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Mr Joel van Bentum | Principal
The Importance of Family Time
Our lives these days are so very busy and full of distractions. This is particularly the case for families. There is often so much going on; school activities, church activities, sport activities, music, dance, the list can go on and on. As parents we are the taxis, shepherding and helping our kids to do thing they love and see them flourishing. However, it can seem that as a family we are so busy doing things that we have very little time to be a family.
So, how can families find ways to be family together? This is an important question because young people that feel loved and connected to their parents are much more likely to flourish. When I get asked this question, there is always one thought that I share and that is to eat together at a table as a family as often as possible.
Being at the table together as a family and eating together is a powerful act of love and hospitality. The breaking of bread and the sharing of a meal is used all throughout the Bible. Meals are used to mark hugely significant events such as the Passover and the Last Supper. They are used to mark feasts and celebrations like the wedding at Cana. They are used to welcome the stranger and the alien.
Sharing a meal at a table is a mark of togetherness. In our current culture it is a quite counter cultural, as it emphasises the communal nature and togetherness over individuality. It fosters connections over separateness. It fosters intimacy, love and service.
Now, not every meal together is magical, the power of eating together at the table comes over time as bonds form. Some meals are short and quiet, others long and wandering, all meals make a statement about the value of time together.
So, can I encourage you to consider how you do meals together. Do it as often a practical. Develop some unique things that mark the time as your family. A good meal together will have the following markers:
- It is led by the parents
- It is a technology free zone – no phones at the table and no TV
- It has a clear beginning when everyone is at the table – you might begin with a prayer or a blessing
- It is marked by service – you serve each other at the table and then it is clear who will clear and clean up
- It is marked by conversation – this takes time to develop and there are some great question prompts you can use to facilitate this for all age groups from toddler to teenager
- It has a clear end – the time is closed in a clear way.
I pray for all our families that your meals might be times of deep intentional connection that supports the flourishing of our children.
Partners in Education Event
As we think about the importance of slowing down, sharing meals, and making time for intentional connection, I am pleased to invite you to our Partners in Parenting event next Monday, 25 August. Come and be encouraged as we explore together how to create rhythms that help our families flourish. To register visit our WEBSITE.
Foundation Day - 43 Years
Our 2025 Foundation Day was one to remember. From inspiring performances by talented students and alumni, including our Wakakirri piece and a reprise from The Wizard of Oz, to the joy of gathering as a community, it was a powerful reminder of how God is using each of us to shape and transform the lives of the young people entrusted to our care.
We were also blessed to welcome our largest number of alumni yet for the Foundation Day lunch and assembly. A special highlight was hearing keynote speaker Jamie Beveridge share how his time at GPCC strengthened his relationship with God and how God continues to stir the hearts of our alumni well beyond graduation.
Here’s to 43 years of faith, learning, and community, and to all that’s still to come.
The complete photo gallery is available to view in the NEWS section of our website
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Wakakirri
Once again, a big congratulations goes out to our Wakakirri Troup who were awarded a State Award for their performance, "The Light I See"and will be progressing through to the finals which will be held at NIDA in September. More details about this will be communicated to parents of the Wakakirri students soon. Well done.
Before School Activities
Just a reminder that if your child attends a before school activity in the CAPA theatre or music rooms, please remind them to NOT walk along the road, rather to use the pathway alongside the MPC. Many staff are driving through to the back carparks in the morning so it is imperative that students stay off the road.
Year 3 Walkabout Excursion
This week, Year 3 visited the Walkabout Park Wildlife Sanctuary, getting up close with some amazing animals. It was a day full of discovery, fun, and connection with God’s creation.
"The Protectors" Show
Book Week
Next week, we celebrate ‘Book Week’ in the Primary School, please read the information about this in the Library section of the newsletter.
Partners In Education Event
Our next ‘Partners in Education’ evening will be held next Monday 25 August at 7:15pm in the MPC. Guest speaker, Brad Marshall, is recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts in excessive internet and screen use otherwise known as Internet Addiction or Gaming Disorder. This is a free event. Please register your attendance via our WEBSITE.
Save the Date - Grandparents Day
We are very excited to announce that we will be holding a K-2 Grandparents Day on the morning of Monday 27 October (approx 9:30am – 11:30am). This event will take place in Week 3 of Term 4. More details and an official invitation will be issued at the beginning of Term 4.
Students of the Week
Gennaro A; KR, Sienna L; KS,Jayden D; 1G, Harrison R; 1PN,Judah L; 1S, Joni T; 2G,Kingston W; 2J, Felix D; 2K,Cass G; 3M, Noah F; 3BM,Moses P; 4H, Hallie H; 4KM,Ella K; 4P, James N; 5B,Vaaris M; 5L, Isla C; 5T,Anabella P; 6A, Alessia S; 6B,Lucy O; 6SM
Perseverance
This term in assembly we are continuing to look at the topic of perseverance.
Whether it is in sport, study, learning a skill or a language, or any other endeavour, things rarely come easy at first. It is in these early stages that people often decide that "this isn’t for me" when they don’t experience instant success. Perseverance means choosing to continue, even when you fail or when progress feels slow.
Roger Federer spent 237 consecutive weeks as the Number 1 tennis player in the world, winning almost 80% of his matches. However, during all of those matches, he only won 54% of the points he played. That means he lost 46% of the time, and kept going. He didn’t walk off after a bad point. He stayed focused, stayed consistent and trusted that if he kept doing the right things, the wins would follow.
In the same way, we want our students to understand that growth rarely comes from instant success. It comes from trying, failing, adjusting and trying again. This is particularly important in learning. If a maths concept or paragraph structure or musical piece feels difficult, that doesn’t mean you are not good at it, it just means you are in the learning phase.
This term, we’ll continue encouraging students to:
- Embrace challenges rather than avoid them
- See mistakes as part of the learning journey
- Keep going even when they feel like giving up
- Celebrate effort, not just results
Mr Stuart McSwan | K - 6 Sport Co-ordinator
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CSSA Primary Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to the 21 students who represented GPCC and our HCSZS Zone at the CSSA Primary State Athletics Carnival this week in Blacktown.
Stay tuned next week for results.
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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Xavier - U14's State of Origin Oztag Team
Congratulations to Xavier B-M (Year 9), who has again been selected in the NSW Under 14’s State of Origin Oztag team, to compete in Coffs Harbour next month. In addition, Xavier has been chosen to represent the Central Coast Oztag team at the National Oztag Tournament, also being held in Coffs Harbour this October. We are extremely proud of Xavier’s dedication, effort, and achievements, well done.
CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to the 28 students who represented GPCC at the CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival this week in SOPAC.
Stay tuned next week for results.
Dates for your Calendar
For upcoming Carnival, Sporting dates and further information, click on the link below:
Wakakirri
Well done to our students who performed at Wakakirri 20025. They were awarded a State Award for the performance, ‘The Light I See’ and will be progressing through to the finals which will be held at NIDA in September.
MADD Night 2025
The complete photo gallery is available to view in the NEWS section of our website.
Mrs Nicole van Wyk and Mrs Judi Hurst | Teacher Librarians
Book Week Competitions
- K-2: Colouring Competition
- 3-6: Book diorama (we have some photocopy boxes in the library). Recreate a scene from your favourite book
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Primary Book Week Information
Parents will be notified to accept this event in Parent Lounge. Our students dress up as a favourite book character for the day. The cost for Book Week BBQ lunch and fair is $5.00. This covers all lunch costs and activities for the afternoon. Gluten free and vegetarian lunch options are available. Food will be delivered to students in the Primary eating area. Activities include jumping castle, hair spray, face painting, cookie decorating, soccer shoot out, bocce, basketball machine, tattoos, lolly guess, chalk drawing and more. It is a great community day.
Parents are invited to the student parade at 11:45am and to stay for lunch and games during the afternoon. Allow plenty of time for parking. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to purchase a sausage and drink on the day after Primary students are seated.
Students are reminded to please wear appropriate clothing – enclosed shoes, no mid-rift, no thin straps or short skirts/shorts.
We kindly ask that students refrain from wearing costumes related to witchcraft or violence, such as witches, wizards, or vampires, as these themes are not endorsed by the school.
Secondary Book Week Information
All Secondary students are encouraged to dress up and join in the fun for Book Week 2025 on Friday, 29 August.
Students are reminded to please wear appropriate clothing – enclosed shoes, no mid-rift, no thin straps or low necklines or short skirts/shorts.
We kindly ask that students refrain from wearing costumes related to witchcraft or violence, such as witches, wizards, or vampires, as these themes are not endorsed by the school.
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 flyer for more information.
Online Library Resources
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Staff Member of the Week - Brooke Slatter
Since joining the GPCC Marketing team, Brooke has quickly demonstrated a natural aptitude for her role, bringing creativity, initiative, and a strong sense of purpose to everything she does.
Brooke engages so naturally and wholeheartedly with our school community, whether it’s chatting with parents, making students feel comfortable in front of the camera, or encouraging staff, Brooke brings warmth and sincerity into every action.
Brooke has taken complete ownership of the Marketing Shine Week initiative and is joyfully telling stories from around the College in such a delightful and engaging way. Brooke is excelling in the area of social media and consistently demonstrates the qualities of a lifelong learner, eager to grow, refine her skills, and expand her knowledge each day.
Brooke is a collaborative team member who thrives on exchanging ideas and brings a creative, outside-the-box approach to her work. She is deeply passionate about communicating the heart and mission of the school.
Brooke doesn’t just do her job; she ministers through it, living out her faith with integrity and grace. She carries God’s light wherever she goes, and our community is brighter because of her.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Access Ways Returning to Normal Operation
This week the College received full occupation for the new Administration Centre which means the stairs running from the Student Window up to the canteen and library are now operational.
This long awaited access means that from Monday 25 August we can return students to entering and departing the College via this preferred pathway.
Consequently, we will now close off the temporary bollards and bunting leading from Little Coasties up into the Primary Campus.
Parking in P3
Parents parking in P3 to walk their children into the College are encouraged to use the ramp or stairs on the western side of the Administration Centre which leads up to the Student Window and then around into the Primary and Secondary campuses.
We request that parents choosing to meet their children in the afternoon do so at the front of the Multi-purpose Centre (MPC), as was our past practice.
The College appreciates the patience our parent community have shown as this project has reached full completion.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Student Allergy and Sensitivity Information
We ask all parents and guardians to review and update their child's student profile to include any known food allergies or sensitivities, particularly those that may require the use of an EpiPen or antihistamine, as recommended by your GP, even if a formal diagnosis of anaphylaxis has not been made. It is essential that the school has accurate and up to date medical information, along with an action plan from your child's GP, so we can respond quickly and appropriately in the event of a reaction.
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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Literacy Event
Camp Australia
A warm, practical webinar with parent expert Lael Stone, helping parents build strong relationships with their kids - even during the tough moments.
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Remember:
- Buses are large, heavy vehicles that cannot stop quickly
- Please give way to buses
- Slow down to 40km/h when bus lights flash – as children may run out from behind or in front of the bus unexpectedly
- Hold on while travelling and remain seated until the bus stops .
Please take some time to read through the NSW Road User Handbook and watch the videos below on current regulations for School Zones and Bus Safety.
Green Point Baptist Church
Services: 9:30am Worship Service, 6:00pm Service
Services continue to be available online each week.
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