LAKES GRAMMAR


Week 4, Term 4 2021


PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

It has been a hive of activity here at school this week, with Kindergarten to Year 12 back on site. Many parents looked visibly relieved to be dropping students off, and staff were so excited to see their classes again. However, after more than 4 months with reduced interactions with others, we are keen to work with our students to help our youngest, most vulnerable and most potential filled little humans to flourish and “build better futures”.

At Lakes Grammar, we aim to have students who can access and acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours that will enable them to succeed and flourish in our everchanging world.

To do this, and on our return from learning from home, we are focussing on resilience; enabling leaders and teachers to have the highest positive impact on outcomes for students and the communities they serve. We want to develop students who can “withstand or overcome adversity and unpleasant or difficult events successfully and to be able to adapt to change and uncertainty” as defined by Kathryn McEwan (Resilience at work- 2011) . She has identified 7 evidence-based factors that we can take to improve our resilience.

  1. Living authentically – where students are at the centre of what we do.
  2. Finding your calling or purpose.
  3. Maintaining perspective.
  4. Managing stress (linked to empathy and perspective)
  5. Working cooperatively.
  6. Staying healthy.
  7. Building networks.

All these areas (and more) will be part of our dedicated academic care program in 2022. In 2022 the senior school the timetable will change slightly, with a session each day for this program. The senior school will now finish at 3.15pm but we will continue to have 6 periods a day. There will be no tutor time in the morning, as it will be replaced by an academic care time/year meeting/chapel or assembly each day.  In the junior school, various initiatives around gratitude, kindness, resilience, and curiosity (to name a few) will be focused on.

Our K-12 academic care program will be linked to the school’s VITAL framework and Guy Claxton’s Learning Power Approach. I have attached again for your information our VITAL program and the Flourish @ Lakes infographic for you to review. If you would like to read more about the Learning Powered Program, a good starter is the book The Learning Power Approach – Teaching Learners to Teach Themselves (Claxton, G, 2018)


As Mahatma Gandi said:

“Live as if were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”.


Mrs Deborah Clancy

Principal

KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY

There are no upcoming events at this stage.

CHAPLAIN'S CHAT

Oh the joy! We have most of our students back at school and the buzz of the classroom, playground and every nook and cranny is just beautiful.  How I have missed these wonderful young people and what a delight it is to see them gathered again.  I feel almost lost for words which is quite a feat if you know anything about me.  On Monday when our senior school was filling up in the morning, I could barely contain the excitement. And by day’s end it was as though I had been on a diet of Red Bull and coffee!


When chatting with Pete earlier this week he was equally as excited. He described the atmosphere in the junior school as being buoyant with lots of energy lifting the staff and students.  So much enthusiasm to be back with friends and in class again.  He also suspects that we will see some signs of fatigue by week’s end or early next week.  I believe he may well be right.  It is hard to keep that level of energy without crashing.  It seems wise to have fairly quiet days this weekend.


If nothing else, being back this week as a whole school has reminded us that we are designed as people to be in community.  We are wired for relationships and this can take many forms.  Some require small amounts of interpersonal relating whilst others like me thrive in environments with lots of human-to-human contact.  This is why I love the story of Jesus walking the earth 2000 years ago as fully human and fully God and how the holy trinity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit display for us a perfect relationship. Ultimately too, Jesus calls each of us into relationship, and one that changes our eternal destiny.


I hope that with your households being quieter during the day with our kids here at school, that they are bringing home stories to you from school.  Maybe it is something they learned or a game of handball they aced.  Maybe it’s a friend they caught up with or the time Mr Crumbley did a handstand at the end of a spelling test.  Each of these events when reported home are an opportunity for you and I as parents to build on those family relationships too.  Let’s all listen well and maybe we might all get a glimpse into what life is like at Lakes….because my friends, it is really good. 😊


Bless ya!

Rev’d Matt

Chaplain

WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS


SCHOOL BAND


Did you know our school has a school band program? We have been running band in the junior school since 2016, but, there are plans in the pipeline to expand the band program in the senior school!

Our students did a fantastic job advancing their music skills via online learning in Term 3 and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. We wanted to share their online learning project video in celebration of their hard work. Well done to everyone who participated and thank you to the Central Coast Conservatorium teachers for making music so much fun!

 Click here to see online learning school band https://youtu.be/7xDTPCblkT4.  


Nathan Fepuleai

Junior School Teacher


JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL 

Teamwork and Connection

What a momentous week it has been at Lakes Grammar. In achieving great things it certainly takes a team effort.

One of the greatest examples of a team occurred on July 21, 1969, with the Apollo 11 landing on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin will always be the headliners of the accomplishment, however, they only make up 0.0005% of the full Apollo 11 team. It took an estimated 400,000 scientists, engineers and technicians to achieve the end goal of sending the first humans to the moon. From contractors building parts for the space shuttle to seamstresses sewing 21 layers of fabric to create each spacesuit – it took a team.

As we have made a giant leap into this week, I want to thank all our community for the steps you have taken for our return to face-to-face teaching to have been such a success.

Firstly, thank you to all our students for the courage and maturity you have shown as you have entered back into the classroom. Of course, we are all very appreciative of the extra time and effort by all the teachers to ensure they created a warm and welcoming classroom environment. And finally, to our parents and carers, thank you for your efforts in ensuring that school drop offs run smoothly for everyone and for arriving at your correct timeslot in the afternoon, helping everyone get home in a relaxed and timely manner.

I would love to hear stories of students reconnecting with their peers and teachers so please encourage your child to come and tell me some of their highlights of their return to school.


Mr Daniel Wearne

Head of Junior School


LIBRARY


Borrowing from Week 4

Borrowing has started this week until the end of Week 6. Please remind your child/children to bring in their bags on their designated library lesson day.

Note: All books will be sanitised and quarantined during this time.

 

Carnival Virtual Book Fair

A reminder that we will be having a VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR from 8/11 – 26/11. This is a wonderful fundraiser for the JS Library considering we had to cancel our annual Scholastic Book Fair this year due to covid. Also, with Christmas looming, books make wonderful gifts!

For delivery of online purchases, we suggest that books be delivered to the home address to avoid postage delays. Please read the attached advertisements for more information.

A flyer has been sent home this week with information on how to access the Book Fair from November 8.


Overdues

Just a reminder that any books that were borrowed over lockdown are now overdue. Please check and return them ASAP. Overdues will go out some time next week. A final overdue notice will also go out in Week 8 of this term.



Mr Danny Summers

Junior School Teacher Librarian


SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL


WELCOME BACK to the SENIOR SCHOOL!

Segregated playground areas, movement corridors, fans on and windows open, QR code check-ins to get on a bus, chapel and assembly online, long waits to get on the bus and be picked up, designated toilets and masks on every time you are inside - these are just some of the conditions our students have had to quickly adapt to when they returned this week and what a splendid job they have done!  Our return also meant seeing people for the first time after 17 weeks, volleyball at lunch, picnic rugs, beach umbrellas, and many smiles.  It has been wonderful to see our students back this week and it certainly has created a wonderful buzz around the place.


We are excited to announce that there have been some significant changes to the senior leadership team with the creation of new roles. The new roles include director of academic challenge (K-10), director of academic care (K-12), director of academic diversity (K-12) and head of academic operations and deputy head of junior school.  These promotions were internal and reflect our outstanding staff here already. Due to these staff promotions we will also see in the senior school in 2022 a new coordinator of creative and performing arts, English coordinator and in the junior school a new K-6 curriculum coordinator. We congratulate these staff and are very excited to be working with such a wonderful team, who are all focused on ‘building better futures’ for all our students from K-12.


Director of academic challenge K-12 – Mrs Anne Hobden (previously senior school CAPA coordinator)

Mrs Anne Hobden is a long-serving member of the Lakes Grammar teaching team. Her achievements and qualifications include Dux of Newcastle Art School (1984), a double degree in Fine Arts and Education from Newcastle University and the award of a Centenary Medal for teaching in 2000 for education service.

Mrs Hobden is dedicated to academic growth and achievement of all students from K-12. She first commenced teaching at Lakes Anglican Grammar School at Summerland Point in 1994, as an art teacher. In 2004 she was delighted to embrace the change to a new Anglican school at Warnervale, helping to establish Lakes Grammar - An Anglican School.

As an experienced HSC visual arts marker and successful HSC teacher, she has always been inspired to strive for best practice in all aspects of teaching and learning. Mrs Hobden is always searching for strategies that will lead to excellence at Lakes Grammar.


Director of academic diversity K-12 – Ms Kristy Gorham (previously senior school learning support coordinator)

As a dynamic and innovative educator, Ms Gorham has taught across many educational sectors over the past 15 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching in secondary English and drama education at the University of New England in 2007, Ms Gorham later attended Macquarie University where she completed her Master of Special Education. She has extensive teaching experience working with students with diverse needs in both inclusive and special education settings, using a collaborative approach to meet the specific learning needs of each unique child.


Fundamentally, Ms Gorham is passionate about inclusivity. She recognises that all aspects of human diversity are valuable, and she advocates for equitable quality learning opportunities that maximise the potential of all students.


Director of academic care K-12 – Mrs Alison MacLarty (previously senior school coordinator of student wellbeing)

Mrs Alison MacLarty graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Education degree and has over 20 years of teaching experience in the technological and applied studies faculty. Mrs MacLarty has always had a passion for student wellbeing and has undertaken training in applied positive psychology, counselling, child protection, visible thinking and whole-school wellbeing. She works with youth in a voluntary role with Girl Guides Australia and has participated in and led leadership training over the past 30 years.


Mrs MacLarty has enjoyed the challenge of her current role and has led an effective wellbeing team consisting of year advisers, school counsellors and the school chaplain. Mrs MacLarty has been involved in the school's strategic planning and has worked as part of a team developing the Vital framework. Mrs MacLarty is currently working on a whole school wellbeing approach including developing wellbeing frameworks across K-12.


Head of academic operations – Mrs Julie Pallot (previously senior school mathematics coordinator)

Mrs Pallot’s teaching career has spanned almost 30 years. She completed her degree in secondary education at The University of Sydney.

After time off to have a family she returned to teaching and took on a short-term block teaching mathematics, as it was her favourite subject at school. She discovered that she could combine her love of mathematics and her passion for helping people as they struggled to grasp mathematical concepts. She returned again to university studying mathematics and completed a Masters in Education, and worked for ten years at a local high school before moving to Lakes Grammar.


In taking on the role as head of academic operations, Julie hopes to assist people by continuing to help the school run smoothly and look for ways to streamline processes and procedures within the organisation's day-to-day operations.


Deputy head of junior school – Julie Stowe

Mrs Stowe is a dedicated professional and motivated individual with a breadth of experience that spans 32 years, including leadership roles as assistant head of junior school, acting head of junior school, infant’s coordinator and sports coordinator. She has taught all K-6 year groups as a classroom teacher and piloted an independent learners class for high potential learners. 

Mrs Stowe’s favourite aspect of teaching is supporting the development of student confidence.  It is her desire for all students to know Christ and feel safe, heard and valued. 

Mrs Stowe also loves to cook and read, and sometimes at the same time. I have been known to burn things because I have been engrossed in the depths of a good article or book.  Her favourite Bible verse is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Mrs Stowe says “she has learnt to sit comfortably trusting that God is in control, of all things”.



Creative and performing arts coordinator – Mrs Katrina Braun (formally Year 10 year advisor)

Mrs Braun is a dedicated and experienced drama teacher who has taught across government and private education sectors for over 16 years. She was awarded the double degree of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching, specialising in secondary English and drama education from the University of Newcastle.

She is a passionate advocate for the creative and performing arts and is eager to celebrate the talents of our students within the school environment and the wider community.


Mrs Braun is looking forward to working with the extraordinary music and arts teachers of Lakes Grammar to continue striving for excellence, focusing on the school vision to teach with heart, soul, mind, and strength. As a teacher she hopes to inspire and support her students throughout their educational journey. She has had previous experience in leadership roles in relieving coordinator positions and as Year 10 year advisor, supporting students as part of the wellbeing team. Not only is she a committed member of staff, but she is also a mother with her two young children in our junior school.


English coordinator – Mrs Serena Hart (formally English teacher)

Mrs Hart is a former student of Lakes Grammar – an Anglican School, graduating Dux of School in 2006. In 2010, Serena completed a Bachelor of Teaching / Bachelor of Arts (Secondary) at the University of Newcastle, Ourimbah.

Since 2011, Serena has delivered the English and history curriculum to students in Years 7-12, including the English extension 1 and English extension 2 HSC courses. A highlight of Serena’s career was in 2018 when her English extension 1 student was awarded the 7th HSC mark in the state of NSW and was published in the Young Writer’s Showcase for English Extension 2. Serena has engaged in HSC marking and attends frequent professional development courses with the AIS for the teaching of English literature. Serena was previously year advisor to Stage 5 from 2018-2021 and acting coordinator of English between 2018-2019 and 2021.


Curriculum coordinator K-6 Junior School – Amanda Holland

Mrs Holland has been teaching for 18 years and has loved the variety of different teaching experiences over the years. She has taught in mainstream, learning support, early intervention and with high potential learners in Australia and the USA and have a degree in Special Education. Her passion has always been to help all students to thrive in all areas of their life including academically, socially, mentally and spiritually. 

The greatest joy of teaching is seeing a student’s eyes light up when they see that they can achieve the goals that they set for themselves and discover that they can flourish and thrive in their learning.

Mrs Holland loves spending time with her family and enjoys painting, sewing and running. She also likes to learn and is currently doing a Masters in Educational Leadership.


Mrs Michelle Smith

Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School

WELLBEING

Welcoming back our students was a source of much joy this week. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see them in real life and not just at the end of a computer screen! Our new student leadership team came to school last week to prepare some welcome back signs and pack each student a little gift from the staff. Their time and creativity was very much appreciated and our students enjoyed some extra colour around the school grounds.

This week we have been able to gather our new student leaders together where they met Mrs Clancy personally and our School Captains were presented with their badges. They have been busy delivering recess and lunch to our year groups to help keep our students safe.


There is such a range of emotions in our students at the moment – I am sure you see that at home too. I have come across a parent workshop I highly recommend to you to assist you at this difficult time:


https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-covid-19-parentcarer-webinar-supporting-young-people-tickets-169989897359?aff=erelexpmlt


In recent years there have been some highly controversial shows available to our teens to view on TV and streaming services. You may have heard of the latest one called Squid Game. It deals with some heavy themes, including suicide, violence, exploitation of vulnerable people and substance abuse. Let’s face it, disturbing or controversial content can be hard to avoid. Teens may choose to still watch these shows or hear about them from friends in and out of school. Have a look at this resource which addresses the issue of how to handle this kind of content as a family.


https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/wellbeing/things-to-try-technology/dealing-with-disturbing-content?


In our wellbeing sessions we are focussing on moving forward – making plans, setting goals and building hope for the future. This week students shared their positives and frustrations during lockdown and also their future plans. They saw themselves as a piece in a jigsaw that when placed together provide a place for them to fit together to belong.


Stay well and safe,



Mrs Alison MacLarty

Senior School Co-ordinator of Student Wellbeing

SPORT NEWS

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS 


Jump Rope for Heart

We have raised $271 for the Jump Rope for Heart program. Keep the skipping and fundraising going!


Tuesday Sport from Week 4

Our annual swimming program will not be running again due to Covid-19. This includes the Year 6 surf fun day. We look forward to these vital, fun and important programs in 2022.

School sport will be at school only and cohorts only at a time due to covid restrictions.

A reminder that full sports uniform must be worn on Tuesdays for sport i.e. hat, sport shirt, joggers, school sport shorts and socks. Students should also have a water bottle as well during the hotter months.

 


Mr James Cantor

K-6 Sports Coordinator






SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS 


Welcome back to Term 4. It is great to be able to have students doing some sport together this term on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, there is no representative or interschool sport until 2022.

Years 7-10 students will be engaging in a weekly sport program outlined below. Please ensure your child has a hat for sport, as sport is conducted outside and there is limited shade available. We will also provide them with access to sunscreen but we recommend they bring their own.



Term 4 - Year 9/10 Sport Timetable - 2021

Group

Weeks 4,7 &10

Weeks 5 & 8

Weeks 6 & 9

Period

P3

P4

P3

P4

P3

P4

9L- Mr Campbell

cricket

speedminton

basketball shooting

walking

volleyball

handball

9G – Mrs Baker/ Mrs King

speedminton

cricket

walking

basketball shooting

handball

volleyball

9S –Ms Rocks

volleyball

handball

cricket

speedminton

basketball shooting

walking

10L –
Mr Beecroft

handball

volleyball

speedminton

cricket

walking

basketball shooting

10G –
Mrs McKeown

basketball shooting

walking

volleyball

handball

cricket

speedminton

10S –
Mr Langejans

walking

basketball shooting

handball

volleyball

speedminton

cricket



Term 4 - Year 7/8 Sport Timetable - 2021

Group

Weeks 4,7 &10

Weeks 5 & 8

Weeks 6 & 9

Period

P5

P6

P5

P6

P5

P6

7L- Mrs Zhao

cricket

speedminton

basketball shooting

walking

volleyball

handball

7G- Mrs Baker/
Mrs King

speedminton

cricket

walking

basketball shooting

handball

volleyball

7S- Mrs McKeown

volleyball

handball

cricket

speedminton

basketball shooting

walking

8L- Mrs Williams-Caller

handball

volleyball

speedminton

cricket

walking

basketball shooting

8G –
Mrs Hutley

basketball shooting

walking

volleyball

handball

cricket

speedminton

8S – Mr Langejans

walking

basketball shooting

handball

volleyball

speedminton

cricket


Locations for Activities

  1. Basketball Shooting = Senior School Basketball Courts
  2. Volleyball = Grass area between F and G Blocks
  3. Speedminton = Oval
  4. Handball = Courtyard
  5. Cricket = Oval
  6. Walking = Start at Senior School parent park area




Mr Darren Beecroft

Senior School Sports Coordinator