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However, after such an unsettled year in 2020, it is not surprising that we will feel some after-effects of the strain and stress of our whole society being disrupted. This evidences itself in different ways with different people of course. We have experienced a rise in anxiety and stress amongst our students that at first was puzzling. We have also noticed this amongst staff and even amongst some of our interactions with parents. Add to this the usual stresses of life and we have a troubling mix.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is something we think of occurring for returned service personnel or people who have lived through a horrific accident or to front-line workers like fire fighters or paramedics and such like. But it also occurs as the result of an accumulation of stress caused by one or more significant factors over a period of time.
As we continue on in 2021, it will be important that we tread carefully with others, being aware they may react or respond in unexpected ways with no apparent cause. We will need to extend grace and mercy to others in measures we may not have had to use before. We will also need to reflect on ourselves and be aware that we may be reacting to issues too in ways we would not normally react.
This is an opportunity to increase in the Godly characteristics of love, grace, mercy, empathy, kindness, patience etc. CS Lewis, the great academic and apologist said that we often don’t know the real extent of our character until it is tested. He suggested that while we think we have courage, it may not be until we are faced with enemy fire (he served in WW1) that we find out whether we do or not. With the help of others (and we will need their help) we can use this post-COVID experience to check on ourselves and learn about areas for growth.
As our focus is particularly children and young people, it is vital that we help them process this unusual period of human history and emerge positively from it. If you feel you are not equipped to do that then as a school, we stand ready to help you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and ask for some assistance if you believe your child is not coping as they should. This is how we can partner together to see them equipped to stand strong in the face of life’s future challenges.
Admitting we need help is not a sign of weakness but a tool to strengthen us. God’s promise to us is that it is in our weakness that His strength really becomes available to us. When Jesus left His disciples on earth to return to His Father in heaven, His promise was to "be with them always, even to the end of the world." This is one of the great hopes we have in Christ and what Easter reminds us of – God came to earth to provide a way of salvation for us. We will reflect more on that next week.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Bullying – NO WAY
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices, and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
In Australia, 1 in 4, Year 4 to Year 9 students (27%) have reported being bullied every few weeks or more often.
The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is an important day in our school calendar where we join with other schools across Australia to say "Bullying. No Way!’" On Friday 19 March, our school joined the nationwide movement with schools across Australia to take action together against bullying; we are proud to say "Bullying. No Way!" Our students have heard about some of the ways they can stand up to bullying. We encouraged them to be an upstander and speak up, walk away and tell a trusted adult. At GPCC bullying is taken very seriously. Students need to know that they are being heard, their feelings matter, and the matter will be investigated swiftly and fairly. For helpful resources click on bullyingnoway.gov.au. and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6dDBgahVis
Photos: Primary students supporting NDA Against Bullying and Violence
CIS Carnival
Last Thursday 14 of our Primary students went to Sydney Olympic Park, Aquatic Centre, Homebush to compete against other Independent Schools in the Combined Independent Schools Swimming Carnival. We are so proud of our team, who combined with other Christian Schools to compete against Independent Schools.
Head of School Awards
Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 8:
Eliana v, KDL; Tiago P, KG; Tara J, KJ; Nixon C, 1PH; Daniel M, 1B; Michael H, 2D; Kade O, 2P; Esther W, 3D; Liam O, 3B; Tobias S, 4B; Oliver B, 4M; Chelsea S, 4G; Meikayla V, 5P; Jacob L, 5L; Eadi R, 6M; Abbey S, 6S; Amelia M, 6T.
Big Vegie Crunch
Only 5% of NSW children eat enough vegetables. We are on a mission to change that statistic by increasing children’s knowledge, exposure and positive attitudes towards vegetables.
Throughout this week we have been discussing with students the benefits of eating vegetables and the super vitamins they give us.
On Thursday 18 March, many of our students brought in a container of vegetables to crunch on. Together we joined with other NSW Primary Schools in "The Big Vegie Crunch" - an attempt to break the record for the highest number of children eating vegetables simultaneously – and to get kids excited about vegetables!
Our winners for the most vegetables brought to school is KG. They are celebrating with a corn on the cob lunch.
Online Activity
Increasingly, we are finding that many of our students are allowed to watch content that is unsupervised and well above their age range. This is extremely dangerous and impactful. Parents and carers play a key role in guiding their children as they access the online world and begin to learn through exploration, play and social interaction. Over the next few weeks I will be featuring information from the E-safety Commission. Please take time to look at some of the resources on offer:
How do I choose age-appropriate content?
Good quality media can support your child’s learning, especially if it ties in with their interests or sparks their imagination. The following sites are highly recommended and can help you make informed decisions about your family’s entertainment choices.
- Check age ratings and consumer advice for apps and games on devices your children use: via the App Store or Google Play, and for movies and games, the Australian Classification Board’s online database.
- Commonsense Media offers a database of apps, games and websites searchable by age and is an excellent resource.
- The Australian Council on the Children and the Media provides reviews of movies, apps and games, including gambling content advice, searchable by age and platform.
- Raising Children Network has advice about choosing video games, online games and apps.
- NetAware (UK) offers a guide to popular social media apps, sites and games, including risks, age recommendations and safety tips.
- The Australian Council on the Children and the Media provides reviews of movies, apps and games, including gambling content advice, searchable by age and platform.
NAPLAN Online 2021
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy - important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us ensure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
In May, our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the NAPLAN public demonstration site.
In preparation for NAPLAN online, the College will take part in an online practice test early in Term 2. The practice test involves a 45-minute Omnibus Test which includes Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy Test items. The College does not receive individual student test results for the practice est. The aim is for students and staff to become familiar with the online environment as well as a variety of different question types.
Please refer to Naplan_online_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers for more information.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs Jane McLarty
6M Lighting up their Classroom
Students in Year 6 have been investigating how electricity works. They have made circuits and 6M have used this knowledge to wire lights for their shoebox houses
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
Words are a powerful tool that can do great good or deliver massive harm to the lives of listeners.
Often the flippant humour that Australians use delivers great harm to the recipient. Students will often say that it was only a joke and wonder why someone else has been hurt.
They often have a very narrow view of the effects that their words effects can have on others. No student should be on the receiving end of cutting and unkind comments, this of course includes comments that racist, sexist, homophobic etc.
If we really want to be a community, the words we use should always lift and build up those around us. The delivery of positive words is powerful in the development of others, creating peace and the formation of a healthy culture.
The reality is that we all fall short and end up hurting others, often unintentionally. So part of growth needs to include the willingness to apologise for hurts we create, but also have the heart to forgive those who hurt us.
I really believe these two fundamental actions to good relationships begin the development of resilience in a young person.
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Tip to help your Year 7 student to improve their “Studentship”
Create a Study Space: A tidy, organised space that is quiet is important to allow a student to have a clear mind with little distractions.
It should be public if they are going to be on the computer. This allows for them to be more accountable on how they are using their devices during their study and homework time.
Make sure to replace all of the stationary needs they require so that they are never hunting around the house for things they have used up.
Year 10 RYDA Excursion - Tuesday 23 March
RYDA is a series of practical and powerful workshops for Secondary School students that challenge students to change the way they think about road safety and lay the foundation for safe road use throughout their lives.
This valuable excursion is for all Year 10, so if you have not already done so, please log in to the Parent Lounge to give your approval for your child to attend.
Year 10 Fundraiser - Wednesday 24 March
Year 10 are hosting a sausage sizzle and bake sale for Secondary School students on Wednesday 24 March to raise money for Central Coast Kids in Need.
This important local charity is close Year 10's heart, and we hope to raise money to allow them to continue to support the wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families.
Sausage sandwiches are $2.50, cans of soft drink $2 and baked goods from $1.
Please help us raise much needed funds for this great charity.
Year 9 Your Choicez Incursion - Friday 26 March
The Hurting Game student wellbeing program covers:
|
Bullying & Cyber Bullying |
Digital Reputation |
Cyber Safety |
|
Resilience |
Digital Citizenship |
Body Image |
|
Peer Pressure |
Binge Drinking & Risk Taking |
Mental Health |
|
Help-seeking |
Social Media |
Positive Relationships |
All Year 7 will attend during Period 1.
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence - 19 March 2021
For some helpful resources click on bullyingnoway.gov.au.
and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6dDBgahVis
Duke of Edinburgh Award
For over 50 years, the Duke of Edinburgh Award has been providing students with an array of life experiences that bolster their sense of self and build their psychological resources. This results in the transference of coping skills from the real world of the Award (outdoor adventure, physical recreation, community service, and skill acquisition challenges) to the students’ own real world.
Thus, they are provided the opportunity to grow in skills not readily available in regular school classrooms. In a sense we take the classroom outside of the school. For most students, many of the award elements are already being done and they can use their existing interests, sports and skill learning to satisfy the award requirements. By participating in and achieving this award we hope to see students grow in resilience and be equipped even more to face the future challenges that life will bring.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a voluntary program for students over the age of 14 involving outdoor expeditions, skill acquisition, voluntary service and physical recreation (see website for more details).
At GPCC we offer Years 9-11 students the opportunity to undertake the award at a level commensurate with their age and development (Bronze, Silver and Gold). GPCC organises the expedition element of the award and is authorised to administrate its elements. The Bronze (Year 9) and Silver (Year 10) expeditions will be commencing in Terms 2 and 3.
If you would like your child to be involved or you would like more information, contact either Mr Daniel Witanowski (DWitanowski@gpcc.nsw.edu.au) or Greg Masters (greg.masters@gpcc.nsw.edu.au).
NAPLAN Online 2021
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy - important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us ensure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
In May, our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format. To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the NAPLAN public demonstration site.
In preparation for NAPLAN online, the College will take part in an online practice test early in Term 2. The practice test involves a 45-minute Omnibus Test which includes Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy Test items. The College does not receive individual student test results for the practice est. The aim is for students and staff to become familiar with the online environment as well as a variety of different question types.
Please refer to Naplan_online_information_brochure_for_parents_and_carers for more information.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs Jane McLarty
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information about preparation for the UCAT Test (for Medicine and Dentistry) and information about scholarships for tertiary study.
For more details, please see this week's
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
NSW All School Secondary Girls Cricket Championships
Sophie Shelley has been representing NSWCIS at the NSW All Schools Secondary Girls Cricket Championships in Maitland.
Sophie has represented this team previously and will continue to have a fantastic time playing the sport she loves.
CIS Primary Swimming Championships
Our amazing squad of swimmers competed at the CIS Primary Swimming Championships at SOPAC last week. It is very exciting to represent both our school and CSSA at such an elite level of competition.
This team of swimmers have performed so well that they are the largest team to qualify for CIS from all Christian Schools across NSW. We have never had the biggest team at CIS so it is a credit to the efforts of our wonderful athletes.
Primary Athletics Training
Every Friday during sport time, students have been working through the various skills involved in Athletics. Each week, they have been practising techniques with all of the field events (long jump, high jump, discus, shot put) as well as sprints. This is in preparation for our Primary Athletics Carnival in Term 2 Week 1.
Cross Country Club
The Primary students will begin their training for Cross Country at our new Cross Country Club, held every Friday at recess on the oval. Students will have a warm up first, before going through a number of different endurance skills, such as steady runs, interval training and hill sprints.
Cross Country Training Program
Please find a Cross Country Training Program (click on Cross Country Training Program to access) that students from Years 2-12 can use in preparation for our Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday 4 May (Term 2 Week 4). With Zone Cross Country held on Week 5 and CSSA in Week 6, the first three levels of Cross Country are in a three week period.
It is ideal for those students who want to compete needing to peak at this time. Only the top four from our School Carnival go to Zone, the top 15 go to CSSA.
The Cross Country season kicks off in Term 2, with the following carnivals:
- GPCC Secondary Carnival to be held on Tuesday 4 May at Hylton Moore Oval (Week 3)
- Zone Secondary Cross Country to be held on Tuesday 18 May (Week 5)
- CSSA Secondary Cross Country to be held on Friday 28 May (Week 6).
This means that the first three levels of Cross Country occur in a three week period.
For those students who love to train and c
ompete in Cross Country, it would be ideal that they are close to peaking when we hit our GPCC Carnival.
To progress through the levels, this is what students need to aim for:
- Top 4 in each age group from School Carnival will progress to Zone
- Top 15 now (with restrictions lifting) at Zone move through to CSSA
- Top 10 go to CIS
Please feel free to email Mr Lambert to keep him updated on your student's progress.
Primary and Secondary Rugby Union Trials
Our Primary Rugby Union trials will begin over the next week, with students beginning with tackling bag practise and skill work. Mr Sneyd is taking the students through their paces, with assistance by Michael Burgess from NSWRU. Secondary students will be able to have their first rugby trial in Week 10 with Mr Wellington, Mr Heard and Mr Burgess.
This time last year we launched the "To the Point" lecture series which then had to be postponed due to the onset of COVID-19. We are excited to announce that the "To The Point" lecture series is now returning with our first event at the end of this month.
The "To The Point" lecture series is a program designed to bring the very best academic scholars and lecturers from around Australia to our College for free lectures on a range of stimulating and exciting topics. This is in keeping with our commitment to inspire life-long learners in our school and in our society.
The series is open to everyone on the Central Coast, whether it be parents, students, people from other schools, or even curious individuals from the local community.
For our re-launch of the series we are pleased to be hosting Dr Luke Barnes, a Cambridge University trained astronomer, who will explore the fine-tuned nature of the universe and examine its value and limitations when answering some of the big philosophical and theological questions we have about cosmology.
This will be an exciting lecture designed for all people, whether they have a background in science or not, and an opportunity to learn from a leader in his field. On the night, Dr Barnes will deliver a lecture for 1 hour, and then there will be discussion and Q&A for 30 minutes.
We would like to encourage you and your family to come to this free event, with registrations necessary through the link below.
To The Point Lecture Series with Dr Luke Barnes Tickets, Wed 31/03/2021 at 7:30 pm | Eventbrite
Please click on this link to view a video from Mr Michael Street, our Secondary HSIE Co-ordinator to introduce "To the Point" lecture series.
Library News
Book Club
Book Club Issue 2 closes on Friday 19 March. Please finalise any online orders.
Official Library Opening - Tuesday 27 April 2021
We are excited to announce that our Official Opening of our Library will be held on Tuesday 27 April 3:45pm - 4:45pm. Students and parents are welcome to attend this event. Due to ongoing COVID restrictions our numbers will be limited. Please register your attendance.
Premiers’ Reading Challenge
Students that started at Green Point Christian College in the last 12 months will have received a new PRC username and password. If these students have completed the PRC before at a previous school, we will join the accounts together in the next few weeks. Any Premier's Reading Challenge questions, please contact Mrs Nicole van Wyk nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Story Time for Pre-schoolers
We meet 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. Please sanitise hands as you enter the Library. We look forward to seeing you there. Click this link for the Story Time schedule.
Green Point Christian College has a vibrant Music Tutor Program offering tuition in a wide range of instruments, and catering from the beginner to the advanced student.
Please visit our website below to download an electronic enrolment form to complete and email to the College. This can be downloaded and filled in electronically using Adobe Acrobat (note that internet browser PDF readers will reduce functionality and including the digital signature option).
Alternatively you can download and print the brochure and return to the College Reception.
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
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.
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
Police Citizens Youth Club - Umina Beach
PCYC are running an Easter Holidays program. All activities are suitable for kids aged 5 – 12 years. We also accept the Creative Kids Voucher for school holiday bookings too (conditions apply). More information can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pcycUminaBeach01/
Australian Red Cross Blood donation - Terrigal - 30 March to 1 April
Click on link for more information.
Blackwell Girl Guides - Ettalong Beach
For more information on Girl Guides at Ettalong Beach, please click on the link. All new girls can try it out for two weeks free and can use their Active Kids vouchers.
Holiday Activities
Holiday Chess Tournament at Mingara - Monday 12 April. Click on this link.
Holiday Art Workshops at Gosford and The Entrance. Click on this link.
Jo Francis Holiday Art Workshop. Click on link.
For Sale
3 x junior high school white blouses. Very good condition. One with a bit of black ink.
$15 each. Please phone 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
Church service times
9:30am – Worship Centre
6:00pm – Jacaranda Room
Attention Years 7-12 - Green Point Youth
Green Point Youth is held on Friday nights 7:30pm - 9:30pm on Friday nights.
Website: www.gpbc.net.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenpointbaps/ Sometimes we meet off site so please make sure you have a term planner or search for “Green Point Youth” on Facebook or Instagram to follow us for weekly updates. If you have any questions about GP Youth, please don’t hesitate to call GPBC’s Youth Pastor, Will Richards on 0424 278 948 or email at will@gpbc.net.au. We are very diligent about following all government guidelines on COVID safe practices, and are committed to keeping everyone healthy and safe.
Coming up this week
Tuesday, 23 March
Year 10 RYDA Excursion
Wednesday, 24 March
Macquarie Uni Talk to Year 12 (Period 3A)
Year 10 BBQ Fundraiser at lunchtime (supporting Central Coast Kids in need).
Thursday, 25 March
Primary Young Leaders' Day
Friday, 26 March
Brainstorm Presentation - "The Hurting Game" Year 7
Year 9 Your Choicez Seminar - all day
CSSA Touch Gala Day and selection trials - Port Macquarie
Dates for Your Diary
Tuesday, 30 March
NSW All Schools Sec Triathon Individual
CSSA Secondary State Swimming Homebush
2021 Da Vinci Decathlon - selected students from Years 9 and 10 at Bisho tyrell Anglican College
Yr 1 - Colour, Light and Sound Science Workshop
Wednesday, 31 March
Year 7 King Tut Roadshow Incursion
NSW All Schools Secondary Triathlon Team
K - 12 Chapel Life (Easter Chapel Service)
NSWPSAA Swimming Championships
Thursday, 1 April
Years 10 and 11 Food Tech Excursion to Royal Easter Show
NSWPSSA Swimming Championships
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