As we approach the Term 4 equinox, we shift our attention to individual learning feedback!
Amid all of our unforeseen changes and necessary improvisations this term, the focus on positive learning outcomes has remained. This week, teachers will be updating their assessment records for students, and preparing to share a commentary on how they are faring with their learning – particularly their literacy and numeracy. Students will receive feedback through individual conferencing in classes and also on Compass, and as always, if students or parents/carers would like additional information, they are most welcome to make contact with the school.
Our year of adjustment and innovation continues, and has most recently been evident in changes to our school grounds. Our preparations for some exciting high-tech building developments have meant that students are experiencing changes to their locker locations, as well as entry and exit points around the school. We appreciate the resilience and flexibility that students have shown in response to this, and would reiterate that it is just a matter of weathering some short-term inconveniences, for long term access to some state-of-the-art learning facilities.
With a little over half of this term remaining, we need to continue to embrace all opportunities for learning excellence and personal advancement. We should also continue to model the open-mindedness, positivity and optimism which has so powerfully defined our year to date, despite the challenges faced along the way.
Mr Murphy
Parent Opinion Survey
As previously mentioned, in 2020 all parents and guardians within the school community will be offered the opportunity to participate in the annual Parent Opinion Survey. Last week, you will have received a Compass message notifying you that the link and unique password required for you to complete the survey was forwarded to you via email. Please don’t hesitate to contact Brenda in the Administration office if you have not received your email or if you require support in accessing and completing the survey. We certainly value your input and feedback and thank you for taking the time to complete the survey!
Mr McLeod
Facilities Upgrade
Contained in this newsletter is a map of the college indicating the restricted areas earmarked as construction sites only and the areas of the school site that are permitted for staff and student use. Please note that entry and exit points to the college are altered during the building phase.
a) Access to the College- students
• As noted on the map in this newsletter, students are to access the school internal courtyards via the B-Block Corridor.
• No access is available in or out of the M-Block Corridor and limited access to the C-Block Corridor during the building works.
• Students arriving or departing from the front of the school, must use the external pathway commencing from the zebra crossing along the eastern oval (near the bus port) and following the path towards the school bus sheds, through the temporary gate, past the bike shelter and Hall and into the B-Block Corridor. The temporary gate will be open daily from 8am to 9am and from 2.30pm to 4pm.
Please note that students are not to use the Administrative office for general access before and after school.
b) Access to the College- parents/carers and visitors
• Parents and other community members may enter the school via the Administration Office.
• Students arriving late, or departing the college early, must do so through the Administration Office.
The Glover Family Award, valued at $1,000, aims to encourage and support a talented and motivated Year 11 Newcomb Secondary College student to complete Year 12 and pursue an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The establishment of this award was led by Barney, who studied Mathematics at university and obtained his PhD in 1993. At Newcomb High School, Barney was President and Secretary of the SRC, School Captain, School Dux and Lions Youth of the Year for Geelong, and played school football.
Our Alumni Program Coordinator, Jennifer Chiu, spoke with Barney about the award, his career and pathways in STEM. You can watch the interview here:
Lynn Glover (Class of 1974), Barney Glover AO (Class of 1976) and Gerry Glover (Class of 1977) are all past students of Newcomb Secondary College. Lynn is now the Chief Executive Officer at the Victorian Regulations and Qualifications Authority; Barney is the Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University; and Gerry pursued a career in trades and became a long-serving organiser with the Electrical Trades Union.
The Glovers are passionate about giving back to their old school. Newcomb Secondary College’s partnership with the not-for-profit Ourschool alumni program this year allowed us to reconnect with the Glover family and establish this new annual award.
The Positive Behaviour Focus for week 5 is using appropriate language.
Acknowledge when students use alternatives to inappropriate language
What we say is as important as how we say it. We want to encourage students to use appropriate language. Using manners, like please and thank you make a big difference in any situation.
I am excited to be a part of the Newcomb Secondary College team this year. I came on board in March to establish Newcomb’s Alumni Program and create a supportive community of ex-students to benefit our school.
I’m employed by a not-for-profit organisation called Ourschool to work here at Newcomb on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at Western Heights College on Thursdays and Fridays. Thank you to everyone who has made me feel welcome.
Prior to Ourschool, I worked in the community relations department at The Geelong College, doing things like newsletters, social media, photography and graphic design. Their alumni community has a long tradition of supporting their school, going back almost 100 years. While we’re just at the start of our alumni journey, I know that Newcomb will have many past students willing to help us too. We just have to find them!
Outside of work, I am passionate about volunteering. You’ll usually find me doing some sort of community service or organising events or fundraisers with a group called Otway Rotaract. Volunteering not only helps others, it also does wonders for your mental health, self-esteem and looks great on a CV.
I’m looking forward to meeting many more staff and students, and creating opportunities for alumni to pass on their wisdom to students in the near future.
To support the mental health and wellbeing of years 10-12 students completing VCE and VCAL this year, the Victorian Government has partnered with mindfulness program Smiling Mind to create a series of videos called Feeling It!
Young people feature in each video and share strategies about self-care, understanding and managing emotions, being mindful, the importance of positive study and sleep habits, being kind to yourself, navigating uncertainty and preparing for change.
Four of six episodes, accompanying student tip sheets and mindfulness meditations are now live. To access the meditations students will need to register for the free Smiling Mind App. Please see the following link: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/secondary-school-program-feeling-it
Remaining episodes will be released over the coming weeks to support students as they complete their exams and start considering their future study and employment opportunities.
Please note that this document has also been uploaded to the Student Wellbeing Google classroom.
