Words are a powerful tool that can do great good or deliver massive harm to the lives of listeners. 

Often the flippant humour that Australians use delivers great harm to the recipient. Students will often say that it was only a joke and wonder why someone else has been hurt. 

They often have a very narrow view of the effects that their words effects can have on others. No student should be on the receiving end of cutting and unkind comments, this of course includes comments that racist, sexist, homophobic etc.

If we really want to be a community, the words we use should always lift and build up those around us. The delivery of positive words is powerful in the development of others, creating peace and the formation of a healthy culture. 

The reality is that we all fall short and end up hurting others, often unintentionally.  So part of growth needs to include the willingness to apologise for hurts we create, but also have the heart to forgive those who hurt us. 

I really believe these two fundamental actions to good relationships begin the development of resilience in a young person.

Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 

Tip to help your Year 7 student to improve their “Studentship”

Create a Study Space: A tidy, organised space that is quiet is important to allow a student to have a clear mind with little distractions. 

It should be public if they are going to be on the computer. This allows for them to be more accountable on how they are using their devices during their study and homework time.

Make sure to replace all of the stationary needs they require so that they are never hunting around the house for things they have used up.

Year 10 RYDA Excursion - Tuesday 23 March 

RYDA is a series of practical and powerful workshops for Secondary School students that challenge students to change the way they think about road safety and lay the foundation for safe road use throughout their lives.

This valuable excursion is for all Year 10, so if you have not already done so, please log in to the Parent Lounge to give your approval for your child to attend.

Year 10 Fundraiser - Wednesday 24 March 

Year 10 are hosting a sausage sizzle and bake sale for Secondary School students on Wednesday 24 March to raise money for Central Coast Kids in Need.

This important local charity is close Year 10's heart, and we hope to raise money to allow them to continue to support the wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families.

Sausage sandwiches are $2.50, cans of soft drink $2 and baked goods from $1.

Please help us raise much needed funds for this great charity.

Year 9 Your Choicez Incursion - Friday 26 March 

Duke of Edinburgh Award

For over 50 years, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been providing students with an array of life experiences that bolster their sense of self and build their psychological resources. This results in the transference of coping skills from the real world of the Award (outdoor adventure, physical recreation, community service, and skill acquisition challenges) to the students’ own real world.

Thus, they are provided the opportunity to grow in skills not readily available in regular school classrooms. In a sense we take the classroom outside of the school. For most students, many of the award elements are already being done and they can use their existing interests, sports and skill learning to satisfy the award requirements. By participating in and achieving this award we hope to see students grow in resilience and be equipped even more to face the future challenges that life will bring.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a voluntary program for students over the age of 14 involving outdoor expeditions, skill acquisition, voluntary service and physical recreation (see website for more details).

At GPCC we offer Years 9-11 students the opportunity to undertake the award at a level commensurate with their age and development (Bronze, Silver and Gold). GPCC organises the expedition element of the award and is authorised to administrate its elements. The Bronze (Year 9) and Silver (Year 10) expeditions will be commencing in Terms 2 and 3.

If you would like your child to be involved or you would like more information, contact either Mr Daniel Witanowski (DWitanowski@gpcc.nsw.edu.au) or Greg Masters (greg.masters@gpcc.nsw.edu.au).

NAPLAN Online 2021

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy - important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us ensure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

In May, our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the NAPLAN public demonstration site.

In preparation for NAPLAN online, the College will take part in an online practice test early in Term 2. The practice test involves a 45-minute Omnibus Test which includes Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy Test items. The College does not receive individual student test results for the practice est. The aim is for students and staff to become familiar with the online environment as well as a variety of different question types.

Please refer to Naplan_online_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers for more information.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs Jane McLarty