Here we are; it’s over half way through Term 4 of another school year and a busy time in the Junior Department. The theme for this term is Rhythm of Life Seasons and Weather and the Juniors have been busy exploring various aspects to weather including, what weather is, how it affects us and the relationship between seasons and weather. Students have been making predictions about the weather tomorrow and beyond and they are already busy completing this term’s project which requires them to observe and record the weather conditions for November. An excursion to the Geelong Botanical Gardens and Eastern Beach will beautifully compliment the learning that has taken place over the past two terms at Lara Lake.

As part of our theme, “Rhythm of Life-Seasons and Weather,” the Juniors recently enjoyed an excursion to Eastern Beach and Geelong’s Botanic Gardens. Students potted their own vegetable to take home and grow, enjoyed an educational walk through a rainforest and learnt about products that eucalyptus trees can provide us. Another highlight of the day was the sandcastle competition with students creating sculptures ranging from sea creatures to the You Yangs. Thank you to all parents and staff for a wonderful day that was enjoyed by all.

Busy traffic means fewer children walk to school, which makes traffic even busier and then even fewer children walk and ride to school and then traffic becomes more congested and then there’s the parking … Stop the car, I want to get out! It’s not always practical for children to walk or ride to school and other places, but if it is practical there are many benefits for your child’s health, the school, the local community, the environment and parent petrol budgets. When more children walk and ride to school, roads and communities become safer, congestion and safety issues at school gates diminish and children get to make friends with other children in their local area. Research shows most children who are driven to school would prefer to walk if given the chance.

As you would all know our school oval has had a major upgrade with 4 goal posts at each end! The posts needed padding, to ensure that it was safe for everyone using the oval.
The JSC wrote letters to some companies asking for some donations so that we could have padding for the goal posts and we received donations from 3 companies.
Those companies were:
Bisinella
Lara Physio Therapy Health Network
Careys Allpoints
We much appreciate the generous donations from these 3 companies and we want to thank them.
By Stephanie

Ahh, Phillip Island! The beautiful place where Fairy Penguins live. Flap Jack waddled to the crystal blue water. He dove in like a champion swimmer. He caught anchovies for his family of chicks. A horrible stench came to him. It was the dreaded oil! He tried to avoid it. He had to go through it as he needed to get back to the beach and the crowd of people (because it was a really hot day). He tried to go to his burrow unseen but...someone noticed him and the person told everyone about Flap Jack. They said “We can help you, we will look after you!.” they cleaned him up and took him back to Phillip Island, fed his family and they all lived a really happy and safe life….far away from the dreaded oil!
By Ryder MLY

Starting school is a very important milestone for children and their families. LLP’s has commenced its Pep Transition program for those commencing school in 2010. The children and their families are given many opportunities to become familiar with the environment, staff and other children, allowing for many positive experiences to occur on which to build further success and relationships.

On the 28th October, from 11.25-1.25, the Middle students spent a wonderful 2 hours learning about, appreciating and caring for our precious Lakelands.

Rotating through four activities, the students spent some time with Ms Rebecca Callea from Water Watch, examining the macro-invertebrates from the Lara Lakes (correct name for our Lakelands). The students located these creatures on a chart and discussed what this means for the area. We were thrilled to discover some creatures that do not survive in polluted water. This indicates that our lakes are in good condition.

The students then investigated the drains that run below Forest Road. They discussed the rubbish that they found at the trash traps that stop the pollution from entering the lakes.The group discussed the drains and gutters and how the rubbish found its way down to our lakes. A very powerful exercise!

From there the students sat with Mr Eddie Walker, who showed the students some bird boxes that he had installed into the area. He spoke to the students about the birds that inhabit the area as well. His love for the local birdlife was very infectious. He is very worried about the pests and vermon at Lakelands. His dislike of the Indian Myna Bird , European Carp and Starling was very interesting for the students.

The day ended with students rolling up their sleeves and planting some indigenous trees and shrubs at the train track side of Lakelands. Mr Jack Richards led the way, with the help of some truly wonderful helpers: Mr David Lee, Mrs Carol Lee, Mr Jason Ward, Mr Belfrage, Ms Stephanie Roadfeldt and Mrs Penny Van Den Bosch, as well as Ms Sarah Carey from Carey First National Real Estate. We would also like to thank Ms Genevieve Twyford from The City of Greater Geelong and Mr John King from Geelong Indigenous Nursery for working with the school to make the tree planting possible.

What a wonderful day was had by all.

The transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting time for students and their parents. The more informed everyone is, the more likely the experience will be positive for you and your child. Teachers from the secondary school will visit the primary school to talk to your child’s teacher about his or her individual needs and will chat to the group of students moving to Lara Secondary about Orientation day. The teachers will take with them some current Year 7 students who attended Lara Lake / Lara Primary. They will answer any questions your child may have.
After the relatively familiar surroundings of the primary school (where there is usually one main classroom teacher for each child and one or two specialist teachers), it can be a bit daunting moving to a secondary school where there are more teachers, new surroundings, and a different approach to timetabling. Be assured that your child will be well cared for by their TLC (Thinking and Living) teacher and that soon after the start of the school year the Year 7 teachers will meet with your child’s current grade 6 teacher to discuss their progress.
Most students settle into secondary school very quickly. Sometimes, it's the parents who are more bewildered and wonder how the secondary system works. Sometimes there are a few nerves - for both students and parents! To ensure the very best start for your child at secondary school always be positive about the move and the opportunities it will offer your child and keep in contact with your child’s TLC teacher. Involvement in schools by parents and carers helps children achieve the best possible learning outcomes!

On the 28th October, from 11.25-1.25, the Middle students spent a wonderful 2 hours learning about, appreciating and caring for our precious Lakelands.
Rotating through four activities, the students spent some time with Ms Rebecca Callea from Water Watch, examining the macro-invertebrates from the Lara Lakes (correct name for our Lakelands). The students located these creatures on a chart and discussed what this means for the area. We were thrilled to discover some creatures that do not survive in polluted water. This indicates that our lakes are in good condition.
The students then investigated the drains that run below Forest Road. They discussed the rubbish that they found at the trash traps that stop the pollution from entering the lakes. The group discussed the drains and gutters and how the rubbish found its way down to our lakes. A very powerful exercise!
From there the students sat with Mr Eddie Walker, who showed the students some bird boxes that he had installed into the area. He spoke to the students about the birds that inhabit the area as well. His love for the local birdlife was very infectious. He is very worried about the pests and vermin at Lakelands. His dislike of the Indian Myna Bird , European Carp and Starling was very interesting for the students.
The day ended with students rolling up their sleeves and planting some indigenous trees and shrubs at the train track side of Lakelands. Mr Jack Richards led the way, with the help of some truly wonderful helpers: Mr David Lee, Mrs Carol Lee, Mr Jason Ward, Mr Phillip Belfrage, Ms Stephanie Roadfeldt and Mrs Penny Van Den Bosch, as well as Ms Sarah Carey from Carey First National Real Estate. We would also like to thank Ms Genevieve Twyford from The City of Greater Geelong and Mr John King from Geelong Indigenous Nursery for working with the school to make the tree planting possible.
What a wonderful day was had by all.

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Junior Excursion
As part of our theme, “Rhythm of Life-Seasons and Weather,” the Juniors recently enjoyed an excursion to Eastern Beach and Geelong’s Botanic Gardens. ...
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