The Middle School Awards Night, held on 26 October, celebrated Young Lives Burning Bright, the 2017 theme for the Middle School.
So what does burning or shining brightly look like in the day to day happenings of Middle School at Northside? Mrs Fiona Long, Head of Middle School, explained: "It is the shining light of unrivalled achievement: the Sports Awards Evening, the Da Vinci Festival, the musical ... This evening's academic award recipients showcase this very thing. It’s our leadership structure, which enables a team of student leaders to mould and direct the culture and events of the Middle School."
We congratulate all Middle School students for their hard work, perseverance and enthusiasm this year, and especially acknowledge the achievements of those students whose academic, sporting, arts, and service achievements were particularly outstanding.
MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS NIGHT 2018 – SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
| Dux | Hannah B |
| Dux Proxime Accessit | Genevieve H |
| Best All-Rounder | Leanne d-J |
| Creative Arts | Eloise M |
| Sportsman | Harrison M |
| Sportswoman | Brooklyn D |
| Community Service | Frazer P & Grace C |
2018 Leadership Team Announced
The Awards Night also heralds the completion of the current year's leadership team and the launch of the upcoming year's new team. We commend the leaders of 2017 for a job well done and congratulate the 2018 team.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR 2018
| Middle School Captains | Noah C & Tomiika S |
| Middle School Vice Captains | Campbell S & Aramatt H |
| Middle School Leaders | Olivia F, Zoe H, Jaydon L, Jed M, Sophia S, Oliver W |
Opening Number
The event opened with a scintillating rendition of 'When You Believe' from The Prince of Egypt, performed by the Middle School Voices, the Northside Orchestra, and some staff.
2017 Year 9 Mural Unveiled
The Awards Ceremony features the unveiling of the annual Year 9 Mural. Captains Jaden Ussher and Rebekah Newton shared the genesis of both the year's theme and the mural:
“When we first came together to discuss the design of the mural, we focused on conveying this year's theme of Young Lives Burning Bright in a way that was easy to understand and that also stood out from the murals around it. While collaborating our ideas and thoughts, the verse of 1 Timothy 4:12 particularly stood out to us:
Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
"The main ideas of this verse were implemented during the creation of the mural, and are also key characteristics of a friendly Middle School community. We also wanted to emphasise the words of Burning Bright via the image of a candle and flame. The flame symbolises our lives as we burn for the Lord in an effort to affect those around us. If you were to light a candle in a dark room, the whole room would be affected from that light, and we hoped to express this thought within the mural."
Head of Middle School, Mrs Fiona Long amplified the captains' thoughts: "It is impossible to look past the tangible sense of community that burns brightly within Northside as a College, sometimes even after only brief interactions with students and staff. It’s this community that encourages, loves and supports others particularly in times of trial - after all, it’s through the darkest of nights that stars shine more brightly. Just as Psalm 139 says, 'Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.'"
Well done, Middle School on a great year of burning brightly. Our prayer is that your flame would continue to shine as you continue your educational journey.