Newsletter- Term 4 Week 9 2024

Feedback Week

This week is Feedback Week and thus teachers are busily attending to learning task and classwork assessments in preparation of students End of Semester Reports. As part of our college feedback process, we always encourage parents and carers to reach out to teachers and support staff to discuss the progress of their student and to identify measures that can further assist growth of outcomes.

Newcomb Secondary College Graduation- Class of 2024

The end product of such outcome growth was evident at the 2024 Newcomb Secondary College Graduation held last Thursday at 1915 in the Federal Mills precinct. What an evening it was. In a year full of achievements, events, and highlights, our college Graduation continues to rank as one of the events of the college year. The event not only showcases our wonderful Graduates but is also a marker of how far each student has come from the moment they entered Newcomb Secondary College for the first time to this being the last official event of the secondary school journey. What makes it such a special event is that it is shared with parents/ carers, family members and Newcomb Secondary College teachers, support staff and others within the college community. The ‘Newcomb Secondary College village’ as I mentioned in my speech. It is a proud moment for not only the student, but for all who contributed, in a large or small way, to the achievement. I trust the night will remain in the memories of all that were there forever, and likewise, I know that the Newcomb Secondary College experience will live on in the memories of our students for the rest of their lives.

Newcomb Secondary College Numeracy Cup

It was remiss of me not to feature the inaugural Newcomb Secondary College Numeracy Cup in last week’s newsletter. This event brought together Grade 5 students from each of our fantastic feeder schools- Leopold Primary School, Moolap Primary School, Tate St Primary School, Whittington Primary School, Newcomb Primary School and Geelong East Primary School. The Numeracy Cup challenged the primary school students, in teams, to answer a series of mathematical problems, each correct answer gaining points towards the overall champion. The 2024 champion team was from Tate St Primary School- congratulations!

Professional Learning Day

Last week staff had the opportunity to engage in a day of Professional Learning focussed on our learning programs and practice. The day commenced with Newcomb Secondary College staff visiting four of our feeder schools- Leopold Primary School, Whittington Primary School, Newcomb Primary School and Moolap Primary School. Our staff enjoyed the opportunity to observe the young people in the primary schools who will one day become Newcomb Secondary College students. It was important to understand how each primary school delivers an education to their students, to share about the experiences with one another and to consider how the learnings may complement our learning programs, practice, and transitions.

Following this experience, staff spent time together reviewing our college School Wide Positive Behaviour structures for future opportunities as well as investing time into curriculum development.

Have a great week!

Regards,

Mr Scott McLeod

Principal

Newcomb Secondary College

Parent and carer School Saving Bonus code distribution 

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.

The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.

If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities.  To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November.  

If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au.

We deeply appreciate the efforts of our parents who consistently support their children in attending school and engaging with their education. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in helping us create a positive and productive learning environment for all our students, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your children and for our school community. Your commitment makes a significant difference!

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

Thank you!

Hannah

Hannah Demopoulos

Attendance Officer

Newcomb Secondary College

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 | 

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

Celebrating Achievement: Year 9 Students Complete the GTFP Program

This week marked an inspiring milestone for Newcomb Secondary College’s Year 9 students as they attended an awards ceremony after having proudly completed the Geelong Tertiary Futures Program (GTFP) as part of Newcomb Secondary College's GROW curriculum this year. A collaboration between Newcomb Secondary College, the Gordon TAFE, and the Skilling the Bay Initiative, the GTFP offers students a valuable opportunity to engage in hands-on vocational learning across diverse fields, such as building construction, hospitality, community service, and childcare.

The program’s innovative approach allows students to step into the world of tertiary education, completing TAFE-based Units of Competency that contribute to their academic transcripts. Beyond academic credentials, students gain practical skills, insight into potential career paths, and a taste of what life is like as a tertiary student.

A Celebration of Excellence

At a special awards ceremony, every student received a Certificate of Completion, acknowledging their dedication and success. Additionally, 10 top-achieving students were celebrated for their exceptional performance across the program’s diverse fields of study. Among them, Mia Pfarrer and Lillie Della Monica received special commendations for their outstanding contributions and achievements, inspiring their peers and highlighting the potential of vocational learning.

Newcomb Secondary College continues to shine as a leader in student achievement, ranking highest in completion rates among 11 local high schools. This commendable result reflects the school’s strong investment in student pathways and the hope, motivation, and aptitude demonstrated by its students.

Building Pathways to the Future

The GTFP program is a fantastic demonstration of how collaboration and community support can inspire potential. It lays the foundation for what’s next. For some students, the program provides the confidence and skills to accelerate into a VETdSS (Vocational Education and Training delivered to Secondary Students) subject in Year 10. Others will use the experience to shape their senior schooling pathway selections, with many considering entry into TAFE in Years 11-12 to further pursue their career ambitions.

Newcomb Secondary College extends its gratitude to the Gordon TAFE, Skilling the Bay Initiative, and all staff who contributed to this program’s success. Congratulations to all Year 9 students—your achievements inspire us all, and we look forward to seeing the incredible paths you will forge!

Last Friday, 29/11/2024, Newcomb Secondary College competed in the Leopold Sportsmans Club's Lawn Bowls competition! Competition was fierce, however all students got involved and gave their best!

Our Team of Riley Cameron, Xavier Favley, Brooke Hibble and Max Dekker progressed to the finals winning the Grand Final against Bellarine Secondary College! Here they are pictured with their medals. A huge thankyou to Milly for attending on the day.

Also, a massive thank you to Nicole and the Leopold Sportsmans Club for putting on a fantastic day. We were spoilt with lunch, and many volunteers who made the day as successful as it was!

Go Seahorses!

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 and hot chocolates!! 

Mr Curnick

Library Stocktake 2024

Please urgently return all Newcomb Secondary College books for the 2024 Stocktake. From now until February books can be read and enjoyed in the library but not borrowed to take home. This enables our stocktake to be completed.  If you are a student, please clear your locker, school bag and house of our school library books and bring them back, thank you.  If you are a parent please assist your child/ren to return their books please. Non - returns will be billed to your account at school.

Opening Hours and Lunchtime Clubs

The Newcomb Secondary College Library opens at 8.30 a.m. every weekday morning before school and is open every recess and lunchtime (2nd half) throughout the year. There are spaces to read comfortably, complete homework and to take part in library clubs.

We have a wealth of board and card games and a fantastic number of Clubs running weekly - Monday Clubs include Chess Club (Student-Led) and Circle of Friends Book Club. Tuesday Clubs include City of Greater Geelong 'Games, Trivia and Karaoke sessions' with Ms Vanessa Davis and Ms Noor Al-Assafi. Geelong Regional Library Corporation's Newcomb Branch Young Adult Librarians run special workshops fortnightly on Wednesdays throughout the year with themed book and craft sessions (Valentines Day, Halloween and Christmas for example). Ms Laura Farrington and Mr Cameron Wilson share their love of Manga and Anime with a regular group of student attendees at these sessions. Our students in particular enjoy Cameron's origami workshops! Miss Marshall's Library Craft Club runs on both Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year (Term 4: Polymer clay jewellery making and special event crafts such as Halloween lanterns).

Library Opening Hours

Monday to Friday

*Open from 8.30 - 3.30 p.m.

*Open at Recess

*Open 2nd half lunchtimes (reading/board and card games/clubs).

Please find attached the Newcomb Secondary College booklists and 'How to Order' flyer. 
These attachments can be found on Compass too. Thank you.

How to Order Flyer Newcomb Secondary College

2025 Year 7 Booklist

2025 Year 8 Booklist

2025 Year 9 Booklist

2025 Year 10 Booklist

2025 VCE Booklist

2025 VCE Booklist Early English

Term 4 Regional Parenting Calendar