The first phase of the project includes administration upgrades (which were completed in January 2020) and a new music and performing arts centre with a 300-seat theatre and an increased number of music practice rooms to accommodate the growing number of music students. Additionally, phase one will upgrade the vehicle and pedestrian network, including improved bus flow and a welcome road connection to Peart Street with increased parking.

Phase two of the plan will include a new VCAL precinct to accommodate the increasing demand of Nagle’s VCAL program. Phase three will include new agricultural science facilities, including farm infrastructure, site sheds, and undercover project yards that help students connect hands-on learning experiences in agricultural pathways.

The remaining phases will include refurbishments to existing buildings, including the Humanities wing, staff room and library (phase four); the Maths and English wing (phase 5); the Science and Art courtyard (phase 6) and long-term administration upgrades (phase 7).

“We are excited with the new opportunities which these projects will offer our students as they undertake their learning in more purpose-built and functional spaces,” said Mr Neville Powles, Principal.

These new and upgraded learning spaces will provide Nagle students with a contemporary learning environment that will support them to become motivated and reflective learners who show ownership and take action.

Nagle College’s Top 10 video entry for the ‘Be the Difference’ project was launched on Monday 8 March in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Schools across Australia were invited to participate in the ‘Be the difference’ project, designed to empower girls to evaluate and explore what it means to be the difference when faced with adversity.

Each participating school received an online project pack containing resources, videos and tutoring material designed to promote critical thinking. The girls worked with mentoring teachers, Gabrielle Costin, Michaela O’Connor and Amanda Banks to investigate a number of issues that currently affect women in leadership roles across Australia. Students were then required to submit a 5 minute Ted Talk style presentation which would be judged on Passion, Perspective, Rationale and Presentation.

Nagle College was proud to have nine girls participate in this project. Brylee McMahon, Crystal Williams, Annalise Markwell-O’Neill, Zoe Barron, Kara White, Jessica Bradley, Alani McEntee, Jessie Forster and Danielle Hurley worked collectively on writing a speech about their experiences with the bushfires in the summer of 2020.

Jess and Brylee then shared these perspectives in their video which was showcased in a social media package ‘Be the Difference.’ Their video was released on International Women’s Day and shared across Australia.

“I was thrilled to be a part of the Be the Difference program. It broadened my horizons on the issues women are faced with daily and I loved being enriched with tips from some experts in the field. The discussions we had as a team were extremely informing and inspiring and I am proud and grateful of our final presentation. Overall, I am very thankful for this experience,” said Year 10 student Crystal Williams.

“I am so proud of all the girls – for their passion, creativity and collaborative effort. I especially loved listening to the discussions and deep thinking about the issues we explored,” said Mrs Costin, one of the teachers supervising this initiative.

The judge for the presentation was TEDx speaker and curator Emma Gibbens, who gave some valuable professional feedback for the girls regarding public speaking. Emma was impressed with the courage and the way the girls put their personal stories into their talks and acknowledged the girls were at the start of their public speaking journey.

“A deep and vulnerable personal perspective was shared from their experience during the bushfires. Descriptive and personal story telling makes this a powerful presentation,” said Ms Gibbens during her feedback.

Nagle congratulates the girls for their achievements and participation.

Nagle College inducted its 2021 student leaders at the recent Acknowledgement and Commencement Assembly.

A total of 57 students from Years 8 to 12 were recognised during the Acknowledgement and Commencement assembly. Year 7 students will also have the opportunity to apply for leadership positions this term, once they have settled into the College.

With a wide range of leadership opportunities in Pastoral, Academic, Music/Arts, Faith and Justice, Environment, Sports, School and House Captains, as well as 25 Oratory positions, Nagle College continues its heritage of nurturing and supporting the next generation of leaders through a broad range of leadership opportunities.

“As a Catholic school with our Presentation heritage and Salesian charism, it is important that we develop the leadership potential of the young people entrusted to our care,” said Mrs Sharon Buurman, Nagle College’s Deputy Principal, Pastoral.

Each leadership position creates and promotes positive and engaging experiences for the entire College community. Year 9 House Captains are the College Ambassadors lead tours for prospective families. The Student Leadership Action Team represent the College at official functions and run activities and events such as the “Battle of the Minds” on Founders’ Day. Year 7 and 8 House Oratory Representatives play a vital role within our College community; they come together on a monthly basis to discuss issues or initiatives that are important to our student body.

“The students inducted show a generosity of spirit by giving their time to serve others. They also show determination, vision and courage” said Mrs Buurman. “Our patron, St John Bosco, was committed to developing the leadership potential of the young people he worked with as this would provide the light for the way ahead and drive it forward. At Nagle we aim to help our students live the College motto ‘Let Your Light Shine.’”

Nagle College’s Inter-House Swimming Carnival took place on Friday 19 February at the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool. MacKillop House was congratulated on being House Champion for the second year in a row and Polding was congratulated on winning the House Spirit Award.

The Inter-House Swimming Carnival encourages students to participate in a number of timed and novelty events on land and in the water. Students are able to earn points for their House by participating in novelty events and timed events with extra point allocated to top finishers. This structure encourages House spirit, team participation, and excellence in sport.

House Champion

We were pleased to see many students enter the timed races which contribute to House points - the House with the most points is awarded House Champion. Year 7 students, especially, were to be commended for their high level of involvement. Top students in each of the timed races are eligible to compete at the East Gippsland Division Finals on Wednesday 4 March. We are pleased to have over 40 students qualify to attend this event. Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Age Champion. This award is based on placing points for the timed events.

Age Champions

Novelty events are favoured by many students as they are a fun and inclusive way to generate House sprit and points. This year’s novelty events included Line pass, Survival relay, Volleyball, Flipper toss Cork scramble and Soccer. Results can be seen in the table below:

Congratulations to all students who participated in making this year’s Inter-House Swimming Carnival a success. We would also like to thank Mrs O’Neill for organising and the dozens of staff who assisted. Without you this day would not be possible.

Sr Isla was the last Presentation Sister to be principal of Nagle College, prior to Mr Rod Nicholson being appointed as the first lay principal in 1976. She was a teacher at Nagle College for 11 years, from 1959 to 1964 and again from 1971 to 1975. Sr Isla was principal in 1974 and 1975.

Sr Isla Kealy is pictured with Br Noel Hannabery at the College's 50 year reunion dinner in March 2008.

Nagle College acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of this land on which we learn, the Gunaikurnai people, and pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and future.

Nagle College is proud to announce that Year 12 graduate, Harley Finn, is the recipient of the Graduation and Reconciliation Possum Cloak for 2020. Harley’s academic, cultural and sporting excellence – demonstrated since he was enrolled in Year 7 – make him a worthy recipient.

2020 is a special year. Nagle is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the cloaks creation, with permission from the Elders and under the guidance of cloak maker, Mrs Lee Darroch. Staff and students at Nagle College undertook the Graduation and Reconciliation Cloak project with respect, and with an understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of the traditions that the possum skin cloaks uphold.

Nagle’s cloak, a sacred treasure, was bound by many hands including Year 9 Bushtucker students, the Class of 2010, Koorie students and friends, Nagle College staff, Koorie community and Elders. Nagle’s journey and the stories on the possum cloak continue to be shared each year with staff and students. It is a valuable learning experience.

Mrs Tania Holmes and Ms Toni Collins thank both the Koorie and the broader Community for their involvement and support in the creation of the cloak.

Inter-House Carnivals celebrate not only winning students, but participation. While most Houses entered three teams, Polding entered an amazing seven teams. Although Polding did not have a winning team on the day, they proved how important teamwork and House Spirit are by accumulating the most points to win the overall award.

Congratulations to our winning teams:

Overall House results

Nagle families will be able to use the code ngl5 to save up to $5 when placing and paying for a lunch order online. The code may be used once per transaction, per child (for example, a family with two students may use the code in two separate transactions). This offer will be valid until 10:30 am on Wednesday 31 March, 2021.

Online ordering has many benefits for students, most notably reduced wait times as students are able to skip the queue and collect their order at the start of lunch. Additionally, ordering online ensures students won’t have to worry about their lunch choice being sold-out.

Parents and guardians also benefit from knowing where their money is being spent. Families are able to monitor the types of food their child is purchasing, and even place restrictions if desired. With the added option of loading credit onto their child’s student card, families won’t have to worry about forgotten lunches, or casual spending.

Placing an order online can be easily done by visiting the canteen shop. For more information about how to use the online ordering system, please reference our parent guide.

Families with any issues relating to online canteen ordering or access are asked to please email matkinson@nagle.vic.edu.au.

*Note: Credit must be used in a single transaction before 10:30am on 31/03/21. Unused balances will be forfeited.

We recognise that the five days of lockdown were inconvenient, to say the least, but are so grateful Nagle students didn’t let it affect their learning. Although we hope we will not have to enter lockdown again, we know how remote learning works and we have the skills we need to become successful­ – should we have to use them.

We had our annual swimming carnival on 19 February. We are so lucky to have had warm weather and the opportunity to hold the even. Every student managed to support and lead their House closer to success in some way, whether it was by swimming, chanting or dressing up in House colours. We know House coordinators, especially Ms Brown, were more than thrilled to see students get in the water and participate. I just want to give a shout out to Polding for winning the House Spirit Award and MacKillop for winning House Champion.

We want all students to keep in mind that your College Captains and the Student Leadership Action Team are around school ready to listen to any issues, questions, and suggestions for improvements around the school. Please do not hesitate to talk to student leadership and let your light shine.

Ellen and Duncan are honoured to be College Captains for 2021. We share the same vision for the school. Throughout the coming year Ellen, Duncan and the College’s Student Leadership Action Team wish to create a culture where students are involved, where they feel their presence matters and where they feel they can contribute no matter what their role.

An example of this was the Swimming Carnival where everyone was involved in different capacities, supporting their House.

The school triathlon is coming up. This is a team event and is always a lot of fun. If students can’t form a team, we hope to see them there supporting and cheering on their House and friends.

College Captains would like to emphasize that if students need help with anything, anyone with a badge is part of student leadership and would be very happy to help.

If students have event ideas or changes they would like to see around or in the College, they are encouraged to talk to someone with a badge. Change can be easier than you might imagine.

Finally, College Captains would like to share a quote by Abraham Lincoln, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

Nagle College VCAL Literacy held a story time session for Year 2 students at St Mary’s Primary School As part of their study on children’s literature.

Year 11 and 12 VCAL students are studying the text ‘Dust’ by Colin Thompson which covers topics such as poverty, social justice, and peace. Using this text for inspiration, VCAL students were tasked with writing their own children’s book. To help prepare for the assignment, Nagle students visited and read a selection of children’s stories to Year 2 students at St Mary’s Primary school.

Miss Kellie Nunn, Year 2 teacher at St Mary’s remarked on the experience, “The children absolutely loved having the Nagle students come to read to our class. They were very excited and had a lot of fun listening to the different stories that the Nagle students choose for them. It was a great opportunity for our two schools to come together and share the love of reading.”

“It was lots of fun having the Nagle kids in my class,” said Year 2 student Xavier Useni-Vowell, “he [Nagle student] was really funny and I liked listening to him read.”

Reading to Year 2 students gave Nagle’s VCAL students a first-hand experience about the types of content and illustrations young children find engaging. Using the feedback from St Mary’s students, inspiration from their text ‘Dust’ and their own ideas, Nagle VCAL then began planning their own stories.

“This is by far one of the best things I’ve done as a teacher. It is also one of the most rewarding activities our VCAL students have done so far this year. Each VCAL student read to small group of captivated Year 2s. They managed their roles well, read and shared the picture books and stories. It was wonderful seeing them interact with primary students,” said Mr Brent Coombs who is teaching Nagle’s VCAL Literature class.

Visiting St Mary’s Primary School was a great opportunity for Nagle students to engage with their neighbouring catholic primary school while completing assessment requirements in a meaningful way.

One of the first excursions in Term one for our Year 7 students is a Geography excursion exploring the Mitchell River. Students are studying a Geography unit named Water in the World. Students followed the Mitchell River from the Den of Nargun through the Lindenow Flats and down to Paynesville focusing on a variety of activities that take place along the river. This includes walking along the Mitchell River from the Wy Yung Football Oval to Howitt Park and lunch at Eagle Point Park. Additionally, students toured the Mitchell River Treatment Plant to learn about how sewage water is cleaned and returned to use.

In the classroom, students applied their learning through creative and practical projects. Mrs Pruscino’s class imagined they were raindrops and wrote short stories about what life as a raindrop might look like (samples below). Mr Giove’s class read the ‘Story of a River’ which saw students place items in a ‘clean’ aquarium, such as soil washed in from the rain, fertiliser the seeped from farms, and fishing line caught in the river.

Stories

I am a tiny little raindrop, I am falling from the clouds and I land in the Mitchell river. I am rushing along in the water and I am in the Den of Nargun and I am headed to Howitt park and the Wy Yung bridge. As I am going down past Howitt Park I see families fishing and exploring and having fun at the park. Now I see myself floating down to Eagle Point and I’m headed to the silt jetties and now I’ve found myself at the end of the river right were the river meets Lake King.

-By Gabi Merante

I melted from the snow of Mount Hotham and gently went down in one of the many streams, I felt the warm, spring sunshine, I continued to go down until the stream hit the Wonnangatta river. The water was still cold from the icy night. From time to time an animal would appear from the bushes. At one point a fish swam right behind me, I then saw the inside of the fish until I was ejected from the fins. Once in a while, smaller tributaries would join the river I was in. Then the Dargo River came in and we crashed together becoming one river instead of two; the Mitchell River. AI made my way through the Den of Nargun, and fortunately, I saw no monster... Then Bairnsdale came! Lots and lots of buildings. I continued to the countryside and then to the silt jetties – Lake Victoria and Lake King, here I come!

- Alek Hawtin

I started at the tip top of Mount Hotham. I was freezing, but as the sun came out, I started to melt and roll down, it felt like I was rolling for ages! As I got to the bottom, I found my way to the Mitchell River, after a while I found myself at the Den of Nargun. It was nice and calm until I got to the rapids; I tumbled through the rough waters until it began calm again. I went past a couple of big farms, I enjoyed watching all the wildlife and farming land. I started to watch the trees and lost track of where I was. I started to look around and then I realized, I was the only freshwater droplet in the lake; I had already gone through the mouth!

- Ali Banson

Nagle College congratulates the following students on their achievements:

Hudson Tarling who first in the Rocky Trail Academy Schools Mountain Bike Competition.

Alivia Chila and Alex Hamilton who competed at Jr Girls State Championship Regatta. Together, they raced the Year 10 double A finals, placing third. Alivia also placed first in the Year 9 B Final and Alex placed second in the Year 9 C Final.

Congratulations to Antje Kempff who competed at the state athletics championships during February. Antje qualified for the U16 400m final, running a national time and placing 4^th overall. She also placed 6^th in the U16 200m final. Good luck to Antje for the national championships.

Congratulations to Renae Jones who has been inducted into the Victorian Institute of Sport as a part of their Future Talent Program. She has also been selected into the Shooting Australia National pathways squad. We wish her good luck for her first National Competition that is due to occur this month.