I couldn’t think of a better way to sign off on Term 1 - events that truly connect us all.

From the Seasons Expo and Bike Afternoon, to The Friendship Project, Fathers Dinner, and Lip Sync (could we possibly fit anything else into the calendar?!), these moments remind me why the NEGS community is so special.

The article below from the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, “Hope and Resilience: Young Australians’ Reflections on Hope in a Complex World – Youth, Diversity and Wellbeing in a Digital Age,” reflects much of what I see each day. Young people - and adults - working to build resilience, to persevere, and to find time and balance while navigating an increasingly complex world. Many aspects of this world stretch beyond our full understanding, which is why we must continue to listen, learn and hope.

As educators and parents, we do have the information we need, even if it takes time to interpret and align it with our core values. What matters most is that we engage in meaningful conversations with our young people - helping them to understand their values and how these can become strengths that guide them through life.

https://www.crisconsortium.org/hope-and-resilience

Have a wonderful Easter.

Ms Liz van Genderen

Principal

Leading with Kindness and Shared Voice

As the work for Term One concludes, I reflect on the essential link between a supportive school environment and academic achievement. Recent research from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) confirms that a student’s sense of belonging and their social-emotional health are primary drivers of learning. When these foundations are in place, students are better equipped to engage deeply with their studies and persist through challenges. This term, we have focused on delivering face-to-face, evidence-based programs that build these exact foundations.

Starting Strong | Life Education and Daily Kindness

Our Junior School journey began in Term 1 with an engaging visit from the Life Education van and Healthy Harold, a face-to-face intervention that provided our youngest students with a strong foundation in making healthy choices and developing social-emotional skills. To ensure these vital lessons stick, our Junior School staff are continuing to engage with students through weekly sessions based on the Random Acts of Kindness curriculum, which runs as a year-long program. This consistent approach is designed to build essential behavioural skills, as AERO identifies the development of prosocial behaviours as a key strategy for reducing conflict and improving overall school functioning. These weekly sessions help us foster a positive school climate by establishing clear, kind expectations that are directly related to enhanced student wellbeing and a more supportive learning environment.

Strengthening Connections | The Friendship Project

Across the school in Years 7-10, students have just completed five intensive sessions of The Friendship Project, delivered on-campus by Dr. Mary Kasper, Clinical Psychologist. This project focuses specifically on facilitating peer relationships by creating safe environments where students can navigate the complexities of friendships and learn to celebrate diversity. These sessions are grounded in significant evidence, identifying peer social acceptance as a high-impact strategy that is directly linked to improved academic achievement and overall student engagement.

Looking Ahead | Student Voice and Digital Safety

Next term, we are expanding our on-campus, face-to-face support through several key initiatives. Our senior staff will act as facilitators for the Open Parachute program, which features a dedicated "Student Voice" series. This program is designed to sharpen cognitive and social-emotional skills, helping students manage unhelpful thoughts while building the self-regulation and resilience necessary to thrive in their senior years. By prioritising student voice in this way, we align our practice with AERO’s findings that agency and empowerment are vital components of student wellbeing.

Furthermore, the Safe on Social group will work in person with students from Kindergarten to Year 12, to develop practical coping strategies for the digital world. This provides our young people with the essential tools to manage online relationships safely and respectfully. Finally, our secondary students in Years 7–12 will participate in the "Beyond These Walls" simulation by Anglicare. This immersive experience is designed to build deep empathy and a strengthened sense of belonging, both of which AERO research identifies as among the strongest predictors of long-term success and positive school outcomes.

Learning Partnerships

By hosting these specialists on our campus, we ensure that the lessons are integrated directly into our school culture. These partnerships allow us to support our students in a way that is personal, expert-led, and backed by the best available evidence.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in nurturing the wellbeing of every student.

Mrs Heidi Dent

Deputy Principal

What a whirlwind the end of Term 1 has been! The first term of the year is an important time for establishing the routines that support our students to achieve their personal best, both in the classroom and on the playground. It has been wonderful to see students embracing the many opportunities available to them at NEGS Junior School, building their confidence and growing as learners.

Years 3-6 Camp

Our recent camp provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships between students and teachers while encouraging students to step into their learning zone. Educational research by Lev Vygotsky tells us that learning is maximised when students work just beyond their current level, supported by guidance and encouragement.

Throughout camp, students demonstrated courage and resilience as they took on new challenges, whether packing their own bags or trusting safety systems as they rolled down a hill in a Zorb ball! These experiences support students to take their “next step,” building confidence and independence. By stepping beyond their comfort zone, into the learning zone, they learn that it is through challenge that learning and growth occurs.

Please enjoy the photos from our camp

Pre K-2 Movie Night

Our younger students enjoyed a wonderful evening of community at our Easter-themed Movie Night. With the popcorn machine in full swing, students settled in comfortably to enjoy a special night together- an experience filled with fun, connection, and plenty of smiles.

Stage 3 Da Vinci Decathlon

A team of Year 5 and 6 students represented NEGS at the regional Da Vinci Decathlon. This enriching academic competition challenges students across ten disciplines, including Mathematics, English, Science, Engineering, Creative Production, and more.

The event provided an excellent opportunity for students to think critically and creatively while developing strong collaboration skills. We are proud of the way our students embraced this challenge and represented our school, achieving first place in Ideation and 3rd in Art and Poetry. An outstanding achievement. 

Family Bike Afternoon

Thank you to the families who joined us for our family bike afternoon. It is a wonderful way to conclude the term, coming together and strengthening our connection as a community. 

Thank you to our dedicated staff who generously give their time and energy to create these enriching experiences for our students. These opportunities not only enhance learning but also create lasting memories.

Welcome Miss Emily Hicks

We are delighted to welcome Miss Emily Hicks, a visiting student teacher from Iowa, USA. Miss Hicks has recently completed her teaching degree and will be working with us for six weeks before beginning her teaching career back home. While she will be primarily working with Kindergarten, we are all looking forward to learning from her and strengthening our global connections.

Looking Ahead

Term 1 concludes at 3:30pm on Wednesday 1 April. Homework Centre will be available for those who require it.

Term 2 will commence on Tuesday 21 April, with students returning in full winter uniform. Please refer to the Junior School Handbook for uniform requirements and take the opportunity over the break to ensure all items are clean, in good repair, and clearly labelled.

Junior School Staff wish all of our families a safe, restful, and happy Easter break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term of learning.

Mrs Deanna Ford

Junior School CoOrdinator/Year 6 Teacher

As we come to the end of a full and rewarding Term 1, it is a pleasure to reflect on what has been a positive and energetic start to the year in Boarding.

A particular highlight has been welcoming our new students, many of whom have shown remarkable perseverance as they have adjusted to boarding life. We are proud of the way they have embraced the opportunities around them and become valued members of our boarding community.

This term has provided a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom. Boarders have enjoyed volunteering at events such as the CWA Centenary celebration at Saumarez Homestead, the Autumn Festival, and Seasons of New England. These opportunities not only enrich students’ understanding of the wider community but also allow them to represent the school with pride.

One development this term has been the expansion of The Friendship Project. What began as a boarding initiative has now been successfully implemented across the whole school. We are very grateful to Dr Mary Kasper for returning to NEGS to continue leading this important program, which plays a key role in recognising positive friendships, empathy, and student wellbeing.

Our organised weekend activities have received mixed engagement. However, it has been very pleasing to see that those who do participate genuinely enjoy the experiences on offer. I would like to particularly acknowledge these students for the way they conduct themselves, they consistently demonstrate excellent manners and appreciation, always taking the time to say thank you. These small but significant behaviours contribute greatly to the positive culture of our boarding community.

While Term 1 has certainly felt busy, Term 2 promises to be just as active. Most boarders will be heading off to camps in the opening weeks, and the winter sport season will ensure weekends remain full and engaging. We will also continue preparations for our Boarders’ Stall at the Twilight Markets, and our Year 7 and 8 students will begin their Random Acts of Kindness program in Boarding, an initiative we are looking forward to seeing grow.

Thank you to all our boarding families for your ongoing support this term. I hope the holiday break provides an opportunity for rest and reset, and that all students return refreshed and ready for another successful term in Boarding.

Mrs Kassy Cassidy

Head of Boarding

The recent Whole School Easter Chapel was a deeply encouraging and uplifting gathering for our school community. It was wonderful to see the chapel so full, with students and staff from both the Junior and Secondary Schools coming together in such a meaningful way. The atmosphere reflected a shared sense of joy as we focused on the heart of Easter - the resurrection of Jesus, which remains the central truth we celebrate and the foundation of Christian hope.

A particularly positive aspect of the service was the outstanding example set by our Secondary students. Their engagement, attentiveness, and respect created a powerful model for the younger students, demonstrating what it looks like to participate positively in Chapel. This visible leadership helped foster a sense of unity across the whole school.

It has also been greatly encouraging to see how this message has continued to be explored in classrooms. In both the Junior and Secondary School settings, classes have provided a fantastic opportunity for students to ask questions, express their thoughts, and engage in deeper discussions about the meaning of Easter and the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. These conversations are invaluable, allowing students to explore faith in an open and supportive environment.

Overall, the Whole School Easter Chapel was a significant and positive moment in our term, strengthening our community and grounding us again in the hope and truth of Easter.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reverend Lou Davies

NEGS Chaplain/Christian Studies Teacher

Term 1 has been extremely busy in the Science department. Our Year 9 students participated in an excursion to UNE where they played some very competitive pickleball and tried their hands at indoor rock climbing. A few students even managed to get to the top of the 6.09m wall! Thankfully they did better than our Barbies, who were definitely harmed in the bungee challenge! This excursion complemented their studies in Energy. They then investigated energy efficiency and constructed their own ‘cool’ homes that were put to the test under a simulated sun.

Our Year 10 students competed enthusiastically in the annual Science & Engineering Challenge and our 9/10 iSTEM elective class spent the term participating in a wide range of engineering challenges, including the skyscraper challenge, the marshmallow challenge, the zipline challenge and the egg drop challenge. They have also constructed musical instruments, boats, bridges and electric dance pads.

Year 8 has been challenged with a depth study as a component of the ‘That’s Life’ unit, with one group investigating the unique threats our Australian wildlife face and the other looking at the effect of exercise on the circulatory and respiratory systems. They even participated in the very messy ‘Great Peristalsis Race’.

The Year 7 cohort commenced their senior school Science studies learning about safety in a laboratory and the scientific method. They are currently delving into mixtures and solutions.

In Coding Club, the girls participated in the first competition of the year where they completed a series of challenges over 5 weeks using the Python programming language. Congratulations to all of the students, as they were relatively new to coding. A special mention to Charlotte K (Year 8), who achieved a perfect score in the competition.

Ms Stone

Science Teacher

Year 7 Food Technology – Sustainability and Food Waste

This term in Food Technology, Year 7 students have been exploring the important concepts of sustainability and reducing food waste. Through a series of hands-on activities and discussions, students developed an understanding of how everyday choices in the kitchen can have a positive impact on both the environment and their health.

Students were challenged to think creatively about how leftover ingredients and common household staples can be transformed into new, nutritious meals. They worked collaboratively to generate recipe ideas, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving as they considered flavour, nutrition and practicality.

It has been wonderful to see students engage with these real-world issues, developing both their cooking skills and their awareness of sustainable practices. The class showed enthusiasm and creativity in reimagining ingredients that may otherwise go to waste, reinforcing the idea that simple changes can make a meaningful difference.

Year 9/10 Food Technology – Skills, Nutrition and Creative Cooking

This term in Food Technology, Year 9/10 students have been building their knowledge and confidence in the kitchen through a focus on safety, nutrition and practical cooking skills. Students explored safe food handling practices and developed an understanding of how to work efficiently and responsibly in a kitchen environment.

A key area of learning was nutrition, where students investigated healthier alternatives to everyday foods. They experimented with simple substitutions, such as using zucchini noodles in place of traditional pasta, encouraging thoughtful choices around balanced and nutritious eating.

Students also developed essential cooking skills through practical tasks, including making their own pizza dough from scratch. This culminated in the creation of a range of pizzas, from savoury combinations to a creative dessert pizza featuring Nutella and ice cream.

It has been wonderful to see students take ownership of their learning, demonstrating creativity, teamwork and an increasing confidence in the kitchen.

Mr Andrew Duggan-Smith

Art/Design and Technology Teacher

Year 7 Visual Arts – Mexican Art and Cultural Connections

This term in Visual Arts, Year 7 students have been exploring Mexican art, with a focus on cultural traditions and artistic expression. Students were introduced to the rich history and symbolism of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), gaining an understanding of how art can reflect cultural beliefs, memory and celebration.

Through their study of Frida Kahlo, students examined how artists use symbolism and personal experience to communicate meaning. They explored Kahlo’s use of imagery to express identity, emotion and life experiences, and began applying these ideas within their own work.

It has been wonderful to see students engage with both the cultural and creative aspects of this unit, developing their understanding of how art can tell stories and represent different perspectives.

Year 8 Visual Arts – Water as Expression

This term in Visual Arts, Year 8 students explored water as a powerful source of inspiration and expression. Through the study of a range of Australian artists, students examined how water can be represented in different ways to convey mood, movement and personal meaning.

Students considered how artists use colour, texture and composition to capture the qualities of water, from calm and reflective surfaces to dynamic and expressive forms. This understanding informed their own creative practice as they developed personal responses to the theme.

To conclude the unit, students wrote a narrative based on a personal experience involving water. They then translated this story into a visual artwork, using imagery and materials to communicate atmosphere and meaning.

It has been wonderful to see students combine storytelling with artmaking, producing thoughtful and expressive works that reflect their individual experiences.

Year 9/10 Visual Arts – Sculpture and the Natural World

This term in Visual Arts, Year 9/10 students explored the work of Australian sculptor John Davis, examining how natural materials can be used to represent forms found in the environment. Students investigated Davis’ use of repetition, structure and organic materials to create meaning, particularly in relation to movement, place and the natural world.

Drawing on this study, students designed and constructed their own sculptures inspired by marine, reptile or insect life. They engaged in a hands-on process of experimentation, working with a range of materials to develop structure, form and surface qualities.

Throughout the unit, students documented their ideas and progress in their Visual Arts Process Diaries, reflecting on their choices and problem-solving as their work evolved.

It has been wonderful to see students demonstrate creativity and persistence, producing resolved sculptural works that show both technical development and thoughtful engagement with the natural world.

Year 11 Visual Arts – Modernism, Postmodernism and Investigating Practice

This term in Visual Arts, Year 11 students have been exploring the development of Modernism and Postmodernism, examining how artists challenge and redefine the purpose of art across time. Through the study of a range of artists, students investigated how changes in society, technology and culture influence artistic practice and the ways in which meaning is communicated.

Students engaged with the Conceptual Framework, analysing the relationships between the artist, artwork, world and audience, and applying this understanding to their own writing. They developed extended responses, using structured approaches to analyse how artists represent ideas, identity and experience.

Alongside their critical and historical studies, students continued to investigate their own practice, experimenting with materials, techniques and concepts in the development of personal works. Their Visual Arts Process Diaries document an evolving understanding of both making and meaning.

It has been pleasing to see students developing confidence in both their analytical writing and their artmaking, as they begin to form more independent and considered approaches to their practice.

Mr Andrew Duggan-Smith

Art/Design and Technology Teacher

There has been quite a lot happening with the WARATAH Program at NEGS. Tameka, Imogen, Akeena and Lorainne travelled to Sydney on the 4th March for a FUTURE READY event Hosted by the Bandu Organisation, through Alice Hann.

The day was designed for Year 11 and 12 students to build real-world skills, yarn with career professionals from a range of industries, and get some good hacks for life after school. The Girls chatted away around tangible life-readiness outcomes where they discovered what a polished CV ready for job or scholarship applications looked like, received advice from HR professionals on crafting a strong Personal Statement for university, TAFE, scholarship, or employment applications.

They also viewed:

• A professional corporate headshot to complement their career profile
• An Interview and Presentation Skills workshop to build confidence in professional settings
• Practical money-management tips for life after school
• VIP insight into diverse career pathways through informal yarns with Laing O’Rourke and Select Plant professionals, matched to their individual interests.

And of course, what the students loved most was meeting other students from across the state, connecting over a good feed, and wrapping up with a fun cultural activity.

Mr Thomas Degens

Waratah CoOrdinator

from Ms Scott and the Book Chooks!

Ms Evie Scott

Library Assistant

This term has flown by and the NEGS students have made impressive progress both musically and personally. Throughout Term 1, they explored the full creative process by performing, analysing, improvising and composing. 

They gained much confidence as they rehearsed and presented their work in front of others.

In addition, students strengthened their understanding of music theory, by notating ideas and through analysis of music. They learned how the elements of music work together to create effective compositions. Beyond these technical skills, students built meaningful connections with their peers through collaborative activities. They learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and supporting one another in group performances and class projects. Importantly, they were encouraged to take creative risks, stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing new challenges.

As a result, students have not only grown as musicians, but also as individuals, becoming more confident, expressive, and resilient human beings. This is the power of music - it builds communities. 

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to teach your children and wish you a beautiful break with them.

And I can't wait to have them back next term!

Musically yours,

Mrs Susanne Hughes

Music Teacher

With the start of Term 2, comes cooler weather. This means that all students will be required to be in their Winter Uniforms from the first day back back at school, 21 April, 2026.

Please see the Uniform requirements below:

Junior School - Girls

Junior School - Boys

Senior School

Mrs Dee Ritch

Uniform Shop CoOrdinator

Please find the Careers Newsleter HERE. 

Mr Mark Ambrose

Business Studies Teacher/Careers Advisor