As Term 2 draws to a close, it is worth noting the wide variety of opportunities that have been available to our students this semester, both in terms of their learning and their well-being growth.

Central Australia Tour

The eight-day Central Australia Tour is taking place as I write this article. We have received daily updates from the staff and students. Forty students and four staff members set off on Thursday 19 June. They visited iconic sites such as the opal town of Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, the MacDonnell Ranges, and Uluru -Kata Tjuta National Park.

They will be flying back home on Thursday 26 June. From all accounts, the staff and students have had a wonderful time exploring the spectacular red centre. We are grateful to Mr. Monaco for organising this event and to the other teachers, Ms. Budd and Ms. Neiva for being there to support this trip. You can view highlights in subsequent pages.

Plain English-Speaking Awards

The Plain English-Speaking Awards semi-finals were held on Friday 20 June. Anhad Arora represented Nossal with a speech that focused on the impact of social media on our communities today. Anhad explored the following ideas.

“If we want a better future, where people talk with each other instead of at each other, we need to become smarter users. We need to question what we see online, to teach digital literacy not just as a skill, but as a survival tool. We need to pause before reacting, to remember that behind every screen is a real person, flawed, human, like you and me.”

We congratulate Anhad on his efforts and achievements in this competition. We are very grateful to Ms. Faulkner, who supports our students when they participate in these events.

Casey Youth Summit

Several students attended the annual Youth Summit on Wednesday 25 June, at Bunjil Place. Several Nossal students were on the planning committee and others were participants in the events of the day. This event provided the students with the opportunity to:

Make Your Voice Heard: A chance for students to discuss important topics impacting young people across the City of Casey and help influence local change.
Engage in Dynamic Workshops: Specifically designed to help students develop valuable skills in areas like confident public speaking, effective leadership, and exploring exciting future career pathways.
Gain Valuable Insights and Inspiration: Hearing from engaging speakers and mentors throughout the day, learning from their stories and advice.
Meet Tasneem Chopra OAM: Hear from Tasneem Chopra OAM who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her significant contributions to community, diversity, and inclusion leadership. Tasneem is an acclaimed cross-cultural consultant and speaker whose insights are sure to motivate and inspire.

These types of events enable our students to have a voice within the local community and build their leadership capacity beyond the school gate.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities they had and were pleased that they were able to interact and work with students from schools in our local community.

The GAT

Last week, on Tuesday 17 June, all students studying Units 3 and 4 subjects participated in the annual General Achievement Test (GAT). This assessment is crucial for ensuring the quality and integrity of VCE evaluations, while also affirming that students meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at the senior secondary level. Despite the rain and wind, the students were organised and entered the exam rooms in an orderly manner.

We extend our congratulations to our Year 11 and 12 students for their exemplary conduct, which facilitated a smooth and efficient examination process on the day.

Have you booked your seats yet? Frozen Jnr

Next week, the Nossal Production students are making their final preparations for backstage organisation, lighting, and acting.

Over eighty students are involved this year in the production of "Frozen Jnr." Opening night is next Thursday 3 July. If you have not secured your tickets yet, please do so now at https://www.trybooking.com/DAPVV and look forward to a fun night out, celebrating the incredible talents of our Nossal students.

Course Confirmation Process

On Thursday 26 June, our Year 9 families participated in an online Course Confirmation Information session. This session was an opportunity for them to review and understand the guidelines for subject selection for 2026.

Earlier this week, all Year 9 students received their personal copy of the 2026 Senior Student Handbook. This handbook, which contains detailed information on the subjects available to our students next year and of the guidelines for processes like progression and acceleration, is also available to parents via the School Documentation section of the Compass dashborad.

When the handbooks were distributed to our Year 9 students, Ms. Jessica Ball (Director of VCE and Pathways) provided an in-depth explanation of the handbook's key elements and talked to students about what they should be considering when choosing their subjects. This information was reiterated for parents during the online session, during which Ms. Mackin (Principal) and Mr. Angus Clark (Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy) were available to respond to any questions online. The presentation slides from the session will be shared via Compass next week.

Students will finalising their subject selections during our annual Course Confirmation Day on Wednesday 6 August. Leading up to this date, students are strongly encouraged to consult their teachers about their course planning. Year 9 and 10 students will also be aiming to have the Passport in the back pages of their Handbook signed by a teacher from each subject area between now and then, to help them keep track of which conversations they have had, and to allow their advisors on the day to confirm that these conversations have in fact occurred.

When reports are released on Thursday 3 July, interview times for Course Confirmation will also become available. These interviews, which will be held online, are mandatory for all Year 9 and 10 students. Year 11 students who need guidance are encouraged to schedule an interview. No classes will be held on the interview day, and students are required to attend with at least one parent or carer. Instructions on how to make a booking have been emailed to all families.

Careers and Pathways Expo

When choosing subjects, it's important for our students to think about how those subject choices might best support their aspirations for future study and for their later career path. For this reason, attendance at the Nossal Careers and Pathways Expo, scheduled for Thursday 31 July, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, is highly recommended for students at all levels. It offers students and their families the chance to listen to presentations by alumni and interact with various tertiary providers. You can get a taste for the event's scope later in the newsletter.

A New Semester

Semester Two has begun, marking the start of Units Two and Four and of all Year 9 and 10 semester-based subjects. In line with this change-over, our dedicated teaching staff have been diligently finalising assessments and preparing Term Two reports. These reports are constructed to offer students targeted and individualised feedback, accompanied by thoughtful suggestions for ongoing improvement.

The reports will be available on Compass after 4.00 pm on Thursday 3 July. We encourage students and their families to take the time to review these reports with a growth mindset. Reflect on the progress made so far this year and consider the suggestions provided. This feedback is invaluable for guiding future growth and development in student learning.

It is also worth remembering that our reports were designed not to provide all the answers, but to start conversations - conversations between students and teachers, students and parents, and parents and teachers. Those conversations - especially if they are growth-oriented - are an important part of the reflective process since they introduce different ways of thinking about the feedback being provided.

Why Punctuality matters

The start of Semester Two is an opportunity to reset by establishing goals and more consistent routines for better outcomes during Semester Two. We have noticed that students are consistently late to school, and while some of this may be attributed to the roadworks in our local area, we want to remind students that punctuality at school is essential.

Based on the traffic disruptions, it might be important to plan your travel time to arrive at school earlier or at least leave home a little earlier than planned. Starting the day on time, being organised, and following a routine are part of the formula for having a successful day. Being on time for school is not just a matter of minutes on the clock; it is a fundamental aspect of personal and academic development. When students arrive at school on time, it allows students to self-regulate so that they are ready for learning. Rushing dramatically impacts their ability to be ‘present’ in their tutorial or classroom.

Students arriving late to school also miss vital Tutorial time, where students hear daily notices, engage with others and prepare for the day ahead. Students at Nossal were recently surveyed about their connections within the school, since the formation and maintenance of these connections are a strong protective element for their general and academic wellbeing; being late makes connecting with their teachers and peers is more challenging.

Finally, punctuality is a form of respect, not only for oneself but also for others. When students arrive on time, they show consideration for their teachers, peers, and the overall school community. This respect fosters a positive and collaborative learning environment, contributing to a culture of mutual understanding and support.

A note about Term 3 dates

Term 3 commences on Monday 21 July. Our NAIDOC week assembly is scheduled for Period 3 (11:00am) on this day. We also advise our parents that the PFA Uniform shop will be open from 8:30am if anyone is looking for second-hand uniform.

As mentioned earlier, our Careers and Pathways Expo will be held on Thursday 31 July from 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

During Week 11 of Term 2, students will commence their preparation for the House Performing Arts Competition. This gala event will be held on 4th September 2025, we would encourage you to save the date for one of the highlights of the Nossal year.

The Father's Day Badminton Competition, which is organised by our dedicated PFA, will be held on Saturday 9 August in our gym and the finalists will meet on Saturday 23 August.

More information about this event can be found on Compass and on the PFA page.

At the same time, our PFA folk are will be planning for the annual Bunnings Barbecue which will be held on Saturday 16 August at the Narre Warren Bunnings. The PFA will be looking for as many volunteers as possible to support them with this event.

The Vital Importance of Rest

Term 3 is not just a busy term in relation to special events. It is also a term when our senior students, in particular, often experience increased stress as they work to complete their final term of active learning at school. Since this is a predictable part of the Year 12 experience, it will be imperative for them to take advantage of the holidays to rest and relax so that they can return to school with lots of energy and in good health, rather than putting themselves at risk of being burnt out halfway through the term.

School holidays are an excellent opportunity to relax and unwind following a busy and productive school term. Beyond Blue highlights the importance of sleep for mood, stress management, memory, and cognitive function. Taking time to unwind during school holidays, whether through leisure activities or moments of solitude, can significantly improve mental and emotional health.

It is essential for everyone to have sufficient downtime (at all times), but particularly during the school holidays, to reset their nervous systems. Rest and relaxation allow the body and mind to recover and rejuvenate, which is crucial for maintaining overall health and wellbeing. From a neurological perspective, research has shown that downtime helps young people to regulate their emotions, reduce stress levels, and improve memory and cognitive function.

By ensuring students have time to engage with friends, exercise and relax, they are more likely to return to school in Term 3 feeling refreshed, re-energised and ready for the tasks and experiences that await them at school over the 9-week term.

Uniforms

The holidays might also be a good opportunity to check students' uniforms and ensure students have everything they need for wearing the Nossal uniform with pride. It is an opportunity to get the pants and shirts cleaned and repaired for Term 3. Maybe take stock of what is missing and plan to replace items from the second-hand uniform shop. The school holidays are also a great time to get blazers dry cleaned, as it avoids disrupting the school week.

The term break will provide all of us with the opportunity to re-connect with family and friends. It also presents an opportune time to express thanks to the teaching and education support staff for their commitment to providing the best educational opportunities for our students, and to thank the parents in our school community for continuing to support us in the development of our young people. Take some time out.

Fiona de Zylva

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Student Agency

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