Principal's Welcome

Welcome to NHS

Welcome back and a special welcome to our new students and families. We are so delighted you are part of the wonderful Northcote High Community!

90th Celebrations – 1926 - 2016

This year is Northcote High School 90th and there is much to celebrate!

The 90th celebration  program includes a colourful calendar of events, activities and projects across the year for alumni, students, staff, families,  the Northcote community and friends around the world.

90th Program highlights include:

• 90th Launch - Celebration of the life of Northcote High School 1926 - 2016
• 90th Exhibition - Celebration of the life of Northcote High School 1926 – 2016 (by decade)
• Historic plaques around the school highlighting significant locations, events and achievements
• NHS Back to Day for past and present members of the schools community
• International Student Program alumni celebration

A little about our school

Northcote High opened on its current site in 1926. The school site and surrounding area was originally home to Dr. Charles McCarthy’s Inebriates’ Home which dated from 1873.

Northcote High originally opened as a district high school and was the fifth high school north of the Yarra and the ninth in Greater Melbourne. The school was originally co-educational, in 1928 the Education Department opened Preston Girls’ High School, making Northcote High a boys’ school from this time. Greater public engagement with equal opportunity resulted in girls again being enrolled from 1989. 

Stay posted for further history updates and a calendar of events and opportunities to get involved.

2015 Achievements

Congratulations to the Class of 2015 for their exemplary VCE Results - see snap shot below including winners of the various University Scholarships.  This year more NHS students have been awarded scholarships than ever before.  Scholarships are difficult to get, which further highlights:

 1. The quality of young people graduating from NHS and

2. The importance of maintaining a well-balanced life/program  including getting involved at school and in the community – sport, coaching, study abroad, part time work, volunteering all define who young people are how they will contribute to the world.

Stay tuned to the eNews and for students the daily ebulletin on myNorthcoteHigh and screens around the school to hear about the myriad of ways you can get involved at NHS and Beyond.

Vision and Values

In 2015 we launched the new school vision and values – following the conclusion of a collaborative community project – Re-Visioning our Values.  We are keen to ensure the schools’ vision and values live in our community.  See the attachment for a snapshot. The Behaviours  are a series of statements co-developed with community to exemplify the the various values. This has been an exciting project and will provide many ways to celebrate young people and community through the Values – Achievement, Curiosity, Humanity and Fairness.

Eureka Prize and Writing@NHS

2015 also saw the launch of the Eureka Prize – thankyou to Clare Wright http://www.clarewright.com.au/ (Parent, author, historian and social commentator)  who donated part of her Stella Prize winnings to establish the Eureka Prize at Northcote High. Congratulations to all the Eureka Prize entrants who are featured in this eNews.  We are looking forward to the Writers Festival and Talkfest later this year.

In 2015 Year 7 students lived a new teaching and learning program in English.  Post review and this writers program, Year 8 will also be featuring a strong focus on writing in 2016.

Building projects and Campus Master Plan

In 2015 we celebrated the delivery of $3million election promise for a Performance Hub and VCE Centre on the corner site of St Georges Road and Euneson Avenue. Kerstin Thompson Architects http://kerstinthompson.com/ have been appointed to kick off this first Campus Master Plan Project.  We will be reporting regularly to you around facilities upgrades – in progress are discussions regarding:

• 2 x Court Stadium (Stage 2 Campus Master Plan) seeking partnership with DET, Darebin Council and Local clubs i.e. basketball etc.
• Netball / Basketball Court (additional) as a part of the election commitment to women’s sport in Darebin, Melbourne, Moreland and Yarra Council areas
• Merri Park (south) – surface maintenance/upgrade - Darebin Council
• Front of School – Safety improvements to the St Georges Road interface i.e. trams, Pedestrians, bikes and cars – working with Fiona Richardson, Darebin Council, Vicroads and Yarra Trams
• Fitzroy Baseball regarding clubroom facilities sharing

Continuous Reporting

This year we will introduce Continuous Reporting there will be a feature outlining the what, when and how for students and families in our next eNews.

myNorthcoteHigh and Compass

are your key communication connects with Northcote High.  myNorthcoteHigh will link you with learning information and what’s happening in our classrooms, Compass is generally more administrative – absences, timetable, payments, GPA (progress reports) etc.

We also send targeted newsfeeds regarding upcoming events and need to know information e.g. Year 7 Families will receive a newsfeed about the upcoming Yr 7 Family Picnic on Tuesday 09 Feb 2016 at 6pm!

Importantly, each fortnight the e-news will feature students shining in so many ways. Leading learning and leading projects in their areas of interest and passion.

‘Partnership and Participation at NHS’ and Notice of School Council Elections

There is compelling evidence that an involved, participative and dynamic school community results in better educational outcomes for our students.

You are invited to participate in supporting NHS by becoming involved in one of many activities where a parent/carer voice is important .

These include:

1. School Council and sub-committee membership (Finance and/or  Governance,)
2. Task specific working groups (Events and Fundraising and Communications)

As needs arise, other working groups will be formed during 2016.

If you would like more information about participating in any of these groups please contact:

Rob Ryan, School Council President via rob@wisdompluswork.com.au

Kate Morris, Principal, via Morris.Kate.L@edumail.vic.gov.au

We are advertising School Council Elections with an opening date for nomination 12 February and closing date for nominations being 19 February 2016.

Although any parent/carer  is eligible to nominate for School Council, we would encourage some prior involvement in working parties or committees. Of course, this is not a pre-requisite for Council membership.

Further information to follow regarding Notice of the 2016 School Council Elections or contact Rob or Kate as above.

Once again welcome to our vibrant and dynamic learning community and a great year ahead. We look forward to partnering with you and appreciate your involvement and support.

Kate Morris

Principal