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| 6 Nov 2024 | |
| Written by Tianna Kelly | |
| General News |
It is beginning to feel a lot like the end of the school year! The energy and excitement across the school campus is contagious.
On Thursday afternoon we held our annual Celebration of Sport. What a great way to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our young sports men and women. We were fortunate to have Mackenzie Little, world ranked 3rd in Javelin (and also a hospital Doctor), as our guest speaker.
Mackenzie embodies the essence of a true sportsperson: humble, driven and deeply committed. A big thank you to Mr. Moore, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Rayner for being such great sports at the water dunking station!
On Friday, NEGS was bustling with activity at the highly anticipated Twilight Fair. My gratitude extends to the NEGS community, the P&F, stallholders, and all the entertainers who csme together to make the evening possible. It was a great evening!
Congratulations also to our Year 5 students who have applied for leadership positions. Your hard work and commitment to preparing applications, participating in interviews, and delivering speeches are commendable. Regardless of the outcomes, I am confident that our Junior School will be in very capable hands.
Year 9 and 10 students are well underway with their end-of-year exams, with Year 7 and 8 students beginning theirs this week. It’s a busy time for everyone, and I am immensely proud of the dedication our students bring to both their studies and extracurricular pursuits.
Ms Liz van Genderen
Principal
Year 12 Leadership Camp: Teamwork in Action
Over the weekend, along with Ms Willis, I had the pleasure to join our senior students as they took part in a memorable Leadership Camp, themed around Teamwork in Action. Our motto for the camp was “T-Rex on 3”, which encouraged them to think about things in a way that not everybody else does, e.g NEGS on 3….1-2-3 NEGS or Abbottsleigh on 3…..1-2-3 Abbottsleigh. This camp was held on the stunning Sapphire Coast just North of Coffs Harbour, and provided students with a series of challenging activities designed not only to develop individual skills but also to strengthen their ability to work as a cohesive unit. Throughout the experience, the students demonstrated exceptional collaboration and creative thinking, leaving a lasting impression on all involved.
The camp’s agenda was packed with activities that tested both physical endurance and mental toughness (Grit), starting with a beach hike along the scenic coastline. Navigating through rugged terrain, creeks, and changing tides, students relied on one another for support, finding innovative ways to solve problems as they moved along the trail. Working together to overcome these challenges strengthened their communication skills and reinforced the importance of shared responsibility in achieving a common goal.
One of the weekend’s highlights was a thrilling, and at times hilarious, surfing lesson, where students were introduced to the basics of catching waves. With instructors guiding them, students quickly learned that balance, timing, and a supportive push from teammates, were essential for success. Whether it was encouraging each other to get back on the board after a wipeout or celebrating a successful ride, the surf lesson became a symbol of resilience and mutual support. I was also impressed by the take up on the offer of a sunrise from Woolgoolga (Woopi) headland, early morning swim and cup of coffee with only a couple choosing to stay in bed.
Another key team-building activity was the escape room challenge. This high-intensity, problem-solving activity required students to collaborate under pressure, pooling their unique skills and ideas to solve puzzles and unlock the doors to success. Each group member had a role to play, and it was heartening to witness the students leveraging each other’s strengths and learning from their combined efforts.
An exciting outcome of the camp was the chance for students to brainstorm a theme they’d like to promote in their final year. After thoughtful discussions and idea-sharing sessions, they settled on a unified theme that reflects their aspirations as a graduating class. The students also discussed the things that would be part of their BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for 2025. Once formalised, this will inform smaller goals for the coming months, centered around enhancing the school’s sense of community and encouraging inclusivity and mutual support across all year levels and encouraging pride in the NEGS way.
As I eagerly await their upcoming presentation to the school community, I am confident that this experience has sparked a newfound commitment to teamwork among our Senior students. Their ideas and reflections from camp will undoubtedly inspire us all and serve as a reminder of the power of working together. This Leadership Camp has not only strengthened their bonds but has also laid the foundation for an impactful and purpose-driven final year.
Mr Jamie Moore
Deputy Principal/CAFS and PDHPE Teacher
The Magic of "The Little Mermaid" Musical
We are excited that our school's production of The Little Mermaid is fast approaching! The Junior School community is alive with anticipation as we get ready to bring this cherished tale to the stage.
Our students, staff and families have been working tirelessly, dedicating countless hours to rehearsals, set design, and costume creation. The enthusiasm and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. Each student, whether in a leading role or part of the ensemble, is putting forth tremendous effort to ensure that this production is a resounding success. They are not only honing their individual skills, but also learning the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
Mrs Packer and Miss Wright have been unwavering in their support, guiding the students through every step of the process. Their expertise and encouragement have been invaluable in shaping this production into a spectacular community event. They have fostered an environment where every student feels valued and capable of achieving their best.
Being a part of such a production offers an unforgettable experience for our students. It teaches them the value of hard work, perseverance, and the joy of creating something together through challenging themselves to step outside their comfort zone and onto the stage. They are learning to set high standards for themselves, embodying the school's value of excellence, and discovering the power of working as a cohesive team to achieve a common goal.
The musical promises to be a wonderful celebration of our community's talent and spirit. Let’s come together to support our young performers and celebrate their remarkable achievements.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing the magic of The Little Mermaid with you!
Mrs Heidi Dent
Junior School CoOrdinator/Year 6 Teacher
Please read this week's Careers Newsletter HERE.
Mr Mark Ambrose
Careers Advisor/Business Studies Teacher
Our October working bee was a great success. We are so thankful for all of the students who turned up, the boarding staff noted that the houses were almost empty all of Sunday.
To the parents who came along as well, your assistance was much appreciated and we are so grateful for your support. Our cross country course is well on its way to full glory. With our Second working bee last Sunday and more to come this weekend, we couldn’t be more excited. Thank you to the students and parents as well as the lovely EC staff who have taken time out of their weekends to help us out.
Entries for the “NEGS Magic Million Horse Trials” opened on the 29th of October and closed on the 6th of November. We are incredibly excited to welcome everyone back this year. All of our fingers and toes are crossed for a lovely sunny weekend. While some of our students have offered to volunteer, there is always more to do, so if anyone, whether you know the first thing about horses or not, is welcome to come along and help out. It is always much appreciated.
Hayley Frielick visited us at NEGS last week. Hayley is a 5* Eventer originally from Terry Hill, just outside of Sydney, but currently works out of the USA. Hayley has been eventing since she was 18 and has produced many horses, training them up the levels. Her Clinic ran over Wednesday and Thursday and girls had the opportunity to have private or group lessons. We are so grateful to Hayley for coming out. So many of our girls really enjoyed her visit and have learnt so much.
Ruby Holgate
2025 Equestrian Leader
Last week was Halloween, which is not as celebrated in France as ‘Toussaint’ or All Saints Day.
The Year 8 French class made chocolate ‘chauve-souris’ or bats, in a deliciously wicked lesson, while the Year 10 class went down to the Junior school to read the 3-4 class their very wholesome French picture books about the daily routine of their stuffed animals. The juniors recognised lots of vocab and the Year 10s realised that being a teacher is ‘pas facile’!
Mrs Philipa Tlaskal
French Teacher
Last term, our senior Chemistry students competed in the RACI International Chemistry Competition. Congratulations to Lucy Coelho, who achieved a Distinction.
This competition is undertaken by tens of thousands of students internationally each year, and requires participants to tackle complex problems, think critically and apply their knowledge to new concepts. Our Year 11 students competed in the Senior Division, which consists of both Year 11 and Year 12 content. They should all be extremely proud of their achievements, as this was a significant challenge.
Ms Stone
Science Teacher
ENROLMENTS
Our enrolments continue to grow, and we are receiving increased enquiries. Thank you to our students and families for your advocacy and recommendation of NEGS. We still have limited places available in 2025 and would love to fill them.
Please, if you know a family considering changing schools, please encourage them to contact either Katlyn or Lyn. We know that families reconsider at the end of the year. Pass on our enrolment number 0407 07 NEGS.
Tamworth Bus
We are currently running a weekly Tamworth bus, based on demand. The bus leaves NEGS Friday afternoon and will return students Sunday afternoon. Please share with families and friends in Tamworth, as this now makes weekly boarding at NEGS more accessible. We are hearing from prospective Tamworth Families that a girls' only environment, having everything on the one campus from learning to sport, boarding to the EC, plus the wide co-curricular offering, is appealing. Please encourage them to come and have a look at NEGS.
Parent Referral System
Choosing a school for your child is one of the most emotional decisions. We understand and appreciate that and work closely with our prospective families. We equally recognise that 'word of mouth' or talking with other parents is a crucial step when deciding. We value and appreciate the advocacy you give to NEGS as current parents. Often, it is through discussions with you that a prospective family member will take the step and start the conversation with us. Thank you!
We have a parent referral system in place where we offer a rebate on your fees for every successful enrolment. Please get in touch if you have families you would like to refer, or would like to know more.
For families with a son in Year 5 please see the information below from Farrer.
Looking forward to welcoming our new families in 2025.
Lyn O'Neill
Director of Enrolments and Marketing
Applications are now open for Year 5 boys interested in attending Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School for Year 7 in 2026.
Day student applications are via Selective Schools for registration to sit the Selective Schools Placement Test.
Boarder student applications are submitted to Farrer and students do not need to sit the Selective Schools Placement Test.
To apply for either a Day or Boarding position visit the Farrer website.
Students interested in applying for both day and boarding will be required to complete both applications. Please note students local to Tamworth will not immediately be interviewed for boarding positions. They will only be considered if there are places available after the first round of offers are complete.
For more about changes to the application process visit the Selective High Schools website.
Important Dates:
Please don't hesitate to contact us on 6764 8607 or at farrer.enrolments@det.nsw.edu.au if you require further information.
Clint Gallagher
Principal
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
