Welcome back to what already has been a busy and productive term. Congratulations to all our students for their continued commitment to learning. We would like to acknowledge and congratulate all students and staff who are recognised in this edition of the Beacon/Ramaroa.

Here at Northcross, we remain deeply committed to strengthening our students’ foundational skills in English and Mathematics. We know these skills are the cornerstone of learning providing students with essential life tools to comprehend, analyse, calculate, and express themselves across our curriculum. Crucially, we also celebrate and prioritise Northcross’s truly comprehensive performing arts programme, understanding its deep value.

Having recently attended shows such as Stuff and Nonsense, viewed our orchestra rehearsals (176 students in attendance!), observed dancers choreographing future shows and boogied on down to our rock bands performing at last Tuesday’s Rockquest lunch hour, I have been incredibly impressed by the and talent and absolute commitment of our students mentored by amazing staff.

At Northcross, we firmly believe in the vitally important role of the performing arts – music, drama, and dance, in developing well-rounded, resilient, and future-ready individuals. While it might seem distant from mathematical equations or a persuasive writing piece, the skills learned through the performing arts are very interconnected with academic success and critical for navigating the complexities in communities of the future.

When a student steps onto the stage, picks up an instrument, or creates a choreographed piece, they are:

• Building confidence and self-expression; they may be overcoming shyness, projecting their voice (the Stuffy performers were brilliant at this), or conveying emotions, these are all skills that build self-esteem and the ability to articulate thoughts and feelings.
• Enhancing Communication; students learn to listen intently, interpret non-verbal cues, and communicate effectively, not just verbally but through movement and sound – skills essential for collaboration in any field, definitely a feature in our drama classes.
• Fostering Creativity and Problem-Solving; The arts encourage imaginative thinking, improvisation, and finding innovative solutions to challenges, whether it’s adapting to a script change or working out a tricky musical passage.

The commitment required for rehearsals, practice, and performance instils perseverance, time management, and the ability to learn from mistakes and bounce back. Performing with others demands collaboration, respect for different roles, and an understanding of different perspectives – crucial attributes for successful teamwork in any environment.

In 2025 and beyond, employers are increasingly seeking the 6 C’s global competencies! Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking.

Our Northcross Performing Arts programme is providing a unique and dynamic platform for our students to develop these invaluable competencies.

Congratulations again to all students and staff involved.