ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

Paul Dawson and Bradley Headlam

Brad Smallman and Sarah Bridges

HELLO HALO

No, not the game, the sensors! Over the holidays we had Halo sensors installed in the bathrooms of the college. These detect a range of different changes to the toilet environment and include the following:

The Process

When there is something detected by the sensors we (the Principal team) get an sms straight away and we go through a consistent dialogue with the students to identify any perpetrator. To support this, the Student Management Team have also revised our processes with students leaving classes. Reinforcing that they need a diary note and should be encouraged to go during break times to maintain consistency in their learning.

All students who are caught vaping or with vaping materials will receive a tutorial session with the school nurse on the hazards of vaping.   

NAPLAN

The Year 7 and Year 9 students completed the four NAPLAN tests two weeks ago. It was a different approach this year as we were performing the testing online. Students were well prepared with their test materials including a personal calculator. 

The Curriculum Leadership Team administered the tests, with many teacher supervisors and the wonderful support of Education Support Staff, who checked and double checked the test booklets, student attendance, catch up day arrangements and the final preparation of the materials for return. 

END OF SEMESTER EXAMS

All students will be participating in various exams towards the end of this term. This is a great opportunity for students to extend themselves in maintaining their understanding of what they have learnt. In recent years it has been noticed that students have started study routines to prepare to revise weeks out from the exams. This is excellent, however, a regular routine of going over notes and key terms and revising and practising skills will reduce the need for last minute cramming. If your children are saying there is no homework (email the teacher - there probably is), and remind them of the exams and that revision can always be done!

In weeks 8 and 9 of this term, the end of semester exams will be conducted. Timetables have been published and students should be well aware of when they have exams.

In recent school newsletters, we reminded families about strategies for exam preparation. 

Students can prepare for exams by allocating study time at home which is separate to the regular homework tasks. Study can include reading over class notes, reading the relevant texts or chapters from the semester’s work, practising (many times) essays and math questions, creating mind maps and other useful diagrams and annotations to support learning and memorising the work for the classes. 

The school also provides homework club opportunities during the week; there is a specific EAL student homework club on two nights, the library offers after school time and space for after school study.

At this time of the year, it should be clear to all that the items on the NGSC booklists are essential materials for each subject’s requirements. Students should have the required novels, texts, calculators and enough writing books and stationery for their learning programs. If required, the Wellbeing Team can offer support.

Winter Uniform Items

If you are ever unsure of the range of uniform items that are part of the NGSC Uniform you can request a Uniform price list (Bellarine Uniforms) from the school Administration Office or visit the Bellarine Uniform Shop in Moorabool Street, Geelong. 

Families are reminded that the NGSC PE uniform includes the new long sleeve polo shirt. This is an ideal solution for students who find the short sleeve top too cold in winter. With the long sleeve polo top students can easily wear a long sleeve t-shirt underneath for extra warmth, as long as it is not visible.

Long grey school pants are an option for all students, there are male and female styled trousers available. NGSC school skirts are to be worn at knee length (slightly above or below the knee) as this is also useful in keeping warm.

A reminder that approved school shoes do NOT include boots or branded blask runners.

Please ensure that all items of uniform are labelled with the student's name. It is the time of the year when jackets, blazers and jumpers are lost due to students removing them and then leaving them behind and not remembering where they might be. 

Uniform support is available through the NGSC Wellbeing Team. 

International Student Homestay Families

NGSC are looking for homestay families for our International Students.

Providing homestay accommodation for an international student offers the chance to learn about another culture and build lifelong friendship.

This is an opportunity for you to join other families who are currently hosting international students at NGSC, as there is an increasing demand for 2022.  Students are typically aged between 15 and 18 years of age and need accommodation ranging from a month up to three years.  In return for accepting a student into your home and family you will be paid a generous weekly amount for your hosting and hospitality. Other benefits of hosting are described by one host family in the following:

 

"Thank you for the opportunity to host another student from China. ………... was an absolute pleasure to have in our house and we believe that we have made a great friend for life. Our time with ……….. was one of the best experiences we have had. What it has taught us is that it doesn’t matter what language we speak. We all smile and laugh the same. We all find a way to communicate if we stop and listen."

 

For further information or to register your interest in this unique opportunity, please call Tonia Tigani on 03 5240 5800 or email tonia.tigani@education.vic.gov.au

Student Attitude to School Survey

All of the students at school have completed a survey that helps us find out how they feel about their experiences at the school and Remote Learning.  This information is vital in ensuring we continue to meet the needs of the students, find out what we need to change and what is working well at the school.  I would like to thank all of the students for diligence and judging by the concentration on their faces their responses appeared to be considered.