Welcome to 2018 and Sue Harrap

Ready to start

Welcome to the 2018 school year and to this early 'mini' edition of the newsletter. In this issue, you will find some reminders and information to help you start the school year, as well as further news and celebrations of our 2017 (and one '2016') alumni. Enjoy this holiday reading, and stay tuned for the first full edition on February 6. 

For Northcote High School 2018 will be a year of continued growth, renewal and some new beginnings. As we celebrate the achievements of 2017 we also welcome our Principal Sue Harrap, who formally commences her role on January 29.  The school has been a hive of activity throughout January. Sue, along with a number of other staff - teaching, administration, leadership and facilities - have been in and around, working to ensure a smooth start to the year.  Many more staff have been preparing and planning for their classes and other responsibilities at home, and we thank all staff for their dedication to the school and hard work to ensure our students' success. 

The year will commence for all teachers on January 29 with two days of professional learning, planning and collaboration. Then we look forward to once again having the vibrancy of students filling the corridors, classrooms and yard, ready to think, create, enquire and learn. 

A little about Sue 

Sue has been working closely with the leadership team throughout December and January, and we are looking forward to her officially 'taking the reins' very soon. In case you missed it in newsletter Edition 19, 2017, here is Sue's introduction to the school community:

I was initially attracted to Northcote because of the school’s strong reputation for innovation, inclusivity and internationalism, as well as complete alignment with your values of achievement, curiosity, humanity and fairness. When I toured the school I gained a great sense of a connected community, with strong relationships and an outward focus. I was inspired by the prospect of working in such an environment.

I bring to Northcote extensive experience of teaching and leadership in a range of educational environments, from the Kingdom of Swaziland (as you get to know me you’ll hear the stories!) to Monash University. I have spent ten years in secondary school principal-class roles, with a particular focus on curriculum, pedagogy and staff performance and development. In my current role as Assistant Principal at the select-entry Nossal High School, I have led the transformation of learning to focus on continuous progress rather than static performance. Under my leadership, the Nossal school community became an international award winner for the ubiquitous and powerful use of digital technologies to enhance learning and collaboration, and developed innovative curriculum that seeks to address the forces of globalisation and automation.

My vision for schooling includes a strong focus on knowing all learners through positive and active relationships. This enables teachers to understand where each student is in their learning and where they need to go to next, to ensure progress for all. I have extensive knowledge on the development of a Growth Mindset (Dweck) culture within schools and this informs my practice across all areas. I am a staunch advocate of public education, believing it to be a site of innovation and creativity, as well as an important component of a just society.

I look forward to your community becoming our community.

Sue Harrap