Welcome to the last newsletter for Term 1, 2025. On reflection, we have enjoyed a really positive start to the school year with so many highlights. Pleasingly, we have witnessed improved attendance rates and our students are presenting themselves in a positive manner, dressed in full school uniform and remaining respectful to their fellow students and staff. Essentially, it is evident to us all that our students at Newcomb Secondary College in 2025 are exhibiting and living our college values of Learning, Respect and Working Together every day and thus making every post a winner- well done.
As a result, our classrooms and learning environments are predictable, calm, and orderly, with a clear focus on student engagement, stimulating learning and effective teaching time- aka, improved student outcomes. Over the course of Term 2, we will share further information on what our classrooms look, sound, and feel like, including details on our Instructional Model, Berry Street strategies and much more.
Information Evening (March 24)
Last Monday evening we welcomed our community into the college for our annual Information Evening. Once again, we had a fantastic turnout with many complimentary comments and feedback about the school we are and the programs and supports we provide to and for students. As Principal of this wonderful school, it is always a pleasure to showcase our first-class facilities, programs, learning environments and especially our stars of the show, our brilliant staff, and amazing students. We had all our staff in attendance, leading tours and speaking passionately about their subject areas and learning opportunities. Our students equally did an excellent job, demonstrating their leadership by assisting tours, providing demonstrations, cooking food for our community and expressing their gratitude for what Newcomb Secondary College means to them. Seeing the staff and student turnout highlights their commitment to Newcomb Secondary College and further underlines the connectedness of our school with our community. It makes us all very proud of the college community that we have and reinforces the investment of all in ensuring that Newcomb Secondary College continues to be a wonderful school, community, and family to be part of. Thank you.
School Day Tours (Wednesday April 2 + Friday April 4)
This week, we provide yet another opportunity for our community to participate in our great college as we open our college doors to welcome in our community for school day group tours. This is an important complimentary opportunity for students and families of Grade 5 or 6 students who wish to witness life at Newcomb Secondary College during a school day. Bookings can be made via this link, the QR code below, or by contacting the Administration office on 52481400.
Key Upcoming Dates
A few key dates to have on your radar as we draw Term 1 to a close-
Friday April 4
- Last Day of Term 1, school will finish at 2.30pm.
Tuesday April 22
- Term 2 commences
Thursday May 8
- Parent/ Teacher/ Student conferences 4-7pm
Friday May 9
- Parent/ Teacher/ Student conferences 9-12pm
- No regular classes for students
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for a great Term. We wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break spent doing what makes you happy and with those you care about. I encourage you all to review Term 1 as a family and reflect on the feedback provided to you on Learning Tasks and the Personal Learning Qualities (PLQ’s) and set appropriate goals to maintain growth. Equally, take some time to refresh the batteries- Term 2 will be a long term, but one full of positive opportunities, highlights, and much enjoyment for staff and students.
Celebrating Outstanding Achievements: Positive Acknowledgements for Term 1 2025
We are excited to highlight the exceptional accomplishments of students who embody the core values of Learning, Respect, and Working Together at Newcomb Secondary College. Congratulations to the following students who have received the most positive acknowledgements for their homegroups this term:
71 – Lola-May McCallum- Saxon
72 – Venus Cassie & Reilly Hooper
73 – Archie Thomas
74 – Justin Stageman
81 – Hayden Brooker & Jorja Lynch
82 – Lillian Beales-Hogan
83 – Stevie Halloran
84 – Fox Anskaitis
85 – Holly Riordon
91 – Trey Erben-Jager
92 – Sam Gibbons
93 – Brodie Cardigan
94 – Kirra Herd-Young
101 – Levi Roberts
102 – Hamish Mariner
103 – Talydia Williams and Mitchell Dunstan
111 – Everett Kennedy
112 – Zoey Davis
113 – Anna Carlon
121 – Corey Davis
122 – Phoebe Duffin
Your commitment to our school values and positive contributions to our community are truly inspiring.
Furthermore, a special commendation goes to Home Group 84 for collectively demonstrating our values and receiving the most positive acknowledgements. Your teamwork and dedication set an exemplary standard for us all.
Let's continue to uphold our values of Learning, Respect, and Working Together as we celebrate these achievements and strive for excellence together. Well done, everyone!
Congratulations to the following Year 10 students for successfully completing their Peer Support Training. This accomplishment reflects their dedication and commitment to fostering a supportive school environment. As part of their new role, they have begun attending Year 7 homerooms on Monday mornings to build connections and get to know the Year 7 students. Their involvement will undoubtedly contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the school community.
Gracie Whitford- Price and Amity Bridge
Lillie Della Monica and Talydia Williams
Mia Pfarrer and Emma Potter
Ruby Morrissy and Chelsea Morton
The primary objective of the Peer Support Leaders is to establish meaningful connections with Year 7 students, offering support on a peer level when needed. They serve as knowledgeable guides, assisting with a variety of school-related matters, including familiarizing students with the school layout, interpreting timetables, managing lockers, and providing guidance on dealing with bullying. In addition, they offer valuable support in problem-solving, promoting teamwork, and facilitating team-building activities to enhance the overall school experience.
Please congratulate them on their contribution and willingness to volunteer to support other students.
Amanda Patterson. Adolescent Health Promotions Nurse.
From Classroom to Boat Builder: Celebrating Cooper Rodda’s Journey Into the Marine Industry
A Young Talent with a Passion for Boats
At just 15 years old, Cooper Rodda is already making waves in the boating industry. A student from Newcomb Secondary College, Cooper was referred to the Making Waves Foundation in 2023 by one of his teachers who recognised his strong interest in boats and hands-on learning.
The Making Waves Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that uses sailing to build confidence and life skills in young people facing diverse challenges. Their sailing programs inspire, motivate, and open doors to new opportunities. These programs are especially effective for students like Cooper who thrive outside of traditional classrooms.
Support from School and Industry
With boating in his blood—his grandfather Hartley spent over a decade as a naval mechanic—Cooper quickly connected with the program. Seeing his enthusiasm, his Head Start Coordinator Glenn Robertson enrolled him in the Boating Careers Immersion Day in Geelong last year.
“I saw what it would be like to work in the boating industry, and I just thought, this is what I want to do,” said Cooper.
Gaining Real-World Experience
Through the School to Work (S2W) program, Cooper completed work experience at Edencraft International during his school holidays. He enjoyed every moment. Now, he’s preparing to start a school-based apprenticeship (SBAT) in Semester 2 this year, working towards becoming a qualified boat builder.
“I can’t wait to start building boats,” Cooper said. “It’s exciting to learn from a world-class boat manufacturer like Edencraft.”
A Collaborative Success Story
Cooper’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when the right support systems align. Programs like Making Waves, Boating Careers, Head Start, and the GRLLEN network help young people take their first steps toward meaningful careers.
Behind every success story like Cooper’s, there are dedicated teams and educators working hard to make it happen.
We can’t wait to see where Coopers journey takes him. Good luck Cooper from everyone at Newcomb Secondary College!
Our students have been having a wonderful time at Gnurad Gundidj this term. We can’t believe they are almost at the end of their stay there.
Lexie, Maddy B, Maddy M, Kiara, Sheain, Tyler and Linkan have been working really hard on planning and organising their Community Learning Project (CLP) which they will implement when they are back at school in Term 2.
In our final newsletter of the term, our Gnurad Gundidj students will write an update on some of the wonderful experiences they have had during their term-long camp.
The 2025 Athletic Sports Carnival was held on Thursday, 20th March, at Landy Field, marking a memorable and successful event. This year, we witnessed an outstanding turnout and a high level of participation across the entire school community. Students and staff engaged in a variety of exciting athletic events, including discus, javelin, long jump, sprints, relays, and more.
A heartfelt congratulations goes out to all participants, the dedicated cheer squads, and the staff whose hard work and commitment made this event possible. Your enthusiasm and team spirit contributed to making this year's carnival a truly exceptional experience for all involved.
On March 21st, our Senior School Volleyball Team competed against several schools at the Leisuretime Centre, with the team being expertly led by our captain, Katelin Cobb. The team faced two challenging matches against highly skilled opponents but showed resilience and determination. In a hard-fought contest, they ultimately secured a victory in a closely contested match against Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Bell and Ms. Bradshaw for their support, which contributed to making the day a memorable and successful experience for the team.
This term, our Women in Sport class has shown great student voice during our practical sessions. We were lucky enough to have Kerry from the front office take our girls for a Pilates session in the auditorium and spent the afternoon down at Eastern Beach exploring the promenade and walking spaces.
Other sports and activities we’ve looked at this term, include:
Volleyball
Badminton
Boxing
Gym work
During our theory sessions, we have looked at the body systems, taking particular time in the female and male reproductive systems, while linking that into women’s health. We have also started looking at female sportspeople and the differences between female and male presentation in the sporting community.
About The 2025 insight Creative Writing Competition
This competition is open to high school students around Australia as we aim to ignite a passion for creative writing and inspire the voices of the future.
Entering the competition is free and all entrants will have the chance to share in over $3000 worth of cash prizes!
All shortlisted entries will also be judged by acclaimed Australian authors. Past judges have included Alice Pung, Nam Le, Cath Moore, Michael Pryor, Will Kostakis and Jack Henseleit. This year’s shortlist judges will be announced in the coming months, so make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see the official announcement!
The optional theme for 2025 is: Soulmates.
Over the past seven years, we have had the pleasure of reading more than 2000 creative pieces from high school students around the country. If you’re a budding writer in high school, we’d love to see your work.
2025 Important Dates
Competition Opens: 20 March
Competition Closes: 1September
Longlist Announcement: 1October
Shortlist Announcement: 22 October
Awards Ceremony: TBA
For details about how to enter, please click here to download the Conditions of Entry and Submission Form.
‘The Nest Youth Hub is now open Monday to Friday 3:30-6pm! There is FREE FOOD, gaming on PS5, Pool, Table Tennis, and Art Activities. All programs are FREE for young people aged 12-25. Come in and check out our new space at 17 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. For more information, visit https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youth .’
What’s On
Starting from 10 February 2025, drop-in programs will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30pm until 6pm. During drop in times, you can:
Grab a meal and chill out with your mates
Access information and referrals to support services
Play a game of pool, table tennis or video games
Access a computer, a printer, charging stations and free Wi-Fi
Check out the local jobs board and community noticeboard
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Hub will be running closed group activities. Keep an eye on our socials @GeelongYouth early next year for more information including how to register.
The Hub is staffed by members of the City’s Youth Development team, and they will be wearing a lanyard and name tag so you can easily find them.
The Nest Youth Club 17 Gheringhap Street, Geelong.
