Term 4 is well underway. Our Year 12 students have now completed their HSC examinations, while our Year 11 students have returned from their Leadership Retreat ready to embrace new roles and responsibilities. Across the school, classes are focused on completing their final assessments for the year.

Last Friday, NEGS hosted its annual Twilight Fair — a wonderful celebration of community spirit. Thank you for your generosity, whether through donations, assisting with stall supervision, performing musical items, or simply being there on the day. Your support made a difference.

Upcoming Introduction of Social Media Age Restrictions

As we move towards the festive season, it is important to begin conversations with our young people about the upcoming changes to social media access.

From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms will no longer be permitted to allow Australians under 16 to create or maintain an account.

These new age restrictions are expected to apply to Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, and YouTube, among others.

It is important to note that most standalone gaming and messaging apps, as well as many health and education services, will not be affected by the new law.

For families, this transition period provides valuable time to discuss online safety and wellbeing with your child. It’s an opportunity to help them prepare for the challenges and pressures of social media when they turn 16 - to build their digital, social, and emotional skills, and to understand the importance of seeking support if something goes wrong.

We understand that many parents, carers, and young people have questions and concerns about these changes and how to best prepare for them. The link below provides access to a list of frequently asked questions and helpful advice to address some of these immediate concerns.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

At NEGS, we look forward to working with our families and students as we navigate these changes together - supporting them to embrace the transition, strengthen their understanding of online safety, and continue their learning with confidence.

Ms Liz van Genderen

Principal

As the end of term fast approaches, students remain immersed in their learning, finalising assessments and completing exam periods. Their focus and resilience during this busy period have been commendable.

In these final weeks, students are encouraged to continue meeting the school’s expectations for behaviour and uniform. These standards reflect our shared values of respect, responsibility, and pride in belonging. A consistent approach to conduct and presentation helps maintain a calm, focused environment where everyone can finish the year well.

The calendar ahead includes several key events that mark the culmination of the school year. These include the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a cherished tradition that brings our community together in reflection and celebration, and Speech Day, where we formally recognise student achievements and contributions.

Our Junior School will also gather for their Celebration of Learning and Nativity Play, a joyful occasion that highlights their growth, creativity, and community spirit.

Students are reminded that attendance at these events is a school expectation and an important part of our community. These occasions are not only part of our formal program, but also offer meaningful opportunities to honour shared experiences, celebrate growth, and close the year with pride and connection.

We encourage all students to stay engaged, support one another, and finish the term with purpose and positivity.

Mrs Heidi Dent

Deputy Principal

As our Year 12 students close the final chapter of their high school journey, we celebrate not only their academic achievements but the incredible resilience, character, and perseverance they have shown throughout their schooling.

Having completed their HSC exams, these young women have demonstrated outstanding dedication, and their hard work has paid off. Special mention must be made of those students whose performance in the Trial Exams indicated they were on track for the prestigious Band 6 or E4 results. Their exceptional commitment to their studies, along with their focus and determination, has positioned them for success as they move toward the final results. It goes beyond these individuals though. The relative pool of marks is looking very healthy across the board. Our Year 12 achievements are thus a testament to the rigorous academic environment at NEGS and the invaluable support of our teachers, who have been with them every step of the way.

At NEGS, we believe in the development of the whole person. While we certainly celebrate academic excellence, we also recognise that true success is measured in more than just exam results. Our Year 12 cohort has thrived in the classroom, on the sports field, and in the wider community, showing leadership, empathy, and a passion for growth. Each graduate has demonstrated the qualities of a well-rounded individual—someone prepared to meet the challenges of a complex and ever-changing world.

As these remarkable young women step into the next phase of their lives, whether they pursue further study, enter the workforce, or embark on other exciting journeys, we have no doubt they will continue to excel. Their time at NEGS has shaped them into women of character, and we are proud to watch them take their place as leaders of tomorrow. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Mr Ryan Caldwell

Director of Teaching and Learning/English Teacher

It has been a wonderful few weeks in the Junior School, filled with community connections, creativity and celebration.

Community and Service Learning

Our Service Program has been a highlight of this term, with each stage actively contributing to our wider community in meaningful ways.

• Years 5 and 6 have made fortnightly visits to the Royal Freemason’s Benevolent Institution (formally Ken Thompson Lodge), bringing conversation, music, and joy to residents. They also enjoyed an opportunity to participate at UNEs Far Out Science event, a great day out where curiosity, teamwork, and creativity shone brightly!
  Years 3 and 4 are establishing a special connection with Saumarez Homestead, learning about the White family and their historical link to NEGS. Students have also begun propagating plants and will soon assist with lavender propagation at the homestead.
• Pre-K to Year 2 embraced sustainability through the New England Garden Festival, creating delightful “sustainable gnomes” proudly displayed at the event.

These projects will culminate in our Annual Service Week, when we come together to give back to the local community. Our Junior School fundraising supports the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre. We are looking forward to welcoming Robbie from the Centre to speak with students about how our contributions, through the Annual Ride-a-thon and Christmas donations, help local families during what can be a challenging time of year.

We are seeking donations! We encourage families to join us by adding small essential items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and non-aerosol deodorants, to your shopping lists. During Service Week, these can be placed under our Junior School Christmas Tree, located in the playground. These items are donated to those in need at the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre.

Upcoming Events

Please keep an eye on What’s Happening@NEGS for further details and updates. A few key dates for your calendar:

Monday 24 November

• Celebration of Learning – 9:30am, Assembly Hall. All students from Pre-K to Year 6 will be recognised for their achievements.
• Junior School Nativity – 10:45am, Assembly Hall
• Family Picnic – 12 noon, Library Lawns, Pack a picnic and join your child/ren for lunch following the Nativity.

Wednesday 3 December

• Final day for Pre-K students

Thursday 4 December

• Junior School Speech Day. 
• School concludes for the academic year at the end of this assembly.

We are so proud of how our students have embraced learning, service, and community. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support and involvement in making NEGS Junior School such a vibrant place to learn and grow.

Mrs Deanna Ford

Junior School CoOrdinator/Year 6 Teacher

Celebration of Sport 

We are delighted to invite you to our Celebration of Sport on Thursday 13 November – an afternoon dedicated to recognising the achievements, spirit, and commitment of all our students.

This is a whole-school event, and we encourage everyone to attend, whether or not your child is receiving an award. We'll be celebrating every student who has participated and contributed to NEGS Sport this year.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 13 November

Time: 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Location: MPC and surrounding area

Schedule

3.30pm – Event begins

3.45pm – Fun games (run by Year 12 students)

4.30pm – Speeches and awards

Logistics

• Junior School students will be walked to the MPC after changing at the Junior School.
• Senior School students may change and make their way to the MPC for a 3.30pm start.

Highlights

Guest Speaker: Jo Banning – former Hockeyroo, sports journalist, and current mentor for the Jillaroos (u21 Australian Hockey Team).

Dress Code: Smart casual

Catering: Light snacks and refreshments provided

Raffle: Great prizes throughout the afternoon!

We look forward to celebrating an inspiring year of sport at NEGS with you all.

Encouraging girls to utilise leadership traits developed through sports

Recent research from Temple University highlights the significant role that sport plays in developing leadership skills in young women, which strongly reflects our approach here at NEGS.

As a school committed to providing a supportive and empowering environment, we recognise that while girls gain valuable qualities such as assertiveness, independence and empathy through sporting participation, they can sometimes feel limited in how confidently they express these traits due to broader social expectations and unconscious bias. This reinforces the importance of ensuring our programs are guided by high-quality, gender-aware coaches who understand the nuances of girls’ experiences in sport. At NEGS, we remain focused on fostering positive, inclusive and well-supported sporting environments so our students not only develop leadership skills, but feel confident using them—both on the field and beyond. 

Orbanek, S. (2025, August 26). Youth sport participation develops leaders, but for young women, there is a caveat. Temple University. https://news.temple.edu/news/2025-08-26/youth-sport-participation-develops-leaders-young-women-there-caveat.

Ms Ella Kenny

Head of Sport

Celebrating Emily Simpson and the Pacific Nomads

Emily has attended the Raro International 7’s Tournament in the Cook Islands with the Pacific Nomads.

The round games were won by the Nomads 53-5, 53-0 & 42-0. The semifinal was won by the Nomads as the opposing team forfeited due to injuries.

Nomads then played the Redcliffe A team and won 44-0. Emily scored 3 tries over the carnival, converting one of those tries.

In the below photo, Emily is pictured with coach Sarah Byrne receiving her playing Jersey. Emily is the 65th capped Pacific Nomads player.

As one year closes and another begins, I’ve been reflecting on two end-of-year speeches delivered by Florence Green. More than a century later, her insights feel remarkably relevant and a reminder that while our world has transformed beyond recognition, the human heart and mind have not.

Excerpt from Florence Greens 1901 End of Year Speech

‘...And here comes the great responsibility of parents, for it is of little use to guard girls from evil or impure companions when they are allowed to read books which have exactly the same effect on them as companions would have. Now, while I thankfully acknowledge that many parents are by no means indifferent as to the books their girls read, and this, of course, would apply to the parents of my own pupils….I suppose everyone would agree that in no time of the world’s history has there been more unwholesome and undesirable literature within easy reach. Where girls are allowed to borrow and read indiscriminately, one of two results must follow. Either the moral standard is permanently lowered, with disastrous consequences in later life, or if the strength of her pure nature can withstand evil communication then the girl becomes painfully familiar with all forms of wickedness and no detail of crime is unknown. Sooner or later her belief in goodness will be shaken, and gone forever are her innocent simplicity and girlish bloom. In either case, intoxicated with the stimulant sensation, she soon refuses the wholesome food which the books of standard authors supply...’

Excerpt from Florence Greens 1902 End of Year Speech

‘It is the experience of all schools, that the better the discipline and the more regular and earnest the work, the happier, healthier, and brighter will be the children. Would that this were acknowledged and acted upon in more of our Australian homes, and that it were more generally realised that weak indulgence cannot bring happiness, nor confer real benefit.

It may seem easier at the time to give girls their own way, and gratify every passing whim, but it is a short sighted policy, and may have most unfortunate results. Is there not a danger, lest the dearly loved daughter, whose fond parents can deny her nothing in the matter of dress, trinkets, sweets or pocket money, should learn to over-estimate the value of outward show! May not these seeds of extravagance bring her a sad harvest of discontent, from which nothing but sorrow can be reaped in later life?...’

In 1901, Miss Green spoke to parents about the influences shaping young people. Her concern was not social media, but ‘unwholesome literature.’ She worried that when young women read indiscriminately, their sense of right and wrong might blur, or their belief in goodness might be shaken by constant exposure to darkness.

Today, her warning echoes through the scroll of a phone screen. The books of her time have become the endless feeds of ours, stories, videos and images that flood our students’ minds with both inspiration and harm, depending on where they land. The challenge for parents and educators remains unchanged, how do we help young people build discernment in a world of influence.

A year later, in 1902, Miss Green spoke of discipline and indulgence. She reminded parents that ‘weak indulgence cannot bring happiness’ no matter how loving the intent. Over a century later, we still see the same tension between wanting to give our children everything and knowing that resilience grows through limits, structure and effort.

The wisdom of Florence Green still holds, happiness and strength are built not through indulgence but through purpose, responsibility and the steady guidance of caring adults.

As we navigate a world of rapid technological change and shifting values, it’s worth remembering that character (much like kindness, discipline and empathy) does not go out of fashion. The human heart has not evolved as quickly as technology. What our students need most now, as then, is the steady presence of adults who set boundaries, model balance and remind them that happiness is not found in stimulation but in substance.

Mrs Kassy Cassidy

Head of Boarding

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 Administration Assistant

In Week 2, all students from Primary to Year 8, as well as Music Elective students had the wonderful opportunity to take part in a concert made possible through Musica Viva Australia. Musica Viva brings high quality musicians to regional schools so students all over NSW can experience professional concerts.

The musicians of Japanese, Taiwanese and Singaporean heritage performed on erhu, guzheng and a range of percussion instruments and created a fascinating sound world. At times meditative, at times exciting, the students were actively involved in most pieces, and even got a chance to dance on stage! 

The hour the concert lasted felt much shorter than that, and it was wonderful to see so many smiles on the kids' faces throughout the show.

After the show, students got a chance to engage with the musicians and ask lots of questions - they even got to play some of the instruments. 

It was a wonderful morning of musical enrichment and we can’t wait till next year when Musica Viva will be back. 

Mrs Susanne Hughes

Music Teacher