PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

OUR KEY DATES!

1 Dec Year 11 Orientation commences

2 Dec School Council End of Year Dinner

6 Dec Last day for Year 10

8 Dec Year 7 2015 Parent/Guardian Information Evening

9&10 Dec Grade 6 to Year 7 Orientation Days

10-18 Dec Years 7-9 End of Year Activities Program

15 Dec Awards Presentation Evening 7pm

GPAC

22 Jan Book Collection Day 9am - 4pm

28 Jan Teachers commence

(Pupil Free Day)

29 Jan First day for Year 7 & Year 12

30 Jan First day for Years 8, 9, 10 & 11

Nicholas Adamou - Principal

Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) 2014

Congratulations to the North Geelong SC HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) 2014 team of students, staff and parents for a hard working, yet fantastic year. The North Geelong SC HPV team for the 15th year participated in the RACV Energy Breakthrough, 4 day camp. Maryborough came alive with numerous schools across Victoria participating in this annual event. The team of students, staff, parents and friends consisted:

Storm - Tamara Tabb, Sonny Cook, Christian Bloom, Beth Cook, Thomas Grantham, Ben Shanahan, Vince Francois and Montana Williamson

Typhoon - Dylan Tabb, James Ervacinovic, Kai Mayer, Oliver Massey, Kaleb Ludlow, Jared Burrell, Bryce Lang and Grant Lang

Teachers- Mrs Sherryn Martin – HPV Coordinator, Mr Oliver Reeve, Mr Aaron Milsome and Ms Nicole King

Helpers/Parents/Friends – Mr Nick Martin, Ms Manda Ervacinovic, Ms Christiana Mayer and Ms Diane Lang – School Council President

Visiting Staff - Mr Paul Dawson and Mr Zach Alexakos

Our students represented the College to the highest level. They have shown strong leadership, sporting, team spirit and presentation skills. Mr Dawson – Assistant Principal was privileged to visit them on Friday 21 November, at the camp site in Maryborough, and watched them racing. He returned back to school full of praise and extremely proud of the team. Ms Diane Lang – School Council President, Mr Nigel Lang and Ms Mandy Wallis also visited our team on the weekend.

Congratulations to Ms Sherryn Martin – HPV Coordinator, who trained, organised and lead the HPV team throughout the year.

Storm and Typhoon Human Power Vehicles looked absolutely fantastic.

North Geelong SC Scholarship Program

The North Geelong SC scholarship program is in its second year and I am very proud to announce the overwhelming support by our wider school community. This year we had an excess of seventy scholarship applications from Grade six students, who competed for five scholarships. As I mentioned previously, this program is to promote outstanding commitment of Primary School students who have displayed a strong involvement in their College Community. The College looks for outstanding young people who are exceptional in different areas and possess personal qualities and values that will contribute to the life of North Geelong Secondary College.

North Geelong Secondary College Scholarship Program recognises the considerable achievements of children in our community and provides them with the opportunity to experience exciting curriculum opportunities through a broad range of engaging programs delivered by our dedicated teachers.

Each scholarship is of the value of $4500. The scholarship runs over a two year period covering a range of school requisites.

Scholarships are available in the following areas:

Academic Excellence

The Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to students with an exemplary academic record who have demonstrated outstanding application and achievement in one or more of English, Mathematics or Science, together with a strong performance in general studies.

Student Leadership

The Student Leadership Scholarship is available to students who have demonstrated leadership skills. The successful applicant(s) will have excellent communication skills, display initiative, and have a passion to motivate, delegate, guide and direct fellow students.

Community (Good Citizenship)

The Community (Good Citizenship) Scholarship is available to students who have made a significant demonstrable contribution to their community. The successful applicant(s) will display a strong social conscience as well as an outstanding work ethic and behaviour.

Sporting Excellence

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship is available to keen sports persons who have shown outstanding aptitude and personal achievement in one or many sporting field(s).

2015 Sporting Excellence Scholarship - Fleur Fynn (Teesdale Primary School)

Congratulations to Fleur Fynn, Grade 6 student from Teesdale Primary School who has been awarded one of the two Sporting Excellence scholarships beginning in Year 7 in 2015.

Congratulations also to Fleur’s parents, Primary school teacher and Primary school Principal for supporting her to achieve these very high results. Fleur received exceptional references from her teacher and Principal.

From L to R: Mr Mark Zahra (Transitions Pathways Leader, NGSC), Mr Tony Gove – Teesdale PS Principal, Fleur’s proud mum, Fleur Fynn – Scholarship Recipient and Mr Nick Adamou - NGSC Principal

Fleur loves sports – she enjoys running and dancing and looks up to the Australian Sportswoman of the year Sally Pearson. She admires Sally’s dedication. Fleur would make an excellent role model due to her supportive and inclusive nature and also her ability to encourage others and her positivity.

We are looking forward to having Fleur as part of the North Geelong Sporting Leadership team for the years to come.

2015 Community Scholarship – Mitchell Fraser (Ashby Primary School)

Congratulations to Mitchell Fraser, Grade 6 student from Ashby Primary School who has been awarded the Community scholarship beginning in Year 7 in 2015.

From L to R. Ms Jenny Omachen - Ashby PS Principal, Mitchell’s proud parents and siblings, Mitchell Fraser – Scholarship Recipient and Mr Nick Adamou - NGSC Principal

Congratulations also to Mitchell’s parents, Primary school teacher and Primary school Principal for supporting him to achieve these very high results. Mitchell received exceptional references from his teacher and Principal.

Mitchell is a confident student who has excellent public speaking skills and enjoys working with junior students and supporting them. Mitchell believes that Steve Irwin is an excellent role model because of his passion for the environment and his beliefs in equality.

We are looking forward to having Mitchell as part of the North Geelong Community Leadership team for the years to come.

The University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Young Scholars Program

Mary Salazar

We congratulate Year 10 student Mary Salazar who has become a part of the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.

Mary was chosen from an excess of 1900 students across the state and adjoining border regions, to participate in the program that will see her take part in events and activities to enhance her studies, inspire, and interact with the University of Melbourne community. Should she go on to enrol at The University, Mary will also be afforded additional program benefits.

Once again, on behalf of the North Geelong SC community, congratulations to Mary for her achievement. We wish her the very best over the next two years.

2015 Year 7 Parent/Guardian Information Evening

On Monday 8 December at 6:00pm the College will hold our 2015 Year 7 Parent/Guardian Information Evening, in the Language Centre (new building next to the gym).

Please ensure that your child is in attendance. During this evening there will be a presentation and parent opportunity for a discussion, questions & answers. Any parents unable to attend please call the school to make an alternative appointment time to receive the information.

Grade 6 to Year 7 Orientation Day, 9 and 10 December, 2014

On December 9, all new Year 7 students will be attending their secondary school for a whole day. This is part of their transition to secondary schooling and it is a state wide orientation day for public education. On this day our current Year 7 to 9 students will not be required at school. Some current Year 7 students will be attending by invitation to help out with our transition activities. I am looking forward to meeting all our new Year 7 students and their families.

North Geelong SC offers a 2 day Orientation program to our new Year 7 students. Therefore, the 2015 Year 7 students will be required to attend a second day of orientation on 10 December. All feeder Primary schools have been notified.

I take the opportunity to thank Mr Mark Zahra – Transitions/Pathways Leader, Ms Sarah Cullinan –Transitions/Pathways Assistant, Ms Laura Cox – 2015 Year 7 Coordinator for all their great work in organising and implementing the 2 day orientation program.

Year 7 to 9 End of the Year Activities Program

All Year 7 to 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in our activities program from December 10 to 18. A variety of exciting activities (external and school based) have been offered to our Year 7 to 9 students. Information and permission slips have been disseminated to students and final numbers per activity are due. All Year 7 to 9 students are expected to attend the activities program as this is part of our school program.

Thank you to Ms Sherryn Martin and Ms Fran Forsyth who have worked hard to put together a very enticing end of the year activities program.

Book Collection Day – Thursday 22 January 2015

Just a reminder to parents/guardians that book collection day is on Thursday 22 January 2014 from 9.00am to 4.00pm.

2015 Academic Year – Staggered Start

Just to inform parents/guardiansin advance that the 2015 academic year will commence with a student staggered start as follows.

Wednesday, 28 January – Teachers back at school (Student Free Day)

First day for all staff members. This day is a student free day. Teachers will have the opportunity to attend staff, curriculum and other various meetings, prepare for the arrival of the students and also have some planning time.

Thursday, 29 January: First day for all new Year 7 students and all 12 students.

Friday, 30 January: First day for all other students.

This is to ensure a very smooth transition for our new Year 7 students and a great start for our 12 students.

2014 Awards Presentation Evening at GPAC, 15 December 2014

The 2014 Awards Presentation evening is on Monday 15 December, beginning at 7.00pm at GPAC (Geelong Performing Arts Centre), 50 Little Malop Street, City of Geelong. On this day students will not be required at school during the day; however, they are all required to attend the Awards Presentation Evening with their family and friends. It is an evening where the whole College community comes together to celebrate this year’s achievements.

School reports will be distributed on this evening. The school magazine will also be distributed on this evening.

All students participating in performances and presentations will be required during the day at the venue for rehearsals. Detailed information will be distributed to parents closer to the day.

All students must attend and must be in full school uniform.

Looking forward to seeing all parents, students and friends of our College Community, attending our Awards Presentation Evening to celebrate together this year’s student achievements.

School Council Dinner, 2 December 2014

The final school council meeting for the year will be the School Council Dinner evening on 2 December, 6.30pm at The Telegraph Hotel. There will be a brief meeting before the dinner.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all council members for giving up their time during the year to attend council meetings and contribute to our school community. Your contribution to the life of the school this year has been very much appreciated.

Student Parties

It is that time of the year. Frequently we hear stories from around the state of students organising large “parties” or “formals” in a school’s name but where the function is not sanctioned or supported by the school. Invariably, a parent takes the responsibility for booking a venue.

Such functions are open to significant abuse especially in relation to drugs, violence and alcohol and, if this is the case, those involved leave themselves open to legal action. I wish to make it clear to all that the only College sanctioned activities that occur outside of the school by way of celebrations are the Year 12 Graduation Evening on Tuesday October 22 and the Awards Presentation Evening on Monday December 15.

As parents or Guardians, if you are faced with the dilemma of whether a function is a school function, please ensure you ring the College for clarification. Whether or not you allow your child to attend any such party or event is a matter for decision between you and your child, however, when discussing this, we suggest that you consider:

Transport arrangements to and from any “function, event, party or after party”. We are all aware of the potential risks associated with young people travelling with young drivers particularly after celebrating; and
What level of security is being provided at the venue? There have been numerous stories over the years of such events resulting in alcohol and drug use and in violence.

If at any time you become aware of any event purportedly being held in the school’s name, please contact the school immediately so that we can clarify the issue with parents and guardians.