The Principal Highlights of 2022

Dear Community

Welcome to our end of year newsletter. In this edition we try to capture a glimpse of all of the amazing achievements and programs our students have been involved in through the very busy and action packed 2022 School Year.

But before we get into the reminiscing, some final announcement for this year.

PERSISTENCE - Our Brilliant Year 12 Results 

This year we celebrate some truly outstanding results delivered and achieved by our Graduating Class for 2022. This group of students have overcome amazing circumstances through these past three years to graduate which such success. With regard to the achievement of this class if is worth noting some very significant figures –

• This year our VCE students achieved a median Study Score of 26 which is a huge improvement on our most previous year and is in fact is representative collectively our most successful VCE outcome in the history of Northern Bay College.
• Our VCAL students increased their Completion rate by a whopping 30%. This is truly remarkable and is a wonderful stamp of approval to our VCAL students and staff team who worked incredibly hard to return this outstanding outcome. Again this is by far the most successful outcome produced within the VCAL program in the history of Northern Bay College.
• We also celebrate the outstanding achievement of College Dux - Bush Duong - who achieved the exceptional ATAR score of 97.85 – this again is the highest ever individual ATAR that has been achieved by a Northern Bay College student.

What is clear from the above achievements is that there is much to celebrate for our college community in 2022!!  Well done to everyone involved!!

GROWTH - Congratulations Ms O’Shannessy

At the end of this year we farewell a most special member of our school community - Ricki O'Shannessy.. Ricki has been a most inspiring leader of our school and in particular the Goldsworthy campus for more than ten years. In everything she does Ricki shows what it means to be kind, collaborative and persistent. We farewell Ms O’Shannessy at the end of this year and in doing so we acknowledge the unbelievable body of work that she has completed to ensure that every member of our school community feels included, supported and inspired. 

Ricki, you should be so proud of what you have achieved at NBC because we all certainty are.  Whilst she moves on from NBC this year, what stays behind is such a strong example of what it means to truly care about a community and the students we work with every day. Ricki’s work ethic and positivity is an example to us all as such she leaves NBC truly admired and respected.

Reflecting on 2022

It was very special to be able to roll out the new college values early in the year. These emanated from an approach to invite all of our students to tell us what values they thought were important. Our successful selections have broad and exciting values for our community:

We Value: Growth / Collaboration / Persistence / Kindness and have linked these very successfully to our School Wide Positive Behaviours matrix across the college.

COLLABORATION - Open Doors @ NBC

Post Covid one of the highlights for all community members was the return to school sites. In term 2 we welcomed our current families and new families to the college through the numerous Open Day opportunities. From our 2023 Prep Open Day to Parents Open Days in our P-2, Year 3-6 and SEED programs and the GITTC. This year really is all about us reconnecting with our community and these occasions allow us to do this whilst showcasing the terrific programs on offer at our school. 

These photos show our College Captain Dishanth  Vijayaneethan reading to our Prep students.

COLLABORATION - Whole School Review 2022

Every four years all DET schools undertake a whole school review. This process is led by an independent reviewer who works alongside a college review team to review college data, view classroom practice and hold stakeholder focus groups with students, staff and parents. This review took place in August and September of this year. 

This is a 'once-every-four-years' exercise and allows the school to celebrate achievements and identify work for the future. This year we were supported through our review by experienced reviewer and former school principal Wendy Larcombe; challenge partners Janet Matthews - Principal at Grovedale College and Tiffany Holt - former Principal at Apollo Bay P-12 and current DET School Finance Support Officer our SEIL Robyn Marr and Barwon Area Koorie Engagement Coordinator Ilona Sliwa. 

The feedback from our Review Panel was so positive around the welcoming nature of all campuses, the strong sense of order across the college, the observation of the clear work that has been completed to ensure that curriculum is well planned and guaranteed across all learning areas and the high capacity and knowledge across all staff that the panel interacted with. 

The panel also commented so positively on our students - their friendliness and positivity for their school and ability to discuss their learning. This entire process should be so reassuring to our school community as the overall picture of Northern Bay College is one of positivity and growth.

As the final step in this process, in October staff had the opportunity to engage in work around our new Strategic Plan  (the document that outlines our goals and plans for the next four years). Having our entire staff team contribute to the development of these key actions is vital and we are so appreciative of the thought and dedication that was put into this session. This work will help us to develop our next Annual Plan where these key actions will take centre stage in our college wide improvement initiative. 

PERSISTENCE - Campfire Conversations

We have had a very strong year focusing on our supportive connection with First Nations peoples. A real highlight from earlier this year was the Self Determination Campfire Conversations that occurred for all NBC Koorie students, their families and wider NBC community members. The Campfire Conversation process aims to support Koorie students and their families to have a proactive voice in their education and in how their school can support the celebration and inclusion of First Nations voice and culture. Through these events students were able to share their hopes for their learning and future, provide feedback on how their school currently supports them to show pride in their heritage and give voice to how their school can be further inclusive and aware of the hopes and dreams of indigenous students. 

Senior NBC students demonstrated great leadership as they supported their younger peers to share their voice. The community sessions were attended by parents, key DET representatives and community elders including Aunty May who helped to further advocate for greater awareness and inclusion of the needs of indigenous students at our school. These sessions were extremely uplifting and we thank Ken Massari and Audra Czyzewski along with support staff from all Campuses who worked to bring together an outstanding opportunity for our students. 

Collaboration: Extended School Day

During the year members of the Principal Class from across our campuses had the opportunity to oversee the Extended School Day program.  This was a very positive and pleasant experience for us all and if your child has not yet been involved students (Years 3 to 8 + ) are welcome to join one or more of the amazing activities on offer. Programs including Balloon twisting, different sports, wearable art, chess and checkers, are a few of the skills students embraced and enjoyed.. Here are a few photos showing the many talents of our students.

This is a very unique and wonderful school based program. The quality of the instructors and support staff who bring this program to life really are just brilliant. It cannot be understated just how important it is for our students to have access to and participate in high quality co-curricular programs. 

Some of the sights of Term 2

COLLABORATION - NAIDOC Week Assemblies

What an inspiring way to start Term 3 - celebrating NAIDOC week with our school community during week one of this term. This important week of celebration and awareness was made all the more special by a very moving and inspiring speech shared by NBC Alumni Ms. Sharelle McGuirk. Sharelle who is a past student of Corio South Primary School and Norlane High School very kindly agreed to talk about her journey to management in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and her experience as an indigenous student in the 70’s and 80’s. 

'Truly inspiring and a stark reminder of the important role we have as educators in ensuring the Indigenous perspectives we have in our learning programs allow for inspiration and connection for our students' Scott Diamond

GROWTH - Inaugural Student Wellbeing Camp 

During the June / July holidays members of our college wide Student Wellbeing team hosted a camp for a group of our students at our Staughton Vale school camp site. This is a wonderful initiative which will be used to develop relationships with students across our college, further develop bonds across our campuses and support our students to focus on themselves and the further realisation of their own personal development goals.

Students were treated to three days of challenge, self-discovery and exciting adventure as they worked through a number of engaging and eye-opening sessions.

A huge congratulations to our team on the camp and we certainly look forward to this being a staple of our overall program for NBC students. 

GROWTH - VCAL Upgrade @ Staughton Vale

Take a look at his video to see the outstanding work students completed on a MIni-Golf Course that adds wonderfully to our Staughton Vale camp site. 

What started as an idea to contribute and give back to the college has helped to add so wonderfully to the environment at our SVOEC. 

Congratulations to the VCAL team who continue to show how creative and committed our students are.

COLLABORATION - The Victorian State School Spectacular

Back at the start of term two, 36 students, from across all 5 campuses, began rehearsals for the Victorian State School Spectacular. After months of practice the big event took place on 10 September. 

I was fortunate to attend the afternoon performance and it cannot be understated just what an amazing show it is - one that all community members really should put on their 'Bucket List.'  It truly was 'Spectacular' and we should be so proud of the students who represented NBC so wonderfully. Mrs Baulch (Dance) and Mrs Bowden (Choir) shared with us that other schools and students were commenting on how wonderful, kind and caring our group is.  

COLLABORATION - IMPACT CAMP

In the photograph above the IMPACT Year 10 students, on their City Arts Camp are having a great time. Spending the day with a delightful group of students as they braved all some very typical Melbourne weather to explore a range of Arts highlights in the city was very rewarding. The content of the program and the students themselves were a credit to the College.  

GROWTH - Inspiring Stories     

A short note to recognise what was a truly inspiring presentation made by Year 11 student Aima Sadiq Ali to the Barwon North Principal Network. Aima shared with the audience of principals and regional leaders her schooling journey - a journey that began with shocking uncertainty in her homeland of Pakistan. Aima discussed the motivators that drive her towards her goal of becoming a pilot and touched on her incredible achievement in completing the Kokoda track in September as part of the Geelong Youth Engagement team. 

Collaboration - NBC Track Club

This year a group of our senior students have been planning and designing a weekly program which promises to be an outstanding success and an invaluable addition to our school extra-curricular activities. In addition to the student leaders, we have a number of staff and highly regarded external coaches who support the growing number of participants in the TRACK CLUB. 

Please take time to look at the Programs SEED page for photos and insights.

Kindness - The Hands on Learning Team

A terrific act of kindness and giving back isthe foundation if the work taking place ts in Hands on Learning. Their leaders Linda and Rod are always looking for ways to give back to the school community. One group are just finishing off really well constructed LIBRARY Boxes for Big Books for our Campus Libraries. Thank you all. 

GROWTH - Year 7 2023

There was a  special opportunity to meet with students and families late this year. We held an information afternoon for Year 5 and 6 families to showcase our outstanding Secondary Education Programs and curriculum delivery at Northern Bay College.  It was often a point raised by families that since we did not physically change buildings or sites at the end of Primary School - we just kept on a Primary School. Nothing could be further from the truth and we work hard to ensure that the year 7 and 8 program is equal to or an improvement on the programs in place at other secondary schools.

The second event was to honour our Year 6 cohort who excel in one of the college's 4 pillars of excellence - The Arts, Academic, Science & Technology and Sport, Phys Ed & Health. A presentation to 30 Scholarship recipients was held with parent guests and we honoured these outstanding young people who will hopefully lead others in pursuit of excellence in their fields of study during secondary school.

GROWTH - 2023 College Captaincy

I was impressed, moved and incredibly proud of the students who were candidates for these important roles in our school community. The following students, their teachers and their families should be incredibly proud.

Fiona Williamson, Jevic Mwanza, Anita Ali Asghar, Ali Sina Wali Zada, Indy Mayo and Aima Sadiq Ali.

During December they have already had many opportunities to showcase their abilities and demonstrate their readiness to take on these important roles across our college. From guest speaking at the Year 8 Graduation evenings, to the Awards Day presentations and the acceptance speeches to the whole college, these young people will do an outstanding job in 2023.  

My final highlight is the most recent.  Each Saturday members of our African Community go to the Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre for homework club. On Saturday 17 December they invited me to join in their Christmas celebration party.

GROWTH - 2022 Art, Design and Technology Showcase

Here are the links to the showcase galleries. Enjoy.

VCE Gallery: https://www.artsteps.com/view/634cdd84f308c412e56ecca77-10 Gallery: https://www.artsteps.com/view/634cddea61701715025e4019P-6 Gallery: https://www.artsteps.com/view/63688ff6d8b47568e2267bda

2022 has been a welcome change to the previous two years of lockdowns and uncertainty and has obviously been an inspiration to many of the Art, Design and Technology students at the College due to the sheer quantity and quality of work created by students. 

Please join us in celebrating the success of our students. Thank you, students of Northern Bay College. 

COLLABORATION – Saturday Homework Club

Berlthrand – our African Community Liaison Officer – hosted the final Saturday Homework Club of the year. Inclusive of many students from all Campuses and year levels the program has been a huge success in its first year supporting our students in all aspects of their learning. This was a wonderful celebration complete with an African Drummers presentation, a performance by a group of African Dancers, student speeches and the announcing of an ongoing partnership with the Burundian Community of Victoria for this program to continue through 2023. NBC staff involved in this program –  Belthrand, Pel and Irene along with the student leaders involved in this program are to be commended on what has been a hugely successful initiative. 

We look forward to seeing this program grow from strength to strength next year.

Merry Christmas to you all, from our Carolers who have sung across the city and state. They are joined by all staff from the college who wish you a safe and happy holiday.

Regards,

Mr Scott Diamond

College Principal