NICS News Week 8 Term 4

From the Principal’s Desk

The PBL focus for Week 8 is “take ownership of your behaviour.” These messages will be repeated across the week and discussed during wellbeing lessons. Congratulations to Year 3 and Year 7 for receiving the STAR Award at assembly this week. Congratulations to this week’s “Gotcha” award recipients, Billy Smith and Kaha Gardiner, who both received a canteen voucher sponsored by the NICS P&C.

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting the Junior School Leadership Induction Ceremony for the 2025 incoming leaders. A big thank you to the 2024 outgoing School Leaders for leading the ceremony.

Congratulations to the newly inducted Junior School Leadership Team for 2025:

• School Captains: Veda-Betty Greenwood and Arlo Robinson
• School Vice Captains: Rylai Barandino and Theo Reid

Congratulations to the House Captains who were also inducted.

Nepean House

Senior Captains: Jaylon Williams and Isabella Randall

Senior Vice Captains: Alyssa Buffett and Georgie Quintal

Junior Captains: Cooper Eales and Ayla Little

Junior Vice Captains: Ruby Quintal and Luca Pospisil

Norfolk House:

Senior Captains: Alyssa Miller and Siena Menghetti

Senior Vice Captains: Tahlia Marshman, Shae French and Abby Dixon

Junior Captains: Axel Nobbs-Boudan and Cora Bigg

Junior Vice Captains: Harrison Nobbs and Hunter Quintal

Philip House:

Senior Captains: Alby Spreag and Zaria Evans

Senior Vice Captains: Ili Bulisuva and Cassie McCoy

Junior Captains: Jack McGillycuddy and Arlo Robinson

Junior Vice Captains: Theo Reid, Veda-Betty Greenwood and Leba Bulisuva

At this time of the year, there are a lot of assessments being finalised in class. A general reminder for secondary students to ensure that they check their timetable and have the necessary equipment for each lesson each day. This includes their laptop charged for the day and general stationery, such as a pencil case and calculator. If there is upcoming planned travel, please collect and complete the travel approval forms. Notes for excursions need to be signed by parents and returned to the front office. If your children are not returning to NICS in 2025, please let the office know so we can ensure our planning for 2025 is accurate. Likewise, if you have family enrolling, please let us know.

Congratulations to Abby Dixon who received a Year 11 Merit Award from Brisbane School of Distance Education for Conscientious and Consistent effort and success.

Carnival dates for 2025:

All carnivals for 2025 will be in Week 3 of each term as follows:

• Beach Carnival: Wednesday, 12 February, 2025
• Back up date: Wednesday, 26 February, 2025
• Cross Country: Wednesday, 14 May, 2025
• Athletics Carnival: Wednesday, 30 July, 2025

HELMET HEROES: Keeping Kids Safe!

Thank you to Tim Thompson from the Norfolk Island Police for attending the assembly last Wednesday launching the Helmet Heroes initiative. Did you know that wearing a bike helmet is one of the best ways to protect your little ones while they ride? Research shows that:

• Head Injury Reduction: Helmets can cut the risk of head injuries by up to 60%!

• Serious Injury Prevention: They help prevent serious head injuries, reducing traumatic brain injuries by about 53%.

• Fatality Reduction: Wearing a helmet significantly lowers the risk of fatal head injuries too!

That’s why it’s super important for kids to wear helmets every time they hop on their bikes. Plus, it’s the law on Norfolk Island under Section 38(3) of the Traffic Act 2010 (NI)!

We’re excited to announce that the Norfolk Island Police and the Health and Wellbeing Team (NIHRACS) are teaming up to keep our children safe. To help out, we’re offering vouchers for parents to purchase bike helmets for their kiddos! You can redeem these vouchers at either Fenua and Moana (Land and Sea) or Rabbit’s.

Here’s how to be part of our HELMET HEROES pilot program:

1. Stop by the Health and Wellbeing office in the Smithy’s building to register and collect your voucher (1 per child).

2. Take your voucher to Fenua & Moana (Land & Sea) or Rabbits to buy a helmet for your child!

But hurry—there are limited vouchers available! For more info, feel free to contact the Health and Wellbeing Team at 22687 or email healthandwellbeing@health.nlk.gov.nf.

Let’s keep our little heroes safe while they ride!

Russell Moore

Principal