Year 10 takes a Quicklook at careers in Defence

On Thursday, 6 March, fifteen excited Year 10 students stepped onto the grounds of HMAS Albatross, ready to gain an overview of careers in Navy and naval aviation.

From hands-on experiences to eye-opening insights, the day was packed with opportunities to learn about the many career paths available in the Navy and beyond.

Students had the chance to see Navy personnel in action, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the skills and roles available.

It was an exciting and informative experience, leaving many students inspired about future possibilities. A huge thanks to HMAS Albatross for hosting us—we can’t wait for the next adventure! 🚁⚓💪

Making waves in the pool at South Coast Zone Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday of Week 4, 24 enthusiastic NCS students from Years 3-6 hit the water at the CSSA South Coast Zone Swimming Carnival in Nowra. The overcast but cool conditions set the stage for an exciting day of racing in the glistening blue pool.

The carnival began with a heartfelt tribute to Mr Barry Hepburn, a dedicated volunteer and pillar of the Nowra Swimming Club for two decades. His legacy was honoured with a round of applause and the renaming of a key trophy—the Barry Hepburn Shield, awarded to the best-performing school (per capita). With his granddaughter, Charlotte H, competing for NCS and his son, Marquis, assisting with the event, the moment was truly special.

The competition kicked off with the 4 x 50m freestyle relays, where our Senior Girls' team powered through to secure 3rd place ribbons in a fiercely contested event.

The excitement only grew in the individual races, with many students smashing their personal bests. They must have eaten great breakfasts, or else, there was something in the slushies!

🏊 Sam K shaved an incredible 6 seconds off his 50m breaststroke time.

🏊 Charlotte H knocked 3 seconds off her school times—so fast that her dad and Mr Parker wondered how fast she might be able to go (if there was a crocodile chasing her!)

🏊 Jake B earned the "Hard Head Award" for his determined backstroke finish—his impact with the wall may have left a few cracks!

Beyond the races, NCS spirit was on full display, with students cheering each other on and giving their all, no matter their placing.

Mr Parker, our team manager, enjoyed some questionable treats (freeze-dried Skittles and hot chippies) while Mr. Thorn worked tirelessly, with his knee bandaged up, standing on one good leg, to ensure every student was in their correct lanes and races. Love your 'sharp work' Mr Thorn (pardon the pun!).

A huge congratulations to our four NCS swimmers who qualified for the CSSA State Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park on 6 March:

🏅 Taj G.

🏅 Elijah J-C.

🏅 Codie M.

🏅 Lucas B.

We pray for God’s blessings as they compete at the next level—we're so proud of you!

A massive shoutout to the parents, carers, and supporters who provided transport, cheered from the sidelines, and witnessed their children shine in the pool. Your support makes all the difference—you are the real heroes!

Well done team, your determination and hard work were on display in bucket loads, helping NCS to a fourth place finish overall with 171 points on an unforgettable day in the water! 💙💛

NCS students take on the OzCLO challenge

On Wednesday, 5 March, 24 bright and determined students from Nowra Christian School stepped up to tackle the Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad (OzCLO). Armed with sharp minds and a passion for problem-solving, they faced intricate language puzzles designed to test their logic, pattern recognition, and analytical skills.

The competition wasn’t just about finding the right answers—it was about perseverance, teamwork, and the thrill of cracking complex linguistic codes. It was fantastic to see so many students embracing the challenge, pushing their limits, and gaining invaluable experience along the way.

Now, we eagerly await the results to see how our teams performed—and whether any will advance to Round 2, the national stage of the competition. Regardless of the outcome, every participant should be proud of their efforts.

Well done to all who took part!

NCS swimmers shine at CSSA State Carnival

On Thursday 6 March, four talented NCS primary students made a splash at the CSSA State Swimming Carnival, held at the iconic Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Homebush. With an electrifying atmosphere and fierce competition, our swimmers rose to the occasion, delivering outstanding performances and smashing their personal bests!

🏊 Year 6’s Lucas B put in a stellar effort, slicing 1.5 seconds off his freestyle time to secure 9th place overall. In backstroke, he surged ahead, clocking in a whopping 3 seconds faster than his zone time, finishing in 13th place.

🏊 Taj G. powered through his 50m freestyle with an impressive time of 41.73 seconds, improving by over 3 seconds to claim 22nd place overall.

🏊 In the 50m breaststroke, Elijah J-C. showcased incredible determination, finishing in 59.70 seconds—a 1.5-second improvement—securing 22nd place overall.

🏊 Our youngest competitor, Codie M., delivered a jaw-dropping swim in his 50m breaststroke, smashing his zone time by over 5 seconds to finish 11th overall—an incredible achievement!

We couldn’t be prouder of these boys! Their dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship are a credit to their families, our school, and to God. Thank you for your hard work, both in training and competition—we can’t wait to see where your swimming journey takes you next!

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible parents and carers who made this all possible. From early morning training sessions to the long drives and unwavering encouragement, your support is invaluable. These young athletes are blessed to have you in their corner!

Well done, team! 🏊‍♂️💙💛

Winter Olympian Nick Timmings inspires Stage 5 PASS students

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympian Nick Timmings inspired our Stage 5 PASS students through the Olympics Unleashed program!

Nick shared his incredible journey to the Winter Olympic stage, highlighting the power of resilience, goal-setting, and discovering your passion.

Students gained valuable insights into how the challenges he faced in his sport of 'Skeleton' shaped his success - and how lessons learned in sport can help them strive for their best in all areas of life, whether at school, at home, in sport, or with friends.

EQUIP Bible Study Leaders Retreat 2025: Growing, leading, and serving

From February 13 to 14, a passionate group of NCS students headed to Burrill Pines for an inspiring retreat designed to equip them for Bible study leadership in 2025. This annual getaway wasn’t just about learning—it was a time of deep reflection, teamwork, and spiritual growth.

At the heart of the retreat was guest speaker Rob Copland (UOW Chaplain & AFES Campus Director), who opened God’s Word from Romans 15. Through his engaging teaching, students were encouraged to reflect on Christian leadership, teamwork in ministry, and growing in faith. These key themes provided a powerful biblical framework, reinforcing the value of servant-hearted leadership.

Beyond the teaching sessions, Mr Petts and Mrs Thompson guided students in crafting engaging Bible studies. By the end of the retreat, every student leader had completed their Term 1 study plans and had a clear vision for the rest of the year!

Of course, the retreat wasn’t all work! Students enjoyed shared meals, prayer, and the beautiful surroundings of Burrill Pines, strengthening friendships and deepening their commitment to leading others in faith. The relaxed atmosphere and supportive community made for an unforgettable experience.

We’re excited to see these student leaders put their learning into action, guiding their peers in exploring God’s Word throughout the year. Please keep them in your prayers as they serve, grow, and encourage others in their walk with Christ.

Student Reflections:

✨ “It was amazing to be mutually encouraged by each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

✨ “The facilities were great! Such a chill vibe.”

✨ “I loved the whole atmosphere—everyone worked well together and enjoyed each other’s company.”

✨ “Rob’s talks were inspiring and gave us a strong foundation for leadership.”

What a fantastic start to the year—bring on 2025! 🙌📖

Students sharpen their debating skills at UOW

On Friday 28 February, a group of our Stage 4 and 5 students took a deep dive into the art of debating at the University of Wollongong. This exciting excursion gave students a chance to refine their critical thinking, argumentation, and public speaking skills—all while engaging in thought-provoking discussions.

The day kicked off with an introduction to the fundamentals of debating. Students explored the key structure of a debate, learned essential terminology, and discovered what makes a persuasive argument. With this foundation in place, it was time to put theory into practice.

In the next two segments, students stepped into the role of debaters, tackling a range of challenging topics. Teams worked together to dissect arguments, build compelling cases, and confidently present their viewpoints—whether they were for or against the prompt. These practice debates encouraged quick thinking, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of how to construct and defend an argument effectively.

Overall, the experience was both enjoyable and enriching. Whether you have a passion for politics, ethics, and morality—or simply love a good argument—debating is a fantastic skill to develop. If you’re interested, keep an eye out for the next opportunity to get involved!

Valuable experience gained at CSSA Trials

Congratulations to Elsie (Year 9) on participating in the CSSA Secondary Girls 18&U Football Trials in Kellyville.

She performed exceptionally well and gained valuable experience competing at such a high level. With an outstanding calibre of talent on display, team selections were highly competitive.

Elsie embraced the challenge and we look forward to her returning next year with even more experience and determination. Well done!

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