What’s going on at LTC?
- Welcome to Term 3
- Important Dates for Term 3
- Science Week
- Book Week
- Breakout Week
- Year 12 ASbA Students Finalists in ACT Training Awards
- Visual Arts Students Shine at Limelight Exhibition
- Visual Arts Teacher Publishes First Book
- 2024 Public Education Awards Nominations open now!
- The NEST Returns This Term
- PLC Celebration Showcases Staff Achievements
- Trust-Building in Drama Class
- Introducing the New Parent Portal
- Online Safety – New Parent and Carer webinars and on-demand videos
- Winter Walk to School Week
- Canberra BMW’s Apprentice Technician Open Night
- Supporting student safety
- Future of Education Equity Fund
- Explore Student Support @ College Life
- University of Canberra Creative Competition
- 2024 CIT School Engagement Events
- Protecting ourselves from illness over winter
- Gratitude to Woolworths Tuggeranong: Weekly Fruit Donations
- Become a Homestay Host
- Get ready for MyWay+
- School bus etiquette – Every trip is important, and so is the way we travel
- Learner Driver First Aid Program
- Rail Safety Week
- Menslink – Supporting Young Men in Canberra
- Telephone Parenting Counselling
- Adjustments-based resourcing model– School community feedback
- Tuggeranong Repair Cafe
- Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms
- Blog information
Welcome to Term 3
Welcome back to LTC for term 3! We have an exciting term coming up with Science Week, Book Week, and Breakout Week all just around the corner. We look forward to a term full of learning, creativity, and fun activities!
Important Dates for Term 3
Science Week
Sign up now for the Science Week Alien Threat Escape Room!
The Science faculty will be hosting an escape room to celebrate National Science Week! It is open to all students and will run during TRaC-X in week 4 (Tuesday 13th August)
Sign up in teams of 4-8 OR sign up as individuals to be placed in a team. PRIZES available for the teams who are successful in the challenge!
Follow the link to sign up or for more information:
https://forms.gle/82MToRiN1HotFvgx7
Book Week
Breakout Week
Learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom, so in Week 10, we are breaking out of traditional classroom learning and learning in new ways!
Students have three options:
- Sydney Trip
- Canberra Based excursions
- On campus activities
Sydney Trip
Day One includes:
- Cruise on Sydney Harbour
- Hamilton the musical
- Dinner in Circular Quay
Day Two, students can choose from the following activities:
- Sydney Theatre Company
- Luna Park
- Taronga Zoo
- Photography
- Surfing
Pick up a note from the front office today! Notes and deposit due by the end of Week 3.
Year 12 ASbA Students Finalists in ACT Training Awards
Lake Tuggeranong College is proud to announce that two of our Year 12 ASbA students, Bianca and Byron, have made it as finalists in the ACT Training Awards.
Both students have shown the LTC values: Learn, Thrive, Connect throughout their traineeships and have worked hard in their respective fields, Disability Support and Aged Care.
We wish both students the best of luck when ACT winners are announced in early September!
Visual Arts Students Shine at Limelight Exhibition
Visual Arts Students Shine at Limelight Exhibition
Six of our fabulous Visual Arts students have been selected for the Limelight Exhibition at the M16 gallery (21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith). We are extremely proud of these students who have created exceptionally stunning pieces! The exhibition runs until Sunday, 4 August.
Pictured: “Cow Landscape” by Year 12 student Charlotte Cannell
More details: M16 Artspace – Step into the Limelight
Visual Arts Teacher Publishes First Book
Our very own Visual Arts teacher extraordinaire, Rachel, has published her first book, When I Sleep, I Dream of Australian Birds.
It’s a delightful blend of imaginative storytelling, stunning illustrations, and fascinating facts about Australia’s colourful birds. Perfect for a Christmas or birthday present! 🐦
You can purchase it here, or find it in all good bookstores.
Congratulations, Rachel, on this incredible achievement!
2024 Public Education Awards Nominations open now!
The ACT Public Education Awards celebrate excellence and recognise high performing school leaders, teachers, school support staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in our public schools and the Education Support Office.
We encourage all members of the school community to take the time to acknowledge the incredible work happening in our schools.
To learn more visit www.education.act.gov.au/about-us/act-public-education-awards
The NEST Returns This Term
The NEST is back this term with a range of services to assist LTC students and their families.
PLC Celebration Showcases Staff Achievements
At the end of term 2, our dedicated teaching staff gathered for a Professional Learning Community (PLC) Celebration to showcase their collaborative research and achievements!
In 2024, our teaching staff are meeting in small groups to explore how we can incorporate key capabilities into teaching and learning. This year, we have six professional learning communities, each focusing on one of the following capabilities: grit, creativity, ICT skills, critical thinking, curiosity, and collaboration.
It was inspiring to learn about each group’s approach to their topic this semester, the teaching intervention strategies used, and the insightful findings they shared.
Trust-Building in Drama Class
During Week 1, our drama students participated in trust-building exercises to strengthen their connection with their acting partners. By starting with safe distances using sticks and focusing on eye contact, they are preparing for more emotionally challenging scenes.
Introducing the New Parent Portal
Have you registered an account to access the Parent Portal? This term, we are introducing a new Parent Portal, a secure online platform used to share student information between you and your child’s teachers. You’ll be able to access a range of information and services about your child’s school life using the Parent Portal.
Get ahead by creating your ACT Digital Account now if you don’t have one already. Create an account and complete the level 2 ID verification by visiting: ACT Digital Account.To read more about the Parent Portal, head to our website: LTC Website.
Online Safety – New Parent and Carer webinars and on-demand videos
Winter Walk to School Week
Are you prepared for the upcoming Winter Walk to School Week?
Winter Walk to School Week is from 5 to 9 August 2024. It is an opportunity for the Canberra school community to encourage walking, riding, scooting or skating to school even in the colder months of winter.
Make sure they’ve got their winter puffer jacket, gloves and a beanie before they pound the pavement.
Whether their walking, riding, or scooting to school let’s continue to venture outside in the cooler months.
To read more and get involved, visit Winter Walk to School Week 5-9 August – Transport Canberra.
Canberra BMW’s Apprentice Technician Open Night
Supporting student safety
We all have an important role to play in supporting road safety. Access Canberra has notified us that mobile speed and parking vans will be in operation to support our students’ safety.
These enforcement teams play a critical role in supporting our students get to and from school safely and we thank them for their ongoing support.
In addition to sticking to the speed limit, please remember to park safely – including not parking across pedestrian crossings, in no stopping zones, on corners, verges and double parking.
Unsafe and illegal parking can reduce visibility of our students and motorists to see each other, creating a significant hazard when students cross the road. Let’s work together to keep our kids safe.
Future of Education Equity Fund
Applications are now open for the Future of Education Equity Fund for the 2024 school year. Providing yearly one-off payments to low-income Canberra families with students from Preschool to Year 12 level, and independent students, the Fund helps cover costs associated with schooling. Check your eligibility now!
Apply online at https://bit.ly/3SH0cUr
Explore Student Support @ College Life
Hey LTC Students!
Student Support @ College Life: Check out the site for valuable resources and support.
https://sites.google.com/…/studentsupportcollegelife/home
University of Canberra Creative Competition – submissions now open
Submissions for the 2024 University of Canberra (UC) Creative Competition are now open. This competition celebrates the creativity of year 11 and 12 students. Whether it is a school-related assignment or a personal project, students can submit their work for an opportunity to win a full year’s tuition, as well as semester study grants towards an Arts and Design degree at UC. Other prizes include mentoring sessions, merchandise from UC partners, and cash prizes. Each piece of work will be published in their competition gallery and open to voting for their annual People’s Choice Award.
Submissions close Wednesday 25 September 2024. To find out more, or to submit a nomination visit the UC website or refer to the attached flyer.
2024 CIT School Engagement Events
In 2024, the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is offering a range of events, workshops, and practical activities to provide school students with opportunities to explore campus facilities and sample course offerings across different industry areas. The range of programs and activities enable students to explore or sample different fields of study and are designed to connect them with industry and provide practical skills for real world experience. These offerings include accredited and non-accredited courses for high school and college students aged 15 years and over.
Discover what’s on offer in the Schools Engagement Calendar or visit CIT for school students.
Protecting ourselves from illness over winter
The cooler weather is well and truly here. We have already seen an increase in COVID-19 and other seasonal illness at school, and across the community. It is important we keep everyone healthy by making sure we take simple steps to protect one another.
As parents and carers, one of the simplest ways to do this is to keep your child at home when they are unwell.
If your child has COVID-19 you must let us know by contacting the Front Office.
Your child should only return to school once they are well, and their symptoms have cleared.
Get vaccinated
You are reminded that vaccination is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe. I encourage everyone who can, to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. To find out more visit the ACT Health website.
COVID Smart ACT public schools
ACT public schools have a range of strategies in place to keep everyone safe over winter. This includes cleaning of high touch points in schools, as well as strategies to ensure we balance ventilation and thermal comfort in classrooms to help prevent the spread of illness. You can read more on our website.
Gratitude to Woolworths Tuggeranong: Weekly Fruit Donations
Once again a huge THANK YOU to the team at Woolworths Tuggeranong who have generously agreed to donate two boxes of fruit, every week again this year. The fruit is made available for all students at our College Life help desk 🍎😀
Travelling to and from school – Bike and pedestrian safety
The Ride or Walk to School (RWTS) and It’s Your Move Safe Cycle (IYMSC) programs are initiatives of the ACT Government, delivered by Transport and City Services Canberra. These programs provide all ACT schools with access to curriculum aligned resources to teach students how to cycle safely and independently to school to increase active travel rates and improve safety on our roads around schools. The program consists of teacher training (Safe Cycle) and resources, various supporting materials, parental engagement material and dedicated support from the program manager.
The School Safety Program also offers:
· access to free bike hire delivered to and from school to facilitate program delivery
· online teacher training programs
· interactive professional learning workshops for staff
· lesson plans and resource manuals
· program merchandise and active travel initiatives
· downloadable resources and materials
· dedicated support for program delivery and active travel events.
For more information, visit Transport Canberra City Services School programs.
Become a Homestay Host
Are you interested in broadening your family’s cultural experiences and forming lifelong friendships?
The ACT Education Directorate is seeking Homestay hosts for international students planning to study at an ACT public high school or college.
By becoming a Homestay host, you’ll not only provide a room and meals, but you’ll also welcome a young person into your family and support their growth as they gain new perspectives, confidence, English fluency, and academic and essential life skills.
International students participating in the Homestay program are aged 16 years or above. If you have the time to support a student’s social wellbeing and academic endeavours, and have an interest in other cultures, we would love to hear from you.
A weekly payment will be provided to help cover the costs of living expenses.
Find out more at bit.ly/HomestayCanberra or email ieu@act.gov.au, or call 02 6205 9194.
Get ready for MyWay+
MyWay+ is Transport Canberra’s next generation ticketing system that puts all public transport services in one place, MyWay+ will offer more ways to pay for public transport and introduce new digital platforms for journey planning and accessing real-time information.
With more ways to pay, you can choose what works best for you and your family!
The switchover to MyWay+ is expected later this year. Until then, students should continue to use their current MyWay card or a paper ticket from a ticket vending machine to pay for travel on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services. You can also:
- Ensure your child’s MyWay card is registered to protect the balance. Transport Canberra can only process refunds and transfer credits for registered MyWay cards.
- Sign up to Transport Canberra’s weekly e-news for regular updates.
- Connect with Transport Canberra on social media.
For more information on MyWay+ visit Transport Canberra – MyWay+.
School bus etiquette – Every trip is important, and so is the way we travel
It’s important for students to be kind and safe while riding on Transport Canberra buses. Here are some key rules for bus travel:
- Be polite and listen to the bus driver
- Give up your seat to someone who needs it more, like an elderly person, someone who is pregnant, or someone with a disability
- Look after the bus, don’t leave any rubbish, and hand in any lost items to the driver
- Avoid eating, drinking, and making loud noises on the bus.
Safety is our top priority. Talk through these tips to help your children know how to keep and stay safe:
- Signal the bus driver from the pavement and wait for the bus to drive away before crossing the road.
- Don’t walk in front of the bus, it’s dangerous.
- Bus stops are for waiting quietly and not for playing.
- When using phones or listening to music, be aware of your surroundings.
- Always use pedestrian crossings and to know that our drivers are there to help if needed.
Thank you for helping us make the journey safe and pleasant for everyone using the Transport Canberra buses.
For more information, visit the Transport Canberra City Services website and read Travel safely to school and Bus passenger information.
Learner Driver First Aid Program
Learner drivers who have held their learner licence for at least three months are encouraged to complete an approved learner driver first aid course. The ACT Government’s Learner Driver First Aid Program provides basic lifesaving first aid skills for learner drivers to assist people if they are involved in or come across a motor vehicle crash. Participants can claim 5 hours credit towards their required driving hours. More information can be found on the ACT Government City Services’ Learner and provisional driver safety webpage.
The webpage also provides information about the Safer Driver Course and the Vulnerable Road User Program which provide additional optional training for learner drivers to understand and develop safe driving behaviours and to safely share the road with other users. Completion of these courses can also count towards required driving hours for eligible learner drivers.
Rail Safety Week
It’s Rail Safety Week and we’re asking you to always Stop on Red. It’s not a suggestion.
Light rail has become part of the daily commute of many Canberrans, which is why it’s important we’re all aware of our personal responsibilities in ensuring the safety of ourselves and others.
To stay rail safe, remember to:
- always stand behind the yellow line at light rail platforms and only cross at designated walkways
- limit distractions such as mobile phones and headphones
- always obey traffic lights and road signs. Be aware of intersections and road line markings when driving near the tracks.
A moment of distraction can change your life forever. We all need to be vigilant when it comes to rail safety, whether we’re passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders or motorists. If everyone follows the rules, we all stay safe!
Visit Learn more about staying rail safe.
Menslink – Supporting Young Men in Canberra
Menslink has provided free counselling to young guys throughout the Canberra region for 20+ years.
If your young guy is having a hard time, is anxious, uncertain or fearful of his future and could really use someone to talk to, get in touch!
Our wait times are relatively low so we’re ready to help when your young guy needs it.
We provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young guys to share their concerns and worries and we provide tips and strategies to get them through those tough times that many of them are facing right now.
Menslink Counselling sessions are completely confidential and are available to any young guy aged 10-25. There are no fees or charges, and no limits to the number of sessions. You don’t need a mental health plan and we are available during school terms and school holidays.
Do you think your young guy would really benefit from a counselling session? If so, have a chat with them and head to www.menslink.org.au, hit the ‘Get Help’ button, fill in the form and we’ll get back to you, generally the same or next business day.
If you need more info on how to have that chat with them, just email admin@menslink.org.au or call 6287 2226 and we will send you some information.
Telephone Parenting Counselling
Parentline ACT is a not-for-profit organisation offering a free confidential telephone service for parents and families in the ACT and surrounding area. Calls are answered by workers who are professionally trained to help you with information and support.
Parentline ACT assists any person who wants information or someone to talk to about parenting. You may be a mothers, father, single parent, co-parent, step-parent, guardian, grandparent, godparent, friend, carer, service provider or another relative.
Immediate counselling and support over the telephone;
- Information on other services;
- Referral to other agencies;
- Ideas and resources about parenting.
We can also arrange to talk with community groups or organisations about parenting.
(02) 6287 3833
parentline@parentlineact.org.au
Adjustments-based resourcing model– School community feedback
Through the Inclusive Education: A Disability Inclusion Strategy for ACT Public Schools 2024-2034, the Education Directorate aims to strengthen inclusive education in our schools. One way we’re doing this is by developing a new resourcing model focussed on adjustments students with disability may need at school.
You can read about the proposed changes on our Education website and attend an online information session to find out more. Sessions will be held:
You only need to attend one information session as the information will be the same at both.
Once you’ve read up on the proposed changes or attended an online information session, we want to know what you think. Complete the survey or email us at EDU.SystemReform@act.gov.au by Tuesday 10 September to share your thoughts.
Your feedback is valued and will be used to support schools prepare for a new adjustments-based resourcing model.
Tuggeranong Repair Cafe
Held on the last Sunday of each month from February to November, 1-4 PM at 200 Clive Steele Ave, Monash. Bring your household items for repair and learn new skills with the help of skilled volunteers.
For more information, visit seechange.org.au.
Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms
The ACT Health Directorate is reminding all school communities that death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. They are a deadly poisonous fungus. There have been multiple poisonings and deaths associated with death caps in Canberra.
Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms. They often grow near established oak trees, although they have also been found in other places. Death caps grow in the ACT at different times of the year, and autumn is usually the peak growing period.
All parts of the death cap mushroom are poisonous and eating just part of a mushroom can be fatal. Death caps cannot be made safe by cooking, soaking, peeling, freezing or drying.
If you suspect someone might have eaten a death cap mushroom, they must seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. The chances of survival increase when treatment is started early. If possible, take any remaining mushroom sample to hospital with the patient.
The key message is not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.
If you see death cap mushrooms growing on your property:
· keep children and animals away
· remove the whole mushroom using gloves or a tool, including any part under the ground
· secure it in a plastic bag
· place it into a rubbish bin that cannot be accessed by children, to go to landfill, and
· wash your hands.
Also, monitor the site frequently for further growth, remove mushrooms before mowing to prevent spreading and do not compost them. Death cap mushrooms in public places can be reported at Fix My Street, or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81. More information is available at www.act.gov.au by searching death cap mushrooms, including some translated resources.
Blog information
Do you have a positive story to share about our students, alumni, staff, or the wider college community?
We’re excited to showcase stories, photos, and artworks on our blog.
Please send your submissions to scott.montoyaval@ed.act.edu.au
Lake Tuggeranong College 