Construction for Project Barcelona is now 5 months in, and the recent run of fine weather has seen great progress. To this point, much of the work has been underground and laying the foundations – with deceptively little to be seen above the surface. That will change this week as the columns and framework start to be put into place, which will very quickly give a sense of the scale and scope of the building.

The design of the building uses a technique where multiple concrete prongs have been drilled deep into the ground and are ready for the concrete pillars to be lifted into position. After that it won’t be long until the metal connections that form the roof will be locked into position as well.

The concrete pillars or pylons have a hollow core, and will be used to bring water captured on the roof to the subterranean retention tank (currently visible in the lower section of the construction site). The water will then be used for watering the indoor and outdoor gardens within the precinct, as well as providing water for the sewage system. The columns become the literal ‘trees’ supporting the canopy.

On a workplace safety note, specialist cranes will be in use on the day the pillars are lifted into place. As a safety precaution, any classroom or playground areas in the existing building adjacent to where the crane is will be vacated for the full length of time the crane is in use. The building company is seeking to minimise the impact on the school.

The indoor-outdoor garden that will adjoin the Hub and Zone Buildings is also beginning to take shape. The concrete retaining walls around this area have been under construction over the past few weeks, and give a snapshot of the final shape of the area. The new building has deliberately used gardens to help define spaces throughout the precinct, putting into practice our understanding that plants have an incredibly important role in an ecosystem as they oxygenate the atmosphere. The landscaping throughout the building will also provide a fantastic backdrop to learning, as well as gently defining and differentiating spaces inside the Atrium.

We are at an exciting stage as the building begins to take shape more visibly. I would like to offer the opportunity to any parent to share a guided walk around campus if you find this new building inspirational – or would simply like to understand it a little more. Contact can be made through the School Office.

Follow the progress on Instagram: @ProjectBarcelona

Mr Stephen Harris
Principal

NBCS will be running Rock School exams again this year for students receiving private tuition at school in guitar, bass, drums, band-based keys or vocals. 

Rock School is a UK-based company, providing the contemporary equivalent to AMEB exams. These exams are aimed at providing students with an enjoyable examination experience, focusing on rock and pop songs.

NBCS students undertaking these exams in 2013 achieved excellent results, and we are excited to offer them the opportunity to progress through the exams, and also to introduce Rock School to more students. The exams will be held in Term 4.

If your child is currently learning an instrument and is interested in sitting a Rock School exam, please contact Dani Cosford in the School Office, or via email: dcosford@nbcs.nsw.edu.au

Whilst the weather has turned somewhat cooler, students may wear either their Summer or Winter uniform until the end of May. Winter uniform is not compulsory until June through until the end of August. In the meantime, students are able to choose which uniform they would prefer to wear each day – possibly depending on the weather forecast.

Please be aware that students are reminded that they may not combine the Summer and Winter uniform, it must be either one or the other in its entirety.

Our uniform reflects our school and wearing the NBCS uniform with pride is important both within the school context and in the wider community, including to and from school​. All aspects of the uniform are significant, including correct skirt length, appropriate hair grooming, clean shoes and not adding casual items of clothing to the uniform.

Further information about specific Winter and Summer uniform can be found in the 2014 Parent Handbook.
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Peter Grimes              Jenny Exton​
Heads of Primary        Head of Secondary

Entertainment Books were distributed to all Primary families during Week 1, raising funds for the GO program. These Books should have been either paid for or returned by Friday 9 May. 

Link: Order form

If you have any questions, please contact Jo Rombouts on jrombouts@nbcs.nsw.edu.au or via the School Office on 02 9450 1311.

This week’s Parenting Ideas information sheet:

• Social Netiquette

In association with our Empowering Parent Seminars, we have been providing additional weekly parent information sheets to support NBCS parents. Some information will be more relevant to Primary than Secondary and vice versa. This is to support families within our school community covering all age groups.

If you would like an information sheet on a specific topic sent via Wavelength, please contact Mrs Anne Jobson via the School Office (9450 1311).