ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Julie Andrews, Bradley Headlam &  Paul Dawson 

Assistant Principals

Year 12 Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

The Parent/Teacher conferences for all Year 12 students will be compulsory.  This will be the last opportunity for Year 12 parents to meet in a formal interview and therefore, will provide a valuable opportunity as we head toward the final months of the Year 12 school year.

 

These conferences have been scheduled for this time of the term to allow the students to gain maximum benefit from teacher feedback. The conferences provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate achievements and develop areas for improvement.

 

These conferences are compulsory for all Year 12 students, and they must see all of their teachers (students working or sports-training are examples of unacceptable excuses).  If any parent is unable to attend could you please arrange an older sibling, Uncle, Aunty or another suitable mentor who can relay any feedback to you. 

 

Hopefully, the interviews being via a Google Meet, provides greater flexibility for your attendance.

 

Mr Dawson

Why we should not be late!

Below are a number of reasons why it is important not to be late to school.

Organisational Benefits

Students arriving at school with time to spare have the luxury of settling in, preparing their class materials and focusing their minds on the lessons to come. They have all the time they need to literally and figuratively wake up. Students showing up to class in the middle of a lesson miss out on this natural transition period. This ultimately contributes to the lower grades as a consequence of missing time in the classroom.  There are studies that show if you are not in class, you do not learn.

Never Miss Important Information

Arriving at school after classes have begun can cause students to miss more than just the introduction to a new lesson. Students who show up late may miss out on these details and as a result, be unprepared for some future class event. While a teacher will likely reiterate crucial information throughout the day, latecomers may miss out on courtesy reminders about homework assignments and other projects. High school students who show up on time everyday can rest assured they have all the necessary information.

Develop Positive Lifelong Habits

Arriving late to school on a consistent basis can have long-term academic effects. If showing up late to school becomes a habit, students may develop the notion that tardiness is acceptable behaviour. This belief can negatively impact their future work ethic and employment opportunities. Alternatively, showing up on time to school every day can help students develop the habit of being punctual with important commitments. This habit can serve Secondary School students well through University and into their future careers.

Disciplinary Consequences

North Geelong Secondary College has specific consequences concerning student lateness. Generally, these policies allow for the occasional late arrival; rare instances of excused tardiness throughout the school year are often forgiven. Students sometimes have legitimate reasons for showing up late, such as transportation problems and doctor’s appointments. These events are considered to be "excused absences." However, after reaching a predetermined number of unexcused absences, students may be put on a structured disciplinary plan to address any further late arrivals. Depending on their continued infractions, students may be issued lunchtime or after school detention, or even suspension.

 

WHAT SORT OF START IS YOUR CHILD GETTING?

School Policies for Medical and Health Care while at school

The school regularly updates policies in relation to a range of school processes and procedures. Generally these apply to matters around school operations, finances and student care. 

 

The following health/medical policies and resources have recently been updated and are available on the NGSC website. https://ngsc.vic.edu.au/downloads/

Administration of Medication Policy (also Medication Authority Form and the Medication in School - Information Sheet)

Anaphylaxis Policy

Asthma Policy

First Aid Policy

Health Care Needs Policy 

Course Counselling

Course counselling will be happening for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 students from week two to six.

 

Parent involvement

Obviously the current situation is changing but, as it stands at the moment, we are going to manage the counselling sessions as follows:

For the Year 9 and 10 course selections, a parent/guardian must book via Compass PT conferences to see a course counsellor. We will circulate the details via Compass  as to how we will conduct these (online or by phone). 

 

It is not unusual for questions to arise afterwards and we encourage parents to contact the school via phone or email for clarification. There will be a timeline for changes based on pathways only. We encourage these to be finalised by the end of Term 3. Any imperative changes for certain pathways are permitted up until the first day back at school in 2021.

 

Restrictions

In some circumstances students may need to demonstrate capacity, work ethic and sufficient dedication for a particular pathway. In such circumstances, these students will be advised and given some goals to meet before a final confirmation of course at the end of the term. 

  • Year 11 into 12 – Tuesday, 21 July, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Individual students will come out of class for a 10 minute interview to confirm their Year 12 subjects.
  • Year 10 into 11 – Thursday, 30 July, 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm & Friday, 31 July, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Students will come out of classes to go through their selections. (Tuesday is Parent Teacher Conferences).
  • Year 9 into 10 – Thursday, 6 August, 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm & Friday, 7 August, 8:00 – 3:00 pm.
  • Year 8 into 9 – Wednesday, 12 August, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Individual students will come out of class for a 10 minute interview to choose electives.

Year 10 Meningococcal Immunisations - 11 August, 2020

The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines for Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:

  • Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for Year 7 students
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for Year 7 students - 6 months apart
  • Meningococcal A,C,W,Y – one dose for Year 10 students

Parents/guardians of Year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home from school with your child. You need to read the information, complete and return the card regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school.

 

The BARWON HEALTH Immunisation Service may contact you about the Secondary School Vaccine Program. Schools are authorised to provide basic parent/guardian contact details to local councils for this purpose. Contact the school by 24 July, 2020, if you do not want your contact details given to the Barwon Health Immunisation Service. Ph: 5240 5800

 

To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au

 

Additionally, the Commonwealth Government is funding vaccinations for all children under 20 years of age who missed any scheduled vaccines, including a catch up program for Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for adolescents aged 15-19 years of age who have not already received the vaccine in school. If students have missed vaccines, either in childhood or adolescence, and require catch-up vaccines, they should speak with their immunisation provider. (ie. local council or GP).