From the Principal

Semester 2 begins

This week is the first of Semester 2. Many students are excited to begin new semester courses, other changes may include teachers and learning spaces. Timetables and key information is available on Compass and myNorthcoteHigh. 

The Learning Partnership

There is a body of contemporary research highlighting the links between student success and the importance of an effective home / school partnership.  Below is a link to one of many articles https://www.aracy.org.au/blog/making-the-case-for-home-school-partnership

The beginning of a new semester is a good milestone to spend some time with your child reflecting on Semester 1 learning successes and goals for Semester 2.  In Connect classes, students will be working with their Tutor reflecting on 2017 effort and learning to date and setting goals for future learning.  A positive starting point in your discussions is reviewing feedback from teachers in the form of comments and rubric assessments, reflecting on your child’s strengths and achievements by subject and also considering Learning Behaviours (GPAs), attendance and organisation, including punctuality.

A self-assessment by the student is also a great starting point – consider areas of strength and interest, subject highlights including knowledge and skills.  Highlight where there are successes to celebrate along with identifying learning challenges and areas for effort and goals.  For instructions and tips on accessing myNorthcoteHigh, see the article 'Reporting and Feedback'  in this newsletter.

In this newsletter we again celebrate the rich tapestry of life that is Northcote High School: young people involved at school and in the community.  Acknowledging and celebrating your child’s involvement supports their success. Involvement beyond the classroom is also critical to young people’s health and wellbeing, along with building skills in collaboration, communication and creativity and critical thinking.  Congratulations to all our young people contributing to the Northcote High School community and beyond.

GAT Day a success

Last week more than 60% of the Senior School, 440 students enrolled in one or more Unit 3 / 4 VCE studies, sat the General Achievement Test (GAT).  The GAT marks the midway point of the year for the Year 12 cohort. The GAT is an important part of the assessment process.  At the conclusion of the VCE, the school, and individual GAT results are used as part of the statistical moderation process by VCAA. 

This year our students had the opportunity to participate in a pre-GAT familiarisation program conducted by ConnectEd.  Feedback was very positive, highlighting how to approach the various elements of the GAT and why it is important to perform at your best.   Thank you to the GAT organisational team led by Shane Gemmola, supervisors and the team who assisted with the planning and coordination.

On GAT Day our Year 7s enjoyed a Fun Day Out and later in the week, the Drama Festival.  Staff have been working hard providing feedback on final assessments, wrapping up Semester 1 learning and setting up for the launch of Semester 2.  

Welcome new staff

A number of new staff will be welcomed to Northcote High across the next month.  See the article in this newsletter for a snapshot of new, returning and (temporarily) departing teachers.  In our Education Support Team we also welcome some new arrivals: Justine Sayers to the Library team; Vicky Cai to the Finance Team; and Xanthe Gunner who joins the Business Administration Team as a Trainee. Xanthe graduated from NHS in 2014.

Internationalisation

VCE Offshore planning and preparations continue. Today Nick Murphy and Kun Qian returned from 5 days in China working with our partner schools – teachers, students and families. Hengshui No. 1 High School and Baotou Foreign Language School are both working toward establishing their first VCE Program Groups for launch in September 2017.  In partnership with teachers from Firbank Grammar, Thomas Carr College and RMIT, eight Northcote High School staff will be working in Nanjing with the schools and their teachers during the school holidays.  This will be followed by a 3 week induction Program for VCE teachers from China in Term 3. Thank you to Nick Murphy for his stewardship of this program.  In other highlights, six French students landed last week for 4 weeks in at Northcote High School. They will experience homestay with families (thank you) and activities coordinated by Pierrick Hubert and the French Faculty – bravo!  Next week eight Science students head to Fiji for Project Wallacea supporting marine science research.  Thank you to Megan Rolls for leading the way with this project. Over the holidays French students are also travelling to Noumea for language immersion and sunshine! Thank you Audra and Pierrick.

More great facilities news

The Performance Hub Project is on track for tender in August, with A block slated for demolition during the September holidays.  A feature of the planning process has been a strong collaboration between the architects and the school including the Performance Faculty team and Senior Years team. The StadiumThe School is undertaking a feasibility study / business case to support funding applications and partnership with clubs to ensure there is a strong narrative and identified need for an indoor facility (2 courts).  We are working with @Leisure who have a wealth of experience in supporting organisations to ensure they have the key information to seek funding.  Tomorrow, I am meeting with representatives from the Victorian School Building Authority, following meetings with Department of Education (North Western Region), David Feeney (Member for Batman) and Fiona Richardson (member for Northcote).  Beginning Term 3 schematic drawings will be available for review.

Gonski 2.0: your questions answered

A number of families have approached me confused about Gonski 2.0.   The 2.0 plan is still making its way through the Parliament and is therefore not yet a ‘done deal’.  This article does a great job explaining the complexities of the debate. http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/gonski-20-your-school-funding-questions-answered-20170608-gwn446.html

Events, Opportunities, Connections

As you will see in this newsletter, there is plenty to draw you into over school community over the next two weeks.  Music Concerts lead the way, along with year 7 study skills and parent education on sexuality, social media and pornography.

I also encourage you to join us for the brilliant Freedom Stories documentary (as featured at Sundance Film Festival and at Cinema Nova) this Wednesday evening: donations support the ARSC.

FINALLY – HOLD the date …. Northcote Comedy is back 07 September 2017!

The Northcote vibe lives through the myriad of opportunities to ‘get involved’ at our school – see you soon.