Newcomb Secondary College Newsletter

FROM THE PRINCIPAL TFROM THE PRINCIPAL TFROM THE PRINCIPAL TEAM EAM EAM TUESDAY 28th October 2014 ISSUE: 34

Coming Events

Wednesday 29th October

Year 9 & 10 Outdoor Ed Bushwalk.

Junior Music Camp—Aireys Inlet.

VCE Exams.

Thursday 30th October

VCE Exams.

Friday, 31st October

VCE Exams.

Sunday, 2nd November

Bike Tour Training.

Monday, 3rd November

VCE Exams.

Tuesday, 4th November

VCE Exams.

Melbourne Zoo, Year 7.

Melbourne Cup Day: All Students

required at school.

Wednesday, 5th November

VCE Exams.

Thursday, 6th November.

VCE Exams.

Hands on Learning: Surfing.

VCE EXAMS On Wednesday, 29th 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 Wednesday,

19th November.

More information about the examination conditions and schedule can be

found on the VCAA website: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

MELBOURNE CUP Please note that Tuesday, 4th November is a normal school day and all

students are required at school.

NEW COLLEGE UNIFORM With the introduction of the new College uniform in 2013 there was a two

year period of grace, during which time students could wear new, old or

combination of uniform items. We are now approaching the end of that two

year transition period and it is timely to remind all families that students are

expected to be wearing the new College uniform for the beginning of the

2015 school year.

Most of our students are wearing correct College uniform with pride and

look terrific – we thank parents for supporting our uniform policy. Teachers

and the Student Support teams provide constant reminders of our

expectation that all students will be in full and correct College uniform.

Students are required to get a uniform pass when they do not have correct

items of uniform and parents will be contacted when students are

persistently out of uniform. If your child does not have an item of uniform,

please provide a signed note of explanation - this will enable them to get a

uniform pass for the day.

The Beleza store is at 107 Ryrie Street – it is open from 9am to

4.30pm Monday to Friday. Mr Phil Honeywell, Principal

Mrs Colette Brennan, Assistant Principal

Mrs Liz McNamara, Assistant Principal

College Council: Student Leaders: Student Leaders: President: Vidas Kymantas Daniel Blair Alexandria Potter

Vice President: Yvette Ramsay Luke Warren Madeline Walker

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: 0434 728 159

END OF YEAR EXAMS—A DEAD SERIOUS MATTER

Well, after six years of secondary schooling, the end of year examinations are finally

upon our senior students, and what a busy time it has been!

On Monday, 20th October the E Block was the site of a terrifying Zombie Apocalypse,

where the undead hordes rose up and momentarily occupied the school’s senior years

precinct. There have been occasions throughout the year where students have

presented at school early on a Monday morning looking like they had come from the

set of the Walking Dead, but this particular occasion saw things escalate to an

unprecedented level. However, by recess the site of the macabre

outbreak had been cleared, thanks in no small part to a committed

SWAT team. Students are to be commended here for their

creativity and effort, not to mention their consideration of all

other students who still had a regular curriculum day.

The following Tuesday, the Year 12 students were involved with their official farewell

ceremony at the Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club. Upon walking through the club’s front door, the

students were met with the wafting aromas of a hot, cooked breakfast, carefully prepared by

teachers Mrs Gillam, Mr Houlihan, Mr Lingham and Master Chef Mr Wight.

The students were then presented with words of

reassurance and inspiration from an individual who

sounded somewhat like Principal Mr Honeywell, before

receiving sage advice from the not-for-profit Red Frogs

organisation around the need to celebrate responsibly and

safely – looking out for oneself and others at all times.

The breakfast also saw the presentation of the much

anticipated ‘People’s Choice Awards’, as well as the

presenting of the inaugural ‘Crilly Challenge’ trophy, to

the victors of the staff versus students soccer match (for

the record, the match was a hard-fought draw). Thank

you to all involved for an enjoyable and memorable day.

However, with the fun and celebrations out of the way for now (until our Graduation on Wednesday, 10th

December), it is time for the serious work to commence.

On Wednesday, 29th 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

Wednesday, 19th November.

Students are encouraged to give themselves maximum opportunity to succeed during this challenging time, and this

may entail making short-term sacrifices to casual work commitments outside of school and the minimizing of social

distractions. Even with so little time remaining until the completion of their secondary school journey, there is still

sufficient time to effectively prepare for the completion of these major assessments.

More information about the examination conditions and schedule can be found on the VCAA website:

http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any point in time for clarification around these matters.

Mr Murphy

Leader for Senior Years

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.

SOVEREIGN HILL EXCURSION

As part of our Introduction to History Unit offered to Year 9 and 10 students, we

took a trip to Ballarat on Friday, 24th October to look at life on the Victorian

Goldfields in the 1850’s. This is the current topic that we are covering in class, looking

at the discovery of gold in the newly formed colony of Victoria in 1851. It led to an

explosion in the population from around 77,000 in 1851 to over 500,000 by 1861. Our

journey back in time gave students a practical experience to compare their

understanding of the theory covered in class with a tangible experience.

In our initial research into life on the goldfields we looked at the different forms of

goldmining starting with the removal of alluvial gold. Students were able to gold pan

and use a cradle to try and extract gold. It was quite a frustrating experience and

students had a new understanding as to how hard the miners had to work to pay for

their Miners Licence which cost 30 shillings a month (18 pounds a year when a small

house would cost around 100 pounds). Only one student had the skills to pan a flake

of gold from the creek.

After gold panning, we went to the classroom for a 50

minute education session looking at life on the goldfields.

Using primary source information such as photographs and instruments used for

the extraction of gold, students could see how the advent of goldmining also had a

detrimental effect on the environment. As part of the classroom activity we took a

walk around the goldfields discussing what had been done to replicate the real feel

of life in these days; with one exception, the smell in the 1850’s. Without a sewage

system was reportedly something no tourist would like to experience. We

followed this experience with a mine tour, lowering ourselves down 53 steps to

get a feel for working in the cramped conditions of the mines in the 1850’s.

We finished our excursion with a visit to the gold pour. 2.7 kilograms of gold was

heated to over 1200 degrees and poured into an ingot mould. This “gold brick”

has a current value of around $130,000. A great day was had by all and the ability

to move from a text book into a real life representation of the goldfields really

gave the students a new appreciation for what we have been covering in class. Of

course many students had to try the delights of a visit to Hopes Bakery and the

odd purchase of some boiled lollies.

The Welcome Stranger

The Gold Pour

Thanks to all students for attending and making a wonderful day. Mr Owens and Mr Kellett.

Panning for gold

In the classroom

Looking at the buildings and transport.

Year/

Group Excursion Date Cost

Permission Slips &

Payment Due Back BLUE - OPTIONAL YELLOW - ESSENTIAL

Year 8 Girls Tennis Wednesday 29th October $5 Friday 24th Oct

Year 7 Melbourne Zoo Tuesday 4th November $10 Friday 31st Oct

Year 9 Year 9 Deakin University Camp Monday, 17th November to

18th November No cost

Various Hands on Learning, Surfing Thursday, 6th November

Year 7-12 Bike Tour 2014 – Tour de Otways

TRAINING DATES Sunday 19th October

Sunday 2nd November

Sunday 16th November

Thursday 27th November

Year 7-12 Bike Tour 214 – Tour de Otways Monday 1st December –

Friday 5th December $220 CLOSED

Year 12 Graduation Ceremony & Optional Dinner Wed 10th December TBA TBA

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 9 DEAKIN UNIVERSITY CAMP

When: Monday 17th – Tuesday, 18th November

Time: Leave NSC at 8.45am Monday – return to NSC at around 4.30pm Tuesday

Where: Deakin University, Burwood Campus, Melbourne

Cost: NO cost to the students, all meals provided

What: Main focus is to make a short film in your group. Other activities include

games, workshops, tour of university campus, talk about possible careers after school.

All parents are invited to share in the celebrations on the second day. If you are interested in

coming down to see the university and see what camp has entailed, please contact me at the school in the next

week. Deakin University will provide transport if needed.

Lunch on both days is provided free of charge and dinner on Monday night (pizza) is included. There is no need for

students to bring any money. Students must bring a sleeping bag and pillow and a towel. A list will be handed out

closer to the camp.

A meeting for all students will be held in the coming weeks to sort groups and sleeping arrangements. Please contact

me at the school if you have any questions.

Ms Vinnicombe (Year 9 and 10 Leader)

HEAD LICE We have had a number of Head Lice cases

recently.

Please make sure you check hair regularly and if

so treat hair thoroughly before

returning to school.

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.

CELEBRATING ART SUCCESS – MITCHELL

On Monday, 13th October I once again had the pleasure of attending the Rotary Club

of Drysdale’s “Bruno Callori Young Artist Mentorship Programme” dinner at Clifton

Springs Golf Club. This programme has run for four years and Newcomb Secondary

College has been involved for the third year running. Our representative this year

was, the exceptionally talented, Mitchell.

The Rotary Club of Drysdale sponsors this programme in which four students work

with Geelong Artist Jill Scalless at her art studios at Geelong Wintergarden. This is

an afterschool programme that enables students to learn and develop a range of skills

and techniques in the visual arts. The regular classes ensured that Mitchell was able

to complete a range of exceptional artworks with a range of media like charcoal, soft

pastel and oil paint.

The students were also given some exposure to drawing the human figure from life. Mitchell’s life drawings were

evidence of the exceptional level of skill that he has reached. I hope that Mitchell will continue to draw and be

creative in the future.

Newcomb Secondary College and the Art department are exceptionally grateful to the Rotary Club of Drysdale and

the mentorship coordinator, Caroline Rickard for their ongoing support of this programme and our students. The

Hon. Lisa Neville MP is also a supporter of the Programme and was very impressed with Mitchell’s folio of works.

Mr Davis, Art and VCD teacher

REACH FOUNDATION HEROES DAY

Forty-seven Newcomb Secondary College Year 9 students attended the Reach Foundation Heroes Day at the

Geelong West Town Hall. Combined with other Year 9 students from a number of Geelong and regional schools the

number of participants swelled to approximately five hundred.

Our students were engaged in challenging their thinking about how they perceive themselves and the world around

them. At times confronting, our students challenged themselves to express issues that challenged them and how they

felt they could be resolved.

Supported by a professional well-being team, several of our students overcame their fear of public speaking and

expressed their story to the auditorium.

All our students were exceptionally well behaved and should be congratulated for their participation.

Mr McCurry

Year 9 Student Support

Comments from students who attended the Reach Program:

Words to try and explain how the Reach Heroes Day is hard to come by. It was a new outlook on who we are, and the way of

life. It helped some people to face there fears, others to open their eyes. It was an experience like no other. The Reach crew

turned simple and normal questions into questions that made you wonder. I enjoyed it so much. I would recommend everyone

going to one of these days because everyone deserves to know that they are a hero, the next Mother Teresa, the next world

changer. Thanks go out to the teachers that made it possible for us to experience this, and thanks also to the crew at the

Reach Foundation.

Gypsy C

Today was emotional, but in a good way. Reach is a really great program and I love the feeling you get knowing you can talk

about anything without being afraid to express yourself in any shape or form. I love the way you can tell that they really are a

good support network and instantly it feels good to talk. For me, Reach feels like my own little family.

Rhianna G

Today, October 24th, all students in Year 9 went on an excursion to the Reach program at the Geelong Town Hall. To start

with, we thought the program was just going to be a bunch of people speaking about things that weren’t so interesting. Within

the first five minutes of being there we were already enjoying ourselves. Reach was really eye opening and although it was a bit

emotional, it was lots of fun and a great experience. We recommend going on the excursion and giving it a go!

Jessica R

PROVIDING A COMPUTER FOR YOUR STUDENTS

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. Computers are not intended to replace a pen and paper but rather be

used as tool to give more opportunities to complete school work in different

ways. While it is hoped that all students will eventually have their own computer

we understand that this may not be possible for all families so we encourage you

to contact the school if you want more information.

We would like all students to be able to access their own computer device to

ensure they are able to take advantage of the many learning opportunities open to them in today's digital world. To keep

up with the latest technology and the best prices for our families we have negotiated a special package price for new

student computers.

We are happy to announce that three devices are now available for sale via our online JB Education portal.

Entry Level Laptop:

Lenovo 11e - this is a rugged student friendly model with a solid state memory and a slim design with great new

features.

Everyday Student Model:

Lenovo 11e Yoga - a touch screen model with a flip screen that becomes a tablet-like device.

High Performance:

Lenovo 10" Tablet - Great portability and fast processor speed in a highly portable tablet.

All of these devices will come with the eduStar software image which includes over 48 educational software titles.

These models are being made available specially through JB education and will not be available in shops.

The specially priced packages include a 3 year Warranty, a carry bag and have extra options available to suit your

needs.

Different payment options are also available.

How to Get Started

1. Click on the BYOD Solutions picture above or got to http://www.jbeducation.com.au/byod

2. Enter our school Code NEWSC2015

3. Follow each step, completing information as you go.

4. After your order is placed you will receive a confirmation and the device will be delivered to the school to be set up.

If you are having problems please feel free to contact Mr Stephen Bath at the school .

Other Options for Providing a Computer for Your Students

There are three options open to our students in 2015 –

1. Purchase a new Lenovo device through our JB Education Portal. Once fully paid for there is no more to pay and

you own the device outright. All computers come with the eduStar software package of over 48 titles

including Microsoft Office and virus protection, a three year warranty and bag.

2. Bring your own device. (BYOD) If you already have a notebook/netbook computer or tablet that is not more

than three years old you can bring it in to check that it will be suitable to use at school. After discussion with our IT

support staff it may be possible to network the computer to access school drives and Internet. Some software may also

be available for student use depending on the device.

3. Use school supplied notebooks in classroom trolleys or desktop computers in classrooms. These computers will

be limited to classroom use and will not be available to take home. School supplied computers may not be available in

classrooms your student is in and may not be available if booked by another class.

CANTEEN ROSTERCANTEEN ROSTERCANTEEN ROSTER Wednesday 29th

October

Thursday 30th

October

Friday 31st

October

Monday 3rd

November

Tuesday 4th

November

HELP NEEDED HELP NEEDED Mary Leitch HELP NEEDED HELP NEEDED

Wednesday 5th

November

Thursday 6th

November

Friday 7th

November

Monday 10th

November

Tuesday 11th

November

HELP NEEDED Kate Hodgson Mary Leitch HELP NEEDED

YEAR 7 SCIENCE - ZOO EXCURSION

On Tuesday, 4th November, all Year 7 students will be going to the Royal Melbourne

Zoo for a Science excursion. This is a compulsory excursion.

Going on Melbourne Cup Day, we can take advantage of free entry so we only need to

cover the cost of buses.

This is a great opportunity to have a great day and help celebrate students first year at

secondary school.

Materials from this day will be linked to both the students Science studies and also

EASE studies.

Any questions should be directed to Mrs. Ruth Cusack (Science Learning Area Leader)

IN MY CLASSES Group 73 Science class: testing forces in a tug of war.

Molly Stephens

Sales Agent

ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE IF YOU

ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN OUR

EWSLETTER.

PHONE 03 5248 1400