From the Principals' Desk 

Dear Parents 

As Term One draws to a close I take this time to reflect on what has been an extremely (as always) busy term, but one that has provided opportunities for students to participate in many events and has been, at least at a whole school level, a more normal term than any we have experienced in the last two years. 

Camps and Pathways Week 

Camps and Pathways Week was slightly different to previous years as our Year 9 cohort stayed at school while the rest of the year levels took part in many activities throughout the week. I was privileged to attend the Year 12 Camp at Somers and witness students attempting many new activities and participating fully in all that was on offer. While I was at camp there were many staff who took students out on excursions, ran classes here at school, acted as potential employees in interviews and stepped in to fill in for staff who were isolating. I would specifically like to thank Ms Joanna Soltys for her exceptional organisation of the Year 12 Camp and Ms Marion Campagna for ensuring the Year 10 and 11 program at school ran smoothly.  

Harmony Day 

The School Captains decided that Harmony Day needed more than one day of celebration and organised an entire week of events, including collecting family recipes through a Padlet, organising a photography competition, Bollywood and K-pop dance demonstrations, henna designs and a multicultural dress day. All money raised during the week will be donated to the UNICEF Ukraine Emergency Fund. 

Year 9 Healesville Excursion 

On Thursday 31 March the entire Year 9 cohort visited Healesville Sanctuary to conduct research for their Science research project on an endangered Australian animal. The students were extremely well behaved, as was the weather, and a very enjoyable day was had by all students and the staff who attended. 

Mock Interviews 

All Year 11 students had the opportunity to participate in a Mock Interview during the second last week of term. They will receive individual feedback from their interviewer and we hope they use this experience to help them prepare for future employment opportunities. We would like to thank the Rotarians and alumni who gave up their time to assist with the program and Ms Campagna for undertaking all of the organisation of this event. 

School Council AGM

Another new experience for some of our students was the first meeting of the 2022 Nossal High School Council. The Council's annual general meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday 22 March, and was an opportunity to greet our new staff, student and community representatives. As a normal part of the proceedings, the Annual Report on the school was tabled and the Council's office bearers for 2022 were elected. This year saw the return of parent representatives Dr John Inns and Subash Abhayawansa to the positions of School Council President and Treasurer, with Angs Swaminathan returning to the role of Vice President. Mr Andrew Somers was co-opted as a Community member representing Berwick Rotary Club, and our school captains Prathiksha Ashok Raj Kumar and Sunghwan Min were co-opted as additional student representatives.

Last week of term 1 

The last week of term will continue to be full of events. The House Cross-Country event will be held on Tuesday 5 April. All students will complete a five kilometre run (or walk) during Periods 3 & 4, competing for points in the Page Cup. 

The last day of classes for Term 1 will be Thursday 7th April. Students will be dismissed at 12.40pm.  

Parent Teacher Student Conferences will be held on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April. All parents have received an email with instructions about accessing reports and booking interviews and we look forward to 

welcoming parents into the school on Thursday 7 April for face to face interviews. We ask that any parent attending an interview onsite takes note of the following: 

• Masks are required to be worn while onsite. This is for the protection of staff and parents. Masks will be available if you arrive without one. 
• To assist with social distancing, teachers will not shake hands. Please do not take this as rudeness or a sign of disrespect but as an additional layer of protection for you. 
• Hand sanitiser will be available at various locations around the school building. Please help yourself whenever you want. You are also welcome to use the bathroom facilities to wash your hands at any time. 
• Maps and a list of teacher locations will be available at reception when you arrive. Please take one and ask your child to help direct you around the building. 
• Interviews on Friday 8 April will be held online.  
• For both days we encourage your child to be present. Many of the comments made by teachers will be directed at the students, especially students completing a VCE subject. 

 The Great Art Show

The Great Art Show will be held in the Toni Meath Auditorium from Friday 8 April to Sunday 10 April. If you are in the vicinity of the school we encourage you to visit. 

Finally 

I would like to thank all members of our school community for their work and support throughout the term. It has been a very productive and successful start to the year and the slow return to ‘normal’ has been welcome. 

If you are taking a break during the holidays I wish you a peaceful and relaxing time and a Happy Easter if you are celebrating. 

I encourage all students to take some time for rest and recreation over the holidays. Nossal staff are encouraged to make themselves ‘unavailable for work’ for at least half of the holidays and we encourage students to do the same so they can return refreshed and productive next term. 

The school will be closed from Friday April 8 until Tuesday April 26 when Term 2 resumes. 

Katherine Warriner 

Acting Assistant Principal