Newsletter- Term 2 Week 5 2024

Feedback Week

Can you believe that we have hit the mid-way mark of Term 2? Where did that time go? Yes, this week is week five and it signifies our college Feedback week. Over the course of this week, teachers will be entering feedback on your students’ outcomes and growth against our college values of Learning, Respect and Working Together. The Feedback collated will then be shared with you all on Compass in the form of our Positive Learning Qualities (PLQ). The PLQ feedback will be presented in an easy-to-read graphical representation and will be repeated on four occasions across Semester 1 allowing you to observe and identify any trends in your students’ outcomes. In addition to the PLQ feedback, remember to keep up-to-date and informed of your students’ achievements via their Learning Task results on Compass. Newcomb SC staff also share observations and achievements against our Positive Futures Framework via our Positive Acknowledgements on Compass- these can occur at any time when observed so it is important that you continue to stay connected to Compass. We encourage you to have frequent discussions about with your student about their progress at school and encourage you to reach out to our awesome staff (wellbeing, learning mentors, teachers) should we be able to further inform and support you and your student.

Mobile Phone Ban in School: Newcomb Secondary College Policy strengthening.

You will have noticed that over the course of this year, I have reminded the Newcomb Secondary College community of the Department of Education’s Mobile Phone Ban in all state schools. The Newsletter articles in Term 1 (Week 5) and Term 2 (Week 2) not only highlighted the policy and research underpinning the stance, but equally offered information on exemptions and other frequently asked questions. The communication highlighted that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away during school hours.

As you would be aware, the department requires all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced. The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state. This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions. By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones can cause. We ask for the support of all our families, staff, and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school.

I raise this once again to alert our community that we will be strengthening the application of our mobile phone policy at Newcomb Secondary College, starting semester two. Like other state schools, we do so to ensure that all students comply to the ban, and whilst most students are compliant with the ban, some students do require additional support or oversight to comply. This additional oversight by Newcomb Secondary College leadership and staff is distracting from the work we need to do in support of student learning and wellbeing. As such, and like many other schools, Newcomb Secondary College students will soon be asked to hand-in their mobile phones should they be visible or in use throughout the school day. We need to stress that, again like similar schools, the phones will be stored securely at the administration office and returned to the student, and/or parent, at the end of the school day. This strengthening of the policy and its application at Newcomb Secondary College will not occur until semester two, hence this information is an opportunity for the college community to prepare for the policy strengthening. We thank you for your understanding and support in this important matter and we welcome your feedback.

Victorian Sailing School

In last week’s Newsletter, I made note of the progress on our facility upgrades at Newcomb Secondary College. I can report that they continue to make good progress- students are starting to become very excited about the end product being realised very soon. Equally, I am happy to report that the Victorian Sailing School, the second campus of Newcomb Secondary College is also making great progress. The Victorian Sailing School is situated on Eastern Beach, alongside the big wheel. I am sure that you have seen the construction site and may not have appreciated that the site itself, and the construction of the building is part of our college.

The Victorian Sailing School offers a sailing program to students from all over the state of Victoria. It is a program that is conducted by Newcomb Secondary College staff. We are excited to be able to open the $12 million dollar facility in 2025, with our Royal Geelong Yacht Club and community partners, and look forward to Newcomb Secondary College and other state school students benefiting from the amazing resource for many years to come.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

81-85 Bellarine Highway | Newcomb 3219

T: (03) 5248 1400 | F: (03) 5248352

Creating Positive Futures