Norwood Secondary College
Norwood Secondary College is a secondary college in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, situated in Ringwood, Victoria, Australia and right next to Mullum Primary School. Norwood Secondary College, in the City of Maroondah, is a single campus coeducational year 7-12 college with an enrolment of around 1100 students. Year 11 and 12 students can elect to undertake a VCE or VCAL. The year 2018 was Norwood's 60th anniversary.
| Norwood Secondary College | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| , Victoria | |
| Coordinates | 37°47′56″S 145°14′18″E |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Fidelis |
| Established | 1958 |
| Principal | Andrew Sloane Junior school: Kris Johnson Senior school: Jackie Harris |
| Enrolment | ~1100 |
| Houses | Yarra, Maroondah, Kalinda, Mullum |
| Colour(s) | Purple, yellow, grey, black, white |
| Website | norwoodsc |
New buildings
In 2016 many of the old portable classrooms were removed and replaced with 9 new modular portable classrooms due to asbestos concerns. A small number of portable classrooms were relocated and renamed. In 2018 one of the new portables was deemed unsafe for a large part of the year after the significant flooding of the classroom.
In late 2017 approximately one third of the school's multipurpose courts were demolished so Norwood's new gymnasium facilities could be built. Norwood Secondary College had been awaiting this construction for many years. Construction has since been completed, and classes have been running inside the gym and the classrooms located within the building. On the second day of the 2019 school year the first ever indoor full college assembly was held in the gymnasium with a number of special guests.[1]
In late 2018, the senior science classrooms were demolished, and the media room (a portable classroom) relocated to the oval to make way for a dedicated STEM centre with a senior chemistry/biology laboratory, a senior physics laboratory, a junior science laboratory and a "maker space". The new STEM centre was constructed at a factory in Kilsyth separated into modules, transported to Norwood and reassembled on site to a satisfactory level such that the external appearance of the building could be observed on the 2019 college open night. From 17 July 2019 students will have classes scheduled in the newly assembled building. The college community has been waiting for an upgrade such as this for decades. The STEM centre was built in such a way that when Norwood is given more funds, further science labs will be able to be added to the building.[2]
Potential for amalgamation
From 2004 to 2010 discussions were held with the aim of amalgamating Parkwood and Norwood Secondary Colleges on the Parkwood site. This would have led to the redevelopment of the Norwood site for housing, and the relocation of the school away from its local community. In 2010, it was announced that these plans were not supported by the school communities and did not proceed. Parkwood Secondary College closed in a positive fashion as the result of a decision of its School Council. Norwood Secondary College Has gained some Government funding for upgraded and new facilities to be built at its current location in Byron Street. The driving force behind the decision not to proceed to amalgamate Norwood and Parkwood Secondary Colleges on the Parkwood site was Vincent Virtue who had served for long periods of time as principal of both schools.[3]
The "Ringwood Deer Attack"
On 17 August 2015 a wild sambar deer forced the school into lockdown shortly before recess. Initially, the deer was sighted in a number of backyards prior to making an appearance at Norwood. The deer was injured and a risk to the public; it was decided that it had to be put down. A few students from Norwood Secondary College witnessed the deer being euthanized and had undergone counselling.[4]
Uniform changes
- In the year 2014, parents of year 7 students were required to purchase purple PE tops rather than the old yellow PE tops.
- In 2016, the boys were informed that were was going to be a new shirt available in long sleeve and short sleeve to replace the old white polo shirts. Additionally, boys were made to wear shorts in terms 1 and 4 and pants during term 2 and term 3 each year, although this wasn't enforced until 2017.
- In 2017 new girls' winter shirts were introduced as well as a new unisex black jumper.
- By 2018 the old boys' grey and girls' purple jumpers were phased out. There was an attempt to change year 12 jackets to year 12 blazers, however that sparked outrage and the tradition of year 12 jackets continued.
- At the start of 2019 all "purple" spray jackets with Norwood written in yellow and black VCE jumpers were phased out of the school uniform. Those looking for an alternative for the spray jackets were told to purchase the new black rain jackets from the college uniform shop, however many students believe they are no good because they do not provide warmth. Unfortunately there had already been a policy in place stating students could not wear their spray jackets inside which had been ignored, as well as the warning that the spray jackets were soon to be removed from the uniform.
The "controversial" uniform policy and petition
In 2017, a parent of students attending school at Norwood Secondary College started a change.org petition[5] because of a poorly timed change to the college uniform policy (occurred in 2016). Claiming that the new policy "failed to provide a uniform choice to boys", the petition spread throughout the state shaming Norwood for "forcing" male students to wear pants during terms 2 and 3 of each school year. There was a mixed response as the previous uniform policy had allowed boys to choose what uniform to wear year-round whilst girls had no say in what uniform they had to wear throughout the year. Following this, Norwood's girls' uniform has changed to better allow girls to wear shirts and pants in terms 2 and 3 rather than shirts with skirts, and shorts and a shirt in terms 1 and 4, rather than a summer dress. The Norwood uniform policy still states that boys must wear pants during terms 2 and 3.
Mobile Phone Policy
In 2019 during term 2 of the school year, students, teachers, and parents were asked about attitudes towards mobile phones in the classroom situation. Despite some support for phones, there were many against phones in the classroom. Later on in the term, towards the end of June the Minister for Education announced that in 2020 there would be a complete ban on the use of phones from the start of the school day to the end, in all Government Primary and Secondary schools.[6] This sparked the decision that starting the middle of the first week of term 3 2019 mobile devices (phones, iPad/tablets) would be banned in the classroom and in the yard during the school day, only to be used at the first and last 5 minutes of recess and lunch at their lockers while music plays. Students are not permitted to carry their mobile devices on their person at any time throughout the school day. Students are also not allowed to crowd around lockers while the music plays to use mobile devices. This means that no headphones or earbuds are permitted to be worn or used, during the school day unless given permission by a teacher for use with a laptop or desktop computer, however this had already been a rule in place for years.
Late Submission of Work Policy
In term 3 2019 a new policy was put into place regarding the assessing of work submitted late. The policy states that it is the responsibility of a student to submit all homework and assessment tasks by the due date. For VCE SACs/SATs work submitted late without a medical certificate will result in work receiving a mark of 0.
If you are absent on the day the work is due, then the task must be submitted with a written explanation as soon as you return. It is your responsibility to seek out your teacher if a class is not scheduled on the day that you return. An extension will only be granted in the case of illness, school approved absences and exceptional circumstances. Work, sporting and other commitments both inside and outside of school are not sufficient reasons for extension.
— Late Submission of Work Policy from Compass
For students requesting extensions, classroom teachers must be notified with a written explanation from a parent or guardian at least 24 hours prior to the stated submission deadline.
For work submitted late, you will incur a penalty of 10 % for each day that the work is late. You have 5 days to hand this work in otherwise you will be given an ‘N’ and no marks will be awarded. This will be reflected in the end of Semester report.
— Late Submission of Work Policy from Compass
The use of 'S' and 'N' formerly reflected VCE protocols, however, this policy means it applies to all year levels.
Notable alumni
- Neil Robertson - 2010 World Snooker Champion
- Stephen Quartermain - Sports presenter at 10 News First Melbourne
- Paul Salmon - AFL footballer, Essendon football club
- Steven Tandy - Actor
References
- "Upgrade and Modernisation". Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- "Permanent Modular School Buildings Program". Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Topsfield, Jewel. "Long-promised school mergers await action". The Age. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Schenk, Emma-Jayne. "Students assessed, school in lockdown after wild deer runs amok at Ringwood". Herald Sun, Maroondah Leader. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- Delibasic, Suzan. "Norwood Secondary College male students not allowed to wear shorts in winter". Herald Sun, Maroondah Leader. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- "Mobile phones to be banned in Victorian state schools from 'first to last bell'". ABC News. Retrieved 11 July 2019.