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For Christians we add to this the significance of remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sombre Good Friday gives way to joyful Easter Sunday. Easter contains the essence of the Christian message beginning in the Garden of Eden when the first humans disobeyed God, suffered the consequences and God initiates his wonderful plan of redemption.
Easter only makes sense when you appreciate who God is and why disobeying Him is such a big deal. As a holy and pure God who created humankind, He cannot tolerate sin - disobedience and a refusal to submit to His authority. The first humans determined to obey themselves rather than God and that has been the problem with the human race ever since.
As the righteous judge, God demands the ultimate penalty for sin – death. We are all under the sentence of death unless something happens to put us right with the Judge. The story of the Bible is the story of God’s unveiling of what this means and the way He was preparing for someone to bear the consequences for all who put their trust in Him. Not being able to find anyone good enough to be the perfect sacrifice a holy God requires, He sends his only son, Jesus to live on earth, to demonstrate to us what a fully human being should live like, and then to suffer and die in our place.
Being God, He then overcomes the power of sin and death and rises again so that anyone who turns from their sinful way, acknowledges their need of Him and accepts again His authority over their lives, is given a new life and promised that they will enjoy an eternity with Him in the new heaven and earth which God will bring about one day. Easter Friday reminds us of the cost of sin while Easter Sunday reminds us of the new life we have in Jesus.
All this may sound a bit fantastical to you if you are not familiar with Christian teaching, but this event is what has given millions of people a fresh start in life and a hope for a brighter future. If you would like to understand more of this story, we at GPCC would love to share it with you. You might like to start by getting along to Church on Easter Sunday and hearing the account of the resurrection and the new life found in it.
This week we celebrate this with our students at our Easter Thanksgiving Assembly and our focus this year is on the opportunity this Easter new life gives us to serve others as Jesus served the people of his day and the world through His sacrifice.
May this Easter break be a refreshing one for you and a chance to have family time. We look forward to welcoming our students back in Term 2.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Halogen National Young Leaders Day
Mrs Munro and Mrs Reynolds were privileged to accompany 12 of our Year 6 student leaders to The Sydney Primary National Young Leaders Day held at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. Each year Halogen gathers together prominent leaders from all walks of life to be part of this unique intergenerational opportunity. Our students heard practical advice about leadership from speakers who are leaders in their field. It was so encouraging to see our GPCC students mixing with several thousand other student leaders from across the State, as together they were inspired and encouraged in their journey and equipped for the role that lies ahead of them.
A highlight for our students was meeting Jimmy Giggle from Giggle and Hoot (photo below).
Banking
Please note that school banking will be on Thursday 1st April in Week 10.
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 speak to the office if you are able to assist.
Mobile Phones / Smart Watches
A number of our Primary students are bringing and using mobile phones and devices of a similar nature to school. Whilst these devices can be a valuable safety tool for travel arrangements, they can also be a distraction to learning. For this reason, we ask that you do not communicate with your child on their device during school hours, as they are not permitted to use/check or have their phones or smart watches out whilst on school grounds.
If devices are being used during school time (recess, lunch or class time) they will be removed from the student and given to the Head of School to be collected at the end of the day. An email will be sent to the parents to let advise that students are not to have their devices out at the bus bay, as this can be a distraction resulting in students missing the bus. Students will be given a warning and if the devices are seen again it will be handed in to the Head of School.
GPCC Primary Band & New Welcome Band
We are excited to announce there is a new Welcome Band for Primary Year 3 and above students which will be commencing Week 3 Term 2 2021. No experience is needed for the Welcome Band.
Please view our video of Mrs Smith discussing Band with our new Band Director, Mr Brendan Berlach by clicking this link.
Times
Full band rehearsal will be held each Tuesday from 12:50pm - 1:40pm.
Instrumental group lessons (2-5 students) will be held for 30 minutes during class time, also weekly (students will have early eating time at 12:50pm, so they won't go hungry!)
Fees
Rehearsal plus group lesson plus Band book will be $230 per term.
Instrument rental is $35 per term (but for Term 2 the College is offering free rental!)
Creative Kids Vouchers can be used for these fees, so there is a further $100 dollars discount on the first term if parents have the voucher available. Included in the fees is an Australian beginner Band book published by Dr Phillip Rutherford.
Instruments Available to Rent
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion (subject to availability - please contact the Band Director regarding instruments not on this list).
For more information on Band please click on our website.
Please email the Band Director with expressions of interest for our new Welcome Band, which we look forward to launching very soon - band.director@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Our Secondary Band performed at Primary Assembly last week, to view this video, please click on the following link: Secondary Band Performance
Head of School Awards
Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 9:
Ryan B, KDL; Joel M, KG; Ava S, KJ; Evie M, 1PH; Claire G, 1B; Lucy G, 2D; Miranda V, 2P; Mitchell M, 3D; Cooper C, 3B; Nate A, 4B; Penny L, 4M; Lara F, 4G; Amelia P, 5P; Isaac J, 5L; Jacob G, 6M; Lewis T, 6S; Eva L, 6T.
Big Vegie Crunch - We crunched it!
On Thursday 18 March at 10:00am, our school participated in The Big Vegie Crunch as part of Vegetable Week.
Thank you for packing vegetables for your child/ren to crunch for the event.
We joined 264 other schools across NSW in a "salad" effort to break the record for the most children eating vegetables simultaneously.
44,296 students crunched together and a further 12,687 students crunched over Vegetable Week. Although that was an awful lot of vegetable eating, it wasn’t quite enough to break the 2018 and 2019 records. So "lettuce" keep practising and "peas" join us again next year.
Need ideas to help your family eat more vegies? Then check out the UP THE VEG at home resource.
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
We are coming to the end of our first term for this year. It seems like so many things have happened and been accomplished in the first 10 weeks of the College year. Well done to everyone and I pray that you have a restful break over the school holidays. Of course, the holidays start with the most important time in the Christian calendar, Easter. I pray that over this time you and your family have a sense of God’s amazing love for you that resulted in His sending His Son as the most expensive sacrifice that could be given.
Relationships are key to our lives and that is what Easter is about, relationship with God. However, our society continually distorts what is healthy in relationships and confuses our young people. I feel that I have been speaking about relationships a lot this term, and that our young people are confused about what is appropriate in any sort of relationship. It is all of our responsibilities to go back to the basics of what is acceptable in relationships. This message needs to start in the home where clear understanding is created in the way that children treat their parents, adults and each other.
A message to Year 12 - you need to use these two weeks productively and not waste them. I know you are tired, but the reality is that these two weeks are a great time to catch up on study notes and completing assessment tasks.
Matthew 28:5-6 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said he would.”
Many of the Year 10 students baked cup cakes, chocolate chip cookies and other goodies to sell as well as cooking a BBQ (thank you Terry Rochford for supervising) which included peeling four bags of onions! The event was wonderfully supported by the College community with many students being extremely generous in their donations.
The Fundraiser raised over $1,500 and this was an incredible result. Grace H (Year 10) has been outstanding in leading this initiative. She is certainly living a life of redemptive action right now. It was also wonderful that one of our Year 10 students whose family has been supported by Central Coast Kids in Need, was able to attend.
Thank you again to everyone for your amazing generosity.
Mr Wright, Year 10 Advisor
Years 7 - 10 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent / Teacher Interviews for students in Years 7 -10 are scheduled for the first day of school in Term 2 on Tuesday, 20 April 2021.
Bookings for these interviews are made via Parent Lounge.
Please look out for an email to be sent during the holidays with instructions on how to book your interview and confirmation of the date of when the booking facility will be open to parents.
ANZAC Day
Our ANZAC Day Service will be held on Wednesday 21 April 2021 during Period 3b.
SAVE THE DATE - GPCC ATHLETICS CARNIVAL RESCHEDULED!
GPCC Secondary Athletics Carnival - Monday 26 April 2021
Venue: Mingara Regional Athletics Centre, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi.
Time: Commencing at 8:45am and concluding at 2:00pm.
What to bring: House colours, recess, lunch, sports uniform, sunscreen and water. A canteen will be available for students.
Spectators: Parents/grandparents are welcome to attend as spectators and must adhere to the venue's COVID-19 safety plan.
Transport: All students are required to make their own way to and from the carnival.
Transport for the GPCC Secondary Athletics Carnival
If your child cannot make their own way to the carnival, there will be limited seating available on the College bus.
Parents will need to book transport for their child on the Parent Lounge no later than 3.00pm on Tuesday 21 April 2021.
An email will be sent with instructions on how to book transport for your child.
Year 10 Meningococcal Vaccinations - Wednesday 5 May 2021
Immunisation is the simplest and most effective means of protecting people against vaccine preventable disease.
NSW Health and the Central Coast Local Health District will be providing the opportunity for Year 10 students to receive the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
Year 10 have their Meningococcal Vaccinations on Wednesday 5 May 2021 and information packs will be sent home in Week 1 of Term 2.
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 Mr Greg Masters (greg.masters@gpcc.nsw.edu.au).
Year 12 Ancient and History Extension Excursion
On Tuesday 16 March, Year 12 Ancient and History Extension students travelled to the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney. The purpose of the trip was to learn about how narratives are constructed in physical spaces and examine the processes involved in archaeological inquiry.
The group were firstly taken through the museum by Dr Craig Barker, the curator. He gave great insight into the ways that exhibitions are designed to tell particular stories in very intentional ways. For example, there were three pieces of artwork side-by-side, designed to reveal the relationship between people and land; the first piece was a set of soil samples from across the Sydney basin, the second was an image of Charlie Perkins, and the third was a portrait of a colonial landlord whom had never visited Australia.
Separately, the items are not clearly connected. Together, they tell a beautiful story about the land, its diversity, and its different meanings to a plethora of audiences. The group were then taken into a space where they were allowed to handle ancient artefacts and process them, as archaeologists.
The trip was valuable, exciting, and extremely stimulating. We are thankful to the team at the Chau Chak Wing Museum for their hospitality and look forward to working with them more in the future. Mr Michael Street, HSIE Co-ordinator
This week’s Careers Newsletter has information from the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) about applying for University study next year. There is also information from the Macquarie University talk given to Year 12 held on Wednesday 24 March.
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
GPCC Primary Swimming Age Champions
Congratulations to our Primary Swimming Age Champions for 2021.
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1st Place |
2nd Place |
3rd Place |
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GIRLS |
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|
|
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8yrs Girls |
Emily C (28) |
Lucy G (27) |
Madelyn G (20) |
|
9yrs Girls |
Sophie C (60) |
Evie N (38) |
Allegra N (14) |
|
10yrs Girls |
Lucy E (22) |
Penny L (16) Nylla P (16) |
|
|
11yrs Girls |
Lillian R (34) |
Anna-Lucia R (33) |
Sarah T (24) |
|
12yrs Girls |
Bronte M (54) |
India P (48) |
Emil B 33) |
|
BOYS |
|
|
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8yrs Boys |
Henry L (38) |
Kalani D (8) Cruz H (8) |
|
|
9yrs Boys |
Harrison D (26) |
Jacob R (23) |
Conor M (14) |
|
10yrs Boys |
Reef M (60) |
Levi S (46) |
Hamish G (12) Hamish L (12) |
|
11yrs Boys |
Jacob L (48) |
Jason P (33) |
Henry S (32) |
|
12yrs Boys |
Cruz T (58) |
Benjamin T (50) |
Ethan T (21) |
Our final House points are:
- Warriors 535
- Eagles 506
- Hurricanes 491
- Breakers 351
To view Mr Lambert's GPCC Primary Swimming Carnival video, click on this link: https://vimeo.com/527619407
CIS Primary Swimming Championships
We had an amazing squad of swimmers compete at the CIS Primary Swimming Championships. This group of athletes from GPCC were the largest team to compete at this elite level of competition from all Christian Schools across NSW. What a superb effort!
Our swimmers had a phenomenal day. Check out these fantastic results:
Junior Boys Relay - 15th
Senior Girls Relay - 21st
Senior Boys Relay - 15th
9yrs Girls 50m Freestyle: Sophie C - 12th
10yrs Boys 50m Freestyle: Reef M - 9th (made the FINAL 8th)
12yrs Boys 50m Freestyle: Ben T - 22nd; Cruz T - 14th
Junior Girls 50m Breaststroke: Penny L - 7th (made the FINAL - 8th)
Junior Boys 50m Breaststroke: Reef M - 7th (made the FINAL -7th)
12yrs Boys 50m Breaststroke: Cruz T - 12th ; Ben T - 21st
Junior Boys 50m Backstroke: Reef M - 12th
12yrs Girls 50m Backstroke: Bronte M - 11th
12yrs Boys 50m Backstroke: Ben T - 17th ; Cruz T - 9th (made the FINAL -8th)
Junior Girls 50m Butterfly: Sophie C - 15th
12yrs Boys 50m Butterfly: Cruz T - 17th ; Ben T - 20th
CSSA Secondary Boys and Girls Soccer Trials
A number of students travelled to Sydney to represent our College at the CSSA Secondary Boys and Girls Soccer trials.
They spent the day, surprisingly unaffected by rain, involved in a range of drills and competitive games, playing in their specific position.
Holly P, Aliyah I, Luke B and Jasper W all had a wonderful day, gaining more experience, playing at a high level of soccer, against many other talented individuals from Christian Schools in NSW.
At the end of the day, Jasper W was chosen in the CSSA Secondary Open Boys Team as Goalie. A superb achievement by Jasper to make the team. He also backed up refereeing the U16 trials afterwards.
Year 7 Artist in the Making
Year 7 Artist in the making, Jack F, is starting to test the waters for future cartooning. Here is one of his latest offerings. Well done Jack.
We encourage students to email contributions for our new section of our weekly newsletter, titled "Student Voice". It may be a short story, a poem, service activity, an achievement or award (sporting, scouts, Duke of Ed etc). Please email to jcollins@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for consideration of inclusion in The Messenger.
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.
Kindergarten Information Session - 10 May 2021
On Monday 10 May we will be holding a Kindergarten Information Session in our Library at 9:00am. Please register by clicking on the link below:
Green Point Christian College GPCC | Kindergarten Information Session
Library News
Official Library Opening - Tuesday 27 April 2021 - All Welcome
We are excited to announce that our Official Opening of our Library will be held on Tuesday 27 April from 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.
Premier's 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 you have any Premier's Reading Challenge questions, please contact Mrs Nicole van Wyk
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 for Term 1 and Story Time schedule for Term 2.
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
Casual Position Vacancy
The Munchery is looking for a casual staff member to join the team. We are looking for someone that has experience in hospitality, particularly in food handling, customer service and have barrister experience. The correct applicant also needs to show initiative and be a team player. For those interested please contact Noo by emailing: Themunchery@gmail.com.
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
EXTEND 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/ren (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.
GPCC Basketball Club
Green Point Trader
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.
GO 4 FUN
Term 2 Activities at Green Point Community Centre. For more details click this link.
Holiday Activities
Central Coast Council Youth Services holiday program. Click on this link.
Job Centre Australia are offering a variety of school holiday activities for students with a NDIS plan. For more information on the activities click this link.
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 Secondary 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
Thrive - Years 5 and 6 each Friday night from 5:00pm - 6:00pm.
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/
Coming up this week
Tuesday, 30 March
NSW All Schools Secondary Triathlon Individual
CSSA Secondary State Swimming Homebush
2021 Da Vinci Decathlon - selected students from Years 9 and 10 at Bishop Tyrell Anglican College
Year 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 Technology excursion to the Royal Easter Show
NSWPSSA Swimming Championships
Dates for Your Diary
Tuesday, 20 April
Years 7 - 10 Parent/Teacher Evening
Wednesday, 21 April
CSSA Primary Girls Netball Trials
Friday, 23 April
Primary Athletics Carnival - Years 2 - 6 at Mingara
Infants Athletics Carnival - At the College
Year 12 Business Cadetship Program Talk (during Year meeting)
CIS Primary Boys Soccer Championships
Monday, 26 April
Secondary Athletics Carnival at Mingara (postponed from March)
Monday, 3 May
Secondary Commendation Asssembly 10:00am
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