Newsletter

Some of the youngest members of Belmont Christian College, Kindergarten and Stage One, are already off to a flying start on their learning journey for 2019. It’s been a busy start, as students have settled into their classroom routines and begun to establish new friendships. Kindergarten children  have started learning their phonograms and are looking forward to their Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Pajama Day in the coming weeks. In Stage One, we created a class puzzle to show that while we are all individuals created and purposed by God, we can still fit together to make a beautiful master piece. Staff value the opportunity to partner with parents in the education of their child. We are genuinely excited to see our students working towards and achieving their learning goals. Part of our journey this year is to know that we are part of a community. We all have gifts and talents that can support each other. Teachers encourage parents to read regularly with their children, speak positively about our College and pray with, and for them regularly. We are looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us in the year ahead.

Stage 3 Teacher Mrs Deb Horton invited a team of Stage 3 students to share in Staff Devotions last Wednesday morning. They spoke of prayer, of resilience and of their growing faith. We were encouraged and strengthened by their sincerity and by the confidence they show in the God they love.  

How beautiful does the College look in this Summer Season! The pink of the Crepe Myrtles and the green lawns…we are blessed to work in such beautiful surroundings…and we are grateful.

Please continue to pray for: 

• James Brown, dad to Bella Yr 8 and Mia Yr 10, who continues to be very unwell and in hospital. Please pray for the Brown family at this time.
• John Betterridge and his family at this time. 
• Praise God for the blessing of every child who comes to BCC. What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to minister into their lives.  

Introducing Miss Samantha Johnson – Student Services Educational Assistant

Where have you come from? 
I have recently moved back to Newcastle after living all over Western Australia for the past few years. I have worked in various roles in the special needs and disability sector. I am now very excited to be apart of the BCC team. 

What church do you attend?
As I have only just moved back to Newcastle I am still settling in and finding a church home. I have been attending Swansea Baptist church. Your prayers are appreciated as I settle in and find a church home. 

What are your interests?
In my spare time I love heading down to the beach and spending time with my friends and family. 

A little bit about your new position at the College.
My new role is as an Educational Assistant in the Student Services department. I am here Monday to Thursday working primarily with Primary school students both in class and one-on-one. I’m enjoying partnering with the Student Services team developing new initiatives. There are lots of exciting and new things happening down here.

Any other information you’d like to share.
I attended Belmont Christian College in Primary school before I moved to Western Australia with my family.

Awarded 5 Star Canteen Rating
Throughout the month of February our College canteen, ably guided by Virginia Robinson and assisted by Simone Gilbert, along with a host of wonderful volunteers, achieved the maximum possible 5 star rating from the Lake Macquarie City Health Inspector. On the day, the Inspector made the following comment about our College canteen: “I wish all school canteens were as clean as this one”. Congratulations to all those serving the BCC community in this way. It is deeply appreciated. 

 
Government Audits
Belmont Christian College provides quality teaching to all students. The Commonwealth supports BCC with achieving a higher level of support to students with additional needs. Last week representatives of the Education Department audited our student support practices. This particular audit occurs infrequently. In addition to endorsing the way we are providing exceptional support for our students, the auditors have invited the College to mentor local schools to develop best practice with the delivery and recording of enhanced learning support activities. This is worthy recognition of the great work achieved through all our College teachers, and the Learning Support Team.

The annual financial audit was also undertaken last week. As usual, our processes were found to be of a consistently high standard. 

Thank you staff for always striving for and obviously achieving excellence.

Have you seen our vegetable garden yet?

Autumn is here and the garden is ready to plant and we would love your help. We will have a sign placed out near the pick up zone when we are on site gardening. The times planned are as follows:    

• Tuesday and Wednesday 1 – 3 pm
• One morning throughout the week, depending which day is most popular.

We also encourage you to like our BCC Common Grounds Facebook page for further updates and information.

For students in Years 3 to 6, we are also starting an Earth Care Group. An application letter with further details will be sent home shortly. The Earth Care Group will meet during lunch, one day a week. The day of the week will be confirmed based on student interest and parent support. Over time and with enough parent helpers, that will hopefully increase to multiple lunch meetings. If you would like to get involved in this please phone Wendy Abel on 0438 461 949.

No gardening experience is necessary. Come and learn new skills and meet new friends. The garden is about gathering people, sharing food and growing produce the way that God intended. We would like to inspire our kids to love growing vegetables and learning that they taste great too. 

Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program. This year immunisations will be held at the College on Friday 8 March and Friday 25 October. The following vaccines will be offered:
Year 7 – 1 dose Diphteria, Tetanus, Pertussis; 2 doses 6 months apart Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Year 10 – 1 dose Meningococcal 

Parent Information Kits that include an information sheet, consent form and privacy statement have been sent home to parents/caregivers. To consent to the vaccination of your child, please complete the consent form and return to the Office by Wednesday 6 March. Click here for further information.

‘Save The Date To Vaccinate ‘app is now available in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store. This is a free app that helps parents and caregivers stay on top of their child’s immunisations by creating a personalised immunisation schedule (based on the current NSW Immunisation Schedule), along with helpful reminder notifications.

NSW CSSA State Representatives

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent CSSA NSW at the National Christian School Games for the following sports:

Under 16s Hockey                                                            
Joshua Bruton                                                                   
Rohan Henderson           

Under 16s Basketball
Rozlyn Klooz  

Primary Zone Swimming Carnival

Last week, a team of 33 students represented Belmont Christian College at Newcastle University, in the Primary Zone Swimming Carnival. Our College finished in third place overall, and 14 students have qualified to go on to NSW CSSA Swimming in March.

Students swam a better time than their school time in 63/94 individual events, with one student going 17 seconds faster than her school time, in 50m Backstroke.

Congratulations to Hamish Rae (10yr) and Aidan Rae (12+yr) who were both named Zone Age Champions, and also Appin Paterson who won Silver in the 9yr Boys Age Championship.

Well done to all of our swimmers for representing your College to such a high standard.