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Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal
Principal Advisory Group
Last Monday evening we had a meeting of our Principal Advisory Group. The Principal Advisory Group is a group of parents who give up some of their time to provide advice and support to the Principal and as such the wider leadership team.
The group has been in place since Term 3 2023, and I have been working with them since 2024. They provide a conduit between the wider parent community and the Executive, and they also bring their own professional expertise to the group. We have discussed issues such as responses to bullying, uniform changes, co-curricular opportunities, the College Master Plan, community engagement, communication, and how we remain faithful to our vision as a College. I have valued their insight and consideration of these and many other areas.
The Principal Advisory Group represent just one of the many behind the scenes processes that occur across the College and I am thankful for all the quiet and faithful work that occurs.
You can engage with the Principal Advisory Group in several ways. If you have ideas, feedback, or suggestions you'd like the group to consider, simply fill out the form on our Principals Advisory Group webpage. There, you'll also find a list of current members, meeting minutes, and the Group's Terms of Reference. We welcome your input and look forward to hearing from you.
Due to some resignations, we are also looking for a couple of new members. If partnering with the College through being part of the Principal Advisory Group interests you, then you can complete an expression of interest form below.
I am thankful for the work of the Principal Advisory Group and look forward to our ongoing work.
The Wizard of Oz Production
Our Secondary School musical production of The Wizard of Oz was a smashing hit, with the an overwhelmingly posiitve feedback.
A huge congratulations to our incredibly talented students and dedicated staff, who poured countless hours, both in and out of class, into creating such a magnificent show. Your passion, teamwork, and creativity truly shone on stage.
Well done to everyone involved, you made magic happen.
Please click on the Ruby shoes below to follow the yellow brick road home to The Wizard of Oz Picture Gallery.
Persevere
This week, I had my first morning of the year where I needed to remove ice from my windscreen before driving to school. As we approach the end of a winter term, it is not unusual to find it harder to get moving on colder, darker mornings. Both students and staff are feeling the weariness that comes at this time of year, and that’s completely normal.
It’s important to name this season for what it is. Energy is low, motivation can dip, and even small tasks can feel heavier. This is not a sign that something is wrong, it’s a very human response to the demands of the school year and the impact of the season.
And yet, it’s also a powerful time for growth.
These moments in life when things feel harder and we are tempted to give up, can also be an opportunity to build perseverance. Being a persevering person is when you have the quiet strength of continuing to show up, do your best, and hold on to your goals, even when it would be easier to give up.
Let’s finish the term well.
Routine School Vaccinations – Online Consent Now Open
- Year 7 students are eligible for free vaccines against:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Year 10 students are offered the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
GPCC School Vaccination Clinic Dates 2025:
| Year 7 - HPV and dTpa | Tuesday 1st July 2025 |
| Year 10 - Meningococcal/ACWY | Tuesday 2nd September 2025 |
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
What a truly wonderful week it has been across our Primary School. It has been a week filled with joy, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the amazing world God has created. From exciting classroom moments to extraordinary experiences beyond the school gates, our students have embraced every opportunity to marvel at the world around them.
Year 6 Canberra Trip
Our brave students ventured into the heart of our nation’s capital, facing chilly weather with determination and good spirits. This rich and immersive experience gave them the chance to deepen their understanding of democracy and the workings of Australian government (not to mention giving the teachers an opportunity to beat them in laser tag). We are incredibly thankful to our dedicated teaching staff, Mrs Stubbs-Mills, Mr Mayhew, Mr Brown, Mr Brinton, Mrs Harris, Mr Oldfield, Mr McSwan, and Mrs Rutlidge who gave up time with their own families to accompany the students, your commitment is truly appreciated.
We are very grateftul that GPCC has received funding assistance from the Australian Government, through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program administered by BUSY At Work, to support our Year 6 students’ excursion to Canberra, as students visited key civics institutions as part of their Civics and Citizenship studies.
The Wizard of Oz
Year 5 Bathurst Trip
Don’t Miss Out – Book Now for the Rocketeers Winter Holiday Program
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
CIS Cross Country- Primary
Last Thursday we had six students represent GPCC and our CSSA association at the CIS Cross Country Carnival.
This is a huge achievement to compete at this level of competition. There are competitors from independent schools across NSW, with often well over 100 students per race.
All of our GPCC students did an amazing job with many finishing in the top 50.
A special mention to Chloe B who finished in first place in the Primary – Junior Girls multiclass division and as a result has qualified for the NSWPSSA (All Schools) Cross Country carnival in July. Amazing effort.
Well done Chloe B, Ivy H, Harry T, Amelie W, Alex K and Lucy G. We are very proud of you.
High Jump and Girls Shot Put
Earlier this week we held our High Jump and Girls Shot Put events from the Athletics Carnival. Well done to all students who competed and did their best. Stay tuned for the HCSZS Zone Athletics Squad announcement shortly.
Dates for your Calendar
Mr Chris Harris | Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator
AFL Junior Gala Day
The boys and girls AFL Junior Gala Day was a huge success, with many students playing an AFL game for the first time.
There were standouts all across the field for both teams and plenty of goals kicked.
The girls in particular battled hard all day, playing with one less player on the field due to late withdrawals.
Sophie's Achievement
Congratulations to Sophie C (Year 8) who recently completed in the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships. She represented the College in the 12/13 Years Girls 100m Breaststroke. Sophie swam a fantastic time of 1:20.44, placing third. As a result of her performance, Sophie has been named as a reserve to represent NSW All Schools at the upcoming School Sport Australia (SSA) Championships, which will be held in Brisbane next term.
CSSA Secondary State Netball
Well done to our Junior Girls, Senior Girls, and Senior Boys netball teams who represented GPCC at the CSSA Netball Gala Day in Penrith on Tuesday 17 June. It was a big day, with teams playing 7–8 games in their pools, all competing for a spot in the finals.
The Senior Girls finished 3rd in their pool, just missing out on the finals. The team showed growth and determination. The Junior Girls played with passion and resilience throughout the day, making it all the way to the semi-finals before narrowly bowing out. A special mention goes to our Senior Boys, who became the first-ever male team to represent GPCC at this event. They made an unforgettable debut, being undefeated all day and winning the grand final convincingly.
It was an outstanding effort from all teams. Their teamwork, fair play, and relentless effort were noticed and celebrated by their coaches. A huge thank you also to Chloe B, Lily D, and Mia G for giving up their time to umpire, the day couldn’t have happened without you.
CIS Cross Country
We extend our congratulations to the nine students who represented the College at the CIS Cross Country Championships, held on Thursday 12 June at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.
Our runners delivered outstanding performances, with many achieving personal bests. We also sincerely thank the parents who assisted with transport on the day.
A special commendation goes to Lara B (Year 8), who placed 8th in the 13 Years Girls event. As a result of this achievement, Lara has been selected for the NSWCIS Cross Country Team and will compete at the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships on Tuesday 22 July.
![IMG_3126[61]](https://gpcc.schoolzineplus.com/_image/media/9239/img_3126_61_.jpg?ts=1750310932)
Boys Futsal - Juniors and Opens
The Junior Boys team gave it their all on the futsal court, showing passion and determination throughout the day. Although they were unable to defend their title, the team demonstrated resilience and growth, adapting their tactics and formation as they gained insight into their strengths and areas for improvement. Their perseverance paid off with a well-earned win in their final game, after which they proudly supported the Senior Boys in their grand final.
The Open Boys team, led by Captain Kaden L (Year 12), delivered an exceptional performance to retain the HCSZS Futsal Shield. Undefeated throughout the tournament, the team executed a highly skilled and tactical campaign, dominating every match with precision and confidence. A special mention goes to Hunter M (Year 10), whose outstanding goalkeeping saw him keep a clean sheet for most of the day.
The boys’ final match was a fantastic display of teamwork and talent, reflecting years of dedicated training and commitment. They displayed admirable sportsmanship and humility, making the College proud.
![36c9a8a5-48ed-42d5-b04f-b02579404297-1_all_15820[45]](https://gpcc.schoolzineplus.com/_image/media/9242/36c9a8a5_48ed_42d5_b04f_b02579404297_1_all_15820_45_.jpg?ts=1750311269)
![36c9a8a5-48ed-42d5-b04f-b02579404297-1_all_15823[60]](https://gpcc.schoolzineplus.com/_image/media/9243/36c9a8a5_48ed_42d5_b04f_b02579404297_1_all_15823_60_.jpg?ts=1750311270)
Wakakirri
With rehearsals well underway, we are thrilled to welcome Paralympian and GPCC parent, Matt Formston, to our campus next week. Matt will be sharing his inspiring story, the very one that sparked the creative vision behind our 2025 Wakakirri Spectacular.
This is a special opportunity for students to connect with the heart of the performance and be inspired by real-life resilience and courage. Click the picture below to learn more about Matt's story.
Please refer to Schoolbox for all rehearsal schedules and important dates.
Mrs Nicole van Wyk and Mrs Judi Hurst | Teacher Librarians
Term 2 & 3 Storytime
We are coming to the end of Term 2 with only two weeks of story time left. Preschool story time themes for Term 3 are below. Please register your interest with Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu. See the flier for more information.
Scholastic Book Club- Issue 4
Issue 4 orders are closed. Orders should be out before the end of the term.
Online Library Resources
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First Nations Observances
During the second half of Term 2 each year there are three significant events for all Australians. Sorry Day, Reconciliation and NAIDOC. They are not just for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; these days are observances for everyone.
First Nations events open a conversation where all Australians can discuss our shared history, rich cultural experiences and find a way forward for a strong, inclusive Australia.
NAIDOC
We will be celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures during Week 10 (30 June- 4 July).
We will be hosting visitors from Brewarrina: Urayne Warraweena, Lacey Boney & Bailee Nicholls.
They will be sharing cultural, music, dance, and art activities with students over three days.
| Tuesday 1 - Wednesday 3 July |
Breawrrina Visitors: Urayne W, Lacey B, Belinda B, Maddy H. |
K-12 |
Cultural activities Bush Foods, Art & Dance. |
| Term 2, Week 10. Wednesday 2 July |
NAIDOC Week "The next generation: Strngth, vision & legacy" |
K-12 LIFE |
Brewarrina Greetings. Presentation, Cultural Celebration, Community Engagement. 2.20pm |
Mark, or “Parto” as he’s known around campus, is intentional in building strong and meaningful connections with both students and staff. Whether he’s coaching a sports team or organising social events, Mark brings energy, care, and a genuine heart for community into everything he does.
His passion for teaching is evident in the way he continually strives for excellence in his profession. It’s inspiring to see a young educator so deeply invested in his work and the people around him.
Thank you, Mark, for the enthusiasm, dedication, and community spirit you bring to our school.
HSC Trial Exam Volunteers
Term 2
Friday 4 July - Last day Term 2
Term 3
Monday 28 July - Students Commence Term 3
Friday 26 September - Last Day Term 3
Term 4
Monday 13 October - Students commence Term 4
Wednesday 10 December - Last Day Term 4 for students
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2026 TERM DATES
Please see link below for 2026 term dates
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Camp Australia
FREE Webinar: Navigating Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing
In today’s digital world, children are spending more time on screens, often on platforms not suited for their age. This free webinar with Dr. Coulson will cover:
- How screen time and algorithms affect mental health
- The importance of real-world experiences
- Practical tips for parents to set boundaries and build connections
- How to talk to kids about digital risks
The session includes a live Q&A, where parents can ask Dr. Coulson their questions directly. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical advice for supporting your child’s digital wellbeing.
Dance Camp Holiday Program
Green Point Community Notices
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Firewood for Sale
Call Brian for further information: 0404 478 341
Green Point Baptist Church
Services: 9:30am Worship Service, 6:00pm Service
Services continue to be available online each week.
One of the hopes behind this initiative is that it will be a blessing to our school community, offering connection, encouragement, and support to GPCC parents and carers in the early years of parenting.
If you would like to place an community advertisement in the Green Point Community Notices, please email details to our Messenger Editor, Christina Hutchinson at newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
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