Principal’s report

SUSAN JUST Principal

During 2022 the School Executive and School Council undertook a review of the current school strategic plan, with due consideration to the impact of the COVID pandemic and a focus on priority areas. We determined that one priority was the implementation of the Quality Teacher Framework for our teachers, while another priority was establishing a whole of school understanding of International Mindedness and how this was embedded in our School culture, curriculum and co-curricular program. The development of a Data Plan and Data Strategy was also given priority. We determined that a review of the school’s wellbeing curriculum would begin in Term 4 2022 and conclude in Term 3 2023.

During 2022 a Digital Plan was developed with a focus on designing technology around the learning and teaching needs of students and teachers, and the administrative and business needs of the school. The Digital Plan will see the continued improvement of our cyber security capability and the adoption of Cloud based services. One aim is to maintain an efficient architecture that drives an optimal application landscape and reduces complexity. In practical terms, during 2022 new cyber security elements were introduced and technical work was completed on both the Armadale and Howqua campuses to improve the efficiency of our network.

Throughout 2022, the new Child Safe Standards were implemented across the school which included the implementation of new policies and procedures, along with training for all staff members.

The Reconciliation Action Plan was completed in 2022 with collaboration between students, staff members and parents. Staff participated in a presentation of Cultural Safety and plans were made for an Acknowledgement of Country Ceremony in 2023 at both the Armadale and Howqua campuses.

Continued refinements to our online reporting system were focused on providing more in depth information about progress to both the parents and students. The Junior School began the journey to a new reporting platform which will improve teacher input and information provided to parents.

The Digital Fabrication Laboratory and Tinkering space have been well used by children and students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The Kindergarten children and Junior School students undertook a variety of projects using an array of digital tools and their learning has been considerably enhanced as a result.

A highlight of 2022 was the Years 5 to 12 Concert held at the Recital Centre in the CBD of Melbourne. This was the first major concert held since the COVID Pandemic and enabled the students to perform in choirs, ensembles, orchestras and bands. One of the highlights of the concert was the joint performance of Lauriston Girls School senior choirs and the Xavier College senior choir.

Another highlight of 2022 was the Future Pathways week of activities and the Year 10 Career Readiness activities. Future Pathways week saw a panel of Old Lauristonians speak about their career pathways and a series of webinars featuring Old Lauristonians and parents about their careers. During the Year 10 Career Readiness Week, the students undertook mock interviews and participated in hands on activities such as a barista course.

2022 saw the resumption of Girls Sport Victoria competition and Sports Schools Victoria competition for our Junior School students with some impressive performances in Cross Country, Athletics, Netball and Swimming. The Lauriston Netball Team returned to competition with more than 100 students playing each Saturday. Lauriston Rowing was reimagined with a new Director of Rowing and improved results.

Community Service has continued to flourish at Lauriston and during 2022 our students worked with a number of local organisations in supporting young people and families both locally and within the Melbourne region. Very Special Children, Friday Night School and the Lighthouse organization were among the organisations supported by our students and their families. The focus has been to provide practical support, either through active participation such a tutoring at Friday Night School or spending time with young people at risk, or through providing groceries and necessities to families in need.

The involvement of our Lauriston Parents Association is important to our School and the sense of belonging created through the various activities they offer to parents and students throughout each year. The annual Huntingtower Lunch and Fathers of Lauriston dinner were both well attended. Planning was undertaken throughout 2022 to involve more parents within the Lauriston Parents Association and to encourage attendance at School events and activities.

In Term 4, the new Ullmer Sports & Wellbeing Centre was officially opened, along with the adventure playground for Years 3 to 6. Throughout 2022, students and teachers eagerly awaited the completion of construction and all facilities in the Ullmer Wellbeing Centre were used by students from the end of Term 3 which has made a significant difference in the ability of the school to offer a broad variety of sports to our students and to enable strength and conditioning activities. The Junior School children have benefited from the new adventure playground. The Years 5 and 6 Centre was occupied for the last four weeks of Term 4 and will be officially opened in 2023.

During 2022, we were able to return to many of the activities offered in our Year 9 Howqua Program. The students benefited from the ability to use the national parks in the Victorian High Country and a full snow skiing program was implemented for the first time since 2019. COVID protocols were in place at the beginning of 2022 which resulted in disruption to the program for students during Term 1 in particular and the program was impacted upon by severe flooding during Term 2. The aim of our school, since 2020, has been to ensure that our Year 9 students complete their Howqua year and while this has resulted in changes to all aspects of the program, they have been able to complete most aspects of the Outdoor Program and Fitness program.

Our Class of 2022 completed their final year of their studies participating in face-toface teaching throughout the year. Their excellent results are a testament to the professionalism of their teachers and their consistent efforts. While these young women completed much of their senior years of school during the COVID pandemic, their results have allowed them to find places in their preferred tertiary courses.

The Lauriston community remained resilient throughout 2022 and our objective for 2023 is to give attention to the return of our parents and community members to School events and activities which are face-to-face rather than through virtual channels.