Dear Parents/Guardians,

My name is Samantha Leonardis, and I am honoured to be the new Deputy Principal – Primary of Lighthouse Christian College. It is both a privilege and a joy to step into this role and to partner with you in the education and care of your children. I am a passionate, Christ-centred educator with over 35 years of experience as a teacher and leader in Christian and independent schools across Victoria and Western Australia. I am happily married, celebrating 31 years of marriage this year, a mother of 2 adult daughters and share my home with two dogs and two cats.

As I begin this journey, a verse that strongly reflects my heart for Christian education, leadership, and growth is:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16

At Lighthouse Christian College, our calling is not simply to teach content or manage curriculum. Our calling is to live the light of Christ in front of our students so clearly that they learn what faith looks like long before they can articulate it.

This is the heart behind our cultural phrase: Living the Lighthouse Life.

Each of us contributes to the Lighthouse life — not through perfection, but through faithfulness. Together, we are forming a legacy that will shape students long after they leave our classrooms.

My deep hope is that we would live the Lighthouse Life with courage, compassion, and consistency — and that through us, God’s light would continue to shine brightly in this place.

New Staff

A very warm welcome to our new and returning Primary Staff: Luisa Cetrola (2C), Madeleine Porter (3A), Camille Sarino (3B), Jieldsen Janvincent Sarino (Primary PE), Rayne Andersen (PE), Chloe Brodie (library)

New Students/Families to LCC

It’s a joy to welcome all our new ELC and Prep families joining us in 2026. May God bless you all as you settle in and grow in our community. Welcome to our new students: Adam Ho (1C), Hiu (Shereen) Yuet Law (1C), Sheshan Panagoda (1C), Lucas Jensen (2A), Esther Dharmawan (2B), Lucas Nguyen (2B), Lachlan Teap (2C), Nathan Ho (3B), Jethrow Dharmawan (3B), Anthony Eung (3C), Yushuo (George) Xie (3C), Alexander Ea (4A), Clara Jensen (4C), Jeremy Balena (4C), Arianna Tendle (5B), Valerie Yosmonyrath (5C), Marleigh Rodriguez (5C), Nicholas Ho (5C), Aarav Tandon (6A), Isabel Ho (6B), Naol Temesgen (6B)

Inaugural Bi Annual Trip to China

We are thrilled to offer Year 5 and 6 students the opportunity for a cultural exchange to China in October this year. Partnering with Schools to Jiangsu, students will travel to Beijing, Jiangsu Province and Shanghai. Travel opportunities provide rich, authentic learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. Through visits to iconic historical sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and traditional Beijing Hutongs, students gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history, geography, and culture.

Immersion experiences at sister schools in Jiangsu allow students to build friendships, practise communication skills, and develop cultural empathy as they participate in everyday school life alongside

their Chinese peers. Travelling by bullet train to Shanghai and exploring modern landmarks like The Bund, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and Shanghai Disneyland highlights the contrast between ancient traditions and contemporary innovation.

These experiences foster independence, resilience, and global awareness, helping students develop confidence and adaptability. Student exchange programs like this nurture curiosity, respect for diversity, and a global mindset, preparing young learners to engage thoughtfully and compassionately in an increasingly interconnected world. Please DM me for more information as numbers are limited.

Parent Information Evening

Our annual Parent information Evening will be held on Wednesday 4th of February starting at 4:30pm in the Chapel and then moving to your child’s classroom at 5:15pm. During this time Year 4-6 parents will receive information about camps and answering any questions you might have about the year ahead. A sausage sizzle will be available from 6:00pm.

Lunch & Canteen

All primary students will be given time to eat lunch inside their classroom. Students from Year 4-6 will be permitted to purchase snacks from the canteen during the last 15 minutes of lunch. Please note the canteen is cashless and students will be required to pay by card.

Dismissal Information for Parents - Kiss and Go

· Prep Students: Prep students will be picked up at 3:05 pm (Term 1 only) from the Sport Centre ‘Kiss and Go’.

· Kiss and Go Zone:

Families with children in Years 1-6 may enter the Kiss and Go zone starting at 3:15pm.

Only Primary parents can enter Kiss and Go from 3:15pm to 3:30pm.

If you have children in both Primary and Secondary, please wait until 3:30pm to enter the Kiss and Go zone.

Vehicles blocking the Kiss and Go zone will be asked to move on, loop around, and return at the appropriate time to reduce congestion along Springvale Road.

· Important Reminders:

Please pull forward as far as possible in the Kiss and Go zone to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimise gaps between cars.

All Primary students are to remain in the Sport Centre until they are picked up by a parent/guardian.

Students who have a sibling in Secondary may be picked up by their sibling after 3:30pm and will need to be supervised by their older sibling.

Primary students are not permitted to wait in other areas to be picked up i.e. nearby park.

· New Signage:

Your child will be given a new laminated A4 sign to display on your car dashboard during pick-up. This helps staff assist students exiting the premises safely. Be sure to have the sign visible as you enter the school gate for afterschool pickup.

After School Care

After School Care at LCC is provided by Camp Australia, a company with an experienced team of educators who create a safe, engaging environment for your child outside of school hours. Through enriching experiences, Camp Australia helps students learn and grow by focusing on building confidence, curiosity, and resilience.

Students who regularly attend After School Care will be picked up by Camp Australia staff at 3:15pm each day. Our Primary staff are off-ground supervision duty from 3:45pm.

We now require all Primary students to be registered for the Camp Australia After School Care program in the next couple of weeks using the link provided below for those who are new to LCC 2025 or not previously registered. Registration is free, and charges will only apply if you use the service.

Additionally, there is a form that must be filled out and signed, providing consent for the teacher on duty to escort your child safely to After School Care at 3:45pm if you are unable to pick them up on time. This form, along with the online registration, is required by both the school and Camp Australia to activate your child’s enrolment in the program.

This process ensures that your child is cared for until 6:00pm, providing peace of mind in case of an emergency or if you’re running late.

https://auth-cust.campaustralia.com.au/

Click on this link to register your child/children. You will only be charged when you use the service.

The countdown is on! There are only a few more days until we get to welcome our wonderful students back to school! We are beyond excited to begin a new year of learning together. Year 1-6 students will return on Tuesday, January 27th, and our Prep students will join us on Thursday, January 29th for a half day. You’ll find the dates for additional Term 1 events below.

Our classrooms are ready, stationery and textbooks are labelled, and we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of our spectacular students. It’s going to be an unforgettable year of learning and fun. Welcome back, Primary.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Samantha Leonardis

Deputy Principal LCC – Head of Primary ELC-6