This week marks the commencement of our 2023 Celebration events. It is a time to reflect on the hard work and dedication our wonderful students have applied towards their growth and learning opportunities this year.
Year 12 Celebration Week
Firstly, to our Year 12 students, it is a time of recognition of their journey in secondary education coming to an end. Yes, there is still more to go (exams, completion of tasks etc.) but the finish line is near. To recognise our ‘Class of 2023’ we staged a Whole School Assembly today (my speech to the students is below). Tomorrow (18th October) is their Celebration Day featuring an event at the Connewarre Memorial Hall. On Thursday (19th October) we are looking forward to the College Graduation- it is a sold-out event at the venue '1915' and a fitting send-off for students and their families.
Annual Music Concert
Tonight, (17/10/23) I, along with a full house in the College Hall, will have the pleasure of witnessing our Annual Music Concert. Our concert bands are well-renowned not only in Geelong but right across Victoria, and the current crop of talented musicians will further etch their name into the rich Newcomb Secondary College musical history books. I am looking forward to seeing you all there and cannot wait to be part of the night!
Outdoor Education- Brisbane Ranges Bushwalk
It would be remiss of me to not give a big shout out to our Year 9 & 10 Outdoor Education students who battled it out, and succeeded, against the elements on last week’s bush walk in the Brisbane Ranges. Whilst the rest of us sheltered from the heat of last Wednesday and stayed indoors during the downpours and cold weather of Thursday and Friday, our students slugged it out over 42km of walking on undulating terrain carrying a 7kg pack on their backs. All without complaint- an amazing achievement!
I will leave you with my speech to our Year 12 students today at their final Whole School Assembly-
Year 12- Whole School Assembly Speech
Good morning everyone on what is a very special assembly day.
January 30, 2018- What is the significance of this date you might ask? It is the first time our class of 2023 commenced their journey at Newcomb SC. And what a journey it has been.
From the heights of excitement in Year 7 and 8, camps, excursions, sport activities and much more into the challenges, almost overnight, of Remote Learning thanks to COVID-19. Emerging at the other side straight into pathway discussions, VCE and Vocational studies- the most important assessments of your schooling life. You have been tested, yet you are still standing! You should be proud of your achievements- we are certainly proud of you.
Today is the class of 2023’s last whole school assembly. As you depart the assembly, and soon the school, you can do so in the knowledge that you have developed quality skills and attributes that will hold you in great stead to pursue your dreams and aspirations that lie ahead. We may show you pictures of the student you were when you joined the college, many of you will scoff at the image and be embarrassed at how you looked 'back then'. Yet the image reflects a person who was about to commence a steep learning curve. A person who was ready to accept the growth and development of secondary schooling. Learning about the world around them, learning about themselves. Accepting of new knowledge and understanding, but more importantly establishing who they were, what they would stand for, the values that they would possess and discovering where they would want to head to in the future.
The framework we use here at Newcomb Secondary College to support this holistic development of students is the Positive Futures Framework, our PFF. It guides all NSC learning programs and class activities and ensures that we prepare and develop every student into a well-rounded young person ready to thrive in all aspects of life. So, that eager, undefined young student that walked through the gates of NSC for the first time on January 30, 2018, or soon thereafter, now leaves Newcomb SC at the end of 2023 as a confident, considered, knowledgeable young adult with a known identity and a bright future.
Class of 2023, as you leave NSC, please know that you have left your own personal unique mark on the college and our community- your contribution to the history of our great school- you will not be forgotten. Please ensure you remain in touch with us all.
Congratulations class of 2023- enjoy the next phase of your life. We wish you all the best and look forward to hearing all about the next journey in your lives when we next cross paths.
Please join with me in showing your appreciation of the class of 2023.
Throughout Term 3 and Term 4 our Year 7 Indonesian classes have experienced some delicious Indonesian food courtesy of Nova Balinese restaurant.
The students were lucky enough to try Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice), Mie Goreng (fried noodles), Ayam Sate (satay chicken skewers), corn fritters and spring rolls.
Our students did so well in stepping out of their comfort zones to try new things from the Indonesian culture. Having this experience allowed our students to make connections between real-life and what they are learning in the classroom.
After the delicious food, our students asked Nova (the head chef) some questions about his experiences in Australia and about his local village in Indonesia.
All four Year 7 classes have made some wonderful progress with their language skills throughout the year and should all be really proud of their efforts.
Ms Stonely
Year 9 Student Support Year 7 Indonesian & Year 9 English Teacher
The Western Metro Athletics was held on Tuesday the 10th of October, and saw us head down to Mooney Ponds to compete. Noah Hosking, Brodie Cardigan, Abbie Dunn & Ash Stenton-Dozey all represented the college in a fantastic manner, they competed very well in all events.
Brodie Cardigan achieved 3rd in the 12 – 13 Boys High Jump, clearing 1.55m. Abbie Dunn also achieved 3rd in the 16 Girls High Jump, & Ash Stenton – Dozey achieved 2nd in the 14 Girls Walk. Ash will now be eligible to compete at the State Finals on Monday at Lake Side Stadium, which is a fantastic effort!
Go Seahorses
Mr Bell
Intermediate Boys Basketball
The Intermediate Boys Basketball Team played 3 games against Bannockburn, Northern Bay and Belmont, with all the games being close we won one game while having fun all day.
Mr Butler
Girls 9/10 Basketball 12/10/2023
Today was a lot of fun for the Girls. The girls team had Remy, Scarlett, Alannah, Zoey, Kady, Amali and Kodie representing Newcomb Secondary College. We had Mr Klingberg coaching us and we had Abbegail scoring and helping us get ready for the games and Tracey Whittaker was there to support us!
When we arrived at the AWA stadium we put our stuff down and Mr Klingberg gave us some tips as we were doing shooting and defending practices. The games started at 10:00am but our first game was at 10:50am. But the 2 teams we were versing were playing against each other so most of the girls watched them for the first half and after that we played 4 on 4 and then after that we had to go on because the game was finished.
Our first game was against Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College. They were already tired because they had just played and our team used that to our advantage. Our team did a very good job. We had a plan on defending and shooting and we put it in action and it worked. At half time Mr Klingberg gave us tips and we used them and we won that game 46-16.
After that we had a game straight after against Lara Secondary College. Our team members were a little tired but we pushed through our tiredness and made sure that we were drinking lots of water to refresh. We observed the Lara team's strategies when they played their last game and saw what we had to do to win. At that point, we also knew to play to our own team members' strengths. We knew who to pass the ball to in order to run it down to the other end or who was the best at shooting and so on. At half time, Mr Klingberg gave us some really helpful tips to win the game. After that our team went back on the court and won that game as well 38-16 which meant we were in the semi-finals!
After that we had 10 minutes until our next game so we strategized and then we started our game against Western Heights College. We started but then Mr Klingberg ended up calling a timeout 2 minutes in to tell us what we were doing good and what we were doing bad and what we could do. So we went back out there and tried our hardest against them. At half time we got even more tips from Mr Klingberg and went back out. We had good strategies but it wasn’t our game and we lost 57-22.
Overall the day was a really good day and I'm very proud of what our team did today.
My top 2 highlights were getting into the Semi finals and getting better as the day went on.
Tour de Otways - N.S.C. Bike Tour is up and running!
Interest is looking really strong for the 2023 Bike Tour!
Information session/second hand gear sale – student. This Wednesday in M12 from the start of lunch time. – to discuss training dates, bike hire and to distribute the equipment list.
Hire Bike pick-up - The plan is to distribute bikes to students later this week (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night) in preparation for the first/newcomers training session on Monday 23rd October (next Monday).
Deposit/Payment - It is really important to have bike hire and a deposit paid this week to secure your spot on the Tour.
Our Education Assistance Program assisting secondary students for 2024 will begin on the 24th October 2023 and every Tuesday and Thursday until early December 2023. Telephone appointments can be made at our Grovedale site for eligible families (holders of health or concession cards) weekday MORNINGS between9.20am until 11.40am. Phone 03 4210 1100.
