'Learning is Experience. Everything else is just information' - Albert Einstein

What better way to learn through experience than on camp, in the field.

This year we adjusted the timing of our Year 3 and Year 4 Camp programs, moving them to Term 1, and providing the opportunity to strengthen connections and build relationships earlier in the year. It was fabulous to witness students connecting with a wider group of friends and developing confidence in this area.

Year 3 students travelled to Winmalee in the Blue Mountains on their first overnight school trip. They experienced new challenges and participated in exciting activities including the flying fox, orienteering, initiative games and the famous ‘log wrestle’. These challenges helped them to further develop character traits in areas such as resilience, empathy, cooperation and confidence.

The Year 4 group went to Rathane in the Royal National Park. The students were engaged in exciting learning experiences such as low ropes, the giant waterslide, mangrove investigation and raft construction. It was wonderful to witness the students caring for each other as they took risks, and grew in their ability to communicate.

Throughout both camps, the opportunity to grow in understanding of God’s love was provided by the Crusaders and Anglican Youth Works staff teams and our amazing NBCS teachers - whose devotion to the students throughout both camps was inspirational.

Peter Grimes
Head of Primary

Tropical music, coloured paper bunting and smiling faces greeted Stage 2 and Stage 3 students as they entered the Stage 1 classroom to purchase a ‘rainbow crazy good slushy’ on sale at the recent GO MIX! Stall

Students in Stage 1 had spent Term 1 investigating mixtures and their purposes as part of our integrated unit 'Mix it up!'  Each student developed and entered one mixture into a competition and gave a speech to their class explaining what was in the mixture, what happened when it was mixed and its purpose.  Playdough, lip gloss, bath bombs and rocky road were some of the inspired ideas that students explored.

Each class sent a finalist to present to the whole Stage and then a secret vote was held. Imogen Jeffery-Bilich was the proud and excited winner of the mixture competition with her ‘rainbow crazy good slushy’. All the students helped make decorations, supplied the ingredients and took shifts running the stall during the day. 

Kindergarten joined in the fun with a GO GROW stall where students could purchase a ‘Grass Head Kit’ as they exited the Stage 1 classrooms. Kindergarten proudly displayed their own Grass Heads that they had made as part of their Integrated Unit, ‘Who’s the King of the Jungle.’

We are pleased to announce that the stall raised over $500.00 which will be a huge blessing to the people in Uganda, Rwanda and Cambodia when our teams visit later this year.

Anna Fuller
Stage 1 Learning Leader

Last Thursday Primary enjoyed participating in a cross-stage project-based day about the ANZAC spirit. Students were organised into multi-age cooperative groups in which they were given the following problem: How can we make the ANZAC spirit real to us at NBCS?

We were so thrilled with the many ideas that student groups brainstormed. Here are some student reflections:

I learned that the Australian army didn't want to fight the Turkish and the Turkish army didn't want to fight the Australian army. I liked working with the older students because they could help me when I didn't know a word or something like that.
- Libby Austin 4S

I used to think Anzac Day was just a normal public holiday and that we had a marching service. Now, I think Anzac Day is about those men and woman sacrificed their lives for us to protect Australia. 
- Justin Borg, 3C

I learnt what ANZAC stands for and that the Australian army got ambushed when they landed at Gallipoli. I liked working with different grades and different people to help me when I got stuck on something.
- Mia Schaffler 4S

I used to think that Anzac Day was about just looking after the world on that day but now I think that it is about soldiers that went to war to save our country and so on the day we should remember them.
Indiana Cross, 3C

Chantelle Morrison
3C Teacher
Stage 2 Learning Leader

Well done to all students who worked so hard and gave it their best across many disciplines at the Primary Athletics Carnival. Whether it was on the track or field, or in a novelty race the amount of participation was commendable.

Overall house point results:
First Place – Macquarie
Second Place – Bennelong
Third Place – Chisholm
Fourth Place – Phillip

Age Champions:
Spencer Lord (Boys 8 yrs), Natalie Pearse (Girls 8 yrs), Gabriel Stuart (Boys 9 yrs), Cayla Phillips (Girls 9 yrs), William Pascoe (Boys 10 yrs), Amber Williams (Girls 10 yrs), Max Dowling (Boys 11 yrs), Emma O’Reilly (Girls 11 yrs), Chris Wyatt (Boys 12 yrs), Charlotte Winston-Booth and Faith Sherwood (Girls 12 yrs)

Runners up:
Sol Dewhurst (Boys 8 yrs), Tamsin Van Zel (Girls 8 yrs), William Elliott (Boys 9 yrs), Tiah Shaw (Girls 9 yrs), Matthew Dollar (Boys 10 yrs), Abigail Laforest (Girls 10 yrs), Beau Van Der Wallen (Boys 11 yrs), Alex Lefevre (Girls 11 yrs), Sam Partington (Boys 12 yrs)

There were eight NBCS Records broken. Outstanding performances on the day were achieved by the following students:
Cayla Phillips - 4 records: 9 yrs 100m, 200m, 400m, Long Jump
Emma O’Reilly - 2 records: 11 yrs 200m, 400m,
Charlotte Winston-Booth - 12 yrs Long Jump
Max Dowling - 11 yrs High Jump

The NBCS Zone Athletics Team will be made up of the top 3 in each age group for track and field. The top 2 compete on the day and third place is the reserve. Relay teams will be confirmed on PETE.

The Zone Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday, 4 August at Narrabeen. Team training will commence in Week 5 this term with Mrs Mitchell, Nett Knox (jumps & throws) and Garry Temple (sprints & relays). Students will receive an information note as soon as details are finalised.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Primary Cross Country Carnival. All students are to be commended for their efforts. Thank you to Mrs Simpson, Mr Stanwell, staff, parents and students who worked hard to make this day such a success.

Top 4 Age Group Placings

Kindergarten Girls - Sasha Graham, Lucy Orr, Lillie McPherson, Sam O’Connor
Year 1 Girls - Eva Shaffler, Addison Boyd, Maya Koch, Brianna Laforest
Girls 8 yrs - Georgia Beresford, Abi Crossley, Alannah Pittard, Teagan Bragg
Girls 9 yrs - Cayla Phillips, Tiah Shaw, Bebe Longhurst, Lucy Clark
Girls 10 yrs - Abigail Laforest, Amber Williams, Courtney Mavin, Teyah Parsonage
Girls 11 yrs - Alex Lefevre, Emma O’Reilly, Mackenzie Davie, Bridie Cross
Girls 12 yrs - Claudia Callaghan, Faith Sherwood, Sally Finn, Leah Fenley

Kindergarten Boys - Ashton Hattingh, Josh Larsen, Toby Korczynski, Ben Wright
Year 1 Boys - Saxon Cobourn & Ethan Phillips (Equal 1st), Toby Millett, Atticus Adams, Zac Vardenega, Lachlan Beresford
Boys 8 yrs - Sol Dewhurst, Spencer Lord, Emmerson Phillips, Harry Miller
Boys 9 yrs - Liam Parker, Will Elliott, Jamie Allen, James Dyer
Boys 10 yrs - Will Pascoe, Campbell Wem, Matthew Dollar, Harry Bragg
Boys 11 yrs - Aiden Parker, Beau Van der Wallen, Jordan Wysman, Max Dowling
Boys 12 yrs - Sam Partington, Chris Wyatt, Jett Halls, Declan Annear

The NBCS Cross Country Team for the CSSA State Carnival consists of the top 4 place getters in each age group, commencing at 9 years. The Carnival will be held on Friday 30 May at Horsley Park.  Team members will be given an information note.

Training has been arranged and will commence on Friday, 16 May 3:15-4:15pm with Mrs Mitchell. Training will then be on Tuesday, 20 May & Tuesday, 27 May with Mrs Mitchell, Mrs Morrison and Daniel Djogo. Students are to meet at the grandstand near the Beach Volleyball court.

Students must be at least 8/9 years age group to progress to CIS level.

Congratulations to our Year 5 and Year 6 girls who competed in the Soccer Gala Day at Penrith on Monday last week. Despite not progressing into the semi finals, the girls had two strong wins and played with heart and beautiful sportsmanship.

Many thanks to the excellent coaching by Mr Cameron who encouraged the very best in each player. Thank you to the parents who assisted with transport and team photos on the day.

Karen Mitchell
Acting Head of Primary Sport