There is something very exciting about the start of school: the noise, the laughter, the bells ringing, the smell of new books, fresh stationery, old routines and new friends. The school feels alive. 

Last week, one of the contractors on campus made the comment that he couldn’t believe what “good kids” we have at this school. He was impressed with the politeness and respect he saw in the students. It is a phrase I have heard many times over the years. We know that parents and teachers have worked hard to help our students develop and practise core values of respect and kindness. Having personally worked at many different schools in different countries, I do not take for granted the beautiful culture we have at NCC and I want to honour the committed and excellent staff, the parents and extended family members who support us in ‘learning for living and character for life’ as we work together to educate young people.

We recognise the need to abide in Christ on a daily basis, so that our teachers and student leaders are able to be effective in their roles. Some of the highlights of this year so far have been our spiritual retreats. We held a staff spiritual retreat before school began. Then we took our Year 12 leadership students away for a spiritual retreat at the start of the term. We have also begun a new tradition at NCC which is to implement a student spiritual leadership role so we will have Student Chaplains from Year 6-12. They will be mentored by our wonderful school Chaplains. 

I ask that as a school community, you continue to pray for our school. We believe in our motto, that we are ‘Nothing Without God.’ We know that God will continue to be front and centre of all that we do.

All the best for the journey ahead as together we shape the future.

– Ms Meggan James, Nunawading Christian College Principal

An overnight drive back from Queensland in the holidays gave me plenty of time to reflect. As the sun came up over the plain somewhere on the open road on the 1st of January 2021, it got me thinking about how amazing God is. He’s the One who created the universe, orchestrated creation and keeps this big old world in motion. Not only that, but He set in motion the perfect plan to redeem mankind. God is huge and His power is unfathomable.  

Sometimes it is difficult for us to believe that God loves us as individuals. He has the whole world to look after. What did that song say… “He’s got the whole world in His hands”… How would He have time to care about you and me?

We try to put our God in a box. But the truth is, He has an endless supply of energy. He is never too busy to listen to what we have to say. He cares about the large and small parts of our lives. He loves each and every one of us. In fact, Philippians 2:13 tells us that He not only cares for us, but He also invites us to be a part of His work. 

Instead of leaving us to our own devices, He draws us alongside Him, enabling us to collaborate and work with Him. The promises that He has shared with us in the Bible require an active response from us. Sometimes, the part we play is simply to believe and pray. Most of the time it will require us to stand out and be counter-cultural. 

That last bit is definitely going to take some faith. It takes faith to believe that as we act in accordance with His word, He will do what He has promised to do. As we live in faith and follow Him, we become disciples. We get to help carry out His plan for our lives and witness Him doing incredible things for and through us. 

Recognising these truths, each of us can be certain – God definitely cares about me!

It seems like a lifetime ago, but this time last year we were ready and raring to go with an awesome academic program at NCC. Then COVID hit, and for some year levels that resulted in about 20 weeks of remote learning being thrust upon them. The impacts of these global shutdowns have been discussed around the world with many educational researchers expressing concern about the effects on mental health, and the possible widening of the gap between students from different demographics. 

Here at NCC this year, we will continue to work on strengthening relationships within our community in order to support positive mental health, while also continuing with best-practice teaching to help our students fill any gaps missed so that they can reach their full potential.

Literature often emphasises that vocabulary building helps students thrive academically. While this happens at school as part of our curriculum, families can also support academic growth at home by a number of strategies, which are outlined below:

• Encourage the reading of literature (both fiction and non-fiction) at home and read with your child. Discuss what the book or article is about, how it relates to the world and your child’s opinion on it.
• Use physical flashcards or online versions (e.g. Quizlet) of topics that will be studied throughout the year and go through these with your child. For Secondary students, this could also include verbs used in examinations such as compare, explain, justify and describe.
• Use mathematical terms when you are cooking or building something around the home.
• Play word games like Scrabble, Upwords, Boggle or Bananagrams.
• Encourage your child to use or explain a new word that they learnt in that day’s lessons. This can be done verbally or in a journal. Try to use that word again in the next few days.
• Listen to audiobooks or podcasts in the car or at home. 

– Miss Jody Lawson, Learning and Teaching Coordinator (Secondary)

We are thrilled to commence our build of a new administration building. Works have begun and we should be ready to move in by the start of Term 3, 2021. This admin building will include offices for our welfare and chaplaincy team, an IT room and a lounge area to accommodate students, parents and staff.

Click here to view more of our architectural photos of the new building.

We have had such an exciting beginning to the year with lots of new friends to meet and things to learn. Our new Explorers have settled in well and our Explorers from last year have been great leaders, helping the new children to learn routines and learn all about their new space. 

To begin the year we asked the children what they enjoyed and wanted to learn more about. Some of their suggestions included dinosaurs, butterflies, telephones and rainbows. We have been busy exploring these themes, along with a focus on God’s amazing creation. The children have been busy gardening – transplanting strawberries, planting flower seeds and propagating succulents. Our yard is looking even more beautiful.

What a great start to the year we have had welcoming the old ‘Explorers’ as well as new friends to the ‘Inventors Room’.  To get to know each other better, we have been playing group ‘name games’ and having discussions about what the children would like to learn.  

Along with Sammy, our class puppet, (who doesn’t always know the right thing to do) we have been discussing our class rules, how to care for our toys and learning new routines. 

During our worship times, we have been focusing on how we have all been made in God’s image.  When the children were asked, “What do you think of when you hear the name Jesus?”, the first response was, ‘Jesus loves me’.  What a wonderful thing for us all to remember!!

Each year we honour and celebrate our Year 6 students through the presentation of senior badges. Our Year 6 Class of 2021 received their badges in our first chapel on Friday, and we look forward to seeing them build their leadership skills throughout the year.

It was our honour to welcome the 42 bright, happy and excited Preps that arrived on Thursday morning last week. Within this cohort are 5 sets of twins! This is a first for NCC and we are so happy to have double the fun in our classrooms . . . and Ms Austen and Mrs McNamara are learning to tell the identical twins apart!

The Preps in both classrooms have focused on learning to write their names using school letter formation and correct pencil grip. They have started Reading, Spelling (phonics) and Mathematics lessons with good enthusiasm. They have enjoyed special lessons in Art, PE, Mandarin, Music and Library, and worshipped God together in Chapel.

Year 3/4F students arrived at school to find they were not going into any ordinary classroom, but into Kindville. 

Dr Suess’s book ‘Oh the places you will go!’ is setting the theme in the Year 3/4F class this year. On the first day of school, students explored the book and how God made each student unique and special. Students were encouraged to steer themselves in the direction they choose as they have “brains in their heads and feet in their shoes.” This connects in with the wider Year 3/4 theme this year of ‘growing independence’.  

Students are looking forward to beginning their classroom economy in Kindville, where they will live as citizens and have jobs, pay rent and fulfill financial responsibilities.

Over the very first weekend of the new school year, leaders from Year 12 took time out to worship together, plan the year ahead and discuss how best to lead the school. 

Students developed their leadership skills and built stronger bonds as a leadership team. Throughout the weekend’s discussions and communion led by Pr Simon Hutton, a theme for the year emerged. These theme ideas were brought back to the wider Year 12 Class. Together, they have agreed upon the theme of Kingdom Culture for 2021. Our School Captains, Laura and Nathan, then preached on this theme in their opening messages at this week’s outdoor Chapel service.

We were able to spend this year’s spiritual retreat at the Abide Wellness Retreat through the generous support of Hamidessa Jarra (Alumni, 2007). We thank Ms James, Mr Marsh, Mr Hutton and Bryan Roberts for coordinating this opportunity for the Year 12 leaders.

High school is all about trying new things and feeling connected with like-minded people. To kick off the new school year, our senior students organised O Day stalls, showcasing the many opportunities on offer this year, across a broad range of sports, hobbies and interests. 

The variety is exciting – praise and worship, small groups, Re:VIBE, basketball, volleyball, strongroom, cardio, choir, debating and the list goes on. The senior students advertised and promoted their clubs to all Secondary students providing details regarding what they are all about, stall competitions and freebies. Students were encouraged to have a chat to the club’s members and sign up for the opportunities that interest them.

The 2021 Year 9 Challenge program began with a spectacular sunrise on Monday morning. The students took a symbolic step forward into a special year of personal growth. They then participated in some team-building activities at a nearby swimming pool, followed by a ropes course that included ziplining and aerial challenges amongst the treetops. The enthusiastic and positive attitude of our Year 9 class made it a fantastic start to the program.

The intention of our 7/11 peer support program is to form belonging amongst the Year 7 students, and within the wider school. We strongly believe in the absolute necessity for every student at NCC to believe and feel they belong here.

At the centre of this program are the relationships that our Year 11 Mentors form with our Year 7 students. Before the term began, our dedicated Year 11 Mentors attended training on campus, in preparation to welcome and support our Year 7 students. 

The first full day of the 7/11 program saw our Year 11 Mentors leading games such as the Leaning Tower of Feetza, World Record Name Game, Group Juggles, Ka-Plunk Game and many more. The games and discussions were themed around our four PB4L values, giving Year 7 students an introduction into our school culture. 

The day finished with a Guard of Honour for the Year 7 students, where each Year 11 student welcomed them to NCC and affirmed that they belong here.

2021’s FIRST EVER RE:VIBE will be taking place this Friday from 7-9pm! The team are so excited to make this year an awesome one for all of you (and hopefully any friends that you are more than welcome to invite to join us).

As some of you know, this Friday’s event had been originally advertised to be held at Blackburn Lake, but unfortunately due to the rainy weather forecasted it will be held in the NCC Chapel hall instead.

We hope all of you will be able to make it to chill with us, play some fun games together as a community, enjoy a worship and indulge in some yummy food (like pizza) to finish off our amazing night.

If you have any questions about this Friday or Re:VIBE in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to Re:VIBE’s official email address: revibecommunity@gmail.com

See you all on Friday!

Re:VIBE Team

As part of the “Language and Culture” learning component, NCC French students celebrated “La Chandeleur” this week. La Chandeleur is also known as Candlemas and the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple.  

In France this commemoration is linked to eating crêpes and is called Crêpes Day. It is celebrated on the 2nd of February each year and there are a couple of rituals that surround the way you cook your crêpes. Committed to learning both the French language and the French culture, NCC French students joined this celebration while also demonstrating their crêpe-making skills.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS AT NUNAWADING CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WITH MR RICHARD HUNT FOR 2021

Richard is offering music lessons at school, on the following instruments in 2021.

Guitar (Electric & Acoustic)   –   Drums   –   Modern Piano/Keyboard   –   Bass Guitar  

Richard has been teaching at Edinburgh College and Waverley Christian College for a number of years and specialises in Guitar at VCE level and above.

For an application form, which gives costs and more details, please contact the School Office or direct to Richard by email at huntdeb@gmail.com or call 0412 821 684 outside of school hours.

Junior Advent Brass Band Lessons 

An exciting new program was launched in 2013 at Nunawading Christian College and Edinburgh College for students in grades 3 onwards. We are delighted to be continuing this wonderful program in 2021! 

Advent Brass Band Melbourne decided to sponsor a full-time music teacher at each of these schools. We are offering students the opportunity to have a free 30-minute music lesson each week. In order to receive these lessons for free, students must participate in the Junior Advent Brass Band, which has an hour-long rehearsal run each week of the school term. If you don’t want your child to participate in this band then there will be a $20 lesson fee. Beginner students are not required to play in the band until they reach the approved standard. 

The rehearsals will be every Thursday evening during school terms from 6:30–7:30pm at 14A Metropolitan Ave, Nunawading. 

The chance to play together in an ensemble is a terrific learning experience both musically and socially. Private music lessons can be quite costly, so this is a fantastic program for your child to be a part of. 

Previously, the Junior Advent Brass Band has performed at the Advent Brass Breezes Down Broadway concert, the 90th Anniversary Concert of the senior band and at the Road To Bethlehem. All of which were a huge success! 

You don’t need to have any prior music experience and you don’t even need to have an instrument. We have plenty to hire out for a nominal charge. 

The instrument hire costs will be set at $80 per term. This is very good value as most instrument hire shops charge a minimum of $50 per month. This will cover the hire of the instrument, valve oil, music book hire and will also cover some damage. * 

The instruments we have for your child to choose from are as follows: 

• Trumpet/Cornet 
• Trombone 
• Tenor Horn 
• Baritone 
• Euphonium 
• Tuba 

If you are interested in your child joining the program this year, please email matthew@adventbrass.com.au