Last week I had the opportunity to speak at the Future Schools conference held at the Australian Technology Park. In preparation for the talk, I came across these quotes:

“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
— Charles H. Duell, Director of US Patent Office 1899

“Who wants to hear actors talk?”
— Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

“There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.”
— Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.”
— Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895

“The horse is here today, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad.”
— President of Michigan Savings Bank advising against investing in the Ford Motor Company

“What use could the company make of an electric toy?”
— Western Union, when it turned down rights to the telephone in 1878

Clearly such comments bring a smile to each of us knowing what has eventuated since the time of the original comments. I suspect that some comments from 2014 will be regarded in the same way by future generations.

Martin Luther King Jr once remarked “whatever you do, you have to keep moving”. His acute understanding of life comes through in his statement. This notion is very relevant to the practice of schools around the world. There have been immense changes in technology, in society, in our culture and what we know about the way our brains function.

All this is very relevant to our practice at school. We constantly seek to strengthen the learning culture at NBCS. In 2014 an area for specific professional focus includes examining what does ‘depth in learning’ look like.  As educators and adults, we need to be creating the contexts for students to get deeply involved in their studies. This requires an analysis of the various helpful strategies that clearly lead to greater depth in understanding and inquiry – but on a simple level lead to greater curiosity. This is an on-going dialogue and if as parents you wish to contribute to this conversation, you would be most welcome.

Mr Stephen Harris
Principal

Last Monday night was a busy night for parents. A Parent Involvement Training Workshop preceded an Empowering Parents Workshop on Technology and Learning. Events such as these are designed to equip and empower parents to better understand the way the school works, and especially to have the opportunity to ask questions. An Enrolment Information Evening was also held that evening for prospective families.

From Wednesday to Friday Year 5 were at Crusaders Galston for their camp. Students enjoyed a broad and challenging program, including orienteering, low ropes, BMX bike riding, making damper, bush walking and abseiling. Year 3 and Year 4 camps are coming up in the next few weeks, as well as the Secondary Opportunity Week for Years 7-11.

Auditions have also been taking place for the ‘GO Sing! GO Dance!’ event to be held  in Primary in Week 9. We have been very impressed by the talent on display as students audition. We look forward to the full program next week.

A reminder that on Monday 24 March there will be a Parent Information Evening for the upcoming Career Vocational Assessments Program for Year 10. The meeting will be from 7:00-7:45pm in the SCIL Building. Students in Year 11 or 12 who have not yet been part of this program are also invited to participate.

The evening will offer an overview of the program and outline vocational assessment opportunities. Parents will be invited to put forward their child to take part in the Assessments (cost $140 + book $7).

For the students who will participate in the Vocational Assessment to be held in school hours on Thursday 10 April, there will be a formal 20 minute individual interview involving the student and their parents/guardians. These will be held during the week commencing Monday 12 May.

If you would like your child to take part in the Vocational Assessment Program but are unable to attend the Parent Information Evening, please email Mrs Kate Pywell to request a Permission and Payment Advice Form: kpywell@nbcs.nsw.edu.au

This week’s Michael Grose information sheet:
A Sporting Chance

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).