Our Forest School program is an initiative that began
at Northern in 2018

It is an outdoor learning approach based on the Forest School model from the United Kingdom, with a strong focus on providing children with experiences that develop self-confidence, resilience, and appropriate risk-taking, thereby enhancing their social and emotional skills. This program offers students the opportunity to spend time outside the classroom, developing and engaging with God’s creation in a bush setting that we are privileged to have.

Why we do it…

It has long been recognised that spending time outside and engaging with the natural environment is beneficial for development and well-being. Play and appropriate risk-taking are important parts of child development and learning. Indeed, evidence from various academic studies indicates that students participating in this style of outdoor programs benefit from improved social and emotional skills, enhanced academic results, and increased classroom engagement. Despite living close to the bush in Australia, it can often be hard to fit nature experiences into already busy schedules. As a society, we can also be overly concerned about safety, which may hinder children from learning how to make safe decisions when interacting with the world around them later in life. Having regular, supported visits to the bush and natural spaces in a safe setting helps address this.

What we do…

For at least one term during the year, we aim to have students participate in weekly or fortnightly sessions in the bush, gaining knowledge and understanding of the world around them, engaging in various challenges, learning new skills, and exploring different locations around the school. The activities are usually based around the students’ current interests as well as being linked to classroom topics when appropriate. The key aspect of the program is allowing students to have an active role in selecting activities and encouraging them to be self-directed during the sessions.

Finally…

The Forest School Program allows our students to ponder creation and be reminded that our God is the supreme artist. Students are invited to contemplate both the Creator and His handiwork.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them.” Psalm 8:3-4

We are very blessed to have a bush environment on site where we can offer this program to our students, and look forward to continuing it into the future.

Samuel Whittle - Forest School Coordinator

What a wonderful and exciting time it has been in Prep this term! Students have been busy making important connections between letters and the sounds they represent. It has been a delight to see their confidence grow as they begin writing their very first sentences - listening carefully for the sounds in words and recalling the letters needed to build them. Alongside this, they are learning the foundations of sentence structure, practising how to use capital letters, full stops, and finger spaces. Each step is taking them further along their journey to becoming independent readers.

We have recently introduced ‘paired reading’ after lunchtime, and it has been amazing to see the students enthusiastically taking turns to read and offering support to one another when someone encounters a tricky word. Their cooperation and encouragement have been exciting to see!

In Mathematics, our focus has been on measurement and numbers up to 20. The students have thoroughly enjoyed exploring and comparing the length, height, capacity, and mass of different objects. It has been especially fun watching them make predictions about what might be ‘heavier’ or ‘lighter’ and then test those ideas.

Our HASS unit has been all about families - what makes them special and unique. Students have loved sharing about who is in their family and what they enjoy doing together. These conversations have been a beautiful reminder that God has created every family to be one-of-a-kind. We have also explored the idea that, together, we are all part of God’s big family.

In Bible, we have been learning about the amazing miracles Jesus performed. Students have heard about how God has worked in powerful ways throughout history—and continues to do so today. It is a privilege to help our students marvel at God’s incredible creation, not only through His Word, but also in other areas of learning. Whether we are exploring measurement and numbers in Mathematics or learning how our bodies move in Science, we are reminded daily of God’s wonderful design.

Laura Davis - Teacher

Thursday, 19 June, 10.45am – 12.30pm

Please join our Northern community to celebrate Grandparents’ Day!

Enjoy free barista-made coffee and a delicious morning tea with your grandchildren. This is a wonderful opportunity to build connection and community across generations.

Please note: Kinder Grandparent’s Day will be held on Wednesday, 22 October, with more information to come closer to the date.

NAIDOC Week

As part of our acknowledgement of NAIDOC Week, the Student Representative Council (SRC) are fundraising for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory to have the Bible translated into their language. Students are encouraged to bring a coin or coins on Monday, 30th June, and we’ll place them together to form a picture of the Aboriginal Flag. All funds raised will go directly to the Australian Society for Indigenous Languages.

Student Representative Council

Friday, 4th July

On the last day of Term 2, we will be holding our Aussie Bush Dance! This is a great opportunity for students to showcase the skills they have learnt as part of their Dance unit in PE.

Parents are welcome to join the students as they kick their heels up to the ‘Heel and Toe Polka’, ‘Strip the Willow’ and many other bush dance favourites while enjoying some ‘Dancing Food!'

This will be a bush dance-themed free-dress day for students, so get your dosey-doe on:

• Prep to Year 2 Dancing: 12.50pm – 1.40pm

• 1.40pm – 1.50pm (opportunity for photos and music)

• Years 3 to 6 Dancing: 2.00pm – 2.50pm

• 2.50pm – 3.00pm (opportunity for photos and music)

We look forward to seeing you here.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

Community Engagement Committee - Pizza Lunch

The CEC will be taking orders for two slices of pizza (variety on the day - GF options available) and a juice box for $5.00 via QKR! Please place your orders by 4.00pm Wednesday, 2nd July.

No cash/food will be able to be purchased on the day, and no late orders will be accepted. Please ensure your child’s class is accurate on the order.

We would love some help with serving the lunch from 11.45am onwards. Please email the Community Engagement Committee if you would like to help.

Community Engagement Committee

You are warmly invited to attend our
Light Festival

Our Light Festival is fast approaching! We warmly invite all current Northern families to attend this much-loved annual event - a celebration of Jesus as the Light of the World and a special time for our school community to come together.

Join us for a self-guided light walk through the school grounds, featuring live music, cosy conversations around the fire pits, and warming treats including hot spiced apple cider, hot chocolate, hearty soups, and delicious desserts.
The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.

This event for our current families is presented by the Northern Community Engagement Committee. Please note that due to car parking capacity, 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.

Volunteers Needed:

To make this a success, we would greatly value help with organising this event. We need help setting up, stringing lots of fairy lights, cooking soup and desserts, and many other activities.

If you would like to be involved with participating in the Light Festival activities, please refer to the email previously sent with all the details, and we encourage you to register on our Volunteer Sign Up sheet.

Community Engagement Committee

Uniform Reminder

Our uniform is an important part of our school culture at Northern. Practically, it looks smart and removes the strain of having to think about what to wear each day, but additionally, it reminds us that we are part of a community that believes in us, loves us, and supports us.

Our Uniform Policy states that:

• Hair – Hairbands, clips and accessories are to be in navy, red, aqua, black or natural hair colour. Hair that is long enough to be tied back must be tied back.

• Nails – Clear nail polish may be worn. Fake nails are not permitted.

Wearing our uniform and ensuring it is clean, tidy, and in good condition demonstrates pride and respect for ourselves and our school community.