Newsletter:
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Today marked the final formal school day for our 2022 Year 12 students. For the last two years graduation has been a COVID-19 impacted affair, but this year we were able to invite parents and friends to celebrate with us. These students begin their HSC examinations early Term 4, and we wish them all the best.
However, the Year 12 graduation and Holy Eucharist were not the only events of this week. On Monday our 12 Year 12 ‘originals’ who have been with us since Kindy held a morning tea with current Kindy students and the senior school had their term award assembly, on Tuesday we finally had our colour run, Wednesday was a fun pyjama day K-12, Lakes Factor talent show and Kindy (2023) orientation afternoon, and today (Friday) was our graduation events. What a week it was.
Seeing our incoming 2023 Kindy students and our outgoing Year 12 students gives great insight into what we do here at Lakes. From that nervous 4-year-old to our confident 17- and 18-year-olds, we see the growth and joy that students have enjoyed over the last 13 years. At Lakes we focus on the child and what they need to do their best. It’s a personal or ‘wrap around’ approach to learning. We work with our students to build the skills of character and resilience, to enable students to overcome the challenges that life will inevitably throw at them and to learn great lessons from these setbacks. We work to deliver excellence in teaching and expect every student to do their best. We work to build better futures for our young people and to develop adults who can contribute and serve the community with faith, with compassion and humility. And this is what we saw today at the Year 12 graduation. Our 2022 Year 12 students have not necessarily had an easy journey through their schooling, but they have shown determination and perseverance to get where they are today. These ups and downs will serve them well as they continue their lives post Lakes and we look forward to hearing great things from them in the future.
For all those students who are returning to class in Term 4 – classes commence on Monday 10 October.
Mrs Deborah Clancy
Principal
KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY
Week 1A
- Monday 10 October – First day of Term 4
- Tuesday 11 October – K-12 Leader Induction
- Tuesday 11 October – P&F Meeting via ZOOM
- Wednesday 12 October – Year 12 retreat
- Wednesday 12 October – Kindy parent information session
- Wednesday 12 October – HSC examinations begin
Week 2B
- Monday 17 October – HRIS golf
- Monday 17 October – Year 12 NASC celebration day
- Tuesday 18 October – K-12 Visions Art Exhibition opening night at The Art House, Wyong
- Wednesday 19 October – Kindy orientation sessions
- Friday 21 October – HRIS primary tennis
CHAPLAIN'S CHAT
What a difference 12 months makes. This time last year we were in lockdown and our graduation of Year 12s was done virtually. It was to say the least, surreal. This week our Year 12s had a week of activities that culminated in a Graduation Eucharist followed by a Graduation Ceremony. It marked the completion of up to 13 years of education with us where we have attempted to shape these young people holistically with heart, soul, mind, and strength. There were tears, laughter, hugs, and many memories shared. For 12 of them it began back in 2010 as members of our kindy crew when they were all shorter than me. Not so now 😊
It is a real privilege for Chaplain Pete and I to walk alongside the students as they grow and mature. To go the journey with them. Just on Monday, Pete and I were catching up in the senior school playground and some students came up to Pete to shake his hand and say hello. Similarly, for me, the other week I was in the junior school and a student raced up to me to say hi and say, “Do you know my brother, he’s in senior school?” So many conversations across the years that shape us as chaplains as much as we hope we can mould our students too.
Over the years we also share about Jesus through hundreds of chapels and CRE classes. We open God’s word, we sing songs, we act out as characters and receive regular feedback as to those connection points in our students lives. We also listen to students’ stories at their best times and sometimes when their world collapses around them. To walk alongside our students is an opportunity for the intersection of lives that leaves us all the richer.
This week, Pete, and I both hope that our Year 12s will know how precious they are to God. That they will know that they are born on purpose and for a purpose. That they may know that God has been dreaming about them since before they were born and no matter where they go in this world beyond our school gates, that God is closer than their next breath. Be blessed Year 12 for you have surely blessed our lives.
Bless ya!
Reverend Matt
Chaplain
WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS
LAKES GRAMMAR VISIONS ART EXHIBITION
Visual arts students from K-12 invite you to the Annual ‘Visions’ Art Exhibition. Opening night on the 19 October, 6.30pm at the Art House, Wyong.
This exhibition features drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and photography, created by students of all ages. This exciting show offers an insight into how young people view themselves and their world.
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TENDER FOR 2023 CLEANING SERVICES CONTRACT
Tenders are invited for the provision of cleaning services at Lakes Grammar, Cnr Sparks Rd and Albert Warner Dr, Warnervale NSW 2259.
Interested parties with experience in similar organisations and valid Working with Children Check for all staff can contact the operations manager - rebecca.blair@lakes.nsw.edu.au or 02 4393 4111 for tender documents, to request a tour or for further information. Tender submissions will close Friday 14 October 2022 at 4pm. Late applications will not be considered.
CANTEEN HELPERS ALWAYS NEEDED
Our junior and senior canteens always need helpers. Any parents, caregivers or grandparents are more than welcome if you can spare a day once a fortnight or once a month.
If you can spare time to help, please email canteen@lakes.nsw.edu.au
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
And with that, the term has concluded!
Firstly, I would like to thank all staff, students, and families for making me feel so welcome in my first term at Lakes. I have appreciated the opportunities to meet with, call and chat to the parents who have been in and around the junior school this term. For those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of speaking with yet, I hope our paths cross in Term 4.
I am thrilled by the high quality of the leadership nominations that the junior school fielded for the college captain and the leadership team places. Mrs Jobe-Parker and I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the leadership passports and we thank the students and their families for their commitment to this process. We are looking forward to presenting the student leaders with their badges and acknowledging their roles at our Leadership Induction Ceremony on Tuesday 11 October at 10am in the senior school hall. Invitations have been sent to parents of our 2023 leaders.
Congratulations to the Open Girls soccer team who came second at HRIS on 13 September. The students travelled to Maitland Park and narrowly lost the grand final 1-0. Great work team and thank you Mr Holden!
Our Year 6 students enjoyed a Year 7 orientation day on Wednesday 14 September where the senior school staff worked with them on a range of activities that they will undertake when they move onto senior school next year. Thanks to all the staff involved in making this such a successful day for our students.
Mr Holden took five students to the State Chess competition in Sydney last Friday. Congratulations to Mac M, Erin M, Callum L, Zaella G and Marcus W for their time and effort.
We enjoyed a lovely end of term awards ceremony in the senior school hall celebrating the heart, soul, mind, and strength achievements of the students, as well as the platinum awards. We also had a range of students participate in the pride in excellence morning tea.
A small group of 2022 kindergarten students had morning tea with the 12 “original” kindy students from the current Year 12 cohort. This was a fun event, hearing the stories of the Year 12 students about their junior school days and watching our oldest students interact with our youngest ones.
A beautiful day greeted us on Tuesday for the much-anticipated colour run. Originally scheduled for Term 1, we were finally able to hold it in much nicer weather. It was great to see so many of our students engaged and enjoying the run with their peers and teachers.
Term 4 dates
- Monday 10 October – staff and students return to school
- Tuesday 11 October – Leadership Induction Ceremony at 10am
- Wednesday 12 October – 2023 Kindergarten parent information session
- Wednesday 19 October – Kindergarten transition session 2
- Friday 21 October – HRIS tennis
Mrs Kylie McPherson
Head of Junior School
KINDERGARTEN TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC
Kindergarten enjoyed a wonderful Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Week 9. Parents, families, children, and teddies had a wonderful time picnicking and playing games on the school oval. Thanks to all who joined!
Mrs April O’Donnell
K-2 coordinator
IN THE LIBRARY
Thank you for an amazing Term 3
What an amazing term we had in the junior school library! From Gus Gordon, our visiting author, to a wonderful book parade and sensational Book Week and Scholastic book fair – which was a record, earning our library $3,200 in resources.
Thank you again for all your support as we look forward to another busy Term 4 and 2023.
Term 3 overdues
Overdue notices were sent out this week. Parents, please check your shelves over the holidays and return to the junior school library as soon as possible. Thank you for your support with this.
Mr Danny Summers
Junior School Teacher Librarian
INTERSCHOOLS CHESS COMPETITION
On Friday 16 September 2022, Lakes Grammar’s junior school chess team competed at the Interschools Chess Competition state finals. It was a great experience for the five chess players, and they finished a commendable 9th. The team consisted of Marcus W, Mac M, Erin M, Zaella G and Callum L.
Mr Tim Holden
Junior school teacher
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
HISTORY NEWS
Last term, selected students from Years 7-10 competed in the Australian History Competition. The competition is based on the Australian Curriculum for Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) and Stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) and tests students on their historical understanding and skills.
Our students achieved some outstanding results, with our school performing well above the state and national mean in Years 7, 8 and 10 and on par with the state and nation in Year 9. Congratulations to all students who participated and contributed to our wonderful school results. Special mention to the following students who achieved a Distinction or High Distinction result:
High Distinction
Brayden C
Rhys F
Beau J
Lexi M
Distinction
Milla H
Donald M
Abigail B
Lucy T
Tahlia M
Luke O
Boyd R
This year saw the return of our annual Night at the Museum. On the night, Mrs Clancy had the difficult task of selecting her favourite artefacts from Years 7-9 for the Artefact Award. Congratulations to the recipients of this award:
Year 7: Grace W
Year 8: Grace O
Year 9: Daniel P
Visitors to the Night at the Museum also had the opportunity to vote for their favourite artefact. The People’s Choice Artefact Award was awarded to:
Beau J (Year 8)
Mrs Fiona Crawford
History co-ordinator
MUSIC NEWS
Talent quest
Congratulations to all our talented students who performed a ‘knock-out’ performance at the talent quest. The calibre of the performances was outstanding and a wonderful celebration for our Year 12 students on their last day. A special mention to all students and staff involved, as well as guest expert sound guru, Mr Peter Pagacova.
Instrumental tuition program
Have you been thinking about taking up music lessons? It is not too late to enrol in music tuition for Term 4. At Lakes Grammar, we offer music tuition during school hours at a competitive rate. Woodwind, brass, strings, vocals, guitar, and drum lessons are available.
A new drum and guitar ensemble will commence Term 4 and is open for Years 7-12.
Click here to send an enquiry or email nathan.fepuleai@lakes.nsw.edu.au
Mr Nathan Fepuleái
Senior music teacher
SPORTS NEWS
LAKES GRAMMAR GEMS NETBALL CLUB
The club has had two consecutive seasons affected by COVID with seasons cut short. It was great to have a full season and what a 2022 season for Lakes Grammar Gems Netball Club had!
This year there were nine teams in total which consisted of 2 non-competition teams and 7 competition teams.
The 7/8 years and 9/10 years non-competition had a wonderful season, and it was great to see the girls improve their skills and enjoying netball from week to week. We are looking forward to seeing all the girl’s back next season.
All seven competition teams made the final series with four teams being minor premiers.
The Aquamarines and Opals fought hard in the semis and preliminary finals, but it just wasn’t their day.
The remaining five teams made the grand final. It was a wet and cold day, but our teams played wonderfully in the bad conditions.
The Crystals had a nail biter of a game going down by only 1 point, and our Garnets also had a hard-fought game with both teams collecting the runners up trophy.
A huge congratulations to the Emeralds, Diamonds and Onyx who all had convincing wins over very hard competitors, and all are the 2022 Premiers for the respective divisions.
Such a great achievement by our club and I am sure there will be many more to come.
Mrs Rachelle Kowaliw
President
Lakes Grammar Gems Netball Club
