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.

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