Filter Content
Last term we began looking briefly at our GPCC Philosophy & Practice of Christian Education. We continue this week by considering the purpose of education.
Link to Philosphy & Practice of Christian Education
In the book of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we see laid out for the Israelites God’s desire for each generation to be taught about life’s chief purpose – to know and glorify Him as Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer.
The story of Scripture is the story of the creation of humankind and their placement in a world designed for them, their subsequent rejection of the authority of God their Creator and His plan to provide a way for the restoration of humankind and their fellowship with Him and their return to God’s original purpose for them.
Education, the discipling of the next generation, is focused for Christian believers on teaching our children to love God with all their being and to live according to His ways. This involves equipping them to fulfil His original mandate for them (Genesis 1:28).
That is why through the Scriptures (Psalm 78 for example), God reminds His people of their history and the part He has played in rescuing and restoring them, giving them purpose and hope. In Romans 12, we are challenged to renew our thinking so that we too, may live rightly.
Christian teachers have the task of helping students to learn about the world, themselves and others and to help them see their need to worship and follow God. We do this through the unveiling of His glory in the examination of the creation and the development of human ability; that is what education is about.
This work must involve the Gospel (Good News), as no true transformation of understanding or lifestyle can take place until the sinner becomes the saint through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Every student can grasp something of the desirability of living a certain way in order to appreciate and engage in a purposeful, meaningful and ordered life.
So, we recognise that throughout the Biblical narrative, the Gospel is much more than just a story of personal salvation from judgement; it is also a revelation of nature and humanity, their purpose in existence, their fallenness and God’s plan for their redemption. It is through the story of God that we can help students become lifelong disciples equipped to live as God intended, glorifying Him and bringing redemptive service to a now broken world.
The purpose of the Christian school is not just to create a safe environment or to bring students to a place of personal salvation; it is a truly discipling agent that helps students learn how to live life God’s way, equipping them for a life of action and service for good in the world. The goal of Christian education is the restoration of full humanness to each person so that they may fulfil their ultimate purpose.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
COVID 19 Procedures
Our world continues to change and in response to this some restrictions will still remain in place throughout this term.
Firstly, we continue to ask parents to please say goodbye to students at the bottom of the hill and not enter the College campus unless you are going to the Uniform Shop.
Primary will recommence our 10 minute outdoor Monday and Friday morning assemblies from Week 1, however we will not be gathering together in the MPC for Chapel this term. Classes who are rostered on for Chapel will be recording their Chapel items and classes will watch these in the Chapel time in their classroom. I have been delighted with the different, creative ways that our Year 6 Leaders have continued to lead our Chapel services and look forward to what is to come in the near future.
Students will still be encouraged to wash their hands and sanitise as they enter classrooms and will be assisting in cleaning their own learning spaces throughout the day.
Parent / Teacher Interviews - Thursday 6 August
Parent Teacher Interviews for the Semester 1 reports will be held on Thursday 6 August. Interview timeslots are open for bookings through the Parent Portal. If you wish to make an additional appointment with your child’s Maths teacher you will need to contact the office to book this in.
Please be aware that this term interviews will be held in students' classrooms and interviews with specialist teachers will be in the Library.
GREEN POINTS
Students in the Primary School have begun to collect “GREEN POINTS!” for demonstrating examples of kindness, co-operation and diligence throughout the school day. This new initiative to encourages positive work habits and prosocial behaviours amongst students and has met with great excitement as students work towards different levels of achievement.
Each incremental level of achievement will be attached to a Parent Lounge notification, promoting communication between home and school. Take time to discuss some of the ways your child could demonstrate some of these behaviours.
In Kindergarten students are collecting their Green Points in party bags.
RSVP for “Reading Night” - Parent Workshop - 18 August 2020
Parent Workshop run by literacy consultant, Renea Watkins from Association of Independent Schools (AIS). This informative night will walk you through the research behind the explicit method of reading instruction being used in the College and the importance of decoding. There will be first-hand information about the Big 5 components to reading, along with helpful information about how to assist your child in their reading journey. This is not a night to be missed and numbers are limited – register here for this event.
NCCD – National Consistent Collection of Data
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about support provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). Please read information in this newsletter that explains further the importance of this process.
100 Days of Kindergarten
On Friday our Kindergarten classes celebrated 100 days of being at school. So many students dressed up in creative costumes representing the number 100. Among them were 100% charged, 100 pompoms, $100 dollar notes, and several 100 year old students. Throughout the day the students played number games, made crowns with 100 jewels and reflected on all the things they have learnt so far in Kindergarten. We are so proud of the resilience and perseverance these students have demonstrated over what has been an unusual start to their education journey.
Practicum Students
The Primary would like to welcome four beginning teachers from Avondale College to their Practicum experience. Our Practicum Students will be here for three weeks. Please make them feel welcome.
Miss ADAMSON in 2G
Mr BORROTT in KDL
Mr RUMBEL in 3K
Miss SAUNDERS in 5H
Extend - OOSH
Our Extend OOSH service is open. If you have a child in Primary School and would like to make use of this service, please contact Extend Before and After School Care support@extend.com.au or call 1300 366 437.
Library News
Book Week
Book Parade will be held on Friday 28 August, however it will look a little different this year. We are still dressing up but families will not be coming onsite. Instead, there will be a video made for the school community to view costumes and join in on the fun. Activities are free this year; students will not require any money on the day. A BBQ will still run, but all food and drinks will be pre-ordered with COVID safe serving to classrooms.
Maker Space
Our Term 3 Maker Space- Cardboard Arcade winners are:
ES1/Stage 1- Vaaris M
Stage 2- Jiya M
Stage 3- Sidney B (photo below)
Prizes were handed out last Monday.
Story Time
Story Time is starting up again this term for our pre-schoolers. The themes are included on the flyer below. Please join us again for stories, craft and singing. All school families and 2021 Kindergarten students are welcome.
First Day of Term 3
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
Years 8 and 10 Subject Selection Information Videos (Online)
A reminder that you can now access the Information Sessions online via the GPCC website. (links below).
We encourage you to watch the two introduction videos from Mr McLellan and Mr Nash, and the video from Mr Russell first. Following these introduction videos are links to all the subject choices listed in alphabetical order. Selecting the link for each of these will open the video in a new window, with a PDF copy of the slides accompanying most presentations.
The method for choosing electives will continue as normal with students choosing their top four electives from which we will form lines of those subjects that will be running in 2021. Students will then choose their two electives choices from these two lines of electives for next year.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Chris Haines, Year 8 Advisor at chaines@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266..
Mr David Russell, our Curriculum Co-ordinator and Student Advisor presents information regarding NESA requirements for subject selection and how the ATAR is affected by subject choice.
Presentations are also made by staff from each of the offered subject areas.
We encourage you to watch the introduction video from Mr McLellan and Mr Nash, and the video from Mr Russell first. Following these introduction videos are links to all the subject choices listed in alphabetical order. Selecting the link for each of these will open the video in a new window, with a PDF copy of the slides accompanying most presentations.
More information can be found in the Senior Courses Handbook 2021 located on our webiste.
If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Matthew Newell, Year 10 Advisor at mnewell@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266.
Years 7 -12 Parent/Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 4 August 2020
Online via MS Teams
On Tuesday 4 August 2020 (Week 2, Term 3) we will have Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 7 -12 online via Microsoft Teams from 4.00pm to 8.30pm.
Bookings are open to parents through the Parent Lounge.
Bookings will close at 4:00pm on Monday 3 August 2020 and we will not be able to accept any further bookings after this time.
Your interview will be held on your child’s computer at the allotted time that you have booked, so you must have access to their computer. All interviews will run for 7 minutes.
On the Parent/Teacher Interview evening you will be invited to a meeting on Microsoft Teams by your child’s class subject teacher for the interview. You will need to use your child’s computer to join the meeting. It is highly recommended for your child to be in attendance.
If you are new to the College and have not used this booking facility before, please contact the office to obtain your family number.
If you have not already done so, you will need to set yourself a password by following the instructions.
The easiest way to learn how to book your appointments is to watch the short video once you have accessed your account, under “School Links” tab, and select “Help Videos”. Please take a few minutes to watch this video as it will make the process much easier for you.
As with all our interview processes, if you have difficulties or do not have access to the internet, please telephone the office 4363 1266 and we will assist you.
Year 10 Interviews Monday 10 August and Tuesday 11 August
Every year we run compulsory Year 10 interviews that involve a discussion with students, staff member and parents to investigate the student’s strengths and future direction. It also involves discussion of a student’s plan after Year 10, including a focus on their goals over the next few years, whether returning for the HSC or heading in a different direction. These are highly valuable interviews and enable a time of reflection and planning.
You will need to book an interview for you and your child through the Parent Lounge on TASSWeb. Bookings for the Year 10 Interviews are now open and will close on Thursday 6 August 2020 at 4.00pm.
The interview will be conducted with a teaching staff member who has undertaken training in the Strength Potential Program.
If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Matthew Newell, Year 10 Advisor at mnewell@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or 4363 1266.
Year 10 Vaccinations and Year 7 Catch Ups
Year 10 vaccinations for Meningococcal will be on Wednesday 5 August and the information/permission packs were sent home last week and need to be returned or brought on the day of the vaccinations and given to the nurses. There will also be any Year 7 vaccination catchups on this day.
Science News
The Science department are excited to engage with a new “blended learning” initiative and believe it will complement our delivery of excellent Science education at GPCC.
The College has purchased a subscription to STILE for Years 7-10. “The STILE Education Platform was developed by Dr Alan Finkel, Australia’s Chief Scientist, and was backed in by the CSIRO for its teaching approach that communicates engaging, relevant, up to date Science discoveries with hands on practical activities in a easy to navigate digital platform.
Our uptake of STILE with students has already been very positive – please ask your children about it.
Year 11 Biology students mapping a transect profile in the school’s arboretum on a sunny winter’s morning. #blendedlearning
Mrs McKay’s Year 12 Devotion class welcomed our Counsellor, Mr Jarel Kilgour speaking about how to maintain good mental health, create helpful habits and address stress and anxiety. #wholelearning
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information about resources for HSC students and also information for those who may be interested in an apprenticeship with Central Coast Council next year.
For more details, please see this week's Careers Newsletter or visit the "Student Careers" section on the GPCC College website.
Mr David David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
Nathan Lambert | K-12 Sport Co-ordinator
GPCC HOUSE CUP (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY)
This term will see the beginning of a new competition at our school for both Primary and Secondary students - The Intra School House Cup.
Students will compete in House teams in a range of sports at recess or lunchtime.
The competition will be in stage groups and days allocated are listed below
Tuesday Recess - Stage 2
Wednesday Recess - Stage 3
Thursday Lunchtime - Stage 4
Friday Lunchtime - Stage 5
PRIMARY HOUSE SPORT
Students in Years 3-6 will begin their weekly House Sport competition on Fridays with a range of sports on offer. Students will be placed in their House teams and in a weekly round robin format. Our Primary classes also begin their Dance unit in Week 2, with Miss Gemma Payne coming into the College to teach their weekly dance lesson.
Students will spend several weeks learning a type of dance in the following styles:
- Hip Hop
- Contemporary
- Bollywood
INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION with Coast Christian School
We are hoping to having an interschool sport competition with The Coast Christian School this term for students mainly in Years 5 and 6. This will occur 3-4 times this term, held on Fridays during our sport time. More information including permission notes will be sent directly to classes as we draw closer to the events.
NATIONAL FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Gold Coast will be the home of the National Futsal Championships in October. Towards the end of Term 2, the Central Coast held their trials at the Adventist School for this tournament. A number of students from the College attended these trials, vying for selection in the various age groups. It is with great delight that I announce that Oliver C (Year 5) and Aidan V (Year 6) were both selected in the Central Coast U/11 Team. Congratulations to both of these boys for making the team.
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2020).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.
More information on this process is in the following PDF Flyer.
Please contact Mrs McLarty (Deputy Principal K-12), jmclarty@gpcc.nsw.edu.au if you require further information.
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/children (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.
Thank you.
Exam Provisions Volunteers
The HSC Trial Exams are on Monday 17 August 2020 to Monday 31 August 2020 and we are looking for volunteers to assist as readers, writers, or supervisors for Exam Provisions.
As restrictions are easing, we are now able to hold our annual Volunteer Seminar where you will be able to refresh yourself of exam procedures or if you are new, learn procedures for the first time.
Below are the session times and dates. We understand that although you may have volunteered for several years, attending a session is always helpful to refresh procedures and to note any changes that may have occurred.
Session 1
Tuesday 4 August 2020 at 9:30am in L5 (Support Services area)
OR
Session 2
Wednesday 5 August 2020 at 9:30am in L5 (Support Services area)
The sessions will run until approximately 11:00am and morning tea will be provided. Time has been allowed in the sessions for questions and feedback.
If you are interested in volunteering or for more information please contact Ann McLellan on 4363 1266 or via email on amclellan@gpcc.nsw.edu.au .
Term 3 Open Day and Tour
Thursday 13 August 10:00am - Lunch
Open Day is an excellent opportunity to hear from our Principal, Mr Phillip Nash, to meet our Heads of School and other teaching staff, and to be hosted by our students as they lead tours of the College.
Please register via our online form to assist with numbers for catering and space requirements.
Registration for Open Day Thursday 13 August 2020
Canteen
NOW AVAILABLE at The Munchery
$2 HOT MILO before school and at recess.
Be sure to check out the daily lunch specials on Munch Monitor – including NACHOS on Tasty Tuesday.
The Munchery (Canteen) has now resumed full time operating hours.
Green Point Trader
Maths Tutoring: High School Maths Tutoring by a previous GPCC student who is now studying Secondary Education in Mathematics at Macquarie University. Monday to Friday after school hours, within walking distance of school. Hold current Working With Children Check. Contact Kieran Madden 0490 380 684
If you would like to place an advertisement in the Green Point Trader, please email details to Marie Hay at newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Green Point Baptist Church
In light of the current COVID-19 crisis, Green Point Baptist Church has suspended all regular Church activities and has encouraged any Church member who is not in a high-risk category to find ways to serve the vulnerable in their community. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the Church office on 4369 1585 or office@gpbc.net.au
GPBC has moved their services online:
SERVICE TIMES
Sundays
Thrive
Coast Shelter Restaurant
Due to COVID-19, Coast Shelter have had to suspend dinners and are not allowing volunteers to enter.
Coming up
Monday, 3 August 2020
Year 12 Biology Online Excursion to the Museum Human Disease
Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Year 6 Parents - Tour of Secondary
7-12 Parent Teacher Night on MSTeams
Wednesday, 5 August 2020
Year 10 Meningococcal Vaccinations
APSMO Maths Olympiad - 6T
Thursday, 6 August 2020
Junior Band Practice
Primary Parent/Teacher Interviews
Friday, 7 August 2020
Senior Band Practice
AIM Boys Mission Trip 7-14 August
Monday, 10 August 2020
Year 10 Re-Entry Interviews
Uniform Shop
Normal Operating Times
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday during the School Term:
8:30am - 11:00am
(Closed Wednesdays)
Afternoons by appointment only.
Contact (02) 4367 9954
gpcc@alinta.com.au
Canteen
The Munchery
The Munchery (Canteen) has now returned to full operating hours.
Visit The Munchery page on our website
Munch Monitor
New to Munch Monitor? Order your school lunches each morning before 8:30am via Munch Monitor from home, for a hassle free start to your mornings.
We have daily menu specials as well as popular items available every day of the week.
www.munchmonitor.com
Username: greenpoint
Password: munch2251
TERM DATES 2020
Term 3, 2020
Monday, 27 July 2020 to Friday, 25 September 2020
Term 4, 2020
Tuesday, 13 October 2020 to Wednesday, 9 December 2020
TERM DATES 2021
Term 1, 2021
Wednesday, 27 January 2021 for Years 1 - 7, 11 and 12
Thursday, 28 January 2021 for Kindergarten and Years 8 - 10
to Thursday, 1 April
Term 2, 2021
Tuesday, 20 April 2021 to Friday, 25 June 2021
Term 3, 2021
Monday, 19 July 2021 to Friday, 17 September 2021
Term 4, 2020
Wednesday, 6 October 2021 to Wednesday, 8 December 2021