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 14^th), 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 16^th and Friday, June 17^th), 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 13^th). 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