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Students are back and things have got off to a positive start. I wrote recently that the three week break is long and it is not only you as parents that are glad school is back, many students tell me they are glad to be back too. School is not always a positive place for some students. Friendships, struggling with learning, other life issues all can contribute to a student not wanting to come to school. Thank you to those parents who work with us to help their child get to school where we can try to make it a good place for them.
This term we have two new counsellors starting with us. Jarel Kilgour who was with us for over 4 years has left to pick up home duties so his wife can continue with her career and Claire Tamman has obtained a good role in another school. We welcomed Nikki Reid last week and we hope to announce another counsellor in the next few days. When new people start in roles like this, it is an opportunity to refresh our procedures and Nikki will be doing that so you can expect to hear from her. I also want to welcome our new Director of ICT, Jerome Naidu. He comes with plenty of high level industry experience and some years ago worked in a school as well. Our long term ICT Manager, Steve Wegener, is staying on in a project and customer service role. We have an excellent ICT system and a great team of technicians and engineers who keep everything running for us and our system secure.
Our new GPCC app launched this week so don’t forget to download it. We trust it will make communication with you easier and timelier. My thanks go to Brendan Wood our Marketing Director and Jess McPhee, our Marketing Officer who have put in a huge amount of time to get it right and make it useful.
We have commenced minor renovations in the classroom next to our current administration block as we prepare to move out of the old building and begin construction on the new one. That should begin before year’s need and the build will take at least 12 months so we will have noise and disruption during 2024. We will also be utilising the house next to the petrol station, so work is being undertaken their also.
Nothing significant is achieved in life without hard work and some disruption to normal routines. The HSC requires dedicated attention in class and many hours of self and group study. Year 12 students were telling me how it impacted their term break this week as they sought to put time into exam preparation with trial exams starting in a few days. This is normal and we should encourage our children to expect this, and that significant achievement requires the opportunity cost of giving up something now for a future gain. However, it is important they continue to keep balance in their lives with sport, friends and family time all needed to keep them healthy and focused.
Term 3 is exam prep term for Year 12, but for most of our students it is the engine room term when they have settled into their year level and now need to get on with the hard work of learning as much as they can. You can help by engaging with them on what they are doing at school and encouraging them to keep going when the going gets tough.
Principal
The Term ahead
There is lots happening in Primary school over the coming term. Please keep these dates handy and also refer to the information from Mrs Van Wyke regarding all of the Book Week activities, competitions and Premiers reading challenge.
Monday 7 - Tuesday 8 August - Year 4 Cru Camp
Wednesday 8 August - Year 4 rest day
Monday 14 August – Wakakiri Performance Riverside Theatre - Parramatta
Friday 25 August - Book Week fair and Parade
Wednesday 30 August – K-2 Athletics Carnival
Book Week Costumes
One of the areas I consistently challenge students on is being mindful and considerate of those around us. What we wear and how we behave often effects not just ourselves but those we come in contact with. For this reason we want to extend this consideration to how we dress on days such as Book Week costume day. Please reflect on the following when preparing for Book Week:
- Students should not come to Book Week dressed as witches, warlocks (Harry Potter characters are permitted)
- Students should wear a costume that is congruent with their gender. Eg male students should dress as male book characters.
- Students should not bring with them any weapons, swords or knives as part of their costumes.
- Students should not represent anything from the occult or spiritual realm such as ghosts
- Students are encouraged to bring the book that their character is in, (this is not compulsory).
There are many many book characters that do not involve purchasing a costume and could easily be created using clothes and accessories already at home. I look forward to seeing the creativity of our students on this fun and exciting day.
Uniform
As we return from holidays it is timely to remind students of the correct uniform requirements. Students should only be in their sports uniform on the day they have sport and sneakers are not to be worn with the formal uniform.
Girls and boys with shoulder length hair must have it tied back and Primary students are not permitted to wear bracelets, rings or necklaces. Please take time to remind your child of the importance of taking pride in the College uniform.
Kiss and Drop 3 – Parents arriving early
So that our YVCS students can be collected safely at 3:00pm, please park in the overflow parking of P3 until students are released from class at 3:15pm.
You will notice that several spaces will be bollarded off for these parents to quickly park and collect their children and access to these spaces need to be left clear. These spaces will be released at 3:15pm
After 3:15pm parents may then leave the overflow parking and join the Kiss and Drop pick up lines.
This assists us in keeping our students safe and allowing the flow of traffic to flow well.
Please note there is no supervision for students, before school, until 8:15 am. Students arriving before 8:15 am must go to before school care.
DaVinci DecathlonOver 1000 students from Sydney and regional NSW gathered at Knox Grammar School on Thursday 27 July for the DaVinci Decathlon. 16 students from Years 5 and 6 were also in attendance, having trained for the event since the beginning of Term 2.
Some students felt a little nervous on arrival at The Great Hall, however, they managed to tame their ‘butterflies’ and redirect their slightly nervous energy, ploughing through 10 very challenging tasks for the next few hours. Subject areas included: code-breaking, cartography, engineering, maths, art and poetry, English, legacy, creative producers, science, and ideation.
Tasks were designed to stretch even the most exceptional and high achieving students (as well as Mrs Lines and Mr Cantor, who helped to mark the papers).
At the end of the day, our Year 6 team was announced as the team with the most outstanding behaviour (out of over 80 Yr 6 teams)!
Somehow, our Year 5 team ended up with the prize – Chuppa Chups for everyone! Once the error was realised, Year 5 were allowed to keep the prize (as they had also shown great citizenship throughout the day). Year 6 were presented with an additional set of Chuppa Chups, which were enjoyed on the way home in the bus.
Thanks to Mr Shaw, who drove the bus to and from the event.
NAPLAN Reports
The College has received NAPLAN reports for all students who participated in NAPLAN in 2023. Reports have been posted this week. If parents and carers have not received the report by 4 August, please contact the Deputy Principal, Mrs Jane McLarty; jmclarty@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Please note that from 2023, proficiency standards replace the previous reporting of student NAPLAN results that used numerical bands and the national minimum standard. A fact sheet explaining the results is included in the results envelope.
What are proficiency standards?
Proficiency standards describe what students are expected to know and should be able to do in literacy and numeracy at the time of NAPLAN.
Students’ results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency:
- Exceeding
- Strong
- Developing
- Needs additional support.
Primary Choir (Years 1 - 6)
Let’s Recycle some Plastic to create some Art
During Term 3 students are encouraged to collect and bring into school plastic lids for a ‘Recycling’ Art Project. Please wash the lids, remove any white insert and pop the lids directly into the buckets located outside L1 (Primary Science room) Kindy and Lunch eating area.
We will then sort the colours and sizes.
Mr Steve Lobsey | Head of Secondary
Year 11 have final exams in 7 weeks and finish up their year. Next term they begin their HSC Courses. This makes this term also a significant time in the life of the school, where we farewell one Year 12 cohort and welcome in another. Included in this is the commissioning our new Prefects which you can read about below.
This week has been very busy for our staff, who have helped advise Years 8 and 10 students in relation to their subject choices on Tuesday night, and followed this up with a Parent Teacher Interview night on Thursday. I am thankful to our passionate and committed staff who sacrifice a great amount of time for their students.
2023/24 Prefects
Last term, almost 30 Year 11 students applied to be Prefects in 2024 and the decision on who would serve in this role was a difficult one. We would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected as 2024 College Prefects and look forward to seeing them grow in their student leadership role.
Congruatulations to:
Gemma B, Alex B, Owen B, Daniel d L, Aiden D, Kaylah G, Lucas H, Zara L, Sunday M, Grace R, Amelia R, Matthew T, Imogen W, Katinka W
In Week 3, the students will take part in a Leadership Camp and this will help determine who our 2024 School Captains will be.
The College has received NAPLAN reports for all students who participated in NAPLAN in 2023. Reports have been posted this week. If parents and carers have not received the report by 4 August, please contact the Deputy Principal, Mrs Jane McLarty; jmclarty@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Please note that from 2023, proficiency standards replace the previous reporting of student NAPLAN results that used numerical bands and the national minimum standard. A fact sheet explaining the results is included in the results envelope.
What are proficiency standards?
Proficiency standards describe what students are expected to know and should be able to do in literacy and numeracy at the time of NAPLAN.
Students’ results are measured against 4 levels of proficiency:
- Exceeding
- Strong
- Developing
- Needs additional support.
Student-Parent-Teacher-Interviews for students in Years 7 to 12 with their parents/carers are being held from 4:00pm to 8:30pm as follows:
IN-PERSON MEETINGS - Tuesday 1 August 2023 in the MPC.
Our preference would be for students to attend together with their parents.
Booking Appointments
IN-PERSON meetings - BOOKINGS CLOSE 4pm on Monday 31 July.
Log into Parent Lounge to book appointments in the usual way.
For in-person appointments, please take care to book the IN-PERSON date.
The easiest way to learn how to book your appointment is to watch the short video Booking Parent Teacher Interviews in Parent Lounge | Tassweb (vids.io) once you have accessed your account.
Please note - Mr David Russell will be available on the evening for parents and students wishing to see the Careers Advisor. Please phone reception 4369 1266 to make appointments with Mr Russell.
On some occasions (where classes rotate for example), you will not see appointments available. If you would especially like to speak to a particular teacher regarding behavioural matters, please phone reception so we may book an appointment manually.
Please email Gretchen Taylor gtaylor@gpcc.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.
Science and Engineering Challenge
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM* outreach program presented by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors.
Through the Challenge, our students experienced aspects of Science and Engineering which they would not usually see in their school environment.
The Challenge runs a range of programs but focuses on inspiring students in Year 10 to consider a future career in science and engineering by choosing to study the enabling sciences and mathematics in Years 11 and 12.
Another great year was had with our current Year 10 students.
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information about Open Day at Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, UTS. Also various opportunities at Taronga Zoo and a number of job opportunities including local apprenticeships.
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.
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
Primary Zone Athletics
On Tuesday 1 August our Zone Athletics team will be heading to Glendale for the THACCCSA carnival. We are looking forward to a great day.
Sport Team Trials
Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be holding a variety of trials during recess (and some lunches) for sport teams to represent the College at gala days that will be happening this term and next.
These trials are always very well attended with often 40-50 students hoping for a place in a team with limited spots. The teachers who volunteer to run these trials and choose teams do a wonderful job in doing so.
Students are encouraged to attend trials if they would like to try out and must listen to announcements at Assembly for when these will occur. It is a blessing that we have so many enthusiastic girls and boys willing to put their names forward even though they can’t all be chosen.
CSSA (Christian Schools Sports Association) Child Protection training
CSSA have recommended that all adults (teachers, volunteers, parents) complete the following module on Child Protection before attending any CSSA event (trials, gala days or carnivals). Thank you.
https://www.cssa.net.au/child_protection/index.html#/
Dates for your Calendar
PRIMARY
School Carnivals
Wednesday 30 August - GPCC K-2 Athletics Carnival (GPCC grounds)
Friday 20 October GPCC K-2 Swimming Carnival (Peninsula Leisure Centre)
Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator
NSW All Schools Cross Country
Last Friday, Wade B (Year 12) competed in the U17 NSW All Schools State Cross Country at Eastern Creek in Sydney.
Wade managed to stick at the front of the field for the full 6km and ended up placing 2nd. He will now compete in the 2023 School Sports Australia 10-19 Years Cross Country Championships event in Stromlo ACT next month. Congratulations Wade.
THACCCSA Basketball Gala Day
On Wednesday 26 July, two junior and two senior boys teams travelled to Broadmeadow to take part in the annual THACCCSA Basketball gala day. There were 21 teams from 8 schoold in attendance. The competition was in two divisions for seniors and juniors with Division 1 being the higher division. Both our Division 1 teams made the Grand Final at the end of the day, with the Junior Boys Team being victorious. Congratulations to the boys for their behaviour, skill and sportsmanship on the day.
THACCCSA Futsal Gala Day
Also on Wednesday 26 July, a team of girls attended the THACCCSA Futsal Gala Day in Maitland. The team had to play for both the senior and junior divisions to make the numbers on the day. The girls played really well all day and were narrowly beaten in the Semi-Finals of the junior division. Thank you to these girls and Mr Partridge for stepping up on the day.
Premiers Reading Challenge
The PRC closes on Friday 18 August. All students in Primary should be finalising their entries. K-2 students are all finished. Primary students in Years 3-6 will register their books during library time in Week 2. Secondary students should see Mrs van Wyk, nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au , if you don’t have your login details.
Competitions
Book Week Competitions started the first day of Term 3. Students are invited to submit their entries by Monday 21 August.
K- Year 2: Colouring Competition- sheets will be distributed to classrooms.
Years 3-4: Diorama- create a scene from your favourite book. The library has photocopy boxes if students need one for their entry.
Years 5-6: Book Trailer- iMovie makes this a fun and easy activity.
Book Club
Issue 5 Book Club magazines go out this week. Parents can order online LOGIN (scholastic.com.au) until Friday 4 August.
Book Week
- Book Parade and Family Fair- Friday 25 August 11:45m.
- Literacy Day - Wednesday 23 August.
Preschool Storytime 2023 - Term 3
Please join us on Mondays for craft, games, and stories in the library at 9am. Parents and carers can register their interest with Nicole van Wyk- nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.
GREEN POINT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A ministry of Green Point Baptist Church
Our motto is “Equipped for Life”
Please see below for current employment opportunities at GPCC.
Casual Bus Driver - Green Point Christian College GPCC | BUS DRIVER
GPCC Phone App
On Thursday 27 we sent out an email sharing the good news that our new GPCC Phone App is live and available to download.
We encourage you to download your App today if you haven’t already. Please refer to the email from Mr Nash regarding how to download and set up your App.
Click for Setup Instructions
Click for Explanation and FAQs
For further explanation and assistance with Subscriptions, including step-by-step instructions, please click here.
Father's Day Breakfast - Kinder to Year 12
The Fathering Project - Father's Day Breakfast Invitation for all Father's/Father Figures from Kinder - Year 12.
Click here to register.
GPCC Celebrating our Past, Building our Future - Alumni Events
Following the important milestone of 40 Years which we celebrated in 2022, Green Point Christian College are gathering again under the banner of ‘Celebrating our Past and Building our Future’. We are excited to announce that we have two exciting Alumni events planned for 2023, and we invite our past students to the following events:
GPCC Annual Foundation Day Assembly – Wednesday 16 August
This is a special gathering of past and present students to celebrate the foundation and exciting future ahead for Green Point Christian College. An optional morning tea and tour of the College are available on the day.
Please register for this event by 9 August at: GPCC Annual Foundation Day Assembly 2023 Tickets, Wed 16/08/2023 at 12:30 pm | Eventbrite
Annual Reunion Celebration – Thursday 17 August
Please join us for the Annual Reunion Celebration at The Springs, Peats Ridge. This is our annual gathering of Alumni from the past 40 years since GPCC was founded. This is the perfect occasion for us to celebrate together, hear about how the College is growing and building for the future, and have the opportunity to reconnect with other past students.
For those who are keen please join us for the optional shot gun golf before the evening begins.
Please purchase your tickets by 26 July at: GPCC Annual Reunion Celebration 2023 Tickets, The Springs, Peats Ridge | TryBooking Australia
We look foward to welcoming past students at these events and continuing to grow our GPCC Alumni community.
Uniform Shop
2023 Uniform Shop Trading hours
Monday: 8:00am - 10:30am
Wednesday: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 10:30am
Friday: 8:00am - 10:30am
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 Menu
Click on link to access: THE MUNCHERY 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
GPCC OSHC Provider - Camp Australia
Out of School Care is available at the College, offered by Camp Australia.
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
Contact Brian Shaw at the College on 0404 478 341.
Kincumber-Avoca Cricket Club Registrations
If you would like to place an advertisement in the Green Point Community Notices, please email details to our Messenger Editor, Justine Collins at
Green Point Baptist Church
Services: 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 31 July
Trial HSC Exams commence (Monday 31 July - Monday 14 August)
Tuesday 1 August
Years 9-11 Bible Society Masterclass Excursion - Chatswood (selected students)
Primary THACCCSA Zone Athletics Carnival
Years 7 - 12 Parent Teacher Evening
Wednesday 2 August
CIS Primary Girls Softball Trials
Thursday 3 August
Primary CSSA Primary State Netball Finals - Penrith
Year 10 University of Newcastle talk about subject selection
Friday 4 August
Secondary THACCCSA Zone Athletics Carnival
Primary CSSA Primary Girls State Netball
Year 1 Swimming Lessons
Dates for your Calendar
Monday 7 August
Trial HSC Exams (Monday 31 July - Monday 14 August)
Year 4 CRU Camp - Lake Macquarie
Tuesday 8 August
Year 4 CRU Camp - Lake Macquarie
Wednesday 9 August
Year 11 Prefects (2023/24) - Leadership Camp
Secondary 15&U Oztag Gala Day
Secondary Girls Rugby League Trials
Thursday 10 August
Year 11 Prefects (2023/24) - Leadership Camp
Secondary Open Oztag Gala Day
Book Quiz (Years 5 & 6) Incursion vs Charlton Christian College
Friday 11 August
Year 11 Prefects (2023/24) - Leadership Camp
Year 9 Boys Mission Trip (Friday 11 August - 18 August)
Year 1 Swimming lessons
TERM DATES 2023
Term 3, 2023
Monday, 24 July to Friday, 22 September
Monday, 2 October - Labour Day Public Holiday
Monday, 9 October - Wednesday, 6 December
Click on: TERM DATES 2024