From the Principal

I hope everyone has had an opportunity to sleep in and relax over the long weekend.

So much has happened since we last published a newsletter.

The Music Camp to Lake Dewar Lodge was a chilly but roaring success, and we look forward to hearing the joyful sounds of their hard work at the up-coming concerts. Please make sure you have the dates in your diary – Wednesday and Thursday 19 and 20 June at the Clocktower in Moonee Ponds.

Over the last week we celebrated two major events, with the week-long celebration of languages. During lunchtime, throughout the week we had a variety of activities in all four of our languages, culminating with a visit from the Crepe and Souvlaki van on Friday. This was just another way we enrich our community’s global perspective.

Rainbow Day was also a wonderful celebration on Tuesday last week. The Rainbow Club led the celebrations which included decorating the school in technicolour brilliance, handing out rainbow ribbons, and fundraising for a local community agency that supports LGBTI youth. At lunchtime there was also face painting, the sale of rainbow donuts and students drawing a chalk mural. Well done to the Rainbow Club, under the supervision of Rachel Gramm.

Thank you to those who completed our community survey to help guide us name the new Performing Arts Centre. Overwhelmingly the majority have indicated a preference for an indigenous name. We are working with the Wurundjeri Land & Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation to identify an appropriate name. Due to some scheduling clashes, we have postponed the Community Opening of the PAC by one week, to June 25. We look forward to celebrating this occasion with student performances, community members, staff, parents and alumni.

Initial applications for Year 7 2020 have now been submitted. We have had very strong interest from families wishing to join our school and are currently working through the applications in accordance with the Department of Education guidelines. 

This week we have all 460 students who are studying a Unit 3 and 4 VCE subject sitting the General Achievement Test (GAT). It is vital that students do their best in this important exam. The senior team will be very busy ensuring that the test runs smoothly for our students.

Also, on Wednesday, we have the Year 7 Fun Day which will allow Connect groups to enjoy some time away from their classes, participating in fun activities ranging from laser tag, rock climbing to movies and a whole lot more. Thank you to Audra Keane, Harriette Barclay and Annie van Eeden, as well as all of the Connect Tutors for all of their work organising the various events. 

The Year 11s have a special examination timetable commencing on Thursday this week. We are expecting all students to make their best efforts to demonstrate their learning throughout the past semester. Year 11s are only expected at school during their exams. Year 10s will also have semester-based exams in many of their subjects. These will be held within their regular classes - they do not have a special examination timetable and are expected to attend as normal.

Preparations are well underway and moving into overdrive for the VCE Offshore Conference in Haikao, Hainan Island, China, which takes place in the first week of the holidays. Northcote High School will be represented by Nick Murphy, Adam Coxsell, David Macindoe, and Effie Sgardelis. Jocelyn Hill and Lixia Wang will also attend the conference for one day in amongst their reporting trip with international students’ families.