I’ll start by acknowledging the fathers within our community. I hope you had a wonderful day on Sunday with your families. It is always important to recognise those special people in our lives as they make many sacrifices to provide supports to their loved ones to ensure they remain happy and can flourish. 

I spent my weekend at the local football finals in Lara, what a weekend. It was such a great atmosphere and experience being involved in the event. I was also very chuffed to see Newcomb Secondary College students participating in the Grand Finals, playing for several teams including St Albans and Grovedale. I know it was a memorable time for every one of you no matter the result, well done. You gave it your all. I also note the trials and tribulations of those students who were involved in the local Netball finals. Whilst I wasn’t there to cheer you all on, it was great to hear of your efforts equally. Sporting finals are awesome, spring is certainly in the air!

Good Order Focus Reminders

On Monday I shared a Compass message to our students and staff reminding them of the need to ensure standards continue to be of the highest level right up to the end of Term 3. It is sometimes easy to relax and lower our standards, it is up to us all collectively to remind and encourage students to not accept lesser standards. Our Good Order focus has been a shining light of 2023 with predictable routines and seamless transitions into the learning in the classroom benefitting student outcomes.

I encouraged staff to support students with the following high expectation Good Order focuses:

1. You always remain dressed in the correct school uniform (no hoodies or items of clothing from home.)

2. You come to class 'Ready to Learn.'

3. You line-up outside and enter the classroom in an orderly fashion, sit down quietly and do not open your laptop until instructed.

4. You always remain seated in class and only 1 student is permitted to leave the classroom by the teacher (using the pass-out) at any one time.

5. Before leaving the class upon the bell sounding, you ensure that the classroom is left in a neat and tidy state.

I hope you too can support students by having a conversation about maintaining high standards always. This can be as easy as checking their school uniform as they depart from home, or even encouraging them to charge their laptop at home each night.

Professional Learning Day: Thursday September 7th

On Thursday this week (September 7th) staff will be participating in our Term 3 Professional Learning Day (pupil free). The day will provide an opportunity for staff to work together on best practice assessment and reporting methodologies and approaches. For staff to best support students, it is important that we provide them with opportunities to remain current with the latest research, resources and presentations. It is also a wonderful opportunity for staff to have a collegial day together to collaborate and learn from each other.

Parental Visits to the College

We always welcome our parent community to the college. It is important to remain connected to the school and invested in your student’s education. Can I ask however that all parental or community visitors to the college enter via the Administration office and not via the other entry points of the school. As a Department of Education facility, we must ensure Child Safe standards are upheld for all students hence to do so all visitors to the college must sign in. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Mr McLeod

Principal