Dear College families,

Tonight we celebrate the launch of the College’s new Alumni program. We recognise the privilege that we have every day to write stories on the hearts, hands and minds of young people in our care. Tonight will be a celebration of our Alumni as we invite them to invest in the stories that are now being birthed. These stories are stories of hope that begin by knowing that they are known by God, loved by God and that He has a plan for their lives. It is a celebrating of the past, as we ignite the future.

I wish to personally thank you all for the overwhelming embracing of Ngarra Christian College. Please continue to pray for this next chapter in our stories and for all students, families and staff of the College.

And finally, I commend our Year 12 students to you, who are currently completing their HSC trial exams. Please pray that what will emerge for each of them will be a story of God working in each of their lives to grow their capacity, in order that they can increasingly become more and more the person that they were created to be.

Felicity Marlow
Principal

There are many occasions throughout the life of a student that mark significant milestones in their journey that can feel quite overwhelming when they arrive.  The past few weeks have signalled just that for our senior students:  our Year 11s finally shuttled their way to the snow after years of COVID cancelled trips, which forced them to persevere under some trying weather conditions to master their triumph over the slopes.  Similarly, in this past fortnight, Year 12 students have embarked on their Trial HSC exams, which are their final school-based assessment tasks to secure their rank and nominated result before handing over the moment to the external exams.

It feels surreal that we have reached this time of the year again so quickly, as though it was only a few short months ago that we were in the throes of consistently remapping the exam strategy for our 2021 HSC students. I remember this time vividly as it lived large in my household; having two boys of my own in Year 12 who were impacted by the rolling suite of government decision-making on the run, ongoing limitations placed on the College in the flexibility of delivering Trial exams and whip-lash from the indecision around the nature of the final HSC exam timetable, this was a truly an exhausting time, mentally and emotionally. I felt like I understood it on all fronts: as a concerned parent, a weary decisionmaker and through the lens of stressed Year 12 students whose futures seemed to be out of their control or influence.

So relentless was that time that it seems almost unimaginable that we have arrived back at this season with our current 2022 cohort, who now have their own challenges to face. No longer is it an exam room where the tissues are passed liberally from desk to desk to triage the ubiquitous winter cold, or declarations signed to state they have not been in contact with any COVID positive case in the past month. Now, the stifled sniffles timidly accept tissues with apologetic looks of reassurance that they’re not really “sick” and the occasional empty desk signifies a positive case amongst their peers.

Meeting with our Alumni at our inaugural reunion this past week has been a reminder that this exam season is just one small part of God’s much grander plan for our students’ worlds. Whilst they had all experienced the stress and challenge of exams that felt so significant at the time, and could recall their emotions vividly, hearing stories of their adult adventures and achievements since Graduation reinforced the truth that the exam season is but one leap along the meandering pathway to adulthood. The fact that we are now one year hence Online Learning reinforces that the seasons of hard will pass: we adapt, upskill and pivot. 
 
Ecclesiastes 3 confirms that there is the season for everything under the sun. “He has made everything beautiful in it’s time” (3:11)   It’s an important reminder to us all that when the season feels overwhelming and relentless, there is no need for us to feed into our children’s stress and anxiety but put our faith and trust in Jesus that this season will pass. We know that He doesn’t put before us anything that we cannot bear and so, too, for our children - this will pass. We are assured there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (3:4). May there always be time for more laughter!

Linda Hogan

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning

Soirée 2022 is a showcase of the HSC Major Works by our CAPA and Design & Technology students. The event is being held in the College Auditorium from 6:30pm on Thursday, 18 August. This is a formal event where the audience should dress for the occasion. Canapes and Mocktails are served during the night. Tickets cost $15.00, click here to book. This event is not recommended for children under the age of 15.

Exciting News! 

You can now order child/ren’s uniform items through Munch Monitor. This allows you to order and pay online either through your Munch Monitor account or by a credit card.
When you log into your Munch Monitor account head to ‘School Shop’ to purchase any uniform items you may need.
All these orders will be packed and delivered to your child’s class.

If you do not currently have a Munch Monitor account just go to:
 www.munchmonitor.com and click to login and register.
-School Id: norwest
-Password: munch2765  

Sizing guides are on our Website or any other questions please don’t hesitate to email uniform@nwcc.nsw.edu.au or phone 8889 4600.

Vanessa Kwan
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Primary

This term, students will be exploring an overview of the book of Exodus. We’ll be discovering that ‘God loves his people (Exodus 1-6) and rescues his people (Exodus 7-13), so they can obey (Exodus 14-24) and live with Him (Exodus 25-40)’. The challenge for our Primary students is to first of all, know they are loved by a rescuing God and second, that they too can follow and live with God. If you’re looking for ways you can encourage your child in their faith, you could try:

- ‘The Bible App For Kids’ has some fantastic interactive stories, activities and quizzes you could do together with your child on the Exodus.
- Spend some time reading with your child, such as listening to ‘Moses and the Very Big Rescue’ or go along for a coffee at a Christian bookstore such as Koorong where you can explore these books together. ­

Secondary
This term, students will be taking a deep dive into the teaching of Jesus to understand what it means for the way we live our ways today. We’ll be going through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) section by section and discovering all about Jesus’ Upside Down Kingdom. Throughout this series students will also have time in mentor groups to explore Bible passages for themselves and guided by their mentor using the ‘S.O.A.P’ Bible study method pictured. If you are looking for ways to encourage your child in their faith, you could:

- Use the S.O.A.P Bible study method together on a passage of the Bible to guide them in learning from God themselves and opening up discussion about how it could be applied to their life today. You can find a guide on how to do this along with a helpful template here.
- Modelling to your child by verbalising the ways you apply Jesus words in your own life, for example, ‘I’m feeling frustrated at this person, but I know Jesus has forgiven me much and so he asks me to show that same forgiveness to others (Matthew 6:14-15)’. 

Natasha Moore from Eureka Street writes: This week, a friend I haven’t seen for a while said to me over lunch, ‘We just don’t seem to have our routine back yet.’ He and his wife had a third child recently, and they moved into a new area. They are tired, and everything just feels a lot harder than it should. It feels like they are on a treadmill that has been accidentally set to an incline, and they are walking uphill without them even realising it.

It has been growing like a refrain, like a consensus, probably over the past six months. In counselling almost everyone tells the same story of feeling overwhelmed, of not quite coping – or they feel that they are nowhere near coping. What has caused these ripples in our lives and why do people feel an inability to cope with everyday situations?

Mental health experts tell us that when we are uncertain of the future, have illness, accidents, relationship breakdowns, workplace dramas, natural disasters and world peace instability, we are more likely to feel that we are unable to cope. Research tells us that when we have children with disabilities, learning difficulties or mental health issues we are also more likely to feel unable to cope with day-to-day life.

We all feel that the current circumstances in our lives are an exception, that issues will subside, and things will get back to normal. Well, in a way we are back to normal because, there is no certainty of what tomorrow will bring and the circumstances in our lives change day by day and minute by minute.

What can we do then to help us cope with the inclined treadmill in our lives?

1. We can make prioritising quality time with our family, by giving each family member time to talk to you each day and time for you to listen to them without necessarily solving their problems.
2. Having family mealtimes together discussing the high and low points in each person’s day.
3. Playing board or video games together or making Friday night a special popcorn and movie night.
4. Going for a bike ride or walk together, or walking the family dog, even if this only occurs on the weekend.
5. Having some form of regular exercise which may be using a YouTube clip to do some dance or exercise activities each day (see blackdog website below).
6. Keeping a family routine that only changes when it is necessary. This assists with knowing what is expected at home and at school and giving warning about any upcoming changes that may occur.
7. Surrounding your family with extended family, church family and friends. You can share a meal or share activities together with them on the weekend, like having a playdate in a park.
8. Supporting each person in the family and listening when they are worried, concerned or confused. Listening can provide reassurance that although times are difficult, together we can face the challenges life bring us through love and acceptance of each other.
9. If your child has a disability accept that this puts added stress on family relationships and support each other by listening, empathising and offering help when needed. This is vital to maintaining stability and emotion regulation in the family (see Raising Children and Carer’s Australia website).
10. When all members of the family are following the same boundaries, rules and consequences it presents unity in the family and children are far less confused when it comes to discipline love and support from their parents.
11. We can also make a routine chart displayed on the kitchen fridge with visual cues to assist children to get ready and go to school. The chart can be for the whole day with an afternoon routine for when they get home from school. Research suggests that children perform better when they see the routine, they need to follow each day. Tick off tasks when they are completed and/or give a reward this is a simple technique to reinforce the desired behaviour. Routine charts can be adapted for any age child or student. They can just have pictures in sequences or time frames as shown below. Your child can take a picture or draw their own in picture session. This will even assist Secondary students who have problems with organisation skills.

Routine Chart Example

Catherine Redwood
College Counsellor

Helpful websites:
https://www.carersaustralia.co...
https://raisingchildren.net.au/disability
https://www.eurekastreet.com.a...
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/news/during-covid-19-you-can-exercise-your-way-to-better-mental-health/

Trumpet and Trombone - Limited Vacancies

Seed Academy has limited vacancies for Trumpet and Trombone Lessons with our Brass Tutor, Mr David Henry. 

David comes with extensive performance experience having worked as a professional musician for the last 42 years. In addition to playing for multiple Broadway productions, he has spent 26 years in the Royal Australian Air Force Band and 15 years as Director of the RAAF Jazz Ensemble. David is currently a member of the Sydney Jazz Orchestra performing with James Morrison at the State Theatre Sydney later this month.

He currently has limited vacancies on Wednesdays only. 

For more information, or to enrol your child with David, please email: seed@nwcc.nsw.edu.au

Our annual Literacy Fun Day will be held on Friday, 26 August. We have a special day planned for both ELC and Primary students to celebrate books, literacy and the joy that comes from reading. Teachers will prepare a range of enriching experiences to instill a deeper love of literature into the hearts and minds of our students.

On the day, students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book character and bring the book that inspired their costume. A parade will be held mid-morning for all ELC and Primary students, where the students will have the opportunity to parade their costumes to the rest of the College. 

In conjunction with Literacy Fun Day, our annual Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the LRC (Library), with all purchases directly contributing to the growth of our College Library books and resources.

The Book Fair will commence on Friday, 26 August (Literacy Fun Day). The Library will be open Friday morning from 10:00am - 11:20am, for parents who are already on campus enjoying our Literacy Fun Day Parade.

The Book Fair will then continue into Week 6 from Monday – Wednesday. The Library will be open at lunch and after school on these days to purchase books.

Book Fair dates and times:

Friday, 26 August – 10:00am – 11:20am,

Lunchtime and After school (3pm – 4pm)

Monday, 29 August - Lunchtime and after school (3pm - 4pm)

Tuesday, 30 August - Lunchtime and after school (3pm - 4pm)

Wednesday, 31 August - Lunchtime and after school (3pm - 4pm)

Sales and Fundraising
All purchases from the Book Fair directly contribute to the growth of the current book collections in the Library. EFTPOS facilities are available and cash sales can be made with students during lunchtimes. 

Donations
In addition, the Library also welcomes Book Fair purchases that are directly donated to the Library. As an acknowledgment of Library patronage, all Book Fair donations will be labelled with the family name on a specially marked bookplate. 

The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) are continuing to strive towards maintaining and growing the College Community Spirit that the families of Norwest value so highly. We have many exciting things happening this term and are keen to update you. To make the most of your time at our wonderful College, we would like to encourage you to become involved, whether by volunteering, participating or encouraging your children to participate. We really have an exceptional College and are looking forward to a fabulous Term 3.

Colour Run

The Parents and Friends Association is proud and excited to officially launch the inaugural P&F Colour Run to be held at the College on Thursday, 22 September.
We are looking for people who can help support and organise the event. We are also looking for people who are interested in being part of the organising committee. You will be required to attend 4 committee meetings (2 via Zoom and 2 in person) and then take on some additional responsibilities in arranging items for the day and then reporting back to the committee on progress and updates.
Wednesday, 3 August at 6:30pm – Online meeting
Wednesday, 10 August at 6:30pm – at the College (stay on for the P&F Meeting at 7:30pm)
Wednesday, 24 August at 6:30pm – Online meeting
Wednesday, 7 September at 6:30pm – at the College (stay on for the P&F Meeting 7:30pm)
The second group we are looking for will be volunteers on the day of the event.
You can register for both groups or just the one that may suit you best. This will be an exciting event for the College and will also be an opportunity to celebrate the final school day for our Year 12 students. We look forward to working side by side to make it a memorable occasion for all.
To express your interest please email parentsandfriends@nwcc.nsw.edu.au and ensure you have completed the Volunteer Induction on the NWCC website http://norwest.education/volunteer-induction/#/page1 and for those helping on the day you will need to make sure your Working With Children Check is up to date and submitted to the College.

Playground

We are very pleased to announce the completion of the new playground area. The P&F donated the $12,000 for this installation and look forward to seeing the kids enjoy it. Thanks to all who continue to support the P&F. This is a great example of achieving great outcomes for the College when we all work together. 

Donut Day

On Monday, 22 August the P&F will be hosting a Donut Day. We will be selling cinnamon donuts to Primary and Secondary students at recess for $1 each. It would be great to pop it in your diary now so that everyone remembers their money on the day. In the Primary Years, cash payment will be accepted and in the Secondary Years we will have both cash and card facilities available. There will be a gluten-free option available as well.
For ELC students a pre-order form will be available closer to the date and your child's donut will be delivered to their room in time for morning tea.
There will be volunteer opportunities advertised for both parent and student helpers on the day, so keep an eye out for the volunteer sign up form on the P&F Facebook page. Parents can volunteer towards their parent participation hours and students can volunteer towards their Norwest Challenge.

Save the date - Tuesday, 13 September 2022
Community Workshop Evening

On Tuesday, 13 September at 7:00 pm the P&F will be hosting a Community Workshop for parents to attend. There will be more details to come, but we are working to present an evening with information about building resilience in children and teenagers. Our survey results from earlier this year indicated a very high interest in this area among the College families and we would love for you to attend. We know that weeknight evenings can be difficult for some and are therefore giving advanced notice. Why not pop it in the diary now so that you can plan to be there for this important topic.

Next P&F Meeting
Wednesday, 7 September at 7:30pm

The next P&F Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 7 September commencing at 7:30pm in the Atrium. Regular P&F items (events and reports) will be discussed. Additionally, Mr Colin Wood, Deputy Principal will be the College representative. He will be talking about the College’s Service Program.

We look forward to seeing you there.

P&F Executive

Click here to read the Primary Communication Notes.