Our work so far

We didn’t want to waste an opportunity to say thank you and to let you know about some of the great stuff that the Thrive Fund has been up to lately…

2021 will be the fourth year of the Northcote Thrive Fund, which consists of four purpose-directed funds, three of which are tax deductible. A brief snapshot of our achievements are captured below thus far.

2020 in Summary 

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic our community continued to Thrive through the generosity of those who donated to the Thrive Fund. 

In 2020 a total of $93,500 was generously raised and here's what we did with it... 

BUILD FUND - Tax deductible 

Tax deductible donations to our Building Fund allow us to realise ongoing upgrades to buildings and social spaces and larger campus Master Plan projects, supporting current and future generations of students. 

In 2020, $51,718.71 was committed from the Build Fund to complete the following building works and projects: $19,122.98 to increase the outdoor furniture in student social areas and $30,000 for a shade sails in the Gym outdoor fitness area. The shade sail works have been carried over to the school’s planned projects in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. During 2020 the school also made a payment of $32,595.73 for the new Performing Arts Centre project cost overruns using funds from the Building Fund. 

In 2020, our community generously donated ~$33,500 to the Build Fund.

These projects are all funded by our school community as we are unable to rely on government funding to support future facilities development. The campus Master Plan information and blueprints are available on our school website.

LIBRARY FUND - Tax deductible

Well-resourced libraries are central to student learning experience and provide space for research, collaboration and flexible learning. Tax deductible donations to our Library Fund help us to acquire library resources and fund student clubs and activities. Classroom learning at Northcote High School is extended and complemented by our wide-ranging program of co-curricular activities and lunchtime clubs.

In 2020, we received ~$26,500 in donations to the Inspire Fund. All funds donated have been directed to fund the library upgrade in the school Masterplan development. This aims to expand facilities to better meet the demands of our increasing student enrolment and better accommodate families in at our various family information and workshop evenings. Due to COVID-19 we were unable to raise any additional funds through Friends of Northcote to contribute to the Library upgrade in the school’s Masterplan development. 

We look forward to seeing you at one or all of the planned Friends of Northcote events in the second half of this year.  You can keep an eye out on our Facebook page, here for updates on events. Make sure you 'like' our page to keep up to date. 

EMPOWER FUND - Tax deductible

Northcote High School is the first school in Australia to have been granted tax deductible status for donations which allow us to purchase essential items such as uniforms, books and travel cards for students in need. We want all our students to be able to participate equally at school and not be disadvantaged by financial status. 

Through the generosity of our community ~$26,000 was raised to assist those members of our community who need it most in 2020. These funds are directed to the purchase of devices, books, uniforms, myki cards, and other essential items. We are truly fortunate to have this service for our community. Throughout 2020 and the commencement of 2021 school year, a total of 23 students and families have been supported. 

INNOVATE FUND Innovative thought is at the forefront of educational and enterprise best practice. We’ve established this fund to encourage, recognise and embrace innovative thinking at Northcote High School. In 2020, ~$7,500 was kindly donated by our community to support future year grants. Donations to our Innovation Fund are not tax deductible.

Due to COVID-19 and a large portion of the year spent in remote learning, the 2020 Innovate grants have been carried over to 2021. We have already approved 7 student and staff projects that inspired enterprise skills and community building, including a new green garden wall to increase our green spaces, solar buddies to reduce our environmental impact and electricity consumption and more equipment for our popular Chess Club. 

Previous year projects included: a student newspaper “The Spiel”, increase participation of girls in robotics, the creation of a collaborative space in the middle sub-school, assistance to fund a VCAL smoothie enterprise project, and support to increase sporting participation within the International Student group.