A Strong Start to 2025: Celebrating Achievement and New Beginnings
As we commence the 2025 academic year, I am delighted to share the wonderful events that have marked our return to school. Our Opening Service was a particular highlight, where we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our Class of 2024, including our College Dux and Proxime Accessit, along with our Subject Duxes who demonstrated exceptional academic excellence in a VCE subject.
The service also provided the perfect setting for the installation of our new Student Leadership Team. We proudly inducted our College Captains and Middle Years Captains, who have already begun demonstrating strong leadership qualities in their new roles. Tammy Hughes, Director of Operations LEVNT, also attended, presenting a number of long serving staff with Service Awards ranging from ten to thirty years.
The start of the year also saw the launch of our theme for 2025: UNITY. This powerful theme, thoughtfully developed by our Student Leadership Team, will guide and inspire our community throughout the year ahead. We look forward to seeing how this theme will shape our activities and strengthen our community.
I was also pleased to see existing staff take up new roles this year including Simone Boland as Director of Teaching and Learning, Anthony Coghlan as Director of Student Engagement and Metrics, Tom Schneider as Head of Senior Years, David Wildsmith as Head of Middle Years, Chloe Timms as Head of Yarra House and Ebony Cumming as Head of Wicklow House. All of these staff bring valuable experience and deep understanding of our college to these leadership positions, and we look forward to their continued contributions in their new capacities.
A new timetable was launched this year to support immersive learning opportunities for our students. This means more time is allotted each week so students can immerse themselves in deeper learning to master subjects across Humanities, Science, the Arts, and Technologies. Subjects will now change each term instead of each semester.
For our Year 10 students, we have introduced exciting opportunities through the Future Ready program, including:
- Micro-credentialing
- Financial literacy workshops
- Engaging guest speaker series
- A global stewardship program
Additionally, our Year 12 students will benefit from specialised Masterclasses each week, designed to build upon and enhance classroom learning.
Our Year 7 students have made an impressive transition to secondary school life. Their introduction to the college has been supported by a comprehensive orientation program, including valuable peer support sessions with our Year 10 students. These sessions have helped our newest members navigate practical aspects of high school life, from finding their way around campus to mastering the art of combination locks! The Year 7 Camp further strengthening these new connections and helping establish a strong sense of community.
Our Year 12 students commenced their final year with a dedicated Conference Day, designed to set them up for success. The day featured team-building activities, essential sessions on effective study habits, and various workshops aimed at preparing them for the year ahead. This was followed by an inspiring launch of our Year 12 Masterclass program, featuring special guest speaker Paralympic Champion Don Elgin. His remarkable journey exemplifying the power of determination and resilience. Don's message that "life is a choice" and his commitment to "choosing to live" resonated deeply with our students. His story of never giving up, constantly seeking new challenges, and striving for excellence in every endeavour provided our Year 12s with a powerful framework for approaching their final year.
These early weeks have set a positive tone for what promises to be an exciting and productive year ahead. As we step into a new year, we extend our prayers and blessings to all Lutheran schools and communities. May 2025 be a year of growth, joy, and faithful service, as we work together to nurture hearts, minds, and spirits in Christ’s love. Wishing you an equally wonderful start to the year ahead.
Jacqui Layfield
Principal
