ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Assistant Principals

Paul Dawson and Bradley Headlam

Brad Smallman and Sarah Bridges

Compass and Contact Tracing 

As we progress out of lockdown back into our normal routine of life, we still need to meet the requirements of contact tracing. Contact tracing has been an effective avenue to reduce the impact of the spread of COVID-19 in our community and enabled us to minimise lockdown lengths. To support this we are required by the department, to commit to contact tracing whenever we leave school grounds for camps or excursions. In our excursion documentation we have stated that parent contact details will be shared with external organisations for excursions and we will be fulfilling this requirement. This means that with every excursion forthwith, parent details of participating students will be shared with the provider(s) so that if there is risk of potential contact with a positive case they will be able to provide appropriate communications with parents.

Course Counselling

Students transitioning into Year 12 in 2022 met with counsellors recently. This was really positive and a genuine discussion about capabilities, potential challenges and a solid decision was made by students in pursuit of their potential career pathway. In addition, students were directed to further pathways advice as required and future consultation with parents may take place in the future. 

Some students who were identified as having difficulty with their current program went through our ‘At Risk’ processes that will include: discussions with careers and the Sub-School to provide support, more educational opportunities, or motivation to raise the work habits to get back on track.

Year 10 Careers week kicked off positively as they went through a structured program in Week 4. The challenges of having no external speakers or guests onsite presented some challenges, however, the online platforms have enabled access to an array of amazing people to highlight employment pathways or responsibilities and what can be done to pursue particular pathways. Every year we anticipate students having a significant understanding of where they are going and are well placed to start selecting appropriate subjects later in the week. Below is an example of what kind of things the students will be discussing with their counsellor:

  • What do you like doing?
  • What are you good at?
  • What did the Morrisby survey say about you and your strengths?
  • Do you have a pathway or occupation in mind for your future career?
  • Do you know how to get there?
  • Have you considered University, TAFE?
  • Will you be considering VCE or VCAL?
  • If you are an applied learner have you explored opportunities to experience different workplaces? Would you like to?

This starts to shape the plan. 

Then the counsellor will observe results and teacher recommendations and suggest/discuss particular subjects that are appropriate for the student, their ability and their pathway.

It then gets final approval from our more experienced counsellors and is put into the system.

Once in the system, the timetable is then starting to be shaped and the tallies of choices will be reviewed and shared with key stakeholders. In the event very few selections have been made a decision will be made through consultation with the Principal to  approve or cancel a subject. Following this re-counselling is provided and further advice given to students as required.

Remote Learning 5-0 and Return

With the “at the drop of a hat” return to Remote and Flexible Learning in 2021 we have relied on the students and families to switch environments and continue to engage with learning independently. In the graph below you can see that staff found that students coped really well with this transition and we congratulate the students and appreciate the support parents continue to provide.

Parent Teacher Conferences Online

Again, due to Lockdown, we were forced into an online style of Parent/Teacher Conferences. We made the decision to continue with these online as it is a great opportunity for staff, students and parents to check in regardless of the circumstances. The participation was fantastic and following the Lockdown staff provided their feedback so that we could consider how to improve the experience or even identify if this is a preferred option going forward. In the graphs below you can see that staff really felt the Conferences were a positive experience and that student engagement was quite high in these conversations online. Thanks to all parents for their support in connecting with NGSC during these times!

Barwon Heath: Vaccination Update: Vaccination of adolescents aged 12-15 years

From Monday 9 August, eligible adolescents aged 12-15 years can receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

This change has been implemented following recommendation from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that people aged 12-15 years be prioritised for vaccination with Pfizer. ATAGI has also reviewed available evidence on specific medical conditions in children that have been identified to be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19.

The following groups of children aged 12–15 years can now receive a priority  vaccination using the Pfizer vaccine:

  • children with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 (including but not limited to severe asthma, diabetes, obesity, cardiac and circulatory congenital anomalies, neuro developmental disorders, epilepsy, immuno-compromised and trisomy 21)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 12–15 years
  • all children aged 12–15 years in remote communities, as part of broader community outreach vaccination programs that provide vaccines for all ages (≥12 years).

Young people aged 12-15 years receiving COVID-19 vaccination at state vaccination centres will book through the normal booking process (online portal or call centre).  They must attend a vaccination centre with a parent or guardian or other person with parental responsibility for the child who will give consent and accompany them during the vaccination process. 

As well as meeting the usual eligibility requirements as a person with an underlying medical condition or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, proof of age must also be provided to ensure the young person is at least 12 years old.  For example, a school ID card, birth certificate, passport, doctors letter with date of birth or other proof of age.

Recommendations for all other young people aged 12-15 years will be made in updated advice in the coming months.

If a child in your care is eligible, you can make a booking the following ways*:

* If your child has a complex disability and requires additional support please contact the Disability Liaison Unit (0434 856 014) after making your booking to discuss ways to assist.