Nurturing Excellence—and our core values of courage, compassion, and community are inspired by the life of Peter, the fisherman chosen by Jesus to lead the early Christian Church. Known as The Rock, Peter became the foundation on which the Church was built, just as our school is built upon values that guide the way we learn, grow, and live together.

A powerful image associated with Peter is that of him stepping out of the boat to meet Jesus (Matthew 14:22–33). This story reflects our values beautifully: Peter showed courage in leaving the safety of the boat, Jesus offered compassion by reaching out to help him, and the community of disciples supported him throughout.

Our school logo reflects this story. At its center is a traditional Nazarene boat, with a sail bearing the Chi Rho—the first two letters (Χ and Ρ) of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos), meaning Christ. Above, the North Star shines, symbolising guidance—just as it did for sailors of old, and just as our vision guides us today.

Our Northbourne North Star is Nurturing Excellence, and we pursue it by living out our values:

• Having the courage to try new things, embrace challenges, and persevere when learning feels difficult.

• Showing compassion by being kind, supportive, and respectful towards others.

• Recognising that great things can be achieved when we work together as a community, where everyone feels valued and included.

To encourage and celebrate these values, we have a House Team system, each with its own colour, motto, and our logo as its emblem. Children earn House Points for demonstrating our values, helping to foster a strong sense of belonging and pride.