From the Principal

Why Christian Education…

After many years of prayer and planning, including fundraising and campaigning, in 1993, a group of committed and passionate parents who longed for Christian education for their children in the northern suburbs saw the rewards of their labours when Northern Suburbs Christian School began with 21 students and the founding teacher, Mr Malcolm Lacey. Located initially at the Berriedale Community Centre, the school moved to its current location in Bridgewater in 1995, with the official completion of Stage 1 of the campus completed in 1996.

Creating a school from scratch with limited resources was a tough challenge faced by these visionary pioneers. Emmanuel Christian School provided support and guidance during the early years, and now, 30 years later, Northern Christian School is a thriving transformational Christian learning community that is building brighter futures in the rapidly expanding northern suburbs of Hobart. In our Newsletters over the course of this year, we will share some of the stories of those involved in laying the foundations of our school and how good God has been through the years.

Planning the upcoming 30 Year Anniversary celebrations has provided me many opportunities to reflect and be encouraged by the way God has continued to be so good and kind to Northern. I continually draw on the commitment, sacrifice and passion of those parents and staff that have gone before us. I continue to be inspired by the dedication of our current parents and carers and the many challenges families face in the 21st century. Like you, the founding parents took seriously their primary
God-given responsibility of nurturing their children to maturity and fought hard for their ability to access Christian education.

So why Christian education? Northern Christian School has always been so much more than just a school. It is a transformational Christian learning community seeking to work with parents to nurture, teach and encourage children in their understanding of God and the world He has created. Our founding parents shared a desire to have their children brought up in the training and instruction of the Lord. As a member of Christian Schools Tasmania, we believe that Christian education is not confined to a time slot within a curriculum but applies to every aspect of school life. Our goal is to ensure that children receive an excellent education and that this education is carried out in a loving and nurturing environment (in partnership with our parents) within a Christian worldview. The word ‘worldview’ refers to the idea that everyone views life through a different set of glasses, with their lenses affecting how they interpret and interact with the world around them. At Northern, we have always strived to teach students to view the world through a different set of glasses than the ‘world’, with the lens being the Bible, thus a ‘Christian worldview’. Students are invited to see and understand the world through the perspective of God’s truth. This video helps explain in a little more detail about Christian schools. I also encourage you to check this video to see what Christian education looks like in the classroom.

What will the next season hold for Northern? As we reminisce and reflect on the history of our school, which was built on the deep hope of knowing Jesus, and rejoice over the many hundreds of students and families that have been impacted and transformed, let's remind ourselves of the School’s Memory Verse:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6.

As we continue to look to God for his guidance and provision, we look forward to building brighter futures that will transform not just the lives of our students but also the broader community.

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

Facebook Recap

Year 5 Update

Cross Country Carnival
Wednesday, 17 May

Kinder to Year 6 students will be participating in the Cross Country Carnival, which forms part of our Physical Education program; therefore all students are expected to participate. This is a chance for students to give it their all and show perseverance by racing through the school.

The Carnival will be held in two sessions:
Years 3 - 6 students start at 9.10am - 11.00am
Prep - Year 2 students start at 11.30am - 1.00pm

Kinder will be racing at 11.35am and will head back to class after their race.

All students will be required to wear sports uniform for this event and are encouraged to wear their house colour.

Parents and families are invited to come along to encourage and support students. We seek volunteers to assist with marshalling and assisting at the finish line. If you can assist, please contact me. All volunteers must have a valid Working With Vulnerable People card.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

Community Engagement Committee: Saveloy Sandwich and Zooper Dooper

The Community Engagement Committee will be hosting lunch for students at the Cross Country Carnival. Saveloy Sandwiches are $3.00 and Zooper Doppers are $1.00. Orders must be placed by 9.00am on Monday, May 15, via the QKR! app.

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. All volunteers must have a valid Working With Vulnerable People card.

Jaimi-Lee Willrath - Community Engagement Committee

Uniform Reminder

With the weather starting to cool down, please be reminded students are not to wear tops under their school polo shirts that are visible.

If a student is finding the weather a little cooler, they are encouraged to wear the long-sleeve polo top, then add the knitted or rugby jumper, then add the soft shell jacket to add extra layers of warmth.

Students are also permitted to wear the Northern beanies during Terms 2 and 3. Hats, caps, beanies, or jumpers other than Northern uniform items are not to be worn to, during or from school. Students can wear an additional puffer jacket over their uniform when outside if the weather is wet.

Monday, 8 May from 8.00am - 9.00am

Mothers and mother-figures of current families are warmly invited to join us for a relaxed casual Mother’s Day celebration. This will be a special time for our students to share with the adult women in their lives, be it Mum, Big Sister, Grandmother, Aunty or a family friend. It will include a muffin and a barista-made coffee or hot choc to be held outside on our Performing Arts Centre Green! You can see all the details via our Facebook event.

The Community Engagement Committee would greatly value some help from our fathers or father-figures with set up from 7.30am. Please email the Community Engagement Committee if you would like to help. All volunteers must have a valid Working With Vulnerable People card.

Sarah Randall - Community Engagement Committee

From the Office