Stay Connected

The Principal team just want to reach out and say that we hope you're going okay out there. We know these changes in and out of lockdown and remote/flexible learning must be incredibly frustrating for you. But hang in there.

Stay in the habit of checking Compass each morning - your teachers will keep communicating with you through the News Feed in each of your classes (as well as via emails).

It actually means a great deal to your teachers when they know that you're trying to remain connected with them, and even if you can't get to everything, that you're still having a go at some of the learning tasks.

The truth is, it's a really challenging time for everybody, and we know people keep saying 'we're all in this together' etc.  The reality is that this whole experience is completely different for everybody, and no two people are the same in that way.

Do try to stay positive, as much as you can.  If ever you're having a really difficult day (which is completely fine and understandable), please let us know so that we can be there for you when it's needed.

Be kind to yourself, and to those around you, and feel free to make contact with us if ever you need some guidance, advice or support - or even if you just need to shoot the breeze.

New Facilities Update

It’s official! We have received the Practical Completion Certificates for the new facilities, this means we now have access to these new spaces and only detailing is still to be completed. These facilities include a 130+ tiered seating auditorium, high tech manufacturing area, green screen room and a new and improved On 2 Wheels room. 

Next, is the outfitting of the space with furniture and cutting edge equipment. We anticipate an opening event and student access to these new facilities in Term 4.

Parent/Teacher/Student (PTS) Conferences – Delayed but Indispensable

An opportunity to build trust and a shared understanding of a student’s wellbeing and academic progress, these are the primary purposes of the PTS conferences. Never have these goals been more relevant than at this time when so much of a student’s work is being completed at home.

To make these PTS conferences as valuable as they can deserve to be, we decided to delay the previously scheduled (26th August) conferences. We are rescheduling these PTS conferences for the last Thursday of term, 16th September from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. We anticipate that we will still be running remote PTS conferences at this time and believe this increases the opportunities for parents to engage with their child’s teachers.

We will open bookings for PTS conferences in the coming week and would like to encourage all parents and carers to book at least 1 conference on Compass or by calling the school. We hope to chat with you on the 16th September.

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

Experience With Remote Learning

Students who are children of essential workers or deemed vulnerable are able to apply to attend on site supervised schooling.
Whilst they still engage in their school work remotely, they do so from the LRC with staff overseeing them.

Sienna’s Experience:
Remote learning has been hard but good at the same time. All my teachers and helpers have been there for me and have helped me though all of remote learning. You can email them and they will always be there to help you.

For me I have been lucky because I can go to school and see some other students and some teachers on site, so that’s good!

I enjoy going onsite because it’s so much easier than at home. At home I get distracted and I don’t enjoy it. At school I get all of my work done; it gets me out of my house and I’m way happier being here at school.

Lincoln’s Experience:

Over the course of my senior years here at Newcomb Secondary College, and for the rest of the world, I have endured the effects of the coronavirus in my everyday life, and more specifically on my education.

We have been in and out of lockdowns and remote learning, swapping classrooms for zoom calls and the school canteen for the pantry and fridge in our kitchens (possibly Uber eats as well!)

No doubt this period has proven extremely challenging for some, whilst others have well and truly thrived in this modern environment of learning.

I believe no matter where you fall on that spectrum, whether you love or hate learning from home, I think we can all stand to benefit from remaining connected with our friends, families and teachers as this will only go to benefit everyone; and I would implore us all to remember that we are all on the same team and that we all work together as a school, a community and ultimately as Australians.

We will persevere and get through this!!

As part of the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out
all students aged 16 years and above are now eligible
to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The Victorian Government aims to fully vaccinate all final year students by the time they sit their end-of-year exams and provide at least one dose for children aged 12 and older by the end of the school year. Final year students are therefore urged to immediately make an appointment to receive a vaccine by following the instructions under the heading ‘How to book an appointment’ below.

All eligible students are encouraged to make an appointment to receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

We are particularly encouraging final year students to make an early appointment as this will support the safe conduct of the VCE examinations late this year. You will be supported in every way possible to be vaccinated before the examinations begin.

All GAT students are encouraged to book in for your first dose before the GAT on 9th September. With limited vaccine supply, there are limited appointments available, you’re encouraged to check for appointments in state-run vaccination sites, and at General Practices. However, it is recommended you don’t get your first vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam - to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during your exam.

Please discuss your vaccination with your parent/guardian or carer and with your teachers to plan your absence and minimise disruption to your learning if your absence is during school hours.

Consent

Students can book their own appointment and consent to vaccination themselves if the health professional assesses them to be a mature minor.

How to book an appointment

To book an appointment, visit  https://www.coronavirus.vic.go... or contact the Coronavirus hotline by phoning 1800 675 398. To find a vaccination centre and opening times, visit the coronavirus.vic.gov.au website.

From 30 August, people aged 16-39 can get their COVID-19 vaccine at a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy or community health service through the Australian Government Eligibility Checker. You can book your appointment online or by calling the vaccine provider nearest to you.

What to bring if you have them:

* a face mask
* any emails about your vaccination appointment (on your phone or printed)
* photo identification, if you have one, such as a passport or driver’s licence
* a Medicare card or Individual Healthcare Identifier number 

Please refer to Department Health information on what to bring to your vaccine appointment for more information.

More information For more information about eligibility, visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.go...  or use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.

For further assistance, contact:

* the Department of Health Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398

* the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080

Pathways Update

After a busy couple of weeks of research, planning and gathering information, our Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 cohorts completed a combination of onsite and online Course Counselling during Weeks 5, 6 and 7 of Term Three.

Due to multiple moves to and from remote learning, pathway appointment times and days changed at the drop of a hat, but our students were great at adapting and putting their best foot forward.

All Year 10 students had a dedicated time to meet in person with Mrs Boyanton or Mr Horsted. These sessions occurred on the 12^th and 13^thof August at NSC. To help create some ambience in the selection room, the Pathways team adopted the theme of “Coursemas” and students were greeted with Coursemas carols, decorations and a Coursemas tree to help them embrace our motto – “tis the season for choosing subjects”.

The following week on August 18^th and 19^th our Year 9 students also caught the Coursemas spirit, completing selection interviews with either Mrs. Boyanton, Mr. Horsted or Mr. Colbert.

During these interviews students completed their subject selections and discussed the different pathway options available to them in 2022. For the Year 10 students, this involved selecting a VCAL or VCE pathway for their final two years of schooling.

Year 8 students then undertook an online selection session during their GROW class on August 24^th. This was their first experience in selecting electives and students were enthusiastic and excited to be involved. It currently stands as the biggest single Google Meet that the Pathways Team had ever run!

Due to the current lockdown our Year 11 students received a combination of both face to face and online counselling for their Year 12 subjects. This is a process that will continue once we return to school, to ensure our 2022 Year 12’s are confident and assured in their courses for next year.

At the senior end of the school, Year 12 students have commenced applications for tertiary studies in 2022. These applications need to be completed by 30^th of September to avoid a late entrance fee. SEAS and Scholarship applications are now also open until October 8^th.

It has been a very busy month for the pathways team with our students and this work will continue. We have all had to work together to overcome obstacles, but it is this resilience that is creating a great platform for the future. We encourage our students to continue to be proactive in planning their pathways and we will always support them on their career adventures as they trek towards their positive futures.

Pathways Team
Maggie Smith
Matt Horsted

Supporting Students And Families

Mental Health Coping Strategies

SEE THIS LINK FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO REGISTER

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/...

Humans in Geelong Expo 2021

Sunday 10^th of October
10am – 3pm at Deakin University Waterfront Campus and Online on Humans in Geelong YouTube.

This is a free community event with everyone welcome and something for everyone. There will be face-painting, henna, crafts and wooden toy making. Uplifting speakers include Chloe Hayden who is Princess Aspien and The Streets Barber. Be entertained by live performances and inspiring exhibitors.

For the complete program as it unfolds: https://humansingeelong.com/