From the Principal's Desk

Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Much of this newsletter was collated in the fortnight leading up to the release of this year's VCE results. Thankfully, the dates have fallen out such that we can include here our hearty congratulations to the Class of 2024, who have done themselves and the school proud with their excellent final results. 

This year the position of Dux is a shared one, with both Neel Patel and Ruiqi Yao sharing the school's highest score (99.95). They can and should feel very proud of themselves - an outcome like that does not come without significant commitment and reflective practice. 

More broadly, the school's results were very pleasing. Some key statistics are summarised for you below:

These outcomes belong, of course, to the students who earned them with their dedicated effort and enthusiasm for learning. I would, however, also like to thank the many staff who have, over the years, supported them in their learning. I'd also like to acknowledge the unwavering support provided by our families as our graduates have made their way from Foundation to Year 12. 

End of Year Ceremonials

As late as the end of Week 9 of Term 3, the year’s busyness showed no signs of slowing down. Recently, we celebrated several significant milestones in our school community. The 15th Annual Speech Night took place on Wednesday 20 November, at the Melbourne Town Hall, showcasing the exceptional achievements of our students and staff. Additionally, the Class of 2024 marked their Valedictory Dinner at the Pullman Albert Park, a memorable evening of reflection and celebration.

Meanwhile, our Years 9–11 students have successfully completed their annual Nossal Examinations, a testament to their hard work and commitment. We bid farewell to our Year 10 and 11 students on Friday, 6 December, whilst our Year 9 cohort participated in the Terry Bennett Cup – a friendly House event with Suzanne Cory High School, following the conclusion of Commencement and Exam Feedback sessions.

Speech Night: 

Speech Night is a significant and important tradition in the Nossal High School calendar which publicly recognises and celebrates the exceptional academic achievements and contributions of our students. This evening highlights the values we hold dear as a school community both academically and in encouraging our students to engage in activities that will enable them to develop the skills through which they can thrive in an ever-changing world. 

At Speech Night, students are acknowledged through a variety of award categories which recognise their year-long performance as evidenced through their term reports or based on their involvement in co-curricular or leadership opportunities. There are many award categories including:

• Academic Excellence
• Community Service, and 
• Co-curricular and House Contributions

It was wonderful to see the many students being recognised for their academic excellence based on their commitment and application to their studies by actively considering their learning growth and using the learning criteria: Knowledge, Skills, Participation, Study Habits and Reflection. Congratulations to all 2024 Award winners. There are copies of the programs available at the Front Office if you would like a copy.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the esteemed Nossal Academic Pin, a symbol of excellence awarded to students who achieve outstanding results across three or more subjects in an academic year. This globe-shaped pin, adorned with an arrowhead, represents global awareness and the forward trajectory of lifelong learning. Recipients are encouraged to wear this pin with pride, even after leaving school, as a testament to their dedication and commitment to academic success. In 2024, the Nossal Academic Pin was awarded to:

• Kimberley Ikin (Year 10): Year 10 English, Year 10 Japanese, Unit 1&2 Biology, Unit 1&2 Philosophy
• Christine Lam (Year 10): Year 10 Food Studies, Year 10 Science Energy and Taste, Unit 1&2 Economics
• Eric Wang (Year 12): Unit 3&4 Chemistry, Unit 3&4 Philosophy, Unit 3&4 Physics

This is an extraordinary achievement, and these students should be commended for their hard work and dedication to their studies.

During the evening, we were privileged to hear from Yazan Al-Widyan the Class of 2023 Dux of Nossal High School. Yazan shared heartfelt reflections on his time as a student, expressing gratitude for the exceptional dedication of the teaching staff. He acknowledged their genuine care, not only for students’ academic achievements but also for their overall well-being.

Speech Night was further enriched by the incredible performances of our talented Instrumental Music students, highlighting the creative and dynamic nature of our music program. The evening was brought to life through a range of musical items including:

• Year 9 Choral: “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish and leading the school in “Embrace the Challenge”.
• String Quartet: Performing the exquisite “Butterfly Lovers”.
• Big Band: Energizing the audience with “Poker Face” by Stefani Germanotta & RedOne.
• Choir: Stunning with “No Time to Die” and the
• Wind Symphony: Closing with an outstanding medley of Michael Jackson hits.

An enormous thank you goes to the exceptional Instrumental Music staff, including Sally Haworth, Liam Cullen, Tim Jaques, Elisha Oliver, Jeremy Qi and Jason D’Monte, whose dedication and preparation ensured the evening’s success. Special acknowledgment is due to our Director of Music, Ms Clare Budd whose leadership and commitment has been instrumental in fostering the growth and passion of our music students.

Thank you to our Nossal students, families and staff who attended the evening and made Speech Night a true celebration of excellence and creativity within the Nossal High School community.

Valedictory Dinner:

Our Class of 2024 students were officially farewelled at the Valedictory Dinner held on Tuesday 26 November, at the Pullman, Albert Park. It was a truly memorable evening, celebrating the culmination of thirteen years of formal education. The event not only acknowledged the students' remarkable achievements but also recognized the essential role parents and families play in supporting and equipping them to navigate the challenges of completing their VCE studies.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Valedictory Certificates and gifts, with House Captains proudly announcing the names of their House members. 

Our Valedictorian, Sarah Idroos, delivered an important and meaningful speech to her peers, emphasising the importance of reflection—not only on academic achievements but also on the qualities that define a good human being. She shared valuable lessons learned from her classmates, highlighting the significance of being considerate and empathetic, appreciating small gestures that carry meaningful impacts, and cultivating composure and calmness when facing challenges.

Sarah also inspired her peers with profound insights, encouraging them to embrace kindness, open-mindedness, and empathy in their interactions. Among her insightful reflections, she shared these powerful lessons:

• To learn something is to first acknowledge what you do not know.
• To listen not with the intention of replying, but simply with the intention of lending an ear.
• By not turning a blind eye when people need us most, we can find immense self-fulfillment.

Thank you, Sarah, for these wise and thoughtful words, which will undoubtedly resonate with the Class of 2024 and inspire them to carry these values forward into their futures.

A special acknowledgement of the outstanding vocal and musical performances by Chenumi Tharinsa Gunawardana singing “All I ask” accompanied by Adrian Sugirth and Isabel Maria George singing “Over the Rainbow. These performances showcased the immense talent within our school.

The success of this event was made possible through the meticulous planning and dedication of the organising team, Sharon Blyth, Renee Tuck and Fiona De Zylva. Sincere thanks to everyone involved in ensuring the Valedictory Dinner was a meaningful and memorable occasion for our students and their families.

Nossal Exam Week and Exam Reflection:

Nossal Exam Week was held from Friday 15 November to Friday 22 November. Our students approached their examinations with commendable preparation and focus and should be commended for this.

Examinations offer more than an assessment of knowledge; they serve as a valuable opportunity for students to develop a broad range of skills, including:

• Refining their study techniques.
• Enhancing the clarity and quality of their written responses.
• Building their capacity to sustain concentration over extended periods.

Most importantly, examinations provide a platform for students to reflect on their learning journey and identify areas for growth. This reflection is crucial in fostering the skills and knowledge needed for ongoing learning development.

When speaking with your student about their exam results, as with their reports which will be published on 13 December, it is essential to encourage them to look beyond the score or rating. The true value lies in them understanding their responses compared to exemplars, embracing constructive feedback from peers and teachers, and actively engaging in learning that addresses areas requiring improvement. By adopting this growth-oriented mindset, students can strengthen their learning foundation and continue progressing toward their academic goals.

Once again, I take this opportunity to thank our Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Mr Angus Clark, for his oversight of this whole school event. I also extend my warmest thank you to the numerous exam volunteers who willingly gave up their valuable time to assist in ensuring that this process replicated the VCAA exam experience.

Holidays are for rest, recuperation and relaxation:

Year 10 and 11 students officially concluded their on-campus school year on Friday 6 December. During the following week, many Year 10 students have participated in Work Experience, gaining valuable insights into the workforce and the professional environment.

As we approach the holiday period, I encourage all students and families to take full advantage of this time to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate. The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to enjoy activities you may not have had time for during the busy school year. I especially urge everyone to spend time outdoors and away from electronic devices, connect with friends and family, and prioritise their well-being. Please remember to stay safe and make the most of this well-deserved break.

Nossal PFA Book sale:

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the PFA for their vital role in organising the Second-hand Book Sale on Saturday 20 November.

This initiative is a wonderful example of our community coming together to support one another. The Book Sale not only promotes sustainability by giving books a second life but also ensures that members of our community have access to affordable educational resources.

Thank you to everyone involved for your commitment and effort in making this event such a success.

Looking ahead:

Please note the following key dates:

• Friday 13 December Nossal Term 4 reports released (Years 9-11) at 4.00pm via Compass
• Tuesday 21 January 2025 - Nossal High School Front Office reopens
• Wednesday 29 January 2025 - Foundation Assembly, and start of Term 1 for Year 9 and Year 12
• Thursday 30 January 2025 - Whole School Assembly, and start of Term 1 for Year 10 and Year 11