At Northern Christian School, we nurture a learning environment that encourages students to reflect on their educational experience through constructive and meaningful feedback, helping them to make necessary adjustments based on the feedback they have received for better outcomes in their learning. Similarly, we highly value and encourage open and honest feedback from families, providing us with a clear picture of both our strengths and areas for improvement.

Earlier this year, staff, students and parents were invited to provide feedback to evaluate all areas of school life at Northern via the Endeavour Community Health Survey. This survey proved to be a valuable tool for gathering insight from our school community, and I extend my gratitude to all who took the time to complete it. The school's leadership is currently reviewing all the feedback, and there's a lot to celebrate! Simultaneously, we've identified areas that require improvement to ensure we continue in our role as a transformational Christian learning community offering quality Christian education. Your commitment to providing honest and constructive responses about what is going well and highlighting those areas for improvement is greatly appreciated and valued.

I want to share with you some of the common threads and observations from the surveys that were submitted:

• Parents highly value the following about Northern: Christian education that nurtures a child's character, academic growth and Christian values, the strong partnership with the school, supportive staff and leadership, communication, strong friendships, genuine care that staff have for students and their learning, strong sense of school community, and a strong Christian learning environment that students enjoy.

• Parent satisfaction regarding communication is outstanding. It is one of the highest communication scores Endeavour has surveyed at a school.

• Staff are deeply committed to ensuring we are true to our Vision and Mission.

• Staff and parents value that academic excellence and growth (social, emotional, spiritual) are being promoted and celebrated.

• The school continues to have 100% of families feeling welcome at Northern (scoring well-above the national average for this survey which is 89%).

We will continue to reflect on your feedback as part of our planning for 2024 and future years. Your insights have already helped us develop strategies and new initiatives to serve our students and families, and the wider community moving forward, such as:

• A renewed focus on structured literacy in all classes, informed by the latest research (Science of Reading).

• Implementation of PeaceWiseKids, a Christian program for students, delivered by the class teacher, that equips young people to deal with challenging relationships and conflict in healthy, constructive & life-changing ways to help continue to build a strong and  positive student culture of respect, kindness and resilience.

• Promotion of ‘Service’ building by students serving in the school and wider community through opportunities such as the school choir singing at local events and aged care facility, students growing plants as part of the Garden-to-Plate Program to gifts to aged care residents, and new initiatives as part of our new intergenerational programme that will start in 2024.  

• Resurfacing of the oval is planned for 2024, with irrigation and a fence to be installed, and a new sandpit which is currently being design by our architect for the main playground.

• Barista training planned for Years 5 and 6 students, with a coffee machine being purchased by the Community Engagement Committee. This will give students valuable skills to serve the community.

• Combined sporting events with other CST schools to build community between the students (combined Cross Country Carnival and Swimming Carnival planned for 2024).

• Continued promotion of STEM through new initiatives planned for 2024.

Once again, thank you for taking time to provide your honest and constructive feedback in this comprehensive survey. This is such a great way to see where we are going well and where we need to improve and grow. It is so important for us to reflect and respond upon the data provided and remain true to our mission, ‘To provide the highest quality Christ-centered education that prepares and equip students for life.’  Our prayer is that we will continue to seek God for His wisdom and discernment as we continue to grow and thrive at Northern Christian School. 

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

Starting Monday 27 November until Friday 8 December, students will participate in the ‘Learn to Swim’ program at the Collegiate Pool. The Collegiate Pool is a safe, warm and clean indoor 25-metre pool. The program is led by qualified staff with an aim to provide students with the opportunity to develop and improve their ability to swim.

Students will change into their swimmers at the pool. This process will be outlined to students by their classroom teacher. Students will need a separate bag and a clean pair of underwear. This bag will also be used to carry their wet clothes after swimming. School bags will remain at school.

All students must wear a swimming cap in the pool or they will not be able to participate.

Goggles are not required but are a good learning aid for swimming. Please ensure students bring their own towel to dry off with. All students will be transported via bus supervised by their classroom teacher.

• Years 3 and 4 depart NCS 9.10am : arrive NCS 12.30pm

• Prep, Year 5 and Year 6 depart NCS 10.30am : arrive NCS 1.40pm

• Year 1 and Year 2 depart NCS 11.50am : arrive NCS 2.10pm

• Kinder depart NCS 12.30pm : arrive NCS 2.55pm (Mon - Wed)

If your child has any medical considerations that will impact their ability to swim or has experienced a traumatic event involving water, please contact the school.

Parents are not able to attend the swimming lessons as spectators; however, we would greatly appreciate parent help. Parent helpers must have their WWVP card but also complete the Safeguarding Children and Young People (SCYP) online training and provide the school with a copy of the certificate when completed. This certificate is valid for 3 years, so if you have previously completed this training you do not need to complete this again until requested. Additionally, we require the parent helpers to read and sign our SCYP Commitment Statement. Please let your child's teacher know if you are available to help.

Subway Lunches
Please be aware that due to the Learn to Swim schedule, there may be a delay in your child receiving their Subway lunch order. Please ensure your child has food available if they are offsite during lunchtime, and their order will be available upon their return to school. Years 3 and 4 will be the only classes that will be onsite at the regular lunchtime.

Tuesday, 19 December 9.30am - 11.00am

We are thrilled to once again be hosting our Thanksgiving Service in the Performing Arts Centre. This is a special opportunity to celebrate students' achievements, reflect on the wonderful year we have had as a school community, and thank God for His faithfulness!

The service will include:

• Celebrating our Kinder students and Year 6 students as they graduate

• Announcing our 2024 School Leaders

• Awarding excellence in student learning and character

• Enjoying performances from students

A time of fellowship and morning tea will conclude the service.

Tickets are FREE and essential. Due to seating capacity, tickets are limited to TWO per family. Current students and children 5 years old and under do not require a ticket.

If you would like to reserve a disabled parking spot, please contact the Office.

In English this term, Year 6 have focused on creating information reports. Students worked together in groups to brainstorm ideas for a news story and expert report. Once the group had decided the key ideas, each member individually chose and developed a script of either a compelling introduction from a presenter, a gripping interview between a reporter and interviewee, or an enlightening expert report about health, sport, weather or science.

Now that the scripts have been created, students will edit one of their four scripts to film a news report. Students will take turns in front of and behind the camera to create their video.

In Mathematics, we are currently learning how to add and subtract fractions using ‘like’ or ‘equivalent’ fractions. Students started by exploring the addition of fractions with ‘like’ denominators (bottom numbers). They quickly grasped the concept that when the denominators are the same, we simply add the numerators (top numbers). Through hands-on activities and interactive exercises, students are gaining confidence in working with fractions.

As our Year 6 students embark on the exciting journey to high school at the end of the year, we pray that they will carry with them the lessons learned, friendships forged, and memories created at Northern.

Luke Lamont - Year 6 Teacher

Just a reminder regarding the SRC’s Food Donation Program

• Week Beginning Monday, 20 November:

  • Jars of pasta sauce

  • Pasta

  • Long-life juice

• Week Beginning Monday, 27 November:

  • Breakfast cereals

  • Tim Tams

• Week Beginning Monday, 4 December:

  • Biscuits

  • Spreads – jam, Vegemite

  • Shampoo/conditioner

  • Christmas pudding

Donations can be placed under the Christmas Tree in the School Office.

Our support of the ‘Vinnies Christmas Appeal’ this year means we can help individuals and families struggling with the increased living costs experience more joy, dignity and hope. 

Student Representative Council