From the Principal 

The final weeks of the school year are moving quickly, and there continues to be plenty happening across Northcote High School. I hope everyone enjoyed the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday last week and had an opportunity to take a break or catch up on studies before the busy weeks ahead. 

A reminder to families that next Friday, 20 November, is a scheduled student-free day. Looking ahead to 2027, the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement provides for four Professional Practise Days for staff throughout the year. We will communicate the dates of these days to families as early as possible to assist with planning. We are also currently confirming the start-of-year arrangements for 2027, with the intention that Monday 1 February 2027 will be the first day of classes for students, following the commencement-of-year Curriculum Days and one of the allocated Professional Practise Days. Further confirmation will be provided to families once these arrangements are finalised. 

Our Year 12 students are now well into their VCE examinations, with many having completed their final assessments. Thank you to our students and staff for helping maintain a quiet and supportive environment around the examination areas. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduating students at their Graduation Ceremony and then with our community when their results are released in December. 

Our Year 11 students are also preparing for their end-of-year examinations. These provide an important opportunity to consolidate their learning, develop examination skills and prepare for the expectations of Year 12. 

As we approach the conclusion of our Centenary year, there is much to celebrate and reflect upon. Throughout 2026, our students, staff, alumni and wider community have contributed to a wonderful series of events that have honoured the school's history while looking towards its future. A particular highlight still to come is our Centenary Art and Design Show on Wednesday 2 December. This special exhibition will provide a wonderful culmination to our Centenary celebrations, bringing together the history and creativity that has shaped Northcote High School over the past 100 years. I encourage families, alumni and members of our wider community to join us for what promises to be a fitting conclusion to this milestone year. 

In this issue, you can also read about the latest project undertaken by our Art Club students, who have created a wonderful Centenary logo artwork that is now proudly displayed at the front of the school. It is a fantastic contribution to our Centenary celebrations and a lasting reminder of the creativity and enthusiasm of our students. 

The coming weeks will also provide further opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our students, including our annual Sports Awards breakfast, as we approach the end of another busy and rewarding school year. 

Chris Jones 

Principal, Northcote High School