Newsletter

Academic Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Years 7 to 10 Semester One Reports were delivered by email this week.

Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday, 4th August and/or Wednesday, 5th August, and interview times will be between 3.30pm until 8.30pm. Depending on COVID-19 regulations at the time, interviews may be held via Zoom meetings, hence the two dates at the moment. We will confirm the final date and details closer to the time.

Booking an Interview 
In the first week of school Term 3 (from Thursday, 23rd July) you will receive an email with a link from the College allowing you to book your Parent-Teacher Interviews. If you are unable to access via that link, or do not receive an email, please check your spam and/or junk folders then contact our Secondary School Administrative Assistant, Kathy Evans, at the College on 4922 8312 or kathy.evans@bcc.nsw.edu.au. Booking availability will close from 3:30 PM on Monday, 3rd August.

If you cannot attend the allocated interview days and times, please contact your child’s teachers directly to make alternative arrangements.

Parents are encouraged to make time to attend a Parent-Teacher interview on either or both evenings so that you can speak to teachers about your child’s progress and ask questions about how you can enable them to do their very best. Communication between the College and home is vital as we work in partnership to support students following a period of disrupted learning.

Primary Academic Reports will be emailed home early next term with Parent Teacher Interviews to be held on Monday, 10th and Wednesday, 12th August. Further information will be communicated next term.

Prayer Points

~ Our Year 12 students, that the holiday time will allow them to be refreshed and that they will re-connect with their HSC goals and develop good routines so that they enter their last term of formal schooling with a strong focus and a sense of God-given purpose. 

~ Our Counsellor, Liz Roberts – please pray for Liz as she continues to recover from a fall and as she undergoes rehabilitation to help promote healing and restored movement. 

 ~ We are very grateful to God for the new families who have met with our Principal to discuss attending BCC. It is humbling to be entrusted with His children and to have the opportunity to nurture, educate and help equip them as they grow and flourish in Christian Community. 

Thank you for your prayerful support. Have a wonderful time over the holiday break!

Prayer Requests

In deeply challenging times such as these, we find our rest in the unchanging nature and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father.

As a Christian community we understand the significance and purpose of prayer. It is the heart-beat of our College. Together we boldly pray to our Father, through the work of His Son, in the power of the Spirit.

If you have a prayer request please complete the form here. We would love to pray for you specifically, and for your family, during this time of change.

‘We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express’ Romans 8:26b

Praying Parents

Parents are invited to join our prayer group on Mondays at 8:15am and Fridays at 2:15pm, meeting at the flag pole after signing in at the College office. For more information please contact Ang Proctor mailit2us@gmail.com or phone 0409 288 000. Everyone is welcome to join in.

At the moment we are covering the Year 12 students in prayer as they prepare for the HSC and their final months at BCC. COVID-19 has added an extra layer of complexity to their year, but we know that our God is faithful and He has a plan for each of them. We are praying for their studies, but also that they grow in revelation of God’s faithfulness and understanding that when we are weak, He is strong.

If you would like to volunteer to commit to covering two Year 12 students in prayer from now until the end of HSC exams (mid Nov), please email wendy@wendyrobinson.com.au.

Here are some suggestions for what ‘covering the two Year 12 students in prayer’ looks like:
(a) When praying for your own children, include a prayer for these two young people.
(b) Every time you drive into the school grounds, ask for God’s blessing and favour on them (can be prayed in your mind, doesn’t have to be prayed aloud).
(c) Every time you wash your hands, ask for God to give them a sound mind, the mind of Christ, and strength to do each day well.
(d) Ask God to give you a specific scripture to pray for them.
(e) Ask God what He wants you to pray for them.

I clearly remember being a teen. My peers were such a big influence on shaping me. Black jeans and a band t-shirt and if it gets cold throw on the flanno. That was a two year phase. Previous to that was baggy pants, cartoon t-shirt and a skateboard. Possibly a one to two year phase and so it goes on. Finding identity then was hard, but now we live in a world that is highly connected, not slowing down or switching off. How and where are our young people finding safety and security and what or who is shaping their identity?

During my Year 9 Health lesson on ‘Stereotypes and Expectations’ I was reminded of one of the greatest gifts given to mankind: the gift of choice. The ability to choose is one of God’s most generous gifts, knowing that if He creates us with choice we could choose to reject Him. I’ve taught this concept of stereotype awareness and how people’s expectations shape our identity previously, but have never made the connection that the ability to choose is extrinsically linked to how we see ourselves and other people. 

A dominant message today is that we can choose to be whatever we want to be. Finding our identity is highly encouraged and, when found, is validated by a community that can be found easily in the digital world. Alternately, if you’re chasing a new identity then there is the opportunity to adapt and change – morphing into that new identity.

Jesus spoke very clearly about being the Way, the Truth and the Life. He didn’t condemn the people he met, instead he listened and spoke encouraging words which challenged them to choose life – His way, His truth and His life. True security and identity can only be found in knowing Jesus. This is where true purpose can be found. My deep hope for our College is that in this ever changing landscape, my colleagues and I would be Jesus to our students and encourage our students to choose life, His life.

‘Jeans for Jimi’ Day this Friday 3rd July

Secondary students are invited to wear jeans with a BCC shirt on the last day of term this Friday, 3rd July.

Please bring a donation that will go towards a final graduation gift for our Compassion child, Jimi. This is a wonderful opportunity to send a special gift to Jimi that will go towards his future. 

Appropriate dress rules apply. 

Safety and Considering Neighbours on Entry and Exit John Fisher Road

Thankyou again for your cooperation over the term in our attempts to better manage traffic flow and, in particular, drop off and pick up times. We have had an urgent request from our neighbours, the Tranquil Waters Committee, to advise all parents/caregivers that they should not be accessing entry to Tranquil Waters at its Exit point (wrong way in a one way street) and exit at its Entry point before/after collecting students.

We also ask that those vehicles waiting to enter the College continue to merge to the left side of John Fisher Road, so that residential (and bus) traffic who are not entering the College grounds can still use the roundabout.

Lastly, we would ask you to help us as we remind children walking to and from buses that the Siloam Drive entry is still a road way, not a pedestrian crossing, and they do need to be more aware that cars do need to drive through. On several occasions the children continue to walk across without checking if a vehicle is coming.

Chromebooks for Stage 3 in 2021

As we move into the ever-increasing world of technology in education, it is our intention and goal at Belmont Christian College to provide optimum opportunities for students to enhance their learning at school with their teachers and peers, as well as independently. It is our aim for students to also take ownership of their learning and to become confident in their exploration and ‘risk-taking’ in the pursuit of their knowledge, growth and development in all areas of the Primary curriculum. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is now embedded in the NSW Primary curriculum, and it is highly evident that growth in this area is a vitally important aspect of 21st Century education. Student learning requires resilient, independent learners who can think critically. We believe that our Chromebook program will develop students’ ability to research, synthesise and collaborate, whilst maintaining the College’s commitment to optimal personal academic performance. Chromebooks help make learning real, and Google Apps are easy to manage. They give students access to the information they need to be successful in school, and in life.

Therefore in 2021 it will be an expectation that all BCC students in Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) have a school-approved Chromebook ordered through our supplier. It is anticipated that the Chromebook purchased for Year 5 will be used for three years, with an upgrade made for Year 8. Once students are in Year 11 they may choose to carry on using their Chromebook or utilise another computer that meets the learning objectives of the student.

For further information please refer to your email that Parents/Caregivers of Stage 3 for 2021 received last week or contact our Business Manager, Mr Bill Truscott at the College office on 4922 8300.

Keep Informed at the College

The College website continues to grow and evolve as a fantastic resource for parents and students. Make sure you take a look at our Community Hub. Why not share the weblink with friends and family and give them a look inside the BCC Community. 

BCC also communicates home to parent/caregiver’s via the Skoolbag App. Skoolbag provides an easy and convenient means of communication of essential information including College newsletters, notices and alerts which are communicated directly to a parent/caregiver through the Skoolbag Mobile App on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. We encourage parents to download the Skoolbag App and check-in to the App on a regular basis for any announcements to keep you informed.

Virtual College Tours Now Available

Do you have friends and family who cannot make it onsite to check out the College on a Personal face-to-face Tour? Maybe you know of folk who are considering a relocation to the Hunter region? Why not encourage them to join our College Registrar, Ms Teena Knott, on a Virtual College Tour. For more details and to book a face-to-face or virtual tour, click here

My Journey Educational Virtual Pathways Expo Pilot Program 

Want to know about apprenticeships and traineeships available or further education & training in various industries? My Journey Virtual Expo 2020 will be held on 22nd – 23rd July from 12-8pm. The expo will cast the lens across Vocational Education and Training as a Career Pathway.

Log into the Expo and speak with exhibitors that can advise and guide you on careers in the vocational sector including:

Tafe
Private Training Organisations
Apprenticeship Centres
Group Training Companies
Employers from varied industries
Youth Services
Career Support Organisations

Students can go to myjourney.vfairs.com from 24th June 2020 to register for the event.

Parents are welcome to attend with their child also.

Further information can be found on the Students Information Google Classroom Page as it becomes available closer to the date. Any enquiries please contact Mrs Carter, susan.carter@bcc.nsw.edu.au

Puppetry

This Term, Year 9 and 11 Drama students have studied puppetry. This ancient form of storytelling can be used to improve students’ communication skills, emotional intelligence and creativity. This term, students have learnt about marionettes, shadow puppetry, Japanese Bunraku, water puppetry and finger and hand puppets. Students explored puppetry performances from professional productions of Warhorse, The Lion King and Storm Boy. Both the Year 9 and 11 Drama classes were asked to create their own puppets and perform a famous children’s story for our BCC Beginners to Year 2 students.  Puppets are magical creatures for early childhood students. Using puppets to engage early learners offers multiple benefits across the curriculum and for social/emotional development. Puppets offer children an engaging way to interact and explore their knowledge and understanding of the world. For many children, it opens up a new world of communication that supports the acquisition of language skills. The students thoroughly enjoyed watching the puppet performances. Well done Year 9 and 11 Drama.

Art Express

Our BCC 2019 Alumni, Miss Hannah-Kate Procter, has been selected for this year’s ARTEXPRESS with her sculpture ‘Detachment from her origin’. ARTEXPRESS is an annual showcase of exemplary art works from the previous year’s Higher School Certificate that celebrates the remarkably high standards reached by NSW Visual Arts students.

COVID-19 has meant the annual ARTEXPRESS won’t feature at NSW galleries in it’s traditional format, organisers have launched a virtual exhibition showcasing the exhibits online.

The inaugural ARTEXPRESS Virtual exhibition includes 50 bodies of work across the 12 expressive forms within the NSW Visual Arts HSC syllabus. In 2020, there are seven ARTEXPRESS exhibitions showcasing 231 outstanding Bodies of Work from the 2019 Higher School Certificate Visual Arts practical examination. Each exhibited Body of Work was selected from 8,552 artworks submitted for the practical Visual Arts examination last year.

Congratulations Hannah-Kate!

Recently the Newcastle Weekly caught up with Hannah-Kate to find out more read the article here. You are also able the view the Virtual ARTEXPRESS here.

Primary Cross Country Results

Over the past few weeks, our Primary Students from Year 2-6 have had the opportunity to compete in their Cross Country at the College, using the Run Club course around the oval. Each day has had one age group running at a time to help maintain group size and distancing. Students have run the same distance that they normally would have,  gaining House Points as well as competing for Age Champion.

More than 70% of those who have competed in their event have set new Personal Best times.

The House Points competition is incredibly close between first and second. Results will be revealed to students at Friday morning’s assembly.

Well done to our Age Champions for 2020:

Primary Run Club

Back in March, BCC started ‘Run Club’ in the Primary School. Students learned the course and set their base times in PE lessons, and since then, have had the opportunity to train and improve their ‘Personal Best’ times in their lunch breaks, with a system similar to that of the community-based Park Run.

Many students have taken advantage of these opportunities and worked on improving their own fitness and beating their best times. A number of students have taken minutes off their times and have found motivation in trying to better themselves and reduce their times.

Inter-School Sport Term 3 2020 – COVID-19 Impact

Under the guidance of the NSW Education Department and the Christian Schools Sports Association (CSSA) sport within the College is beginning to return to normal in Term 3, however inter-school sport will still be under restrictions.

Activities to be cancelled, delayed or not permitted are:
~ Certain large arts and sports events – cancelled or delayed because they require feeder activities and have long-lead time organisational arrangements.
~ School-based activities that involve large gathering of adults.

Therefore at this stage the following events have been CANCELLED:

~ CSSA Primary State Netball Gala Day
~ CSSA Primary Boys Football Gala Day Finals
~ CSSA Primary State Athletics
~ CSSA Secondary State Athletics 
~ PSSA and All Schools events in Term 3
~ Secondary THACCCSA Zone Basketball
~ Secondary THACCCSA Zone Athletics
~ Primary THACCCSA Zone Athletics
~ Primary Metro Cup (Football / Netball)

CIS have not made a final decision on a number of events in Term 3 even though the pathway (PSSA/All Schools) has been cancelled.

While this will be very disappointing for many, the College sees the health and safety of students and staff as a high priority. While ‘large scale’ events cannot be held, the College will endeavour to  provide some sporting opportunities against other schools in Term 3 through one off matches where possible.

There are also a few Gala Days still planned for the second half of Term 3. These are still scheduled to proceed as planned, pending further instruction from the relevant governing bodies.

Further information has also been emailed home.

School Holiday Virtual Code Camp

Entertainment Book Available Now

Entertainment Memberships are now 100% digital. Saying goodbye to the iconic Book wasn’t easy but the new Entertainment Memberships start anytime and are valid for 12 months from activation. Packed with thousands of substantial savings to delight and inspire, an Entertainment Membership is your pass to exclusive offers and quality experiences, activities and benefits. The digital membership is easy to download to start using instantly. New offers are added weekly for ongoing value all year round.

Benefits of the App include:

• User-friendly: Instantly search and redeem offers or check out the Near Me tab to find offers, wherever you are.
• Memberships start anytime: Flexible start date, Memberships are valid for 12 months from when you activate (16 months if you take advantage of the Early Bird offer now).
• New offers automatically added: As soon as a new offer is available, you get access to it. No more waiting for the next print run!
• Multiple devices: You can still share your Membership with your family. Encourage your partner and kids to download the App so they can access valuable savings when out.
• Convenient: The App means that as long as you have your phone, you have your Membership too (no more lugging around the book).
• Easy gifting: We’ve made it simpler than ever to gift an Entertainment Membership – simply purchase from your chosen fundraiser and the gift Membership will be delivered instantly to your inbox.

For the first time ever you can choose from 3 NEW digital Memberships.

New Start Date for Term 3

Please note a slight change in term dates brought about by a sudden shift to remote learning at the end of Term 1. As a result of students learning from home that final week, instead of being on site at the College or away on camps, we are bringing students back two days earlier at the start of Term 3. 

The first day of Term 3 for students is now Thursday, 23rd July. This week will be known as week ‘0’ (zero) and will be a Week A. The following week will be Week ‘1’ B and so on.  The last day for Term 3 is the expected Friday, 25th September.

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

School Photo Day

School photographs are scheduled to be taken on Tuesday, 25th August 2020 for Secondary Students and Beginners and on Thursday, 27th August 2020 for Primary Students and Beginners.

Further information will be distributed next term.

Thank you for your ongoing patience during drop-off and pick-up time.

As we continue to maintain government directed standards throughout this COVID-19 season, please take note of some slight
changes to drop-off and pick-up, commencing Monday, Week 9 (22nd June).

What remains the same?
~ 2.40pm car pickup for Primary school students (and their Secondary siblings) AND separate Secondary School pick-up zone

What is changing?
~ Parents and Caregivers are welcome to park their cars in allocated car parks, and collect their children, whilst maintaining social distancing measures

~ Parents and Caregivers may physically collect their children from the path outside the black gate

Note: The recently erected black gate will be locked from 8:40am. Any student arriving after 8:40am must enter via the canteen side entry and sign-in at the student office before going to class.

Recommended Holiday Reading

The Gonski Institute for Education, a group set up by UNSW Sydney to, among other things, bring about positive change in young people’s lives through education, is wanting to help every child reach their full potential. They recognise that parents and caregivers play a crucial role in a child’s learning and development journey.

The Institute has developed parent guides to support parents/caregivers through a range of issues related to your child’s education that you may find helpful.

The resources, developed by Dr Amy Graham (Gonski Institute for Education Research Fellow), are designed to provide quality, up-to-date information for parents and carers. The guides combine translated research with practical tips for parents/caregivers to use with their own child. Topics range from digital device use, to social and emotional skills, play and transitioning to high school, among others.

Click here for the resources link.