Dear All,

We hope this finds you and your families safe and well.

In light of the announcement of the end of restrictions in Regional Victoria, we are really excited about seeing our students return to the school site, to resume their programs and reconnect with their teachers and peers. We will share more specific information about the DET Operational Guidelines for schools as soon as we are able to. In the meantime, please continue to check Compass for communications and updates.

We thank all of our students and their parents/carers for the flexibility and optimism with which they have bounced in and out of this most recent lockdown. We certainly recognise and appreciate what a tiring and frustrating process this can be for you all. However, in the knowledge that we might find ourselves reverting back to remote and flexible learning in the future, it is reassuring to know that we can quickly and effectively make this transition when required to do so.

Unfortunately, the calling of this most recent lockdown required us to postpone the Junior Music Camp. This was a great shame, as so much planning and consideration had gone into preparing for the event, and it had inspired great anticipation and excitement for those involved. The Camp has now been rescheduled for the 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of November. This change in date will allow more time for the students involved to become even more accomplished with the mastery of their instruments! Thank you to the staff involved with the organisation (and reorganisation) of this event, especially Mrs Cheryl Stabryla.

COVID Update - Return to School

We trust that news from the Premier of Victoria was welcomed by you all. Whilst a surprise, it certainly was by us all here at school!

As announced, you will be aware that all regional Victorian students, including students of NSC, returned to school onsite today.

As of yet, we have not received the latest detailed information from the Department of Education and Training, however what we do know is-

• All Year levels return to school on Tuesday August 10^th.
• Face Masks are mandated for all students at all times whilst in school, and when travelling to and from school
• Social distancing/ Density limits will apply
• As we recommence onsite, our school will focus on- Student attendance, Student Wellbeing and Student re-engagement to classroom learning
• Non-essential visitors are not permitted onsite
• If your child is unwell, please remain home and get tested

In preparation for a return to school, we encourage you and your student(s) to review the ‘Checklist for Returning to school’ document in a separate article in this Newsletter.

For all students who borrowed a device during this phase of Remote Learning, please return it to the LRC at school when you return.

Thanks for the continued flexibility and resilience you have all shown at this time.  It is certainly a true test of character for us all, but equally reaffirming of how we all band together as a school community to support one and other in trying times.

We appreciate the sacrifices you have made to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone back at school!

Facilities Update

Great things are happening at NSC in regards to facilities. 

The new M-Block rooms are now in action and have seen their first classes take place.

They are filled with exciting features such as whiteboard walls, large projectors, standing tables and white board tables. This also allows us to restore access through to the front of the school via the M-Block corridor. 

We hope to share some more exciting news in the very near future as C-Block and auditorium are in the final stages of being outfitted and are soon to be handed over.

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

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
Applications close on Friday 13th August

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students and $225 for eligible secondary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through Newcomb Secondary College last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the school office on 5248 1400 and ask for an application form.

You can also download the form, and find out more about the program and eligibility, on the Department of Education and Training’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund web page.

Check with the school office if you are unsure, and please return completed forms to the school office as soon as possible.

JUNIOR MUSIC CAMP

RESCHEDULED

Monday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th November

Angahook Holiday Camp, Aireys Inlet

Year 7 and 8 Instrumental Music Students

This Camp will greatly enhance the performance skills of our junior music students on their musical instruments, through

• Individual tuition
• Small ensemble rehearsals
• Year 7 students working together as a band
• Year 8 students working together as band, and
• Year 7 & 8 students combining as one big band.

The Year 7 students will be given the opportunity to play more difficult music along side the Year 8 students.
Year 8 students will commence to learn the simpler music in the Senior Concert Band repertoire.

When the students are not rehearsing they will be involved in leisure activities such as bike riding, bush walking, archery, basketball, obstacle course and the big rope swing that is a supervised activity only operated by the staff from Angahook.