Well, what we had really hoped would not happen did happen – we are in for a further four weeks of lockdown. The Heads of School will be in touch about what this will look like for students and families, and feel free to feed back to us ideas or questions in relation to your current experience.

Situations like this can bring a community together or divide it and it is my hope that as we journey through this experience, it will help us to build a stronger community. This only happens when we firstly accept that we all have our own views on the situation, and they will be widely disparate. But all thinking the same thing is not necessary to being a strong community.

In our society today, people are quick to condemn those who hold a view different to theirs and this is leading to spiteful and hurtful comments and actions towards others. Social media fuels this because it takes away the natural accountability that exists in a face-to-face meeting. So, we need to accept that others will hold very different views to our own but that is okay.

The Christian approach to this is always grounded in an understanding of our common humanity. We are all made in God’s image and of equal value. Seeing the other person as being as precious to God as ourselves, helps us to moderate our response to them being different or having different beliefs or ideas to ours. We belong to the human family, so we need to love and respect each other even while disagreeing.

The great Catholic writer and novelist GK Chesterton is reported to have said that he and his younger brother argued their whole lives but never once quarrelled. To argue is to debate ideas but to quarrel is to attack the other person. As we debate the issues of COVID restrictions and vaccinations and home learning etc, let’s choose to argue but never quarrel.

A strong community seeks to preserve relationships without the need to compromise its fundamental beliefs. We are a very diverse community as a school. Our basic beliefs as an organisation are grounded in the orthodox and traditional evangelical Protestant Christian faith. We were birthed by Green Point Baptist Church as an activity of the Church and retain strong connections to it. But, we open our doors to people of other denominations and streams of Christianity as well as those from other faiths and no faith.

You could say there is much to divide us, but there is also much to unite us. We are all focused on raising children to flourish and fulfill their potential. We want them to develop good character and to be equipped to live life to the full. We are committed to quality education and if we focus on these things and allow dissent on others, we can be strong through this trying period of our history.

Phillip Nash

Principal

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

We are constantly reminded about our need for our great and mighty God. This whole situation with the pandemic speaks of a need to find truth that can only come from a true relationship with Him. 

Can I encourage all of you and your families to reach out and pray for our community and nation, and that God will show mercy and end this situation as it is clear that we do not have the answer.

With the extension to the lockdown that will continue to put pressure on students and staff, we are conscious about balancing the expectation of learning with caring for the wellbeing of all students. We will keep you informed of any changes in both emails and through the Messenger.

Year 12 Changes

At this stage Year 12 students are to return to face-to-face teaching on Monday 16 August 2021.

The Trial Examinations will now start on Wednesday 18 August 2021 and a new timetable will be released shortly.

Secondary Writing Opportunities 

We would love to encourage our students to participate in these two writing opportunities. English teachers in Years 7 – 10 will be providing students with more information and the opportunity to write in their lessons. However, both competitions are open to students from K – 12.

Poem Forest (Red Room Poetry)

Inspired by nature? A budding poet? Keen to contribute to protecting the environment?

This year, Red Room Poetry (in partnership with the Australian Botanic Garden) is planting a ‘Poem Forest’. This is a free poetry prize that invites students to use their words and the inspiration of nature to make a difference for our environment. For every poem submitted, a tree is planted to help restore the Cumberland Plain Woodland, south west of Sydney. The aim is to create a ‘Poem Forest’ that will stand for future generations. All POEM FOREST Prize entries will be published and in the running for prizes. Take this opportunity to be inspired by and reflect on God’s beautiful creation, something that continues to bring us joy and peace and comfort even in difficult times. This is an excellent way to enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors and to change your learning environment whilst still being at home.

2021 Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers (Fellowship of Australian Writers)

Keen to tell a story? Create a cliffhanger? Love to entertain others?

The Fellowship of Australian Writers is running their annual Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers short story competition. Secondary categories require submissions of up to 2500 words (Years 7 – 9 and Years 10 – 12). Short stories can be about any topic of your choosing (as long as they adhere to the word limit) and must not have been published or won other writing competitions. Each entry has a $3 fee. Take this opportunity to write a piece that provides inspiration, comfort and the chance for readers to feel connected and understood through the power of storytelling.

We would love to read your poems and short stories and be inspired by your use of words to uplift, encourage and inspire others. Please email any completed poems and short stories to your English teacher or to me (jmckay@gpcc.nsw.edu.au). For more information, please go to https://redroompoetry.org/projects/poem-forest/ and https://fawnsw.org.au/2021-hilarie-lindsay-young-writers/.

Mrs Jillian McKay                                                                                       

English Co-ordinator

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.

State Primary Futsal

At the Regional Championships, our fantastic Futsal teams were amazing, winning several of the competitions and demonstrating their impressive skills in such a technical game. The Senior Girls, Junior Boys and Senior Boys qualified for the State Championships which were held at Maitland.

This State Futsal Competition, held at the end of last term, was very tough, up against some of the strongest Futsal teams in the Hunter region. Our girls and boys teams were again superb, playing extremely well together, creating many scoring chances.

The Junior Boys only just missed out on qualifying for the Semi Finals; the Senior Boys were knocked out in the Semis while the Senior Girls, who made the Final, just went down in a penalty shoot-out. It was a superb effort by all of our teams.

Secondary Girls AFL Finals

In the last week of Term 2, a group of Years 7 and 8 girls attended 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 4^th 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.

Football NSW Secondary Futsal

The U15 Boys Futsal team competed at the Football NSW Secondary Futsal Competition late last term. They won their division which was great and then played off against Narrabeen Sports School. They were just outscored in the dying minutes of the game, bowing out of the finals. The boys did really well, up against some very strong teams from across the area.

Library Book Requests

Please watch the video to see how to request books from home. Requesting a Library Book. A drive-thru time will be arranged with Library staff once your books are ready.

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. Book Week Competitions have started and are due back by email nvanwyk@gpcc.nsw.edu.au on Friday 20 August.

K-2: Colouring competition (Please put name and class on the back - take a piscture or scan into email). 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 openfor a few more days, you may decide to get home delivery or we can distribute items once school returns on site. Online orders close on Monday 2 August.

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-home/

Premiers’ Reading Challenge

Student Contributions in The Messenger