Farewell to Alana Lava

Tomorrow, we say a heartfelt farewell to Alana Lava as she leaves her role as Assistant Principal at Lilydale District School. Alana is a dedicated and caring leader who has worked at Lilydale District School for 18 years. As teacher, Advanced Skills Teacher, and Assistant Principal, she has been deeply committed to supporting students in their learning and wellbeing, while also guiding and mentoring our staff. Alana is known for her extremely calm approach, strong work ethic and the genuine relationships she has developed with students, families, and colleagues. Her quiet and unassuming approach has been appreciated by all who have worked with her. I know you will join me in wishing Alana success in her new role as Advanced Skills Teacher at Invermay Primary School.

Welcome to Ian Quigley

Lilydale District School is happy to welcome Ian Quigley to the role of Assistant Principal for the remainder of the year. Ian brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked as both an Advanced Skills Teacher and an Assistant Principal. One of Ian’s strengths is developing strong relationships with students and their families. Ian is looking forward to working alongside our team and contributing to the work we are doing together.

Ian will be visiting our school tomorrow afternoon and will begin work on Monday, 8 September. I know you will join me in making Ian feel welcome.

The 2025 School Satisfaction Survey is Open

At Lilydale District School we value the voices of our families. Your feedback helps us to understand what we are doing well and where we can improve.

The annual Family Satisfaction Survey is now open and closes on Friday, 19 September. By completing it, you are helping us make decisions that support the best outcomes for all students. It only takes 5 minutes, but your input makes a significant difference.

This year we have achieved so much:

• An overhaul of our front garden area
• The introduction of the HUB learning space to support learning for all
• A redesign of our Year 7 and 8 learning areas
• The introduction of lineup for all primary school students
• The continuation of routines that support an orderly learning environment
• Installed new playground into Kinder
• Created opportunities for parent involvement – Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

We encourage all parent and carers to take part and tell us how we are going. The more responses we receive, the clearer the picture we gain of our school community. Currently we have twenty-two parents who have completed the survey, but we would like more. The survey is conducted on a secure website and all responses are anonymous and confidential.

Please check your email/messages for the survey link or contact the office if you need assistance.

Thank you for supporting our school by sharing your thoughts.

Supporting Every Student’s Literacy Journey: Our Approach

At our school, we are committed to making sure every child and young person receives the literacy support they need—when they need it. That is why we use a consistent, evidence-based approach across all Department schools called the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Here’s how MTSS works:

• Tier 1 – For all students: Every child is taught to read using proven, evidence-based teaching strategies.
• Tier 2 – For some students: Those who need extra time and practice with specific literacy skills work in smaller groups. Once they have mastered the skill, they return to Tier 1.
• Tier 3 – For a few students: These learners receive one-on-one support to help them learn specific literacy skills, alongside the learning in Tiers 1.

This system ensures that every student gets the right amount of help at the right time. Whether it is extra practice or individual support, MTSS is our way of making sure no student is left behind in their literacy journey. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how your child’s learning is supported, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Warm regards,

Karen Hay
Principal