From the Principal's desk 

Hello to all our community members.

My page header this week is of the Peacock Campus leaders.

It has been such a great motivation to all at the College to have students back working in a face to face mode. We have been eagerly awaiting this time and all staff have been so complimentary at just how positively students have returned to their Campuses. With all of the extra COVIDsafe practices in place our students really have been so mature in their approach and for this we are very grateful. 

We do still have many limitations in place on what we can do for example PE and sport classes needing to be completed outdoors, limitations on mixing Campus groups in programs such as the GITTC specialist program, SEED and Transition visits to Goldsworthy for our Year 8 students. Staff have worked hard to come up with safe ways for these programs to still go ahead and we are thankful that these opportunities still are possible in these modified forms.

We are also grateful to all families who have also needed to adapt to these COVIDsafe practices. From the need to make bookings for meeting in the office admin; utilising expected pick and drop off points around Campuses to being the role models for the wearing of face coverings. Thank you to all families who have supported so strongly these practices setting a great example for students at the same time.   

Farewell to Lisha Nash

Next week we farewell one of our College Assistant Principals Lisha Nash. Lisha was the Campus Principal at Tallis in 2019 and this year at Wexford. Lisha has made a tremendous impact in her time at our school making huge impact in programs to further develop student literacy at the P-2 level; developing processes and systems to ensure our Campuses work collaboratively; helping design and lead the way teams of teachers work together to provide consistent learning and teaching programs across all teachers and helping to embed the Professional Learning Community program which ensures the work at our school is based on what’s best for students and their learning needs. Lisha has always put students first and it would not be unusual for Lisha to be working late into the evening or long through the weekend to ensure all is in place for a positive week of learning for all on Campus.

Lisha we wish you well in your next professional journey and know that you will continue to make a positive impact on the teams you lead and work with. Thank you.

Replacing Lisha at Wexford Campus will be Ben McCredden. Ben has been the Assistant Principal at Clifton Springs Primary School for the past 7 years and will begin at Wexford on Monday 16 November. 

Goldsworthy Regeneration Planning

It was terrific news from the State Government which local member John Eren brought to us last week. 

I thank Ken Massari and Shonah Friswell as well as College Captains Katie and Mitchell for making time to meet with John for a celebratory photo. 

The announcement of funding to plan for the redevelopment of the Campus is an incredible first step in finally realising the vision for a twenty first century college in Geelong's northern suburbs.

We have waited many, many years to be allocated funding and last week's announcement of almost $700,000 will ensure that in an upcoming budget (before 2026) we will have plans and structures in place to move ahead with construction of the new College facilities. Our dreams for an outstanding education facility are very high.

Interim Upgrades

Given that new building are still some way off we have undertaken some improvements across the campuses but most noticeably at Goldsworthy.  The upgrade, inside and outside, to the Resource Centre is nearing completion and the VCAL Centre has new furnishings.  Our students have certainly told us they appreciate having some modernization but of course senior students are envious that the reconstruction will take place after their time at College. We sympathise, of course, but encourage them to make sure they come back for a visit when completed. If you check out the VCAL news section (Years 10-12 update) the new furniture is highlighted.

School Photos Years Prep - 8

One of the important milestones in schooling that we believed would be missed through COVID19  are school photos. This week it was announced that Regional schools could have photos and we luckily had our dates still in place. 

It will be different, purchase will be online, but many families will be delighted with this news. There will be no class groups but composite pictures of all the students in your child's mentor class will be included and keep long term memories of friends possible.

End of Year celebrations

The Department of Education & Training (DET) have encouraged all schools across the state to ensure that the important graduation milestones are celebrated. This year has been a very difficult one for all but our thoughts certainly do shift to the students in Year 12 completing their final year of schooling. The college will work hard to ensure that a significant event is held to recognise this major achievement. Northern Bay milestones also extend to our Year 8 students on our P-8 Campus who celebrate, in many cases, the end of 9 years of education on these settings before moving to our senior Campus at Goldsworthy. Details on whether this will be a face to face event, an online event or a hybrid of the two will be determined in the coming weeks and months. What I can assure is that the staff team at Northern Bay are fully dedicated to making this experience a memorable one for all students and their families. We will be sure to keep all families and students informed of this work.

Three Way Conferences

Thank you to all the families, students, parents and carers a well as staff for again improvising with new ways to meet and talk about children's learning goals and growth. 

Prep Enrolment 2021 and Transition

One of the many examples of operating differently is the transition from Kindergarten to School and how we undertake contact with families and next year's Prep students. 

While we are still being limited with people physically coming to school, families who might normally arrive at the office and get enrolment forms and attend the transition programs has not been possible.

This short video explains what families can do if they have children looking to come to school next year.

Congratulations and appreciations

I read the Years 10-12 Update in this issue and just have to commend our young year 10 artists. These pieces would look terrific in anyone's house. I have asked for some of the page heading graphics to showcase them.

Well done, Arrow, Jasmine, Cory and Jordan.

Name the Crane

My sincere appreciations also to Kane Constructions, Quintessential PTY and GMHBA for honouring us with the opportunity to be the recipients of a terrific donation of $10, 000 to enhance the play and open spaces at our Family Learning Centre on Goldsworthy Road. This corporate generosity is humbling. It was a special day for young Sonni who nominated that the big crane on site be called Boomka because of the sound it might make. His mum, sister and teachers went to the site to see for themselves the giant crane and the work that is taking place. I am sure he will always remember that day.

Our former College Captain honoured

The Northerly Aspects quarterly which has been proudly supported by the college for many years currently cannot be printed and circulated so an Online version is available. The College is well featured in the Magazine as always, but this is  a particularly special issue for us at Northern Bay College. The front cover features our former College Captain and Arda Duck Award winner (our highest VCE ATAR score in any given year) , Miss Anis Gul Mohammad Ali. 

Anis has been recognised in the Leadership Category of the City of Greater Geelong 2020 Awards. This story is must read for all of us connected to Northern Bay College. She was and continues to be a proud member of our college history.

Regards 

Scott