Nossal News

From the Principals' Desk 

Exams

The VCAA exams are now all but complete and most of the students I have spoken to appear to be happy with their performance and with what was on the exam paper. I’m very pleased about that as it means that they have been well prepared, there were no surprises, and most seemed quite relaxed (after the exam). We will know, in a few short weeks, what individual results have been achieved, and the euphoria of finishing school and having a substantial amount of free time ahead, will be somewhat tempered by the anticipation of results, and then the wait for university offers in January.

 

I commend all our teachers, parents and students for the essential roles they have played in the completion of the 13 years of schooling and hope that all students are highly successful. I thank Ms Warriner and her team of exam supervisors and assistants who ensured that the process was as smooth and stress free as possible (and that all regulatory requirements were well met).

 

The rest of the school is in the middle of our formal exam period now and will be experiencing exactly the same structures and processes as the Year 12 students have just been through. We formalise this process in order to familiarise our students with VCAA requirements and to give authentic and meaningful exam practice that will better prepare them for success in year 12 and beyond. We are only able to do this as a result of the hard work and organisation of Ms Mackin (and numerous others) and our wonderful team of parents, community members and university students who have been voluntarily giving up their time to assist with exam supervision. Not only does this provide valuable experience for the students, but it enables us to release teams of teaching staff to plan programs and courses for 2017. I offer sincere and heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers. 

2016 Exam Volunteers: Annabel Finch, Bindu Gummadi, Brad Manaco, Claudia Shultz, Elli Keatch, Evangeline Thevathason, Anthony Keatch, Jimmy Teo, Jothee Arunagiri, Julie Hwang, Kate Petty, Kevin Le, Larry Larkins, Le Kien Huynh, Mary Cooke, Michael de Valle, Monique Orrell, My Tran, Rika Darmaputri, Rosaline Saruvamalai, Selina Dunne, Shafeek Yoosuf, Sharmila Shafeek, Steph Neo and Telsa Rudd.

 

I do remind all students that while we are now on an exam timetable and there is a fair bit of flexibility to allow for effective preparation and the development of independent study habits, there is increased responsibility on you all to ensure that you are meeting expectations and following the school rules about attendance, uniform, punctuality and involvement. Please ensure that you are respectful of others who are studying or in exams, moderate noise and return chairs and tables to where you found them (especially if they are set up for exams). I would also request that you are more careful and do not leave litter, notes and equipment scattered around the school. I also ask you to please make sure you have left the building by 5.30 pm so I can lock up and the cleaners can do their work effectively.

Principal for A Day

It was an honour to host the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency, The Honourable Linda Dessau at Nossal last week. This was actually a return visit for her as she spoke at a Nossal breakfast program organised by Mrs Reddy several years ago when she was “only a Judge and AFL Commissioner.”

 

In spite of her limited time with us and the myriad protocols that we all have to observe she was a most engaged and engaging visitor, taking great delight and interest in what the students and staff were doing and spending considerable time with our SRC members and “Formation” group to share her wisdom and leadership journey and experience. She has offered Thomas Velican and Charis Yang the chance to undertake a placement at Government House as a result of her interaction with them, and announced at our assembly that I could swap with her and become “Governor for a Day” which I am tempted to take up – I’m sure her office is much tidier (and more impressive) than mine.

Coming Events

There are a number of important events taking place in the final few weeks of the school year and I hope that parents have all secured their tickets for Speech Night. Book now at - http://tinyurl.com/jb2tjte  

 

It was a full house last year. This year there will be few tickets available at the door and a lockout will apply if you arrive late (noone will be allowed to enter from 7.00pm until there is a break in the proceedings). We have streamlined the program this year so it will be shorter, but will contain more awards. We have many students who will be receiving awards, some magnificent performers, and 207 Year 12 students to farewell. It is always a wonderful night, and a fitting and uplifting end to our school year.

 

Prior to that we will have the rewarding but sad task of formally thanking and celebrating the conclusion of their schooling with the Year 12 cohort at Etihad Stadium for the annual Valedictory Dinner.

 

The Year 9 students have the University Challenge, Big Day Out and the Terry Bennett Cup at Suzanne Cory High School to look forward to. I am hoping that this year we may be able to break the tradition and win the cup from the home team, as since inception, the home team has won the event.

 

We will welcome the 208 new Year 9 students and their parents on Orientation Day. The students will begin their 2017 studies during the commencement program, and will receive preparatory materials and instruction so they are well prepared for the new school year and well rested after a refreshing holiday…but we have a few things to get through before then.

Farewells

We will be farewelling a number of staff members this year and I would like to acknowledge them now before the students have all started to disappear after exams….

  • Ms Ansalde will be on confinement leave for the next 6 months and is due to deliver her second child in December.
  • Mr Candy will retire at the end of the year.
  • Ms Thompson will retire early next year.
  • Ms Callahan will retire at the end of the year.
  • Ms Stoppa has gained a promotion position in another school.
  • Ms Fankhauser has gained a promotion position in another school.
  • Mr Alderton is moving to the country.
  • Ms Barker, Mr Echols, Mr Martin (Lab Tech) and Ms Venthan will complete their contracts with us.
  • Ms Jansen (Cello teacher) is returning to Denmark.

All have made exceptional contributions in different ways to our school and to state education in general. I will pay more specific tribute to them at farewell functions later in the year and in the final newsletter, but sincerely thank them for their commitment, participation and involvement in the development of our school and the education of our students. They will be greatly missed.

Some Noteworthy Recent Student Achievements…

I am always nervous about doing this as I am in the wonderful position of having great difficulty keeping track of all the exceptional achievements of our students and worry that I miss some. I apologise if I have done so – please let me know so I can ensure that all are mentioned in future.

  • The Year 9 Debating Team of Stephanie Barito; Rakith Wickramaratne; Ikya Theram; Sankalpa Rao; Michelle Pham; Elita Pinto and their Coach Cree Oliveira-Blacket were placed second in the DAV (Debating Association of Victoria) Grand Final (by a narrow margin – from a pool of 560 teams) Thank you to Ms Banaag and Dr Schroor for their support and organisation.
  • Thomas Velican (Year 12) is being honoured by VCAA with a VCE Leadership Award (one of only 7 students from Victoria) – to be presented in Parliament House on November 21. He has also been featured in the November VCAA Bulletin - http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/correspondence/bulletins/2016/November/VCE_Leadership.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VCAA+Bulletin+No.+24+November+2016&utm_content=VCE+Leader+Thomas+Velican&utm_source=www.vision6.com.au
  • Jennifer Nguyen of Year 10, Jenny Li of Year 12, Aedan Kertesi of Year 12, Chizirimuzo Ugo of Year 10 and  Nithiya Pathmasiri of Year 11 are all Finalists in the “Fresh Words Young Writers Award” for 2016.
  • Jack Braddick and Charlotte Luong of Year 10 have been accepted into the prestigious Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program at the University of Melbourne.
  • Josiah Schuller of Year 9 has been awarded the VSL Academic Award in Year 10 Latin Studies and Chantelle Pereira of Year 10 has been awarded the VSL Best Effort Award in Year 10 Italian studies. These two students will receive their awards at a special ceremony on Saturday December 3.
  • Nathan Iuoras of Year 11 and Yong See Foo of Year 12 have had their original compositions selected to be performed at the “Making Waves Concert” at the Distance Education Centre on December 7.
  • Roshan Ramesh of Year 11 has been shortlisted for VCE Top Designs for his Visual Communication work and he received an academic excellence award for Year 12 Art from The Distance Education Centre.

Savith Suraweera, Philip Stephenson, Pradeepsunder Simini, Dhilan Peiris Samarakkody and Ruwanpura De Silva have each been shortlisted for VCE Top Designs for their individual Systems and Technology projects.

  • Christopher Gu and Nathan Iouras of Year 11 will be performing in the very prestigious “Accelerando” program at the Melbourne Recital Centre on December 9.
  • Ms Ball and the NEST Team have achieved a second star for the school in the Resource Smart Schools Energy Program.

Roger Page

Principal

Victoria Police letter to school communities

Victoria Police concerns around harm occurring to young people

 

Dear Parents/Carers of Students (Years 7-12), 

 

I am writing to inform you that we have received information from Victoria Police about local ‘pop-up’ parties and social gatherings being organised via social media which are unsafe for the young people attending.

These parties are being hosted in private homes, abandoned buildings and public halls across south eastern and eastern Melbourne. 

 

Victoria Police acknowledges that many young people are also attending safe parties. 

 

However, Victoria Police has made a number of recommendations to ensure young people can safely attend local gatherings: 

•    Talk to your children and be mindful of where they are;

•    Be vigilant around monitoring all of your child’s social media accounts (consider there may be multiple accounts) and look online at any events your child wants to attend;

•    Investigate any party your child is attending, and be satisfied of where your child is and who they are with. If a party location is unknown one or two weeks prior to a party date, this may be of concern. 

•    Underage alcohol drinking and drug use is not recommended.

•    Students with any wellbeing concerns or issues they are encouraged to speak to our wellbeing officer.

 

If you have any information that may assist police, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

If you are concerned that your child has been the victim of a sexual assault and may require support, please contact Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800 806 292.

Kind regards,

 

Roger Page

Principal