PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicolas Adamou

Principal

2023 Key Dates

2024 School Leaders 

It is with great pleasure that I present the 2024 NGSC Leadership Team (Principal Team and School Captains) to our school community. 

The Principal Team, together with our School Captains and other students in leadership positions such as Student Representative Council members, play a vital role in the operations and life of the College. They work extremely well together evaluating, planning, and implementing programs to provide as many learning opportunities as possible to our students. The student leaders also act as role models for the student body and provide leadership across a wide range of activities within the school community, including academia, sports, the creative arts, culture, technology, and general life of our school life.

To be selected as a student leader at NGSC, students must have demonstrated a commitment to the values of the school, have a record of involvement in all aspects of the school life and have shown a willingness to serve the needs of others. Although not all Year 12 students are School Captains, all are leaders. 

Once again, congratulations to our 2024 School Leaders: Nivetha Ranjithkumar - School Captain, Paris Mina - School Captain, Annalise Speed - Academic Captain, Aiden Veale - Arts Captain, Seth McCleish – Sports Captain and Nya Tut - Community/Cultural Captain! My Principal Team and I are looking forward to working with them to continue carving a successful path for our school, achieving great outcomes for all.

World Teachers ‘Day at NGSC, 27 October

World Teachers' Day is a moment to reflect on the profound significance of educators in shaping our society. 

Teachers are the unsung heroes who guide and inspire the next generation, imparting knowledge, values, and life skills. Their dedication and passion lay the foundation for a brighter future, and their impact extends far beyond the classroom. 

Teachers instil curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning, nurturing the potential of each student. They play a pivotal role in equipping individuals with the tools to succeed, fostering a more knowledgeable and compassionate world. 

On October 27, we celebrated and honoured all our teachers with a staff morning tea marking the invaluable contributions of teachers to the betterment of our school and global community.

Scholarship presentations to the 2024 Year 7 recipients 

Sporting Excellence - Lachlan Flett, Teesdale Primary School

On Friday, November 3, I was invited to Teesdale Primary School, and during a whole school assembly I presented Lachlan Flett with the Sporting Excellence scholarship. Congratulations to Lachlan, Teesdale Primary School, and Lachlan’s parents for an outstanding achievement. We are looking forward to having Lachlan at NGSC to journey together in his high school years.

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

Lachlan started his sporting journey skating and playing inline hockey in 2017. He was selected and represented Victoria in the National Championships in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but due to COVID was unable to attend.

In 2022 he was selected to represent Australia in the USA State Wars Tournament in Detroit, USA and this year Lachlan was selected as part of the Australian Team for the NARCH Tournament in the USA. He was also selected for the Australian Team for the USA State Wars Tournament, held in Forte Wayne, USA.

Lachlan participated in many State Championships and scored the winning goal in a sudden death shootout at one of the Championships.

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.

The Arts scholarship will be presented to Sayde on Friday November 17, at a whole school assembly at Lara Lake Primary School.

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar 2025

I am delighted to present to you our newest Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar for the class of 2025.

Congratulations to Zain Ul Hassan Syed, who has been successful with his application to the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, Class of 2025.

In January the University of Melbourne, will be hosting a welcome event for students selected as Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. Students will be officially welcomed into the program and hear from guest speakers. 

Zain will become part of a supportive university community and peer network through a tailored program of events and activities. The University of Melbourne looks forward to working with Zain over the next two years to help this future leader reach his full potential.

Once again, congratulations Zain!

Awards Presentation Evening 2023 

The 2023 Awards Presentation evening is on Tuesday December 12, beginning at 7.00pm at The Playhouse. 

On this day students will not be required at school during the day however, they are all required to attend the Awards Presentation Evening with their family and friends. It is an evening where the whole college community comes together to celebrate this year’s achievements. 

All students participating in performances and presentations will be required to attend the rehearsals, during the day at the venue. Detailed information has been distributed to students and parents.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at our Awards Presentation Evening to celebrate together this year’s outstanding achievements.

Child Safety Code of Conduct

NGSC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Our school community recognises the importance of, and a responsibility for, ensuring our school is a safe, supportive, and enriching environment which respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development. 

This Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, Department policy, school policies and procedures and professional standards, codes or ethics as these apply to staff and other personnel.

The Principal and school leaders of NGSC support the implementation and monitoring of the Code of Conduct, and will plan, implement and monitor arrangements to provide inclusive, safe and orderly schools and other learning environments. The Principal and School Leaders will also provide information and support to enable the Code of Conduct to operate effectively. 

All staff, contractors, volunteers, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work are required to comply with the Code of Conduct by observing expectations for appropriate behaviour below. The Code of Conduct applies in all school situations, including school camps and in the use of digital technology and social media.

Acceptable behaviours

As staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work individually, we are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children by:

• upholding the school’s statement of commitment to child safety at all 
• treating students and families in the school community with respect both within the school environment and outside the school environment as part of normal social and community activities.
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of students, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused or that they are worried about their safety/the safety of another child.
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students 
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of students with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds 
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of students with a disability
• reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to the school’s leadership 
• understanding and complying with all reporting or disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) as they relate to protecting children from harm or abuse.
• if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the student(s) are safe and protected from harm.

Unacceptable behaviours

As staff, volunteers, contractors, and any other member of the school community involved in child-related work we must not:

• ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse.
• develop a relationship with any student that could be seen as favouritism or amount to ‘grooming’ behaviour (for example, offering gifts)
• exhibit behaviours or engage in activities with students which may be interpreted as abusive and not justified by the educational, therapeutic, or service delivery context. 
• ignore behaviours by other adults towards students when they appear to be overly familiar or inappropriate.
• discuss content of an intimate nature or use sexual innuendo with students, except where it occurs relevantly in the context of parental guidance, delivering the education curriculum or a therapeutic setting. 
• treat a child unfavourably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality or ethnicity. 
• communicate directly with a student through personal or private contact channels (including by social media, email, instant messaging, texting etc) except where that communication is reasonable in all the circumstances, related to schoolwork or extra-curricular activities or where there is a safety concern or other urgent matter.
• photograph or video a child in a school environment except in accordance with school policy or where required for duty of care purposes.
• in the school environment or at other school events where students are present, consume alcohol contrary to school policy or take illicit drugs under any circumstances. 

Student Parties

It is that time of the year and I think it is timely to clarify with parents and students the school’s position about student parties.

Frequently we hear stories from around the state of students organising large “parties” or “formals” in a school’s name but where the function is not sanctioned or supported by the school. Invariably, a parent takes the responsibility for booking a venue. 

Such functions are open to significant abuse especially in relation to drugs, violence, and alcohol and, if this is the case, those involved leave themselves open to legal action. I wish to make it very clear to all that the only College sanctioned activity, planned by the school, are the Year 12 Graduation Evening which will take place on Tuesday 21 November at GMHBA Stadium, and the Awards Presentation Evening which will take place on Tuesday 12 December, at the Play House, Geelong Art Centre.