PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicholas Adamou

Principal

2020 Key Dates

2021 Key Dates

We have made it to the final newsletter issue, after what has been a very challenging year! This year schools, and in particular, our students, have faced hurdles like never before, first from the devastating bushfires and then the unprecedented pandemic with Covid-19.

School closures, Remote and Flexible Learning, lockdown, travel restrictions, ring of steel, flattening the curve, Covid-19 safety plans were the topics of conversation during the year. 

In ten years time, when we look back on 2020, what will we remember? Memory is an extraordinary thing. We tend to remember the events that stirred the strongest emotions in us. If feedback from staff, parents and students in March/April are a view into the soul of our school community, we will remember the pride we all felt about the agility of the school to move smoothly and swiftly into Remote and Flexible Learning, a territory none of us were familiar with. Staff, parents and students spoke as one about the explosion of collaboration, learning about online teaching and the willingness to help each other, creating the best possible conditions for our students to continue their learning under lockdown and isolation for many. 

NGSC Teachers, Support Staff and the Principal Team were driven by the moral purpose of not letting our children down. 

Mary Jean Gallagher, Victorian education’s critical friend from Ontario, summed it up at the ACEL Conference in October this year. 

“When the world steps down, we (as educators) step up, because we are the last standing, community based, ubiquitous presence of stability and hope for students, no matter what! 

You have been (Teachers and Principals) and are, literally, the Angels of Hope for your students, and their families and all of our futures.”

We recently had our final School Council dinner for this year, where I acknowledged the contribution of the members of this very important group of people that govern our school.

The College Council President, Mr Matthew Sheehan, Vice President, Ms Donna Woods, School Council parent members; Ms Shelley Kitchen, Ms Catherine McKenzie, Mr Dirk Heitmann, Ms Christine Wilson, Ms Angene Smith, Ms Lyndal Jones, and Ms Helen Polyzos, Student elected members; Abby D’ Andria and Lachlan Grantham, DE&T elected members, Mr Tim Humphries, Mrs Tonia Tigani, Ms Shona Scorringe and Mr Joel McDougall, Co-opted member, Ms Amanda Bartlett, have given freely of their time in providing policy development, monitoring and evaluation. Through their work the College can focus upon providing the best possible teaching and learning programs and environment for all of our students. I take the opportunity to thank the school council members for their great support during a year with a myriad of challenges.

To the many, many students at North Geelong Secondary College who set their goals this year and, after working hard throughout Covid-19 restrictions, remote and flexible learning and at times very unpredictable and challenging times, and with resilience and perseverance, they achieved as many of their goals as possible, I offer my congratulations. Their commitment to their learning makes our College an outstanding place to be part of. Our Logo “Strive to Achieve” heralds what we believe in as a school community, no matter what challenges we are presented with. The school’s values (Respect, Excellence, Achievement and Diversity) and the high expectations from students, staff, parents and the wider community generated this year’s outstanding achievements and positive results.

I take this opportunity to publicly thank Assistant Principals, Ms Julie Andrews, Mr Paul Dawson and Mr Brad Headlam, who worked tirelessly within the Leadership Team to ensure the school continues to enjoy success.

I also extend my sincere thank you to all staff, teaching and non–teaching for their dedication, resilience, innovation and hard work during this pandemic year. The focus and the consistency in teaching and learning online or in the classroom and beyond, has provided a wealth of opportunities for our students. 

A special thank you to those staff members who are leaving the College, retiring or taking leave next year. The College staff and students have greatly appreciated their significant contributions. 

To all parents and caregivers, I thank you for your wonderful support of our school, in particular, during this very unpredictable year with all the added Covid-19 challenges and pressures. Thank you for entrusting NGSC with the gift of educating your children.

Next year, we look forward to many new challenges and successes. Hopefully the pandemic and Covid-19 will be a thing of the past. We are hoping for a successful vaccine that will allow us all to go back to a normal life.

Finally, I take this opportunity to extend to all members of our School Community my very best wishes for a safe and a thoroughly relaxing, refreshing school break.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

I look forward to a great start to the 2021 academic year. 

Important Dates to mark on your calendars

Thursday, 21 January, 2021

Book Collection Day 

Just a reminder to parents/guardians that Book Collection Day is on Thursday, 21 January, 2021 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

2021 Academic Year 

Staggered Start 

Parents/Guardians and students, Please note that the 2021 academic year will commence with a student staggered start as follows:

Wednesday, 27 January 

Teachers ONLY (Student Free Day) 

This day is a student free day.

Teachers will have the opportunity to attend staff, curriculum and other various meetings. They will also prepare for the arrival of the students including some planning time.

Thursday, 28 January

First day for all new Year 7 students, all Year 11 and 12 students doing either VCE and VCAL.

Friday 29 January

First day for all other students. 

This is to ensure a very smooth transition for our new Year 7 students and a great start for Year 11 and 12 students.

Awards Presentation 2020 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Awards Presentation will be held at the school gym, during the day on Monday, 14 December. 

Unfortunately, due to the restrictions, we are unable to invite parents during the presentation, however, we are fully aware of how important it is to celebrate our student achievements with family and friends. Therefore, the presentation will be live streamed. 

The Awards Presentation for all students and staff will occur from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Live streaming details will be provided to all students and families via Compass. 

2021 School Captains 

I am looking forward to working closely with an outstanding team of young leaders next year.