\ Senior School Formal
\ Athletics Carnivals
\ Year 7 ACMI Excursion
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Principal’s Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
“
The life of Northside Christian College is vibrant!
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 National Policy Forum and Symposium in Canberra, alongside our Director of Primary School Learning, Mr Chris Drowley. It was a privilege to join with leaders from across the country as we explored how education can continue to shape not only young minds, but also hearts and communities. A highlight was the National Gala Dinner, where Hon Tony Abbott spoke with conviction about leadership, service, and the vital role education plays in building a strong and compassionate society.
As I reflect on these national conversations, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to be part of a College community where Connection — our theme for this year — is grounded in our shared faith. Our recent Staff Retreat provided a special time for us to grow in our connection with God, with ourselves, and with one another, as we seek to live out our calling in Christian education.
I am especially encouraged by the work of our Student Leadership Team and our dedicated staff, who are intentionally helping our students grow in their personal relationship with Jesus, strengthen their sense of community, and live out their faith in practical ways across the life of the College. Hosting a BBQ breakfast for our community’s First Responders was a meaningful opportunity for our students to show appreciation, engage in conversation, and learn more about their vital roles. Students especially enjoyed the chance to explore their vehicles and ambulance, ask questions, and personally thank those who serve and protect our community.
Congratulations to the Courageous Conquerors, who were named the overall winners in the Secondary Athletics Carnival, and to the Noble Knights, who claimed the top spot in the Primary Carnival. Both days were filled with excellent sportsmanship, school spirit, and a strong sense of community. We are especially grateful to our Health and Physical Education Team, whose planning, dedication, and support ensured that the events ran smoothly and were enjoyable for all involved. The staff novelty events added a fun and entertaining element to the day, bringing plenty of smiles and laughter strengthening connection across our College community.
At the same time, our Executive Team continues to seek God’s wisdom as we shape the future of our College through the development of our vision and strategic priorities. I look forward to sharing some of these things with you shortly, as together we remain faithful to our mission and trust in God’s guidance for the road ahead in providing an inspirational Christian community of learning.
Blessings to you all,
Ms Jacqui Munro Principal
Executive Officer Christian Schools Australia
Ms Jennifer Trodden, Principal Ms Jacqui Munro and Director of Primary School Learning
Mr Chris Drowley at 2025 National Policy Forum.
Principal Ms Jacqui Munro with former College Principal’s Mr Damian Higgins and Doug Holtam at 2025 National Policy Forum.
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Year 7 ACMI Excursion
Aerynn Wins Gold at Archery Championships
Premier’s VCE Awards
Senior Formal
Year 10 Genetics Incursion
Year 10 Showcase
Year 10 Holocaust Museum Excursion
VCE VM Puppet Making for Vietnam
Careers Expo
County Court of Victoria Excursion
Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
National Schools Constitutional Convention
Year 10 Folio Making
Years 7 - 8 Textiles
ANZAC Service
Watsonia RSL ANZAC Day Service
Semester 1 Clubs
First Responders Day
CSEN Netball Years 9 - 10
Year 10 Dance Elective
Years 3 - 6 Primary School Athletics
Carnival
Secondary School Athletics Carnival
Year 10 Debating
CSEN Mastermind Competition
da Vinci Decathalon 2025
Ethics Olympiad
Public Speaking Competition
Years 9 - 12 Debating
Introducing STEAM at Northside
Primary STEAM Virtual Reality Activity
Generations in Jazz
Ringwood Eisteddford Competition
National Simultaneous Storytime
Year 10 SafeTALK Workshops
Dare2Drift
Wellbeing Barometer Report 2024
SchoolTV is now Multilingual
Wellbeing Team
SEQTA Absences
Finance Team
New Uniforms to Buy
Uniform Reminder
Administration Enrolments
Whole School Online Assembly
Primary School
Years 1 - 2 Gymnastics
Our Years 1 - 2 students have been flipping, balancing and bouncing their way through weekly gymnastics sessions at PIT Gymnastics in Mill Park.
As part of their Physical Education program, these sessions are helping build fundamental movement and gross motor skills. From the high bar and rings to the trampoline and sprung floor, students are exploring a wide range of equipment, with some aerobics mixed in along the way. It has been a fun and active way to grow in strength, coordination and confidence. Thank you to the team at PIT Gymnastics for facilitating such an engaging and enriching experience for our students.
Some reflection from Year 2 student Ella:
At Gymnastics we do handstands and flips. We even learn to do forward rolls.
In Gymnastics we do many things. We play games too.
Gymnastics is so fun.
Thank you Mrs Venegas for organising it.
Ms Matilda Holden Primary School Teacher
Year 4 Camp
Our Year 4 students recently returned from an exciting and memorable camp at Mill Valley Ranch. From the moment we arrived, the sense of adventure and enthusiasm was clear as the children explored the beautiful grounds and jumped straight into a full day of activities. Over the course of camp, students challenged themselves with horse riding, canoeing, archery, campfire cooking, and team-building games. One of the most unforgettable moments was watching Nathanael break the Northside crate climbing record with an incredible 18 crates – a true display of determination and balance! Even the evening’s wet and muddy night hike couldn’t dampen spirits. With head torches on and boots sinking into the trail, students tackled the challenge with smiles and laughter, embracing the experience fully. Throughout the camp, students supported one another, tried new things, and demonstrated resilience, courage, and friendship. It was a joy to see them grow in confidence and independence, and we are so proud of the way they represented themselves and our school community.
Mrs Sharon Halden Primary School Teacher
Years 5 - 6 Community Service
Throughout Semester 1, the Years 5 - 6 Community Services group continued Northside’s relationship with Goodstart Plenty Road by participating in weekly visits to the 3 and 4-year-old Kinder rooms. Each student was paired with a buddy to play with and assist during tasks and craft activities.
Each week, we taught a topic and prepared a related activity to go with it. The topics we chose were aligned with what the educators were already teaching the preschoolers. Some of the topics included plants, personal space, and farm animals. When we weren’t helping or teaching, we enjoyed playing hideand-seek, engaging in imaginative play, drawing, building sandcastles, and reading together. We shared many fun mornings with the preschoolers!
Hana Wins Cooking Competition
Hana from Year 2, recently took part in the National Kids Love to Cook Competition and was awarded first place!
Competing against young chefs from across Australia, Hana impressed the judges with her creativity and skill in the kitchen. Her prize includes a special cooking kit and a 12-month membership to the Kids Love to Cook program valued at $500.
Kids Love to Cook is an Australian initiative that helps children build confidence and practical life skills through handson cooking experiences and online learning.
Hana was excited to share her success with her classmates, and we are so proud of her passion and initiative. Congratulations, Hana!
Mrs Lydia Faltas Learning Support Assistant
Years 5 - 6 Tree Planting
On Friday 20th June, we went on a short walk across the road for a tree planting activity at Darebin Creek. We followed the path along Darebin Creek and met a lovely man named Peter, who led the event. He taught us how to properly plant small shrubs and trees to help create homes for birds and other small creatures. Altogether, we planted just over 70 plants in a short amount of time!
This hands-on experience was a fantastic way to connect with our learning in a meaningful and engaging way.
Mrs Lydia Faltas Learning Support Assistant
Chinese Year 4 Chinese Talent Competition
Our Year 4 students proudly represented Northside at the 2025 Victorian Primary School Chinese Talent Competition, part of the 5th Chinese Bridge 汉语桥 (Globe competition), hosted by the Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria (CLTAV) at Ruyton Girls’ School (Verrocchi Centre). Competing among 14 schools, they performed a short play “God’s Creation” in Chinese and sang the Chinese Christian song “Twinkle Twinkle”. We’re thrilled to share that they received an Excellence Award for their outstanding performance! It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talents in speaking Chinese confidently, performing and playing music.
Mrs Tracy Xu Chinese Teacher
Middle School
Year 9 Perseverance Walk
Throughout this term, the Year 9 students have been learning about faith and perseverance as part of the Engage 9 program. Students have been able to take in many words from the Bible, where we are encouraged to have faith and commanded to persevere.
As a Year 9 cohort, we met weekly on a Thursday morning to complete physical challenges, such as wall sits or planks. For the last six weeks, students have participated in a push-up challenge, with the goal to individually and as a team, breaking the previous week’s record. Practically, students have participated in fortnightly Perseverance Walks at Norris Bank Park, with the goal of challenging themselves. Students could walk, jog, or run with the goal of breaking their previous record. We finished off the Perseverance walks with a hike up the 1000 steps in Ferntree Gully. Some students raced up the steps, while others meandered. However, we all made it.
My hope is that students have learned the importance of not giving up. They have discovered they can do more than they think or feel, and they all learn to apply this to their learning and their life.
It has been a fun term, and the Year 9 students have shone.
Romans 5:3-5: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Hebrews 11:1 - “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Mrs Sharon Simic Secondary School Teacher
Year 7 ACMI Excursion
Students from Year 7 spent a day at ACMI learning how to create a Mockumentary. The ACMI Crew took our students through a process where they learnt the following skills:
• Interpret a script and add their own improvisations
• Explore the mockumentary and documentary genre
• Produce a pre-production plan
• Setup and frame compelling and comfortable interviews
• Explore ‘b-roll’ and cutaway footage techniques used in documentary
• Get familiar with camera equipment, shot types, and framing
• Edit their films using Final Cut Pro
The day not only had intense learning but it was FUN!
The next step for our students is to have a movie day where they can view each others work.
Mrs Sharon Simic Secondary School Teacher
Aerynn Wins Gold at Archery Championship
We’re thrilled to celebrate Year 8 student Aerynn, who recently took 1st place in the Under 16 Female Barebow Recurve division at the 2025 Victoria State Target Championships.
Competing against 90 talented archers across various age groups, Aerynn not only claimed the top spot but also broke a Victorian state record, an incredible achievement!
Her outstanding performance earned her a place among just 39 athletes selected to represent Australia at the prestigious 2025 Trans-Tasman Challenge, set to take place later this year in Christchurch, New Zealand.
A massive congratulations Aerynn, we are incredibly proud of your dedication and skill. Wishing you all the best as you prepare to compete on the international stage.
Senior School
Tayla wins top honours at Premier’s VCE Awards
Congratulations to Tayla who has received top honours with a Premier’s VCE Award for her outstanding VCE results in 2024.
Tayla received a Study Award for excellence in Food Studies, having achieved a perfect study score of 50.
315 of Victoria’s top performing students were recognised at this year’s Premier’s VCE Awards, including three international students, seven students who completed the VCE Vocational Major program with distinction, and 23 Top All-Round VCE High Achievers who achieved study scores of 46 or higher out of 50 in at least five VCE subjects.
The entire Northside Christian College community is proud of Tayla and would like to congratulate her on being the recipient of such a prestigious award.
Tayla is currently completing her Victorian Certificate of Education and we wish her every success.
To view the full Honour Roll and to read more about the Premier’s VCE Awards, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-vce-awards
Senior Formal
On Thursday 3rd April, the last day of Term 1, the Senior School came together for the highly anticipated 2025 Senior School Formal. Embracing the theme of ‘Royalty’, students and staff showed off their tiaras, crowns, sashes and formal attire. The venue was beautiful with endless spots for photos. The Northside community shared a meaningful night enjoying great food, fun awards and a playlist that kept the dance floor alive all night. The Class of 2025 couldn’t have asked for a better final formal! It was a night full of life, laughter, dancing and unforgettable memories. A big thank you to all the students and staff who helped make the night so magical with a special mention to Mrs Cook for all her hard work behind the scenes. The Senior School is so grateful to have had such a memorable night!
Kristy, Year 12 Student
Year 10 Genetics Excursion
The AgriBio centre at La Trobe University generously offer a free program aimed at Year 10 students studying DNA and genetics as part of the Year 10 Science Curriculum. On Thursday 22nd May, the Year 10 cohort ventured to La Trobe University (Bundoora Campus) and took part in a number of hands-on activities such as extracting DNA from wheatgerm, analysing DNA sequences, and learning about bioinformatics and the important role it plays in bio security. The students interacted with current PhD students and learnt about the future job growth of careers in Biology, not only all around Victoria, but also in their very own neighbourhood.
Mrs Marissa Chui Secondary School Teacher
Year 10 Showcase
On Friday 13th June, the Year 10 students hosted our Middle School students, teachers and Executive Team at their annual Showcase - a space to display what the students had been working on this semester as they’ve explored the topic of WWII. This topic is a gateway to asking many questions about humanity, faith and loss, and throughout our History, Christian Life Studies and English classes we have explored the question of truth and looked at what it takes to stand up for truth in a fallen world. At the Showcase, students were excited to present their hard work and knowledge to their peers and the school community - we had presentations on topics ranging from pre-war sentiments towards Germany to the ethical considerations of using the Atomic Bomb on Japan. Many of our visitors commended the students on their insightful knowledge and willingness to share their insights. It was a wonderful day of community and learning!
Mrs Ellison Cook Secondary School Teacher
Year 10 Holocaust Museum Excursion
“One important thing I learned during the visit was how ordinary people played roles in both resisting and enabling the Holocaust example being the Germans and Jews that hid in the woods that attacked Nazi. It showed me that history isn’t just about big events—it’s shaped by individual choices, and studying it helps us understand the importance of speaking out against injustice in our own lives.”
“The Museum truly inspired me and I walked out with a heavy heart and an open mind. I got to see the individual effects of the Holocaust. I was able to learn about different people’s experience during the Holocaust and the life-long effects it had on them.”
“I learned the importance of not taking things for granted, and the importance of being kind to everyone no matter what race, or religion you are from.”
“The Holocaust Museum was a very cool and new experience. I got to learn more about the Holocaust but from a different angle, as the Museum focused on showing that every person was important rather than just sharing facts.”
“I learned about Sarah Saaroni and her life during and after the Holocaust, and what it meant for her to survive.”
“Visiting the Holocaust Museum was a deeply moving experience that helped me understand the human stories behind the historical tragedy. Hearing personal survivor testimonies made the impact of the Holocaust feel real and emotional, reminding me of the importance of empathy and standing up against hatred.”
Reflections from Year 10 Students
VCE VM Puppet Making for Vietnam
In June, the VCE VM Work Related Skills class undertook the challenge of crafting sock puppets for an orphanage in Vietnam. In two periods, they had created nearly 50 puppets for children at Yen Vai Social Centre north of Hanoi. I took these puppets with me when I went to Vietnam recently with Samaritan’s Purse Australia as a small education support team to several education projects supported by Samaritan’s Purse Vietnam. The children were excited to receive the puppets and were already making up plays with each other.
Well done to the VCE VM WRS class for helping to delight the hearts of children around the world.
Mrs Lenna Waters Director of Senior School Learning
Careers Expo
On Wednesday 14th May, the Years 10 - 12 students attended the Victorian Careers Show at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale. The event brought together universities, TAFEs, and industry representatives from across the state, offering valuable insights into a wide range of career pathways. Students explored course options, participated in hands-on activities, and engaged in conversations that helped them better plan their future beyond school. Accompanying teachers exchanged dialogue with students regarding their interests and career planning, and learned about opportunities to bring industrial experience into the classroom.
Mrs Vida Wang Secondary School Teacher
County Court of Victoria Excursion
On Thursday 22nd May the combined VCE Year 11 and Year 12 Legal Studies students visited the County Court of Victoria to attend the Metro Law Talks program run by the Victorian Law Foundation (see group pic). Strict protocols regarding entry into the court building had to be navigated by all students, similar to the security processes at airports. The talks took place within Court 3.1, the largest of the court rooms at the County Court of Victoria. All areas of the court room were available for seating, including the jury dock itself, which is where most of the Northside students sat, giving them a clear experience of the perspective of the jury during a hearing or trial.
The presentations covered key knowledge areas such as the role of the jury and barristers in deciding criminal cases, and resolving cases in civil law. Eugenia Levine was the guest barrister that spoke to the group, explaining the roles and responsibilities of a barrister in court. Some students had the opportunity to try on the official robes worn by Ms Levine when advocating in court on behalf of her clients (see pics). The session was completed by a presentation from a group of Naam law students currently undertaking study towards a law degree at Melbourne University.
Dr Teresa Connelly Secondary School Teacher
Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
On Thursday 12th June, the Year 12 Chemistry class spent the day at Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) and participated in 3 different experiments which relate to content coming up in Unit 4. The students were able to get extensive hands-on experience with the instruments they would normally only learn about in their textbooks - FT-IR spectroscopy, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and a GC-Mass Spectrometer. The students interacted with 3 demonstrators who were either currently working on their PhD or pursuing a PhD in the future and this provided a good opportunity for the students to also ask them questions about university. There were many highlights across the day which made the excursion a memorable and highly educational experience for all.
Mrs Marissa Chui Secondary School Teacher
National Schools Constitutional Convention
Year 12 Legal Studies student, Stefan, travelled to Canberra earlier in the year to participate in the National Schools Constitutional Convention (Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th March). Stefan had successfully applied earlier in the year to represent Northside and participate in the Constitutional Convention. Stefan’s selection to represent his college in this way is a testament to his hard work and sincere motivation to engage meaningfully in the legal and democratic processes of building social cohesion.
The Convention took place in the Museum of Australian Democracy, which is located in old parliament house in Canberra (see pic). The focus of the Convention was discussion of Sections 51 (iii) and Section 90 of the Australian Constitution, dealing with future planning regarding Australia’s national economic priorities, while engaging in the economic possibilities of our region of the world. Given recent shifts in the global economic order, this topic and discussion was timely and pertinent. Stefan was required to undertake no small amount of pre-reading and preparation, which he managed while still keeping pace with his VCE courses and SAC schedule at college. The experience gave Stefan the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the way the Australian Constitution divides law-making power between the states and the commonwealth in Australia.
Stefan actively engaged in collaboration with VCE Legal Studies students from other schools and colleges, from across Australia. Together they activated critical thinking skills, communicated proposals in response to the proposed Constitutional changes, and finally participated in the process of voting to adopt, or reject, the proposed changes. With all participating students, Stefan also attended the National Press Club in Canberra when Hon Dr. Jim Chalmers MP, the national treasurer, delivered the 2025-2026 Budget. Stefan enjoyed having the opportunity to stand in the same spot as the treasurer, after the event, to deliver his own words of wisdom for the nation.
Dr Teresa Connelly Secondary School Teacher
Art
Year 10 Folio Making
Our Year 10 students have been learning about French Impressionism in their Folio Making classes. They’ve each chosen an artwork to try and replicate and will be going to the NGV next term to see the real artworks.
Years 7 - 8 Textiles
The Year 8 and Year 9 students have been learning how to design and cut their own potato prints and have also learnt how to sew their fabric together to make a pencil case.
Mrs Annie Bennie Art Teacher
Mrs Annie Bennie Art Teacher
Student Leadership ANZAC Service
On Monday 28th April, the Northside community gathered to remember and honour the soldiers who fought for our country as part of our ANZAC Day remembrance.
Ms Munro began the service by acknowledging the Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of the land, through prayer. After the prayer, Mr Longley spoke to us about the importance of peace. He shared a special verse from the book of Matthew that reminded us how valuable peace is and how important it is to work towards it.
Mr Longley also told us the story of William McKenzie, also known as “Fighting Mack,” who was a chaplain during World War I. He explained how brave Fighting Mack was and how he supported the soldiers during very difficult times.
Then, our Primary School Captains led us in a special prayer. They prayed for the families who lost loved ones in war and asked God to comfort them. They also prayed for healthy relationships between countries so that peace can grow around the world.
Next, Honoria Marwaha read a beautiful poem by Ken Bunker called A Tribute to ANZAC Day. It helped us imagine what the soldiers went through and made us feel thankful for their bravery. Laurence, one of our School Captains, then led us in the Ode of Remembrance. We all joined in to say, “We will remember them.”
After that, we stood quietly for a minute of silence while a bagpiper played a song called The Flowers of the Forest. It was a moment to reflect and remember what the soldiers did for our country.
At the end of the service, we all returned to our classrooms while Piper from the Police band played a peaceful song for us.
Darren, Primary School Captain
Watsonia RSL ANZAC Day Service
Represented by our College Captains and Deputy College Captain, Northside Christian College was honoured to attend the dawn service hosted by Watsonia RSL on Friday 25th April 2025. It was an opportunity to pay respect to those who selflessly gave their lives in defence of our country, and to those who service and continue to serve.
Our student leaders also laid a wreath in tribute to those who have lost their lives in service of our country. Lest We Forget.
Ms Christie Vaughn Student Leadership Co-Ordinator
Semester 1 Clubs
Northside’s clubs provide students with a fantastic opportunity to explore their interests beyond the classroom, with each week offering a wide variety of activities across both recess and lunch. From the Vision Prayer Club, where students can pray and grow in their faith together, to the Homework Club, which supports students in catching up on their studies. Tuesday lunchtimes see our green thumbs out in the Seeds of Life gardening, participating in Gardening Club, and the Friday Art Club, is where students can express their creative tendencies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, every day of the week!
Northside also boasts a wide variety of musical talents, such as the Primary and Secondary Choir, the Secondary Jazz band, and the Festival Concert band. These skilled musicians and singers compete in interschool competitions and create brilliant music to spice up school events.
These groups are not just for entertaining hobbies or developing skills, but for fostering a valuable sense of community and interpersonal relationships between students across different year levels. Semester 1 Clubs have been a blast, we look forward to all that is in store for our Clubs in Semester 2.
Danielle, Community Captain
First Responders Day
Members of our lovely community whom we don’t often see or interact with regularly are our First Responders. On Wednesday 11th June, First Responders Day, Northside, alongside Encompass Church, hosted a morning sausage sizzle and dress-up. We had Police from Greensborough and Mill Park, Firefighters from Bundoora Fire Station, and Ambulance officers from Thomastown and Epping. It was a time to express our gratitude to those who dedicate and sacrifice their lives when we’re in need, including all emergency personnel. Many students came dressed as their favourite First Responders, and it was great to see their joy while interacting with the visitors and exploring their vehicles.
A total of $370 was raised for MAF, First Responders who share the word and love in hard-to-reach places. These selfless acts of service remind us of John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Ms Christie Vaughn Student Leadership Co-Ordinator
Beanie Day
On Thursday 26th June the College saw students wearing beanies in support of brain cancer research as part of the Mark Hughes Foundation’s ‘Beanie Day’. It was wonderful to see so many staff and students demonstrate their support with their colourful array of beanies and to have raised $168 in fundraising which will support those affected by brain cancer and fund vital research that could make a difference for those affected. A lunchtime prayer was led by Mr Waters and several staff and students joined in his moving prayer of love and hope. Romans 15:13 encourages us, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This is our prayer as a Student Leadership team for those impacted by the effects of brain cancer.
Lyvia, Deputy College Captain
Sport
CSEN Primary School Soccer Championships
On Monday 5th May, selected Primary School students went to the home of the Matildas to play soccer and compete against other schools to compete to win. The soccer team was very excited to play against the other schools. For the girls soccer team the players were; Alessia, Ora, Abi, Jana, Dhaksha, Maddy, Emelia, Semira, Teresa, Anaia and Grace, and the coach was Mrs Smith. The first game we played against Flinders 2 and we won 7-0. It was an easy game for that one, but we didn’t know what was coming next. For the second game we competed against Flinders 1 and won 5-0. This game was tougher than the other but we still managed to win. The third game we were up against Narre Warren and we won 6-0. This team was good but we still won. After that we found out we were in the finals! We competed against Narre Warren again and we won 9-0 and the girls CSEN team won the competition!
CSEN Secondary School Soccer Championships
On Monday 5th May, the Years 7, 8 and 9 boys soccer team played four games at the CSEN Secondary Soccer Championships. We made it to the quarter-finals without scoring a single goal. In the last game, we were down 2-0 and then Richard scored the first goal of the day and then another! Then Jordan scored a sweet goal that got us to 3-2. Richard then scored his 3rd goal completing his hattrick and securing the win for our team.
Alex, Year 7 Student
On Monday 5th May at the home of the Matildas, the Years 7 - 9 girls’ soccer team played four games at the CSEN Secondary Soccer Championships. Even though we didn’t place we still put in our best with Neva in Year 8 taking an amazing shot from halfway making it in, as well as Lauren (Year 8) and Abbey (Year 7) scoring goals.
Estelle, Year 8 Student, and Abbey, Year 7 Student
Alessia, Year 5 student
CSEN Netball Years 9 - 10
On Wednesday 11th June, the Years 9 - 10 Intermediate Boys Netball team, after an undefeated season, won the grand final with a final score of 20-19. It was a closely contested game, and despite trailing 4-1 in the first quarter, we fought our way back to win by just one point. Congratulations to the boys for all the hard work they put in during the Semester!
Zach, Year 10 Student
Year 10 Dance Elective
During our dance elective we had the opportunity to learn kapa haka which is the cultural performance of New Zealand. We got to learn some background information about why it is important to Maori people and we also got to learn some Te Reo Maori meaning the language of Maori people. We got to learn a little sequence of the dance and then perform it in our groups. It was special for me because as a Maori myself, it was great to share my culture with my classmates especially as New Zealand Maori isn’t a common culture in our school. It gave me a sense of pride because I got to show my skills and knowledge to the class who have minimal knowledge on New Zealand culture.
Another thing that was great was getting the opportunity to speak the language with our instructor. We got to sing songs that we both know and we got to speak about where we came from. At the end, he showed us a pounamu which is a Maori piece of jewellery. We got to have a close look at it, feel it and learn about the history behind it. In the future I would like to see more Polynesian culture be shown and more cultures that people don’t know much about. I would also like the kapa haka instructor to come back as I believe many of my classmates enjoyed it.
Tokouma, Year 10 Student
Years 3 - 6 Primary School Athletics Carnival
The Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium came alive on Thursday 15th May, during the 2025 Years 3 – 6 Primary School Athletics Carnival! With excitement buzzing in the air, the event was filled with fun, laughter, and fierce competition. For the Year 3 students, it was a particularly thrilling experience as it was their first time participating.
As races unfolded, students poured their hearts into every event, eager to earn ribbons and medals. Clara from Year 3 captured everyone’s attention, winning the U9F medal and collecting a rainbow of ribbons. Her classmate Chris also shined brightly, securing the U9M medal. Other proud medal winners included Maddy and Jordan from Year 4, Ora and Tobias from Year 5, and Teresa and Caleb from Year 6.
The canteen buzzed with energy, serving tasty treats that contributed to the day’s joyful memories. The 2025 Years 3 – 6 Primary School Athletics Carnival was truly a celebration of talent, teamwork, and community spirit! Congratulations to the Noble Knights for taking out the trophy.
Abby, Year 6 Student
Secondary School Athletics Carnival
On Friday 16th May, Northside Christian College held its annual Athletics Carnival, bringing together the Secondary School students for a day full of fun, sport and some competition.
The three colours of green, orange, and purple were all around the ground as the students represented their College Houses, the Worthy Warriors, Courageous Conquerors and Noble Knights. The whole day was full of cheering, team spirit and enthusiasm from students as they cheered their House and their friends and strove to achieve their best on the field.
This year, many records were broken across multiple age groups and events, including the 400m, 800m, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, and triple jump events. A special shout-out to the Year 12 students who made their last Athletics Carnival memorable, dressing up in a retro 80’s theme.
After a day of tough competition, congratulations to the Courageous Conquerors, who took the win in the end. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who worked hard to make it happen and run smoothly, and to all the students who participated, encouraged one another, and helped make the day a success.
Aaron, Sports Captain
Year 10 Debating
Our Year 10 debating team debated on the evening of Monday 19th May at Loyola College in the regional competition. Jasdeep, Moyo, and Lawton received the topic one hour beforehand as it was a secret topic round. Although it was harder than a normal debate, they won with confidence and ease. It is a joy to see this team in action. Please read below a paragraph from Jasdeep about his experience in debating.
Since last year, I have had the chance to participate in the Debaters Association of Victoria’s Debates with my team consisting of me, Moyosola, Aneeqa, and Lawton. We have had the amazing opportunity to represent our school at these events in which we are challenged to think critically, speak with eloquence, and collaborate together under pressure. Every debate is a chance to learn something new and improve our skills; sometimes we must refine the intonation in our voices, and other times we must correct the structure of our speeches to align with the status quo. As a team, we are proud of how far we have come, having a chance to compete in regionals last year and possibly this year too (fingers crossed). I encourage all of you to have a think about joining a debating team as it isn’t just about personal development, but can also be a great social experience, especially if your friends come to spectate.
CSEN Mastermind Competition
On Thursday 5th June, 10 students from Years 5 and 6 competed in the CSEN Mastermind Competition. This consisted of five rounds, comprising English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and General Knowledge. This was held via Teams with several other schools.
Congratulations to Northside for placing second overall, and congratulations to Israel and Matthew for coming first in the Humanities section.
CSEN Mastermind Team:
• James
• Lydia
• Aaron
• Chu Mo (Motson)
• Israel
• Matthew
• Darren
• Obioma (Abby)
• Julian
• Yuhao
Mrs Anthea Field INSPiRE Talent Development Coordinator
da Vinci Decathalon 2025
This year, three enthusiastic teams, comprising students from Years 7, 8, and 9, represented our school at the da Vinci Decathlon at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar on 29th May. With a mix of returning students and new faces, each team brought fresh energy and a collaborative spirit to the event.
The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition designed to challenge students across ten disciplines, including Engineering, Mathematics, Code breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, and General Knowledge. It encourages creativity, teamwork and high-level thinking in a fast-paced and engaging environment.
Our Year 7 team performed exceptionally well, placing in the top three in two categories—earning 2nd place in Cartography and 3rd place in Legacy (General Knowledge). Well done to all involved!
Josephine from the Year 7 wrote the following reflection:
The Decathlon was a wonderful event, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to stretch my abilities and try new things. I don’t see myself as much of a team player: I usually prefer to do things on my own. However, I actually really enjoyed collaborating with everyone else, and it was fantastic to see everyone’s different strengths. Everyone worked on a bit of everything. My favourite was Cryptography, which I worked on with Eric, though I enjoyed Creative Producers and also Art and Poetry. In the end we placed 2nd in Cartography and 3rd in Legacy. I credit our wins to the copious amount of chocolate we ate during the lunch break.
Ethics Olympiad
The Secondary School Ethics Olympiad team, consisting of Lyvia, Aneeqa, and Ariana, participated in the Ethics Olympiad in May. Thanks to Laurence and Lana for your help in preparing our team for the Olympiad. It provided a valuable exploration of a range of contemporary dilemmas through various ethical frameworks.
A significant step up from Middle School debating, the Ethics Olympiad had a greater focus on exploring perspectives based on different values and ethics, which enabled thought-provoking discussions and deeper consideration of the given topics, leading to insightful discourse.
This was a pleasant extension of the skills and experiences we gained from debating, with less emphasis on defending or arguing particular points. The Secondary team gained a memorable learning experience from the Olympiad!
Public Speaking Competition
The Rostrum Public Speaking Competition was held on Sunday 18th May. Honoria, Moyo, Jasdeep, and William participated in this exciting event, showcasing their public speaking skills and confidence. Notably, Jasdeep and Moyo excelled and successfully reached the finals, demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication. This achievement highlights the dedication of our students and their growth in communication skills. Honoria provided her reflections on the event below:
I recently had the honour of taking part in Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. It was an eye opening experience that was very beneficial, as it equipped me with skills that assist me in pressuring my goals and aspirations! I am very thankful to Northside especially Mrs Field for giving me a opportunity that’s crucial to my growth. The competition was held at Saint Monicas College in Epping, were myself among others had the privilege of presenting a speech, (mine was Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success)! After hearing each speech a adjudicator (judge) decide who moves on. Again I am very thankful to the school for giving me this opportunity!
My takeaway? Well... work towards your goals, God has gifted everyone with special skill and talents; you’ll be surprised what you can achieve. True success is not winning or losing, nor being good at something or bad it is about how you approach a situation, with a positive or negative mindset. So I encourage you all to go for your dreams, try your best, but most importantly never give up!
Years 9 - 12 Debating
Round 4 of the regional Debating Association of Victoria Years 9 - 12 Competition was held at Loyola College on Monday 23rd June. The topic was a secret, given an hour beforehand. Congratulations to Lawton, Moyo, and Jasdeep for respectfully debating whether they preferred individual assessment over group assessment in high school. Thanks to William and Aneeqa for attending to support our team. Our team won, with Jasdeep named best speaker. Congratulations.
STEAM
Introducing STEAM at Northside
Have you heard about our brand-new STEAM program?
STEAM—short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—is an exciting new subject at Northside! It replaces our former Technologies classes and is held in the newly refurbished Primary STEAM Lab (formerly the Inspire classroom in the Year 1 and 2 building).
This hands-on, inquiry-based program allows students to explore, create, and problem-solve in meaningful ways. So far, they’ve been busy with activities like water analysis, designing soil solutions, and creating 3D models using digital programs.
Through STEAM, students will continue to build their technology skills while also working in teams to design solutions to real-world problems. It’s a fantastic way to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration!
Prep STEAM Virtual Reality Activity
This term, our Prep students have experienced virtual learning through Augmented Reality (AR) programs for the first time. Using AR software, students view 3D models using a foam cube, which allows virtual models and designs to ‘come to life’ and be displayed right in front of their eyes! Some particular highlights were 3D plants and animals, which students were able to draw in detail based on what they observed.
We can’t wait to see these students creating their own 3D models to share with us in the future! I hope this is helpful and highlights the need for further promotion of the program. From my perspective, it is very hard to run a program on your own so getting the word out there really helps not only build understanding but also appreciation for the hard work I have been putting in for many months to make this happen.
Mrs Caitlyn Wood Science & Technologies Teacher
Music Generations in Jazz
This year for the first time in our school’s history we took a band of 15 students to the world renowned Generations in Jazz festival held in Mt Gambier, South Australia. Now, I hear some of you perhaps thinking which band? And what is this jazz thing?
Well, Jazz is a musical style that has been around since the turn of the century and was made popular through many wonderful artists in America throughout the 20th century, where the expression and style exploded in popularity. Here at Northside, we participate and educate students in a style of Jazz called “Big Band”. Typically this band has a rhythm section of bass, guitar, drums and piano and then we have a saxophone section, trumpet section and trombones section. The Big Band became popular through artists like Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller in the 1930s and post 1940’s. This style and type of band was the pop music of the 40’s and played in dance halls and for large scale entertainment. In the Generations in Jazz festival, the music of this era and later eras is celebrated and played. Students participate in competition with each other to see how they can achieve the highest level of performance and expression in this style against their similar aged peers from other schools. In the evening Gala concerts we were also treated to high level performances by a number of well known Australian artists such as Michelle Nicole and Darren Percival as well as a stellar and honestly jaw dropping performance on Saturday evening by the Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band from the USA. There were approximately 4500 young people represented from every state of Australia including our students from Northside. We had such an uplifting, genuinely fun and educational experience together and I was most impressed with our students’ preparation in the lead up and how they carried themselves in their performance. I thank Mr Scott van Gemert for his direction of this group and congratulate our students on a job well done. I look forward to next year’s event with great excitement and anticipation of good things to come!
If you would like to find out more or attend the festival as an audience member please visit this link.
Ringwood Eisteddford Competition
The competition was fierce, but our students rose to the occasion, impressing both the audience and adjudicator with their emotion and skill. Each performer earned glowing critiques for their dedication and artistry.
A huge congratulations to Nikan (12 years and under), who received the Encouragement Award and was praised for his amazing range! Natalie’s strong performance captivated the audience (12 years and under) while Jaimee (Year 10) delivered a very moving performance that earned special recognition from the vice president after the competition.
The students were positively critiqued by Melissa Langton, whose illustrious three-decade career includes roles in Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables, We Will Rock You, and more. Bravo to our exceptional singing students nurtured these past years by voice coach Michelle Hodgson — Nikan, Natalie and Jaimee, your passion truly shines!
Mr Andrew Horneman Music Co-ordinator
Three Primary School students from Northside participated at the Ringwood Eisteddfod this Term.
Mrs Michelle Hodgson Vocal Coach
Library
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 21st May, our entire Primary School joined thousands of children across Australia in celebrating National Simultaneous Storytime. This annual event promotes the joy of reading and storytelling.
This year’s featured book was The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, a heart-warming story about friendship, belonging and finding your place in the world. Each Primary School class enjoyed viewing the book with their teacher. To add to the excitement, students were welcome to visit the library at lunchtime for some fun and creative craft activities inspired by the book.
Mrs Kylie Drowley Library Teacher
Wellbeing
Year 10 SafeTALK Workshops
This term, Northside Christian College arranged for the delivery of ‘safeTALK’ workshops for our Year 10 students.
The safeTALK workshops have become an important part of curriculum and provide students with the skills and confidence to support themselves and one another with their mental health needs.
This includes equipping students to learn how to:
• Identify someone who may be having thoughts of suicide
• Initiate a safe conversation and ask directly if thoughts of suicide are present
• Help keep them safe by connecting them to support and/or crisis services within the community
Unfortunately, suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people in Australia (ABS, 2022).
Young people often turn to their friends and peers more than parents or mental health practitioners for support. This places a significant responsibility on young people who play a vital role in the help-seeking process. Preventative education in schools and communities, as well as listening to the lived experience of young people, is a crucial part of the solution to ensure young people and their communities are equipped with the tools and resources to keep others safe and guide them toward further support.
SafeTALK is a half-day suicide alertness workshop that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to become a suicide alert helper. The safeTALK training was created by LivingWorks Australia, a well-known developer of award-winning programs for suicide prevention education. The training is safe, effective, and backed by independent research.
Students Inspired to Dare2Drift
Northside Christian College recently hosted a high-octane faith event that left students both energised and deeply inspired.
Led by guest speaker Taylor Forward and hosted by Collefe chaplain Jared Stocks, the Dare2Drift sessions drew an enthusiastic crowd of around 150 students. Of those, an incredible 60 students responded to the message, making personal decisions to take a risk on following Jesus.
Using the thrilling world of drift car racing as a powerful metaphor, Taylor captivated the audience by drawing parallels between drifting and the Christian life. He spoke about how drifting requires practice, skill, courage, and carries real risks—just like committing to a life of faith.
“Drifting costs something, it is risky & exciting,” Taylor shared, adding “Following Jesus is just the same—it’s an adventure.”
Taylor also bravely shared about his own testimony—sharing a pivotal moment in his life where at fifteen, he passed out and fell into a fire. That experience became a wake-up call that ultimately led him to “risk it all” for Christ.
The sessions struck a chord with students, who were encouraged to see faith not as a safe and boring choice, but as a bold and exhilarating journey worth pursuing.
Chaplain Jared Stocks praised the event: “Taylor’s testimony was not only raw, honest and impactful, it was a personal challenge to live courageously for Jesus. I was so proud of the students who stepped out in faith and took a risk in saying “Yes” to Jesus. It’s the best and safest risk anyone could ever take.”
Dare2Drift proved to be a powerful experience that will continue to resonate across the school community long after the engines have quieted, and trust me, the engine was very, very loud!
Wellbeing Barometer Report 2024
Every year we encourage participation in the annual Wellbeing Barometer survey. It provides valuable insights into the issues affecting young people and their families.
The survey explores trends in mental health, relationships, learning motivation, bullying, digital engagement, and parental concerns, offering schools critical insights into the evolving needs of their students.
The findings reveal both challenges and opportunities in primary and secondary education, with key data highlighting the importance of prevention, early intervention, and a community-wide approach to student wellbeing.
We’re proud to present the results of the 2024 Wellbeing Barometer survey, which captures the voices of more than 3,100 parents and caregivers from 271 schools across Australia and New Zealand.
View Wellbeing Barometer Report 2024
By reading this report, you’ll gain a clearer picture of what families are experiencing right now, and how your school can refine its wellbeing strategies in response.
SchoolTV is now Multilingual
The following recording from SchoolTV introduces families to their new multi-lingual tool.
You can find all SchoolTV has to offer via the Wellbeing tab on the College website. Click the widget at the bottom of the page for all things parenting and wellbeing.
Read more about this topic here.
Wellbeing Team
Heather Cootee Head of Student Wellbeing hcootee@ncc.vic.edu.au
SEQTA Absences Notices
Parent Notified Absences is available within the SEQTA Engage App, meaning you can notify the College of your child(rens) absence through the App by selecting ABSENCES from the Menu in SEQTA Engage. Here are screenshots to help you locate this option, should you need it:
If you have any questions, please call the friendly admin staff for assistance on 03 9467 2499.
Finance Team
If you need to contact our Finance Team, you will likely speak to one of our the following staff:
Leigh Adcock Business Manager
Bee Yew Assistant School Burser
Jasmine Chan Accounts Office
Suni Harun Accounts Office
Mrs Liz Tsiros Office Manager
Uniforms
New Uniforms to Buy
College families can purchase new uniforms from Academy Uniforms.
Uniform Reminder
From Term 1 2026: all students may only wear uniforms that bear the 2016 logo and/or the 2022 logo. This includes school bags for Primary School and Secondary School students.
From Term 1 2028: all Primary School and Secondary School students may only wear uniforms that bear the 2022 logo. This excludes the school bag and hat for Primary School students.
From Term 1 2029: all items of uniform including the College bag and hat must bear the 2022 logo.
Further information regarding this change is available on the College website.
2013 College Logo
Uniforms with this logo can only be worn in 2025. From 2026, uniforms with this logo can no longer be worn.
2016 College Logo
Uniforms with this logo can only be worn until the end of 2027, with the exception of the College bag and Primary School hat, which can be used until the end of 2028.
Administration
Update your details
Have you recently....
• Moved house?
• Got a new phone number?
• Need to change you child’s emergency contact ....
You can update your details in Consent2Go or email the Office to update your details: ncc@ncc.vic.edu.au
Follow Northside on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn
If you’re on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn please follow the Northside Christian College pages.
2022 College Logo
From 2029, all students must only wear the College uniform with this logo. All previous logos will no longer be permitted.
Absences
If your child is absent please email attendance@ncc.vic.edu.au with your child’s name, year level and reason they are absent or use the Seqta Engage app.
If you’re picking up your student early or dropping them off late, please remember to email attendance@ncc.vic.edu.au or fill in one of our green Student Absence forms at Reception.
Enrolments
Prep 2027
Applications for Prep 2027 are now open. Families with a child born between 1st January 2021 to 30th April 2022 are invited to apply for Prep 2027 enrolment online. Applications will close on Friday 20th February 2026
Please note that applications for Prep 2026 have now closed. If you have a child due to commence Prep next year, and you have not applied, please contact the Enrolments Team as soon as possible by email at enrol@ncc.vic.edu.au or by calling 9467 2499.
Year 7 2027
Families with a sibling expecting to commence at Northside in Year 7 in 2027 are encouraged to submit an online enrolment application as soon as possible. Unfortunately the College cannot guarantee a place for siblings as places are limited; submitting an early enrolment application will assist the College with its planning for 2027.
VISA Changes
If your child has been granted a new visa, permanent residency or obtained Australian citizenship since 1st August 2024, please provide a copy of the grant notification to our Enrolments team via email, or leave a copy with our College Reception. The College is required to keep a copy of all current visas (permanent and temporary) on student files in order to demonstrate eligibility of enrolment at Northside. Families that do not provide a current visa when requested may need to have their enrolment reviewed by the Principal.
College Tours
Did you know we hold College Tours? The College Tours are a fantastic way to experience the community at Northside Christian College and to also get a better sense as to whether Northside is the right fit for your family.
If you have a friend or family member that is interested in checking out Northside, please let them know to check for tours on the Northside Enrolments page on our website.
https://ncc.vic.edu.au/book-a-tour
Are you leaving Northside?
Families that are not returning to Northside in 2026 must advise the College in writing by Thursday 18th September 2025 (last day of Term 3). Families who withdraw late in 2025 may be required to pay a term’s fee in lieu of notice.
Withdrawal forms are available at the College Reception, from the Enrolments Team or by completing the online form Alumni
Join the Northside Alumni by completing the online form to be notified of upcoming events.
Ph: (03) 9467
Email: ncc@ncc.vic.edu.au www.ncc.vic.edu.au