T E R M 4 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3 I S S U E 1 9

Nhulunbuy Christian College News

Dates for the diary2014

First day back for studentsTuesday 28th JanuaryUniform Shop Open

22 & 23 January 9am-3pm College Office re-opens

Monday 20th January

What a high note!Checked tea towels, colourful grass skirts, glittery cardboard and a stageful of youthful

exuberance combined to create this year’s School Performance - The Prince of Peace. Classes practiced their musical numbers for weeks and finally took to the stage for three big

performances much to the delight of appreciative audiences. Big thanks must go to staff who spent time over their weekends painting up backdrops and making giant stars, Ava Dub who manned the audio panel for all three shows and musicians - Leon Staude, Jon Hermanus and Aidan Piper - thank you. To one of our incredibly generous

parents - Bernadette O’Grady who offered her time to take on producing this year’s show we say thank you so much...by writing and directing this performance you helped create a

wonderful memory for students and the entire College

From the Principal’s DeskDear Families and Friends, Grace.A virtue born of humility and an essential ingredient for the glue of community.In his recent Eulogy for Nelson Mandela, President Barack Obama noted the following:“Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I’m not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection - because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried - that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood - a son and husband, a father and a friend.

That is why we learned so much from him; that is why we can learn from him still.” I had a friend who was incredibly clever. But he never made you feel silly or stupid. I have another friend who is so incredibly thoughtful yet he never made me feel bad – he just made me want to be good. No judgment, no criticism just inspiring humble service. There are people within our College community: parents, staff, council and even students who are like that and you (and they) make this community amazing.Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to serve as Principal – I have absolutely enjoyed being involved in the lives of your children.With Christmas approaching, with the busy-ness of life, with the pressures that can come from families, from the need to make the right career decisions and all the things we need to do at this time of year, Sallianne, Kuleni, Tsega and I hope you have a Christmas full of peace and rest.And, as our paths diverge, we hope that you may forever walk joyfully inside God’s Amazing Grace.Steve.

Orientation Day 2014 Year 7 classThis year’s Orientation Day for new 2014 Year 7 students was a bright, fun and welcoming experience. The morning started with the theme of Carpe Diem ‘Seize the Day’ with Principal Mr Venour and that tone continued throughout the day.

The planned classroom activities of science, english and math were complimented with a lunchtime full of surprises for the newcomers and the entire student body.

Our talented Middle School Drama class took over lunchtime and had everyone up and dancing on the lawn with a Circus themed event. The students planned .... as part of their Drama class assessment. If the smiles and student participation was anything to go by they should all receive very high marks.

Our wonderful Student Representative Council showed their initiative and generosity again by cooking up a bbq lunch for the 2014 Year 7 students.

We hope our 2014 Year 7 students really enjoyed their day and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Thanksgiving and Awards EveningIt was wonderful to celebrate the achievements of our

students at NCC’s annual Thanksgiving and Awards Evening. From class awards to individual Chief Minister Literacy

awards to saying goodbye to our final year students; it’s a great night when families, friends and teaching staff can all

gather to publicly recognize the achievements of our students. It was also fantastic to hear from incoming

Principal Russell McKane. Thank you also to CEO of NT Schools Geoff Bateman for attending the evening. His words meant a lot to all of us. For those who were unable to attend

the evening, here is an excerpt of what Geoff had to say.

“Although we are gathered to celebrate a great year of NCC, the recent decision by Rio Tinto has caused us all great uncertainty and understandable anxiety. It is timely and right for me as CEO of NT Christian Schools to ‘look

you in the eye’ and tell you that NCC is here and is here to stay.

Nothing has changed our commitment to you, the children, parents and staff of the school. Nothing has changed to our commitment to providing education in a Christian context in this town. I know that things will inevitably change over the coming weeks and months. We need to be attentive the the reality of these changes, but we will be dealing

with those changes with positivity and a real hope. NT Christian Schools has made a commitment to NCC staff that their jobs are secure for the duration of 2014 at least. Our newly appointed Principal and 3 new staff members have all recommitted to coming and joining us despite the uncertainty. NCC has an opportunity and a responsibility

to be a sanctuary of peace and safety for your children, and for you. You have given us a sacred trust by enrolling your kids at NCC. Providing your kids with an opportunity to learn and grow in an environment of support and

safety has always been our priority.

There will be some additional challenges in 2014 and beyond. There will be times of sadness and grief as we say goodbye to some of our students and families. But grief only exists as we contemplate or experience loss of

something important to us. I hope that we do rightly grieve every child, family and staff member who has to leave us. So mixed with the sadness comes a celebration of love & care, friendship & community we have experienced and treasured together.  We want to continue to offer that same love, care and community for years and years to come.

Of course, the College will not be the same in a year’s time as it is now. We are all on a journey. I invite you to continue to travel that journey with us for as long as you are able – be that a matter of days, weeks, months or years. And when the time comes for the goodbyes, let’s do that in a spirit of celebration of what we have shared together.

Middle School Leaving Dinner

Our more senior students recently had dinner and played billiards with Middle School staff at the

Golf Club - it was a relaxed and really fun night.

END OF YEAR DVDS - Mrs Jo Duncan is kindly putting together a DVD of this year’s video productions. She will be dubbing to order, so if you would like a copy please email your request to her at

Joanne.duncan@ntschools.net They will be available to pick up at the beginning of the 2014 College Year. If you are leaving town include your postal details and she will mail a copy to you. Thanks so

much for doing this for us Mrs Duncan!

‘The Prince of Peace’ - Thanks Mrs Lara Hvala for these stunning images - you’ve captured our children beautifully.

P & F News... As explained at last week's Thanksgiving and Awards Night, the super team of parents that makes up the NCC Parents and Friends Committee, has worked voluntarily, cooperatively and enthusiastically throughout the year to plan, coordinate and facilitate various projects and fund raising events that enable improvements to be made in and around the school.

As the wonderful Cathy Chieng was unable to attend the evening, we would like to thank her once again for her amazing efforts. Cathy has been selling Cadbury Chocolates at her workplace and around the community since June 2006 and has now raised over $6000 for the P & F throughout this time.

The P & F would also like to thank our Canteen Coordinator, Cassie Ridolfi, for all of the time and effort she has exerted towards preparing our children's food each Tuesday throughout Semester 2. We are so appreciative of Cassie and Tanya Hoffman and Amanda Sweet (Semester 1's amazing duo) and the small team of fabulous volunteers (especially Melissa Cruikshank and those who have helped on a regular basis) for all of their hard work and dedication.

With the amazing assistance, support and contributions from you, the NCC community, we have raised over $23 000 for our fabulous school throughout 2013 - over $10 000 profit was made from canteen sales alone and nearly $13000 was made from other fundraisers.

So far, these funds have been used to purchase a jumping castle to be used at school events, carpet the Transition classroom and buy $3500 worth of furniture and resources for the college library. We are currently in theprocess of ordering cabinets to enclose the bench areas in the Transition and Year 1 classrooms in early 2014 and any remaining funds will hopefully go towards erecting a shade structure above the hand ball slab outside the Year 4 classroom.

Thank you once again to everyone that has helped contribute to the P & F and their projects this year, and we look forward to and hope to welcome many new members and their fresh ideas at the AGM to be held early next year.

Have a happy Christmas and a safe and restful holiday! NCC P & F Committee

Circus Lunchtime!Here are a couple of shots from the Circus themed

lunchtime mentioned earlier in the newsletter. Lots of fun, colour and music. Thanks MS Drama Class of 2013!

How great thou Art

Some art work from our talented Middle School

students... Enjoy! Thank you for sharing such a wide

range of beautiful artwork with us this year Mrs

Farnsworth.

Georgina Dun - Yr 10A mixed media piece - screen print,

painting, collage and ink writing. A piece exploring the mortality of mankind. Georgina's final art piece @ NCC

Sam Dentith Yr 10 A mixed media piece

screen print, painting and ink drawing

exploring pattern.  His final art piece @ NCC

Katrina Mckeough - Yr 9A mixed media - screen printing,

oil pastel drawing and collage on a painted canvas.

A social commentary about current

issues in our town of Nhulunbuy.

Chayse Aston - Yr 9A screenprint collages onto a painted canvas.  An art piece

exploring both mankind's nurture and destruction of our

environment.

Patricia Lamboa & Sophia Pavlou A collaborative screenprint, collage and

ink writing. A piece exploring love.

Hello Lovely Readers at NCC! We have reached our final few weeks of library lessons, and we are going out with a bang! In Assembly last week the junior school SUPER borrowers were given their prizes for best borrowing and the colouring in competition. Congratulations to all our winners.Our lovely book club meets weekly at morning tea time, and we have been doing some play reading and acting. It has been SUCH a pleasure to have a small yet passionate group of book lovers come and talk Book with me every recess. I already can't wait until next year!

In Library lessons this week, we have held a NHULUNBUY READING IDOL. Students got to select a book and read it to their peers, whilst being timed by the meticulous Sione, and judged by a fearsome judging panel. Year 5/6 students were Fantastic with Sean, Patrick, Clancy, Moana and Hayden amongst others scoring very highly!

Whilst we close borrowing for this year, I want to congratulate the students for being great readers, lovers of literacy and all things library. It has been an absolute joy and blessing to meet and read books with your children this year. I know my children are already missing having the weekly books come home and I've taken to downloading some e-books and audio books for them to listen to whilst on holidays and traveling.  A sad farewell to my amazing friend and library guru Mrs Van Eerten, the students and I will miss you SO MUCH.God bless and Merry Christmas.Happy Reading, Mrs Dare!

LIBRARY NEWS AT NCC

Coco Dare

Middle School Secret Santa

Fun!This is the Middle School

students at their Secret Santa Party last Friday.  All Middle

School students were assigned someone to buy a

present for and everyone brought food to share and

had a great time!

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost

luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as making a ‘life.’

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide

something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Tangled Christmas tree lights...

NCC AND COMMUNITY NOTICESSchool Crossing Position

Our School Crossing Position has become available as sadly we are saying goodbye to the wonderful Mrs Christine Westerveek van Eerten at the end of this year as she moves back to New Zealand.

This is a paid position so if you are interested ask for more information at the front office and pick up a non-teaching application.

Thank you so much for keeping our children safe as they cross the road to get to school Mrs Christine Westerveek van Eerten. We appreciate it so much.

Community Notice -

Christmas Kids’ Party - Cancelled

Due to poor ticket sales the Kids Christmas Party that was to be held this Sunday 15th Dec at the

Town Hall has been cancelled.