Wise words with...

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15: 12-13 (NIV) 

It is my pleasure to extend a warm ‘welcome back to Term 2’ to all members of our NCS community. I would especially wish to welcome the three new families who have joined us at the commencement of this term. It was wonderful to see all students back with us on Tuesday of this past week and to hear the excited chatter as children shared stories of their holiday experiences. As you would be aware, teaching staff returned to school on the Monday to prepare for this coming term with a number of staff also completing a CPR Refresher course but school never seems quite the same until our students are back. Once again, I am pleased to say that both staff and students have quickly settled back into an effective working routine and much valuable learning has already taken place during the past four days.

All schools were pleased to receive official information from education and health department authorities at the commencement of this term indicating further relaxations in relation to COVID-19 requirements. We are trusting that this will allow many more of the events and gatherings that we value so highly at NCS to go ahead with minimal disruptions. One such example of these changes was that we were pleased to be able to welcome back the ‘Bearded Brewer’ Coffee Van on Tuesday morning, much to the delight of many of our parents, carers and staff! However, the need for excellent personal hygiene protocols and the careful recording of contact details for all school visitors is still being emphasised.

Without doubt, the highlight of this first week for me has been the ANZAC Assembly, held in the Multi-Purpose Centre on Friday morning. The planning for this assembly began quite early in Term 1 and we are all very grateful to Mrs Varga who had the primary responsibility for the organisation of this significant event. All students from Kindergarten through to Year 12 were present and we were privileged to have the opportunity to reflect on the amazing sacrifices made by the ANZAC soldiers who risked their lives to protect the freedoms that we are all able to enjoy in Australia today.

We were delighted to welcome a number of special guests to this assembly, including members of the Defence Forces who are also parents and carers at our school. Mr John Bailey, National Serviceman, representing the local Returned and Services League, presented representative students with four books to be placed in our school library. One of our NCS Defence Force parents is Leading Seaman Joel Skilbeck who was our guest speaker for this assembly. His son Jethro presented the Bible reading, taken from John 15: 12-13, and this is the passage that I have chosen for our focus verses for this edition of the BYTES. Mr Skilbeck very clearly conveyed the debt of gratitude that we owe to the soldiers who fought at Anzac Cove, many of whom lost their lives or were wounded in the conflict. Whilst acknowledging that sometimes wars are necessary to defend the freedoms that we value so highly, Mr Skilbeck clearly emphasised that it is not war itself that we glorify but rather the strength and courage of those who risked their lives in the defence of our country.

There were many highlights during the assembly. These included the entry of the Catafalque Party, comprising NCS students who are members of the Defence Force cadets. Their precision marching was most impressive. It was also our great pleasure to welcome back Ethan von Prott, one of our NCS alumni. Ethan is a very talented musician and, dressed in full highland band regalia, he thrilled the audience with his rendition of Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes. Once again, we were privileged to have Mr Peter Williams in attendance. For many years Peter has faithfully played the Last Post and the Reveille on his bugle. We were upstanding as the Australian flag was raised and remained so as NCS student band members played both the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems. Year 9 student Kayleigh W. provided a stirring rendition of both of these anthems. Our Primary prefects also came forward to lay wreaths in remembrance of the fallen. Following the formalities of the assembly, a morning tea was provided for our special guests and their families.