Connect: meet the 2018 subschools

Subschools and the Connect program

Student engagement and positive relationships are an essential pre-condition to learning. The NHS Subschool structure and Connect program are designed to enhance student belonging, wellbeing and positive connections to the school. Our Heads of School (subschool leaders) oversee the social, emotional and academic progress of their students, supported by Year Level Program Leaders, Tutors and classroom teachers. In the coming weeks you should be hearing from your child's Tutor. They, and the smiling faces below, are your key contacts for 2018. 

A rule of thumb: if you have a question, or something doesn't feel right, please get in touch!

Junior School 

Head of School: Gerard O'Shaughnessy ph: 9488 3307 

Year 7 Program Leaders: Audra Keane and Zac Healey ph: 9488 2343

Year 8 Program Leaders: Sophia Griffith and Alana Smith  ph: 9488 2320

Wellbeing: Kirby Mackrill & team ph:  9488 2388

The Junior School team are all very excited about the year ahead. As a team we are committed to working in partnership with teachers, students and their families to secure the best outcomes for all. The focus of our work centres around further developing and building on the culture of excellence and high expectations within our Year 7 and 8 cohorts.  We recognise that our students are all quite unique and we look forward to supporting them in their academic growth and personal development throughout the year.

There are already a number of exciting events on the horizon for the Year 7 and 8 students.

Our Year 7 students have settled well already and are looking forward to the annual Family Picnic (February 27), their Dot Com (online safety) workshops (early March), and our upcoming camp at the Philip Island Adventure Resort (April). 

Year 8 

We are certainly looking forward to another rewarding year with this cohort. Whilst many will be familiar with the school, there will be some nerves as we begin another year together. This will certainly only be a momentarily feeling, as we are sure that the Year 8s will hit the ground running and get involved in the Northcote High School community. Coming up during February-March, each form group will have the opportunity to attend the school's legendary Boho Camp. We look forward to the overnight hike, horse-riding, canoeing and enjoying some time with our peers and teachers. Our Year 8 Captains Sophie Hargreaves and Magnus Mulhall are excited about representing the year level and making great contributions to the student experience at Northcote High.

Middle School 

Head of School: Josh McDonald ph: 9488 2384

Year 9 Program Leaders: Luke Barrett and Sarah Blanchard ph: 9488 2382

Year 10 Program Leaders: Steven Flight and Meredith Gollan ph: 9488 2327

Student Wellbeing: Paul Giddy & team  ph:  9488 2388

Greetings from the Middle Years Team!

My name is Josh McDonald and I am the head of the Middle Years Team. The other members of this fantastic team are Meredith Gollan and Steven Flight who are the Program Leaders for Year 10 and Sarah Blanchard and Luke Barrett who are the Program Leaders for Year 9. The middle years focuses on student choice and student voice as well as the emergence of students taking greater ownership of their learning. Our team aims to support students as they explore and challenge themselves in their Northcote Model courses and immerse themselves in programs such as City School (Year 9) and Work Experience (Year 10) by providing opportunities for students, celebrating excellence and effort and developing student leadership.

The Unique Year Level experience for Year 9 is titled “Community” and there will be a number of great experiences for all students to increase their connections to both the school and wider community. Some key events to look forward to are the City School explorations and presentations and Intercultural Day. More information will be coming soon about these events occurring in Term 2.

Year 10 is about “Exploring”. Over the course of the year students will explore their academic opportunities both within and beyond high school, they will explore possible career paths and more importantly job market trends and what that means for their future. The key events to look out for this year are Careers day (Term 1), Work Experience (Term 2), The Northern Territory Camp and the Social Entrepreneurship program happening in Term 3.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at mcdonald.josh.t@edumail.vic.gov.au

Senior School 

Head of School: Sarah Green ph: 9488 2398

Year 11 Program Leaders: Carolyn Richards and Ben Orphin  ph: 9488 2386

Year 12 Program Leaders: Di Corkery and Scott MacDonald  ph:  9488 3312

VCAL (curriculum coordination): Rohan Bevan ph: 9488 3320

Student Wellbeing: Cathy Lester & team  ph:  9488 2388

The final two years of school are all about exploring pathways and passions, as students develop as mature learners ready to take their next steps in to the world.  Our senior students are engaged in a wide range of studies across VCE, VET (Vocational Education and Training) and VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning). Following the introduction of VCAL at Year 11 last year, in 2018 we are pleased include our first Advanced VCAL class in the Year 12 cohort. 

As a Senior School team, we value high aspirations and high support for all students. We know that when students set themselves challenging goals, pursue their passions and strengths with vigor and consistency, and work in partnership with their peers, teachers and families, outstanding personal achievement is possible.  Achievement does not just mean academic success: leadership and personal growth are also features of the senior school program.  We look forward to seeing families at our Year 12 'Meet and Greet' (February 7 - see below) and Year 11 Parent Forum (February 20) and to working with you throughout the year. 

Year 11

In this first year of their VCE (or VCAL), the initial focus for students is on acquainting themselves with the various required systems and processes (so many acronyms!), on refining study habits, building independence and resilience and further exploring and developing their pathway goals. To help support your child with this, we are holding a Parent Forum on February 20  - booking and further details will be coming soon. 

Year 12

This is a special year for many students: focused on the future but also a time to make the most of the connections, interests and friendships developed over the past 12 years of schooling.  The year got off to a great start with our Study Conference at Latrobe University, where students were encouraged to maintain positivity, find balance and enjoy all of the challenges and rewards of hard work and persistance.

Meet and Greet 

Wednesday February 7

5.30pm in the Library Courtyard

The evening will start with a chance to mingle informally with Year 12 teachers and tutors, followed by a presentation in the Library from former students, plus information from staff and parent advice.