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Welcome to 2023

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome all Newcomb Secondary College community members to the 2023 Academic Year. I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer break and for our students who returned to school today, I trust you did so with a renewed level of enthusiasm, optimism and determination for a successful year. It can be said that a new year offers ‘new opportunities’ and a ‘clean slate’. This is very true at Newcomb Secondary College so we encourage students to take advantage of the opportunity, this clean slate, and make positive choices that will lead to positive growth and positive outcomes.

Today I had the privilege of welcoming new staff and students to the Newcomb Secondary College community. Joining the staff in 2023 includes- Mr Riordan McDonald (Humanities), Ms Felicity Dewar (Wellbeing), Mrs Sarah Cole (Nobody’s Fool Program) and Ms Genevieve Pop (Learning Mentor). In addition to those, Mrs Melissa Wray returns this year whilst Mrs Rhiannon Leech and Ms Phoebe Bradshaw have completed their studies, transitioned from their role of Learning Mentors and are now teachers of English & Humanities in 2023. In coming additions of the Newsletter, we will feature a ‘Getting to know’ profile feature on each of our new staff. One thing I can say for sure, we are blessed to have so many fine educators for our students!

It was also a special moment at our ‘Welcome Back’ assembly today for those students new to Newcomb Secondary College. In particular, our new Year 7 students who are embarking on their secondary schooling journey with us. Upon completing their Year 12 studies and graduating from Newcomb Secondary College, these students will be known as the class of 2028 (scary thought!). It was certainly great to see all their smiling faces and in conversations with many of them, it was clear that they felt welcomed, supported and were having a great day.

To the students who have joined us at different year levels across the college for the first time today, we welcome you.

I couldn't let this moment pass without recognising our wonderful 2023 Year 12 students. This is their final year of secondary schooling, and I can say with a fair degree of certainty, it will be a challenging year but one that will feature many supports to ensure it is a successful experience for all.

‘Good Order’ Focus 2023

We can all be quite proud of Newcomb Secondary Colleges dedication towards and success in Creating Positive Outcomes for all students. Our Positive Futures Framework offers guidance for the skills and attributes necessary for success in any chosen career pathway, we have a system wide recognised Wellbeing program utilising Berry St resources and professional learning to guide and feature highly on all student growth tables for Literacy and Numeracy. Student Voice and Agency is celebrated, and our commitment to School Wide Positive Behaviour allows Newcomb Secondary College to have a safe and orderly environment for learning together.

To compliment these areas of success, and in particular in support of our work with Berry St, this year staff will focus on supporting students with ‘Good Order’ practices. Research tells us that students who display consistent behaviours, have high expectations and predictable routines are more organised, maximise learning opportunities and achieve greatest success. Aligned with our ‘Learning, Respect & Working together’ positive learning elements, ’Good Order’ practices will enable our classroom learning environments to be spaces that are calm and orderly, where positive learning interactions are a feature.

The ‘Good Order’ Focus areas expected that were shared with our students at assembly today are:-  

Line-up outside classroom before each class with all learning materials.
Teachers will greet students and check that they have their correct learning equipment and in the correct uniform.
Enter room in an orderly manner, sit & remain seated, and keep devices shut until instructed to open by teacher.
Respect the learning equipment- leave room in a neat and tidy state.

These initial ‘Good Order’ expectations are quite simple and not hard for students to adhere to but will allow each and every class to begin in a positive fashion. We encourage you to take the time to speak about these measures with your student at home. We appreciate your support of our endeavour to provide organisational guidance, predictability and high expectations to our student community in 2023. Today is our starting platform “our base level expectations so to speak”. Please keep an eye out for further ‘Good Order’ & ‘High Expectations’ over the coming weeks.

Student Uniform & Presentation

It was great to see the efforts made by the majority of students regarding presentation within our Newcomb Secondary College community. We ask that students represent the College, themselves and their families at all times.

Staff will be making a concerted effort to ensure all students are dressed in correct uniform in 2023. We ask for your unwavering support with this focus. Starting this week, students who present in the incorrect uniform will be asked to provide a reason and a plan to address their situation with either their Home Group teacher or Student Support coordinators. Should a positive outcome not be possible, Leadership will make contact with respective guardians to discuss the matter and determine an outcome.

The Newcomb Secondary College uniform provider is PSW located in Malop Street, Geelong. If support is needed with uniforms, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling the school office who can put you in touch with our Wellbeing team.

Mr Scott McLeod

Today marked a significant occasion at Newcomb Secondary College. Over the last 16 years, Mr Phil Honeywell has delivered the ‘Welcome Back Assembly’ at Newcomb Secondary College. Today, I had that honour in his absence. Mr Phil Honeywell is on leave for Semester 1 and is set to retire in July. We will have an opportunity to say thanks to Mr Honeywell at a yet to be determined date. It will be a wonderful event that will enable the community to recognise the service Mr Phil Honeywell has provided to education and in particular his contributions to Newcomb Secondary College.

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

Single-use plastics make up a third of the litter in our environment and are difficult and costly to clean up. They pollute the environment, harming wildlife and contaminating our food and water. They are also a poor use of resources – they are often used for only a few minutes and generate significant waste that is not recyclable. They can often easily be replaced with reusable products.

Under new regulations, from 1 February 2023, Victorian businesses and organisations (including schools) will not be able to sell, supply or provide a number of single-use plastic items. The ban applies to the following single-use plastic items made from conventional, degradable or compostable plastics:

• Drinking straws
• Cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, splades, and  food picks.
• Plates
• Drink stirrers and sticks
• Cotton bud sticks

The ban also applies to:

• Food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene. This includes expanded polystyrene plates, cups, bowls, clam shells and any cover or lid that is also made from expanded polystyrene.

Exceptions to the ban

People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or for a medical need will still be able to purchase and use these items. If your student needs to continue using single-use plastic drinking straws because of a disability or medical need, please let us know and we will ensure that there is a supply available for your student’s use at future school activities.

The Victorian government has produced a usefulFact Sheet explaining which items are banned and which are not, including information about exemptions.

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At Newcomb Secondary College, we are dedicated to academic achievement and success for all students. Regular school attendance is a critical part of that success, and we are committed to increasing the attendance rate in our school to achieve improved academic skills, as well as social and emotional growth for our students.

Please notify the school when your student is late or when they need to leave early, providing a reason for this absence. If your child must be absent, please contact the school as soon as possible to prevent unexcused absences that may hinder your student’s progress. Students who arrive after 9.00am must go to the Administration Office to sign in with office staff. When departing before the end of the school day, students must sign out at the Administration Office.

Please access the Compass portal to view and enter reasons for any unexplained absences for your child.

We are committed as a school to work together in partnership to support you and your student, and to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for all students. If you have any questions regarding attendance or require any support or assistance, please contact the school on 5248 1400.

• A 95% attendance rate is the equivalent of missing 10 days per year.
• 90% = 1 day per fortnight or 20 days per year.
• 85% = 30 days per year.
• 80% = one day per week or 40 days per year.

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.

Hannah Demopolous

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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.