From the Principal

Learning That Is Owned

Students and staff started the term with a whole school Line-Up on Monday, and I spoke about the idea of students taking individual ownership of their learning. This term, we will be discussing and sharing ideas with students about what they believe a responsible learner is and how they can own their learning. 

There has been a wide range of research completed by education experts about the significant progress that students make when they become responsible for their learning. John Hattie, a well-known researcher in education, states that when teachers are clear with students about why and what they’re learning, it helps students to set goals, and encourages them to take ownership of their learning.  Hattie’s research has shown that if students see what they’re doing and why it’s going to be of more value to them, this will help them to progress.  
In the holidays, I read Transformation by Design: Crafting Formational Learning (2019). This book reminded me that there are many theorists, movements and great ideas buzzing around in our present educational landscape. However, we need to ensure that we are faithful to God and His word, by critiquing these education movements - appreciating the need for a biblically-directed discernment in all our approaches to education in our context (CEN, 2019).

At Northern, we are striving to create dynamic and engaging learning opportunities that foster formational learning. “Formation Learning develops the mind, captivates the heart, and equips the hand, encouraging curious and courageous learners to explore God’s world and live out the hope of Christ (CEN, 2019). We hope that our students will continue to be active and responsible in their learning, making meaning and sense of their insights, helping them to own their learning. Burggraaf (2014) clearly explains: “Education methodologies should stimulate a rich range of learning responses from the “aha” experience of discovery, curiosity and discernment, to the “ah” experience of awe, wonder, delight, admiration and praise, to the “haha” experience of playfulness, laughter, celebration, fun and aesthetic delight, to the “ha” experience of action, enterprise, service and industry.”  

We pray that this term, our students will have many rich learning opportunities that provide them with a range of learning responses, where they will increase in their responsibility of learning whilst exploring God’s world and living out the hope of Christ.  

Miss Bethany Armstrong - Principal

School Calendar

TERM 4
OCTOBER
Week 1
12th | First day of Term 4
12th | School Banking
16th | Subway Lunch - Order via QKR! before Thursday 9.00am

Week 2
19th | School Banking
19th - 21st | Years 3 and 4 Days Out
22nd | Hobart Show Day Holiday
23rd | Student Free Day
NO SUBWAY ORDERS THIS WEEK

A list of Term Dates for 2021 can be found on our Parents Page and also on the School Calendar.

During Term 4, teachers will have a renewed focus on giving meaningful feedback to our students. The main purpose of feedback is to provide the students with an opportunity to close the gap between where they currently are in their learning and where they need to be. For this to happen, teachers and students focus on three questions: ‘Where am I going?’, ‘How am I going?’ and ‘Where to next?’

When giving feedback, it is important to make sure that it is closely linked to the Learning Intentions (WALT) and Success Criteria (WILF) of the lesson. Recently in Year 3, we have been learning how to write procedure texts. One of the Success Criteria is that the students use precise verbs (such as ‘sprinkle’ or ‘whisk’) at the start of each step. When marking a student’s work, I check that they have done this and encouraging them to do so if they haven’t.

It is also important that the teachers do not simply focus on praising or commenting on the student when giving feedback. The feedback should always focus on the task at hand or the way in which the student worked through the learning process. An example of this can occur when a student is unable to read a word. The feedback provided by the teacher can focus on encouraging the student to use different strategies to solve the problem, rather than just thinking about if they got it right or wrong.   

Feedback provides students with a clear understanding of where they are on a particular learning journey. It is also beneficial because when students understand where their learning is and where they need to improve, they can have increased motivation because they understand the journey they are on. It can also help produce a sense of pride when they have made the suggested improvements.

Miss Claire Gardner - Teaching and Learning Coordinator

COVID-19 Restrictions and Ongoing Impact on School Life

As restrictions continue to remain in place for Term 4, we will not yet change any of the arrangements we have currently in place at Northern.

They include:

• Drop off and Pick up zones.

• Sign in at the office for contact tracing if you are going to be on the grounds for more than 5 minutes.

• Limit of people (this includes students) in a room to 1 person per 2 square metres, as well as allowing for social distancing.

These restrictions heavily impact our end of year functions and we ask that you respect these guidelines as requested by the health authorities.

Please work with us as we plan for alternatives to the school community events we would normally host, such as our end of year events. We understand that these times are important family events as well as community events.

It is with sadness to inform our community that we are not able to have our Grandparents Day onsite as planned due to COVID-19 regulations and limited parking due to the building works. Next week, our students will be creating cards for their grandparents to thank them for the important role they play in their lives.

We are thinking outside the box for our bigger events, and we are working hard to ensure that you are able to celebrate these important events with us.

2021 Teaching Staff

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for Mrs Erin Miller for stepping into the Year 2 role this year. We thank Erin for the wonderful job she has done. You will still see Erin’s face next year as she will be undertaking relief teaching for us.

Mrs Jane Edler is also stepping down in her role as Little Learners Coordinator in 2021. We thank Jane for her dedication and service over the many years.

I am pleased to announce the 2021 Teaching Team:

Kinder - Samuel Whittle
Prep - Adrienne Bitt
Year 1 - Claire Gardner and Peter Humphrey (1 day a week)
Year 2 - Sean Gressie
Year 3 - William Davis
Year 4 - Tara Williams
Year 5 - Jackie Baines and Peter Humphrey (1 day a week)
Year 6 - Luke Lamont
Music - Andrea Marks
Learning Support and Auslan - Kerrie Prentice
Little Learners and Auslan - Jessica Young
Physical Education - Peter Humphrey
Forest School - Samuel Whittle
Samuel Whittle and Claire Gardner will be having a one day a week to focus on their leadership roles at Northern.

Bump-Up Morning

On Wednesday 9th December, all students will have the opportunity to spend some time in their new classroom for the 2021 school year.

Students will get a taste of what to expect in the upcoming year. All the teachers at Northern Christian School are looking forward to spending some time with their new students. The 2020 Year 6 class will be spending the morning with Miss Armstrong.

Changes to Carparking
Term 4

Due to the building works, we will be having trucks and construction vehicles entering and moving around our school grounds between 9:15am - 2:40pm each day.

Please arrive after 2:40pm for the afternoon collection of students.

Also, please remember to drive to the speed limit along Cobbs Hill Road. This is a residential area and we need to ensure the safety of the residents, as well as our school community.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.

Changes to the
School Newsletter

This is the last edition of the WEEKLY newsletter.

From this Friday you will receive a new weekly email each Friday called Friday Night Reminders. This will provide a quick snapshot of all the information you need to make sure you are up to date with what is happening at the school for the following week.

Then every second Wednesday you will receive this full Newsletter highlighting all the great things happening at and around Northern.

As always we welcome and appreciate your feedback.

Little Learners THIS FRIDAY!

Little Learners is our FREE play-based early learning program for children from birth to five years old. Join us at 9:30am - 11:00am.

Please visit our School Calendar to see what’s on and learn more.

From the Office

Hats - Term 4

Please be reminded that in Term 4 all students must wear a hat for outdoor play. Hats can be purchased for $9.00 from the Uniform Shop or via QKR!

COVID-19 Regulations

Parents and carers are not permitted to enter classrooms during school hours (between 9:00am and 3:00pm) unless signed in as a Visitor at the School Office. If you are dropping off or collecting your child during these hours please attend the Office first.

All other parents and carers are reminded to wait until 3:00pm before entering the school grounds to collect students.

All School Absentees

For absentees please fill-out our Absentee Form OR email us before 9:30am.

• An SMS will be sent to parents for unexplained absences.

• Please ensure late students who arrive after 9:00am are signed in at the office.

• If students are leaving early they are required to be signed out at the office.

• A doctor’s certificate is required for more than three days’ absence.

• Please notify the office before 2:30pm for any messages your children need before leaving school.