This week, the Year 3 and 5 students have participated in the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests held every year. NAPLAN provides the government, staff and parents with the opportunity to see how students perform compared to those of a similar age in other schools. The data helps us to see areas where we can improve, change or maintain our teaching. NAPLAN tests can also help students develop their testing skills. Both classes have had the opportunity to talk about how to do the best they can on the tests. These skills will be valuable for when the students are older and participating in high school assessments and exams.

Although there are benefits to NAPLAN there are many things that it can not tell us about our students. One of the most wonderful things to see throughout a year is the progress that students make. I get so excited seeing students moving up reading levels or understanding how to correctly layout their writing for a particular text type. Unfortunately, NAPLAN only shows us what they can do at a certain point in time on a specific day, not how far they have come.  

NAPLAN also doesn’t allow us to see the full range of skills and gifts your child has. It cannot show their artistic talents, sporting prowess, or deep scientific inquiry questioning. Nor does it show us your child's personal, social and emotional skills or gifts with which they bless others. Last week, I heard about the kindness and support one of our older students was regularly showing to our younger students. I’m sure many of you would agree that knowing how to work well with and encourage others is an important characteristic we want our students to develop.

During this time, it is normal for your child to feel nervous or unsure about how they may have performed. You can help support them by talking about the benefits of the process and how to do their best in the future during assessments, but also celebrate the gifts they have in other areas. The extra attention and focus required may also mean they need extra time to relax.

At Northern, we hope to encourage the holistic development of each child. This means supporting their academic growth, inspiring their creative and athletic endeavours and developing their character. NAPLAN provides one form of assessment that helps us see a part of this bigger picture.

Miss Claire Gardner - Teaching and Learning Coordinator

All students from Prep to Year 6 are expected to participate in our upcoming
Cross Country Carnival on Friday, May 14.

This carnival forms part of our Physical Education program. The event will be broken into two separate sessions:
Years 3 - 6 students 9.10am - 11.00am
Prep - Year 2 students 11.30am - 1.00pm

Parents and families are invited to come along to encourage and support students at this event. All students will be required to wear sports uniform for this event.

Volunteers would also be appreciated to help with marshalling and assisting at the finish line. If you can assist at the carnival please contact Mr Samuel Whittle. (If not provided already, all new volunteers will need to provide a copy of their Working with Vulnerable People card).

Tuesday May 25 | 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Emmanuel Music and Performing Arts Centre

An important evening for all parents and students in Years 5 and 6 who are considering Emmanuel Secondary in 2022 / 2023. Tickets are FREE but essential via our Facebook Event or Eventbrite.

There will be short informative presentations from members of the Emmanuel Leadership Team, and an engaging student question and answer interview panel. Hot dinner will be provided by a local food van in the warm glow of our fire pits.

Should you wish there will be short break-out sessions covering Creative Arts and Technology, Our Academic Program, Christian Education, and Learning Support with time to ask questions.

We hope our ‘Mums’ had a special Mother's Day on Sunday, and that you know that you are appreciated and valued!

The School Council kindly arranged a card and a gift voucher to enjoy a coffee at Banjos for the ‘Mums’ of our Northern families. These vouchers were sent home with the eldest child on Friday. Enjoy!

Our first event is the City to Casino Fun Run this Sunday, May 16 2021. We are entering the 2.7km event as a school team. Please register and select the 2.7km race and enter Northern Christian School in the ‘Join a Team’ section. I would recommend buying a bus ticket so you can park at the Casino and ride to the race starting location.

Students are encouraged to wear their NCS polo top. Mr Gressie and Miss Armstrong will be running with students, and adults are also welcome to run with students.

There will be more information about the Glenorchy Fun Run later in the year. 

Mr Sean Gressie - Year 2 Teacher / Running Club Coordinator

As a school community, we will be officially opening our new
Performing Arts Centre (The PAC) and our new Kinder precinct on Wednesday, June 9 at 2.00 pm. Join us as we thank God for these amazing new learning spaces and the opportunity to Build Brighter Futures!

This is will be a wonderful community event, which will include a performance from our choir, our student leaders cutting the ribbons, coffee, donuts and more! This will be an opportunity for our families to have a look at our new learning spaces.  

O'Driscolls Bus Service Website Update

A friendly reminder that students need to be collected on time from their bus stop. O'Driscolls have had to wait on many occasions in the last week for parents to collect their children.

Derwent Valley Link (O'Driscolls Bus Service) have also recently updated their website. There's a dedicated page with timetables and maps for all the Christian Schools Tasmania Schools including Northern.

You can also view maps and timetables as well as download the Transport Me Passenger App which gives access to live bus tracking and card recharging.

Why Christian Schools Film

We've launched our new Why Christian Schools Film. This film stars Calvin Christian School’s new Principal Scott Ambrose speaking about the impact and difference of Christian Schooling can make. This film speaks to each of the four schools (including Northern) that make up the Christian Schools Tasmanian Brand!

Don't forget to subscribe the CST Youtube Channel while you're there!

Employment Opportunities

Applications are invited from suitably qualified practising Christians for the position of Laboratory Technician – Calvin Christian School. The position is part-time for 14 hours per week in Term 3 and 28 hours per week in Term 4.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified practising Christians for the position of Maintenance Officer/Coordinator – Calvin Christian School. The position is full-time for 38 hours per week .

Applications are also welcome for other positions at Christian Schools Tasmania Schools. To APPLY or learn more please visit the Christian Schools Tasmania website.