Preparations are truly ramping up as we eagerly get ready to open our doors and warmly welcome prospective students and their families to our school for our highly anticipated 2025 Open Night, which will take place on Monday, March 24th. As a dedicated staff, we absolutely cherish the opportunity to hear from our guests about what impresses them most about Newcomb. It brings us immense joy and satisfaction, making all the time and energy we invest in this event more than worthwhile.
Whenever I am asked what I love most about teaching, leading, and working at Newcomb Secondary College (NSC), my answer is always simple and heartfelt: it’s our incredible students. We pride ourselves on being a relationship-based community where we genuinely strive to cultivate deep, meaningful connections with our students—not just as learners, but as young individuals who matter greatly both within our NSC community and in the wider world. These strong relationships empower us to recognise and support our students in developing their self-regulation skills, encouraging positive relationships, and enhancing their understanding of overall wellbeing. When these elements are flourishing, we witness high levels of engagement in their learning, which leads to wonderful growth and remarkable achievements within the classroom.
Capturing the true essence of Newcomb can be a bit challenging during Open Night, but we know that a sense of our vibrant community can be felt as prospective families tour our wonderful facilities. They will have the opportunity to see firsthand some of the academic, leadership, and personal growth opportunities we proudly offer our students. Our genuine connections are observed in the warm interactions between students and staff, as well as in the enthusiasm of our students who willingly give up their evening to showcase the unique qualities of our school.
Another vital aspect of Newcomb that is difficult to fully capture on Open Night is the positive dialogue and excitement within our community about the many opportunities available to your child as students at NSC. These opportunities range from grand events to small, impactful actions, each of which will resonate differently with every student. A moment from last week was seeing the pride on the faces of our Band Captains as they were presented their leadership badges was heartwarming and hearing our bands perform their new numbers gave me goosebumps - especially our Senior Band playing Defying Gravity from Wicked. Another moment was seeing our Year Nines lined up at the Auditorium door ready for a NAPLAN session, being encouraged and supported to do their best by our wonderful staff. As an aside, I noted they were all looking so good as they were wearing our uniform well, with pride. Chatting later on with Mr Grabowski who has been leading our NAPLAN sessions, he also noted how good the uniform looks when worn well. Our Uniform Bank initiative is working well to support students who arrive out of uniform to match their peers for the day, so a thank you to the team who make this happen.
Just recently, I received a delightful email from one of our Year Nine students who is currently attending the Gnurad-Gundidj campus of the School for Student Leadership. She shared with me how much she is enjoying her experience and how she has met some truly wonderful and supportive peers. It warmed my heart to hear that she is thriving in such a challenging environment—spending ten weeks away from her family and friends at just fourteen years old is no small feat!
This week we have our Athletics Carnival to look forward to. Competing at our Aths Day is a wonderful opportunity to display all of our school values: Learning, Respect and Working together. We learn from trying new skills and having a go at applying feedback, we show respect for our Houses by wearing our colours with pride and in cheering our peers on as they attempt each event and activity. Lastly, we work together to make the day a positive one for all involved. Mr Bell leads our whole school in playing their part on this fabulous day with good humour and buckets of encouragement for all. We hope you can make it to Landy Field on Thursday.
Term One is well underway and (for the most part) as a student body we are all back into routine.
In terms of leadership around the school, we are seeing plenty of positives to look forward to:
With our new house leadership teams working together to create excitement around the sporting carnivals, as well as planning upcoming opportunities for school wide house points activities.
The members of the Student Leadership Action Meeting (SLAM) committee for this year have been finalized, with approximately four representatives selected from each year level. This team will meet on Mondays to engage in discussions focused on potential improvements, fundraising initiatives, and the implementation of positive changes aimed at benefiting the Newcomb Secondary College community throughout 2025.
Additionally, five students are currently participating in the Gnurad Gundidj School for Student Leadership. This term-long program is designed to foster both personal and social development, with the primary goal of equipping students with valuable leadership skills, lifelong learning experiences, and lasting memories.
As the college captains, our primary objective this year is to foster leadership opportunities and amplify student voice within the college community. We aim to cultivate the development of future leaders at Newcomb Secondary College while encouraging greater student engagement and agency in school-wide decision-making processes. We look forward to the outcomes this year will bring, both in terms of the growth of the school and our personal leadership development.
Hello everyone! My name is Lyndsay Wright, and I’m excited to be part of this wonderful school community. I believe that education is about much more than just academics—it’s about helping students grow as individuals and supporting their overall well-being.
I’ve had the privilege of having a varied career in mental health and wellbeing, both here in Australia and in my home country of England. This experience has deepened my passion for holistic approaches to healing and therapy, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to support the mind, body, and spirit to lead a fulfilling life. Whether through meditation, mindfulness, or exploring the deep connection between emotional health and physical wellness, I aim to bring these practices into my work with students and staff.
In my personal life, I love spending time at the beach, camping, walking my dog, and listening to wellbeing audios that help me stay grounded. Travelling is also a passion and I have been lucky enough to travel extensively which is why my family and I made Australia our home. I am also passionate about mind-body awareness, and I’m always exploring new ways to integrate these practices into daily life to stay balanced and present.
I truly believe that when we nurture our overall well-being, we empower ourselves to face life’s challenges with resilience and confidence. I’m looking forward to working together with students, families, and staff to create a supportive and balanced environment where everyone can thrive.
If you ever want to chat about wellbeing, meditation, or anything else, please feel free to reach out.
We are excited to highlight the exceptional accomplishments of students who embody the core values of Learning, Respect, and Working Together at Newcomb Secondary College. Congratulations to the following students who have received the most positive acknowledgements for their homegroups this term:
71 – Lola-May McCallum- Saxon
72 – Venus Cassie & Reilly Hooper
73 – Archie Thomas
74 – Justin Stageman
81 – Hayden Brooker & Jorja Lynch
82 – Lillian Beales-Hogan
83 – Stevie Halloran
84 – Fox Anskaitis
85 – Holly Riordon
91 – Trey Erben-Jager
92 – Sam Gibbons
93 – Brodie Cardigan
94 – Kirra Herd-Young
101 – Levi Roberts
102 – Hamish Mariner
103 – Talydia Williams and Mitchell Dunstan
111 – Everett Kennedy
112 – Zoey Davis
113 – Anna Carlon
121 – Corey Davis
122 – Phoebe Duffin
Your commitment to our school values and positive contributions to our community are truly inspiring.
Furthermore, a special commendation goes to Home Group 84 for collectively demonstrating our values and receiving the most positive acknowledgements. Your teamwork and dedication set an exemplary standard for us all.
Let's continue to uphold our values of Learning, Respect, and Working Together as we celebrate these achievements and strive for excellence together. Well done, everyone!
On March 21st, our Senior School Volleyball Team competed against several schools at the Leisuretime Centre, with the team being expertly led by our captain, Katelin Cobb. The team faced two challenging matches against highly skilled opponents but showed resilience and determination. In a hard-fought contest, they ultimately secured a victory in a closely contested match against Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Bell and Ms. Bradshaw for their support, which contributed to making the day a memorable and successful experience for the team.
The City of Greater Geelong, in partnership with the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee (WiCLAC), has acknowledged the exceptional contributions and leadership of women throughout the region in the lead-up to International Women's Day. The 2025 Women in Community Life Awards recognized 22 women nominated across three categories: Leadership and Advocacy, Human Rights, and Strengthening Healthy Communities.
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Noor Al-Assafi, Social Worker at Newcomb Secondary College, for receiving the prestigious 'Human Rights' award. This award honors Noor’s outstanding contributions to the Greater Geelong community, with particular emphasis on her dedication to promoting and advocating for gender equality. Noor’s recognition reflects her steadfast commitment to human rights and her influential role in advancing gender equity within the community.
Congratulations to the following Year 10 students for successfully completing their Peer Support Training. This accomplishment reflects their dedication and commitment to fostering a supportive school environment. As part of their new role, they have begun attending Year 7 homerooms on Monday mornings to build connections and get to know the Year 7 students. Their involvement will undoubtedly contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere within the school community.
Gracie Whitford- Price and Amity Bridge
Lillie Della Monica and Talydia Williams
Mia Pfarrer and Emma Potter
Ruby Morrissy and Chelsea Morton
The primary objective of the Peer Support Leaders is to establish meaningful connections with Year 7 students, offering support on a peer level when needed. They serve as knowledgeable guides, assisting with a variety of school-related matters, including familiarizing students with the school layout, interpreting timetables, managing lockers, and providing guidance on dealing with bullying. In addition, they offer valuable support in problem-solving, promoting teamwork, and facilitating team-building activities to enhance the overall school experience.
Please congratulate them on their contribution and willingness to volunteer to support other students.
Amanda Patterson. Adolescent Health Promotions Nurse.
I hope the start of Term 1 for 2025 has been positive for you and your family.
I kindly remind you of the attendance policy and requirements held by Newcomb Secondary College and the Department of Education.
Above all, we are committed to facilitating the attainment of high academic, social, behavioural and emotional success for all students. We believe regular attendance and high engagement in our school community is a critical part of that success, and we endeavour to increase the attendance rate in our school to ensure the best outcomes are accomplished for our students’ growth in all areas. Working together in close partnership with you through the maintenance of regular and open communication is an essential component of our ethos at Newcomb Secondary College, and we strive to maintain our close relationships with all families in our school community.
If your student must be absent, please contact the school as soon as possible to prevent unexplained absences that may hinder your student’s progress. If a reason is not provided for your student’s absence, the school is required to contact you on the same day. This is to ensure the safety of your student and maintain open communication to ensure you and your student are supported and successful in our school community.
If you have any questions regarding attendance or require any support or assistance, please contact the school on 5248 1400.
Thank you to school community members Mrs Cheryl and Mr Stephen Crane who donated a large amount of café tableware and reusable plastic containers etc to the kitchen this week. These will be used in many classes and will be very much appreciated by staff and students.
About The 2025 insight Creative Writing Competition
This competition is open to high school students around Australia as we aim to ignite a passion for creative writing and inspire the voices of the future.
Entering the competition is free and all entrants will have the chance to share in over $3000 worth of cash prizes!
All shortlisted entries will also be judged by acclaimed Australian authors. Past judges have included Alice Pung, Nam Le, Cath Moore, Michael Pryor, Will Kostakis and Jack Henseleit. This year’s shortlist judges will be announced in the coming months, so make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see the official announcement!
The optional theme for 2025 is: Soulmates.
Over the past seven years, we have had the pleasure of reading more than 2000 creative pieces from high school students around the country. If you’re a budding writer in high school, we’d love to see your work.
2025 Important Dates
Competition Opens: 20 March
Competition Closes: 1September
Longlist Announcement: 1October
Shortlist Announcement: 22 October
Awards Ceremony: TBA
For details about how to enter, please click here to download the Conditions of Entry and Submission Form.
‘The Nest Youth Hub is now open Monday to Friday 3:30-6pm! There is FREE FOOD, gaming on PS5, Pool, Table Tennis, and Art Activities. All programs are FREE for young people aged 12-25. Come in and check out our new space at 17 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. For more information, visit https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youth .’
What’s On
Starting from 10 February 2025, drop-in programs will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30pm until 6pm. During drop in times, you can:
Grab a meal and chill out with your mates
Access information and referrals to support services
Play a game of pool, table tennis or video games
Access a computer, a printer, charging stations and free Wi-Fi
Check out the local jobs board and community noticeboard
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Hub will be running closed group activities. Keep an eye on our socials @GeelongYouth early next year for more information including how to register.
The Hub is staffed by members of the City’s Youth Development team, and they will be wearing a lanyard and name tag so you can easily find them.
The Nest Youth Club 17 Gheringhap Street, Geelong.
