College Council

Newcomb Secondary College Council took place last Thursday evening. Among the items discussed were the College facilities master plan, Assessment and Reporting strategies and the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Council approved Thursday 26 May as a Term 2 Teacher Professional Practice Day. To set this over one day is in line with the progress of the new enterprise agreement and therefore there will not be any students in attendance.

Council approved Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June as Pupil Free Days for the purpose of staff concluding the Berry Street Training Program which was commenced last year. The use of the two days will mean that there will not be a pupil free day in term 3.

Berry Street Educational Model

This provides strategies for teaching and learning that enables teachers to increase engagement of students with complex, unmet learning needs and to successfully improve all students self-regulation, relationships, wellbeing, growth and academic achievement. Newcomb Secondary College staff will conclude this 4 day training course on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June.
A significant advantage here is that we are all learning this at the same time.

Phil Honeywell, Principal
Scott McLeod, Assistant Principal
James Murphy, Assistant Principal

COVID UPDATE

New household contact information:

• You are a household contact if you have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility.
• Your household contact period is 7 days.
• You don’t have to quarantine during this 7-day period if you:
• test negative using a rapid antigen test on 5 days of the 7-day period (with tests spaced at least 24 hours apart)
• wear a mask indoors when outside your home
• do not visit hospitals or care facilities
• notify your employer or education facility
• If you do not follow these steps, you must quarantine for the 7-day period – and you are required to get tested on Day 1 and Day 6.
• If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you must report your result and isolate for 7 days. Visit Reporting your result page for more information.
• Household contacts are also referred to as close contacts.

Rapid Antigen Testing

Testing change:

• from Monday 23 May 2022, it is recommended RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
• It will no longer be recommended that non-symptomatic students or staff conduct RATs twice a week.
• RATs are also required to be used for 5 days if a student or staff member is a close contact of a confirmed case and they are attending or working at a school.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• If your child is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they can continue to attend school, but you should monitor for symptoms.
• Students who show symptoms of COVID-19 cannot attend school and should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
• Students should continue with twice-a-week rapid antigen testing on school days.
• Students who have recovered from COVID-19 do not need to participate in surveillance testing for 30 days after their isolation period has ended.
• For information on symptoms visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks.
• For more information on how to get tested visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/taking-test-covid-19.

If your child returns a positive result, your child has COVID-19. You must:

• quarantine your child for seven days
• advise the school about the positive result
• Your child must stay home until their symptoms have resolved and they are well

Reporting your child’s positive test

If your child was at school when they were infectious you need to report the positive case through the Student COVID-19 Test Portal or you can notify the school in writing or by phone.

You must also report your child’s positive test to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

Further information for languages other than English

If you or someone you know needs assistance with translating this information, please contact the school office for details of interpreter options.

Financial support available to people affected by COVID-19:

For more information, visit:

Financial and other support for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria

If you need a payment during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Getting help during coronavirus (COVID-19) - Services Australia

General advice and support

For general advice and support please call the Department of Education and Training COVID-19 hotline on 1800 338 663.

You can also contact the school:

Phone: 5248 1400

Email: Newcomb.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Advice and further resources about what to do if you test positive to COVID-19, or you have been told you are a contact, are at: Your COVID Checklist | Coronavirus Victoria, or call the 24/7 Coronavirus hotline on: 1800 675 398

Exciting news for students studying Certificate III in Information Technology

Brand new industry partner EVOLOGIC is joining our P-TECH Program

Evologic delivers expert, customised IT solutions to support the growing needs of a business. They drive change by connecting technology to business outcomes, implementing intelligent strategies that will streamline and progress business operations.

Evologic are currently supporting two of our students Pete and Hunter who have regular work placements after completing their Certificate III in IT in 2021.

Recently Year 10 student Rebecca enjoyed a one week work experience where she experienced many aspects of the business including some time in the finance department.

It is very exciting to have Evologic on board and we look forward to advancing our partnership with them.

Year 11 & 12 Visual Communication Design students are working on their design briefs, rendering sunglasses using greylead, coloured pencils and watercolour paints.

Some students were also finishing off some fabulous restaurant logos using Adobe Photoshop. 
- Mrs Honeywell

(Click on photos to enlarge) 

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This term in PE students from class 81 have been exploring hockey and the different ways the sport is played.
On the 17th May class 81 went out to Newtown Rollerway to test their hockey skills. The class strapped their skates on before jumping in the rink to test their hockey and skating skills. All students had a great time and gave it their best shot!
- Mr Relouw 

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The kiln is open and here are some of the treasures created by our Year 9/10 Ceramics class! - Mrs Honeywell

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Yarning Circle News.

On Monday 23^rd May I was speaking to one of our Koorie students Jonny, who spoke about his positive experience over the weekend for ‘Reconciliation in the Park’.

The 2022 theme is: ‘Be brave. Make change.’

Reconciliation Week 27^th May - 3^rd June marks a time when the Reconciliation Australia organisation is asking everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives; where they live work, play and socialize.

It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.’

This week we will be playing some tunes that have been curated by our friend Troy Benjamin a Tati tati, Wadi Wadi, Muti Muti, Wamba Wamba and Latje Latje man, raised in Dijilong (Geelong), a local indigenous radio presenter on 3KND Kool ‘n’ Deadly.

Take care, stay warm and follow your dreams with an open mind and heart.

😊 Ms Amanda Patterson, Ms Amanda Davis and Mrs Su Honeywell

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Class 84 had a whole lot of fun creating their own unique political parties in Humanities for our Civics and Citizenship Unit. The students displayed great maturity, thoughtfulness and vision when determining what policies they were going to put forward.
It is wonderful to see our young people settle into a group situation and work out how to collaborate with one another.

After the students made their posters, delivered their polished speeches accompanied by motivational music to the class. We voted and then the Electoral Commission Returning Officer aka Mr Curnick, came in to count the votes to determine the winner.

Fantastic to see democracy in action!

- Mrs Honeywell