Newsletter- Week 3 2024

Positive Start to the Year & College Sports Day

As we enter the third week of the school year, it signals the start of many great events and activities. As I have noted in previous editions of the Newsletter, I could not be prouder of how students have responded to the ‘High Expectations’ focus and thus how well our classroom learning environments ‘look, feel and sound’. The effective teaching and learning time is of a high standard and students are enjoying the challenges of the curriculum delivered and the learning activities undertaken in the classroom. Rest assured, the days of ‘chalk and talk’ are no longer in our schools. Classrooms are dynamic learning environments with the use of modern technology and hands on activities that ultimately lead to the most effective learning growth and outcomes for students. Schools are so well placed in today’s system to cater for all students, and offering a holistic education is something we at Newcomb SC strive to achieve in each class. This week signals the start of many extra-curricular opportunities for students- excursions and whole school activities alike. On Thursday we will all enjoy the opportunity to participate in the Summer Sports Day Carnival at Kardinia Pool. This will be a fantastic day full of colour and activity. We look forward to sharing in the student’s successes on the day and celebrating them in upcoming Newsletter editions and college assemblies. May the best house win!

Time to Scrub up, school photos are tomorrow!

Whilst I always look forward to seeing our students and staff present each day, I certainly note the efforts everyone puts into their appearance on school photo day! Yep, tomorrow our school photos will be taken for staff and students, and once again Arthur Reed will be taking the photos for us. If all students can ensure that their uniforms are in tip-top shape for the photos that would be great. You will receive details on how to purchase the photos from Arthur Reed shortly- if you have any questions, I encourage you to contact Arthur Reed or the college Administration.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Mr McLeod

Principal

Year 10 Meningococcal Immunisations are scheduled for the 20th February 2024. More information will be made available shortly.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to another exciting year at Newcomb Secondary College, and to our new community members, welcome!

I hope the holiday break was a positive time for you all.

We love our families to be involved in our school community and a significant part of this involves maintaining regular communication by way of phone or email, particularly regarding attendance.

Attendance remains a major focus for us at Newcomb Secondary College. For us to ensure the best outcomes are accomplished for our students’ growth in all areas and to reach our set end of year target, we will continue to maintain high expectations for daily attendance for all students.

Both staff and parents have an important role to play in supporting our students to attend school every day, on time and ready to learn. If your student must be absent, please contact the school as soon as possible to prevent unexplained absences that may hinder your student’s progress. If a reason is not provided for your student’s absence, the school is required to contact you on the same day. This is to ensure the safety of your student and maintain open communication to ensure you and your student are supported and successful in our school community.

At Newcomb Secondary College we strive for high attendance to maximise student learning, and behavioural, cognitive and emotional engagement for all students, and we endeavour to work with and support all families in our community.

If you have any questions regarding attendance or require any support or assistance, please contact the school on 5248 1400.

Warm regards,

Ms Demopoulos
(Attendance Officer)

School Photos 2024 – Newcomb Secondary College

Annual school photos will be taken by Arthur Reed Photos on Wednesday 14th February 2024.

There is no need to return any forms or money to school.

Unique image codes will be issued to all students on/after photo day so families can register online to view images when they become available in the webshop.

Registration is simple, just follow the 3 simple steps on your child’s personalised flyer once you receive it and remember to add the codes for all your children attending this school.

Even if you registered last year, it’s important that you do again this year using your child’s 2024 image code to link their images for the current year with your contact details.

When images are ready to view and in the webshop, all parents who have registered will be notified by SMS and email.

Once registered, please wait for notification that 2024 images are online to view before making your purchase.

Over the past few weeks our Year 7 students have been taking part in Instrument trials and demonstrations. They have been given the opportunity to see and hear all of the instruments on offer at the college and have a play on the instrument/s that they were most interested in. The students who demonstrated an interest in learning one of these instruments have attended a number of brief trial lessons to see which instrument best suits them, before deciding which instrument they would like to continue learning.

Letters will be sent home to all parents/carers of students who have shown an interest in learning an instrument this Friday, and instruments will be issued to those students on return of the attached permission slip.

Ms Bourke

Music Co-ordinator

This morning for Group 72 Maths, we took advantage of the warm weather to complete a Number – Place Value lesson outside in the playground. The students had drawn their favourite single digit number large on A4 paper and then paired up and followed various instructions, such as "form the largest 2-digit number you can and then as a class line up and order yourselves from the smallest number to the largest number pair". In this photo the class is ordered from smallest to largest after forming (in groups of three) the smallest 3-digit numbers possible.

Mr Curnick

Year 7 Mathematics Teacher

Year 12 VCE VM student Aime has been a HeadStart school based plumbing apprentice for just over 12 months now.

Aime found his own employer through his football club connections, and has a great relationship with his boss Mick who owns Eastcoast Plumbing and Gas (pictured with Aime).

This year Aime will work two days a week with Mick, and spend three days a week at secondary school. He will also attend The Gordon TAFE for one week a term going to trade school.

Aime will miss 20 days of secondary school because of his trade school commitments, but with his determination to succeed and the support of his Newcomb Secondary College teachers, he should finish 2024 with a VCE VM pass and also transition into full time employment with Mick.

If you would like to learn more about how a Head Start school-based apprenticeship or traineeship could work for you, see Ms Megan Fell in the Pathways Office located in the Language Centre at Newcomb Secondary College!

Kind regards,

Glenn Robertson

Head Start Coordinator

M: 0429 525 329

Newcomb Secondary College

Bellarine Secondary College

Nelson Park School

Northern Bay College

Ms Campos: Laboratory Technician

Hello everyone! My name is Karen Campos. Originally from Colombia, I have been enjoying life in Australia for over four years. Although my journey as a laboratory technician is brief, my background as a chemical engineer has provided me with nearly four years of experience in managing drinking water treatment plants. Additionally, I hold a certification IV and a diploma in laboratory technology. The reason I decided to join Newcomb Secondary College is simple: I love being behind the scenes, helping and contributing so that students can enjoy the wonderful world of science. It's an exciting opportunity for me. When I am not immersed in the laboratory world, I enjoy dedicating time to my personal passions. I practice yoga to stay balanced, dance to release energy, go for walks to connect with nature, and dive into series or movies to explore fascinating stories. Additionally, I have a passion for travelling and discovering different countries and cultures, which continuously enriches and inspires me. I am excited about the adventures the future may bring and the opportunities for growth and learning that await me. Thank you for taking the time to get to know a bit about me!

Mr Smith: Teacher

Hello everybody! My name is Mr Jake Smith. I have only just finished university and am very excited to be a teacher. I have been a disability support worker for 10 years prior to beginning my teaching career. I love sport and play water polo, football and basketball. I enjoy talking all things sport and love having conversations about everyone’s life outside of school. I am very happy to be a part of the Newcomb Secondary College community and love to meet new people, so please don’t be a stranger.

Ms Baker-Goldsmith

My name Is Laura Baker-Goldsmith (most people call me Ms BG!) – although I am new to Newcomb and teaching in Geelong I’m not new to teaching, having taught Instrumental and Classroom Music for many years at a number of schools in Melbourne as well as in Ballarat where I grew up. I very much enjoy participating in music activities (both listening and performing) and have previously toured Europe and China as well as Australia and New Zealand in concert and jazz bands, mostly playing on the Baritone and Alto Saxophones as well as Clarinet and Flute.

Where You Can Eat

Where You Can Eat provides an up-to-date guide on all the food relief agencies across the Geelong region.

Please click on the logo below to access a downloadable resource providing you with information on when, where, how, and what food relief services are available near you. This document is also attached as a PDF for your convenience.

Dear extended NSC community,

I run the On2Wh subject at school.

In this program, all students work on their own personal bike project – a complete strip down and re-build of a geared bike.

So, I am asking for our community to look into the “darkest depths of their family sheds”, or “just out the back beside the water tank” and look out any unused, or ‘not likely to be used again’ bikes and donate them to the school. You don’t even need to dust them off! We’ll do that. Any condition, any brand. If you have extended family or friends that may have a bike or 2, mention this to them. If you see one sitting out for hard rubbish collection, maybe wheel it into your front yard and give the school a call!

Sometimes bikes that are ‘too good’ to pull apart find a home with the bikes we use for Bike tour, or with a student who might be in need of a bike.

Thanks in advance! – Can’t wait to see what comes out of the woodwork.

Kind Regards

Glenn Unmack – On2Wheels teacher

Below is a great opportunity for students who are interested in gaining work experience with a supportive employer with potential long-term opportunities. Please come in for a chat with me at your school library if you are interested or see Ms Fell our Newcomb Secondary College Senior Pathways Coordinator! Here is the link you need to apply...BambooHR NOTE current positions are at Waurn Ponds, Drysdale, Corio, Belmont, Highton and Torquay and may involve after school hours, weekends and school holidays.

By joining us, you will become part of a dynamic team who nurture an inclusive workplace culture. Together, we champion difference, celebrate achievement and recognise positive impact. 

We know access to high-speed broadband is a necessity in the 21^st 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: