Our Principal, Nicole Gregory, would like to wish all our families a safe and blessed Easter.

It is a curious phrase “he is risen”, no one at the time of this epic miracle of Easter knew exactly what it meant or how it would play out. Jesus had been brutally crucified, beaten and laid to rest in a borrowed tomb, in the most public and shameful way. The Romans knew how to rule with shame. Jesus being dead completely removed any wind from the sails of his followers. They had gone to sleep on Thursday night with courage, even bravado as to where this messiah would lead them, now he is dead, very dead, and so too all the hopes and aspirations of freedom and kingdom they may have had. All was buried in a brutal and violent manner.

He is risen, as it came to be understood meant that this Jesus had been “raised from the dead ones” and was among his friends and community. It meant he had broken the power of death and made a way for all who would believe. It also meant that the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders had a rather large problem, namely a dead Jewish messiah they had murdered was still alive and no one could produce the body.

The first witnesses of Jesus post the resurrection, record this note for one purpose, to announce the king is alive, he is not dead, he is RISEN. It was announced for the first time in confusion and almost a whisper, now it is being shouted from the roof tops. The good news is this Jesus is victorious, not even death can stop him or his movement. Like an earthquake this news still makes the empires shake and the human heart soar like and eagle. Jesus being raised gives rise to the most audacious Christian idea in history, that being we to can be raised and death will be no more. This is the Gospel of Christ.

He is risen and I am so pleased he is.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in his letter to Corinth

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”.

He is risen indeed.

Blessings

Tim McMenamin | Director of Mission

What happens when primary students are invited to help shape the future of artificial intelligence education? Last month, 30 students from Years 1–4 discovered the answer as they stepped into a national research project exploring how children understand and experience AI.

As part of a research partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child students participated in a two‑day incursion connected to the Children’s Engagement with Artificial Intelligence: A Digital Child Parliament Research Project. This national initiative focuses on improving how primary‑aged students learn about AI by listening directly to children themselves.

At its heart, the purpose of the research is simple and powerful: to create learning resources about artificial intelligence that are informed by children’s ideas, questions, and lived experiences. Rather than resources for students alone, this work is about resources by students, for students.

Importantly, the incursion was not about teaching students how to use AI tools or delivering pre‑designed lessons. Instead, researchers were interested in how children already think about digital systems, how they make sense of them, and what they believe other children need to understand about technology shaping their world.

Learning began through play. Students explored the role of prompts/instructions and rules by playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, before experimenting with Bee‑Bots to see how sequences and commands influence outcomes. As the robots followed – or failed to follow – their instructions, students quickly discovered that even small changes in commands can produce very different results.

These playful experiences opened the door to deeper conversations. Students discussed how algorithms influence decisions, why many chatbots are designed to agree with users, and when that agreement might be helpful or potentially misleading. The discussions were thoughtful, practical, and often eye‑opening, revealing just how capable young learners are of grappling with complex digital ideas. Students were encouraged to question how digital systems work, who they work for, and how children are affected by them.

Through these conversations, researchers gained valuable insight into how children interpret AI, what questions they already have, and what other students their age might need to know. These perspectives will help shape future primary school learning resources that are age‑appropriate, meaningful, and grounded in children’s real experiences.

From this group, five students were selected as Student Ambassadors, recognising their insight, confidence, and ability to represent their peers. Building on the work completed during the incursion, these students visited Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to collaborate with students from another school in planning and developing AI learning resources informed by children’s voices.

We are incredibly proud of all 30 students who participated for the way they engaged, contributed, and thought deeply about ideas that are already shaping their digital futures. A special congratulations goes to our five Student Ambassadors for representing our community with such confidence and maturity.

Our sincere thanks go to the ten researchers from the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child for their generosity, expertise, and genuine respect for student voice. Their presence made learning feel authentic and important, showing students that their thinking matters beyond the classroom.

This partnership reminded us that when play, research, and student voice come together, powerful learning happens, and that our students are more than ready to be part of the conversations shaping their digital world.

Teagan Dare | Director of Digital Agency & Data Analytics
Taryn Hirst | Deputy Head of Primary – Curriculum Transformation

Some wonderful examples of Chinese language learning from our Year 3, Year 5 and Year 6 students.

Across the year levels, students have been enthusiastically building their skills, learning new vocabulary, practising writing characters, and exploring the rich cultural traditions that come with the language. It has been fantastic to see their confidence grow as they take on the challenge of learning something new.

One of our Year 3 students recently shared a beautiful piece of writing to celebrate Lunar New Year. Her work reflected not only her developing Chinese language skills, but also her understanding of the traditions and meaning behind this special celebration. It was a joy to see her creativity and effort shine through.

In Year 6, we have also been incredibly impressed by the dedication and progress of our students. One student in particular has produced a phenomenal piece of writing, especially considering she does not come from a Chinese background. Her willingness to embrace the language and challenge herself is truly commendable.

Here is the translation of her writing:

"This year I am learning Chinese. I have learned how to say ‘thank you’ and ‘you’re welcome’ in Chinese. I have also learned how to say ‘sorry’. These polite expressions are very important. I think it’s fun to learn Chinese. Thank you!"

It is wonderful to see students recognising not only the language itself, but also the importance of respectful communication across cultures.

We congratulate all of our students on their efforts and enthusiasm. Learning a new language opens the door to new perspectives, and we are excited to see their skills continue to grow!

Thalia Wang | Chinese Teacher

What a day! Our annual Multicultural Expo once again transformed TLC into a celebration of culture, connection and community.

From the moment students stepped onto the Primary Green, they were taken on a journey around the world - sampling delicious food, trying traditional games, seeing cultural dress, and learning from the stories shared by our families.

A huge thank you to our amazing parents, carers, students and staff who brought this event to life. The time and effort that went into each stall did not go unnoticed and it is what makes this day so special.

One of the highlights (and definitely a crowd favourite!) was seeing students fully immerse themselves, whether that was trying new foods, joining in dances, or proudly representing their own culture. It was a beautiful reminder of the diversity that makes our College community so strong.

Our Principal, Mrs Gregory, spent time connecting with families throughout the morning and was particularly touched by a conversation with an Iranian family in our community. They shared that they have family in Iran whom they had not been able to speak with for 20 days, with only a brief six-minute phone call that was suddenly cut off.

Despite this, they spoke about how safe they feel here in Australia, something we can never take for granted. As a College, we hold this family, and all those experiencing uncertainty around the world, in our thoughts and prayers.

Events like our Multicultural Expo remind us that while we may come from many different places, we are united in kindness, respect and community. And what a wonderful thing that is to celebrate. 💛

Photos by Brody Grogan Photography

On Tuesday 24 March, our Interhouse Year 7 - 12 Cross Country Carnival was held on the ovals, with students demonstrating excellent effort, resilience and House spirit throughout the morning.

Congratulations to all students who took part and represented their House with determination. The standard of competition was strong across all age groups, with several outstanding individual performances recorded.

Congratulations to our Age Champions:

• Amal W and Aaliyah S (Under 12)
• Callum M and Ava A (Under 13)
• Jordan B and Jayda S (Under 14)
• Gursaanjh S and Chloe P (Under 15)
• Xavier C and Anika S (Under 16)
• Liam B and Summer A (17+)

A special mention goes to Xavier C, who recorded the fastest time of the day with an outstanding run of 11:47.5.

Congratulations also to Tabbil, who were crowned overall House champions, ahead of Nyani in second place, Kumbarchu in third, and Kittabilla in fourth.

Thank you to all staff and students for contributing to a successful and enjoyable Cross Country Carnival.

Alex Butt | Director of Sport & Activities

Our Primary students have certainly made their mark on the track last week, with two fantastic Cross Country Carnivals showcasing energy, determination and community spirit across all year levels.

Our Prep to Year 2 students kicked things off on Monday, making the most of the beautiful weather as they took on a fun and engaging course. From high jump mats and obstacles to running under the parachute, there were smiles all around as students embraced the challenge. A highlight of the day was seeing our Year 6 students supporting their Prep buddies, creating special moments of encouragement and connection. It was wonderful to see so many students giving it a go, with friends even running hand in hand. A big thank you to our supportive families who cheered from the hill and kept our Wunya Café busy with coffees throughout the morning!

On Thursday, our Year 3 to 6 students brought the energy for the final of our three Interhouse Cross Country Carnivals. From super-fast runners to determined walkers, every student gave their best, earning valuable House Points and demonstrating incredible team spirit. The focus of the day was on participation, building fundamental movement skills, forming friendships and enjoying being active outdoors.

Congratulations to our Primary House winners:

1. Nyani – 335 points
2. Kumbarchu – 308 points
3. Tabbil – 256 points
4. Kittabilla – 208 points

Congratulations to our Primary Age Champions:

• U8 - Ethan L
• U9 - Mariana T & Jensen T
• U10 - Grace D & Timofay P
• U11 - Leith M & Nico B
• U12 Carlotta C & Liam B

We extend our sincere thanks to the many parents and carers who came along to support their athletes - your encouragement adds so much to the atmosphere of the day. These carnivals also play an important role in selecting students to represent TLC at the District Cross Country in May and we look forward to cheering them on!

Lisa Wilson | Primary Sport Coordinator

PREP TO YEAR 2 CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL PHOTOS

YEAR 3 - 6 CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL PHOTOS

Year 10 student, Aaliyah B has once again demonstrated her exceptional talent and determination, delivering an outstanding performance at the Australian Surf Life Saving Youth Championships held at Kirra Beach recently.

Competing against the best young athletes in the country, Aaliyah claimed the title of Australian National Sprint Champion, taking out gold in the sprint final. She also secured a bronze medal in flags, further highlighting her strength across multiple beach events. Adding to her success, Aaliyah played a crucial role in her club, Noosa Heads, Under 15 Girls Relay Team. As the anchor, she received the baton in fifth place and produced a phenomenal run to bring her team home for a gold medal finish.

Her achievements did not stop there. Just two days later, Aaliyah was selected as the Under 15 Female Beach Athlete to represent the Queensland Cyclones at the Interstate Pathways Championship - an incredible honour, as only one athlete per age group is chosen from each state. This marks her second consecutive year earning selection, and in recognition of her leadership, she was also named Female Team Captain.

Despite Queensland narrowly going down to New South Wales by just four points, Aaliyah delivered another series of impressive performances, winning her sprint, placing third in flags, and helping her relay team secure second place in a fast-paced, high-calibre competition.

We are incredibly proud of Aaliyah’s dedication, resilience and commitment to her sport. Her recent achievements are a true reflection of her hard work, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next. 👏💙

Congratulations also to Year 9 student Ewan M on his efforts at the 2026 Australian Surf Life Saving Youth Championships.

Despite being unwell across the event weekend and dislocating his shoulder during the Beach Flags semi-finals, Ewan demonstrated incredible resilience to finish 20th in Australia in both the U14 Beach Sprints and U14 Beach Flags. While understandably disappointed he couldn’t continue competing, Ewan should be extremely proud of what he achieved under challenging circumstances.

Earlier this year, Ewan also delivered strong results at the 2026 Queensland Youth Championships, placing 4th in the State for U14 Beach Sprints and 5th in the State for U14 Beach Flags.

His consistency across the season was further recognised at club level, where he was named U14 Male Age Champion and Athlete of the Year at Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club, in addition to medalling multiple times throughout the regional carnival season.

Well done Ewan and we hope the shoulder is all repaired now!

The Lakes College Under 12 futsal team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 School Futsal Titles, finishing as proud runners-up after an impressive campaign.

The team qualified for finals day after successfully progressing through the group stages three weeks earlier. Carrying strong momentum into the knockout rounds, the boys secured convincing victories in their opening two matches, winning 6–1 and 5–1.

The semi-final proved to be a much tougher contest against Assisi Catholic College. In a hard-fought and closely contested game, the scores were locked at 3–3 at full time. George S scored the golden goal to secure a thrilling victory and send The Lakes College into the grand final.

In the final, the team faced a strong John Paul College side. Despite a great team effort and an excellent hat-trick from George S, the opposition proved too powerful on the day, with The Lakes College going down 8–4.

The boys should be extremely proud of their efforts and teamwork throughout the tournament while representing the college with great pride.

Clare Glover | Sport Coordinator

Our students delivered an exceptional performance at the Sunshine Coast Open Taekwondo 2026, bringing home an impressive collection of medals. Their hard work, dedication and sportsmanship were on full display throughout the competition.

Congratulations to all our competitors on their outstanding achievements. Their commitment and perseverance continue to make our school proud:

• Daham W (Yr 8)
• Amal W (Yr 7)
• Aarav (Yr 7)
• Ayden B (Yr 6)
• Juwon H (Yr 6)
• Bryson S (Yr 3)
• Jasper S (Yr 3)
• Jesitha A (Yr 3)
• Myraa G (Yr 3)
• Jayden S (Yr 2 )
• Oscar L (Yr 1)

As we wrap up a busy Term 1, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our TLC community for your ongoing support in both organising and attending our events. From start to finish, this term has been a wonderful reflection of what makes our community so special. Quite simply, we could not do this without our volunteers — thank you for your dedication and energy.

Celebrating Term 1 Events

A Term 1 highlight was our Multicultural Expo, where families came together to share and celebrate cultures from around the world. TLCCA was proud to support the day by preparing fairy bread and Vegemite sandwiches — with the fairy bread proving to be a clear favourite among students!

Our Cross Country Carnivals were another fantastic display of school spirit. Thank you to the many parents and carers who volunteered their time to support our students on the day!

Supporting Our Students – Generations in Jazz Tour

At our March meeting, TLCCA approved funding to support 26 Performing Arts students attending the Generations in Jazz Tour in Adelaide.

Opportunities like this are only possible through the continued support of our community. We are proud to contribute to experiences that allow our students to shine beyond the classroom.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

A friendly reminder that our Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open during the holidays on Friday 17 April, from 8:00am – 10:00am. This is the perfect opportunity to prepare for Term 2, especially with the transition to Winter uniform which means blazers and ties are back. Pop in, grab a bargain, and get organised ahead of the new term!

Looking Ahead to Term 2

We are excited for another fantastic term ahead, with several key events on the horizon.

Under 8s Day – Friday 22 May
Planning is well underway, and we would love your help! If you are available to volunteer, please register via the link below.
👉 Volunteer Registration Link – click here

Mother’s Day Stall (Primary & Secondary)
A heartfelt thank you to Deb R for her work organising this much-loved event. Wrapping over 600 gifts is no small feat, and we truly appreciate her tireless efforts.

• Primary Stall: Wednesday 6 May (orders via Spriggy)
• Brand New Secondary Pop-Up Mother's Day Stall: Thursday 7 May (cash and EFTPOS only)

TLCCA Secondary Mother’s Day Evening

Tickets are still available for our Secondary Mother's Day Evening.

📍 Bribie Island Room, North Lakes Hotel
📅 Thursday 7 May
⏰ 6:00pm – 8:00pm
🎟 $25 per person (bookings essential)

Enjoy canapés, drinks, raffles, and great company.
👉 Purchase your tickets HERE

TLCCA Trivia Night - Tickets on SALE!

Get ready for one of our most anticipated community events!

📅 Saturday 6 June 2026

Gather your team of six, bring along your favourite food and drinks, and enjoy a fun-filled evening of trivia, laughter, and friendly competition. With funds going towards our College Library, it’s a great way to support our students while connecting with other families.

Child-minding will be available, and we are calling for raffle prize donations — big or small, all contributions are greatly appreciated.

👉 Purchase your tickets HERE

Next Meeting

Our next TLCCA meeting will be held on:
📅 Tuesday 29 April
⏰ 6:30pm

All are welcome to attend — either in person or online. We especially encourage new families to come along and learn more about how you can get involved in our community.

As the term comes to a close, TLCCA Executive Committee would like to sincerely thank every member of our community for your continued support.

We wish you all a safe and happy Easter holiday with your loved ones and look forward to seeing you at our Term 2 events.

Rob L | TLCCA President
[email protected]

Do you have a child starting Prep in 2027? Please contact our Enrolments Team if you are still to lodge an application as places are filling fast! Please email [email protected].

The Lakes College Kokoda Team are celebrating 9 years of participation in the Kokoda Challenge in 2026. Thank you to our family businesses, our suppliers and local community partners who have signed up to be our 2026 Kokoda Sponsors.

Please support those that support us!

Kokoda Sponsorship Opportunities

Although our Major Sponsorship has closed, there is still time to sign up to be a Gold Kokoda Sponsor. We appreciate that every dollar you spend promoting your business is valuable and we want to ensure that family businesses, our suppliers and local community partners are provided with affordable opportunities that have maximum impact. Not only will your sponsorship directly benefit the students at The Lakes College, but we will ensure that your generosity and your business is widely promoted to our broader College community and Kokoda supporters. Click here to find out more.

The Lakes College extends sincere thanks to our TLC Sponsors, whose steadfast support plays a vital role in fostering the overall development and wellbeing of our students. We acknowledge and value the dedication of the businesses listed below, whose investments directly enrich the educational journey of our students. Their contributions provide invaluable resources and open doors to opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise. We are truly grateful for their commitment to enhancing the educational experiences at The Lakes College.

• Click here to find out more about becoming a TLC Sponsor

Gold Sponsor: Luxury Lifestyle Homes

Luxury Lifestyle Homes exemplifies unparalleled excellence in the design and construction of dream homes in Brisbane. With meticulous attention to detail, they are dedicated to transforming visions into reality. What sets Luxury Lifestyle Homes apart is their fusion of precise workmanship and proven processes, ensuring clients receive a home that is not only tailored to their exact specifications but is also completed on time, within budget and without stress. The team at Luxury Lifestyle Homes takes pride in bringing dream homes to life, creating a delightful and stress-free experience for their clients throughout the entire process. https://luxlifehomes.com.au

Gold Sponsor: Family First Care

Quality in-home nursing services that put you and your family first. We don’t just focus on quality nursing services. We’re committed to helping you lead a healthier, active, more fulfilling life. Our focus is YOU. Our focus is our partners and their FAMILY. We want the best outcome for you. https://www.familyfirstcare.co...

Community Sponsor: North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical

Since 2004, North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical have been the local electrician serving the North Lakes community. As a family-owned and locally operated electrical contracting business, they have successfully contributed to the growth and development of the Moreton Bay Region. When you choose their services, you are not just hiring an electrician; you are investing in a relationship built on trust and expertise. North Lakes Electrician | North Lakes & Surrounds Electrical (northlakeselectrical.com)

Community Sponsor: Pizza Hut Mango Hill

Got a craving for a delicious pizza in Mango Hill? Us too! What you should do is make haste to the Mango Hill Pizza Hut store at Shop 2, 2 Halpine Drive, serving up piping hot pizza for lunch and dinner every day of the week! https://www.pizzahut.com.au/st...

Community Sponsor: AIM Retirement Planning

AIM Retirement Planning is an owner-operated Financial Planning business founded with a clear purpose: to enhance the financial well-being of everyday Australians through affordable and cost-effective solutions. http://aimrp.com.au