Finishing Well: Unwrapping the Blessings of 2024
It is hard to believe we are in Week 8 and midway through swimming lessons! This doesn’t mean that learning has stopped; instead, what a valuable opportunity for our students to participate in swimming lessons together. I have been so encouraged by the dedication of our teaching staff this week, who remain committed to continuing explicit literacy and numeracy lessons alongside this activity.
As we approach the end of the year, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all that God has done at Northern Christian School in 2024. We are reminded of the powerful truth found in James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” This Bible verse became the foundation for our school’s theme this year, ‘Unwrapping God's Gifts to Us: Discovering, Sharing, and Celebrating.’ Throughout the year, we have encouraged students to reflect on the unique gifts that God has given them and to use these to serve Him and others. At the start of the year, I had the privilege of sharing this message with our students. We used beautifully wrapped gift boxes to illustrate the variety of talents and abilities God has placed within each of us, reminding us that we are all made in His likeness. It has been a joy to hear students share their reflections, such as: “I didn’t know that I was a good singer until I had to sing in the production; God has given me the gift to help others; I love being able to help and care for the little kids at Little Learners; God has given me a mind that loves to learn; I’ve been given great footy skills.” These are just a few of the conversations I have heard connected to our theme, and it has been a pleasure to see students recognise and develop their God-given gifts this year and use these to serve God and others.
Our School Values of Respect, Kindness, and Resilience remain at the heart of everything we do. This year, we launched the Shining Lights Program, a new initiative to recognise, encourage, and celebrate students demonstrating these values. Students earn ‘Sparks’, tokens awarded for intentionally displaying respectful, resilient, or kind behaviours and attitudes. Students can accumulate these to receive rewards, including a hot chocolate. It’s been wonderful to see our students embrace our school values by celebrating and thanking their peers when they see them display these.
Our renewed focus on Structured Literacy has been one of the year’s major highlights. This approach ensures that our students are taught explicitly and comprehensively in essential areas of reading, known as the ‘Big Six’: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Since launching this program, we have seen our students make significant progress in their literacy skills, with many excited about learning and improving their reading, spelling, and writing processes.
We also introduced the PeaceWiseKids program, equipping students with the skills to handle conflict in healthy, biblical ways. The program has already profoundly impacted how students approach challenges in their relationships, as evidenced by the many conversations we hear. For example, at the end of lunch, a prep student came to their class teacher and said, "We made peace after our argument." We are grateful for the life-changing lessons it provides.
Another exciting development this year was the opening of our new oval and sandpit, funded by Mountain District Christian School. This long-awaited project has brought immense joy to our students. The sandpit initiative was inspired by a group of students who presented a persuasive writing letter to me asking for a dedicated sandpit area. Their vision for a new sandpit has come to fruition, and it’s been a delight to see students enjoying these new play spaces.
Our Year 6 students have also been busy honing their barista skills, thanks to the generous gift of a café-style coffee machine from the Community Engagement Committee (CEC). This initiative has been an excellent opportunity for students to serve our community while learning new skills, and parents and staff have enjoyed their barista-made coffee on Monday mornings.
I've been deeply encouraged by the Mustard groups that commenced this year under the guidance of our chaplain, Daniel Meehan. Starting with one group at the start of the year, additional groups commenced after students heard the gospel shared by Daniel Warlow when he visited earlier in the year. These groups provide an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions, seek answers, and explore their Christian faith. What a blessing it is for our students to be encouraged in their walk with Jesus!
Our School Production of Max Lucado’s heartwarming story ‘You Are Special’ showcased each student’s unique God-given gifts and talents. Seeing our students shine on stage was truly remarkable as they brought this meaningful story to life as a musical. It was an exceptional performance and reminded us of the beauty of being loved by God just as we are, despite our flaws and sins, the grace we do not deserve that He generously gives us, and the incredible gift of knowing Him through Jesus.
Looking back on 2024, I am grateful for the many blessings we have experienced as a school and are still experiencing! From our students’ academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth to the strong sense of community we share, it’s clear that God’s hand continues to work through each student, staff and family member.
As we head into the final weeks of school, we encourage students to see every opportunity as a gift, use this learning time well, and finish strong. Let us continue to celebrate God and the gifts He has given us, and look forward to all He has in store for us.
Bethany Armstrong - Principal
