The Challenge Update

Welcome

Our Northern Bay Challenge Newsletter aims to keep members of our wider NBC Challenge community updated with work that is happening at our college and through the programs that are directly funded by The Challenge. The following stories will also provide insight to the wonderful work performed and achieved by our students every day.

Anzac Day 2025

A highlight of every year is our Northern Bay College ANZAC Ceremony, held at the Norlane RSL. Our partnership with the RSL continues to provide a deeply respectful and meaningful way for our students to engage with the legacy of ANZAC. We are truly grateful for their support and the strong community ties that make events like this possible.

This year, we were privileged to welcome local member Ella George to our ceremony. Ella spoke with warmth and sincerity, sharing reflections that helped bring the spirit of ANZAC to life for our students. Beyond the day itself, Ella has been a remarkable supporter of our college — from championing school infrastructure upgrades, to celebrating student achievement and participation, to her regular presence at key events across our campuses. Her ongoing engagement shows our students that their voices, education, and future matter deeply.

Our students led the service beautifully — reciting the Ode (Ashton Stone), playing the Last Post and Rouse (Thomas de Francesco), and singing the National Anthems live (Jahnaye Buntine). These contributions brought a personal and powerful dimension to the ceremony, and we are proud of how they embraced their roles.

We thank the Norlane RSL, Ella George MP, and all staff and students involved in making the 2025 ANZAC Ceremony such a moving and memorable event. 

Youth Leadership Training 

A big congratulations to the 15 students who participated in the recent Confident COMMS and Advocacy training sessions as part of the Youth Development Council initiative through the holidays. These valuable workshops were held across two dates – the Confident COMMS Intro and Mentoring sessions on April 8 and 9, followed by the Advocacy and "Meet Your MP" training on April 16.

This series of workshops is helping to build skills in public speaking, advocacy, and civic engagement. Students are now preparing their pitches for the final Advocacy and "Meet Your MP" event, which will take place on June 11 from 10:00am–12:00pm at the Art Gallery/Theatre.

We’d like to thank Nestor Estampa, our wonnderful CatholicCare Family Worker, who was responsible for bringing this amazing opportunity to our students.

Student Leaders                                                   

Every two weeks our school leaders across the college come together at Goldsworthy, led by college captains Ali & Farzana. They have been guiding the junior leaders through their ideas of leadership and change throughout our college, brainstorming ways that our campus’ can come together to make a positive change in our community as well as exploring the kind of leaders that they want to become. 

Last term our student leaders attended the Melbourne Secondary Youth Leadership Conference alongside 1800 other students from across Victoria. Australia's largest youth leadership conference saw our leaders actively involved throughout the day, interacting with the presenters and other students, exploring themes of how to become their own leaders. 

These students represented NBC with pride and our senior captains set a glowing example for all of the younger leaders from across our college. 

Harmony Day 

Our NBC Harmony Day Community Expo, held in term one, was a truly wonderful celebration of diversity, inclusion, and connection. The event was brought to life by an incredible number of enthusiastic and proud student volunteers, whose energy and commitment made the day even more special.

The expo was officially opened by representatives from all three levels of government, who not only shared inspiring words but also took the time to mingle, engage, and celebrate alongside our community.

Performances from the Hazar, Ukrainian, and Burundian communities captivated the audience, while the Karen community provided outstanding food that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Local organisations, including Planet Fitness, Headspace, and CoGG Youth Services, further enriched the event, offering valuable support and engagement.

This unforgettable day showcased the strength and spirit of our school community, reinforcing why Harmony Day is such an important occasion. A heartfelt thank you to the organising committee: Deb Barclay, Kate Mastroianni, Sophie Naw Nyo, Belthrand Habiyakare and Brandon Dellow —for making it all possible!

Visit from Acting Prime Minister

In May NBC was fortunate to have a very special guest arrive for a tour of our Goldsworthy Campus. The Honourable Richard Marles MP, our Federal Member of Parliament and currently Acting Prime Minister, took some time from his busy schedule to tour our senior campus. Mr Marles’ visit, chaperoned by some our outstanding Goldsworthy Student leaders, enabled him to visit classes, engage in conversation with our students and tour some of the wonderful facilities we have at our school.

We say it so often at NBC – our students are our best asset – and today was another shining example, as our students shared in words and actions the positive environment that is Northern Bay College. Mr Marles spoke so positively of the impact that the students had made on him and was just so appreciative of the opportunity to connect in what was truly a meaningful and wholesome visit. 

We are so grateful that Mr Marles could fit us into his diary and look forward to future visits.

First Nation Student Forum

In April, over 50 First Nations students from across NBC and Nelson Park School came together for our Term 1 First Nations Student Forum. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to connect, share experiences, and explore the educational and support pathways available to them. Throughout the day, students also collaborated to develop an outline for future forums, ensuring these gatherings continue to meet their needs and aspirations. A huge thank you to all NBC staff who made this event possible, along with Renae from Polly Farmer FTD and KESO Megan Howell. Their support helps create meaningful opportunities for our students to thrive.

IWD

International Women’s Day is a powerful moment for us, as educators, to reflect on the role we play in shaping a more equitable future. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women - including the achievements, leadership, support and guidance of those we work alongside everyday- acknowledge ongoing challenges and inspire the next generation to break barriers. At Northern Bay College, we recognise the importance of fostering respect, leadership, and ambition in all students. Through inclusive curriculum, strong role models, we empower our students to challenge stereotypes and strive for equality. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to gender equity in education and beyond. 

These themes are wonderfully captured in this piece developed by students at NBC (alongside the excellent support of Brandon Dellow) LINK. Please enjoy seeing the spirit of inclusivity and equality that resonate so strongly amongst our students.

In addition, NBC was nominated for the Women in Community Life Award in the category of Strengthening Healthy Communities. The awards were held at Geelong Arts Centre.

Girls State Softball

In week 5 this term, the NBC Girls State Softball team were up bright and early, arriving at school by 6:20am – though most were already there by 6:00 in the dark, braving the cold with big smiles and plenty of energy, eager to hop on the bus. Once we arrived, the team wasted no time warming up, preparing to face the top-ranked team. Despite a tough first match where the opposition scored 21 runs, our girls held their heads high, knowing there were still two games to go.

In the second match, the team truly found their rhythm, putting on an impressive performance and scoring over 20 runs. The cheers were loud and proud as they celebrated their first-ever state game win – a huge milestone! Some highlights in this game, Jessica Heinrich taking over pitching for the first time! Abigail John has a go at catching! 

The final game was a challenging draw against last year’s champions, but the girls gave it everything they had. After a long day, early wake-up, and chilly morning start, they finished with the same smiles they started with – proud, resilient, and stronger as a team. It was great to see everybody having a crack, supporting each other and making sure everyone was having fun!

A big thank you to Taylah Mackie for leading the way, with early preparation throughout the week, training the girls hard, getting the girls to states, and supporting everyone to give it their all. The girls loved having Ms Mackie!

State Boys Volleyball Results

We’re proud to share that our boys’ volleyball team came away with silver in a massive final against Melbourne Grammar at the All-Schools State Volleyball Competition! Over three huge days of competition against the best of the best, the team showed incredible skill, determination, and sportsmanship—finishing as one of the top teams in the state. We couldn’t be prouder!

A huge congratulations to all the players, and a big thank you to Bernard for his outstanding leadership of this group.

Our Early Years Centre

Big potential starts small. Our Family Learning Centre Campus holds our Family Centre and our Early Learning Centre.  The first 1000 days ethos celebrating the early years of a child’s development from birth of your child. 

Participation in our Playgroup, Childcare and onto Kindergarten underpins the programs offered at our wonderful multi-cultural Family Learning Centre, and across all the co-located services. 

To dream big, our kids need the best start in life. Kindergarten is an important part of your child’s education journey. Starting a quality kindergarten program at 3 years of age is beneficial for your child’s development. 

WAYAPA WUURRK 

This week our Kindergarten children have enjoyed Wayapa Incursion, and we were privileged to have Auntie Bec attend and facilitate these sessions.  

 WAYAPA WUURRK  means "CONNECT TO EARTH" in the First Nations languages of the Peek Whuurrung and Gunaikurnai, respectively. 

‘Learning the Wayapa way’ is an entertaining learning experience for children to be introduced to.  Story telling with a focus on taking care of the environment as the starting point for wellbeing.

To be involved, the Challenge Committee is offering 'Supporter Shares' @ $1,000 per share. To become involved please contact the college directly 03 5245 3501 or The Challenge via the 'How Can You help?' page at the end of this Newsletter.

Yours sincerely,

 Ken Harrison and Scott Diamond

The Challenge Chair & College Principal

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