A special welcome to Term 4 - one of our shortest terms that is the most jam-packed!

A message from our Principal, Nicole Gregory

We are delighted to share that our Principal, Mrs Nicole Gregory, has been awarded the ACEL QLD Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates educators whose leadership initiatives enhance student learning experiences, improve achievement, and positively influence education beyond their own community.

Since her appointment in 2021, Nicole has led TLC through a season of remarkable growth and transformation. Under her leadership, enrolments have expanded from under 1,000 to more than 1,160 students. Nicole has placed the authentic care of young people at the heart of her leadership, reimagining wellbeing and pastoral care programs, creating opportunities for service learning and cultural immersion, and ensuring that students are both stretched and supported in their learning journey.

She has also overseen the expansion of our College facilities, including the development of a new Multi-Purpose Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Learn to Swim Facility, Performing Arts Precinct, and playgrounds. Beyond these physical legacies, Nicole’s ongoing work with the Uniting Church in corporate governance highlights her commitment to building a strong and enduring foundation for the College’s future.

Nicole reflected on receiving the award:

On behalf of the College community, we warmly congratulate Nicole on this well-deserved honour and thank her for her inspiring leadership.

The Lakes College is delighted to announce that Mr Harry Ahrens, Secondary Teacher and Head of Nyani House, has been named one of just five recipients across Queensland to receive the ACEL Queensland Emerging Educational Leadership Biennial Award.

This prestigious award is presented every two years to educational leaders in the first five years of their formal leadership career. It provides recipients with the opportunity to undertake professional learning in educational leadership, with funding support from ACEL to engage in experiences that will significantly inform and influence their leadership practice within their school setting.

Harry’s leadership has already made a profound impact on our College community. His compassionate and consistent approach, paired with his innovative ideas, ensures that our students are both cared for and challenged to grow in confidence, resilience, and character. Among his many contributions, Harry developed the Sages and Seekers program, which connects students with residents of a local aged care facility to share stories, experiences, and joy across generations. This initiative has become a powerful example of how authentic connections can enrich both students and the wider community.

Reflecting on the award, Harry shared:

Harry will be formally recognised at the ACEL Queensland Branch Awards Ceremony in October, where his achievements will be celebrated alongside other outstanding educational leaders.

This honour not only acknowledges Harry’s remarkable early contribution to educational leadership but also highlights the culture of care, innovation and excellence that continues to flourish at The Lakes College.

Our Senior PE students have undertaken a rich and diverse learning journey across Years 11 and 12. In Year 11, they focused on Skill Acquisition, applying their learning by teaching Primary students. This experience was later compared with teaching Year 8 students, allowing them to reflect on how learning and developmental traits differ across age groups.

Last term, our Senior PE students put their skills into practice by teaching our Prep students, sharing their knowledge and fostering a love of movement and physical activity from an early age. These experiences provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities and help our students develop both their teaching skills and understanding of human development.

Aaron Clohesy | Head of Faculty - WHPE

Year 8 Visual Art students have been exploring the natural world around them, closely observing the flora and fauna in their everyday surroundings. Through their studies, they have developed a deeper understanding of shape, texture, pattern, and colour, which they have applied to their artwork. Their lino print series allowed them to experiment with different printmaking techniques, including monochromatic and ombré styles, helping them to develop both technical skills and creative expression.

These works, along with a range of artwork from Prep to Year 12, will be on display for the school community to view at our annual Art Exhibition on Tuesday 28 October from 5pm. All are welcome to attend.

Tonia Thomas | Secondary Teacher

In this parent engagement feature, our Deputy Principal sits down with Karen, one of our TLC parents who moved interstate with her family two years ago. With children in Year 11, Year 9 and Year 3, Karen quickly found herself immersed in the life of the College. Through school events, classroom experiences and opportunities to see her children doing what they love, her connection to the community has grown stronger each year.

Karen shares how Parent Teacher Interviews and open communication have helped her support her children’s learning at home. The flexibility of online or in-person interviews since COVID has made it easier for parents who work full time to stay engaged. She appreciates how well TLC teachers know their students, making it comfortable to ask questions about areas of focus and how to best assist at home.

For Karen, the relationships she’s built with teachers and the wider community have been key. As she reflects, “There really is that care coming from the school community beyond the learning.”

You may see references this month to “Time to Refuse”, a Gen Z-led campaign that encourages fellow Gen Zer’s to delete at least one attention-draining app and reclaim more intentional, offline time. The movement’s manifesto, published on Jonathan Haidt’s After Babel site, frames it as a youth-authored response to growing up online, with many young adults describing shallow friendships, fragmented attention, and exposure to inappropriate content through their formative years. Organisers are coordinating a public “Delete Day” on 10 October 2025 (this coincides with World Mental Health Day), with resources to help people take practical steps toward healthier habits.

Why is this resonating with our young people? Advocates argue that the phone-based life has changed how young people relate, rest and learn, and that collective action makes change more doable than going it alone. They pair the call to delete with a gradual guide (reducing features, creating phone-free spaces, taking a digital sabbath, rebuilding offline routines) so that the shift is sustainable, not impulsive.

While there may be merit in the ideas behind this movement, it would be remiss of me not to point out that I’ve seen firsthand the way technology supports young people. Social media and messaging can sustain friendships across distances, provide identity-affirming communities, and offer creative outlets. For some students, online groups serve as a lifeline during challenging times. And I recognise that not every family can (or should) go “all in.” College communications, co-curricular groups and part-time work often rely on digital platforms. Any change should consider safety, transport, and family routines.

Furthermore, work emerging from think tanks and research teams, such as the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, focuses on helping young people and families lead healthy digital lives, empowering education, and advocating for safer digital spaces for children. The Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child is shaping an environment that enables children, families, and communities to navigate their own digital worlds. There are some excellent resources available for parents and caregivers here.

If you’re curious (not crusading):

1. Start with conversations, not commands. Ask your children what they value online and what they’d happily lose.
2. Pilot a small change at home. Try one phone-free zone (bedrooms, mealtimes, homework hour) or one feature to disable (notifications, infinite scroll).
3. Build real-world alternatives. Help schedule face-to-face time, sport, regular attendance at church or worship, music, service, activities that naturally crowd out mindless scrolling.
4. Review together after two weeks. Keep what helps; drop what doesn’t.

As always, TLC will continue to monitor high-quality research. We encourage families to read the original manifesto and guide, look over the resources on the digital child’s website and discuss what’s realistic for your family. Share feedback with us so that any steps we take, as a community, are thoughtful, inclusive and focused on student wellbeing and learning (afterbabel.com and digitalchild.org.au).

Till next Tidings, take care.

Mathew Stein | Deputy Principal - Curriculum, Professional Practice & Transformation

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: The Vinyl Loft

The Vinyl Loft stands as a prominent player in the Australian vinyl crafting sector, consistently advancing and establishing a renowned position for delivering high-quality branded vinyl with a commitment to exceptional customer service. As an authorised Australian supplier, The Vinyl Loft offers a comprehensive range of quality branded vinyl, DTF Transfers, blanks, tools, and accessories, catering to diverse crafting and business requirements. https://www.thevinylloft.com.a...

Community Sponsor: The Yiros Shop North Lakes

Since 2015, The Yiros Shop has believed in serving only the best to our community across Brisbane and now wider Queensland. Their meals are authentic and fresh, adding a modern twist to traditional Greek favourites by focusing on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. The Yiros Shop are proud to be a family owned and operated business carrying recipes down through generations and creating the best Greek food choice around. https://theyirosshop.com.au/

Community Sponsor: Easy As Driver Training

Jacqui & Warren from EasyAs Driver Training as proud TLC Parents and big supporters of our TLC Swim Club, coming on board this year as our inaugural TLC Swim Club Community Sponsor. If you're here to learn to drive then EasyAs Driver Training is the right place for you. We are long established and recognised for excellence. https://easyasdta.com.au/

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