PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Key Dates

24 MARCH            Parent Teacher Conferences 7-12

                                 Cancelled

26 MARCH            Athletics Day - Landy Field

                                 Cancelled

27 MARCH            Last Day Term 1

                                 (1:30 PM Finish)

13 APRIL               Easter Monday

14 APRIL               Term 2 Commences

20 APRIL                Year 7 Immunisations

Mr Nicholas Adamou

Principal

Grade 6 Parent Information Evening/Open Night Prospective Parents for 2021 

The Parent/Carers/Student Information Evening/Open Night for our 2021 Year 7 intake was held very successfully on Thursday, 12 March, 2020. A large number of parents/carers and prospective students visited the school and experienced the teaching and learning programs that NGSC has to offer.

 

The Information Evening provided prospective parents/carers/students the opportunity to visit our school, talk to teachers, students and current parents about our community, our close knit family and what it has to offer them in relation to curricular, extra-curricular, individualised and specialised programs.

 

In my welcoming speech, I spoke about the school’s high expectations from students, staff, parents and the wider community and the fact that the school is a 'School of Choice'. The Victorian Government has made it abundantly clear that parents can choose any school for their children, provided the school has capacity. I also stressed the importance of parents/carers matching the educational needs of their children with the educational programs a school has to offer. We all know, and research informs us, how important the decision in choosing the right Secondary College is to the future success of the child.

 

Highlights of the evening:

  • Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM program; Nao Robot, Robotics, Drones, Spheros)
  • Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) Program
  • Scholarship Program
  • STAR Literacy & Numeracy Intervention Program
  • ACE Literacy & Numeracy Intervention Program 
  • Digital Technologies (iPad and BYOD) Programs
  • iLeaders Program
  • Significant Teacher 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

It was a pleasure to meet so many new and also current families during this evening. I take this opportunity to thank all our staff and, in particular, our students who have supported this evening, presenting to parents or just by answering parent questions about their experiences and what they have been learning at the school. Our students are great ambassadors to our wider community and I, as their Principal, together with the whole school community are very proud of them.

 

Students know that I hear them and my goal is to provide the best possible learning opportunities ensuring their future success.

Coronavirus/Covid 19

As you will appreciate the situation is rapidly changing and it is difficult to have all the answers. However, as a school community we will continue to follow all DET guidelines and put all precautionary measures in place to deal with the situation.

 

We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all involved with the College and it is important to note that at this time we have no confirmation of coronavirus within NGSC community. We know, however, that some schools in Melbourne have closed for a period of time and that there have been a small number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Victoria.

 

I ask for your support, as members of our community, to keep calm and when having conversations with other parents to inform them that the school is exercising all precautions to minimise the likelihood of any outbreak within our community. In the event of an outbreak within our school community or if we receive advice from DET/authorities requiring the school to close the school will notify its community immediately, predominantly though Compass and SMS.

 

Prevention – advice to students and families

At home:

  • If you feel unwell or have any cold or flu like symptoms do not come to school. Phone your GP.
  • If you or a member of your family test positive to COVID 19 please notify the College immediately on 5240 5800

At school:

  • If you need to cough or sneeze, please do so into your elbow, not your hand.
  • If blowing your nose please use tissues and dispose of them in a bin or toilet after use.
  • Wash your hands regularly using soap and running water for 20 seconds. Dry them with a paper towel or  by using a hand dryer. Put the towel in a bin.
  • Use the sanitizers provided in all school bathrooms 
  • Wash your hands this way before you eat.

Remember:

  • Tissues are available from reception.
  • All toilet blocks have supplies of soap and sanitizers
  • Do not put any paper other than toilet paper or tissues in a toilet.

Most importantly:

  • Be cautious, exercise common sense and logic. Be alert but not panicked or alarmed.

Additional Information is available  from the Department of Health and Human Services by following this link: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202003/Ten ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus_0.pdf

School Council Elections

This year we have had four parent vacancies for a two year appointment (2020 & 2021) and two DE&T employee member vacancies for a two year appointment (2020 & 2021). We also have had one student vacancy for a two year appointment (2020 & 2021).

 

At the close of the call for nominations in the Parent Category for School Council there were four nominees for the four vacancies. The following parents were therefore, elected for a two year term:

  • Ms Christine Wilson
  • Mr Dirk Heitmann
  • Ms Angene Smith
  • Ms Lyndal Jones

At the close of the call for nominations in the Department of Education & Training DE&T Category of School Council there were two nominees for two vacancies. The following DE&T staff member were, therefore, elected for a two year term:

  • Mr Tim Humphries
  • Mr Joel McDougall   

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:

  • Ms Abby D’Andria

Congratulations to the parents, DE&T staff members and student member who have joined our School Council and thank you to all 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 thank the outgoing council members (parents & staff). Their contribution has been paramount to the life of our College Community.  Thank you very much.

2019 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

The 2019 AIP is based on the 2017 – 2020 School Strategic Plan.

 

The annual implementation plan (AIP) describes how the key improvement strategies in the school strategic plan, and other significant projects, will be put into operation during the year and how they will be monitored. It assists schools to:

  • plan and communicate their work for the coming year and how this will lead to achieving their identified goals and targets
  • ensure efficient and effective allocation of resources to complete the work
  • monitor progress and success.

The 2019 AIP is posted on the school’s website.

Annual Report 2019

Annual reporting is an important tool for effective governance within schools and across the Government school system. Reporting to the school community adds value in a number of ways:

  • Keeping the school community informed
  • Contributing to system accountability and meeting legislative requirements
  • Relationship between the planning and annual reporting processes

The Annual Report is prepared by the School Principal and presented to parents and the wider community to inform them of the school's activities and achievements throughout the previous year. The report also provides an opportunity to communicate and publicise the longer term directions for the school. Please take your time to read through and familiarise yourselves with the 2019 Annual Report. A copy will be published on the school’s website.

 

The Annual Report will be posted on our website www.ngsc.vic.edu.au asap.

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. Earrings must consist only of sleepers or studs in the ears.

 

It is the school’s preferred position that students do not have facial piercing i.e. any facial piercing other than the ears. However, for students who already have facial piercing they have the following options:

  • the facial piercings are removed during the school day, including to and from school.
  • the facial piercing is discreet and clear plastic
  • a band aid is applied on the piercing during the school day, including to and from school.

Under no circumstances will metal facial piercings be accepted.

 

Therefore, new facial piercings cannot be obtained during the year due to the healing time required for metal piercings.

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, DET 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. Students who choose to bring their mobile phones to school must store them safely in their lockers during the school day as per the Department’s ruling.

 

I wish to discourage students and visitors from bringing any personal property to school, in particular, valuable items and if you choose to do so it is entirely at your own risk.