2008

S y d n e y A u S t r A l i A

IntroductIonnorwest christian college is a dynamic christian educational community that aims to build on three decades of service to our community by continuing to provide cost-effective, quality christian education to Sydney’s norwest development sector. the college is situated on fifteen acres of rural land in riverstone and caters for students from Pre-School to Year 12.

our students are engaged in a rich learning environment that supports them as they grow in their love of learning and strive for the best possible academic outcomes. As we nurture and support our students, they are in turn encouraged to care for and support each other. they are provided with opportunities to explore a living faith in Jesus christ and extend their focus beyond themselves to the college community and their world; locally, nationally and globally.

VISIonour vision is for all norwest christian college students to experience God’s love and be equipped as lifelong learners and leaders in their communities. We aim for them to be passionate in their faith and full of hope; socially capable, resilient and accepting; agents of change, innovative, focused on others; independent learners, literate, creative and articulate.

colleGe VAlueS

love & Service

Faith & Integrity

truth & Wisdom

Justice & Mercy

Kindness & compassion

courage & Perseverance

responsibility & respect

chrIStIAn cultureStaff, parents and students together form a caring and supportive community built on Biblical principles. christian staff actively contribute to the loving, caring environment the college provides. they are a motivated team of professionals, committed to quality teaching and ongoing professional learning.

the college’s teachers seek to bring a christian perspective to the curriculum and facilitate regular devotions, small group discussions and chapel services to ensure that students are supported as they grow in their faith and discover their place in God’s world.

PAStorAl cArenorwest christian college is committed to the welfare of its students and to a strong sense of community. college staff and parents form a partnership that is focused on the needs of the whole child. this partnership is founded on common values, openness and communication. the college has a range of peer, mentor and tutorial programs that support students as they grow and learn.

SerVIce And MInIStrYthe college has a strong focus on service; encouraging students of every age to use their gifts to benefit their peers, the college and the wider community. our student body undertakes community service in the local area and supports a range of local charities.

the college also encourages its students to have a global world-view and coordinates several mission trips each year, both domestically and internationally. our mission trip to Vanuatu gives students the opportunity to experience another culture, share their faith and serve people less fortunate than themselves in very practical ways.

PrIMArY YeArSthe Primary Years are a formative time in which academic, social, physical, emotional and spiritual foundations are laid in young lives. our college community provides a friendly, caring environment that nurtures individual growth and learning. Small classes are accommodated in large, colourful, air-conditioned classrooms with computers and an interactive whiteboard to maximise learning opportunities. teachers integrate the use of technology into the curriculum to enhance learning.

Primary staff work collaboratively to maximise learning opportunities for each student. Academic programs are designed to provide each student with the opportunity to master foundational skills in all aspects of the curriculum with particular focus on literacy and numeracy. the Primary curriculum is based on Board of Studies syllabus documents taught from a christian perspective, with attention given to the development of thinking skills and applications of technology.

Since each and every child is unique, learns in different ways, and have different interests and talents our teachers provide a stimulating differentiated curriculum to meet a wide range of learning abilities. the college operates various programs that provide additional help to students to assist in mastering the literacy and/or numeracy skills that are foundational to schooling.

language tuition

All Primary students from Years K-6 receive weekly lessons from a specialist Spanish teacher, with a view to developing their speaking and writing skills over their Primary years.

Music Instrumental Program

this college’s comprehensive Music program provides specialist music tuition for all Primary students. Beginning with a focus on singing, percussion and movement the program develops to reading music notation and learning to play a number of instruments. Primary students may also participate in a range of extra-curricular musical activities including choral groups and performance bands that perform at college and public events throughout the year.

Sport and outdoor education

Various programs provide opportunities for Primary students to participate in a range of physical activities that develop strength, coordination, fitness and a love of movement. the college competes in both informal and competitive sporting competitions in athletics, swimming, football (soccer), netball, basketball, Australian rules football and a range of other sports.

the college’s outdoor education program introduce students to a variety of engaging and challenging practical activities providing opportunities for personal growth, development and leadership

YeArS 1 & 2 Water safety and swim school program

YeAr 3 outdoor education day trip

YeAr 4 three day outdoor education camp

YeArS 5 & 6 three day trip to canberra / Bathurst goldfields (alternate years)

SecondArY YeArSthe Secondary years are a time of significant personal growth and reflection where students often challenge their own system of beliefs and ideals and set their direction for life. norwest christian college provides a safe and welcoming Secondary experience that encourages students to be productive local and global citizens, with an emphasis on the responsible stewardship of God’s creation. Students undertake the study of a broad range of important interpersonal, organisational, study and career skills aimed at equipping them so that they emerge as confident and resilient young people ready for adulthood and leadership in the community.

In Years 7-8 students are provided with learning experiences that are practical, relevant and enriching. the college’s curriculum focuses on the essentials of literacy, numeracy, the arts, humanities, sciences and sports encouraging higher-order thinking while recognising individual student gifts and abilities.

Students in Years 9-10 complete the School certificate in english, Mathematics, Australian history and Geography, Science and computing Skills. they also have the opportunity to specialise in a number of other subjects. the college offers Board of Studies elective

courses such as timber, Food technology, Photography, Music, drama, history, Multimedia, textiles and drama as well as an additional special interest elective option with a variety of engaging courses.

Students in Years 11-12 are challenged with high academic expectations and supported by a personal academic mentor who assists them in their aspirations to achieve the highest possible degree of hSc success. Students study a broad range of academic subjects and are given access to external providers to supplement their course of study where necessary.

our Secondary students remain active through a weekly program of sport and physical activity opportunities. Students may also participate in a variety of competitive sporting competitions in athletics, swimming, football (soccer), netball, basketball, Australian rules football and a variety of other sports.

the college’s outdoor education program introduce students to a variety of engaging and challenging practical activities providing opportunities for personal growth, development and leadership

YeArS 7 & 8

three day outdoor education camp

YeAr 9

three day inner-city Mission trip

YeAr 10

Five day ski trip to Jindabyne / Snowy Mountains national Park

YeArS 11 & 12

three day study skills and outdoor education camp

eArlY chIldhoodthe college’s early childhood centre provides a safe, loving and nurturing atmosphere in air-conditioned classrooms and spacious outdoor playground.

caring staff are focused on making each child’s transition from home to school a positive and enjoyable experience, aiming to provide the best possible start to their school lives. the program introduces the full range of school routines, including sporting events, assemblies and the borrowing of books from the library.

the program is a blend of free play, structured learning activities and teacher instruction, giving attention to the development of social, emotional, creative, cognitive and physical skills, and providing educational activities that focus on pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills.

Pre-School ProGrAM

1 to 5 days per week - toilet-trained children from 3 years old.

PrePArAtorY ProGrAM

2 to 5 days per week - the year before the child enters Kindergarten

out oF School hourS cAre the college provides for the care of school-aged students before and after school on all school days and during school hours in school holiday periods. the well equipped out of School hours care (ooShc) centre and its very experienced staff serve the college and local communities offering working parents a safe, caring christian environment for their children.

the centre promotes learning and physical development with particular emphasis on play, social interaction, recreational experiences and active sporting activities. children have positive stimulating experiences and interactions that foster their self-esteem and confidence.

the centre has continually received has a high Quality accreditation from ncAc. the fees are very reasonable and the child care Benefit is available to eligible families.

colleGe FAcIlItIeSAll students enjoy modern, air-conditioned, technology-rich learning environments. Primary classrooms are large and colourful with built-in wet areas, computers and an interactive whiteboard. Secondary specialist facilities include computer laboratories, a music and recording studio, a darkroom and digital photography studio, science laboratories, library resource centre, commercial kitchen and senior study room.

the college’s expansive, leafy landscape gives teachers and students enormous scope to appreciate, discover and explore the natural environment. the college has extensive outdoor facilities including grass sporting fields and basketball, netball and tennis courts.

trAnSPort the college is serviced by both rail and bus transport. links are available on our website to all relevant service providers. the college also operates its own bus to surrounding areas. details of this bus route are also available on our website.

norWESTChriSTian COllEgE

ph 02 8889 4600fax 02 9627 4637

www.norwest.nsw.edu.aulmoir@nwcc.nsw.edu.au

PO Box 6335 rouse hill Town Centre nSW 2155cnr regent & McCulloch Sts riverstone nSW 2765

l insey MoirrEgiSTrar

Exce l lence in Educat ion | Chr i s t i an i ty in act ion

2008

e norwest@nwcc.nsw.edu.au

W www.norwest.nsw.edu.au

P 02 9627 4144

F 02 9627 4637

corner regent and Mcculloch Streets, riverstone nSW 2765

Po Box 6335

rouse hill town centre nSW 2155