PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Paul Dawson

Principal

2024 Key Dates

Well, winter is now well and truly upon us, and this cold weather helps us appreciate the warm weather a little more. I have yet to convince myself of this philosophy. 

I hope the students had a good break and are ready for a productive Term 3.  

Last Friday, as part of our first assembly for the term we celebrated NAIDOC week. We had a smoking ceremony to open the new “Yarning Circle” at the front of the school.  This ceremony was led by Kristi Watt and Dave Tournier from the Wathaurong Co-operative. Dave explained that the smoking ceremony is a time of self-reflection and consideration of how an individual can be a better person.  I added that students could also reflect on their semester and how they could be better students.  It would be appreciated if parents/guardians could (if you have not already) spend some time discussing your child’s school report and results.  It is an opportunity to celebrate and discuss areas of development.

Course Counselling

One of my favourite aspects of Term 3 is seeing the “lightbulb moments” for many Years 9 and 10 students as they get more of an opportunity to have a say in their subject selections. They really enjoy the independence that is given to them through this experience, and in many cases, they can see the future a little clearer. 

During the Careers guidance week, students can make their subjects selections.  The school does endeavour to provide the student’s first choices but are restricted by timetable clashes. 

Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion survey - Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024.

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needed in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024.

Approximately 30 per cent of parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous. The school will notify the selected parents and provide them with the information and all the support needed to complete the online survey at home or at school.

This year, your family may have been randomly selected to participate in the Parent Opinion Survey.  If you have been selected, I would ask you to take the time to complete the survey as your opinion matters and is important to our school community. It is important to us that you complete the survey as honestly as possible. 

Once again, thank you very much for your support. If any parents/caregivers/guardians have any questions or queries re: Parent Opinion Survey, please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak to Ms Leanne Scarlett.

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. 

IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS 

Whilst we welcome and encourage parents to attend the school for a wide range of reasons, it is important that all visits to the school come through our front office. Parents, guardians and visitors to the school are not to go directly to other areas of the school including different wings, classrooms or the technical support office. Our office staff welcomes, will handle all parent and visitor enquiries and make the appropriate arrangements for you. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

NGSC Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy 

click link below:

https://ngsc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Child-Safety.pdf

NGSC Child Safety & Reporting Policy

click link below: 

https://ngsc.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Child-Safety-and-Reporting-Policy.pdf 

Staff Recruitment 

I would like to express my gratitude to Kellie Phillips and Daniel Sharp for their dedication and contributions to North Geelong Secondary College. Both teachers have secured teaching positions interstate, and it's gratifying to know that students will continue to benefit from their teaching abilities.  I would like to welcome Brett Edmonds, who will join the school next week as an English teacher.