Northcote High School Newsletter

From School Council

School Council’s work is in full swing 

 School Council is overseeing the School Masterplan, focusing on concept development for a new gym with basketball/netball courts and underground parking; as well as landscaping at front-of-school and back-of-school. Council is also implementing ways to increase parent and alumni engagement including through plans to mark the School Centenary, which is next year; and the School’s new Instagram account (@northcotehighschoolofficial). We’d love to see more attendance at school community events, including the fabulous Comedy Night on 11th September. 

 

 School fees: We rely on your contributions  

 

We would like to thank our families who have so far, made payment of the 2025 school charges including donations to the Thrive Fund. Your financial support of our academic and co-curricular programs is really important for their ongoing success.  

Over the last two years we have unfortunately seen a decline in the contributions of families towards the school fees. In previous years, our collection rates have been very good, with many families making payment of the annual school charges, both Common and Variable Programs and other contributions. Unfortunately, during 2024 -2025 we have seen a decline in those collection rates, with a 25% drop in fees collected annually.   

Schools like ours are not funded by the Government to provide programs in addition to the standard curriculum, and therefore we rely heavily on the ongoing support of our families to make payment of the Common and Variable Program school charges each year to continue to cover the extensive offering of programs for our students and access to the resources, equipment and facilities required to deliver such programs.  

 

On behalf of the School Council, we are seeking your support again to make payment of these fees and help us to continue to deliver exceptional programs that meet the needs of all our students.  

 

Families can continue to make payment for 2025 school charges, both Common and Variable Program as well as other contributions, including payments supporting the employment of a First Aid Officer, student camps and excursions and donations towards our Thrive Funds; Build (Grounds and facilities), Inspire (Library), Innovate (student projects), Empower (Students in need). Donations to the he Build, Inspire and Empower Funds are tax deductible. 

 

Whilst we urge our families to continue to support our school by making payment of school fees, we also want to acknowledge the challenges that some of our families are facing with the cost of living who may not be in the position to do so. That is okay, and we encourage those families who require financial support to contact the General Office on (03) 9488 2300 to discuss your options further.   

How to make payment: 

  • Login to Compass to view your child’s 2025 charges 
  • Click on 'Payment Centre' located on your Dashboard and select the relevant payment item (eg: Common Program or Variable Program)  
  • Review the charges to ensure they are correct and reflect your child’s learning program 
  • Families can make payment of fees in full, one at a time or via a payment plan 

Further information relating to school charges can be found on Compass via School Documentation or on our website.  

 

Again, a huge thank you to families who have contributed to payment of school fees so far this year and to the Thrive Fund which helps us deliver the best education experience for all our students. Your support ensures we have the financial resources to enhance and support student learning needs at Northcote High School. 

 

School Council members: Chris Jones (Principal), Gaby Chapman (President and Parent), Mikail Mehmet Basak (Student), Karen Burgess (Teacher), Sarah Burns (Business Manager), Catherine De Sousa (Teacher), Cathy Harper (Parent), Clive Madder (Parent), Owen Mehegan (Parent), Thanh Nguyen (Student), Justin O’Connor (Parent), Simon O’Connor (Parent), Nicola Oke (Parent), Jo Rainford (Parent), Robyn Schofield (Parent), Peta Sirec (Teacher), and Richard Smallcombe (Teacher). Welcome to the new members of Council!  

 

Information on what School Councils do can be found here. NHS School Council can be contacted through the main office email: info@nhs.vic.edu.au. 

   

Cathy Harper 

School Councillor