Newsletter- Term 4 Week 3 2023

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.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Mr McLeod

Principal