Newsletter- Week 8 2024

The end of Term one is almost upon us! Yes, this week is the second last week of the school term, a term that has been jam packed with so many activities and new learnings. At last weeks whole school assembly, I commended students for their start to the school year. I acknowledged some of the highlights, including-

• the positive Learning & School Environment
• the way our Year 7’s have settled into secondary schooling,
• the participation at our college carnivals- Swimming & Athletics
• the excellent community feedback of our students on the Y10 Camp
• the dedication and influence of our college student leader- school captains, BBBH, SLAM, VCE-VM and more
• the outstanding number of Positive Acknowledgments- over 1300 passed out to over 400 students in Term 1
• the way our students have approached NAPLAN

It is no coincidence that much of the success in Term 1 has been attributed to the predictable routines and learning spaces that have been a focus of our endeavours in 2024. Our learning environments and school climate have been calm, orderly and welcoming. Pleasingly, our students are presenting themselves in a positive manner, dressed in full school uniform and remaining respectful to their fellow students and staff. Essentially, it is evident to us all that our students at Newcomb Secondary College in 2024 are exhibiting and living our college values of Learning, Respect and Working Together every day- well done.

Information Evening & School Tours

Over the next fortnight, we open our college doors to welcome in our community. For many students in Year 6, the time has come for themselves, and importantly, their families/ carers to make a choice on a Secondary School. Given the nature of this decision, many Year 5 students, families and carers take advantage of the suite of school open nights and tours to assist in making an informed decision. We value our community and always look to provide opportunities for any member of the community to visit our great school. Our students certainly get a buzz by seeing our community involved at Newcomb Secondary College, and welcome all into their classrooms to share in the great learning that is taking place.

Impressive School Data

As you are aware, we have embarked on a journey over recent years of High Expectations. Whilst you can always get a feel for how the school is progressing in this space, it is nice to receive positive data sets and feedback that acknowledge and celebrate our growth as a college. The following student, staff, and parent surveys from 2023, highlighted the areas that Newcomb Secondary College is rated above similar schools, above schools within our network (Geelong), and above schools across Victoria. The following table highlights those areas-

We are proud of the feedback as a school. The feedback confirms that we are headed in the right direction and the hard work by staff and students is making an impact. You may have noted the consistent feedback from all key stakeholders on High Expectations for Success. We will continue to support our students, and our community to have High Expectations for Success of and for each other.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

81-85 Bellarine Highway | Newcomb 3219

T: (03) 5248 1400 | F: (03) 5248352

Creating Positive Futures

Newcomb Secondary College School Tours (March 20)- ‘Come see for yourself!’

On Wednesday March 20, Newcomb Secondary College will be offering parents, carers, and prospective Year 7 students the opportunity to tour the college to witness our wonderful school facilities, and in particular, the fantastic school learning programs and environment that we offer students. The tours commence at 11.30 a.m. on March 20, and we cordially invite all prospective 2025 Year 7 students and their families to come along. We anticipate the experience will total around 90 min. To secure your tour spot, please register at https://forms.gle/GdaJProURcDN4XAv5 or contact the school on (03) 5248 1400.

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)

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

Mr Glenn Unmack – On2Wheels teacher

Dear families of our Years 8 – 11 Indonesian students,

We are extremely fortunate that our sister school, SMANSA from Lombok, are sending some of their students over on a cultural exchange in from April 26th through to May 2nd, 2024 (end of Week Two, Term Two to the end of Week Three).

Newcomb Secondary College has a proud history with our sister school and are pleased that we are able begin our cultural exchange trips again.

For this exchange, we are partnering up with Matthew Flinders and Surf Coast Secondary.
Newcomb Secondary College are seeking 5 families to host a student from SMANSA.

Due to cultural difference, we prefer to partner our host students with an NSC student of the same gender. Host families will receive an information pack on how to best cater for their host student. If we receive more than 5 interested families, further discussions will occur.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mrs. Sarah Stoneley at sarah.stoneley@education.vic.gov.au

Terima kasih banyak, semua!

(Thank you very much, everyone!)

International Women's Day 2024 campaign theme was 'Inspire Inclusion'

When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world.

And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.

When women aren't present, we must ask: "If not, why not?"

When women are discriminated against, we must call out poor practice.

When the treatment of women is not equitable, we must take action.

And we must do this each time, every time.

Organizations, groups, and individuals worldwide can all play a part - in the community, at work, at home, and beyond.

To truly include women means to openly embrace their diversity of race, age, ability, faith, body image, and how they identify. Worldwide, women must be included in all fields of endeavour.

On an individual basis, it's important to understand, value and seek out the inclusion of women and girls. Additionally, sharing this knowledge, support and encouragement with others is key.

On an organizational or group basis, there are many ways to ensure the needs, interests and aspirations of women and girls are valued and included. Organizations and groups can #InspireInclusion through action in areas such as:

• forging women's economic empowerment
• recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent
• supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
• designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
• helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
• involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
• providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
• elevating women and girl's participation and achievement in sport
• promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls
• addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls

Are you in? Will you inspire inclusion?

Reference: IWD: International Women's Day 2024 campaign theme is 'Inspire Inclusion' (internationalwomensday.com)

Our Newcomb Secondary College Student Leaders attended a breakfast event held at GMHBA stadium on International Women’s Day.

Our dedicated staff held a morning tea to celebrate International Women's Day, it was great to take some time out together to celebrate all that we do together inside and outside of work as busy women.

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.

Newcomb Secondary College is fortunate enough to have a Doctors in Schools Program running 2 days a week.

We have both a GP, and Mental Health Nurse that attend onsite to run a clinic on a Tuesday and Wednesday. This clinic is for any student in Years 7-12. The appointments are bulk billed, meaning that there is no cost to families.

Appointments can be made by either contacting the schools Wellbeing Team or calling Bellarine Community Health on 5253 0400.

Students may access this service to address any of the following:

• Physical pain or issues
• Health lifestyle (sleep, diet, nutrition, exercise)
• Mental health
• Sexual health and contraception
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Body image
• Scripts

If you would like to know more, please contact Jane Osborne in our Wellbeing Team.

Jane can either be reached by contacting the school office, or via email at jane.osborne@education.vic.gov.au

Jane Osborne

Newcomb Secondary College

Student Wellbeing & Engagement

Ph: 5248 1400 | M: 0409 960 129

E: Jane.Osborne@education.vic.gov.au

The After School Homework Club is in Room B2 every day except Thursdays. Students are welcome to attend to catch up on classwork, complete homework, receive individual tutoring or to work with classmates on a group project. They may attend for 15 minutes to sort out just one problem or they may attend right up to 5pm to accomplish a greater amount of learning. Those who attend will be awarded a positive learning chronicle (with reward token) and will be offered food. 

Mr Curnick

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:

For those of you wanting to learn to play and to practise piano at home - we have a school community contact with a free piano for you to remove from Ocean Grove and have in your home! If this interests you, please email Newcomb Secondary College teacher Ms Bourke for contact details. 

helen.bourke@education.vic.gov.au