Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

Welcome back to Term 3 and the start of Semester 2.  Unfortunately, Covid-19 continues to affect our ability to undertake some of our normal activities and although this is challenging, our God is good and we are so blessed by Him. 

We will be able to run Year Group meetings this term, but our bigger assemblies and Chapel will still need to be held online for the near future.  Our other major activities such as the Trial Exams will be run as normal.  Obviously, we will keep you informed if anything changes. 

As we start this term, we will be walking in confidence that our God is in control.  This is going to be a different but still rewarding term. 

Please note the important activities that are listed for early this term:  

Years 8 and 10 Subject Selection Information Session (Online) - Tuesday 28 July 2020

Part of the development of each student through Secondary School involves students taking greater responsibility for the subjects they undertake and choose.  This helps to continue to enable students to become more independent as learners and helps to allow them to develop areas in which they have a particular interest, passion or talent.

At the beginning of Term 3 a Subject Selection Evening is normally held for Year 8 students heading into next year.  This evening will not be held due to COVID-19 restrictions that are still in place, and as an alternative we will be providing the information normally given on that evening online on our website. 

There will be presentations from our Principal, Mr Phillip Nash and the Head of Secondary, Mr Peter McLellan. Mr David Russell, our Curriculum Co-ordinator and Student Advisor will also be presenting information regarding the requirements and process of subject selection.  Presentations will also be made by staff from each of the offered subject areas.

The method for choosing electives will continue as normal with students choosing their top four electives from which we will form lines of those subjects that will be running in 2021.   Students will then choose their two electives choices from these two lines of electives for next year.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Chris Haines, Year 8 Advisor at chaines@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266.

An email will be sent to parents to advise when and how to access the information sessions online.

Years 7 -12 Parent/Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 4 August 2020
Online via MS Teams 

On Tuesday 4 August 2020 (Week 2, Term 3) we will have Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 7 -12 online via Microsoft Teams from 4.00pm to 8.30pm.

As with all Parent/Teacher Interviews, you will need to book interviews through the Parent Lounge.

Bookings will be open to parents for these interviews on Tuesday 28 July 2020 at 8:00am through the Parent Lounge portal of TASSWeb. You may access your Parent Lounge account with your family number previously supplied.

Bookings will close at 4:00pm on Monday 3 August 2020 and we will not be able to accept any further bookings after this time.

Your interview will be held on your child’s computer at the allotted time that you have booked, so you must have access to their computer.  All interviews will run for 7 minutes.

On the Parent/Teacher Interview evening you will be invited to a meeting on Microsoft Teams by your child’s class subject teacher for the interview.  You will need to use your child’s computer to join the meeting. It is highly recommended for your child to be in attendance.

If you are new to the College and have not used this booking facility before, please contact the office to obtain your family number.
 
If you have not already done so, you will need to set yourself a password by following the instructions.

The easiest way to learn how to book your appointments is to watch the short video once you have accessed your account, under “School Links” tab, and select “Help Videos”.  Please take a few minutes to watch this video as it will make the process much easier for you.  
 
As with all our interview processes, if you have difficulties or do not have access to the internet, please telephone the office 4363 1266 and we will assist you.

Year 10 Senior Courses Subject Selection Information

At the beginning of Term 3 Subject Selection Evening is normally held for Year 10 students heading into next year.  This evening will not be held due to COVID-19 restrictions that are still in place, and as an alternative we are filming all the information normally given on that evening and it will be accessible online on our website. We will notify you when this information is available and how to access it.

There will be presentations from our Principal, Mr Phillip Nash and the Head of Secondary, Mr Peter McLellan.

Mr David Russell, our Curriculum Co-ordinator and Student Advisor will also be presenting information regarding the requirements and process of subject selection.  He will give information regarding NESA requirements for subject selection and how the ATAR is affected by subject choice.  Mr Russell will also explain the selection process. Presentations will also be made by staff from each of the offered subject areas.

An email will be sent to parents to advise when and how to access the information sessions online.

Year 10 Interviews Monday 10 August and Tuesday 11 August 

Every year we run compulsory Year 10 interviews that involve a discussion with students, staff member and parents to investigate the student’s strengths and future direction.  It also involves discussion of a student’s plan after Year 10, including a focus on their goals over the next few years, whether returning for the HSC or heading in a different direction. These are highly valuable interviews and enable a time of reflection and planning.

You will need to book an interview for you and your child through the Parent Lounge on TASSWeb. Bookings for the Year 10 Interviews opened on Monday 20 July 2020 at 9:00am and close on Thursday 6 August 2020 at 4.00pm. 

The interview will be conducted with a teaching staff member who has undertaken training in the Strength Potential Program.

If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Matthew Newell, Year 10 Advisor at mnewell@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266.

Year 10 Vaccinations and Year 7 Catch Ups

Year 10 vaccinations for Meningococcal will be on Wednesday 5 August (Week 2, Term 3) and the information/permission packs will be sent home in Week 1 of Term 3, and need to be returned or brought on the day of the vaccinations and given to the nurses.  There will also be any Year 7 vaccination catchups on this day.

Progressive Reporting - Reminder

This year we have moved to Progressive Reporting where you will receive detailed feedback on your child's performance in each Assessment Task throughout the year.

The advantage of Progressive Reporting is guidance on a student's performance and how they can improve in each area of the task they undertake. This will give you a much clearer picture of your child's progress.

You will no longer receive a Half Yearly Report and at the end of the year you will receive a summative transcript of your child's academic year.

Please see instructions below for how to access the Parent Lounge Progressive reporting.