Doesn’t Time Fly! 

It was noted to me on Monday that there are only 14 days of schooling remaining for Term 3. Furthermore, for our Year 12 students, there are only a handful of weeks in Term 4 to go in their entire Secondary schooling journey. Now, this is not to add concern to anyone, rather to highlight the need for organisation and commitment to making the finish line in a positive manner, for time will go by very quickly. 

I encourage all students and their support teams to reflect on their required learning tasks and establish any necessary set routines and proactive habits that can ensure success throughout the last few weeks of this term, and throughout the last phase of the school year, that being Term 4. Newcomb Secondary College teachers, student support, wellbeing members and learning mentors are willing and able to assist in guiding students through the management and coordination of their learning workload. Please reach out! 

Professional Learning Day 

Please note that next Thursday, September 7, staff at Newcomb Secondary College will be involved in a Professional Learning Day. The pupil free day will allow staff to come together to focus on further refining our best practice feedback on Learning outcomes and our Assessment and Reporting processes. 

Newcomb Secondary College Senior Concert Band Tour 

Last week our Senior Concert Band Tour took place in and around Bendigo. There is no need for me to say how successful the tour was, rather the feedback I received regarding our students from a school they visited and performed at, says it all. 

I am writing to sincerely express my thanks to your wonderful staff and students for performing at our school yesterday. Cheryl, your communication, organisation and pure passion for your job is incredible. The other staff that accompanied the students were friendly, supportive and enthusiastic too. Ian led the performance in a lovely, structured way that was perfect for our students that needed a break in between. Our students were highly engaged from start to finish as the performance was interactive, at their level and they loved the songs your students played. 

Your students are obviously highly talented, and I commend your school for giving these students every opportunity to excel. They were highly respectful to both staff and students. One of your students made time to speak to me, shake my hand and thank me for having us host your school and said that they thoroughly enjoyed playing for our staff and students. This was such a beautiful gesture and one that will stay with me for a long time. 

We are the lowest socio-economic school in the region and our students rarely get the opportunity to see band performances. Our Prep students asked if you would be back next week (so cute), our older students were heard saying ‘amazing,' ‘that was so good,' ‘that was so much fun’ and one student said, ‘this performance is a dream’. Staff were also highly impressed with the quality and ‘heart’ that the performance exuded. An absolute highlight was when your students danced with our students. It was truly beautiful! 

Once again, thank you so much for performing at our school and for placing importance on Music and the Performing Arts. Also, thank you to your wonderful staff for putting their time, care and genuine investment into fostering the musical talents of your students. 

What I will say is congratulations to all involved! You have made a really positive impact on the lives of others. It was a great week and an amazing experience that you will reflect upon fondly throughout your lives. We are extremely proud of you all. I hope you too are proud of the difference you have made. 

Final’s time! 

It has been great to move about the community and come across Newcomb Secondary College students doing wonderful things. I often enjoy seeing our students thrive in their sporting pursuits or in their part-time workplace roles. Monday morning is always a nice time to catch-up and discuss the weekends matches. As we start to close on the winter sport season, I wish to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of all students involved in football, netball, basketball and other sporting teams. Equally, whilst team sport is not about personal accolades, rather focussing on success as a team, I do wish to acknowledge the individual contributions and recognition of our students in their respective team and league vote counts. Well done! Finally, I know many of you have managed to make finals, with some competing in the Grand Finals this weekend. It is an exciting time. Good luck and go well!

Have a great week!

Mr McLeod

Principal 

Please note that next Thursday, September 7, staff at Newcomb Secondary College will be involved in a Professional Learning Day. The pupil free day will allow staff to come together to focus on further refining our best practice feedback on Learning outcomes and our Assessment and Reporting processes.

Last week, the Senior Concert Band and Cold Fusion went on tour to Bendigo with three of our Music staff, Mrs Helen Bourke, Mr Ian Crowther and Mrs Cheryl Stabryla along with Mr Andrew McCurry who drove one of the buses. 

We stayed in warm accommodation at Camp Getaway in Axedale and travelled into Bendigo each day. We were very fortunate to be able to perform for Kalianna Special School, Kangaroo Flat Primary School, Violet St (Bendigo) Primary School, Axedale Primary School, Lightning Reef Primary School and St. Joseph’s Primary School. 

Congratulations to all of our band members who participated in this tour for your excellent all-round commitment to our musical performances, your willingness to help with all the work from unloading and loading the truck, setting up for two band performances each day, helping in the kitchen with meals and cleaning up and of course your excellent social skills. 

The primary school students loved that our band members got up and danced with them whilst Cold Fusion was performing. We also had lots of fun on our games nights at camp, our visit to The Zone where we participated in Laser Games and Dodgem cars and of course our fancy dress evening on Thursday with the theme ‘Famous musicians/bands’. Sincere thanks to our helpers who made this tour possible, Andrew McCurry, Julie Scott and Ross McConnell. 

All students who participated in this tour represented themselves, their families, and Newcomb Secondary College to the highest standard.

Thank you.

Mrs Strabryla 

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2023 Term 3 Regional Parenting Calendar