End of Term 2 2020

This certainly has been a challenging term and one very different from any other in my career. I would firstly like to congratulate our students, for their responsible attitude to learning both at school and during our period of home learning. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our teachers for the amazing effort they demonstrated in completely reinventing the method of delivery for lessons, yet still providing learning experiences that were engaging, robust and built opportunities for connectedness during a very disruptive season of education.

GRADUATE PROFILE

Collaboration

The best learning happens when children are engaged, motivated and actively involved. Collaboration encourages students to work together, with each member listening, participating and focused on a common goal. Some of the benefits of fostering collaboration in students includes:

1. Improved social skills

To work collaboratively, children need to communicate. They are invited to listen to  and value the opinions of others, taking turns to respectfully contribute their ideas towards a common solution.

2. Learn from peers

Collaborative groups allow students to learn new things from one another, and to also understand different perspectives. We may have one solution and our peers can offer suggestions to enhance that solution.

3. Build trust

Working together towards a common goal and offering ideas and suggestions requires a foundation of trust. Students who work collaboratively, build trust and respect for the richness each brings to the group.

NAIDOC

This week our students are participating in several activities to recognise NAIDOC. As we reflect on our First Peoples as Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

Australia has the world’s oldest oral stories. The First Peoples engraved the world’s first maps, made the earliest paintings of ceremony and invented unique technologies. We built and engineered structures - structures on Earth - predating well-known sites such as the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge. NAIDOC Week 2020 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story did not begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 or 1606 - with the arrival of the Dutch on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula.

Head of School Awards

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 9:

Bella H, KDL; Claire G, KP; Jeremiah C, 1G; Lucy O, 1PH; Daniel H, 2G; Sienna H 2J; Lachlan B, 3B; Allegra N, 3K; Elizabeth V, 4B; Myah K, 4M; Eadi R, 5D; Eli M, 5D Summer R, 5H; Madison O, 5P; Deegan G, 6D; Natalia R, 6M and Gabe B, 6T.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 10:

Josiah R, KDL; Nixon C, KP; Savannah H, 1G; Zion F, 1PH; Bonnie W, 2G; Liam O, 2J; Hannah T, 3B; Jaxon H, 3K; Oliver L, 4B; Grace M, 4M; Brianna B, 5D; Lewis T, 5H; Brooke H, 5P; Roché D, 6D; Edith H, 6M and Graciela D, 6T.

Reports/Parent Teacher Interviews

Semester 1 reports for Primary School will be uploaded to the Parent portal in Week 1 of Term 3. Parents will be sent an email when they are available to view. Parent Teacher interviews for the Semester 1 reports will be held on Thursday 6 August. Please note the change of day. Interview timeslots will open for booking on Tuesday 28 July 2020 from 9:00am. Bookings can be made through the Parent Portal.

In an effort to give parents a more accurate indication of student achievement, learning, and areas for growth, we have reviewed the Primary reporting template. Reports will have listed a range of indicators for each of the key learning areas. Due to home learning, this semester there will not be an A-E grade allocated for subjects, however teachers will indicate effort and engagement, and comment on areas for growth and areas of strength for both English and Mathematics.

It is our hope that this new format gives you a clear and informative window into your child’s progress.

NEW Kiss and Drop and P3 Zone Parking

We anticipate the NEW Kiss and Drop will be open from the beginning of Term 3. More communication around the procedures of using the Kiss and Drop was emailed to parents last week. This week all K-2 families will receive a name card that needs to be placed in the left hand side of the windscreen as they approach the new Kiss and Drop Zone 3. This will assist us in calling the students for pick up. When you receive your name card, please put it in your car so that it is ready for use.

Secondary School Tour for Current GPCC Year 6 Parents/Carers

Parents and carers of our current GPCC Year 6 families are invited to attend a tour of Green Point Christian College Secondary School.

When: Tuesday 4 August 9:00am -10:15am commencing in the Staff Common Room (near the Canteen).

This will provide an opportunity for parents/carers to view the outstanding facilities and have a brief overview of Secondary school by our Executive team.

To RSVP please register here. 

Please note, if your child is currently enrolled in Year 6 at GPCC you are not required to apply for Secondary School, however if your child will not be continuing at the College in 2021, would you kindly advise by email at your earliest convenience -  registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.

SAVE THE DATE –  “Reading Night” - Parent Workshop - 18 August 2020

Parent Workshop run by literacy consultant, Renea Watkins from the Association of Independent Schools (AIS). This informative night will walk you through the research behind the explicit method of reading instruction being used in the College and the importance of decoding. There will be first-hand information about the Big 5 components to reading, along with helpful information about how to assist your child in their reading journey. This is not a night to be missed – Parents of all grades are welcome. Registration will open Week 1 of Term 3.

School Banking

School banking is a great way for students to learn good habits of saving money, working toward a goal and the importance of planning. Students can earn rewards for their efforts while learning these important lifelong skills. School banking will begin again on Fridays, from week 1 in term three. Students can bring their bank books and deposits to the office on Friday mornings, then volunteer parents count and deposit the money at the bank. If you are interested in assisting with school banking, please contact the College office.

Extend - OOSH

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