Those of you who have been with GPCC for a while may recall I wrote to you about the plan the College had for forming a group of schools which would work together for each other’s betterment. The Melos Foundation was formed in late 2020 and GPCC became a member in mid-2021.

The Melos Foundation is a charitable company set up to coordinate the working together of a group of like-minded Christian schools. Melos is the Greek word used by the Apostle Paul in some of his New Testament letters. It refers to the body as an organism of many parts all working for a common good. The Foundation exists to provide expertise in governance, leadership, and business management to its members.

GPCC, like many evangelical Christian schools begun in the late 70’s and 80’s, was birthed by a Church (Green Point Baptist Church) as a means of supporting the families in the congregation with a school that shared and passed on the Christian beliefs of the Church. The governance of the school was by means of a charitable company established by the Church and with Church members who selected Directors from amongst their midst. As the school grew, it became harder for a smaller Church to provide the level of expertise required in an increasingly compliance-driven environment with growing responsibility and accountability for the Directors.

The decision by the GPCC Directors to establish the Melos Foundation was in response to the school’s need but also a need shared by many similar schools. The Melos Foundation now provides the Directors for member schools and employs (on a part-time basis currently) an Executive Principal (myself) and an Executive Business Manager (GPCC’s Business Manager, Michael Lowbridge). Each school remains a separate legal entity so that any financial difficulty they may get into is not shared across the group. The Foundation offers services to members on a fee for service basis and according to the needs of each individual school.

So far, the Melos Foundation has two members (GPCC and YVCS) and two more are expected to complete their membership application process in the next two months. Others are expressing interest and we hope the group will grow over the coming years. Independent schools have great freedom to develop in any direction they wish but it also brings the risk that if things go wrong there is no-one to help them out. Both the Association of Independent Schools and Christian Schools Australia, provide some services to their members but have no jurisdiction over them and cannot give them direction. GPCC is a member of both these associations and will remain so, but the Foundation gives us the security of a group to which we are accountable and from whom we can draw wisdom and direction.

We believe that establishing the Foundation helps to ensure the growing strength and longevity of GPCC and also of other schools. When each member of the body does their work well, the whole body is strong.

Phillip Nash

Principal

Mrs Nicole Smith | Head of Primary

Introducing Mrs Laura Buchan

Mrs Buchan is one of our two Curriculum Co-ordinator's. She is also one of the teachers for 4BK alongside Mrs Kastelan.

Tell us a little about yourself. Do you have any hobbies, hidden talents, or play any sports or musical instruments?

I’ve been working at Green Point Christian College for 9 years. I love adventuring with my husband Scott and spending time with friends and family. Scott and I are getting a puppy next week which I’m sure will be a new adventure in itself! My hidden talent is renovating, we spend a lot of time demolishing and rebuilding our house. I also love upcycling old furniture, I have a passion for making old things new.

What do you enjoy about teaching?

I love the students. Watching their progress over the year is such a gift. I love getting to know their incredible personalities, their sense of humours and their wonderful quirks. Seeing them learn and have those light bulb moments constantly brings me joy.

What is your favourite part or verse in the Bible and why?

I love reading the Bible and watching the nature of Jesus unfold. I love the redemptive story that his birth, death and resurrection bring. It is a story full of hope, forgiveness, inclusivity, acceptance, and love. I love reading about this man Jesus who loves broken, imperfect people and calls them his own.

At GPCC we have a Graduate Profile – Which section of the Graduate Profile interests you most?

Socially Engaged is the most interesting element to me. I am passionate about encouraging students to be outwardly focussed. I want to see our students leading the way in caring for others and our environment. We know that these students are our future, I want them to be socially engaged with our world and to actively make it a better place.

Sibling Photos - Thursday 10 March Primary School 8:45am - 12:00pm

Wear Purple for Mitch

Last year in a horrible accident we lost one of our Year 6 students – Mitchell Brown. Purple was Mitch’s favourite colour.

On Friday 11 March, all students in K-12 are asked to wear mufti and include something purple to remember Mitchell. We will be having a gold coin donation that will go towards assisting his family to build a memorial garden in his honour.

Chess Club - Thursday mornings

Thursday mornings in the Library - 8:00am – 8:40am

Please contact Mr Gibbins on joel.gibbins@gpcc.nsw.edu.au for more information.

Head of School Award

Congratulations to the following students for receiving the Head of School Award for Week 6:

Cass G, KDL; Hayley W, KG; Aston P, 1C; Chloe B, 1G; Zac R, 1S; Mila D, 2D; Kit N, 2G; Lucy G, 3D; Sienna M, 3B; Luke P, 3PH; Elise C, 4B; Finlay W, 4BK; Hamish L, 5P; Madeleine A, 5PC; Charis M, 5L; Max J, 6S; Brianna F, 6MR; Zac C, 6T.

After School Pick up and Buses

It is important that students are only collected from the areas designated and supervised by teachers. This ensures proper duty of care continues for each child. Please do not arrange to meet Primary students on Beatties Road or at the Seven 11 or across the road at Tank Worx, as there is no one there to supervise them and ensure they are safely picked up.

Mr Peter McLellan | Head of Secondary

I could start this week’s newsletter on the story of Noah ... I will resist. I pray that you are all safe and that you have started to dry out. It was great to see the general 'get on with life' that students displayed right through this past week.

Secondary School Photo Day - Tuesday 8 March 2022