The sound of laughter, learning and excitement has filled this week. The atmosphere at school has changed. The glorious Autumn sun has shone down on us bringing warmth and joy. Optimism is in the air. Most students are excited to be back at school, to see friends and teachers and to get back to onsite learning. Last week, I was walking through a Year 1 classroom and I overheard one little girl whisper to her friend, ‘This activity might be the most exciting thing to ever happen!”. That level of joy in her learning journey made my day.
Our school community is back together again and it is a wonderful feeling.
I wish our parents could see the many memorable moments that I have the privilege to see. As I walk through classrooms and the playground, I see students who pray together. I see older students asking younger ones to get involved in ball games. I see students who pick up rubbish without being asked. I have students come to see me because they are worried about a peer and want some advice on how to help. I see students practising our core values of respect and integrity. I see teachers passionate about their students and subject areas. These are beautiful things to see. We are blessed to be part of such a community as NCC.
So a big welcome back to all in our school community. And a big thank you for your support, patience, kindness and generosity of spirit as we have weathered a difficult term. God has been good, a source of strength and comfort. We claim the beautiful promises found in the song Psalm 46.
– Mrs Meggan James, Nunawading Christian College Principal
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
David could not thank God enough. He wrote in Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Then there was Paul in the New Testament. He wrote to the Corinthians telling them that even though he faced hardships he was thankful. He said in 2 Corinthians 4:15, “so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
Thankfulness is a response to God’s goodness, our witness to the world and a way to glorify God.
The two little words “Thank you” often go unsaid. So many people seem to be too busy, irritated or uncaring. But it is important for our community. How do we make sure we are living a life of thankfulness and leading our childrens’ hearts to be thankful?
Ways to help our children be thankful…
Thank God out loud.
Before we eat our meals people often do this, but we can also thank God during the day for the blessings along the way.
You can thank God when you find a great deal at the store. Thank Him for the privilege of going to school and work. Even if you are facing challenges, thank God for the blessings that He has provided.
Give your children opportunities to serve.
Experiences like these help children see what they have to be grateful for and also ways the people they are serving are grateful. Our children will also find that often when you help others it is “you” that gets the most help.
Give your children opportunities to work and save for something they want.
Our children are provided with so much. It’s good to teach them that to work for something is also a blessing from God. They may be excited to earn something of their own. Make sure to remind them that both the opportunity to work and the money we receive come from God.
“Steward” your blessings well.
Stewardship is a funny term that we often hear around church circles. To be a good steward is simply caring for what God has given you. As parents, we can show stewardship by taking care of our bodies and possessions and by using our money wisely. We can teach our children to do the same and hold them accountable for taking care of what God has given them. When we live this way, we show our children we value the blessings of God.
Enjoy life with your children.
We so often hurry about being frustrated, checking off the to-do list, even during what should be happy events and occasions. It can send our nerves to the edge, but we should take a breath and enjoy the time with our children.
Ask God to show you one way to better model thankfulness for your children. The key is not to make a to-do list for yourself, but to fix our eyes on Jesus who has died and lived for us.
Hebrews 12:2 –
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross,…”
The culture we grow up in gives us a particular worldview, the way we think about the world around us.
This includes the way we think about mathematics. It is often thought that mathematics and science are objective and that they lead to absolute facts and truths i.e. right or wrong. However, the idea of an objective truth that must be found (a proof in mathematics) is an idea that comes from a Western worldview, beginning with Plato (an ancient Greek thinker).
Indigenous Australian Culture
The worldview of the Yolŋu people from North East Arnhem land includes the idea of Gurruṯu, a sophisticated system that defines interconnected relationships between all the elements of the world. Mathematically, systems of relationships are connected with concepts such as functions, graphs and networks. Gurruṯu includes understanding cycles and their connection to environmental cycles. Mathematical ideas of cycles include circles, rotation and recursion (Reference 1).
African Culture
The African cultural worldview includes a strong orientation to collective values, particularly a collective sense of responsibility (Reference 2). Africa has been called the cradle of the mathematical sciences (Reference 3) with the Ancient Greeks probably learning from Egyptian mathematicians. The oldest mathematical tool to have been discovered, a measuring device, was found in Swaziland.
Read the stories of:
Wilfred Ndifon from Cameroon who is doing important work on infectious diseases: Africa’s answer to 70-year old problem of how to beat repeat infections
Katherine Johnson, an African American woman who helped NASA do the mathematics that got humans into space: Katherine Johnson Biography
References
1 – Indigenous perspectives in mathematics education Indigenous perspectives in mathematics education
2 – Mkabela Q, 2005, ‘Using the Afrocentric method in researching indigenous African culture’, The Qualitative Report 10(1), 178–189. [Google Scholar]
3 – Africa: The Cradle of Mathematical Sciences
https://bit.ly/2UHkMI1 Science and Technology Australia
Anxiety is often viewed as negative and something to be avoided at all costs. However, everyone experiences anxiety from time to time as it is a normal part of life. Feelings of anxiousness can push us to meet a deadline, motivate us to try our best or keep us away from dangerous situations. But anxiety becomes a problem when it begins to impact our functioning. For example, we may avoid an event with friends, refuse to participate in a performance or quit a commitment, all because we cannot cope with feelings of anxiousness. When anxiety becomes this overwhelming, it may be a sign of an anxiety disorder, but this does not mean that the anxiety cannot be managed.
So how common are anxiety disorders? In Australia, anxiety is the most common mental health condition, with over two million Australians experiencing anxiety in a 12-month period and one in four people (one in three women and one in five men) experiencing anxiety at some stage in their life (Beyond Blue, 2020). In Australian children, anxiety disorders are the most common disorders in girls, affecting 6.1%, and the second most common disorders in boys (after ADHD), affecting 7.7%.
If you suspect that your child is experiencing anxiety, the following recommendations are ways you can support your child.
Please feel free to contact Melinda Adams if you are concerned about your child’s anxiety and believe that they need additional support. Alternatively, contact your GP.
Melinda Adams
Provisional Psychologist, Assoc MAPS
Student Support- Welfare Coordinator
ASV Wellbeing Consultant
For more information and resources
– The BRAVE Program is an interactive online program for the prevention and treatment of anxiety. The program provides ways for young people to better cope with their worries. There are also programs for parents.
– Anxiety information for parents:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/search?query=anxiety
– Beyond Blue’s strategies and resources for Year 12 students:
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/do-something-about-it/surviving-year-12
– The anxiety-reducing 4-7-8 breathing technique:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417
– An anxiety-reducing grounding exercise:
https://livewellwithsharonmartin.com/reduce-anxiety-grounding/
References
Beyond Blue. (2020). Anxiety management strategies. Retrieved from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategies.
Ng, R., Ang, R. P., & Ho, M. R. (2012). Coping with anxiety, depression, anger and aggression: The mediational role of resilience in adolescents. Child & Youth Care Forum, 41, 529-546. https;//doi.org/10.1007/s10566-012-9182-x.
Healthy eating is about making wise decisions about the type and amount of food you consume. One might think that serving size and portion size are interchangeable concepts, but that is not true.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating has established amounts known as a ‘serving size’. The serving size is an established amount that delivers a similar amount of nutrients and kilojoules and does not alter. Whereas portion size is the amount we actually eat and will depend on various factors including the type of meal or snack, or how hungry one might be at the time. It may be more or less than the recommended serving size mentioned previously. Take for example the nuts included in a salad at the main meal will differ from a packet of nuts eaten for a snack.
The following could be used as a simple guide:
Portion size has gradually been increasing and this is known as ‘portion creep’ which is often blamed for the growing increase of weight issues in this country. Over the years, plate sizes have increased which has resulted in the consumption of more food, as we tend to eat what we are served. In the 1960’s dinner plates had a 25cm diameter, compared to today’s 30cm diameter. Tea cups in the 1960’s held 160mL, while today’s take away coffee cups hold 200-250mL. A glass of orange juice in the 1980’s was 200mL, whereas a serve of orange juice at Boost Juice today is 600mL.
Many manufacturers offer the same product in a range of sizes and charge slightly more for the larger sized packet. Remember that upsizing usually increases our fat and kilojoule intake.
It has been so lovely to see the majority of our Explorer children return to kinder over the last couple of weeks – we’ve missed them! We have had a couple of very busy weeks as some of our children who have been away for the past couple of months settle back into the program, but for the most part it was like they never left.
The children have been busy setting up a camping space with the help of Mrs Jen, observing the growth in vegetable scraps that were placed in a dish of water by Mrs Nadine, transplanting strawberries with Mrs Hsa Mu and learning more about Chinese culture with Miss Makayla.
Each morning the children have been investigating the Biblical story of ‘The Good Samaritan’ with Mrs Katherine, where they have learnt that Jesus wants us to be kind to everyone. This story has allowed a lot of scope for exploring emotions and empathy, whilst giving children the opportunity to work out ways to apply these understandings and principles in their day to day lives.
Over the coming weeks we look forward to continuing on with our gardening projects, along with a new focus on the importance of healthy eating, so that we can care for the bodies that God has given us.
The Inventors have been on a journey of discovery learning about seeds. This began as they took action as World Warriors to care for their outdoor environment by adding succulents, flowers and strawberries to the garden.
They pondered ‘How do you make these plants?’ As a collective, they questioned and researched to discover the answer – plants start from a seed. To enable the Inventors to watch how a seed grows, a space was created within the classroom to grow microgreens. Each child had the pleasure of planting their own watercress to care for at home. As a group, they planted basil and rocket for the classroom.
The children used their visual art skills to draw their understanding and clarify their thinking as they followed the progress of their seeds. The Inventors are eagerly anticipating the time when they can taste and share these wonderful plants.
Nature has been a focus in Art classes throughout this term.
The Year 4-6 students have been using nature as inspiration to practice drawing skills. They have studied Artist Georgie Daphne who uses nature as inspiration for her beautiful designs.
The students explored her website https://georgiedaphne.com.au/ to see how visual arts are used for products in everyday life as well as for enjoyment. They made observations on Georgie’s art and have created their own artwork using her style as inspiration.
They were honoured with the opportunity of meeting Georgie through an online ‘incursion’ to learn more about her work.
Primary students have also been using flowers and leaves from the garden, to create special Bible verse pictures.
We invite all Primary School families to join us tonight, via Zoom, to learn more about our Secondary School.
Discover the opportunities available for your child at NCC Secondary.
Learn more about how our we balance academic success with values and character for lifelong success.
Meet with school leaders and Year 7 teachers to have your questions answered.
To register, email admin@ncc2.vic.edu.au
This term, our Year 5 and 6 students were completing a composer study on Antonio Vivaldi and his ‘Four Seasons’. Students studied his biography, responded artistically to his music and compared the original version to a modern interpretation of one of the movements.
With the exciting return of students to school, we were able to put all of our theory knowledge to good use and learn how to play an excerpt from Movement 1 of ‘Spring’. Students had the choice of learning either the melody or harmony line on the xylophone, with a few students accompanying us on the piano. It has been a wonderful delight to create music together once again as an ensemble.
Our Year 2 and 3 students jumped right back into their year long ‘Survivor’ challenge series. They received ‘Tree Mail’, setting them a team challenge – ‘Build a Wall with a Web’. All survivors accepted the challenge.
Our Chinese Calligraphy Club is an extra-curricular activity that is open for all Grade 4-6 students. The club will recommence during lunch times throughout Term 3. Until then, you can enjoy some photos from last term’s activities.
Our Biology Lab was recently the site of 7 different experiments being run simultaneously. For their Unit 4 SAC, Year 12 Biology students designed their own experiment, looking at factors that impact on amylase breakdown of starch into glucose. They selected different factors to research such as pH, concentration of amylase and temperature. Their next task will be to create a poster including their findings.
Revibe has been a huge influence on the spiritual culture of our school since it began in 2016. Since then, our outreach has grown significantly as we’ve explored many different ways of creating a community under Jesus, although nothing has been more of a challenge and a blessing than holding it online.
Holding Revibe online during COVID-19 has meant that we hold weekly meetings from 7-8:30pm every Friday on Zoom. Our leaders have really pulled together and done an amazing job at coping and adapting to the new situation and still finding new ways to share Jesus and create community, despite the lack of physical community due to the current situation.
Our numbers have grown as new people joined to see what Revibe is all about and it’s been an absolute blessing to see a number of younger kids come ready to talk and engage. We run activities and have discussion groups, with the focus for this term being relationships and faith. It’s been super good to see how keen people are to talk.
Although we miss having Revibe at the school and can’t wait to be able to do that again, having it online has been an interesting experience and has expanded our views of ways we can run Revibe.
To join our meetings, click the link on our Instagram page to fill out a form to be included in the email chain. Then an email will be sent to you with the link for the call, hope to see you there!
-Revibe Leaders
Instagram name: revibecommunity
This year our students in the Junior Mathematics Extension Program had to sit the CAT competition on-line and supervised at home. This did not stop us gaining very pleasing results once again!
The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) competition is a one-hour problem-solving competition designed to encourage student curiosity and promote multiple modes of thinking. Students do not need computer programming ability but the competition does help identify computer programming potential. It also encourages the solving of real-world problems.
We are proud of all the students who practised and participated in the competition. Congratulations to the following students who earned Distinction and Credit certificates:
Distinction:
Year 7:
Jason
Ethan
Credit:
Year 7:
Gabriella
Claire
Henry
Austin
Joshua
Chantelle
Year 8:
JoJo
Ethan
Our Year 9 students have been serving their families through volunteering around their homes each Challenge Day this term so far. For the final Challenge Day of Term 2, they served our school community. They held a working bee pruning bushes around the basketball court, scrubbing the outer walls of the administration building, clearing leaves from the ELC outdoor play area, moving bricks from recent renovations, raking out new bark for the Primary Adventure Playground and adding value to our school environment in other ways.
They were then treated to some time off campus to purchase lunch together and play in a local park, as a celebration of their volunteering this term. A big thank you also to David and Neil, our maintenance coordinators, for leading our students in their work.
We hope that following Jesus’ example in serving others continues to be a focus for our students beyond this term. “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
Our Year 9 and Year 11 students have recently participated in trivia competitions, led by their year level mentors. Test yourself on some of the questions from the ‘Mad About NCC’ category!
In what year was the gym opened?
A: 2008 B: 2009 C: 2010 D: 2011
Who was the most recent staff member to get married?
A: Mrs Davilla B: Mrs Martin C: Mrs Tierney D: Mr Roberts
In what year was the first EISM home game held on the NCC oval?
A: 2011 B: 2012 C: 2013 D: 2014
Who was the principal before Mr Adrian Stiles?
A: Mr Lyndon Chapman B: Mrs Hanna Stekla C: Mr Tony Harrison D: Mr Jacques Calais
In what year was ‘Irresistible’ the theme for Week of Worship?
A: 2016 B: 2017 C: 2018 D: 2019
How many students are there in the Secondary School?
A: 171 B: 184 C: 190 D: 207
In what year did NCC open the Secondary campus?
A: 1952 B: 1963 C: 1974 D: 1986
What are the most popular boys and girls names in the Secondary School?
Name all the family relations within the NCC Staff.
(The answers will be shared in the next newsletter.)
Students in Year 9/10 Literature are studying The Old Man and the Sea. They have been analysing how the “sea” in this text can be read as a symbol for the various possibilities and challenges that lie hidden from eyesight. They have also been analysing how the marlin within the text can be seen as one of life’s greatest treasures to be found and fought for – something to strive for such as family, education, values and so forth. Within this context, students were asked to consider a ‘hidden treasure’ – something we may often overlook, but one that is in fact incredibly valuable and important to our lives and is worthy of reflection. They were asked to write in first person point of view, from the perspective of the ‘hidden treasure’. Some students chose to write this in riddle form. Last week we featured Angie’s riddle. The answer was ‘Faith’.
See if you can guess the answer to Leah’s “Hidden Treasure Riddle” below:
My words are the most valuable to speak. The words I have to share are from the most powerful being. God. Sometimes, I just lay on the table, motionless. I call upon them to open and read what I have to say. I plead for them to listen to me at least once a day. My words have changed lives for some, turning their faces to God who is the ultimate life-changer. I can help reduce stress, strengthen your connection with God, offer advice to you through God and so much more. God speaks through me and his words are valuable. I have been taken from my owner who has to read me in secret, they know how valuable these words I have to say are. All I ask is that people read me and spread my words to others. I have witnessed miracles from God’s son, Jesus. I contain the most valuable information about history. I am forever grateful towards those who listen to me every day because that way, I am serving my purpose, making sure that everyone reads me so they can turn to God. I am here to guide you, to help with your struggles, to help you make the right decisions. But some just do not understand the power in me that I have to tell, so I am left lifeless on the table waiting to be opened… -Leah, Year 9
(Answer will be shared in the next newsletter)
NCC has a number of private music teachers who provide instrumental music lessons during school terms to many of our students.
If you’d like to find out more information about what’s on offer for next term from any of the teachers, please contact them directly via the details below.
Mr Richard Hunt
Instruments: Guitar, Modern Piano/Keyboard, Drums, Bass Guitar
Lessons: Fridays. 20 mins; 30 mins; or 30 mins shared lessons.
Contact: 0412 821 684 – huntdeb@gmail.com
Mr Hunt has had over 25 years of teaching experience at a number of Melbourne schools. He has played at functions, restaurants & churches, & has conducted bands, tutorials and Musician Masterclass Workshops. He specialises in guitar at VCE level and above, but teaches students of all age groups.
Nichaud Munday
Instrument: Flute
Lessons: Tuesdays. 30 mins.
Contact: 0450 803 693 – nichaud.munday@hotmail.com
Nichaud studied flute performance at the ANU & has studied in the Netherlands. She is undertaking a Masters of Teaching specialising in Music. She has many years of experience teaching flute students from beginners to advanced, & of all ages. She performs in orchestras around Melbourne & has a passion for music education.
Matthew Todd
Instruments: Brass – Trumpet, Trombone, Tenor Horn, Tuba, Euphonium.
Lessons: Wednesdays & Thursdays
Contact: 0432 217 719 – matthew@adventbrass.com.au
Matthew offers free brass lessons to students who participate in the Junior Advent Brass Band. Instrument hire costs apply for those who don’t have their own instrument. Lesson fees for non-band members apply.
FLYERS WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH TEACHER AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL OFFICE.
We have second hand MacBook Air laptops for sale. Contact the school office for purchase and collection details – admin@ncc2.vic.edu.au or 9877 3555
MacBook Air 11 inch (Early 2015)
This year there are digital copies of the Entertainment Book available, rather than physical copies. Purchase your digital copy here to support NCC fundraising.
