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For some time now, the Board of GPCC and the Executive Team have been considering ways to try to future proof the school. Independent schools like GPCC face an increasingly uncertain future with rising costs making them less affordable for families, increasing bureaucratic and legislative demands taking attention away from education, and growing threats from various quarters about on-going Government funding.
Even the governance structure of a school like ours is under pressure as legal responsibilities and liabilities grow, making volunteers less interested in becoming Directors. Remember that as a not-for-profit, our Directors receive no remuneration for sitting on the Board but have significant responsibility if anything goes wrong. The strength of a school depends very much on a strong and wise Board and capable leadership.
There is a growing trend in the Christian schooling sector, for schools to group together with others, not in terms of an Association, which we already have, but to support each other through high quality governance and leadership. Our Board Chair, Dr Kevin Sproats has sought to push us in this direction and for GPCC to take the initiative on setting up such a group. My own experience in New Zealand and Indonesia has been to work in such settings, so the time seemed right to explore this option.
We have therefore formed a new not-for-profit company called the Melos Foundation which will be the umbrella for a group of schools who will commit to work together sharing governance, school leadership and business management expertise. The Melos Foundation will invite other schools to join with GPCC to help each other grow stronger and ensure their long-term survival. We also see this as an opportunity, through shared expertise, to grow new Christian schools.
The GPCC Board and company members are now working through the process for GPCC Ltd to become a participating school and we are in conversation with other Christian schools who have expressed interest in joining us. We hope to have this process finalised by the end of this year.
The implications for GPCC are that we will be able to draw on expertise in education, financial management, leadership etc from other schools in the group, as well as offering our own support to them. Once we become operational, I will share more details of how this will involve GPCC.
Be assured that this is not going to detract from the efforts we are making as a school to grow stronger and become more effective, in fact, the principle of strength in numbers will help us in our own journey forward. Each participating school remains an independent school and its finances may only be expended within each school. This means we will have a pay for service system amongst the group but there will be no sharing of income which is not permitted by law.
Next week I will share more of what this means for us and for another venture we are also involved in for the future.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Goal Setting
Last week I challenged the students to not think of this term as the end of the year, but rather another significant part of their year in which they can still accomplish great things.
Each class set about the task of establishing a class goal and an individual goal and looked at changes they need to make to help them achieve those goals.
Their goals had to be S.M.A.R.T.
Specific - What will be accomplished? What actions will you take?
Measurable - How will you know when you have achieved the goal?
Achievable - Do you have the resources you need to archive the goal?
Relevant - School based/personal or relevant to their class?
Time based – Results could be seen in Term 4.
Take time to discuss your child’s goals with them and how they are working towards achieving these.
COVID 19 Procedures
The College was informed at the end of Term 3 that there is some easing of restrictions in terms of what can occur in educational settings.
I am pleased to announce that:
- There will be a Year 6 and Year 5 Camp this term;
- Year 6 will have a Graduation that will be streamed for parents;
- We are working towards a dinner event for Year 6 to finish their time in Primary School;
- There will be a modified Kindergarten 2021 Orientation Program;
- Orientation for new students 2021 into Primary and Year 7 will still go ahead;
- Parent orientation to Kindergarten and Year 7 2021 will be by a video presentation and a link emailed out to parents;
- Parents and carers are still not allowed on site;
- Drop off will remain at the bottom of the hill for Term 4;
- Chapel services for Primary will be live streamed;
- Monday and Friday morning assemblies will take place for 10-15 minutes only;
- Interschool sport events will begin again this term.
Please continue to look out for emails from myself and Mr Nash regarding any further events and planning.
Summer Uniform
Uniform is an important part of demonstrating that we belong together and represents who we are as a College. Thank you for partnering with us as we teach our students the importance of respecting these uniform guidelines.
As the weather warms up, please ensure all students have a hat with them each day for sun protection. Summer uniforms are now compulsory from the start of Term 4.
Black socks are not part of our formal or sports uniform and should not be worn to school. White socks are to be worn with the girls' uniform and sports uniform, and boys are to wear grey socks.
Jewellery
The girls' Uniform Policy states that no jewellery to be worn except one pair of either gold or silver studs or sleepers in the ear lobe and a watch.
For boys, our Uniform Policy states: no jewellery to be worn except a watch (no earrings are to be worn).
Hats at School
It is now compulsory for Primary students to wear their hats at recess, lunchtime and whenever outside during sport or play. Please take time with your children to find and re-label their sun hats.
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
In an age where technology plays such a large part in our lives and the lives of our children, there are questions we as parents need to ask to make sure that possible harmful effects are mitigated against.
We need to make sure that we are aware of the content our children are accessing is appropriate. Pornography is extremely harmful and addictive. We need to make sure that we have good filtering systems on the internet in our homes.
The amount of time our young people are on technology also needs to be regulated and should never be used as a way of keeping our children quiet. Too much time on technology is also harmful.
Finally, there are a lot of predators out there on the internet and we need to make sure that our students are safe on social media. As parents, you need to set strict guidelines that you are able to check what your child is doing on social media.
Just because technology is difficult does not mean that we can give up in that area. We are the parents and as a community we need to work together to enable our students to use technology in an appropriate way. It is a challenge, but as in all growth and maturing good habits are achievable with hard work and discipline.
Year 12 HSC Examinations
A reminder to please keep our Year 12 students in your prayers as they start their HSC exams this week. Pray for strength and motivation to continue through to the end of this period of time in the best way possible.
Year 7 MAF Incursion
Year 7Y Excursion to Kincumba Mountain
Student Opal Cards
From January 2021 onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan.
These are cards for students who will be in Years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which have not been replaced in the last five years.
Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year.
If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by 1 December 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address Transport NSW has on file.
Secondary Library Borrowing
Our Secondary students have been borrowing well overall, with an 88% increase in Library borrowing from last year. The top borrowing students in each grade were given book prizes last week. Congratulations to these students.
|
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
Year 10 |
|
1st Josh R (48) 2nd Grace R (31) 3rd Olivia F (25)
|
1st William R (44) 2nd Luke R (32) 3rd Abigail V (22) Lily M (22) |
1st Oliver C (68) 2nd Ruby J (47) 3rd Ellia T (40) 4th Lauren G (32) |
1st Bianca F (26) 2nd Byron V (20) 3rd Amelia K (15) |
HSC Students to Have COVID-19 Test Results Faster
Students taking the 2020 HSC exams will now have their COVID-19 test results fast tracked through pathology. They simply need to advise the nurse or doctor doing the test that they are HSC students. Find your nearest testing clinics:
www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics
Mobile Phones
Our policy for the use of phones at school is very straightforward. They are not to be out in class unless the teacher directs their use as a tool in class. They can be placed in the mobile phone tubs as a student enters a classroom. If they are seen, they will be confiscated and given to the Head of School.
All interactions on phones at recess and lunchtime should be positive and we encourage students to minimise their use at school.
Please do not contact your students at school. This makes it very difficult for them to concentrate and adds extra burden on our teachers.
Textbooks for new Year 12 Cohort
Green Point Christian College is pleased to announce our engagement with Box of Books for the provision of digital and physical education resources for the 2021 school year. Box of Books is a proudly Australian owned company that works hard to keep leading schools at the forefront of digital learning.
Please see the video below on how Box of Books works and how we will work together to support your student’s ongoing educational needs.
Box of Books - Service Overview
Parents will also have the option to supplement existing textbooks with a discounted digital license Some families may already have the school prescribed texts in hard copy either through siblings who have completed the subject in an earlier year or through the purchase of the text separately to Box of Books. Where this is the case you can optionally provision the digital version of the text on Box of Books and this can be purchased for a discounted cost.
Box of Books looks forward to supporting your students' learning through their world leading digital platform and 100% COVID safe delivery service for texts and physical resources for school families.
Steps to order:
- Visit https://shop.boxofbooks.com.au to create your parent/guardian account
- Add each student, nominating their school and Year group
- Select the items you wish to purchase from the booklist shown
- Use the checkout to organise postage direct to your nominated address and payment
For further assistance, please see this short informative video guide on How to Purchase Books or contact the Box of Books team through the in-app support function (located at the bottom right corner of the shop).
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information about scholarships and the new Government careers website, Your Career.
For more details, please see this week's Careers Newsletter or visit the "Student Careers" section on the GPCC College website.
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
Nathan Lambert | K-12 Sport Co-ordinator
Last term we ran an exciting competition called the House Cup. Students played a number of games in their House teams, competing in Soccer, Football, Netball, International Handball and Basketball. There were many close matches and great moments, with the Hurricanes eventual the overall winners for the competition.
This term students have been signing up for The League. This is a new big competition at school, both Primary and Secondary, where students form their own teams to compete in either Soccer/Futsal or Basketball. They will be placed in Divisions with the teams in each fighting it out to make the Grand Final (held at the end of term).
WATER SAFETY IN PRIMARY
This term our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Years 3-6 will be involved in their Water Safety programs, with the Kindergarten and Year 1 classes participating in weekly swimming lessons at Kincumber Swim Centre, while Years 3-6 will attend a Surf Safety Day at Terrigal Beach.
Swimming Lessons for Kindergarten and Year 1:
Mondays (Avoca Drive)
- 12:30pm - 1:15pm 1PH
- 1:15pm - 2:00pm 1G
Tuesdays (Kerta Road)
- 12:20pm - 1:05pm KDL
- 1:05pm - 2:00pm KP
Primary Surf Safety Days:
- Monday 2 November - Year 6
- Tuesday 3 November - Year 3
- Wednesday 4 November - Year 5
- Thursday 5 November - Year 4
PRIMARY CRICKET TEAM
The boys in Years 5 and 6 are currently trialling for the Primary Boys Cricket Team. Once this team has been finalised, they will then compete in the CSSA Cricket Knockout beginning in several weeks.
This team may also compete in the Zone Cricket Gala Day held midway through this term, as well as some friendly matches against other schools.
Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child
Collection Date is Tuesday 20 October 2020
The Munchery (Canteen)
Uniform Fittings for Special Sizing
Alinta - Uniform Shop
Story Time
With the easing of restrictions, we can start Story Time again this term. Parents will need to register their interest with Mrs Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au, as we can only have a limited number of adults in attendance. Children starting Kindergarten in 2021 at GPCC will be given preference. As well as stories and a craft, we will do some phonology to aid school readiness. Story Time starts this week, being Week 2, so we look forward to seeing you here.
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
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.
6:00pm 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 5:00pm – 6:30pm (Years 5-6 and Year 4 are invited in Term 4) held in the Jacaranda Room.
GPY (Green Point Youth)
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/
Due to COVID-19, Coast Shelter have had to suspend dinners and are not allowing volunteers to enter.
Coming up
Monday, 19 October 2020
Year 1 Swimming Lessons
Tuesday, 20 October 2020
HSC Examination Period 20 October 2020 - 11 November 2020
HSC 9:50am English Advanced - Paper 1
Kindergarten Swimming Lessons
10W and 10P Rock'n Roll History Incursion
Wednesday, 21 October 2020
HSC 9:25am English Advanced - Paper 2
HSC 1:55pm Music 1 Aural Skills 1:55pm
10R and 10Y Rock'n Roll History Incursion
Thursday, 22 October 2020
HSC 9:25am Ancient History
HSC 1:55pm Tourism Travel & Events
HSC 2:00pm Japanese Continuers
HSC 2:00pm German Continuers
Friday, 23 October 2020
HSC 1:55pm CAFS
Monday, 26 October 2020
HSC 9:20am Mathematics Advanced; Mathematics Standard; 1:50pm Mathematics Extension 2
Year 11 Hospitality Work Placement 2
Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Year 6 Crusaders Camp 28-30 October
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 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, 2021
Wednesday, 6 October 2021 to Wednesday, 8 December 2021