PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicholas Adamou

Principal

2022 Key Dates

Reminder to Wear Face Masks on Public Transport

Drivers have reported that despite requesting students wear their face masks whilst on board, very few are doing so across many schools in the region.

With the ongoing impact of COVID and other respiratory related illness across the community, the bus companies are dealing with staff shortages, as is the case elsewhere. Whilst the bus companies are doing everything they can to avoid service cancellations, simple steps which reduce transmission such as mask wearing can only help.

Please be mindful and respectful as a school bus is also the driver’s workplace and they are required under law to wear a mask and having been doing so for 2 years now. They have a reasonable expectation to be kept safe whilst at work in a confined indoor setting. The requirement is that students are to wear a mask for the duration of the journey to and from school.

Thank you for your support.

Scholarship Program - Year 7 intake 2023 

Our scholarship program for next year’s Year 7 intake has been completed and the successful recipients, their families and respective primary schools have been notified.  

As Principal at North Geelong Secondary College, I am very proud to report to the school community that our scholarship program has attracted a large number of high-quality candidates, which made it very difficult for the selection panel to make the final decision. The calibre of the students was outstanding. Congratulations to all who participated in the process. 

The NGSC Scholarship Program promotes outstanding commitment of Primary School students who have displayed a strong involvement in their School Community. The College looks for outstanding young people who are exceptional in different areas and possess personal qualities and values that will contribute to the life of our school.  

This Program also recognises the considerable achievements of children in our community and provides them with the opportunity to experience exciting curriculum opportunities through a broad range of engaging programs delivered by our outstanding teachers. 

Our Year 7 Scholarships are to the value of $4600. These scholarships will be presented by the Principal to the scholarship recipients and celebrated at their respective primary school assemblies shortly. Family and friends of the scholarship recipients will be invited for the presentation.  

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients joining NGSC in Year 7 next year. Also, congratulations to the students’ families and respective primary schools. What an amazing achievement!   

Academic Excellence – Sadie Dorais, Ashby Primary School 

The Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to students with an exemplary academic record who have demonstrated outstanding application and achievement in one or more of English, Mathematics or Science, together with a strong performance in general studies. 

Student Leadership – James Culjak, Holy Family Primary School and Erika Webster, Rollins Primary School 

This year we have two winners of the Student Leadership scholarship. The selection panel found these two young people equally first, to receiving the Student Scholarship.  

The Student Leadership Scholarship is available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills. The successful applicant(s) will have excellent communication skills, display initiative, and have a passion to motivate, delegate, guide and direct fellow students.  

Erika Webster receiving her Certificate

Community (Good Citizenship) - Lux Greville, Manifold Heights Primary School 

The Community (Good Citizenship) Scholarship is available to students who have made a significant demonstrable contribution to their community. The successful applicant(s) will display a strong social conscience as well as an outstanding work ethic and behaviour.  

Sporting Excellence – Sienna Bilinski, Teesdale Primary School 

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship is available to keen sportspersons who have shown outstanding aptitude and personal achievement in one or many sporting field(s).  

The Arts – Ella Jo Castles, Teesdale Primary School 

The Arts scholarship is available to students who have displayed excellence and shown commitment in one or more of the Arts areas (such as: Drama, Music, Dance or Visual Arts). Successful applicants should have a record of involvement in all aspects of primary school life in addition to artistic talent. 

Scholarship Program - Year 9 intake, 2023 

Our scholarship program for next year’s Year 9 intake is in the process of being completed. Please contact the school and speak to Ms Jacinta Eales, Transitions/Pathways Leader, or Ms Tonia Tigani, Assistant Transitions/Pathways, for more details.  

Scholarships are awarded for two years in Years 9 & 10.  

Just a little more about our school… 

North Geelong Secondary College is a hugely vibrant school that provides many opportunities for the academic, co-curricular and other individual needs of all our students in wonderful ways. It is a school of choice, and it is currently at full student capacity. The school has a very limited school zone, therefore parents from outside the zone can enrol their children at the school, provided there is capacity.  

The most convenient way to be enrolled at the school is through the transition from Primary to Secondary school, Grade 6 to Year 7, provided you follow the DET process and timeline.   

The final exams are fast approaching not only for our VCE students, but also all students from Years 7 to 11. I will urge and encourage all students to make good use of the two weeks break to take some relaxation and enjoyment and to also undertake significant revision and preparation for their final term for the year.  

On their return, our Year 12 students will have little time left at school. For parents and carers this time can be fairly wearing as we try to encourage and support our children so that they can perform to their best levels. It is also a little unreal as we look back and wonder how quickly the school years have passed and wonder what the coming years will bring for them. Of course, we acknowledge all the challenges our current Year 12 students have faced for the last three years and we hope that the teachers and staff at NGSC have absolutely tried their best to navigate through Covid19 challenges/student absences and support them during their senior years. I take this opportunity, and on behalf of the school community, wish our Year 12 students, all the best for their future.  

Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel… 

The Multicultural Festival is Back!

Friday 21 October, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm 

After the last two years of lockdowns, North Geelong Secondary College is returning to its annual traditional Multicultural Festival celebration. As per previous years, there will be a great deal of hands-on activities, food vans, rides, an animal farm and stalls, suitable for students of all ages. 

Working together with our parents and carers. 

“It takes a village to raise a child…” 

Research shows that parents play a critical role in their school children's academic success at every year level. Effective communication with parents has proven to be an important tool for teachers and school administrators to use as part of a planned continuum through the secondary year levels.  

Regardless of income or background, studies show that those parents who are engaged in schools have students who  have higher test scores and higher GPAs, improved  attendance, better social skills. Parental influence also is seen in students who take  higher level course work, who graduate, and who go on to post-secondary studies.  

The important role parents play in education is embedded in teacher evaluation programs. Many of these programs now measure how teachers and school administrators strengthen communication with parents and require evidence of these efforts. “When schools, families, and community groups work together, as a Community of Practice, to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” That’s the conclusion of “a New Wave of Evidence”, a report from Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. 

The report, a synthesis of research on parent involvement over the past decade, also found that, regardless of family income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to:  

• Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs  
• Be promoted, pass their exams, and earn credits  
• Attend school regularly  
• Have better social skills, show improved behaviour, and adapt well to school  
• Graduate and go on to postsecondary education  

The school plays an important role in determining the levels of parental involvement in school. Specifically, schools can outline their expectations of parents and regularly communicate with parents about what children are learning. Also, schools can provide opportunities for parents to talk with school staff about parent role in their children's education through home visits, family nights, and well-planned Parent/Teacher Conferences and open houses.  

When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, and help them plan for tertiary educational settings, their children perform better in school. When schools engage families in ways that improve learning and support parent involvement at home and school, students make greater gains.  

At NGSC we endeavor to build on and strengthen our partnerships and relationships with families, respond to parent concerns, honour their contributions, and share decision-making responsibilities, empowering the parents and carers to sustain connections aiming at improving student achievement and future pathways. As we have experienced in the last couple of years with Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, in and out of remote and flexible learning have highlighted the critical role of a parent/carer in their child’s education and success.  

Last Day of the Term

Friday September 16 is the last day of Term 3. I take the opportunity to wish you all a very safe and restful break and look forward to re-joining you next term.  

Term 4 begins on Monday October 3.