Term 4- Importance of finishing the school year well

Welcome to Term four. I hope that all students and parents/carers had an enjoyable break together. I wish to especially welcome those new to Newcomb Secondary College, of which we have eleven new students join the college for Term four.  

As per our regular start to a Term, staff and students gathered in the hall for a Whole School Assembly. The key features of the messages shared to students at the assembly were aligned with encouragement to finish the school year well. I likened Term four to the fourth quarter of a sporting match. The fourth, or final quarter can be the time where a match is won or lost, it is where you test your preparation and endurance. It is a period of a match, or school term, where you are recognised for how you finish off. First impressions are always important, but I also believe strongly in the way a person conducts, carries, and applies themselves at the conclusion of any activity, event or in this case sporting match or school year. I’ll be keen to reflect with students in a few week's time to see how they felt they finished the 2024 school year off.

How can students finish off well you might ask? What does this look like? Well, for me it is easy…

• Make sure all students have reflected upon feedback from teachers and NSC staff

• Make sure students are ready to learn- make it a focus to get to class on time, in full uniform, with the correct learning materials and a positive attitude for learning

• Make sure students contribute in a positive way to the classroom learning environment- our Good Order expectations provide the guidelines for how all students can make these positive contributions.

• Furthermore, it is important that all students play their role in ensuring a positive school climate- in the yard before school, during recess, lunch and after school. After all, our school is a shared space for everyone.

I noted to students that we have been impressed with their presentation in uniform and the way in which all students (and the broader school community might I add) have attended to the Mobile Phone policy throughout Term 3- well done, thank you and let’s not let our standards drop this term.

I also encouraged students to remain positive role models for NSC- students who make positive choices that improve their quality of life and the quality of those lives around them. I asked students to always act with our three NSC values at the front and centre of their minds and reflected in their actions- Learning, Respect and Working Together.

I ended by congratulating students on the way in which they have delivered upon our ‘High Expectations’ culture in 2024.

Year 12 Students

I wish to acknowledge our Year Twelve students as they embark on the final stages of their time at NSC, and their thirteen years of primary and secondary schooling. We note that the next few weeks are a very busy, and often stressful time, in a Year Twelve student’s life, but rest assured all Year Twelve students have the full support of entire NSC community. We know you will reap the rewards for the efforts and dedication you have put into your learning this year, and over your entire NSC journey.

New Canteen Operator- Welcome Carly!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Canteen Operator, Carly to Newcomb Secondary College community. At our assembly this week, I encouraged students to welcome Carly to the college when they visit the canteen this week. Carly is keen to hear from students and our college community- what food and drink do you wish to see at the Canteen? So far, the feedback on the food and drink selections has been overwhelmingly positive!

Once again, welcome back and have a great week!

Mr Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Planning is well underway for our 2024 bike tour. This year we are heading to The High Country – in the North East of our state for Tour de Alpine. We last undertook this tour in 2019 – just before Covid kicked off, and when our current year 12’s were in year 7!!

Our first training sessions are scheduled for next week, so students need to make sure permission forms and deposits are paid for this week. This is particularly important for students hoping to hire bikes. We will need time to distribute and adjust these for students before we first ride out.

To say we are really looking forward to this years tour is an understatement!!

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me

Kind regards 

Mr Unmack

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

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