Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal

Reading

This week across the College it is Book Week, and we have had a range of wonderful activities for students promoting literacy development through fun focus activities and of course, dress ups.

In our culture reading remains a vital skill for all of us in so many ways and supporting and developing student literacy is a whole community responsibility.

As families, you can support the literacy development of your children in a range of ways.

You can promote a literacy rich environment

This does not mean having walls full of books, as great as that may look. It does mean seeking as best as we can to have age-appropriate reading material around the house. This can be a small shelf of books in a child’s room or purchasing a book as a gift at different times during the year.

Read to your child

Reading to our children is a great way to foster connection and support literacy. Even older children enjoy being read to and if you can, push through the inevitable season of your children wanting the same book every night. Then an amazing world of imagination opens up. Even 5 minutes a day can have a positive impact.

Have your children read to you

Reading out loud is an important skill for children to learn, and it supports literacy by slowing them down. It supports word formation, fluency and comprehension. When listening to your child read, be a positive encouragement even if they stumble over words. It is often more important that they keep trying rather than get every word right the first time.

The dinner table is a great place to have your children read and it only needs to be 5 minutes. The Bible, or a children’s Bible is a great option.

Technology – a literacy inhibiter

Technology is bright, shiny, fast and loud. It competes for the attention of our children and will always beat the slower joy of reading. Considering limits on technology access supports literacy development.

All children are different

Some children love and embrace reading, others resist. All our children are different. Taking little steps to support their literacy will still have a positive impact on their skill and capacity, and you will be planting seeds for later in their life.

If you would like some more information to help support your children, then you can reach out to your child’s teacher or our wonderful Library team, and they would be delighted to help with literacy ideas and great book suggestions.

Mr Steve Lobsey | Head of Secondary

Growth Begins at the Edge of Comfort

It’s easy to stick with what feels comfortable, like studying the subject that comes naturally, or playing a sport you’re already good at. But according to Professor Linda Byrne, a Senior Lecturer and in the School of Psychology at Deakin University, it’s the hard tasks that truly help us grow.

Professor Byrne, an experienced clinical neuropsychologist, explains that challenging ourselves is not only good for our confidence, it actually strengthens our brains.

“Taking on challenging tasks can be good for us from both a psychological perspective – our wellbeing – and even a neurobiological perspective,” she says.

Often, people avoid things they find difficult, such as public speaking. While it may feel uncomfortable, the benefits of tackling challenges are significant for both our mental health and character. On the other hand, avoiding them can make it harder to face bigger challenges in the future.

In assembly this week, we heard Bear Grylls remind us that perseverance is like a muscle, it only grows when we use it. In that spirit, I have invited students to share their own stories of perseverance in upcoming assemblies. This won’t be easy, but it will be valuable. To encourage them, I’ve ordered copies of Bear Grylls’ latest book about the life of Jesus as a gift for students willing to step up.

Vaccinations

A reminder that the Year 10 Immunisation Clinic will be at the college on Tuesday 2nd September 2025.

In 2025 the following vaccines will be offered:

Year 7 students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough), (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Year 10 students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10, you can give consent online for their routine school vaccinations via the QR Code below.

Online_Consent_2025_DL_Flyer_1.pdf

Online_Consent_2025_DL_Flyer_1 _pdf 59.62 KB

Mrs Amanda Rutlidge | Head of Primary

.

Literacy Day and Bookweek

Our recent Literacy Day was a wonderful celebration of creativity and imagination. Students delighted us all by dressing up as their favourite book characters and sharing the stories that inspire them. A big thank you to Nicole van Wyk for her organisation of a fantastic Book Week.

Father’s Day Breakfast

We are looking forward to celebrating our dads and father figures at the upcoming Father’s Day Breakfast. Please join us for this special community event filled with food, fun, and fellowship.

Labelling Jackets

With the weather warming up, students are often taking off their jackets during the day. Please ensure all jackets are clearly labelled with your child’s name so they can be returned promptly if misplaced. There are lots of jackets in the lost property box at the moment so if your child is missing theirs, please have them check.

Students of the Week

Mariam K; KR, Corin F; KS,Mason B; 1G, Lennox H; 1PN,Gigi G; 1S, Ted W; 2G,Zara K; 2J, Atara F; 2K,Olivia Z; 3M, Libby B; 3BM,Daniel S; 4H, Joseph D; 4KM,Eden W; 4P, Elke J; 5B,Samara W; 5L, Fletcher T; 5T,Liam C; 6A, Thomas B; 6B,Ethan A; 6SM

.

Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator

.

CSSA Primary Athletics Carnival

Last Friday we took a strong squad of Primary athletes to Blacktown Athletics Centre to compete at the CSSA carnival.

The team competed in either running, throwing or jumping events with all the students doing themselves proud.

Congratulations to all the competing schools from our zone (HCSZS) who finished in 2^nd place overall.

It was a great day despite the rain, and we look forward to sending those that qualified to CIS next week.

I’d also like to thank the parents that travelled down for the day and Mrs Meredith for managing the team.

Results

Chloe B	1st Tf38 Girls 8-13 100 Meter Run Para Athlete
	1st Tf38 Girls 8-13 LOng Jump Para Athlete
	1st Tf38 Girls 8-13 200 Meter Run Para Athlete
	2nd Tf38 Girls 8-13 Shot Put Para Athlete
Lucy G	5th Girls 12yrs 1500m Run
Mikayla Mc	2nd Girls 11yrs High Jump
Ellanora M	2nd Girls 8-10yrs Long Jump
	1st Girls 8-10yrs High Jump
Nash P	2nd Boys 12yrs High Jump
	3rd Boys 12yrs 100m Run
	3rd Boys 12yrs 200m Run
Emily R	4th Girls 8-10yrs Discus
Lavinia S	5th Girls 12yrs Shot Put
Amelie W	3rd Girls 11yrs 1500m Run

Age Champions

Chloe B	1st Open Girls Multiclass
Ellanora M	3rd 10yrs Girls
Nash P	3rd 12yrs Boys

Dates for your Calendar

For upcoming Carnival, Sporting dates and further information, click on the link below:

Sports Page.

.

Mr Chris Harris | Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator

.

Football and Netball Players

Well done to all our football and netball players in all ball sports that have made grand finals this weekend.

Special mention to Noah W (Year 8) who made it to both Avoca Rugby Union and Kincumber Colts Rugby League Grand finals this weekend both being played at the stadium at Gosford.

Cricket

Congratulations to Raj S (Year 12) who has just been selected in the Central Coast Men’s U19’s Colts Cricket Team to compete in the upcoming NSW Country Cricket U19 Colts Carnival at the end of September. Go well Raj.

Dates for your Calendar

For upcoming Carnival, Sporting dates and further information, click on the link below:

Sports Page.

.

Choir

The choir will be performing at primary school chapel in week 7. Parents are welcome to attend.

Mrs Nicole van Wyk and Mrs Judi Hurst | Teacher Librarians

.
Book Week Competitions

Prizes have been handed out to our competition entrants. Congratulations to the following students.

Colouring Competition K-2 Winners

GRADE	CLASS	WINNERS
Kindergarten	KR	Alice, Archie, Eddie
	KS	Sienna, Weston, Marcus
Year 1	1G	Oliver, Jake, Summer
	1PN	Julia, Isaac
Year 2	2G	Jaxon, Aria, Macie
	2J	Isla B, Zarja, Kingston
	2K	Elias, Luke, Christian
YVCS		Beau, Alon, Brody

Diorama Winners

The Solar System	Meisha Y (5B)	Amazing Display
How to Train your Dragon	Evie M (5B)	Tootless is very well modelled
Solar System	Sophie T (5B)	I loved the light up stars
Fairies	Remy BW (5T)	Fairy Paradise
Warrior Cats	Scarlett M (5T)	Fierce cat for a fierce book
The Hobbit	Chloe (6A) & Emily H (4KM)	Overall Winner - lovely inside scene in the hobbit house
Snow White	Scarlet W (4H)	The backdrop is very effective
The Wizard of Oz	Josia R (5B)	Lego Masterpiece
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory	Nathalie S (6A)	Edible delights

.

Literacy Day

On Wednesday 27 August, Primary students and YVCS enjoyed hearing stories and completing fun activities. Green Point students were split into K-6 family groups and rotated through 5 books and activities between 10am-1pm. Teachers prepare amazing experiences for our students. Year 6 students led the family groups and helped the teachers. It was a great day for all. Thank you teachers for being so amazing.

Buddy Reading

All students Kindergarten to Year 11 participated in Buddy Reading on Thursday 28 August at 2pm. It is always lovely to see our older buddies each year.

Kindy- Year 6 , Year 1- Year 7, Year 2- Year 8, Year 3– Year 9, Year 4 – Year 10, Year 5- Year 11.

Book Week Parade

The theme for Book Week this year was ‘Book an Adventure’ Teachers came dressed as characters from the adventure classic ‘Peter Pan’. Our readers theatre ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ was written by Mrs Kylie Bourke. Year 6 ran activities for our fair. Students enjoyed a BBQ, cookie decorating, face painting, hair spray, games, temporary tattoos and much more.

Keep an eye out on our social media platforms and next weeks newsletter to see all the action.

Term 3 Storytime

Preschool story time themes for Term 3 is below. Please register your interest with Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu. See the flyer for more information.

.

Online Library Resources

Students are encouraged to access the digital resources on the school portal to keep up reading.

..

Staff Member of the Week - Tertia Henning

Tertia serves her class and colleagues quietly and wholeheartedly every day. She recently co-ordinated the Year 4 camp for the first time, displaying excellent leadership and planning skills.

As a result, students had rich opportunities to see the love of Jesus in action, to reflect on who God is and to grow in their faith through shared experiences, teaching and fellowship.

Tertia makes an effort to build rapport with her students and cater for their various academic and social needs. She leads and teaches with humility, quiet confidence and the love of Jesus. We deeply appreciate and value Tertia and her commitment to GPCC.

2025 TERM DATES

Term 3

Monday 28 July - Students Commence Term 3

Friday 26 September - Last Day Term 3

Term 4

Monday 13 October - Students commence Term 4

Wednesday 10 December - Last Day Term 4 for students

.

2026 TERM DATES

Please see link below for 2026 term dates

2026 Term Dates

.