Firstly, I need to acknowledge and congratulate all students who participated in the Whole School Summer Sports Day at Kardinia Pool last Thursday. The day was a remarkable success, in brilliant conditions and was so successful because of the numbers of students who participated in the swimming events, the novelty events, as well as the students who took advantage of the opportunity to use the waterslide. The day was full of colour and peer support. It was wonderful to see the House coloured attire and costumes and hearing the cheering of encouragement for fellow students. I cannot wait to celebrate the victorious house team and student age level champions at our Whole School Assembly next week. Thanks to Mr Bell for his tireless work in planning and facilitating the day, as well as for all the fabulous staff who supported the day in their assigned duties or even as swimming competitors such as in the staff/student relay!

On Tuesday of this week, we will welcome our community into the College to discuss the learning growth and progress of our Year 12 students. The Year 12 Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences will be a great opportunity for students and their parents/guardians to be informed of progress and to determine suitable goals and targets to ensure success in their senior courses and studies. I am looking forward to seeing you all there!

You may be aware of our relationship and commitment to the Blue Edge Program. The Program aims to build strong and healthy connections with students and Victorian Police, the program runs twice weekly from 7.00am to 8.45am at Newcomb Secondary College. The sessions have been very well attended and are full of fun and activity, rounded off with a healthy cooked breakfast- who can ask for a better start to the school day! It was fantastic to observe the session last week and witness the positive engagement of all involved.

Finally, we encourage all of our students who travel to-and-from school to do so in a safe and responsible manner. If you ride a bike to and from school, please make sure that you wear a helmet and bring a lock to secure your bike. If you are on a scooter or skateboard, you too should wear appropriate safety gear. For those of you who like to listen to music via headphones when travelling to and from school, please ensure that you are especially aware of vehicles around you; you may not always hear them coming over the volume of music in your ears.

Have a great week!

Regards, Mr McLeod

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

On the 16^th of February, Newcomb Secondary College held it's Annual Swimming Carnival. It was fantastic to see so many students attend on the day and join in the Carnival spirit with many creative outfits. It was also fantastic to see our students cheering for each other in both our swimming races and the novelty events.

Additionally, it was great to see our staff involved in some of the races, to make up relay teams!

A big thank you to all our students, staff members and Kardinia Aquatic Centre for making the day possible!

Go Seahorses!

Mr Corey Bell

NSC Sport Coordinator

Student Learning Report

All classes have begun for 2023 with a focus on good order. For students, this has included being ready to learn with the correct equipment, being on time to each class and entering the learning space in a calm and controlled manner. Teachers have also been working on their good order to ensure they are ready to greet students for classes, have organised the necessary resources for the lesson and created a ready to learn space in the classroom. This whole school approach is designed to ensure consistency of expectations across our school and to also ensure that the learning time is used in the best possible way - for learning!

Students can continue the good order focus by ensuring that they have a fully charged laptop every day and for every class. A charger should be taken to classes if needed. Students must also continue to take all books and resources needed for each double session so there is no need to return to their locker between classes. Students are encouraged to take a drink bottle to class as we know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially in the warmer weather.

As well as classroom teachers, we often have learning mentors working in classes to support our students. Learning Mentors work hard to support the lesson focus planned by teachers. They also assist and encourage our students to be the best learner they can be by listening and applying themselves to tasks to the best of their ability. A Learning Mentor is another adult in the school that our students can seek out for support if needed.

Mrs Melissa Wray

Leader of Learning

School Process and School Wide Expectations

This is just a friendly reminder to our parents and caregivers about our school process and school wide expectations. You will receive a notification on compass, email or SMS that your child will have a lunch time reflection if:

If your child is late to school without a note

If your child breaches the school's mobile phone policy

If your child is relocated from class for disruptive behaviour

Reflection is an opportunity for your child to discuss the incident/s which prompted it with members of the Student Support team. The reflection upon the incident will include discussions of future supports and actions to assist students in maintaining our school values at all times.

Failure to attend a lunch time reflection session may result in an after-school detention on a Thursday 2:45 - 3:15pm.

Parents will be notified of this 24 hours prior via SMS or telephone call. If a student is absent or misses this after school detention, then they will complete an after-school detention from 3:15pm to 4:00pm on the next school day that they are present.

These notifications are to keep you informed about your child’s presentation and behaviour at school and designed to create clear lines of communication about school expectations between school and home.

Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower) is a well-established fitness based experiential learning program run by BLV in partnership with Victoria Police combining physical training, personal growth and life skills for students in years 7 to 9.

Blue EDGE includes three key components:
• A session of physical training fitness circuits and team building activities
• a shared meal
• workshop with weekly themes, activities and discussion

Delivered twice weekly from 7:00- 8:50am Wednesday and Friday. Beginning Term 2 (Week 2).

The program covers a range of topics which are tailored to address current issues and interests identified by the participant group and site-delivery team. Sessions can include wellbeing topics, personal development life skills and leadership.

The program concludes with a Longest Day team excursion where the group works together and celebrates their achievements as a team. Students with 80% attendance to the program will receive a Garmin watch as a reward.

Parents/Carers/staff can register their students for Term 2 through this link: bit.ly/BE_RegoSession_ before 3^rd March.

Ms Eliza Hunt

Leading Teacher of the Junior School

English, Drama and VET Teacher

I am very excited to begin my new role in Wellbeing here at Newcomb Secondary College. I grew up living in Launceston, Tasmania.  I love to return there once a year to see family and friends. My kids and I have been living in Victoria for the last six years, and decided to move for work and a lifestyle change to Geelong in December 2022.

Upon graduating from Deakin with a degree in Social Work in 2021, I have been employed in the OoHCS at Mackillop Family Services, and also more recently at Sacred Heart College as part of their Wellbeing team. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, biking, camping and travelling. Other hobbies and past times include upcycling furniture, gardening, sewing and knitting.

I would like to thank the staff, students and families for the warm welcome and support, and I’m looking forward to working with you all throughout this year.

Ms Dewar

We are very happy that Mr Hopgood has come out of retirement and returned to NSC whilst Mr Ryan is on leave. Mr Hopgood will tend to our gardens,  keeping them looking beautiful, and any maintenance work. 

College Uniform

The wearing of uniform is compulsory and high expectations in this area are reinforced, to foster in all students a sense of pride in themselves and their College. Students can choose whichever uniform they want to wear on any given day (sports, winter, or summer) however, students are required to wear the full uniform of choice.

Uniform:

Summer Uniform:

Summer dress (green, blue and white check)

White socks

OR

White collared, short sleeve button up shirt

Grey shorts

White socks

Winter Uniform:

White collared short/long sleeve shirt

Tailored navy blue pants or dress shorts OR Winter skirt (pleated green and navy check)

White socks or navy stockings

OR

Dark Grey shorts or long pants.

White collared button up short/long sleeve shirt

White Socks

Sports Uniform:

Navy and Bottle Green micro fibre polo shirt with College Logo

Navy shorts

Navy track pants

Appropriate footwear must be worn with the sport uniform, such as lace up trainers.

Additional Uniform Items:

Navy Blue Woollen jumper with College Logo

Navy Blue crew neck jumper

Navy and Green Jacket with white stripe

Optional Navy Blue Blazer with College Logo and tie (bottle green, navy and white).

All black shoes, polishable leather or leather look shoes with laces or buckle.

*The closing date to have submitted any late conveyance applications including a copy of your PTV receipt is 3pm Friday 24^th November 2023.

To be eligible to receive a Conveyance Allowance, applicants must reside more than 4.8kms by the shortest practicable route from their nearest school. Parents are responsible for the initial payment of the bus passes but will be re-imbursed in July and December of the current year.

To apply for re-imbursement families are required to complete two forms and return them to the school office. Forms are available from the College Office.

1. 2023 Victorian Public Transport Student Concession Card and Student Pass Application Form. Available from the College Office, V/Line Stations or via the PTV website.
2. Student Conveyance Allowance Application Form for new students to Newcomb Secondary College in 2023.
3. Return a copy of your PTV receipt to the College Office to apply for re-imbursement.

Please note required forms need to be completed at the start of each school year for continued funding. Any queries please contact Leanne at the College office on 5248 1400.

Arthur Reed Photos Catch-up Day

Thursday 2nd March 2023.

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 three 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 2023 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 2023 images are online to view before making your purchase.

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2023 Education Assistance Program

Uniting Care Education Assistance Program for 2022-2023 (Oct 2022 to June 30^th 2023) is available to those families and students who are most vulnerable and need assistance in regard to uniforms, books and/or digital book fees.

Please telephone the Education Assistance Team on 4210 1100 and make an appointment time with our interviewers to see what assistance we can provide.

The office is open Monday to Friday mornings 9.30am to 12.30pm.