LMHS Smooth Sailing Newsletter - Term 4 2025

Students are encouraged to start 2026 prepared with the essential equipment they need for learning, including workbooks, pens, and other classroom materials. Coming ready each day helps set them up for success and ensures they can fully engage in every lesson.

The HSIE Faculty extends warm Christmas wishes to our students and their families, hoping for a joyous and safe holiday season filled with laughter and relaxation. We look forward to seeing you all next year, happy holidays and a wonderful  year!

Science - Faculty Report

The Science Faculty has had a dynamic and engaging term! Our Year 7 students embarked on their topic on cells, eagerly exploring the microscopic world as many encountered microscopes for the first time to investigate diverse plant and animal cells. Year 8 learners shifted their focus to Chemistry, engaging extensively in lab activities where they used a variety of scientific equipment to practise separating mixtures. Year 9 students delved into the study of natural disasters, using engineering skills to help design buildings that could survive an earthquake! Year 10 students wrapped up their Stage 5 curriculum this term, with many looking forward to exploring their interest areas in specific senior science courses like Biology and Chemistry next year. Our Year 12 Chemistry students had an invaluable opportunity to connect classroom theory with real-world applications during their visit to Orica at Kooragang Island, a leading producer of explosives for the mining sector in the Hunter region. Back in the lab, they have been investigating acids and bases more thoroughly, exploring how natural indicators change colour to reveal the substance’s properties—a discovery that led to some surprising and vivid results. Meanwhile, Year 12 Biology students have been immersing themselves in the heredity unit, creatively demonstrating their grasp of cellular processes like mitosis by modelling them with plasticine and lollie snakes. Additionally, Year 12 Investigating Science students successfully completed their first in-depth study, designing and conducting unique experiments—ranging from examining the effects of caffeine on reaction times to comparing the impact of organic versus inorganic fertilisers on plant growth—and producing detailed scientific reports on their findings. We sadly say goodbye to Mrs. Martin, our Head Teacher of Science, who has led the faculty with dedication and passion for the past three years. Having been a valued classroom teacher at Lake Munmorah High School for over a decade, she has made a lasting impact by significantly improving learning outcomes and inspiring countless students to pursue Science. Her commitment as an educator has truly shaped the future generation of scientists, and she will be greatly missed by the entire school community. I am honoured to take on the role of Relieving Head Teacher of Science for Term 1 of 2026. I look forward to working closely with parents and students to ensure a positive and successful year in Science, continuing to build on the strong foundation Mrs. Martin has established. As we look ahead to 2026, it’s important that students come prepared to start the new year with confidence and enthusiasm. To support a smooth and productive beginning in Science classes, please ensure students have the following essentials ready:

• An A4 exercise book for all their notes and activities
• A well-stocked pencil case including pens, pencils, a ruler, glue, and a scientific calculator
• Enclosed leather shoes to meet laboratory safety requirements

Additionally, students might consider reviewing key concepts from this year and bringing a positive mindset, ready to engage in practical experiments and collaborative learning. Being organised and prepared will help them make the most of the exciting challenges and discoveries ahead in their Science journey. The Science faculty wish our entire school community a joyful Christmas and a safe, restful holiday season. With the warmest regards, Mrs Gobor Relieving Head Teacher Science

Mathematics - Faculty Report

The Mathematics Faculty would like to congratulate all of our Year 12 Mathematics students on the completion of their HSC. We commend their perseverance, commitment and effort throughout their senior studies. A special mention goes to Jade Moore, who achieved a Band 5 in Mathematics Standard 1 and Riley Morgan, who achieved an E3 in Mathematics Extension 1. A fantastic result and a reward for consistent hard work. Looking ahead to 2026, students are reminded to ensure they have a scientific calculator ready for Mathematics. The Casio fx-82AU PLUS II is the recommended model, as it meets syllabus requirements and will support students throughout high school and into tertiary studies or TAFE. In 2026, there will also be a clear expectation that students come to every Mathematics lesson prepared with a book, pen and calculator. These items will not be housed in classrooms, as this approach is designed to promote personal responsibility and strengthen students’ organisational skills, which are essential for success across all subjects and beyond school. We wish all students and families a safe and relaxing break. Enjoy a well-earned rest, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready to engage in Mathematics in 2026.

CAPA - Faculty Report

As we come to the end of another creative year, we are incredibly proud of the passion, talent and dedication shown by our CAPA students across all year groups. Our performers took to the stage at Big Gig, showcasing confidence, teamwork and the energy of live performance. Our Year 12 Visual Arts students demonstrated outstanding commitment through their ARTEXPRESS entry submissions, producing thoughtful and accomplished bodies of work. Throughout the year, our junior Visual Arts students explored drawing, painting and ceramics, creating expressive pet portraits and imaginative sculptural works that reflect both skill development and individuality. Thank you to our students for their creativity and hard work, and to our wider school community for supporting the arts. We look forward to another inspiring year of CAPA ahead.

Warm regards,

The CAPA Faculty 🎨🎭🎶

English - Faculty Report

It has been a big and rewarding year in English, with students engaging deeply with language, stories and ideas across all year levels. Our students had the opportunity to experience Shakespeare beyond the classroom, attending live performances of The Tempest and Macbeth. These excursions brought the plays to life and helped students develop a stronger understanding of character, theme and dramatic language. Senior students also benefited from targeted support, with Elevate Education running study skills workshops for our Year 12s. These sessions provided practical strategies to support organisation, exam preparation and confidence as students moved into the final stages of their schooling. Our debating teams continued to build their skills in persuasive speaking, learning how to construct logical arguments, respond thoughtfully to opposing views and speak with clarity and confidence. Across classrooms, students read a wide range of engaging novels and studied a variety of thought-provoking films, exploring how composers use language and film techniques to shape meaning. Students also demonstrated their creativity by composing their own engaging stories and developing their analytical skills through close study of a range of literary and non-literary texts. It has been wonderful to see students grow as confident readers, writers and speakers throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of the effort, creativity and resilience shown by our students and look forward to another exciting year of learning in English.

PDHPE - Faculty Report

The PDHPE faculty would like to congratulate two of our CAFS students on their outstanding HSC results, achieving Band 5s in Community and Family Studies. This is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of their commitment, hard work, and engagement with the course. We are incredibly proud of their success and the positive example they set for future CAFS students. Well done Aria and Zoey!

We also congratulate Benjamin D (Year 11) and Ivy T (Year 7) on their exceptional performances at the 2025 Eastlakes Swimming Championships, where both students were crowned Age Champions in their respective age groups. This is an outstanding accomplishment and highlights the strength of student participation and achievement in PDHPE and school sport. As we begin preparing for 2026, we ask families to ensure students are well equipped for PDHPE lessons. Students should bring a pencil case, a 128-page exercise book, black and blue pens, highlighters, a ruler, and glue. Having the correct equipment supports organisation, engagement, and effective learning in both practical and theory-based lessons. We look forward to another successful year of learning, participation, and achievement in PDHPE.

TAS - Faculty Report

Big Picture - Faculty Report

Terms 3 and 4 have been rich with learning, connection and achievement across both advisories. We welcomed Sharon McFarlane (DEL), Tim McCullum, and the South East Lakes Principal Network, as well as Viv White (CEO, Big Picture Learning Australia). Students also took part in a teamwork and organisation workshop with former Socceroo, Paul Wade. Our Year 7 Shadow Days were a huge success, and we are excited to welcome our 2026 Year 8 Advisory students. We also warmly welcome our new Advisory Teacher, Mrs Hayley Allsop, joining us in 2026. We are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge and skills she will bring to our learning community. Congratulations to Cooper, Keileigh and Matilda on joining the 2026 Student Leadership Team and being active members of our school community. A special shout-out to Bella and Pippi for their participation in Boots for a Brighter Future. The girls custom painted boots for the NRL Indigenous Round and presented them to the team during a NRLW Sydney Roosters’ training session.

Across both advisories, students delivered excellent Exhibitions, showing growth across all Big Picture Learning Goals. We are so incredibly proud of our students and their achievements this year. We wish all our students and their families a wonderful summer break. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Year 8 Advisory

Year 8 had a vibrant and community-focused semester. Students have formed new mentor connections, including Jaia, who conducted a 30 min phone interview with Dr Michael Robertson, one of the toxicologists involved in the Erin Patterson case. We are thankful to the wider community for their support of our students' learning. Our advisory walk to the lake and BBQ with Mr Shepherd helped strengthen relationships and connections. In Term 4, in response to students' interest, we also enjoyed a series of STEM challenges, building teamwork and problem-solving skills. This semester also saw exciting LTI experiences: Max began at Hot Tackle, gaining hands-on industry experience and Lachlan spent a day at The Grove Studios, exploring professional music production. Year 8 should be proud of the independence and curiosity they’ve built this year.

Year 9 Advisory

Year 9 immersed themselves in literacy, project work and real-world learning. In Book Club, students read The Sky So Heavy and The Happiest Man on Earth, deepening their understanding of resilience and the Holocaust. This learning was enriched by a visit to the Jewish Museum, which students independently researched and planned. Project work flourished: Matilda interviewed MP Yasmin Catley for her homelessness project and Bella presented her Art design for a future Big Picture shirt to the AECG, speaking confidently to principals, teachers and Elders. Henry constructed a penguin purely from chocolate! Students completed diverse LTIs for marketing, music production, carpentry, art, real estate, school maintenance, graphic design and chocolate sculpting. Year 9 have shown impressive growth, leadership and initiative throughout Terms 3 and 4. They are looking forward to taking on Gateway in Year 10!

Support Unit - Faculty Report

Woodwork Natalie Hedge has shown outstanding dedication throughout the year. She has worked consistently hard and is proud of her achievement in creating her own dartboard. Her enthusiasm and commitment have been wonderful to see, well done, Natalie!

Visual Art This semester in the Support unit students have been investigating a range of subject matter to inform their artworks.  Street Art, Portraiture, Place and Popular culture are some of the areas that have inspired students unique artworks.

Community Access Students have participated in a variety of activities and visited many locations in our local community this term such as fishing and sailing on Lake Macquarie.  Some of the places they have visited include Gosford Japanese Gardens and Art Gallery, Norah Head Lighthouse, Blackbutt Reserve and enjoyed a ferry ride to Stockton. They have participated walks for physical activity and engaged in work ready programs that will support their transition out of school at the end of Year 12.

GOLD Class STEM Challenges The Gold class have been involved in a series of STEM challenges including building a battle bot, programming a Sphero robot and a zipline race. Students have enjoyed putting their design and construction skills to the test and enjoyed some friendly competition.

Junior & Senior Leadership Team

This term, our 2026 Leadership Team has engaged in valuable training opportunities to develop their skills and leadership capabilities. Year 10 leaders Tayte and Chelsea represented our school at the Youth Leadership Forum hosted by Yasmin Catley MP, where they gained insights into the power of young people using their voices to advocate for positive change in their communities. Meanwhile, our senior leaders participated in the dynamic GRIP Leadership Conference, where they explored strategies for overcoming challenges in school environments, learned the qualities that define exceptional leaders, and acquired practical skills in planning and running successful events. These experiences have equipped our leaders with the knowledge and confidence to make a meaningful impact in 2026. Additionally, in Week 10, the leaders came together for an in-school planning day, collaborating to develop whole-school initiatives for 2026 that will amplify LMHS’s student voice. This session also provided a great opportunity for the Senior leaders to share and apply the skills and knowledge they acquired at the GRIP conference. The Leadership Team is actively working to raise funds with the goal of installing seating areas on our school oval to enhance the experience during sporting events. This fundraising initiative began with our 2025 Leadership Team and was enthusiastically carried forward in the final week of school with the Summer Splash Fundraiser. During the event, teachers and senior students volunteered to have buckets of water poured over them and wet sponges thrown at the splash zone to encourage donations for this important project. The volunteers welcomed the chance to cool down on the hot 33-degree day just before the first round of the much-anticipated Munners Cup. I am incredibly proud of our 2026 Leadership Team for their excellent organisation and dedication in successfully hosting their inaugural event of the year. The Leadership Team also sought to spread some festive cheer throughout our school community this Christmas by organising the Christmas Toy Drive. We were truly overwhelmed by the generous donations from students, families, and staff, which were kindly given to Uniting Care to support those in need. Thank you all for your incredible generosity. In addition, students took part in the much-loved annual Elf Hunt, searching for the elusive Elf on the Shelf for a chance to win a chocolate Santa. This fun activity was a wonderful way to lift student spirits and bring a joyful atmosphere to the final weeks of the school year. In closing, I want to express how impressed I am with both our junior and senior leaders for their outstanding commitment to leading the recent activities, making announcements to their peers at the week five year group meeting and for their running of the end of year assembly. Their enthusiasm and pride in our school have truly shone through, and they have shown remarkable confidence in public speaking and engaging with the wider school community. Our Leadership Team is excited about the year ahead and is eager to continue delivering successful fundraising initiatives and events that boost school spirit throughout 2026!

Mrs Gobor

Leadership Team Coordinator

Z Club - Report

Introducing Lake Munmorah High School’s First-Ever Z Club! Lake Munmorah High School is incredibly proud to announce the launch of our very first Z Club, the first of its kind on the entire Central Coast! This is a huge honour for our school community, as we join the global Zonta mission to empower women and advocate for equality. Zonta envisions a world where:

• Women’s rights are recognised as human rights
• Gender-based violence is eliminated
• Gender equity is the norm
• Education is accessible and equal
• Women have a strong voice in leadership and decision-making
• Climate justice supports the safety and wellbeing of women and girls

Our newly formed Z Club has already made a powerful contribution. Together, our students created an amazing Yarn Bomb installation, proudly displayed in the local community as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This vibrant artwork symbolised unity, strength, and hope and showcased the passion of our young changemakers. This is just the beginning. Our Z Club students have shown incredible courage in standing up for what is right and coming together to support such an important cause. We are super proud of their commitment and their willingness to make a difference. Join Us in 2026! Next year, we are looking to officially welcome more students into the Z Club. Being part of this group will involve:

• Thought-provoking discussions
• Fundraising opportunities
• Creative and meaningful projects
• Fun activities
• Raising awareness about women’s rights and global justice

If you’re interested in joining or want to learn more, please see Miss Vidler, who will add you to the Google Classroom. Let’s continue to build a community where every voice matters and every girl is empowered to lead. 💛🌼

Wellbeing - Faculty Report

Term Four Highlights – A Season of Connection, Creativity & Care Welcome to the Term Four edition of the Wellbeing Hub Newsletter! As the year winds down, the energy in the Hub has been electric. From outdoor games to meaningful programs, our students have embraced every opportunity to connect, grow, and thrive. Here's a look back at the incredible initiatives and events that have made this term so special. 🎉 October Mental Health Month: Giant Games, Big Smiles October was all about celebrating Mental Health Month, and we did it in style! The Wellbeing Hub hosted a series of giant outdoor games that brought laughter, teamwork, and a whole lot of fun to the school grounds. Students from all year levels joined in, enjoying the sunshine and strengthening friendships while promoting positive mental health. Due to the success we followed up with November and December Giant Games.

Art Group Gets Spooky for Halloween Our creative crew in the Art Group embraced the spooky season with Halloween-themed projects that lit up the Hub. From eerie illustrations to festive decorations, the students showcased their talents and brought a splash of colour and imagination to our space. Their work added a playful and expressive vibe to the term. 🕹️ Friday Social Games Group: Fun, Friendship & Friendly Competition Every Friday, the Social Games Group has been a hit! Students gathered to unwind, connect, and challenge each other in a variety of board games and team activities. These sessions have been a fantastic way to build social skills, boost confidence, and end the week on a high note. 💪 Mondays with Catholic Care: Wellbeing Warriors Program Catholic Care has been a consistent and valued presence in our Hub this term. Every Monday, they’ve delivered the Wellbeing Warriors program, empowering students with tools to manage emotions, build resilience, and support each other. The sessions have been engaging, thoughtful, and deeply impactful. 🤝 Individual Support from Oasis Salvation Army Sophie from Oasis Salvation Army has provided weekly support and case management to individual students, offering a safe space to talk, reflect, and receive guidance. Her compassionate approach has made a real difference in the lives of many, and we’re grateful for her ongoing commitment to our school community. 🌱 Growth & Aspiration with YFC Jess from YFC has facilitated two powerful programs this term: · Seasons for Growth: Helping students navigate change, loss, and transition with strength and understanding. · Aspire Program: Encouraging students to set goals, dream big, and take steps toward their future. Both programs have been instrumental in fostering emotional wellbeing and personal development. 🛡️ Knife Legislation Presentation – Year 8 Senior Constable Troy Lucca visited Lake Munmorah High to deliver an informative and engaging presentation on knife legislation to our Year 8 students. His session highlighted the importance of safety, legal awareness, and making responsible choices. Students responded with maturity and curiosity, making it a valuable learning experience. 🧰 Work Ready Program at Bunnings Senior Constable Kim Smith from Youth Command took eight students from Year 10 to Bunnings as part of a Work Ready program. The hands-on experience gave students insight into workplace expectations, customer service, and practical skills. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore career pathways and build confidence in a real-world setting.