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| 16 Nov 2025 | |
| Written by Tianna Kelly | |
| General News |
The festive season is upon us, and with this comes an opportunity to thank you for the year that was. Rain, hail, shine — and even a historical snowfall…
Wins, losses, rich learning, new experiences… How fortunate am I to be able to lead NEGS.
This time of year is also a timely reminder of the benefits of single-sex senior schooling.
Recent commentary from Kingston School and Marymount International School has again highlighted the strength of an all-girls education, following findings from the Girlguiding Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2025.
“Girls in all-girls environments are more likely to take academic risks, voice their opinions, and pursue leadership roles without fear of being judged, interrupted, or belittled. They are taught that their voices matter. In these spaces, it becomes normal - not exceptional - for girls to run student councils, lead STEM clubs, debate fiercely, and aim high.”
Further reporting in the Surrey Comet (22 October 2025) explored how single-sex education can help overcome anxiety. Anne Pithie of Burgess Hill Girls spoke about the school’s culture and how it supports students in building friendships and strong social skills.
“A key to this is building a sense of community within the school, where older and younger girls interact, share experiences, and learn from one another. The friendships they forge are lifelong, formed in a supportive environment that continues well beyond school.”
Boarding also plays an important role. When pupils share space, responsibilities, and daily experiences, they learn how to live and work alongside others - developing teamwork, empathy, and the foundations of lasting relationships”.
Social Media Age Restrictions Hub
As you know, the Australian Government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development through social media age restrictions taking effect on 10 December.
You can find information in this hub to help you understand and prepare for the change: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub
If the changes in social media restrictions pose challenges to your family, the following organisations may be helpful:
And now, it is time to pause. To embrace silence, nature, and spend time with those you love.
My very best wishes.
Ms Liz van Genderen
Principal
As we reach the close of another school year, it is a fitting time to pause and reflect on all that has been achieved. 2025 has been a year of growth, resilience, and community spirit. Together, we have embraced challenges with courage, turned them into opportunities for growth, and celebrated achievements that shine a light on the remarkable strength of our school family.
I am deeply proud of the way our students have welcomed opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, showing creativity, compassion, and courage. Our staff have worked tirelessly to support learning and wellbeing, and our parents and carers have continued to be valued partners in the journey. Each contribution has shaped the vibrant culture of NEGS, where every individual matters and every achievement is celebrated.
Most recently, during Service Week, our school community delivered homemade hampers to local groups, made and personalised 250 Christmas messages for Meals on Wheels recipients, raised over $900 in food vouchers to support families during the holidays, donated sanitary goods to the women’s shelter while participating in their Clothesline Project to raise awareness against domestic violence, and crafted more than 30 heat packs for the Armidale Oncology Unit. Powerful reminders of the importance of compassion, generosity, and community connection.
As we look ahead to the new year, we do so with optimism and excitement. 2026 will bring fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. We remain committed to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally, guided by our values of responsibility, integrity, excellence and teamwork.
For now, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the holiday break. May it be a season of joy and renewal. Thank you for being part of the NEGS community. Your support and trust make all the difference.
I wish you a safe and happy Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year.
Mrs Heidi Dent
Deputy Principal
As we come to the end of a wonderfully full term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the rich learning, service and community spirit that has filled our Junior School this week. Our annual Service Week provided meaningful opportunities for students to strengthen their Character competency - with a particular focus on empathy, compassion and integrity.
Our Years 3 and 4 students continued their growing partnership with Saumarez Homestead, helping to propagate lavender that will support the maintenance of their historic gardens. Students also assisted in garden clean-ups and learned more about the historical connection between Saumarez, the White family and NEGS. This developing relationship is already proving to be a valuable way for students to understand local heritage and make a tangible contribution to their community.
Our Junior School Bike-a-thon was a tremendous success, raising $900 for the Armidale Neighbourhood Centre. These funds will directly support families in need this Christmas, and we are also deeply grateful for the donations of sanitary items contributed by our families. Your generosity truly reflects the spirit of service we hope to nurture in our children.
Students in Years 5 and 6 prepared and served a beautiful morning tea for our NEGS administration and maintenance staff, held in the peaceful Japanese Garden. This thoughtful act of gratitude was warmly received and provided a lovely opportunity for our students to acknowledge the staff who quietly contribute so much to our school every day.
Throughout the week, students also participated in water safety sessions, continuing to strengthen their water awareness and confidence in the pool.
And finally, what a wonderful way to conclude the week - our Carols Service. It was a joy to see our families gathered together, enjoying the barbecue, sharing conversations and celebrating the festive season. Thank you for joining us and for the warmth and community spirit you bring to every event.
As we move towards the holidays, I wish all of our families a safe, restful and joy-filled Christmas. Thank you for your ongoing support and for making NEGS Junior School a place where kindness, service and learning thrive.
Mrs Deanna Ford
Junior School Coordinator/Year 6 Teacher
As we close the chapter on another academic year at NEGS, it is the perfect moment to pause and reflect. Looking back, 2025 has been defined not just by the busy rhythm of school life, but by a tangible culture of progress. From the quiet focus of the examination room to the creative buzz of the design studios and the spirited arguments of the debating floor, our students have shown remarkable tenacity.
This year, we have continued to see growth in academic achievement across all cohorts. There has been a renewed focus on personal bests and a collective drive to excel that has lifted the standard for everyone.
One of the crowning achievements of our creative arts department this year was the selection of Saskia Jeffery-Bilich for the prestigious SHAPE HSC Showcase. Selection for SHAPE is the highest honour for HSC Textiles and Design students, representing the state’s exemplary major works. Saskia’s selection is a testament to her meticulous design skills and the hours of dedication poured into her major work. It serves as an inspiration to our younger designers of what is possible with vision and hard work.
Our academic enrichment program also saw stellar results, particularly within our debating cohort. We are incredibly proud of our IGSA Archdale Invitational debating team, who argued their way through fierce competition to reach the Grand Final in Sydney. Making it to the final stage of such a competitive invitational requires not only quick wit and eloquence, but also profound teamwork and critical thinking. The team represented NEGS with grace and intellect, proving that our students can hold their own against the very best in the state.
Our graduating Year 12 cohort has set a formidable example for the rest of the school. At our recent Valedictory, we celebrated the awarding of Academic Honours, a distinction reserved for those achieving an A grade in all six subjects. This level of consistency across diverse disciplines is no small feat. Furthermore, the results achieved by Year 12 in their HSC Trials were very strong. These trial results are a strong indicator of the dedication this group has applied to their studies. We wait with hopeful anticipation for their final HSC marks, confident that their preparation will yield the success they deserve.
To every student who handed in a draft early, who stayed back to ask a question, or who strove to improve a grade - thank you. You have contributed to a year of strong progress. Well done, ladies. Have a restful break, and let us return in 2026 ready to build on this success.
Mr Ryan Caldwell
Director of Teaching and Learning/English Teacher
Year 7 and 9 Geography Classes of Semester Two trip to the Armidale Train Station.
On the 26th of November, the semester 2 years 7 and 9 classes walked to the train station to do some field work to better understand liveability. They observed many things that showed accessibility to all people. These things included; tactical pavement for the visually impaired, automatic doors for every one that might have their arms full or are physically unable to move and much more. After they made these notes they viewed the museum of the train station. Here, they looked at many quadri vehicles and other vehicles used to transport items using the track. Overall, it was a fun and insightful experience for all who attended.
Gemma Poe and Charlotte Perry
Scone Beef Bonanza Success!
What a fantastic weekend for the NEGS Cattle Team at the Scone Beef Bonanza, with over 400 animals competing from schools and studs across the region!
We also had many other excellent placings across our steer team — a reflection of the students’ hard work, teamwork, and dedication.
ICMJ Beef Judging Results:
Paraders Results:
A huge thank you to our dedicated students, staff, and partner families for their ongoing support and hard work.
Carcase results:
Outstanding carcase results from Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza!
Our students have done us proud with exceptional carcase results:
Heavyweight Classes:
Class 23:
Ms Jordyn Snape
Agriculture Teacher
TEXTILES & DESIGN
With the year coming close to an end, the girls have been creating a Textiles Equipment Kit. After cleaning out the Textiles Design Studio, we decided to design a very nice textiles equipment kit for the Girls to be very well prepared for their textiles journey in life, where it is so nice to know where the equipment to repair those clothes is. Pictured is Annalyla Townsend who is enrolled in textiles and design for 2026 and has shown wonderful dressmaking skills and knowledge.
The Yr 8 Technology class have been creating curtains for their storage bays in the Textiles Design Studio. Image 5 is Abbie Kelly’s Curtain where she embellished silk screen printed ocean life, added a variety of silk textures with lovely lace additions. Abbie also hand embroidered small shells to provide a lovely tactile quality.
Mr Thomas Degens
Design and Technology Teacher
It has been a very successful year across the sporting arena. We have seen strong development, growing participation, and many impressive achievements from students in their chosen sports.
This term, our focus has been on summer sports. We entered five teams in the touch football competition, one team in basketball, three teams in twilight netball, four teams in indoor hockey, and two teams in the Rugby Spring 7s competition.
Our NEGSFit sessions have continued with great enthusiasm, along with ADP Hockey and ADP Rugby. Students have also engaged widely in representative sport, as well as our Rifle Club and Swimming, which have both seen excellent participation.
The Celebration of Sport evening was a wonderful success. Thank you to everyone involved, and congratulations to all students for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. I am incredibly proud of the way our students represent NEGS with pride, and I look forward to everything that 2026 will bring.
Looking ahead to Term 1, 2026, we have a diverse range of sports and activities on offer, including:
NEGSFit, Touch Football, Run Club, Netball, Hockey Skills, Rugby Skills, Line Dancing, Tennis, Swimming, Rifle Club, and pre-season training for all winter sports.
See below a snapshot of sports and activities on offer. This is still draft but gives you a good indication of what is available. A sport selection form will be shared shortly. Please ensure your child's sports and activities are selected before 10 January 2026. After this date, students will be placed into teams and training groups, and further information will be distributed. Please note, Junior School will have other creative clubs on offer as well, these are not confirmed yet.
Junior School Term 1 2026 Sport Schedule
Senior School Term 1 2026 Sport Schedule
Important Dates for Term 1, 2026
13 February – High Performance Camp (NEGS Only)
14 February – High Performance Camp (Whole Community)
20 February – NEGS Swimming Carnival (K–12)
24 February – Hockey Trials (Years 7–12)
25 February – Netball & Rugby Trials (Years 7–12)
25 February – Netball & Hockey Trials (Kindy–Year 6)
3 March – IPSHA Swimming Carnival (Selected Students)
9 March – NEGS Cross Country Carnival (Pre K–12)
13 March – IGSA Swimming Carnival (Selected Students)
1 April – IPSHA Cross Country (Selected Students)
Thank you to all parents and the community for a great 2025, looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2026.
Merry Christmas and have a wonderful break.
Ms Ella Kenny
Head of Sport
Why music?
Dear parents and students, as the year finishes, I look back at the amazing year we’ve had in music.
It is a privilege to guide your children, and they have learned a lot.
Sometimes, I am asked why music plays such an integral part in the curriculum at NEGS.
There are many reasons, and one of them is that music prepares your children for the jobs of tomorrow. We cannot predict exactly what the future looks like, but we can build transferable skills in young people.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights key skills like analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, leadership, and social influence - and music learning is a fantastic way to build these from the start.
Take analytical thinking, for instance. When your children tackle a complex piece of music, they’re learning to spot patterns, interpret notes, and make quick decisions - skills that shine in careers like engineering or business. It’s like solving a musical puzzle, training their minds to think critically. And resilience? They’ll need it when they miss a note or struggle with a rhythm, but each mistake teaches them to adapt and persevere - perfect for today’s ever-changing workplaces. Then there’s flexibility - mastering a new piece often means adjusting their approach, building agility that employers value. Leadership and social influence come alive in group activities, where they communicate without words, lead their peers, and collaborate - qualities that will make them standout leaders.
Picture your child conducting a section or playing their part in sync with the group - it’s teamwork in action! This journey lays a foundation for their adult success, equipping them with job-ready skills. And if they hit a wrong chord now and then, just think of it as practice for bouncing back in life with confidence!
Thank you for supporting their growth, and let’s cheer them on as they build a bright future.
Mrs Susanne Hughes
Music Teacher (Yr 6-12)
SENIOR SCHOOL
As of next year, all girls are required to be in the Navy School hat as the phase in period will end at the end of this year, with exception of year 12.
Mrs Heidi Dent
Deputy Principal
Dear families,
Reminder for families who already receive the School Drive Subsidy that I require a travel diary recording your trips (see attached for blank form) for Terms 3 and 4.
If you do not know anything about this subsidy, read on.
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
Congratulations to all the winners!
A Year of Community Spirit and Achievements
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire P&F community for your incredible support throughout the year. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, none of it would have been possible without the dedication of our families, staff and volunteers. Together we have raised $46,010.10 and happily spent $32,052.67 on supporting the education at NEGS. Please find attached list of all items purchased.
This year has been filled with memorable events and successful fundraising initiatives. A highlight was hosting the 130-Year Ball, a truly special celebration, along with our much-loved Twilight Fair, which brought joy to families and raised significant funds for the school. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve met every item on the school’s wish list, a fantastic achievement!
The Twilight Fair was a huge undertaking, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed: from setting up and running stalls to donating prizes, the extraordinary raffle, helping with the BBQ and packing up at the end. Thanks to the students for getting behind the Fair and running your stalls with such pride and enthusiasm, the singers who entertained us on stage and the cattle club for wrangling your steer. Special thanks go to the school staff for coordinating year groups, the equestrian centre for organising pony rides, the office team for their tireless preparation and the Maintenance crew for ensuring the grounds were ready and beautiful.
Another standout event was the Sports Awards Dinner, which has quickly become a highlight on the school calendar. Our thanks to Ms Ella Kenny, Head of Sport, and guest speaker Mrs Jo Banning, for making the evening so inspiring. It was wonderful to see so many parents and students enjoying the night, complete with raffles, popcorn, and games. A true celebration of the growth of sport at NEGS.
Looking ahead, we still have a few exciting events before the year ends; including the Year 6 Dinner, with P&F donating signature bears for each student and helping with decorations. We’ll wrap up the year with the Festival of Carols on December 3, followed by a P&F BBQ for all families.
Thank you again for a fantastic year. We look forward to seeing you at these final events and welcoming everyone back at the 2026 Welcome BBQ!
Ms Fiona Macarthur
P & F President
