From the Principal Team
Dear Parent/Carer,
We hope this finds you and your family safe and well, and perhaps even buoyed by a growing sense of optimism over this past week or so. Hopefully you will have noticed that our days are getting lighter, longer and warmer. So too, as an increasing number of people across the state of Victoria are able to access their vaccinations, hopefully we are also nearing a reduction in stringent lockdown measures. On this topic, it is worth celebrating the exceptional rate of vaccination uptake across the Geelong region in particular, with nation-leading rates of efficiency and coverage.
Nonetheless, until we are able to officially resume full onsite operations, we will need to continue moving forward with a level of resilience and care, and we are incredibly grateful for the patience and perseverance which continues to be shown by so many members of our school community.
Scott McLeod, Acting Principal
James Murphy, Assistant Principal
Jeremy Sinclair, Acting Assistant Principal
Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences
Parent Teacher Student (PTS) Conferences are an opportunity for parents and teachers to build trust and a shared understanding of a student’s wellbeing and academic progress.
Reporting on academic progress may be taking a back seat in our current context, but the building of trust and relationships between students’ homes and school has never been more important.
To make our Semester 2 PTS conferences have the greatest value possible there are a few changes we are making.
- Thursday 16th of September from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.
- They will be run remotely using Google Meets and links to teachers’ meets will be shared in the lead up to the event.
- Please book meets on Compass. It isn’t possible to run unscheduled meetings in a remote setting.
- The focus of these PTS conferences will be wellbeing, working from home practises, and planning for how to re-engage positively when we return to onsite.
- For this reason, we’d like to encourage you to book an interview with just 1 teacher. Whilst you may choose to book more, we would be happy with 1 meet per student.
- Enjoy it. Teachers are in remote learning and lockdown too, and are looking forward to chatting with you!
COVID Vaccinations
Vaccination Blitz & Hotline Information
To help support the safe conduct of end-of-year exams, the Victorian Government has announced a vaccination blitz for final year students (all Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Units 3/4 students, final year Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
students), their teachers and exam supervisors and assessors.
From Tuesday 7 September and until Friday 17 September, final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors and assessors will have access to priority timeslots to attend their vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre.
Dedicated appointment booking hotline
The hotline number is 1800 434 144. The hotline will operate from 8am to 8pm.
- Year 12 students will be able to book from 8am Monday 6 September.
- Other Unit 3/4 students can book from 8am Wednesday 8 September.
Senior Years UPDATE
Year 12 Latest Update
Hi Year 12 students & parents/carers,
I know there is lots of information circling around and questions you may have in relation to the latest update regarding the extension of online learning, vaccine rollout for final year secondary students and more. We have updated information from the Department of Education in regards to VCE and VCAL students in the last 24 hours. This information has come from James Merlino, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education.
HERE IS A SUMMARY
- All students are doing an amazing job adapting to these strange & difficult times
- Thank you to all your support: parents, carers and families
- Vaccination Blitz: Sept 7-17
- Priority access of vaccines for all final year students, their teachers and VCE exam supervisors.
- There will be dedicated booking hotline (first and second doses) & priority time slots. Details to come out shortly. Bookings open Monday Sept 6.
- All Victorian Unit 3/4 students assessed through the Consideration of Educational Disadvantage and VCE scored adjusted as necessary
- Students need to complete the Student Statement to provide information on how the pandemic has impacted you. Newcomb Secondary College Students See: https://forms.gle/x294a1DhYrBWJ84M8
- VCAA will use a range of data in assessing VCE results. this will include information provided by the school, the GAT, external exams and expected levels of achievement
- VCAL students using Special Consideration processes. More details to come.
If you still have any questions, please send me an email on ebony.dedini@newcombsc.vic.edu.au
Stay safe and well
Ebony Dedini
Acting Senior Years Coordinator
Library Newsletter SPRING
WELCOME TO THE NEWCOMB SECONDARY COLLEGE LIBRARY SPRING NEWSLETTER
NEWCOMB SECONDARY COLLEGE MINECRAFT REPLICA COMPETITION
Calling all Minecraft and creatives. I would like to offer you the opportunity to take part in our inaugural NSC Minecraft replica competition.
You can complete the mission by yourself or with a group of friends (when you're not doing your school work!) Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to complete a Minecraft replica of our school.
Entries close on the 28th of October with a presentation of the finished products. Prizes and a lunch of your choice to be won.
See Minecraft school creation ABC BTN for an example and inspiration. Feel free to send me some photos in the meantime.
EBOOKS AND AUDIO BOOKS
Don't forget we have access to over 1500 eBooks and audio books via our cloud based Library system and Sora app. So get reading, it's a great way to relax. I can also purchase more titles, so if there is a book you would like to read online, just send me an email.
This is the link to browse your next read. Look for the eBook sign.
(Student access via google email)
https://newcombsc.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/home/browse/list
Soraapp.com or download to an Apple or Android device.
PREMIERS’ READING CHALLENGE
The Premiers' Reading challenge will finish on the 17th of September, so don't forget to add your books and go into the mix to win great prizes. The class who reads and records the most books will receive a special lunch. (Use your Clickview/Minecraft Username and password to log in.)
Congratulations to Rennie, Cooper and Felicity for successfully completing the challenge.
https://vprc.eduweb.vic.gov.au/home
CLICKVIEW HELP
Clickview is one of our online video resources. If you are having problems with access or using Clickview, just reach out via email or click on Ask the Library on the NSC Library website (via compass under Library).
RESEARCH
Do you need some help with researching a topic? We have a huge range of databases & reliable websites for you to visit. Please see this link Database. Why not check out the LearnPath guides and study guides while you are there.
JUST FOR FUN
Calling all Potter fans. Here’s a little something fun for you to play with family/friends https://youtu.be/D2dqWK5engQ
Take care, enjoy the sunshine and let me know if you need anything,
Mrs Adele McKiernan
NSC Librarian
Video Conferencing Expectations
Free Parent & Community Programs
Class 83 Gratitude Wall
Today Ms Hunts Year 8 English class created a gratitude wall - focusing on things they are grateful for. Even at the moment when a lot of things are out of our control, it’s important to focus on the positive things in your life - what would you add to the board??