Principal Report

Performing Arts

Our Production of Oliver for 2025 is well underway, with practice twice a week after-school and the third full-day rehearsal will be held next week. By all accounts, we are in for a great show. 

For those of you who attended the recent Jazz night, I'm sure you would agree that our students were outstanding.  It was a wonderful opportunity for our instrumental voice students to sign alongside a professional Jazz Band. At the same time, a large number of other instrumental music students who performed in ensemble and band groups.

 Congratulations to all student performers. Your commitment not just to the performance on the night, but your dedicated practice is admirable and appreciated. Our amazing Instrumental teachers have clearly inspired these students to do their very best. 

Changes to Policies: Update on suspension and expulsion powers

Our school is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students and staff. You may be aware of recent changes announced to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school. In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work. 

Please note: 

· They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.

· They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

Thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to educate and support our young people.

New Department 'Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools' Policy

At Norwood we value the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith of all our students. We are proud of our diversity, and everyone is welcome at our school. Celebrating the diversity of our community makes us stronger, kinder and more innovative. We are committed to making sure that students from all backgrounds feel accepted, supported and able to learn.

We teach all students according to our school values and teach the respectful relationships framework. This includes education around diversity and inclusion.  To achieve our values and aims, everyone at Norwood plays an important role.

We frequently remind students of our values of, particularly those of respect and responsibility, and the importance of using these in everything we do. 

To help us make Norwood a place where everyone feels welcome, respected and supported, we encourage you to also speak to your child about these values, as well as the importance of:

• understanding that we celebrate diversity and multicultural inclusion

• understanding the importance of everyone at school being treated with respect.

For more information, please see Racism: talking with children and teens, Raising Children Network. We expect families to also display our school values when dealing with other members of our school community.

For further information, please access the link to this new policy on the Policy page of this newsletter.

Being Responsible Online

The above changes to Department Policies provides a timely reminder about responsible online activities and behaviours.  There are times when schools are mandated to report some instances of online behaviours, particularly where the school values of respect and responsibility are not upheld, which can lead to unnecessary stress and upset for all parties involved. 

Now is a good time to ask families to have conversations reminding our young people about not engaging in these behaviours and reporting behaviours they are concerned about.  

For further information on Digital Wellbeing, please see the Wellbeing page of this newsletter.