From the Principal 

As we head toward the end of Semester 1, our tri-weekly newsletter continues to showcase the fantastic learning and events that have taken place across the school. It’s always inspiring to see the breadth of student involvement and achievement. 

Last fortnight, our Year 7 students headed off to Adventure Camp—a wonderful opportunity to build friendships, take on new challenges and connect as a larger cohort. Students took part in a range of outdoor activities and the experience of seeing the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. A big thank you to the staff who supported the camp and helped create such a positive start to secondary school life for our newest students. 

This week, our Year 11 students are undertaking their Unit 1 VCE exams, and some of our Year 10 students are also completing exams for their advanced studies. These experiences are excellent preparation for senior assessment expectations and provide valuable insight into the demands of the final years of schooling. Across the school, students have also been completing a range of CATs and SACs as Semester 1 wraps up. 

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Course Expo last Wednesday. It was fantastic to see students and families engaging so thoughtfully in future planning. We’re grateful to the many staff who made themselves available to speak with students about pathways and the subjects on offer, particularly through the Northcote Model. This work continues in the coming weeks as students make decisions about their future learning programs. 

Next Tuesday, 17 June, is a scheduled Curriculum Day. It coincides with the VCE General Achievement Test (GAT), meaning the day will not be pupil-free for all students. Those sitting the GAT will be required to attend. This scheduling helps us provide quiet, appropriate spaces for Year 12 VCE and VCE VM students during their assessments. 

Looking ahead, one of the highlights on the school calendar is our annual Talkfest. With tickets already selling fast, this event brings together established authors from our local community to share insights into their writing practice. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate storytelling and creativity. Budding writers in the family will find plenty of inspiration—see the article in this newsletter for ticket information. 

Thanks also to everyone who supports our school’s Thrive Fund through event ticket purchases and donations. Since its inception in 2018, the Thrive Fund has provided support to over 140 students. Your generosity helps us ensure that all young people at NHS can access the opportunities they deserve. 

One of the standout events since the last issue was our Big Freeze fundraiser for MND. Students enthusiastically cast their votes to see which staff would take the icy plunge—and the winners were Mr Waiser, Mr Sullivan and Ms Gogerly, who bravely faced the freezing dunk tank! A big thank you to Bob Murphy for MC-ing the event and to local MP Kat Theophanous for attending and supporting this important initiative. It was a great display of community spirit and student leadership in action. 

Finally, as the winter season settles in, we are beginning to feel the impact of increased illness across our school community. Thank you to families for continuing to implement Flu and COVIDSafe measures, and to our students for their flexibility in working with replacement teachers when needed. Your care and cooperation are appreciated. 

I hope to see many of you at one of our upcoming events! 

Chris Jones Principal, Northcote High School