Celebrating our 30th anniversary!

spring 2014
northside christian college biannual magazine
NorthsIder
Celebrating our
30th anniversary!
Contents
Cover Image:
"Because we're 30"
performance at the Senior
School Graduation and
Awards Evening
Northsider is published
biannually by Northside
Christian College. Northside
Christian College is a ministry
of Nexus Church.
Reproduction of this
magazine in whole or part
is prohibited without the
permission of Northside
Christian College.
Editors: Renee Wolfik and
Georgie Pollok
PO Box 599
Everton Park QLD 4053
Phone: 3353 1266
northsider@northside.qld.edu.au
www.northside.qld.edu.au
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Northsider
3
From the Principal
A reflection from the College Principal
4
NORTHSIDE NEWS
The latest news from across the College and its community
6
30th anniversary celebrations
Photos and reflections from our special anniversary events
8
30th anniversary Reflections
Photos and reflections from the last 30 years
10
Alumni Profile
We catch up with past student Brieanna Manley
12
Ten Year Reunion
A pictorial from the Class of 2004 reunion
13
Alumni profile
We catch up with past students Matt Twinn and Jake McEnery
14
Parenting Tip: Senior Focus
Winning the ongoing "screentime battle"
15
Parenting Tip: JUnior Focus
Ruby Resilience: "I can overcome"
16
community focus
Honouring our volunteers and grandparents
17
Congratulations!
News on births, engagements and marriages
18
inspiration
Cup from Above: championing the disadvantaged
19
Book Review
WORD Bookstore reviews "Growing up Social"
From the Principal
30th Anniversary
Reflections
As the academic year comes to an end, we have much to be thankful for. We have
celebrated our 30th anniversary and are grateful to God and the staff, families and
students over the years who have been a vital part in shaping Northside Christian
College. This significant anniversary has provided us with the opportunity to reflect on
our heritage, while looking ahead with excitement to the future.
To celebrate our 30th birthday and to capture the heart of Northside, the College
commissioned a video from our team of talented filmmakers. "We are Northside" can
be viewed on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/NorthsideQldEduAu.
Special thanks to Middle and Senior School Teacher Mr Ming Dao Ting, who wrote and
filmed the video, and to the narrators: Year 11 students Seth Hodges, Chiara Stegert,
Grace McCabe, Luke Woodrow and Abby Smith.
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the narration, as it truly
conveys the heart of Northside.
We are Northside
We are accepted. We are known by name, we are cared for, and we are nurtured.
We learn about our faith, not just in class, but in every part of life.
Our characters grow through Christ.
We embrace technology, but it doesn’t define us.
We strive for academic excellence, but that doesn’t define us.
We’ve been gifted many talents, but they don’t define us either.
We follow Jesus and that will always define us.
"We have celebrated
our 30th anniversary
and are grateful
to God and the
staff, families and
students over the
years who have
been a vital part in
shaping Northside
Christian College."
We are passionate about worship.
We are dedicated to missions, at home and around the world.
We are moved by injustice.
We are motivated by God's love.
If you look closely, you will see that we are more than just teachers, we are more
than just students and we are more than just a school.
We are a community. We are a family. We are disciples of Jesus.
We are Northside.
For Character, For Excellence, For Christ.
Mr Leighton Kuss
Principal
spring 2014
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Northside news
Interview with Bella Rankine,
Blogger (Year 10)
Next up you want to ...
I'd really love to start a podcast, actually. I've been working on
ways to branch out from doing just books, and I'm often told
off for my rambling which is pretty well suited to a 30 minute
recording of just words, so yeah. It's something that'd make a
nice holiday project, I think.
Your work for a publishing company includes ...
Well, I’m an intern, and as an intern I read manuscripts that have
been submitted and I then let the editors know what I think.
This is to help them see what would need to be changed if they
acquired it. It's a great environment too – our opinions are really
valued and taken into serious consideration. I feel incredibly
blessed to have been given this opportunity and get to read all
these unknown gems. It's a perfect job for hipsters, actually.
So, you're blogging on ...
My home site is Wordpress! I started on Wordpress when I
was about eleven with a diary sort of blog all about what was
happening in my life, and I've progressed from there over the
years to now have Bella and Books. I also have a YouTube
channel where I post book reviews, tags and other assorted
book things.
Your inspiration is ...
It may sound weird, but the characters I read about inspire me to
write and make videos about their stories. Throughout reading
a book, you find yourself liking and understanding a character
more and more, until you reach the point where they're so
fantastic and vivid in your mind you want to share them with all
your friends, and that's really why I blog. Characters are like my
friends, and I want everyone to get to be friends with them too.
You also want to say ...
The Internet is not as scary as you think. It can be a beautiful
place, so to anyone wanting to start a blog or a YouTube channel
or anything like that, just go for it. You honestly have nothing to
lose. A real passion and love for something is one of the greatest
gifts you can give the world, so don't be afraid to share what
you're reading, or what you cooked for lunch, or your favourite
workout routine. There are over three billion people that use the
Internet – you're bound to find someone who wants to read or
watch what you're making.
Visit Bella's blog at bellaandbooks.wordpress.com
Water polo star plays for Australia
People like it because ...
I think people enjoy my content because I'm so awkward and
don't really have a filter; I say exactly what I think. When I like
a book, you can tell because sections of the review will be in all
caps and have no grammatical structure whatsoever, which my
mum often mocks me for. If I don't, however, like the book, I'll
come straight out and say it and then awkwardly dance around
trying to highlight what was still good about the book. I really
don't like being mean.
About it, they say ...
A lot of my friends read my blog, and even more watch my
videos and some have even been in a few, and the biggest thing
they say about the whole thing is that they wish they could do
the same thing.
You hope it becomes ...
My biggest dream for my blog is that I'd be able to use it to
connect to authors, other book bloggers and fellow bibliophiles.
It's already started to come true, in a way, as I've become friends
with a beautiful group of Brits who run a fellow book blog,
and we have great conversations about things like character
development and intertwining story arcs, things that not many
people in my face-to-face world would get or appreciate.
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Northsider
Year 12 student Amy Burrell will play for the Australian Schoolgirls
Water Polo Team in New Zealand in December. Amy’s selection
follows a string of achievements in the sport this year including
joining several Queensland teams in the Under 17, Under 18 and
Under 20 age categories. On campus, she received Northside’s
Senior School Sportswoman Award for best and fairest across all
sports activities.
Next year, Amy will be at the Queensland Academy of Sport, after
earning a place in the water polo program. She also hopes to study
Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland, as she pursues
a career path to be a Dermatologist.
Northside news
Northsiders star in CATS
"Because we're 30" video
At this year's Senior School Graduation and Awards Evening, we
saw a spectacular musical number called "Because we're 30". Mr
Maitlohn Drew and Mr Ming Ting produced the item as part of our
anniversary celebrations. The presentation featured a large number
of staff and students and received a standing ovation during the
ceremony. It highlighted one of the key aspects of life at Northside;
that being the personal interaction between staff and students. The
cover of this magazine shows a scene from the performance and
the video can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
Message from the Prime Minister
The amazing production of CATS at the Brisbane Convention Centre
this year transported the audience to a vibrant environment where
over 800 performers brought the well-loved story to life. The cast
included twenty-five Northside students along with hundreds
of other performers who adopted the mannerisms of cats and
maintained character throughout the performance. Also among
the 'cats' were two past students from the Class of 2013, Rachael
Macnaught and Rachel Sanders.
We have been privileged this year to receive a personalised video
message from the Prime Minister of Australia, congratulating the
College on its 30th anniversary. We invite you to view the clip on
our YouTube channel (see details at the bottom of this page).
2015 Captains
Tim O'Connor, a Northside Alumnus (Class of 1998), produced
the musical, providing a fresh and engaging interpretation. The
highlights included a raised and rotating stage, dynamic lighting,
effective costumes, expressive make-up, dramatic sets, and Marina
Prior as Grizabella.
Musical direction was provided by our very own Mr Maitlohn Drew
who, with creative flair and exceptional musicality, conducted a
dynamic band including Northside staff member Mr Ming Ting,
as well as Alumni Daniel Gibney (Class of 1999), Tyras Wood
(Class of 2013) and Eleanor Adeney (Class of 2013). The Cast
Manager, Steph Sanders (Class of 2011) and Props Manager David
Lawrence (Class of 2010) are also past students, which speaks well
of the expression of creativity and God-given gifts encouraged at
Northside.
Update on the renewal of the
Whitehouse precinct
Congratulations to the following students who have been named
captains for 2015:
College CaptainsRobert Dendle and Grace McCabe
Vice Captains Keagan de Beer and Nicole de Beer
Music CaptainsCameron Armstrong and Abigail Smith
Sport Captains Joshua Morrison and Tiana Morrison
Latest Videos on YouTube
Over these pages, you will have noticed that we have a very
active YouTube channel! Take a look at these amazing videos on
www.youtube.com/NorthsideQldEduAu.
In the last edition of the Northsider, we launched plans for
the renewal of the Whitehouse precinct. We are pleased to
announce that this building project will be known as the Centre
for Innovation and Creativity. For full details on the project, and
on your opportunity to contribute, please refer to the information
leaflet included with this magazine.
•
Prime Minister's 30th Anniversary Message
•
We are Northside, which captures the heart of our College
•
The Northside Voice, a video of the 2014 Grand Final
•
The creative launch video for the musical next year, Annie
•
Because we're 30, a spectacular musical performance to
celebrate our anniversary
spring 2014
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30th anniversary
30th Anniversary Celebrations
Musical Recital
This Musical Recital launched Northside’s 30th
Anniversary celebrations in June.
Alumna Sunkyoung Kim (Class of 2011)
returned to the College to open the recital with
an amazing violin performance. Guests enjoyed
a night of outstanding entertainment, featuring
a selection of our talented students playing,
or being accompanied by, our beautiful new
grand piano.
The Yamaha C7 Grand Piano was purchased
with the proceeds from a recent Annual Giving
Appeal. We are grateful for the donations
made by many families, grandparents and
alumni, and for the generous donation made in
loving memory of Mr Justin Kevin McDonald.
The Northside Voice
In August, ‘The Northside Voice’ was included in our 30th Anniversary celebrations
to showcase the outstanding vocal talent of our Middle and Senior School students.
More than 100 students auditioned for a place in the Final, which featured eight
amazing performances. It was a spectacular event achieved with the talent and effort
of many staff, parents and students. Special congratulations to our winners, Aislinn
Russell (Middle School) and Nurim Kim (Senior School).
Finalists
Catherine Gallagher (Year 8)
Caitlin Woodward (Year 11)
Hamilton McGregor (Year 7)
Nurim Kim (Year 10)
Aislinn Russell (Year 9)
Duet: Eliza King and Bek Farrell (Year 12)
Jordan McClenaghan (Year 11)
Duet: Sam MacKenzie and Abby Smith (Year 11)
The Northside Voice
Middle School: Aislinn Russell (Year 9)
Senior School: Nurim Kim (Year 10)
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Northsider
A video of 'The Northside Voice' Grand
Final is available for viewing on our
YouTube channel. Check it out at
www.youtube.com/user/NorthsideQldEduAu
30th anniversary
Gala Dinner
In August, our Gala Dinner was a truly
special occasion and a wonderful
opportunity to honour God’s blessing upon
our College. We welcomed 110 guests,
including past parents, staff and students
who returned to the College to celebrate
with our current parents, staff and other
valued members of the wider Northside
community.
Our guests heard from Mr Graham Corney
and Pastor Murray Averill, who reflected
on the College’s rich history, and Mr
Leighton Kuss, who shared the vision for
Northside’s future. They were entertained
by Alumna Sunkyoung Kim (Class of 2011),
who performed a classical violin piece,
and Master of Ceremonies Mr Duncan
Armstrong. It was a memorable evening,
thanks to our organising committee and
sponsors.
Family Movie Night
In October, our Family Movie Night drew around 500 Northsiders to the College Oval for
a screening of ‘The Lion King’ under the stars. The event began with children’s activities,
including face painting, colouring, bubble blowing and a jumping castle! Specialty food trucks
kept the crowds nourished and ‘EMERGE’, a band of Senior and Middle School students,
provided the pre-movie entertainment. It was a fun event for Northsiders of all ages to
celebrate the College’s 30th anniversary.
spring 2014
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30th anniversary
Reflections and Memories from Parents and Alumni
The most significant years of my life were spent here, from Kindy in 1984 to
graduating Year 12 in 1997. I am forever grateful for the life and faith lessons
learnt and foundation developed here. I will always think of Northside as "my
school".
Emma Corney, Class of 1997
It’s been a wonderful 7 years for the children and us. Northside is a fantastic school
with a powerful vision and supported by awesome teachers and staff. God bless.
Murray and Jacky Phillips, Current Parents
A memorable moment was when I took a parents van to transport the girls’
basketball team to a game thinking I was borrowing Mr Drew’s van. The parent did
get their van back eventually!
Stewart Smith, Current Parent and Staff
From 1997 to 2007 I had the privilege of refereeing the school swimming carnival.
During one carnival at Albany Creek pool, I had a well-known boy in the College
swim the whole length of butterfly underwater. I called the boy over after the
race and said I would have to disqualify him if he did it again. The boy was Tim
Greenwood (Class of 2000). He simply said, "Fair enough Mr Stay – that’s what
you said last year."
Phil Stay, Current Member of College Board and Past Parent
I remember when I was in Year 4, in Mrs Plumb’s class, my friends and I would
catch baby toads from the rainforest on the oval. We would keep them in our
lunch boxes and then put them in our tidy trays. It was always funny to hear them
jump and hit the top of the desk! Thanks Mrs P!
Rebekah Lewin (née Missenden) Class of 2011
From day one, our interactions with the College have been nothing but positive.
The staff from the Reception, Enrolments and teaching areas of the College are
always helpful and friendly and the students are always respectful. Well done to
everyone who creates this environment. Keep up the awesome work!
Current Parent
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Northsider
COMMUNITY reflections
Reflecting on 30 Years at Northside
A pictorial representation of special moments in our College's history
spring 2014
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ALUMNI PROFILE
Stepping out of the comfort zone
Brieanna Manley, née Eggert (Class of 2006), is knowing the goodness of God as
she takes a step of faith, combining her social work with establishing a business.
What have you been up to since graduating?
Well, after school I went straight to university and began studying
a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Queensland. While
I was studying (and working casually), Luke and I married in
December 2009. I graduated from my degree in 2010, and have
worked for the majority of my time as a social worker in a paediatric
health setting, with very sick children and their families. As well
as this, we worked hard to save and buy our first home, and have
done a little travelling.
Married? Kids?
I am very happily married, for nearly five years now! We don’t have
children yet – but enough of our friends have babies that we can
have cuddles with and then hand back! One day, though.
Tell us about your pop-up store, Auburn & Green.
I have recently had a six month Pop-Up Shop in Paddington for
my boutique furniture and homewares brand, Auburn & Green.
Auburn & Green is only one year old, so it was a great opportunity
for exposure, and lots of fun. I met some lovely people and gained
some lovely clients through this experience. All Pop-Up Shops are
temporary though, so it came to an end, but we definitely have
plans for more next year.
What inspired you to begin this business?
I grew up with my Dad running a business, and as a result, I think
that some of his business ideals rubbed off on me. In short though,
it was absolutely God who inspired me and gave me this dream.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’d love to see Auburn & Green grow into a successful business,
and transition into running this full time. I’m really passionate about
design, and helping people to create beautiful, comfortable spaces.
What has been the most challenging and the most rewarding
thing about this venture?
Starting a business and working full time has had its challenges. It
has taken a lot of my time, a lot of our money, and I have definitely
had days where I have doubted myself, and the dream. Having said
that, God is good, and He has definitely walked each step of this
journey with me. I have been blessed with some great opportunities
so far, such as having a Pop-Up Shop in a prominent location, and
styling stages for the Brisbane Writers Festival.
Any tips for students who might be considering a similar
career path?
I would say: regardless of what you are thinking of doing, pray
about it and be prepared for hard work. You might have to put your
whole self into seeing your dream established, and some days you
might not see the end of the tunnel, but if you’re working toward
your goal with God, then it will definitely all work out – even if it’s
not how you originally expected.
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Northsider
You were involved in missions while at school. What is your
most significant memory?
Yes, I’m still passionate about missions, and was really fortunate to
have the opportunity to go to Uganda – this was definitely my most
significant memory.
Has your interest in missions continued? How so?
Everyday life is a mission field, and I definitely have great
opportunities working as a social worker to represent Jesus’
love. We are both still interested in missions, and have had a few
opportunities since leaving school to continue being involved. Luke
and I went to China instead of doing schoolies and worked in an
orphanage (which was a great experience), and we have more
recently been involved with Nexus Church in some ministries in New
Age settings.
Your husband, Luke, was involved in missions at Northside
too. Did this shared interest draw you together?
Um, I would say yes. We both went on the Uganda trip in 2004,
and this was where we became really good friends.
ALUMNI PROFILE
"God is such a huge part of
our lives – He’s so good, and
I’m constantly overwhelmed
by how much He loves us."
What can you tell us about your romance and life together? It’s all thanks
to Northside, right? Just kidding…
Well, if it wasn’t for Northside we probably wouldn’t have found each other! We
first started getting to know each other when we were Vice Captains together
in Middle School. From there we went on the Uganda trip together and this
really cemented our friendship. Friendship grew into more, and we stared dating
in the summer before we started Year 12. We then dated for four years before
getting married. We’ve been married for nearly five years now, and love each
other more each day. I couldn’t do life without him and I’m so blessed that he is
my husband. It’s funny, thinking back, but we had the support of our teachers,
which was lovely!
How are you serving God today?
Luke and I both attend Nexus Church and love it. We’re connected in with a
great home group, and have some great friends that we share our faith and life
with. God is such a huge part of our lives – He’s so good, and I’m constantly
overwhelmed by how much He loves us.
Which Bible verse encapsulates your life?
At the moment: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your
own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all of your ways, and He will make
your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. It’s an “oldie but a goodie”, and particularly
applicable while I’m starting a business and slightly out of my comfort zone.
About Auburn & Green
"Auburn & Green provides one-off boutique pieces of furniture, homewares, and
interior and event styling. I love a mix of the old world and the new, and you
can definitely see this coming through in my style. Whilst we don’t have a store
space at the moment, clients are welcome to view pieces by appointment. We’ll
be looking to open up a new space next year.
As well as this, if you have something specific that you’re looking for, or if you
would like to revamp a special piece of furniture that you own, we are very
happy to have custom pieces made and offer a furniture styling service. I’m
excited to see what God has in store for Auburn & Green!"
Brieanna Manley
Class of 2006
To find out more about Auburn & Green, connect on social media.
Auburn & Green
@auburnandgreen
spring 2014
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PICTORIAL
Ten Year Reunion
The Class of 2004
The Class of 2004 Reunion was held at New Farm
Park on Saturday 4 October 2014. Around 40
people were able to attend the family-friendly,
relaxed afternoon picnic. It was amazing meeting
everyone's partners and children and catching up
again. We really missed those that weren't able to
make it! A special thanks to Erica Weideman (née
Kingsley, Class of 2004) for the yummy baking.
Jaimee Smith (née Pesu)
Class of 2004 Reunion Organiser
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Northsider
ALUMNI PROFILE
Heart and Hands
YWAM worker
Matt Twinn (Class of 2008)
Almunus Matt Twinn (Class of 2008) has been working
with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) on the Gold
Coast for six months. He records interviews and makes
the testimony videos for students in the Discipleship
Training School. He is also involved with the evangelism
team, which offers hot drinks and a chat at Southport
on a Thursday night and volleyball game at Surfers
Paradise on Friday afternoons. “We just talk to people
and share the love of God with them,” says Matt.
“I went to Discipleship Training School in 2013 and it
was amazing to spend six months immersed in lectures
and then travel to India to reach out and minister to
the people there. I joined the staff of the Discipleship
Training School in September and will continue working
during the study period until February. Before my
discipleship training, I knew about God but never really
“knew” Him. My training has taught me who God is.”
Carpenter and small
business owner Jake
McEnery (Class of 2005)
Alumnus Jake McEnery (Class of 2005) has followed
God’s direction into carpentry, running his own
business, JLMcEnery Carpentry, and employing an
apprentice.
“I wear many hats running my own business,” Jake
says, “I'm the tradesmen, supervisor, accountant,
marketing consultant, and sales team all rolled into
one. There are many ups and downs in business, but
the Lord has been very faithful in it all.”
Jake draws inspiration for life from Proverbs 16:9,
“A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Reflecting on his school days, Jake says, “I feel very
grateful to the teachers and staff there. They always
had time for you, and were keen to not only support
us in our education, but also in life and our walk with
God. By the end of Year 12, many of the teachers were
also good friends.”
Share your news with us
We love to know what our graduates are doing now. Please send an update and
some photos to northsider@northside.qld.edu.au. We can’t wait to hear from you!
spring 2014
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PARENTING TIp:
sENIOR FOCUS
Winning the ongoing “screentime battle”
It’s a battle to manage the amount of time our children spend on electronic devices. Just as
washing never stops piling up, the job of monitoring children’s computing habits never ends.
Image Credit: sisters-screentime by Jeremy Hiebert, CC
A nostalgic look at years gone by
Remember the good ol’ days when all parents had to do was settle
the fights over who got to use the desktop computer when and for
how long? The old clunker was locked down to a desk near a phone
jack and the antivirus and filtering software ticked away in the
background. Data took ages to load; frustration was inherent – and
(in retrospect) protective.
We parents felt safe and in control.
Then along came Wi-Fi, faster internet, and laptops. Suddenly we
had to start limiting computer use to communal areas of the house.
No holing away alone in your bedroom, doing who-knew-what-forhow-long!
Next, smart phones and Apple’s iPod Touch came on the market.
Heaps of parents handed them over, oblivious to the fact that their
kids could access the internet on iPods. The same goes for gaming
consoles like XBox, PlayStation and even Wii.
The iPad brought new possibilities for learning to the classroom.
Enriched lessons, easy access to information, and educational
convenience on so many fronts. For many parents, the iPad opened
our eyes to risks—and broadened our vocabularies. Not only did we
have to step up to a new level of monitoring, we had to learn a new
lingo:
In fact, some psychologists are researching links between excessive
screentime and mental health issues, sleep problems, and learning
difficulties. They don’t fault the use of technology in education, but
rather they’re targeting unrestricted recreational screentime.
•
•
•
•
•
e-Quipped (www.e-quipped.com.au) is Northside Christian College’s
cyber-parenting blog. In October, e-Quipped featured a series of
articles on Managing Screentime. The series offers tried and true tips
to “take back screentime”.
Apps (and the dreaded in-app-purchases)
Parental Controls
Digital reputation
Cyber-safety
Facebook, Instagram, KiK, Ask.fm, Tumblr, Twitter, and more
Crumbling control
That sense of control and safety in our homes was under threat.
As one-device families, technology use was easy to manage. Now,
with electronic equipment littering our homes, it’s a battle on many
fronts. Upstairs and downstairs little eyes are glued to screens. Teens
often have multiple screens bleeping and glowing at once.
Parents have had to “skill up” and deal with a brand new problem –
and it’s a big one: screentime monitoring. The always-on, personal
devices have meant the kids no longer have to wait their turn to get
on the computer.
Great, right?
Well, not always.
For every device a family adds, the complexity of monitoring
increases. There’s the issue of age-appropriate content and also the
problem of limiting screentime. It’s a huge battle, and it’s one that
sticking a chart of rules to the fridge doesn’t solve.
Regulating screentime is a skill that everyone has to learn – parents
and kids. New technology makes it possible to look at media
twenty-four hours a day, which, of course, wouldn’t be good for us.
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Northsider
e-Quipping families to manage screentime
Here are three highlighted strategies:
1. Set and enforce clear expectations around recreational
screentime. It happens only after completing school work,
chores, reading, and physical exercise.
2. Distinguish between playing and making. Using devices to
create can be acceptable (but it still needs to be limited).
Examples include writing stories, making graphics, building that
involves some coding such as Minecraft, and some educational
apps. Be sure to count creative time on devices as part of their
screentime allowance.
3. Plan fun alternatives to screen-based activities. Make
sure it includes the outdoors, physical exercise and family
togetherness. Geocaching (a treasure hunt that uses GPS) is an
example.
Alison Stegert, School Counsellor and Life Skills Coordinator
For more ideas on “taking back screentime” and
managing the use of digital devices in your home,
visit www.e-quipped.com.au.
PARENTING TIp:
JUNIOR FOCUS
Ruby Resilience:
“I can overcome”
Insider tip
This article is the third in a series featuring the four characters
from the Junior School CARE Focus. The first article in 2013
featured Carrie Courtesy and Abel Attitude was the star of the
second one. This article highlights Ruby Resilience.
Research continues to show that children who are emotionally healthy and who develop a strong, positive
work ethic are more likely to achieve maximum academic success. In Junior School, our CARE focus is
designed to help strengthen the students’ social and emotional health and to develop the important
characteristics of Courtesy, Attitude, Resilience and Excellence. CARE is a Christian framework reflecting
the values of our Junior School community and is a unifying focus providing a common language for staff,
students and parents.
Resilience is defined in the dictionary as “the capacity to recover
quickly from difficulties or adversity; toughness; buoyancy”.
Resilience is necessary to deal with the challenges and setbacks
of life. The Scripture associated with Ruby is a promise of God’s
unfailing love, strength and presence in our lives. Ruby’s Scripture is
Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or
terrified of them, for the Lord our God goes with you. He will never
leave you or forsake you”. Her slogan is: “I can overcome”.
The attributes of a resilient person are: confidence, self-acceptance,
positivity, assertiveness, faithfulness, and a capacity to overcome
challenges.
One of the most powerful tools in developing resilience is the ability
to change negative self-talk into positive. Often, I speak with the
students about negative and positive self-talk, as well as “green
thoughts” and “red thoughts”. Feeding negativity causes depressive,
unhappy emotions while feeding positivity produces healthy,
enabling emotions.
Obviously, we can’t always control the thoughts that pop into our
heads. The important thing is how we respond to them. Do we
challenge them with questions such as, “Is this really true?” or “Am
I exaggerating?’’, or do we entertain them and feed them? When
adults model the use positive thoughts, they exercise a powerful
tool in assisting children to develop the skill.
Parents can support the development of resilience by teaching their
children to become problem-solvers. Allowing children to face (ageappropriate) challenges without jumping in to rescue them is one of
the most effective ways to help in developing strength of character.
A child who is always immediately rescued, or not allowed to face
the problem in the first place, will become emotionally weakened
and unable to face life’s inevitable challenges.
This will be to their detriment. They will find it difficult to make and
maintain friendships and will want to give up on anything they can’t
easily and quickly do.
Encourage your child to move out of their comfort zone. If they are
faced with a challenge, teach them to set a goal, break a “problem”
into small steps, challenge and replace their negative thoughts with
positive ones and celebrate their small successes. You will be doing
them a big favour.
Another important attribute of resilience is assertiveness. Being
assertive is “being self-assured and confident without being
aggressive’ and is associated with confidence. It is the happy state
between “wimpiness” and aggression. I tell students that being
assertive is, “standing tall, looking the person in the eyes and stating
your view in a calm and polite manner”. Having this skill is an
integral part of maintaining good friendships and is a necessary skill
for negotiation.
The other attribute I’d like to highlight is faithfulness. This important
characteristic is defined as “being true to one’s word, loyal, reliable,
trusted, constant and steady in allegiance”. As we think of the
College motto, “Character through Christ”, faithfulness would be
high on the list of what is desired for our students.
Ruby Resilience is a great role model and has much to teach us all.
Bev Starrenburg, Junior School Coordinator/Student Welfare
For more parenting information, visit the following
websites:
Raising Children, www.raisingchildren.net.au
Parenting Ideas, www.parentingideas.com.au
(Click on the “Parent” tab to find the “How to Parent”
page)
spring 2014
15
COMMUNITY FOCUS
Honouring our Community
Volunteering
This year we celebrate 30 years of volunteering
in the life of our College. What an achievement!
As we look back over the years of voluntary
duties, we see the complete picture of how
favoured we are by our God. We find evidence
of not only a growing army of workers, but an
increasing quality in the development of many
and varied programs they have supported. They
have exceeded all our expectations, hopes and
dreams; and students and staff have been the
beneficiaries of their selfless acts.
The list of tasks fulfilled is endless, giving us all
a glimpse into the robust and impressive role
our volunteer community has loyally maintained
each and every year since the College’s
inception 30 years ago! These volunteers are
parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins,
friends and graduates of the College, and we
applaud each and every one.
To all those who have contributed this year, your
efforts are deeply appreciated. You are all loved,
valued and unashamedly revered by all who
have witnessed your servant hearts.
16
Northsider
Grandparents' Day
Grandparents’ Day is always a wonderful event in our school calendar, where we
spoil our grandparents by providing an opportunity for grandchildren to “show off”
their school!
This year many grandparents from near and far attended to enjoy a scrumptious
lunch while witnessing the amazing talent of our Junior School students and staff.
community focus
Congratulations!
Newborns
Welcome Isaac Timothy Ross
Amanda (née Stone) and Tim Ross
(both Class of 2004) welcomed a son,
Isaac Timothy Ross, on 23 April 2014.
Welcome Josiah Redman
Kaye (née Minnaar, Class of 2008) and
Jonathan Redman welcomed a son,
Josiah Redman on 20 October 2014.
Left: Nikki and Ben Poole. Above: Northsiders Tegan Filmer
(left), Kate Naude (third from left), Tim Poole (centre),
Yuverina Shewpersad (fourth from right), Samuel Smith (third
from right), Sarah Stevens (née Refalo, second from right)
Marriages and Engagements
Congratulations Nikki and Ben Poole
Nicola (née Naude) and Benjamin Poole were married on 20 September 2014 at Henzell’s
Chapel, Mount Pleasant. Nikki and Ben’s friendship began at Northside when they met in Year
7. Nikki says they “grew up together”, starting dating at age 16 and graduated in the Class of
2008. Ben proposed on his birthday, 15 June, in 2013. On their wedding day, Ben and Nikki
were attended by a number of Northside graduates. Nikki’s bridesmaids Yuverina Shewpersad,
Tegan Filmer, Sarah Stevens, née Refalo, (all Class of 2008) and Kate Naude (Class of 2010)
wore dresses in peach, and Sam Smith (Northside’s 2008 College Captain) wore a charcoal suit
as one of four groomsmen. Photos courtesy of Evan Kok Photography.
Congratulations Emma and Matthew Lean
Above: Amanda, Tim and Isaac Ross
Below: Kaye, Jonathan and Josiah Redman
Emma (née Burstow, Class of 2011) married Matthew Lean (Class of 2007) at City North
Baptist Church on 20 September 2014.
Betrothed … Letitia and Jacob
Congratulations to Letitia Britt and Jacob McVey (both Class of 2010) who announced their
engagement on 13 July 2014.
Right: Matthew and Emma Lean
Far Right: Letitia Britt and Jacob McVey
spring 2014
17
inspiration
Cup from Above
Northside staff member Hannah Rogers is part of team caring for disadvantaged
people and teaching them new skills at a local café, Cup From Above.
Hannah Rogers, Middle School Learning Support Aide
“I have a passion to help the marginalised people in my community;
specifically those who aren't Christians. I believe it is important to
provide practical support to people who are struggling – speaking
through actions rather than just words. I saw what Cup From Above
was doing for the community (specifically for homeless and disabled
people) and felt that I should get involved.
"It was great for us to sit down and listen to their story, while
showing them the love of God in a practical way.
“While volunteering at the café, I have seen people come to know
God and be set free from addictions. I have seen disabled children
cared for and families given food to survive the week. I have seen
disadvantaged people develop a skill set which will make them more
employable.”
“Adam (Class of 1999) runs the café in such a way that anyone –
regardless of situation, faith or beliefs – can come and feel loved
and accepted. I felt that volunteering at the café would give me
a better insight into what is happening in my own backyard, and
give me ideas as to how to help people who find it hard to help
themselves.
“Over the last year or so, I have had the opportunity to fellowship
with a number of people who are struggling. My husband Andy
(Class of 2006 and now an IT Technician at Northside) and I had the
privilege of welcoming a homeless couple into our home for a short
period of time, while looking for a more permanent solution.
About Cup From Above
The mission statement at Cup From Above is to champion people
who are struggling to find work. The team says they actively look
for people who have barriers to employment such as a disability,
mental health issues and work with them until they are able to
independently obtain and sustain an “authentic” occupation. These
people become “volunteers” at the café. Some of them simply
haven’t had the opportunity to work and gaining some experience
behind a coffee machine gives them something to put on their
resume. The team at the café say they have several strategies to
assist people in finding employment and are well connected to refer
successfully trained people into employment on the Northside of
Brisbane.
They also have a role that they call “Café Captain”. This is effectively
an “assistant management” role for people who are skilled at
working in cafés or the hospitality industry and would like to help
out at Cup From Above with the trainees.
Cup From Above also has a range of initiatives to help meet the
needs of their clients, including Café Chaplains, Suspended Coffees
and Tucker Tokens, Grandma’s Kitchen, Artists’ Hub and Graffitti
Wall and a community noticeboard.
Café Chaplain
“Café Chaplains” are very similar to a school chaplain whereby they
exist to be a friendly caring person to talk with people who are
facing some sort of hardship. They are not counsellors. They listen
to someone as they share their experiences, offer encouragement
and refer them to a local professional or organisation to assist with
their specific need.
18
Northsider
Left: Hannah and Andy Rogers,
who are both on staff at
Northside Christian College.
Suspended Coffees and Tucker Tokens
“Suspended Coffees” is a movement that started in the great
depression in Naples, Italy nearly 100 years ago. Wealthy people
who still had money would purchase extra coffees for the barista
to give away. They would pay for the extra coffee and the sale was
“suspended” until someone would come along to receive the gift.
Buying a “suspended coffee” is a brilliant way to build community
and to easily demonstrate anonymous generosity. The café also
offers tokens for suspended “Tucker Tokens”. It works just the same
as Suspended Coffees. A token, valued at $5, can be purchased
then hung on the wall for anyone to use.
Grandma's Kitchen
Another initiative is Grandma’s Kitchen, a program where women
share skills and knowledge of cooking cheap, healthy and delicious
meals. The café also supports local artists by showcasing artwork
on their walls. The café also has a link to a Graffiti Wall overseen
by local street art professional James Alley from Metagraphics.
Cub From Above started the Aspley Community Notice Board for
people to request things they need and a way for people who have
something they’d like to give.
For more information on Cup From Above, visit www.cupfromabove.com.au
book review
Raising Relational Kids in a
Screen-Driven World
Growing Up Social
By Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane
WORD’s price: $17.99 (paperback)
A child’s favourite pastime might not be playing hide-and-seek outside or curling
up with a good book anymore. Instead, they’ve been introduced to a world of
digital entertainment through television, video games and mobile devices.
In this digital age, children are spending more and more time interacting with
a screen rather than a parent. While technology has the potential to add value
to our families, it can also erode a sense of togetherness and hinder a child's
emotional growth.
Through reading Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven
World, you'll learn how to take back your home from an over-dependence on
screens.
Discover the five “A+ skills” needed to give your child the relational edge in a
screen-driven world: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and
attention. It’s a timely reminder that today's screens aren't just in our living
rooms; they are in our pockets.
Now is the time to equip your child to live with screentime, not for screentime.
Constant entertainment is not the goal of childhood. No phone, tablet, or
gaming device can teach your child how to have healthy relationships; only you
can.
Growing Up Social will help you:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Equip your child to be “relational rich” in a digital world
Replace mindless screentime with meaningful family time
Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference
Read what's working for the screen savvy family down the street
Prepare your child to succeed down the road in relationships and life
Learn healthy ways to occupy your child while you get things done
Whether you are a parent, grandparent, neighbour or friend, this book is a must
read. The electronic age has brought us the amazing miracles of television and
computer technology but it has also brought risks to the social and intellectual
development of our children. This book will inform you and perhaps even alarm
you, but then it will show you how children can enjoy screens without becoming
addicted to them.
"This book will show
you how children
can enjoy screens
without becoming
addicted to them."
Reviewed by WORD Alderley Manager Peter Murphy
spring 2014
19
We invite you to stay connected.
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