From the Principals Desk

KINDNESS Student Leadership Summit

Student leaders from all campuses attended Staughton Vale Outdoor Education Camp to meet together, have some fun and collaborate on potential projects as part if the Leadership Summit. The students had the opportunity to work with an incredible guest speaker, Nathan Murray, the Managing Director of Morris Finance. The themes that resonated throughout the day were ‘never give up’ and the importance of collaboration.

Nathan Murray shared his personal story with our leaders as well as key leadership strategies and knowledge he has developed over decades of leading highly successful companies. The students were highly engaged throughout and asked wonderful follow up questions, relishing in the opportunity to learn from such a strong leader. Nathan was so taken by our leaders, he is offered several more opportunities for students to continue to build their leadership skills and provide some real-life experiences in the business world.

‘I learnt that a leader should take the thoughts and ideas of their team in consideration and to never give up’ Maddi 

GROWTH - Geelong English Language School (GELC)  

Senior Student Transition

Recently our newest Goldsworthy bound GELC students engaged in one of their important transition visits. 

This will be the largest group of GELC graduates we have welcomed since the borders reopened after COVID and these students were most impressive with their engagement, their positive attitude and their care and concern for each other. 

A huge thanks goes to our EAL and MEA team who created a wonderful day of learning for these students and we certainly look forward to welcoming them on Campus full time at the completion of their GELC studies.

The senior students study at the GELC outpost at North Geelong SC but the Prep to Year 8 students across the local area all come to Northern Bay's outposts currently at Hendy and Wexford. When of sufficient proficiency to learn effectively in a regular classroom, they leave GELC and go to their home school which fortunately for us is predominantly Northern Bay. The work we undertake at the College through EAL (English as an Additional Language)  teachers and MEA (Multicultural Educational Assistants) support staff  are highlighted in a special page which will be really interesting for you to see the student GROWTH.

There was a wonderful celebration day for students P-8 to acknowledge some great work and to celebrate a number of the children who have completed their time and GELC and now move into the mainstream classroom.

KINDNESS - NBC Students Acknowledged

We know how wonderful our students are as every day we get to work alongside them. As such, it is very re-affirming when we receive positive feedback from the wider public highlighting these outstanding personal attributes of our students. At last week’s Inter-School Volleyball competition this comment was shared with the school:

‘‘Today I was at the Year 11 to Year 12 Girls Western Metro Region Volleyball Finals.

There I saw some fantastic sportsmanship from the coaches and students from your school. I wanted to share a big thanks to them for being kind and inclusive to the students from my school throughout the day. Including them in a friendly practice after the competition was a fantastic show of sportsmanship and, if possible, I would love to send my thanks along to them.

Full credit to our students for showing this outstanding leadership but also to every member of our  NBC staff team who work hard to teach, celebrate and reinforce these attributes every day.

GROWTH - First Nations Student Forum

This week our First Nations year 7-12 students were engaged in work led by our First Nation Student support team - Audra, Frances, and Breanna - aimed at gaining student voice towards our AIP targets. This term's workshop focussed on attendance and the students worked alongside the regional Koorie workforce team and Aunty May Owen to discuss what are the factors that support and hinder student attendance. This was a very positive workshop, and the outcomes of this work will be shared widely with staff and student groups in the weeks to come. 

GROWTH - Congratulations

It is with great excitement, with more than a tinge of sadness, that we announce that Mel Maccora - Campus Principal at Hendy Campus, has been successfully appointed to the role of School Principal at Moriac Primary School.

This is clearly a wonderful and outstanding achievement by Mel and I know that she will have the support and best wishes of all staff across Northern Bay College. Mel has been instrumental in so much of the work to happen across our college both through her roles at Wexford and Hendy but also in her college wide work – work that will certainly be a lasting and sustainable mark of her impact at our school.

Congratulations Mel from all of your colleagues at Northern Bay College. You have our full support and best wishes as you embark on this new chapter in your professional work and we know you take with you experiences and the learning from so many staff you have worked alongside through your time at our school.

PERSISTENCE - Attendance Strategy

Across our school there has been some wonderful work occurring to support our students to attend every day. One such strategy is highlighting the importance of attendance but also sharing some motivators and tips students can buy into. Please see one of these offerings below.

What gets you to school in the morning: “I want to do well and succeed, and a big part of that is attendance. 

My main idea is to get up in the morning and get to school.”

Some strategies I use are: “Create a better 

sleep habit so I can get up on time. I set an alarm and only miss school if it is really important. I have also quit soft drink!”

Dillon Year 12 Goldsworthy.

What is great is seeing my friends and playing sport every recess and lunch, each day earning new and exciting things in all the different subjects we do at school. Some of my favourites are business and enterprise and can't forget my VET Building and Construction learning all hands-on things to do with timber and getting me ready for my future after finishing year 12.”

“I have many strategies that get me to school each day and keeping my attendance high. Some of them are making sure I have a good and stable sleep pattern, getting enough sleep every night (at least 8 hours a night), eating healthy, drinking lots of water and staying active before and after school.

Those are some things that help me as a person keep 100% attendance ” Hayden Taylor- 100% Attendance.

Other recognitions to

GROWTH - Architect Update

The Goldsworthy Campus continues to show weekly changes as we near the halfway mark.

COLLABORATION - New Addition to P- 6 Reports 

Students in years P to Year 6 will have a new section on their semester report focussing on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). SEL is integral to the social,emotional and academic wellbeing of a student which is why our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leaders are explicitly teaching SEL lessons to all students in the primary school years.

Our Leaders will be reporting on the work habits of their students which will reflect engagement and participation in SEL Curriculum, inclusive of Berry Street Educational Model,  Resilience Rights and Respectful Relationships and Zones of Regulation.

PERSISTENCE - Be Bold Be Heard

A selection of senior girls attended a regional‘Be Bold Be Heard’ conference which aims to bring girls across Geelong together to run initiatives both in their schools and across the region. 

The day consisted of hearing from four prominent women in our community. They built their relationships with students across schools and learnt about their projects. Our young girls are developing their skills in public speaking which really demonstrates their persistence to overcome anxieties.

We are proud of our focus on building female students' confidence and through this group we know great things will happen.

Arts and Technology Students@ NGV

In 2023 the Arts and Technology students have been able to visit the amazing Seasons of Excellence exhibitions in Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria – Ian Potter Gallery and the Melbourne Museum. All students displayed outstanding behaviour and character  and we enjoyed a fast and frantic day with many highlights. We hope that the students were inspired and motivated by the brilliant artworks, design, film, and textiles on display.

A massive thank to Mr A and the VCE students of NBC Goldsworthy.

KINDNESS - Alumni Presentation

On Tuesday our Year 9’s were lucky enough to hear from five Alumni of Northern Bay College. Through the ever-growing Alumni Community connected to our school, the students heard from former students whose work post school years were well into their career, beginning their career or still studying at University.

The breadth of experience - from a Horticulturist at Geelong Botanical Gardens, to a fully qualified electrician a recent VCAL Graduate and two VCE graduates studying at Uni - gave the Year 9 students a wide view of the opportunities that lie at the end of their 13 years at NBC. The students were wonderful in their engagement and appreciation, and we thank Alison Meredith who heads up our Alumni Community for another great experience.

KINDNESS - Guitar Donation

The college experienced wonderful generosity when a gentleman named Craig, asked Mrs Baulch if the College could use some guitars that he had made. He then arrived with five incredible guitars, three of which have the most beautiful wood finish.

They are truly appreciated, as is Craig, for his kindness and craftsmanship.

Have a safe and happy Mid Year break and return well rested on Monday 10 July.

Regards,

Mr Scott Diamond

College Principal