NGSC Newsletter

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Key Dates

18 November          Year 10 Study Day (at school)

18-22 November    2020 Year 12 Orientation week

19-21 November    Year 10 Exams

22 November           Last Day Year 11 students

25-28 November     2020 Year 11 Orientation week

29 November          Assessment & Reporting Day

                                      (Student Free Day)

2-6 December          Year 7 & 8 Swimming Program

9 December              Last day classes for Years 7-9

9 December              Grade 6 Parent Information                                               Night - 5:30 pm

10 December          Day 1 Grade 6 Orientation

                                       (NGSC Student Free Day)

11 December           Day 2 Grade 6 Orientation

11-13 December     Years 7 - 9 Activities

16 December            Awards Presentation Evening

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

2020 School Leaders

At a special whole school assembly held on Tuesday, 5 November, the staff and students had the pleasure to be presented with the official School Leaders. The new School Captains presented their views and their plans for next year. 

     

School Captains and other students in leadership positions play a vital role in the operation and life of the College. They act as role models for the student body and provide leadership across a wide range of activities within the school community, including sports, the creative arts, technology and general school life.

 

To be selected as a student leader at NGSC, students must have demonstrated a commitment to the values of the school, have a record of involvement in all aspects of school life and have shown a willingness to serve the needs of others.  Although, not all Year 12 students are School Captains, all are leaders. 

 

Once again, congratulations to our 2020 School Leaders, I am looking forward to working with them to continue carving a successful history for the school and achieving great outcomes for all.

North Geelong Secondary College

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

“Providing opportunities for excellence”

North Geelong Secondary College is committed in providing the best educational, cutting edge programs to the wider community.  The school is also committed to providing the best possible transition program from Primary to Secondary School.

Scholarships are awarded for two years, commencing in Year 7 and then reviewed in Year 9. The 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 values that will contribute positively to the life of the College.

The Year 7 and 8 scholarships are to the value of $5000. The scholarships cover the following items:

  • Full value of school fees for Year 7 and 8
  • iPad
  • Full school uniform including a school blazer
  • Year 7 and Year 8 Camps
  • All books and materials for Years 7 and 8
  • All excursions and extra–curricular activities for Years 7 and 8

Scholarships are available in the following areas:

 

Academic Excellence

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

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)

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. 

Sporting Excellence

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 

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

2020 Year 7 Scholarship presentation, The Arts Scholarship  

Congratulations to Samuel Bolton from Newtown Primary School for his outstanding achievement.

Samuel has made an outstanding contribution to the Newtown Primary School. He embraces all aspects of The Arts and is persistent to drive and improve his music skills. He is also highly respected by his peers, teachers and Principals and is a valued member of the Newtown Primary School community. 

 

Samuel has demonstrated the following achievements and skills:

  • Currently he is playing in a Community Band
  • He is devoted to developing and improving his musical playing skills
  • Samuel enjoys working with people in promoting a better understanding of both music and different instruments.
  • He has played a key role in his Primary School’s “Events and Media Impact Team”, which requires good organisational, communication and reliability skills
  • He also believes everyone has a talent. They just need to believe in themselves, work hard and have the stamina and persistence to find and cultivate it.

Once again, congratulations Samuel and welcome to the NGSC family! We are looking forward to working with you over the next six years of your High School journey.

Student Parties

Frequently, we hear stories from around the state of students organising large “parties” or “formals” in a school’s name, but where the function is not sanctioned or supported by the school. Invariably, a parent takes the responsibility for booking a venue.

 

Such functions are open to significant abuse, especially in relation to drugs, violence and alcohol and, if this is the case, those involved leave themselves open to legal action. I wish to make it clear to all, that the only College sanctioned activities that occur outside of the school by way of celebrations, are the Year 12 Graduation Evening on Tuesday, 18 October and the Awards Presentation Evening on Monday, 16 December.

 

As parents or Guardians, if you are faced with the dilemma of whether a function is a school function, please ensure you ring the College for clarification. Whether or not you allow your child to attend any such party or event, is a matter for decision between you and your child. However, when discussing this, we suggest that you consider:

  • transport arrangements to and from any “function, event, party or after party”. We are all aware of the potential risks associated with young people travelling with young drivers particularly after celebrating; and
  • what level of security is being provided at the venue? There have been numerous stories over the years of such events resulting in alcohol and drug use and violence.

If at any time you become aware of any event purportedly being held in the school’s name, please contact the school immediately so that we can clarify the issue with parents and guardians.

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 as shown 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 times.
  • 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 school work 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.