PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Nicholas Adamou

Principal

2021 Key Dates

8 MarchLabour Day Public Holiday
9 MarchCatch up Photo Day and School Captains photos
11 MarchInformation Evening/Open Night for 2022 Year 7 students
15 to 17 MarchYear 7 Camp 1
17 to 19 MarchYear 7 Camp 2
15 to 19 MarchYear 9 Morrisby Online Assessments
25 MarchAthletics Day
29 MarchYear 7 Immunisations
30 MarchParent/Teacher Conferences
1 AprilLast Day of Term 1 - 1:30 pm finish
2 AprilGood Friday Public Holiday

Covid-19 update  

Last Friday the Victorian Government announced an easing of Covid-19 restrictions. As directed by the Victorian Chief Health Officer, as of 11.59 pm Friday, 26 February, face masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor spaces in the broader community. Masks are still required in limited indoor settings, such as public transport, commercial passenger vehicles and large retail settings. At school, this means that face masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor spaces for school staff and secondary school students aged 12 or older.

Requirements for the use of masks are outlined below. Visitors and parents must also observe this guidance.

  • Face masks are recommended, but not mandatory, for use by staff, students and visitors when physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained.
  • People aged 12 years and over must always carry a face mask – unless they have a lawful exemption.
  • People aged 12 years and over must wear a face mask when on public transport, school buses and when in taxis or ride share vehicles – unless they have a lawful exemption.
  • There are a number of lawful excuses 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.

Whole School Assembly

The first whole school assembly for the year, and also since the beginning of the pandemic and covid-19 restrictions, was held on Thursday, 25 February. 

It was an absolute pleasure to stand before the whole school, face to face, during a whole school assembly after a year of Covid-19 restrictions. Our student Leaders/School Captains organise and run these assemblies supported by Ms Brigden – Events Coordinator and Mr Headlam - Assistant Principal.  Students and staff were officially welcomed to the new academic year. In particular, a warm welcome was extended to all the new Year 7 students and all new staff members.

During my Principal’s address, I focused on the learnings of 2020, spoke about resilience and how much we have grown during the pandemic/lock-down/remote & flexible learning experience. 

I also stressed that we are, and behave like, a ‘big family’ caring for each other. Goal setting and encouragement to reaching student goals, full potential and strive for their absolute best were also topics mentioned. 

To the Year 12 students who are embarking on their final year of their secondary schooling; a challenging year: filled with hours of study, deadlines and SACS, I wished them a productive and rewarding year. 

My expectations as College Principal are very clear not only from students, but also staff, parents and the wider community. My goal is to see all students follow the College rules and work with their teachers in a very supportive Teaching and Learning environment to improve their results and fulfil their potential.

There are also the non-negotiable expectations; that all students uphold the school values, Respect, Excellence, Achievement and Diversity. Students must always be punctual, prepared for all classes, wear the correct school uniform with pride and enjoy what the North Geelong Secondary College community has to offer them. Students need to use their time here at the school to build a long and bright future for themselves, developing independent learning skills and succeeding with their chosen pathways. 

Grade 6 Parent Information Evening, Open Night Prospective Parents for 2022 

The Parent/Guardian/Student Information Evening/Open night for our 2022 Year 7 intake will take place on Thursday, 11 March at 6:00 pm. 

The information evening provides prospective parents/guardians/students the opportunity to visit our school, talk to teachers, students and current parents about our community, our close knit family and what the school has to offer to their children in relation to curricular, extra-curricular, individualised and specialised programs. 

The Victorian Government has made it abundantly clear that parents can choose any school for their children, provided the school has capacity. I also like to stress the importance of parents/guardians matching the educational needs of their children with the educational programs a Secondary school has to offer. We all know, and research informs us, how important it is to the future success of the child the decision in choosing the right Secondary School for the child. 

 

Highlights of the evening:

  • Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM program; Naobot robot, Robotics, Drones, VR goggles, Makerbot, 3-D printers)
  • Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program
  • Scholarship Program
  • STAR Literacy & Numeracy Intervention Program
  • ACE Literacy & Numeracy Intervention Program
  • Digital Technologies (Chromebooks Year 7 – 9 and Year 10 -11 BYOD) Programs
  • iLeaders Program
  • Significant Teacher Program
  • AVID Program
  • Excellence in Sports Program (Football and Soccer)
  • Performing Arts Program/School productions
  • Instrumental Music Program
  • International student Program
  • EAL Programs
  • VCE, VET and VCAL Programs

Please note that the school will strictly follow its Covid-19 Safe plan, which includes the latest DET Operations Guidelines. 

 

I am looking forward to meeting as many parents and students as possible during this evening.

School Council Elections 

This year we have had five parent vacancies for a two year appointment (2021 & 2022) and two DE&T employee member vacancies for a two year appointment (2021 & 2022). We also have had one student vacancy for a two year appointment (2021 & 2022). 

At the close of the call for nominations in the parent category for School Council there were four nominees for the five vacancies. Therefore, the school extended the nominations for one parent vacancy for a two year appointment (2021-2022) until Tuesday, 23 February. At the close of the extended call for nominations in the parent category there was one nominee for the one vacancy.   

I am pleased to announce that the following parents were elected for a two year term.

  • Ms Catherine McKenzie
  • Ms Helen Polyzos
  • Ms Donna Woods
  • Mr John Howlett
  • Ms Amy Osborne

At the close of the call for nominations in the Department of Education & Training DE&T Category of School Council there were three nominees for two vacancies. Therefore, elections were conducted for the two DE&T staff members, as per DET school Council guidelines. The successful applicants are:

  • Ms Kellie Phillips
  • Ms Sahel Rasouli

At the close of the call for nominations in the Student Category of School Council there was one nominee for one vacancy. The following student, therefore, was elected for a two year term.

  • Mr Martin Salazar

Congratulations to the parents, staff and student members who have joined our School Council for the period of 2021 – 2022. I take the opportunity to thank all the nominees for showing interest in school governance. Working together makes a huge difference in improved student outcomes and in students’ lives. 

On behalf of the school community, I sincerely thank the outgoing council members, parents, staff and students; Mr Matthew Sheehan, Ms Shelley Kitchen, Mr Lachlan Grantham, Miss Shona Scorringe and Mrs Tonia Tigani. Their contribution has been paramount to the life of our College Community.  Thank you very much.

Student accident insurance, ambulance cover arrangements and private property brought to schools

Parents and Guardians are reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students.

Parents and guardians of students, who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance/transport and any other transport costs. 

In some circumstances, medical or other expenses will be paid by the Department where it is assessed that it is likely, in all the circumstances, that the Department is liable for negligent (careless) acts or omissions of its staff/volunteers. 

Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from some commercial insurers, and can be obtained by school councils on a whole-of-school basis, or by parents/guardians for individual students. 

Student Appearance

 

All students at North Geelong Secondary College are expected to take pride in their personal appearance. Jewellery, make-up, hair colour and style must be discreet as per the school expectations and policies. 

 

It is the school’s preferred position that students do not have facial piercing i.e. any facial piercing other than the ears. 

 

According to the current NGSC Uniform Policy, students are only permitted to wear a single nose stud. Nose rings and septum rings are banned – if worn they must be removed during the school day.  New facial piercings (other than the single nose stud) cannot be obtained during the year due to the healing time required. 

International Women’s Day Celebration 2021

As we all know, on Monday 8 March is International Women’s Day. This year we focus and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’, which calls on everyone to challenge and call out gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping, and to seek out and celebrate women's achievements.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, NGSC hosted a morning tea today Friday 5 March, for all female staff members and Year 12 female students. 

Personal Property brought to school

Personal property is often brought to school by students and visitors.  This can include mobile phones, electronic games, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises.  I wish to remind you that, the Department does not hold insurance (excluding the school’s iPad program) for personal property brought to schools and it has no capacity to pay for any loss or damage to such property.  I wish to discourage students and visitors from bringing any personal property in particular valuable items to school and if you choose to do so it is entirely at your own risk. 

The state law/ban of mobile phones in all Victorian public schools came into effect at the beginning of the 2020 school year. Any students who chose to bring their mobile phones to school have to place them securely in their lockers with the first bell for the day and take them out at the end of the last bell for the day. Some exemptions apply; please see the mobile phone policy on the school’s website.

Students must ensure that their lockers are securely locked at any time.

The school has invested in an extensive CCTV in all locker bays to ensure the safety and security of student lockers. 

Privacy Reminder to all Parents/Guardians 

North Geelong SC collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy

Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website.

For more information about privacy, see: Schools’ Privacy Policy – information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages.