Compassion MOVES Year 6

This term in History, Year 6 has been learning about the many reasons people migrate to Australia, including the difficult journeys of refugees and asylum seekers. We’ve explored the severe challenges faced by refugees and discussed how we can show compassion and practical support.

To put our learning into action, Year 6 students participated in a special fundraising event to support a refugee community in Sydney. These families are in need of everyday essentials, and our goal was to raise money to provide food hampers for them.

On Wednesday, 17th September, Year 6 exercised for a total of 100 minutes, with students sponsored by friends and family. Every donation—big or small—helped to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

We are proud of our Year 6 students for showing empathy and commitment, and we thank our school community for their generous support in helping us care for others.

NCS vs CCS Debating Friendly

Last Thursday the NCS debating crew hosted students from Calderwood Christian School for a some friendly competition. There were three debates across the day: Stage 5, Years 8 and 7. Students spent time preparing and then faced off against their counterparts.

Firstly, Nicholas, Lachlan, Taj and Ashkan took the affirmative side in a debate about whether victims of crime should have the right to impose punishment on those who have offended against them. The team did well but Calderwood were all class, beating us in front of an audience from Mr Parker's Year 5 class.

Next, Riley, Sienna, Violet and Charlee were on the negative side of a debate about whether or not natural disasters and terrorism should displayed on television by the media. Again, Calderwood outdid us, winning this by a whisker!

Finally, our Year 7 team comprising Alexis, Keida-Rose, Chelsea and Felicity argued that we should teach current affairs rather than history in school. The girls won against a strong all-boys team from Calderwood. Congratulations to these Year 7 girls who showed us all how it is done with grace and composure. Mr Thorn's Year 4 class joined in as the audience for this debate and enjoyed the display.

After a long day, I am pleased to say that all of the students who participated learned a great deal and we look forward to meeting CCS again in 2026.

Year 9 Intergenerational History Lessons

During their most recent visit to Jean Ross House Year 9 and the residents participated in an end of term end of term topic quiz based on their study of World War II. The stakes were high and mostly friendly banter was tossed around the dining hall. It was encouraging to watch Year 9 work in partnership with their senior friends to reflect on the context of WWII, remember key dates, events and countries involved.

Year 9 also took the opportunity to introduce residents to current teen slang terms like: 6-7, Slay and GOAT. In return residents shared some slang terms from their teenage years including: dreamboat, doll, barney, drongo and digger.

To celebrate the completion of their study of WWII, Year 9 presented residents with each with a certificate of appreciation.

Sydney Rocks Excursion

From playing at Heathcote Park and watching planes take off over Botany Bay to travelling through tunnels and past towering skyscrapers, the excitement built as Year 4 made their way into Sydney.

At Sydney Harbour, students were greeted by the sight of a massive cruise ship towering over the foreshore, where they enjoyed morning tea. Here, they reviewed the history of the First Fleet and stepped into character as convicts, free settlers, or even the colony’s first governor, before setting off on a walking tour of The Rocks.

Highlights included visiting Sydney’s first bank and hearing about the daring 1828 robbery, exploring the tiny kitchens and toilets of early homes (surprisingly small for families of up to eleven!), and examining sandstone blocks hand-carved by convicts for just 20 cents each. Students also visited the site of the first hospital and learned about “The Push Gang,” who preyed on the wealthy in colonial Sydney.

Lunch at Observatory Hill provided sweeping views of the harbour and an opportunity to sketch how it might have looked in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived. Students also reflected on how the arrival of Europeans impacted the Indigenous people of Australia.

Guides from Ranger Jamie Tours kept the day lively with history quizzes, and they were impressed with the knowledge our students shared. It was a warm, sunny day in the heart of Sydney—a wonderful way to conclude our Term 3 Australian History unit.

Stage 1 Visit Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Farm

On a sunny Tuesday morning, Stage 1 set out for Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum, dressed in costume as pioneers. We very much looked the part. Kangaroo Valley is definitely a beautiful setting. The settlement buildings in amongst trees and bush are such interesting places to explore.

We set about, in our groups, searching for the different items on our quiz sheet. We visited the Old Bush School, the Dairy, the Settlers Cottage, the Family Long Drop Dunny and the George Walker Suspension Bridge. We stepped back in time to explore what life was like for families in the past.

From discovering historic tools and buildings to learning about daily life on the farm, there was so much to see and do!

A big thank you to our amazing parent helpers who joined us on the excursion. Your support makes these hands-on learning experiences possible. What a memorable way to finish our unit of work!

Stage One Grandparents Morning Tea

Two very special mornings were shared as Year One and Two students welcomed their grandparents and grand friends to celebrate them with a morning of activities and a delicious morning tea.

Students shared their writing, showed their reading skills, sang to their grandparents and performed a bush dance. Grandparents joined their grandchildren on the dance floor, linking arms and stepping out the heel and toe together. The COLA was filled with laughter, music, and plenty of smiles as generations shared the joy of dancing side by side.

Students served their guests from an array of mouth watering savouries and sweets before helping themselves. Thank you to all our grandparents and friends for making these occasions joyful and memorable.

A big thank you to Mrs Varga and Mrs Bate and our wonderful TA's for helping with the morning tea set up and to our Year 9 students for capturing these wonderful moments in photos. To our wonderful parents who provided delicious morning tea treats, thank you very much!

Down on the Farm with Kindy

Kindergarten have had an amazing term learning about life on the farm. We looked at how farmers care for plants on fruit and vegetable farms and were inspired to plant our own veggie seeds and seedlings. The looong time it has taken for them to grow has given us an appreciation of the time and effort that goes into growing food. We think farmers are fantastic!

Like real farmers, we faced a real problem when some of our seedlings were eaten and pulled out. Like real farmers, we put on our thinking caps and decided to make a couple of scarecrows to frighten the animals away. They have been a success!

Kindy also enjoyed making veggie faces with cream cheese, beans, carrot, celery, cucumber, capsicum, lettuce and tomatoes. Many students tried vegetables they usually don’t eat, and in the process discovered a delicious new food and made Mrs White a very happy teacher.

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