Community Feed

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As you know, COVID-19 continues to have an impact on our society, and so, maintaining the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and College community continues to be a priority for us all.

Parents/caregivers, students and staff are keen for a return to school, and we are blessed to be able to continue to attend school, albeit with some restrictions on certain activities. The most recent NSW Health advice for schools outside of Greater Sydney (13.7.21) is that, under the current health orders:

• all students are expected to be at school unless they have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms
• students should not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms of COVID-19
• any person with any COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and should not return until they have received a negative test result and are symptom-free
• in circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test
• students and staff should reduce traveling to geographical areas with higher levels of COVID-19 restrictions in place

Coming to school is important for students’ social, emotional and academic wellbeing. We are also committed to socially responsible action to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The College’s position is that school is safe, and we will continue to manage the risks with the safety procedures we have in place. Please understand that this plan is subject to change due to government directives, health advice and local circumstances.

1. Health and Safety

NSW Health advice continues to be that schools are safe places for students, teachers and staff. The College will continue to implement good hygiene measures to make our College as safe, clean and secure as we can. This includes:

• Regular professional cleaning has increased yet again using high-strength anti-viral disinfectant
• Regular hand washing protocols and the provision of hand sanitizer throughout the College, with messages about health and hygiene practices displayed prominently
• Physical distancing within the practical limitations of the College environment, including the cancellation or postponement of large gatherings, Interschool sporting events, excursions, and avoiding close-proximity queuing
• Floor markings will be made at Reception and Student Services and when orders are picked up from the College canteen
• Students will continue to use their lockers periodically under supervision

It is critical that any student who feels unwell does not attend school. This is of vital importance if they have cold or flu-like symptoms. Parents/caregivers are asked to continue to follow health advice to keep your children at home if they are unwell. Similarly, parents/caregivers of children with complex medical needs are encouraged to seek medical advice from their health care professional to make an informed decision about a return to school.

2. Masks and Face Coverings 

Masks are mandatory on public transport. This applies to students aged 12 years and over, and staff when travelling to and from school, and during school excursions by public transport or by chartered or private transport services.

While at school, masks or face coverings are recommended in all indoor settings  for: 

• all students  in Year 7 and above
• all staff in school settings

3. Drop Off and Pick Up

The greatest risk of transmission in the school environment is between adults. It is of upmost importance that teachers and parents/caregivers maintain physical distancing between themselves and each other.

All parents/caregivers are asked to remain in their vehicles at all times. Staff will be on hand from 8.20am to assist young children from cars and to guide them to their classrooms as needed. Staff will also be on hand to assist Kindy students and Beginners to meet their parents/caregivers at pick up.

Non-essential visitors are not permitted in schools. Some visitors are permitted in schools based on the guidelines that follow. Parents/caregivers should:  

• maintain physical distancing by avoiding gathering outside of school gates
• remain outside of school grounds (note some exceptions may apply regarding schools for specific purposes, vulnerable students or students with disability)
• follow mask-wearing requirements and sign in using the Service NSW QR code when and if entering the school

4. QR code sign-in process for all staff and visitors

The NSW Government have introduced mandatory QR codes across a range of additional settings, including schools.

Parents/caregivers permitted on school sites for specific purposes are required to check in using the QR codes available and check out once they leave the school site.

We appreciate your support in responding to these government restrictions as we endeavour to keep our community safe.

Yours Sincerely,

____________________________

Ms Sharon Sopher

Principal

Mr Steve Tidey

Assistant Principal

Belmont Christian College

Phone: (02) 49228300
Email: college@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Web: www.bcc.nsw.edu.au
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Street: 65 John Fisher Road, Belmont NSW 2280
Post: PO Box 492, Belmont NSW 2280

Join adolescent and family psychologist Asher Morrison for a discussion on managing screen time and Internet use with your children.

It’s a pleasure to share with you a live recording of our Secondary Concert Band performing the song ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ by ‘Duke Ellington’. Our Secondary Concert Band has been showing steady development over the past few years, and despite the challenges of 2020, the band was still able to expand its skills and enjoy a diverse range of repertoire. We’re excited about what’s in store for our Secondary Concert Band, and we know that we’ll see them go from strength to strength this year. Enjoy the performance!

Our prayer for our students is that they are drawn into something bigger than themselves. Hear from our College Chaplain, Rev Mitch Forbes, as he shares our desire to explore Christianity in its entirety.

Welcome to our 2020 Belmont Christian College Year 6 Graduation Ceremony being held on Wednesday 2 December from 11:30am. It is great to have you join us here

Explore our virtual Spotlight 2020. In 2020, Year 10 students were given the topic “My Story”. They practiced a range of film making techniques and then applied a range of these to making a short 2-3min film. Each student concentrated on a topic of personal interest, film techniques, Genre and Misen scene. You can watch all of their films here.

Sarabi Sponza – a Torres Strait Islander woman and one of our Year 11 students – recently conducted an interview with Bianca Manning, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Coordinator at Common Grace. Common Grace is a Christian organisation which aims to amplify the voices of Indigenous Australians, form friendships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and seeks to proclaim God’s justice and love to our society.

It’s a privilege to hear Bianca’s insight and passion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice.

Each year, NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In 2020, BCC is recognising NAIDOC Week as we learn about our Indigenous heritage, celebrate the uniqueness of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and encourage all staff and students to learn from and respect cultural diversity.

Explore our virtual HSC Showcase. HSC Showcase is a celebration of both design and the creative arts at BCC. Take a moment to enjoy the many God-given gifts, skills and talents of these amazing students.

HSC Showcase

Welcome to our 2020/21 Belmont Christian College Prefect Induction. It is great to have you join us.

Well done to one of our BCC Alumni, Miss Hannah-Kate Procter, for being selected for this years ARTEXPRESS with her sculpture ‘Detachment from her origin’. Recently the Newcastle Weekly caught up with Hannah-Kate to find out more. Read the article here.

Something to brighten your day from our BCC Beginners and Primary school staff and students!

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Please note a slight change in term dates brought about by a sudden shift to remote learning at the end of Term 1. As students were learning from home that week, instead of being on site at the College or away on camps, we will bring students back two days earlier at the start of Term 3. Please note that the first day of Term 3 for students is now Thursday, 23rd July. This week will be known as week 0 and will be a week A. Week 1(B) will start as expected on Monday, 27th July and the last day for Term 3 is the expected Friday, 25th September.

Week 0 (A) – Thursday, 23rd July
Week 1 (B) – Monday, 27th July
Week 2 (A) – Monday, 3rd August etc

For a detailed schedule of 2020 term dates, please go to: https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/term-dates/

Regards

Sharon Sopher
Principal

Belmont Christian College

Hear from our Creative Arts Coordinator, Mr Chris Stewart, as he takes us Mountain Biking, all whilst delving in to God’s word.

Hear more from our Head of Sport, Mr Mark Hall, as he takes us through BCC’s inaugural ‘virtual’ cross country, launching on a running track near you – Week 6, Term 2

Hear from our Business Manager, Mr Bill Truscott, on what extra health and hygiene measures the College has taken as students return to school. A big thanks to both you and your team Mr Truscott!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5c940u6LSw&feature=youtu.be

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Be sure to check your nominated email inbox and the following link for important information regarding our Term 2 back to school plans.

College Office

A helpful article from ABC LIFE…as things start to look a bit different….again

https://www.abc.net.au/life/getting-to-the-end-of-homeschooling-during-coronavirus/12210588#

Whilst this is from the US, there are some helpful hints & tips for Australian based parents in this following article from Parent Cue.

https://theparentcue.org/parenting-and-teaching-a-special-needs-child-during-covid-19/

Join our College Chaplain Mitch Forbes, as he delivers his latest Connect talk on Philippians 1. Be encouraged. When life gives you COVID…make meringues!!

Need some more tips for getting the most out of Remote Learning? We’ve put together a simple presentation summarising Remote Learning and how to make it work for you. See our Student Survival Guide.

Hear from our Head of Primary, Mrs Leoni McNeill, as she addresses our BCC Primary parents and students for Term 2.

Welcome back! Hear from our Director of Teaching & Learning, Miss Melanie Melcum, as she addresses our BCC Secondary students in the lead-up to Term 2.

The following link from the Australian Federal Government eSafety Commissioner is a helpful support for parents as they navigate increased technology use by their children throughout this current season.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/taming-technology

Hear from our Director of Teaching & Learning, Miss Melanie Melcum, as she addresses our BCC Secondary students in the lead-up to Easter and Term 2.

Hear from our Head of Primary, Mrs Leoni McNeill, as she reflects on the previous fortnight of Remote Learning and encourages BCC Primary School families in the lead-up to Easter and Term 2.

Join our College Chaplain Mitch Forbes, as he delivers his Connect talk on New Creation. Be encouraged! The story does not end in tears but in comfort, love and newness.

Listen to our Director of Student Services and Wellbeing Mrs Bronwyn Rappeneker, as she talks about how to find rest amidst a disruptive season.

“How do we explain the coronavirus and the various social distancing measures to our kids without freaking them out?” If you are wondering how to educate your children about COVID-19 in a calm and reassured way, then you might find this article from the ABC helpful.

https://www.abc.net.au/life/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-coronavirus-covid-19/12084666?utm_source=abc_life&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=abc_life