Issue 24, 2023
8th August, 2023
From the Principal Team
Staff Update
This week is a special week as we introduce our new Assistant Principal, Mrs Kelly Montano to the school community. Kelly brings a wealth of leadership experience in education to Newcomb Secondary College as well as an eagerness to positively contribute to the College community. Kelly will meet students on Friday in a Whole School Assembly, and you too will no doubt have an opportunity to meet her when you pay us a visit.
Further to Kelly’s commencement, we also get to welcome Ms Makenna Bryon to the Administration Team. Makenna, as part of the team in the office will support our college communications and publications. Makenna is a highly professional person who is personable and positive. We know you too will thoroughly enjoy your interactions with her. I know you will join with me in thanking Mr Jeremy Sinclair for his role as Acting Assistant Principal over not only the recent transitional phase but throughout his opportunities in that role across the last three years.
Feedback Week- Positive Learning Qualities (PLQ’s)
This week is our College Feedback Week. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the happenings of Feedback week, it is a point in the term where all teaching staff complete the Positive Learning Qualities (PLQ’s) on Compass that are shared with parents and carers. The PLQ’s are aligned with the Newcomb Secondary College values of Learning, Respect and Working Together and offer students and their carers with feedback on how their student(s) are progressing according to the values. The presentation of the PLQ’s is designed in a way that captures any trendlines or patterns. This information will assist students and carers to have informed and constructive progress conversations and enable clear and appropriate growth goals and targets as a result moving forward.
Junior Music Camp
Junior Music Camp commenced on Monday when our Junior Music band members embarked on a camp to Angahook Holiday Camp. This camp is always a highlight for the band members and is a great opportunity for some intensive practice as well as a chance to form a strong bond as a group.
We are certainly proud of the students in our College bands, and I am even a little envious of their amazing musical talents (or perhaps being envious is just me). I wish I had learnt an instrument when I was at school! We cannot wait to see the students on their return on Wednesday.
Course Counselling
It was great to see so many parents and carers accompanying their students in attendance to the Course Counselling meetings last week. We know and appreciate that this is a very important time in the life of a young person and the decisions that are made during this phase can shape the initial stages of post-secondary schooling life.
Achieving positive pathways for our students is a strong part of our College DNA and it will continue to be an area of high resourcing from the school. The Pathways team are approachable and full of great advice and contacts for our students, their families, and the broader community. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Course Counselling conferencing space and having conversations with you all.
Have a great week!
Mr McLeod
Principal
Parent and Caregiver Opinion Survey
2023 Parent / Carer Opinion Survey
The school is conducting a survey to find out what parents and carers think of our school. The Parent and Carer Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement.
We encourage all selected families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.
A random sample of approximately 30 per cent of parents and carers have been selected to participate in this year’s survey.
The Parent/Carer/Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Friday 11 August to Friday 8 September 2023.
The survey will be conducted online, only taking 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages.
We thank our families for participating in the Parent/Carer Opinion Survey.
Learning Resource Centre News
Lunchtime Fun in the Learning Resource Centre with Laura from Newcomb Library.
We are thrilled to host Laura from Newcomb Library to run themed lunchtime sessions in the NSC Learning Resource Centre.
The schedule for the rest of the term has a Crime/Mystery theme.
Wednesday 17th August – Science Week!
Learn how to lift a fingerprint with powder and sticky tape to solve the library mystery.
Wednesday 31st August – “Who Dun It?”
Students will solve a mystery dossier. Who was it, where was their transport, where did they hide it?
Wednesday 14th September –TRIVIA – there will be small prizes!
Mystery Box Game – Put your hand in the box and guess what you are feeling.
Please look at the flyers for Writers Block, the Newcomb Library Teen Writing group -held fortnightly on a Monday after school, Manga Club - held weekly on a Wednesday.
Laura's contact details are below if students and parents have ideas for other after school groups for Teens.
Please click on the link to view PDF
Writers Block Term 3 Ages 12 18
Laura Farrington PH: 4201 0657
School Dental Initiative
The dental van will be visiting Newcomb Secondary College during the week beginning Monday 9th October. Interested families will be notified of date and time closer to the event.
Forms were distributed to Home Groups last week. If you are interested, please return your completed form to the Office by Friday 25 August. If you haven’t received a form, you may collect one from the Newcomb Secondary College Office.
Meningococcal Vaccine for Year 10 Students
All Year 10 students are due to receive their Meningococcal vaccine on the 10th August 2023.
Any family that has not returned a consent card will be contacted directly by Barwon Health.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Mrs Kaberry
School Events Calendar
GROUP | EVENT/LOCATION | DATE |
Year 74 GROW | Newcomb Library, Laser Cutting | 9 AUG |
Year 10 | Meningococcal Immunisation | 10 AUG |
Year 72 GROW | Tech School | 10 AUG |
Year 72 GROW | Tech School | 11 AUG |
Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed | Orienteering - You Yangs | 14 AUG |
Year 11 DEAP | Deakin Engagement - Waurn Ponds | 15 AUG |
Year 7-9 | Incursion - Science Week Performance - Aud 01 | 16 AUG |
Year 7 Girls' Interschool Basketball | Competition AWA Stadium - Belmont | 16 AUG |
Year 74 Indonesian Cooking Class | Nova Balinese Kitchen | 16 AUG |
Year 73 GROW | Tech School - Backed Up to Future | 17 AUG |
Year 81 GROW | Tech School -The Last Mile | 17 AUG |
Community Events
Yarning Circle News