Newcomb Secondary College Newsletter

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TUESDAY 27th October 2015 ISSUE: 33

Coming Events

Wednesday, 28th October Year 12 Exams Start. Year 9/10 National Gallery Visit. Thursday, 29th October Year 12 Exams. CONNECT Assembly. Year 7, 8 & 10 immunisations. Year 9/10 Music, P3 to 4. Friday, 30th October Year 12 Exams. Monday, 2nd November Year 7 & 8 Cricket Finals. Year 12 Exams. Tuesday, 3rd November Melbourne Cup Day - normal classes. Year 7 Excursion, Zoo (Science). Year 12 Exams. Wednesday, 4th November Year 12 Exams Thursday, 5th November Year 12 Exams

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

AWARDS CEREMONY: Tue, 15th Dec YR 12 GRADUATION: Wed, 19th Dec 2015 Term Dates Term 4: 5 October to 18 December 2016 Term Dates Term 1: 27 January (school teachers start) to 24 March * 28 January (students start) Term 2: 11 April to 24 June Term 3: 11 July to 16 September Term 4: 3 October to 20 December

Review Year Yesterday saw our review day discussions take place as part of our 4 year cycle of review and planning. Peter Gannon (our independent reviewer from National Curriculum Services) joined a peer reviewer (Lyn Boyle, Principal of Lara Secondary College), our College Council President (Ms Yvette Ramsay) and a collection of staff members to discuss the work of the College over the last 4 years and to think ahead to our next 4 years. The discussions focussed on the areas of Achievement and Engagement, Wellbeing and Productivity. Student representatives from different year levels also joined in the conversation towards the end of the morning session. Following this we will receive the reviewer’s report which we hope to be able to discuss at Council during our 19th November meeting before developing our strategic plan for the next 4 years.

VCE Examinations On Wednesday, 28th October, the VCAA Written Exams will commence. Teachers will be available to their students for consultation and support all through the examination period, right up until its conclusion on Friday, 19th November. More information about the examination conditions and schedule can be found on the VCAA website: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

Awards Ceremony All families are asked to keep Tuesday, 15th December at 7pm free for the Annual College Awards Ceremony held at GPAC.

Mr Phil Honeywell, Principal Mr Shane Elevato, Assistant Principal

Mrs Liz McNamara, Assistant Principal

Key Dates for Senior Students: Term 4, 2015

It is important that all families are aware of important dates for the senior students. These are shown below, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information.

James Murphy VCE Team Leader

VCAA Exam period (Held in E Block - school uniform to be worn)

Wednesday, 28th October – 19th Friday, November

(Week 4 – Week 7)

Year 12 Graduation Wednesday, 9th December (Capri

Receptions)

Publishing of VCAA results Monday, 14th December (Week 11)

Change of VTAC preferences Monday, 14th December –

Thursday, 17th December (Week 11)

SUPPORT FROM CONCERN FOR BOOKS AND UNIFORMS Uniting Care Geelong (incorporating Concern) has access to limited funds to provide assistance to families with books and school uniforms for 2016.

Unfortunately the funds do not enable Concern to assist all students in receipt of pensions or benefits. If you believe that this is something that you and your family would benefit from, please contact Concern between 9.30am and 12.30pm on (03) 4210 1110 to arrange an interview. Interviews will be conducted from Friday, 30th of October until Friday, 4th of December 2015.

If you have received books from Concern in the past, can you please ensure that they are returned to Newcomb Secondary College to be reallocated to other students.

Newcomb Secondary College Wellbeing Team

Bike Tour – Tour de Alpine

Bike tour is now only a matter of 5 weeks away. We’re getting excited! The first Sunday ride was hugely successful with lots of newcomers doing a great job. Special mention goes to Alec on his MTB – world of pain Alec! Fitness - By now students should be riding regularly for fitness – This means 3 to 4 times per week for up to an

hour at a time to build fitness. Make sure you include some hills to get used to finding a rhythm and working through them.

Set Training rides – We have the second Sunday training ride from the hall this weekend – Sunday, 1st November. It is very important students attend these rides. They are very important to instill group riding and safety skills.

Bikes and Equipment - All students should have the recommended gear list now. Make sure you are working through this in advance. Watch the major sporting/outdoor sales/catalogues for the gear you need. See Mr Unmack or Mr Goward to have your bike serviced or checked.

Payments - At least $150 (plus any bike hire) should be paid up by now. Final Payment must be organized before the end of week 6 – (Nov 13th). Please remember - all family accounts must be paid in full to attend Bike Tour.

Facebook - All information (including this notice) will be posted on the Newcomb Secondary College Bike Tour page. Check it out.

Any issues or questions, come and see Mr Unmack, Mr Klingberg, Mr Amer, Mr Goward at school or phone 5248 1400. Glenn Unmack

Bike Tour Co-ordinator

IT NEWS

Year 12 Dell Computers This is an important reminder to all Year 12 students who have yet to return their school owned Dell notebook computer. These were issued three years ago under a Federal Government funding initiative and MUST be returned to the school before students can be officially exited. If you still hold one of these computers please check and return it to Mr Bath immediately. Items to be returned are – Dell Inspiron Notebook Computer Black power charger and cord Black carry case A charge for the full cost of these items will be added to student accounts if they are not returned by Friday, 20th November.

Please see Mr Stephen Bath if you have any questions.

Parent/Student Portal Updates In order to keep up with the latest features and functions we have had to update the software used to operate our Xuno Portal. Unfortunately this update has required the Portal to now be accessed using only Chrome or Firefox as a web browser. This is due to Internet Explorer not being compatible with settings needed in the management software of Xuno. If you do not have Chrome installed it can easily be downloaded free by searching for Chrome Browser Download and following the instructions. Set Chrome as your default browser and it will also import all of your bookmarks. We apologise if this has caused any problems but it is important that we keep up to date with the latest software versions to provide you with the best communications possible.

If you need any help installing Chrome or setting up Xuno please contact Mr Stephen Bath at the school.

2016 Student Computers As mentioned previously we will be adding a student computer to our 2016 booklist for all year levels. We have seen an increasing number of students taking up the option of bringing their own device to school and there have been noticeable benefits. In 2016 students will still have the option of providing a computer they have purchased elsewhere or ordering one through our JB Education portal. Having your own computer means that you are able to access Internet resources in any class via the school wireless network. In many classes from 2016 onwards students will be enrolled in online tutorials and will work at their own level through self-paced lessons and help activities. Newer reference books also provide access to digital content that needs to be accessed via student computers. A lot of the work provided by teachers will now be in digital format, removing the need for printed copies of worksheets and also making it possible for students to save their assessment tasks and upload them via Xuno. All of this will help our students keep up with the changing needs of 21st Century education and help prepare them for the many pathways they will face after leaving school. Full details of 2016 models and pricing available on our portal will be published soon.

Stephen Bath IT Co-ordinator

FAMILY ACCOUNTS

Thank you to all the families who have paid their family account up to date.

There are a small number of families still with outstanding essential charges that are now overdue. Prompt payment would be much appreciated.

A group of our Year 7’s have had the opportunity to go to Deakin University Waurn Ponds campus and work with Deakin students to learn practical applications of coding in game making.

Portrait Photography

Photo by Josh, Model—Jesse

Portrait Photography

Photo by Chloe, Model - Janaya

Portrait Photography

Model - Robbie Year 9 and 10

Portrait Photography

Deakin Aspire

Music News

Annual Music Concert Thursday, 19th November at 7.30pm The Annual Music Concert will be held this year on Thursday, 19th November in the College Hall. All students in the Year 7 Junior Band, Intermediate Concert Band, Senior Concert Band, Cold Fusion, Blues’n Jazz and VCE Ensemble will perform on this evening.

Year 7 & 8 Band Performance at Moolap

and Geelong East Primary Schools is on Tuesday, 10th November – all day. Departing school at 9.00 am and returning after 2.30 pm.

Music Department Calendar Scheduled rehearsals at lunchtime Thursday 1.00 pm – Blues’n Jazz – changed from Tuesday Friday 1.00 pm – Cold Fusion Senior Concert Band, Intermediate Concert Band and Year 7 Junior Concert Band – rotating timetable during classtime. Week 4 Monday October 26th – Period 6 – Intermediate Concert Band rehearsal. Thursday October 29th – Period 3 & 4 – Music Count Us In at GPAC – 10 students. Thursday October 29th – Period 6 – Senior Concert Band rehearsal. Friday October 30th – Period 1 – Year 7 Junior Concert Band rehearsal. Week 5 Monday November 2nd – Period 3 – Year 7 Junior Concert Band rehearsal. Monday November 2nd – Period 5 – Combined Yr 7 Junior and Intermediate Concert Bands rehearsal. Thursday November 5th – Period 2 – Intermediate Concert Band rehearsal. Thursday November 5th – Period 3 – Senior Concert Band rehearsal.

Cheryl Stabryla Music Co-ordinator

Our Year 11 VCE music ensemble have been playing at BUPA aged care in Newcomb today. Fantastic opportunity to share their talent.

New Faces at Newcomb Secondary College Newcomb Secondary College is joining with Ocean Grove Neighbourhood Centre to provide an opportunity to support their Certificate III in Education Support (CHC30812) workers in their placement. The students will gain experience in working in a secondary school, working with students with disabilities or learning difficulties, to provide assistance and support to teachers and students under the supervision of a trainer.

Placements will commence in late October. This is a great opportunity to link community learning into a real support program.

Anyone interested in completing this qualification please contact Ocean Grove Neighbourhood Centre on 5255 4294. Liz Dobson

Trainer, Ocean Grove Neighbourhood Centre

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed Bushwalk “You’ll never ever know if you never ever go” Hmm, sounds like a good line for an add! – I have driven through the Brisbane Ranges region for years not knowing there was so much spectacular scenery tucked away.

The Outdoor Education class set out on Monday morning, walking around 10 – 14 km for each of the 3 days. There is no doubt about it, walking carrying full packs, away from the comforts of home is really challenging for students, particularly for the first time. Good old fashioned stress which lead to a range of emotions from most of our group, but more importantly, is now the very real sense of accomplishment they can feel because each student worked through the discomfort and completed the trail we set out to walk; a very real experience in a what is otherwise an often “virtual” life.

Highlights for me were the two beautiful camp sites, and different historical stories associated with the region. Also, watching the amazing array of food choices and cooking skills at camp!

Glenn Unmack

Year 12 Farewell Last Thursday, 22nd October the Year 12 students attended their official farewell event at the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club. The journey to Jan Juc followed what had been an unexpectedly busy ‘celebration’ morning, consisting of outrageous costumes and copious amounts of aluminum foil…

Upon arrival, the students were treated to a barbeque lunch, courtesy of Mr Houlihan, Mr Horsted, Mr Hill and Mrs McNamara, which they enjoyed against the backdrop of a perfectly sunny coastal day.

The event saw the presenting of the popular ‘Prestigious People’s Choice Awards’, followed by an amusing but poignant presentation from Mr Horsted about the need for students to be safe when celebrating the end of their secondary education.

Principal Phil Honeywell also spoke with the students about the importance of their decision making when preparing for the transition out of school – sage advice for all of the students who are about to undertake their final VCE exams.

Thank you to all involved in the day – it was a terrific way of expressing our congratulations to the Year 12 students for the completion of their VCE/VCAL certificates.

VCE Examinations will be running in the E Block from Wednesday, 28th October until Friday, 20th November. Students are required to wear full school uniform for these, and are advised to ensure that they arrive at school well ahead of schedule for each.

Please feel free to contact me at any point in time for advice of clarity of these and any other matters.

James Murphy VCE Team Leader

Just a little bit late doesn’t seem much but………………. Did you know your child’s best learning time is the

start of the school day? That’s when every minute counts the most!!

WHAT SORT OF START IS YOUR

CHILD GETTING

He/She is only missing just……

That equals…… Whit is…… And over 13 years of schooling that’s……

10 minutes per day 50 minutes per week Nearly 1.5 weeks

per year Nearly Half a year

20 minutes per day 1 hour 40 mins

per week Over 2.5 weeks

per year Nearly 1 year

Half hour per day Half a day per week 4 weeks per Year Nearly 1 and a half years

1 hour per day 1 day per week

8 weeks per year

Over 2 and a half years

REMINDER TO PLEASE NAME ALL

ITEMS OF UNIFORM

Year 11 Biology Excursion to Barwon Heads

On Tuesday, 20th of October Year 11 Biology class travelled to Barwon Heads. Visiting the Lobster Pot the students watched an informative presentation on Barwon Heads Marine Park and the management strategies employed.

Collecting our quadrat surveying equipment we walked to the sandstone rock platform at peak low tide to complete our study. With perfect weather conditions the students used field guides to identify the organisms that reside in the different zones within the intertidal ecosystem. After collecting our data we returned for a well deserved lunch break.

The afternoon's itinerary included a tour of the Mangrove Boardwalk. National Parks ranger Stuart Wiltshire lead the group along the mangroves detailing how delicate the ecosystem is.

On the return journey we stopped to view Lake Connewarre and Mr Lingham, who is an avid naturalist, described the geological history of the lake, its previous dimensions and flooding history.

This was a fantastic excursion with knowledge learned by engaging in the great outdoors. The students were excellent participants representing Newcomb Secondary College with honour.

Thanks to Mr Lingham, Maddie Glynn at the Lobster Pot and Stuart Wiltshire.

Andrew McCurry

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 Masterpieces from the Hermitage,

National Gallery of Victoria Wednesday, 28th October Nil -

Year 9/10 Music Count Us In Performance, Costa Hall Thursday, 29th October Nil 26th October

Year 7s Melbourne Zoo Tuesday, 3rd November Nil 29th October

Junior & Inter Bands

School Performances: Moolap PS and East Geelong PS

Tuesday, 10th November Nil 5th November

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed

Canoeing Wednesday, 11th November

$125 (Sem 2 charge)

-

Bike Tour Students

Bike Tour Training Days Sunday, 15th November

Thursday, 26th November - -

Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed

Surfing Friday, 21st November

$125 (Sem 2 charge)

-

Year 9 Year 9 Deakin Camp 12th November, 13th

November Nil -

Run Geelong – 22nd November 2015 Registration. There are 2 ways you can be involved in Run Geelong. Firstly as a runner/walker, and enter the 6 or 12 km event options, or secondly as a volunteer working with Mr Kellett on race day. Run Geelong is a major fundraiser for the Geelong Hospital and all proceeds from entry fees go toward supporting the work the hospital does in our community. The organization of the event is paid for by Cotton On. The registration fee for the event is as follows

During the registration process you will be asked whether you are part of a team. You will find a “Newcomb Secondary College” team to attach yourself to. Registration will have to be completed at home using a credit card. We would also love to have parents, past students and friends register as part of the Newcomb Secondary College “team”. Training/Practise. Starting week 2 (Tuesday 13th) we will be running Tuesday and Thursday Lunch

time training sessions to help you get prepared. Staff and students can run/walk laps of Erwin Reserve and we will be keeping count of our totals for some prizes/recognitions.

Tuesdays – 12.50 meet in Hall foyer – 12.55pm start at cricket nets – finish at 1:20 Thursday – 1:00 meet in Hall foyer – 1.05pm start at cricket nets – finish at 1:30

“A 10km run fixes everything” – Mr Unmack

Market Square 12km run $45.00

Cotton On Body 6km run $35.00

Edge Financial Partners 6km Family Walk $35.00

Youth (13-18years) 12km run $35.00

Youth (13-18years) 6km run $25.00

Youth (13-18years) 6km family walk $25.00

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.