Wellbeing Day- Putting smiles on faces!

I have no doubt that all NSC students who participated in last Thursday’s RUOK and Wellbeing Day came home with a big smile on their face (and for those who undertook the colour run, an interesting blend of bright colours on their clothes and throughout their hair)! The day provides an important opportunity for NSC students and staff to focus on our individual and collective Wellbeing. That said, checking-in on each other and supporting the wellbeing of those around us is an endeavour that must not only apply to one feature day. 

At Newcomb Secondary College, we are proud to acknowledge that our Wellbeing structures and supports are available for our students, staff, and our community every day- we are always there to support. Equally, I was highly impressed with the inclusivity of RUOK? day and the terrific level of participation in all of the activities and delicious food that was on offer. There was so much to do for students and a great level of choice for everyone within our college community. 

If only every day could be like this- a vibrant and active school is certainly a great place to be! A big thanks to all that participated, and a special thanks to our wonderful community partners and the staff and students who organised the day!

End of Term Feedback- Personal Learning Qualities (PLQ)

This Friday you will be in receipt of your students Personal Learning Quality (PLQ) feedback on Compass (see example below). This feedback forms cumulative feedback of your student’s attention to their learning throughout the year in each subject area. As you will be aware, the feedback is assessed against our college values of Learning, Respect and Working Together. Given the saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and in the acknowledgement of our collaborative partnership as parents/ carers and a school, it is important that parents/ carers take a moment to review, reflect and discuss the feedback that has been provided to celebrate the successes and determine areas for further growth.

Friday 2.30pm finish, Mobile Phone Policy + Happy Holidays

I wish to end by thanking our wonderful NSC staff and acknowledge the efforts of students throughout Term 3. Yet again, it has been a very busy yet productive term of learning, growth, and opportunities. It has been a term where students commenced by carrying their learning materials with them in their bags before taking possession of brand-new innovative lockers that contained power for charging of learning devices.

Looking forward, in Term 4 we will be able to open and enjoy our amazing new Basketball Courts and adjoining activity spaces.

Can I also take this opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts everyone has put into adhering to the amended Mobile Phone policy. We, quite deliberately, prepared our community of students, staff, and parents/ carers with the amended policy features thoroughly and carefully, and took a responsible staged approach to implement the policy. It has been very pleasing to see the way students have adjusted to the amendments. Equally, the way these amendments have had a positive impact on learning and social interactions has been brilliant. Well done everyone.

On Friday we will end the school day, and thus Term 3 at 2.30pm. Upon this time, we encourage students to take any perishables, and valuables from their lockers home with them. We wish all members of our college community a safe and enjoyable holiday break. We encourage you to take the time for a break, spend time with those you care about and engage in activities that make you happy. We look forward to seeing you all back at on Monday October 7 for the start of Term 4.

Have a great week and a safe break!

Regards,

Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

81-85 Bellarine Highway | Newcomb 3219

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

Creating Positive Futures

Pictured L - R is current Newcomb Secondary College Year 11 student Alex Kley-Foster with ex-Newcomb Secondary College student Jarrod Price and ex-Bellarine Secondary College student Cooper Wagenknecht.

Alex is on work placement on Thursdays, Jarrod is a 4^th year apprentice and Cooper is a 2^nd year apprentice, all with the same employer - Reyment Constructions.

Alex is hoping to be signed up as a school-based apprentice once he gets back from walking the Kokoda Track.

Jarrod went straight into a full-time apprenticeship at the end of Year 10, while Cooper wanted to graduate Year 12 before going full time.

All three students are part of the Head Start Program which helps students pursue a career while at school.

A massive thank you to Shaun Reyment, Director of Reyment Constructions, for giving these students an opportunity to thrive.

If you would like to participate in the Head Start Program or work-based learning at Newcomb Secondary College please get in contact with Careers and Pathways Coordinator Megan Fell whose office is located in the Language Centre, or email megan.fell@education.vic.gov.au 

On Wednesday the 11^th of September the Senior Concert Band travelled to Ballarat to compete in the South Street Music Eisteddfod. They competed against private and state schools from Melbourne and Ballarat. The music staff were all very proud of how well they played and represented our college, finishing a very respectable 5^th place for our first ever competition!

Whooping cough

Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children. Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include:

· blocked or runny nose

· tiredness

· mild fever

· severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.

Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.

If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school.

To reduce the spread of infection and to protect others within the school community, students diagnosed with whooping cough are recommended not to attend school for 21 days after their cough was first present, or until they have taken a full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor (usually a 5-day course).

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.

I hope we can work together to protect the whole school community by following the recommended advice.

For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel – see link below.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.

We really appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and well.

For more information, refer to:

• Better Health Channel, for information about whooping cough symptoms, prevention and Victorian eligibility for free booster immunisations
• Increasing pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Victoria
• Local Public Health Units.

We deeply appreciate the efforts of our parents who consistently support their children in attending school and engaging with their education. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in helping us create a positive and productive learning environment for all our students, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your children and for our school community. Your commitment makes a significant difference!

If you have any questions regarding attendance or require any support or assistance, please contact the school on 5248 1400.

Thank you!

Hannah

Hannah Demopoulos

Attendance Officer

Newcomb Secondary College

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

SCHEDULE: COGG Parent Education Events Term 3 2024 PDF

LIBRARY CLUBS

*Mondays (New): Chess Club - Student managed by Tye T. - starting 9/9 (chess can be played every lunch time but this is our dedicated multi-board Chess Club - good for beginners and experienced players).

Mondays (Weekly): Book Club Years 7-9 circle of Friends: share the books you are reading and recommend/ select some new books for our school library from visiting Book Shops tubs!!!!

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

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 Corporation (Newcomb Branch) with Ms Laura Farrington and Mr Cam Wilson!!!!

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 and to have the company of the specialist Children's and Youth Services Team there! 

Our Term 3 2024 schedule of remaining visits are as follows: 

Wed 18 Sept – Trivia Quiz

* Thursdays (Weekly): Craft Club with Miss Marshall: Term 4 sign up begins today 03/09 for Polymer clay jewellery & Paper Magiclay fantastical beasts making. We will have an exhibition of works in Week 4 of Term 4.

Paper Magiclay Techniques (youtube.com)

Easy Sculpting Ideas/Polymer Clay (youtube.com)

Fridays starting Term 4 2024 Ruby-Rose's Book Club for Years 9-12 - all readers welcome!

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