NVCS prepares for 40th anniversary celebrations

The Namoi Valley Christian School board would like to invite the community to its 40th anniversary celebrations on September 23.

“We’re excited to welcome everyone,” said NVCS principal Peter Henderson.

“You don’t have to have children at the school to attend, and we encourage former staff and students to come along.

“During the day between 10am and 2pm there will be a fete-style event with everything from face-painting to a jumping castle. Rock painting, badge making, sandcastle creating, hair wrapping, penalty shoot-out, EMU Music live performance, Rotary Club barbecue, and cake cutting.”

As well as family fun and activities, there will be a dinner at The Imperial Hotel on Saturday night, September 23. (People are asked to kindly RSVP to the evening event) And a combined church service will be held on Sunday September 24 at 9:30 am.

“This is an open invite to anyone from the community to come along and attend.”

Mr Henderson said former NVCS board members, teachers, staff and students have also been contacted and invited to return to Wee Waa to mark the magnificent milestone.

There will be photos on display, so attendees can take a trip down memory lane and reflect on the school’s spectacular history. From big ideas and small
beginnings in 1983, when NVCS started as a tiny seven-student school located in an old shop at 45 Rose Street to today, in 2023, when NVCS has more than 100 students on its impressive campus at 51 Rose Street, catering for prep to Year 8 students with a commitment to continue growing in high school year stages with the construction of a new site and buildings at 28-32 Cowper Street. In 2023, there might be significantly higher student numbers at Namoi Valley Christian School as well as developments in infrastructure and technology, but the school’s values, purpose and beliefs have remained steadfast over the years, making NVCS a popular education choice for families in both the Wee Waa and Narrabri districts.

“Our foundation is the same; the school has stayed true to its Christian roots,” said Mr Henderson.

“The school was started by a small group of community members who wanted a Christian option of schooling for local children.”

The desires of the founding group still form the basis of NVCS’ vision: providing an educational setting in which teaching and learning of a high standard were founded on Bible-based beliefs, values and behaviours and in which parents had ready access to the decision-making framework.

There’s certainly plenty to celebrate when it comes to NVCS achievements and community contributions in the last 40 years, but Mr Henderson said the big birthday is also a time to look to the future.

“It’s not just about looking back, it’s looking forward to the next chapter,” he said.

“Keeping the values of the school, celebrating that and thinking about what’s next.”

NVCS board chair Travis Lions said, “I am excited because of the forward momentum we have at the moment.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in recent years.”

In 2004, NVCS moved into a purpose-built facility, providing plenty of room for current and future enrolments.

And in 2010, a new library and general-purpose area was opened encouraging reading, engagement and providing extra learning spaces.

NVCS prides itself on meeting the needs of all students with fantastic teachers and support staff who assist those with learning difficulties whilst also providing extension work for those who need to be challenged.

In response to encouragement from the community, NVCS made the exciting expansion to a high school by offering Year 7 for the first time in 2022.

Mr Henderson said advancements in technology and the positive impact it can have on learning have changed in the last 40 years; however, he stressed the importance of still offering students a hands-on experience when it comes to a balanced education.

“As a school, I like to think that we are joyfully faithful in the way we go about equipping young people for life,” he said.

“For some families who join us they will see a cultural difference to what they’re used to, I hope that we are seen as being joyfully different.

“We have the privilege to partner with parents in the upbringing of their children.

“For 38 years this was supporting parents with children in Kindergarten to Year 6, we now have the delight of walking with parents in the education of students in Years 7 to 8, and Year 9 in 2024 and Year 10 in 2025.

“We’re not just delivering an education; we are involved in the shaping of hearts and lives,” added Mr Henderson.