Northside Newsletter ~ 'The Vine' ~ Term 2 Issue 1, 2023

\ Years 3 - 12 Athletics Carnival

\ Year 3 Scienceworks Excursion \ Wellbeing Updates

\ Much more...

Principal’s Message

Staff at Northside Christian College commenced Term 2 with a Staff Retreat. During the retreat, our amazing team had an opportunity to spend a day away from school to relax, withdraw from our day-to-day routines, and connect with each other and God.

During the retreat, we spent some time reflecting on our theme verse for 2023, which comes from Psalm 34:8 (NIV). The psalmist encourages us: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 34:8 is a beautiful reminder that we are invited by God to draw closer to Him to experience His goodness. We read throughout the Bible about how God provides us with protection, direction, peace, forgiveness, wisdom, and more. Our God is so good.

We are reminded that we can find refuge in God throughout the year and in all circumstances. We can run to our Heavenly Father for the little things in life and the big things, too. I am encouraged that our God is always there for us.

I have spent some time reflecting on what it means to take refuge in God. The Cambridge Dictionary defines refuge as “a place that gives protection or shelter from danger, trouble, and unhappiness.”

So how do we take refuge in God? Taking refuge in God may include:

1. Reading the Bible. We can find comfort in reading and reflecting on God’s Word. Regularly reading God’s Word fills us with His truth, which can renew our minds.

2. Prayer. We can set time aside each day to pray and give God our praise and thanks. I read one author who noted, “Making a habit of prayer invites the Lord in and asks for His presence to settle in us.”

3. Connecting. The Bible encourages us to connect with other believers. Let us gather together and encourage one another in our faith. It is so special to be in a Christian school community where we can support and encourage one another.

It is comforting to know that God takes care of us and is aware of the things we are worried about and the challenges in our lives. I pray we can support one another to dwell in God. I hope today, we can find time to read God’s Word, spend time with God in prayer, and connect with others to encourage each other in our faith. May we continue to find refuge in our God throughout the year.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

Mr Michael Bond Principal

2023 Term Dates:

Term 2: 26/04/2023 - 23/06/2023

Term 3: 12/07/2023 - 14/09/2023

Term 4: 02/10/2023 - 05/12/2023

Diary Dates:

WEEK 5B:

• Tuesday 23rd May:

Da Vinci Decathlon

• Wednesday 24th – Friday 26th May:

Year 5 CYC City Camp

• Wednesday 24th May:

National Simultaneous Storytime

Years 7 & 8 CSEN Sports

Years 7 & 8 Ten Pin Bowling

• Thursday 25th May:

Year 2 Excursion

Years 11 & 12 Psychology Excursion

Western CSEN Year 6 Basketball Rally Day

• Friday 26th May:

Years 1 & 2 Gymnastics

Primary Chapel

WEEK 6A:

• Monday 29th May:

Whole School Assembly

CSEN Senior Rally Day

Year 9 Round 3 Debating

• Tuesday 30th May:

Years 7 & 8 Sporting Schools - Touch

football

Collective Shout – Wellbeing parent

information evening

• Wednesday 31st May:

Years 9 & 10 CSEN Final

Years 9 & 10 Sport Roller Skating

• Thursday 1st June:

Senior School Thriving Minds

Conference

Years 7 & 8 Man Cave Workshop

• Friday 2nd June:

Years 1 & 2 Gymnastics

Years 5 & 6 District Sports

Primary Chapel

WEEK 7B:

• Monday 5th - Friday 9th June:

Years 9 – 11 Exams

• Monday 5th June:

Years 7 & 8 Dance

• Tuesday 6th June:

Years 7 & 8 Sporting Schools - Touch football

• Wednesday 7th June:

Years 7 & 8 CSEN Final

Years 7 & 8 Ten Pin Bowling

• Friday 9th June:

Years 1 & 2 Gymnastics

Year 9 City Challenge

Years 5 & 6 District Sports

Primary Chapel

Enrolments Administration

Prep 2024

Exisiting families who have put in an application for Prep 2024 prior to the closing date will have received their letter of offer.

If you have not returned your signed letter of offer please ensure you return the form as soon as possible.

Are you leaving

Northside?

If your child is not returning to Northside, please ensure you complete and return a Withdrawal Notice Form and return it to the College. If you require to withdraw your child please contact the Enrolments team on 9467 2499.

Alumni

Join the Northside Alumni by completing the online form to be notified of upcoming events.

VISA Changes

If your Visa status has changed in the last 12 months, you have been granted a new Visa, or have since become an Australian Citizen, please advise the College by email at enrol@ncc.vic.edu.au. If you have not yet returned your signed VEVO form to the College, please do so as soon as possible. Extra forms are available by contacting the Enrolments team at the College, or by sending an email to enrol@ncc.vic.edu.au.

Principal’s Tours

Did you know we hold Principal’s Tours? The Principal’s 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-atour

Media Permissions Forms

Media Permissions Forms give permission for students to appear in the Northside Christian College Newsletters and Yearbook. If you would like your child to appear in the College Newsletters and Yearbook, please ensure you complete and return the Media Permissions Forms that will be sent home shortly.

We will no longer be requesting signed permission forms annually. Should you wish to change permissions in the future you will need to contact newsletter@ncc.vic.edu.au

If you want your child to be given the opportunity to appear on the College social media and/or College publications including the Yearbook, then these forms must be returned. Students that do not have their forms returned will not be given the opportunity to be photographed.

Update your details

Have you recently....

• Moved house?

• Got a new phone number?

• Need to change you child’s emergency contact ....

Please email the office to update your details by emailing ncc@ncc.vic.edu.au.

Follow Northside on Facebook and/or Instagram

If you’re on Instagram or Facebook please follow the Northside Christian College pages.

Instagram

Facebook

Absences

Please remember to email any absences to:

attendance@ncc.vic.edu.au

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.

Uniforms

New Uniforms to Buy

College families can purchase new uniforms from Academy Uniforms.

Second Hand Uniforms to Buy and Sell

College families have the opportunity to sell their second hand uniforms directly to other families via the Facebook group; NCC Second Hand Uniforms and Textbooks Buy, Swap Sell.

Please ensure you read the group rules; only Northside uniforms and textbooks may be sold in this group.

All sales and purchases are directly between families, not with Northside.

Whole School ANZAC Day Service

We commemorated ANZAC Day with a whole school chapel in the courtyard on Wednesday morning, 26th April 2023.

We were privileged to have an Army Chaplain in attendance along with staff, students and parents, including some who have actively serving parents or relatives. This Chapel service included laying flowers and a wreath and a poem read by Mrs Sam McCall whose grandfather had served in Vietnam.

It was lovely to join the whole school in commemorating ANZAC Day.

Primary School

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day was a wonderful time to remember our fallen soldiers and to pay them and their families respect and thanks for the freedom we have. Tomisin and Abbey, represented our school in Watsonia and laid a wreath as a sign of Northsides respect.

It was a time of joy and not sadness as we remembered our heroes.

Years 1 & 2 Gymnastics

This term once a week the Year 1’s and 2’s have been travelling to Pit Gymnastics to participate in a gymnastics program there as part of their PE lessons. This has given students the opportunity to experience gymnastics in its entirety, use equipment and learn new skills that they would otherwise not experience at school. Students have developed their balancing, locomotion and grip strength and have had a lot of fun! Well done to all the Year 1 and 2 students for giving new challenges a go and exhibiting respectful behaviours!

Mrs Anthea Claassens Primary Teacher

Year 1 and 2 students attempting gymnastic feats

Mrs Sharon Simic Primary Teacher

Primary School Captains Tomisin and Abbey attending the ANZAC Day service at Watsonia RSL.

Mini Movers

Mini Movers is a program focusing on fine motor skills, coordination and visual direction. Students rotate through various activities practicing these skills. This program gives students the opportunity to work together, encourage one another and strengthen their physical skills. The Preps, Year 1 and Year 2 students have enjoyed this program through this semester and look forward to this every week. Thank you to all the parent helpers that volunteered their time to assist students in the program! We couldn’t do it without you!

Prep W Scientists

The Preps became scientists for the afternoon with their magnifying glasses and clipboards, and observed many different natural and man-made structures around the school. They studied leaves, trees and bugs up close, and drew pictures of what they saw. It was a great afternoon of exploring and seeing what it looks like to be a scientist in real life!

Primary Teacher

Ms Caitlyn Wood

Prep W showing the clipboards that they used during their afternoon as scientists

Mrs Anthea Claassens Primary Teacher

Students practice strengthening their physical skills during Mini Movers.

Year 3 Procedural Writing

The Year 3’s began their writing for Term 2 by looking at Procedures. To make this a fun activity, we thought that we should ask them to write a procedure on ‘How to make fairy bread.’

This activity was a lot of fun and very yum!

Mrs Sharon Simic Primary Teacher

Students wrote out procedures and enjoyed following their own recipies for fairy bread.

Years 3 & 4 Scienceworks Excursion

The Year 3 and 4 students went to Scienceworks to learn about our world through a scientific lens. We visited the General Viewing areas which had information on sustainability, food, technology, the human body and so much more. Students enjoyed learning new things but really enjoyed all the physical activities in the Sports viewing area.

The Year 3’s went to ‘Cool Stuff’ and they were able to learn about chemical science. They learned about liquids, solids, and gases and were able to view, describe and explain what was happening. The very best thing that occurred was when Pedro the rubber ducky went for a swim in a bubble bath, except, ‘oops,’ it was a bath of nitrogen. He was no longer a rubber ducky. We also saw the lid of a tube explode off through the build-up of nitrogen gases expanding in the tube. We all got a huge fright!

The Year 4’s went to the Planetarium and they were able to see Earth from space...

Mrs Sharon Simic Primary Teacher

Students enjoyed various interactive displays at Scienceworks

Secondary School

Year 9 Physics

Year 9 students have been busy building musical instruments out of recyclable materials for Science to demonstrate how sound waves work.

Mrs Roshel Ravida Secondary Teacher

Students created a variety of musical instruments.

Athletics Carnival

What an amazing event the Athletics Carnival 2023 was! Students from Year 3 to 12 came together in their house teams to compete on the athletics field, demonstrating remarkable skills, determination, and resilience. The event saw broken records, personal bests surpassed, and a fantastic display of sportsmanship and triumph. Congratulations to all the students who dedicated their lunch breaks to training and honing their skills - it definitely paid off! A special shout-out to the record breakers, which included

Darren D

Aylaa A

Annie W

Samuel H

Aaron G

Elizabeth D

Isaac D

Annabel R

Sienna I

Isaiah K

Neva I

Grace K

Aneequa G

Michael C

Gideon C

And many more.

We extend our thanks to everyone who played a part in making this event a reality, including staff members, parent helpers, and especially Mrs. Venegas for leading the charge. Congratulations to the Worthy Warriors for emerging as the overall winners of the 2023 Athletics Carnival!

Mrs Anthea Claassens Secondary Teacher

Students competed in shot put, high jump, track, long and triple jump.

“Well done Worthy Warriors!”

INSPiRE

Gifted Awareness Week

Gifted Awareness Week is coming up from the 20th - 28th May, and we at Northside Chrisitan College are proud to participate in this annual event. This week is an opportunity to raise awareness about giftedness and the unique needs of gifted learners.

Giftedness is not just about being smart or achieving high grades. It is a term used to describe individuals who possess exceptional abilities in one or more areas, such as academics, music, art, or leadership. These students often think and learn differently than their peers and may require specialized educational opportunities to reach their full potential.

Advocacy for gifted learners is important because these students often face challenges in traditional classroom settings. Without proper support, they may become disengaged or even discouraged. By advocating for gifted learners, we can help create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

If you are interested in learning more about giftedness and advocacy, we encourage you to check out the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) website at https://www.aaegt.net.au/. They have a wealth of resources and information to help you better understand giftedness and how to support these learners.

Another great resource for parents of gifted learners is the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children (VAGTC) website at https://www.vagtc.org.au/. They offer a range of resources, including information on giftedness, advocacy, and educational opportunities for gifted learners.

Parents can find helpful information and support through VAGTC, including networking with other families of gifted children. They also provide information on events and programs designed specifically for gifted learners.

During Gifted Awareness Week, we encourage you to take some time to explore the resources provided by both the AAEGT and VAGTC websites. By learning more about giftedness and advocacy, we can work together to support and nurture the unique abilities of our gifted students.

Mrs Anthea Field INSPiRE Coordinator

LEGO Masters Visit

We were excited to have Ryan Evans, a LEGO Masters contestant from 2021 and 2023, join us recently at Northside to run a series of workshops. Ryan brought his love for LEGO and expertise to our students in a fun and interactive way.

During the workshops, students from different year levels were given the opportunity to participate in a range of challenges and activities that involved problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. In the Year 7/8 Robotics Workshop, students worked in groups to program robots to complete specific tasks. They had to use their teamwork skills to ensure that the robots worked effectively.

In the second workshop, Year 6 students had the chance to build the tallest tower and a car that could travel the furthest. The students collaborated with each other to come up with innovative solutions and build their creations.

The final session saw interested students from the previous workshops come together to work in teams of 3-4 to build a bridge that stretched over 1 meter. They then tested their bridges to see which could take the most weight. Throughout the day, students had to rely on their collaboration skills to succeed in each challenge.

Ryan’s visit was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn and grow in a fun and interactive way. We are grateful to Ryan for sharing his passion for LEGO and for inspiring our students to think creatively and work together as a team.

LEGO Workshop

Exciting news for our younger students! On Tuesday at 3:15pm weekly, we will be hosting a LEGO workshop for students in Prep to Year 4. The workshop will introduce a new program called Robo Bricks, which teaches basic coding using We Do 2.0. Students will have the opportunity to learn coding skills through building and programming robots made of LEGO bricks. It’s a great way to encourage STEM learning and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way. Don’t miss out on this exciting workshop! Book https://www.trybooking.com/CHSTE Please put your child’s name and year in the booking sheet.

Cost: $150 (16th May-13th June)

Mrs Anthea Field INSPiRE Coordinator

Students built robots out of LEGO.

Students built towers.

Students built impressive bridges.

Library

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Challenge has begun but it’s not too late to enter. Please return Premier’s Reading Challenge permission forms as soon as possible. All students who complete the challenge receive a certificate signed by the Premier. This challenge is for all students from Prep to Year 10. Hand in the form to join in.

Congratulations to the following students for being the top 5 students to complete the challenge: Chu Mo, Gideon, Tobiloba, Wilson, and Mandez. The Library Team

Information Technology

Passwords

As cybercrimes and threats increase each month, it is important that as technology users we should ensure we are keeping our access as secure as possible by starting with a secure password using passphrases. Here are some examples of passwords:

You may use also use a password generator https://www.useapassphrase.com.

ArtArt Club: Garden Box

During Term 1 and 2 we have been painting a large garden box and have also created a patterned zentangle.

We are also looking at Keith Haring this term and are drawing miniature figures in a similar style to the artist.

Ms Annie Paterno Secondary Teacher

Wellbeing

Applied suicide prevention skills training.

12 staff members recently participated in applied suicide prevention skills training with the purpose of equipping them to:

• Identify people who have thoughts of suicide.

• Listen to the story of a person at risk and recognise turning points that connect that person to life and hope.

• Appreciate how talking openly about suicide can help prevent it.

• Know how to contribute to suicide safety by protecting, preserving and promoting life within the College community.

It was a challenging but worthwhile professional development that better assisted staff to assist our students and community.

Ways to develop resilience.

Like any skill, mental, emotional and spiritual resilience can be learned and built with continual practice. Proverbs 24:16 says “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”

The Wellbeing team are passionate about encouraging and equipping students with tools to become resilient young people. Below are some encouraging tips that we practice regularly in strengthening and nurturing resilience.

1. Redefine setbacks as the gateway to something greater.

2. Remember successful people don’t just face adversity, they embrace it.

3. Tune out the critics and focus on doing your best.

4. Wake up every day remembering that prayer and gratitude create a fertile environment for faith.

5. Increase your faith talk when you’re afraid.

6. Learn from failure, and remember the many times you’ve succeeded.

7. Visualise victory before going into battle.

8. Refuse to dwell on the past or worry about the future; today is where you have the most influence.

9. Identify a solution instead of complaining.

10. Replace self-doubt with faith talk.

11. When things look hopeless, remember ‘with God all things are possible.’ (Mark 10:27)

12. When you feel alone, think of all those who have helped you and who love and support you.

13. Pray for guidance when you’re in over your head. (James 1:5)

14. Rest when you’re tired, but don’t give up. Finish strong in everything you do.

15. Remember you ‘can do all things through Christ’ when you think you can’t. (Philippians 4:13)

16. Recognise what you can’t control, focus on what you can and surrender the rest to God.

17. Exercise physically if you can, to give yourself a sense of control, and to help lift your mod.

18. Laugh to reduce stress, strengthen your immune system and improve arterial blood flow.

19. Be grateful! Research shows that people who sent a letter or email of thanks to somebody who helped them, stayed in a better mood for up to a month.

SAVE THE DATE: WHOLE SCHOOL Important

Parent / Carer Information Evening

Supporting our Young People in a Sexualised World presented by Collective Shout. Date: Tuesday, 30th May 2023 Time: 6:30pm

Where: Northside Christian College

Watch out for further details and information

The Man Cave Workshops

The Man Cave Workshops for both Middle School and Senior School.

Year 9 boys - Thursday 18th May

Year 7 boys - Thursday 1st June

Year 8 boys - Thursday 1st June

Year 10 boys - Friday 28th July

The Man Cave is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence workshop designed for our boys to grow into the young men God intends them to be.

Special Visit from Dr Maria Varlet

It was a pleasure for Northside Christian College to host Dr Maria Varlet on Wednesday 10th May 2023. Maria is a former teacher at Northside Christian College and is the current Christian Schools Australia (CSA) State Executive Officer for Victoria and Tasmania. During her visit, Maria shared a devotion with staff, toured the College and met with Mr Michael Bond (Principal) and Mrs Serene Eng (Deputy Principal). Northside Christian College is a member school of CSA. CSA is a peak group serving the diverse needs of a large network of independent Christian Schools. CSA provides professional services, development, direct assistance, information and advice to its members. CSA is a voice for Christian schools, advocating for their needs in the national debate. The College is grateful to have a great relationship with Maria and CSA and values their ongoing prayers and support.

Religious Educational Institutions And Anti-Discrimination Laws

Northside Christian College is deeply committed to upholding and promoting the provision of Christian education. Recently, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) initiated an inquiry concerning Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws, with the aim of reporting its findings to the Government in April 2023. However, the report’s release has been postponed until December 2023. When the ALRC consultation paper was made public, it raised concerns among Christian schools, as it suggested the removal of crucial protections that safeguard these institutions.

A prominent representative of a major religious school system rightly observed that if these proposals were implemented, it would render the operation of our schools meaningless. Our schools rely on fundamental legal protections, which include the freedom to select staff members who share and practice the Christian beliefs and values that the College upholds. Equally important is the ability to maintain a distinct Christian culture and ethos by imparting a Christian worldview through teaching.

If you are interested in delving further into this issue, we invite you to explore the inspiring stories that lie at the heart of a Christian education on the website https://mychristianschool.au. This platform also offers valuable information on how to get in touch with your Federal MP to express the desires and concerns of parents regarding this matter.

Mr Michael Bond Principal

Dr Maria Varlet speaking with staff.

Dr Maria Varlet and Mr Michael Bond.

Finance Team

If you need to contact our

will

Business Manager: Leigh Adcock

Assistant School Burser: Bee Yew

Credit Controller: Kerri Khoo

Accounts Office: Suni Harun Amelia Hill

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Information for Parents and Concession Card Holders

The Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (CSEF) funding is made available by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of camps, sports, and excursions, which are included in fees that are billed to your school account.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card, (e.g. Centrelink Health Care Card), or you are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF funding.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

1. $125 for Primary School students

2. $225 for Secondary School students

For more information about the CSEF, and to download the CSEF application form, visit Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund at: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund/guidance/ submitting-application. An application form may also be obtained from the College Finance Office. Application forms must be lodged with the College by the 23rd June 2023.

Please note that the College is required to sight any relevant concession cards that you may hold to support eligibility for the CSEF. Therefore, please either bring your concession card with you, if you are dropping off your application at the College Finance Office or email a copy of your concession card to Kerri Khoo with your application to accounts@ncc.vic.edu.au.

Upon approval by the Victorian Government, the allowance will be paid to the College, which will then be applied to your school account.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kerri Khoo by email accounts@ncc.vic.edu.au, or by telephone at 9467 2499.

Left to right: Leigh Adcock, Bee Yew, Kerri Khoo, Suni Harun

Finance Team you

likely speak to one our the following staff:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

It has been a joy to see students grow and develop as peacemakers within the community. I am blessed to get a glimpse of this and I wanted to give some of our Secondary students the opportunity to share how the PeaceWise framework has impacted them personally.

“The group forums are one of the most helpful parts of the PeaceWise program for me. In these forums, we can discuss thought-provoking ideas, helping us to be better at peacemaking and getting ideas from like-minded people our age who are easy to relate with. We can see ideas, thoughts and feelings from people our age with the forums. People that we identify with, and do life with each day. Each time we use these forums, our classmates and friends share experiences they’ve had to do with the topic. For example, many times, students like to share times when they have been peacemakers, and how each PeaceWise tool (peacemaking pizza, slippery slope) has helped them to be better peacemakers and friends.”

Daniel

“PeaceWise provides us students with an effective, God-oriented set of strategies that help us resolve conflicts. As we complete the PeaceWise activities, we’re given a chance to reflect on our own conflicts and roadblocks, which are qualities that prevent us from maintaining healthy relationships with those around us, and keep us from honouring God. Examples of roadblocks are envy, greed, and selfishness. This program teaches us how to conduct ourselves during a conflict, how to apologise for our own mistakes, and how to navigate the process of forgiveness. I believe that these skills and tactics are essential in our lives, as we will all undoubtedly find ourselves in conflict at some point down the line. When we do, it’s crucial we have the know-how to restore peace. The ‘Slippery Slope’ of responses to conflict has allowed me to identify how I typically react, and encourages me to utilise strategies from the ‘make peace’ section of the slope rather than either one of the extremities adjacent to it. Peacewise is definitely a program that’s had a real impact on my character.”

Lyvia

Ms Christie Vaughn Peacewise Representative

“

“PeaceWise provides us students with an effective, God-oriented set of strategies...”

June 12 – July 16

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It’s creativity time! Let your child’s inner-Picasso run free.

Upload your child’s entry!

That’s it! Our amazing expert panel will then look at all the artworks and choose 4 lucky winners and 40 runners-up!

2x awesome categories to enter

Showcase your talent in the visual arts. Whether you draw, paint, sketch, sculpt, collage or anything else, we want to see your masterpiece.

Express yourself in the written arts. Let your imagination and emotions run wild with poems, stories, essays, songs or any other form of writing.

Using our Big Art Comp templates, respond to one of the following quotes through creativity.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

“Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

Show us your skillsamazing and win big time!

Are you ready for a full day of fun and excitement? Join Rocketeers for Mission X this Winter – the ultimate holiday program that will take you from dawn to dusk with amazing activities, experiences and challenges.

Learn new skills, make new friends and have a blast! Don’t miss this chance to launch into holiday mode with Rocketeers.