College Life

Your Responsibilities 
You will be treated as a young adult at Lake Tuggeranong College. This means in effect that you will be given much more responsibility for making your own decisions than was the case at High School.
Relationships between staff and students are one of the great things about being at College, and something for students to value and remember. In relating as equals, staff and students usually are on a first name basis. Whilst you may feel that there is more freedom at College you will soon learn that making the right decisions will ensure that your time at Lake Tuggeranong College will be rewarding. Poor decisions may severely hamper your career and life aspirations.

Relations with other Students
The few rules that we do have at Lake Tuggeranong are based on mutual respect and common courtesy. There is a place for everyone in this College, regardless of race, religion, skin colour, family income or intellectual or physical ability. This means that each person must be free to pursue their own interests without interference or hassle, provided that in doing so they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Sport
Lake Tuggeranong College offers an extensive range of sporting activities in which all students should participate.
Inter College sport takes place each Thursday afternoon as part of the Registered Units program. Competition involves all ACT Colleges. Sports vary depending on the time of year. In addition, sporting activities are organised for lunchtimes and take place in the gym. Numerous one-day inter-College championships are also held throughout the year.
To find out more about the College sports program, call in at the PE staffroom or check on the Sport noticeboard near the gymnasium.

Excursions
Excursions are a regular part of many courses. When you enrol, your parents are asked to sign a general excursion permission form which will allow you to go on local excursions in class time.
You will not be allowed to go on an overnight excursion or interstate at any time without a permission note which applies to that particular excursion.
There are some excursions which you are entitled to go on but which do not form part of your class work. These include sports trips and Duke of Edinburgh excursions.
Many excursions have a cost which you are required to pay before you can go. If cost is a problem with an academic excursion you should speak to the Principal some time before the excursion is due to leave.
You may not travel on an excursion in your own car or as a passenger with another student unless you have a note signed by a parent giving permission and specific details of registration, driver and insurance.
Generally, excursions will not be run in the period leading up to a major assessment period. Remember that if there is a conflict your classwork should take priority.

Eating, Drinking, Smoking and Drugs
The Student Common Room is the only place where food and drink can be consumed in the College, unless specific permission is obtained from a teacher who is with you at the time.
Lake Tuggeranong College is a smoke free campus. We actively discourage smoking. There is an R unit QUITS course available at the College for which students may gain credit.
Alcohol and other drugs are not tolerated at the College. If drugs are suspected of being sold, the police will be informed.
The College has Drug Concern Officers and workers from the Drug Referral and Information Centre (DIRECTIONS) visit the College regularly. Students are encouraged to approach them. All discussions are treated confidentially.

Dress
There is no uniform but students are expected to dress in a neat and reasonable fashion. Some form of footwear should always be worn. Singlets should not be worn as a top and T shirts should not have unpleasant or offensive slogans.

Mobile Phones
Mobile phones should be switched off and put away while a student is in class. Students are not to receive or make calls or messages during class time. If a student is expecting an urgent or highly important call they should inform the teacher at the beginning of class and negotiate a suitable and mutually acceptable arrangement.

The Community
Lake Tuggeranong College is very close to the shops and other Town Centre facilities. The College has a special place as a focal point of business and community activity in the Tuggeranong Town Centre.
As a student of the College, you will be expected to create a good impression. The image of Lake Tuggeranong College is enhanced by common sense and courteous behaviour when in the community.
Excursions are times when a special responsibility must be exercised. Breaches of trust on an excursion will see an early return home at your or your parents’ expense.

Buses
Because Lake Tuggeranong College is situated near a major bus interchange, no special school buses are needed. The College is in constant contact with ACTION to try to ensure that the needs of our students are taken into account in daily route service schedules.

Driving and the College
Car parking facilities for students are across the road from the College in a public car park. We are sure that you will appreciate the need to show care and consideration for others if you are using the car park.
Because the car park is a public space, students will be subject to normal road rules and responsibilities when driving in the car park and should make themselves aware of time restrictions. Students may apply for a ‘parking permit’ which allows free parking in the public carpark.

Skateboards, Roller-blades
These items are not to be used on the school premises. Please leave them at home.

Notes for Absences
Students are expected to provide notes or Medical Certificates for all absences. These should be taken first to the class teacher and then returned to Student Support. Students who are over 18 or who do not live at home may write their own notes but must see Student Support before taking these to teachers. Notes must be supplied within 10 days of an absence.