The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for our students! Our Primary students were welcomed back to school by our much-loved mascot, LJ the Lion. We hope and pray that 2025 is a great year for our students and families.

It’s wonderful to welcome our youngest students back to school! Some are stepping into the classroom for the first time, while others are returning for another year; whichever it is, we’re glad to have you here. We pray that your first few days have been great!

One of your roles as a parent is to protect your child. You protect them by holding them carefully when they are newborns, buckling them into the car seat as toddlers, by not letting adults be mean to them, providing a supportive and warm home environment, and preserving their dignity. They need this from you.

What they don't need from you is protection from uncomfortable yet helpful experiences. These are things like losing a game, being bored, frustration, disappointment, and making mistakes. Young people can be 'saved' from these experiences because people don't like to see them in 'pain' (I use that word loosely). You might save them by writing a note excusing their lack of work (when there really is no excuse) or defend their poor behaviour by blaming someone else (when it really is their fault), or remove them from a challenging event (when they were good enough to turn up to the challenge).

I know this feels like love, but it isn't really loving. When young people don't have the experience of being uncomfortable, they don't get to learn the lesson. You are saving them from temporary pain but also saving them from a valuable life lesson. When young people walk through an uncomfortable space, they learn to act differently in the future, they learn compassion, and it helps them to develop an inside (character, ethics, morality).

Some practical ideas to help you let them be a 'healthy' uncomfortable:

1. All worthwhile things are a bit uncomfortable. When I am doing something challenging and feel uncomfortable, I think to myself that this feeling is normal with challenging tasks. It helps me to keep moving forward rather than hide from the uncomfortableness.

2. Uncomfortable helps me to shift. A speeding ticket is uncomfortable – it reminds me to drive safely. If you paid my speeding ticket every time (took the uncomfortable away) I wouldn't learn a lesson. Leave the discomfort with the young person to help them learn the lesson.

3. Uncomfortable is temporary but constant. I feel uncomfortable before I do an interview, a presentation, or meet someone new (all good things). It is often present in life's most exciting and difficult times, but it is always present. It is important to understand that it will always turn up but it doesn't stay. 

4. Uncomfortable needs courage. You learn to manage being uncomfortable by turning up. You turn up and tell the teacher you didn't complete your work on time. You turn up and apply for the role in the performance. You turn up and say sorry. These are all uncomfortable. Once you have done the uncomfortable, it is over, and on the other side, there is potential success and a relaxed mind.

5. They will be okay. I know it is hard to watch someone sad about losing the game, or mad about the detention for doing X, but think of it as a necessary part of forming them. Allow them space to process those feelings. You can best support them by talking through a plan rather than removing the uncomfortable feelings altogether.

I like being a little uncomfortable. It means I am growing, feeling challenged, and developing my character. That makes the uncomfortable worth it.  

The Year 12 Induction Day focused on starting the year strong, building resilience and strengthening connections. Through various activities, students explored the importance of support networks, self-care and personal growth while challenging themselves in a safe and supportive environment. As our Year 12s step into this important year, development days like this will help them build a strong sense of community and confidence.

Recently, our newly appointed student council members participated in leadership workshops and planning sessions with College leaders. The focus was on equipping them with the practical skills and confidence needed to serve our school community effectively. We look forward to seeing these student leaders put their fresh ideas into action throughout the year.

The 2025 Year 12 Ball was a night of celebration and unforgettable moments that will be talked about for years to come. Held in January in the elegant ballroom at The Westin Perth, students arrived dressed in stunning gowns and classic suits, ready for a fun evening. Occasions like this aren't just about dressing up — they’re about celebrating the friendships and experiences that shape the final year of school.

In 2025, we welcomed our new Year 7s as they took their first exciting steps into High School! It was fantastic to have them on campus - welcome to the next chapter of your journey! We can’t wait to see you learn, grow, and make new memories in the years ahead.

Students in Year 12, Year 11, and Year 10 are invited to apply for College Colours each term. College Colours are prestigious awards that recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the following areas:

• Curriculum
• Cultural
• Service
• Sport

To be eligible, students must excel beyond expectations, demonstrating not only high levels of Achievement but also strong Service and Leadership within each category.

Important Information:

• Applications and criteria for each area can be accessed online from the College Website in the link below.

If you have questions or need guidance on preparing your application, please reach out to any member of the Colours Committee. They are available to assist you in getting started.

Start planning your application today and showcase your excellence!

2025 Committee Members: Mrs Eyre- Chairperson, Mr Moffatt, Ms Cartledge, Mrs Lhota, Mr Smith, Mr Tyrie, Mrs L Hopkins, Mrs Orlowsky

Due Dates for each Term are as follows:

Term 1- 11 April

Term 2- 4 July

Term 3- Year 12 only 14 August

Term 3- Year 10 and Year 11- 26 September

Mrs Eyre

Head of Future Directions

Get ready for another exciting season of CAS Wednesday Sport! This Term, our Year 7-9 teams will compete in Basketball (Years 7-9), Indoor Cricket, and Indoor Beach Volleyball, taking on schools like St Stephen's, St Mark's, and Mater Dei.

• Games: Wednesdays, Weeks 4-10, 4pm to 5pm
• Teams: 8 teams with students from years 7-9 involved

We are looking forward to seeing our students representing LJBC this year. Final teams will be posted next week.

We are delighted to continue our work in the Careers space this year. We want to help students discover their aspirations and develop a career pathway to get there. If students or families would like any help, please contact us.

Our CareerLink program is in full swing. We have 45 senior students participating in the program which provides the opportunity for students to complete a Certificate qualification in addition to their regular schooling. Following the CareerLink Induction Day on Tuesday 4 February at Edith Cowan University our students are well into the swing of attending their Registered Training Oganisation on Tuesdays instead of coming to school.

We have a number of students who have sourced work experience. This is a chance for students to see what it is really like to working in a particular industry or workplace. Students always come back with positive stories of their time in the workplace. Do consider the invaluable opportunities work experience can give you. If you would like to know more, please contact us.

LJBC is delighted to once again participate in the Year 9 CareerTaster program. We have been able to secure spots to 4 different CareerTaster courses coming up throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information and take advantage of the opportunities when they come up.

A significant event on the Careers Calendar for LJBC is our Year 10 Career Focus Day. This event is happening toward the end of Term 2 and is closely linked to subject selection for our Year 10’s moving into Year 11. We have several external providers involved and we are looking forward to navigating this part of schooling journey with our Year 10’s and families.

We are very proud of Zach Van Leen. He combined his work experience in the construction industry with his outstanding work ethic to become the successful recipient of an apprenticeship with Colgan Industries. Colgan Industries are builders specialiszing in heritage restoration. Again, well done Zach.

If there is anything we can help you with, please do contact us.

Bronwyn McCue and Robyn Mentzel

Career Practitioners and VET Coordinators

Phone: 9300 7444

bronwyn.mccue@ljbc.wa.edu.au

robyn.mentzel@ljbc.wa.edu.au

Lake Joondalup Baptist College is delighted to offer a limited number of Scholarships and Bursaries available to new and currently enrolled students. Applications for Scholarships are open to students for Years 7-11. Applications for Bursaries are available for students from Kindy-Year 12. Visit our website for more information.

Your child is eligible for free vaccinations at school. Click on this link for more information.

Saturday 29 March to Saturday 5 April (7 nights)

Lake Joondalup Baptist College is hosting a visiting group of Japanese students in March.  Exchange visits are fun but they also offer increased cultural awareness, language exchange, and develop cross cultural communication skills for all participants. It’s rewarding and fun for families to experience another culture, share their experiences learning about Australia and form international friendships. 

Apart from friendship and the opportunity to participate in family life, host families only need to provide a bed (preferred but a mattress is OK) and meals (as normal) for the students.  DOA the company facilitating the visit offer 24 bilingual support to students and host families.

Families will receive a payment to cover living expenses.  The Japanese students will attend LJBC every school day.  A host sibling will also be invited (free of charge) to join the Japanese students for a full day excursion during the week.

DOA Coordinator, Jenni Wilson will be the contact for host families.  Please contact Jenni on

0419901867 or j-doa@iinet.net.au

We need families to REGISTER NOW so organisation can be completed well before the group arrive.  Please support this rewarding school program.

We understand that circumstances change, and family plans can shift. If you think you may withdraw your child from Lake Joondalup Baptist College in 2025, please let us know as soon as possible. To assist with a smooth transition and in accordance with College policy, we ask that written notice be addressed to the College Registrar at least ten school weeks in advance.
Early notice helps us plan effectively and offer places to families on our waitlist. If you have any questions or need assistance, our Enrolments team is here to help.