I would like to congratulate our students on their diligence, resilience, and commitment in navigating the challenges of the past few weeks. The end of the semester is a demanding time, with assessments, examinations, and the transition into a new semester requiring students to remain focused and organised. Combined with the arrival of colder winter weather, this period can be particularly challenging.

However, these experiences also provide valuable opportunities for students to develop important life skills, including perseverance, adaptability, and time management. Learning to balance competing demands and remain focused during busy periods helps prepare students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in further education, training, and the workplace.

As we approach the end of Semester One, students are preparing to transition into their Semester Two subjects next week. While some subjects will continue, others will be entirely new, providing students with fresh learning opportunities and new challenges.

Students have now completed their exams and final assessments, and our teachers are busily marking and finalising results. These assessments, together with the work completed throughout the semester, will contribute to the end-of-semester reports, which will be distributed during the final week of term.

We encourage parents and carers to take the time to review these reports with their children, celebrate their achievements, and engage in meaningful conversations about areas for growth and future improvement. Recognising success while setting goals for continued development helps students build confidence, resilience, and a commitment to ongoing learning.

Upcoming Term 2 Key Dates

NGSC LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES

Below is a list of extracurricular activities and clubs currently offered by NGSC staff. These activities provide students with a fantastic opportunity to explore new interests or deepen existing ones.

Most of these programs are run voluntarily by staff members, and we sincerely thank them for generously donating their time and energy to enrich our school community.

If you’re interested in joining any of the activities, please contact the relevant Year Level Coordinator.

Term 2 is proving to be another busy term, filled with activity and excellence across our college community.

Semester 1 Exams

Students have been busy completing assessments for Semester 1, studying and sitting exams. Semester reports will be provided at the end of the term and provide an opportunity for students to reflect on efforts and achievements and set goals for Semester 2, which starts next week.

Music Performance

What an amazing showcase of our talented drama and music students who sang and played instruments in their student formed bands. Primary school students and families were entertained and delighted by the talents of our students during a matinee performance while student families and friends enjoyed an evening show.

The college community is looking forward to the upcoming Battle of the Bands. Bands will battle it out for a coveted spot in the Queenscliff Music Festival.

Be Bold Be Heard

Our school continues to lead the way in schools to help ensure girls in the middle years can feel that “every student matters”. The team presented at the recent State Principals Conference and a recent promotional video was launched.

https://vimeo.com/1194275537/bf8910bb2e?fl=ip&fe=ec

Youth Issues Presentation

This Thursday, EAL students working with Nestor and Catholic Care will present their elevator pitches regarding key issues to MP Ella George, this program promotes student advocacy and development of their ideas for issues facing our youth of today.

Principal Conference

Members of the Principal Class attended the recent State Conference. The theme “leading together for excellence and equity” provided us with the opportunity to hear from renowned thought leaders in education, discover new ways of thinking about leadership excellence and to learn and reflect from one another. Speakers included coach of the Diamonds Netball Team Lisa Alexander and educational leaders Dr Nathaniel Swain, Dr Simon Breakspear and Dr Carl Hendrick. We were challenged to think about how to ensure we provide wraparound services for our students, use AI in an effective and safe manner and the continued introduction of the VTLM 2.0 (Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0

Uniform Reminder

As the weather starts to cool and last year’s winter uniform makes it out of the wardrobe, we would like to remind families that uniforms can be purchased in store or on-line via the Noone website on the following link.

Senior School News

We're powering through Term 2, and with Semester 1 rapidly drawing to a close, the Senior School remains a busy and productive place. Here are some important updates and reminders as we head into the final weeks of term.

Year 12 Study Periods & Cancelled Classes

A reminder to all Year 12 students that you are required to remain at school during study periods and cancelled classes. Signing out early, even with parent permission, may impact your eligibility to access off-site study privileges in Semester 2. These privileges are earned through consistent responsibility and attendance, so make sure you're making the right choices now to keep those opportunities available later.

Driving to School

Students who drive to school must ensure they have completed the appropriate Senior Sub School Driving Permission forms. While carpooling can be a convenient option, students are not permitted to transport other students to VET programs under any circumstances. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Practice GAT – Feedback Matters

All students undertaking scored VCE and VCE VM completed the Practice GAT on 20 May. These assessments have now been marked, and feedback will be provided shortly.

The Practice GAT is much more than just a trial run. The feedback you receive can help identify strengths, highlight areas for improvement, and guide your preparation for the official GAT later in the year. The GAT plays an important role in quality assurance processes, statistical moderation, derived examination scores, and can have a significant impact on your final study scores in certain circumstances.

Take the time to carefully review your feedback and act on it. The effort you invest now could make a real difference when it counts most. Future-you will definitely appreciate it.

Year 11 Exams

Year 11 students are only required on-site during their scheduled examination times. Once your exam has concluded, you may sign out and leave school for the day. With this flexibility comes responsibility, and students must ensure they follow the correct sign-out procedures. Failure to do so may result in these arrangements being reviewed for future examination periods.

While these exams are important assessment tasks in their own right, they also serve a much bigger purpose. For many students, this is the first opportunity to experience a formal examination period that closely mirrors the expectations and conditions of VCE. Learning how to prepare effectively, manage revision time, perform under exam conditions, and reflect on your results are all essential skills that will support future success.

Students should approach these exams seriously and use them as a valuable learning experience. The habits developed now — consistent study routines, effective revision strategies, and resilience under pressure — will form the foundation of strong VCE performance in Years 11 and 12. Every exam provides an opportunity to identify strengths, uncover areas for improvement, and build confidence for the challenges that lie ahead.

Remember, success in VCE is rarely built overnight. It is the result of the skills, knowledge, and work ethic developed over time. Treat these exams as an important stepping stone in your senior school journey and an opportunity to prepare yourself for the demands of future VCE studies.

Coursework Crunch Time

Across all year levels, students should now be finalising assessment tasks and completing outcomes as Semester 1 comes to an end. The finish line is in sight, but there is still important work to be done.

Stay organised, keep track of due dates, seek support when needed, and maintain strong attendance habits. The effort and commitment you demonstrate over the next few weeks will set you up for a successful start to Semester 2.

Uniform Reminder – Winter Has Arrived

The colder weather has certainly arrived, but school uniform expectations remain unchanged. Hoodies are not part of the school uniform and should not be worn at school. Students are also reminded to present in full school uniform and be clean shaven.

As senior students, you play an important role in setting the standard for the rest of the school community. Lead by example, even when the temptation to stay rugged up is strong.

Thank you to all students for your continued efforts throughout the term. Keep working hard, support one another, and finish Semester 1 strongly.

As we come to the end of another busy and productive semester, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our Year 9 and Year 10 students on the commitment, resilience and growth they have demonstrated throughout the term.

Exam Success

First of all, a big congratulations to all Middle Sub School students on successfully completing their Semester One examinations.

Exams provide an important opportunity for students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding they have developed throughout the semester. It was pleasing to see students approach the examination period with maturity, focus and a positive attitude. Across both year levels, students conducted themselves exceptionally well in the exam environment and should be proud of the effort they put into their preparation and performance.

While examinations are only one measure of achievement, they are an important milestone in developing study habits, time management skills and academic confidence as students progress through their schooling journey. We look forward to celebrating the results and achievements that reflect the hard work students have invested over the past semester.

Celebrating Academic Achievement

Our most recent Progress Reports have once again highlighted the outstanding efforts of many students across the Middle Sub School.

We are delighted to share that 82 students in our Middle School achieved a GPA above 3.5, demonstrating a strong commitment to their learning, consistent effort and positive engagement in the classroom. Even more impressively, 19 students achieved a GPA of 3.9 or higher, an exceptional accomplishment that reflects sustained academic excellence across all of their subjects.

These results are a testament not only to the dedication of our students, but also to the support provided by families and staff. Congratulations to all students on their achievements, and we encourage everyone to continue striving for personal growth and success as we move into Semester Two.

Semester Two Begins

Semester Two classes are about to get underway, starting on Monday 15th June, bringing with it new opportunities, new challenges and exciting learning experiences.

For many students, the beginning of a new semester means commencing new elective subjects, working with different classmates and teachers, and exploring areas of interest that may influence future pathways. It is also an opportunity for students to reflect on their Semester One achievements and set new goals for the months ahead.

I encourage all students to maintain the positive learning habits they have developed throughout the year and continue to challenge themselves both academically and personally.

Uniform Expectations

As the colder weather continues, we ask families to support the college by ensuring students are attending school in the correct uniform each day.

The most common uniform concerns we are currently addressing include:

• Wearing non-school jumpers or hoodies instead of approved college uniform items. Please know, that hoodies of no kind will be permitted to wear at school, even with parent notes due to safety.
• Wearing Physical Education uniform on days when students do not have PE classes scheduled.
• Facial hair – students are reminded that they are expected to arrive at school clean shaven.
• Earrings and fake nails – these remain an Occupational Health and Safety concern. Nails should be of a reasonable length, and hooped earrings and facial piercings are not permitted.

We appreciate the support of families in helping maintain our high standards and ensuring all students represent the college positively.

Looking Forward

Planning is already well underway for our upcoming course counselling and careers sessions for both Year 9 and Year 10 students.

These sessions are an important part of helping students make informed decisions about their future learning pathways. Students will have opportunities to explore subject options, discuss career interests, review pathway possibilities and receive guidance as they begin planning for 2027 and beyond.

For our Year 9 students, this will involve considering their Year 10 program and how it aligns with their strengths, interests and future aspirations and will begin with our upcoming Geelong Tertiary Futures Program. Year 10 students will begin exploring the wide range of senior school pathways available to them, including VCE, VCE Vocational Major, VET and other post-school opportunities.

We look forward to working closely with students and families throughout this process to ensure every student is supported in making informed and meaningful decisions about their future.

As always, thank you to our students, families and staff for their continued support of the Middle Sub School. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing what our students achieve during Semester Two.

Junior Sub School

As we move through Week 8, it has been wonderful to see so many students demonstrating our school values and striving for success in their learning. During the month of May, students received more than 1,000 positive acknowledgements on Compass, including five students who received more than 10 positive acknowledgements throughout the month. Our Term 2, Week 6 Progress Reports also highlighted outstanding achievement, with 90 students attaining an average score above 3.5. Congratulations to the following students who achieved a perfect score:

• Maddison McKenzie
• Anurodh Adhikari
• Madelena Bienfait
• Heldana John

The Junior Sub School Team would like to congratulate all students who have received positive Compass entries and strong Progress Report results throughout the term. These acknowledgements reflect the hard work, persistence and positive attitudes that students bring to school each day.

Examinations

A special congratulations goes to our Year 7 and Year 8 students, who have recently completed their Semester One Examinations. For many students, this was their first experience of formal exams, and they approached the challenge with maturity and determination. The examination process provides valuable preparation for future years of schooling and helps students develop important study and organisational skills.

Now that exams have concluded, Mathematics and English homework sheets are back up and running. We encourage students to complete these regularly to reinforce classroom learning and build confidence in key skills. Spare copies are available from the Junior Sub School for any students who require them.

Consent Labs Incursion

Our Year 8 students recently participated in the Consent Labs Incursion. This engaging and informative program provided students with the opportunity to explore respectful relationships, communication, boundaries and consent in an age-appropriate and meaningful way. We thank our students for their thoughtful participation and respectful engagement throughout the sessions.

Uniform Reminder

As the weather continues to cool, we would like to remind families of the importance of wearing the correct school uniform. Students should ensure they are dressed appropriately for the season and are wearing approved school uniform items each day.

Uniform: Students are to ensure they are checking their timetables so that they are wearing the correct uniform each day. Any notes for incorrect uniform/uniform items need to be received by sub-school before the beginning of period one.

Academic Uniform:

• Blazers must be worn to and from school, on excursions and when representing the college (unless reports of extreme heat)
• White collared shirt (short or long sleeve) or plain white polo shirt (short or long sleeve)
• College dress (no shorter than 8cm above the knee)
• College skirt (no shorter than 8cm above the knee) – optional black tights/stockings underneath
• Grey trousers/tailored slacks (not denim, cargo, corduroy or flares – must be unbranded)
• Grey shorts (not denim, cargo, corduroy or flares – must be unbranded)
• College jumper – black with red trim

NOTE: PE jacket cannot be worn as part of the academic uniform

PE Uniform:

• Track pants or shorts – black with red trim
• NOTE: College PE pants/shorts with the logo can still be worn
• NGSC College polo
• College soft-shell sport jacket

Thank you to our students and families for your continued support as we approach the final weeks of Term 2.

The Resilience Project - Take Home Activity

In Connect students have been learning about the life experiences of others and how to identify emotions in others - below is a great activity from The Resilience Project that families can complete at home to explore empathy:

Welcome to the Library

The library is one of the busiest learning spaces in our school and offers much more than just books. It is a welcoming and inclusive environment where students can read, study, research, collaborate, create and discover new interests.

Our collection includes a wide range of resources to support both learning and enjoyment. Students can borrow fiction and non-fiction books, graphic novels, manga, biographies and study guides. We regularly add new titles based on student interests and curriculum needs to ensure there is something for every reader.

Students and staff also have access to our digital library through ePlatform (details how to access it are below), which provides a growing collection of eBooks and audiobooks that can be accessed anytime, anywhere on a computer, tablet or smartphone. This means students can continue reading at home, on the bus or during holidays.

The library provides a variety of spaces to meet different needs. Students can visit before school from 8:30AM, at recess, lunchtime, and after school up to 4:30 PM to read, complete homework, study independently, work with classmates or simply enjoy a quiet space. Popular activities include reading, board games, chess and exploring new books through our displays and recommendations.

For teachers, the library supports teaching and learning through curriculum resources, class borrowing, research support and assistance in locating materials to support classroom programs. We are always happy to work with staff to help students access information and develop their literacy skills. Ask us if you would like us to order some new books or you have any other requests or *suggestions.

Throughout the year, the library will celebrate events such as Book Week, Reconciliation Week, National Simultaneous Storytime and other literacy-focused activities. We will also continue to showcase new books, student recommendations and displays that promote reading, curiosity and lifelong learning.

Whether students are passionate readers, reluctant readers, researchers, gamers, creators or simply looking for a welcoming place to belong, the library has something for everyone. We look forward to seeing students and staff make the most of everything the library has to offer throughout the year.

Library Snapshot

• 📚Fiction, non-fiction, manga and graphic novels
• 🎧 eBooks and audiobooks through ePlatform
• 💻 Research and study support
• ♟️ Chess, board games and lunchtime activities
• 📖 New book displays and recommendations
• 🎉 Literacy events and celebrations throughout the year
• 🤝 A welcoming space for all students

"The library is a place where every student can find a book, a resource, an opportunity – or simply a place to belong."

Accessing the School Library Portal

The School Library Portal allows you to see what books are available in the library and our digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks.

Finding Physical Books

1. Go to the North Geelong Secondary College intranet (NGSC Intranet).
2. Go to the heading ‘School’
3. Click on ‘Search the Library (Assess IT online)’.
4. You can then browse the library collection using the bars at the top
5. Use the search bar to search by title, author or topic.

The Library Portal lets you see:

• What books /ebooks / audio books are available in the library or on our ePlatform
• Where books are located (either in the library or through ePlatform)
• Whether a book is currently on loan

If you would like to borrow a physical book, simply come into the library and library staff will help you borrow it.

Accessing eBooks and Audiobooks

1. Go to the North Geelong Secondary College intranet (NGSC Intranet).
2. Go to the heading ‘School’.
3. Click on ‘Access eBooks Online (Wheelers)’.
   The first time you use the platform you will have to go to ‘School Login’ (top right) and search for ‘North Geelong Secondary College’.
4. Log in using your school Single Sign-On (SSO) account. Use your ngsc.com.au account and your password.
5. Browse or search for an eBook or audiobook.
6. Click Borrow and start reading or listening straight away.

eBooks and audiobooks can be accessed on a computer, tablet or smartphone, making it easy to enjoy books wherever you are. You can also download the app on your phone or tablet (link on ePlatform website).

📚 Search the Library Portal to discover what's available.
🎧 Use ePlatform to borrow eBooks and audiobooks.
🏫 Visit the library to borrow physical books.

Visit from 3 local primary schools to our special matinee performance…."Lights, Camera, Music”

Recently our college invited staff and students from 3 local Primary Schools - Holy Family, Bell Park North and Rollins, they were all treated to a sensational matinee performance of our College Music Concert. The smiles on each of their faces shone through and showed that they were all enjoying every moment of the event.

The performance was absolutely amazing, showing the talent of our NGSC students, the primary school students treated the event like a movie-star concert with their clapping, praising and even joining in with their own vocals and singing. Not to mention the amazing questions and the end of the performance.

Everyone had a most enjoyable time but to top it off, the popcorn was an absolute treat and enjoyed by all, especially the teachers! A memorable afternoon filled with joy, fun and laughter :)

Thank you to the staff and students at each of the primary schools for celebrating this event with our college. It surely means a lot to the students who performed and the College as a whole community.

"Song Makers'"

Last week the Year 11 VET Music students attended a two-day incursion presented by the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) called 'Song Makers'. The workshop was focussed on writing and recording original music. 

On Day 1 students met their music industry mentors, each with impressive credentials as songwriters and producers. They were Annika Schmarsel, Hayden Lauersen and Yeo. The mentors ran songwriting activities before students broke off into groups and spent most of the day writing music and lyrics together. The mentors guided students through this process and encouraged them to develop their creative ideas into structured pieces. Each group performed their completed song at the end of the first day. 

On Day 2 students spent time recording their songs with Annika and Hayden, and took part in a music careers workshop and Q&A session with Yeo. At the end of the day, we all came together for a listening party to hear all of the completed songs. We were all incredibly impressed with the amazing songs and quality recordings that were created in just two days. 

I'd like to thank APRA and the brilliant mentors for sharing their expertise and skill with our students. It was fantastic to see students developing in confidence and collaborating in such a positive and inclusive way. The workshop helped our students to develop skills necessary for the VET Music course, but most importantly it provided them an opportunity to work with some incredible artists and producers and learn about many jobs in the Australian music scene - an opportunity they won't soon forget!

IDAHOBIT DAY

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a global day to raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ discrimination and is observed on May 17th each year.

NGSC celebrated this as a school on the 14th of May in a number of ways:

• Members of NGSC’s LGBTQIA+ group, Stand Out, raised the LGBTQIA+ Flag on the flagpole on Thursday - remaining raised over the weekend.

• All students learnt about the meaning of IDAHOBIT Day during a Connect lesson on the topic - which was created in collaboration with students from the Stand Out Group.

• Lunchtime celebrations organised by Student Wellbeing, City of Greater Geelong and the SRC. These included temporary tattoos, badge making, fairy bread and lots of music!

All of these activities are a great example of allyship in our school community, and it was awesome to see so many students take part in the celebrations.

Do It For Dolly Day

The SRC organised a Casual Dress Day for Do It For Dolly Day on 8th May, which is a national day against bullying in Australia - organised by the Dolly’s Dream charity. The goal of the day is to Go Blue, and it was great to see so many students get behind the cause - raising $735!

A great example of our College’s ability to support worthy causes, keep an eye out for the next casual dress to get behind in Term 3!

Year 12 VCE VM Camp - Breamlea

Introduction

The VCE VM Year 12 are organising a volunteering camp in the community. The camp is going to be held on 18/6/2026-19/6/2026. The students will be volunteering and helping out in the local community. Mrs. Hurst’s class 12F is going to Breamlea

About Breamlea

Breamlea is a locality in Surf Coast Shire It is located on the south coast of the Bellarine Peninsula 18 kilometres south of Geelong and halfway between Barwon Heads and Torquay. It is divided between the City of Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire. In the 2012 census, Breamlea had a population of 151. Breamlea is known for its amazing beaches that are great for sunset and sunrise walks.

Reason for the Camp

The reason the year 12 VCE VM class is going on a camp and volunteering, is to give back to the community and be involved in the community.

Who we are volunteering for and why

We are volunteering with Landcare and Bellarine Catchment network. The reason why we are volunteering in the community is to get the year 12s out into the community and make new connections.

The Groups

There are 5 different groups for the camp, the 5 different groups are Media, Education, Cooks, Logistics and Administration. Each student has been assigned into a group with people they haven’t really worked with before so it is a great opportunity to talk to new people and work with new people they wouldn’t really work with. In each group there are different roles to take on: in Media the team has to source a GoPro and find out how to use it and also write a newsletter or promo about the camp. The Cooks are in charge of making a food list for the 2 days and finding out if there are any allergies. The Education team are in charge of the activities to make the camp fun and enjoyable for the year 12s. The logistics team is in charge of finding the location of the camp and where we will be staying for the night. The Administration team is in charge of making all the legal forms for the students and parents/guardians to fill out and to add the event onto Compass for parents and guardians to see and fill out for students to attend the camp.

LOTE Corner

Exchange Visit

Our sister school, Osaka Prefectural Izumiotsu High School, visited us for the first time at the end of March 2026. This was a memorable visit for both the students coming to Australia for the first time, and our school, as it coincided with the Separation Street electricity line incident and subsequent multi-day power outage at school.

The staff and students of the visiting group still had a fantastic time and expressed their appreciation at the welcome they received from their host families, and students and staff at school. Students participated in a variety of classes and connected with students from across the school.

I would like to thank the students, staff, and our school community for their efforts to make this a great experience for everyone, even in the cold, and working without electricity at school.

A huge thank you and shout out to the host families, who opened their homes and lives to our visitors:

Pratt family, Cathro family, Sikora family, Deller family, Hurst family, Baird family, Walker family, Tran Vu family, Moroney family, Shirvani family, Liddell family, Le Lievre family.

Seeking Host Families

North Geelong Secondary College is Sister School to the junior and senior high schools of Geelong's Sister City, Izumiotsu, in Osaka, Japan.

This year we are welcoming our junior high school sister schools group (Year 7-9) from 10th-16th August. This is also known as T3 Week 5, Monday through Sunday.

There will be 10 girls and boys travelling to Geelong to learn about our lives in Australia, and to extend their English skills.

We are seeking host families for 10 students from within our school community.

This is a wonderful experience to connect with students from Japan who want to expand their understanding of the world.

Marvellous families of NGSC, would you consider opening your homes for a week mid-Term 3?

Please email linda.castle@education.vic.gov.au if you would consider hosting or would like more information.

Thank you in anticipation,

Ms Castle

Alumni visit

This week, alum Dr Yolanda Esteban (1996) popped in to view the exhibition of art from our years 7-10 students. Yolanda is Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning) in Deakin University's School of Architecture and the Built Environment. She was particularly interested in the design portfolios of the year 10 students. Yolanda also spoke with STRIVE coordinator, Sarah Hanan, about how she can be involved in the research and presentation phase of the students' inquiries. 

It was great to see Yolanda have time to fit North Geelong into her busy schedule. 

I'm on the search for alum who would like to assist with either the KLA-based VCE information session for year 9 and 10 students and/or the Careers Day for Year 10 students. 

The first session is on Monday, 16th July during periods 1 and 2 (8.47am - 10.26am) and will be led by Key Learning Area managers. You would accompany the KLA leader when the students leave the main presentation - information regarding subjects in each area, any pre-requisites and possible pathways after studying a particular subject. Your role would be to briefly introduce yourself and explain how studying a particular subject/pathway assisted (or not) in the pursuit of your chosen career. It's a very informal role - you're not being asked to speak in front of a large group; just interested Year 10 students. This session would be followed by an informal morning tea.

The second session is Year 10 Careers Day, to be held on Monday, 27th July, during periods 5 and 6 (1.32pm-3.10pm). This session involves a panel of participants taking part in a question and answer discussion, led by the Alumni Program Coordinator, using as prompts, your answers to previously shared questions. After this, panel members would locate in different positions around the gym and field answers to questions from students. Once again this is a fairly informal affair.

If you think you could assist with one or both of these events, please get in touch (alumni@ngsc.com.au) for further information. If you are a past student, we'd love to see you back at North Geelong Secondary College!

Click here to fill in a survey to contribute to the Alumni Program.

Can you help?

Some Great Information Regarding Applying for an Apprenticeship or Traineeship

What are employers looking for in an apprentice or trainee?

There are the baseline traits that all employees look for:

• Punctuality
• Honesty
• Initiative
• Work ethic.
• Self-awareness and the desire for self-improvement – curiosity is big thing all employers say they are looking for. They don’t expect you to know it all, but they want to see a drive to learn.

So how do you capture the attention of an employer?

Why are you unique? What can you offer that no one else can? We all have Unique Selling Points or USPs (in digital marketing terms). Name your top three strengths then ask a parent, friend or former employer to do the same. For example, you may be efficient, outgoing and driven. Think of examples in your personal life where you have illustrated these strengths and spell them out using examples.

YOU MUST have a Resume. Employers offering apprenticeships and traineeships accept that you may have very little paid work experience, but you do have skills. Perhaps you are the captain of your sporting club, or you are coach of a team, completed a pre-apprenticeship, studied tech or hospitality at school, worked at your dad’s company in the holidays or learned how to construct things. Include achievements such as awards or projects you managed at school. It could simply be that you worked part-time for a year to go on a school trip, which shows you have determination.

Be creative with your skill set.

Present well. Dress well and look clean and tidy even if you are in your school uniform. Presentation also includes ensuring there are no spelling or grammar mistakes in your resume. This is especially important to show you have a keen eye for attention to detail.

Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is so important in apprentices!

Someone who is enthusiastic, energetic and passionate creating products will get employed. Remember, while you may not have a lengthy resume, you might be surprised by how much you can truly offer.

Employers also value a young person’s initiative to pick up the phone (yes actually talking) and have a conversation with prospective employers.

Stay off your mobile during business hours!

Might be obvious, but Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok.... CAN ALL WAIT!

The one thing the Head Start Coordinators hear from frustrated employers; “They are always on their phone.”

Check it at appropriate times during breaks, but other times show some initiative during slow periods and clean, restack, clean a work vehicle – this is the thing that will impress.

What makes doing an apprenticeship so worthwhile?

Learning in a practical setting is invaluable. Not only do you get to develop skills in a practical environment, but you’re surrounded by experienced professionals that you can learn and draw inspiration from. An apprenticeship goes beyond the theory and provides you with skills and experience that will set you up for a career that you may have never been able to access otherwise.

Finding yourself the right apprenticeship isn’t always as difficult as you may think. Talk to your Careers Teacher about how Head Start can help you present well to employers.

If you’re a student looking for a pathway into employment, a parent looking for a secure future for your child, or an employer looking for your next apprentice, contact the Careers and Pathways Team about the Head Start Program!

Healthy School News

IDAHOBIT and Stand Out Group

A few weeks ago, our school community proudly came together to celebrate IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia). The day began with students and staff raising the LGBTQIA+ Flag, which flew with pride over the weekend and was lowered on Monday. The day was celebrated with a myriad of lunchtime activities, including fairy bread, temporary tattoos, free pride flags, and pins!

The day also marked the launch of a new NGSC Initiative: Stand Out. Stand Out is an all-inclusive group, dedicated to discussing and promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, respect, and normalisation within our school. We at Stand Out take pride in offering a safe, welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals and allies from all year levels.

Stand Out meets every Wednesday during lunchtime in B01, supported by our wonderful school nurse and Wellbeing Team. Together, we plan for upcoming events and activities, and we warmly welcome your ideas and input. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or an ally, you belong here, and we would truly love to see you there.

Jack Burgess (Year 12 student)

The Koori Ways Vaping Prevention and Education Program

Our Year 7 First Nations students have taken part in The Koori Ways program. Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative delivered a five-week educational program. Ben from Wathaurong led the program, which was supported by NGSC’s Koorie Coordinator and Secondary School Nurse. The Koori Way Program focused on educating students about the dangers of smoking and vaping, as well as the benefits of avoiding these activities.

Art Therapy Update

The Art Therapy Program continues to run successfully on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, providing students with valuable opportunities to express themselves creatively while developing social, emotional, and communication skills.

Currently, 53 students are actively engaged in the program. Participants enjoy a variety of hands-on and collaborative art experiences, exploring different artistic mediums and techniques. Recent activities have included collaborative art projects and creative works using wet felting, allowing students to develop new skills while working together in a supportive environment.

The program offers a safe and inclusive space where students can build confidence, enhance their wellbeing, and experience the therapeutic benefits of artistic expression.

If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to take part, please see Tina in Wellbeing for further information.

School Pets Supporting Wellbeing

Our Wellbeing Team continues to welcome our school dog, Dobby, into the school several days each week. Recently, Sooty has also joined our school pet team, further enhancing the positive impact these special companions have on our school community.

The presence of our school pets brings joy, comfort, and many smiles to both students and staff. They provide valuable support in promoting student wellbeing, helping students to regulate their emotions, reduce anxiety, and feel more connected and settled throughout the school day.

Our school pets enjoy spending time with students and staff, participating in wellbeing activities, and mingling within the school community. Their calm and friendly nature creates opportunities for positive interactions and supports a welcoming and inclusive school environment.

We are grateful for the many benefits our school pets bring and look forward to continuing this valuable wellbeing initiative.

Mental Health Supports for Students over the Holidays

The Victorian Government has developed mental health support, resources and advice for students and families to access over the school holidays. Two fact sheets for students and families have been developed in 19 different languages to:

• support positive mental health and wellbeing of students
• identify signs students may need mental health support
• access available support.

Please visit the link for more information Mental health supports for students over school holidays | vic.gov.au

North Geelong Centre

Located at North Geelong Secondary College

Just a quick update on the situation with VSL / LOTE learning. Many of our students attend school on a Saturday morning to learn a language. The VSL is running all classes through on-line learning, as are day-schools; the lessons are running at the usual time on a Saturday. The VSL teachers contacted each class member prior to the commencement of this term in regard to the electronic platform being used and instructions to access those. If any of our students or their parents/guardians have questions about this, please contact the class teacher first (if possible) and then make all enquiries through the VSL head-office.

The Victorian School of Languages is a specialist Government school offering complementary language instruction outside of regular school hours. It enrols students in Years 1 to 12, who are unable to study their language of choice in their mainstream school. Students from all educational sectors (Government, Independent and Catholic) are eligible to enrol.

The Victorian School of Languages offers quality courses aligned with Government curriculum standards, based on communication skills, that include speaking, reading, writing and listening. Its VCE Program is fully accredited and can advantage students in the calculation of their university entrance score.

The school`s Language Program is delivered through online teaching in over 40 Language Centres situated in government Secondary Schools across the state, and through Distance Education mode.

In North Geelong, classes are held on Saturday mornings between 9:00 am and 12:15 pm online.

Languages offered:

Croatian, Karen, Vietnamese, Dari, Persian, Polish, Macedonian, Bosnian, Turkish and Russian

*New languages may be offered subject to demand*

For enquiries, Telephone: 5277 9833

Further details and enrolment are available online at our website: www.vsl.vic.edu.au

Discover the World of Languages!