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Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal
NAPLAN
This week, individual NAPLAN results have been sent home to families of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. If you've opened a newspaper or watched the news recently, you will have noticed that the release of these results has sparked another round of national NAPLAN analysis, something that is quickly becoming one of our national pastimes. As a result, many schools come under the spotlight, either for strong results or areas of concern.
Headlines such as "The country is failing," "Students slipping behind," "[School X] has found the secret sauce," or "[Teaching method Y] is the future" are common. These are often accompanied by colourful graphs that represent one perspective on a complex picture.
What is often missing from these conversations is the broader context of education and an understanding of its moral purpose. Education is so much bigger than NAPLAN. The NAPLAN assessment provides a one-day snapshot of a student's progress in literacy and numeracy. It holds some value in helping teachers track learning and identify areas for growth, but it is just one tool among many.
Here at GPCC, we use NAPLAN to inform our practice and support student progress. We also draw on a wide range of other tools that offer more immediate feedback, allowing us to respond quickly and meet the individual needs of our students.
I often say to staff: if we aim solely for NAPLAN or the HSC, we will likely miss our broader goal. But if we aim beyond these assessments, towards deeper, purpose-driven educational outcomes, we will not only achieve those goals, we'll reach the NAPLAN and HSC targets along the way.
At GPCC, we offer a holistic education that prepares students for life. Our moral purpose as a College is to equip students for lives of redemptive action, grounded in biblical perspective. We strive to help students embody our Learner/Graduate Profile, developing the skills assessed by NAPLAN and beyond. Often, it is the "beyond" that plays the greatest role in shaping a student's long-term purpose, motivation, and success.
For those interested in results, in 2025 we saw approximately 80% of all students achieving either "Exceeding" or "Strong" results, compared to a national average of 65% and a NSW average of around 67%. As a College, we will be carefully reviewing the data to identify both areas for celebration and areas for ongoing improvement.
If you have questions about your child's individual NAPLAN results, I encourage you to contact their class teacher directly.
Partners in Education Event
A very warm welcome back to school for our Primary Students this week. We were all delighted to see so many happy faces in our playground and classrooms.
As a College, we will be exploring our learning muscles of 'Serving, Honouring and Connecting' which will be the focus of our Chapel services this term. Our bible verse focus for the term will be:
John 12: 26
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me."
100 Days of Kindy
Today, our Kindergarten students celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten in style. To mark the occasion, they dressed up with some fun costumes that included glasses, grey hair, and walking sticks. The fun didn't stop there, they also took on the challenge of counting 100 licks of their lollipops. The day was filled with laughter as they reflected on all they've learned and accomplished so far this year. Here's to many more exciting days ahead.
Parent Partnership
Thank you to our teachers for taking the time to meet with parents at our Parent Partnership interviews on Wednesday and thank you to all who attended throughout the afternoon and evening. We so appreciate the opportunity to meet and discuss how we can continue to support your children in their education. If you were unable to make a time to meet with your child's teacher, please don't hesitate to contact them to organise a time.
Winter Uniform
Year 6 Canberra Trip - PACER Acknowledgement
Welcome Back to Term 3
As we begin Term 3, we warmly welcome all students, staff, and families back to school. We hope the break brought rest, renewal, and meaningful time together as families. It is always a joy to see the campus come alive again with the energy and enthusiasm of students returning, ready for a new season of learning and growth.
Term 3 marks a significant and emotional milestone in our school year, the final term for our Year 12 students. Over the coming weeks, they will complete assessments, prepare for their final HSC exams, and share in special celebrations that honour their time at the College. This term is about more than academic preparation; it is also time to reflect on the journey that has brought them here and the character that has been formed along the way.
I am reminded of Matthew 5:16:
"In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven."
As Year 12 students move into this final term, I encourage them to continue using their gifts in a positive way, to bring good to our school community and to bring glory to God.
We have also welcomed a number of new students and families to the school this term. So, to all families, whether this is your first term at the College or your last, we look forward to walking alongside you, trusting that God will continue to shape us into a community of people ready to take redemptive action in our world and beyond.
Student Learning Interviews are an opportunity for Students and Parents to meet with their teachers. These will be held in the Library from 4:00pm until 8:00pm for all Secondary (Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12) students and their parents/carer.
Tuesday 12 August 2025
Bookings have opened on Tuesday 22 July 2025 (during School Holidays) and close at 4:00pm on Monday 11 August 2025.
The easiest way to learn how to book your appointment is to watch the short video Booking Parent Teacher Interview once you have accessed your Parent Lounge account.
Careers Advisor: David Russell
Year 10, 11, 12 students and parents are invited to book an appointment with the Careers Advisor Mr David Russell who can provide information regarding careers and post school study. Please phone reception 4369 1266 or email office@gpcc.nsw.edu.au to book appointments.
Christian Ministry (Discovery)
Mrs Rebecca Gavin will be available during the afternoon. Parents and/or students are encouraged to meet with Mrs Gavin if they have questions about the subject Discovery, Mission/Service Trips or other Christian Ministry. There is no need to book an appointment.
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
Zone HCSZS Primary Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to our GPCC Primary Athletics Zone squad who will compete at the HCSZS Zone carnival on Tuesday 5 August (Week 2).
Information has been emailed to parents of competing athletes. Please complete the required information re travel arrangements.
We are looking forward to a great day. Go GPCC.
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NSW PSSA Cross Country
A huge congratulations to Chloe B (Year 4) who competed at the NSW PSSA Cross Country Carnival at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre last week. Chloe competed in the 10 Year Girls Multi Class race running 2km in a time of 00:15:47:2. This a great result for Chloe who has now qualified for Nationals later this year.
What a fantastic achievement Chloe, well done.
Dates for your Calendar
For upcoming Carnival, Sporting dates and further information, click on the link below:
Sports Page..
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Mr Chris Harris | Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator
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Cross Country Championships
Well done to Lara B (Year 8) who competed in the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre during the school holidays on Tuesday, July 22nd. In the 12–13 years age group, Lara placed 9th out of 202 runners, finishing the 3 km course in an impressive 11 minutes and 42 seconds. In the 13 years age group, she placed 8th out of 105 runners and was 4th overall in the CIS school group. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to her training, dedication, and perseverance. Lara is now the second reserve for her age group for the National Cross Country Championships—an outstanding result. Congratulations, Lara.
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Game On: Scarlett's AFL Debut
Congratulations to Scarlett S (Year 11) who made her debut in AFL for the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants in their U17 Academy team against the Sydney Swans this past weekend.
This is to her credit after months of hard work in training and is another step forward in her AFL journey.
For upcoming Carnival, Sporting dates and further information, click on the link below:
Mrs Nicole van Wyk and Mrs Judi Hurst | Teacher Librarians
Book Week Dates
Week 5 of Term 3 is Book Week. The theme this year is 'Book an Adventure'. The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is also celebrating 80 years of Book Week celebrations. Primary students will have Literacy Day, Buddy Reading, Book Parade and Dress up, a teacher readers theatre, a BBQ and a fun fair. Secondary students will get a chance to Dress Up. More details to follow.
| Date | Event | Focus Audience |
| 13 August | Book Quick (Belmont Christian College) | Yrs 5-8 (selected teams) |
| 27 August | Literacy Day | K-6 |
| 28 August | Buddy Reading | K-11 |
| 29 August | Book Week dress up parade and fair | K-6 |
Term 3 Storytime
Preschool story time themes for Term 3 is below. Please register your interest with Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu. See the flier for more information.
Scholastic Book Club - Issue 5
Issue 5 orders can now be placed online at LOGIN (scholastic.com.au)
Online Library Resources
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Staff Member of the Week - Jess Gardiner
Jess Gardiner demonstrates Godly character, creative and critical thinking, a commitment to lifelong learning, and active engagement with the community.
The creative work for the Secondary School musical was exceptional. If you saw our production of "The Wizard of Oz" last term, you know it was more than just a collection of songs performed on stage. Each scene required innovative thinking to seamlessly combine elements of music, dialogue, acting, choreography, and stagecraft, all of which involved extensive workshopping and rehearsal time with the students. And there were many scenes!
This was Jess’s first musical project with GPCC. Although she put in a lot of extra hours leading up to the musical outside her part-time loads, this nomination is for faithfulness, which she demonstrated through diligent work. Collaborative efforts and passion during rehearsals and planning resulted in a visual and auditory spectacle that truly immersed the audience in the world of Oz.
Jess willingly and intentionally used her creative gifts, entrusted to her by God, to serve our school community, showcasing unity and aiming to make a spiritual difference in people's lives.
English Faculty Poster Design Competition - NOW OPEN!
Do you love to draw, design, or create art?
Do you want to use your creativity to promote something powerful?
The English faculty are running a Poster Design Competition open to all students in Years 7–10, and we want YOU to design a poster that encourages students around the school to enter the exciting writing competitions happening this term!
Your Mission:
Design a poster that advertises one or more of the current writing competitions at school. Your goal is to inspire your peers to get involved and enter!
Each year group has been assigned a poster for a specific writing competition (see competition links below).
You are to design a poster to be put around the school that promotes one of the following writing competitions:
- Year 7 - Entry Form: 2025 Hilarie Lindsay Short Story Competition
- Year 8 - Poem Forest
- Year 9 - Sisters in Crime Australia or Somerset Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition | Somerset Storyfest
- Year 10 - Competition - ABC Heywire or Somerset Storyfest National Poetry Prize | Somerset Storyfest
(please note, students may still enter different competitions to the one they have designed the poster for).
Key Dates:
- Your final poster submissions will be due by: Friday 8th August to your English teacher via email.
- Winners will be announced Monday 11th August
- Top entries will be displayed around the school and on our school website!
Good luck and happy creating!
The Second Hand clothes store will NOT be running 6 August 2025. Apologies for an inconvenience.
HSC Trial Exam Volunteers
BUSWAYS TIMETABLE CHANGE - SCHOOL BUS 2000
There has been a timetable change to School Bus 2000 commencing 4 August 2025.
Please see details of timetable change in the link below:
Busways Timetable - GPCCWhat is NCCD?
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students takes place every year. It counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment or “extra assistance” with their learning and the level of adjustment required to access education on the same basis as other students. The information is de-identified and is supplied to the Australian state and territory governments.
CENSUS INFORMATION COLLECTION
Please take a moment to review the important information regarding 2025 Census Information Collection at GPCC. You can access the details through the following link: Census Information Collection. It is essential for all families to be informed about this process, as it supports our school in meeting regulatory requirements.EXITING GATE 4 AT THE AVOCA DRIVE ROUNDABOUT
A reminder that if exiting the College grounds via Gate 4 into the Avoca Drive roundabout that traffic can be flowing fast in the morning, or can be built up in the afternoon, with both scenarios meaning it can take some time to gain access onto Avoca Drive.
Therefore, for safety reasons we are encouraging those exiting and heading towards Kincumber to exit from the top exit (Gate 4). For those heading to Saratoga/Davistown or Green Point we recommend driving back down to the main entrance (Gate 3) to exit further down Avoca drive and not directly into the roundabout. As always, we encourage our families to be conscious of other drivers on the road and to show respect and courtesy whilst exiting the school property.
Please refer to College Map below.
WITHDRAWAL REMINDER
A reminder that as per Green Point Christian College's Enrolment Conditions, you must give 10 weeks’ term time notice in writing to the Registrar prior to withdrawal of your child. Without this notice, 10 weeks’ fees + GST will be charged for each student enrolment being withdrawn. This amount is a genuine pre-estimate by the College of the loss that it would suffer due to insufficient notice.
Please advise in writing via registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au if your child will be leaving GPCC.
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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Play Cricket
Lifeblood - Terrigal
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Green Point Baptist Church
Services: 9:30am Worship Service, 6:00pm Service
Services continue to be available online each week.
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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