Deputy Principal - Academic

Thank you for your warm welcome to Good News Lutheran College.  I have appreciated your smiles, waves, and greetings in the carpark, the yard and during assemblies. I look forward to working together and am excited about learning more about this wonderful community.

The Deputy Principal - Academic, assists the Principal in fulfilling the aims and purposes of the College by fostering a culture of continual improvement leading student learning and curriculum, whilst providing strategic directing for teaching and learning. The Deputy Principal oversees academics for Prep - Year 12 and develops processes and procedures for effective communication, to improve student engagement and academic outcomes, that allow our students to flourish academically during their time at GNLC.  

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn”.  

– Benjamin Franklin

NAPLAN 2021

NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. The test covers skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy.  The data from NAPLAN test results provides us with valuable information to enhance learning outcomes for our students. Tests will run from Tuesday 11 May until Monday 17 May. All tests will be completed online, except for the Year 3 writing test which will be a paper-based test. Reports on individual student performance will be provided to all students, parents & caregivers. There is no specific preparation required for NAPLAN however, we encourage students to get a good night's sleep the day before the test and do their best!

Please click on the following link NAPLAN for further information including specific dates of when tests will be held for each year level.

Curriculum Review 2021

The College is currently undertaking a curriculum review of our current subject offering, including excursion and incursions.  A panel consisting of myself, GNLC Learning Area Coordinators, Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and Lutheran Education Victoria, NSW and Tasmania (LEVNT) have been meeting to discuss areas such as languages, timetabling, VCE pre-requisites, ability-based grouping, VET/VCE off campus offerings, electives and compulsory subjects. The panel will be seeking additional input from various other specialists in the College and will report back to the GNLC Council and the Principal with our findings and recommendation.  The Curriculum Review is scheduled to be completed later in 2021 and we will be informing parents of any changes in due course.

Tutoring Funding 

GNLC offers contemporary academic enrichment including a variety of instructional methods, educational services, or college resources, provided to students in the effort to help them accelerate their learning progress and meet learning standards, as they strive towards academic excellence.  In 2021, additional funding was made available through the ‘Tutor Learning Initiative’ which is designed to support students whose learning has been disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year, we will help “Bridge the COVID-19 gap” by supporting our students further with the following incentives:

• Year 12 VCE external SAC preparation and holiday tuition courses through ‘Connect Education’
• Year 10 & 11 literacy support during the day and after school numeracy support
• Before and after school external tutoring from “A Team Tuition” for select students from Years 6 - 10
• The Secrets of Academics Revealed (STAR) for select students from Years 6 - 9
• Year 3 - 5 additional Enrichment teacher support
• Prep - Year 2 continue to support students with Learning Enrichment Officers, without reducing staffing in this area

Limited additional places have become available and we are now in a position where we can open up the opportunity to the wider school community. This year, this exciting initiative comes at no cost to you. However, there will need to be a firm commitment from students to attend and participate in every weekly tutoring session. Any sessions missed without a valid reason, may incur a cost to the parent. 

Opportunities for the following days, times and year levels are listed below. Acceptance will strictly be on a first in, first served basis. Group timings cannot be changed. If you would like your child to participate, please respond via email to: jasemc@goodnews.vic.edu.au by Monday 3 May including your child’s name and requested group as below. Tutoring sessions will begin in Week 4 and will run the course of the year. 

High Achievers – ICAS 

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, skills-based assessment program. ICAS recognises and rewards student achievement in areas such as English, Maths, Science, Spelling, Writing and Digital Technologies. The series of tests are designed to match and test skills that are learned in the school classroom. A total of 304 students from the College completed the assessment, with 19 students (top 1%) achieving High Distinctions and 60 students (top 10%) achieving Distinctions. 

This year we invited all Distinction and High Distinction winners and their families to a formal service in the Chapel, where students were formally recognised for their achievements and parents were able to celebrate this achievement with their children.

Deputy Principal - Academic, Mr Richard Baird presenting Holly T Year 5  with her certificate

Principal, Mrs Fiona McAuliffe with Mayan N Year 5 and Shree N Year 3