From the Principal Team
As we near the end of a busy and at times challenging term, it is important to recognise some very positive experiences. An example of this is our Year 7 Camp, which took place in Week 6 at the picturesque Burnside Camp in Anglesea.
The students and some highly dedicated members of staff braved chilly coastal elements to tackle a range of outdoor activities, including mountain bike riding, bush walking and a high ropes course. Members of the principal leadership team were impressed upon their visits by the level of camaraderie and optimism on display by the camps participants, and would like to express our congratulations and appreciation for the efforts of all involved.
At the time of writing, the Year 10 students are also enjoying an overnight retreat at the Doxa Campsite, in the central Victorian town of Malmsbury. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted some icy weather over the coming days, so hopefully everybody is rugged up and ready for anything!
Week 8 will see a number of excursions and incursions, including a City of Greater Geelong BBQ for our students on Tuesday (June 14th), and several visits to the Geelong Tech School. Also in Week 8, all staff at Newcomb Secondary College will be participating in two days of school-wide professional learning, made possible by our partnership with the Barwon Adolescent Taskforce (BATForce).
At a recent meeting, School Council gave their consent for the use of these two days (Thursday, June 16th and Friday, June 17th), and we thank parents and carers for their understanding and support. We recognise that it is not ideal timing for the two consecutive days of professional learning, given it is in the same week as the Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday (Monday, June 13th). However, this was the only availability for the providers of what will be an immensely valuable professional learning experience for all of our staff. The use of these two days for staff professional learning will also mean that there will be no pupil free day in Term 3.
With just a little over one week to go now until the end of Semester 1, we sincerely hope that everybody can remain focused on their learning goals, their future aspirations and their own inherent capacity to be a force for good in this world.
Stay positive, stay warm and stay well!
Phil Honeywell, Principal
Scott McLeod, Assistant Principal
James Murphy, Assistant Principal
Year 7 Camp
Last week at the Year 7 Adventure Camp in Anglesea students and staff endured the chilly days (and sometimes noisy!) nights and woke up each morning with a smile on their faces awaiting the days new activities.
The camp was designed for our year 7 students to have fun, get to know each other a little better and to try something new. The motto of the camp was “challenge by choice”, enabling students to participate in activities that they felt comfortable with. The challenges and activities on offer were canoeing, mountain bike riding, and a high ropes course with an exhilarating flying fox.
During their free time students played volleyball, basketball, pool, and jumped (sometimes back flipped!) on the trampoline. In the evenings staff and students participated in a game’s night in the hall, an adventurous night walk and a disco on the final night ran by our special guest DJ - Dancing Tony (AKA the fantastic Mr Curnick).
All of the students had a memorable and positive experience, and should be very proud of themselves for displaying teamwork, resilience and perseverance.
A big thank you to Mr Bamford, Ms Hill, Mr Relouw, Ms Leech, Mr Unmack and Ms Muir.
- Ms Hunt
In My Classes
Kia ora!
Our tribe in HG84 are getting into the swing of island life learning about traditional Māori facial tattoos.
Ka kite ano
😊Mrs Honeywell
(Please click on photos to enlarge)
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Last week selected Year 7 students visited Tate Street Primary School's Grade 1 & 2's students as part of the picture story analysis unit they’re studying. Our Year 7's asked the Tate Street students a range of guiding questions, we look forward to returning with our finished books in a couple of weeks. Thanks for having us Tate Street PS!
(Please click on photos to enlarge)
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Our 9/10 Cafe skills class created lemon meringue cupcakes last week. YUMM!!
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Shayla, Ayesha, Anna and Zara were worthy recipients of the Positive Acknowledgement Canteen Vouchers at our Year 8 assembly last week. As was Bill who isn't pictured.
Thanks Mr Murphy for always making us feel good about ourselves.
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3219 represent! Here are the Year 8's who placed at the school Cross Country earlier in May.
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Jett showcasing his amazing airbrush work from 9/10 VCD
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Year 12's Samantha, Kasey and Bella completed 3 experiments investigating the limiting factors of photosynthesis and respiration.
(Please click on photos to enlarge)
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We were so incredibly lucky to have Ibu Maria, an Indonesian dancer visit NSC last week. So much joy, laughter and colour
(Please click on photos to enlarge)
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On such a chilly day, it was great to have a short introductory lesson about the Hermannsburg Potters who are some of Australia's most significant artists working today. They bring the vibrant landscape and spirit of Australia to life.
The students then continued with their individual works whilst others joined in with Ms Andi continuing our group mosaic project featuring wild botanicals!
Keep making and creating artists.
😊Mrs Honeywell
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Intermediate Concert Band performance and workshop at Bannockburn P-12 school. Congratulations to all music students who participated in this event.
Term 2 Sports Update
During Term 2 we have had many opportunities and events for sport.
Students from all year levels attended Hoop City, a professional Basketball training facility. Students were able to see what equipment and training is used in an elite training facility.
We have also seen our Intermediate Boys football team and Year 7 & 8 Girls Netball compete in the Interschool competition. We will have our Year 7 & 8 Boys Netball Team competing on the 7th of June. All teams have participated well and represented Newcomb Secondary with great pride and respect!
Our House Cross Country and Interschool Cross Country also took place this term, with students braving the wet and cold conditions on both days! Despite this it was great to see all students participating and giving maximum effort. Our House Cross Country saw Harrison as our House champions.
There are many sporting opportunities for all year levels in Term 3, so for any student interested please ensure you have signed up via our compass sign up!
Go Seahorses.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
KGI School Visit
A big warm ‘hello’ to all our Koorie families.
I hope all of you and your families are keeping well.
Ms Teakle has kindly organised for a KGI School Visit to NSC.
We have liased with Ms. Natasha Lieschke, a member of the Indigenous Projects Executive to workshop with our NSC Indigenous students in on Wednesday 15th June at 9am-11.30am in the Auditorium.
Q: Who is KGI and what is that organisation all about?
‘REAL Schools is a school-based program that introduces Indigenous students to the work of the Korin Gamadji Institute. Within this program, students will learn about the Richmond Emerging Aboriginal Leadership (REAL) program, including an introduction to the three key pillars of the program: Leadership, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and Culture.’
Below is a link to the Schools Program Brochure so you can read a little more about what to expect.
https://kgi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/korin-gamadji-program-brochure-REAL-schools.pdf
What a wonderful opportunity for our students to build their confidence, connection and understanding of themselves and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
A big thankyou to Ms Teakle for organising this event and connecting us with the Korin Gamadji Institute.
Kind Regards from the NSC Yarning Circle Team.
😊 Ms Amanda Davis, Ms Amanda Patterson & Mrs Su Honeywell
COVID Update
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
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
Community Events
