What’s going on at LTC?

• Welcome to Term 3

• Dance and Music Showcase

• Rowers Achieve Strong Results in Winter Time Trials

• Photography Lab Upgrade Tour

• TRaC-X Kicks Off for Term 3

• Year 10 Students Take Part in English Extension Program

• From Paddock to Plate in Food Science and Nutrition

• Art Supplies Donation from Officeworks

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Secondary Scholarships are now open for 2026!

• Have Your Say: Punjabi and Hindi language education

• Canberra CareersXpo Coming Up in August

• Back to school – term 3 travel tips

• Nominations now open – 2025 ACT Public Education Awards

• Early intervention parent programs – Term 3

• Online Safety Presentations for Parents and Carers

• Deepfake supports

• Explore Student Support @ College Life

• 2025 school year Equity Fund now open

• ‘No hat, play in the shade’ from August

• ACT public school term dates

• Free Period Products Available at ACT Schools

• Become a Homestay Host

• Menslink – Supporting Young Men in Canberra

• Parentline ACT

• Blog information

Welcome to Term 3

It was fantastic to see so many smiley faces on campus as Term 3 got underway.

The new term is already shaping up with plenty of opportunities to learn, thrive and connect.

Dance and Music Showcase

Thank you to everyone who supported our Dance and Music Showcase.

It was a celebration of student talent, creativity and teamwork – both on stage and behind the scenes.

A big thanks to the audience of family, friends and staff who helped make it a memorable night.

Rowers Achieve Strong Results in Winter Time Trials

Our Year 11 and 12 rowers have had a great season, with back-to-back victories in RACT Winter Time Trials 2 and 3.

The results reflect strong teamwork, commitment and preparation, including a full-day holiday boat camp focused on fitness, skills and team spirit.

A special mention to our girls’ crew, who raced for the first time and placed 5th – a fantastic milestone.

Thank you to everyone involved, especially assistant coach and LTC alumnus Ben Haywood.

Photography Lab Upgrade Tour

We were proud to welcome Yvette Berry MLA, Taimus Werner-Gibbings MLA, and Caitlin Tough MLA to LTC for a tour of our newly upgraded photography lab.

The visit follows ACT Labor’s 2024 pre-election commitment to upgrade the space as part of its Plan for Tuggeranong.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and connect with our staff and students.

TRaC-X Kicks Off for Term 3

Students took part in the first TRaC-X session of Term 3, exploring a range of on-campus activities designed to build skills and spark new interests.

Featured activities included Chess, Creative Writing, Dungeons & Dragons, Financial Literacy, Mars Rover – Women in STEM, and the Trading Card & Board Game Club.

These weekly sessions give students the opportunity to try something new, build connections and grow their capabilities.

Year 10 Students Take Part in English Extension Program

During Term 2, Year 10 students from six local high schools joined the English Extension Program at LTC.

Each week, students attended seminars led by our English faculty to extend their skills and prepare for college-level English.

Well done to all participants for their engagement, curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the program.

From Paddock to Plate in Food Science and Nutrition

Last term in Food Science and Nutrition, students investigated where our food comes from and how it shapes our health, culture and environment.

They explored food availability, nutrition and sustainability, then brought their learning to life through practical cooking in class.

Art Supplies Donation from Officeworks

A huge thank you to Officeworks for their generous donation of art supplies to our Arts Faculty.

The support, provided through their Community Contribution Program, will make a real difference to our young creatives in the classroom.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Secondary Scholarships are now open for 2026!

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Secondary Scholarships for 2026 are now open! All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in years 10 and 11 are eligible to apply.

For current year 10 students, the scholarship is valued at $8,000 and is paid over 2 years. For current year 11 students, the scholarship is valued at $4,000 paid over one year.Applications must be submitted using the SmartyGrants form Student Aspirations Program – Secondary Scholarships 2026.

Applications close 11:59 pm 5 September. No late applications will be accepted.

Have Your Say: Punjabi and Hindi language education.

Languages are one of the eight learning areas under the Australian Curriculum and provide valuable educational opportunities for students in ACT public schools. Language education provides students with skills to access an increasingly global environment. Learning a language increases communication skills and assists with critical and creative thinking and problem solving. It also makes students more culturally aware and connected to different communities.

The ACT Government is seeking input from the community to consider the introduction of Punjabi and Hindi language teaching for ACT public school students, where this would benefit the local community.

Head to yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/punjabi-and-hindi-languages to have Your Say by 7 September.

Canberra CareersXpo Coming Up in August

The Canberra CareersXpo will be held on 13 and 14 August at Exhibition Park.

Open to all college, high school and tertiary students, this free event offers the chance to explore career pathways, speak with industry experts and connect with over 120 local and national exhibitors.

More information: careersxpo.com.au

Back to school – term 3 travel tips

With the start of term 3 comes the return of regular bus services and dedicated school routes, including ‘S’ trips that conveniently divert directly into schools.

To ensure a smooth start, here’s a quick checklist for students and families:

• Have your MyWay+ travel card or other tap on/off method ready.
• Make sure there is sufficient balance in your account.
• Remember to tap on and off for the cheapest fare.
• Check your school’s bus routes and timetable to avoid any surprises.
• Don’t forget to carry your student ID while travelling on public transport.

Primary school parents can refer to their school’s information pack for additional travel guidance.

A reminder for all drivers, please slow down and stay alert in school zones to help keep our students safe.

For more information, please visit Transport Canberra website.

Nominations now open – 2025 ACT Public Education Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2025 ACT Public Education Awards. These awards celebrate the outstanding people

who make a difference in our public schools every day.

If someone at your school has supported your child, inspired others, or gone the extra mile, this is your chance to say thank you.

Nominations are open from 16 June to 25 August.

You can nominate more than one person, in any category.

To learn more and submit a nomination, visit: act.gov.au/community/honours-and-awards/act-public-education-awards

Let’s recognise the people who help our schools shine.

Early intervention parent programs – Term 3

The School Psychology Service’s Early Intervention Team is running free parent groups and workshops to help families. These are for parents and carers of students in ACT public schools (preschool to year 12).

Parent Groups (7 weeks long)

Three groups will be offered over Term 3 & 4

• Addressing Your Child’s Anxious Avoidance (AYCAA)
• Overcoming Anxious School Refusal (OASR)
• Boundaries without Conflict (BwC)

Each group runs for 7 weeks. The flyer attached has more details and dates. You can sign up using the QR code on the flyer or ask your school for help. After you register, someone from the team will contact you to make sure the group is right for you.

Parent Workshops (2 hours each)

There are short workshops that will be held at the Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning in Stirling:

• Friday 8 August – Boundaries without Conflict
• Friday 15 August – Overcoming Anxious School Refusal
• Friday 22 August – Addressing Your Child’s Anxious Avoidance
• Friday 29 August – Connected Conversations (for parents of teens only)

Workshops are run by School Psychologists. Spaces are limited, so please register early using the flyer or ask your school for help. Once registered, you’ll get an email with further information.

Online Safety Presentations for Parents and Carers

Help your family feel more confident and safe online. Learn about current online safety issues, how to support your child, and where to find further help and resources.
Afternoon and evening sessions available.

RSVP to access video content and resources: bit.ly/2025_PC_OnlineSafety_RSVP

Deepfake supports

Australian reports have shown an alarming rise in incidents involving ‘deepfake’ images, where realistic but fake intimate images of students or staff are created and shared without consent.

These digitally altered images of minors are generally considered child sexual abuse material.To understand the risks of deepfake technology and learn what to do if your child receives a deepfake image or becomes a target, read the eSafety advisory on the impact of deepfakes in schools.

Explore the Student Support @ College Life Website

Hey LTC students!

Need resources and support? Visit the Student Support @ College Life website for helpful information:

2025 school year Equity Fund now open

To ease the pressure of back-to-school costs, eligible Canberra families can apply now for 2025 Future of Education Equity Fund payments.

The Equity Fund supports eligible low-income families and independent students from preschool through year 12 with a one-off, annual payment to help cover the costs associated with schooling such as uniforms, sport equipment and activities, tuition and music lessons.

The 2025 school year payments for eligible families are $400 (preschool), $500 (primary school), and $750 (high school and college).

Payments of completed applications will begin earlier than previous years, with the first payments to families expected from 6 January 2025.

Families will have until the end of November 2025 to apply for the Fund. Check your eligibility and find more information about supporting documents on the Equity Fund webpage.

‘No hat, play in the shade’ from August

New sun protection guidelines for all ACT public schools will begin from 1 August 2025.

ACT public schools will move from a ‘no hat, no play’ to a ‘no hat, play in the shade’ approach from August through May in a move to encourage year-round sun/UV protection whilst continuing to promote active play and physical activity. Hat wearing is encouraged during the months of June and July.

The change brings the ACT in line with other schools across Australia and follows consultation with the Canberra Council ACT. The approach balances students’ risk of UV exposure without hats with the need for physical activity.

Our school will continue to have SPF50 or 50+ Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen available.

The sun protection guidelines apply to our students, staff and volunteers.

The policy was updated in consultation with the Cancer Council ACT.

Read the Sun (UV) Protection policy. Please contact the front office if you have any questions.

ACT public school term dates

The ACT public school term dates for 2026-2030, including student-free days, are now available on the Education Directorate’s website.

Each year, the first day of every term is a student-free day. We use student-free days for staff development, enabling us to plan in a student-free environment.

Use these dates when planning your future holidays.

Free Period Products Available at ACT Schools

All ACT public schools are stocked with free period products so students can access them no matter their circumstances. This is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to ensuring students feel comfortable and confident within our schools.

Free period products are available at our school’s front office. Students can access them at any time by talking to our helpful front office staff.

Sanitary pads are available from the front offices of primary schools, while pads and tampons are available at the front offices of high schools and colleges.

Because menstruation is a fact of life, we believe free access to period products should be too.

fTo learn more about this equity initiative and other places where free period products are available, please visit: https://www.act.gov.au/community/women/free-period-products

---

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.

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.

Parentline ACT

Parentline ACT offers free and confidential telephone counseling for parents and carers in the Australian Capital Territory. This service provides guidance and assistance on various parenting issues, ensuring you have the support you need with no appointment necessary. Parentline ACT is open on Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For support, call (02) 6287 3833.

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