NGSC Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Key Dates

11 MARCH           Labour Day Public Holiday

18-20 MARCH      Year 7 Camp 1

20 MARCH             Information Evening/Open Night

                                  (6:00 pm in the Gym)

21 MARCH             Whole School Assembly

20-22 MARCH      Year 7 Camp 2 

21 MARCH             Harmony Day

26 MARCH             Athletics Day - Landy Field

03 APRIL                Parent Teacher Conferences 7-12  

05 APRIL                Last Day term 1

22 APRIL                Easter Monday 

23 APRIL                First Day Term 2

25 APRIL               ANZAC Day Public Holiday

   

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

Whole School Assembly

 

 

The first whole school assembly for the year was held on Friday, 11 February. Our Student Leaders/School Captains organise and run these assemblies supported by Ms Scorringe – Events Coordinator and Mr Dawson - Assistant Principal. Students and staff were officially welcomed to the new academic year. In particular, a warm welcome was extended to all the new Year 7 students and all other students from Years 8 to 12, who are new to the College.

 

During my Principal’s address, I stressed key values upheld at the College, as well as, encouragement to students to strive for their absolute best. To the Year 12 students who are embarking on their final year of their secondary schooling; this will be a challenging year: filled with hours of study, deadlines and SACS, I wished them a productive and rewarding year. 

 

My expectations as College Principal are very clear, not just from students, but also staff, parents and the wider community. My goal is to see all students follow the College rules, work with their teachers in a very supportive Teaching and Learning environment to improve their results and fulfil their full potential.

 

There are also the non-negotiable expectations; that all students uphold the school values, Respect, Excellence, Achievement and Diversity. Students must always be punctual, prepared for all classes, wear the school uniform with pride and enjoy what the North Geelong Secondary College community has to offer them. Students need to use their time here at the school and build a long and bright future for themselves, developing independent learning skills and succeeding with their chosen pathways. 

Newly established Sister School Relationship with Izumiotsu City, Osaka Japan

On February 16 to 22, a NGSC delegation team including; Ms Julie Andrews - Assistant Principal, Ms Linda Castle - Japanese teacher and I, visited Izumiotsu City, which is a prefecture of Osaka in Japan. The aim of this inaugural trip to Osaka was to visit the following High Schools; Toyo Junior High School, Seifu Junior High School, Ozu Junior High School and Izumniotsu Senior High School, within the City of Izumiotsu which our school community formed a sister school relationship with.

 

The trip was a great success, achieving all goals set. We visited six schools (two Primary schools, three Junior High schools and one Senior High School). We met the Principals and Leadership teams and we had the opportunity to observe a number of classes immersing ourselves in the Japanese school system and Teaching and Learning.

 

An official ceremony was held at the City of Izumiotsu Council where, on behalf of the NGSC community, I signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between NGSC and the four Izumiotsu schools (Toyo Junior HS, Seifu Junior HS, Ozu Junior HS and Izumniotsu Senior HS)  

 

We also visited Hiroshima (Peace Park) and Kyoto assessing and mapping out future activities for our students and staff for the upcoming visit to Japan. We are aiming to implement an overseas trip with our students the earliest in October this year.

 

This newly established relationship provides many benefits and great opportunities for all school communities involed including; 

  • Strengthen relationships, understanding and appreciation between staff, students and families in Izumiotsu cluster of schools and North Geelong Secondary College
  • Knowledge and understanding of each other’s culture in building respect aiming at building capacity of our students to become global citizens
  • Opportunities for students and teachers to develop skills that enhance Australia-Japan relationships
  • Visits of students and teachers to the sister-schools
  • Supports the teaching of Japanese in Victoria and English in Japan
  • Develops ties of friendship and extensive learning through regular and on-going communication

Students from Japan when they visit us, are hosted by families of our school community, they attend classes and unique Australian activities. North Geelong SC students will have the opportunity to visit Izumiotsu, Osaka, Japan and be hosted by families of the Izumiotsu school communities, attend classes and be immersed in the Japanese culture, language and food.  Lasting friendships and memories will be made. 

School Council

School councils play a key role in Victorian government schools. Effective councils have a wide range of skills, expertise and knowledge to support good governance and provide the best possible educational outcomes for students. 

 

The annual school council election process provides an opportunity to attract members who are keen to add value and bring their expertise and skills to assist the governance of the school.

 

All government schools with students enrolled in Year 7 and above are now required to have a Student member category on council. The school election process for the Student member category must occur at the same time as Parent and DET employee member elections. 

 

Where a council has Community member positions, council can co-opt members following the election process and add to the council’s skills and expertise.

School Council Membership

Each school council’s constituting Order makes provision for its structure and membership:

  • Parent members – parents of students at the school must comprise more than one third of the school council’s total membership. ‘Parent’ includes a guardian or person responsible for maintenance or with custody of a student of the school. Department employees are eligible for membership in this category as long as they have children attending the school and the Department employees do not work at the school (except for the principal who is a member of the Department employee member category) of that school council.
  • Department employee members – must not be more than one third of the school council’s total membership. The principal is automatically included in this membership category and has full voting rights. Other staff (teaching and non-teaching) are elected or co-opted to this category. To be eligible for election to this category, a person must be a member of the Department of Education and Training (DET) employee electorate of the school.
  • Student members – ‘student’ describes a student who is enrolled at and attends the school and is in year 7 or above. Students are elected to this membership category, or co-opted if a casual vacancy occurs. To be eligible for election, a student must be a member of the student body of the school. The number of student members is recorded in the Ministerial Order for the school council.
  • Community members – is an optional membership category. The council’s membership schedule may include this category. If a council has the option of community members, the council decides who to approach and co-opt into this position. People are co-opted by the school council to a community member position to bring additional skills and perspectives. Community members hold the same rights, responsibilities and terms of office as elected members. Parents are eligible to be co-opted to a community member position but Department employees are not. Students may also be co-opted to a community member position.

The North Geelong Secondary College, School Council composition includes:

(10 parents, 2 students and 5 DET employees including the Principal - Voting members)  

  • 10 x parents (no DE&T employees)
  • 5 x DE&T employees – teaching and non-teaching staff
  • 2 x students 

Total number of voting members 17.

 

The College Principal is the Executive Officer of the school council.

 

This year we had 5 parent vacancies, 3 DE&T employee member vacancies and 2 student vacancies for a two year appointment (2019 & 2020). 

School Council Elections

At the close of the call for nominations in the Parent Category for School Council there were six nominees for the six vacancies. The following parents were therefore, elected for a two year term. 

•    Mr Matthew Sheehan

•    Ms Catherine McKenzie

•    Ms Donna Woods

•    Ms Shelley Kitchen

•    Ms Helen Polyzos 

 

At the close of the call for nominations in the Department of Education & Training DE&T Category of School Council there were three nominees for three vacancies. The following DE&T staff members were, therefore, elected for a two year term.

•    Ms Shona Scorringe

•    Ms Tonia Tigani 

•    Mr Philip  Walker  

 

At the close of the call for nominations in the Student Category of School Council there were two nominees for 2 two vacancies. The following students were, therefore, elected for a two year term.

•    Mr Lachlan Grantham 

•    Mr Bailey Kitchen 

 

Congratulations to the parents, DE&T staff members and student members who have joined our School Council and thank you to all for showing interest in school governance. Working together makes a huge difference in improved student outcomes and in students’ lives. 

 

On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank the outgoing council members (parents & staff). Their contribution has been paramount to the life of our College Community. Thank you very much. 

Capital Works Update

The 4.75 million dollars Capital Works project is moving along as per plan, with Stage One (B Block; Food Technology Area), Stage Two (North of C Wing and courtyard in between B and C Blocks), Stage Three (Science Wing, North of C Wing, new Toilet Block and under cover decking) and Stage Four (car park) completed and delivered back to the school. The students and staff are very happy using the new facilities. All new or refurbished teaching spaces, are fully air-conditioned and they include the latest ‘touch screen’ technology.

 

The new student Toilet Block outside the Library and the courtyard in between C and D wings will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.

 

The final stage South of C Wing, including a brand new larger common staff room and a larger new Conference room, is currently under construction. These works are expected to be completed by July 4. We now can now say that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

 

I take this opportunity to thank students, staff and parents, who have been very patient and resilient with all the building challenges in the last 16 months. 

 

North Geelong Secondary College is a very proud school community that places high importance on the way we look and behave in the wider community. Our aim is to continue improving the learning and teaching environment of our students, enabling all kind of learners to reach their full potential and be successful in life.

Student Appearance

All students at North Geelong Secondary College are expected to take pride in their personal appearance. Jewellery, make-up, hair colour and style must be discreet as per the school expectations and policies. Earrings must consist only of sleepers or studs in the ears.

 

It is the school’s preferred position that students do not have facial piercing ie. any facial piercing other than the ears. However, for students who already have facial piercing, they have the following options: (i) the facial piercings are removed during the school day, to and from school. (ii) the facial piercing is discreet and clear plastic and (iii) a band aide is applied on the piercing during the school day, including to and from school.

 

Under no circumstances will metal facial piercings be accepted. 

 

Therefore, new facial piercings cannot be obtained during the year due to the healing time required for metal piercings.

Annual Report 2018

Annual reporting is an important tool for effective governance within schools and across the Government school system. Reporting to the school community adds value in a number of ways:

 

Keeping the school community informed: The annual report provides a means for the school council to inform the community of what has been achieved and how the school is performing. Providing information about schools helps the community hold schools, the system and Government accountable for improving student outcomes. 

 

Contributing to system accountability and meeting legislative requirements:  Public accountability for improving student outcomes and for the use of public money is mandated in the Education and Training Reform Act (2006), where school councils are required to prepare and publish an annual report.

 

Relationship between the planning and annual reporting processes: The development of the Annual Report is an opportunity to reflect on the school’s achievements and use this as a basis for future planning. 

 

The 2018 Annual Report will be presented to the school community at the Annual General School Council Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 19 March at 5.30pm. The Annual Report will be published on the school website following the AGM. 

Personal Property brought to school

Personal property is often brought to school by students and visitors. This can include mobile phones, electronic games, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. I wish to remind you that, the Department does not hold insurance (excluding the school’s iPad program) for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property. I wish to discourage students and visitors from bringing any personal property in particular valuable items to school and if you choose to do so, it is entirely at your own risk.