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Hello GPCC community and welcome back to Term 2, it has been great to see the students back on campus and learning getting back underway after the break.
I want to thank everyone for the way the community has been responding to some of the traffic changes related to the ongoing construction. It is great to see drivers flowing instructions and following the carpark rules.
This week we have held our Anzac remembrance services. What follows is the text of the speech from the secondary service.
2024 Anzac Day Address
"At 0500hrs, three platoons of the leading company of the 7th Battalion set off in four of the ship’s boats.
As they moved away from the dim light, the Company Commander, Major Jackson could see the flashes of shells and rifles to their front. Approaching the shore, the men caught the sound of firing, to their right they could see shells bursting over other boats of the Battalion.
Ahead they saw rifle and machine gun fire cutting up the water. As the lead boat, under the command of Captain Layh, entered the field of fire, five out of the six rowers were shot, but others took the oars, and they pushed on.
The boat was scraping the shingle when, as Captain Layh threw himself into the water beside it, he was shot through the hip.
As he turned to call the men forward, he was again shot in the leg. With the survivors, he scrambled toward the little grass-tufted sand hummocks fringing the beach, and they lay low behind them.
Of the 140 men in the four boats, only 3 officers and 36 men, many wounded, made the safety of the hummocks, the rest lay dead or dying behind them." C.E.W. Bean, ‘The Story of ANZAC’
These events depicted here by the war correspondent and historian Captain Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean marked the beginning of the Gallipoli campaign. The Gallipoli campaign lasted 10 months and it did not meet its objectives. It was in many ways considered a failure.
However, it did mark the beginning of what we now call the ANZAC spirit. In the horrible crucible of war that was Gallipoli, Australian soldiers demonstrated a commitment to each other, a fortitude in battle, and ingenuity of thought and spirit that came to shape the way Australians were seen on the battlefield. This spirit came to shape the way our then young nation saw itself.
Sacrifice, mateship and commitment to something greater, continue to be values that shape how we see ourselves as a nation and on ANZAC day and at events like this we meet to remember the commitment, service, and sacrifice of our defence personnel. From those that served in the early battles of World War 1 to those men and women that continue to serve and defend our country in theatres of war and on peace keeping missions today.
We do not meet to glorify the horrors of war, rather we meet to remember the sacrifice of all those that served our country. We meet to honour their memories and we honour their memories best in seeking to learn the lessons of the past so we may not contribute to repeating them.
On ANZAC day we remember our service men and women and the sacrifices that they have made. The many that made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives, did so in the service of something greater than themselves, for King and country, for democracy, for freedom. However, they would also say that they were fighting for their mates, for their family, or for their friends. They gave up their lives for the tangible hope that the lives of those they loved would be better.
In John 15 we read;
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends
At Easter, Jesus, laid down His life for all of humanity, that all who believe in Him might be saved.
The men and women that died in war in the hope that they might contribute to a world that had peace and freedom.
Jesus died on the cross so that all of us might be free from sin and that ultimate peace will envelope the earth when He comes again.
We pause today to remember the sacrifice and service of our defence personnel and we continue to pray for and end to all war. We also remember that the way to that peace is through Jesus’ own sacrifice.
Lest we forget.
Joel van Bentum
Principal
Primary Murals
Our students have received a pleasant surprise awaiting them as they returned this term, another new mural painted by local artist and past student, Kim Osborn (pictured below) was set in place at the end of the J3 Primary building over the holidays.
Kim has worked extremely hard to tie in a coastal theme and bring beauty into our playground through depicting God’s creation in both the sea and nature. She has also brought some Christian themed nursery rhymes into the outside space near KDL.
We are blessed to have had the opportunity to partner with Kim on these projects and next time you are onsite, please feel free to take the time to enjoy the artworks.’
Mr James Cantor
Mother's Day Stall
Primary Choir in Term 2
From Term 2 our Primary Choir rehearsals are moving to Tuesday Lunch time commencing on 30 April.
Students are to meet staff and will be escorted down to CAPA 5 with their food straight away at the beginning of lunch for choir rehearsals.
They will be dismissed at 1:35pm to head back to class.
Students of the Week
Congratulations to the following students:
Week 11, Term 1
Harry C; KDL, Oscar F; KK,Jake K; KS, Jiles H; 1C,Hugh H; 1G, Ruby A; 1PS,Isaac H; 2J, Bailey P; 2G,Joshua E; 3B, Amelie P; 3D,Scarlett F; 3M, Vaaris M; 4H,Liza D; 4M, Micah H; 5B,Marco M; 5L, Sienna M; 5P,Piper L; 6B, Emily T; 6SH,Zachary T; 6S.
Excursions, Incursions and Camps Parent Permissions – Year 7-12
How to give Parent Permission for your child to attend an excursion, camps and other events, please accept events in Parent Lounge. You may decline if you do not wish for your child to participate.
We have many opportunities for students to attend some wonderful incursions and excursions where their classroom learning can be enhanced, and there are other activities that help develop skills and grow good life skills and characteristics like sportsmanship/sportswomanship. A lot of planning goes into these events and the Parent Lounge Permission System is one process that can keep things running smoothly. When this doesn’t happen, it causes planning issues and may even lead to an event not going ahead due to low numbers.
Year 7: School Vaccination Program - 4 June 2024
If your child is in Year 7 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations.
In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
This year our Year 7 Vaccination Clinic date at GPCC is:
Year 7 - HPV and dTpa - Tuesday 4 June 2024
Year 10 – Meningococcal ACWY were conducted in February. Students who missed their vaccination may do a catch-up on 4 June if parent consent has been given.
Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.
How to provide consent:
- To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
- Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
- Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
- Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
- Enter your child’s personal details
- Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
- Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
- Provide consent
If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from your child’s school.
The benefits of providing consent online:
- easily update your child’s details
- receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
- faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.
If you require information in your language, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx
Secondary Winter Uniform – White Long Sleeve Under-shirt
As we head into the cooler months, we want students to stay warm and keep comfortable. This year we are again allowing students to wear a plain white long sleeve T-shirt or thermal shirt under their school shirts. This is designed to be an extra layer to be worn under the student’s soft-shell jacket (Years 7-10), blazer (Year 11) or Year 12 jacket (Year 12). It is not to be worn instead of the jacket/blazer.
If a student decides it is warm enough to remove their jacket/blazer they also need to remove their under shirt. An exception will be in class, where a student can remove their jacket/blazer and we do not want to interrupt their learning by requiring students to leave the classroom to change out of their under shirt. As they leave class, they are to wear their jacket/blazer at that time can choose to get changed if they wish.
This temporary change to our policy is relating to plain white t-shirts only. Students are not permitted to wear non-school jumpers, jackets or hoodies underneath or instead of their school jacket/blazer.
Future Enrolments at GPCC
We are currently experiencing very high demand for enrolment at GPCC. To assist with our planning, we recommend families apply two years prior to intended start date. If you have a child due to commence Kindergarten or Year 7 in 2026 would you kindly complete an enrolment application via the following link; Enrolment Application | Green Point Christian College (gpcc.nsw.edu.au)
Please note: If your child is currently enrolled in Year 6 at GPCC you are not required to apply for Secondary School. As noted in our Enrolment Policy, if your child will not be continuing at the College in 2025, you are required to give ten weeks’ notice. Kindly advise our Registrar in writing - registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
NNSW Central Coast Futsal Gala Day
In the last week of Term 1 we had 3 teams compete at the NNSW Central Coast Futsal Gala Day at Niagara Park. All three teams played some exciting games and improvement was obvious as each game was played. The Junior team (Years 3/4) played well losing one game, drawing one game and winning one game just missing the semi-finals.
The Senior Boys team (Years 5/6) made it to the semi-finals and lost in a tight contest to eventual winners of the day Wyong, while the Senior Girls team (Years 5/6) just got better and better making it through to the Grand Final beating Wyong in a very tense penalty shootout. This win means they have qualified for State later in the term.
CSSA Netball and CIS AFL Trials
Well done especially to the girls and coach Miss Cooper, also to both the boys’ teams and Mr Sneyd who coached the senior boys.
Congratulations to Maeve H and Grace G (Year 5) who travelled to Sydney for the CSSA Netball trials and had an enjoyable day.
Also, to Toby M (Year 6) who attended the CIS Primary Boys AFL trials. A valuable experience for all.
Primary Athletics Carnival
Unfortunately, due to poor weather we have had to postpone our GPCC Primary Athletics Carnival. The new date is Tuesday 21 May.
Keep an eye on Parent Lounge for more details shortly.
Thank you to those parents that offered to assist on the day. Please let me know if you can still help at our rescheduled carnival.
Please see below an important announcement from the Mingara Athletics Centre regarding use of debit cards at the canteen:
We have an important update around the use of Junior debit cards. Unfortunately, as we are linked to a licensed facility banks are declining these cards. We are working with Spriggy at the moment to see if we can get an exception however until then, these types of cards will decline.
Once we have an update, we will communicate the outcome and apologies for the inconvenience. This is currently out of our control, and we are working hard to try and rectify this issue.
Thank you for your understanding on this matter.
Jason van Blerk Football Academy at GPCC
The Jason Van Blerk Football Academy is returning in Term 2 starting on Friday 10 May after school from 3.15-4.45pm.
All Years 3 - 7 boys and girls are all welcome at $25 per session, $200 for the term.
For more info please contact Jason at Jasonvanblerkfootballacademy@gmail.com
Dates for your Calendar
School Carnivals
TERM 2
(NEW DATE)
Tuesday 21 May - GPCC Primary Yrs 2-6 Athletics Carnival (Mingara)
TERM 3
Wednesday 21 August - GPCC K-2 Athletics Carnival (GPCC grounds)
TERM 4
Friday 25 October - GPCC K-2 Swimming Carnival (Peninsula Leisure Centre)
Representative Carnivals
TERM 2
Friday 31 May - CSSA Primary and Secondary State Cross Country Carnival (Sydney Equestrian Centre)
Thursday 6 June - CIS Primary and Secondary Cross Country
TERM 3
Tuesday 6 August - THACCCSA Zone Primary Athletics Carnival (Glendale)
Friday 23 August - CSSA Primary State Athletics Carnival (Blacktown)
Friday 6 September - CIS Primary Athletics Carnival
GPCC Sport Teams
We are looking forward to sending our teams to a number of Gala Days and competitions in Primary this year.
Students will have a chance to trial for certain school teams over the coming terms and will need to keep a close eye on the notices and listen out for Assembly announcements for when trials will be held.
The protocol for team selection is as follows:
- Teams have at least 2-3 trials before final selection.
- Unfortunately, it is simply not possible for all children who trial to be included in final teams. It is not uncommon for up to 60 students to trial for a team that only has 10 spots available. Due to these limited spots, it is highly likely that students will miss out on making the team. We acknowledge that we have a number of skilled athletes who trial for these representative teams and we strive to give opportunity during trials for students to demonstrate their skills.
- Once teams have been chosen, they will aim to have at least one training session each week before a competition.
Individual Sport Trials for Primary CSSA and CIS Teams (NOT GPCC teams)
These trials are not for GPCC school teams that we trial for here at school to play at certain gala days throughout the year (as mentioned above). The CSSA or CIS trials are usually held in Sydney and students will be trialling against students from either other Christian Schools (CSSA) or other Independent Schools (CIS) and are usually recommended for those students that compete at a representative level.
Please email Mr McSwan before these Nomination 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): Parents are required to transport students to and from these trials.
CSSA and CIS Sport trial dates: Please note these are not for GPCC school teams.
TERM 2
Monday 13 May - CIS Primary Boys and Girls Hockey Trials (select students)- Nominations close Monday 6 May
Monday 13 May - CIS Primary Rugby League Trials (select students)- Nominations close Monday 6 May
Friday 24 May - CIS Primary Girls Rugby 7s trials (select students)- Nominations close Friday 17 May
Tuesday 11 June - CSSA Primary State Gymnastics Levels 3+ Only (select students) All competitors are required to have an accredited gymnastics coach from their club attend on the day- Nominations close Tuesday 28 May
Wednesday 19 June - CIS Primary Rugby Union Trials #1 (select students) - Nominations close Wednesday 12 June
CSSA (Christian Schools Sports Association) Child Protection training and Risk Warning
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#/
Below is a link for the Risk Warning that accompanies all CSSA run events
https://cssa.net.au/risk-warning.html
Jason van Blerk Football Academy at GPCC
The Jason Van Blerk Football Academy is returning in Term 2 starting on Friday 10 May after school from 3.15-4.45pm.
All Years 3 - 7 boys and girls are all welcome at $25 per session, $200 for the term.
For more info please contact Jason at Jasonvanblerkfootballacademy@gmail.com
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
Congratulations to Olivia E (Year 11) who competed in the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Maroochydore Queensland in the holidays. Olivia competed in many events and did extremely well and her best result was a gold medal in the U17 Female Single Ski Relay where she and her team mates are the Australian Champions for 2024. Well done Olivia.
Congratulations also to Levi S (Year 7) who also competed at the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles on the Sunshine Coast representing Avoca Beach SLSC. He was a finalist in his swim race finishing in 23rd place and he came 12th in the 2Km Ocean Swim. He made various quarter finals and semis in other events at the titles. Well done Levi.
Rugby Union Trials
Congratulations to Blake L, Kaden M and Mitchell R (Year 9) for their efforts in the trial for the U16 CSSA/SASSA Rugby Union representative team in Kiama on Wednesday 10 April. All three played their very best rugby. Well done to Mitchell and Blake who were selected in the squad of 20 who will now trial on 28 May for a place in the AICES championships later this year. It was a great day and from all reports, all three boys represented the school with hard work and great sportsmanship.
CSSA and CIS Touch Football Championships
On Tuesday 9 April, about 20 of our students travelled to Kellyville, to take part in the CSSA touch trials on the synthetic grounds at Bernie Mullane Sports Complex. Each of the students equipped themselves very well. Well done students.
Congratulations to the following students have been selected to represent CSSA, at the CIS Secondary Touch Football Championships, on Friday 10 May 2024 at Penrith Touch Fields.
Kaden M, Reid R, Samuel M, Marshall M, Bonnie H, Bronte M.
NSW Surf Life Saving Championships
Well done to all our participants in the NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships at Manly in March. Special mention to Isabelle R (Year 8) who received a bronze in the swim team event.
Australian Age Championship Swimming
Congratulations to Felicity R (Year 10) who competed in the Australian Age Championship Swimming event at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 10th April. She was 5th in the B Final of the 15 Years Girls 50m Freestyle with a time of 26.86. This is the highest level of age group swimming in Australia and was telecast on Channel 9.
National Athletics Championships
Congratulations to Jesse M (Year 10) who competed in his first National Athletics Championships in Adelaide in the school holidays.
In the triple jump his best jump was 12.86m, which placed him 11th overall nationally in the Under 17 age group. He also placed 5th in his heat for hurdles and placed 14th overall also in the Under 17’s.
Jesse is on track to meet the national qualifying standard in triple jump for the Under 18 age group and to again compete at Nationals in 2025. Well done Jesse.
CSSA Calendar
Download CSSA CALENDAR 2024
Mrs Nicole van Wyk and Mrs Judi Hurst | Teacher Librarian
Storytime 2024
Preschool story time themes for Term 2 are below. Please register your interest with Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu. See the flier for more information.
Scholastic - Issue 3
Issue 3 Scholastic book club magazines will go out this week. Parents can order online at LOGIN (scholastic.com.au). Issue 3 orders close on Friday 17 May.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Kindergarten- Year 2 and YVCS will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 22 May at 10.15am. We are reading ‘Bowerbird Blues’ in CAPA theatre and completing some fun activities. Over two million students in schools and communities across Australia and New Zealand will be participating in this event.
Louise Park - Author Visit
Author, Louise Park will share her love of writing and entertaining with us on Thursday 13 June. All K-6 classes and YVCS will be allocated a session time. There will be more information closer to the event.
HSIE Teaching Position (Part time) https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/employment/hsie-teacher
Casual ICT Assistant
https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/employment/ict-assistant-casual
Casual Teachers Primary
https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/employment/casual-teacher_secondary
This week our staff member of the week was awarded to Mr Tony Hook.
Tony is the consummate team player. He has taken on a Year 12 Geography class after the mid-term resignation of another staff member. He has done this willingly because he always puts the needs of the students and the Faculty first. We in HSIE/Social Science are incredibly grateful to Tony for this and want to formally recognise his contributions.
Week 1 Term 2
This week our staff member of the week was awarded to Rachel Sirone.
Each day Rachel walks her class out to Kiss and Drop 3 and helps students enter their cars safely. She often stays long after other duty staff arrive to ensure parents don’t have a long wait time. Rachel does this service with joy and humility and never looks for any special consideration to be relieved from her rostered duties.
String Lessons and Ensemble Program
Green Point Christian College now has two wonderful string tutors Marina and Monica teaching violin and cello at the school. The school would like to build this string program to a size that we can begin a string ensemble featuring violin, viola and cello. Students that are interested would begin with private lessons in either violin, viola or cello as we build toward an ensemble program in the future. The school will have instruments available to hire in Term 2.
Enquire now to begin in Term 2 or contact Daniel Friend the Music Tutor Administrator (daniel.friend@gpcc.nsw.edu.au) with any further questions.
Uniform Shop
2024 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
Munch Monitor Account Settings
To assist the staff at the Munchery Canteen in serving your children, if you have a Munch Monitor account you may indicate your preferences for snack money, a daily or weekly limit, and if your child has any allergies.
Please note that The Munchery Staff are under strict instruction to follow these preferences. Please log in to your account and update these settings if required.
Please download document below for more information.
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
Kincumber Mobile Blood Donor Centre
Frost Reserve carpark, 134 Avoca Drive, Kincumber 2251
Thursday 16 May – 12.30 pm to 6.45 pm
Friday 17 May – 8.00 am to 2.15 pm
Firewood for Sale
Contact Brian Shaw at the College on 0404 478 341.
If you would like to place an community advertisement in the Green Point Community Notices, please email details to our Messenger Editor, Justine Collins at newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Green Point Baptist Church
Services: 9:30am Worship Service, 6:00pm Service
Services continue to be available online each week.
Coming Up this Week
Monday 6 May
CIS Secondary Swimming Championships
Tuesday 7 May
Current Year 6 Parent Tour and Information session
Wednesday 8 May
CIS Secondary 15&U AFL Trials
CIS Secondary 18&U boys Rugby Trials
Thursday 9 May
Sydney Prayer Breakfast for Year 12 Prefects
Friday 10 May
Primary Mother's Day Breakfast
Primary Mother's Day stall
Year 9 Visual Arts Pearl Beach Fieldwork Excursion
Year 11 Ancience History Ramses excursion
CIS Secondary 15&U and Open Touch Championships
Years 7 - 11 Sound & Vision Operating Training Day
Dates for your Calendar
Monday 13 May
Year 7 - 12 Worship Team Training Day
Wednesday 15 May
CIS Secondary 15&U Boys Rugby League Trials
Years 11 & 12 Visual Arts and Photography Biennale overnight excursion
Thursday 16 May
Years 11 & 12 Visual Arts and Photography Biennale overnight excursion
CIS Secondary NEtball Trails
Year 8 Josie Mitchell Debating Competition
Primary Da Vinci Decathlon at Knox Grammar School - Selected Students from Years 5 & 6
Friday 17 May
Secondary Cross Country Carnival at GPCC
Year 9 Child Studies Preschool visits
TERM 1 DATES 2024
Friday 12 April - Last Day of Term 1
TERM 2 DATES
Monday 29 April - Students commence Term 2
Monday 10 June - King's Birthday Public Holiday
Frday 5 July - Last day of Term 2
TERM 3 DATES
Monday 29 July - Students commence Term 3
Friday 27 September - Last day of Term 3
TERM 4 DATES
Monday 14 October - Students commence Term 4
Wednesday 11 December - Last day of Term 4