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Welcome to Term 4. As predicted, we have already undergone several changes to the COVID recovery track we outlined last term. A separate email will be sent early next week containing the revised Return to School Roadmap.
We face an uncertain term in many respects, but it will be wonderful to welcome back all our students. You have all done extremely well for over a term now with home learning, and I thank you for your support of us as we worked together to keep students learning. While we are not there yet, we are now on a pathway back to some form of normality.
Some parents have been contacting us about vaccinations for students, anxious that we will allow students to give permission for vaccinations without parents knowing. This is not our usual practice, and we have no plans to become a vaccination hub even if that is offered to schools. If you want your child to be vaccinated, you need to arrange that yourselves.
Once students begin returning in numbers, the question in some parents’ minds may be the vaccination status of our teachers. A current Public Health Order requires that from 8 November, all school staff must be double vaccinated to be on site at any time. If for whatever reason (and there are many reasons), a staff member is not double vaccinated by then, they will work from home while we wait to see what the longer term requirement is for school staff or for them to get their second vaccination. The change to the return to school timetable has complicated this issue for many staff.
So, it is possible that when your child is back, they may have a teacher who is still teaching from home via MS TEAMS. We will ensure the children are properly supervised at school during this time. We have only a small number of teachers who may find themselves in this situation.
Let me remind you that it is really important to us as a school that we treat each other with consideration and kindness through this next period. None of us should judge another’s position or assume that we know all the facts of their situation. We all have good reasons for our position on the vaccination issue and we need to simply respect each person’s individual right to hold a different view. I remind you of our Position Paper on this matter which is available on our website. This also applies to students who need to have a good example set by us in this.
As Year 12 approach their delayed HSC Examinations, remember them in prayer – this has been a very challenging two years for them. We are very hopeful that a Graduation can take place at the end of term and their School Formal so that we can celebrate with them the end of this challenging season.
It will be some time before you will be able to freely come onto the school site, but we look forward to the day when we can meet face to face again, unmasked!
Phillip Nash
Principal
Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary
Welcome back to Term 4. It was very exciting to see our students on line this week, catching up with their friends and teachers. As I write, there are many changes happening with plans and roadmaps changing constantly. Please continue to read the emails from Mr Nash, as they contain important and up to date information about what is to come.
Parents on site
When dropping off and collecting students from school, please remember that parents are not allowed on site. Currently we are using the K&D 1 area in the main car park for the collection and drop off of all students. If you choose to park and walk your child up to school, you will need to say goodbye to them at the bunting located at the bottom of the hill.
Thank you for helping to keep our staff and students safe
Hats
As it is now Term 4 and the weather is warming up, hats are compulsory for outdoor play. Please make sure your children have their hat with their name in it, at school each day.
Students without a hat will be asked to sit under the shaded COLA during break times and will miss their play.
Canteen
The canteen is not yet operational – this will come into play once students officially return.
When the canteen does open, it will be through an order only system for Primary. If you have not done already ,take time to familiarise yourself with The Munchery ordering system and set up your account.
Car Park
To keep our children safe it is important that parents/carers who park in the car park to collect students, alight from their car and walk over to collect students as they will not be allowed to come across into the car park to meet you.
Our Champion Online Learners
Photos above: Our Year 2 students had a wonderful time taking part in a 'At Home Scavenger Hunt'
Photo: Great to see Lucia (KJ) enjoying home learning Bible Studies/Worship
Photo: 3B had pet devotions on Friday morning and everyone had the chance to introduce their pet and tell the class all about them
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
Welcome back for the final term of this year.
It promises to be a busy time and it will be made more difficult with the continued restrictions created by the COVID situation. However, I am continually reminded that God calls us to trust in Him because He is faithful and to not fear. It is funny that fear is everywhere at this time, and it is being used by people in power, yet our God calls us not to fear because He is who we can trust. The problem with the use of fear to achieve different aims is that it causes division and strife among communities.
If we look at history, fear has the ability to destroy peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, so fear is not of Him. As we return to the College and our community reforms, we want to do this based on the peace that comes from Jesus. Therefore, we do not want division created amongst students due to any vaccine status. We want our community to be kind to each other and respectful of other people’s views. Most of the time we make rash judgements when we have no true understanding of other people’s positions. In our return to school, it is important that vaccine status does not become an issue that creates division or bullying of any type.
Let’s pray for this term and that we find our strength and peace in Jesus. Please pray for our Year 12 students as they head towards their delayed HSC exams that they can find the focus and motivation to restart their study. Let’s also pray for our Year 11 students as they start their HSC work this term.
Photo: Year 12 2021
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
This week’s Careers Newsletter has update information from UAC and lots of job opportunities.
For more details, please see this week's Careers News or visit the Student Careers section under the 'Education & Learning' menu on the GPCC website.
Please start looking around for school resources to be returned when students come back on site. Thank you to those families who returned items on resource pick up days.
We found during COVID lockdown last year that some resources went missing. With students coming back, it is a great opportunity to collect English texts and Library books for return.
Online/ Digital Library Resources
Our students have access to many digital resources over the holidays and during home learning. Our Digital Library is located on the school portal.
Go to: https://gpcc.sharepoint.com/sites/Library
World BookThousands of interactive, non-fiction texts, for all levels and other free ebook access. www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb
Story Box Library
To access Story Box Library:
- Visit www.storyboxlibrary.com.au
- Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen
- Log in using the username and password provided.
- Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection
Wheelers ebooks
Fiction titles accessible for Years 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 two weeks. WiFi access is needed for downloading, but not for reading.
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.
http://www.childrenslibrary.org/
Central Coast Libraries
As well as physical borrowing our Central Coast Libraries have a considerable amount of digital resources; magazines, ebooks and 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
Congratulations 2D and 5P
Congratulations to 2D and 5P, almost at 1000 books for the year.
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.
Kiss and Drop Zone 3 for K-2 will be closed for beginning of Term 4
The College is currently installing a cantilever cover for the K-2 Kiss and Drop Zone 3 which was scheduled for the school holidays but due to delays in materials will now be undertaken during the first part of Term 4. When completed this cover will provide sun and rain protection for students waiting for pick-up in the afternoons.
Due to the delay in installation the area will remain closed to staff and students for the beginning of Term 4. This means we need to temporarily relocate Primary drop-off and pick-up back to the original Kiss and Drop Zone in the main carpark. We reiterate that to begin with this temporary change only effects those who need to have their children at school for the start of Term 4.
Site fencing will remain in place at Kiss and Drop Zone 3 during construction to ensure students and staff are not able to access the area.
If the installation is not completed by the time all students return to school in late October and early November, we will then communicate a further update to drop-off and pick-up arrangements.
Once installation for Kiss and Drop Zone 3 is completed we will revert back to the normal pick-up and drop-off arrangements for K-2.
Please direct any questions regarding this change to community@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Position Vacant
GREEN POINT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A ministry of Green Point Baptist Church
Our mission is “Equipped for Life”
ASSISTANT HEAD OF PRIMARY
Permanent Full Time – to commence Term 1 2022
We are currently seeking to appoint an experienced Primary School teacher to the position of Assistant Head of Primary on a permanent full time basis, to commence Term 1 2022. The position carries a 0.5FTE teaching load (possibly Stage 3).
The Assistant Head of Primary School will be a leader of learning and an exemplary educator with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. The role has responsibility for the development and implementation of sound curriculum practices and the organisational aspects of the day to day running of the School.
The Assistant Head of Primary will work collaboratively with the teaching staff to enable the delivery of innovative learning programs that inspire our students to love learning and attain their personal best. Strong academic leadership will be matched by sensitive pastoral care of students and colleagues. The Assistant Head of Primary, will be a member of the Primary Leadership Team and is expected to support and participate in the co-curricular and Christian life of the School.
For full details and criteria regarding the position, please refer to the full Job Description available on the College website, along with prospectus and application form at www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/employment/assistant-head-primary
The successful applicant for the above position must be a committed Christian and be prepared to work under the ethos of our College.
Enquiries may be addressed to Sue Parkinson via employment@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Applications close on Wednesday 27 October 2021 and are to be submitted online via the application form.
Enrolments for Year 3 have been so strong for the coming year, that Green Point Christian College are pleased to announce we are opening a third stream for 2022.
Limited places are now available, and we would love you to share this news with anyone you know who might like to be part of this exciting year group.
Interested families can visit our website for further information on the
enrolment process or to enrol online.
Yattalunga Valley Christian School (Kinder - Year 2, 2022)
Yattalunga Valley Christian School (YVCS) has gained approval to open in January 2022 starting with 9 or more students in Kindergarten to Year 2. The school will grow each year thereafter in accordance with demand for places.
Yattalunga Valley Christian School (YVCS) recognises that all people are created uniquely and in the image of God, and are precious and valued in His sight; as such YVCS provides a caring Christian environment for students with Autism.
At YVCS we maintain a commitment to work in partnership with families to provide an individualised education plan for each student, using a mixture of one to one and small group instruction and support.
To discuss enrolment at Yattalunga Valley Christian School please contact our Registrar on registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au, or view our enrolment information on our website.
Exiting the Gate 4 Roundabout
The recent addition of the P4 parking area and Gate 3 and 4 exits have brought great relief to the College parking and access options. However, we have observed that when the traffic is flowing fast in the morning, or is built up in the afternoon, crossing the two lanes of traffic at the Gate 4 roundabout can take some time to gain access onto Avoca Drive.
Therefore, for safety reasons we are encouraging those exiting P4 and heading towards Kincumber to exit from the top exit (Gate 4). For those heading to Saratoga/Davistown or Green Point we recommend driving down to the new main entrance (Gate 3) to exit there.
As always, we encourage our families to be conscious of other drivers on the road and to show respect and courtesy whilst exiting the school property.
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.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform
Uniform Shop (only online ordering during lockdown)
For online ordering: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform
To view pricing from 3 September 2021 visit: Uniform Price List
Munchery News
The Canteen will reopen once all students return on site (details to be confirmed).
EXTEND 2021 (Before and After School Care)
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
Rhema-FM Radio Internship Program
Rhema-FM are offering a 12-month Radio Internship program to take place in 2022. This would be ideal for a graduating Year 12 student as a gap year program, or perhaps for a student who has graduated in the last couple of years and not yet settled on a career direction. For more information click on the PDF flyer below.
Smith Family Saver Plus Program
To date, they have assisted over 50,000 families/students (nationally) with education costs and are wanting to inform your families who may be eligible for the program. To find out more downoad file below.
Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club
With the cricket season fast approaching, all Clubs across the Central Coast are now open for registrations. This presents a fantastic opportunity for students to get outside and active during summer once lockdown has ended. Now more than ever it’s essential that we continue to provide children with the opportunity to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Playing cricket with their local Club is a great way for them to do this. Registrations open at: www.club.griffin.com
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/
Term Dates 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