From the Principal's Desk

2024 in Review

The 2024 school year at Northern Bay College has been one marked by a number of outstanding achievements and significant initiatives that have brought immense pride to our school community. From academic innovations to athletic triumphs, creative milestones, and community engagement, this year showcased our collective dedication to student growth, well-being, and success. 

Student Achievement 

The best asset of our college is quite clearly our students, and these young people continue to inspire our daily work at the college as achieve wonderful things. Scholarships, community awards – both local and state-wide – significant fundraising and awareness building activities, along with outstanding academic results across all academic fields - remind us of the very special group of young people we have the privilege of working alongside each day. 

This has all been so wonderfully rounded off with some outstanding Year 12 results. Vocational Module and VCE alike our students have truly outdone themselves this year. The VCE study score results place the school firmly in the top echelon of schools in our area and further emphasises the strong and rigorous academic programs on offer at our school. Whilst our VM students have achieved their highest completion rates along with our highest number of students completing apprenticeships and traineeships combined with their Year 12 studies. These results reinforce what we know to be true –the simple and best option for a student’s school in the Geelong North area is most certainly Northern Bay College.

Community Connections

The year also featured Harmony Day celebrations that grew significantly in participation and impact, showcasing our school’s vibrant diversity. Our inaugural Community Harmony Event that showcased cultural foods, sports and performances held on a weekend in March was a very special occasion reminding us of the wonderfully vibrant and positive community we are fortunate to be part of at Northern Bay College. This is an event we look forward to growing in 2025 and further allowing students to work with purpose in showcasing their cultural heritage. 

The college is also fortunate to be the first school in Victoria to be supported through the Polly Farmer Foundation – Follow the Dream program. This ongoing support and presence has already added so wonderfully to work the college is proud in leading supporting our first nation student in connection and outcomes. This work again we look forward to progressing in 2025.

Arts and Cultural Enrichment

One of the most celebrated highlights was the ADT Art Show, which provided a platform for students to exhibit their creativity in visual arts, performing arts, and STEM. The event, hosted in our new gallery space, not only highlighted student talents but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the arts within the school community. Additionally, the opening of the new theatre at our Goldsworthy Campus has created an inspiring environment to showcase performances and celebrate artistic accomplishments. Projects like the Hendy Indigenous Mural further emphasized the importance of cultural connection and inclusivity, engaging students in meaningful collaborations that honored First Nations heritage.

Athletic Excellence

Our students have shone brightly on the sporting field this year. The Senior Girls' softball team achieved the remarkable feat of being runners-up in the state-wide competition, while our Year 6 Girls' Softball and Volleyball teams also progressed through to State finals. Across the board, our sports teams earned recognition, placing second overall in regional competitions across our district. Programs like SEED provided a platform for students to explore various sports, enhancing teamwork, resilience, and school spirit.

Resilience

The college values of Kindness and Collaboration have been evident throughout the year as the college community have dealt with a number of tragic and sad events. These moments certainly bring our community together and help us to recognise the special environment that has been created at Northern Bay P-12 College – an environment that we so wish to share with visitors and new students and families. 

These remarkable achievements and efforts, through the 2024 school year again highlight the dedication to nurturing well-rounded, resilient, and engaged learners who contribute positively to the school and beyond.

Finally, on behalf of all staff at the college we wish all families a safe and enjoyable holiday break and look forward to what will be an exciting 2025 school year.

Scott Diamond

College Principal 

Northern Bay P-12 College

Growth

Student Achievements 

Congratulations to Ali Agha Wali Zada, Gary Hampson, Tyler Bamford, and Tom Bugg for their remarkable achievements this week, showcasing the values of our school community!

Year 11 student Ali Agha Wali Zada received a prestigious Youth Leadership Award at the 2025 Victorian Governor’s Multicultural Awards, recognising his exceptional community work. He was the only school-aged recipient, reflecting his outstanding leadership and character.

Year 10 students Gary Hampson and Tyler Bamford graduated from the Operation Newstart program, with Gary serving as MC at the event. Both were highly commended for their dedication, growth, and support of others.

Tom Bugg, also Year 10, completed the Geelong Youth Kokoda Program, returning from Papua New Guinea after a transformative journey. Tom was recognised for best representing the program’s values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice.We are incredibly proud of these students and their inspiring achievements.

We are so fortunate to work alongside such dedicated and inspiring young people every day!

Year 9 and 10 Step Up Program

The 2025 Year 9 and 10 students headed up the highway to Luna Park as part of their Step-Up program. Our students represented the school wonderfully showing kindness, respect, encouragement and enthusiasm. Many students (and staff) had never been and enjoyed exploring the park and finding rides, food and entertainment throughout the day, as well as getting to know more of the students and staff in a relaxed setting. 

Step Up has now concluded and leads into our 2025 Program Preparation days running on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 at Goldsworthy for all 2025 Year 9 and 10 students and their families. These days will provide families the opportunity to interact with curriculum information, staff, leadership opportunities, career pathways, uniform providers, school start bonus access, booklists, wellbeing services and programs from Year 9 through to VCE and VM/VPC.

Collaboration

Blue Connect

Now in its fourth year, Blue Connect continues to bring students and police together every Friday for exercise, conversation, and a shared breakfast. This fantastic program has fostered strong, positive connections with our local police, creating a sense of community and understanding.

Generously sponsored by Corio Village, today’s end-of-year celebration at Corio Village Bowling and Arcade was another donated highlight. 

We are deeply grateful to Corio Village, the Corio Police and the many volunteers who show up each week to cook, connect, and support this wonderful initiative.

Persistence 

College Captains

Last week, all staff had the privilege of witnessing the excellent presentations from our newly appointed College Captains and leadership team. Their outstanding attributes, dedication, and positive presence exemplify the values we uphold at Northern Bay College. 

We are thrilled to announce our leaders for 2025:

College Captains: Farzana Mohammad Aref and Ali Agha Walizada

Vice Captains: Tyler Collins and Ashton Stonehouse

Senior SRC Members: Macca Williams, Charlie Brooks-Bloomfield, Veronica Villenova, and Tom Bugg

House Captains:

Mabo: You Cho Ya Pwar

Irwin: Jahnaye Buntine

Bradman: Yasmin Yaqoobi

Freeman: Monique Tabor

As a college community, we are incredibly fortunate to have such strong, inspiring leaders guiding us. We look forward to the positive impact their leadership will bring in 2025. 

Kindness

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Giving back to our community is so important and one way the students at NBC do this is by spreading Christmas Cheer. 10 students took part in Santa's welcome parade at Corio Village. On Wednesday our Extended School Day Program travelled to Melbourne, spreading Christmas Cheer at Federation Square. A big crowd gathered to hear our students sing a number of songs, with lots of cheers after every carol. There was also lots of fun along the way, with the Myer Christmas windows and a visit from Santa himself!