As we quickly approach the start of our first carnival - Swimming on 28 February, I want to highlight that this is a compulsory school event and if students are absent there needs to be a legitimate reason. Carnivals are important to the culture and life of a school community. 

Also, if students need to leave a carnival there must be written permission provided. If students are travelling with people other than their parents, written permission must be provided.

I have included this article again to make the safe use of the internet a priority and to help you have a dialogue with your child. We want our students to be wise in their use of technology and be good citizens on the internet.  This is such an important topic that we all need to be aware of, so please use this advice if it applies.

Spend much time surfing the web? If you do, you need to be wary of things that lurk on the dark side of the internet. Not only are there viruses, hackers and spammers - online predators and a bunch of evildoers are out there just waiting to pounce on teens in the digital world.

You have probably heard of someone’s computer being hacked, his or her identity being stolen online, or even having some embarrassing pictures posted online.

“Nah, it can’t happen to me,” you think. Well, if you use the following internet safety tips, you have a good chance of being right:

1. Keep Your Online Identity Secret

Don’t tell anyone your real name and address or what neighborhood you live in. Here’s the general rule: Don’t give out any information that a predator could possibly use to find you. The Federal Trade Commission says that even “small clues” like what school you attend or the name of your athletic team is enough for a predator to figure out your identity. You wouldn’t tell some 40-year-old man or woman you met at the mall your name and where you live, would you? So why would you tell CoolGuy985 or HotChick16 from the chat room?

2. Your Username and Password Belong to You … And Only You

Don’t give your username or password to anyone. It's just that simple. What if a friend logs on and pretends to be you, and then says something really awful and gets you in trouble? Sure, it might seem funny to the “former” friend, but it’s serious and it happens everyday. With your username and password, someone can post language that gets you expelled from school, in trouble with your parents, or even in trouble with the law. Keep your name and password private.

3. The Internet has a Great Memory … So Keep Its Memory of You Clean

Just because the internet is so massive does not mean that embarrassing or risqué pictures, rude or mean comments, or illegal activities will disappear forever. Watch what you post about yourself or others - or allow your friends to post about you - because you may have to live with it for a long, long time.

4. Be Good Online … Just Like You Are Offline

Writing “hate” emails, hacking into other people’s computers, illegally downloading music or movies and making online threats are just as illegal on the internet as they are in the real world. You cannot hide behind a screen name and get away with it. Watch what you write, because someone else is watching what you write!

5. Be Extremely Careful about Meeting Someone in Person

The FBI gives an all-out blanket warning: “Never meet anyone in person that you meet online.” That said, many teens do make good friends online. You just have to be super-cautious and make sure other people you know and trust also know this “new” online person.

If you do decide to meet the new person, bring your parents with you. All of you meet together in a public area like a mall where there are tons of people around. Ask that the person’s parents come, too. If the situation feels creepy, it probably is creepy! Just like in the real world, trust your gut instincts, and walk away.

6. Your Parents Are Ultimately Responsible for Minors Online

Even if your parents don’t know much about the internet, tell them what types of websites you go to. They will probably be interested and impressed with your internet skills. They may also help you avoid potential problems if a website or new "friend" looks sketchy.

Some Extra Words of Caution

Almost Everything on the Internet Is Traceable

Every search, website visit, online posting and email is registered or recorded somewhere on the internet. Once you send something out on the internet, it's almost impossible to take it back. You have to be careful,not impulsive,when you write email or go to chat rooms.

People Live in "Fantasyland" Online

Even though someone writes, “Hi, I’m a really cool 15-year-old guy from New York City,” in reality that guy may be a 60-year-old man or even your next-door neighbour. Use scrutiny and caution. 

Your Information Can Be Sold to Others

Every website has this thing called a “privacy policy.” It will tell you how that website uses all the personal information about you, like your name. In some cases, though, when you’re not looking, some websites ignore their privacy policy and sell your email address to other companies. When you open your email one day, you might have 150 spam emails in your inbox as a result. If a website is asking for too much information about you, take control and leave the site. (Again, would you give this information to some older stranger at the mall? Probably not.)

What about Nude Photos and Sex Sites?

You’ve probably come across some explicit sexual material on the internet. That’s because pornography is big business on the web. If you come across a pornography site or get pornographic email, take control: Leave the site or delete the email. 

Remember, pornography is not real life. It's made up - the men and women are acting. In real life, real people don't act that way with each other. There are much better ways to learn about real sex if you're curious, like WebMD’s Teen Health Channel.        

Invitation for Student Contributions to The Messenger

The College has moved to Schoolzine for the weekly newsletter, The Messenger. This platform gives us much more flexibility in what we can include and allows for contribution of articles and stories from students alongside the regular sections. We would love to invite students to be the reporter of the week (or month/term).

Students are invited to write a story or article of approximately 350 words and can include images or video.

Topics could include :

- an area of interest from within the school, like a subject or project you are working on and what you are learning;

- an area of interest from beyond the school, like something you have done through Church or sport or on a holiday;

- a story or poem;

- or another suggestion that we can approve once requested.

The categories could focus on the 5 areas of the Graduate Profile.

Student contributions can be sent to Mrs McLarty at jmclarty@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for inclusion in The Messenger.

Year 8 Future Proofing Study Launch

Last week a letter was emailed to all Year 8 parents/carers regarding your child’s participation in the Future Proofing Study.  At last Thursday's Year meeting I launched the study to Year 8 students. The study is being run by the Black Dog Institute in Sydney, one of Australia’s leading mental health organisations. They have initiated the longitudinal study in over 100 Australian High Schools. Our school has signed up to the study and all students in Year 8 are invited to take part.

We all go through tough times in life, and for many, High School can be especially challenging. This study will test whether a smartphone app can teach our young people the skills to prevent problems like depression and anxiety from happening in the first place. The study will also focus on what causes so many young people to develop depression and other mental health problems during High School. Participation in the study requires Parent Consent. (Please refer to the previous email for instructions on how to give consent along with parent webinar details).

What do students have to do?

1. Complete online surveys at school three times in the first year and then once each year until Year 12. The surveys ask questions about mental and physical health (eg sadness, worries, alcohol/drug use, puberty, thoughts of suicide). Answers will be confidential and recorded in a way that will not identify individual students.
2. Use the "Future Proofing" app which collects information about thinking skills, speech, mood and movement. This information will help us to understand how people think and behave as mental health problems develop, so we can identify the young people who need help as early as possible. For the most part, the app will run in the background and students will only need to use it occasionally to complete the games and mood ratings.

Please contact the Deputy Principal, Mrs Jane McLarty if you would like to discuss your child’s participation in the study or if you have any questions: jmclarty@gpcc.nsw.edu.au

Year 8 - The Flipside

On 11 March, Brainstorm Productions will be presenting their student wellbeing performance "The Flipside" for Year 8. "The Flipside" is a live theatre experience that addresses issues of (cyber)bullying, online safety, digital citizenship, bystander behaviour and online ethics. The performance highlights the importance of personal responsibility, empathy, respect and values in the online AND offline worlds.

When bullying and revenge are used to wield power, Jack and Ella realise they must create an ethical roadmap to navigate the online world. When words, images or video are shared, how will the messages be received? What will be the consequences?

"The Flipside" is part of our student wellbeing curriculum and has been developed by education and mental health professionals. It challenges students’ perspectives on what is humorous, toxic, private, anonymous, humiliating, safe or appropriate online. Real student experiences are woven together to create a compelling narrative and theatrical experience, that poses questions about how we treat ourselves and others. The performance is supported by curriculum-aligned classroom activities that are designed to spark further discussion and expand on the messages from the play.

Brainstorm Productions is one of Australia’s largest and most respected theatre in education companies, performing to over 360,000 students every year. They offer a range of programs to help schools build healthy and harmonious environments, addressing issues such as mental health, cyber safety, bullying, resilience, diversity and inclusion.

If you would like to know more about Brainstorm Productions, you can visit their website: brainstormproductions.edu.au, or their Facebook page: facebook.com/Brainstorm.Productions.

Uniform

Please continue to be diligent in the encouragement of your child’s adherence to the College’s Uniform Policy.  Every student must not only have the correct uniform, but also wear it correctly.  Please make sure correct socks are worn and that ties are done up to the correct level.  Shirts for boys are to be tucked in and all students need to have their school hat. 

Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11 and 12

Parent Teacher interviews will be held for Years 11 and 12 on Tuesday 25 February from 4:00pm until 8:00pm in the MPC.  Interview times will be 10 minutes and it is preferable for students to attend with parents. 

Bookings will be open to parents from Tuesday 18 February from 9:00am and will be made through the Parent Lounge portal of TASSWeb.  You may access your account with your family number previously supplied. 

If you are new to the College and have not used this 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 call the office and we will assist you. 

Central Coast Local Health School Immunisation Program

Central Coast Local Health have in the past offered a vaccination program for Year 7 and Year 10 students and this will again be continuing this year.  

The vaccinations are as follows:

• Year 7 – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (2 dose course) and Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa);
• Year 8 – HPV and dTpa (this is a catch up program for students who returned a consent form in 2019, but missed any of the doses whilst in Year 7);
• Year 10 – Meningococcal ACWY;
• Year 11 – Meningococcal ACWY (this is a catch up program for students who returned a consent form in 2019, but missed this vaccination whilst in Year 10).

The first vaccinations for Year 7 are on Wednesday 26 February and consent and information packs will be sent home this week.  If you would like your child to be a part of this program, please sign and return the consent form included in the information pack by Monday 24 February to the Office.  

Catch up vaccinations will also be available for Year 8 students on that day, who returned a consent form last year but who missed any of their vaccinations.  The consent form is a legal document and therefore must be completed and signed in BLUE or BLACK pen.

No vaccine will be given unless there is a signed consent by the parent/carer.

The first vaccinations for Year 10 will be on Wednesday 13 May, but will also be available as a catch up date for any Year 7 or Year 8 students who have missed earlier vaccinations.  More information and consent forms will be sent out early in Term 2.

The second vaccination for Year 7 students will be on Wednesday 2 September, and will also be an opportunity for catch up vaccinations for Years 8, 10 or 11 students.  A reminder will be placed in The Messenger closer to the day. 

CASE Senior Space School Information Evening

Green Point Christian College is partnering with the California Association for STEAM Education (CASE) and Actura to offer our students a world-class STEAM enrichment program designed to light the fire of inspiration in your child.

Students will experience:

• Innovation: Discover NASA technologies and visit leading commercial space flight organisations;
• Management: Manage a $600 million mission to Mars Project at Space University, Houston;
• Entrepreneurship: Learn how to introduce and fund innovation either as a start-up or within an enterprise; students will learn from the best in Silicon Valley;
• Leadership: Engage with inspirational leaders from the space industry;
• Putting it all together: Students will collaborate to solve real space industry problems in the ChallengeX project;
• Cultural enrichment: Through big atmosphere NBA and MLB sports games, visit amazing San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Houston.

CASE’s bespoke personal and leadership development program will equip your child with the critical skills they can apply now, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Key Details

• For Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 in 2020
• Dates: 5 – 18 December 2020
• Duration: 14 Days
• Location: Houston, Texas; San Francisco, Silicon Valley, California, USA
• Accommodation: 4 star hotels
• Price: $6,950 incl GST

Price includes tuition fees, admission to program events, accommodation and meals. Price excludes airfares and comprehensive travel insurance, cost to be advised.

Please visit the website for more information and to RSVP to the Information Evening: www.actura.com.au/centralcoast