Newsletter

Thank you for the smiles and laughs and songs and prayers all shared in 2019. I’m grateful for the promise of God’s presence as we travel through 2020 with much anticipation and excitement for what God will do through us as a team here at the College.

Belmont Christian College continues to be an exciting place to be! As I wander around the grounds there is a lovely sense of enthusiasm as the students are happy to be back. We again have welcomed a record number of new students and families and also a few new staff to our community. I pray that this marks the beginning of an exciting partnership filled with joy and blessing.

As I visited my family on the farm and daily collected grey water, I was reminded of those affected by the bushfires and this incredibly difficult time. Devastation has impacted so many and we must continue to support these communities and pray that God would send steady, soaking rain. May the rain fall where it is needed.

During this bushfire season, we have seen and heard stories of amazing courage, compassion and personal sacrifice. These stories in turn can inspire others to step up and make a difference in times of hardship. I pray that together this year, we can work in partnership to assist our children to use the abilities and means that God has given them, for His glory, to positively impact our community.

The staff have engaged in a week of professional learning and collaborative team meetings to ensure that our students can engage in meaningful learning from day one. Staff also appreciated the opportunity for times of prayer, praise and learning from God’s word; being blessed by some excellent biblical teaching from Pastor and Chaplain Mitch Forbes and our Director of Mission and Community, Dave Gray.

The staff have embarked on a biblical literacy project where we are reminded to feed on God’s wisdom. Proverbs 24: 13-14 says, “Wisdom is like honey for you: if you find it, there is a future hope.” As I encouraged the staff, I also encourage you to enjoy feasting on God’s wisdom in the Bible as it is wisdom that helps us to understand the world around us. It’s a sweet treat, that we can enjoy. Let’s thank God for the sweetness of His scriptures and I pray that He will nourish us with His wisdom throughout 2020.

We have the privilege of welcoming the following new staff into our community:
Mrs Tralee McNamara – Director of Prep (BCC Beginners)
Miss Sophie Gialouris – BCC Beginners Aide
Mrs Anna Gray – Community Playgroup
Mr Andrew Pearson – Stage 1 Primary Teacher
Mrs Leanne Johnston – Stage 1 Primary Teacher
Mr Mark Carthew – Mathematics Teacher

We are blessed to add these staff to our team and look forward to their contribution to Kingdom Education as we commit to our vision of “training and nurturing young people to grow up into Christ.”

Praying together as a Community

This little Jacaranda tree, that stands at the corner of the entrance path to BCC, exemplifies life here at the College. Despite all the odds against it throughout our intensely hot summer, we see a little tree flourishing. What does it take for a little tree to flourish despite soaring temperatures, hot dry winds and water restrictions? It takes being hand watered at its roots – via ag-piping put in when it was first planted. It takes being wrapped in shade cloth to help protect it from the scorching sun and drying winds.

As I stood on duty this morning I marvelled at God’s kindness and faithfulness in ensuring that this little tree has not only ‘made it’ but is now confidently holding up its new, delicate green leaves to the sunshine. 

As our students walked into school it was evident that our prayer for our children this year needs to be that they flourish. 

Yes, there will be tough times ahead, circumstances that are demanding and, sadly, sometimes devastating. But as a school that helps our children plant themselves deeply in God’s Word, and wraps them in loving relationships and challenges them in their thinking and skill development…we too will see our ‘little trees’ (and not so little trees) begin to flourish and stand in wonder and adoration at what God is faithfully doing in their lives. 

If you would join us this year to pray for our students, and our teachers, we would be most grateful. We have a Praying Parents Group that you are welcome to participate in click here https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/prayer-group/ for further information. Or perhaps at your dinner table each night, your family could commit to lifting other families before God’s throne of grace, and together we can observe young lives being nurtured and strengthened and beginning to flourish.

Mrs Bronwyn Rappeneker
Head of Student Services and Wellbeing

2019 HSC Results

Our year 12 classes continue to amaze and inspire us. Each year there are many students who work tirelessly to achieve their goals, there are those who strive to overcome difficult circumstances to achieve their best and many who achieve what they require and go on to flourish in their chosen careers.

The class of 2019 were no different. We had 40 students who sat the HSC. There were students who were the first in their family to receive a HSC, others who overcame significant personal issues to achieve great success in their chosen subject areas and a number who, despite their significant learning needs, went on to shine in their areas of passion. As teachers, we could not be more proud of them.

At BCC it is our desire to ensure that we are faithful in doing all we can to enable students to do their best, and to see them achieve their God-given potential. It is always encouraging to hear the stories of where our students end up and to see them pursuing their dreams, using their God-given gifts to impact the world around them.

When looking at the HSC results, we recognise that they reflect the high standards and hard work of not only the students, but their teachers across the College and the parents and carergivers who have supported them in their educational journey. In 2019, 19 of our 40 HSC students have been with us since Kindergarten. What a privilege to be such a significant part of these students’ lives!

Areas to celebrate

~ There were 64 Band 5 and 16 Band 6 results
~ In approximately 39% of exams sat, our students achieved marks of 80+
~ 27 of the 40 ATAR eligible students received at least one Band 5 or 6 result (67.5% of the cohort)
~ 66% of the HSC subjects we offer scored results that were above the state average
~ 4 subjects exceeded the state average by more than 5%

~ BCC ranked 8th in the Hunter (approximately 50 schools) and 208th in NSW (over 580 schools)
~ Every student in the Music class achieved a Band 6 result
~ Congratulations to the following students who received an ATAR of 90+
• Jacob Hale
• Jasmine Brown
• Isaac Watts

Several other students achieved outstanding ATARs in the 80’s and we’ve heard reports from many students who achieved their goal ATAR, enabling them entry into their chosen tertiary courses.
(NB: UAC information about University offers will be available end of February or early March)

Primary Meet the Teacher Night

Our Primary, K-6 ‘Meet The Teacher Night’ will be held next Tuesday, 11th February here at the College at the times below.

Kindergarten (Combined session) – 5:30 – 6:00pm
Stage 1 – 6:00 – 6:20pm
Stage 2 – 6:20 – 6:40pm
Stage 3 – 6:40 – 7:00pm

This is a great opportunity for parents to meet their child’s 2020 teacher, and to learn of the year’s program.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you on the night!

You and your family are invited to the Belmont Christian College Annual ‘Picnic on the Pleasance’ on Wednesday, 26th February from 6pm. This is a fantastic time to come together as a community early in the year to enjoy a good ol’ fashioned family picnic. 

There will be a BBQ, music, student performances, coffee, games, dancing and much more. BBQ, coffee and treats available for purchase or bring your own picnic if preferred.

BYO chairs and rug. We can’t wait to see you there!

Enrol Now

Welcome to 2020! We are so pleased with the exciting opportunities available in our co-curricular music this year.

Our music ensembles resume in Week 3 at the following times:

• Sax Ensemble– Monday 3:00 – 3:30pm (Band Room- J Block)
• Secondary Musical Band– Tuesday 3:00 – 5:00pm (A4- Secondary Music Rooms)
• Primary Concert Band– Wednesday 7:45 – 8:40am (Band Room- J Block)
• String Ensemble– Wednesday Lunchtime (Primary Music Room)
• Stage 3 Choir– Thursday 8:00 – 8:40am (Primary Music Room)  
• Stage 2 Choir– Thursday Lunchtime (Primary Music Room)  

Please click on the links following to find further Creative Arts information pertaining to our Co-curricular Music Ensembles across the College –Primary Choir, Strings, Primary Concert Band. Also find our Music Tutor contacts and our Instrument Hire Form along with some Hot tips.

To enrol your child in any of our programs, please fill out the google form below…
Primary Ensembles Enrolment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1x5FQQtISQwHFfSSOxyAIDyo7PKmQAojrzaqsBOmGekg/edit
Secondary Ensembles  Enrolment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17GWLKLiuV-Nvrsxi8npur5YcL8STr4GsERdeVhWLOqs/edit
Peter Pan Musical Cast Enrolment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ykCLAPdY-i9Tz2T3MLvd62ss47uKPsrL00M0wJwLbPY/edi

Group Keyboard Lessons

Group Keyboard lessons are available for Stage 1 Students.

Lunchtimes on Tuesdays / Wednesdays | 1.10pm – 1.40pm

Cost: $100 for Term, (commencing Week 2)

For more information contact our music tutor, De Farthing – 0411 286303 denisefarthingmusic@gmail.com

NSW Creative Voucher Provider

Secondary Swimming Carnival a Success

Wow! What a day, we were blessed with perfect racing conditions at the annual Secondary Swimming Carnival held at Charlestown Pool. While the temperature outside was thankfully much cooler than the weekend, the temperature in the pool resembled that of the 40 degrees we had on the weekend. Many races were hotly contested, while others took their turn to have fun and earn valuable house points for participation. Congratulations to all who attended. I am happy to report that Cuthbert House reigned supreme this year taking out the carnival.

Congratulations to all Age Champions who I am sure are looking forward to representing the College at the THACCCSA Zone Swimming Carnival in Week 6.

2020 Age Champions

House Points

Record Breakers

Daniel Culjak – 14 Years Boys – 50m Backstroke – 34.74

Crunch & Sip

Before and After School Care OSHC

In response to the needs of our College community, we are excited to announce that a Before School Care program will commence on Tuesday, 28th January 2020. From 7.00am to 8.40am each school day.

Register, book and manage your Before and After School Care bookings at www.campaustralia.com.au or call the Customer Service Team on 1300 105 343.

Register with FACTS now

FACTS payment plans are now officially available at Belmont Christian College. This is your chance to make managing your tuition payments easier, with a variety of payment methods and the flexibility to break up your payments into smaller increments. We have recently sent you an email asking you to register for FACTS. This is the College’s preferred payment option, and is where you will view your invoicing for the year.

FACTS will replace BPAY and Direct Debit payment options, as it offers families enhanced flexibility and control over their payment plans. Payment at the office or over the phone will still be available should you wish to make payment that way. If you have any further queries regarding FACTS, please contact our Assistant Business Manager, Michelle Mazzantini on 4922 8314.

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