Student Activities
This page lists a few of the wide range of 2009 student activities for which Northcote High School is famous.
Click here for more student activities (before January 2009)
Visit by delegation of Chinese Education journalists
November saw our first heat wave and a visit by five Educational journalists from various parts of China. They met with and interviewed some of Northcote's international students.
Duke of Edinburgh Camp to Cape Otway
Its a hot Sunday afternoon at 24 stduents at teachers prepare for the Cape Otway Adventure Journey, part of the Duke of Edinburgh program. Who's worried about a 20 Kilo pack? says Brittany of Year 10 !!
November sports and athletics
Late October always sees finals in various interschool sports and Athletics. Our Year 9/10 Boy's Hocey performed very well at District level, but went down fighting in the Zone finals, while Zoe McWhinney gained three medals at State Athletics, including a Gold Medal in the Triple Jump.
Caitlin and the U 16 Matildas win the AFF Championships
Our Caitlin Friend of Year 10 (second from right back row) has returned from playing with the U16 Matildas in Myanmar, where they won the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Women's Championships. Caitlin was the second equal highest scorer in the series. She is due to play in the Asian Football Confederation Championships in November, where Australia will play China, Korea and Japan. We wish the team well.
Farewell to Year 12, 2009
Our last full day of Year 12 classes was on Monday October 19th. Year 12 students came dressed as their childhood dream figure and enjoyed a lunchtime BBQ and music. Extra revision classes rolled on until Thursday October 22 when our Year 12s were dismissed. Some are shown abaove on the last day.
Back to Northcote Day 2009
Back to Northcote 2009 saw about 50 former students revisit the school, many for the first time in half a century!
Many thanks to all involved, including Yr 11 guides Lily and Merissa (above right), Tom and Michael of Yr 7, Nellie and Nick of Yr 12. Former student Alan Smith and former Principal Gary Israel joined Kate Morris in welcoming the crowd, some of whom are shown above left.
Launch of the NHS 2009 Art Week
This year's NHS Art Week began with 150 students performing to 400 parents and friends in the Senior Music concert (the Junior concert is yet to come!), followed two days later by the launch of the Art, Technology and Media show!
The fashion parade by senior and middle school art and technology students took place on Friday October 16th to a packed hall! Shortly after voting commenced in the People's Choice Awards. Final production videos were shown by Year 12 Media students, and the evening was MC'ed by staffmember Mr Tim Sheedy.
Be the Hero! launched at Northcote
(Photo of Jane Ashton and NHS boys courtesy of The Age)
A result of over two years of extensive collaboration between the Victorian Women’s Trust (VWT) and a number of staff and boys at the school, the project culminated in the national launch of the “Be the Hero!” program at the school on Tuesday, 6th October. High profile male sportspeople and print and television media were in attendance at the launch. Click here to read The Age report on the project
Aviva's Chinese project!
Former NHS student and published author Aviva Kidd is currently working on her next novel while on a gap year before further studies at Melbourne University. And she has just moved to Shanghai to practice her Chinese while writing! Click here to read the Northcote Leader story on her.
Celebrating 10 Years with Huaibei No.1 High School.
September 2009 saw a party of 25 NHS students and teachers spend 12 days in China. The highlight of the annual tour was the four days spent at our sister school, Huaibei No. 1 High School, in northern Anhui province.
The 10th Anniversary concert was an enthusiastic and joyful celebration by students and staff. At left, NHS students join an impromptu chorus for Principal Mr Qu, dancing to Song of the Communist Youth League of China. At right, hardly a dry eye after Assistant Principals Ms Ma Ying, Mr Chen and Mr Murphy joined Principal Mr Qu for a Mandarin and English version of Auld Lang Syne.
At left, Ms Soula Bennett (also President of STAV) met with Science education leaders from Anhui Province. At right, Eve Walton-Healey, who stayed on an extra 5 days at Huaibei No.1 High School.
Girls and Boys District Hockey success!
2009 has seen many of our teams play through to zone and state level. In early September, our Boys' and Girls' Yr 9/10 Hockey teams won their District finals in rare Melbourne driving rain (below).
Caitlin's run with the Matilda's Under 17 team
On of our star soccer players, Caitlin Friend of Yr 10 (shown above left), will shortly play with the Matildas Under 17 side. The school congratulates Caitlin on this wonderful achievement.
Meliora Sequamur Week
At school assemblies on August 18th, the School Captains dressed up in theme clothing to launch Meliora Sequamur week, to run from August 24-28th. The week involved concerts and competitions, visiting speakers and sporting events, to celebrate what's best about Northcote High School.
Skate day was part of MS week! A huge crowd of eager skaters tried out the temporary ramp. As School Captain Sophie Freeman reported in our newsletter, (tongue in cheek) "almost no skaters were hurt in this closely supervised event"!
The 2009 Big Band Concert Rocks!
Northcote's music department joined with Del la Salle Boy's College to present this year's packed Big Band Boogie, on Thursday August 20.
Farewell to our Chinese friends! August 16
This year, Northcote High School celebrates 10 years of friendship with Huaibei No. 1 High School. Over 450 students and staff have been exchanged in that time, and the relationship has become a model of professional cooperation. On August 9th, 15 students and six staffmembers arrived for a one week visit of our school. Delegation leader Mr Chi is shown below left with Principal Kate Morris, Sophie Freeman and Jack Dalton School Captains, and Ms Lixia Wang.
Our first Year 7 Parent Breakfast - August 17
A large group of parents joined Yr 7 Coordinators and staff for our first ever Parents Breakfast on August 17th. A great success that we will repeat! Stay tuned!
Pirates of Penzance- 22-25 July
From 22 - 25 July, Pirates of Penzance played at Northcote High School, over 70 years after our first Gilbert and Sullivan play in 1932.
Celebrating 20 years of Coeducation!
This year, Northcote High School (including most Year 12 girls shown above) celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the return to coeducation. Did you know Northcote High School began in 1926 as a Coeducational school? In 1929, girls were required to attend Preston Girls. In 1989, we returned to coeducation again, although girls came here "unofficially" from the mid 1980s.
Aviva's VCE Premier's Award
Aviva Kidd (Year 12, 2008) has been awarded the Premier's Award in National Politics. The Premier's Awards acknowledge the best VCE results from all State, Independent and Catholic schools. Aviva's wonderful award for the highest mark in Politics is a great credit to her, given she commenced the subject as an "extra" in her VCE program. She is shown above with Paul Gilby, her Politics teacher. The school community congratulates Aviva, and eagerly awaits the publication of her second novel! (The Age report of Premier's Awards can be read by clicking here)
The Amazing Mr Bissett!
Our very own Mr Chris Bissett, talented teacher and illusionist, performed for our Year 8s in early August. "I'm still gobsmacked by what he did" said DJ, at left.
School Classical Music Concert- 22 June.
Our first concert dedicated only to classical music was held at Melba Hall on 22 June. VCE Vocal soloists Rosie Hilder (left) and Caitlin Sullivan (right) sang in German and French respectively while the Intermediate and Senior Strings played pieces by Vivaldi, Wagner and Mozart. The Brass ensemble provided a wonderful version of the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. Congratulations to all performers!
Pajama Day fundraising
Pajama Day was run on June 20 to raise funds for charity. This was another initiative of the Student council.
NAIDOC Week
Aboriginal singer and song writer Clinton Dimer performed at the school on 25 July to help raise awareness of the upcoming NAIDOC celebrations. Clinton can be seen at right.
The 2009 Rose's Gap Camp
All of our Yr 9 students spent a crisp but cool week at Rose's Gap (the Grampians) in May. " Camp was an awesome experience...I loved abseiling" said Oscar. Joshua added “I loved camp because the activities I would like to experience again in life...” Congratulations to all students and thanks to our many staff and supportive parents.
Celebrating 20 years of coeducation at Northcote High School!
This year, Northcote High School (including most of our 120 Year 7 girls shown above) celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the return to coeducation. Did you know Northcote High School began in 1926 as a Coeducational school? In 1929, girls were required to attend Preston Girls. In 1989, we returned to coeducation again, although girls came here "unofficially" from the mid 1980s.
The HowRU survey
Northcote students completed the HowRU online survey in May, a random survey produced by several govenment departments designed to monitor the health, safety, learning and wellbeing of Victorian adolescents. Students in Yr 7, 9 and 11 took part.
Our Top 10 Australian Stage Band
Northcote's Senior Stage band (shown above) placed in the Top 10 Division One Australian stage bands, at the Generations in Jazz music festival held in Mt Gambier on the weekend of May 9-10. They placed third of Victorian school stage bands performing. Congratulations to our music staff, supporting parents, and our wonderful students!
District Level Athletics Comp.
Northcote High School again dominated at District level sport, easily winning first place again in 2009 Track and Field at the Collingwood ground. Well done to all our competitors - who won in all age levels for boys and girls.
High Resolves Program
In partnership with the University of Melbourne, our school has been delivering the High Resolves Program. One students explained the program thus " Together we participated in a game that at first glance seemed incomprehensible, but turned out to be an invigorating and socially relevant one. Every participant was randomly designated a country to act as the ambassador for, and was vested with the responsibility to work with other nations to form a General Agreement on Climate Change. Tempers flared, alliances were formed and newly learned methods of conflict resolution were implemented...We walked out far richer for the experience..."
Our 21st Semester One Music Concert - April 28th
Preston Town Hall was packed yet again on April 28th. A huge audience (standing room only) was there for a wonderful night of music. With over 300 students now involved in the music program, we all agreed that perhaps it was time for a bigger venue!! Music Captain Tim Dobson can be seen at left, conducting the Brass Ensemble.
Our Senior Strings performed Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate by Mozart, while the Choir sang Eternal flame. Congratulations to our students, the wonderfully supportive Parents Music Group, and our Music Faculty under the leadership of Mr. Peter Lewis.
Great Swimming Competition successes - District, Zone and State!
For the fifth year, Northcote has won the Melbourne Schools District B Swimming carnival. And for the first time in several years, we went on to win the Zone swimming carnival held at MSAC in late March. Tough competition was provided throughout by runners-up St. Helena SC and from Melbourne High School, Eltham High School and Mac.Roberston Girls' High School. Our winners at state level competition included Tori Rusciano, Year 7 State Freestyle Champion (at right).
Congratulations to all our swimmers.
First 2009 Melbourne University Access Program (MAP) visit
April saw the first visit of the Melbourne University MAP officer for 2009. Northcote has been part of the Melbourne University Access Program since its inception. Over 50 Northcote students have been part of the program, which aims to provide equity of access to the University.
Our Yr 7 Boho Camps depart
After delays because of the bushfires, our Year 7 Camp program has finally begun. Excited students of 7J prepare for departure (above) on April 27th.
So what happens at your school on a cold Sunday afternoon?!!
At Northcote, a cold Sunday afternoon sees our Senior Stage Band preparing for the Generations in Jazz National Stage Band Competition! Rated as one of the top 12 Melbourne school bands, our music staff have led the students to an exceptionally high standard. We wish them well in forthcoming competitions!
Northcote's 2009 Athletics Carnival
The Annual Athletics Carnival was held on April 24th, under threatening clouds. Merri House won the day, but there were many fine performances from students in all houses.
Welcoming Teachers from Thailand
The School Captains (above) and staff welcomed 27 teachers of English on a special exchange from Thailand, on April 23rd.
World's Greatest shave - March 2009
The View over Antarctica!
Thomas Foy and Joanna Jellie of Yr 12 were two of 52 final year students selected to participate in a centenary flight over the South Magnetic Pole, Antarctica, as Young Science Ambassadors for 2009. They are pictured above with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and other participants. (Joanna second from the right, Thomas partly obscured, to the left rear of the PM)
350+ join Ride to School day
The 2009 Annual Ride to School Day saw over 350 students ride, skate or scoot to school, enjoying a pancake breakfast on arrival!
Great Swimming Competition successes - District and Zone victory for NHS!
For the fifth year, Northcote has won the Melbourne Schools District B Swimming carnival. And for the first time in several years, we went on to win the Zone swimming carnival held at MSAC in late March. Tough competition was provided throughout by runners-up St. Helena SC and from Melbourne High School, Eltham High School and Mac.Roberston Girls' High School.
Congratulations to all our swimmers.
Our Music department's new Chimes are launched - March
March 5th saw our Music department's new Chimes formally launched for use. An evening of music, food and wine! Congratulations to the students who proposed the idea, and thanks to the parents who contributed to the cost.
2009 Year 7 BBQ
The 2009 Annual Years 7 BBQ hosted by The Northcote Highlights was held on March 2nd. About 350 parents, students and friends attended. Our senior Stage Band was in fine form and provided great entertainment!
James Morrison and our Big Band
On Friday the NHS Stage Band attended a workshop in Mordialloc with famous Jazz drummer John Morrison. It was a great opportunity for the band to get some tips from one of Australia’s great players. On Saturday the band returned to Mordialloc to perform in the Big Band Sunset Jazz festival. The band played very well in the very windy conditions on the river foreshore.
2009 School Swimming Carnival
Record numbers of Northcote students joined the 2009 School Swimming Carnival, which saw Merri house successful again (having previously won in 2005 and 2003).
Transition Visit Day
February 23rd saw 220 Grade 6 students from local primary schools visit Northcote High School for a range of sample secondary school activities.
Activities included design, cooking, science, ceramics and art. Primary school parents and teachers attended - with another 200 to attend a similar day in May!
Gloucestershire Education Authority (UK) PD Tour
12 teachers from the Gloucestershire Local Education Authority visited us on February 19th, as part of an extensive professional development visit of Melbourne schools. Group leader Ms Alexandra Fleming promised they would return! They are shown above, with the School Captains and PD Coordinator Mr Sean Butler.
2009 Kwong Lee Dow Scholars
Northcote has another 5 students who have been selected as University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars for 2009 - Rosie Wositzky-Jones, Nellie Montague, Michael Derkacz, Bianca Le and John Mitsios.
Bushfire Relief Day Appeal
Bushfire relief day was Friday February 13th. Northcote High School students raised over $4000 for the Red Cross Appeal through activities held on this day and over the following weeks. These included Pancake Tuesday, Chinese food day and the sale of Ms Delahunty's famous Iced Coffee and Iced Chocolate (shown below left).
Above left - Year 7 students enjoy their first NHS iced chocolate in aid of charity. At right, Jill Sanguinetti from the bushfire ravaged town of Granton (near Marysville), also gave the first "Changing the World at Lunchtime" talk for the year. Her water-filled wheelybin, which melted but helped save her house, is shown on the screen in the background. Nellie Montague and Penny Rae thanked her for the talk. Jill is planning to make her house available to someone who has lost everything. An inspiring Australian.
For many students, the end of Bushfire Relief Day was also a good way to relax and celebrate the last days of our awful summer.
A great start to the new academic year!
Its not just 250 new year 7s who had a great start to the year! VCE Design students (above left) are already hard at work on their folios, while 8E enjoy their first PE class (above right).
2009 Kwong Lee Dow Scholars
Northcote has another 5 students who have been selected as University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars for 2009 - Rosie Wositzky-Jones, Nellie Montague, Michael Derkacz, Bianca Le and John Mitsios.
Hosting the Chaoyang District Teachers Delegation
In early February, Northcote staff and students hosted 22 visiting secondary teachers from Chaoyang District, Beijing. School captains Jack Dalton and Sophie Freeman (at right) talked to the visitors about their approach to study and their plans.
First day 2009
A new start for 250 Year 7s. Here is the first combined Year 7 Music class (at left), and Mr Hamit's first Year 7 Drama class (at right)
December 2008 - Transition day for 250 Grade 6 students!
December 9 2008, saw 250 eager Grade 6 students ready for Year 7, 2009. Also running on the same day was VCE transition for 110 current Yr 9 students, all of whom are keen to do a VCE Unit 1/2 subject in Year 10.
Click here for more student activities (before January 2009)
Printer friendly version.