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News from Northern Beaches Christian School
Term 1, 2026
Tim Watson, Principal
From the Principal
With 100 other school principals, I recently listened to a psychologist who said that one of the best predictors of good mental health is the ability to deal with uncertainty.
As parents, this should give us pause for thought. What can or should I be doing to help my child/ren with this?
Paradoxically, it isn’t by introducing truckloads of chaos and uncertainty into their lives. It is by recognising the limits of our control and exercising control within them. In other words, giving them bounded certainty, that then serves as a shock absorber for the uncertainty of the world beyond.
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The certainty of a parent’s care and affection, the certainty of stability, the consistency of parental responses, all these things help students to manage when things otherwise don’t turn out how they expect.
Coping with uncertainty is made infinitely easier when we recognise that we can’t control everything and when we stop trying to impose control over the things that we can’t.
These are some of the things we can’t control
- The past
- The future
- Other people, what they do, what they think, feel and believe
- Other people, how they see us and how they treat us
- Other people, and how they treat themselves.
We can’t always control what happens around us. We can’t even control the outcome of our efforts. We can control the effort, but not the outcome. Prepare to win, sure, but recognise that sometimes you will play your best and still lose, and that has to be okay.
But what do we do with this? How do we cope or manage with the idea that some things in the world are outside our control. Here’s my advice. Don’t try to control what you can’t. Don’t. It is a fool’s errand. You’ll just get frustrated.
Things we can control
- How we act and how we respond to situations
- Our values and goals, our beliefs and our focus
- Our response to our own emotions
- How we treat ourselves and others
- How we use our free time and how we view the world
- The boundaries that we set.
In a world where you have a finite amount of time and energy, spend it on the things that you can control. Spend it on the things that you can change for the better. Control what you can control. Don’t worry about the rest, or at least recognise that worrying about it isn’t going to change it.
In the words of the serenity prayer,
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And wisdom to know the difference.
Tim Watson
Principal
Our all-school mufti fundraising day saw students and staff donating generously, demonstrating our school value of Compassion.
Learning to give generously
Our first whole-school fundraiser exceeded our goal to fully fund our Compassion sponsor children for 2026.
The mufti day was a powerful community effort, with students and staff giving generously, and year groups being introduced to their sponsor children in a combined Years 7 to 12 Chapel.
“At the heart of our service programs is to be grateful for what we have been given and to generously share what we can with those less fortunate or those living in poverty,” said chaplain Damien Whitington.
“The fact that NBCS went above and beyond the fundraising target is a wonderful reflection of our community’s generosity.”
Chaplain Damien Whitington talks about generosity and a life lived for the benefit of others at our combined Secondary Chapel.
We wish our current Registrar Shannon Vescio (left) well as she begins her maternity leave, and welcome Renee Wiebe (right) to the Registrar role.
Meet Renee Wiebe
As NBCS Registrar Shannon Vescio prepares for maternity leave from Term 2, we sat down with her replacement, Renee Wiebe, to hear what she’s looking forward to in the role.
How long have you been at NBCS?
I’ve worked here at NBCS for nearly three years, but I’ve been around for much longer. When my children were in Primary here I used to come in to do reading with children and help out at carnivals. It has always been such a beautiful place to be, and it’s a lovely place to work.
What did you look for when you chose a school for your own children?
I was looking for a place where I knew they would grow and be cared for. The Christian values at NBCS were a big thing for me, and not having to change to a different campus from primary to secondary, so they could go right through.
What do you love about the NBCS campus?
My favourite part is probably the setting and location here in Terrey Hills away from the hustle and bustle. And I really like the library. It’s very welcoming to the children, and the librarians are amazing, finding great books for every reader.
Tell us about your previous roles?
I’ve had a whole variety of jobs. I’ve been a legal secretary and a PA. I’m also a civil celebrant, doing weddings and funerals. I once officiated at a wedding on a boat going from Pittwater to the Central Coast. It was very relaxing!
Why did you apply for the Registrar role and what are you looking forward to?
I know it’s a big thing to send your child off to a new school, and I love telling people about our wonderful school. I’m looking forward to meeting all the families, answering their questions and starting them on their journey with NBCS.
Contact our Registrar
If you have questions about the School or the enrolment process, please contact Renee at:
Phone: (02) 9986 7289
Email: enrol@nbcs.nsw.edu.au
Form: enrolment enquiry form
Tickets for Beauty and the Beast are selling fast. Get yours today.
Beauty and the Beast
We’re excited about our upcoming Broadway musical hitting the NBCS stage from 30 April to 2 May.
Cast and crew have been rehearsing and preparing for weeks, and are nearly ready to bring to life this ‘tale as old as time’. NBCS musicals are well-known to have high production and performance values, and Beauty and the Beast will not disappoint.
Book your tickets today and enjoy a great night out.
Hear Liam talk about why he moved schools to participate in the NBCS Musical and performing arts.
The NBCS Primary Instrumental Program introduces Primary students to musical intruments from Year 1.
New musical instruments debut in Primary
Our Primary Instrumental Program kicked off for the year in Term 1, with two new instruments added to the mix in 2026.
Saxophone and percussion have been added to the program alongside violin, cello, flute, clarinet, trombone and trumpet.
The program begins in Stage 1, with students in Year 1 choosing between violin or cello, which they learn and play in small groups. From Stage 2, children can branch out to change instruments or choose another to learn alongside their stringed instrument.
2026 is shaping up to be a musical year, with 117 Primary students learning and playing an instrument!
Service trip to Cambodia
We are excited to announce a new service-learning opportunity to Cambodia.
In November 2026, students in Years 9–11 have the opportunity to join a Cambodia immersion trip which will offer authentic, culturally aware service learning as part of our Global Opportunities program.
Students will engage in meaningful service activities alongside RAW Impact, a grassroots organisation working amongst vulnerable communities in Cambodia to create sustainable change through safe housing, education, employment pathways, and community development.
This trip will become a regular offering as part of our Global Opportunities Program.
NBCS Secondary students will have an opportunity to visit Cambodia in November this year for meaningful service activities.
Our first Pre-K class began in 2026! To find out about the benefits of Pre-K for your child, book in for an Explore Pre-K and Kindy Morning.
School Tours
Our small group school tours provide a great opportunity to view our world-class facilities, experience our unique learning environment, meet students and staff and ask any questions you may have about NBCS.
Join us for our Explore Kindy & Pre-K Morning
- Tuesday 19 May, 9:45am
Join us for our Primary and Secondary School Tours
- Tuesday 5 May, 9:45am
- Tuesday 2 June, 9:45am
For 2026 enrolments, contact our Registrar at enrol@nbcs.nsw.edu.au for a personal tour.
Enrolments Update
PRE-K
2026 and beyond
Applications are open for Pre-K enrolments.
PRIMARY
2026 and beyond
Applications welcome for all Primary year groups, however we have limited vacancies for Years 2-6 in 2026. Please call our Registrar before submitting an application for a start in 2026. Applications welcome for all year groups for 2027.
Secondary
2026 – 2027
Year 7 – Enrolments at capacity with waitlists in place. Please contact the Registrar before applying.
2028
Year 7 – Applications are welcome, however waitlists are already in place.
Years 11 and 12
Year 11 Applications – Please contact the Registrar before submitting an application.
Year 12 Applications – We do not accept new enrolments for Year 12.
Other year groups
We may have limited vacancies in other year groups in addition to those noted above. Please contact the Registrar at enrol@nbcs.nsw.edu.au for further information.
Contact Us
Northern Beaches Christian School
www.nbcs.nsw.edu.au/contact