It has been a very busy start to the year.  The students have made a consistent start to their studies for the year and teachers have reported that it has been a calm start through all Year groups.

Just a reminder if you have any issues, your child’s teacher or Year Advisor is the first port of call.

The Year Advisors are: Year 7 - Mrs Kerrie Rochford, Year 8 - Mr Daniel Witanowski, Year 9 - Mr Jon Oppel, Year 10 - Mr Chris Haines, Year 11 - Mr James Wright, and Year 12 - Mr Matthew Newell. 

Year 7 Camp

Our Year 7 camp is on this Wednesday 16 February.  Please make sure to be vigilant about meeting all the requirements sent to you in relation to the camp. 

If your child is ill, please do not send them on the camp.

Students are to be at school no later than 7:15am on Wednesday morning please.

Uniform

The grace period for getting uniform correct is now passed. It is time for students to wear the uniform correctly.  Uniform needs to meet the expectation of the Uniform Policy and if it does not then Uniform Detentions will be issued. 

GPCC Swimming Carnival

Our GPCC Secondary Swimming Carnival is coming up on Friday 25 February 2022 at Mingara. A reminder that this is a compulsory school event.

When: Friday 25 February 2022

Venue: Mingara Leisure Centre

Time: Carnival will begin at 9:00am and conclude at 2:30pm 

What to wear/bring: House colours, sports uniform, recess and lunch 

Transport: All students are required to make their own way to and from the carnival.  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.

If students require transport on the College bus, the first bus will depart GPCC at 8:30am (last bus will be departing at 8:50am) and return by 3:00pm.  

Please indicate on Parent Lounge (not at the Office) by Tuesday 22 February 2022 if your child requires bus transport. 

If your child requires bus transport you will need to log into your Parent Lounge and in 'Events and Payments' locate the events named:

1. TRANSPORT TO 2022 GPCC SECONDARY SWIMMING CARNIVAL and/or;
2. TRANSPORT FROM 2022 GPCC SECONDARY SWIMMING 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.

Years 11 and 12 Parent/Teacher Night will be held Tuesday, 22 February 2022 for Years 11 and 12 (depending on COVID restrictions).

Year 7 Meet the Teacher and Faculty Night will be held on Tuesday, 8March 2022 in the MPC (depending on COVID restrictions). 

Secondary School Thanksgiving and Academic Assembly 

Congratulations to all our students who received awards for 2021 at our Secondary Thanksgiving and Academic Assembly last Monday. 

Visit our website for more details and photos: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/education-learning/secondary-7-12/secondary-thanksgiving-and-academic-assembly-2021

Year 9 Visual Arts Excursion to Pearl Beach 

Our Year 9 VA students enjoyed a wonderful day on Thursday in the sunshine at Pearl Beach, compiling a collection of their sketches, paintings and photos for a landscape artwork to be completed in class.

Year 8 Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Incursion

Kylie McGillivray from MAF, visited our Year 8 Biblical Studies classes as part of the MAF School Partnership program. They aim to offer students a unique opportunity to learn about the thrilling world of adventure, hope and mission opportunities available through MAF.

Through tailor-made school presentations and Virtual Reality experiences, students will be inspired to think about how they too can be part of real, life-changing work, both now and in the future. 

Applications for HSC Disability Provisions 

Disability provisions in the HSC are practical adjustments designed to assist students who would otherwise have difficulty demonstrating what they know in an exam.

Students must meet disability criteria and provide evidence such as confirmation of diagnosis via documentation from an external professional. This information is then submitted to NESA for review and a determination of eligibility made.

Applications are due by Week 10 of Term 1.

If you wish to find out more or would like to apply for provisions, please phone Sarah Brown at the College or email sbrown@gpcc.nsw.edu.au

NSW 2022 Adolescent Vaccination Program for Year 7 Students 

Immunisation is the simplest and most effective way of protecting people against vaccine preventable diseases. NSW Health and the Central Coast Local Health District are providing the opportunity for routine scheduled adolescent vaccinations to all Year 7 students over a series of visits in 2022.

A team of specially trained nurses will provide the following vaccinations: 

1. Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccine

This is a single booster dose.

2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

This is a two dose course with at least six months between dose 1 and dose 2. 

What to do if you want your child vaccinated at school 

Parents/carers are advised to:

Read the 2022 program information kit sent home this week.

In blue or black pen, complete the consent form and sign for the vaccination(s) you wish your child to receive.

Return the completed consent form to the school prior to the first clinic day on Wednesday 23 February 2022. 

Please note: No vaccine will be given at any school vaccination clinic unless the original consent form is signed and returned by the parent/carer.

What if I have submitted a signed consent form and my child is absent on the clinic date? 

The consent form will be retained by the School Immunisation Team, who will make every effort to 'catch up' with your child throughout the year. SMS messages will also be sent to your nominated mobile phone with advice on the 'catch up' process. 

What if I am late submitting the consent form but still want my child vaccinated?

Complete and sign the consent form and return it to the school as soon as possible. The immunisation team will check for any new forms and your child will be vaccinated at the next available school clinic.

If you need a new form please contact the school or the Public Health Unit on 4320 9730, (option 2).

What to do if you do not want your child vaccinated at school?

If you do not wish for your child to receive any of the vaccinations being offered DO NOT RETURN THE CONSENT FORM to the school. It is recommended that you notify the school that you do not wish for your child to participate in the program. 

For more information about the NSW School Vaccination Program:

Go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation or contact the Central Coast Public Health Unit Immunisation Co-ordinator on 4320 9730, (option 2).