Newsletter

Staff, students, friends and family enjoyed a wonderful night at the Year 12 Formal at Newcastle City Hall to celebrate the conclusion of their time at Belmont Christian College. The students were, as usual, quite stunning, elegant and well-groomed in their formal wear. Happy memories were recalled during speeches by Captains, Vice Captains and Ms Sopher. Mr Miller, our Stage 6 Leader, shared some humorous stories about Year 12 as well as some encouraging words. The class of 2019 have been an absolute blessing to the College and their leadership team have been outstanding. We pray that they each find their purpose in the Kingdom of God and that they do whatever they’re called to with the passion we have seen them exude during their time with us.

As the year draws to a close, I reflect upon Presentation Night as it was a superb event that celebrated our 2019 school year and gave opportunity to collectively thank God for His abundant provision and everlasting love.

I have watched with great joy as our Community Playgroup has grown from strength to strength. I praise God for our praying mums who bookend our College in prayer on a Monday and a Friday. My heart warms at the thought of the practical and spiritual change that comes about for those in other parts of the world through days like Coins for Compassion and our annual Golf Charity Day.

These stories of achievement are simply a bi-product of the fact that God, our Heavenly Father, is at work within this College. There is so much on the horizon for this community and I am convinced that this story of Belmont Christian College, will continue to grow and evolve in the years ahead. As your Principal, I am deeply honoured to lead you in this task.

Whilst there is so much with which to be grateful, we must also farewell valuable staff members. I wish to thank Samantha Johnson, Reyana Proudlock, Hannah Slight, Amanda Dart, Okke Klaassen, Annelise Stewart, Sharon Calder, Melita Brown, Nicole Blanch, and Merrilyn Livingstone for their faithfulness to Kingdom Education. May God bless and establish His paths for each one.

For as long as I’ve been at the College, I have found myself saying over and over that we have a story worth telling. When I think of that phrase, I am even more convinced today of its truth and accuracy. We do have a story to tell and it is a story that is unique, distinct and powerful. It is a story that changes people’s lives. It is a story that we are excited to offer to others at every given opportunity. However, this is also a story, that we must guard and honour, for it is a story forged in prayer and utter dependence on our Lord and Saviour.  Friend’s this story is worth telling, because it is God’s story. Our College exists primarily for His glory and I am so honoured to lead you in this as we sit under our College vision to nurture and train young people to grow up into Christ. 

The true joy of Christmas is the love of Christ, shared with family and friends. May you find His peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.

Thank you our heavenly Father for: 

Your Goodness to us in protecting us from the fire. Our school stands as a testimony to Your Grace. 

Bringing hundreds of children, every day, through our gates, for us to teach and nurture and love. 

For our families who have depended on you through the toughest of times…thank you that you are their strength and their hope. 

For our staff and students having returned safely from Vanuatu and Thailand. Please pray that the opportunity in ministry that they have had will continue to bear fruit in their lives and in the lives of those they ministered to.

For our Stage 3 students who have been meeting for Bible Study. How wonderful! 

For all the small unseen moments when you have ensured that a child has been seen and cared for in a way that has lifted their heads and reassured their hearts that they do not go unnoticed. 

For the beauty of the school grounds and the new plants being bedded down this week. Your gift of beauty is our treasure. 

For those who have served our community faithfully and selflessly this year. 

For our praying mums who have prayed and walked and prayed and walked…faithfully covering our community for another year. 

For the upcoming holidays as they will be a time of refreshment and renewed strength for our staff, students and families. 

Thank you for praying for our community.

Year 10 Vanuatu Mission Trip

We have celebrated another amazing Vanuatu trip! Staff and students were blessed by the rich and wonderful cultural experience of overseas mission, while being treated to the picturesque surroundings of a such a beautiful country and people group. Students worked well on a range of ministry activities including the construction of the first stages of a fish farm, as well as carpeting the Lifechanger library. We pray for future opportunities and congratulate our students for their exemplary work, conducting themselves in a manner that is worthy of their calling. 

Year 12 Thailand Mission Trip

During Week 7, 14 of our Year 12 students travelled to Khao Lak,Thailand with Mr and Mrs Sanchez and Mrs Livingstone for our 5th consecutive Year 12 Trip to Thailand. The goal of the trip is to offer students the opportunity for an alternative ‘schoolies’ experience that focuses on following Jesus’ example of servanthood. Students were exposed to a valuable missionary work of the New Light Community Development Centre which was set up after the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami for the local Burmease children in Baan Nem Kem,1.5 hours north of Phuket Airport.

This year our ministry work at CDC included the painting of a staff house that was newly constructed with funds raised from our BCC Golf Fundraiser day. We ran a range of activities with the children including: Batik T-shirt painting, biscuit making and a small wood-work project and some novelty games with the Thailand children at a special Saturday outreach centre.

Our students were blown away with the beauty of the Surin Islands, we visited some elephants and loads of market shopping after dinner each night. The students always come away from the trip with a broader perspective on God’s creation. Exposure to the valuable mission work of sharing the gospel and an appreciation of the joy we receive when serving others. 

Tuesday night’s Presentation Night was a beautiful celebration of the many different aspects of the College, with Christ at the centre. Thank you for your part in helping to celebrate our children’s learning and achievement. We hope you enjoyed the night.

Focus on the Family

After some holiday reading? Why not discover the ‘Focus on the Family’ website. Focus on the Family is a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive. They provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.

Their goal is to come alongside families with relevance and grace at each stage of their journey. They support families as they seek to teach their children about God and His beautiful design for the family, protect themselves from the harmful influences of culture and equip themselves to make a greater difference in the lives of those around them.

They provide regular blogs on a variety of topics like Anxiety, Puberty, Manners, Fatherhood and Self Image.

Click here: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Choral Workshop

Our Stage 3 Choir took part in a mass choir initiative recently with our sister schools across the Central Coast, Hunter and Taree region. The choirs participated in a workshop of shared repertoire as well as a performance sharing session. Our BCC students sounded amazing and were so helpful throughout the day – I am very thankful for them!!

Mr Stewart

Art Express Nomination

After a nomination for Art Express we are very pleased to announce that Hannah-Kate Proctor’s HSC Body of Work has neen selected for exhibition with other top artworks from this year.

Her sculpture, entitled ‘Detachment from Her Origin’, will be exhibited next year in the inaugural Virtual Exhibition VX at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre in Sydney. The concept for Hannah-Kate’s artwork is very personal and represents her own mother’s emotional journey from the USA to Australia. It is made from concrete, resin, timber and bronze.

Congratulations Hannah-Kate from the BCC community.

Swimming Carnival

Our Swimming Carnivals are coming up in Week 2 of Term 1. Our Secondary School (Years 7 – 12) will be held on Tuesday, 4th February and our Primary School (Years 3 – 6) will be held on Thursday, 6th February both at Charlestown Pool from 8.30am.

Students are required to make their own way to the pool. College buses will be running from the College with limited seating for those who cannot make their own way to and from the pool. If you wish for your child to catch a College bus, have them place their name on the bus rolls at the office.

The finish time for the carnival is approximately 2:20pm – please arrange pick up by 2:30pm. If this isn’t possible have your child catch the bus back to the College to enable them to catch their normal school bus home.

Cancellation due to inclement weather will be advised through the Skoolbag app & Rhema FM or by calling the College office after 8am.

Further information will be given in the new year.

2020 Sport Dates

Many of the 2020 Sports for the College have been finalised and are able to be accessed on the College Sports website http://www.tinyurl.com/bccsport

Individual Sporting Achievement

Congratulations to Nicholas Benn, one of our 2019 Year 12 graduates, who has been selected to represent Australia in the Under 18s Australian Seven’s Rugby Union Team. Nic will compete at the World Schools Sevens Tournament in Auckland next week. Nic has also been offered a scholarship at UTS University through the Gordon Rugby Union Club in 2020. Well Done Nic!

Uniform Requirements for 2020

Reminder of previously advised uniform requirements for 2020.

All Secondary boys in Years 7 to 12 will wear grey shorts in summer and grey trousers in winter.

All Secondary girls in Years 7 to 12 will wear the grey skirt all year round.

All Senior Secondary students in Years 11 and 12 will wear a white shirt or blouse. The current blue shirt or blouse may only be worn as an alternative for those in Year 12 in 2020. Students commencing Year 11 in 2020 will wear a white shirt or blouse.

Socks: All boys K-12 will wear grey BCC striped socks, and girls K-12 will wear new white BCC striped socks.

All old crest logo items will be phased out fully by the start of 2020 with the exception stated above for Year 12 shirts in 2020, school bags and items with the ‘BCC’ embroidery eg formal shirts, sport shorts, sport pants, wet weather jackets.

Extra Opening Hours

The regular Shop hours are: Tuesday 1 – 3.30pm and Thursday 8 – 11am during the school term.

For enquiries phone: 0403587385 or email: belmontchristian@alinta.com.au.

Lost Property

The College has quite a collection of unmarked lost property. Could you please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Lost property is located in the Office and Primary School hallway. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to come and look for their child’s lost property, after first signing in at the Office.

College Office Holiday Hours

The Office will be operating with reduced staff and hours over the school holiday break from Friday, 6th December until it closes on Monday, 23rd December to Monday, 6th January 2020. The Office will reopen with reduced staff and hours on Monday, 20th January. For urgent enquiries please email college@bcc.nsw.edu.au. Students return from Tuesday, 28th January when Office hours return to normal hours of 8am – 4pm.

Manage Your Tuition Payments from anywhere

There never seem to be enough hours in the day to get things done, and so Belmont Christian College has partnered with FACTS Management Australia to offer you a flexible way to manage your tuition and other payments throughout the year. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, tuition payments can be managed from any device, wherever life takes you. Look out for the information coming out to you soon about the easy getting started process.

Code Camp is happening here at the College again these school holidays. They are offering a $20 discount by using the code: ‘earlyforsummer’ when booking online here. Don’t forget you are also able to use $100 NSW government Creative Kids voucher.