From the Principal

Welcome back

I welcome one and all back to school after what I hope was a refreshing and rejuvenating Term 1 break. I hope you all had some time to reconnect with loved ones and to indulge a little in the things we are passionate about beyond work and school.

For students, and staff alike, Term 2 is a term of consolidation – time to enact the feedback provided through assessment and reporting and to really show what you’re capable of. I trust that students are feeling energised to embrace this challenge from day one so that they can match the enthusiasm and purpose of staff.

The end of term is always a transition time for staff - we farewell and welcome staff (some new to the school and some into new roles). There have been a number of class teacher changes necessary and we have ensured detailed handovers of curriculum, assessment and knowledge of our students has occurred. Some of these changes are outlined below:

Departing this term:

• Sean Butler (Assistant Principal): appointed as Principal of Preston High School which will open to students at Year 7 in 2019
• Gerard O’Shaughnessy (Head of Junior School): seconded to DET in the Professional Practice division for the remainder of 2018
• Louise Bossio: Family Leave for the remainder of 2018
• Megan Rolls: Long Service leave for Term 2
• Abby Malagoli (PE): contract conclusion

Promotions and new roles – congratulations!

• Katie Archibald (Head of Student Services): Acting Assistant Principal for Terms 2&3
• Audra Keane (Year 7 Program Leader): Head of Junior School
• Georgia Townley: Year 7 Program Leader
• Xanthe Gunner (ES Admin): a new role as support to the 7-10 sub-schools in their new office in the GCC

Welcome new staff

• Keegan Bone: English / Humanities
• Yvie Bolton: English / French
• Tennille Seary: Science
• Cathy Ning: ES Admin – Accounts Receivable
• Cameron Prowse-Wilkins – Physical Education and Health

One of the bitter sweet outcomes of having a highly successful school that builds the capacity of students and staff alike, is that inevitably from time to time we will have to bid farewell to staff who gain promotion positions. For two of our key school leaders, Sean Butler and Gerard O’Shaughnessy this is certainly the case. I wish to take up a bit of space here in the Newsletter to pay to tribute both Sean and Gerard.

Whilst we are sad that Sean is leaving us to take up the position as Principal for Preston High School, as a school community, we extend our sincere congratulations to him. We are delighted that his personal commitment and excellence as an educator have been acknowledged through this appointment. We wish him all the very best of success.

I have only had the opportunity to work with Sean in the last days of 2017 and throughout last term and I am sure you would agree with me – Sean is the consummate professional. He is dedicated, works extremely hard, is a systems and process thinker and actor, he is approachable and rigorous. He supports, guides and directs so many facets of the school in a diversity of areas. His loyalty and commitment to Northcote, and willingness to go above and beyond, will be a huge benefit to the Preston school community, just as it has been to ours. His appointment is well deserved and hard earned.

With regard to Gerard, many cohorts of students have had the benefit of his leadership and teaching, as have his colleagues. The transition to high school is a challenging one for many children, and Gerard has led a team of staff to ensure that students are supported, cared for and challenged to take the next steps. His partnerships with families and carers have provided the support and care necessary to navigate sometimes challenging times for individuals. We are delighted that he will have the opportunity to influence policy and practice from central offices of DET – when exceptional practitioners influence at that level, it can only serve to have positive outcomes for schools.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conversations

Thank you to the parents who provided us with feedback on the Parent-Student-Teacher Conversations that took place at the end of Term 1. It was great to see so many of you here working with staff to maximise the learning potential of your children. We received very positive feedback from you about the professionalism of staff, their knowledge of your children as learners, and their advice to assist your children make continuous progress.

Preston High School enrolment boundary announced

Preston High School will open for Year 7s in 2019: a great outcome for public schools and local parents. There has been some interest in the community as to how the new school may affect neighbourhood enrolment boundaries at nearby schools, Northcote High included. The map for Preston High School has now been released on the school's website, and a revised map published for Northcote. There is relatively little change to the Northcote neighbourhood area, save a few blocks along our northern boundary: as such we anticipate minimal impact on enrolments for 2019 as a result of the new school opening.

Year 7 Camp

This week we trust that the Year 7s are enjoying themselves on camp at Phillip Island. Camp provides the students with the opportunity to challenge themselves and extend their network of connections and bonds and is a prized experience – one that will no-doubt leave its mark in lasting memories.

Buildings & Grounds Updates

We continually strive to provide quality spaces for learning and recreation within the school. Over the holiday period there have been some upgrades:

1. The performance stage in the Arts Court Yard is complete!! It looks magnificent.
2. One of the two new locker bays is completed and lockers are arriving this week. A considerable number of students who have had to carry their bags with them in Term 1 will no longer need to do so and within a few weeks, all students will have a locker.
3. The Year 7-10 SubSchool Office in the GCC is complete and everyone has moved in. It looks great.
4. The double Netball Courts are due to start on Wednesday 18 April and the estimated time for completion is 3 months.
5. The Performing Arts Hub has progressed over the holidays – the form work for the foundations is progressing rapidly. We hope that soon things will start rising out of the ground!!

Hard Courts in Merri Park

Many of you would have noticed the construction zone on Merri Park (it has been there for some time).

Whilst the school and neighbouring community are currently experience frustrations because there are no hard courts available for use, we have good news to share.

The basketball court that was previously there has been removed to make way for two netball courts. These courts are provided through funding via Netball Victoria and the Darebin Council and Northcote High School has a joint use agreement with the Council so that we have exclusive use of the courts during school hours. The surrounding community will benefit from the improved amenity after hours and on weekends.

The underground infrastructure – electricity and storm water have caused some issues with the planning and construction of the courts, resulting in delays.

I have good news to share!

The construction of the courts will start on Wednesday 18 April and the projected time for completion is three months. Allowing for delays due to weather, I think we can realistically be taking advantage of the new facilities by August.

We thank everyone for their patience.

Looking forward

I fear my competitive side will be on show at the annual Friends of the Performing Arts Trivia Night on Friday 27 April. I hope you’re all gathering an eclectic group of trivia buffs together to join us in some spirited fun.

On April 30 we celebrate a highlight in the Northcote High School calendar with Open Morning. We are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the daily workings of our school. Whenever you walk through the doors of any school you immediately gain a sense of the climate, culture, the community. We encourage prospective families and current families alike to make the most of this opportunity here at Northcote on Open Morning; it is not often that you get the opportunity to see the school in action. You too, will confirm that Northcote High School is a vibrant and engaging place to learn.  

On Saturday 5 May we look forward to welcoming enthusiastic Grade 6 students who will be testing for the ACE Program in Year 7 2019.

The Writers TalkFest on Thursday 10 May features an incredible panel of authors: Helen Garner, Jock Serong, Sophie Laguna and Andy Griffiths, plus host (and NHS parent) Clare Wright. We are all looking forward to an evening of stimulating discussion. Book your tickets now - the TalkFest tends to sell out quickly.

Please see further details on these events later in the Newsletter.