The importance of acknowledging positive behaviour and success in learning…

One of the joys in my role as a principal is having teachers send students to me to acknowledge positive behaviour and success in their learning. Last week, a student excitedly came into my office with the biggest grin, exclaiming that they can now write in paragraphs and wanted to show me evidence of this. I asked them to show me their writing in the book from last term to now. As we flipped over the pages, I could specifically see and acknowledge with them how their writing had improved. There was clear evidence they were now writing in paragraphs and using more adjectives and adverbs (describing words). As I presented this student with a highly sought-after ‘Principal’s Gold Sticker' for their writing, I wrote the feedback I had verbally given them into their book. I could have just taken out my 'Well Done' stamp to the page, but instead, I provided specific feedback to encourage them and give direction for improvement. I could see by the student’s face and by how proudly they walked out of my office just how much this meant to them.

At Northern, our teachers take the time to be intentional and very specific about how they acknowledge positive behaviour and academic success. Why do we do this? Our professional, dedicated, and passionate staff deeply care for your children and work hard to nurture each student with the deep hope that they will reach their God-given potential and excel in areas of aptitude. Our students need consistent encouragement when they display positive behaviour and success in their learning. I still remember one of my lecturers at university reminding us many times that we should acknowledge students' positive behaviour six times more than we highlight negative behaviour. Specific and intentional feedback can make a significant difference to students and goes a long way in helping to encourage and motivate them. Research also highlights that when adults calibrate their praise by following a few simple rules, students take more academic risks and are inspired to continue learning (Rowell, L 2020). We all know that a generalised 'well done' is encouraging, but students are perceptive and can distinguish between sincere feedback and praise or general feedback and praise.

I end by reminding you that children are a precious gift from God, and every child has much to celebrate. As a transformational Christian learning community, we don't want to be a school that merely celebrates academics; we also want to celebrate the person God has made them to be, with their unique identity, personality, gifts, and achievements. Recently, I witnessed a group of our Year 6 students being very generous with their time and showing great kindness and care to younger children at Little Learners. Is this something to celebrate and an opportunity to give intentional feedback to our students? Absolutely, it is!

Let us pray that we will seek God for His wisdom and discernment to discover all of your child's 'kernels' of identity, personality, gifts, and achievements, and let’s celebrate them in richness. Let's be a breath of fresh air in a weary world that often has the distorted idea that it's all about what we achieve or have, not who we are.

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

In Kinder, we have been investigating shapes. There are a lot of different shapes in the world around us. We have been learning the names of some of these shapes and learning to recognise them in familiar settings. We have also been practising putting them together to make new shapes or using them to create pictures.

We have continued to spend time visiting the bush and finding out about different creatures and habitats. This has included time outside exploring as well as finding books or videos that help us to learn more about creatures that interest us.

Recently, we held our Light Festival. We created a window display to shine the light on God’s creation. This included some of our favourite animals or other things in nature that we found interesting. Everyone worked hard and helped make our display a great success.

We still have a lot planned for the rest of the term and look forward to the upcoming adventures.

Sam Whittle - Kindergarten Teacher

On behalf of the Community Engagement Committee, I'd like to express a sincere ‘Thank You’ to all of the parents, carers and members of the school community who helped to make the Light Festival a success through their generous contributions of time, equipment, food and drink. It was wonderful to spend time as a community marking this significant event in the life of Northern Christian School.

In particular, we hope that you enjoyed the stunning fireworks display. The fireworks were jointly funded by the Community Engagement Committee and Christian Schools Tasmania.

James Hazelwood - Community Engagement Committee

As part of our 30 Year Anniversary, the Student Representative Council (SRC) will be coordinating Heritage Day on Tuesday, 19 September.

The SRC felt that students wanted to celebrate this special milestone in a fun way, so we voted and decided to encourage everyone to dress up as students from the early 1900s. There will be old-fashioned custard and jam buns for morning tea, activities from the 1900s that students will enjoy with their buddy class, and we will also hear from Mr Malcolm Lacey about the early days at Northern Christian School when he served as Principal.

As part of this special day, we will be filling a time capsule with an item from each class that reflects our school in 2023, which will be buried on this day.

We can't wait to see everyone in their old-fashioned attire at our Heritage Day!

Maya - Student Representative Council 

Thursday, 21 September
10.45am - 12.30pm

Please join our Northern community for Grandparents Day!

Enjoy FREE barista-made coffee, a morning tea and classroom activities with your grandchildren!

The aim of the occasion is to build connections and community between our students and their grandparents. We look forward to sharing this special time together.

Footy Colours Day
Wednesday, 27 September

Fight Cancer Foundation’s ‘Footy Colours Day’ is a national fundraising campaign that helps kids with cancer.

On Wednesday, 27 September, students are invited to wear their favourite footy team colours, and there will be fun activities held throughout the day.

A Hot Dog and a packet of chips - aka ‘Footy Food’ - is able to be purchased for $5.00 (Gluten-Free $5.50). Place your ‘Footy Food’ orders and/or make a fundraising donation for the Fight Cancer Foundation via QKR! before 4.00pm Monday, 25 September.

No cash is accepted at the school and no late orders will be accepted. If you have difficulty making your purchase via the QKR! App, please contact the Office PRIOR to the order cut-off time.

Student Bus Behaviour Expectations 

We have been reminding our students of the school bus expectations this week. I encourage you to look at the below and discuss these safe expectations with your children.

Safe behaviour on the bus:

• Always treat the driver with respect. They have the important job of safely getting you and others to and from school.

• Speak quietly and do not create unnecessary noise that may distract the driver. If playing music, use headphones or keep it at a low volume.

• Move towards the back of the bus (or as instructed by the bus driver) and take your seat. Remain in your seat, wear a seatbelt where seatbelts are fitted, and do not move around the bus unnecessarily.

• If you do not have a seat, move toward the back of the bus and hold on to the handgrip.

• School bags should be placed under the seat, in the racks, or on your lap. They must not block the aisles, doors or emergency exits.

• Make sure you know where the emergency exit is in case you ever need to use it.

• Always show care, courtesy and common sense while travelling on the bus, including using appropriate language when speaking to other passengers. Swearing is not tolerated or acceptable behaviour on the school bus.

• Always keep your feet on the ground and your limbs within the bus.

• Take all rubbish with you when leaving the bus.

• Avoid eating or drinking except for medical reasons or where the bus driver gives you permission.

• Report any vandalism of the bus to your driver when it is safe to do so.

• Sit in a designated seat if instructed by the bus driver.

Please note breaches of the Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services may result in disciplinary action being taken, including a suspension from travelling on school bus services.

Friday, 20 October
2.00pm - 4.00pm

This year, we celebrate 30 years of God's goodness and faithfulness at Northern Christian School. Together, we will continue to build a bright future that will transform not just the lives of our students but the wider school community.

You are invited to attend our afternoon of celebrations!

Our Service of Thanksgiving starts at 2.00pm. You will hear stories from our special guests, including from those who built our school, in some cases literally with their bare hands! The service will conclude with an afternoon tea where you can reminisce with others as you look at the school's history.

At 3.30pm, tours will commence so you can see our new Kinder precinct, some memorabilia and the beautiful work of our current students.

What a wonderful way to celebrate what God has done through Northern Christian School!

Tickets are FREE but must be ordered via EVENTBRITE. As this event is held during school time, current Northern students do not need to reserve tickets. Students must be accompanied by an adult after 3.00pm to remain for the afternoon tea and tours.

The Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. and Brixhibition invite all Primary School students in the Southern Tasmanian area to compete in their Lego Competition running in Term 3, 2023.

Students are invited to take part in the challenge by creating their own Lego masterpieces to be displayed at school in the Learning Enrichment Room. There will be medallions for age-group winners, one of which will also be for ‘Overall Winner’ for the school. The overall winning entry will then have the opportunity to compete against other schools around Hobart and have their entry judged by the Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. members, where place Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd  + other prizes will be awarded.

• Each Lego display is to be no larger than 52cm x 52cm x 52cm, or no larger than four 32x32 lug Lego baseplates.

• Each Lego display must be an original or freelance design - not made from a Lego kit.

• Some adult help is allowed, but the Lego design should mainly be child’s own design.

• Each Lego entry to be completed and displayed at your school, in-house or virtually, by no later than Monday, 11 September.

• Lego submissions can be handed into the Learning Enrichment Room from Monday, 4 September or virtually as a photo emailed to myself. Students are to be holding or positioned next to their creations. Photos will be displayed in the Learning Enrichment Room.

• All Lego Challenge Overall Winners will be judged by Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. members, to determine the Grand Prize Winners by bringing their model (or photo) to South East Sports Complex, Montagu St, Sorell to be on display at the Brixhibition Hobart 2023 event Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October.

• Grand Prize winners will be announced at 3.20pm on Sunday, 8 October during Brixhibition Hobart 2023 at Sorell.

Happy Building!

Luke Lamont - Year 6 Teacher