Filter Content
This week we focus on a celebration of our 40 Year Anniversary. The main event for parents is our Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 7 August at 2:30pm in the MPC at the College. We are joining with Green Point Baptist Church, our founders, to give thanks to God for his provision over the past 40 years. We would love to see lots of school families join the staff and the Church members for this event.
On Wednesday our K - Year 12 students and staff joined together for our 40 Year Anniversary Whole School Assembly to celebrate God's faithfulness through the decades.
Our MCs, Mrs Fay Davis (Primary) and Mrs Kerrie Rochford (Secondary) recalled many humorous early GPCC memories. We welcomed Alumni students, Luke Taylor (2005), Gemma Leonard (nee Gardiman) (2018), and Maegan Cameron (2018) who joined our worship band. A video greeting was played from past students, Toby and Heather Houston who have been serving in ministry in Africa for the past 10 years. Current teaching staff/Alumni, Mrs Kaylie Turner (nee Higgins) (1997) and Mrs Jo Pearson (nee McCarthy) (1985) shared stories about their early days as students at GPCC. Past student Bethany Panjaitan (nee Rochford ) (2003) shared some memories of her time at GPCC from K - 12, and her ministry work in Indonesia. Our celebrations concluded with a whole school drone photo.
GPCC was part of a growing movement that saw Christian parents, soon followed by many others, begin to move out of the public system and into Independent schools. This reflected a growing concern by parents about the increasing secularisation of the public system and a desire by them for their child to be in a Christian environment or at least one in which traditional, Christian values and attitudes still prevailed. That trend has continued and is growing today. Approximately 30% of school-age children attend Catholic or other Independent schools in Australia – the highest ratio anywhere in the world. In NSW, the Independent sector is now overtaking the Catholic sector in numbers and within the Independent sector, Christian schools are the fastest growing.
GPCC has benefited from this trend and with 40 years’ experience is now able to provide a quality educational experience for children from church and non-church backgrounds. As we look to the future, we recognise that there is still much for us to improve and learn to be a truly high quality school. We are working on that, and I appreciate your support and feedback as we seek to make on-going improvements. But this week, we are taking time to celebrate the progress of the past 40 years and I trust you can join us.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Schools are very busy places with lots of activities happening each week. So that children can feel at ease and prepared for each day please take time to read carefully all communication from the College through emails and newsletters.
Punctuality is a very important skill that students need to master as they grow and develop. Arriving on time to school each day ensures students have time to meet with friends and plug in to school and what is ahead in the day. Students who arrive right on or after the bell often feel stressed and rushed before the day even begins. Our students begin learning at 8:45am. All students who arrive after this time will be marked as partially absent and may miss vital learning each day.
GPCC Primary Chess Masters
On Wednesday our Primary Chess teams competed in the Central Coast and Hunter Inter school Chess Competition at Central Coast Grammar School. Our team did very well, placing 6th out of the 9 teams. Chess is a wonderful way of developing strategy and forethought. A special mention to Zachary L who played very well throughout the day and a BIG congratulations to Monty C – placing 5th individually and Ellen B, placing 17th, both winning most of their games. . Our chess club meets each Thursday morning at 8:00am with Mr Gibbins, in the Library for games and training.
CRU
CRU reached new heights as it began again for Term 3. Students were challenged to build the tallest tower they could using only raw spaghetti and marshmallows. The tricky part was that they had to make the tower on their friend’s back. We learnt how important it is for our life and faith to have a firm foundation. We want to read the word of God and follow the teachings of Jesus so that we can trust Him when storms come in our lives. With Him as our foundation, we can be strong.
CRU is held each Friday. Years 3-4 in meet at lunch in Mrs Bourke’s room and Years 5-6 meet at lunch in Mr Turner’s room. Everyone is welcome!
Kindergarten Pizza Oven
In Kindergarten we are learning through play with our Pizza Parlour! Some children were the customers who ordered pizzas from menus. Other children were the pizza makers who had to make pizzas with the correct toppings. They had to be careful not to burn themselves on the hot oven!
Mrs Smith ad Mr Nash received take away pizzas from our delivery drivers as well!
Mrs de Lore
Welcome Back French Breakfast
Last week Stage 3 French students enjoyed “le petit-déjeuner”. Students were able to ask for some baguette (with strawberry jam) and orange juice, all in French. It was lots of fun. Amazingly, they remembered their french vocab that lesson.
Science News
KDL have been investigating changing shapes of objects. A ball of plasticene can change in many ways … rolling, stretching, squashing and pulling. Lots of fun to create and play. Great investigating KDL.
Our youngest learners in KG, have been creating push and pull toys in Science. We made these ‘Jumping Jacks’ to demonstrate this movement. Super fun.
Year 6 explored Changing Matter in Science recently. They created slime to discover whether it was a reversible or irreversible change.
Save the Date: Jungle Book
Our performances for the Jungle book musical will be held over two days
- Friday 16 September will be our Matinee performance at 1:30pm
- Saturday 17 September will be our twilight performance from 5:00pm
More details about purchase of tickets will be in next weeks Messenger.
Jungle Book Musical – Helpers
Calling all those handy with a glue gun, sewing machine or paint brush. We are looking for helpers to assist with set design and costume assembly for our musical. Any and all assistance will be appreciated, and clear direction and kits can be distributed to work on at home or busy bees at school. Please register your willingness and availability with the College office at office@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266.
Student Representative Councillors
Photos: SRC councillors with Infants students and new sandpit toys acquired by classes raising this as a need and councillors petitioned Mrs Smith
Dates for Term 3
This term is a busy one with lots of events coming up. Please note the following dates in your diary:16 August – K-2 Athletics Carnival – Parents Welcome
- 3 August – Kindy 100 days
- 26 August – Book parade and Fair day – Parents Welcome
- 2 September - Fathers Day Stall
- 16 September - Primary School Musical “The Jungle Book – Kids” Matinee Performance
- 17 September – Primary School Musical “The Jungle Book – Kids” Twilight performance
This week the College farewelled the Head of Secondary, Mr Peter McLellan. As staff and students said goodbye it was very clear the impact he has had on so many and how much he will be missed by the College community. During his 24 years of service, Peter was a PE Teacher and Coordinator of PDHPE, before being appointed as the Head of Secondary School in 2006. We are so thankful for his faithful service to Christian education, his humility, the love and care he has shown to a myriad of students and staff, his passion for basketball and his sense of humour. We will miss his booming voice, his “pep talks”, his pacing and his passion for sharing his love of Jesus. I will miss working with him each day as a colleague and as a friend. We pray God’s rich blessings over him and his family in this new season.
Term 3 is a very important term for our Year 12 cohort. It is their last term at school and kicks off with the HSC Trial exams. Please be in prayer for them. It is vital that students maintain their focus during and after these exams. Many subjects finish their content much later in the term and other subjects use this time to revise content and skills. If you have a Year 12 student in your household, please encourage them to stay the course to the end of term.
Interviews for Years 7,8,9,10,11 and 12 students are being held Tuesday 2 August from 4:00pm until 8:30pm in the MPC. Students are encouraged to attend these interviews with parents.
Bookings will open online (in Parent Lounge) on Tuesday 26 July 2022 at 9:00am and will close on Monday 1 August at 4:00pm.
Access your Parent Lounge with your username (previously supplied) and password.
The easiest way to learn how to book your appointment is to watch the short video once you have accessed your account, under 'School Links' tab and select 'Help Videos'.
Please note - David Russell will be available on the evening for parents of students in Year 10 and 11 wishing to see the Careers Advisor.
Pathways for Aboriginal Elite Athletes by Kahlan B (Year 12)
Please journey with us through the Year 12 Aboriginal Studies Major Projects over the next few weeks. This task gave students the opportunity to explore and research a related topic of their choice with a wide variety of presentation options including artwork, film, presentation, and thesis. It is worth 40% of the course and took six months to complete. Consulting with Aboriginal community was the key skill used.
Kahlan B explored the pathways Aboriginal people take into elite sports. In her report, Kahlan found that despite the challenges related to remote living, the desire to remain close to family and damaging effect of institutional racism, many Aboriginal sportspeople have been leaders in their chosen sport. Through consultation with Pastor Isaac, Ngemba man from Brewarrina, she explored some of the key challenges including socioeconomic disadvantage. She found that key Aboriginal sports people are part of the success story of the younger generation.
After consulting with former professional sportsman, Jeff Hardy, Kahlan explained … “Jeff Hardy … was a sport teacher and mentor at Endeavour high school for 20 years has helped young Kirinari Aboriginal boys with sport with a sporting program at the school…In the past seven years Jeff Hardy has worked with Clontarf Foundation by starting an academy at Endeavour high school and throughout Western Sydney. He provided boys with full time support with an academy room with mentors… Australia has made a huge success in this program with 10,000 young boys in the program and an 80% school attendance.”
As part of the Aboriginal Studies course in Years 11 and 12, students have looked at the history of colonisation in Australia and how this has resulted in challenges for Aboriginal people, as well as the importance of Aboriginal initiatives in addressing these challenges. Well done to Kahlan for her completion of her Major Project Report!
Mrs Amber Erasmus, Aboriginal Studies Teacher
HSC Trials Exam Timetable
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
This week’s Newsletter has a link to the Year 10 UAC book to help with subject selection, Job Jump resources for Year 12 students, apprenticeship opportunities in the building industry, an opportunity at Taronga Zoo (see General News section), and some study help for Year 12 students (see General News section).
For more details, please see this week's Careers News or visit the Student Careers section under the "Education & Learning" menu on the GPCC website.
Preschool Story Time
We are back! Preschool Storytime is on site again. Join us on a Monday morning at 9:00am in the Primary Library for books, craft and fun.
Please register via email, nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or in person at Story Time.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
Competition closes Friday 19 August, please register your reading before the closing date.
Book Club
Issue 5 online orders close on Friday 5 August, Book Club Home | Scholastic Australia. If you are having difficulty please email judi.hurst@gpcc.nsw.edu.au before the closing date.
Book Week
Literacy events will be held 24-26 August. Book Parade is Friday 26 August at 11.45am, followed by a BBQ and Fair. More information to follow.
Book Week Competitions
All competitions close Friday 19 August. Entries must be given in to Library staff.
K-2 Colouring competition (Handed out in library lessons in Week 3)
3-4 Favourite book diorama (Boxes available in library)
5-6 Book Trailer
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
Primary Zone Athletics Team
Congratulations to all the students that have made our GPCC Squad for the Zone Athletics Carnival to be held at Glendale next Monday 1 August (Week 3). A reminder to all those students catching the bus, to please be at school by 6:15am for a 6:30am departure.
Athletics and Cross-Country Awards
These will be presented together at the Week 4 Chapel service on Wednesday 10 August. Parents of awardees will be invited via email in the next week or two.
House Sport
This term I would like to begin a weekly House Sport competition (weather pending) with students from Years 3-6 during Friday Sport afternoons (beginning Week 4). Students will have the opportunity to participate for their House in a variety of sports including continuous cricket, international handball, basketball or Newcomb ball. Please note, students will not play all these sports during this time and that it is weather dependent.
PDH
During Health (PDH) lessons this term for Stage 2, the students will be studying a unit named ‘Am I Making Healthy Choices?’ which has a large focus on healthy eating. Similarly, students in Stage 3 will be studying a unit called ‘Healthy Choices, Healthy Habits’ which also has a focus on healthy eating. I look forward to teaching these units to each class.
CSSA and CIS Nominations
Some of the individual CSSA and CIS Sport nominations due soon are:
Please email Mr McSwan before these dates if your child (Years 5 and 6 only) would like to be considered. They need to be currently playing in the sport and have several years experience (preferably at a Representative level):
Primary
Wednesday 17 August CIS Primary Girls Cricket Trials (Nominations close 10 August)
Monday 12 September CIS Primary Boys Cricket Trials (Nominations close 5 September)
Dates for your Calendar
PRIMARY
School Carnivals
Tuesday 16 August (Term 3) - GPCC K-2 Infants Athletics Carnival (on-site at the College)
Friday 21 October (Term 4) - GPCC K-2 Swimming Carnival (Peninsula Leisure Centre)
Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator
NSW All Schools Secondary Cross Country
Last Friday, Wade B from Year 11 competed at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Carnival at Eastern Creek Raceway. After finishing 9th at the CIS Carnival, Wade shared how he would be happy with a top 40 finish. Wade ran incredibly and was beaten by 1 place of going with the State team to the Australian Championships in Adelaide by placing 9th. This is a remarkable effort against the top athletes in all of NSW.
American Futsal Nationals Competition
Millie T (Year 11) has just returned from a 2 week trip to California to play in the American Futsal Nationals competition representing the U17s Australian Futsal Association. The competition was in Santa Clara and she had an amazing time playing against some incredible American teams.
Aerial Gymnastics Achievement
Congratulations to Brianna B (Year 7) who competed in the “Miss Lyra Competition” in Sydney and came 1st runner up in her age division in the school holidays. This competition is for aerial gymnastics – not a sport for those afraid of heights! This means Brianna is competing in this year’s Nationals down in Melbourne in October, which is a major achievement for her. Congratulations Brianna and all the best for Nationals next term.
Year 9/10 Opens boys and Girls Oztag Gala Day
Year 9/10 and opens boys and girls had a great day playing oztag at the annual All Schools Central Coast Gala day. No teams made the finals this year but they played with lots of heart and great team spirit.
Central Coast Academy of Sport
There is an opportunity for some of our elite athletes to get involved in the Central Coast Academy of Sport winter sports programs in the following four sports:
Swimming: https://thinksport.com.au/programs/swimming/
Touch Football: https://thinksport.com.au/programs/touch-football/
Athletics: https://thinksport.com.au/programs/athletics/
Indoor Volleyball: https://thinksport.com.au/programs/volleyball/
Please click on any of the links if you would like to apply for any of these opportunities.
Year 7 Landscape Poems
Our Year 7 students this week have written their own landscape poems, drawing on the poetry-writing skills they have been studying in class. Here are just a few examples.
Student Contributions in The Messenger
We encourage students to email contributions for the new section of our weekly newsletter, titled Student Voice. It may be a short story, a poem, service activity, an achievement or award (sporting, Scouts, Duke of Ed etc). Please email to newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for consideration of inclusion in The Messenger.
Music Program Update
We want to share some improvements regarding our Co-Curricular Music Program pages on the College Website.
- All the information you need regarding Music Tuition and our GPCC Bands is now directly on the website, with no need to download any extra information.
- We have created an online Enquiry Form for you. Simply fill it out online and submit, then our Music Coordinator will get in touch with you.
- You can now get tuition for the Ukulele!
To read about our amazing College Music Program visit our website:
Green Point Christian College GPCC | Music Tuition
Green Point Christian College GPCC | GPCC Bands
40 Year Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
SUNDAY 7 AUGUST 2:30pm
2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of the first year of school for Green Point Christian College with the first class meeting on 17 February 1982. Seventeen primary students came to class with one teacher in the rooms above the Little Coasties Preschool. Today we have 1100 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 and occupy our own premises on approximately 17 acres of land which the school has purchased over the years.
Green Point Baptist Church had the vision and courage to start a private school and have been willing to see it grow and expand way beyond what the founders had originally envisioned or probably imagined. We give thanks to God for faithful and hardworking people who have contributed to our school and made it what it is today, and we continue to develop it out of respect for those pioneers.
We invite you to join us for this special service of celebration. If you do not regularly attend Green Point Baptist Church, we kindly request you RSVP for catering purposes by registering below:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/40-year-anniversary-thanksgiving-service-tickets-371896962827
HSC Trials Volunteers Needed
GPCC Second Hand Uniform Store
The Second Hand Uniform Store will be running 2:00pm - 3:00pm on Wednesday 3 August and Wednesday 7 September in A1 (The first room in A Bloack, next to the Administration building).
Advancedlife Photography
Uniform Shop
Term 2 2022 Uniform Shop Trading hours
Monday: 8:30am - 11:00am
Wednesday: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 11:00am
Friday: 8:30am - 11:00am
For the price list and further information on ordering through Alinta, please visit our website – https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform
The Munchery Canteen Operations and Updated Menu
All students are strongly encouraged to order online. However, over the counter sales will also available.
Please visit the GPCC website for the link to The Munchery portal: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/community/the-munchery-canteen
EXTEND (Before and After School Care)
Parent Lounge Details
The College has a legal requirement to keep our records up to date.
Please review your details on Parent Lounge to ensure that all your information is correct. This includes medical information on your child/ren (only complete the immunisation question if your child is not immunised).
Please note: Should you require both parents/carers to receive SMS notifications, please tick the appropriate boxes.
Green Point Community Notices
Firewood for Sale
Please call Brian Shaw at the College on 0404478341
Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club
Registration is now open for Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club
Players receive a playing shirt and a training shirt. New players receive a club cap.
Junior Blasters – ages 4-7
Master Blasters ages 6-8
Junior Cricket – ages 9-15
All girls cricket ages 9-15
For more information download the brochure below.
If you would like to place an advertisement in the Green Point Community Notices, please email details to Justine Collins at
Green Point Baptist Church
9:30am Worship Service
6:00pm Service
Services continue to be available online each week.
We are updating our Facebook page regularly with what's happening, so check it out: https://www.facebook.com/greenpointbaps/
Coming Up this Week
Monday, 1 August
HSC Trials 2022 1-15 August
THACCCSA Zone Primary Athletics Carnival - Glendale
Tuesday, 2 August
Year 7 - 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews (4:00pm - 8:30pm)
Wednesday, 3 August
Year 10 Smart Road Safety Excursion to Qudos Bank Arena
Central Coast OZTAG (Years 7 and 8)
CIS Primary Girls Softball Trials
100 Days of Kindergarten
Thursday, 4 August
CSSA Primary State Netball Metro Cup
Friday, 5 August
Secondary Zone Athletics Carnival - Hunter Sports Centre Glendale
Dates for the Calendar
Monday, 8 August
HSC Trials 2022 1-15 August
Year 10 Strength Interviews (Library)
Tuesday, 9 August
Year 10 Strength Interviews (Library)
Music Tutor Program Concert - CAPA5 Theatre 5:00pm
Wednesday, 10 August
Prefect Camp: 10-12 August
Friday, 12 August
Primary CSSA State Athletics Carnival
Tuesday, 16 August
K - 2 Athletics Carnival (parents welcome at the College)
Friday, 26 August
Primary Book Parade and Fair
Friday, 2 September
Father's Day Stall
Friday, 16 September
Primary School Musical “The Jungle Book – Kids” Matinee Performance
Saturday, 17 September
Primary School Musical “The Jungle Book – Kids” Twilight performance
TERM DATES 2022
Term 3, 2022
Thursday, 21 July to Friday, 23 September
Term 4, 2022
Tuesday, 11 October to Wednesday, 7 December
_______________________________________
TERM DATES 2023
Term 1, 2023
Wednesday, 1 February - Students commence Term 1 (Years 1 - 7, 11 and 12)
Thursday, 2 February - Years 8 - 10 commence Term 1
Thursday, 2 February - Kindergarten commence Term 1
Thursday, 6 April - Last Day Term 1
Term 2, 2023
Wednesday, 26 April to Friday, 30 June
Monday, 12 June - Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
Term 3, 2023
Monday, 24 July to Friday, 22 September
Monday, 2 October - Labour Day Public Holiday
Term 4, 2023
Monday, 9 October - Friday, 8 December