Welcome back to school for 2020. It is a blessing when all the students come back to the College and fill the grounds with life and excitement. I pray that this year will be one where each student grows in their understanding of themselves and their relationship with Jesus Christ. May we be a College that helps each other meet our God given potential in a thriving learning community.

Philippians 2:12-16 says:

"My beloved ones, just like you’ve always listened to everything I’ve taught you in the past, I’m asking you now to keep following my instructions as though I were right there with you. Now you must continue to make this new life fully manifested as you live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into his presence.  God will continually revitalise you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him. Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves.  For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe, 16 offering them the words of eternal life."  (The Passion Translation).

• Years 1-7, 11 and 12 commenced Term 1, 2020 on Tuesday 28 January 2020
• Years 8, 9 and 10 commence Term 1, 2020 on Wednesday 29 January 2020

All students start the day by meeting in the MPC at 8:45am on their start day.

As we start this year our focus as a College will be on raising our expectations of our students.  This will cover all areas of the College from in the classroom to the playground.

Discipline Policy Changes

There has been a slight change in the way our Discipline Policy will be working this year. Demerits will no longer be part of our terminology. Notifications will start with warnings for poor behaviour at Level 1, followed by a Teacher Level 1 Detention. 

If you want to view the changes they will be on the College website and I will include greater detail next week.

Uniform

Please make sure that your child wears the correct uniform correctly. Uniform detentions will occur when students are wearing incorrect uniform or wear it incorrectly.  This detention will be served on Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes in A1. 

Some things to note

• The length of skirts and shorts must meet the expectation of the policy.  Please do not shorten skirts or shorts.
• No long sleeve shirts to be worn under shirts.
• Jewellery will be confiscated if it does not meet Uniform Policy standards.
• Correct shoes must be worn. 

Welcome Year 7

It is a pleasure to welcome our Year 7 students to the Secondary School. Our first activity of the year is the Year 7 Camp to Deer Park. You would have received all the information from Mrs Drover last term. Could you please ensure your child’s camp forms are returned today. Dietary requirements are most important and these need to be in to the camp organisers asap. If your child has special requirements and you have not yet returned the forms, please email me kerrier@gpcc.nsw.edu.au today so I can make sure your child’s needs are met during camp. Thanking in you in advance. 

Mrs Kerrie Rochford

Year 12

I would like to welcome you back to the College and take this opportunity to wish you all a very belated Happy New Year.

As the Year 12 Advisor, I am very much looking forward to guiding your child through their final year at the College and leading them along their educational journey. I have no doubt that this year will fly by. From day one of Term 1 until the commencement of the first HSC written examination, there are only 260 days! Year 12 can be a stressful time for both students and parents, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or if I can be of any assistance.

Once again this year, I will be in the College from Monday to Thursday and Mr Daniel Witanowski will be deputising for me on Fridays.

It would be great if you could help your child at the start of the year to establish a good routine so that they know when homework and assignments are due. This is essential for Year 12 Students as NESA (New South Wales Education Standards Authority) provides very little flexibility for the late submission of Assessment Tasks. In due course the students will be issued with an Assessment Handbook, which will be available in the Parent Lounge.

Throughout our Year Group meetings this year, I will be focusing on equipping the students with skills for life and having high expectations of ourselves and one another (both socially and academically).

It would be extremely helpful if you could ensure that your child is wearing the correct school uniform each day. If in the unlikely event that your child is unable to wear the correct uniform, please email me or send in a dated and signed note. This will alleviate the chance of your child being issued with a uniform detention.

If there is anything that as Year Advisor you feel I should know about your child, in order to make their final year at GPCC as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible, please do not hesitate to contact me at pchambers@gpcc.nsw.edu.au

Mr Paul Chambers