Filter Content
This week we focus on the role of parents as part of our overall philosophy of education and practice. You can follow this link to the full document which is on our website: Link: PoEP
The Christian Scriptures teach us that God places children in families as a means to nurture and grow them. Parents are in fact given priority in Scripture as those who have responsibility for teaching their children and helping them to grow to maturity in accordance with God’s design.
Schools are a late development in human history. They came about largely due to the growing specialisation in societies that placed the scope of learning required by children beyond the ability of most parents. A Christian school in particular seeks to work as a partner with the parents (and preferably, also the Church) in the education of a child. It remains the prime responsibility of a parent to choose a school wisely and then to work with the school in the education of their child.
Parents should not abdicate their responsibility but fulfill it as best they can, using the resources of the school to support them. Any partnership like this is bound to involve some differences of opinion at times as to what is best for the child. Mutual respect for each other’s roles and a commitment to working together to find a positive solution, a good dose of humility and a willingness to try new things can all lead to a successful partnership.
The school, through its teachers and staff, commits to its role to provide a service in the development of the learner and seeks to work co-operatively with parents to see this goal accomplished.’
We live in an increasingly individualised society that tells us we should put our interests first and seek our "rights" above the needs or concerns of others. I am sure we have all experienced hurt as others seek to push their interests over ours and none of us find this pleasant. It forces us to become aggressive ourselves in standing our ground and for many of us, this is not our natural or a comfortable stance to take.
At GPCC we are looking to teach students a different way. This is a way of life that seeks first, to please and honour God in all we do and then to serve others before ourselves. Sometimes this means we get the bad end of the deal, but usually this approach sees us finding a way to reconciliation and agreement.
In working with the school, I encourage you to take this approach. ,From time to time you will need to raise a difficult issue with us. We are working to respond to that, not with defensiveness but with an open ear and heart to fix anything we have done wrong and to find a good way forward. This is what constitutes a strong working partnership between home and school.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Year 5 Tent Learning
Last Thursday, students in 5H turned their classrooms upside down and created a tent city in which to work throughout the day. They used collaborative thinking and persistence to create small group shelters and ensure they did not collapse throughout the day.
Sensory Oasis
We all process things differently and sometimes there are situations in our lives that reduce our capacity to process big feelings that we may encounter each day.
With the help and resources from St Vincent de Paul, we are very thankful to have been able to set up two Sensory Oasis areas. These provide a sanctuary for children who may become overwhelmed by noise, crowds and lights at different times during their education journey. A Sensory Oasis is set up in 3M and in the Library, and are available for use by all of our students as they need them. Some of our students tried out parts of the kit this week and reported the calming effect if had on them.
Year 5 and Year 6 English Seminars
One of the wonderful things about being a K-12 school is the ability to draw on the expertise of our Secondary teaching staff to enhance and enrich our learning. Last week students from Years 5 and 6 participated in an English workshop focusing on improving components of writing. Students spent time looking at elements of crafting well written poems and how to engage students with their imaginative writing.
Years 5 and 6 English Workshop with Mrs McKay, Secondary English Co-ordinator
Year 5 Pottery Lesson
Head of School Awards
Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 4:
Evie M, KDL; Samara W, KP; Everly P, 1G; Harper H, 1PH; Alice H, 2G; Tatum C, 2J; Sam A, 3B; Evelyn D, 3K; Cameron Y, 4B; Alexia M, 4M; Madeleine A, 5D; Hannah M, 5H; Sasha V, 5P; Michael M, 6D; Abigail H, 6M and Ryder M, 6T.
Book Week - CURIOUS CREATURES WILD MINDS - Week 5, Friday 28 August
This year Book Week is a student only event, however that will not dampen the fun and deep literacy learning that will take place for our students during Book Week celebrations.
Students are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Book Week character and come along for a day of rich literacy learning and awesome activities. Classes will be creating their own Book Parade video and uploading to share with the whole school.
Several competitions are running in the Library for our students including:
K-2 Colouring Competition
3-4 DIORAMAS (create your favourite book scene)
5-6 DIORAMAS or “Bookstagramme” Picture
COSTUMES
One of the areas I consistently challenge students on is being mindful and considerate of those around us. What we wear and how we behave often affects not just ourselves, but those with who we come in contact. For this reason we want to extend this consideration to how we dress on days such as Book Week costume day.
Please reflect on the following when preparing your child's costume for Book Week:
- Students should not come to Book Week dressed as witches, warlocks or magicians (including characters from Harry Potter);
- Students should wear a costume that is congruent with their gender, eg male students should dress as male book characters;
- Students should not bring with them any weapons, swords or knives as part of their costumes;
- Students should not represent anything from the occult or spiritual realm such as ghosts;
- Students are encouraged to bring the book that their character is in (this is not compulsory).
There are many many book characters that do not involve purchasing a costume and could easily be created using clothes and accessories already at home. I look forward to seeing the creativity of our students on this fun and exciting day.
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
It is the exciting time of year again where our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes have arrived at the College. This year we are distributing one box per family in the Primary School. The boxes will be given to the oldest child in Primary School, along with an information brochure. A $10 donation is requested by Samaritan’s Purse to cover the postage, and this payment can be made online. Shoeboxes are due back at the College by Tuesday 20 October 2020. Thank you for being a blessing to a child in a developing country. NSW Health Guidelines for Schools
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are flu like symptoms of fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. If your child demonstrates any of these symptoms, please keep them home until such time as they are well or have tested negative for COVID-19. It is still vital that students thoroughly wash their hands during the school day and when they return home from school.
Keep them safe: Thank you for reading through the latest NSW guidelines for schools.
According to NSW Health Guidelines:
- Parents should ensure school pick up and drop off arrangements enable them to physically distance from one another and from staff;
- Physical distancing of students in schools is not required under the AHPPC guidelines;
- Non-essential adults are still not permitted on school grounds or at school events – this includes parents and carers unless specifically approved by the Principal;
- School Assemblies (limited to 15 minutes and no external visitors);
- Parent attendance at assemblies and other school events (eg graduation ceremonies or student speech events);
- Parent volunteers – eg parent reading helpers (Note: Canteen and Uniform Shop volunteers are permitted) https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families#School7 (21.8.2020)
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
Story Time
Story time has been cancelled for the rest of the term as we cannot have parents onsite with current COVID restrictions. I will look into alternate methods to engage our pre-school children.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The PRC closes this Friday 28 August. If your child is struggling to enter their books, please tell them to see Mrs van Wyk in the Library. If you need usernames and passwords for your children, please email me on nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au I have also been visiting Primary classes to help them log their books.
Maker Space
This week in the Library we will be making ‘Curious Creatures’ to celebrate the Book Week theme "Curious creatures, Wild Minds". This is just a fun extra activity for Book Week and will not be judged.
Competition Winners
All competition entries were received last Friday, 21 August. Prizes will be awarded to winners on Friday 28 August, in the afternoon following Book Week activities. We have received some wonderful dioramas, colouring and bookstagramme pictures. These are displayed in the Library and are being judged this week.
Book Club
Issue 5 book orders are being returned this week. Issue 6 will be sent home with students. We are not having a Book Fair this year; Book Club is a great way to still get students excited about reading and 20% of each book purchase is donated by Scholastic for us to get more books for Primary School. Issue 6 orders close on Wednesday 9 September.
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
The HSC Trials are continuing this week and our students have been doing really well in working diligently through these exams. Please continue to keep our Year 12 in your prayers during this challenging time of year.
Year 9 Choicez Seminar
Our Year 9 will be going through a really useful seminar that will help them understand and cope with some of the challenges of our time on Friday here at school. This is a compulsory event for all Year 9. Thank you for your support in encouraging your child to be engaged at this time.
Secondary School Talent
It is great to see the level of talent that our students have across so many different disciplines. There are a lot of photos in this report highlighting just a few of the wonderful works our students have produced in Textiles, Industrial Technology and Food Technology. Well done on all of your hard work.
Year 11 Drivers
Many of our Year 11 students are getting their driver’s licences which is great, but it is important that they complete the Student Driver Permission Form and get it approved before they begin regularly driving to school. They should also not be parking in the main carpark at any time.
Year 11 Yearly Exams Timetable
Year 11 Yearly Exams are from 14 - 22 September. Year 11 students are only required to come to school on the day that they have an exam and must be dressed in their formal school uniform. Please note that all Year 11 students return to normal classes from 23 September until the end of Term 3.
Next Round of Vaccinations for Year 7 and Catch Ups for Year 10
The nurses are coming on Wednesday 2 September for the second vaccination for Year 7, HPV Dose, or first dose catch up of any who missed the first round and wish to have the vaccinations. They will also do any Year 10s who missed their vaccinations in August. A message will be sent to those students who were absent.
Year 10 Textiles Work Samples
Year 9 Food Technology - DIY Cold Rock Ice Cream
Year 10 PASS Self Defence
Years 9 and 10 Industrial Technology - Timber
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information about a variety of scholarships.
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
THE KANSAS IRONMAN
Middle distance events are not easy.
They are short enough to think that you can sprint most, if not all of the way, and then long enough to make you lose hope once you realise it is too far to keep up this frantic pace.
These extremely difficult events, the 400m, 800m and 1500m events, are ones that have brought out some of the greatest moments in Olympic history.
I am sure you all remember Derek Redmond’s 400m run at the Barcelona Games, where coming into the Final, Redmond led at the turn until he pulled his hamstring. Not giving up, he continued on through immense pain to finish the race, demonstrating his courageous fight to finish what he started and to inspire millions around the world to persevere through anything.
Cathy Freeman’s brilliant run at the Sydney Games in the 400m Final was spine tingling. Even at the 200m mark, she had not clinched the race and it took digging deep and pushing herself to suddenly take the lead and win the race.
One name that you may not have heard of before is one of the greatest American middle distance runner Glenn Cunningham.
Cunningham did not start off his running career in the best of ways. When he was eight years old, his legs were very badly burned in a small gasoline explosion. The doctors predicted that he would never walk again and were surprised that he did not die in the fire.With great determination and many hours of therapy, he gradually regained the ability to walk. This took time and using a fence to aid in his walking every day helped him to succeed in walking again. This took two years of immense effort to come back to this level.
When he was 12 he went back to school, jogging regularly. He ran for the joy of running and would beat every athlete of his age during school races.
His amazing courage to defy the impossible, to come back and run again, let alone walk, after experts said that it could not be done, is an inspiration to everyone.
And this wasn’t the end of his story.
He continued running and with the iron determination that he showed in his youth, trained hard and was selected in the Olympic team for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. He finished 4th in the 1500m and had not even reached his peak yet with still more to come.
In 1934, Cunningham competed in the 1 mile Event (1600m - 4 laps) at Madison Square Garden, an event that thousands upon thousands turned up to watch, and many thousands were turned away as the venue was full.
After the first lap, Cunningham was a close second, but made his move on the second, taking the lead and holding it steady. The pace was fast and he wanted to see if he could set a fast pace and push at the end.
The third lap, he went even faster and looked hard to beat. This continued, opening up a large gap to the next placed runner. The crowd cheered loudly for him, realising that though he was beating their home favourite, he was running at such an incredible pace that something amazing was about to happen.
Cunningham crossed the line in first placed in a time of 4:06:70 with a new world record!
His strategy of running the last half of the race faster than the first had paid off. His split times were impressive: 1:01:80, 1:04:00, 1:01:80, 0:59:10.
After his impressive performance at the 1932 Games, and then his world record in 1934, Cunningham was feeling very confident heading into the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
These Games, which were watched on by millions and Hitler himself, would be an Olympics to remember.
His 1500m race was extremely fast, with Cunningham running a new USA record of 3:48:40, only just beaten by New Zealand runner Jack Lovelock 3:47:80. He finished 2nd, receiving a silver medal for not just his race, but for the years and years of persistence, training, effort and determination to get him there in the first place.
Glenn Cunningham is one inspirational athlete. Going from being told he will never walk, to setting a world record over 1 mile and then making the Olympics, and winning a silver medal, is something that we can all be inspired by.As his favourite verse from Isaiah 40:31 quoted:
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
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.
Green Point Trader
Part-time Work/Mother’s Helper: We are looking for a mother's helper/nanny to help us with two children three mornings a week (Monday - Wednesday 7:45am - 9:00am) with the morning routine, and school and daycare drop off. We live close to Erina Fair. You will need a reliable car and a full driver's licence for this role (we will provide a car seat). Non-smoker. The preference will be given to a parent or carer, who is dropping the kids at the same school. If you are interested in this position, please let me know. Phone Ana 0498 023 451.
Play Cricket in Gosford - Join Brisbane Water Cricket Club: Follow this link for more information and registration days.
Play Cricket in Kincumber - Avoca - Join Brisbane WaterKincumber - Avoca Cricket Club: Follow this link for more information and registration days.
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
Sunday Mornings
Sunday Worship Services on Facebook and Zoom 9:30am. Kids Church and Youth are happening onsite 9:30am. Parents are welcome to watch the live stream in the Worship Centre.
6pm Service
The Youth and Young Adults focused gathering on Sundays has recommenced in the Jacaranda Room. Social distancing and other COVID-Safe practices are in place, but it is exciting to have our evening crew connecting again.
Thrive
Fridays 5pm – 6:30pm (Years 5-6) Jacaranda Room
GPY
Fridays 7:30pm – 9:30pm (Years 7-12) Jacaranda Room
Life Groups – Prayer Nights – Mainly Music – Coastal Friends – Coastal Craft – Leisure Time – The Vine – Bible Study and other groups gather through the week, however due to COVID-19 some currently have alternate arrangements.
Please contact the Church office office@gpbc.net.au to find out more and keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates. We are registered as COVID-Safe.
Phone: 4369 1585
Email: office@gpbc.net.au
Website: www.gpbc.net.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenpointbaps/
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, 24 August 2020
8.50am Trial HSC SOR 1U & 2U; Physics
1.30pm Trial HSC CAFS
Primary Stage 3 Dance
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
8.50am Trial HSC Society & Culture
1.00pm Trial HSC Biology; Business Studies
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
8.50am Trial HSC PDHPE
Primary Stage 2 Dance
Thursday, 27 August 2020
12.00pm Trial HSC English Ext 1; Chemistry
Friday, 28 August 2020
8.50am Trial HSC Geography
1.00pm Drama (Written); Ext 1 Maths, Events (VET)
Primary Book Parade and Activities
Year 9 Choicez Seminar Incursion
Saturday, 29 August 2020
HSC Japanese Continuers Oral Exam Day
Monday, 31 August 2020
1.00pm Trial HSC History Extension
Primary Stage 3 Dance
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