From the Principals' Desk 

World Council for Gifted and Talent Children Biennial International Conference – Sydney 2017

The WCGTC holds a biennial international conference and Nossal High School has been represented at a number of these. Being in Sydney this year we managed to send six Nossalonians, and we presented 4 papers at the conference. Ms Harrap presented on Growth Mindsets; Ms Mackin on Online Learning Environments and I presented a group session with MacRob, Box Hill High, Monash University and The Gatton Academy from the USA on the differences in approach to Gifted Education.  In addition, Abel Muller (School Captain) and Thomas Velican (Class of 2016) presented a session on student voice and leadership. Nossal was very well represented and we received excellent feedback from many participants. It was wonderful to see the way that Abel and Thomas participated in particular – their presentation was one of the “better” ones and many of the international participants who met them were surprised to discover that they were “so young.” (they were the only students doing a solo presentation, and attending the conference as participants). About 500 leading academics, educators and policy makers from all over the world were at the conference which took place from Thursday afternoon until Sunday afternoon at the University of New South Wales. We all attended a variety of different sessions with experts, schools and academics and came away with many new ideas, and for me, significant affirmation of the excellent work we are doing here in Victoria and at Nossal in particular. It was nice to reflect on what we have achieved and the way we do things in relation to other systems and models of best practice, and in most cases one of the big points of difference was that many of the things the “experts” were suggesting should be done to better address the needs of high performing students have already been implemented and are embedded practice at Nossal.

I was very interested in the opening keynote address on Thursday evening where the NSW Education Minister outlined their strong commitment to expanding their network of selective schools (currently 19 fully selective High Schools and 29 partially selective; and 76 primary schools with designated selective classes; and the Aurora Online Selective High School serving the rural areas) as they were concerned that many students were not able to gain a place at such schools and there was a big demand for them. This appears to have been a bi-partisan approach that is strongly supported by the state politicians and parties, and he was making some very positive statements about the value in providing specialist schools to better cater for high performing students. Quite a contrast to the approach taken in Victoria.

This is the second time Nossal students have been presenters on the world gifted stage – Dr Meath and I took two Year 10 students (Jun and Elsie) to Prague in the Czech Republic in 2011 where they spoke about the programs at Nossal. The next WCGTC Conference will take place in Kentucky USA in 2019.

Berwick Health and Education Precinct – Site Development Plan

The Victorian Planning Authority have responded to the concerns submitted by Nossal and have (pleasingly) made some significant changes to the site plans to address the issues we raised. As a result of this there have been changes made to the proposed roads to improve student access and safety; the industrial estate that was to have been built adjacent to the oval will now become low rise commercial buildings; a bus bay and parent drop off zone will be added to the rear of the school; and Clyde Road access will be improved. We will still be surrounded by lots of commercial buildings, housing and some shops, and will have to endure a long period of building and development right around the school that may begin as early as mid to late 2018.

One of the big issues identified, but beyond the scope of the VPA, is the inadequacy of the Berwick Railway station which is not coping with the volume of use now. Unfortunately there are no plans to redevelop the station, although there will be a grade separation at the Clyde Road crossing (overpass or underpass – yet to be finalised). As we have regularly identified the station as a risk (due to the need to cross active train tracks that carry express and goods trains as well as the passenger trains) and as it is well under capacity for the number of passengers it currently serves, the addition of tens of thousands more workers and residents to the immediate area is of great concern. Due to the curve in the tracks any redevelopment work is likely to be challenging and very expensive. Nossal (and other members of the community) may have to embark on a political lobbying process with parliamentarians and the government to ensure that there is a plan and commitment to address this in concert with the site development.

Rotary Raffle

A big thank you to those students and families who have sold and purchased tickets this year. The raffle finished this week but I am rather disappointed with the number of books that have been returned with none sold. 

At this stage, it appears that we have sold about three quarters of the number we did last year and have collected just over $12,000 (last year it was $15,000).

I had hoped not to have to return many unsold books. (It is a wasted opportunity for us - and for another charity who could have been selling them).

Remember - every dollar we raise goes straight to Nossal students - so this is of great benefit to us all through groups and projects such as the SRC; the oval; Music program; Clubs and societies.

The final House Totals are...

Garuda     $3616

Phoenix    $3444

Pegasus    $2778

Griffin       $2724

Write a Book in a Day Charity Dinner Dance - CANCELLED

Unfortunately, the number of people registering for this event has been somewhat less than anticipated, and rather than compromise the quality of the event we have reluctantly decided to cancel it. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and sincerely thank Ms Reddy in particular for her tireless efforts to organise this initiative. I am confident that we can generate enough funding from other sources and donations to cover the student entry fee for this very worthwhile program, and if people wished to donate some funds to support the charity we would be most grateful and will ensure that any additional funds raised are added to what has been raised on behalf of the school for the “Kid’s Cancer Project.” Sincere thanks to those who have been offered the refund and who have donated it to the charity instead.

The school office will organise refunds for all who have purchased tickets.

New Staff & Staff Changes

We welcome Mr Arun Patterson (Violin) and Mr Nick McCluster (Woodwind) to our music team; Ms. Sue Bester takes up the Careers Coordinator Role for three days per week this semester; Mr James Mustafa and Ms Nancy Waddington have taken on the leadership and teaching of the music program (following the departure of Ms Helen Metcalfe); and Mr Mark Tatton joins the Humanities team (replacing Ms Amber Echols).  We welcome back Ms Ansalde from Family Leave and thank Mr Rian Labrooy for so capably filling in as the Acting Director of Wellbeing during her absence.

Welcome to Sadie Evelyn Echols

Sadie was born July 6 at 12:03pm at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, a daughter to Amber and Tyler Echols who are shortly to relocate to South Korea. My sincere thanks to them for the excellent contribution they made to Nossal as teachers and in recent times for Tyler as a volunteer student counsellor – they will be greatly missed and I wish them well for the next stage of their lives with a new baby and a new country.

South East Feast

Please remember to keep Saturday September 16 free to attend the inaugural South-East Feast (Multicultural food and wine community festival at Nossal from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm)

On that day, I hope to see all Nossal families and friends and relatives in attendance, and we will also require numbers of parents and students to assist on the day. We will be showcasing Nossal students throughout the event, but also raising funds for the school and for the local Rotary Charity – Youth Mental Health First Aid.

We are still seeking sponsors; appropriate vendors (esp. cultural and gourmet foods); entertainers (cultural music and performance groups); and demonstrators/classes/displays (i.e. dance, martial arts, folk and cultural crafts and arts)

This is a great chance to showcase your community group and enjoy a great day out. Please contact Roger Page or Keith Butler at the school if you can assist, or to refer us to someone who you think may be interested in participating.

Parent Attitudes to School Survey

Each year the Education Department asks schools to administer an anonymous common survey to a random selection of parents. The data collected is aggregated by DET and returned to the schools as a report that tells us what our parents feel about the school, and how that compares to other schools in the state. This is very useful information for us and helps us to improve and address any areas of concern, and affirms the good things we do. In the past, you may have received a paper copy where you had to colour in some circles to respond to a series of statements, then return the survey sheets to the school so we could send them off to DET for collation.

This year they are implementing a new survey process and a whole new survey which will be conducted online. Early in August you may be sent a link to complete the online survey as one of the lucky parents who have been randomly selected. Please make every effort to complete the survey – it is obviously much more effective if more people respond and we really do want to know what concerns and/or pleases you.

Congratulations to….

• Cree Oliveira-Blacket – who was runner's up in the State Final of the Plain English Speaking Awards at the Treasury Theatre on July 26.

• Shishir Kulkarni – who has been selected to be in the Australian U15 Indoor Cricket Squad.

Roger Page

Principal