Newcomb Secondary College Newsletter

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TUESDAY 28th July 2015 ISSUE: 22

Coming Events

Wednesday, 29th July Whole School Hero Workshop Presentation. Outdoor Ed Excursion—The Rock. Thursday, 30th July Arts Expo, Language Centre. Girls Go Extreme, P3 & 4. HOL Horsemanship. Friday, 31st July Tertiary Information Session, All Day, Yr 12 VCE Students - Deakin (1pm—3pm). GROW at Gordon. Monday, 3rd August Year 8 Hockey Girls. Music Festival Week: GPAC. Defence Force Recruiting Information Seminar, Lunchtime in the Learning Resource Centre. Tuesday, 4th August Music Festival Week: GPAC. Year 10 Gordon Presentation, Period 1. Year 11/12 REACH Workshop. Wednesday, 5th August Year 8 Boys Hockey. Music Festival Week: GPAC. Pathway Planning Evening 9 to 10 and 10 to 11. Year 10 Leadership: Sailing School. Thursday, 6th August Music Festival Week: GPAC. Girls Go Extreme, P2, 3 and 4. HOL Horsemanship. Year 10 Leadership—Sailing School.

Years 7 to 11 Student, Parent and Teacher Conferences These conferences will be taking place in the Language Centre in Week 5 of this term on Thursday, 13th August. Students are to talk with their parents regarding suitable times and then schedule the conferences with their class teachers, through the school organiser. This is on page 15 in the Middle Years Organiser and page 23 in the Senior Years Organiser. Interviews will be from 4pm to 7pm.

Newcomb Secondary College Phone APP If you are yet to do so, please take a moment to download the Newcomb Secondary College Phone App (available at your App store). The App is available for a range of platforms including iPhone, Android and iPad. It is proving to be a vital communication link between school and home and is useful for accessing information as well as the notifications and reminders sent from the school to community members. Please also encourage your children to download the Phone App if they are yet to do so.

Year 12 Conferences It was terrific to see so many of our Year 12 students and their parents/guardians attending the conferences held last Thursday evening – thank you to all for participating. We have an important couple of months ahead as students prepare for their final assessments and begin to make major pathway decisions for life outside of secondary school. If you were unable to attend the event, please feel free to contact the school for feedback from your young person’s teachers about their progress to date and goals for Semester 2. Student Parent Teacher Conferences for all other year levels are scheduled for Thursday, 13th August. Also, just a reminder that the Year 12 VCE students are participating in a Tertiary Information Session this Friday, 31st July during Periods 5 and 6. This free event is being hosted by Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus, and will be attended by tertiary service providers from around the country – this will be an invaluable chance for our students to get feedback and advice around their aspirations for 2016 and beyond.

College Council: Student Leaders: Student Leaders: President: Yvette Ramsay Mitchell Allen Toby France

Vice President: Vidas Kymantas Amanda Clydesdale Bailee Jones

Exec. Officer: Phil Honeywell

81-85 Bellarine Highway Newcomb VIC 3219 Phone: 03 5248 1400 Fax: 03 5248 3523

Email: newcomb.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.newcombsc.vic.edu.au SMS student absences: 0416 907 351

Music Department News

Senior Concert Band Tour Deposits for the Senior Concert Band Tour that will be held the week commencing 24th August in the Daylesford, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Ballarat areas are now well overdue. Final payments are due by NO LATER THAN MONDAY 10th AUGUST. If you have any concerns regarding your school fees and payment for this trip please contact Mrs Kris Hunter, Business Manager as soon as possible.

Junior Music Camp Deposits for the Junior Music Camp are due by no later than Wednesday, 29th July. The Junior Music Camp costs $145 and will be held in Daylesford from 16th to 18th September, last week of Term 3. If you have any concerns regarding your school fees and payment for this trip please contact Mrs Kris Hunter, Business Manager as soon as possible. If you have any concerns or queries regarding the Senior Concert Band Tour or Junior Music Camp please contact me by email – stabryla.cheryl.a@edumail.vic.gov.au

Music Department Calendar of Events Band Rehearsals and Performances Senior Concert Band – nearly every Thursday on a rotating timetable through single periods. Cold Fusion and Blues’n Jazz rehearse at a lunchtime. Intermediate Concert Band – Year 8/9 – rotating timetable Junior Concert Band – Year 7 – 72 one week and 71/72 combined the other week. Hence every second week per class for

Term 3. All students in 73 are learning an instrument. Week 3 – 27th July – 31st July Monday – Period 3 – 73 Band. Monday Period 4 - Intermediate Concert Band. Thursday Period 2 – Senior Concert Band. Period 3 – 6 – Arts Expo at School – this will involve Blues’n Jazz, Cold Fusion and

VCE music students. Week 4 - 4th to 8th August Monday Period 6 – Intermediate Concert Band. Tuesday Period 2 – Senior Concert Band. Thursday Period 3 to 6 – Music Festival at GPAC involving all Senior Concert Band/Cold Fusion members. Friday Period 3 – 71/72 Band.

Cheryl Stabryla Music Co-ordinator

Parent Opinion Survey Forty lucky families were randomly selected to participate in this year’s Parent Opinion Survey. We ask that you take the time to complete the survey as your opinions are important to us and will be reflected in the management and organisation of Newcomb Secondary College. The use of opinion data as a measure of school performance is a very important step towards making our school the best it can possibly be. Like previous years we have conducted annual and anonymous opinion surveys for staff, students and parents. We use this information to inform and direct our plans for school improvement. Please be assured that your responses are totally confidential. Please return the envelope to the general office by Thursday, 6th August. Thank you in anticipation.

At the Sad Loss of Jake It is with sadness that we communicate to you about the passing of former student Jake Bailey Van Den Broek who tragically died on Friday, 17th July. Our thoughts and heart felt sympathy are with the student’s family and friends. Jake was farewelled at a funeral yesterday.

In these times students may require support. Our Student Wellbeing Team together with the Education Department’s Psychologists and Social Workers are available. Please do not hesitate to contact school if you feel you or your child needs professional support.

Other support: Headspace call 1800 650 890 offers online and telephone mental health support. Webchat and telephone support is available from 9am to 1am, www.eheadspace.org.au Kids Help Line call 1800 55 1800 for a 24 hour telephone and online counselling service for young people from 5-25 years of age. We will endeavour to maintain school procedures as normally as possible and students should still be in attendance.

Mr Phil Honeywell, Principal Mr Shane Elevato, Assistant Principal

Mrs Liz McNamara, Assistant Principal

Newcomb Badminton Closest to Being Geelong Champs ‘In Years’

On Monday, 20th July 2015 the Girls Intermediate Badminton team came the closest to being the Geelong winners in years. The Year 10 team consisted of first ranked pair Miki N. (Japanese exchange student) and Ebonie, second ranked Brodie and Samantha, third ranked Keely and Elizabeth with emergency Chloe. The team performed the best “in years” according to Newcomb Secondary College Girls Sports Co-ordinator. The girls had a 20 minute lunch practice the previous Friday and took on North Geelong Secondary College and each pair won easily in a ‘clean sweep’. We then played Matthew Flinders Secondary College. Matthew Flinders did to us what we had done to North Geelong Secondary College. However Miki showed that if there were singles in badminton she would have beaten most likely every girl – Miki is great at badminton. And like, with her team always played with superb attitude, effusive sportsmanship and good fun. In badminton the shuttlecock frequently ends up on your side but the girls all returned it to the other side with good humour – great to see and always accepted the other girls’ calls if it was on the line or not. The top pairing matches were a sporting feast – well contested and enjoyable, long rallies to watch. After this we thought we would go into the semi-finals and the girls took it upon themselves to be the first Badminton team from Newcomb Secondary College determined to win the finals. So during the next teams games they practised. After that we had lunch and a come back for the semi-finals. We took on Oberon (who won the boys event). The girls did it again a ‘clean sweep’. So we made the Geelong Grand Final. But to the girl’s dismay it was against Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College. Matthew Flinders didn’t have it all their way. Newcomb Secondary College won games and it was close in the scores in across the team but on aggregate Matthew Flinders Girls won.

I would like to thank the girls for their outstanding good manners, great teamwork and encouragement of each other and behaviour in the cold stadium. Plus thanks to the office staff, especially Ebony and our great Sports Co-ordinator Mrs Dyer for her untiring work.

Paul Kellett

DET Data Collection Form A reminder to parents to please return the Parent Occupation Form to the General Office by

tomorrow.

Careers News Course Counselling for Years 9 & 10 Students On Monday, 10th August and Tuesday, 11th August there will be Course Counselling to assist Year 9 and 10 students to select their subjects for the following year. Shortly you will receive a scheduled interview time to select the course for your young person for 2016. It is imperative that you attend this interview so that a course is entered for the following year.

There will be no classes for Years 9 and 10 on these days. Students are required to attend the scheduled interview time with their parent or guardian.

Pathway Planning Evening: Wednesday, 5th August If you have a son/daughter in Year 9 to 10 or Year 10 to 11 an information session is being held on Wednesday, 5th August in the School Library. Information Sessions include: VTAC and SEAS Application Process Year 9 into 10 Course Selection Process Year 10 into 11 (VCE or VCAL) Course Selection Process

The evening is designed to inform you about the course selection or university application process and how to go about assisting your young person with this planning. We are hoping many parents and students in these year levels are able to attend, as this will make the process easier to understand. Tertiary Information Session/VTAC and SEAS Information Night This Friday all Year 12 VCE students will be attending a Tertiary Information Session. Representatives from each of Victoria's universities, TAFEs and several independent colleges will be present to provide information sessions for Year 12 students working to finalise their post-secondary study options.

To follow up this session there will be a parent VTAC and SEAS Application Information night on Wednesday, 5th August. This night will provide parents with the knowledge and understanding to assist your student with their post-secondary applications. 2016 Pathway Planning Handbooks The 2016 Year 9 and 10 Student Handbook and the 2016 Senior Years Handbook are now available on the Newcomb Secondary College website newcombsc.vic.edu.au.

All parents and students should take the time to familiarise themselves with these documents. Both provide a general overview of course requirements at each year level, specific subject information (including costs) and student expectations.

These handbooks will also be used on Monday 10th and Tuesday, 11th August during Course Counselling.

Maggie Boyanton Careers Co-ordinator

Student Welfare News

Cheap Thrills Performance On Thursday, 23rd July all of our Year 9 and 10 students were invited to watch a performance by Brainstorm Productions called Cheap Thrills. The general response from the students was that although it had some serious themes, the performance was delivered with humour and kept them engaged the entire time. Cheap Thrills is a fast paced one man show about that split second when we reach a crossroad, make a choice, and possibly change our lives forever. It is interactive and had a few students get up and be a part of the play, as well as having a deep discussion about risk taking behaviours at the end. While looking around the room, I could see that the students could relate to the story, enjoyed the atmosphere, and understood the topics presented. Even the teachers were caught having a giggle at times. Newcomb Secondary College are lucky to be able to offer these types of performances to our students to ensure they benefit from a range of learning opportunities. If you would like to know more about Brainstorm Productions you can find their website here: http://www.brainstormproductions.edu.au/

Cass Langdon Well-being Co-ordinator

Senior Years 10-12

Attention: Year 9 Parents This term a group of our Year 9 students will be attending the Geelong Cats and Barwon Youth 'Just Think' Forum. 'Just Think' is all about safe drinking behaviours and aims to educate students about responsible drinking and for students to 'Just Think' BEFORE things get out of control. Parents are invited on Wednesday, 29th July to attend a Special Forum at Simonds Stadium to learn more about parenting young people through parties, alcohol and other challenges. Registrations are a must, details attached. If you have any questions please contact me at school or send an email to Geelong Cats.

Julia Western Student Wellbeing Middle Years 7 & 9

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students

with Disability ‘Collection Notice’

All schools in Australia will participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with

Disability this year.

The Data Collection is an annual count of the number of students with disability receiving educational adjustments to

support their participation in education on the same basis as students without disability.

All education agencies are now required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013 to provide information on a

student’s level of education, disability and level of adjustment to the Australian Government Department of

Education and Training.* Data will continue to be de-identified prior to its transfer to the Australian

Government Department of Education and Training. No student’s identity will be provided to the Australian

Government Department of Education and Training.

The collection of this information from states and territories will inform future policy and program planning in

relation to students with disability.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Vicki Swan or Deborah Glab on 5248 1400 or the

Victorian Department of Education and Training Data Collection Hotline on (03) 9651 3621. For questions after 7th

August 2015, please call the Australian Government Department of Education and Training on 1300 566 046.

* For more information on Schedule 3—Amendments for the collection of data on students who are

persons with a disability Australian Education Regulation 2013 see: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/

F2014L01723/Html/Text#_Toc404934419

SCHOOL EXCURSIONS AND REMINDERS

Students who don’t attend an excursion are expected to attend school as normal.

Parents are asked to not keep students at home.

Year/Group Excursion Date Cost Permission Slips &

Payment Due

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed

Indoor Rockclimbing Wednesday, 29th July $125 (Sem 2

charge) Closed

Hands on Learning Horse Project Thursday, 30th July Nil 28th July

Yr 7 and 8 ECO Aspire Program, Victorian Space

Science Education Centre Tuesday, 28th July Nil Closed

Yr 9 and 10 Techno Science

Engineering Deakin Experience, Waurn Ponds Monday, 3rd August Nil 30th July

Yr 7/8 and 9 Circus Quirkus, The Arena North Geelong Wednesday, 5th August Nil 31st July

Senior Concert Band Musical Festival Thursday, 6th August $5.00 Monday, 3rd August

Year 10 REACH Foundation Monday, 17th August Nil 15th August

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed

Serendip Sanctuary Wednesday, 19th August $125 (Sem 2

charge) -

Senior Concert Band Band Tour, Daylesford Friday, 21st August $280 $100 deposit by 25th May

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed

Brisbane Ranges Enviro Work Wednesday, 26th August $125 (Sem 2

charge) -

Yr 12 Food & Tech VCE Exam Preparation, William Angliss

Melbourne Thursday, 10th September $30 14th August

EARN and LEARN Fundraiser From Wednesday, 15th July to Tuesday, 8th September 2015, when you shop at Woolworths you can collect Woolworths Earn & Learn Stickers from the checkout operator or through an online order and place them on a Woolworths Earn &

Learn Sticker Sheet. There’ll be one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco, and gift cards). Once completed, simply place the Sticker Sheet in the Collection Box, either at Newcomb Secondary College or at your local Woolworths. Or alternatively, hand the stickers to Newcomb Secondary College and we will stick them on the Sticker Sheets for you.

It Pays to be Positive! On the last Thursday of Term 2 a group of Year 9 and 10 students were rewarded with an excursion to the IMAX Theatre and Circus Oz in Melbourne. The reward was for showing positive behaviour throughout Semester 1. Their excellent behaviour and co-operation were highlighted when our bus arrived late and we were required to silently enter the IMAX theatre even though the film had started.

The 3D film on saving Pandas from extinction in China was interesting and at times emotional. The 3D experience had us swatting at bugs and journeying through the wild mountains of China. We felt the devastation of recent earthquakes and the passion of research scientists and Panda handlers. Our group walked to Federation Square for lunch and a spot of ‘people watching’ then off to Circus Oz. The big top was filled with primary and secondary students and we were awed by the strength, flexibility and balance of the performers. We would like to thank Mr Kellett for organising this day.

Sue Hedley Year 9 and 10 Team Leader

Newcomb Secondary College

LAMINATING

SERVICE

$6 per metre trimmed

$4 per metre untrimmed

Lamination up to 800mm wide and

unlimited length

Contact: Jean at Newcomb Secondary

College for more information

5248 1400.