Growing Together: Strengthening Our Partnership with Parents

One of the things I love most about Northern Christian School is the incredible partnership we share with our parents. It’s not transactional—like dropping your child off and picking them up at the end of the day. It’s rich, authentic, and grounded in a genuine relationship. We are blessed with parents who care deeply about their children, their learning, and the Northern Christian School community. Time and again, we see families serving in so many ways—seen and unseen—making our community such a special place.

I’m often asked, “What makes Northern Christian School different from other independent schools?” For me, the answer is clear. Northern has always been so much more than just a school. It is a transformational Christian learning community, partnering with parents to nurture, teach, and encourage children in their understanding of God and the world He has created. A group of founding parents came together in 1993 with a deep desire to see their children raised in the training and instruction of the Lord. While our numbers have grown over the years, our commitment to that mission is still strong, shaping Northern into what it is today. On enrolment tours, I often remind families that God gives children to parents, not schools. Parents have the primary, God-given responsibility to raise their children to maturity. Our role as a school is to come alongside you, encouraging and supporting you in that calling. Northern Christian School grew out of the vision and commitment of parents who wanted to partner in Christ-centred education for their children. That partnership remains at the heart of who we are today, shaping our school's Vision and Mission.

More and more families are recognising this distinction. Parents want to be actively involved in their children’s learning, and we are seeing the fruit of that through the increasing number of new families joining our community and the strong interest in enrolments in the years ahead. Just last week, I was reminded again of how important this partnership is as I walked through classrooms and saw parent volunteers listening to students read and a parent contacting books in the library. Northern wouldn’t be the same without our parents investing their time and energy in school life. The difference you make is significant, whether helping at a school community event, helping in the classroom, covering books, coaching a sports team, or encouraging staff.

If you are new to Northern in 2025 or have been part of our community for years, there are plenty of ways to get involved. We have an exciting calendar of events, including the Sports Carnival, Light Festival and many other school community events where your involvement is genuinely valued. If you’d like to help with any of these events, please email the Community Engagement Community. (CEC). The CEC is so grateful for all those who’ve already volunteered their time, resources and energy in the past.

Alison Morgan, a fellow parent in Christian schooling (and the Head of Secondary at Devonport Christian School), offers some excellent insights about how parents can engage meaningfully with their child’s education. Here are her “P’s of Partnering”:

• Passionate about Education – Show your child that school is a gift. Use language like, “You get to go to a Christian school,” rather than, “You have to go to school.”

• Promote the Teacher – Speak positively about your child’s teacher. Your encouragement helps build respect and trust.

• Pray – Make praying for our staff, students and families a regular habit. Prayer is powerful.

• Participate and Be Prepared – Attend events, show up for student-led conferences, and make sure your child is prepared for each school day and excursion.

• Praise and Publicise – Share the great things happening at Northern with your family and friends. Support the school’s social media by liking and sharing posts.

• Follow Procedure – If you have concerns, follow the correct process. Approach the right person respectfully and work towards solutions together.

• Offer Your Gifts – Whether you have specific skills or time to offer, we’d love to know! There are always ways to contribute.

• Communicate – If there are any changes at home, or anything you think your child’s teacher should know, please let them know. Open communication helps us support your child in the best possible way.

Northern Christian School thrives when parents and staff work together. Your partnership through prayer, communication, encouragement, and involvement makes a lasting difference. Together, we are a transformational Christian learning community where students grow in their faith, learning, relationships and character. Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us!

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

What a fantastic beginning to the year it has been in Year 4! Students have been embracing every opportunity for learning, making the most of each moment as they dive into exciting topics across the curriculum.

In HASS and Science, students have been exploring sustainability and the water cycle. Through these lessons, they have been developing a deeper understanding of how we are called to care for God’s creation. They have been particularly fascinated by the intricate patterns God has woven throughout nature, reinforcing the importance of stewardship and responsibility for the world around us.

Bible and English lessons have been equally inspiring, as students began the year by reading the autobiography of Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni’s story is one of incredible resilience: becoming a quadriplegic at 17 after a diving accident, she faced immense physical and mental challenges. However, her faith in God remained unwavering, and she went on to become a renowned artist and founder of the charity organisation called ‘Joni and Friends’; supporting individuals with disabilities. Students were deeply moved by her story and how she found strength in God during the darkest times of her life.

To experience a small part of Joni’s journey, students were challenged to paint without using their hands, instead holding their paintbrushes in their mouths (wrapped for hygiene, of course!). While the task was difficult, it also brought lots of laughter and a newfound appreciation for the perseverance and talent of artists like Joni.

It has truly been a marvellous term so far, and we look forward to many more exciting learning experiences in Year 4!

Tara Williams - Year 4 Teacher

Crazy Sock Day

Next week is both Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Week. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It's about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

We will celebrate Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Week together, under the name of Harmony Week. We will be teaching our students to embrace the way God has made each of us, inside and out, knowing that our differences are part of His beautiful plan for a diverse and loving world. 

On Friday, 21 March, we will hold Crazy Socks Day as part of our Harmony Day celebrations. Students may come to school wearing unique, crazy or colourful socks as we remember to celebrate our differences. We will celebrate Harmony Day at our assembly on Thursday, 20 March. 

Hockey

We are continuing our participation in this competition for the 2025 season. The competition runs during Term 2, with games held at Cornelian Bay on Saturday mornings. We aim to have teams represented in the three rosters: Prep/1/2, Years 3/4 and Years 5/6.

We must meet the minimum player requirement to create the teams. We also need volunteers to assist with coaching and/or umpiring the teams.

A letter has been provided for students to bring home if they are interested, or a copy is available from the Office. Students will need to have the form signed and returned to participate by Friday, 21st March. If you require a copy of the letter to be emailed or sent home, please contact me.

Samuel Whittle - Hockey Coordinator

School Photos - Monday, 24 March

Class, individual and family photos will be taken on Monday, 24 March.

Please be reminded there will be no cash option for payment, so please feel free to start ordering your photos online.

All FAMILY PHOTO orders must be paid for by 4.30pm on Sunday, 23 March.

Any family who misses the family cutoff but wishes to still have a photo taken on the day will incur a $20 late fee and will be able to order this photo through the second chance system. 

Individual and Family Photo packages can be ordered via the Leading Image Website using the same access key STQGXY6A

Athletics Carnival
Friday, 4 April

This event is for all students from Prep to Year 6. Most of the running races will be held in the morning between 9.15am and 11.00am. After recess, Years 1 to 6 students will be moving through the field events until the end of the day, with a break for lunch. Prep will complete all their field events between recess and lunch. However, we do not have a set schedule for events and run the activities according to the organisational requirements on the day. Therefore, we are unable to provide families with specific times for events and encourage families to attend for the whole day.

Students must wear Sports Uniform or clothing in their house colours suitable for participating in sports events. There will be some events where parents are invited to participate. Please ensure you are wearing appropriate footwear if you would like to participate in events or volunteer on the day. Shoes must be worn in all events.

We welcome parent help on the day, especially for the class field events. If you are available to help, please let the class teacher know.

Parents and families are welcome to attend this event to support the students throughout the day. Some seating will be provided; however, feel free to bring your own chair or picnic blanket.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

Community Engagement Committee Hosting Lunch

The Community Engagement Committee will be fundraising by hosting lunch for students at the Athletics Carnival. Hot Dogs are $4.00, and fruit boxes are $1.00.

All funds raised will go towards purchasing Bibles for our new Kinder students, our Year 6 students when they graduate, and new families. Additionally, proceeds will support upcoming school community events, such as the Light Festival later in the year.

Orders must be placed via the QKR! app by 4.00pm on Wednesday, 2nd April. No late orders will be accepted and no cash on the day. Families are also welcome to order hotdogs by simply adding names to the order.

All students will also receive a free Zooper Dooper.

We would love some help with serving the lunch from 12.40pm onwards. Please email the Community Engagement Committee if you would like to help.

Community Engagement Committee

Meals on Wheels Easter Egg Drive

Providing a crucial role nationally in supporting the health and wellbeing of thousands of older Tasmanians each year, ‘Meals on Wheels’ visit and deliver meals to people who are elderly, live alone or are unable to make meals for themselves.

The SRC has chosen to continue to support Meals on Wheels by providing Easter eggs, and encouraging messages and cards to help others in our wider community know that they are loved.

Donations of Easter eggs can be made to the Office until Friday, 4 April.

It is our goal to provide ‘Meals on Wheels’ with enough Easter eggs to show our support to over 200 people. Please help us reach this goal.

Student Representative Council