From School Council & the Principal

Building the future - community and learning

Community, Celebration and Preparation

The Class of 2017 Graduation was a further signal to the Year 12 cohort that exams are only days away and their secondary schooling is rapidly drawing to a close.  For families, young people and staff Graduation is a joyful event, and an opportunity to recognise each young person through their contribution to learning, leadership, co-curricular programs and academic excellence.  Clare Gleghorn, the School Captain of 1999, delivered the Graduation address. Her rich narrative highlighted the useful and not so useful advice she had received across her work and life experiences to date, with a particular emphasis on failing forward, that hard work wins every time and finding the ‘fun’.  Clare is currently General Manager and partner with Bastion Reputation Management.   It is always great to hear from past students about their experiences and pathways through and from school. 

As a point of interest: 1999 was the last time our school population was below 1000 students. It was also the year of the last new building at Northcote High. We now have 1800 students and 50% of our classes are in portables. See below for a message from School Council about this issue.

Learning together and in the Community

The Unit 3 / 4 Exams are underway and it's fabulous to see our students working in study groups, revising exams questions and seeking support from staff and each other.  Year 11 and 10 exams begin this week – hard work across the semester and the schooling journey informs how confidently young people approach revision an the exam experience.  Exams are an important opportunity for students to hone their skills in the various types of tasks and questions required across the learning program and in preparation for VCE. There is plenty of evidence that confirms studying for and sitting exams deepens learning and strengthens neural pathways for future use:  the process of searching one's memory and accessing relevant information is easier when practised - like exercising.   Study hard and good luck.

The Year 9 City School Program was a highlight of last week and this week. It was very positive to meet with so many of our students in the city – representing themselves and our school so well, learning and having fun.  The City School Program will be expanded in 2018 and will be a feature of the Northcote Model at Year 9.  Thank you to the Year 9 team led by Sarah Green, Steven Flight and English colleagues for leading the way. We look forward to meeting families in at the Presentation evening on November 21.

The annual Sports Breakfast on Friday was a further opportunity to celebrate student achievement  - congratulations to all awardees and thank you to Sarah Blanchard , Pauline Dridian and the Sports Captains for leading this event.

Hot topics - funding for facilities for our students and community

A message from School Council

School Council wrote to our community via Compass Newsfeed in late October, encouraging families to ‘speak up for building funds’ during the Northcote state by-election. Northcote High School will have 1800 students in 2018 and half our students will have their classes in portables. With our excellent results and local population growth, our school is in high demand and we need to ensure we have adequate learning and social spaces to cater for our school community now and into the future. The school funding issue was featured recently in the Northcote Leader  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/northcote-byelection-greens-accuse-labor-of-pork-barrelling-to-secure-marginal-seat/news-story/c63df6c4868a6d594baa6de66ab00711

SHOUT OUT TO MEDIA

School Council is asking for your help to appeal for financial support for the buildings of contemporary permanent facilities at Northcote High School.

WHY?

To ensure adequate permanent facilities for our students  - currently 50% of classrooms are in a wagon train of portables.  Shout out for funding to deliver contemporary learning and social spaces to cater for our school community now and into the future.

HOW CAN YOU ASSIST?

Shout out via:

1. ‘Old school’ media

• Call 774, 3AW
• Write to The Age, Northcote Leader, Herald Sun

2.  Social media

Post on social media and share with friends, colleagues and politicians.

Some key points are listed here, plus an infographic to share:

• Our student population has grown by 800 since 1999
• We have the same number of permanent buildings now as in 1999
• NHS is the largest metropolitan school (in terms of numbers) on the smallest site
• Our existing buildings are well-maintained but outdated
• We have received more portables each year since 2006
• In 2016 we had to lease additional open land from the Council

Northcote Thrive Fund

Over the next weeks we will be presenting you with a series of communications around the Northcote Thrive fund, which has been inspired and lead by our families via a robust governance structure.  Giving to Northcote Thrive provides a real opportunity to support our students and school now and into the future.  Read on for more information and how to take action and donate.

Inner City Netball Project and Performance Hub

Great news: the Inner City Netball project (2 x Courts for community and NHS use) and Performance Hub are about to begin construction.  This means that Northcote High will have an additional court for school use which is desperately needed.  The Performance Hub will replace the Music and rehearsal facilities formerly housed in 'A block' - currently decanted around the school.  It will feature a black box performance space (120 seats), music rehearsal, instrumental music spaces, performance classroom and  VCE precinct on level 1 (study spaces, classrooms and office space). 

Recognition of Fiona Richardson and her commitment to our community lives through both of these projects.

Congratulations Sue Harrap

Congratulations to incoming Northcote High School Principal Sue Harrap.  I look forward to working with her over the next few months for a positive start to 2018 and the continued success of young people, support of staff and development of our school and community.

I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming community events and course confirmation days over the next 6 weeks.

Kate