From the Principal

Events, opportunities, connections

A series of events and opportunities for community to be part of school life has been a feature of Term Two. Open Morning was a highlight with Student Ambassadors leading the way along with the Year 12 Captains Leah Nassis and Tom Paizes plus Year 7s Lucy Johnstone and Victor Cheung.  All were a highlight at the three presentation sessions along with School Council members Martin Hughes and Liza Grage- Perry.

In this issue, you will find important information about upcoming events and community happenings.  This week features a Community Conversation: Learning, Learners and School, which is of particular interest to Yr 7 – 9 families.  At the workshop we will consider the learning, learning programs, teaching and the future of work.  We will also speak to The Northcote Model (learning program), which begins in 2018 for Year 9 – 10.  Please book on Trybooking - see article in this eNews for details. Also this week The Yr 10 Maths information Evening provides a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Maths options available plus partnering in education decisions and steps beyond school. 

Over the past week the many and varied faces of our school lived with energy and enthusiasm from Melbourne to Mt Gambier. In this issue you will see hear and see students being active in their worlds. From playing sport to performing at Generations of Jazz our students shone and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.  Read on to hear about the joys of being part of something.

Community making lived through Writing Freedom: another exemplar of our school's outward face.  250 parents, students (current and past), bookclubs and fans of Maxine Beneba Clarke, Clementine Ford, Jeff Sparrow, Adbi Aden and Clare Wright filled Olver Hall. Congratulations to our wonderful students who introduced the writers; Paul Gilby, English Faculty Leader; and organiser and mediator (+ NHS parent) Clare Wright, who generously assembled the excellent panel of writers. 

Last week over 700 people joined us to partner in education and fun, from Music Quiz night to Writing Freedom, a brilliant Safe minds Forum, fun filled International Students Family Homestay workshop and interesting Year 8 Parent Resilience Forum.  Participation is key to the education partnership – thank you for voting in!

NAPLAN is a feature of this week for year 7 and 9.  As one of only a few national external measures of student and school performance we are committed to young people demonstrating what they can do and in so doing, being their best. The testing will take place across the week. 

The Year 12 class of 2017 are focused and enjoying the challenges of year 12 and juggling many priorities.  They are approximately 40% through their final year, and are working toward the Winter Solstice event that marks half way! Teachers and students across the school are committed to a very busy period of learning and assessment with the exam period just weeks away. 

In the next edition will be featuring an update on Facilities Projects – see the attached update for a snap shot of progress.  The Art Hub and Design Hub will be opening at the end of May.

Enjoy this edition, and don't forget to keep an eye on Compass Newsfeed for event reminders and year-level specific information.