As we enter our 4^th week of home learning, I know we are all feeling the strain of the current situation. As numbers continue to remain high and COVID cases spread across our region, there is a feeling of helplessness that can overcome us. I wrote to you all last week encouraging you to see this as an opportunity to grow in perseverance and resilience, as that is what will help sustain us through this period.

We also need each other, and it is important we look out for each other and reach out to others to give support and encouragement. While keeping within the regulations, we all need to do what we can to support each other. This is the hallmark of a strong community – we not only care for ourselves but we care for others.

As I write this (Thursday), we are still expecting our Year 12s to return on 16 August and begin their Trial HSC Examinations on Wednesday 18 August. We appreciate that in the midst of this volatile situation, the Premier is trying to give some certainty to these students about a return to school and to keep their focus on the HSC Exams starting in October.

Today also, we have all been watching our past student, Nicola McDermott jumping in the Olympic High Jump qualifiers and are very excited that she has made it through to the finals on Saturday evening. Knowing something of her story gives us hope that in spite of life’s challenges, we can get through when we understand our place in God’s economy, when we draw on the strength He provides and when we commit to the task set before us. She is showing our students a great example which they can follow in whatever field they find their calling.

I was delighted today to get a copy of recordings from one of our senior music teachers of the work of two of our Year 11 students. I continue to be amazed at the talent that lies in our student body and that in spite of the current home learning situation, our students continue to seek to do their best. Please click on links below to listen and enjoy their talent. This is inspiring and this is what we need in these days.

Remember that, as the desert Fathers used to say about their problems, “This too shall pass.”  All these things have a time span and our job is to patiently wait it out, do the right thing and stick together.

Phillip Nash

Principal

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

Watching the Olympic Games really highlights a number of aspects about the importance of our mental approach to life and the messiness that it throws at us. The difference between success and failure in terms of outcome can be very small and yet our mental approach is foundational to stepping into success. Also, it is our mental approach when we do not meet our goals that is key to picking ourselves up and moving forward.

It is funny how we often view success as winning, but it was good to see the emphasis placed on achieving one’s personal best. This again is a different mental approach to life. To achieve your best is success, not whether you come first.

The value of a person actually comes from none of this, but rather from the fact that God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us, enough to send Jesus to die for us.

Parent Teacher Days

Years 8, 10 and 12 are on Tuesday 10 August 2021
Years 7, 9 and 11 are on Thursday 12 August 2021

Remember that students will not attend class online. These days are catch up time and time to work on Assessment Tasks as well as a break from online learning.

Also, we are encouraging parents to only make a booking if they have aspects of their child’s learning that they need to discuss.

Bookings for Years 8, 10 and 12 Parent Teacher Interviews will open at 7:00am on Friday 6 August 2021 and will close on Monday 9 August 2021 at 3:00pm.

Bookings for Years 7, 9 and 11 Parent Teacher Interviews will open at 7:00am on Monday 9 August 2021 and will close on Tuesday 10 August 2021 at 3:00pm.

Your interview will be held on your child’s computer at the allotted time so you must have access to their computer, and it would be great if your child was part of the interview. However, if the exception is that you are not able to access your child’s device please email your details to: mhay@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.

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 receive 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, please contact the College office.

Mrs Lumby's Youtube Videos 

Our Youtube star, Mrs Lumby has been busy making cooking video's for her Years 7 and 9 Food Technology students.

Here are the links to her two new cooking videos:

Fruit Salad: https://youtu.be/QQq6zoR23-s

Year 11 Advanced English    

Mrs McKay got to hang out with the cool kids from her Year 11 Advanced English class. Using breakout rooms in Teams, allows teachers to have small group discussions on the text they are studying and catch up on lockdown life. 

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 2,500 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.

Student Contributions in The Messenger