From the Principals' Desk 

Welcome back to Term Two

Welcome back to all students ready for Term 2, which runs for nine weeks. I commend the students on how well they have settled into this school year and Term 2, particularly after the disjointed first week back. It has been a hectic start to the term; we encourage students to take all precautions to stay well this term. As Ms. Mackin mentioned, it is also important that if students are unwell, they take the time to recover properly before attending school. 

ANZAC Assembly

We began the term with a whole school assembly commemorating ANZAC Day and in honour of our defence forces. This year the assembly was held on Monday 24 April and included our honoured guest, Mr. Ray Heathcote (past President of the Berwick RSL and current RSL Welfare Team Leader). Our guest is a long-time friend of the school, and it was a great pleasure to once again be able to invite him to join us in person for this important service. 

The assembly was also made memorable by the Wind Symphony, who performed Cloud Dancing, composed by Richard L Saucedo and conducted by Sally Haworth. It was a very moving ceremony, and we commend the students for their participation in the ceremony. As is the tradition, it was a ceremony that allowed the school community to reflect on history. 

Athletics Carnival 

On Monday 1 May, the entire school travelled to Casey Fields for the annual Athletics Carnival. On a clear day under blue skies, the students dressed up, ran, jumped, threw things, and cheered for their House. The Student Representative Council and other clubs such as NEST, Formation, and Production organised fun activities such as a sausage sizzle and face painting. The activities were well received by all the students on the day.  There was much excitement because Garuda was the ultimate winner of the event, followed by Griffin, Phoenix, and finally, Pegasus. All participants competed to the very best of their ability and are commended for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship. The annual Staff vs Student relay was run, with the student the victors by a mile. We would like to Congratulation Ms. Coffa, supported by the PE team for a well-organised and fun day.

Year 9 Wellbeing Day 

These days are designed to help our students reflect on their mental health and wellbeing and improve their interactions and connections with their peers. This year's program was run by the organisations Mancave and Flourish Girl, and members of the Wellbeing team assisted them. The evidence-based workshops provide our students with critical emotional and social skills they need to thrive in our environment and improve their relationships within their communities. 

Students spent the day in their House groups exploring how to support others with empathy and elements of conflict resolution. They worked as a team to explore societal stereotypes and what defines a respectful relationship in a diverse community like ours. They were asked to consider the quality of their relationships and take responsibility for the impact their words and actions have on others. Year 9s were reminded again that the Wellbeing team at Nossal High School is always available to chat about anything. If they need some additional support, they could see their Tutorial teacher or Head of House, who will refer them to someone who can support them. 

SRC Assembly

Most recently, our Student Representative Council (strongly supported by Ms. Lucy Bonham this term in the absence of Ms. Ward) ran the first student-organised whole school assembly for the term on Monday 8 May. The students' many weeks of planning prior to the event was evident in their seamless presentation and excellent time management. They made excellent use of this valuable time with their peers and acted as incredible models of student leadership. On Thursday 11 May, members of the SRC will host a Q&A event in the theatre – open to everyone in Nossal.  

Select Entry Network: SRC Summit

The Nossal SRC attended a summit at Melbourne High School on Tuesday 9 May 2023. This summit provided an opportunity for the four selective entry high schools to collaborate, sharing perspectives, information, and new ideas on current topics. It’s also a chance to compare and learn from each others’ projects and different approaches. Members of the Nossal SRC will share their discoveries with our community via teams and the newsletter in the coming weeks.

PFA event - Celebrating Mother’s Day

Nossal PFA has organised a trivia event for Saturday 20 May, from 3pm - 5pm. This event will be held in the Jean Russell Centre. Bring some food and snacks to share with your team.

The MCs for the afternoon will be two Nossal students, and we will have the NHS DJs and performances from The Nossal Bollywood and K.Pop clubs. We encourage families to get behind this event.

Limited tickets are available to this free event at https://www.trybooking.com/CHHBJ

Winter Uniform

All students are expected to wear their full winter uniform this term. Posters of the uniform can be found in all the tutorial rooms and the NHS Student Handbook; for those who need further clarification, please check Student Handbook 2023 p15. https://www.nossalhs.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NHS-Uniform-Dress-code-and-expectations.pdf

Where students cannot wear the full winter uniform, as outlined in the uniform policy, they are to provide a note from home. Families are reminded that the second-hand uniform shop is open during the school term on the first Monday of the month. We also have some items of school uniforms that we can lend students for a short time. Students should speak to their tutorial teachers or Head of House for support.

2023 Student Attitudes to School Survey

We value student voice as a means to improving student engagement, wellbeing and quality instruction and are conducting a survey.

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education and Training to assist your child’s school to gain an understanding of students’ perceptions and experience of school. Students will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer and family relationships, resilience, bullying, mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. The school uses this information in a proactive way to make changes to school programs and structures.

This year, the AtoSS will be conducted during Nossal Time on Thursday 25 May. More detailed information was emailed to families earlier this week and can be read in the General News section of this newsletter.

Ms Fiona De Zylva

Assistant Principal