done to the Year 10 students and teachers who planned activities for the day. Their passion and vision makes a difference to organisers and recipients. Well done!

Attendance

When kids miss school, not only is their academic progress impeded, forcing them to catch up on missed work (which some never do), they often miss important interactions with their peers which can compound issues of social isolation and low self-esteem. Australian kids only spend 15% of their total time at school. They spend more time asleep than they do at school. So we need to maximise every day to get full value. That means turning up to school every day, on time.

If you need support or assistance getting your child to school, please do not hesitate to contact the College to arrange a meeting with your child’s Learning Leader.

*Enjoy your term break.

School resumes on Monday 7th October.

Thank you.*