Newsletter- Term 3 Week 3 2024

Feedback Week

We have entered Feedback Week. As you will be aware, this is the week that our staff provide additional feedback to students in the form of our Personal Learning Qualities (PLQs). Set against our School Values of Learning, Respect and Working Together, this information is a timely opportunity to reflect and engage in discussions together at home celebrating the positive achievements, identifying further growth opportunities and making plans, goals and targets aimed at continued or future success.

Positive Learning Quality (example)

Respect

We speak often as a school, with our students and to our community about respect. Respect is, and always will be a non-negotiable for us. It is an expectation we have of our students and community- it too should be something you expect of Newcomb Secondary College. I am privileged to frequently receive positive feedback from members of our community and organisations regarding the way Newcomb Secondary College students present and conduct themselves. The feedback regularly features phrases such as ‘such respectful young people’ and ‘helpful, considerate, kind and generous'. Unfortunately, at times, I too receive feedback from our community about conduct of students that doesn’t meet community standards or Newcomb Secondary College values. Can I thank those of you who model our school values in the community in such a positive way- you are certainly recognised! And for those of you who at times lower your standards, make disappointing choices, can I ask that you reflect on your choices and seek the supports necessary to ensure that all future decisions are considered, positive and in line with community standards and school expectations.

Together with all college stakeholders and community partners, we endeavour to ensure all Newcomb Secondary College students realise their full potential and grow into capable, competent, positive and productive community citizens. The Newcomb Secondary College Positive Futures Framework offers guidance for what skills and attributes we look to foster in our students- it is a timely reminder to remain focussed on these attributes at every opportunity.

Western Chance Scholarships

Three students of NSC have recently been successful recipients of the Western Chance Scholarships. What are the scholarships? The following will help explain-

Western Chances provides scholarships to talented and motivated young people in Melbourne’s west and the City of Greater Geelong. We collaborate with government secondary schools across these areas to provide young people with scholarships to fund essential educational items that have a big impact and renew their scholarships each year while they are pursuing their education and remain eligible. Since 2004, we have supported over 3,750 young people, invested nearly $9 million in scholarship funds and facilitated over 4,000 free learning and development opportunities valued at $4.3 million. By 2025 our goal is to empower 1,000 young people a year with a Western Chances scholarship. Scholarships range in value from $600 - $1,200 and support basic educational items such as textbooks, digital access, transport and specialist equipment.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must:

• · Demonstrate talent through high academic/artistic achievement, motivation and commitment to education or a pathway. Eligibility is met by the student performing at the ‘At Standard’ level across subjects with ‘Above Standard’ in 1-2 subjects aligned with their pathway.

Congratulations goes to Emily Carter (Year 10), Austin Anthony (Year 12) and Zara Stenton-Dozey (Year 10).

House Olympics + Lockers

Last week was an exciting one at Newcomb Secondary College. Now, I know I can highlight so many great achievements, but on this occasion, I wish to focus on two. The first being the NSC House Olympics. The event ended last week with the winning house being Harrison- congratulations! That said, the real winners of the NSC House Olympics, like the Paris Games, were those who organised and facilitated the event and those who participated. Such events attract such positive spirit to a setting, are inclusive and bring a smile to the faces of those involved. I know I have mentioned previously that we hold student voice and agency, as well as student leadership in high regard at NSC and this event delivered in spades. Congratulations to our College Captain, Phoebe Cobb for her leadership of this event and the support of our House Captains and Student Leadership Action Meeting (SLAM) team members.

The other highlight for students last week was the receipt of their new lockers. If you have an opportunity, I encourage you to visit the college and see our wonderful new lockers. They are a great addition to the school and with the removal of the previous locker bunkers have given the courtyards a completely new feel. In speaking to students at yesterday's Whole School Assembly, I spoke of how fortunate they were as students to have such innovative lockers and how we expected them to take the upmost care for them. Here is an aspect of my speech-

"With respect to our facility upgrades, rest assured that we continue to be a school that aims to provide state of the art facilities for our you all.

As a result, we expect that each of you will respect and take the upmost care of our shared college facilities- those new and those a little older. You have just received your new lockers. Your lockers are unlike any school lockers in any Geelong school.

In fact, I don’t know of any other student in the state of Victoria that has a locker with multiple charging points for your learning devices. From those in this region that I have spoken to about our lockers, they are universally envious of NSC and you all. Please look after them. You are very fortunate."

2025 Geelong Youth Council - Nominations Open NOW!

Are you aged between 12-17 and interested in having a say, making a difference, and learning more about local government decision-making?

The City of Greater Geelong is looking for 11 passionate new members from the Geelong region to join the 2025 Youth Council Advisory Committee.

Youth Council is an opportunity to share your ideas, discuss issues affecting young people, provide advice to Council, develop an understanding of local government, build your leadership skills, and make heaps of new friends!

If you are interested in this amazing opportunity, make sure you submit an application for the 2025 Youth Council program.

Nominations are open from 12 August - 13 September so head over to our socials @GeelongYouthCouncil or head to the Geelong Webpage.

https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil for more information about how to apply.

If you have any questions or require more information jump on to the Youth Council Instagram page- @GeelongYouthCouncil and DM us, or email Youthcouncil@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Have a great week!

Regards,

Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

81-85 Bellarine Highway | Newcomb 3219

T: (03) 5248 1400 | F: (03) 52483532

Creating Positive Futures

Newcomb Secondary College is fortunate enough to have a Doctors in Schools Program running 2 days a week.

We have both a GP, and Mental Health Nurse that attend onsite to run a clinic on a Tuesday and Wednesday. This clinic is for any student in Years 7-12. The appointments are bulk billed, meaning that there is no cost to families.

Appointments can be made by either contacting the schools Wellbeing Team or calling Bellarine Community Health on 5253 0400.

Students may access this service to address any of the following:

• Physical pain or issues
• Health lifestyle (sleep, diet, nutrition, exercise)
• Mental health
• Sexual health and contraception
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Body image
• Scripts

If you would like to know more, please contact Jane Osborne in our Wellbeing Team.

Jane can either be reached by contacting the school office, or via email at jane.osborne@education.vic.gov.au

Jane Osborne

Newcomb Secondary College

Student Wellbeing & Engagement

Ph: 5248 1400 | 

E: Jane.Osborne@education.vic.gov.au

Welcome!

This health content is brought to you by Doctors in Secondary School.

Please find the selected resources from your healthcare team below. These resources offer a trusted source of relevant health information. We hope you find them helpful and informative.

This week's focus is information on illegal drugs & legal drugs. This searchable A-Z list of alcohol and other drugs describes the physical and psychological effects of drugs, the risks associated with them, how to respond in an emergency, legal information and links to support groups.

To learn more, visit the webpage by, clicking here.

You can also access the information via QR code.

COGG Parent Education Events Term 3 2024 PDF

JUNIOR MUSIC CAMP

On Monday 5^th of August our Year 7 and 8 Instrumental Music students attended our 3-day Music camp, staying at Angahook Holiday Camp.

All students made fantastic progress on learning some new challenging band pieces; it was great to see the confidence of the Year 7 musicians grow over the three days with the support and encouragement of the Year 8 students in the joint band rehearsals.

The students also got to participate in many of the camps outdoor adventure activities such as the Giant Swing, Rock Wall and Zip line, ably supported by Mr Relouw.

A big thank you also to Mr Curnick for coming down on Tuesday night with his awesome dance music for Party night – a great atmosphere was created with disco lights, pumping tunes as well as getting to play some fun dancing games and competitions.

All bands are now working towards our Annual School Concert in Term 4, with the Year 8 Intermediate Band also planning a performance tour of local Primary Schools.

The After School Homework Club is in Room B2 every day except Thursdays. Students are welcome to attend to catch up on classwork, complete homework, receive individual tutoring or to work with classmates on a group project. They may attend for 15 minutes to sort out just one problem or they may attend right up to 5pm to accomplish a greater amount of learning. Those who attend will be awarded a positive learning chronicle (with reward token) and will be offered food and hot chocolates!! 

Mr Curnick

Year 9/10 Indonesian Melbourne Zoo Excursion

Last Thursday our Year 9/10 Indonesian students were lucky enough to go to the Melbourne Zoo for their animal conservation projects.

We had plenty of fun learning about animals from Indonesia and learning about the conservation efforts in place to protect these beautiful animals.

The students took plenty of photos and travelled around the globe from exhibit to exhibit.

My highlight had to be the butterfly room (always my favourite) and the elephants.

We even managed to get a class mascot: Pak Jimmy Karl the orangutan, affectionately known as Jimmay (see below).

- Bu Ramsay

Beacon Foundation HIP Perform Incursion

Last Friday, our Year 12 VM students participated in an all-day Incursion from the Beacon Foundation entitled HIP Perform. The program supports young people to feel ready to take up employment opportunities. We explored personality styles to grow self-awareness. Business volunteers shared career insights and facilitated small group workshops on topics such as elevator pitching, resumes, interviews, networking, conflict resolution and goal setting. HIP Perform offered our Year 12 VM students a rare and exciting opportunity to practice communicating with professional people in a supported environment, with free pizza!

Animals, Empathy and Ethics Inquiry Project Presentation

Students in Year 12 VM demonstrated their learnings and understandings from their Animals, Empathy and Ethics Inquiry Project on Friday 2^nd August. Students invited a special person (parent, guardian, grandparent, friend) to the morning tea to help celebrate their learning. Each inquiry was based on the group’s chosen theme- we heard about crocodile farming, adopt not shop, rehoming greyhounds, life after horse racing, animal testing, over-fishing, and animal fighting. Thanks to Roaming Reptiles, we even had a saltwater crocodile (baby) in the room! Students are to be congratulated for their efforts, such a great showcase of their learning.

Megan Jolly

Leader of Engagement (10-12)

Newcomb Secondary College

On the 12 of August the Year 8 boys went out to the Geelong Basketball Netball Centre to participate in the basketball tournament. We played three games in game 1 we played North Geelong and fought it out and unfortunately came up short. Game 2 we played Lara and strong defence throughout the entirety of the game but due to some bad calls came up short. Game 3 we played northern bay we all played a big part in the win, we rebounded, boxed out and set screens to get a well-deserved win. A big thanks to Mr Bell, Jane, Hamish and Harley.

Be Bold Be Heard update!

This Friday, our Be Bold Be Heard girls are heading out to Lara Secondary College for their third forum. They have done an amazing job so far focusing on community engagement, in and outside of the school with their previous events and activities.

Their next event is for BOOK WEEK!

Our Be Bold Be Heard girls are excited to announce that they are managing two of the activities across the week of festivities!

WHOLE SCHOOL DRESS UP DAY THURSDAY AUGUST 22ND 2024

On Thursday, August 22^nd, the girls have planned a Book Week Dress Up Day. The theme this year is ‘Reading is Magic’ so we ask that you dress up as something magical or a character from your favourite book. There will be a ‘parade’ during recess (IN THE LIBRARY) for those who wish to enter, with a prize (CANTEEN VOUCHERS) for best dressed in each year level.
Teachers – don’t be shy, we need you to dress up too!

There will also be a Book Drive running throughout the whole week. If you have any books (for any age) that you wish to donate, please bring them to school and drop them off in the library in the box with your house colour – as donations will accumulate house points!

OurSchool Alumni event – KPMG Industry Insights

On Thursday 09/08/2024 five of our senior Newcomb Secondary students (Riley Cameron, James Caruana, Cody Englert, Scarlett Johannesen and Remy OHara) and 2 staff members Ms. Megan Fell (Senior Pathways) and Miss Marshall (Librarian, N.S.C. Class of 1991) were invited to visit the Geelong offices of KPMG, (a global professional services company), to explore leadership, accounting, finance and corporate careers. They heard about career pathways at KPMG and took part in small group discussions with KPMG staff about their own personal study and career journeys. It was inspiring to hear from all of the speakers including alumni from Newcomb Secondary College Caroline Milburn, (Co-founder of the OurSchool Alumni program) and from Gabby Pappalardo, (Senior Consultant at KPMG). Senior students from all of the invited schools and their accompanying teachers enjoyed the tour of the multi-level modern business premises to have a look at workplace layouts including ergonomic office design and OH&S practices.

Students from Newcomb Secondary College, Northern Bay College, North Geelong Secondary College and Western Heights College, school staff and KPMG staff had a chance to mingle and network over a delicious lunch at the KPMG premises overlooking the Waterfront of Geelong. We would like to take this opportunity to thank OurSchool staff Caroline Milburn, Michelle Buxton and Jaimee Kindt and all of the very welcoming KPMG staff especially our main presenters Corrina Bertram, Paul Robson, Dana Bentley, Matthew Fletcher, Josh O’Sullivan, Gab Pappalardo and Claire Richards as well as our personal tour leader KPMG Consultant Isabelle Banovac.

Miss Marshall (Librarian at Newcomb Secondary College)

Ms Fell (Senior Pathways at Newcomb Secondary College)

Ruby-Rose Braddock (Year 11) and one of our former students (Imogen O’Shannessy) have both been awarded a Geelong Youth Award!

Young people making an outstanding contribution across Greater Geelong have been recognised at the annual Geelong Youth Awards.

The City of Greater Geelong presented awards in nine categories at Friday night’s ceremony at Geelong West Town Hall, recognising the contributions of young people aged between 12 and 25 years who live, work, learn or play in Greater Geelong.

The awards ranged across areas of leadership, innovation, cultural awareness, community work, sport, arts, music and youth development.

Youth Council members were highly involved in the Youth Awards, developing the Unsung Hero Award category and participating on the judging panel as well as speaking at the awards ceremony.

Please see the following link Geelong Youth Awards winners announced - City of Greater Geelong (geelongaustralia.com.au) for more information.

Leadership Award:

Imogen O’Shannessy, 16, currently serves on five advisory committees in addition to the FReeZa committee that plans youth events. Imogen was a Youth Council 2022 member and is participating in the 2024 Victorian Youth Parliament, advocating to reduce disability discrimination, a cause close to her heart as a carer for their mother who lives with a disability.

Unsung Hero Award:

Ruby-Rose Braddock, 17, supports her school with planning events such as Wear It Purple, IDAHOBIT day and R U Ok Day. In 2023, Ruby-Rose represented Geelong in the Youth Parliament team, where she sponsored the bill ‘Disability Inclusion in Victorian Secondary Education’. A carer for her mother and grandmother, Ruby-Rose has been described as incredibly humble.

2025 Geelong Youth Council - Nominations Open NOW!

Are you aged between 12-17 and interested in having a say, making a difference, and learning more about local government decision-making?

The City of Greater Geelong is looking for 11 passionate new members from the Geelong region to join the 2025 Youth Council Advisory Committee.

Youth Council is an opportunity to share your ideas, discuss issues affecting young people, provide advice to Council, develop an understanding of local government, build your leadership skills, and make heaps of new friends!

If you are interested in this amazing opportunity, make sure you submit an application for the 2025 Youth Council program.

Nominations are open from 12 August - 13 September so head over to our socials @GeelongYouthCouncil or head to the Geelong Webpage

https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil for more information about how to apply.

If you have any questions or require more information jump on to the Youth Council Instagram page- @GeelongYouthCouncil and DM us, or email Youthcouncil@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

* Tuesdays (Weekly): CBCA Shadow Judging Book Club with Miss Marshall - members only at this stage as we prepare to vote for our favourite Older Readers Fiction books.

CBCA Sun Project: Shadow Judging – Young voices welcome here

* Tuesdays (Weekly): Games Club - Board games, movies, karaoke and popcorn!

Joining in and having fun is central to the success of Games Club. Run by Vanessa (City of Greater Geelong) and Ms Noor Al-Assafi (our Newcomb Secondary College Social Worker), we have an outstanding turnout of students enjoying the warmth, friendship and fun in the school library every Tuesday lunchtime. Students love having access to the VR Xbox, Nintendo switch, board and card games! There will also be special craft activities and theme days!

* Wednesdays (Fortnightly): Geelong Regional Library with Ms Laura Farrington 

Manga, mysteries, magic, trivia games and craft are on the table when Laura is visiting from Geelong Regional Library Corporation. Newcomb Secondary students particularly enjoy using their badge maker machine and special activities like Easter, Halloween, Christmas and Idahobit Day crafts. We are very fortunate to be right next door to Newcomb Library where Miss Laura Farrington is the Children's and Youth Services Librarian. 

Our Term 3 2024 schedule of visits are as follows: 

Theme: Magic & Monsters

Wed 24 July – Monster Rock painting (With Sharpies, not paint) “Let’s talk about your favourite Book/Movie villain”

Wed 7 Aug – DIY Magic Wand “Favourite Fantasy Novel & How Magic Works in books vs Tv”

Wed 21 Aug – Book Week Kahoot Harry Potter HOUSE CUP competition (with Miss Marshall) & additional craft activity Magic Bookmarks for colouring and sewing

Wed 4 Sept – Glow in the Dark Silhouette “Haunted house movies and Scary Books”

Wed 18 Sept – Trivia

* Thursdays (Weekly): Craft Club with Miss Marshall: Knitting/Sewing/Polymer Clay Jewellery/Pet Rocks

We’re excited to let you know that entries for the 2024 Insight Creative Writing Competition are OPEN. If we have any budding writers from Years 7–12 at our school, please enter! We’d love to see your work.

Here is a quick reminder of the guidelines Insight have made to help students get even more creative with their entries.

• All year levels have an upper limit of 1400 words. There is no minimum word limit.
• We accept other creative writing forms in addition to short stories, including poems, scripts and more.
• This year’s theme (Beauty in the unknown) is optional, giving entrants the freedom to write about anything that inspires them.

To download the submission form and view all conditions of entry, please click below.

DOWNLOAD CONDITIONS OF ENTRY AND SUBMISSION FORM

COMPETITION KEY DATES

Entries open: 18 March 2024
Entries close: 1 September 2024
Longlist announcement: 18 October 2024
Shortlist announcement: 1 November 2024
Awards ceremony: TBA

We’re looking forward to hearing about your stories soon! Good Luck!

Here are some more contact details for the Insight Team

INSIGHT PUBLICATIONS

3/350 Charman Road, Cheltenham 3192 VIC AUSTRALIA

p. +61 3 8571 4950 | m. 0413 131 842 | w. www.insightpublications.com.au