PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicolas Adamou

Principal

2023 Key Dates

Well into Term 3…

After what has been a very important and productive first semester here at North Geelong SC community, I found myself reflecting on the smooth running of our school community and the myriad of extracurricular activities offered to our students including camps, excursions, incursions, lunchtime clubs, careers expos, assemblies, guest speakers, field work, interschool sports, HPV training, a variety of clubs and many more. 

Extracurricular activities open students to new and exciting interests. They have the capacity to develop inner talents and ignite passions and can be a break from the rigours and routines of the school day – providing some stress relief and relaxation. These activities also enable some students, who otherwise may find the more academic areas of the curriculum quite challenging, to “shine’ outside the classroom. This is so important for their self-esteem and confidence. For so many of these students, active participation in these activities provides immense social opportunities, enabling them to build relationships and gain a sense of “belonging”. Elements such as cooperation, tolerance of others, resilience, and collaboration all contribute to their social and emotional development.

Rehearsals for this year’s school production “Highschool Musical” are well underway and the enthusiasm and excitement on the part of cast members and staff is palpable. I am looking forward to the school production next week (22 to 24 August) and seeing as many parents and friends as possible, attending this year’s school production.  

We have now completed the first six weeks of the new term and we are well and truly into the second semester of this academic year. The reporting period including Parent/Teacher conferences is now behind us, as we head to a very busy remainder of term. 

Of course, this term marks the beginning of work force planning for the following school year with student course/subject selection taking place, as well as a host of other organisational and curriculum matters to attend to, prior to next year. 

Wishing everyone a very productive rest of the semester.

Visit by our local state member MP Ella George

On Friday August 11, Ella George, current member for the district of Lara in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, visited our school. Ella is very much interested in public education and was very impressed to hear the wonderful achievements of our students and our school community.

She met with school Captains, Mackenzie Martin, and James Smith. Our school captains were able to articulate their thinking about their school, and their future aspirations. 

Ella also had the opportunity to discuss contemporary topics in education, issues faced by our young people today, in particular in the post Covid time.

Public education in Victoria is very strong with outstanding outcomes, and NGSC is an example of an exceptional school community.

On behalf of the NGSC community, I thank MP Ella George for taking the time to visit our school and taking an interest in our achievements. 

Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion survey - Monday 7 August and Friday 8 September 2024.

We're conducting a survey to find out what you think about our school. “Your School, Your Say”

This year the Parent Opinion Survey is being conducted from Monday 7 August and Friday 8 September.

The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training (previously known as the Parent Opinion Survey). The survey is an opportunity for schools to collect data from parent/caregivers/guardians in relation to our school community.  It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour and student engagement. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

Approximately 30 per cent of parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. The school will notify the selected parents and provide them with the information and all the support needed to complete the online survey at home or at school.

This year, your family may have been randomly selected to participate in the Parent Opinion Survey.  If you have been selected, I would ask you to take the time to complete the survey as your opinion matters and is important to our school community. It is important to us that you complete the survey as honestly as possible. 

Once again, thank you very much for your support. If any parents/caregivers/guardians have any questions or queries re: Parent Opinion Survey, please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak to Ms Leanne Scarlett.

Congratulations to Alison Costa (Breakfast Club Coordinator)

For those who do not know Alison Costa, Alison is the coordinator, and the face behind our very successful Breakfast Club. The NGSC Breakfast Club has been running for more than a decade on a full-time basis and it feeds more than 150 children every morning.

Alison is the Breakfast Club Coordinator, a nurturing Educational Support staff member, who coordinates a number of volunteers and organises all the food donations and supplies ensuring that our Breakfast Club is stronger than ever before. She loves what she does and is a friendly face for the children who attend the Breakfast Club every day.

On August 2, Alison was invited to a meeting, by the Geelong Rotary Club where she was recognised for her outstanding support to young people in our community and her tireless efforts to ensure that children start their day with a good breakfast. She was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her wonderful work with the NGSC Breakfast Club.

On behalf of the school community, I take this opportunity to thank Alison for her fantastic work over the years. I am sure that all the children who attended the Breakfast Club over the years will always remember her and how much she meant to them. Congratulations Alison!

Scholarship Program - Year 7 intake 2024

Our scholarship program for next year’s Year 7 intake has now been completed and the successful recipients, their families and respective primary schools have been communicated. 

As the Principal at North Geelong SC, I am very proud to report to the school community that our scholarship program has attracted a large number of high-quality candidates, which made it very difficult for the selection panel to make the final decision. The calibre of the students was outstanding. Congratulations to all who participated in the process.

The NGSC Scholarship Program promotes outstanding commitment of Primary School students who have displayed a strong involvement in their School Community. The College looks for outstanding young people who are exceptional in different areas and possess personal qualities and values that will contribute to the life of our school. 

This Program also recognises the considerable achievements of children in our community and provides them with the opportunity to experience exciting curriculum opportunities through a broad range of engaging programs delivered by our outstanding teachers.

Our Year Seven scholarships are to the value of just under $5000. These scholarships will be presented by the Principal to the scholarship recipients and celebrated at their respective primary school assemblies, in the near future. Family and friends of the scholarship recipients will be invited to the presentation. 

Congratulations to the following students who have been successful in gaining a scholarship for Year 7 and 8. Also congratulations to their respective primary schools for the wonderful work they do, supporting their students to perform to very high levels. 

I am looking forward to presenting these young scholars with their scholarships and celebrating their achievements with their family and school community.

Academic Excellence - Hamish Dodemaide, Manifold Heights Primary School

The Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to students with an exemplary academic record who have demonstrated outstanding application and achievement in one or more of English, Mathematics or Science, together with a strong performance in general studies.

Student Leadership – Oliver Reed, Herne Hill Primary School

The Student Leadership Scholarship is available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills. The successful applicant(s) will have excellent communication skills, display initiative, and have a passion to motivate, delegate, guide, and direct fellow students.

Community (Good Citizenship) – Azra Sultan Kuru, Rollins Primary School

The Community (Good Citizenship) Scholarship is available to students who have made a significant demonstrable contribution to their community. The successful applicant(s) will display a strong social conscience as well as an outstanding work ethic and behaviour.

Sporting Excellence - Lachlan Flett, Teesdale Primary School

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship is available to keen sportspersons who have shown outstanding aptitude and personal achievement in one or many sporting field(s).

The Arts - Sayde Woolley, Lara Lake Primary School

The Arts scholarship is available to students who have displayed excellence and shown commitment in one or more of the Arts areas (such as: Drama, Music, Dance or Visual Arts). Successful applicants should have a record of involvement in all aspects of primary school life in addition to artistic talent.

Scholarship Program - Year 9 intake, 2024

Our scholarship program for next year’s Year 9 intake is in the process of being completed. Please contact the school and speak to Mr Steven Quinn – Transitions/Pathways Leader or Ms Tonia Tigani –Assistant Transitions/Pathways for more details. 

Scholarships are awarded for two years in Years 9 & 10. 

Living in a digital age

Technological change in education means we are facing the largest transformation in how our students and young people receive, interact with and respond to the learning experience that the teaching profession has ever seen. These changes mean that schools and early childhood settings are now broader than the walls of a classroom. 

Covid-19 and the lockdowns over the last 18 months, have highlighted to all that those technologies have become essential for everyone in our society, in the world, to continue working, learning, or socializing remotely. It has made it possible for students to continue teaching and learning while moving in and out of lockdowns and remote and flexible learning. It has also made it possible for millions of people in the world to work from home during the pandemic.

Teachers, students, and parents are using digital technologies to teach, learn and communicate, challenging the traditional concept of a school. According to research, 60% of students entering primary school today will be working in work area and professions that have not been invented or thought of yet, and this is because of the huge advances of new technologies and the way they are impacting on human life. 

The world of digital learning beckons, with opportunities for teachers and students alike to benefit from the opportunities and capabilities a digital world offers.

NGSC Technologies platforms and programs such as chrome books, iPads, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), interactive teaching and learning screens, robots, drones and the latest edition of Oculus Go Virtual Reality cameras have been supported through the implementation of AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network) high speed internet provision. 

The AARNet installation has enabled the school to become a digital Learning Hub with an increased internet capacity and improved access to digital learning and Cloud-based resources, not only to meet the needs of our students and teachers but also to meet the demands of future learning, student pathways and careers. 

We believe that students should be able to learn in teams, as a class, a whole community or alone. We also believe that students should be able to share learning experiences with their classmates and the wider community.

The school supports students to develop the skills needed for critical evaluation, online collaboration and communication and behaviors which support the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital technologies– essential to participating in life and work in the 21st century. 

Our students are also encouraged to develop all skills necessary to become responsible global citizens and part of the global labor market. It is our belief that information communication technology is a must ingredient to everyone and in particular our students’ future success. 

Vocational Educational and Training (VET) 

A skilled workforce is vital to a prosperous future for Victoria’s industries and of course our local and global communities. It is skilled people who drive the performance of our industry sectors and businesses across the state and help us respond positively in a fast – changing global world.

At North Geelong Secondary College, we recognise this need, and through rigorous counselling and information delivery, we ensure that all students have the talents and aspirations to do a vocational study, whether it is here at the College or through our Northern VET cluster, or our Trade Training Centre, or other providers. The improved training system will focus on individual learners and business, its two main users, to ensure Victoria has the skilled people it needs to maintain a strong and secure economy. 

Currently the school offers three onsite VET subjects, and we have a number of students attending, within our cluster from all Geelong Secondary schools both public and independent. Close monitoring and feedback through our onsite VET program evaluation is conclusive and it has proven to be a great success.