I hope that all members of the Geelong community had the opportunity to spend quality time with their families over the holidays and that Geelong supporters are proud of their team’s gallant efforts in the finals, even if the result wasn’t as hoped. With the weather warming up (fingers crossed), the days growing longer, and the arrival of spring, it’s refreshing to experience the change in seasons.

Please do not hesitate to contact teachers or coordinators with any concerns about your child’s progress. The college values a team approach to your child’s education and recognises the importance of parents' and guardians' knowledge and experience in supporting their success.

Term 4 is typically a busy year as the school wraps up 2024 and begins planning for 2025.

Term 4 Key Dates

Year 12 Final Days

The final days are approaching for our Year 12 students. Currently, VCE VM students conduct interviews and finalise their work to satisfy outcomes, while VCE-scored students attend revision classes, which will continue until their exams are completed. Uniquely, our students will remain engaged and attend classes even after Celebration Day, a practice exclusive to NGSC in Geelong. It’s also very pleasing to note that we had 100% attendance for the practice exams over the holidays, with the only absence due to confirmed illness.

I wish the Year 12 VCE students all the best with their upcoming examinations. Staff will be readily available to support them, and I encourage all students to take advantage of this assistance to aid in their preparation and success.

Finalising Subject Selection and Booklists

In the coming weeks, students will receive their 2025 subject selections and proceed to make their booklist choices. I encourage students to consult their Sub school Manager if any concerns arise with these selections. These selections must align with both career and curriculum requirements. While the college understands that interests may shift, students should discuss with staff, parents, and friends to ensure they choose subjects that best meet their needs and goals.

Multicultural Day

Last Friday was one of the most significant days on the College Calendar. Multicultural Day is a vibrant celebration of the school's diversity. Many students proudly wore their countries' traditional dress, and this year's theme, "Common Ground," highlighted the shared values among cultures. The day featured an exciting array of music, dance, workshops, arts and crafts, amusement rides, and delicious food from across the globe. A definite highlight was the visit by Richard Marles, the Acting Prime Minister, who is pictured below with the captains. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all staff, students and the wider school community who made this day such a great success.

Exams 7-11

Year 7-11 students are now preparing for their end-of-year exams, which serve as staged preparation for their final Year 12 exams and/or university. These exams are carefully designed to help students focus on answering the questions while becoming accustomed to the exam environment and process, reducing anxiety and building confidence. The College has observed continuous improvement in VCE exam scores each year, which can be partly attributed to this well-structured preparatory process.

The New Connect Program and VCE-VM changes

Over the rest of the term, staff will be focused on finalising assessments and preparing for 2025. A key part of this preparation includes finalizing the new Pastoral Care program, "Connect," which will take place every Thursday for 25 minutes for Year 7-12 students. This program will replace the traditional Home Group, providing a dedicated time for student well-being and connection.

Next year, the VCE-VM program will also be adjusted, allowing students to spend one day a week in the workforce while benefiting from a more integrated approach to their subjects. These changes aim to enhance both academic and personal development for our students.