Parent Partnership…

For many years, a group of deeply committed and passionate parents gathered to pray and seek God about pioneering a Christian school in the Northern Suburbs. Parents started baking cakes and treats for the weekly cake stall in Moonah to raise funds to fund the school. When the land was purchased in Bridgewater in 1993, the site where we are today, families continued volunteering their time and resources to help build every weekend.

I have continued to be inspired by the commitment, sacrifice and passion of those parents and staff who have gone before us. Like our current parents, the founding parents took seriously their primary God-given responsibility of nurturing their children to maturity and fought hard for their ability to access quality Christian education that prepares and equips students for life. I am so pleased that our parents' level of commitment is still strong and continues to grow. I know staff continue to be deeply encouraged by parents' generosity, kindness, sacrifice, and service throughout the year. What a blessing and a joy it is to have such active parents! I am reminded of this again this week as I watch the sign-up sheet for volunteers for the Light Festival fill up. We wouldn’t be the school we are without parents stepping up in times of need.

Why do we highly value having active partnerships with parents? We believe parents have the primary God-given responsibility of nurturing their children to maturity. The Bible contains many passages clearly stating that parents are responsible for training their children. For example:

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.’ Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This passage specifically tells us about God, His love for us, and our obedient response to Him. Northern Christian School grew and continues to grow out of parents' vision and commitment to Christian education for their children; therefore, we encourage and nurture partnerships between the school and parents.

Whether you are new this year to Northern or an existing family, I encourage you to get involved in our thriving school community. That may be through regular service, for example, by listening to students read each week or simply attending and getting involved in one of our events - you can still sign up for the Light Festival! No matter where you help, you will find a supportive and encouraging community for you and your family. We have volunteering opportunities throughout the year that do not require a Working with Vulnerable People Card, so please speak with the Office regarding how you can participate at Northern.

Some ways you can be involved in our community are:

Parent help: Some parents regularly assist in the classroom or on school excursions. Please chat with your child’s teacher about opportunities to help.*

Book covering: At various times, help is needed to cover new books. Please contact Rachael Herring, our Librarian, or leave a message at the Office if you can assist.

Laminating and cutting: Many of our lower primary classes always have plenty of preparation to do for learning resources. Laminating and cutting resources at home is a way that you might be able to support the teacher. Please chat with your child’s teacher about this opportunity if you are able to help.

Sports Teams: We are very thankful to have parents coaching our 2024 School Hockey and Netball Teams. Please contact Samuel Whittle or me if you would like to help with coaching our sports teams or if you are willing to coach a new sports team/initiative.**

Events: We have a range of school events throughout the year, including carnivals, Aussie Bush Dance, Easter Activity Day, Light Festival, and many other events. Please email the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) or chat with someone who serves on the CEC if you would like to support them with these events. The CEC is very grateful to the many parents who have already helped.

Pray: Please don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Please continue to pray for students, staff, parents and the Board of Christian Schools Tasmania that we will continue to be faithful to God.

*indicates a Working with Vulnerable People Card is needed for these activities.
**WWVP card and additional child safety training are required.

My prayer is that we will continue to be a welcoming transformational Christian learning community where parents are an integral part of our school community.

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

Year 2 is having a terrific start to Term 3! Each week, we are spending time reflecting on the things we are thankful for. We have been weaving thankfulness into our day when we talk about our learning and our relationships with each other. God has blessed us with so much; a perspective of thankfulness helps us respond in praise to God as our giver and provider.

We are enjoying our lessons in the InitiaLit program where we are exploring new spelling rules and grammar concepts. This is helping us become better at writing and creating. 

In Mathematics, Year 2 has been learning to read the time on an analog clock. This is a challenging topic but it is so much fun! We are improving our time skills each day.

We have been enjoying our creative processes in Visual Arts, and we are excited to show our amazing work at the Light Festival! Our artworks celebrate God's amazing creation of lights in the sky, and celebrate the gifts that God has given each of us.

The Light Festival is this Friday, 16 August, and we are very excited about this wonderful event!

A friendly reminder that this event is for our current families, presented by the Northern Community Engagement Committee. Please note due to car parking restraints and catering, only immediate families are able to attend.

If you would like to reserve a Disabled Parking space, please contact us so we can ensure your needs are catered for.

We’d love to see you there!

Volunteers Still Needed:

To make this a success, we would greatly value some more help with the Light Festival. 

Thank you to those who have already offered to help. We have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity. If you are able to help and have not yet signed up for a 30-minute slot, or would like to be involved with planning or participating in the Light Fest, we encourage you to register on our Volunteer Sign Up sheet.

Community Engagement Committee

Friday, 16th August
Wear Purple!

From the 12th to the 16th of August 2024, Australian schools will participate in Bullying No Way: National Week of Action. We have participated in this initiative for many years, and it is a valuable part of building a safe culture at Northern Christian School. The week allows students to learn about and reflect upon finding solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for 2024 is ‘Everyone Belongs’. When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It’s about embracing who we are, respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness. Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We are encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected and our voices are heard and valued.

On Friday, August 16th, students and staff will be encouraged to dress or accessorise in PURPLE (the event's recognised theme colour in 2024) to raise awareness. Each class will explore the theme through an activity on the day.

Cross Country Carnival
Wednesday, 21st August

Kinder to Year 6 students will participate 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 and surrounding bushland.

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
Hot Dogs and Zooper Doopers

The Community Engagement Committee will be hosting lunch for students at the Cross Country Carnival. Hot Dogs are $4.00 and Zooper Doppers are $1.00. Orders must be placed by 9.00am on Monday, 19th August, 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.

Community Engagement Committee

Please join our Northern community for a relaxed, casual Father's Day morning with an egg and bacon muffin and a barista-made coffee for adults to enjoy with their children on the PAC Green! There will be plenty of sweet treats for students to enjoy.

The aim of the occasion is to create a happy time for children to share with the adult men in their lives, be it Dad, big brother, uncle, grandad, stepfather, or friend.

We would love to have some Mums help us with cooking and serving for this event. Please email the CEC if you would like to help. 

Community Engagement Committee

The Tasmanian Brick Enthusiasts Inc. and Brixhibition invite all Primary School students in the Southern Tasmanian area to compete in a Lego Competition running in Term 3, 2024. 

This year, there will be two challenges students will be able to enter.

The first challenge will be creating their own Lego masterpieces to be displayed at school in the Learning Enrichment Room.

The second challenge is a drawing competition where students are invited to design something they think would look great as a Lego model.

Click HERE to view the letter sent home recently with all the details.

Luke Lamont - Year 6 Teacher

Production Working Bee
Friday 30 August 3.00pm - 5.00pm

We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and help create the magic for our upcoming primary school musical production.

We are hosting a Set and Prop Making Working Bee, and we need your help!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, 30th August

• Time: 3.10 PM - 5.00 PM

• Location: Performing Arts Centre

This is a wonderful chance for students, parents, and families to get involved in the behind-the-scenes work that makes our productions so special. Whether you have artistic skills or simply a willingness to help, your participation is greatly valued.

Tasks will include painting, building props, decorating, and more. All materials and instructions will be provided, so no prior experience is necessary.

We hope to see many of you there, ready to roll up your sleeves and contribute to making this production truly special. Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Let’s make this a memorable event for our students and school community!

Tara Williams - Production Coordinator

Last term, the Student Representative Council organised a fundraiser for NAIDOC week, and students placed coins around the Aboriginal flag. The SRC is delighted to announce that we raised $150.10 for the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages (AuSIL) organisation. AuSIL translates English Bibles into the Aboriginal language. They also provide lots of other support for Aboriginals. 

This term, we raised $435 for school supplies for Myanmar Flower International School, Burma, by making cookies and hot chocolate on RIBIT day. 

Thank you to all the parents, carers and students for your support.

Abigail Be - Student Representative Council