The Central Coast is changing! We have all been amazed at the very recent and dramatic drift north from Sydney to the Coast. For those like my daughter, who is wanting to buy her first house it has been devastating as she has seen her hard-earned deposit quickly become insufficient to buy a house she could have afforded a year ago. For those of us who own our homes, we are pretty pleased at the capital growth.

But there is another change happening and it has been happening for a while. The ethnic make-up of the Coast is also being transformed. For a long time, this has been a very white (or sun-tanned) area but that is changing. The ethnic diversity of Sydney is now beginning to take place here.

Green Point Christian College has a smattering of non-Western European ethnicities, but we are seeing a growing number of applications from people from a wider variety of backgrounds. I think this is a very good thing. Our students need to have a greater understanding of the amazing diversity of the world in which we live. If you have been privileged, as I have, to grow up in a different culture or have lived for any time in part of the non-Western world, you will know how valuable that is to your own worldview and appreciation of both other cultures and your own.

I was born and grew up in the Solomon Islands, surrounded by Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian peoples and speaking Pidgin English. I have lived in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia so have experienced a range of different cultures. I have learnt to live with Aboriginal and Maori people and have enjoyed travel to southern Europe, many parts of Asia and Central America.

These experiences and my interactions with people from other races have helped to shape my view of humanity and the world. It has taught me to value the diversity of cultures in the world and to love and appreciate my own. It has helped me to understand both the commonality of our humanness and our very significant differences.

As the Coast changes, we need to embrace the opportunity it offers our students to learn about others, their different religions and worldviews and to appreciate this variety while also appreciating their own culture. As a school, we want our students to be secure and confident in their identity and to embrace the identity of others not as something wrong or strange, but as something interesting and unique.

The Scriptures teach us of a God who created a very diverse world and who enjoys variety. There is only one area in which God sees no difference and that is in the offer He makes of salvation from sin; of a fresh start to enable reconnection with Him as our Creator. The Apostle Paul, writing to a very mixed group of people in Galatia said, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The offer of salvation sees no ethnic, or gender or geographical or historical differences – it is open to all.

Phillip Nash

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

This year we have been very intentional about our mission focus for each Year group. 

Year 12 have a focus on the persecuted church and the sex slave trade around the world. 

This week they organised and ran a fundraiser to mark the end of their handball competition which ran for the last five weeks, to build community amongst the students in Years 7-12. These funds will go to AusCam, an organisation that helps to get children and women out of exploitation situations around the world. It is great to see our students take an interest in different needs globally.

During much of the rest of the term we will be focusing on indigenous culture through Sorry Day, Reconciliation Day and NAIDOC Week. This fits into our desire to engage with the needs of Australia’s indigenous population, particularly as a focus group for Year 9.

Year 9 Boys Mission Trip 

During the next week, boys in Year 9 who have applied for the Year 9 Mission trip will be undergoing an interview process.

This year there has been more interest than ever before and it is a credit to each of the boys for being willing to be a part of the team.  We have had 19 applications and only less than half of the boys will be going on the trip.  We wish that we were able to take all the boys. The reason for the small number of students is we have determined that this number works best for maximum effect in the schools and communities we visit as well as for the boys personal faith journey.

We ask that you be prayerful for Mr McGillivray and Mr Lewis as they seek God for who will be part of the team. 

Year 12 Equip Class  

Year 12 Equip class watched a practical demonstration of how to change a tyre.  Thank you to Neil Gray from our GPCC Green Team for his expertise and tips for keeping safe on the road.

Year 8 Geography Fieldwork Excursion   

This week Year 8 explored Gosford CBD to observe the liveability for specific community groups. Their unit of study “Place and Liveability” requires students to consider what makes a place liveable, how liveability is ranked, and what can improve the liveability of places.

Students walked through Mann Street, Kibble Park and ended at Gosford Waterfront Park making observational notes on the features of facilities providing services, transport, recreational and leisure needs. The data which students have collected will be used towards their assessment task due in Week 8.  Mrs Erasmus 

YIPA

Our Years 11 and 12 Music students proudly represented the College in Youth in Performing Arts (YIPA) at Laycock Street Theatre. Congratulations to David L, Luke M, Olivia F, Summer H, Scotia E, Ben E, Evie P,  Elise L, Riley M, Mr James Leonard and Mr Colin Muir and past student Jordan L.   

Beauty and the Beast Update

Rehearsals for Beauty and the Beast have recommenced and show performances will be 17-19 November (Week 7, Term 4).

Dancers are meeting on Tuesday lunchtimes in CAPA 5 with Miss Ricki.

Scenes are being rehearsed on Monday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes during this term.

We would like to have two Saturday rehearsals this term for ensemble, leads and dancers to go through some of the big numbers that were almost finished last time, for those who are able to make it. We understand sport and work commiments, so as people are able, please come along.  

Saturday 22 May: 9:00am - 1:00pm “Be Our Guest” – morning tea provided.

Saturday 5 June: 1:00pm - 4:00pm “Gaston” - afternoon tea provided.

Many thanks in advance.  

Mrs Kerrie Rochford

Space Week

We had a great week in the Library last week doing craft, completing puzzles, drawing and colouring, making Lego creations and learning about space. Thank you to all the students who participated and the Library staff who prepared fun activities for each day.

Story Time for Pre-schoolers

Year 11 What Matters?  English Writing Competition

The Girl in the Mirror - by Charlotte M

Red hair, black glasses, green eyes.

That’s all you see when you look at me, the shell of my disguise.

Spine straight, shoulders back, chin up.

Just put one foot in front of the other, keep walking, never stop.

As I look at my reflection, I realise that’s all they see.

My pink cheeks and pale skin, but is that all there really is to me?

Hey there, girl in the mirror. With your head held high.

Your confident smile and walk are quite convincing, but your eyes give away your lie.

I know you’re insecure and I know that you’re scared.

I know you don’t like how you look. And you wear this attitude to keep from being bare.

So you use your confidence as a shield. Of which you hide behind.

And you smile through it all so they’ll never know what’s on your mind.

Hey there, girl in the mirror. How are you now?

You want to keep on hiding, okay, but how?

I know you think you’re ugly. I know you think you’re fat.

You think that no one really loves you, because of all of that.

So you keep on smiling, and now and then you laugh.

To make sure no one can see how deep the scars really are.

Hey there, girl in the mirror. How are you holding up?

I can see the struggle behind your eyes, but please, don’t give up.

No matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.

Because we’re the same, you and I, in what we have and what we lack.

Because pain isn’t beautiful. And fear isn’t strong.

And you say, ‘I’m always right’, because you’re scared to be wrong.

Hey there, girl in the mirror. It’s going to be okay.

We’re all here for you. And we’re here to stay.

But no, you don’t believe that. Do you?

Even if what we’re saying is completely true.

Because you’re feeling lost, and you feel that you’re alone.

But you won’t let them see, in case they break you down bone by bone.

Hey there, girl in the mirror. Please just give it a chance.

Come out to play, come and dance.

Just stop being scared and feel something.

It doesn’t matter what they think, open up and sing.

Cause this is who you are. Come out and be yourself.

Let it out, stop caring about everybody else.

Hey there, girl in the mirror. Please, don’t slip away.

We got so close this time, maybe we could try again some other day.

No, don’t go! Please just come back.

You’ve gone behind your shields, waiting for their attack.

You don’t trust anyone do you, it won’t matter what I say.

Oh my poor girl in the mirror, what did they do to you, to make you this way?

The Storms of Life by George I H 

Much of my childhood has been punctuated by anxiety. A general aversion to

anything foreign or unfamiliar in nature. A restrictive and limiting sense of

inadequacy. Most pressing of all was the desire to control the uncontrollable, a desire

equally as draining as it was persistent.

To me, anxiety can feel like being a puppet to my subconscious mind. Throughout my

life, I have found it difficult to cut the strings which have allowed my subconscious to

take charge of me …

For most other students in my class, it was just another day at school, they seemed

to share a sense of blissful indifference. However, I knew something lurked, waiting

to overthrow the innocent skies and summer sun. It was something my mind

ruminated over that day and many before it. Today, there would be a thunderstorm,

one of the new fixations that had interlaced its way into the fabric of my ten-year-old

mind.

On that morning, I was dedicated to monitoring the weather forecast, yearning for it

to portray the idyllic sunny day. I was allowing myself to become consumed by the

dread of my powerlessness over my circumstances, and therefore had invited fear to

manifest itself in my mind.

As the school day wound to its conclusion, it became apparent that there was no

event to fear, the dreaded storm did not eventuate, and the anticipatory terror snuck

back down into the recesses of my conscious. The irrationality of my panic brought

into the forefront a challenging thought: “was there really anything to fear but fear

itself?”

This question possessed a great significance in relieving my subservience to my

subconscious. I was enveloped by triumph as the true origin of my fear exposed

itself. Retrospectively, what truly formed the greatest fear was the anticipation and

not the event.

Equipped with this newfound knowledge, I was able to muster the strength within

myself to loosen the clasp of fear through exposure. This time, as the tell-tale

cumulonimbus clouds gathered ominously in an obscuring sky, I would not hide.

Instead, I would conquer the darkness, and maybe, in doing so, I would come to

appreciate the fascinating and beautiful ways of nature.

It didn’t come without its adversity, but I found the capacity to cut the strings that

bound me to my inner fears, relinquishing my status as a puppet for fear. It is a

universally experienced sensation to strive to control the uncontrollable but doing so

has only caused me to lose control of my mind.

It is so important to me that young people recognise that they are stronger than

their anxiety tells them, and that they can overcome the seemingly insurmountable

storms of life.

Student Contributions in The Messenger

Note Regarding Parking this coming Monday and Tuesday

Green Point Baptist Church are hosting an event on site this Monday 24 May and Tuesday 25 May which will result in an increase of vehicles on site for these two days. To accommodate the additional impact on our parking, all staff have been instructed to utilise other parking within the College grounds for these days. We emphasise that the additional guests will be arriving after school starts and leaving after the afternoon pickup window. The visitors to the Church are also planning to car pool wherever possible. Despite all these measures being in place, we may still experience additional traffic for drop-off and pick-up for these two days, and we ask that you exercise patience and understanding for these two days in particular.

ATSI Observances

'National Sorry Day' (26 May) is about remembering and commemorating the Stolen Generations, and recognising how this history continues to affect so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

It is important to understand that when using the word "sorry" in the context of the 

Stolen Generations, the word represents the grief and loss experienced by the parents, families and communities of the children who were forcibly removed. Survivors of Stolen Generations themselves use the word "sorry" when speaking of their loss as a result of their separation from their family, community, country and culture.

For Australians across the country, we use the word "sorry" to show understanding and empathy toward someone who has lost someone special. For example, "I’m sorry for your loss".

"When we meet to commemorate National Sorry Day, we do so by showing respect and remembrance in a similar way as when we meet on other days of historical significance, such as ANZAC Day.

On National Sorry Day, we gather together to commemorate the Stolen Generations, their families and communities, celebrating their strength and survival and sharing in the process of healing and reconciliation.'

These words have been written by the National Sorry Day Committee to support schools in observing Sorry Day. We acknowledge their loss and stand with all ASTI communities as they mourn. More information is on the resource link below.

https://www.deadlystory.com/icms_docs/286608_national-sorry-day-committee-school-resource.pdf

If you have questions about Observance days or ATSI events, please email Mrs Nicole van Wyk: nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au .

Positions Vacant 

 

GREEN POINT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

A ministry of Green Point Baptist Church

Our mission is “Equipped for Life”

CASUAL TEACHERS - (Secondary School)

We are currently seeking experienced teachers to work on a casual basis across all subject areas in our Secondary School.

For full details and criteria, please refer to the full Job Description available on the College website, along with prospectus and application form at this link.  

The successful applicants must be committed Christians and be prepared to work under the ethos of our College.

Applications are to be submitted online via the application form

Volunteers for HSC exams, can you help?

Each year a group of wonderful volunteers give their time to help students sit their HSC exams as readers, writers and/or exam supervisors.

Our volunteers provide a vital service to students who may otherwise be disadvantaged when sitting the HSC.  

If you think you would enjoy helping our Year 12 students sit their final exams, please email Veronique Logemann at vlogemann@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or call 4363 1266 ext 6036. 

School Photographs

School photos have been delivered to the College and have been distributed in classes and Year group meetings. Sibling Photos have also been distributed in photo the photos packs to students. 

If you have any concerns or queries regarding your Advancelife Photography order, please contact the Advancedlife Enquiry team at enquiries@advancedlife.com.au or contact them on 9905 6688. 

To the Point Lecture Series - with Dr Graham Pratt 

Tuesday 22 June:

7:30pm - 9:00pm 

Following the excellent evening we shared with Dr Luke Barnes to launch the To The Point Lecture Series, we are pleased to announce our next lecture scheduled for Tuesday 22 June, 7.30pm to 9:00pm.

For our next lecture, To The Point are pleased to be hosting Dr Graham Pratt, addressing "The Rise of China: Challenges for USA and Australia".

You can learn more about Dr Pratt and to register via our website event page. 

Yearbook Cover Art Competition

We invite students from Kinder - Year 12 to enter our 2021 Yearbook Cover Art Competition. The winning entry from Primary and Secondary will be on the front and back cover of our 2021 Yearbook. This year's theme is 'Godly in Character', part of our GPCC Graduate Profile. We look forward to receiving lots of wonderful artworks and drawings. 

Yearbook Cover Art Competition

Private Music Tuition

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 include the digital signature option).

Alternatively, you can download and print the brochure and return to the College Reception.

Sex Education in the Cyber-world with Dr Patricia Weerakoon

Thursday 10 June  7:30pm - 9:30pm

Primary and Secondary parents are invited to attend, there will be time for questions and answers. 

For more information and to register please click on link:

Green Point Christian College GPCC | Sex education in the Cyber-world…

Photo: Dr Patricia Weerakoon

Bus Transport Opal Cards 

Please remind students that they need to tap on and off with their Opal passes when travelling on the bus.

Normal Operating Times

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

Monday, 31 May

Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June - ATSI Understanding and perspective

CIS Secondary Soccer Championships - Open Girls and 16/U Open Boys

Tuesday, 1 June 

Society and Culture HSC Study Day - Wesley Conference Centre

Year 12 French Speaking Skills Excursion

Central Coast All Schools Oztag Gala Day - Years 7/8 Girls, Years 7/8 Boys

Wednesday, 2 June 

THACCCSA Zone Primary Soccer Metro Cup

 Year 2 Swimming Lessons 

Thursday, 3 June 

CSSA Primary and Secondary State Gymnastics

Secondary Girls AFL Central Comp Comp - Years 7/8 Girls, Open Girls

Term Dates 2021