PRIMARY NEWS TE RM 3 , WE E K 6 | 2 1 S T AUGUS T 2 02 6
A MESSAGE FROM MR JOHN LONGLEY What a wonderful celebration of curiosity and discovery we have enjoyed during National Science Week! Monday began with plenty of creativity through our Science Dress-Up Day, followed by activities throughout the week that encouraged students to investigate and experience the wonder of God's creation. This year's theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all,” reminded us that from little things, big things grow. Jesus used the image of a mustard seed when describing the Kingdom of Heaven, saying, 'Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants' - Matthew 13:32. As we consider the growth we have seen in our students this year, our prayer extends beyond academic progress. We pray that the seeds of faith being planted through classrooms, Chapel, conversations, families and relationships will develop deep roots in Christ and flourish in the years ahead. We pray that our young people will increasingly know God's Word, recognise His goodness, understand their identity in Him and grow into people of Christ-like character who use their gifts to serve others. There is plenty to look forward to in Week 7! Our Year 3 students will visit the Melbourne Museum to extend their History understanding of Melbourne and communities changing over time. Students will also represent Northside at the District Athletics Championships and Lawn Bowls Championships, while our Year 1 students will head to Traffic School. Continued over page...
Book Week is next week! It is time to get those costumes ready and choose a favourite book to bring along as we prepare for our Book Parade on Friday morning. We are looking forward to seeing beloved characters and stories come to life as we celebrate the wonder of books and the importance of reading across our Primary community. All families are invited to dress up and join in the fun, so parents, guardians and our youngest community members are encouraged to get creative too! May God bless you and your family too,
Mr John Longley Director of Primary
ARE YOU LEAVING NORTHSIDE? Families that are not returning to Northside in 2027 must advise the College as soon as possible. Families must submit a completed withdrawal form before the last day of Term 3 (Thursday 17th September 2026). Families who withdraw late in 2026 may be required to pay a term's fee in lieu of notice. Families may choose to have an exit interview with the relevant Director of Learning. Please indicate your request on the form and an interview will be arranged on your behalf. These may take place by telephone or in person at the College. Withdrawal forms are available at Reception and emailed to enrol@ncc.vic.edu.au. Please contact the Enrolments team if you have any questions.
PRIMARY ASSEMBLY Book Week Theme Monday 24th August, 8:40am – 8:55am Parents are invited to join the Primary School staff and students in the Courtyard to enjoy Primary Assembly together. Please be aware that Primary Assembly may be moved to Encompass Church or cancelled at the last minute if the weather does not allow us to meet outside. Photos and videos of the students are not permitted at Chapel or Assemblies to protect the privacy of other students who may appear in the frame.
Please note that parents and pre-schoolers cannot access the Students ONLY toilets during Primary Assembly. Staff and Visitor toilets are located in the Administration Building (near Reception) or on Level 1 in the Middle School Building. Parents are not required to sign in at Reception for Chapel or Assembly. Please be aware that students must remain with their class and their teachers during these events.
PRIMARY CHAPEL REMINDER Week A Only
On Primary Chapel mornings (Week A), any Primary student arriving at school after 8:55 am should be taken directly to Encompass Church, rather than to their classroom or the usual school entrance. This arrangement applies only on Primary Chapel mornings (Week A). On all other mornings, students should continue to follow the normal arrival procedures. As Primary Chapel and Assembly alternate throughout the term, please check the weekly newsletter for reminders about each week's schedule. Thank you for your support in helping us ensure a smooth and safe start to the day for all students.
BOOK WEEK PARADE 2026 Friday 28th August @ 8.55am
DRESS-UP DAY & MORNING COFFEE
Hot drinks and baked treats for adults will be available from 8.15am, weather permitting.
Everyone is invited to dress up! This includes our pre-school children, school-aged students and post-school attendees. Dress up for your chance to receive a ribbon from Ms Munro!
If you are planning to stay for the parade, please sign in outside Reception.
We look forward to seeing everyone dressed up and ready to celebrate!
UPCOMING PRIMARY EVENTS Term 3
WEEK 7B
BOOK WEEK Monday 24th August - Friday 28th August
Monday 24th August: Primary Assembly - 8:40am in the Courtyard (Weather Permitting) Athletics Squad Tuesday 25th August Lawn Bowls Gala Day Year 3 Melbourne Museum Wednesday 26th August: Bundoora District Primary Athletics Thursday 27th August: Year 1 Traffic School Excursion Athletics Squad Friday 28th August: Book Week Dress-Up Day
UPCOMING PRIMARY EVENTS Term 3
WEEK 8A
TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK Monday 31st August - Friday 4th September
Monday 31st August: Primary Chapel – 9:00am in the Encompass Auditorium: Year 2 Item Athletics Squad Tuesday 1st September: Last day to upload VPRC books Thursday 3rd September: Athletics Squad Friday 4th September: Parents and Friends Father’s Day Stall CSEN Primary Athletics Championships Year 5-6 Community Service
WEEK 9B
Monday 7th September Friday 11th September
Monday 7th September: Primary Assembly - 8:40am in the Courtyard (Weather Permitting) Thursday 10th September: Year 2 Sleepover and Breakfast Friday 11th September: Year 5-6 Community Service
UPCOMING PRIMARY EVENTS Term 3
WEEK 10A
Monday 14th September Friday 18th September
Monday 14th September: Whole School Chapel Tuesday 15th September: Footy Colours Day Wednesday 16th September: Prep Bush Kinder Incursion Thursday 17th September: Last Day of Term 3 PREP - YEAR 2 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL: Thursday 8th October To avoid a muddy Athletics Carnival, the Prep - Year 2 Athletics Carnival will be moved to early in Term 4.
To see Term 3 Primary events, click HERE to access the family calendar
PRIMARY NORTHSIDE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS ANDRES, PREP: IDENTITY You have demonstrated the Culture Pilar of identity, as you have worked so hard on your blending and Heart Words. Well done Andres!
ANNIE, PREP: IDENTITY You have worked really hard to learn your sounds and Heart Words. I am very proud of the progress you have made in both reading and writing. It is wonderful to see how much your confidence has grown. Keep persevering, Annie.
MIA, PREP: UNITY For showing kindness to your friends at all times. You bless them with your laughter, you support them if they have trouble settling in and you are always happy to welcome new friends in your play. Thank you for brightening our classroom with your joy!
ESTELLE, YEAR 1: UNITY For taking pride in our classroom and helping others to have a tidy learning environment.
FRANCIS, YEAR 1: HONOUR For honouring others by helping them in tasks they find challenging.
GENEVIEVE, YEAR 1: IDENTITY For your consistent positive attitude towards all learning areas. You always try your best in every lesson and encourage others to do the same! Keep up the great work!
PRIMARY NORTHSIDE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS JUDAH, YEAR 1: UNITY For being such a bright spark and being kind to everyone around you. You make the classroom a happy and welcoming place for everyone to be in! Keep shining bright! MAYA, YEAR 2: HONOUR For consistently taking great care of our classroom and completing your classroom duties with such responsibility. The care you show when tidying each afternoon and organising and plugging in our laptops is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being someone we can rely on! NEWMAN, YEAR 2: IDENTITY For the hard work you have put into your learning and the wonderful progress you have made this year. It is fantastic to see how much you are growing. Keep going! KIMBERLEY, YEAR 2: IDENTITY For demonstrating identity through their determination and commitment to learning. You have made significant progress and consistently striving to improve and achieve your best. KEIKO, YEAR 2: IDENTITY For demonstrating identity by consistently striving to improve, setting high expectations for herself and confidently speaking up for what helps her learn and achieve her best.
SELINA, YEAR 3: IDENTITY For demonstrating your positive thinking towards completing assessment tasks and giving your best. You have shown your creative identity and growth in who you are in Christ. Well done.
PRIMARY NORTHSIDE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS JACKSON, YEAR 3: HONOUR For working consistently to improve yourself in your schoolwork and friendships. You have displayed our College Pillar of Honour by being a positive example to others and offering assistance to others when they need. BOSCO, YEAR 3: HONOUR For demonstrating Honour through your work and positive attitude while settling into your new class. Welcome to Northside! ROY, YEAR 4: IDENTITY For using your unique strengths to engineer awesome powered vehicles and to share that knowledge to help others succeed. It's so great to see how your brain works. Thank you for sharing your passion for learning with all of us in 4H. You are a blessing! GORDON, YEAR 4: IDENTITY For showing enthusiasm and your clever problem solving skills to design and create a brilliant powered vehicle. It has been wonderful to see your passion for learning during this project. Bravo Gordon! CHERYL DANIEL, YEAR 4: UNITY For demonstrating amazing teamwork when working on your self-powered car inquiry project. Your willingness to help another classmate out showed great character and servant leadership. EASON, YEAR 4: IDENTITY For showing great resourcefulness, enthusiasm, and engineering skills when building your self-powered car. It is so good to see how well you can solve problems and build an amazing vehicle!
PRIMARY NORTHSIDE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS JORDAN, YEAR 5: FAITH You have shown incredible perseverance in Mathematics, continually challenging yourself and working hard to improve your skills. You are a wonderful example to your friends of what it looks like to persevere, believe in yourself, and never give up! ZOE, YEAR 5: IDENTITY For being an outstanding upstander in our classroom, always standing up for what is right and showing courage when others need a voice. You consistently try your hardest and show kindness, empathy and compassion towards everyone around you. Never stop being you! JONATHAN, YEAR 5: UNITY For being a truth teller, an inclusive friend, and someone who can be relied upon to couragiously speak up while also being fair when helping your friends resolve conflicts. You are a valuable member of 5M and your choices contribute to buiding integrity and trust. Well done! GABRIELLE, YEAR 6: IDENTITY For the Christ-like character that you display in all areas of your school life. You have a kind-heart and encouraging spirit, and will always step in to lend a hand and help someone out. Northside is a better place for having you in it- well done Ellie! ANDREW, YEAR 6: FAITH For the steps you have taken to demonstrate leadership skills and be a positive contributor to the Northside Community. You have shown increased maturity toward your school work and an awareness of the importance of focusing when it is time to work. Keep it up!
PRIMARY NORTHSIDE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS YUHAO, YEAR 6: HONOUR For honouring your God-given abilities through dedication, hard work, and a commitment to excellence in your learning. RHEA, YEAR 6: IDENTITY For showing who you are through kindness towards others and a positive, hardworking attitude during Maths. GRACE, YEAR 6: UNITY For demonstrating outstanding leadership during Primary Assemblies. Grace consistently helps to create a safe, welcoming and positive environment where students feel comfortable, included and ready to participate. Her calm presence, initiative and care for others are a wonderful example of servant leadership.
SHOW PROGRAMME
AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE WEDNESDAY 26
TH
AUGUST
0 1 $
FROM E S A H PURC FINANCE THE E OFFIC
A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)
PERFORMED BY NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
BOOK WEEK & COSTUME SELECTION Friday 28th August 2026 As we look forward to celebrating Book Week together, we are excited about the opportunity to encourage a love of reading and creativity across our school community. This is a special time where students can bring their favourite characters and stories to life through costume and imagination. This year’s theme is Symphony of Stories, and we encourage students to explore books that inspire courage, curiosity, and character-building journeys. As we prepare for this fun and meaningful event, we would like to remind families of a few important guidelines to ensure that our celebration reflects the values of our Christian ethos: Costumes should be positive, respectful, and in keeping with our Christian Values. We ask that students choose characters who embody traits such as kindness, bravery, honesty and compassion. Please avoid costumes that are scary or inappropriate, including witches (good or bad), wizards (good or bad), demons, vampires, zombies, or any that involve blood, gore, or horror themes. These can be upsetting to our younger students and are not in line with our school values. Weapons of any kind, such as swords, guns, or other imitation weapons are not permitted. Continued over page...
Students should be dressed modestly and appropriately, with costumes that allow for safe play and participation throughout the school day. Closed-toe footwear is required. Children who come dressed in costumes that do not align with these guidelines may be asked to change into their school uniform (parents may be contacted if there is no change of clothes available). We strongly encourage creative, home-made costumes that reflect beloved characters from books and stories. If you are unsure whether a costume is appropriate, please speak with your child’s Home Group Teacher ahead of time. Thank you for your continued support in making Book Week a joyful, inclusive and values-aligned event for all students. We look forward to seeing the wonderful ways our students bring books to life through their costumes and imaginations!
Artwork by Briony Stewart © 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia
WHAT’S ON : COMPETITIONS COLOURING COMPETITION Competition entries due Friday 28th August Students are welcome to start collecting colouring sheets from the Library. Once completed, please return to the Library for your chance to win.
THE GREAT BIBLE HUNT Running @ recess and lunch on Friday 28th August Collect your clue sheet from the Library to search for teachers dressed as Bible characters or Bible objects around the College. Use the clues to help find each teacher. Submit completed sheets to Mrs Drowley by the end of lunchtime. The team with the most correct answers in the fastest time wins.
PRINCIPAL’S CHOICE AWARD Dress Up Parade Friday 28th August @ 8.55am Join us in the courtyard as we all come together to celebrate our favourite books in costumes. Be dressed up for your chance to receive a ribbon from Ms Munro. A large number of students and parents will have the chance to receive a ribbon.
Artwork by Briony Stewart © 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia
WHAT’S ON : EVENTS MONDAY 24TH AUGUST @ LUNCH
THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST @ LUNCH
LEAP, FOLD AND SHARE
NOTES TO NONNO
Come to the Library and make origami frogs sitting on lily pads.
Write a special letter to a grandparent in the Library, inspired by the book My Nonno Loves.
TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST @ LUNCH
FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST @ LUNCH
STORY SCULPTORS
WATERCOLOUR WONDER
Create air-dry clay characters inspired by the shortlisted CBCA books in the Library.
Join our art teachers in the art room to create beautiful watercolour paintings inspired by the book Dawn.
WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST @ LUNCH
FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST @ RECESS & LUNCH
LILY PAD LEAPS
THE GREAT BIBLE HUNT
Make your way to the oval to participate in relay races.
Collect your clue sheet from the Library to search for teachers dressed as Bible characters or Bible objects around the College. Use the clues to help find each teacher. Submit completed sheets to Mrs Drowley by the end of lunchtime. The team with the most correct answers in the fastest time wins.
SCHOOL MUSICAL : MARY POPPINS Wednesday 2nd September – Thursday 3rd September 2026
COME AND WATCH OUR STUDENTS SHINE IN MARY POPPINS.
Session times for Wednesday 2nd September 2026:
Matinee 1:00pm Evening 7:00pm Session times for Thursday 3rd September 2026:
Matinee 1:00pm Evening 7:00pm To purchase tickets, please click on the following link:
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
2028 PREP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN Families with a sibling born between 1st January 2022 to 30th April 2023 are invited to apply now for 2028 Prep entry. Applications are received online.
ATTENTION YEAR 6 PARENTS: CHROMEBOOK PROGRAM Students in Year 7 next year will need a College-approved device. The Secondary ICT Device Program means that parents no longer need to source their own device. We will provide you with further information about this Program shortly. Please do not purchase a device for Secondary School.
COLLEGE UNIFORM UPDATE WARDROBE SUITE
The new approach to our uniforms is to have a “Wardrobe Suite”. This means that on cooler days, students can wear warmer uniform pieces, and on warmer days students can wear lighter uniform pieces, irrespective of the time of year. Alongside this, families have received an updated Uniform Policy and a visual Uniform Wardrobe Guide to support clear expectations. As you consider uniform options, please be reminded that the Sport uniform can only be worn on allocated Sport days. Please be advised that the new shirt with the black piping is for girls only.
If you are buying a boy’s shirt, please ensure there is no black piping.
NEW GUIDE AVAILABLE Further details, including key expectations and visual examples, can be found by clicking below: UNIFORM POLICY UNIFORM WARDROBE GUIDE
5/6 STEAM OZHARVEST FEAST PROGRAM CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Greetings parents, As part of the 5/6 STEAM program in Term 3 students will be participating in a program called FEAST (Food Education and Sustainability Training) where they will learn about food, food waste, nutrition and develop basic cooking skills. The students are very excited about this unit of work after its huge success last year and are looking forward to learning all new curriculum and all new recipes that they are encouraged to try at home! There will be 5 cooking sessions in total - 4 that will take place every Week A Monday starting 3rd August until the end of term and a 5th session on Friday 11th September. The practical nature of the cooking classes requires additional adult supervision. We are looking for 4-5 volunteers to assist with the cooking sessions each week.
If you are able to assist with all 4 classes you would be required from 10:40am until 3:15pm. Otherwise we would love your help for a 2 hour slot, either with: Year 5s from 10:45am to 12:45pm Year 6s from 1:15pm to 3:15pm The dates are 17/08, 31/08, 11/09, 14/09. Continued over page...
During the lesson you will be required to do the following:
Wear enclosed shoes (no thongs, sandals or high heels) and suitable clothing such as long pants and a comfortable top Arrive 15 minutes prior to the lesson starting to help set up Lead a small group of 5 children through preparing their set recipes and make sure they are being safe and handling all food properly Monitoring safe food handing and working conditions including; trip hazards (power cords), knife safety and hygiene Electric fry pans must be supervised closely Assist with clean up and re-packing all equipment If you are able to Volunteer, you must have completed the School Volunteer Induction which involves having a current Working with Children Check. Please DM Mrs McDonnell through SEQTA indicating the dates and times that you would be able to help us out. On behalf of the students, your assistance in helping this program be a success is greatly appreciated. Many thanks,
Gillian McDonnell STEAM Teacher
THE PREMIERS' READING CHALLENGE The Premiers' Reading Challenge is finishing on Friday, 4th September. Please ensure that all books read are uploaded by Tuesday, 1st September. This allows our Library staff time to verify the books students have read, so that students don’t miss out on receiving their official certificate! Thanks for being part of the Premiers' Reading Challenge. We can’t wait to celebrate students' reading success!
A NOTE FOR FAMILIES
Much of what Mr. Nelson gathers from around the college remains untouched
At Northside, we are passionate about caring for God's creation and being wise stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us. Recently, we have been collecting food and organic waste and have noticed a significant amount of food being thrown away each day. The property services team has been collecting large quantities of uneaten sandwiches, rolls, yogurt pouches, milk, and fresh fruit from around the College, much of which has never even been touched. We would love to partner with our families to help reduce this unnecessary waste. We encourage you to have a conversation with your child about the importance of eating the food packed for them and being honest if there are items they regularly don't enjoy. Rather than quietly placing food in the bin, we encourage students to respectfully speak with the person who prepares or provides their lunch so that, together, you can find solutions that work for everyone.
REDUCE WASTE
SAVE MONEY
TEACH GRATITUDE
These simple conversations can help reduce waste, save money, and teach our students valuable lessons about gratitude, stewardship, and respectful communication. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to care for one another and for God's creation.
7 TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING TO POSITIVE PARENTING So, you're tired of the disconnection and power struggles that traditional parenting techniques bring and you're ready to give positive parenting an honest go, like this mother did. But you're not sure where to start. If you're a newbie to positive parenting, these tips should help ease the transition.
Tip #1: Reframe Parenting Goals and Roles It's really helpful to get out of the mindset that you must control your child's behaviour. That's an exhausting endeavour, and a feat you'll never accomplish because, in the end, the only person you can ever really control is yourself. The goal of positive parenting is to raise thoughtful children with a strong sense of what is good and right and the inspiration and selfdiscipline to reach their highest potential. That means your role is model, encourager, and mentor. I like to say I went from punisher to healer. Rather than punishing my child when his behaviour got off track, I looked for the inner hurt that was causing his bad behaviour and did my best to heal that hurt, whether it was disconnection, tiredness, hunger, or frustration.
Tip #2: Reframe Discipline I've come to think of discipline in a different way. As I was trying to set a daily rhythm for our homeschool, my plans kept failing. I'd start the school year off with a bang, but several weeks in, our routine would slip, I would be less consistent with sticking to my predetermined schedule, and frustration would creep in. I realised I needed more discipline to keep a tight, consistent routine for the long haul. Did this mean I needed someone to come and sit me in a corner when I got off schedule? Of course not! What I needed was inner motivation and better time management skills, not punishment. I think of discipline in the same way now for my children. My goal is always to teach them how to govern themselves – their emotions, spaces, time, behaviour, etc. Therefore, I ask "what does he need right now to build self-discipline?" The answer has never been an arbitrary punishment.
Get Ahold of Yourself This is probably the most challenging aspect of positive parenting, controlling your own thoughts, words, and actions. Old patterns are difficult to break, and you may find that you slip back into negative thinking, yelling, or a desire to punish often. Like everything, practice makes you better. The more you choose a helpful or positive thought over a toxic thought or to step away and take a deep breath when you're angry, the easier it will become for your brain to take that new pathway.
Continued over page...
7 TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING TO POSITIVE PARENTING
Tip #4: Get Your Partner On Board This is such a huge subject that I wrote a whole book about it. (Go ahead and pre-order it!) You can't control your partner either, but you can inspire and influence him/her. Explain the brain science behind your change of parenting, your goals, and your new plan. Make sure your partner understands that this is not permissive parenting (a common worry I hear). Start by having a discussion to answer the following questions: 1. I feel that my partner is a good parent because____. 2. I feel that my role as a parent is to ___. 3. My parents were ___ and I feel that was ___. 4. It's most important to me for my child to be ___. These questions provide a good jumping off point to find your common ground. I recommend posing the question and taking turns answering each one and then letting the conversation flow.
Tip #5: Learn How to Decode Behaviour Understanding what's driving your child's behaviour is key in coaching her toward improvement. You'll have to become quite a good detective. We often want to punish children for simple immaturity and childish behaviour that we find inconvenient. While blatant disrespect for people and property should not be tolerated, rowdiness, tears, overwhelming emotions, and poor ability to handle difficult situations don't need punished so much as they need worked through. Time takes care of many "misbehaviours" because it allows your child's brain to grow and mature. Example and mentoring take care of the rest.
Tip #6: Become a Problem-Solver I've said before, "Look for solutions rather than punishments. Children need to learn how to fix their mistakes, not just pay for them." Sometimes the solution might look like a consequence (taking away a toy that keeps getting thrown or making a child earn money to pay for a broken or wasted item) but the intent behind the lesson – and the empathy that accompanies it – will mean the difference between a punishment and a solution. The goal is to empower and encourage children to right their wrongs and fix their mistakes, and this should feel good, not bad. If it is attached to shame – "You naughty child!" – it will feel bad. If it is presented in a positive light – "Oops, mistakes happen. I know you'll think of a fantastic way to fix this, and I'll help you if you need me"- this facilitates learning.
Tip #7: Grace for All Children need to be given grace while they learn and grow. Parents do, too! As you embark on this new journey, there are bound to be a few hiccups along the way. Don't beat yourself up. Be your own gentle, encouraging friend.
NOW AVAILABLE ON SCHOOLTV - ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. While many children can appear restless, distracted or forgetful at times, ADHD involves ongoing patterns that may impact learning, behaviour, organisation and relationships. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration at home and school, particularly when a child is trying hard but struggling to meet expectations. For families, understanding ADHD means recognising that these behaviours are not simply a matter of effort or discipline. ADHD is influenced by a combination of neurological, biological and environmental factors that affect how a child’s brain processes information and manages self-control. With the right support, structure and strategies, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive. This edition of SchoolTV explores how families can better understand ADHD and support children to build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and navigate everyday challenges more successfully. Here’s the link to this week’s topic on ADHD: http://ncc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/adhd-au
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