PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicholas Adamou

Principal

2021 Key Dates

Dear parents, caregivers, students and staff, I take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all for your cooperation during these latest periods of Lockdowns No.5 and 6, and increased COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. 

As all students in regional and rural Victoria returned to on-site learning on Tuesday 10 August; students and staff should feel reassured that the school has taken all DET advice and implemented the recommended health and safety controls to ensure safety for all. We feel for all students and staff in metropolitan Melbourne where they had to continue Remote and Flexible learning for much longer.

Throughout the pandemic, our school has rapidly and successfully adapted to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, using COVIDSafe Principles by reinforcing good behaviours, creating safe environments, modifying activities, and responding quickly to COVID-19 risk. 

I am confident that with our COVIDSafe Plan in place, alongside our ability to respond to emerging situations, minimising risks, our school community will continue providing the best possible teaching and learning programs. 

It is crucial, however, for everyone to remain vigilant. Students or staff must stay home when unwell. Also wearing a face mask, performing regular hand hygiene, and maintaining physical distancing from others when practical is absolutely necessary to prevent contracting  and spreading COVID-19.

NGSC promotes COVID-19 testing when a student or staff member has any symptoms, no matter how mild, and ensuring they remain home until they are well. Getting tested and staying home until results are known is extremely critical to limiting community transmission.

I urge our school community to continue to check Victorian locations where there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 and take the required public health actions. The list of current exposure sites can be found on case alerts - public exposure sites.

Safety controls/measures 

Hygiene

• All students are encouraged to regularly wash their hands - not just after toilet breaks, but also at the beginning and end of recess and lunch breaks
• Soap and hand sanitiser is available in all student bathrooms
• Students are encouraged to bring and use their own hand sanitiser, however, hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms at the teacher’s desk
• Hand sanitiser, disinfectant spray (Glen 20), wipes and gloves are also available in all staffrooms and offices
• Supplementary cleaning of taps, door handles, communally used surfaces, bathrooms and high use areas is carried out during the school day. This is undertaken by our cleaning services and is additional to the normal cleaning. Cleaners are on-site all day, every day
• If any confirmed cases of COVID-19 are identified amongst the student or staff cohorts those persons will be isolated immediately, and the relevant authorities will be notified ASAP. The school will be locked down at the end of that school day to be deep cleaned. It will not re-open until declared “safe” by the authorities

Face Masks 

• School staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors at school, including when attending an Outside School Hours programs, unless an exception applies
• Teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so can
• Face masks are mandatory for all school staff and school students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school.

There are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability. This includes students or staff who have a medical condition, such as a breathing problem, a serious skin condition on the face, or a mental health condition. Please contact the school if any issues with your child wearing a mask.

A face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements.

Health Checks

• There will be temperature checks for unwell students, using a laser thermometer
• Staff who seek a health check will be supported in accessing tests
• Staff will be regularly reminded that if they are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms – even mild symptoms - they should seek a health check if they are at school when they begin to feel unwell. If at home and feeling unwell, they should not attend school
• If the school First Aid Officer, declares a child “ill” following a presentation of symptoms during the day, the child’s parents will be notified immediately, the child will be isolated until they are collected and the child will be sent home ASAP. 

Physical Distancing

• All staff will be responsible for their own physical distancing and out-of-classroom physical distancing, wherever students congregate
• In the classroom it will be the responsibility of the teacher to implement physical distancing as much as the classroom environment permits
• Students are encouraged to follow physical distancing rules in high usage areas such as; locker bays, corridors and canteen

Well into Term 3…

We have now completed the first five weeks of the new term and although we have been in and out of yet another lockdown (Remote and Flexible Learning period), we are well and truly into the second semester of this academic year. The reporting period is now behind us, and we are looking forward to a safe, on-site and very busy remainder of term. 

Of course, this term marks the beginning of work force planning for the following school year with student course/subject selections taking place as well as a host of other organisational and curriculum matters to attend to. 

Gifted & High Ability Children 

The Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC), in partnership with the Department of Education and Training, is hosting free online parent seminars which aim to educate and support parents of high ability children.  

The Parent Seminar Series is an initiative of the VAGTC and funded by the Department of Education and Training. 

Seminar Topics 

Based on feedback from the 2020 seminars, these seminars are designed to support parents in their parenting journeys, to foster positive and collaborative home and school partnerships and to connect parents with each other to provide networking and support.

The seminars will explore:  

• the definitions and identification of giftedness and talent
• how to understand the characteristics and needs of gifted kids
• how to advocate for your child
• how to build positive home and school partnerships
• how to enrich your child’s learning at home
• where to go for resources

Seminar Information and Registration 

The below online seminars are open for registration.  

• Working collaboratively with your child’s school — Thursday 2 September, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Gifted & high ability children 101 — Monday 13 September, 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
• Thriving through educational transitions — Thursday 21 September, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Expert panel Q&A — Tuesday 9 November, 7:30 to 9:00 pm For more information, and to register, refer to the VAGTC website.

Participants in the ‘Gifted & High Ability Children 101’ seminars are encouraged to watch a pre-recorded video presentation in advance, and attend the Zoom session for discussion. The links to the video presentation and Zoom session will be sent to participants after registration.   

2021 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey 

We're conducting a survey to find out what you think about our school.

The Parent Opinion Survey is now open for completion until Friday 3 September.

The Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education and Training that is conducted amongst a sample of randomly selected parents/caregivers/guardians (previously known as the Parent Opinion Survey). The survey is an opportunity for schools to collect data from parent/caregivers/guardians in relation to our school community. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, student engagement and experiences of remote and flexible learning. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. Approximately 30 per cent of parents will be invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey will be 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.

The survey will be conducted online, it only takes 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed at any convenient time, within the fieldwork period, on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in a range of languages other than English. These include Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha), Hindi, Japanese, Somali, Turkish, Punjabi and Greek.

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 regarding the Parent Opinion Survey, please don’t hesitate to contact the school and speak to Mrs Narelle Wiffen.

Scholarship Program - Year 7 intake 2022

Our scholarship program for next year’s Year 7 intake has been completed and the successful recipients, their families and respective primary schools have been notified. 

As Principal at North Geelong Secondary College, I am very proud to report to the school community that our scholarship program has attracted a large number of high-quality candidates, which made it very difficult for the selection panel to make the final decision. The calibre of the students was outstanding. Congratulations to all who participated in the process.

The NGSC Scholarship Program promotes outstanding commitment of primary school students who have displayed a strong involvement in their School Community. The College looks for outstanding young people who are exceptional in different areas and possess personal qualities and values that will contribute to the life of our school. 

This Program also recognises the considerable achievements of children in our community and provides them with the opportunity to experience exciting curriculum opportunities through a broad range of engaging programs delivered by our outstanding teachers.

Our Year 7 scholarships are to the value of $4600. These scholarships will be presented by the Principal to the scholarship recipients and celebrated at their respective primary school assemblies, COVID-19 permitting, as soon as possible. Family and friends of the scholarship recipients will be invited to the presentation.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients joining NGSC in Year 7 in 2022.

Also, congratulations to the students’ families and respective primary schools.   

Academic Excellence – Lincoln Peel, Manifold Heights Primary School

The Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to students with an exemplary academic record who have demonstrated outstanding application and achievement in one or more of English, Mathematics or Science, together with a strong performance in general studies.

Student Leadership – Victoria Kotsopoulos, Bell Park North Primary School

The Student Leadership Scholarship is available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills. The successful applicant(s) will have excellent communication skills, display initiative, and have a passion to motivate, delegate, guide and direct fellow students.

Community (Good Citizenship) - Joseph Traficante, Herne Hill Primary School

The Community (Good Citizenship) Scholarship is available to students who have made a significant demonstrable contribution to their community. The successful applicant(s) will display a strong social conscience as well as an outstanding work ethic and behaviour.

SportingExcellence – Zaylen Mercer, Teesdale Primary School

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship is available to keen sportspersons who have shown outstanding aptitude and personal achievement in one or many sporting field(s). 

The Arts – Georgie Webster, Rollins Primary School

The Arts scholarship is available to students who have displayed excellence and shown commitment in one or more of the Arts areas (such as: Drama, Music, Dance or Visual Arts). Successful applicants should have a record of involvement in all aspects of primary school life in addition to artistic talent.

Scholarship Program - Year 9 intake, 2022

Our scholarship program for the 2022 Year 9 intake is in the process of being completed. Please contact the school and speak to Mr Koullas, Transitions/Pathways Leader, or Ms Tonia Tigani, Assistant Transitions/Pathways, for more details. 

Scholarships are awarded for two years in Years 9 and 10. 

Living in a Digital Age

Technological change in education means we are facing the largest transformation in how our students receive, interact with and respond to the learning experience that the teaching profession has ever seen. These changes mean that schools and early childhood settings are now broader than the walls of a classroom. 

COVID-19 and the lockdowns over the last 18 months, have highlighted to all that technologies have become essential for everyone in our society to continue working, learning or socialising remotely. It has made it possible for students to continue teaching and learning while moving in and out of lockdowns and remote and flexible learning. It has also made it possible for millions of people in the world to work from home during the very difficult times of lockdowns.

Teachers, students and parents are using digital technologies to teach, learn and communicate, challenging the traditional concept of a school. According to research, 60% of students entering primary school today will be working in work areas and professions that haven’t been invented or thought of yet, and this is because of the huge advances of new technologies and the way they are impacting on human life. 

The world of digital learning beckons, with opportunities for teachers and students alike to benefit from the opportunities and capabilities a digital world offers.

NGSC Technologies platforms and programs such as; chromebooks, iPads, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), interactive teaching and learning screens, robots, drones and the latest edition of Oculus Go Virtual Reality cameras have been supported through the implementation of AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network) high speed internet provision. 

The AARNet installation has enabled the school to become a digital Learning Hub with an increased internet capacity and improved access to digital learning and Cloud-based resources, not only to meet the needs of our students and teachers, but also to meet the demands of future learning, student pathways and careers. 

We believe that students should be able to learn in teams, as a class, a whole community or alone. We also believe that students should be able to share learning experiences with their classmates and the wider community.

The school supports students to develop the skills needed for critical evaluation, online collaboration and communication and behaviours which support the safe, responsible and ethical use of digital technologies– essential to participating in life and work in the 21st century. 

Our students are also encouraged to develop all skills necessary to become responsible global citizens and part of the global labour market. It is our belief that information communication technology is a must ingredient to everyone and in particular our students’ future success.

Vocational Educational and Training (VET) 

A skilled workforce is vital to a prosperous future for Victoria’s industries and of course our local and global communities. It is skilled people who drive the performance of our industry sectors and businesses across the state and help us respond positively in a fast – changing global world.

At North Geelong Secondary College, we recognise this need and, through a rigorous counselling and information delivery, we ensure that all students who have the talents and aspirations to do a vocational study can, whether it is here at the College or through our Northern VET cluster, or our Trade Training Centre, or even other providers. The improved training system will focus on individual learners and business – its two main users – to ensure Victoria has the skilled people it needs to maintain a strong and secure economy. 

Currently the school offers three onsite VET subjects and we have a number of students attending, within our cluster from all Geelong Secondary Colleges both public and independent. Close monitoring and feedback through our onsite VET program evaluation is conclusive and it has proven to be a great success. 

Therefore, building on our strengths the College is looking forward to expanding that commitment. For more information, please contact Ms Makin – VET Coordinator on 5240 5800.