Let’s Take a Look at Reading

You may have noticed some changes in the way we’re teaching reading in our school. These changes are part of a statewide commitment to ensure every student develops strong reading skills that will support them throughout school and beyond.

Learning to read is a skill that must be taught—it's not something we’re born knowing how to do. That’s why our teachers are using high-quality, evidence-based strategies to help every child become a confident reader.

Our students are learning to read in through structured and explicit literacy teaching. This means they are building foundational literacy skills step by step, with each new skill reinforcing the last. This approach helps students grow into capable, independent readers.

We’re proud to be part of this statewide effort to provide structured literacy lessons that are proven to work. Thank you for your ongoing support as we help every student succeed.

Celebrating the Special Men in Our Lives – Father’s Day at Lilydale

We would like to invite all our fathers, grandfathers, pops and male caregivers to join us for our Father’s Day Celebration at Lilydale District School.

Date:  Wednesday, 3 September

Time: 9.00am-10.00am or 1.55pm-2.55pm

Come along and enjoy some time with your child at school as we celebrate the important role fathers play in our community. 

Please collect your child/children from their classroom and explore the activities set up around the school which include the photo booth, reading, footy target, fishing, totem tennis and lots more.

Come and create special memories with your child; we can’t wait to see you!

Planning for 2026 is Underway

Some initial planning for 2026 has commenced. Accurate student numbers are integral when planning for the future.  I would ask that if you are leaving our school at the end of the year or know of families that may be moving to the area, that you provide this information to us as soon as possible. 

If you know of any students who will be four on or before the 1 January 2026, they are eligible to attend Kindergarten.  Please encourage these parents to make contact with the office to organise your enrolment.,

If your child currently attends our Pre-Kindergarten sessions on a Friday morning with Mrs Gilmartin, I would like to inform you that enrolment forms are ready to be given out.  Once these forms are completed, I ask that you return them to school at your earliest convenience.

Some useful documentation that will help with this process and make it easier for you includes:

• Student identity – birth certificate, passport, birth verification form
• Parent/Guardian identity – birth certificate, passport, drivers’ licence, personal information card
• Student residential address – bank/financial statement, phone or electricity bill, council rate notice, lease or rent agreement, tax assessment
• Immunisation – child health record book, signed letter from a doctor, print out from Medicare.

Please contact Mrs Donnelly at the office if you require further information. I thank you for your assistance with this.

Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey – Coming Soon!

The time of year has arrived when we check in with our students through the annualwellbeing survey. At Lilydale District School, student wellbeing is a top priority, and we value hearing directly from our students about their experiences and perspectives.Students in years 4 to 12 will be participating in the survey in week 8 and 9. A letter with more details will be sent home with your child/ren.

For more information contact the school office on 63950100.

Warm regards,

Karen Hay
Principal