Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal   

The Importance of Family Time

Our lives these days are so very busy and full of distractions. This is particularly the case for families. There is often so much going on; school activities, church activities, sport activities, music, dance, the list can go on and on. As parents we are the taxis, shepherding and helping our kids to do thing they love and see them flourishing. However, it can seem that as a family we are so busy doing things that we have very little time to be a family.

So, how can families find ways to be family together? This is an important question because young people that feel loved and connected to their parents are much more likely to flourish. When I get asked this question, there is always one thought that I share and that is to eat together at a table as a family as often as possible.

Being at the table together as a family and eating together is a powerful act of love and hospitality. The breaking of bread and the sharing of a meal is used all throughout the Bible. Meals are used to mark hugely significant events such as the Passover and the Last Supper. They are used to mark feasts and celebrations like the wedding at Cana. They are used to welcome the stranger and the alien.

Sharing a meal at a table is a mark of togetherness. In our current culture it is a quite counter cultural, as it emphasises the communal nature and togetherness over individuality. It fosters connections over separateness. It fosters intimacy, love and service.

Now, not every meal together is magical, the power of eating together at the table comes over time as bonds form. Some meals are short and quiet, others long and wandering, all meals make a statement about the value of time together.

So, can I encourage you to consider how you do meals together. Do it as often a practical. Develop some unique things that mark the time as your family. A good meal together will have the following markers:

• It is led by the parents
• It is a technology free zone – no phones at the table and no TV
• It has a clear beginning when everyone is at the table – you might begin with a prayer or a blessing
• It is marked by service – you serve each other at the table and then it is clear who will clear and clean up
• It is marked by conversation – this takes time to develop and there are some great question prompts you can use to facilitate this for all age groups from toddler to teenager
• It has a clear end – the time is closed in a clear way.

I pray for all our families that your meals might be times of deep intentional connection that supports the flourishing of our children.

Partners in Education Event

As we think about the importance of slowing down, sharing meals, and making time for intentional connection, I am pleased to invite you to our Partners in Parenting event next Monday, 25 August. Come and be encouraged as we explore together how to create rhythms that help our families flourish. To register visit our WEBSITE. 

Foundation Day - 43 Years

Our 2025 Foundation Day was one to remember. From inspiring performances by talented students and alumni, including our Wakakirri piece and a reprise from The Wizard of Oz, to the joy of gathering as a community, it was a powerful reminder of how God is using each of us to shape and transform the lives of the young people entrusted to our care.

We were also blessed to welcome our largest number of alumni yet for the Foundation Day lunch and assembly. A special highlight was hearing keynote speaker Jamie Beveridge share how his time at GPCC strengthened his relationship with God and how God continues to stir the hearts of our alumni well beyond graduation.

Here’s to 43 years of faith, learning, and community, and to all that’s still to come.

The complete photo gallery is available to view in the NEWS section of our website