You Can Sit With Me: Why We Chose Connection Over a Buddy Bench

You may have heard of a Buddy Bench. It’s a thoughtful idea - a place where a student can sit if they are feeling lonely or looking for someone to play with.

While the intention is kind, I have to admit - it’s not quite my cup of tea.

Why? Because sitting and waiting can sometimes place the responsibility on the child who is already feeling unsure or alone. It can unintentionally highlight their loneliness rather than gently resolve it. It also relies on others noticing, and in the busyness of a playground, that doesn’t always happen quickly.

At Northern, we wanted something more relational, more proactive, and more reflective of the community we continually seek to strengthen.

So instead, in 2019, we launched our You Can Sit With Me program.

A Culture of Invitation

You Can Sit With Me is an inclusive kindness campaign aimed at reducing social isolation, bullying and antisocial behaviour in schools and community groups across Australia. At Northern, this means we have students in the playground who serve as YCSWM Ambassadors each semester. These students are peers whom others can approach if they need someone to talk to, play with, or simply sit beside.

The focus is on creating a culture where kindness is active, intentional and visible every day. Rather than relying on a Buddy Bench, we empower students themselves to notice others, include them, and offer friendship. It also encourages students who may be feeling unsure or alone to confidently seek out someone safe and supportive.

It is one of our well-loved initiatives that beautifully promotes our value of ‘Kindness’ by helping every child feel seen, valued, connected, and empowered to both give and receive friendship. When students say “You can sit with me,” they are choosing to show intentional kindness by noticing others, including others, and responding to the kindness that God has shown us in Jesus.

Saying “You can sit with me” creates opportunities for genuine invitation and inclusion. It is a simple phrase, but it carries great meaning.

Through these moments, students are:

• practising kindness in action

• building a strong sense of belonging

• learning that true leadership is about serving others

Leadership in Everyday Moments

One of the things I love most about Northern is the many ways students are given opportunities to lead - some with badges, but many without.

Recently, while on bus duty in the morning, I saw leadership everywhere:

• students happily putting up the flags without being asked

• older students gently guiding Kindergarten students off the bus to class

• someone thoughtfully opening a door for others

These simple, everyday moments reflect the kind of leadership we value - quiet service, awareness of others, and willing hearts.

This week is a special one in our school life. On Monday, we announced and prayed for our YCSWM Ambassadors for Semester 1, and tomorrow we will commission our Student Leadership Team. It is always a joy to celebrate the many ways students step forward to serve.

Our Model for Leadership

At Northern, as we think about leadership, we always come back to one question - who is our best example of a leader? For us, it is Jesus, the greatest leader of all.

• He noticed those that others overlooked.

• He welcomed children.

• He listened with compassion.

• He served humbly.

• And ultimately, He laid down His life for us.

There is no greater example of sacrificial love and servant leadership.

None of us is a perfect leader - far from it. But we can look to Him as our guide and learn to lead with humility, courage and love as ‘apprentices’ or disciples of Jesus. An apprentice is someone who learns by watching, walking alongside, and practising what their teacher does. It is more than knowing about someone - it is learning to live like them. As Christians, we are called not only to be disciples, but also to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

Our prayer is that our students, whether ambassadors, formal leaders, or kind friends, will continue to grow in this way of living, that they will lead with kindness, humility, notice others, invite others, and serve others with love - always looking to Jesus as their example.

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

I have enjoyed welcoming this year’s Kindergarten students to Northern. We have been making the most of our time together by getting to know one another and starting our first year of school as a new class community. During these first few weeks, much of our focus has been on settling into routines and adjusting to life at school.

In the classroom, we have placed a strong emphasis on developing our listening and sound discrimination skills. This has included playing games where we identify or match different sounds, as well as spending time outside to listen carefully to the sounds in the world around us. We have also been practising our fine motor skills by cutting interesting patterns and using our pincer grip to move objects during tasks and games.

We have begun our Bible program, learning about who God is and starting to read the Big Picture Story Bible together.

There is still a lot planned for the remainder of the term, and we are looking forward to all the adventures that await us this year.

Peter Humphrey - Kinder Teacher

16 - 20 March 2026

Northern will celebrate Harmony Week alongside Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Harmony Week recognises the diversity of our nation and reminds us that people from many cultures, backgrounds and experiences belong together. Neurodiversity Celebration Week highlights the value of different ways of thinking and learning, encouraging understanding of neurological differences.

At Northern, this connects closely with our focus on belonging and our theme for the year, Walking Together with God. We want students to know they are known, valued and included. God has created each person uniquely, and our differences are part of His good design. As we learn to walk together with Him, we also learn to walk alongside one another with patience, kindness and respect. Harmony Week gives us a clear opportunity to practise these values and help every child feel they have a place in our community.

Throughout the week, students will take part in a range of activities. We will hold a Harmony Day Assembly on Thursday,19 March, featuring Mr Joel Gillie as our guest speaker.

On Friday, 20 March, students are invited to participate in Crazy Socks Day, celebrating individuality and neurodiversity. Students can also enter our Harmony Day colouring competition, with class winners announced on Friday, and everyone will enjoy a Harmony Day treat at recess.

In classrooms, students will spend time learning about belonging, inclusion and respect. Younger students will explore the idea that everyone has a place and is valued, while older students will think more deeply about how diversity strengthens communities and reflects God’s intention for people to live together in understanding and care.

Harmony Week is a meaningful opportunity to remind students that they are not walking alone. As we walk together with God, we also walk together as a school community, making sure every child knows they belong.

Meals on Wheels Easter Egg Drive

Providing a crucial role nationally in supporting the health and wellbeing of thousands of older Tasmanians each year, Meals on Wheels visits and delivers meals to people who are elderly, live alone or are unable to make meals for themselves.

The SRC has chosen to continue to support Meals on Wheels by providing Easter eggs, encouraging messages and cards to help others in our wider community know that they are loved.

Donations of Easter eggs can be made to the Office until Friday, 27 March.

It is our goal to provide Meals on Wheels with enough Easter eggs to show our support to over 200 people. Please help us reach this goal.

Student Representative Council 

If you have a child commencing Kinder in 2027 or 2028 (born in 2022 or 2023), a completed Enrolment Application Form must be submitted by Friday, June 26, 2026. Students must be 4 years old by December 31 2026, to be considered for Kinder 2027. A child will not be considered for enrolment without a completed Enrolment Application Form and supporting documentation being submitted by the deadline.

If you are an existing family or are considering Northern Christian School for Kinder, or any other grade, please complete the online Enquiry Form, and we will be in contact regarding our enrolment process.

Four years ago, a small group of new parents came together with a simple hope - to connect with other families in the NCS community. From those first gatherings, the Parents & Carers Breakfast Group has grown into a warm and welcoming weekly tradition.

The group meets every Wednesday at Bean to Brew in Bridgewater, straight after school drop-off, and would love for you to join them. Whether you’re new to NCS or have been part of the community for years, all parents and carers are warmly invited to drop in, enjoy some breakfast, and share in good conversation and friendship.

Come along when you can - it’s a lovely way to start the day!

Can you help us with Daffodil Bulb Donations?

You may have seen the beautiful bank of dahlias growing in the Patch.
Our hope is that this will become a place of learning and blessing where students learn how to harvest dahlia tubers, replant them, and then share the gift of dahlias with others in our community.

We are also dreaming of something very special for spring…a whole bank of the Patch covered in bright, joyful daffodils!

To help bring this vision to life, we are inviting families to partner with us. If you have any spare daffodil bulbs you would be happy to donate, we would be so grateful. Your contribution will help create a beautiful space that students can care for, learn from, and use to bless others by giving them daffodils. 

Can You Help Us Welcome Some Animal Visitors?

Our Patch has had a wonderful refresh, and we now have a cosy fenced area with shelter, perfect for hosting some special animal visitors for short stays.

Throughout the year, we’re hoping to borrow a few furry (and possibly woolly!) friends for a week or so. This might include bunnies, a baby calf, a lamb or perhaps some young goats, even if just for a day. They’ll enjoy their time with us during the week and then head home for the weekends.

If you are able to help, we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Office if you are happy to support this exciting initiative in any way.

As you know, our very well-loved guinea pigs are already part of The Patch, and their home is being upgraded into a deluxe guinea pig fort later in the year as we continue to grow and expand.

Right now, The Patch is bursting with flowers and vegetables, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon. Our hope is that this space continues to flourish as a place where students can enjoy God’s creation, care for living things, learn responsibility, grow in wonder, and bless others through what they nurture.

Thank you for helping our Patch continue to grow and come to life.