Life in a school continues to be a dynamic place to exist, full of events, learning opportunities, new experiences, and ongoing celebrations, but it seems never more so that at this time of year. At present all students are participating in their Promotions Program, their 2024 course. It is a great opportunity to have a taste of what next year would look like for them and a chance to iron out any issues that may arise. The overall desire is that we commence 2024 in a seamless manner without disruption or further change. I encourage all of you to take a moment to speak with your student to review their Promotions Program classes and associated activities.
Celebration Assemblies-Thursday
As mentioned in the last newsletter edition, on Thursday this week we have the honour to invite our college community into the school to join with us in recognising students at our Celebration Assemblies. It is a highlight event on the school calendar and one that we very much look forward to. The Celebration Assemblies, held in our College Auditorium, will be split into Junior School (7-9) and Senior School (10-12) and include the attendance of our fantastic college partners who sponsor many of the awards for students. I look forward to seeing many of you in attendance.
End of Year Program (including Bike Tour)
Starting next week, students will participate in the End of Year program. The program features curriculum and activities conducted by each of the Learning Areas on the separate days. Taking place alongside the activities at school will be the annual Bike Tour. The Bike Tour, of around 50 students and 12 staff will see students begin from Camperdown and progress through Port Campbell, Lavers Hill, Apollo Bay, Lorne before returning to Newcomb SC. It will be an exciting adventure full of memories that will remain with the participating students for life.
We are seeing an increase in students having their mobile phones on them during the school day. This is evident in the rise in:
lost and damaged phones.
phone notifications on Compass
phones being used to pay in the canteen.
families arriving at school to support their student or being notified of events before school has had the opportunity to contact home e.g. when a child is unwell.
Unfortunately, all of these incidents mean students are breaching the Ministerial policy* relating to students using mobile phones during school hours.
"Students who choose to bring mobile phones to school must have them switched off and securely stored during school hours."
If your child brings a phone to school, please discuss with them our expectation that it is switched off and locked away in either their locker (which should have a functional lock) or one of our phone lockers for the school day. Both of these options are considered secure storage.
If your child has been using their phone to pay for their order in the Canteen, please organise a card or cash option. If your child finds themselves at school with no lunch and their phone as the only payment option, please ask them to see a member of the Principal Team or Student Support Team.
If we need to contact families during the day, we will call you. If your child is unwell, this will occur quickly. Contact with families may be delayed following an incident to allow for information gathering or for teaching staff to teach classes and call when their face-to-face requirements have lessened.
If your child needs to contact you, they will be able to call from either the front office or student support.
We thank you for your support in making sure we remain compliant with the Mobile Phone Ministerial Order.
Ms Montano Assistant Principal
Note * formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)
A sincere thanks to all music students who have rehearsed and performed with the College Bands this year.
What an amazing year we have had in the music department.
The Year 7 instrumental music students have produced the best Year 7 Junior Concert Band I think Newcomb Secondary College has had in a long time. Congratulations Year 7’s we are very proud of you. Moving forward into 2024 you will be an excellent Intermediate Concert Band that will be able to go out and perform in the community, particularly to our feeder primary schools.
The Year 8 Intermediate Concert Band has had a wonderful year and performed at our feeder primary schools. Well done to the Year 8 music students, enjoy moving up into the Senior Concert Band, the higher level of playing music, rehearsals, performances, and the Senior Concert Band Tour.
To the Senior Concert Band and Cold Fusion – what a great love for music we all have shared over the years. Follow your dreams, music is a passion, it comes from the heart and it is forever, so just keep playing your instrument and enjoy.
We know access to high-speed broadband is a necessity in the 21st Century. Yet sadly many families and school students are still unable to access the internet at home and that this can place students at a significant disadvantage.
The Albanese Government is providing up to 30,000 families with free broadband for one year, as part of their plan for a better National Broadband Network (NBN). Already, 1,000 families now have home internet thanks to the School Student Broadband Initiative.
This helps ensure that students can reach their full potential, by helping them to stay connected at home so they don’t fall behind.
To check your eligibility please refer to the contact details below:
We have a vast array of clothing including general clothing, school jackets, a child’s pair of burgundy and gold Karen Millen specs and assorted what-nots! If your child has lost an item of clothing please call in to see the Lost and Found Collection at the Student Administration Office. Thank you.
