GO Uganda 2014

In the recent school holidays, the GO Uganda team visited northern Uganda, working with Tamarind Program. Tamarind is a community-based self sustainability organisation, that works with and trains the communities who have been affected by war.

Year 11 student Chloe Hodgkinson shares some reflections from the trip:

If I had one word to sum up the entirety of my experience, everything I saw and did in Uganda, it would be humbling.

I have a deferential, non-questioning respect for every aspect of the trip and the change it has instigated within me. I have always been told about developing countries in a way that portrays them to be lesser than those that are developed, however my perception of this was challenged whilst in Uganda. I found myself feeling happier and freer than ever before, and couldn’t help but wonder, why these nations are considered to be ‘developing’, when they have the most important building blocks of life down to a tee, something those of us in developed countries still struggle with.

Aspects of our lives may be considered ‘developed’ compared to those of other nations, for example, constant access to clean, running water and a nurse for every hospital patient, but is there a level where we reach our prime development stage, and then begin to decrease from there? Surely we would have been just fine, if not happier without the development of smartphones or a social media site to document every thought, photo or feeling. We may think we are more developed, with better technology and the ability to instantly ‘connect’ with anyone, anywhere at any time.

Even now I use the word ‘connection’ loosely in this context, as it does not progress more than a superficial level. Many of us have adopted this method of connection, myself included, but nothing compares to the sense of a real, deep and meaningful connection and the joy that accompanies it. This was so clearly and undeniably evident in Uganda, even with those I’d only just met, which ultimately is what has driven me to question our label as a ‘developed’ country because, in what world does developed mean the sacrifice of human interaction, real-life experiences, love and relationships? And so I am humbled. My ideas on what were once important have been shattered and replaced with something so much more tangible, rewarding and the feeling of subservience.

View photo gallery from the trip

 

Student Leadership Team 2014-2015

Our Secondary Leadership Team for 2014/15 was recently inducted into their new roles. Student Leadership is a significant opportunity for students to serve the school community, enriching relationships and the positive learning culture of NBCS. The rigorous application process involved formal interviews, presentations and a survey of peer and staff support, before the final selection into roles aligned with student strengths and priorities throughout the school.

The following students have a leadership responsibility across Secondary:

School Captains: Madeleine Calvert and Matthew Keane
School Vice Captains (Sustainability): Benjamin Chidiac and Emily Nesbitt
School Vice Captains (Student Voice): Kaitlin Pert and Andrew Riis
NBCS Ambassadors: James Steward and Tori Fraser
Student Chaplains: Jazinta George and Luke Clark

The following students work within the Secondary Leadership Team, with specific roles indicated below:

Amy Anderson - Global Opportunities and Pastoral Care
Rachel Coster - Pastoral Care
Nicholas Dudley - Sport Captain
Eleoghaire Dunphy - Events and Hospitality
Gregory Ford - Learning
Sarah Handy - Creative and Performing Arts
Brearna Leopold - Pastoral Care (Primary and Stage 4)
Joel Mann - Sport Captain
Hogan Richardson - Learning and Technology
Brianna Turkington - Global Opportunities and Pastoral Care
Rowan van Heeswijk - Learning

We congratulate these students and thank them for their willingness to serve the school community.

Mrs Jenny Exton                           Mr Tim Harding
Head of Secondary                         Stage 6 Manager

 

Important information about Preschool

I would like to share with the wider school community about the future of Scribbly Gum Preschool. Over the past two weeks I have contacted current and prospective preschool families to let them know that the NBCS Board has made the decision to close the operation of the preschool by the end of 2015.

For many years the Preschool has provided a quality educational program for three and four year old children. The outstanding staff team were commended by the external accreditation in the recent registration process. There have been many benefits of having the preschoolers learning in an environment alongside older students and we value the contribution that the preschool families make in the wider NBCS community.

Scribbly Gum Preschool was established within a very different regulatory framework and in recent years the NBCS Board has been aware of the difficult financial and operational structure. In short, the government does not provide funding for three and four year old children in the same way as a child who attends school. In addition, parents of children at Scribbly Gum Preschool are not eligible for government rebates. Continued operation could not occur without substantial fee increases.

Students in the existing two-day program will transition to the three-day program at Scribbly Gum Preschool next year. We will wind up the operation as they complete preschool at the end of 2015. All impacted families will have their positions retained for Kindergarten at NBCS

We are disappointed that this has become necessary. I know that there will be a sense of loss with this decision. If there are any questions, please make contact through the School Office.

Stephen Harris
Principal

 

Young ICT Explorers Competition

On the past weekend, 4 of our Secondary students entered the Young ICT Explorers Competition.

Flynn Tesoriero and Jarrah Turner: Produced the WeHub, a remote, solar charged weather station that updates your phone via an app.

Dane Boulton and Wesley Callaghan: Converted an old electric wheelchair into a remote controlled "Dolly" to hold a camera or a camera crane to improve the video in active situations (eg sports video).

Both projects involved significant use of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) including our school's 3D printer and laser cutters as well as programming in the Arduino environment. They developed presentations that highlighted the problematic aspects of their projects and the difference the new tools/projects can make.

Flynn and Jarrah were awarded 2nd prize for their project and were recognised for their project's complexity and how they taught themselves new skills.

Both teams are amazing in what they were able to produce, manage, solve and work together to create a working solution. They represented NBCS very well. Congratulations to both teams!

 

Parent Involvement Training Workshops

Any parent wishing to participate in activities at the school must first attend a Parent Involvement Training Workshop. The workshops last for approximately 30 minutes and cover WHS issues, privacy legislation, Child Protection legislation and working with staff and students.

Upcoming dates:
Monday 1 September, 9:30am
Monday 1 September, 6:30pm

Register via this form (meet at Reception)

To help prepare for the workshop:

To finalise and fast track our volunteer requirements we would appreciate if you could complete the following prior to attending:

  1. Please email an ID photo (head and shoulders) that we can use on your ID card to Lisa Knight: lknight@nbcs.nsw.edu.au
  2. Visit the Working With Children Check website and apply as a volunteer. This will also involve visiting a local Motor Registry to show your ID. Please notify us of the approval number and your date of birth once this process has been completed.
 

Trivia Night

The Trivia Night fundraiser for the Global Opportunities program will be held on Saturday 13 September, 2014.

Tickets are now available ($25 per person) via this link: trybooking.com/FNFL

 

Year 12 Chemistry Excursion:
Macquarie University Water Quality Analysis Program

Towards the end of Term 2, Year 12 Chemistry students participated in a full day workshop at Macquarie University. The activity was invaluable on many levels. As students in their final year it gave them a great opportunity to experience the life of a university student and to use the amazing Chemistry facilities to tackle several investigations that would not be possible at school. The HSC Chemistry course challenges students to apply their knowledge to solving real world problems and on this occasion students were set the task of analyzing the water quality of  Lake Yerbury on university grounds. A range of water quality tests were used, including the use of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, to determine the concentration of calcium ions in parts per million (ppm). Students were excellent ambassadors for the school and were complimented by university staff for their high level of participation and quality of work outcomes.

 

Upcoming Events

THIS WEEK

Empowering Parents Seminar (123 Magic)
Tuesday 19 August, 6:30pm

HSC Drama Practical Examination
Tuesday 19 August

TERM DATES
2014 / 2015

NEXT WEEK

Showcase 2014
Monday 25 August

COMING UP

Primary Fathers’ Day Breakfast
Thursday 4 September, 7:30am

Trivia Night
Saturday 13 September

Big Night In:
Bands & Ensembles

Tuesday 16 September

 

Empowering Parents Seminar: 123 Magic (Primary Focus)

Topic: 123 Magic – Parenting and Emotion Coaching
Presenter: Angharad Candlin BSc (Hons), Grad Dip M, MA
Date: Tuesday 19 August, 6:30-7:45pm [tonight]
Location: SCIL Building at NBCS

The seminar will help parents understand brain development, strategies to discourage negative behaviour patterns and how to remain flexible and positive in the hard work of parenting.

About the presenter:
Angharad is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years' experience working with children and families. In addition to facilitating parenting education courses, she regularly leads professional development sessions and presents at conferences. For the last three years she has been a keynote speaker at The Baby and Toddler Show in Sydney and Melbourne. She has appeared on ABC Radio’s Baby Talk Program, Channel 9's Today Show and in various other parenting media. Angharad is passionate about building relationships between parents and children and is trained to facilitate numerous parenting programs. Angharad is a dynamic speaker and brings a depth of understanding and empathy with an engaging sense of humour. She is an Adjunct Supervisor with Macquarie University, an Authorised Supervisor with AHPRA and a member of the Board of the Institute of Group Leaders.

If you are interested in attending the seminar, please complete the following linked form for attendance and use of the child minding provision.

Child minding is available in the SCIL Building from 6:15pm. Please indicate this on the registration form.

 

Recommended Reading - with Stephen Harris

Deskfree strategy turns classrooms into creative learning hubs that see student engagement soar

(6 minute article)

TED Talk: What it takes to be a great leader

(9 minute video)

21 Simple Ideas To Increase Student Motivation

(8 minute article)

 

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.

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

Visit website

 

Useful links

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

BlueSky Winter Menu
Gluten Free Menu
Vegetarian Menu

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

Beyond NBCS
A newsletter for NBCS Years 10-12 students and parents, highlighting careers information and post-school opportunities.

Recent update:
Term 3, Week 3 Newsletter

 

Empowering Parents

This week’s Parenting Ideas information sheets:

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).