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| 8 Jun 2025 | |
| Written by Tianna Kelly | |
| General News |
I am thrilled with the successes of Term 2. The learning, sport, equestrian achievements, debating, and our Round Square connection with a school in Argentina have all been outstanding.
At NEGS, we are teaching our students to develop greater confidence. It is human nature to make errors — the genius lies in acknowledging them, learning from them, and moving forward. It is essential that our young people understand how to reflect on setbacks and rebuild with resilience as they prepare for the world beyond NEGS — a world that may be socially and culturally very different from our own community.
We are constantly refining our educational lens. Our goal is to develop students' confidence, resilience, willingness to take risks, and a strong sense of self, while educating them beyond stereotypes.
The environment we provide for our senior girls allows us to challenge the inequities that still exist in our society. It gives us the opportunity to focus on the education of girls. We often hear the phrase, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” but it is equally true that you can’t be what you don’t believe. Girls must be encouraged to build a strong self-concept, which, in turn, will nurture their confidence.
Farewell Annyka Overton
At the end of Term 2, we will farewell Annyka Overton.
Annyka has dedicated 20 years of service to the NEGS Equestrian Centre, showing unwavering commitment to our students, horses, and families. Annyka will be remembered for her compassion, honesty, commitment, positivity, and joy.
Her presence will be greatly missed by our staff, students, and most of all, the NEGS Equestrian Community. Go well, Annyka — and thank you.
Ms Liz van Genderen
Princpal
As we close out the term, a number of highlights stand out - many drawn just from this past week, showcasing the energy and heart of our school community.
Early in the term, our Year 9 students embarked on their Outward Bound experience - an unforgettable adventure that tested their resilience and deepened their bonds through shared challenge and reflection. More recently, our Senior girls raised over $8,500.00 through the World’s Greatest Shave - a powerful show of compassion, courage, and unity.
Our youngest students lit up the week with their Box Car Drive-In Movie Night, delighting in the magic of imagination and connection. Years 3–6 embraced outdoor learning and adventure at Aussie Bush Camp, while our sporting teams continued to shine across a range of competitions, demonstrating fierce determination and school spirit.
Thank you to all staff, students, and families for your part in shaping such a dynamic and fulfilling term. As we step into the new term, let’s continue to lean into challenges, move through our days with kindness, and remain present and accountable to ourselves and one another.
Wishing everyone a safe and restorative break.
Mrs Heidi Dent
Deputy Principal
3-6 Camp
As you read this, Years 3-6 will have returned from their annual school camp, filled with stories to share that will remain lifelong memories for each individual. Students travelled to The Great Aussie Bushcamp for a three day experience that saw students test their ability to go beyond their self imposed boundaries.
From the early years, research consistently highlights the importance of immersive, play-based and hands-on experiences in supporting children’s development. Adventurous learning offers students the opportunity to test their abilities, manage risk, and grow into capable, adaptable, and resourceful individuals. Being adventurous is about creating opportunities for children (and adults) to explore and test their capabilities.
– Greenman, J. (2005). Caring Spaces, Learning Spaces
Camp provides a safe, structured environment where students step outside their comfort zones and into their learning zones. Through challenge, teamwork, exploration and joy, they stretch their skills and build new ones. Enjoy the photos attached – a glimpse into the moments of courage, connection, and growth your children experienced!
PreK-2 Drive-in Movies
Our younger students recently enjoyed a magical evening at our Drive-In Movie Night. A special thank you to all the families who supported their children in designing and creating their imaginative box cars – the results were fantastic!
In a fast-paced, digital world, these creative, hands-on experiences are more valuable than ever. Engaging in playful construction and storytelling nurtures children’s creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills – and it’s fun for the whole family! Thank you to our incredible Junior School staff whose dedication and energy brought this memorable event to life.
Reports
Academic reports will be available via Engage at the end of the term. These reports are an important communication tool, highlighting your child’s achievements and growth, as well as identifying focus areas for Semester 2.
Please take time to read the Achievement Key for Academic Subjects at the beginning of the report. In NSW, a 'C' grade reflects that a student is meeting the expected standard for their stage of learning. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with class teachers early in Term 3 to discuss student progress in more detail.
Thank you for your continued support in helping make our Junior School such a vibrant, joyful, and nurturing place to learn.
Mrs Deanna Ford
Junior School CoOrdinator/Year 6 Teacher
School Drive Subsidy - NSW students
The School Drive Subsidy is available to NSW residents in areas where there is no public transport, to drive an eligible student all or part of the way to school. The subsidy is only intended to partly offset the cost of using a private vehicle to drive the eligible student and is not intended to cover all costs. Transport for NSW administers the School Drive Subsidy scheme.
The subsidy is for driving school students to school or to the nearest transport pick up point, by car, motorcycle or boat.
For more information and the application process please visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/schoolDriveSubsidy
At NEGS I require a travel diary to be completed at the end of each Semester, i.e. end Term 2 and end Term 4, and returned to me. These diaries are available from the NEGS Engage Parent Portal.
If you have any queries, please contact me at helen.smith@negs.nsw.edu.au or by ‘phone (02) 6774 8700
Mrs Helen Smith
Academic Administraton Assistant
This term has been a busy one for the Science department.
Some students from Years 7-10 competed in the Big Science Competition early in May and the results, ranging from credits to distinctions, will be announced at an assembly next term.
On June 11, our senior Chemistry students competed in the RACI titration competition at UNE. They also participated in a workshop on the analysis of inorganic substances, where they were able to utilise university resources such as an atomic absorption spectrometer. Our team ranked 5th out of approximately 15, which is a fantastic effort. Our junior classes this term have covered units of work including health & disease, coordination & control, energy & motion, body systems and mixtures. We look forward to seeing what the second half of the year will bring.
UNE Discovery is once again hosting “The Science Experience” here in the NSW New England during the July school holidays. Students with a passion and interest in science, who are currently in Years 9 and 10, are invited to reside on campus at the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale for a 3-day science camp.
Students will immerse themselves in a world of science across a variety of science disciplines. The program is filled with exciting and challenging hands-on activities, including neuroscience, chemistry, forensic science, coding, agriculture and so much more. There will also be a visit to one of the local nature reserves for an evening dinner and bushwalk. Students can interact with, and ask questions of scientists from industry, academia and government in a career panel discussion that focuses on the changing job market in science and ways to help students identify their passions and interests in science.
The 3-day event is designed so that students can stay on campus and experience what it’s like to live at university in a residential college.
Dates: Mon 14- Wed 16 July 2025
Costs: Registration $220 per student + accom/meals/activity package (from $80/no accom, $160 2 nights, $240 3 nights)
Click here for more information
Opportunities for financial assistance may be available through your local Lions or Rotary Clubs. Please contact them directly to find out more.
Senior School Science Department
Coona 2025 had so much to be thankful for. Dry sunny weather, a fabulous team of talented, united and enthusiastic girls with families willing to jump in and help out anytime, and a team of coaches willing to give their all for both NEGS students and riders from all schools who needed a helping hand over the week.
No less than 38 students proudly wore ‘NEGS on top’, each one demonstrating NEGS values being excellence, integrity, responsibility and teamwork.
We thank everyone who has been a part of our journey, from the farriers who manage our horse's soundness, to Callum and his team from Thunderbolt Equine and Randlab for helping to keep our horses happy and healthy.
Thank you to the NEGS staff, supporting teachers, admin and stable staff who help our young girls manage their horses throughout the term when parents aren't readily available. These girls have to feed, rug, organise vets and farriers and manage the health and well-being of their horses on their own while juggling academics and other sports. Thank you to the families in the Armidale community helping beyond their daughters, and to the families from further away who (too) play invaluable roles during such an event as the Horse Expo. Without you, no one eats.
This year through dedication and hard work, we were able to win the Poole Family Perpetual Shield for the highest scoring four riders from one school. This was such an exciting trophy to win as it requires four riders to be successful in a range of events over the week. NEGS is known for having a large base of riders who are successful in their chosen areas so to have four riders who could "do it all" this year was super exciting.
It has been 11 years since we have taken out his trophy, so everyone at NEGS is incredibly proud to have been a part of it.
Those riders in the winning team were:
To make their celebrations all the more exciting, the same four riders rode together in the team of four show riding event, winning the Gower Family Perpetual Trophy.
To top off what has been an exceptional Coona for NEGS we were also able to bring home:
The Salmandae Team Eventing Trophy won by:
The Team Dressage Trophy won by:
The Godolphin Team Six Bar Shield won by:
Robin Henry was also awarded the Runner up highest point scoring individual and Taylor Chick-Sauer received the overall highest point score in the working horse events. These are two massive achievements!
Other outstanding individual results were:
NEGS always loves competing at Coona as we bring a huge team of girls who just thrive on the camaraderie and team spirit, but nothing is ever guaranteed due to numbers. Any ribbons at Coona are hard to earn, as there are so many quality riders from all schools.
The scores were close.
Both the eventing trophy and the Poole family shield had only a few points in it, requiring a recount of the Poole Family Shield after it was awarded to Calrossy on the day. We congratulate Calrossy’s consistent success over the previous years, as ‘Without a worthy opponent, a group cannot grow stronger’, and we are humbled and proud to take the Poole Family Shield home in 2025.
The quality of horses and riders at Coona is high, which is a testament to the efforts of the Coona committee, who work tirelessly from one year to the next to run such a massive event. A huge thank you needs to go to all of the discipline convenors as well as the scorers, as it is almost incomprehensible the sheer amount of results and data that needs to be collated. Thank you so much for the many hours you all put into making Coona one of the greatest events there is for riders in NSW and especially the north west.
Click below to see a full rundown of the pointscore
Full pointscore:
https://www.nwequestrianexpo.com.au/media/website_posts/158/2025-POINTSCORE-PLACINGS-v3.pdf
Trophies and awards:
https://www.nwequestrianexpo.com.au/media/website_posts/158/Results-for-web-v3.pdf
Mrs Annyka Overton
Equestrian Centre Coordinator
Please read this week's Careers Newsletter HERE.
Mr Mark Ambrose
Careers Advisor/Business Studies Teacher
Representative Rugby Success
Congratulations to all students who participated in the NSW Rugby State Championships. It was a highly successful weekend, with our Under 18s team claiming the championship title and the Under 16s achieving their best result in many years - an outstanding effort by all involved.
We are incredibly proud of the following NEGS students for their dedication, sportsmanship, and exceptional performances:
Well done, girls!
Hockey
The Hockey New England competition is over 2 months in and the students are improving week to week. Currently sitting in finals contention in u12, u14, u16 and Div 1 competitions, which is very exciting. It is really exciting this year to have a division 3 team which consists of many students who haven't played hockey before. These girls are improving every week and it's a really exciting prospect for the future of hockey at NEGS.
IGSA Hockey
The IGSA Hockey Teams will be announced next week. Please check this space for the team list and further details.
Representative Hockey
Congratulations to Ella Tanna and Tabitha Havas who recently represented CIS at the NSWCIS Hockey Championships in June.
Well done to both girls on representing at such a high level.
NSW Representation
We are proud to congratulate Heidi Zwiers and Chilali Baggins-Cupitt on their selection into the NSW U18 Squad. This is a remarkable achievement, and we look forward to following your continued success on the state stage.
Netball
TAS Carnival
Representative Netball
It was a cold, windy long weekend down at Sydney with our NEGS pupils competing at Netball NSW State Titles for their representative associations.
Chelsea Curry (U17), Sophie Schweitzer (U17) and Charli Kennedy (U15), all competed for Armidale. Danika Jones competed for Inverell U17s.
Chelsea and Sophie’s team finished 6th and Danika’s team finished 11th.
Charli Kennedy had a fantastic weekend with her U15 team coming runners up in their division.
Jorja Curry represented Armidale by umpiring and being a part of team white.
u17 Team
u15 Team
CIS Cross Country
Ivy Pritchard finished an impressive 13th overall at the NSW CIS Cross Country Championships, making her the 13th fastest runner over 6km in the entire NSWCIS association. This is an outstanding achievement and a true reflection of Ivy's dedication, resilience, and hard work over the past few years.
Ella Kenny
Head of Sport
A huge thank you to all the volunteers that made the canteen at the Athletics Carnival once again, a huge success. I would like to thank Mike Watson for once again smoking the amazing pork shoulders and a huge shout out to all our amazing bakers!! Your combined efforts raised just over $1,400.00!!!
The Junior School students had an amazing night at their disco on Wednesday evening. While the kids took to the dance floor, the Junior School Parents enjoyed chocolate platters, hot chocolate and mulled wine in the Japanese Gardens whilst trying to avoid the gale force winds.
On 11-12 October 2025, NEGS will be holding their Horse Trial at the school. We are currently looking for sponsorship for the event. If you would like to be involved, please email equestrian.center@negs.nsw.edu.au. During the event we will be running a BBQ supplying breakfast and lunch to a huge crowd. This is a great fundraiser for the P&F, however, our normal crew are unable to attend. We are seeking parents to organise and run the BBQ. Please get in touch with me if you are happy to assist.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you all in Term 3. Our next meeting will be on 30 July at 6 pm. As always, we would love to see you in person or online.
Ms Fiona Macarthur
P & F President
On the 23rd of June, the Year 7 and Year 9 Geography classes went on an excursion to the Armidale Train Station to complete a train station audit. They walked with Miss Tlaskal and Miss Munzenrieder from NEGS to Armidale train station and back.
This focused on the work they completed in class this term on the liveability of places and urbanisation of towns. Both classes completed a worksheet which allowed them to audit features such as ramps and help points for travellers.
Both classes had lots of fun and learnt a lot about the importance of services, especially public transport services, for the Armidale community.
ROUND SQUARE
NEGS is a Round Square school. This means that we are involved in a global community of schools focused on building character in students. The six ideals of Round Square are internationalism, democracy, environmentalisation, adventure, leadership and service. This term the year 7 Geography class have collaborated with a school in Argentina on the topic of Landscapes, with an extra focus on cultural aspects of either country. They have swapped slideshows filled with information about their countries to foster international knowledge.
Round Square programs will expand in term 3, with a student led focus on future Round Square collaborations and activities. Look out for meeting times in the daily notices!
Ms Fiona Munzenreider
HSIE Teacher
TEXTILES
The Year 9 and 10 girls have been completing their Cushions and Associated Folios. The variety encompasses Patchwork, Sparkly colours and smaller comforting cushions. Lovely folio work was presented, with a great deal of future textiles artists in the making, as the girls develop and widen their researching skills to include French Fashion within the genre of the Blouse, as seen on the Parisian Catwalks.
Mr Thomas Degens
Design and Technology Teacher
NEGS goes to the Armidale Eisteddfod
The Armidale Eisteddfod is probably the biggest music event for students in Armidale in the year. All schools participate in it, sending their ensembles and choirs to this prestigious event.
This year, NEGS was represented by the K-2 Choir, K-2 Drama, 3-6 Choir, Songbirds, Saumarez Strings, Year 3-4 Strings, and the Year 7 Band.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Term 2 for Music in the Junior School is always incredibly busy and rewarding in the lead-up to the eisteddfod. Every NEGS student from Kindergarten to Year 6 performs in choir, in which they have to learn at least two songs from memory as well as how to perform in public. Similarly, every Stage 2 student has been learning violin, viola and cello since Term 1 in preparation for their eisteddfod performance. Our two specialist K-6 ensembles, Saumarez Strings and Songbirds, performed with care, supported by their conductors, Ms Natasha Dyason and Mrs Sarah Sadgrove (Strings), and Ms Hester Wright (Choirs).
Semester 2 will see us preparing to perform for Grandparents’ Day and our end of year celebratory events. Wishing all Junior School musicians a relaxing winter break.
SENIOR SCHOOL
Year 7 Classroom Ensemble
The Year 7 Band represented the Senior School valiantly. They performed a piece learned in class, a folk song called ‘I heard my best friend say’. Every student had a solo which was improvised on the spot! Improvisation, particularly in front of a live audience, is the highest form of musical expression. It can be slightly nerve-wracking and the girls can be very proud of their achievement.
Besides playing in perfect time and harmony, the students showed great interest in all other performances they witnessed on that day and came back to school with much inspiration for future music making.
Well done, Helena Toomey, Charlotte (George) Yarger and Charlotte Perry!
Mrs Susanne Hughes
Music Teacher
