Dear LSC Community Members,

Welcome to 2025

I wish to welcome back all staff, students and families for the 2025 school year.  We have officially welcomed our new Year 7 students as well as a large number of new students across Years 8 to 12.

I wish to formally acknowledge and welcome all of our new staff joining our college community in 2025:

• Yazmin Albrey (Health/PE)
• Julienne Arino (English/Literacy)
• Lian Battle (Learning Specialist – Arts/Technologies)
• Sofia Bondarenko (Science)
• Randall Chu (Maths/Science)
• Tiffany De Filippis (English/Literacy)
• Ashley Gao (
• Laura Gillett (Health/PE/Food)
• Gabby Giulieri (Student Records/Reception)
• Stephanie Grylls (Arts/Textiles)
• Alice Holmes (Science)
• Tony Huynh (Maths/Numeracy)
• Sarabjeet Kaur (Learning Specialist – Maths/Science)
• Melissa Kendall (English/EAL)
• Shahila Manorathne (English/EAL)
• Mariam Pirzad (Multicultural Education Aide)
• Thiwanka Ratnayaka (Maths, Year 8 Team Leader)
• Sarah Taylor (Science/VET Horticulture)
• Victoria Toole (English/Literacy/Health)

Term 1 School Events

The start to the year has been a busy one, with a number of important events happening across the college.  In addition to the start up of classes, the following major events occurred in the month of February at our college:

• Swimming Sports: On Monday 17^th February, all students who signed up to compete in swimming events headed down to Casey RACE to hit the pool and compete for their house. There were some wonderful times posted by some amazing swimmers, as well as a number of students getting in there and giving it a go to earn all important House points for our first House event for the year.  A number of our students will be heading to division swimming and I congratulate all students who competed on the day!
• Term 1 Whole School Assembly: On Tuesday 18^th February, our whole school community gathered together with a theme of “Leadership and Excellence”. We officially welcomed our Year 7 cohort to LSC, with our Year 12s forming a guard of honour for our Year 7s to enter through.  Our 2025 Student Voice Leaders were officially announced and presented with their badges, and we were able to hear about the successes of some of our Class of 2024, with our VCE and VCE VM Duxes recognised, as well as all students who achieved an ATAR score over 80, which places them in the top 20% of students in the state.
• Year 7 Welcome BBQ: On Thursday 20^th February, we invited all Year 7 students and families to attend the college to connect with our annual Welcome BBQ. This evening is an important opportunity to meet Year 7 Home Group and Mentor teachers, key staff working with our young people, and get new information to continue to support a successful transition to high school.  Topics in the presentation included  our School-Wide Positive Behaviours System (also known as Lyndhurst Legacy), as well as important information about upcoming NAPLAN assessments for Year 7s.  We were entertained by our talented Instrumental Music students, and a delicious BBQ was prepared by our student leaders and staff.
• VCE and VCE VM Information Evening: On Thursday 20^th February, we also invited our Year 11 and 12 students and families to attend the college to enjoy a BBQ meal and hear from members of our Senior School to learn more about the VCE and VCE VM programs.  Important information about the structure of VCE/VCE VM, supports to help students succeed and expectations of students in the Senior School were shared, as well as families having an opportunity to connect with the Senior Sub School team.

2025 Annual Implementation Plan

For 2025, our main priorities are focused under the three headings of Learning, Engagement and Wellbeing (see summary below).  Importantly, the work under these actions is not new work for our college, but rather building on the fantastic work and growth we have achieved in the last few years.  Our College’s Leadership Team have developed action plans to ensure there is focused work on each of these areas over the course of the year in order to continue our improvement journey.

As we hit the halfway point of the term, I wish to thank all students and staff for what has been a strong, and positive start to the school year at LSC.  I look forward to seeing our students continue to rise to meet our high expectations for learning and engagement, as well as seeing each young person set and work towards challenging goals that are important to them for their future pathways.

Ms Eloise Haynes
College Principal

Hindi Class Reflection

At our school, the Attendance Officer and Leader play a vital role in ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed by promoting regular attendance and punctuality.

The Attendance Officer Jane focuses on monitoring and tracking student attendance, identifying patterns of absence, and following up with families to address barriers to attendance. Jane works closely with community and sub school teams to track student attendance. Jane also tracks lates and early departures from students.

The Attendance Leader Grace oversees the school’s attendance strategy. I analyse data, set attendance targets, and lead initiatives to improve punctuality and reduce absenteeism. I also collaborate with Sub Schools, Wellbeing and external agencies, such as local authorities, to provide additional support for families when needed.

School Attendance and its policies are significant documents we must follow. Schools are responsible for promoting and monitoring attendance to ensure students meet the minimum attendance requirement of 90%.

We have very explicit responsibilities under the law.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Schools: Must maintain accurate attendance records, for a secondary school this means accurate roll marking every period. We must also follow up on absences, and implement strategies to improve attendance.

• Parents/Carers: Legally required to ensure their child attends school unless there is a valid reason.

• Students: Expected to attend school regularly and punctually. Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an exemption has been granted.

Grace Terdich
Attendance Leader

Club Schedule

Monday: Sports Club (Gym)

Tuesday: Chill Time with Wellbeing (E2), Textiles (B4) – Week A only, Art (B1) – Week B only

Thursday: Games Club (C7)

Friday: Anime (L1), Music (music room)

Homework Club 2025

Year 12 English / EAL students are invited to attend a weekly Masterclass on a Friday afternoon. The students will be working together as a cohort with one or more of the Senior English teaching team to strengthen their skills. The session will run until 4pm.

How to refer to the Wellbeing team

• Student self referral; Students can attend the Wellbeing office at recess or lunch time, and ask to speak to someone. Students can also use the ‘Wellbeing Self-Referral’ form on Compass (by clicking on the star icon and scrolling all the way to the bottom), and someone from the team will meet with them in the following few days.
• Sub school or teacher referrals; Students can speak to any staff member they feel comfortable with, and say they would like a referral to Wellbeing. Teachers will then complete a Wellbeing referral form on Compass, and someone from the team will meet with them in the following few days.
• Parent referrals: If parents are concerned about their young person for any reason, they can contact the Wellbeing team at school by calling the school number (03) 5996 0144 and asking for Wellbeing. Our Wellbeing team can also provide parents with information about other counselling services in the area outside of school if this is needed.

Safer Internet Day

Join us in making the internet a safer, more positive place – one conversation, one click, and one day at a time.

Tuesday the 11^th of February marked Safer Internet Day 2025, a global initiative led by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to promote safer online experiences for everyone. The Wellbeing team acknowledged and celebrated this day with an internet safety breakfast, a conversation wall discussing internet safety and a colouring-in competition. The colouring in sheets are still available from the library or from Wellbeing, and the competition closes on Friday the 21^st of February. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 25^th of February, with winners receiving a $5 canteen voucher!

A great way for parents to support online safety at home is by setting up device-free times and zones, such as during meals or before bedtimes, and encouraging that devices are kept out of bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s important to establish healthy screen habits and encourage open communication about online experiences.

To learn more and access free parental education sessions please visit: Webinars for parents and carers | eSafety Commissioner
Let’s empower our young people to be kind, safe and smart online.

Tess Doyle
Adolescent Health Nurse

Chill Time

City of Casey – Practical Strategies Parenting Group

*Year 7 Secondary School Transition*
(A program for parents/with parents, with the support of the City of Casey Youth Counselling Team)

Led by Counsellors with extensive experience, this 5-session group provides an opportunity for parents/caregivers to share their experiences in parenting, and to learn from others, new ways of supporting our children as they transition from Primary to Secondary School.

In this safe, supportive, and caring environment you will…

• Explore some of the challenges faced by young people during this transition
• Find out why some children refuse to attend school
• Learn some practical skills for dealing with challenging behaviours
•  Find out what services are out there when you need extra support.

Module themes include: Parenting and its challenges, childhood and its challenges, feeling and emotions, emotional regulation, mental health and strategies/resources. Click on the flyer below for more details.

Department of Education Mobile Phone Policy

A reminder that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away in their lockers during school hours.

The department is requiring all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced from the start of the 2024 school year.

The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state. This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions.

By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones can cause.

I ask for the support of all our families, staff and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school.

Further information

Emergencies: In the event of an emergency or if you need to immediately contact your child, I ask that families contact the school office who will pass on a message as required.

School mobile phone policy: A copy of our school’s local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context, is available on our website.

To view all our policies, visit our website.

First Aid

We will be hosting the Secondary School Vaccine Program on: Thursday 13^th March 9.15am

The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free National Immunisation Program schedule vaccines to all eligible Year 10 students.

Year 10 students

• Meningococcal ACWY

For further information on the Secondary School Vaccine Program:

Immunisation in Secondary Schools

The City of Casey’s immunisation service delivers the school-based immunisation program. Council now uses a system provided by the Department of Health, called the Central Immunisation Records Victoria (CIRV) Portal, to manage those receiving an immunisation.

Please complete the online CIRV Portal Consent form ASAP, even if you choose not to consent for your child to be vaccinated at school. Please click on the link below:

Year 10 – https://portal.cirv.vic.gov.au//PrivacyCollection/?id=73f78110-1ddd-ef11-8eea-6045bd3f09a6&Year10

Casey 360 Bus timetable for Term 1

Attendance Hotline & Email

If your child is absent, please call the following number or send a message. Ph: 0417 839 925 or send absentee email to this address 7108-attendance@schools.vic.edu.au

SO PLEASE, CHECK YOUR EMAIL!

Anyone interested in VET Horticulture to contact the Sub School Teams.

This offer is for Year 9 students who will turn 15 before the end of the year, Year 10 and Year 11 students.

Administration

Office hours 8:00am – 4:00pm
Telephone (03) 5996 – 0144
lyndhurst.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Parents should always make contact with the General Office first when visiting the school or trying to make contact with their children. Appointments with teachers must be made via telephone or compass.

Absences

Student absences should be reported to the school before 8:50am. A note/medical certificate on the day of return to the General Office explaining the absence is required where no parent contact has been possible. Text messages are sent to parents and carers notifying of a student absence twice daily (subject to the correct contact information being provided). If students have appointments during the school day, a note on the day of the appointment is required from a parent or carer confirming the intended date and time of absence from school.

If your child is absent, please call the following number or send a message. Ph: 0417 839 925 or send absentee email to this address 7108-attendance@schools.vic.edu.au

Late arrival to school

In order to minimise disruption to class and maximise learning opportunities for our students, we would like to remind you that students are expected to be at school by 8:50am, ready and prepared for Home Group. We appreciate your support in this. If you have any questions please call the General Office on 5996 0144. If students do arrive late, they need to come past the general office window and sign in with the attendance officer.

Uniform

Beleza School Uniforms in High Street,Cranbourne and Hallam are our uniform suppliers.

All students must be in full school uniform every day. Please refer to our website for Uniform Policy and Dress Code regarding our expectations.

Lyndhurst Secondary College school day

School day – 8:50am – 3:00pm daily (excluding weekends and all public and school holidays)
The College runs a 5 period day. Please see Term Dates & Bell Times on our website for details of times.

Lost property

Please ensure all school clothes, books and personal property are clearly labelled with the student’s name. Many items are not returned to their rightful owners because they are not labelled correctly or clearly.

USBs should include a folder with the student’s name and form to assist in returning it to the correct person. If you have lost anything see the general office during recess, lunch or at the end of day.

College Cafe Menu

The College canteen menu is available here.

Orders can be placed online via quickcliq.com.au