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| 5 May 2023 | |
| General News |
On a recent trip to Sydney, I was honoured and thrilled to meet:
We spent hours talking, reflecting and sharing. She continues to be very contemporary in her thinking and approach to education. We hope to see Dr Milburn for the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Equestrian Centre later in the year.
I also had the pleasure of enjoying time with the NEGS Alumni.
What did I glean from these meetings?
NEGS holds a very special place in their hearts; they value the traditions of NEGS and the richness of their experiences here.
They laugh about some of the rules and routines, including timed showers, Saturday morning hair washing in outdoor tubs, and daily Chapel, including twice on Sundays.
They cherished the friendships they developed – so much so that we may be hosting a 60-year reunion next year (class of 1966).
NEGS continues to provide our students with opportunities unavailable elsewhere.
I look forward to keeping in touch and continuing these conversations.
During the past fortnight, our students have been participating, competing and achieving so much.
Congratulations to all involved in the:
This week we celebrated a book launch - Congratulations to Vanessa Baker on the publication of her first book, Court of Demons – a work of young adult fiction.
White Card Training
We are happy to advise that we have secured the opportunity for students interested in a career in construction, engineering and rural industries, to undertake training for their White Card. Participants must be 14 or above. CHS Training will deliver the course at school from 9am-3pm on Thursday May 25. It will cost participants $50 each, as Regional Education Partnerships have heavily subsidised the course.
Further information can be obtained from Ms Julie Hodges.
Armidale Regional Council Youth Survey 2023
As part of NSW Youth Week from 20 to 30 April, Council created a Youth Survey to gain the views of our young people from 12 to 24 years of age. The survey is open until 16 May 2023.
The questions in the short survey relate to the sorts of activities and events young people would like to see in our region. There is also a question about whether they would be interested in being involved in a Youth Advisory Council.
Youth Survey link https://yoursay.armidale.nsw.gov.au/embeds/projects/84995/survey-tools/92344
Girls Need Trusted Adults
In this and future newsletters, I will introduce you to some of the excellent information provided by the International Coalition of Girls Schools, to assist schools and families with the challenges of guiding the development of our girls.
One such resource is a series of short Educating Girls podcasts. Episode 18: Girls Need Trusted Adults is a 36 minute podcast that can be streamed from: https://girlsschools.org/advocacy/blog/2023/02/22/on-educating-girls-podcast-girls-need-trusted-adults/
It takes a village to raise a child, right? In a day and age when social media seems to be the go-to resource for advice, we know in our hearts that girls of every age need at least one trusted adult in whom they can confide, an adult in addition to their parents who can offer an unbiased listening ear or unhurried wise counsel in a problem-solving moment. Yet, as
unbelievable as this sounds, research shows that only 40% of students say they can name a trusted adult outside their home. Just what does it take to show up as a “trusted adult” in a girl's life, and what difference might it make to a girl if we did so? And do our daughters know how to ensure they have a trusted adult at the ready when they most need one?
Listen in as host Trudy Hall spends time with Brooklyn Raney, the author of One Trusted Adult: How to Build Strong Connections and Healthy Boundaries with Young People, and the founder of an organization of the same name that trains parents, educators, and student leaders to “be the person they needed” as a youngster. An experienced practitioner in this
work, Brooklyn is passionate about her mission to ensure that every child on the planet has a trained, committed and motivated trusted adult. Offering helpful anecdotes and useful advice, this episode could change the way you think about partnering with your daughter and the other meaningful adults in her life to help her build a healthy adult support network in these challenging times. This episode is ideal for sharing with school families—please forward it to anyone you know who is teaching or raising girls.
Ms Liz van Genderen
Principal
Last term I focussed on the school value of excellence and the concept of choosing excellence. This term I would like to explore the school value of responsibility:
At NEGS we value responsibility.
The value of responsibility is that it helps to ensure that tasks are completed in an organized and timely manner, and to the expectation of the school. It also promotes accountability, which can help to build trust and respect between people. Responsibility can help to create a sense of safety and security, as people are more likely to be responsible for their actions when they know that they will be held accountable for them.
Responsibility has an emotional value also, in that it can help to build self-esteem and confidence in those who take responsibility for their actions. As part of a sporting, academic or co-curricular team, taking responsibility for your part contributes to the success of the other members and in turn, adds to their feeling of value. Additionally, it can help to create a sense of purpose and meaning, as people are more likely to take responsibility when they feel that their actions have a positive impact on others. I was grateful this week to be invited to take some of our students to a property owned by the local Anaiwan people, to be part of a cultural burn of the country. During an explanation of this process, it was expressed that one of the reasons for this practice was to fulfil a responsibility to the country that provides so much by caring for it in a way that it can continue to renew and provide. The value of that responsibility is that it creates a sense of connection and belonging.
Generally, the students have started well in terms of wearing the correct uniform. However, a reminder that sports jackets are only to be worn when the weather is very cold (below 10 degrees), only over a jumper and blazer and never in class. Students representing the school or travelling to sporting events are required to wear a full NEGS sports uniform. Please ensure your daughter or son has what they need before participating; the uniform shop is open Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There has been further reporting of the NSW Government's intention to ban mobile phones from schools by term 4. Initial information from our ongoing review has identified the use of mobile devices during breaks from class as an area of concern. The school has informed the students that if requesting a break from class, they are to leave their mobile devices on the teacher’s desk until they return. It is the student’s responsibility and the school’s expectation that the students comply with this request.
Mr Jamie Moore
Deputy Principal
We have certainly hit the ground running with representative trials, winter sport commencing and ethics olympiads, to name a few. It was great to take to the fields and courts again in hockey, netball and opens soccer, and we look forward to the commencement of rugby and junior soccer.
Congratulations to all students who have travelled far and wide during the holidays and early this term to state championships, trials etc, it is always wonderful to hear of your results, so please keep sending them through. Many of these achievements have been shared through our Facebook page.
A special congratulations to Molly Collett, Sofia Havas and Alyvia Wilson for their success in making the U16 IGSA Hockey team, Lily Kennelly for making the CIS Rugby team and Regan Simpson, who has been selected as a Shadow Player for the 2023 NSWCIS Secondary Open Girls Rugby 7's Representative teams. We look forward to following your journeys in these teams.
Congratulations to Danika Watson and Ami Frost in their selection for the IGSA 18U Hockey team this week.
All of the participating students have been amazing at the trials, and it is great that we have had so many of our students selected for these representative teams.
All students and families should have received information regarding their child’s sporting teams, training schedule, and game draws. Please ensure you check these draws each week, along with the email reminder for game times.
Students will be receiving a sporting contract to complete in the upcoming week. This is an opportunity for students to reflect on their commitment to their winter sports and be reminded that these team sports require all students to attend training and games each week. All students must seek an exemption from Mrs Nixon to miss any training or games, and it is preferred that parents send this through please with plenty of notice. We understand that competitions at shows and other sporting commitments are unable to be moved. However, students seeking leave to return home for the weekend will need to be negotiated with the coach as to when would be a suitable time ie. when the team will have enough players. Your consideration and understanding of the sporting constraints are greatly appreciated.
Further upcoming sport representative opportunities in Term 2 include:
NETBALL
OPEN’S - nominations due 15TH MAY (Week 4)
Trials 31st July, Pymble Ladies’ College
RUGBY LEAGUE
16’s - nominations due 19th June (Week 9)
Trials 9th August, St Mary’s
Upcoming Dates
5 May IGSA 18U Hockey Trials
10 May CIS Opens Rugby League Trials
12 May IGSA Cross Country
26 May Whole School Cross Country
Co-Curricular
Many co-curricular opportunities are available this term for both Junior and Senior students. Junior School Expression of Interest forms have been sent out via Engage. Please complete this ASAP if you want your child to participate. Below is the list of offerings:
Junior School
Monday
Book Club - Mrs Swartz Lunchtimes Years 5 - 6
Wednesday
Fundamental Ball Skills - Mrs McCann 3:30-4:15 PreK - 3
Thursday
Creative Club - Mrs Hodges 3:30 - 4:30pm Years 4 - 6
Senior School
Monday
Code Club - Miss Stone 3:30-4:30pm
Book Club - Mrs Swartz 3:20-4:30pm
Speech and Drama - Mr Paige 3:30-4:30pm
Academic Mentoring - Various teachers 3:45-4:45pm
Tuesday
Hope Hour - Rev Davis, lunchtime Christian Studies Classroom
B Squared (Maths Focus Group) - Mr Jones and Ms Morey
Livestock Team - Mr Cassidy 3:45-5:00pm
Thursday
Creative Club - Mrs Hodges 3:30 - 4:30pm
Livestock Team - Mr Cassidy 3:45-5:00pm
Academic Mentoring - Various teachers 3:45-4:45pm
Friday
Chess Club - Mr Pearson lunchtime Room 5
Youth Group - Rev Davies 7-9pm, St Marks Church UNE
Mrs Liane Nixon
Sports/Co-Curricular Co-Ordinator
Dear Boarding Families,
Welcome back to Term 2! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break and are ready for an exciting term ahead.
We started the term with a busy schedule, hosting Parent Dinners for Year 7 and Year 12. Hearing about everyone's holiday stories and catching up after the break was lovely.
Autumn has arrived, and with it comes the beautiful and crisp weather we all love.
Our equestrian riders enjoyed the sunshine over the weekend, and the Friday night dining hall games brought about lots of laughter. The games included playing Word Seek from letters and Untie the Knot, where everyone links arms and untangles themselves.
We are also excited to welcome new families to our boarding community. We hope you settle in quickly and feel at home with us.
Many exciting activities and events are planned as we move forward into the term. Last week we offered bushwalking at the Wollomombi Falls, and this coming weekend, Bellingen canoe Guided.
Commencing 12th May, we start National Boarding Week with activities planned around the school.
Please ensure you have emailed boarding if you need SSTS travel for the June long weekend.
I wish you all a successful and fulfilling Term 2!
Meagan Laverty
Head of Boarding
https://community.negs.nsw.edu.au/news/news-letters/87/87-NEGS-News-Careers-Update-Term-2-Week-
Mrs Jessica Walker
Careers Advisor
All mothers, grandmothers, aunts and significant women in our lives are invited to join us for this special occasion.
A Chapel Service will be held at 1.50pm, followed by afternoon tea. We hope you can join us.
All fathers, significant father figures of our students from Year 5 to Year 12, are invited to the Dinner. Please RSVP by 19 May for catering purposes.
For our Queensland families, we hope you might be able to join us on Sunday, 21 May, for a NEGS 'catch up'.
Siobhan and Simon generously host an afternoon with our Principal, Ms van Genderen. It is an opportunity for our current, past and alumni to connect, plus an opportunity for families who might be considering NEGS or would like to know to connect with us.
Please extend the invitation on our behalf.
For more information ring Katlyn in Enrolments on 6774 8700 or email enrolments@negs.nsw.edu.au
A very productive Parents and Meeting was held last Wednesday evening. Thank you to all who attended, it is always nice to have new faces join us.
We look forward to connecting and meeting new families during Term 2, which will be busy, though fun.
Your help is required.
The P and F run the canteen at the Athletics Carnival on May 26, and we will be offering our 'infamous' 12-hour slow-cooked pulled pork and Southern American slaw rolls, along with a variety of baked goods.
We ask you to assist in baking goods for the day. Either deliver to the school the afternoon before or bring on the day. If your baked goods can be frozen, they can be delivered to the main school reception in the weeks leading up to the carnival. Ideally, individually wrapped and labelled with ingredients. We will also send the link to a roster to help out for the day; even if you can spare ½ hour, I would be grateful.
Other Term 2 Events
Other events to be held are the Mothers Day Chapel Service and Afternoon Tea on Friday, May 12, Athletics Carnival followed by the Father-Daughter Dinner on May 26 and Junior School Parent Drinks, in combination with the JS Disco on June 21.
We are also excited about some key events we are holding later in the year, and please make sure you have these dates marked in your diary.
The P and F are thrilled to host the Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley Concert in the Arena on Thursday, 21 September. This is a family-friendly event, and already tickets are selling fast.
https://www.trybooking.com/CGWQG
A special cocktail evening is planned to celebrate this milestone on Friday, 15 September. We hope current parents, past parents, alumni and friends of NEGS will join us to celebrate this special occasion and pay homage to all those who have played a part in shaping it to be the leading Equestrian Centre that our children enjoy today. We are looking for a small number of parents who are happy to join the organising committee for this event. If you have a small amount of time, don't hesitate to get in touch with either myself, Fiona McCarthur, fiona@mtwilliam.com or Lyn O'Neill, lyn.oneill@negs.nsw.edu.au.
Following the success of our 2022 fair, we look forward to holding this twilight event in November. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.
Donations required:
In the immediate, we are asking for donations of items that could be used either at the EC Celebration, specifically auction items or items that can be used in our Fair raffle.
Items such as:
- holiday houses, airline tickets, restaurant vouchers
- accommodation, hotels
- beauty, homeware, electrical goods
- movie, theatre, concert tickets, gift cards
- horse and agricultural products
- other experiences
If you or a business you know can help you out, please reach out.
If you are happy to approach some businesses on behalf of NEGS, we will send you an official letter that you can present to them. Businesses will be acknowledged and thanked within our community.
Lastly, your business or one you know might be happy to be a NEGS Sponsor for our events. We would love to discuss this further and have a Sponsorship Framework we are happy to forward.
If you can assist or would like to find out more, please get in touch with any of the people listed below:
Rasha Shammas rashashammas@yahoo.com.au
Jo Watson jowatson615@gmail.com
Tricia Gerigk triciagerigk69@gmail.com
Lyn O'Neill lyn.oneill@negs.nsw.edu.au
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to catching up during Term 2.
Fiona Macarthur
NEGS P and F President
This concert will be held in the Arena and will be a family-friendly event, it will be a great night.
