ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS’ REPORT

Julie Andrews and Paul Dawson

Finishing the year

There are a number of programs and events that are a compulsory or necessary part of the end of the school year. Students have been involved in exams, finishing assessment tasks and final subject tests, all part of completing the academic year on a positive note. The compulsory swimming program for Years 7 and 8 students which has almost finished provided our students with the skills to be safe around the water and to promote healthy activity.  It is well timed given the summer holidays are fast approaching. The end of year reporting process is underway and teachers are working hard to complete semester reports and continue with the teaching program.

At NGSC we also have teams of teachers involved in the preparations for the grade 6 Orientation Program (9 and 10 December), after completing orientation programs for the 2015 Years 10, 11 and 12. The leadership of the school is very grateful to all staff members who have provided these opportunities for students to begin their 2015 classes in such a productive manner.

The End of Year activities program will be happening from 10-18 December offering a range of external and in-school activities. Sign-ups and payments are required this week to ensure that students are correctly allocated to their chosen activities. Some students will be required to attend the in-school activities. Thank you to Mrs Martin and Ms Forsyth for organising the program. I am sure that it will be a fun few days.

The final compulsory event for the year is the Awards Presentation Evening at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC) on 15 December at 7pm. All students must attend in full school uniform. Some students will receive academic, service, or sports awards, and some will receive special scholarships or awards provided by external organisations. Families are welcome to attend and a letter explaining the format of the evening will soon be available. Award recipients will be notified in the next two weeks by their relevant Year Level Coordinator and these students are expected to attend a rehearsal during the afternoon of the 15 December (from 3pm). The Final school reports for 2014 will also be available for collection after the Awards Presentation has finished. We hope to see you there.

Booklists

Parents and students are reminded that they need to have their booklists returned by 14 December.  Previous experience has shown us that booklists submitted late can result in books not being delivered until the end of first term.  This is caused by book suppliers not having the stock to meet late orders from all over the country.  Books do not have to be paid for until the picked from the school on Thursday 22 January.  

Exams

This week saw Year 7C, 8C, Year 9 and Year 10 students complete their exams.  Feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive in the way that the students conducted themselves.  It has shown that students understand the importance of these exams and will serve them well for their exams in their senior years.  Students are hopefully beginning to understand how to prepare for these exams and the importance of constantly revising during the year.

Year 11 Orientation Week

Next week is the beginning of the Orientation program for Year 11 2015.  This is a compulsory week and is the beginning of the full VCE and VCAL courses for these students. It is important that all students attend as they will begin their senior schools studies.   Students will be given holiday homework that will be expected to be completed over the break.  This work is not designed to consume their holidays but gives students an idea of what is expected next year and ensures they do not start the school year behind their peers.  

Learning Field

The Learningfield documentation will be distributed next week and it will explain the payment and registering process for all Year 7, 8 and 9 students.  This will be explained in further detail at the Year 7 Information Evening.  If any Year 8 and 9 parents require further information could they please contact either Paul Dawson or Katherine Roberts at the school.