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Welcome to Term 3 where many of us have a feeling of déjà vu! The difference is we have done this before and are more ready for what lies ahead. Teachers have been working hard on preparing for home learning and we are all hopeful that this will only be for the next two weeks.
Monitoring the situation, it does seem that a certain measure of control is in place in Sydney and numbers are not skyrocketing, which is all good news. However, we remain flexible and ready to move in whatever direction we are required in the coming weeks. Having lots of friends in Indonesia and watching the disastrous situation there, we can be grateful for what our governments are doing to contain this pandemic.
I have instructed teachers not to spend too much time each day online with students as past experience showed that this proved to be counterproductive. Some instruction and then set work will be the order of the day for most. Students will be able to have individual and group sessions with their teachers and this is particularly important for our Years 11 and 12 cohort. Best approaches vary significantly depending on the age of the students so you can expect things to be different for different ages.
Remember to set up good routines at home. It is recommended that you treat school days as school days and the Heads of School will be advising that they would like to see students in at least PE uniform. This puts children in a school mind frame and also means a common approach to dress code – no pyjamas for instance!
Students at school will also be on-line along with their classmates and will mainly be in combined Year level groups under supervision. It proved almost impossible to have students engaged in face-to-face work with the teacher and to have some on-line at the same time. Neither group received good instruction. It is unlikely we will be attempting that this time. It is important that your child, if at home, comes online at the timetabled time as we are legally required to mark their attendance. If they do not appear online and the teacher is not sure they are connected, they will be marked absent, and this will go on their record. Feel free to get in touch with the class teacher, Year Advisor or appropriate Head of School if you have any concerns or questions. We are here to help this process be as smooth as possible for you and your child.Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Welcome to Term 3
I would like to welcome to the College several new families starting this week. I know school looks a little different at the moment, but it is still vital that we demonstrate community and hospitality. Mayhew family in Years 1 and 3, Egan family in Years 6 and 2, Hynes, Brown and Stephens families also in Year 6, Farmer, de Klerk and Brown families in Year 4 and Forster family in Year 5.
Learning from Home
Well here we are again. I am so thankful for the amazing group of teachers we have at our College. Each grade has spent the past week putting together resources to make home learning as engaging and suited to families with busy schedules as possible. Please ensure that you keep an eye on your emails both from myself and class teachers and if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Device Pick up – Monday 19 July
We will be holding a device and pack distribution on Monday morning. This will be a timed drive through service and will happen in the main car park. You will receive an email with the time for your family.
If you could please place a card with your family name on it in the windscreen, this will assist us in finding your child’s equipment and keeping the queue moving. Please be patient as we work through this process.
Semester One Reports
The Semester One reports will be on Parent Lounge by the end of Friday 16 July. Please take time to read your child’s report and encourage them for the growth and progress they have made. It is encouraging to see as I read through the reports the wide distribution of an excellent effort grade. This tells us that students have worked with consistent effort across the year and are making choices that help themselves and others learn. Well done students.
Parent Teacher Interviews moved to Week 2 - Wednesday 28 July
Due to the need to rethink the logistics around this event we have moved Parent Teacher Interviews to Wednesday 28 July. These interviews will take place over the phone. If you would like an interview with your child’s teacher you will need to make an appointment through the Parent Lounge and then the class teacher will phone you at this time. Please be mindful that you are not required to make an interview time, and I would encourage you only to do so if you have a concern about your child’s report or academic growth and development.
Booking times for these interviews will be open from Tuesday 20 July from 6:00am and can be made through the Parent Lounge on our TASSWeb database. Bookings close on Tuesday 27 July at 3:00pm to allow teachers time to prepare for their interviews.
How to book an Interview on Parent Lounge
You may access your account with your family number previously supplied. If you are new to the College and haven’t used this facility before, please contact the office to get your family number. 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.
Year 5 Bathurst Camp
On the last two days of Term 2, our Year 5 students travelled over the Blue Mountains to experience life in the Bathurst Goldfields. The students panned for gold, made damper and warmed themselves by the bellows of the blacksmith. Thank you to the teachers who accompanied them.
Year 7 2023 Enrolments
We are currently experiencing high demand for positions in Year 7 and have received a lot of interest and applications for 2023. If you plan on enrolling a sibling in Year 7 2023, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as practical. For an application form please click on the following link.
Please note if your child is currently in Primary School at GPCC, you are not required to apply for Year 7, however if your child will not be continuing would you kindly advise in writing registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
Welcome back to Term 3. It is not particularly the way that we wanted to start this term, but we have coped with online learning before and we will overcome this again.
Obviously, things will need to change and develop as we go along, so I would just ask that you be patient and understanding. If you need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please make sure that your child follows the Learning from Home - Student Manual emailed to you.
Also, kindly have your child read the Online and Remote Learning Protocol 2021 emailed yesterday, sign and return to the office by email to office@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.
I am reminded at how good our God is and how much He loves each of us even in difficult situations. My prayer is that this time draws us closer to Him and increases our understanding of His amazing grace.
Please remember that it is important that you stay on top of the increased emails that will be sent home over this period. We will try to keep you up to date with the latest information as we find out.
Unfortunately, due to the latest lockdown restrictions all Sport Carnivals and Gala Days, and School Excursions that were scheduled in July have been postponed.
Year 12
This is again a difficult time for those students studying their HSC. Please make sure that they remain focused on the big picture and do not become disheartened.
For those students with Major Works to complete, attendance at school is preferrable. Year 12 will be working online in the Library, but they will be able to work on their Major Works in Study Periods and in their practical subject classes. They will need to be online for each of their lessons.
We have moved the HSC Trial Examination Dates to begin on 9 August 2021. This will be re-evaluated as the lockdown times become clearer.
Years 10/11 Drama Production
Congratulations to the Years 10 and 11 students on an amazing performance of Shakespeare’s "The Two Gentlemen of Verona". Congratulations to Kerrie Rochford for providing this wonderful opportunity for our students!
This week’s Careers Newsletter hhas information to help Year 10 students with subject selection for Year 11 and 12 as well as information about University Open Days (link below).
For more details, please see this week's Careers Newsletter or visit the Student Careers section under the “Education & Learning” menu on the GPCC website.
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
Nathan Lambert | K-12 Sport Co-ordinator
On Tuesday 22 June, a group of Years 7 and 8 girls attended the Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex to compete in the regional AFL Finals. The girls had some stiff competition in very wet and rough conditions, but they kept fighting all day. They ended up placing 4th which took them through to the semi-finals where they came up against the first placed team. Unfortunately, they came up with a loss, but they put in a great effort all day. Ava I scored quite a few points on the day, Tanika M made some great tackles in the midfield and Olivia E was consistent in the back. Well done on a great effort and result to all the girls who attended: Siena D, Morgan E, Olivia E, Katie E, Ava I, Lyla M, Tanika M, Kahlia M, Felicity R, Emily R, Grace S and Saskia V. Thanks also to our parent coach, Mr Evans.
Ms Raeside
Storytime - Term 3
Please be advised that story time will not be running until restrictions ease and parents are once again permitted to be on site.
Book Week - Friday 27 August
Book Week will go ahead in some capacity, stay tuned for details later in the term. Competitions start in Week 1 and are due back by Friday 20 August.
K-2: Colouring competition (Please put name and class on the back). Please click on link below for the colouring page.
(ideas to get you started: https://www.pinterest.com.au/kinseymlarson/diorama/
Book Club
Orders for Issue 5 are open online, you may decide to get home delivery or we can distribute items once school returns on site. Online orders close on 2 August.
https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-home/
Premiers’ Reading Challenge
The PRC closes on Friday 20 August. Home learning allows more time to log books online. If you are not sure of your child’s username and password please email me nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Student Contributions in The Messenger
We encourage students to email contributions for the 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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Canteen, Uniform Shop and EXTEND Services
Due to COVID Lockdown both the Canteen and Uniform Shop will not be open until further notice. Uniforms may be ordered online: https://www.alintaapparel.com.au/.
EXTEND, (Before and After School Care) will not be operational on Monday 19 July and Tuesday 20 July. Further advice will be provided as it becomes available.
Busways Services
Busways would like to clarify that all school bus services will run from Monday, 12 July 2021.
There are currently no physical distancing restrictions on dedicated school bus services, however children over 12 years old are required to wear a face mask on public transport.
Rest assured, no student will be turned away from public transport under any circumstance.
Busways continues to ensure extra cleans of buses daily and follows all NSW Government's health advice..
If you need further advice or would like to seek clarification, please visit the Transport for NSW website. COVID-19: Travel advice and information | transportnsw.info
Red Bus Timetable Change
Red Bus Services would like to advise due to late running of some services. As of 12 July 2021, School bus S637 will be departing Green Point Christian School at 15:32 (previously departing at 15:34). This bus will then be continuing as per normal route. Please contact Redbus for any enquiries on 43328655.
Yearbook Cover Art Competition
K - 12 students are invited to enter our 2021 Yearbook Cover Art Competition. 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. Please submit entries to the office or email community@gpcc.nsw.edu.au by 30 July.
Online learning Pics
We would love to received some online learning photos and share them with our school community. Please email photos to community@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Uniform Shop (only online ordering during Lockdown)
For online ordering: gpcc@alinta.com.au
Munchery News - Canteen is closed during lockdown
EXTEND 2021 (Before and After School Care) - closed Monday 19 July and Tuesday 20 July 2021
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.
Green Point Trader
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
Everyone is welcome! Green Point Baptist Church Worship Services are currently online on Sundays at 9:30am.
Please go to our website https://www.gpbc.net.au/930am-worship-service/ for details or email office@gpbc.net.au for our Zoom details.
Website: www.gpbc.net.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenpointbaps/
Coming up this week
Monday, 19 July
First day of Term 3 for students
Tuesday, 20 July
Year 8 and Year 10 Subject Information Evening (online)
University of Newcastle Talk to Year 10 (cancelled)
Year 12 French Speaking Skills Excursion (cancelled)
Wednesday, 21 July
THACCCSA Secondary Futsal - Maitland Under 15's boys, Open Girls (postponed)
THACCCSA Zone Secondary Basketball Gala Day, Maitland (postponed)
Friday, 23 July
Kindergarten 100 days of School celebrations (postponed)
Dates for Your Diary
Monday, 26 July
Year 10 Strength Potential and Direction Interviews (cancelled)
Tuesday, 27 July
Year 10 Strength Potential and Direction Interviews (cancelled)
Wednesday, 28 July
Primary Parent/Teacher Interviews (via phone)
Thursday, 29 July
THACCCS Zone Secondary Athletics Carnival - Glendale (postponed)
CSSA State Soccer & Netball Metro Cup - Jamison Park (postponed)
Friday, 30 July
Year 9 Boys AIM Mission Trip (30 July - 6 August) (postponed)
Term Dates 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
Term Dates 2022
Term 1, 2022
Thursday, 27 January - (Years 1 - 7, 11 and 12 commence Term 1)
Friday, 28 January - (Years 8 - 10 commence Term 1)
Monday, 31 January - (Kindergarten commence Term 1)
Friday, 8 April - Last Day Term 1
Term 2, 2022
Wednesday, 27 April to Friday, 1 July
Monday, 13 June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Term 3, 2022
Thursday, 21 July to Friday, 23 September
Term 4, 2022
Tuesday, 11 October to Wednesday, 7 December