Join our Primary and Early Learning students for an event not to be missed! At 7pm on Thursday November 1, students will perform “Not Your Average Joe” the story of Joseph with a 50’s twist.
Please invite friends and family to this free event. An expense donation will be collected on the night.
Students in the Primary and Early Learning present: “Not Your Average Joe” The story of Joseph with a 50’s twist.
Each month during the school term, NCC runs school tours to give prospective families an authentic look at our campus in action. Tours start with short presentations from the Principals about the vision, mission and values of our school, followed by tours led by students in the Secondary and Mr Cowled in the Primary. After tours finish, parents come back and share morning tea (prepared by our wonderful canteen) with staff – a great opportunity to ask any questions about the school.
We warmly encourage you to invite friends and family to join the next tour on November 14 Register here.
Dates :10th December 2018 – 21st December 2018
8th January 2019 – 30th January 2019
To book your child’s place for holiday care in the upcoming school holidays email OSHC. osch@ncc2.vic.edu.au
Is this the secret to happiness? Parenting Ideas
Every parent wants their children and teenagers to be happy. This idea of contentment seems to be a driving force for many parents we meet. It certainly holds true for a lot of people. Of course, it’s difficult to achieve. But recently there was an event that occurred in Jodie Richardson’s backyard that may well have revealed the secret to our contentment and happiness, and that of our children.
“The strongest finding in positive psychology is that our relationships with other people have the greatest impact on our happiness and mental health. This principle is true for children and teenagers as well as adults.”
My family had introduced two new chickens to our existing flock at home. There’s always a bit of pecking by the other chickens to put the newbies in their place, but this time they went too far. So we separated the new pair from the others. When night fell we expected them to follow the other chooks into the coop, but they stayed outside, worried for their safety. They took turns to sit on each other to stay warm. It was hard to watch as they looked so vulnerable. So we lifted them into the coup and locked the doors to keep them safe, and all was quiet. I felt sad for their loneliness and exclusion, and how they clung to each other desperately for comfort and protection.
It reminded me of a story shared by Martin Seligman, the father of the Positive Psychology movement. Seligman told of how a village in the Portuguese mountains owned a solitary ox to plough the fields. It would invariably live for 40 years and then, upon its death, it would be replaced by a young ox. It’s fate too was to endure four decades of loneliness and solitude. As Seligman says, “There is very little positive about a solitary existence.” Humans are wired for connection The sadness these stories evoke come from our core need for connection. It pains us when we see loneliness, even in another species. The strongest finding in positive psychology is that our relationships with other people have the greatest impact on our happiness and mental health. This principle is true for children and teenagers as well as adults. Our kids need lots and lots of friends and close connections with their family. However, friendships aren’t always easy for kids. There are some who are filled with confidence and thrive in the company of friends, family and even strangers. But for others, forming and keeping friendships is much harder. These kids need adult assistance in the form of teaching (young children), coaching (children and young teenagers) and mentoring (late adolescents).
Friendship skills can be learned. Connecting with another person is a skill. There’s a lot we can teach them to support their confidence and ability to make and keep friends. Toddlers need our help to connect from the very start. We can help by providing them with social scripts, including how to introduce themselves, how to enter a group and how to voice disagreements. As kids get older, they can work on eye contact, sharing, listening skills, the need to compromise, how to hold conversations and how to show pleasure at a friend’s achievements. There’s a lot to teach and a great deal to model. As for the two solitary chickens, we kept putting them back in the coop each night. On the fifth night they felt comfortable enough to enter the coop on their own. This is a reminder that it takes time for some children and young people to form meaningful connections and friendships with others. If they, with our support and coaching, stick with it, eventually kids will form those connections that are so important for their happiness, mental health and well-being. It takes a village to raise kids. Join me and hundreds of other parents working together to raise kids who flourish.
Dr Jodi Richardson
Jodi is a happiness and wellbeing speaker and writer, and is mum to two primary school aged kids who light her up. For more great ideas on flourishing mental health for the whole family, subscribe to her newsletter at drjodirichardson.com.au and say hello on facebook.com/DrJodiRichardson.
Is your child active in the local community? Have they been involved in a production? Won a competition? We would love to hear your family’s news and share it with the School community.
If you have news to share, please send a photo and a short caption to news@nunawading.vic.edu.au
Each month during the school term, NCC runs school tours to give prospective families an authentic look at our campus in action. Tours start with short presentations from the Principals about the vision, mission and values of our school, followed by tours led by Mrs Hanna Stekla in the Secondary and Mr Cowled in the Primary. After tours finish, parents come back and share morning tea (prepared by our wonderful canteen) with staff – a great opportunity to ask any questions about the school.
We warmly encourage you to invite friends and family to join NCC’s final tour for 2018 on November 14
Register here.
Week 1
Our OSHC friends had some of the of the best schools holidays so far. During week one we:
Created our own creatures and played animal themed games. In our theatre arts incursion we learnt new skills and sang and danced our way to stardom. We had a colourful, crazy, creative, crafty day in which we coloured our own canvas bag and played some colourful games. To get ready for the AFL grand final we ended our week with a frenzy of football fun.
Week 2
In week two of holiday care we got crafty and creative during our crazy craft day. On our fabulous excursion to Healesville sanctuary we saw lots of native animals, took pictures with some of them, watched the sensational bird show and explored on the adventure playground. During “Occupation day” we discovered different occupations, got to dress up and played lots of fun games. “Furry friends day” saw us create our own new friends and bring them to life. We named our toys, gave it a heart, stuffed it with love and filled out a birth certificate. To end off the holidays we had a pizza day. A great time was had making the dough, letting it rise, then rolling it out, adding toppings and waiting for it to cook so we could eat it all up, yum!
Students and staff have been enjoying the learning spaces in our new Science Laboratories and Library for some time now. To acknowledge the funding provided by the Australian Government to assist with these building programs, there will be an official opening ceremony on Friday 16th November. This ceremony will be officiated by Mr Kevin Andrews MP, Member for Menzies, as well as the President of the Seventh day Adventist Church in Victoria. All Primary and Secondary students will be attending the program, and parents are also welcome to attend. Details are:
When: Friday 16th November 2018
Time: 12.00 – 1.30pm (including a light lunch)
Where: NCC Multipurpose Centre
RSVP: For catering purposes, if you plan to attend please RSVP to Marie Roberts – marie.roberts@ncc2.vic.edu.au or phone 9877 3555.
Transport
We’ve been learning about all things transport this last fortnight! Our kids have been loving playing with all sorts of cars, building roads for their cars, painting tracks with cars, talking about traffic signs, making cars out of junk constructions and much more! As part of our term focusing on transport, we’ll also be talking about road safety. If there’s anything that your child is particularly interested in terms of transport, please let us know so that we can incorporate it into our program.
Prep Orientation
Our 4 year old kinders who are going to school at NCC had their first Prep Orientation day this week! It was a very exciting day! The children had a lovely morning up at ‘big school’ and had lots of wonderful stories to share when they got back to the ELC.
Concert Practice
Another big focus at the moment is practicing our concert song! We’ve been practicing every day, and this week had our first practice on the stage with the whole primary school watching! The children did a great job and smiled to their audience and did their best dancing. We were very proud of how brave they were! It’s scary having the whole primary school looking at us! We’ll be practicing on the stage every day next week so that all the children are familiar with what to expect when it comes time for the concert.
HATS HATS HATS
As per our centre policy, we use hats & sunscreen at all times when outside in terms 1 & 4. We’ve noticed that many of our kids are not bringing hats to school, and are using our spares. This creates challenges for us around hygiene and washing the hats. We do have enough for emergencies, but please ensure that your child brings a hat to school EVERY DAY.
Fruit
Many children are coming to school without fruit. In an effort to care best for your children, and keep them healthy, we only allow them to eat fruit, vegetables, and dairy for morning tea. Please ensure that your child has sufficient each day.
Aged Care
Our next visit to Aged Care is Monday 29th October. Please remember that morning tea is not required on that day, as it is provided for us at Aged Care.
NCC Concert
When: Thursday 1st November 7pm
Time: 7pm (kids to be signed in at the ELC from 6pm, and NO LATER THAN 6:30pm) You can drop your child at the ELC, and then go find seats.
Location: NCC Gymnasium
Cup Day Closure – Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 Nov
Please note that the ELC will be closed both MONDAY AND TUESDAY of Melbourne cup weekend.
Prep Orientation
The next Prep Orientation for those attending NCC is Thursday 15th November. As usual, if your child is at the ELC that day, we will walk them up and pick them up from orientation.
Kinder Graduation
As is our custom, we will be holding a Kinder Graduation during chapel time with the rest of the school on Friday 30 November. If your child is going to be leaving us and heading for school next year, please make a note of this date in your calendars. It is really a special day and a great way to celebrate their time with us at NCC ELC.
Ms Austen and Mrs Mac’s classrooms were buzzing with excitement on Wednesday as our 2019 Prep families arrived for their first orientation day. The day began with some table time activities in the classroom with their parents before parents said goodbye and shared morning tea, while hearing about communication and processes at NCC.
Students then experienced life and routines in Prep, making new friends and exploring their new surroundings. We are already looking forward to our next orientation day on November 15.
See all the photos in the gallery below.
At the Student Assembly on Monday 8 October a number of students received ICAS Certificates. Students who participated in the ICAS Exams received certificates, the students who received a High Distinction or Distinction were presented their certificates at the assembly. Congratulations to all students for their participation in this program.
At the Student Assembly on Monday 8 October these students received a number of other awards. Congratulations.
On Wednesday this week, our Primary soccer team competed in the Adventist Schools Victoria (ASV) tournament against our sister schools, Edinburgh College, Heritage College and Gilson College. Our mixed girls and boys team made up of students in Years 5 and 6 competed exceptionally well throughout the day. They made it all the way to the final, losing a tight game against Gilson College, 3 – 1.
Primary sports teacher, Mr T. said of the competition, “I’m very proud of the way our students played and for their sportsmanship throughout the competition.”
There are still some places left in our Primary lunch clubs.
Students have been having lots of fun in the Cooking & Nutrition, Chess, and Maths Problem Solving clubs.
All clubs are run by the Kids Unlimited organisation.
To find out more, or enrol your child, go to:
https://ku.zone/management/programs/program_timetable/64?collapse=1&frame=weekday
or call them on 1300 424 377.
This is just a reminder that supervision in the Primary School starts at 8:30am in the mornings, when teachers start duty, and finishes at 3:45pm in the afternoon after pick up. If you are running late for pick up please call the office and let them know. Students remaining on the grounds after 3:45pm will be taken to OSHC and may be collected from the OSHC room. A fee will be charged for this service.
Some students have asked their parents to pick them up later than 3:45pm so that they can play at school – this is only allowed if parents come into the grounds and supervise their children themselves. No students are to be left unattended by a parent in the school grounds after 3:45pm. If you are attending interviews with teachers, are in the uniform shop, etc, please keep your children with you.
Most drivers are now following correct procedures for drop off, pick up and parking and this has improved the flow of traffic and safety of everyone and is greatly appreciated. It is important that drivers are also aware of their speed and we ask that walking pace is an appropriate speed whilst in the car park area. This is important for safety given the number of people moving from between cars and around the area.
Staff on duty are there to maintain the safety of children and parents, and the flow of traffic in the slip lane. Please remain in your car so that you can move forward to close up gaps as cars leave. Students will learn what courtesy, respect and responsibility are if they see it reflected in what we do and say.
Serving others is a major part of NCC’s motto “Learning for living and character for life.” One of the highlights of our students’ learning journey and spiritual life is the overseas service trip in Year 10. For the past three years NCC students have traveled to Cambodia over their school holidays serving local communities.
This year, nine students took up the challenge to serve in Cambodia. Our group spent three days in Phnom Penh visiting NGOs, local families who are making a difference in their own communities and travelling to a slum village to play games with the children who live there. Following this, students spent five days at Light of Hope Children’s Village teaching conversational English and helping to paint and build a kindergarten playground. Our final days were spent visiting renowned cultural destinations including Angkor Wat and other significant sites.
Each student who participated in the experience has also taken on the responsibility of sponsoring a child at Light of Hope for 12 months. While at Light of Hope, students had the wonderful opportunity to meet the children they are sponsoring, share about their favourite things and play games.
Thank you to all those who supported our students in fundraising for Light of Hope. Funds donated were used to buy three months of rice for a street feeding program, supplies to build the new kindergarten playground at Light of Hope and clothes for the students at Light of Hope.
Cambodia for me was an experience I had been waiting on for a while, and it definitely delivered. I was moved by how the kids at the rubbish dump were so happy and friendly even though they lived in the trash. – Taylor
Overall, I loved this trip so much. It helped our Year 10 NCC Cambodia group get closer. And most of all, we learned some of the best life lessons of our lives. I definitely will come back to Cambodia again and visit all the places we went to and see all the people we met. – Sunny
The kids at Light of Hope school were so full of life and joy despite their circumstances before coming to the school. Despite us going over there to teach them, they actually taught us. I learned to be grateful for even the little things in life and not take my life for granted because there are people worse off than we are in Australia and despite having a lot, we’re often not thankful for what we have. – Racquel
You can read student reflections from each day of our trip by visiting: nccincambodia.com
Year 8 Drama Production – ‘Table Turn’ will be presented on the Monday 22nd October from 9.30 -10.30am (during school time). Parents of Year 8 Drama students who are free at this time, are more than welcome to attend.
NCC Secondary students were recently presented with their Distinction and High Distinction certificates for ICAS exams.
Congratulations to:
