Head of Secondary

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

I would like to thank all the parents, students and staff who came to the Year 7 Meet the Teacher Night on Tueday last week. It was great to get to chat to so many parents.

One thing I mentioned is the idea that we as parents reclaim our children from the cyber world. We can create structures at home for our children that give time for study, time for play, time for relationships and time for rest.

It is time for phones and the cyber world to stop interfering with the normal function of our homes and allow our children’s brains to be free from the anxiety created by this whole world.

It would enable them to get to bed early and allow parents to have their time. Children and students need structure that creates freedom to live and truly enjoy this wonderful world.

Like I said, we need to start a revolution. I saw this article on raisingchildren.net.au on creating routines at home as a family and why that is positive. Please click on this link to view: Raisingchildren.net.au

GPCC Secondary Athletics Carnival - Thursday 18 March 2021

Venue: Mingara Regional Athletics Centre, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi.

Time: Commencing at 8:45am and concluding at 2:00pm.

What to bring: House colours, recess, lunch, sports uniform, sunscreen and water. A canteen will be available for students.

Spectators: Parents/grandparents are welcome to attend as spectators and must adhere to the venue's COVID-19 safety plan.

Transport: All students are required to make their own way to and from the carnival, however if students do require transport, there will be a bus departing the College at 8:30am and returning by 3:00pm.

This is a compulsory Secondary School event, so all students are required to be in attendance. If your child is unable to attend, please contact the College office on the Absentee Line (4367 9950).

If your child cannot make their own way to the carnival, there will be limited seating available on the College bus. Please note the bus will arrive at the carnival after the first event which commences at 9.00am.

Parents will need to book transport for their child on the Parent Lounge no later than 3.00pm on Tuesday 16 March 2021.

If your child requires bus transport you will need to log into your Parent Lounge and in “Events and Payments” locate the event named TRANSPORT FOR 2021 GPCC ATHLETICS CARNIVAL and tick the bus transport options.

Note: Once seating capacity is reached on the bus we cannot accept any student requests for transport to and/or from the carnival.

Only students whose parents have booked transport on the Parent Lounge by 3.00pm on Tuesday 16 March 2021 will be permitted to board the bus on the day of the carnival.

Introducing Mark and Harley

We are excited to welcome Mark and his Labradoodle Harley from Delta Dogs to our English Department each fortnight on Fridays. Mark is a volunteer and will help facilitate our new Canine Classroom program in Years 7-10.

It is important that the programs we engage with are evidence-based, and recent research has shown that involvement in this program can help to increase student engagement, confidence and reading levels. Reading to and interacting with a dog, as well as the volunteer, and the dog building an ongoing relationship of trust, fosters confidence, lowers anxiety and contributes to positive and holistic student well-being.