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Dear Newcomb Secondary College Community 

After much deliberation I have come to the decision to conclude my time as Principal at Newcomb Secondary College. After a period of leave in Semester 1, 2023 I will retire from the Department of Education and Training in the middle of 2023.

It is with some sadness that I have reached this decision, as I have been Principal at Newcomb Secondary College since 2006 and this appointment has been the longest (by far) that I have worked in any one role. While I have been honoured to be in this position, I now feel that it is time for another to take on this important role. During this journey I have been pleased to meet and interact with hundreds of staff, students, parents and carers and many other community members. In my view the College is well placed to move forward and accept the challenges of preparing our young people for life and work in our competitive 21st century. We have a dedicated staff, innovative curriculum and partnerships with multiple stakeholders across Geelong that paint a positive picture of our school across different sectors of our local education and employment landscape. Over this time we have also benefitted from significant facilities investment that means we have a positive educational environment for all our present and future students.

This is all part of the natural cycle for a school (indeed any organisation) and I am confident that, with the support of our community, the staff team can move the College forward to bigger and better things. To start 2023, the very capable Scott McLeod will be Acting Principal and over the first part of the year the Department of Education and Training will conduct a recruitment and selection process (with the involvement of our College Council) to appoint a substantive Principal. I will always look back on my time as Principal with fondness and I wish each and every one of you all the very best for the future. A positive future that we create together! 

Best wishes and good luck.

Phil Honeywell Principal