NGSC Newsletter
Issue 9 . 05 Sept 2024

Principal's Report

School Saving Bonus

Subject Selections

Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey

Last Day of Term

We are approaching the end of the term, and for some of our Year 12 students, it will be the end of their 13 years of schooling. The VCE students will have compulsory practice exams over the holidays. Beginning in October, these exams will provide valuable feedback for students preparing for their VCAA exams. The students will also be preparing for these exams at school. Revision sessions will run up to their exams. Some VCE VM students will be back at the school finalising courses and or preparing for their school exit interviews.

School Saving Bonus

In Term 4, 2024, families with a child enrolled in a government school from Prep to Year 12 in 2025 will receive the one-off $400 School Saving Bonus.

The $400 School Saving Bonus provides families with support for education-related costs, such as school activities and or school uniforms and textbooks.

The School Saving Bonus is not available for full-fee international students, home-schooled students, TAFE students, or students attending kindergarten in 2025.

Actions for parents and carers

Before 18 October 2024, the Department of Education is asking parents and carers to:

● Complete enrolment: If your child, or children are changing government school for Term 1 2025, or starting Prep or Year 7 in 2025. For more information, read about Enrolling in School.

● Check your contact information: Ensure your email address and phone number is up to date with us. You can check this information by contacting us or verifying on your Compass page.

We need to ensure your contact information is up to date as the Department of Education will email you twice:

● in October, to verify your email address

● in November, with your $400 School Saving Bonus and access to an online system.

Please check your junk mail regularly to ensure you get all the important emails.

Download the School Saving Bonus Information sheet for government school parents and carers to learn more about the School Saving Bonus. Visitvic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus.

Subject Selection

Subject selections were conducted in Term 3 and involved significant decisions for students in Years 8, 9, 10, and 11. Parents played a crucial role in this process, assisting their children in choosing subjects that align with their career aspirations and interests. Students have gained educational experiences at school and have also visited tertiary institutions to help them make informed decisions about their education.

The school is currently working on the timetable based on the students' choices. This timetable is designed according to the selections made by the students during the course counselling process. While the school aims to accommodate as many of the students' choices as possible, it may only sometimes be feasible to meet all requests. Secondary school students have a greater degree of influence over their subject choices, and this autonomy grows with each passing year. This period is an exciting time in their lives as they shape their education to align with their interests and career aspirations.

2024 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion survey

The survey deadline has been extended and will now close on Friday, 20 September.

Thank you to the families who have already completed the survey, contributing significantly to our community with their feedback.

If your family was selected to participate in the Parent Opinion Survey and has not yet completed it, we strongly encourage you to do so. Your input is invaluable to our school community.

The purpose of this survey is to gather opinions from parents, caregivers, and guardians to inform future planning and enhance our college.

Rest assured, the survey is anonymous, and your responses are strictly confidential.

The survey will take roughly 20 minutes to complete. We recognize your time is precious, but your insights are equally important to us.

We appreciate your support. Should parents, caregivers, or guardians have any inquiries or concerns about the Parent Opinion Survey, please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak with Ms. Leanne Scarlett.

Last Day of Term

Friday 20th September is the last day of term. Wishing the NGSC family a restful break and looking forward to a productive term 4 with our students.

Paul Dawson
Acting Principal