Celebrating our 30th anniversary!
Transcription
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 [email protected] www.northside.qld.edu.au 2 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 3 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. 4 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 5 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) 6 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 7 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 8 Northsider COMMUNITY reflections Reflecting on 30 Years at Northside A pictorial representation of special moments in our College's history spring 2014 9 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. 10 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 11 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 12 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 [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you! spring 2014 13 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. 14 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. /northsidechristiancollegebrisbane /NorthsideQldEduAu /company/northside-christian-college-brisbane- northside.qld.edu.au Celebrate Christmas at WORD 15 % OFF ANY PURCHASE e. Coupon must be presented instor until 24th December 2014 Not valid with any other offer. Valid GO DIGITAL AT WORD With thousands of eBooks and counting, Word now introduces an all new eAudio book and Bible store! All your digital Christian resources at one great location. Available online now @ www.word.com.au Word Alderley 442-444 Enoggera Road, Alderley Phone 07 3352 7100 Email [email protected]