Well, winter is now well and truly upon us, and this cold weather certainly helps us appreciate the warmer months a little more.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this newsletter following the sad passing of Jimmy Onturk, the owner of Jimmy’z Cafe and a valued member of North Geelong Secondary College's community.

Jimmy's warm, engaging personality left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. His friendly smile, generous nature and welcoming presence will be greatly missed by all who visited him for a coffee or lunch. He was much more than a familiar face in our community he was a great supporter of our school and someone who genuinely cared about our students and staff.

Jimmy was an indelible part of the NGSC community, perhaps best symbolised by his enthusiastic participation in our annual Staff vs Students football match. His support also extended to sponsoring our school soccer program, reflecting his passion for providing opportunities for our students.

Below are photos of our Intermediate Boys Soccer Team, who competed in the Barwon Zone competition on Wednesday and were crowned champions. Before the team took to the field, there was conversation about Jimmy and the impact he had on our college community. In recognition of his passing, the boys wore black armbands throughout the day as a mark of respect. I would like to think they carried a little extra motivation with them, playing not only for themselves and the College, but also in honour of someone who had been such a passionate supporter of the program and our school community.

On behalf of the entire North Geelong Secondary College community, I extend our deepest condolences to Jimmy's family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him. He will be remembered with great fondness, and his contribution to our school community will not be forgotten.

I hope all our students had a restful and enjoyable break and have returned refreshed, ready for a productive and successful Term 3. This promises to be another busy term, with many opportunities for students to learn, grow and become actively involved in the life of the College.

As we begin the second half of the school year, it is an ideal time for students to reflect on their progress and set goals for the months ahead. We encourage parents and carers to spend time discussing these goals with their children, celebrating their achievements while also identifying areas for continued growth. By working together, we can help every student make the most of the opportunities ahead and finish the year on a positive note.

Thank you for your continued support of our College community. I look forward to another rewarding term and wish everyone a warm, healthy and successful few months ahead.

Term 3 Key Dates

Course Counselling

One of my favourite aspects of Term 3 is seeing the "lightbulb moments" for many of our Year 9 and 10 students as they begin to have greater input into their subject selections. They genuinely enjoy the independence this process provides, and for many, it is the first time they can see a clearer pathway to their future.

In the table above, you will find the dates for students' career guidance sessions and subject selection appointments. While these selections are not locked in immediately, they are influenced by peers' choices and overall demand for subjects. The College always endeavours to provide students with their preferred subject choices; however, this is sometimes limited by timetable constraints and class availability.