Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

Character is one of our major focuses at this College and is such a big issue.  Our society teaches that if you can get away with something, then it is okay.  What a warped view of truth and honesty.  This warps our children’s character.  The Bible says to let “your yes be yes, and your no be no”.  It is not an optional suggestion or when it is convenient for us, but all the time.  Lying is never acceptable and if we want our children to be adults of character, we must teach it now.

New Year 8 Advisor for 2021

It gives me pleasure to announce that the new Year 8 Advisor will be Mr Jon Oppel.  I am really excited to have Jon as part of our student welfare team.  Jon has a real heart for students and will care for your children in the years ahead.

Signing in and out of School

It is really important if a student is to arrive late to school that they sign in at the Student Window so that we have a clear picture of who is here at the College.  If a student needs to leave the College for any reason, they must sign out at the Student Window.  This must be done even if they are being picked up by a parent.

To sign out early, your child must have written parental permission that clearly states the purpose for the early departure.

Year 11 must sign in at the office if they have a Study Period in Period 1.

Please note that students need to be in class if they are to perform to the ability which they are capable in their studies.

Summer is Here

Summer weather will be here soon and wearing of hats is a wise choice for all students to make if they are in the sun. 

It is compulsory to have a GPCC hat at school every day. It is the responsibility of students to be sun wise and look after their skin.  The use of sunscreen and hats is a primary defence against skin cancer.  Please encourage your child to make a wise decision in regard to their skin.

“It’s in the Bag”

During November the College will be participating in “It’s in the Bag”, an initiative from Share the Dignity organisation. This initiative aims to provide hygiene and toiletry essentials for women in need in our community. 

Throughout the month we will be collecting toiletry essentials for teens, mums and bubs, and women in need (see flyer for suggestions). If you would like to participate, you may choose to provide individual items from the list, or place items in a new or pre-loved handbag or backpack. You may want to donate as an individual, as a family, as a church, as a class or Year group. Collection boxes are located in the Administration Office.

For more information: www.sharethedignity.org.au

Bless you for blessing others in this practical way.

Jane McLarty and Michelle Molkentin

Year 7 King Tut Roadshow

The Tut Roadshow is a purpose built semi-trailer that will bring the wonders of Ancient Egypt into schools and communities centres up and down the East Coast of Australia.

This trailer is equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia and enthralling displays of authentic artefacts from Ancient Egypt and other millennia-old civilisations.

The exhibition has been designed to allow small groups to move sequentially through the trailers three theatrettes and be immersed in a full-sensory learning experience.

Visitors will be able to view objects that were made thousands of years ago, examine accurate replicas and learn their significance today.

School programs, teaching and learning resources have been mapped to Australian and NSW curriculums.

Weet Bix Wednesdays

Our Secondary Prefects are into their third week of this new service initiative, providing breakfast to Secondary School students who may have missed this important meal of the day and building community.

Student Opal Cards

From January 2021 onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.

These are cards for students who will be in Years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which have not been replaced in the last five years.

Impacted students and/or their parent/carer will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post.  They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.

If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by 1 December 2020 at the latest.  Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address Transport NSW has on file.

HSC Students to Have COVID-19 Test Results Faster

Students taking the 2020 HSC exams will now have their COVID-19 test results fast tracked through pathology.  They simply need to advise the nurse or doctor doing the test that they are HSC students.  Find your nearest testing clinics:

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics