Newcomb Secondary College Newsletter

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TUESDAY 24th February 2015 ISSUE: 4

Coming Events

Wednesday, 25th February

On 2 Wheels, Erwin Reserve Ride.

Thursday, 26th February

Connect Assemblies.

Friday, 27th February

Year 11 Orientation, Deakin

Waterfront.

Regional Swimming/Diving.

Aerospace and Defence Careers Expo.

Monday, 2nd March

On 2 Wheels, Barwon River Ride (all

day).

Thursday, 5th March

Year Level Assemblies.

Friday, 6th March

Year 8 EASE Geelong Excursion.

Senior Sport: Volleyball/Tennis.

GROW at Gordon.

Monday, 9th March

Labour Day - Public Holiday.

Tuesday, 10th March

Compulsory House Athletics - Landy

Field.

Senior Cricket Finals.

Wednesday, 11th March

GRIP Leadership (College Captains), All

Day.

Thursday, 12th March

Year 11/12 REACH Workshop.

Whole College Assembly.

College Council The February Meeting of the Newcomb Secondary College Council took place last

Thursday evening in the Language Centre. Among the items discussed were the

College links with tertiary institutions, developments in our ICT provision and works

being undertaken at the Sailing School. We also approved surfing and horse riding

excursions.

College Council Elections Nominations for the election of the new College Council close today - Tuesday,

24th February 2015 at 4.00pm.

A list of candidates, nominators and seconders will be displayed in the Newcomb

Secondary College Office by Thursday, 26th February 2015. If an election is

necessary, the appropriate documentation will be distributed to parents and the

ballot will close on Tuesday, 10th March 2015, at 4.00pm.

Year 9 Geelong Tertiary Futures Program In 2015, Newcomb Secondary College’s unique and innovative Gordon Tertiary

Taster has now been recognised and supported under the Victorian Government

initiative Skilling the Bay. This has allowed for the expansion of our program to

include 3 other Geelong secondary schools. This is a terrific compliment to the

success of this Newcomb Secondary College initiative.

Within the compulsory subject of Getting Ready for the Outside World (GROW),

all Year 9 students will spend 10 Fridays at the Gordon TAFE experiencing a range

of tertiary studies, alternating between hands on work and learning about the

workplace from skilled and experienced teachers. This program is part of a wider

‘tertiary links’ program that also features extensive, practical links with Deakin

University.

The two Semester One GROW classes are getting set to begin their program on

Friday, 20th March. If your Year 9 person is in either of these classes they will be

receiving an information booklet and permission form in class in the coming weeks.

Further information will appear in coming newsletters, alternatively please do not

hesitate to contact Mrs Boyanton.

Mr Phil Honeywell, Principal

Mr Shane Elevato, Assistant Principal

Mrs Liz McNamara, Assistant Principal

College Council: Student Leaders: Student Leaders: President: Vidas Kymantas Mitchell Allen Toby France

Vice President: Yvette Ramsay 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

CONVEYANCE

ALLOWANCE 2015

(TRAVEL

ALLOWANCE)

To be eligible to receive a Conveyance

Allowance, applicants must reside more

than 4.8km by the shortest practicable route

from their nearest school. Parents are

responsible for the initial payment of the bus

pass but will be reimbursed in July and

December in the current year by the

College.

To apply for reimbursement students are

required to complete two forms and return

them to the school office.

1. Public Transport Travel Student

Conveyance Allowance Application

2015. 2. 2015 Victorian Public Transport

Student Concession Card and

Student Pass Application Form (these forms are not available until

early 2015 and can be obtained from

the College General Office or V/Line

Stations).

Please note that these forms have

to be completed by Wednesday, 25th

February for continued funding. Any

queries please contact Michelle Sharp

at the College on 5248 1400.

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

Various Regional Swimming/Diving Friday, 27th Feb $5 TBA

Senior Yrs Aerospace and Defence Careers Expo Friday, 27th Feb Nil 25th Feb

Yr 11 Year 11 Orientation Friday, 27th Feb Nil 25th Feb

9 On 2 Wheels, Barwon River Monday, 2nd March TBA TBA

8 Geelong History Walk, EASE Excursion Friday, 6th March $5 3rd March

Senior Yrs Senior Sport: Volleyball/Tennis Friday, 6th March $5 3rd March

School Compulsory House Athletics Tuesday, 10th March $5 4th March

Intermediate Intermediate Sport: Volleyball 13th March $5 10th March

NEWS FROM OUR SECONDARY SCHOOL NURSE

Move More, Sit Less As a young person moves through school, starts to work and becomes more

independent, being physically active and limiting sedentary behaviour is not always easy,

but it is possible and important.

The Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines report that young

people aged 13-17 years will receive the following benefits from at least 60 minutes of

physical activity every day:

Social Benefits.

Creates opportunities for fun with friends.

Reduces anti-social behaviour, including aggressive and disruptive actions.

Develops cooperation and teamwork skills.

Emotional and Intellectual Benefits:

Improves self-esteem and confidence.

Helps you manage anxiety and stress.

Improves concentration.

Health Benefits:

Promotes healthy growth and development.

Builds strong muscles and bones.

Improves physical fitness, including co-ordination and movement skills.

Reduces your risk of disease and unhealthy weight gain.

To find out more go to: www.health.gov.au

Healthy Eating

It is well recognised that children who eat well during the school day are more likely to

concentrate better at school and get the nutrition they need for good health and

development.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines suggest that children and adolescents should enjoy a

wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day:

Plenty of vegetables of different types and colours, and legumes/beans

Fruit

Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or high cereal fibre varieties, such

as breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and

barley

Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans

Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or their alternatives, mostly reduced fat (reduced fat

milks are not suitable for children under the age of 2 years)

And drink plenty of water.

For more information take a look at: www.eatforhealth.gov.au

Faith Field

CENTREPAY

If you are in receipt of Centrelink payments, Newcomb Secondary College

has the facility to accept Centrepay payments.

This may assist you to pay your family account.

Please contact the Administration Office on 5248 1400 for more

information.

ICT UPDATE – LETTER TO PARENTS

All parents will soon be receiving a letter outlining the process for

accessing our new parent portal.

An extract of the information in this letter is included below.

“We have been working hard to set up a new student information

portal that allows teachers, students and parents to see important

details about individual students, their classes and achievements over the school year. This Internet portal, called

Xuno will be continually updated to show attendance data, classwork and homework details as well as teacher

feedback regarding school achievements. You will also be able to message your student’s teachers if needed via this

portal.

We are continually developing our computer education programs to keep up with the ever changing needs of 21st

century learning. Educational studies have shown that students benefit greatly from having access to their own

computer device that they can use in classes at school when needed as well as taking the device home to continue

study and homework tasks. We have included an information flyer showing different options open to families in

providing a computer device for students for 2015.

We understand that effective communication is very important in our busy lives. We are in the final stages of

releasing a smart phone app that can be used on iPhones, iPads and Android devices to access school information

such as newsletters, notices, photos and important web links like Xuno and the school website. This app will be

available free to download to your phone or iPad. We hope all families will be able to take advantage of this new

service.

Please find enclosed the following items to help you in supporting your students through these initiatives –

Details of how to log on to Xuno using your own confidential username and password.

Information on Student Computer Provision for 2015.

Application to Network a Personal Device form.

An introduction to the NSC Phone App to be released soon.

As we endeavour to improve our communication with our families it is also important that we have up-to-date

contact details for everyone. If you have changed address recently or have a new phone number (especially

mobiles) please contact the school office on 52481400.

We need to make sure we have an active email address for all families as well please.

We look forward to being able to keep you all better informed and welcome your support in the education of your

students.”

If you do not receive this letter over the next week please let the school office know as we may need to check the name

and address we have on file. Keeping your contact details up-to-date is most important in maintaining communication.

Stephen Bath

ICT Leader

STUDENT ABSENCES Parents and Guardians are required to provide an

explanation for their child’s absences.

This can be done by:

Telephone the College on 5248 1400

Send an SMS text message or reply to our absence

line 0434 728 159. Please put Student Name, Home

Group and Reason for Absence in the text message.

Write a note in the Student Organiser or a separate

note to present the next morning to the PASS Booth.

Records can then be amended.

In all instances the College requires the following

information:

Child’s name.

Home Group or Year level.

Date absent.

Reason for absence.

Parent/guardian signature (when written).

PUNCTUALITY AND UNIFORM

Students are to report to the College Office for

PASSOUTS for:

Late Arrival.

Leave Early.

Out of Uniform or Without Diary.

The PASSOUTS Desk is located in the rear foyer of the

Admin Building – enter through quadrangle. This is

available from 8.30am each morning. After 10.00am

students will need to report to College Reception.

LATE ARRIVAL

When a student is going to arrive late to school for any

reason please let the school know by phone or write a

note. Those who arrive to class after 8.45am must

receive a Late Pass. If the student has no note, they will

need to go through the same procedure. Students who

regularly arrive late without an explanation will be

referred to their Team Leader.

LEAVE EARLY

If it is unavoidable that a student needs to leave for an

appointment, the student is required to provide a signed

note of explanation to the College office before school.

The student will in turn be issued with a Leave Pass from

the PASSOUTS Desk. This is to be handed to their

teacher at the arranged time of departure. Appointments,

where possible, should be made outside school hours or

on Wednesday afternoons when students are dismissed

early.

OUT OF UNIFORM

If a student is out of uniform they must provide a signed

note of explanation to the PASSOUTS Desk before

classes to be issued a Uniform Pass. Students who are

regularly out of uniform will be referred to Team Leaders.

WITHOUT DIARY

If a student has forgotten or lost their diary they will need

to report to the PASSOUTS Desk. Lost diaries will need

to be replaced.

STUDENT INSURANCE

School Injuries and Insurance Parents and guardians are generally responsible for paying the

cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any

transport costs. Most medical costs will be refundable by

Medicare. If you are a member of an ambulance or health

insurance fund, you may also be able to claim transport or

other expenses from the fund.

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff

and visitors. This can include mobile phones, calculators, toys,

sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. The

Department of Education and Training does not hold insurance

for personal property brought to school, does not hold

accident insurance for school students and it has no capacity to

pay for any loss or damage to such property.

Is other insurance cover available? Yes.

The Department is aware of two insurers, JUA Underwriting

Agency Pty Ltd and Willis Australia Ltd, that provide accident

insurance policies for students. These policies provide specific

benefits for students who are injured in accidents for a

reasonably low cost. Other insurers may also provide a similar

policy.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

Are you wanting to buy or sell second hand uniforms

for your student?

Join the new 'Newcomb Secondary College

Second Hand Uniforms' group on Facebook.

Headspace Barwon is a youth health service to assist young people aged 12-25 and their families in the Barwon region to deal with different problems and access help with experts in a range of areas. Our programs include General Practice for any concerns, mental health assessment and support, drug and alcohol counselling and support, sexual health issues or other health and wellbeing concerns. Both individual and group programs are available.

Headspace Barwon City: 5222 6690

or Headspace Barwon Bellarine:

5251 2291

ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE

CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF

YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

ADVERTISING IN OUR

NEWSLETTER.

PHONE 03 5248 1400

Free Seminars on

Autism with

Tony Attwood GMHBA has teamed up with clinical psychologist and

Autism Spectrum Disorder specialist, Professor Tony

Attwood, to run two free practical seminars in Geelong.

These seminars are open to anyone within the community

interested in understanding and learning more about Autism

and Asperger’s syndrome.

Session 1: Managing Challenging behaviour in children with

Autism 9am to 12.30pm.

Session 2: Adolescent issues for teenagers with Asperger’s

Syndrome 1.30pm to 5pm.

Thursday, 19th March, The Pier Geelong, Cunningham Pier.

Spaces are limited, registration is essential. Early registration

would be advisable. Visit gmhba.com.au.

REMINDER TO PLEASE

NAME ALL ITEMS OF

UNIFORM