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Welcome to the 2022 school year. I know that many families had instances of COVID during the Christmas break and I trust that everyone is now recovering and ready for school again. I expect to be back in school on Monday 31 January after almost 4 weeks of being knocked flat by COVID so I understand what many of you have been through. The guidelines about COVID safe practices in schools for this term have been changing and I will be updating the Return to School Plan to reflect the more recent changes.
Remember that the use of Rapid Antigen Tests is recommended but voluntary and attendance at school is not dependent on use of these. We suggest you do use them as a means of ensuring your child is COVID free, and to support those families and some of our staff who feel particularly nervous about their child or themselves contracting the virus. Sometimes we do something for the sake of others rather than because we feel the need to do it for ourselves.
A special welcome to the many new families who are joining us this year. Our enrolments are at an all-time high and it is great to see so many new faces. If you are new to GPCC, please don’t hesitate to ask questions of us, join the GPCC Facebook page and class pages and read this Messenger each week as a key means of knowing what is happening at school. We see ourselves as partnering with you in the education of your child and we look for positive partnerships of respect and kindness. We may not always agree but we can always be respectful and polite in our interactions.
The Messenger is a key way in which I try to share the philosophy of the school and keep you informed of new initiatives and activities. The Heads of School relay important practical information each week which it is vital you keep up to date with. You are welcome to email teachers directly but remember that their priority is the classroom, so while they will endeavour to get back to you within 24 hours, it is not going to be an instant messaging service.
We are excited to see the opening of Yattalunga Valley Christian School, a new school we have initiated to offer a Christian education to children on the autism spectrum. The school is located in the top building in Primary while we plan for a permanent home for them. They will join some GPCC activities so don’t be surprised to see children in a different uniform at some events. YVCS only operates Kindergarten to Year 2 classes this year with 10 students, but we are looking to expand all the way to Year 12 in the future.
I trust your child, whether a returning student or new to GPCC, enjoys their first week of the year and makes new friends. We desire to see children thrive in a safe and supportive environment which honours God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. The world is a challenging place to grow up in today but as school, home, and Church work together, we can help our children be equipped to flourish no matter the circumstances.
Principal
We have had a successful start to the school year with well over 60 new students across Years 1 - 6 and 38 Kindergarten students joining our College for the first time. I have watched as our students have welcomed new students and reunited after a long holiday break. It is so wonderful to see community in action as our students reconnect after the summer break.
With our swimming carnival drawing closer and lots of representative sports starting up for the year it is so important that we remember these key areas that demonstrate good sportsmanship.
- Act courteously and treat others with kindness
- Don’t lose your cool even when things don’t go your way
- Be a team player and help others have opportunities to succeed
- Encourage your teammates
- Acknowledge and applaud good plays, even when it’s your opponent that makes them
- Listen to and follow the directions of the coach
- Respect the officials – they are there to help and guide us
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)
Your student will have received two weeks of RAPID ANTAGEN TESTS. Kinder will receive them on Monday 31st January. Please make sure your child is tested twice a week. If they do test positive, please inform the school via the Absentee Line (43679950) and register the result using the Service NSW App. Also make sure you follow the return to school plan and any Government directions.
Drop Off and Pick Up Zones
From Week 2 students in K – Year 2, and siblings may be dropped off and picked up in the Kiss and Drop 3 Zone.
All other students will use the Kiss and Drop 1 Zone in the main car park or walk to the bus zone.
Please have your surname on a card on the visor of the front passenger side so their name can be called and students can be ready. Staff will assist your child into, or out of the car and there is no need for you to get out of the car.
If you choose to park and pick up your child please use the large main car park. Once you have parked, please walk to the area at the bottom of the office steps to collect or drop off your child.
To keep our students safe if is very important that students do not walk unaccompanied through the car park to parents waiting in cars.
Canteen
For the first 5 weeks – Primary School students are able to purchase from the canteen using the online ordering system only. Students and parents can place an order online using Munch Monitor. To view the new menu and the Munchery Canteen information visit our website at: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/community/the-munchery-canteen
Primary Swimming Carnival – Friday 4 February 2022 @ Mingara
Our Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival is on Friday (including Year 2 competitors), and I look forward to seeing many parent helpers and students as they compete in races.
All families will have received an email regarding the swimming carnival and a link to Parent Lounge to give electronic permission. If you are unsure of this please contact the office.
Please ensure you have given permission on Parent Lounge for each child and selected bus transport if required for each child. The permission note requires you to indicate the swimming level for each child and how they will be travelling to and from the carnival. It is important that you fill this out by Tuesday 1 February 2022, so we can organise transport to and from the College.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Stuart McSwan and Mr Nathan Lambert for all of the work they have put into organising what I believe will be a fantastic day of community and celebration at the pool.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CARNIVAL DAY
- Please ensure that your child has their name marked off when they arrive at the pool and then when they leave.
- Our swimming carnival is part of our school day. If any children need to leave early, they must have their name marked off and this will be counted as a partial absence.
- Parents are able to remain at the venue, but will be seated on the grass outside. Parents must wear a mask when entering the venue.
- If you are able to assist in the running of the carnival please email Mr Mc Swan on smcswan@gpcc.nsw.edu.au or Mr Lambert nlambert@gpcc.nsw.edu.au.
Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary
Welcome back for our new school year. It has been great to have everyone back and to start lessons. We really pray that we can get back to having a consistent year that is not full of disruption. I want to highlight some things to help students meet our expectations:
Return to School Plan
Please keep up to date with the Return to School Plan. This will be the way in which changes to COVID plans will be communicated to the whole school.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)
Your student will have received two weeks of RAPID ANTAGEN TESTS. Please make sure your child is tested twice a week. If they do test positive, please inform the school via the Absentee Line (43679950) and register the result using the Service NSW App. Also make sure you follow the return to school plan and any Government directions.
Uniform
Students were reminded that uniform needs to meet the expectation and they need to have uniform correct by Monday 1 February 2021. If for some reason this is not achievable, please contact their Year Advisor. We are concerned that jewellery, skirts, and shoes meet the Uniform Policy. Also, that uniform is worn in a way that is appropriate.
Masks
All Secondary students must wear a mask inside. Please ensure that your child has an adquate supply of masks. If a child has a mask exemption, we need to have a copy for their student file.
Mr David Russell
Curriculum Co-ordinator (7-12) | Student Advisor (7-12)
This week’s Careers Newsletter has encouraging news from Macquarie University, information that may be helpful if you are interested in Art or Surveying and information about MedEntry resources.
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.
Mr Stuart McSwan | K-6 Sport Co-ordinator
Welcome back to our students for 2022. We are looking forward to a great year of sport at GPCC. I’d like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment Mr Nathan Lambert gave to this role for many years.
Primary Swimming CarnivalOur Primary Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 4 February at Mingara Swimming Pool for students from Years 2 - 6. It will be a great day for our students to be back in the pool, competing for their houses.
Please note that spectators must scan the QR code on arrival. No parents are permitted in the grandstand and must sit outside on the grass area or along the pool deck opposite the grandstand.
Parents who are allocated a job at the carnival may enter the pool area and sign in at reception on arrival. If there are any parents able to assist in lifeguard duties for 25m races, please email Mr McSwan on smcswan@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
See Swimming Carnival letter on Parent Lounge for more details.
Dates for our GPCC Sporting Carnivals are listed below.
Please click on the link below to access all other dates for Representative Carnivals, Gala Days, Team Gala Days and Individual Sporting Trials.
PRIMARY
School Carnivals
Friday 4 February - GPCC Yrs 2-6 Swimming Carnival (Mingara)
TBC (Term 3) - GPCC K-2 Swimming Carnival (Peninsula Leisure Centre)
TBC - GPCC Primary Cross Country Carnival (Hylton Moore)
Friday 29 April - GPCC Infants and Primary Athletics Carnival (Mingara)
GPCC Sport Teams
With sport events resuming in 2022, we are looking forward to sending our teams to a number of Gala Days and competitions in both Primary and Secondary.
Students will have a chance to trial for these school teams over the coming terms and will need to keep a close eye on the notices on when trials are held.
The protocol for team selection is as follows:
- Students register their interest in signing up, listing:
- Playing experience, including years played
- Preferable positions played
- Rep experience
- Teams have at least 2 trials before final selection
- Once teams have been chosen, they will aim to have many training sessions before a competition
Individual Sport Trials for Primary CSSA and CIS Teams
Please email Mr McSwan before these dates if your child (Years 5 and 6 only) would like to be considered. They need to be currently playing in the sport and have several years experience (preferably at a Representative level):
CSSA Sport dates
Wednesday 9 February CSSA Primary Boys and Girls Basketball Trials - Nominations close on 4 February
Friday 11 February CSSA Primary Boys and Girls Tennis Trials- Nominations close Monday 7 February
Friday 4 March CSSA Primary Soccer Trials- Nominations close 25 February
CIS Sport dates:
Friday 4 March CIS Primary AFL Trials- Nominations close 25 February
Mr Andrew McGillivrary |
Years 7 - 12 Sport Co-ordinator
Secondary Yearly Sport Overview Dates for 2022
Please click on link below to view dates.
Library Books
Welcome back to another great year. Borrowing is underway, a reminder Kindergarten- Year 4 students must have a Library bag to borrow. If you have resources and books from last year at home, please return them at the earliest opportunity.
Library Lovers Day
We will be celebrating books and Libraries 9-16 February for Library Lovers Week. Monday 14 February is Library Lovers Day. There will be bookmarks, chocolates and a display in the Library.
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 newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for consideration of inclusion in The Messenger.
Parking in Beatties Road and Opposite the College
Beatties Road
The College has had reports of vehicles parking illegally (facing oncoming traffic) in Beatties Road. This road should not be used to pick-up or drop-off students, and please be aware that if you do need to access Beatties Road that it is a public road and should be used in a legal fashion.
Coffee Cart Area
A reminder that the area directly across the road from the College where the coffee cart is not College property, but is privately rented by the coffee cart business each morning. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in this area.
P2 for Little Coasties and the Church
The P2 parking area is only for families with children attending Little Coasties or visiting the Church. Please do not park in this area.
P1, P3 and P4
Parking is available in the main carpark (P1), in limited visitor spaces in P3, and in the upper carpark (P4). Our advice is to delay the pick-up of your children and the Kiss & Drop Zones 1 and 3 are easier to access. By 3.25pm parents can usually drive into Gate 3 and straight up to Kiss & Drop Zone 3. Note that your children will be supervised in these areas until pickup up, and will then be taken to Reception for us to contact you.
Faithful Service at GPCC
Advancedlife Photography Dates for 2022
Tuesday 1 March 2022
Primary School
Tuesday 8 March 2022
Secondary School
Thursday 10 March 2022
Sibling photos
(8:45am - 12:00pm)
Preparation for Term 1 2022
The below hours are for walk-in customers (no appointment necessary)
Monday 31January 8:30am - 11:00am
From Wednesday 2 February normal shop hours will apply.
Monday: 8:30am - 11:00am
Wednesday: 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Thursday: 8:30am - 11:00am
Friday: 8:30am - 11:00am
For the price list and further information on ordering through Alinta please visit our website – https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/uniform
The Munchery Canteen Operations and Updated Menu
The Munchery canteen will be starting back from the first day of Term 1 with an updated menu available on the GPCC website.
The Munchery Menu - Term 1, 2022
Online orders are required for all PRIMARY students, with orders being picked up to consume in Primary cohort designated areas at each break.
SECONDARY students are strongly encouraged to order online. However, over the counter sales will also available in separated cohort lines. After purchasing all students will need to immediately return to their designated cohort areas.
Please visit the GPCC website for the link to The Munchery portal: https://www.gpcc.nsw.edu.au/community/the-munchery-canteen
EXTEND 2021 (Before and After School Care)
Download attachment for EXTEND's latest news.
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 Community Notices
If you would like to place an advertisement in the Green Point Community Notices, please email details to Justine Collins at newsletter@gpcc.nsw.edu.au
Green Point Baptist Church
9:30am Worship Service
6:00pm Service returns February 6
Services continue to be available online each week.
Attendees must check-in using the QR code (or with Welcome Team)
We are updating our Facebook page regularly with what's happening, so check it out: https://www.facebook.com/greenpointbaps/
Coming Up this Week
Monday, 31 January
Kindergarten commence Term 1
Friday, 4 February
Primary (Years 2 - 6) Swimming Carnival at Mingara
Dates for the Diary
Monday, 7 February
Year 8 MAF Incursion (in Week 3)
Wednesday, 9 February
Year 9 Visual Arts Pearl Beach Excursion
CSSA Primary Boys and Girls Basketball Trials
Thursday, 10 February
Year 8 MAF Incursion
Friday, 11 February
CSSA Secondary Girls and Boys Tennis Trials
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