From the Principals Desk

As Term 2 comes to a close, we celebrate the many ways our students have grown, led, and achieved across a vibrant and fulfilling term.

Our Blue Connect program continued to build strong relationships between students, staff, and community leaders—including a visit from Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger and the Victoria Police Tactical Response Unit. Students also shone in Deadly Futures, exploring pathways in health with Indigenous Allied Health Australia, and in the Short Black Opera program, where Grade 3 students proudly connected with culture through music and storytelling.

We’ve also welcomed visits from Deputy PM Richard Marles and our local MP, Ella George, who engaged directly with students and staff. Their presence on campus recognised the great work happening across our school and sparked meaningful conversations about leadership, education, and the future.

We’ve been inspired by the positive and committed way students have approached their learning and embraced the wide range of fulfilling opportunities available to them—whether through excursions to the National Wool Museum or hands-on learning across our classrooms, playgrounds, and specialist spaces.

Thank you to our school community for your continued support of Northern Bay College. Your encouragement and partnership play a vital role in the confidence and success of our students. Every day, across every campus, our students are engaging in learning that is meaningful, inclusive, and full of possibility. We are proud of them—and grateful to share in their journey.

We wish everyone a safe and restful break, and look forward to an exciting Term 3 ahead!

Scott Diamond

College Principal

GROWTH

College Leadership Staffing

We’re delighted to announce that Kate Sykes has been successful in her application for the role of Campus Principal at Tallis Campus. Kate’s appointment is a wonderful opportunity to continue building on the great work already underway at Tallis. We look forward to supporting her and the campus community as this important work progresses. Collectively, congratulations Kate on this achievement, which reflects her ongoing dedication and the significant impact she’s already had in the role.

State Boys Volleyball Results

We’re proud to share that our boys’ volleyball team came away with silver in a massive final against Melbourne Grammar at the All-Schools State Volleyball Competition! Over three huge days of competition against the best of the best, the team showed incredible skill, determination, and sportsmanship—finishing as one of the top teams in the state. We couldn’t be prouder!A huge congratulations to all the players, and a big thank you to Bernard for his outstanding leadership of this group.

Short Black Opera

Congratulations to 16 amazing Year 4-6 students for their outstanding participation in the Short Black Opera program this week. Short Black Opera is a national company devoted to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through music and storytelling, founded by renowned Yorta Yorta soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and this week our students worked with the incredible Debrah Cheetham, AO to explore culture, and rehearse pieces in First Nations languages culminating in a public performance at GPAC on Friday. This annual event for our students is one they so look forward to and is such a special opportunity for cultural connection, artistic expression, and pride. Well done to all involved for embracing the experience with such energy and respect!

Tallis Office Space Revamp

An exciting building program is underway at Tallis Campus, where the foyer and front office area are being completely revamped to create a warmer, more welcoming entry point for students, families, staff, and visitors. The redevelopment includes new staff and family meeting spaces, along with improved visibility throughout the area to support a safer and more connected environment. We look forward to sharing the finished product with you in the coming weeks! 

Barwon Division Athletics

On Thursday May 1, NBC Year 7-12 students participated in the Barwon Division Athletics against 5 other local Government Schools. Students had qualified for this event by either finishing 1st or 2nd at the Northern Bay Athletics.

In an amazing all-round effort, we achieved our best-ever results at this level, finishing third overall, ahead of much bigger schools including Western Heights, Surf Coast and Oberon. It was great to see so many outstanding individual performances with 12 first placings and multiple seconds and thirds. What was even more impressive was the way the students represented our College on the day, particularly the students who were not finishing in the first three of four in their race but continued to try their very best right to the finish line.

Our Senior and Intermediate boys finished 2nd overall in their aggregates and NBC also won the flag for most improved, based on the biggest increase in point from 2024 to 2025. 

The following students have qualified for the Western Metro Athletics in Term 4: Mohammad Husseini, Ehklumuthaw Say, Davis Alexander, Nash Lucas, Kobi Matheson, Abdalrahman Alarmo and Hae Hsa Ku. Well done to all the students and thanks to all the staff who supported the day.

COLLABORATION

SEED and IMPACT Experiences

This week - again!! - our SEED and IMPACT students were privileged to some wonderful experiences in their respective programs. On Wednesday, Year 7-8 SEED students travelled to Melbourne where they were the honoured guests of basically every professional sporting organisation in the Melbourne Sports Precinct. From joining in with the Demons AFLW training, a full-scale tour of the operations at The Storm and meeting Melbourne Victory stars there really was something for everyone. 

Meanwhile our IMPACT students and a selection of avid theatre-going staff trekked to The Comedy theatre to take in the stage production of Lord of the Rings. 

A huge thanks to the team of staff that bring these opportunities to our students and of course to the organisations that make these experiences so special.

Nelson Park School Project

Construction has commenced this month on a new six-room learning centre and administration building at Nelson Park School’s Illinois Avenue Campus, located on the current Northern Bay College Goldsworthy Campus. This building program is the realisation of a significant Victorian Government commitment to ensure all students in specialist settings learn in permanent, purpose-built facilities. A wonderful outcome indeed.

Deadly Futures Event

This week, Northern Bay College was proud to host the Deadly Futures event for Year 9 and 10 students, supported by Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA). IAHA promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in allied health, and students explored a wide range of career pathways through hands-on activities and discussions.

A big thank you to Audra and Renae from the Polly Farmer Foundation for their support in bringing this empowering event to life for our students.

PERSISTENCE

Year 11 and 12 students demonstrated outstanding academic commitment and creativity. On Wednesday, the entire VCE cohort remained at school after hours to complete their English SAC under strict exam-like conditions, gaining valuable insight into what to expect in October and November. 

On Thursday, our VCE Drama students performed their group ensembles—original adaptations of Pandora’s Box and Jack the Ripper—assessed by internal and external assessors. 

The performances were intelligent, humorous, and powerful. Congratulations to all involved and to all NBC staff who inspire aspirational learning every day.

Girls State Softball

In week 5, the girls NBC State Softball team were up bright and early, arriving at school by 6:20am – though most were already there by 6:00 in the dark, braving the cold with big smiles and plenty of energy, eager to hop on the bus. Once we arrived, the team wasted no time warming up, preparing to face the top-ranked team. Despite a tough first match where the opposition scored 21 runs, our girls held their heads high, knowing there were still two games to go.

In the second match, the team truly found their rhythm, putting on an impressive performance and scoring over 20 runs. The cheers were loud and proud as they celebrated their first-ever state game win – a huge milestone! Some highlights in this game, Jessica Heinrich taking over pitching for the first time! Abigail John has a go at catching! 

The final game was a challenging draw against last year’s champions, but the girls gave it everything they had. After a long day, early wake-up, and chilly morning start, they finished with the same smiles they started with – proud, resilient, and stronger as a team. It was great to see everybody having a crack, supporting each other and making sure everyone was having fun!

A big thank you to Taylah Mackie for leading the way, with early preparation throughout the week, training the girls hard, getting the girls to states, and supporting everyone to give it their all. The girls loved having Ms Mackie!

KINDNESS

Richard Marles Tour  

NBC was fortunate to have a very special guest arrive for a tour of our Goldsworthy Campus. The Honourable Richard Marles MP, our Federal Member of Parliament and currently Acting Prime Minister, took some time from his busy schedule to tour our senior campus. Mr Marles’ visit, chaperoned by some our outstanding Goldsworthy Student leaders, enabled him to visit classes, engage in conversation with our students and tour some of the wonderful facilities we have at our school.

We say it so often at NBC – our students are our best asset – and today was another shining example, as our students shared in words and actions the positive environment that is Northern Bay College. Mr Marles spoke so positively of the impact that the students had made on him and was just so appreciative of the opportunity to connect in what was truly a meaningful and wholesome visit. 

We are so grateful that Mr Marles could fit us into his diary and look forward to future visits.