“Well done, good and faithful servant.” These words from a parable of Jesus are well known and often quoted. This past week we farewelled a long-serving member of our school administration team – Margaret Butler. After almost 25 years at GPCC, Marg is retiring to spend time with her husband and family, and large collection of delightful grandchildren, many of whom are students in our school.

Marg’s roles have been in supporting the various Heads of School with secretarial and organisation duties. Most recently she has worked with Mrs Nicole Smith, our Head of Primary. She has served well and faithfully and will be missed by the team here. Her quiet manner and gentle concern for others has been valued.

Faithfulness is an often-missing virtue today. People chase the next exciting opportunity, or more money or simply want to live with the constantly new, rather than committing long term to a role and to the people supported by that role. Even commitment to an organisation is waning, with loyalties expressed one day and abandoned the next. Many people express surprise at a sportsperson for example, who decides to stay with the same club rather than accept the next offer that comes along.

Change in itself is not bad and faithfulness by definition is not necessarily best expressed through long term employment in the same place. Faithfulness is commitment to a place and to people because of a desire to love and to serve, rather than for self-interest. Christians believe God calls them to various roles in life and in that call is a responsibility to be loyal and faithful for however long you remain in that role. The call itself may be long or short but it is the attitude expressed to the service required that is important.

Marg Butler has served for almost a quarter of a century in the same school, but what will be remembered is not the length of her service as much as her attitude and contribution. This is a great lesson for our children to learn. Are we teaching them these lessons or are we by word and example, teaching them to simply escape or opt out when we feel like it, or when the going gets tough? The attitude and habit of faithfulness requires humility and sacrifice. These attributes are often missing today too.

As a school, we are committed to working with you to develop children of Godly character. In our work together we must focus on these common attributes and commit to instilling them in our children through the example and teaching of home and school. Churches are another great place for children to learn about these things. If your child is not connected to a Sunday School or Youth group, then I encourage you to seek out a place for them.

Green Point Baptist Church runs some excellent programs for Primary and Secondary students on a Friday night (see the notices section of this Messenger for details). There are any number of excellent Churches in our community who will help you as parents to instil these attributes into your child. Find one and get involved in it as a family.

Thank you, Marg Butler for your example. We wish you all the very best for the next phase of your life and are glad that you have grandchildren here so that we can stay connected.

Phillip Nash

Principal

Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary

CSSA Zone Carnival

On Thursday several of our Primary students will be heading to Mingara Aquatic Centre to compete in the Primary Zone Swimming Carnival. We wish them all the best as they compete at this next level of competition.

Visit from Gumnuts – Red Bus

Last week our students had a visit from “Gumnuts” the Red Bus Safety Officer. Each child learnt about safe ways to move around and on buses and public transport. One of the important lessons they learnt was to not be distracted by friends or technology when exiting a bus or crossing the road. This is an important reminder also to us as adults to model road safety to our children in and around our community.

Head of School Awards

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 5:

Chloe B, KDL; Aston P, KG; Eden W, KJ; Tilly G, 1PH; Kit N, 1B; Henry H, 2D; Madelyn G, 2P; Piper L, 3D; Olivia B, 3B; Jaxon H, 4B; , 4M; Xavier W, 4G; Oliver L, 5P; Max J, 5L; Joella W, 6M; Zoe G, 6S; Josie T, 6T

Photo: students from 1B showing Mrs Smith their writing skills

Progressive Achievement Tests

During the first week of March all students in K-6 will complete Progressive Achievement Testing, (PAT testing). The data from these tests is then used to measure a student’s knowledge, skills and understanding in aspects of English and Mathematics, helping teachers to pinpoint where they are in their learning journey – and what they need to progress. Students do not receive the marks for these tests, rather they are used to assist teachers in tailoring teaching to meet the needs that are indicated.

Hats

It is important to protect our students’ skin from the sun each day. Please ensure that students have a hat with their name on it at school each day.

After School Pick up and Buses

It is important that students are only collected from the areas designated and supervised by teachers. This ensures proper duty of care continues for each child. Please do not arrange to meet Primary students on Beatties Road or at the 7-Eleven, or across the road at Tank Works, as there is no one there to supervise students and ensure they are safely picked up.

I have reminded students today about safe behaviour at the bus lines and when on the bus traveling to and from school. Students have been asked to remain seated when waiting for their bus or at the Kiss and Drop zones. Primary students are not permitted to use their mobile phones unless they are standing near a teacher and contacting a parent. Please speak with your child about this and help us to keep our children safe.

School Photos – Tuesday 2 March

Tuesday is photo day. Please ensure that your child is in correct formal school uniform. Hair is to be compliant with school uniform policy – tied back for girls using black red or white ribbons only. Girls may only wear one pair of silver or gold studs or sleepers. Boys in Years 3-6 will not be wearing ties in their class photos.

Clean Up Australia Day (at school)

Sunday 7 March is Clean up Australia Day. What was started thirty years ago by an "average Australian bloke" who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard, has now become the nation's largest community-based environmental event.

Over the past 30 years 17.7 million Australians have volunteered 35 million hours to clean up 365,000+ ute loads of rubbish. On Friday some of our students will be joining Mr Turner in cleaning up a section of the property around our College. Students will also look for a proactive way we can stop pollution and reduce our carbon footprint. Thank you Mr Turner and Primary students for the care and stewardship you demonstrate.

Year 3 Music Genre Incursion

Our Year 3 class had a Music Genre Incursion, dressing up as a performer in their chosen genre of Music and they all prepared a speech to present to their class

Year 7, 2022

Preparations for 2022 enrolments have already commenced with strong demand for places in Secondary School. If your child currently attends Year 6 at GPCC, you are not required to apply for Year 7 2022 however, if your child will not be continuing at the College next year, would you kindly advise our Registrar by email at your earliest convenience - registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.

Banking – Helpers needed

The Commonwealth Bank conducts the school banking program at GPCC. This program encourages children to save a little money each week into their Youthsaver account, helping them learn about the value of money and develop a good saving habit.

Students can bring in their money and deposit books each Friday and these can be dropped to the College office Student Admin window.

We would love some helpers to count the money on a Friday morning for about an hour. You would only be rostered on once or twice a term.

Please contact the College office if you are able to assist.

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

Please register for our Kindergarten Information Evening to be held on Tuesday 16 March 2021.

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

There has been a significant increase in the use of vapes across the Central Coast because in the eyes of many it is seen as a harmless activity.

Studies have shown this not to be case. We have had a number of incidents here at school where vapes have been brought in and used in various areas of the College.

The College treats bringing, supply and use of vapes at the College the same as tobacco, drugs or alcohol. It is considered an extremely serious discipline issue.

Please continue to make strong decisions in helping your children to make wise choices in the practices they undertake.

You as parents are in a position to influence the choices your children make in relationship to the use of the above substances and it is the consistency of good parenting across the community that will stop these actions becoming habits.

Four E-cigarette Health Risks for Kids

E-cigarette use has become common, but there still seems to be a smoke screen concealing its true impact on health. A growing body of evidence shows that smoking e-cigarettes, or vaping, may be even more dangerous than smoking cigarettes.

An e-cigarette, or vape pen, is an electronic device that heats a pod of liquid, turning it into vapor that contains nicotine, flavorings and other substances. At issue is what chemicals are contained in the liquid that is being vaporised and inhaled, and how they are affecting users — especially teens. More than one in nine high school seniors in the US report vaping daily.

To read about the four known health risks of E-cigarettes click on this link.

Years 11 and 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 2 March 2021

Parent Teacher interviews will be held for Years 11 and 12 on Tuesday 2 March 2021 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm in the MPC.

Parents will need to use their mobile phone to scan the QR code in the MPC on arrival, and then check out when finished.

Interview times will be 10 minutes and it is preferable for students to attend with their nominated parent.

Parents of students in Year 11 and Year 12 can go to the Parent Lounge to book these interviews.

You can access the Parent Lounge by logging in with your Parent Code previously supplied.

Bookings for these interviews will close on Monday 1 March 2021 at 4:00pm.

If you are new to the College and have not used this facility, please contact the office to get your Parent Code. 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 Guide" to access the video on "How to Book Parent Teacher Interview". 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 call the office and we will assist you.

On the interview day, if you are feeling unwell or displaying any of the COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home.

If you are unable to attend or prefer not to attend if you are vulnerable to COVID-19, you can email your child's teacher to request feedback on their progress.

We want to keep you and our whole community safe. Thank you for your support.

Year 7 Meet the Teacher and Faculty Night - Tuesday 9 March 2021

This event is for Year 7 parents and students. Please put this important date in your diaries and look out for more details next week.

Secondary Photo Day – Tuesday 9 March 2021

8:45am – 9:35am - Year 7