Category: Education

Student’s space camp experience

Northern Bay College Captain Farzana Mohammad Aref has attended NASA Space Camp
in the USA, one of four Australian students selected to participate.
Farzana (pictured) spent a week at the International Space Camp program in Huntsville,
Alabama in July. She was a member of Mission Team Australia and was able to connect with
fellow teams from around the world, fostering international collaboration and long-lasting
friendships.
Farzana was selected for her outstanding commitment to her studies and her community. In
an interview with Northern Bay College’s Community Connections Officer Kate Mastroianni,
Farzana said:
“I went to NASA’s space camp in Alabama, and we learned a lot about how to run mission
control on Earth and how the astronaut feels when they’re in space. We learnt about how it
feels like to work as a team and how the leadership impacts both relationship with space and
the ground, which means every communication matters.
“Every day we learned something different, something that contributed to our leadership,
teamwork, and resilience.
“My favourite activity was when we spent about two days making a rocket that would fly, with
an astronaut housed safely inside – this was an egg. We would then fly this rocket as part of
a competition against other groups.
“Alongside this, we had to create a parachute, design a budget and keep the egg safe.
We
had to create an astronaut shield (uniform) around the egg, which would keep it warm but
not cook the egg. We ended up doing this using concrete and spaghetti.
“We also did scuba diving and G force training. We did lots of activities which included
teamwork and creating something new, and how to problem solve in those situations
between our teammates.”
Farzana is currently preparing for her final Year 12 exams and is planning to study
engineering. She currently has RMIT, Deakin and Melbourne University on her list of
universities to consider.

“I’d like to go into Melbourne, but Deakin would also be great,” Farzana said. “Both are great
schools.”

Ashton proudly representing students

Northern Bay College vice-captain Ashton Stonehouse is the Geelong region’s only representative on the Victorian Student Representative Council in 2025.

The Victorian Student Representative Council was created by students to be a voice for students at the highest levels of decision making in Victorian education. It comprises 15 secondary school-aged students, who make decisions collaboratively with a group of six adults about how VicSRC operates, what programs it offers and how it hears from students about education.

Ashton’s appointment followed a written application and interview, in which she was able to talk about her school leadership roles over several years.  

In the interview she also talked about the College leadership team’s plans and how she gets regular feedback from her own community and other students in her program, with the aim of making it better.

“I explained that I was the only person in our senior leadership team in VCE Vocational Major and how for me, that was really important,” Ashton said. “It wasn’t about the fact that I got picked, it was about the fact that somebody from the VM program got picked and that was really important representation.”

“I really see this as an opportunity to change the curriculum for any future students that go into the program, and it’ll benefit so many people. 

“Rather than me going ‘I’ll just do this because it looks really good on my resume or it’ll be really good for me’, I was aware that anything that I do in the VicSRC will not directly benefit me. It’ll benefit next year’s Year 12, the Year 11s after that, and everyone else really and that was the whole point for me.”

Ashton said the VicSRC’s mission to ‘stand with and for students to elevate their voices to be heard’ is “a really big thing” for her.  “That is the reason that I do leadership,” she said. “Giving not just myself, but other people that platform is something really important. It’s our education. It is our future, and we should be the ones who build it.”

Ashton said she’d like see change around the stigma of choosing to do Vocational Major rather than mainstream VCE. “I lost friends because of the program that I chose, but I just wanted something different.”

When she leaves school, Ashton wants to work in healthcare. “I’d love to be able to help other people,” she said. “Whether that be paramedicine or a nurse in the emergency room or just anything emergency health-related.”

In the meantime, Ashton will continue to show leadership and help set the path for future students.

Farzana finalist in space program

Northern Bay College Captain Farzana Mohammad Aref has been shortlisted to attend Space Camp in the USA.

Farzana (pictured) is a finalist in the Endeavour Scholarship, an international STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) education program that each year selects a team of four Australian secondary students and one teacher to travel on an all-expenses paid trip to Space Camp USA.

The scholarship recipients will spend one week at the International Space Camp program in Huntsville, Alabama in July 2025. They will form Mission Team Australia and connect with fellow teams from around the world, fostering international collaboration and long-lasting friendships.

Farzana was selected for her outstanding commitment to her studies and her community. In her nomination, she said: “As a girl with a deep passion for STEM, I faced countless challenges growing up in my home country. Opportunities for girls to pursue careers in STEM were limited, and societal expectations often made it harder to follow my dreams.

“Moving to Australia opened up new possibilities, but the transition came with its own set of hurdles, including adapting to a new educational system and cultural differences.

“Despite these obstacles, my love for STEM only grew stronger. I am fascinated by how technology can solve real-world problems and improve lives, and I am eager to contribute to innovations that make a difference.”

Awards recognise Raelene’s dedication

Corio early childhood educator Raelene Carr capped off a successful year in 2024 as a finalist in the Educator of the Year in the Victorian Early Years Awards.

Raelene has worked at William Hovell Preschool in Corio for more than 25 years and is a passionate educator and advocate for children and families.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Raelene said. “There are challenges … but the great days outweigh the bad.”

Raelene’s early childhood teaching career took off after she responded to an advertisement in the local newspaper for a role at William Hovell Preschool and was selected from 250 applicants for an interview.

“At the interview I said if I get the job, I’ll be here until I retire … and now here I am 26 years later. I think that’s why I got the job,” she said.

The Educator of the Year Award nomination highlighted Raelene’s dedication to building connections with children to support their learning and wellbeing.

She said she was “overwhelmed and excited” to be chosen as one of just three finalists in the state-wide award, which recognised an educator who has demonstrated “innovative and exemplary practice in early childhood education and care”.

Her caring, calm and consistent approach, along with her dedication to developing strong relationships with families, has led to positive outcomes for children and families at the preschool.

“It’s nice to be able to look back at the end of each year and see the difference you’ve made in these children’s lives,” she said.

Raelene has two grown-up sons of her own and six grandchildren aged six to 21. She lives in Corio and values her close connections with families. She’s now teaching children whose parents, aunties and uncles were once in her care. “I can’t go to the supermarket without someone coming up to me. I’ve even been invited to 18^th and 21^st birthdays of former students. To think I’ve had that much impact is incredible.”

Time to get ready for 2025

Families are getting ready to finish another school year, but it’s also time to think about 2025. 

Preparing children for a new school year is more than buying a uniform, bag and lunchbox. Many will start their transition to school in Term 4.

Prep teachers at Northern Bay College have suggested that parents follow tips from the Department of Education and Training, which advises them to:

• Practise the journey to and from school.
• Arrange play dates with families who have children at the same school.
• Encourage independence – skills like dressing, packing and carrying a bag, applying sunscreen and going to the toilet.
• Label all belongings – clothing, bags, lunch boxes, drink bottles.
• Talk about and practise any after-school arrangements.
• Check the start and finish times and where to drop off and collect your child.
• Be positive, get your child excited and talk about any worries they have.
• Visit a library and read with your child.
• Start using the name of their new teacher to help build familiarity.
• Establish predictable routines including dinner, bath time and bedtime.

Other things to focus on include opening zips on bags and lunchboxes, practicing a morning routine, children packing their bag, bathroom routines including washing hands, taking on and off jumpers and jackets and tying shoelaces.

There are Prep classes at four of the Northern Bay Colleges – Wexford, Peacock, Tallis and Hendy – and up to 160 new school starters are expected in 2025. Other primary schools in the northern suburbs include St Francis Xavier and St Thomas Aquinas.

To enrol your child for 2025, contact the office of the nearest campus to where you live. The staff will support you with enrolment paperwork and provide dates of information and transition sessions.

Families wanting to enrol children other than Preps can also contact the office of the campus they are zoned to for help with paperwork. They’ll also be able to meet with a member of the Principal Team to talk about starting dates and answer any questions.

If you’re not sure about which campus you’re zoned to, contact any of the P-8 campuses and they will point you in the right direction. 

Student art and films featured

Northern Bay P-12 College recently hosted the Stories Without Borders exhibition as part of Refugee Week celebrations in the Goldsworthy Campus’ new gallery and auditorium.

Stories Without Borders is a two-part exhibition featuring art installations and a short film festival, created by students from the senior campus.

The art installations and short films highlighted the creativity, passion, journeys, experiences, and resilience of the students, providing insight into their unique refugee journeys. The exhibition not only shared these experiences but also aimed to spread empathy and understanding within the community.

The short film festival presented 10 short films directed by the students, covering themes such as identity, belonging, memories, and life in Australia. This event shone a spotlight on the resettlement journeys of students in Corio and Norlane, offering a deeper understanding of their experiences and cultural identities.

Education Support at NBC and the curator of the exhibition, Brandon Dellow, said: “This event was a worthwhile opportunity for the community to see the creative minds of our young people. “I am incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and creativity.”

Northern Bay P-12 College, where 40 different languages are spoken by students hailing from 55 different countries, is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and inclusive education from Prep to Year 12, fostering academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement to prepare students for future success.

Former students sharing knowledge

The Alumni program at Northern Bay College, now in its second year, has benefitted from talented and knowledgeable alumni who have returned to their own school to share their insights on life post school. This program runs a variety of alumni events, including career panels.

Co-ordinator Alison Meredith said “hearing from real-world people, people who grew up in the same neighbourhood, is so impactful and has hopefully inspired students in our career panels to think about their own future pathway.

“A career panel was held to help Year 9 students start to think longer term, to begin to decide what pathway they might want to get into, and to be exposed to lots of different careers.

“Inviting back five alumni guests to our Goldsworthy Campus, in a question and answer format, we asked them to speak on their career, or study, and to explain what they do, and how they go into their pathway.

“Our panel (pictured) consisted of: Kellee Reissinger (Corio Tech), curator, Geelong Botanic Gardens; Ty Gilson (NBC 2022), Bachelor of Science (Maths and Statistics); Joshua Barling (NBC 2013), industrial electrician; Lisamaree Bottomley (NBC 2020), Bachelor of Environmental Science and working at Corangamite Catchment Authority; and Stephen Kennedy (NBC 2020), timber machinist, A&R Timber.

“An event for Year 7 and 8 students saw many rush up to ask more questions of the featured panel, which comprised Jasmine Lawrence (NBC 2010), In Work support consultant; Luke McConarchy (NBC 2009), electrician and business owner; Samantha Wilson (NBC 2018), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce; and Cody Jeynes (NBC 2022), Bachelor of Space Science Degree.

“Early in the year we welcome back some alumni to speak to our VM (formerly VCAL) students. They were: Tony Harvey (Corio Community College), sport and marketing consultant; Sarah McNiven (NBC 2021), farming apprenticeship; Shae Charlton: (NBC 2020), Interior Design student.”

Are you NBC alumni?

If you attended Corio Tech, Corio North High, Norlane High, Corio Community College, Corio Senior College, Flinders Peak SC, and Northern Bay College, the Alumni program would love to hear from you. Check out the Facebook group for some yearbook photos and updates: https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Bay-College-and-Schools-Alumni-108962595081117 or via [email protected].

MusicSpace after school option

Young people who love music can now access a new program, MusicSpace After-School, at Cloverdale Community Centre.

MusicSpace After-School is a Bluebird Foundation program held weekly for young people to get involved in music, or to further develop their music skills. Anyone can join in at MusicSpace After-School regardless of music experience and the program welcomes people with disability and other diverse needs.

Young people work with professional musicians including a Registered Music Therapist to develop their interests, whether it is to learn an instrument, develop vocal skills, be a song writer, play in a band, perform, record or just hang out with fellow music lovers.

Program manager Mel said: “When you come along, you can let us know what you wish to do with your music, and we will support you to follow that dream. Even if you are not sure what you want to do, you will meet other music-loving people, learn a few skills and discover your passions along the way.

“The program is supported by funding from the Cassandra Gantner Foundation and the APCO Foundation. This allows young people to access the pilot program for at least two school terms or until their NDIS funding review comes around. They can then use their NDIS or TAC funding. We will meet with people individually to discuss how this will work for them. For privately funded attendance, please talk to us about costs and payments.”

MusicSpace After-School does not include any personal support needs. If the young person requires a support worker to attend and/or participate, this will need to be sourced and funded separately.

The program runs every Thursday from 3.30om-4.30pm during school terms at Cloverdale Community Centre,167-169 Purnell Road, Corio. It is for 13–18-year-olds who have an interest in music

For more information or to fill out an expression of interest, go to https://www.bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au/musicspace-afterschool or contact the program manager, Mel on 0448-313-462 or email [email protected].