From the Principal

Celebrations, Farewells and Northcote Thrive

We have had a fabulous lift off to the final term for 2017.  Our students have been shining in the classroom, on the stage and in the community - locally and globally. The French Immersion Study Tour has returned from a brilliant 4 week experience at the International High School in Nice. Following this visit, last week School Council signed off on a formal Sister School relationship. We will be partnering with Mackinnon Secondary College to provide authentic in-country French language and cultural learning through an annual reciprocal experience for Year 10 students. Thank you Pierrick Hubert and Audra Keane for making this a reality. In further internationalisation news, the Victorian Young Leaders to China have concluded week 1 of their 6 week adventures – more information inside.

The Senior Music annual farewell concert was brilliant: there was so much talent and joy in the room. Families, fellow students and teachers clapped and toe tapped their way through the solo, ensemble and stage band performances. Congratulations to all students, staff and families for providing an rich program and opportunities for passion to live and live well! The Junior Music Concert follows next month –please join us to see and hear excellence in music. 

Young People Shine

Last week the Meliora Sequamur Awards showcased young people who have found the better path – nominated by fellow students and teachers who speak about the students to family, friends and staff. This is a great event and there are always a few tears around the amazing ways young people support each other through living the school values - Achievement, Curiosity, Humanity and Fairness.   

Morphing was the final highlight of week 1 - see the report and photos in this edition and bravo to the cast, crew, director Freya Viney and producer and writer Harley Hefford.  The in-the-round set was created by the brilliant Barry Drinan with lighting by Lincoln Le fevre, all of course supported by students.  Congratulations.

Year 12 Farewells

The Year 12 Class of 2017 has had their final assembly, Celebration Breakfast and this Thursday is Graduation night at the Grand Hyatt. They are working hard and begin SWOT VAC this week.  They are a great group, who care for each other and have worked well individually and collectively to create the conditions for success in their classrooms and as study buddies, supportive friends and leaders of the school.  We wish them well for exams and look forward to a final farewell at the Formal in late November.  Thank you to our teachers for their guidance and hard work and families for being such supporters of NHS and their young people.  It takes a village to raise a child and that village encompasses Northcote High.

Northcote Thrive Fund – launching soon

Over the past 18 months a keen and skilful group of NHS parents have been rethinking how our families, ex-students and local businesses contribute to our school both financially and in kind. This group identified an opportunity to establish a Students in Need Fund.  Liza Grage-Perry (School Council Vice President) in partnership with Maddocks Lawyers, who contributed pro bono legal advice, applied to the tax office to establish this as a tax deductible entity.  We are delighted to announce Northcote High is the first school in Australia to be granted permission to establish such a fund by the ATO. Our community – families, ex students and local businesses/organisation can now donate to the Building, Library and Students In Need Fund (tax deductible) Funds along with an Innovation fund and of course can also contribute in kind.  I encourage you to read more about Northcote Thrive inside this newsletter and to continue to support new and innovative programs, services and facilities to benefit all of our students.

Enjoy this edition, and don't forget to keep an eye on Compass Newsfeed for event reminders and year-level specific information.

Kate