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I want to say a big thank you to those who have embraced the learning from home regime again under our current COVID lockdown restrictions. I acknowledge that it is potentially harder this time as we are following on from a three week break which was mostly lockdown too, so you and the children have probably had enough of each other.
The Government has not been specific about the reason a family might send their child to school – it is left up to you and to us to work that out, but I am thankful that you are all doing that wisely. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different, and we remain more than happy to have your child on site if you deem that necessary.
Given that we are all hoping the lockdown will be lifted at the end of next week, some modifications have been made to the home learning, especially for Primary. If however, we do enter a longer period of lockdown, we will make some adjustments to ensure students do not fall behind. This is very difficult the younger they are of course. Thanks for your patience and co-operation as we work our way through this.
With construction workers also under lockdown and recognising that a number of our families are in this industry, if you are feeling the financial pinch, please contact our Bursar, Ros Black, and she will be happy to work something out for you. This applies to any family who might be suffering financial hardship at this time.
We have also posted on our website a range of resources to help families cope with the current situation, so please browse those as I am sure you will find them helpful.
I know there are moves afoot to try to get the Central Coast excluded from being considered part of the current Greater Sydney area during the pandemic and we are all hopeful this might be the case. Until then, it is important we play our part in following the lockdown orders.
We got through last time, and we will do so again now. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are finding this overwhelming, as we stand ready to support you in any way we can.
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
You are all AMAZING
As I have watched our students online, spoke to our families at the drive through pickup and worked with our teachers, I have been so thankful for the strong sense of community that has been present throughout the College.
Our students have demonstrated resilience as they adapted to learning in different settings without their friends and teachers in the room with them. They have shown growth in learning to navigate online meetings and responsibility for their own learning, as well as tenacity, patience, and care for one another.
A HUGE thank you to all of our families who are juggling multiple hats at the moment. Whether it be several children doing home learning, running a business and having children at home, working part time or full time, essential workers, health workers. We appreciate you. THANK YOU.
Lets continue to encourage and support one another.
Parents coming on site
Please note that we are required to restrict the population on site at the College wherever possible. If you need to come on site to pick up something, please phone ahead first. Once you arrive you must QR code in at reception and let them know what you are picking up. Where possible please wait outside the reception building.
Parent teacher interviews Wednesday 28 July
This year, and due to our current circumstances, we will be holding Parent Teacher Interviews over the phone. Appointments will only be with your child’s Core teacher and in some cases this may be different from their Maths teacher.
We would encourage you to only make an appointment if you have concerns about your child’s progress. At this time we encourage parents from split families to only make one appointment and communicate between one another.
Bookings for appointments opened Tuesday 20 July and will close at 3:00pm on Monday 26 July.
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.
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
Well done everyone. We have made it through the first week of online learning. Remember that our God is the true source of strength in troubled times. Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Just a few tips for online learning after a week:
Please make sure students are online for the start of every lesson including Life and Equip;
- Please make sure their cameras are on for the start of the lesson;
- Please allow them to undertake the exercise challenge during PDHPE lessons;
- Get some good books for them to read so that some of their down time is off screens;
- Please be patient, encouraging and enthusiastic … I know it is hard, but these go a long way;
- Enjoy the time with your children … it will pass really quickly;
- Pray with your children.
Remember we will need to continue to adjust our program of events as changes and Government advice come through, as we have done with the HSC Trial Examination timetable.
Please note the updated exam timetable:
Monday, 9 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC English Adv/Std Paper 1
- 2:00pm Trial HSC Music (Aural)
Tuesday, 10 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC English Adv/Std Paper 2
Wednesday, 11 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Legal Studies; Trial HSC Visual Arts; Trial HSC French Beginners - French (Listening, Reading and Writing)
- 1:30pm Trial HSC Industrial Tech
Thursday, 12 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Maths Adv, Std, Ext 2
- 1:30pm Trial HSC Hospitality; 1.30pm Trial HSC Modern History
Friday, 13 August 2021
- 12:00pm Trial HSC Ancient History; Trial HSC SDD
Monday, 16 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC SOR 2U; Trial HSC Maths Ext 1
- 1:30pm Trial HSC CAFS
Tuesday, 17 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Society & Culture; Trial HSC Physics
- 12:30pm Trial HSC Business Studies
Wednesday, 18 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC PDHPE
Thursday, 19 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Biology
- 1:00pm Trial HSC English Ext 1; Trial HSC Photography
Friday, 20 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Music Performance
Monday, 23 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Economics
- 1:00pm Trial HSC History Extension
Tuesday, 24 August 2021
- 8:50am Trial HSC Chemistry
Parents Coming on Site
Under current restriction we must limit people coming on site. If you need to pick something up for your child such as resources, please phone ahead. Once you arrive you must QR code in at reception and let them know what you are picking up. Then please wait outside and it will be delivered to you.
This week’s Careers Newsletter has exciting information for those interested to study Nursing or Midwifery at University of Newcastle.
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)
Storytime - Term 3
Please be advised that storytime 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
Library Resources
Our students have access to many digital resources. Please consider the list below as we move away from physical resource access. Our Digital Library is located on the school portal.
Go to: https://gpcc.sharepoint.com/sites/Library
Thousands of interactive, non-fiction texts, for all levels and other free ebook access.
Fiction titles accessible for Year 5-12 students. These titles are for personal reading, although some class texts are also on this site. Books are downloaded onto student devices; phone, tablet, computer. Students can access from the intranet or using the ePlatform by Wheelers app. Books are automatically returned after 2 weeks. Wifi access is needed for downloading but not for reading.
Students can access PRC on the portal. Usernames and passwords were sent home if students want to log the books they have read. The PRC site will show students books that are approved for each stage. If you need your username and password again please email nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
The International Children’s Digital Library
This site has books from many countries and in many languages. You can choose the child’s age level and find interesting books to read.
Central Coast Libraries
As well physical borrowing our central coast have a considerable amount of digital resources; magazines, ebooks & audio books. Please follow this link to find out more and consider becoming a member if you are not already.
https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/libraries/elibrary
State Library of NSW
Senior Secondary students will find the online journals and curated collections from the State Library helpful for their studies. They have already been encouraged to join using the link below.
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections/get-library-card
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
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/.
Parent and Family Wellbeing Resources
A Parent and Family Wellbeing Resource page has been created on our College website which may be helpful for parents and carers during home learning.
Olympic Games - Go Well Nicola
We wish ex student Nicola McDermott (2014) all the very best in her performance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Nicola will be competing in the Women's High Jump on Thursday 5 August. You can follow all the Athletics results at Athletics Australia Facebook or NSW Athletics Facebook.
Busways Services
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 College at 15:32 (previously departing at 15:34). This bus will then be continuing as per normal route. Please contact Red Bus 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 receive 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: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform
Munchery News - Canteen is closed during lockdown
EXTEND 2021 (Before and After School Care)
Click here to view a message from Darren Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer of The Extend Group
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, 26 July
Year 10 Strength Potential and Direction Interviews (cancelled)
Secondary Assembly online - streamed onine in equip classes
Tuesday, 27 July
Year 10 Strength Potential and Direction Interviews (cancelled)
Year 7 and Year 10 Year Meetings online
Wednesday, 28 July
7 - 12 Chapel/Equip Teams Online
Primary Parent/Teacher Interviews (via phone) 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Thursday, 29 July
Year 9 and Year 11 Meeting online
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