Building Update - July

Project Barcelona continues to be a hive of activity, with the roof now largely complete, and work shifting to the walls and internal structure, especially along the south-western length of the building. Overall, the building is a combination of open atrium-style spaces, and enclosed spaces with lots of glass. The view from windows around the perimeter of the site provides a fascinating look at the progress – it is exciting to see the building take further shape, and the unique angles and spaces emerge across the site.

A number of the spaces will be used as co-working space, much like co-working hubs popular in cities such as London, New York and Berlin. These spaces will be used for individual and group work for both students and staff, and will have a diverse range of spaces and styles to suit different activities. At the Staff Development Day on Monday this week, members of the Student Leadership Team joined with the staff for one of the activities for the day. Together they worked in teams to design and generate ideas for the way the spaces in the new buildings will be defined and furnished. It was fantastic to see the teams excitedly developing ideas and capturing the vision for the new building.

Elsewhere across the campus, many other spaces also had building works over the holiday, including:

  • renovation of Secondary student toilets
  • re-surfacing of the Primary playground and basketball court
  • additional landscaping and seating areas in the Primary playground
  • continued work in the DY/DX learning space
  • Removing walls in the Year 4 classrooms

Photo credit: SKYview Aerial Photography

 

Congratulations Stephen Harris, Fellow of the RSA

We would like to congratulate NBCS Principal, Mr Stephen Harris, who was recently invited to become a Fellow of the London-based RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), due to his outstanding dedication to innovating and improving educational practice.

The RSA follows the mission of enriching society through ideas and action, and has been committed to finding practical solutions to social challenges for over 260 years. Notable members have included Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Gainsborough, Lord Baden Powell and Dame Judi Dench.

This is a fantastic honour, and as a community we would like to congratulate Stephen on this significant recognition.

 

Save the date: NBCS Showcase 2014

Showcase is a significant annual event for the whole NBCS community to come together and celebrate student learning.

This year Showcase will be held on Monday 25 August, 4-7pm. We would encourage all parents to join us as we celebrate with a diverse program across the night.

 

Years 9-11 Music Recital Night

In the last week of Term 2, NBCS Music hosted the annual Years 9/10 and Year 11 Music Recital Night in the Rhythm and Blues music studio. The evening showcased the diverse skills and talents of our Elective Music students as they performed solo and ensemble pieces ranging from the classical beauty of Frederic Chopin to the metallic ferocity of Avenged Sevenfold. Over 120 guests were also treated to an amazingly professional multimedia production supported by the generous and gifted Student Media Team. On behalf of the Music staff (Mr Brad Fuller and Mr Peter Orenstein) I would like to thank those that attended for their ongoing support of our Music students.

Mr Ben Hedstrom
Learning Leader: Creative and Performing Arts

 

Artists and Artisans Week 2014 - Parent Experts needed

In Week 3 this term, Primary will be holding ‘Artists and Artisans Week’. Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide variety of exciting learning explorations run by staff and parents. We value curiosity, passion, creativity and critical thinking and look for ways to create these kinds of experience-based opportunities to grow them in our students.

We would like to invite enthusiastic parents - whether Primary, Secondary or Preschool - to be involved in this project. It would be wonderful to tap into the expert talents of our parent and community resources. This would allow a broader selection of activities for the students.

Three days, Tuesday 5 August through to Thursday 7 August, are set aside for students to be immersed in a passion of their choice. The week will primarily have a Creative Arts focus, however, if you have expertise in a particular area that you feel may be of interest to our students, please complete the linked form providing the relevant details.

The commitment can be for the 3 days or in part. If you are unable to participate this time, but are potentially interested in future involvement, we will create a database of 'primary resource experts' who could contribute in a similar way at a later date.

The Primary staff are excited about the learning opportunities, and potential impact on social and emotional growth, that ‘Artists and Artisans Week’ will provide.

Mr Peter Grimes
Head of Primary

 

Upcoming Events

THIS WEEK

K-12 First day of Term 3
Tuesday 22 July

Student Progress Meetings (K-10)
Wednesday 23 July
3:30-8:30pm

Parent Involvement Training Workshop
Friday 25 July, 9am
(Meet at Reception)
 

TERM DATES
See website

NEXT WEEK

HSC Trial Exams begin
Monday 28 July

ICAS English
Tuesday 29 July

Empowering Parents Seminar: Supporting your child through the Senior Years
Tuesday 29 July, 6:30pm
[Register]

COMING UP

Student Progress Meetings (K-10)
Tuesday 5 August
3:30-8:30pm

ICAS Mathematics
Tuesday 12 August

School Photo Day
Wednesday 13 August

Showcase 2014
Monday 25 August

Trivia Night
Saturday 13 September

 

Empowering Parents Workshop: Supporting your child through the Senior Years

About the workshop: A panel of selected guests will answer your questions plus provide strategies, tips and advice for parents on supporting your child through the senior years. Panelists include: Greg Powell, Clinical Psychologist; Jenny Exton, Head of Secondary; Phil Jobson, Senior Mentor; Anne Jobson, School Counsellor; and Lou Deibe, parent and teacher.

This event is specific for parents with children in Years 10-12, but all parents are invited and welcome to attend.

If you have any specific questions or areas of the Senior Years you would like covered please list them in the space provided on the linked registration form.

We have childminding for school-aged children who will watch a PG movie under supervision.

When: Tuesday 29 July, 6:30-7:30pm
Location: SCIL Building at NBCS

To register please complete this form.

 

Save the date: Trivia Night 2014

Trivia Night is a favourite fundraising event for the NBCS community, supporting the GO Programs in Cambodia, Uganda and Rwanda. We encourage all parents to set aside the date now for this fun and fantastic event. Ticket details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Date: Saturday 13 September, 7pm
Where: Marina Prior Centre at NBCS
Theme: Bollywood

 

Recommended Reading - by Steve Collis

A Boy And His Atom

(1:30 video)

28 Predictions for the Year 2000 in 1900

(4 minute read)

40 Maps That Explain The World

(10 minute browse)

 

Noticeboard

Notice of Withdrawal

Parents are reminded that one full term’s notice in writing is required for students leaving NBCS, otherwise one full term’s fees are payable in lieu.

Ms Sue Durant
Registrar

Parent Prayer Group

A group of parents and friends meet each Friday from 9:05am to pray for the school. Please sign in at Reception, where they will also confirm the location. For more information please phone Lenja Kobelke on 9999 4959.

Beyond NBCS

Beyond NBCS is the careers and post-school opportunities newsletter for Years 10-12 students and parents at NBCS.

Recent update:
Week 9 Newsletter

 

Useful links

BlueSky Cafe
Adjacent to BlueSky Terrace and SCIL Plaza
(Open all day)

New winter menu coming Week 2

 

NBCS Uniform Shop
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30-10:30am
Shop 4, Terrey Hills Shops (Corner Booralie Rd and Yulong Ave)
Visit website

Booralie Early Learning Centre
Before and after-school care, next door to NBCS
Visit website