From the Acting Principal
There are now just 4 weeks remaining in the school year. The Year 12s have finished their exam period and we commend them on their resilience and efforts in their successful completion of their final year. I look forward to celebrating with them at their Graduation on the 6 December. VCE results are due to be released on the 16 December and we will share the results with our community as soon as possible after their publication.
As the school continues the search for our substantive principal, I am delighted to be working with everyone in Term 1 2022. With students now back at school I look forward to the opportunity to connect with our rich and vibrant community in the new year. The school’s Leadership Team have started to reflect on the goals from this year and are now planning for next year. There are some great things happening in the school that really need some covid-free time for them to become embedded in our teachers’ classroom practice. We are also looking forward to a return to creating opportunities in 2022 for our community to connect with each other.
Last Monday, I was invited to attend the Year 12 International Students Farewell. It was a much smaller group than in previous years, however the students were just as grateful for the work that the International Program Coordinators, their teachers and the Senior Subschool have done to support them. Thank you to the International Program team; Ms Hill, Ms Fiona and Ms Kim for the work that they do in supporting such a valuable school program.
Over the last fortnight we have seen the return of excursions and camps. It was great that the teachers in our City School program were able to organise our Year 9 groups to participate in the city experience. This week our Duke of Ed Team are taking out two groups for camps this week in Anglesea.
We held assemblies last week to remind students about our school wide expectations. Amongst items discussed was uniform. I attended the Year 8 assembly this week and it was great to see so many students in correct uniform. Thank you to our families for your support of our school policies. Please contact Sub-school if your family is having difficulties in accessing any of the required items in the uniform. For families that require support, they can access the school’s Thrive Empower Fund which our families generously donate to throughout the year.
Course Confirmation days for all of our year levels are taking place this week. I hope that the students are pleased with the selections that they have chosen. Our Sub-school Leaders, the Year Level Program Leaders and Connect Tutors will work with the students to understand their program for next year and clarify anything required. Parents will be able to participate by phone and we hope that soon there will not be as many restrictions on visitors onsite. The Year 9&10 Northcote Model offers students some excellent courses to study that cater to their individual interests and I hope that they are looking forward to the learning opportunities next year.
Our ensemble groups are now completing their final rehearsals for the concert tomorrow, and I very much look forward to listening to their performances. Students and staff were also able to enjoy excellent performances this lunchtime from our talented year 10 Music students, complete with a sausage sizzle. There was a great atmosphere around the PAC today!
Staff are currently organising events for Activities Week, that is held in the Final Week of School. Keep an eye out for the activities when they are posted on Compass. From being in lockdown just a few weeks ago, it is amazing that students will be able to be involved in some fun experiences with their friends to finish up the school year.
I look forward to meeting you in person at one of our community events very soon.
Chris Jones
Acting Principal