Current Edition | Term 1, Week 3

Ordinary Habits, Extraordinary Outcomes

As the academic year gathers pace, it is worth returning to a powerful insight shared by our 2025 College Dux. Reflecting on his journey, he reminded students that while a single early mark may not determine an ATAR, the habits formed early certainly will.

Finn’s message speaks directly to mindset.

At the beginning of a year, it is easy for students to carry quiet, fixed beliefs about themselves:

• “I’m just not strong in Maths.”
• “English isn’t really my thing.”
• “Other students are naturally academic.”
• “I’ll see how I go.”

A fixed mindset frames ability as static. A growth mindset understands that excellence is built – deliberately and strategically – over time.

Our Dux did not describe a last-minute push in Year 12. Finn described six years of systems: completing homework promptly, using his diary consistently, planning ahead and building discipline until study became “automatic”. 

Aspiration was paired with structure. That is growth mindset in practice.

2025: A Year of Academic Strength

This mindset has borne fruit across the College.

2025 has been a significant academic year:

• This week, we acknowledged our 2025 College Dux, who achieved an outstanding ATAR of 99.55.
• Our VET outcomes were exceptional, with over 620 certificates awarded across 23 courses, reflecting both the strength and breadth of our senior pathways.

Importantly, excellence is not confined to graduates. The College was pleased to recognise:

• 233 Gold Academic Excellence Award recipients
• 279 Gold Academic Engagement Award recipients
• 353 Black Excellence Awards
• 24 Academic Improvement Awards

These numbers tell a story. Excellence at Lauries is visible because students are embracing disciplined habits and intentional systems.

The Principles Behind the Progress

In Ordinary Magic, growth mindset is described through several key principles:

• Avoid negative labels. We are not defined by one result or one season.
• You’re not the only one. Challenge and struggle are normal parts of learning.
• Recognise unhelpful explanations. Growth requires honesty about effort and strategy.
• Forecast improvement. We can get better with deliberate practice.
• Recognise opportunity. Difficulty is often disguised growth.

When students aspire to achieve academically and strategically establish systems: planning their week, attending tutorials, revising consistently, seeking feedback and acting on it, they are enacting these principles. They are choosing growth over comfort.

Supporting Growth: Tutorial and Academic Support

To sustain this culture of disciplined aspiration, we encourage students to make full use of our Academic Support structures.

The Academic Tutoring Schedule – Semester 1, 2026 outlines extensive before school, lunchtime and after school support across the curriculum.

We encourage students to view tutorials and intentional study not as remedial, but as a strategic complement to learning in the classroom. Seeking support is not a sign of limitation; it is a hallmark of maturity.

As the year unfolds, may our students reject the quiet ceilings of a fixed mindset and instead build the systems that allow aspiration to flourish. Ordinary habits, practised consistently, create extraordinary outcomes.

For those who were unable to attend, please see a recording of the event HERE.