Newsletter- Term 2 Week 10 2024

School Feedback

Student Voice and Agency is a valued and priorities aspect of Newcomb Secondary College. We look to provide platforms and forums for students to share their voice on our college facilities, programs and activities. Such information and feedback is listened to and reviewed by college leadership and relevant teams to, in turn action suitable responses to enable growth as a school. Last week, the 2024 Attitudes to School survey was conducted by all students present. The preliminary data is in, and we have already begun the process of reflection and action as a response to the feedback. Shortly, our staff will undertake the Staff Opinion survey and then parent/ carers will have their turn- both in Term 3.

General Assessment Test

As I write this Newsletter article, our students undertaking a Senior VCE course are completing the General Assessment Test (GAT). The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a pen-and-paper test of general knowledge and skills taken by students while completing their senior secondary studies. The GAT plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessments and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at a senior secondary level. No special study is needed. Past study of subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and History prepares students for the GAT by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy and reasoning.

Mobile Phone Policy

A further reminder to our college community that in Semester two we will be strengthening our Mobile Phone policy. As has been shared throughout the Term in this Newsletter, with students at Assemblies and via messages on Compass, the premise of the Departments Mobile Phone policy is an important social and learning aid for students and schools.

It is important to note the Department’s policy guidelines-

• Students who bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours.

• For the purpose of this policy, a mobile phone is a telephone with access to a cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network.

• Exceptions to the policy may be applied if certain conditions are met. Exceptions can be granted by the principal, or by a teacher. Exceptions must be documented.

• Schools must provide secure storage.

• Schools are required to develop a local policy on students using mobile phones, which must include how this ministerial policy will be implemented and may include other personal devices in addition to mobile phones.

• Schools will manage non-compliance with their local mobile phone policy in accordance with their existing student engagement policies.

• Schools should review their local policy as part of their regular cycle of review for school policies.

In Semester two, Newcomb Secondary College will enforce a strengthening of our local Mobile Phone policy, in support of assisting students to follow the ministerial order as it is intended. Thus, students who fail to have their mobile phones switched off and securely stored (in locker) during the school day, and thus are caught using their device will be asked to relinquish it for the remainder of the school day. As noted in the Departments Mobile Phone policy, and to be reflected on the local Newcomb Secondary College policy in Semester two-

• Schools will enforce the policy under their existing student engagement policies, for example, through detention or a loss of school-based privileges, where students fail to comply with the local school policy on mobile phones, including if they refuse to relinquish their phones to school staff when asked.

• Where students have relinquished their mobile phones to school staff, schools are expected to return them to the student or parent/carer at the end of the school day. This is to support student safety when travelling to and from school, during which times carrying a mobile phone may help to manage risks of harm.

The purpose of our proactive transparency with this policy strengthening soon to be implemented is to provide opportunities for our college community (staff, students, and parents/ carers) to best prepare for a smooth transition. We appreciate that for some students changing existing dependencies or habits will be a challenge, but it is one that is for the right reasons, and one that together we will all (staff, students, and parents/ carers) provide support with.

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