Issue 16, 2023
30th May, 2023
From the Principal Team
I must start this newsletter article with acknowledgement of the fantastic experience had by all of our Year 7 campers last week. Upon departing, I spoke to the students about the opportunity that a camp offers students and in particular the lifelong memories that will remain with them from this experience. We all remember our Year 7 camp! The weather offered its challenges, but so too did the canoeing, high ropes, and mountain bike riding. Well done to all who tried something new, challenged themselves and had a great time doing so! A big thank you goes out to all the staff who attended the camp and our Peer Support leaders who enabled this experience to be realised for students.
Similarly, last Wednesday we had a number of our students take part in the Regional Aspirations Day. The Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) staged Aspirations Day for Koorie secondary students enrolled at all schools in the Barwon Area in 2023. This year there was a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways. The day, staged at the Geelong Technical School, featured presenters in technology and offered mathematical creative problem-solving workshops.
This week, we welcomed Amanda Rusiniak, a new staff member to the College. Amanda is a wonderful person and a very skilled teacher who will be teaching Science and Mathematics. Sadly, the College must say goodbye to Mr Ryan McGee (IT) and Mrs Adele McKiernan (Library) this week. Both have been great assets to the College over an extended period of time and we wish them all the best with the next chapter in life.
On Thursday, we will pause our regular learning program to celebrate Wellbeing Day. The day will focus on holistic wellbeing and will be an opportunity for staff and students to engage in many activities that promote and encourage us to all be our best self. Congratulations goes to our student leaders from our SLAM team, our wellbeing staff, Ms McInnes, and all those who have contributed to the planning of the day. I am certainly looking forward to the experience, but perhaps not so much the intended ‘dunk the teacher’ activity that I agreed to sign up to! It will be a great day!
Last week, you received the mid-term, third instalment of our Positive Learning Qualities (PLQ’s) on Compass. The information contained in the easy-to-read graphical presentation refers to our School Values of Learning, Respect and Working Together. Hopefully you have had an opportunity to reflect on the information shared with your student(s) and have been able to support in continuing our endeavours to maximise growth and outcomes. As always, please reach out to teachers should you wish to discuss any matter further.
Finally, whilst we are on the topic of feedback, I should say that I am very impressed with the collective focus on 'Good Order' in the classroom and student presentation regarding uniform. I thank you all for this collective approach and the continued understanding and support.
Have a great week!
Mr McLeod
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Mr Scott McLeod, Acting Principal
Mr James Murphy, Assistant Principal
Mr Jeremy Sinclair, Acting Assistant Principal
Year 7 Adventure Camp
Last week at the Year 7 Adventure Camp in Anglesea, students and staff endured the chilly days (and sometimes noisy!) nights and woke up each morning with a smile on their faces awaiting the days new activities.
The camp was designed for our Year 7 students to have fun, get to know each other a little better and to try something new. The motto of the camp was “Challenge by Choice”, enabling students to participate in activities that they felt comfortable with. The challenges and activities on offer were canoeing, mountain bike riding, and a high ropes course with an exhilarating flying fox.
During their free time students played volleyball, basketball, low ropes course, archery and jumped (sometimes back flipped!) on the trampoline.
In the evenings staff and students participated in a game’s night in the hall, an adventurous night walk and a disco on the final night ran by our special guest DJ - Dancing Tony (AKA the fantastic Mr Curnick).
All of the students had a memorable and positive experience, and should be very proud of themselves for displaying teamwork, resilience and perseverance.
A big thank you to Mr Relouw, Mr Unmack, Ms Leech, Miss Bradshaw, Ms Wray, Jane, Torrie and Crystal for making the camp the success that it was!
Ms Hunt
On2Wheels
The On2Wheels class ventured out to the You Yangs to hit up the mountain biking tracks.
On2Wheels is one of our specialist subjects encompassing all things bikes.
Mr Unmack
Empowering Students
Students have been fortunate enough this term to participate at MMPowerment. MMPowerment is a youth organisation owned and run by former Newcomb Secondary College student Cain Brunton.
MMPowerment encourages young people to gain and build confidence through boxing whilst incorporating their core values in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, which is how to navigate unhelpful thoughts that may arise, grounding and breathing techniques, body awareness and how to articulate emotions.
Mr Pugliese
Yarning Circle
Aspirations Day
We had lots of fun at the Geelong Tech School today meeting up with lots of old friends of Newcomb Secondary Collage.
We were all inspired by the First Nations leaders who develop, design and innovate in the gaming, mapping and drone spheres. As well, we were treated to a performance of evocative spoken words and rapping.
Some of our students were flying drones, 3D printing, designing and laser cutting acrylic key rings. Thanks for visiting Mr Murphy and thanks to our mob who approached the day with a positive mindset and an open heart.
Reconciliation in the Park - 'Be a Voice for Generations'
There are so many ways to connect with community. It was great to be outside enjoying a fun day out in Johnstone Park with friends and family, learning about local aboriginal culture through the arts and hanging out together.
Remember to check in with our team Ms Amanda P and Ms Amanda D at our Yarning Circle morning tea gatherings.
Mrs Honeywell
Sports Update
Year 7 & 8 Boy's Football
We had a successful and great day! The highlights were the boy’s willingness to listen, and their ability to never give up at any point in the games and continue to play with such great sportsmanship.
Seeing a few students dominate as well as a few students play their first ever game of AFL was a great experience and really brought the groups together.
Mr Relouw
Year 7 & 8 Girl's Netball
On the 23rd of May, the Year 7 & 8 Girls’ Netball Team headed out to the Geelong Sports Hub to compete in the Interschool Competition. Competition was fierce with Newcomb Secondary College getting a tough draw against Bellarine Secondary and Geelong High. We finally played our last game against Bannockburn, which was a tough contest with Newcomb Secondary College going down by four.
Coach Pop and I were extremely pleased with the effort of all our students. In particular, our star Goal Defence, Lexi Johannesen, and Centre, Maddy Marinda. It was great to see the College represented extremely well and see all of our team members with big smiles all day.
Go Seahorses!
Mr Bell & Ms Pop
School Events Calendar
GROUP | EVENT/LOCATION | DATE |
Whole School | Wellbeing Day at School | 1 JUNE |
Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed Program | Werribee Open Range Zoo | 5 JUNE |
Girl in Charge Program | Geelong Sports Hub | 7 JUNE |
DEAP - Year 9 FUTURE ME | Deakin, Waurn Ponds Campus | 16 JUNE |