ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Mrs Julie Andrews, Mr Paul Dawson &

Mr Bradley Headlam

Assistant Principals

PATHWAY OPPORTUNITIES

In the lead up to the course selections in term three the Sub Schools, careers team and staff have begun to provide a variety of opportunities for students to experience. This includes excursions to Deakin, GTEC and Melbourne University. Feedback thus far has been fantastic. In addition to this the Sub School team in collaboration with the Careers Team will start liaising with students to begin the process in identifying their interests, capabilities and future pathway considerations. Part of the process will be to record their Career Action Plan on Compass. Once completed this will be available for students, staff and parents for subsequent years. It is important to highlight the efforts of all these staff and the additional lengths they go to support students in identifying with these programs and other specialised opportunities.

EXCURSIONS

Whilst there are a number of excursions going out this, and each term, we wish to remind students and parents to ensure that all documentation of permission is correctly completed and returned at least two days prior. This is to ensure that all appropriate arrangements can be made and finalised in a timely manner. Students returning forms late or on the day of the excursion may not be entitled to attend. 

Term 2 important dates:

A glance at the calendar for this term shows a full 10 weeks of opportunities for students:

  • Week 4 14/5 -16/5 NAPLAN testing (Year 7 and Year 9 students)
  • 10/6 Queen’s Birthday (public holiday)
  • 12/6 Unit 4 GAT
  • 14/6 Assessment and Reporting Day (student free)
  • 17/6 Semester 2 subjects begin

In addition to this there will be the continued publication of student Learning Tasks on Compass for student feedback and parent information. Here are some of the dates:

  • Progress Reports on 21/5
  • Exams in weeks 8 and 9
  • Semester Reports in last week of term

IMMUNISATION PROGRAM - Year 7 and Year 10

Year 7, May 9 - Barwon Health will be at NGSC for the first round of the Year 7 immunisation program. All Year 7 students being immunised on this day are to wear their PE Uniform as this makes the process of immunising easier for the nurses and the students. 

For the first time we have almost 100% of the consent forms collected. This is a great outcome as it makes for a smoother process on the day. 

Year 10 - the Year 10 consent forms for Meningococcal immunisation will be collected on Thursday, May 9. Please collect a consent form from the Main Office if you are yet to hand it in. The day for the Year 10 immunisation program is Tuesday, July 23 (Term 3). 

NAPLAN - 14, 15 and 16 May

All year 7 and 9 students will be sitting the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy, NAPLAN, during the days of the 14, 15 and 16 May. 

 

The testing program is as below:

Tuesday 14 May: Language conventions test (45 minutes) and Writing test (40 minutes)

Wednesday 15 May: Reading test (65 minutes)

Thursday 16 May: Numeracy test (65 minutes)

 

Students are to bring an HB pencil and eraser to all tests. They are to bring their calculator for part of the Numeracy test. 

 

Please contact the Year Level Coordinator (Mr. Storer - Year 7 and Mr. McDougall - Year 9) or Sub-school Managers (Mr. Quinn, Mr. Scoullar) if you wish to discuss the NAPLAN testing. 

 

If you know of a family who would benefit from an explanation about NAPLAN in their language please contact the school or visit, https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/prep10/naplan/parents/index.aspx

WINTER UNIFORM

Please note that the uniform policy regarding the winter skirt states that it is to be worn at knee length. This is to provide warmth in winter. A member of the student management team may contact parents/carers about skirts that are shorter than knee length. It is the parents/carers’ responsibility to remedy the situation by letting down the hem or purchasing a new skirt. This needs to happen in a timely manner. Any financial issues that impact your child wearing the correct uniform can be directed to the Student Wellbeing team at NGSC.

 

The school uniform includes a jacket or a blazer as the only outer garments to be worn with the school uniform in cooler weather. Other hoodies, jackets, cardigans and coats are not permitted. Students will be reminded to put them in their locker for the day. All classrooms are heated. Students may wear a solid coloured scarf in a school colour.   

End of Semester Exams are coming (so is winter)!

All students will be participating in various exams towards the end of this term. This is a great opportunity for students to extend themselves in maintaining their understanding of what they have learnt. In recent years it has been noticed that students have started study routines to prepare to revise weeks out from the exams. This is excellent however a regular routine of going over notes, key terms, revising or practising skills is going to reduce the need for last minute cramming. If your children are saying there is no homework (email the teacher -there probably is!); and remind them of the exams and that revision can be always be done.

ANZAC DAY at NGSC

Last Wednesday the school observed the ANZAC tradition. The students participated in the traditional Last Post observation accompanied by the two minute silence.  The Year 12 students read moving letters that were written by the diggers during ANZAC battle.  Many staff remarked on the incredible amount of respect shown by the staff and students and the silence in the gym. They also elaborated about the ANZAC values and how they translate into Australian life.

Bus and Traffic Safety

New signs and paint work can be seen in the NGSC bus bay. 

Parents/carers need to be aware of the restrictions to cars using the bus bay; No Vehicles between 8:00 - 8:40 am, and 2:45 – 3:30 pm. This is to allow all school buses the necessary room and access to park. Sometimes there are up to 5 buses requiring parking space in the bus bay.

Also, new bright yellow “Keep Clear” lines have been painted on the path to instruct students to keep a safe distance from the curb while buses are moving in and out of the bus bay. 

A further sign reminds all pedestrians about crossing Separation Street safely; use the appropriate crossings and follow the rules for crossing roads safely.