Welcome to a new school year – 2014! What a year it will be at NBCS as we observe a new construction project rising in our midst. 2014 is also a significant year in the wider world. We are entering an extremely interesting ‘100 years since’ phase connected to World War 1. That in itself will lead to lots of reflection around the world. As someone who had two grandfathers from different ends of the world involved in WWI (New Zealand, United Kingdom) it will be a time of intense interest personally.

Reflection 1: educational life in the midst of cultural, technological and social change

As we progress through the 21st century, it is my perception that school leaders around the world are experiencing some fresh challenges. 2014 marks 20 years since the internet started to significantly take over the global communication landscape. There is clearly a growing gap between parental understanding of the impact of such change on the educational landscape and their own memories of schooling (most often pre-1994). NBCS will seek to do our part in arranging multiple opportunities for parents to visit the school throughout the year so that we can all learn together. A British colleague recently said “learning has already become democratised” (the result of the internet). Whether we like it or can see the potential, we passed through this change threshold 20 years ago. Our task now is to explore the best ways to incorporate productive pedagogy into an ‘anywhere, anytime’ mobile device world. This video clip from the Stephen Perse Foundation (SPF) schools in Cambridge UK is quite helpful. I was able to meet with Tricia Kelleher, narrator of the video and Head-Teacher of SPF during early January. It is always encouraging to connect with other schools which have a similar approach in their commitment to best practice, excellence and the 21st century learning context.

Reflection 2: what seems to work when it comes to student achievement

I have also been reflecting on the students who achieved some outstanding results in the HSC over the last few years. There would now be a cohort of well over 60 students who have achieved ATARs of over 90 in the last half dozen years (99.85 being the highest attained at NBCS). It was interesting to reflect upon common factors that may have influenced their success. 

‘Supportive’ and ‘encouraging’ would be two words to describe the approach of parents and teachers of these students. It is very tempting to micro-manage or steer our children/students, rather than expect them to grasp ownership of their journey and do the ‘hard yards’ of applied learning by themselves. It is not a matter of either the school or the family delivering some type of learning outcome for a child – in the long term, it is critical that our children/students be given the freedom to embrace the challenges of their own learning. It is good to reflect on some of the world’s most prolific innovators or leaders – Einstein, Darwin, Edison, Wright, Churchill – who all struggled in learning or in ‘first attempts’.

Perhaps a metaphor comparing fast food with cooking from raw ingredients would be apt. If we have only given our children a ‘fast food’ version of education (dishing up a prepared menu of core information, textbooks, ‘do this’ type instructions) as opposed to expecting them to create and cook an educational ‘meal’ from raw ingredients (finding information, applying information, creating new ideas, exploring new skills, applying learning to problem solving), then it should be no surprise if we inadvertently place a lid on their eventual capacity.

I’d like to finish by illustrating this thinking with reference to two of our 2013 Year 12 graduates: Regan Sice and Lachlan Oldfield. Regan was a great contributor to the school community, particularly enjoying a widening understanding of the world as a result of being involved in the Rwanda GO team. By the time Year 12 came, Regan was expecting to look at alternative pathways into a university course. Yet Regan was one of many students who are able to take up a first round offer, doing a Bachelor of Business and Commerce at UWS. One of the goals for NBCS is to see students who might naturally fall within the bulk of the grade achieve above average results sufficient to gain access to great pathways to further learning. Regan clearly owned his journey, was supported by encouraging parents and actively sought to stretch his horizons. He was very pleasantly surprised when his HSC results and subsequent university offers came out. In his words it was the result of a bit of ‘hard work and the help and support of great staff’.

Lachlan is another great example. He has been a very diligent worker who had made subject choices based on areas that were of high interest, including music, rather than playing a subject ‘formula game’. Lachlan was also involved in the Year 11 GO Cambodia team. He was hoping to attain an ATAR of around 85 and was thrilled to receive 93.05 and an offer to study Medical Science at Macquarie University. Lachlan's family supported his journey with encouragement and also allowed him to take the lead. Lachlan also appreciated his teachers and worked with them continuously, while recognising that he needed to ‘knuckle down’ at home and apply the learning himself.

It is very tempting as adults to pre-emptively become anxious about aspects of a child’s day or learning when we should first be stepping back and taking in a bigger picture. Please remember the metaphor – allow your child to learn from the strength of ‘raw ingredients’ rather than expect delivery of some ‘fast food’ formula for success. And above all, surround your child with a calm, supportive and aspirational environment.

As always – if these words spark further thoughts, I’d always welcome further conversation with any family.

Mr Stephen Harris
Principal

There has been a substantial amount of building work over the holidays. Construction for Project Barcelona has now well and truly commenced, however there has also been a number of other projects completed over the vacation. One of our core values is to create learning spaces that allow students to engage naturally with learning in a flexible and comfortable environment.

BlueSky Terrace
A new timber deck has been constructed in the SCIL Plaza, to be known as BlueSky Terrace. This new deck is an extension of BlueSky Cafe, which has itself been re-aligned to have doors opening onto the terrace area. The new space has a great atmosphere, and is the perfect spot to enjoy food and coffee.

DY/DX - Mathematics Learning Space
The four adjoining classrooms on the upstairs level of the Zone Building (formerly E-Block) have undergone the first stage of a significant transformation to create a new space specifically designed for Mathematics. The internal walls have been removed, and a new ceiling with soundproofing has been installed. New windows have also been added along the north and south-facing walls. The second phase of the renovation will take place in the next holidays, including new flooring and additional finishes. The new space will be a fantastic asset to the campus, and is already being highly appreciated by Mathematics students and staff.

Carpark expansion
We have increased the capacity of the long-term carpark with 30 additional spaces, and the short-stay carpark with 15 new spaces. No doubt the community will appreciate the additional parking on site. A second gate onto the oval will also be constructed, allowing for better traffic flow at large events.

Project Barcelona
Construction has commenced for Project Barcelona, with a very significant building site established and the existing buildings demolished and removed over the holidays. The first in a regular series of updates will be published in coming editions of Wavelength, including an FAQ about the project. If you have specific questions about the building you would like addressed, please send us an email.

A reminder that Reception and Administration are now located in the Gateway Building. This is the closest building to the school’s main entrance. The entry doors are along the front of the building.

All visitors entering the school must first sign in at Reception.

A new Student Reception has been established on the far side of the Gateway Building and The Hub which also includes First Aid. Access is via the SCIL Plaza.

Please note that the school is currently unable to receive faxes. Forms can be mailed or sent via email at any time, or dropped in at Reception.

We respectfully request that parents do not park on the Japanese School side of Echunga Road during the morning and afternoon drop off and pick up of students. Cars parked on that side of the road block the flow of traffic through the school, creating a potentially unsafe traffic situation within the school. Cars travelling along Booralie Road are also affected if the queue of cars extends out onto Booralie Road.

We look forward to welcoming parents to our Secondary Parent Information Nights. The format of the events will be as follows:

7:30-8:00pm       Grade information in MPC and SCIL Building
8:00-8:30pm       Meet your child's Student Team Leader

There is no need to RSVP. These events are for parents, students are not required to attend.

Stage 4 (Years 7-8): Wednesday 12 February, 7:30-8:30pm
Stage 5 (Years 9-10): Thursday 6 February, 7:30-8:30pm
Stage 6 (Year 11): Monday 10 February, 7:30-8:30pm

The Parent Information Night for Year 12 was held during Term 4, 2013. Year 12 parents are welcome to attend the Stage 6 event from 8:00pm to meet the Student Team Leaders.

Mrs Jenny Exton
Head of Secondary

Any parent wishing to participate in activities at the school must first attend a Parent Involvement Training Workshop. Workshops last for approximately 45 minutes and cover WHS issues, privacy legislation, Child Protection legislation and working with staff. All required forms will be distributed on the night.

Upcoming dates:

• Wednesday 12 February at 5:15pm (prior to the Stage 1 Parent Information Night)
• Monday 10 March at 6:30pm

Please note that current parents who completed accreditation prior to 2012 need to be re-accredited this year, as accreditation lasts for a period of 3 years.

We are pleased to advise that after the fantastic feedback from the 2013 Empowering Parents ‘Drugs and Alcohol Seminar’ with Mr Paul Dillon we have been able to secure a great opportunity for students in Years 10-12.  Students will be involved in the seminar during class time on Friday 7 February.

Paul Dillon is a specialist working in the area of alcohol and drug abuse for children and has been working in the area of drug education for the past 25 years. Through his own business, Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) he has been contracted by many agencies and organisations across the country to give regular updates on current drug trends within the community. He has also worked with many school communities to ensure that they have access to good quality information and best practice drug education.

In recent years, he has worked extensively with a range of sporting organisations, including the Australian Cricketers Association, the Rugby Union Players Association and the Football Federation of Australia, to provide training workshops to elite athletes on a range of alcohol and other drug issues. He has also written a best-selling book for parents titled ‘Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs' which was released in 2009. With a broad knowledge of a range of content areas, Paul regularly provides media comment and is regarded as a key social commentator in Australia, appearing on a wide range of television programs discussing topical issues including Sunrise, Today and The Project.  Paul also had a regular spot on the national radio station Triple J for seven years, where he dealt with current youth drug issues.

With the start of a new year it is timely to remind parents of our school policy regarding hats.

Students are required to wear a hat for all outdoor activities and break times during Terms 1 and 4.

We would also suggest that students apply sunscreen before school and provide a named tube of sunscreen to be kept in their bag and reapplied as needed.

Primary students are to wear the NBCS slouch-style hat.

Secondary students can wear either the NBCS bucket hat or the NBCS sport cap.

All styles of NBCS hats can be purchased through the Uniform Shop, which is located in the local Terrey Hills shopping precinct (Shop 4, Corner Booralie Road and Yulong Avenue, Terrey Hills).

Opening times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am-10:30am.

Phone 9450 0601 or email your order to uniformshop@nbcs.nsw.edu.au and it will be delivered directly to your child at school.

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

This week’s Michael Grose information sheet:
True GRIT helps kids succeed

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).