From the Principal 

It is wonderful to see our students settling into the new school year and engaging with the opportunities available to them. With classes now well underway, students are beginning to explore extracurricular activities, helping them to build friendships, develop skills, and engage with the broader school community. 

Our Clubs and Activities program has commenced, and to support students in finding activities that interest them, the Student Services team recently ran an Expo that was well attended. It was fantastic to see so many students eager to participate in the wide range of clubs and programs on offer. 

The first major sporting event of the year, the Swimming Sports Carnival, was held last fortnight and saw great participation from our Year 7 and Year 8 students. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate House Spirit, with students competing and cheering on their peers. This event was followed by our House Connect session, which further reinforced the strong sense of Connectedness within our school. Looking ahead, we have our Athletics Carnival this Friday, where students from Years 7 to 12 will have the chance to participate. I encourage all students to get involved and make the most of the opportunity. 

Thank you to the families who attended the Year 7 and Year 12 Welcome events. These gatherings provided a great chance for families to connect with school leaders and staff. Later this month, we will be hosting our Year 7 Parents as Partners event, an important evening where families can learn more about how we can work together to support our students. We hope to see many of our Year 7 families there. 

Our specialist sports programs are now in full swing. Both the Basketball Academy and the Volleyball Program have begun, with students already participating in training and development sessions. These programs provide excellent opportunities for students to refine their skills and enjoy competitive play. 

We are excited to announce that this year’s school production will be Anastasia, a captivating musical that will allow students to showcase their talents both on stage and behind the scenes. Auditions have recently taken place, and we look forward to seeing the cast and crew bring this production to life over the coming months. 

Last week, we hosted a tour of the HUB, and we appreciate the families who took the time to explore our new learning spaces. Our building program continues, with landscaping works beginning this week at the front of the school. While this means the return of some fencing, we assure students and families that these works will greatly enhance our school environment once completed. 

Looking ahead, we have two key events on our calendar: the Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences and our presentation of the 2024 Annual Report to the School Community. The conferences provide a valuable opportunity for families to meet with teachers and discuss student progress, while the Annual Report is an opportunity for our school community, including our School Councillors, to reflect on the past year and plan for the future. 

Finally, we are pleased to share that Friends of Northcote events will be commencing this term, with our Movie night event being planned. These events offer a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and support our school community. 

Chris Jones Principal, Northcote High School