At NBCS we seek to prepare our learners with the skills essential to thrive in a rapidly changing world. One of these key skills is collaboration, which is much more than just group work. Real collaboration is supported by the design of our learning spaces and the learning framework. Learners bring their experiences, ideas and perspectives to the melting pot.

Collaboration occurs amongst staff, amongst students and a combination of both. Teams form to achieve a common purpose by working in high interdependence and by gaining new insights in the creative process. Inquiry-based, collaborative approaches to learning and working are essential future-focused skills. These include the ability to work in teams, solve complex problems, and apply knowledge from one context to another.

Imagine a team of students researching, collaborating and designing a city that provides infrastructure for the community and includes elements of environmental sustainability. The Stage 3 learners at NBCS are currently immersed in this powerful collaborative inquiry project. They have formed project management teams to look at areas such as architecture, housing construction and transport needs, and have begun the construction process.

Imagine a team of seven teachers excitedly designing a unit of work - butchers paper, marker pens and post-it notes on hand as ideas and thoughts are debated, recorded and refined and team members springboard and grow concepts. This collective meeting of minds is powerful in facilitating the development of authentic and engaging learning opportunities for students to explore. These professional learning communities reflect the collaborative team approach that is highly valued at NBCS.

Authentic, effective collaboration is not simple to achieve as it involves the blending of personalities, experiences and perceptions. It is, however, an exciting, powerful and engaging process to be part of and it prepares our children with skills necessary to master the challenges of the future.

Mr Peter Grimes
Head of Primary

The past 3 weeks has seen an extraordinary amount of transformation of the building site, with the structure of the building now clearly evident.

Chris Woldhuis has put together a number of time-lapse videos of the construction:

• Time-lapse 1 (13 May)
• Time-lapse 2 (17 May)
• Time-lapse 3 (27 May)

Winter uniform is compulsory for all students from the start of June through until the end of August. However, the school tie will now be optional for boys when wearing the Winter uniform.

​I​f a student chooses to wear the tie, it must be worn correctly  ​covering the belt buckle, ​with the shirt top button done up and the tie pulled up to cover the button.

​The school tie look​s​ smart when worn ​well and will still​ need to be worn​ for formal occasions. However, due to the age of some students and ​participation in ​physical ​activity​​,​ ties often become untidy. This detracts significantly from the overall look of our uniform. Also, for many students, ties  ​can ​create unnecessary discomfort during school hours ​and can be ​impractical for some lessons.

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.
​
Peter Grimes              Jenny Exton​
Heads of Primary        Head of Secondary

NBCS is proud to present this year’s musical production, Annie, brought to life by an excellent cast under the direction of Mr Ryan Desaulnier. Performances run from Wednesday 18 June until Saturday 21 June in the Marina Prior Centre at NBCS.

Performance Dates:

• Wednesday 18 June, 12noon (School Preview Performance)
• Thursday 19 June, 7pm (Opening Night)
• Friday 20 June, 7pm (Evening Performance)
• Saturday 21 June, 2pm (Matinee)
• Saturday 21 June, 7pm (Closing Night)

Tickets:

• Adults - $20
• Children/ Concession - $15
• Family - $60 (2 adults & 2 children)

Book tickets now (allocated seating)

Can you spare 2 hours once per month? The NBCS Uniform Shop has a significant need for new volunteers. The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30am-10:30am.

If you are able to help, please email Vivien Jackson: uniformshop@nbcs.nsw.edu.au

GO Art is a Line 3 Year 9/10 Elective Course, which focuses upon creating art to serve our local community. Year 10 students Kirrily Emmett, Nicola Hofmeyer, Alex Ramsey and Angus Walker, were invited to facilitate a Painting Workshop with the Scribbly Gum Preschool students. The workshop involved learning how to understand colour by creating primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Preschool students also learnt how to achieve tints and shades when using acrylic paints. The Year 10 students watched in amazement as the Preschool students painted their own masterpieces from this newly acquired knowledge. The Secondary students were particularly inspired by the unique and confident approach of each child. Go Art is a fantastic NBCS initiative which encourages students to use their artistic ability to serve others and provide rich learning experiences within our school environment.

Kirrily Emmett, Nicola Hofmeyer, Alexander Ramsey and Angus Walker
Year 9/10 GO Art

This week’s Parenting Ideas information sheet:

• Why praise can be a double-edged sword

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).