From the Principals' Desk 

Welcome to 2017

The year is already in full swing and we have had a very busy first few weeks and a very full term ahead. Term One is always quite hectic with many activities and events alongside the daily academic studies and the excitement and challenges of a new school, a new year, new subjects and new friends and teachers.

We began the year with the traditional Foundation Assembly where all 208 new Year 9 students, 6 new senior students and all new staff members were presented and acknowledged, alongside the Year 12 class of 2017. It was wonderful to witness the Year 12 students inducting the new students into the school and I thank them for mentoring and supporting them. For the first time since our inception Sir Gustav Nossal was unable to attend so Professor Leon Piterman (Monash University) delivered the keynote address and presentation duties – along with School Council President Mr. Kyle Hoppitt. Sir Gus is anxious to meet the new Nossalonians and will be in attendance at the high achievers assembly to address the whole school, welcome  back some of our top performing VCE students from the class of 2016 and sign autographs, shake hands and pose for selfies with the students. We are indeed fortunate to have a pre-eminent namesake who is not only an inspirational and world famous scientist but is an outstanding role model with a genuine interest in and passion for our school and students. We are both pleased that I can still (after Monday) state that every Nossal student and staff member since our inception in 2010 has been introduced to and welcomed by Sir Gus.

iWeek

The new year 9 students have now completed their induction week program and I hear very good reports about their engagement and interest in what was being done. I commend Ms. Loel and our Year 9 team for this initiative as I think it an excellent introduction to Nossal culture and our structures and processes.

Ms. Harrap and I were pleased to join with them on the Icehouse Excursion where many braved a new challenge and got to know their peers and teachers in a less formal environment.

Their normal timetable has now resumed and they appear to have settled quickly into their new environment. If any of our new students (or parents) are feeling at all concerned about their transition to Nossal please contact us directly, or encourage your student to seek assistance from their peer mentors, tute teachers, house leaders or our student counsellors. If you have any concerns at all – no matter how small they may seem - please contact us. I am happy to receive phone calls or emails and meet with parents or students to ensure any issues are promptly and effectively addressed as soon as possible.

School Tours & 2018 Applications

The online application process opens this week for entry into Year 9 in 2018 and school tours will be taking place throughout Terms 1 and 2. Please inform potential applicants of this and refer them to a tour or the school or selective entry website for application details. (See links below) 

Any current parents (new or “old’) who would like to join one of the tours to see the school in operation and to gain a greater understanding of what your children experience each day are welcome (and encouraged) to join a tour, as long as you don’t embarrass your child when you see them at work in class!

Term 1 tours with the Principal will take place on the following dates at 9.30 am (and at other times by arrangement) 22 February; 9 March; 22 March. Please contact reception on 8762 4690 to book a place.

Testing for potential vacancies into Years 10 & 11 will take place in Term 2 and will be advertised in the newsletter once the date and times are confirmed.

NHS Enrolment Information:

http://nossalhs.vic.edu.au/about-nossal/enrolment

Selective Entry High Schools Information: 

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/secondary/Pages/selective.aspx

VCE Results & University Offers

The class of 2016 performed very well as expected and achieved excellent results. 53% achieved an ATAR over 90 – the median ATAR for the cohort was 91. The Dux (Yong See Foo) achieved 99.9 and 5 other students achieved over 99. The median study score was 35 with 8 students achieving perfect study scores of 50.

50% of the cohort was offered their first preference when the first round university offers were made and all students have gained university placements across a wider range of universities this year (interstate and international) and it is nice to see Nossal alumni members assisting the establishment of support networks in diverse universities for the new graduates.

Sad News

We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our Crossing Supervisors (Kevin Anderson) just before Christmas. We have sent condolences to his family and the students will organize a tribute for him. He was well liked and will be greatly missed.

Road Safety and Changes to Give Way Signage and Berwick Station

Please be very conscious of the road rules within the Monash grounds and ensure that you understand and obey the signs and regulations. The area is under video surveillance and monitored by Monash Security and Victoria Police.  There will be a change to the “Give Way” signage at the T intersection adjacent to the school and cars approaching the T intersection along Sir Gustav Nossal Boulevard will now face a Give Way sign. (see diagram below) Please be aware that the two brick paved areas of the roadway (at the T intersection and opposite the Monash buildings) are shared pedestrian zones with a speed limit of 10 KPH where you must give way to any pedestrians wishing to cross. Please be conscious of the roundabout just inside the Monash entry and be ready to give way to traffic turning into the Monash carpark as you are departing. I remind students that, unlike at other intersections cars have the right of way over pedestrians on the roundabout so please be very careful when crossing there. I ask that students stick to the pathways through Monash and do not walk through the carparks, even if the footpath is crowded. Parents - are also reminded not to drop students off on the Monash Freeway exit lanes or anywhere on the freeway – this is illegal and highly dangerous.

I am pleased to report that we are receiving good feedback about our students from the Transit Police. Please ensure that you continue to obey the boom gates and signals at Berwick Station, and be conscious that others are also trying to get on and off trains amid the crowds of Nossal students. Also, please ensure that you leave space for and are aware of other train users, particularly the elderly, when there are large crowds of students coming on or off the platforms. Report any concerns to Mr. Page or Mr. Butler or the station if immediate action is required.

School Access Times

Students are under  supervision at the school from 8.15 am until 3.40 pm. I am happy for students to remain in the school and access and use the facilities outside these times with the following provisos – cleaners are at the school early in the morning and until late in the evening, but have no student supervisory role or responsibility. I am pleased that many students stay late to study – but require them to vacate the school by 5.30 pm so I can pack up and don’t get into trouble at home for being regularly late or absent from the dinner table.

Online Issues

I was unhappy to have had to address the whole school on our first assembly about a disturbing example of unacceptable online behavior that took place late last year. Some deliberate online bullying and disparaging of other students has been taking place and there have been some serious consequences for some of the perpetrators as a result. What most disturbed me was the number of other students who were actively encouraging or supporting and condoning this behavior by “liking” and/or further distributing the offensive postings. I expect better from Nossal students and expect them to know better and to actively discourage such behaviours in others, and of course to not enter into any form of offensive online behaviour themselves. Ignorance of the impact is not a defense, nor is the “just joking” or “banter” justification. I urge all members of the Nossal community to actively combat this behavior and never to be a bystander when this occurs. If you do so – you are encouraging it. I commend those who have taken a stand and positively addressed or highlighted the issue. I don’t want any Nossal students to be the victim or target of such behaviours.

To assist members of our community to take action and to not be bystanders, we have set up an anonymous link on NEO (“Report a Concern”) where you can safely and confidentially seek assistance for yourselves or your friends, or alert us to a problem or behaviours that are harmful or concerning. Please stand up and do so.

School Council Parent Representatives

Due to retirements and end of tenure we will have a number of parent vacancies to fill this year so will be calling for interested parents to nominate to take on this key role. Please consider this when nomination open.

Congratulations to …..

Olivia Nelson of Year 12 for receiving the Young Endeavour Medallion from the Order of Australia Association during the holidays. Olivia completed an 11 day voyage as part of a youth crew on the Young Endeavour tall ship – sailing from Tasmania to Melbourne – a great achievement and wonderful experience.

Samantha Choy of Year 11, and the Formation Team for the great (headline) article about student empowerment in the latest “Connect” magazine. 

Ryan Venpin of Year 10 who has been selected as one of the 7 member Under 19 Australian Badminton Team competing in the Oceania Championships in New Caledonia this week.

How impressive is this? Glen Warfe, the Development Manager of Badminton Australia sent this through to me, “It is a fantastic effort for Ryan to achieve this at such a young age. He is one of the most talented junior players in Australia and has the potential to one day represent Australia at senior level in events such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.” We wish him well.

Abdul Samad Mohammed of Year 11, who received the 2017 Australia Day Study Tour Award at the City of Casey Australia Day Awards. The City of Casey Australia Day Study Tour gives participating Year 11 students the opportunity to observe Local, State and Federal Government in Australia.  The tour is conducted over five days and features a three-day visit to Canberra where students meet Federal Members of Parliament, tour Parliament House, attend Question Time, and may even meet the Prime Minister.

Roger Page

Principal