NGSC Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Key Dates

 05 APRIL               Last Day term 1

22 APRIL                Easter Monday 

23 APRIL                First Day Term 2

25 APRIL               ANZAC Day Public Holiday

09 May                    Year 7 Immunisations

   

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

Rediscover the wonders of Reading

The world of reading continues to change on a daily basis with the addition of digital books (eBooks), tablets, mobile apps and many other technological alternatives. However, the printed, hard-copy world is everywhere in our society and it doesn’t look to be going anywhere any time soon.

 

Roughly one in five people in Australia suffer from reading difficulties, with many thought to be undiagnosed or with minimal support. These people, as well as English language learners, encounter daily challenges with reading. Reading is not just for high schools or any other educational institutions, it is everywhere and unavoidable and for those with reading difficulties it can not only be problematic, but also stressful, frustrating and demoralising.

 

At North Geelong SC we believe in “Learn to read before reading to learn” and we place a huge emphasis on both Literacy and Numeracy skills. Therefore, the school has provided Literacy/Reading and Numeracy intervention programs such as ACE and STAR for all Year 7 to 9 students, ensuring that no student falls through the cracks and student individual needs are addressed. Students are identified through formative assessment, triangulated data and placed in the right intervention program in consultation with the parents. Today our ACE and STAR results are outstanding and many parents choose to enrol their children from primary school into Year 7, so they can access some of these programs. For more information re: ACE and STAR Literacy and Numeracy intervention programs please go to the school website or contact Program Leaders Mr Smallman (Literacy) and Mr Koullas (Numeracy).

 

This year the school also introduced another innovative program directly related to Reading which is part of the English curriculum (Four plus One). All students in Years 7 to 9 participate in a Reading Program with a Reading Specialist teacher once a week. Age appropriate books in a variety of levels and interests are provided to our students where in a supportive and systematic way are read throughout the year with a Reading specialist in front of each reading class.

 

During next term, the English Curriculum Area will also run a Principals’ Reading Challenge for students. This will be somewhat similar to the Premier’s Reading Challenge, however, it will be more tailored to the needs and interest of our students.

 

There will be a number of Awards categories such as:

  • Principal’s Award – Mr Adamou – Over All Reading Champion
  • Senior Sub-School Assistant Principal’s Award – Mr Dawson
  • Middle Sub-School Assistant Principal’s Award – Mr Headlam
  • Junior Sub-School Assistant Principal’s Award – Ms Andrews
  • Librarian Award – Ms McCullough

The school community pride on improving students learning and future pathways/lives and of course mastering reading, as mentioned above, is the bedrock for success in anything our students choose to pursue.

Capital Works and Refurbishment

The 4.75 million dollars capital works project is progressing satisfactorily and it is within the scheduled timeline. 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) have been completed and delivered back to the school. The school community is very happy with the new facilities. 

 

All new or refurbished teaching spaces are fully air-conditioned and they all include the latest ‘touch screen’ ICT technology, ensuring that our great curriculum and extra-curriculum programs are complimented with the resources and cutting edge ICT technology.

 

The final stage South of C wing including a brand new larger common staff room, a larger new Conference room and a refurbished Year 12 Common Room is currently under construction. These works are expected to be completed by July 4. We can now truly say that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel with the school capital works.

Harmony Day Celebration

Harmony Day was celebrated on 21 March, as it has been celebrated every year since 1999 in Australia.

 

It is a day to celebrate Australia’s diversity. It is a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the traditional owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world.

 

Our school community celebrates Harmony Day in many ways – through sport, dance, art, film, music, storytelling, painting, cooking and sharing cultural meals. 

 

One of our school values is DIVERSITY, which reflects our student population and as a school community we not only celebrate but we also promote all Harmony community activities. We learn from each other and we understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and make it a better place.

 

Harmony Day Celebration coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

 

This year, the school community celebrated Harmony Day with a whole school assembly, where school council members and members of our community were invited to attend. Our student Leaders with the support of Mr Stan Koullas and Ms Sarah Bridges, Acting Assistant Principals, and Ms Shona Scorringe, Events Coordinator, organised and ran the whole school assembly.

 

Ahmad Qadri NGSC ex-student was a guest speaker for the day. His topic was about Peace and Harmony and how our school community is a role model of what it means to live in harmony. Currently Ahmad is studying a double degree at Melbourne University. Also we had David Rodan, ex AFL Richmond player, as a second guest speaker. David shared his personal story about migrating to Australia with his family as a young boy and his journey to become a very successful AFL football player.  

International Women’s Day - 8 March, 2019

This year the international women’s day was celebrated at North Geelong SC with a morning tea for all female staff members and Year 12 female students on Friday, 8 March. Central to the celebration was the engagement of young females in issues relating to gender equality, empowerment and leadership. Our Year 12 female captains delivered a speech on the importance of the day.

Student Appearance 

All students at North Geelong SC 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 i.e. any facial piercing other than the ears. However, for students who already have facial piercing they have the following options:

  • the facial piercings are removed during the school day, to and from school
  • the facial piercing is discreet and clear plastic 
  • a band aid 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 which requires the piercing to be metal.

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 DET 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.  

Last Day of the Term 1, Friday, 5 April

The last day of Term 1 is Friday, 5 April. Just a reminder to parents/guardians that students will finish school at 1:24 pm as per End of Term arrangements previously published.

 

I wish to remind parents that students must attend school on the last day of the term and if for some legitimate reason they are going to be away, parents/guardians are required to notify the school, as per our school attendance policy.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a very relaxing break.

 

Term 2 begins on Tuesday, 23 April, 2019.