New Norfolk High is a respectful learning community with high expectations for all. Some of the ways in which we demonstrate those high expectations is by building on the ways in which we gather and act upon student voice.

Student voice is an important part of our approach to increasing student attendance and engagement. By focussing on belonging and strong relationships, positive school culture, quality teaching and student voice, we will be better equipped to engage students with their learning. Developing systems to integrate student voice and agency recognises the importance of within this approach of empowering students to share their views to influence their learning and their learning environment.

Last term the DECYP Student Engagement & Attendance Team ran focus groups, gathering student voice from all year levels. As well as repeating those focus groups later this term, we have also built capacity in our student leaders to begin gathering student voice every two weeks both in regard to student belonging and also other specific issues for which we are seeking student input (beginning with ideas for Electives in 2026).

Across this term, teachers will be building on the consistent routines we have already developed, including year level entrance routines, by developing a consistent exit routine for classes which includes gathering student voice. We are doing all of this because gathering student voice is important feedback to help us understand how we are progressing but also important input into shaping future actions.

One recent example is the White Card training we ran for twenty plus students last week. This training is not part of the Australian Curriculum but is something students have told us is important to them. The cost is not insignificant, but we see this as a direct investment in our students’ future.

We will continue to use student voice to plan for our ongoing school improvement work with students and staff. There is always a next step, and we are absolutely committed to continually working to live up to our vision for this school because that is the New Norfolk Way.

• Monday 11^thAugust, Science Week
• Wednesday 13^thAugust, STEM Expo
• Thursday 14^thAugust, Newsletter Published
• Monday 18^thAugust, Book Week
• Thursday 21^stAugust, Whole School Assembly
• Thursday 28^thAugust, Newsletter Published
• Monday 1^stSeptember, History Week
• Monday 1^stSeptember, Australian TA Appreciation Week
• Wednesday 3^rdSeptember, Y7 & Y10 Vaccinations
• Thursday 4^thSeptember, Whole School Assembly
• Friday 5^thSeptember, Y11/12 Quality Assurance Day
• Thursday 11^thSeptember, Newsletter published
• Friday 12^thSeptember 2026 Prefect applications open
• Monday 15^thSeptember, Student Showcase
• Thursday 18^thSeptember, Whole School Assembly
• Friday 19^thSeptember, Footy Colours Day
• Thursday 25^thSeptember, Athletics Carnival Day 1
• Friday 26^thSeptember, Athletics Carnival Day 2
• Friday 26^thSeptember, Prefect applications close

We continue our commitment to the DECYP, and our school values of Connection, Respect, Growth, Courage, and Responsibility. Our focus values for Term Three are Courage and Growth.

Over the last few weeks, we have focussed on embracing challenges. One of the key aspects of taking on new challenges is developing a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, and perseverance. This compares to a fixed mindset, the belief that talents and intelligence stay the same and can’t change.

A growth mindset is crucial because it encourages resilience, when we see setbacks as opportunities to learn rather than failures, we are more likely to keep trying and overcome obstacles. Having a growth mindset fosters a love of learning, shifting the focus to improving ourselves.

As we achieve things through effort and practice, we build confidence in our ability to tackle new and difficult challenges. At NNHS teachers regularly offer feedback to students to implement, supporting and encouraging social and academic development. At NNHS we see ourselves as live long learners.

A/AP Safeguarding and Connection

Jodie Strohfeld

Year 8 have some fabulously talented young muso’s amongst them who are passionate about their music and instruments.

Our students will frequently be found jamming together not only during elective music lessons but also at lunch times which allows them to interact with other music students from across the year groups. They don’t just enjoy playing music, but are also inspirational, sharing their individual knowledge with each other as they grow and learn together.

On two separate occasions our Year 8 students have stepped up displaying courage and leadership by sharing their skills with others via the means of performance and presentation.

Jeremiah played in The Swan Café during recess, while Isla brought her Violin in and introduced it to a Yr7 Music class, explaining its history, demonstrating how it works and performing for them.

With such passionate, courageous, talented and generous students the future is looking bright for music at NNHS.

Our Kitchen Garden is springing to life as Year 8 students dive into preparations for the summer growing season. We’ve begun sowing seeds for a range of summer crops, learning about germination and seasonal planting along the way.

We’re also in the process of filling our new garden beds with fresh soil, generously donated by our local council. These beds will soon be home to apple and pear trees, adding a delicious and long-lasting touch to our garden. In addition, we were also donated some picnic tables. Students have been giving them a facelift by scraping and sanding off the old paint, on the timber and metal frame ready for some timber to be replaced and oiled, and the frame to receive a fresh coat of paint.

Inside the garden, our brand-new greenhouse is taking shape! We've started fitting it out with shelves and have begun filling it with seedlings and seed trays, setting the stage for a thriving propagation hub. Everyone has been snacking on snow peas and celery, our compost heaps are decomposing nicely, and Asher’s broad beans have set flower and are thriving.

It’s been a hands-on, rewarding start to the term, and we’re excited to see the garden—and our students—continue to grow.

Our Year 11 and 12 students have a lot to look forward to this term. Students are completing their RSA, earning them several extra TCE points. This term, our college students are taking part in a range of work-placement opportunities, including at Corumbene, NEXUS, Fairview Primary School, Claremont Tyre and Auto and other locations to be confirmed.

We have many career opportunities this term, including attending the Tailgate Expo on the 31^st of July, Beacon’s Polish Program on the 13^th of August and the Fearless Festival on the 14-15^th of August.

Students are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award with some almost completing their Bronze, Silver or Gold level, earning another 12 TCE points.

Our Year 12 students will also be planning their Celebration Day activities and Final dinner for early November.

Reports:

To obtain their TCE, students must accumulate 120 TCE points, including their Literacy, Numeracy, and ICT ticks. Keep an eye out for the Term 3 Secondary Progress reports which will be sent home in Week 5.

Jess Cep (11/12 AST).