I hope you and your loved ones had a great long weekend together. It was certainly a timely break! 

As we return to school this week, we do so in the knowledge that the mid-year break is only just around the corner. In fact, the holidays are only eight school days away as I write this newsletter article. With that in mind, we encourage students to check with their teachers to ensure that they have attended to all of their set work tasks. Currently, teachers are writing their end of semester reports. 

Semester 2 Preparations 

As we complete Semester 1, we also set our sights on Semester 2. For students in Years 7 & 8, they will experience minimal change in their learning programs, but for Year 9 & 10 electives will change. 

Our Year 11 & 12 VCE students will roll-over from Unit 1 to 2 or Unit 3 to 4. Student Support leaders and the Pathways teams are working closely with students at the moment to confirm Semester 2 courses. If your student has any questions, or would like to review their course for Semester 2, please touch base with their Student Support leader as soon as possible. 

Learning, Respect & Working Together 

It is widely known through research that the best possible academic and wellbeing outcomes for students are attained through strong partnerships between the school, the student and Carers. To ensure that a positive outcome is achieved, as a school we do so by offering an understanding and supportive approach even when difficult discussions are necessary. As a school, we always aim to uphold our values of Learning, Respect and Working Together. As you can appreciate, that includes not only our student community, but the parent, Carer and broader Newcomb Secondary College community. We are blessed to have so many supportive and respectful members of our community (thank you!) and although we understand that at times emotion or misinformation can cloud actions and behaviours as humans, all we continue to strive to ensure that all communications and interactions remain respectful, constructive and solution-focussed for all involved. After all, as initially mentioned, research categorically concludes that the best possible outcomes are achieved when strong partnerships exist between the school, the student and Carers.

Student Presentation 

Thank you to students and Carers for your attention to presentation, in particular school uniform this Semester. We have employed a strong focus on presentation and in doing so listened to our community by providing a new uniform option for added warmth, the Newcomb Secondary College Rugby top. They look great and have been a welcome addition to the college uniform, so much so that the demand has seen a short-term shortage at our uniform supplier, PSW. I am however informed that further stock will arrive in the coming few days so hopefully all students can present in uniform without an excuse in Semester 2. Please remember that, as has been frequently and widely broadcast, hoodies or other personal clothing items are not to be worn at school. Cold weather is not a valid excuse, all Newcomb Secondary College uniform items are designed to be adequate for comfort and for warmth. If you wish to discuss the college uniform policy further, please contact your Newcomb Secondary College school council representative or a Newcomb Secondary College Assistant Principal. 

Professional Practice Day (PPD)- Thursday June 15 

On Thursday this week (June 15) we have our College Professional Practice Day (PPD). As such, no regular classes will be conducted for students on the day. A Professional Practice Day is a day which staff attend to class planning, assessment, reporting, moderation in teams, providing student feedback etc. We encourage students to take advantage of this break in regular classes to attend to any set tasks that they are yet to complete. Compass will be a great starting point for you and your student to review.

Have a great week!

Mr McLeod

Riding E-Scooters to School

The Victorian Government has delivered findings of the E-Scooter trial and the laws regarding the use of these have been updated to reflect these. These can be viewed at https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/e-scooters-in-victoria

From Wednesday 13 June, Newcomb Secondary College will be taking actions to assist our students in being compliant with these laws.

The key points for students at Newcomb Secondary College to consider are:

• No one under the age of 16 is allowed to ride an E-Scooter, as such we will not be providing storage or support for such devices and request students 15 and below find alternative means of transport.
• Helmets must be worn.
• E-Scooters may only be used on roads. As such, students aged 16 and over must walk their scooter through the school ground and only mount the scooter when moving onto the road.

Other laws apply, but these are the most relevant for Newcomb Secondary College students on the school ground and their way to and from school.

Mr Sinclair

Assistant Principal

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Mr Scott McLeod, Acting Principal
Mr James Murphy, Assistant Principal
Mr Jeremy Sinclair, Acting Assistant Principal