From the Principal's desk

Principal Update

As we prepare to close the book on another year we take the time to celebrate all that we have achieved. Despite the interruptions that COVID has again caused to the way our school operates, there is much we should be proud of. Academically our students have been able to demonstrate such positive growth in their learning. This has been shown for all to see in the wonderful results students across Year 3 - Year 9 achieved in the 2021 NAPLAN tests, where on average our students were able to demonstrate a greater growth in their learning than the average for students across the state. This is a significant achievement and something as a school community we should all very proud of.

Throughout this year it has been so inspiring to see our school community pull together through what has been in many ways a more difficult year than last. The constant in and out of Remote Learning combined with the ongoing transmission of COVID through our community has drawn on us all to respond with resilience and kindness for each other. On behalf of all staff at the college we thank all families for rising to this challenge and working alongside the school to ensure our students are well supported and able to engage in their learning programs. This support and trust in the school is truly so appreciated.

We wish all members of the Northern Bay College school community a very restful break, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. We look forward with great anticipation to a very positive 2022.

Some Special Farewells

We bid farewell to three very special members of the NBC team this year. Karyn De Been from our Wexford Admin, Karen Rogers at our Hendy Admin and Sharon Paynter a teacher at our Goldsworthy Campus. All three of these remarkable women have played such a huge role in the history of our school and indeed in the history of education in our community for such a long time. They have all given so much in their work and we are so fortunate to have benefited from their commitment and care. Best wishes Karen, Karyn and Sharon for everything that is to come.

Graduation and Award Ceremonies

What a treat it has been this week to be part of the Year 8 Graduation Ceremonies. Each of our P - 8 Campuses have this week held ceremonies to celebrate this milestone with our Year 8 cohorts. A real highlight has been the ownership students have had with the ceremonies where the Campus leaders have MC’ed the events speaking confidence and pride of the experiences and memories they have gained. Each ceremony was so respectful and dignified, providing the students a really wonderful memory to mark this point in time in their education. These milestone moments are so important to the schooling journey and we thank sincerely the staff who were involved in the coordination and organisation of these events. 

The final event on the calendar is our Goldsworthy Awards and Year 12 Graduation. This event was held on Wednesday and recognises students who have gone above and beyond in their studies. During this ceremony we are able to also formally acknowledge and farewell our Class of 2021 who graduate this year from VCE and VCAL courses. This is always a very special occasion and we continue to be so proud of this graduating class.

We thank all staff who have played a part in organising these special events. We have been so well supported by our IT Team who have streamed these events to our families. 

We look forward to these events being live in 2022!

Upstart Challenge Program

Clearly the best thing about working in any school is the opportunity to be inspired by our students. At Northern Bay this element of our work is magnified ten-fold. At times though the rigors and busyness of the school year can detract our thoughts from this motivating aspect of our work. 

Earlier this Term Erin Prendergast (Goldsworthy Campus Principal) and I were reminded of this when we attended the final presentations in an Upstart program a group of our EAL students have participated in throughout the year. The program, which is coordinated by Nestor Estampa from CatholicCare and the Upstart Challenge team, aims to develop skills in students that allow them to present content with confidence and conviction. 

What was to follow was without doubt the most moving and inspiring 60 minutes all year. The students shared their stories outlining their journey to Australia. The students spoke with such candour of their experiences and showed throughout so much gratitude for such little wins along the way. To say these presentations provided a much-needed perspective check is the understatement of the century. 

This experience again demonstrates the rich privilege we have to work with young people who can so often remind us of firstly why we are in these roles and secondly of how important it is to practice gratitude and be the absolute best we can be in the circumstances we are faced with. 

Prep - 2 Video launch

We invite our college community to view our P-2 video to see the cutest (slightly biased) kids in Geelong and the amazing learning opportunities that are afforded to the foundation students here at NBC.

One of the most pertinent learnings from our response to COVID-19 has been the commitment to our relentless focus on our “One College One team” ethos and the willingness of all staff to work collaboratively to support our students in a unified way. We have much to be proud of and to share with our community and stakeholders however we are challenged by current restrictions. 

With this in mind, we decided to further embrace the digital world and create videos that showcase NBC to the greater community. We have started this work with our foundation students and in 2022 our aim is to develop videos across all stages of learning and in specialised areas. 

2021 Northern Bay College Art Design and Technology Showcase

More than ever, we need students of today to dream, to feel the liberating effects of limitlessness and to unleash their creativity. At our school, these traits are never more prominent than in our Art, Design and Technology programs. And now we as a community have the opportunity to lose ourselves in an expression of creativity and imagination.

The 2021 edition of the Northern Bay College Art, Design and Technology Virtual Showcase again highlights the outstanding talents of students across our school. Throughout this exhibition we are all privileged to be welcomed into the dreams of our students as they share with us the results of their hard-work and skill.

Please take your time to explore the work on offer throughout this exhibition. I am sure that you will leave with a sense that our future is in great hands!

‘I dream my painting then I paint my dream.’ Vincent Van Gogh

AIP 2022

As we all lunge for the line that is the end of the school year, already we look forward to all that lies ahead in 2022. With this in mind work has been completed to pull together the main themes for our 2022 AIP. This will be the final instalment of our current Strategic Plan Period and will lead us into our ‘Review’ year. The main themes of our work for 2022 will really be of no surprise as we continue to explore the opportunities that exist within our ‘One School - One Team’ ethos; further refine our consistent practice in the ever important areas of Reading, Writing and Numeracy; continue to invest in capacity building of all staff and unlock the potential of effective Student Agency, Voice and Leadership. 

We are in a most positive position to finish this current Strategic Plan period with a flourish - a true credit to work of all at NBC through these past two years.

Regards,

Scott Diamond

College Principal