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Stepping Back in Time: Year 4 Explores The Rocks!

On Thursday, 25 September, during the final week of Term 3, the Year 4 students travelled to The Rocks in Sydney to complete their History units on Explorers and the First Fleet. 

Although it was a long day, with a 7am departure and a 5pm return, students were excited to learn about how Sydney began. Guided by Ranger Harry and Ranger Olivia from Ranger Jamie Tours, the students explored the historic streets of The Rocks through guided walks, interactive games and hands-on learning activities.

Throughout the day, students discovered fascinating details about life in early Sydney. They compared rich and poor houses, sketched what the city looked like in 1788 compared with today, and learnt how convicts and settlers found important buildings, like how to find the hospital by following trails of lamp posts. Students also dressed up as convicts, soldiers, free settlers and Captain Arthur Phillip, helping them imagine what life was like for people arriving with the First Fleet. They were amazed to see that some of Sydney’s earliest sandstone buildings still exist today, including Susannah’s Place, and learnt how convicts sometimes engraved their initials into sandstone blocks as a mark of their work.

One of the highlights of the excursion was a fast-paced running quiz that tested everything students had learnt during the day. They enjoyed exploring narrow alleyways, examining historic buildings and discovering how houses evolved from sandstone cottages to brick homes over time. The excursion sparked many thoughtful questions, including why so many people had to live in such small houses, what jobs wealthy residents had, and how many people lived in the larger homes. It was a memorable and engaging day that brought our History learning to life.

Double Podium Finish for Emily at NSW All Schools

Huge congratulations to Emily for representing NCS at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships during the school holidays! 

She earned 3rd place in both the 3000m Steeplechase and 400m Hurdles, qualifying for the Australian National Championships in April 2027 (Juniors & U23s/Opens). She's now gearing up to train for the Heptathlon - fantastic effort!

HSIE Updates

In HSIE (Human Society in its Environment) recently, students have been exploring how the past shapes our society and how our choices continue to shape the natural world around us.

Year 10 History students were privileged to welcome Vietnam Veteran Vinny Cosgrove and his wife Nancy to the school for an incursion on Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Students asked thoughtful, respectful questions and gained a richer understanding of how the war shaped Australian attitudes to service, protest and remembrance. The experience reminded them that history is made up of real people and that its consequences are still felt today.

Additionally, Year 10 Geography students headed to Currarong Beach to conduct a case study on erosion management. Working in the field, they observed coastal processes, examined the strategies used to protect the dunes and shoreline, and considered the competing needs of the community, visitors and the environment. The day ended with a well-earned feed of hot chips by the water, a highlight for many students!

Together, these activities show the strength of HSIE: helping students understand where we have come from, how we interact with our environments, and their responsibility as active, informed citizens.

Dunks, Lay-ups and Free-throws!

On Thursday 15 October, thirty-nine students from Years 3-6 and Year 8 made their way to Bomaderry Indoor Sports Centre for the annual CSSA South Coast Zone Primary Basketball Gala Day. 

It was with much anticipation, excitement and a few nerves that our students arrive 'courtside'. They'd already been practicing back at school for several months in the lead up, but this was a change to play in competitive matches. Our Year 8 coaches and umpires helped settle our four teams into some match practice drills before we met with the other few hundred students, parents and staff from all six schools for a welcome, some instructions and prayer.

All the teams played in 2 pool matches, then, if they qualified, a semi-final match or if not a third placed consolation match. Each of our teams scored points to earn their teams a draw. One of our teams, our Jnr Boys, won their second game to make the semi-finals. Our two girls teams both made the semi finals, based on their superior goal difference. However, that proved to be our apex for this year's competition. Although disappointed not to have made the finals, our students were philosophical that they'd keep training and 'come back stronger' next year!

All of our students gave great accounts of themselves in terms of their attitude and behaviour. They were a real credit to our school community.

Stand out players on court for each team, as chosen by Miss Matts and Mr, Parker, were as follows:

Senior Girls: Alex N. and Sienna K.

Junior Girls: Lily P and Alkira D.

Senior Boys: Ben N. and Taj G

Junior Boys: Sam C. and Noah P.

Our student coaches, Alexis L, Felicity B, Noah G, and Brendan H,  from Year 8 were also such great ambassadors for NCS on the day. They showed humour, as well as great patience and good grace with their younger school mates when explaining plays, as well as giving advice and tips. Our two student umpires, Chelsea T. and Connor H. were equally patient, gracious and well-behaved in their roles on the day. Whether it was scoring or making calls as officials, they did so with high levels of expertise and a sense of humour. Thanks to you all.

Thanks to Miss Matts, our Teacher Aide extraordinaire, who can now list in her multitude of skills already mastered basketball scoring! She also patched up Mr. Parker's bleeding head with band aids after a slight accident on the light fitting on the bus trip. Thanks Miss Matts!

Thanks too, to all the parents, grandparents and friends who came to support our students. There was such a lovely sense of community and jovial atmosphere that it carried onto the courts resulting in fair play and friendships forged. 

See you all next year!

Road Ready: Year 10 Learns Key Skills at RYDA

Our Year 10 PDHPE students recently attended the interactive RYDA Road Safety Education workshop, a vital program designed to empower future drivers and passengers.

Led by expert facilitators, students explored real-life crash scenarios, stopping distances, and the impact of speed, distraction, and peer pressure. This hands-on day equipped students with practical tools to manage risks and make safe, responsible choices on the road.

Touch Footy Gala Day: Tries, Teamwork, and State Selection!

by Tianna K

On Friday, Week 1 Term 4, we had an amazing touch footy gala day! Everyone was ready to give it their best, represent our school and have an amazing day playing against other schools.

Everyone showed great teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the day. The junior girls came fourth, the junior boys came second, the senior girls came third and the senior boys came second. What an amazing effort from all four teams!

We also had some incredible players selected for the zone teams to play at state, which is a huge achievement! This is a fantastic opportunity for these players, and we are so proud of them for their hard work and dedication. 

• Toby G and Will P from Junior Boys.
• Addi G from Junior Girls.
• Jude M and Caleb M from Senior Boys.
• Chelsea M from Senior Girls.

Overall, it was a fantastic day full of teamwork, effort and school spirit. Everyone should be proud of how they played, supported each other and represented our school. Well done to everyone who took part in making the day such a success! Two of our boys joined in with Ryan Couchman from the NRL Dragons team and had a race with him while he was training. And a shout out to Mr Flippence for giving us the best pep talk ever “WIN”.

Ethan H and Toby G “It was good" 

”Savannah.M “Everyone did amazing, thanks Mr Jolliffe"

”Addi.G  “Everyone was locked in and was so tough“

Caleb M  “The day was good”

Top 10 Finishes at the NSWCIS Secondary Athletics Championships

Late in Term 3, our talented athletes proudly represented NCS at the NSWCIS Secondary Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush.

Competing at this level is a remarkable achievement in itself and each student showcased incredible sportsmanship and effort.

A special congratulations to each of our competitors for their impressive top 10 results:

Emily McL (Girls 18–19 Years)

•  1st Place: 100m Hurdles
•  3rd Place: 800m Run
•  3rd Place: Triple Jump
• 4th Place: Javelin

Layla M (Girls 16 Years)

• 3rd Place: Javelin

Amelia P (Girls 14 Years)

• 5th Place: Shot Put
• 8th Place: Javelin