Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

This semester has flown by, and we are entering the final weeks of Semester 1. I have been very pleased with the desire of our Year groups to identify and support the focus groups that have been assigned to them.

Key to our community is learning to be outward looking and caring for those who have difficulties or disadvantages in their day to day life.

Developing an awareness of the needs of others helps a student to shake off the self-centred view of the world.

Class Adjustments

As we come to the end of Term 2, our Maths and English departments will be looking at the placement of students in classes. Our goal is to meet the needs of all our students at the level at which they are achieving.

This may mean that some students will be changing class if they are struggling at the class level they are currently in, or alternatively need a greater challenge than the current class level provides. This means some students will be moved up or down to meet their needs.

This is a process that needs to occur as our classes are full and we do not have any current room to move students to meet needs, hence the process as mentioned above.

A Warning for Parents 

WARNING ... ASK YOUR KIDS IF THEY VAPE or use e-cigarettes ...

"10.30pm on Thursday night we had just gone to bed when we heard a loud groaning sound come from Levi’s room, thinking he had just hurt himself we called out his name and got no response, then heard the same sound again. Calling his name, a second time with no response Renee and I both ran into his room.

He was laying on his back unresponsive and not breathing, this is every parent’s worst nightmare. Renee called 000 and started CPR while I went into panic mode with Lochy running into the street yelling to get help from our neighbours.

It took 22 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, thankfully by this stage he was conscious and breathing.

Levi was assessed by Paramedics who decided he showed signs of a seizure. He was awake, talking and saying he was okay but just wanted to sleep.

He walked with Paramedics to the ambulance and was taken to Gold Coast Hospital for further assessment.

Unfortunately, on the way to hospital Levi had a second seizure, he turned blue and stopped breathing for 90 seconds.

At this stage nobody had any idea what was causing this to happen ... then we were told he had been vaping. Levi had been using a vape pen immediately before his seizure.

He remained in hospital until 3.00pm yesterday hooked up to fluids and machines while I sat by his bed with no sleep, stressed, angry, crying and hoping he would be ok.

Bloods and CT scans came back normal, however he still needs an MRI, ECG, ECHO and to wear a holter monitor to watch his heart for 24 - 48 hours.

Doctors and paramedics all put this down to the stupid vape pens which had been purchased without our knowledge.

They are not fun, they are not a “cool” thing to do, they are dangerous and can be fatal.

Ask your kids if they are using these, make them aware of the dangers.

Levi and his friends had a huge wake up call, he was incredibly lucky, but it could have been a completely different outcome. Doctors are unsure if he will have any ongoing problems which is why he still needs further tests."

Source: Facebook

Edit: Whilst this is not the writer's "personal story" this article was intentionally written in a way to make parents take note that this is a very real problem in schools today. Thank you to those who has so far expressed their care and concern.

Learning Support Review - 2021

The College has engaged the services of the Association of Independent Schools (Student Services Department) to conduct a school-wide review of the initiatives and practices of the Enrichment Department (formerly known as Support Services) and their effectiveness in meeting the needs of our students. The framework utilised in the review looks at all components of policy, practice, and the implementation of programs from several perspectives.

This survey seeks input from staff, parents, and students to enable a holistic view of how we currently meet the learning needs of students with additional needs with a view of ensuring that we continue to provide the best possible outcomes for the diverse needs of our students.

We would value your input to this survey by Monday 31 May 2021.  

Please follow this link to complete the survey

Year 7, 2023 Enrolments   

We are currently experiencing high demand for positions in Year 7 and have received a lot of interest and applications for 2023. For enrolment applications please click on this link. 

If you plan on enrolling a sibling in Year 7 2023, we encourage you to submit your applications as soon as practical.

Please note if your child is currently in Primary School at GPCC you are not required to apply for Year 7, however if your child will not be continuing would you kindly advise in writing to registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.

Musical Rehearsals Are Go!

Our next 'Beauty and the Beast' ENSEMBLE/DANCE weekend rehearsal, is Saturday 5 June 1.00pm - 4.00pm.

While some are involved in sport or work, any who can make it will be welcome as we put the song 'Gaston' back together.

Next Tuesday we plan to have a lunchtime rehearsal together in the MPC, going over 'Be Our Guest' for those who could not make it last Saturday. 

Year 10 Play

Years 10 and 11 Drama are resuming their yearly public offering in Week 10 of this term.

'The Two Gentlemen of Verona’s' is Shakespeare’s play as he never envisaged it, I’m sure.

Come along for some laughs as Percy and Vernon find themselves in love and in hot water.

Tickets will be available at the door – more details next week.