Forest School at Northern

Our Forest School Program is an initiative started at Northern in 2018. It is an outdoor learning approach based upon the Forest School model that was developed and refined in the United Kingdom from what have been recognised as Scandinavian best practice. Six guiding principles underline the program:

  1. Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

  2. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

  3. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

  4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

  5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

  6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

It has long been recognised that spending time outside and engaging with the natural environment is beneficial for development and well-being. Both play and appropriate risk-taking are important parts of child development and learning.

Despite living close to the bush in Australia, it can often be hard to fit nature experiences into already busy schedules. We can also be concerned about safety, leading to children not learning to make safe decisions when interacting with the world around them later in life. Having regular, supported visits to the bush and natural spaces in a safe setting helps address this. Evidence shows too, that participating students benefit from improved social and emotional skills, academic results and classroom engagement.

At Northern, each class will spend a term participating in Forest School each week. Students will have a variety of learning opportunities and experiences. Sessions are planned with current student and class interests in mind. Teachers and helpers observe and support the students.

In implementing a Forest School Program at Northern Christian School, students also get to experience and interact with God’s creation. We are very blessed to have an environment onsite where we can provide this program. We give a big thank you to those staff and parents who assist with the program throughout the year. If you are interested in helping out with our Forest School Program through either time, knowledge or relevant skills, then please feel free to contact me.

Mr Samuel Whittle - Forest School Coordinator
 

From the Principal

As we are now on Day 3 in our return to face-to-face teaching program, we will continue to follow the advice from Public Health Services.

Student safety and health is still a priority at Northern Christian School. We aim to be a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. The School seeks to create and maintain a caring environment where Christian values inspire and affirm the highest standards of ethical conduct concerning the care, support, and welfare of the students entrusted to it.

We, as a staff, acknowledge our responsibility to God; to fulfill our duty of care for all students and to protect their safety. 

Please read our ‘Return to Learning at School: Standards’ to see the measures that we have put in place to look after the safety of our students and staff.

Miss Bethany Armstrong - Principal

 

Parents are asked to follow new signage during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups.

A reminder that parents are to remain in their vehicles until 2.55pm before entering the school grounds to collect younger students, and should not be waiting outside of classrooms while teaching is still occurring as this is not only disruptive, but also does not help to maintain a social distancing environment.

With the changes in place to assist with social distancing, this has resulted in a more significant number of cars and students moving around the car park areas. We have extra staff on duty and ask for your assistance to keep our students safe. When arriving or leaving the school please drive slowly, be vigilant and always assist your child in crossing the carpark safely.

A reminder that students that are not going on the school buses after school are required to be picked up by 3.10pm. At 3.20pm, students who are still waiting for the parents to pick them up will be taken to the office and parents will be contacted.

 

From the Chaplain

Coming Back to School

It seems as though we were all just getting used to distance learning, and now students are back at school!  Constant change is the ‘new normal’ we are learning to live with since the COVID-19 crisis broke out at the start of the school year. 

Change is a natural part of life, and being able to adapt to it is a life skill that our children are developing throughout their schooling.  However, change is stressful, even if it is just part of growing up, such as moving up a grade at the beginning of each new year.  

At a time like this, it is good to be reminded that the anxiety your children may be feeling about coming back to school after being in lockdown is natural, and letting them know that is the first step to helping them work through it.

Building resilience and the capacity to cope with change is always a process in every child’s life, and that’s without having to help them navigate the unusual stress we are all dealing with during this pandemic!

Be encouraged that we are be available to listen to their concerns, and yours, and to help them develop the resilience and adaptability they need to adjust to this transition.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Mrs Jenny Berry - Chaplain 
 

Year 3 Update

The start to Term 2 in Year 3 has been quite different to any other, but we have still tried to focus on the same topics that have been taught in previous years. A highlight has been our HASS unit. In Year 3, we research different landmarks around Australia, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Sydney Opera House. It is always lots of fun to learn about the different locations and why they are special. The students have been presenting what they have learnt in either posters or by PowerPoint. It has also come with lots of fun conversations about the places the students are hoping to visit when they are older.

Throughout distance learning, it has been amazing to see how independent students have become. Each day on ClassDojo, there has been a list of familiar and new tasks for students to complete. Whether they are at home or school, the expectation was that they watch a video and then complete an activity. For some students, at the start of distance learning, this was very challenging. Sometimes they were doing the task by themselves because they were at home or because other students in the class were working at a different pace. It has been wonderful to see the progress in this area. Many of the students have now developed the maturity and confidence to complete many of the tasks independently.

Thank you to all the parents who have put in an exceptional effort during the Distance Learning Program.

Miss Claire Gardner - Year 3 Teacher
 

Little Learners Update

We are hoping our Little Learners program will be back from the beginning of Term 3. This decision will be based on the most recent health advice, and in the interests of keeping our children and families safe.

Little Learners is our FREE Early Learning Program that you and your children will love. Once confirmed, the dates for Little Learners will be added to the school calendar. 

Mrs Jane Edler - Little Learners Coordinator
 

Premier's Reading Challenge

Northern Christian School is once again participating in the Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge is to read ten books in ten weeks. There's still plenty of time to meet the challenge! Students can read magazines, books, graphic novels or ebooks.  If you have a library card, you can also access ebook collections through Libraries Tasmania. Students in Years 3 to 6 have automatically been registered, as they read every day as part of the Accelerated Reader Program at school. Some have even already completed the Challenge! All students completing the Challenge:

  • receive a certificate from the Premier;

  • go in the draw to win a $100 book voucher (there are 3 to be won; 1 prize for each region); and

  • go in the draw to win a Hawthorn guernsey signed by the team (there are 3 to be won; 1 prize for each region). 

More information and reading logs can be accessed via their website.

Let's get reading! 

Mrs Linda Rowlings - Librarian
 

Head Lice

A gentle reminder to parents about head lice. If lice is sighted in your child's hair, you will be contacted immediately to collect your child and you will be required to treat their hair. We understand that this proves problematic for working parents, but it is necessary. Please consider who your emergency contacts are, as they may need to be contacted if you are unable to collect your child. Although the condition is unpleasant, it is easily treated but we understand it is time-consuming. Your local pharmacy will be happy to advise you of the best treatment.

Your child is not permitted back at school until treated. Parents must be satisfied that there is no evidence of eggs or living head lice before your child returns. A follow up check each day for seven days is advised to ensure complete eradication of the head lice. After your child returns to school, staff cannot and will not check your child’s hair, however, sighting of live lice will require your child to be sent home again.

After treating your child’s hair, it is important to wash, in hot water and detergent, any articles which may harbour lice such as pillow slips, towels and bed linen. Combs and brushes should also be washed in hot soapy water, as should hats and hairbands. We reinforce that hats are not to be shared at school. Due to the highly contagious nature of head lice, it is also advisable to treat all members of the family at the same time. If chemist-based products are not working, please seek your doctor’s advice.

Thank you for your ongoing support. 
 

Subway School Lunches

We are in discussions with Subway and hoping to resume our School Lunch Program in Term 3. This will re-commence in a new, online-only ordering format, using our current school payment app, Qkr!, to facilitate ordering and payment. We will not be accepting cash payments via the Office. More information will be provided towards the end of Term 2.
 

School Calendar

Due to our response to the ongoing COVID-19 virus, all special events at school have been cancelled. Any events that are rescheduled will appear below and on the Northern Calendar.

JUNE
8th | Public Holiday

JULY
3rd | Last Day of Term 2
 

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