Well, it finally happened – we opened the new Kiss and Drop zone! As is often the case, it did not mean an immediate resolution to all our traffic issues, in fact it compounded them on the first day. However, with your co-operation we will make it work.

Let me remind all of you with children in Kindergarten to Year 2 that you must aim to pick up no earlier than 3:20pm to allow time for the classes to get to the Kiss and Drop zone, and to prevent a back log of cars spilling out onto Avoca Drive. We do want to be good neighbours and not add to the traffic issues unnecessarily. I have fielded a number of complaints from local residents upset at the added journey time for them when we have blocked the road.

It is also important that you do not park in the parking area set aside for staff and students (P3) even though on some days it looks inviting. Exiting that parking area to join the Kiss and Drop line is exacerbating the back log onto Avoca Drive. Again, coming later means the traffic can flow through more smoothly and we are off the main road.

Please respect the right of the Little Coasties parents to use Entrance 2 and do not use it as a short cut to join the new Kiss and Drop zone. We will be blocking off that road up the hill from now on. If you are collecting your child/ren from the bottom of the Administration hill, please park in the main carpark but not near the Little Coasties or Church office building unless you are also collecting a child from Little Coasties at the same time.

Another issue we are having is those who are exiting onto the Avoca Drive roundabout once the traffic starts to flow smoothly again, are having great difficulty getting across to turn right or go straight ahead to Saratoga. We are monitoring this and if we see that it is too difficult, we will get you to do a U-turn at the top of the Kiss and Drop zone and exit our the main entrance where you came in. We will look at what we can do to make that U-turn more manageable for larger vehicles too.

It is fair to say that the issues of traffic around our area have not all been down to GPCC. There seems to have been an increase in traffic flows on the coast, possibly because more people are working from home and are out and about more. The wet weather last week certainly added to slower trip times as it always does. The start of school always adds extra cars to pick up time and that settles down as the children get back into routine.

I do encourage you to put your children on the bus if at all possible, as that reduces traffic numbers considerably. We are looking at a couple of buses that are consistently late each morning and afternoon, and we are following this up with the bus company and Transport NSW.

Please be extra careful when driving on the school property. We had a close call between a bus and a car last week and we do not want an accident or anyone getting hurt as a result of impatience or carelessness.

ACSI Flourishing School Culture Initiative - Survey Results

Towards the end of 2020 I invited parents, staff, students, Alumni and Board members to take part in a survey put out by the Association of Christian Schools International. This survey helps schools review how they are going in becoming a flourishing school.

Based on a review of the literature and the findings of a meta-analysis of leading Christian schools’ expected student outcomes, the Flourishing School Culture Model has been developed. The model focuses schools on 5 key areas: purpose, relationships, learning orientation, expertise and resources and well-being. This survey highlights GPCC’s meaningful strengths and our key growth opportunities in these areas.

You will find on the website the full School Profile report and if you refer to pages 10 and 11 you will get a summary of the key findings. We are using these to help shape our School Improvement Plan for 2021.

Thank you to all those who took time to complete the survey. I am open to responding to any questions or comments you may have in relation to the survey, so feel free to contact me.

Phillip Nash

Principal

Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary

Sponsor Children

Our GPCC Primary School sponsor eight children from across the globe.

More than ever before, children trapped in poverty around the world need our support. Sponsorship helps equip the most vulnerable communities with the knowledge and resilience to cope with crises like the Coronavirus.

Each week we ask that students do one or two jobs around the home to earn a small amount of money that they can give to support these sponsor children. This is collected in our classes and presented at Chapel. Please take time to ask your children about their class sponsor child.

Parent/Teacher Partnership evening Tuesday 23 February

Thank you to those parents who attended our Meet the Teacher night. It was wonderful to hear from our outstanding teachers about their plans for the year ahead and to spend a short time meeting other families within the grade.

Our next evening is Parent/Teacher Partnership interviews on Tuesday 23 February. More information about how to make your 10 minute appointment with the class teacher will be sent out soon. Please make sure to prioritise this in your diaries.

COVID restrictions – End of settling in period – Parents on site

• With the start of the year we were permitted to allow new parents to walk students to class for the first few days. This period has now finished and from the beginning of Week 3 we ask that parents use the Kiss and Drop 1 or 3, or walk their child to the bottom of the hill.
• Parents or adult volunteers helping with essential school activities such as reading groups, activities, and essential curriculum activities may enter the school property.

Kiss and Drop 3

Thank you for your patience as we work through the teething issues of this new section of the College. A few things that we would appreciate you considering in regards to afternoon pick up:

• Please make sure your child knows where they are being picked up each day. Routine is best (same place each day) but a note in the lunchbox is a good reminder of change to routine.
• K-2 carers, please try to develop independence by using the new Kiss and Drop and entrance 3. This will also ease congestion in the other areas.
• If you need to change arrangements, please contact the office.

Kids Hope

We are excited to be partnering with Green Point Baptist Church in launching the Kids Hope mentoring program this term. Kids Hope is an early intervention, school-based mentoring program that has been operating in Australia since 2004.

The program aims to develop emotional and social resilience in children, and so enhance their capacity to learn. The model is built on a long-term partnership between a local school and a local church. Carefully screened and trained mentors from the church meet the children for one hour per week at the school. Over 20,000 children have been matched with mentors in Primary schools all around Australia. The results show that the program changes lives. We have seven mentors ready to go and are in the process of selecting the students that would benefit from this kind of new relationship. Please click link below for more information. 

Our Year 6 classes

Kindergarten 2022

If you have a child that will be starting GPCC in Kindergarten in 2022 please apply via our website as soon as possible Kinder 2022 Enrolment.

If you know of any families who wish to enrol their child in Kindergarten in 2022, please direct them to email our Registrar, or to Book a Tour

Primary Internet Safety Day

On Tuesday 9 February our Kindergarten - Year 6 classes will have an Internet Safety Day to highight key safety messages. Click link for more information: Safer Internet Day - Tuesday 9 February 2021

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

It was great to be able to meet as a whole Secondary School this week. What a blessing! Around 600 students meeting together to remind ourselves that we are in community with others from all Year groups. We are together in all that we do and that places a responsibility on each of us to be outward looking towards the needs of others.

This coming Monday 8 February is our Thanksgiving and Academic Service for 2020. Many students will be receiving awards and they need to be in their formal uniform on the day. Unfortunately, the shadow of COVID continues to limit the outside visitors who are allowed on site, so we are unable to allow parents to attend the assembly.

Uniform

Please continue to ensure your students are wearing the correct uniform. Girls particularly need to wear their skirts to the appropriate length that meet the requirements of the College Uniform Policy.

Drivers

If your child drives to school, they must complete the appropriate "Permission to Drive to School" form which was handed out at a recent Year Meeting or can be obtained from the Office. This form has details of the car and permission signatures from their parents and the parents of any other student(s) they have permission to carry as passengers. It is important that this procedure is followed by all students who drive to the College.

Swimming Carnival

Our GPCC Secondary Swimming Carnival is coming up on Friday 26 February 2021. A reminder that this is a compulsory school event and more information will be sent soon.

Years 11 and 12 Parent/Teacher Night – will be held Tuesday, 2 March 2021 for Years 11 and 12 (depending on COVID restrictions).

Year 7 Meet the Teacher and Faculty Night – will be held on Tuesday, 9 March 2021 in the MPC (depending on COVID restrictions). 

Year 7 Camp

Next week will be fun-filled for Year 7. Can I please request students be at the school at the latest by 7:30am on Wednesday morning – we will meet in the MPC to mark rolls and head down to the buses, so we can leave by 7:45am and get to camp by morning tea time. We anticipate being back at school by 4:00pm on Friday. We will contact the office if there are any delays. 

The Camp is on Wednesday 10 February to Friday 12 February 2021. 

Digital Discipleship Citizen News

The College is implementing a “Digital Discipleship Citizen” program from Year 3 through to Year 12. The aim of this program is to help our students stay safe whilst using technology, encouraging them to use it wisely and to highlight the impact technology can have on students’ wellbeing and their relationships with friends, family and God. A Digital Discipleship Citizen is a person, who has learnt about the following (and acted upon):

• Digital Conduct (Christian Conduct) – Benefits and negative effects of technology;
• Digital Footprint (Spiritual Footprint) – Positive and negatives effects of posting online;
• Digital Relationships (Godly Relationships) – The effect technology can have on our relationships with one another and ultimately God;
• Digital Health and Wellbeing (Spiritual Health and Godly Wellbeing) – Knowing how to stay safe online and where to get help from;
• Digital Law (Biblical Principles) – Knowing when it is right and wrong to use technology;
• Each Semester each Year Group will receive a presentation (of about 75 minutes), specifically aimed at their age. Students will then need to complete a short online series of questions to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the content;
• Secondary students will be starting the program during weeks three to six and Primary School students during weeks six to eight.

For your information the content that will be covered for Secondary School Students is as follows:

Year 7: “How to be Internet Awesome”

Concepts of ethical responsible online use. 

Year 8: “What is your brand?”

Understand strategies in which you can build and maintain a positive digital brand. 

Year 9: “How to combat cyberbullying and stop the harm it causes.”

Be an upstander and not a bystander and your digital reputation. 

Year 10: “Explore the impact of nude teen photo scandals”

What drives bad behaviour and why do things happen. Potential Pathways to resolution. 

Year 11: “The Internet and the Law”

Taking, sending and distributing nude pictures and defamation.

Year 12: “Define cyberbullying, sexting, and digital reputation”

Critically evaluate the social and legal implications of a range of negative behaviour.

From Mrs McKay, English Co-ordinator

When students graduate from GPCC, one of my deepest hopes is that they have confidence, humility and discernment as they engage with the ideas, stories and people of their world. To this end, in English this year we will be encouraging students to participate in a range of writing activities and competitions, both within the school context and from around the country. This will provide students with opportunities to develop and refine their own voice in the real world of publication and communication.

Information on these opportunities will be presented to students in class as well as notifications in The Messenger. Writing will include short stories, poetry and feature writing. 

We hope this will provide inspiration and motivation for students to write about what matters and to use their voice to make a difference. 

Stay tuned!

Tiny Science Lab - New Innovation

Our students were very excited to be the first in the world to use Mr Strickling's "Tiny Science Lab".

He has developed a system where smaller schools and home-schoolers who cannot afford normal sized Science Laboratories can perform all of the regular experiments, just on a tiny scale.

Mr Strickling's "Tiny Science Lab" is big on education, big on safety and yet tiny on cost. He was excited to hear some of the Year 7 students who trialled the equipment to exclaim they were going to be Scientists as they exited the lesson.

Photos: Mr Strickling's Tiny Science Lab 

This week’s Careers Newsletter has information for those interested in studying Medicine next year using the UCAT Test as part of their entry process – see the General News section in the Careers Newsletter.

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

Hunter Schools Team Mountain Bike Championships

Congratulations to our Primary House Captains who were presented with their badges at Chapel by our House Patrons. 

EUA EAGLES

Captains: Bronte McKee and Benji Tarditi

House Patron: Mr Lambert

HA’APAI HURRICANES

Captains: Jacob Ghantous and Zeke Myers

House Patron: Mrs Reynolds                                                     

TALOA WARRIORS

Captains: Joella Wilson and Blake Leivesley

House Patron: Mr McSwan                     

VA’VAU BREAKERS

Captains: Emily Falconi and Callum Burling

House Patron: Mrs Burton

Farewell to JP Fleury

Last week we farewelled our wonderful and much-loved Band Director JP. The College was truly blessed and is grateful for his passion and expertise.  We wish him all the best in his new role closer to home. 

We held our first first Band session for 2021. Our new Band Director Mr Brendan Berlach met the College Band and is keen to continue to build on the solid foundations JP has established. There is a very exciting year of Music ahead!

If you are interested in joining one of the College Bands or in private music tuition, please fill in the enrolment form.

Private Music Tuition

Please access the Private Music Tuition Brochure for 2021 by clicking on this link:  Private Music Tuition Enrolment Form

New Singing Tutor - Ashlee Bennetts

"Hello my name is Ash and I’m a professional singer and songwriter from the Central Coast. I’ve had the opportunity to perform across Australia and internationally in the USA, as well as writing for myself and other artists. My singing school has been growing since 2017 and I am incredibly excited to bring my singing lessons to your school. If you like singing, want to improve on your performance or vocal techniques or even perhaps get some assistance with your songwriting, let your music teachers know or send me an email at ash@ashraemusic.com for any enquiries on my lessons. You can find my music and socials here. Can’t wait to hear from you!! Blessings, Ash" 

Secondhand Uniform Shop - Weeks 3 and 4 

Most of you will be aware that the school was hosting a secondhand uniform shop outside the back of the Administration building on a monthly basis (pre-COVID). This was staffed by generous parents (Glenda Carter, Kay Soede and others).

Given that there is a significant amount of stock that has built up over the Christmas holidays, and the beginning of the year is a peak demand period, we will host a temporary "pop-up shop" in room A1 (end of the building adjacent to Administration).

Subject to demand, the secondhand uniform shop will run for two weeks with a third week and additional days/times made available if required.

The shop will open during the following time slots:

Monday 8 February 2:30pm – 3:15pm   

Tuesday 9 February 8:20am – 9:00am

Thursday 11 February 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Friday 12 February 8:20am – 9:00am

Monday 15 February 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Tuesday 16 February 8:20am – 9:00am

Thursday 18 February 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Friday 19 February 8:20am – 9:00am

Please visit or phone Reception on 4363 1266 to book a time.

To ensure COVID safety please note the following:

• Maximum of two customers in the shop at any time.
• Please practise social distancing.
• Credit card payment preferred.
• Please queue and wait to be invited inside.
• Bookings only – made through reception please.

Library News

Scholastic Book Club

It’s a new year and a great time for students to KICK-START their reading habits and routines.

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 1: Please order by Thursday 18 February 2021

Books are delivered to your child’s classroom in Primary School. Secondary orders will come to the Library. A guide for parents is provided on Book Club_Guide_for_parents. Parents can place orders: Click here to order.

Story Time is back

We will be meeting for stories, craft and fun in the Library at 9.15am on Monday mornings, during the school term. This is a fun time for pre-schoolers and their parents. Parents will need to sign in at the office. Due to COVID restrictions on numbers please RSVP by calling the College office on 43631266 or email.We will also sanitise as we enter the Library. We look forward to seeing you there. Click this link for the Story Time schedule. 

Library Monitors 

Years 5 and 6 students are invited to become Library monitors. These students would come once a week to help with Ipads or craft, shelve books and help younger students find books. Interested students can ask Mrs van Wyk for more information.

Library Lovers’ Week

In Weeks 3 and 4 Secondary English classes can book into the Library for speed book dating. This coincides with Library Lovers’ week, reminding students to love books and their library.

Position Vacant

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

Munchery News

The Munchery is open for business every day from 8:00am – 2:00pm and accept lunch orders from students and staff across the counter and also electronically.  A comprehensive, healthy selection of food is available for recess and lunch. The Munchery have been approved to operate following the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Lunch orders can be placed online each morning prior to 8:30am.

The Munchery have partnered with Munch Monitor (www.munchmonitor.com) to provide an online ordering and payment system. Parents access this system by browsing the Munch Monitor site at https://www.munchmonitor.com 

Username: greenpoint        Password: munch2251

Book at EXTEND for 2021 (Before and After School Care)

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.

Green Point Trader

Variety Heart Scholarships

Variety Heart Scholarships support kids with a demonstrated talent who are living with a disability, chronic illness or financial hardship, to pursue their dreams and realise their true potential. Scholarships of up to $5,000 are awarded in Sport or the Arts and can be used for a range of things including uniforms and equipment, coaching and lessons and other expenses. Please click on link for more information:
Variety Heart Scholarship

Year 7 Girls Expressive Art Workshop

A space for teens to explore the emotional challenges of starting a new phase in Secondary School run by Heart and Mind Collective. Please click on this link for more information: Y7_Girls_Art_Workshop.

Uniforms for Sale

3 x Junior Secondary School girls white formal shirts, size 14, two in very good condition, one has some spots of ink - $50 for all three.

Please contact 0429131073

If you would like to place an advertisement in the Green Point Trader, please email details to Justine Collins at newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au

Green Point Baptist Church

Coming up this week

Monday, 8 February

Dates for Your Diary 

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