Newsletter

I remember once being asked what was the best thing about our school. It was so easy to answer that question, ‘Our students, of course!’ A school isn’t a school without children. From the littlest BCC Beginner to our oldest Year 12 student, every student brings something unique and precious to our community. 

Walking in to Student Services for the first time, after our time of isolation, and stepping into our foyer, I couldn’t help but smile as I was greeted by the noisy conversations of Year Nine Students as they busily caught up with each other’s news, I heard the squeals of Kinder children as they headed our way to ask if Lego Club was on that day, the phone was ringing in my office and staff popped their heads around the corner, smiling broadly, as we could all feel the wonderful sense of being back where we belong, doing what we love best – supporting, equipping and celebrating children. 

I am mindful though, as we transition back to school, that it will be exciting for some, and not so easy for others. Any time of transition presents challenges. As a Student Services Team we have recorded a video ‘letter’ for you – our video message answers some questions parents have asked about ways to support their children. We hope you find it helpful now, and into the future, as we re-engage with learning in a face-to-face setting. 

Remember, despite all the challenges, our students are resilient and they will have developed amazing new skills during this time of change. Be reassured, it won’t take long for them to enjoy that lovely sense of belonging and the security of their daily routines again as they reconnect with their BCC family. How wonderful to think we will all be together again next week! 

Student Services are here to help

Our Student Services Team have recorded a video ‘letter’ for our parents – a video message that answers some questions parents have asked about ways to support their children during this time. We hope you find it helpful, not only now, but into the future as we re-engage with learning in a face-to-face setting.

If you are concerned about your child’s progress please contact our Student Services team:
Kindergarten and Stage One Support – Mrs Karen Lumley – karen.lumley@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Stage Two Support – Mrs Bethany Clothier – bethany.clothier@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Stage Three and Stage Four Support – Miss Sarah Newton – sarah.newton@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Stage Five Support – Mrs Kaylene Taylor – kaylene.taylor@bcc.nsw.edu.au
Stage Six Support – Mrs Bronwyn Rappeneker – bronwyn.rappeneker@bcc.nsw.edu.au

If your child has a wellbeing concern their Classroom Teacher or Connect Teacher should be the first contact for assistance. Stage Leaders and the College Counsellor are also available. Mrs Liz Roberts, our Counsellor, can be contacted on 4922 8354 or liz.roberts@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Beginners Free in Term 2 and back 5 days per week

BCC Beginners is a fun, stimulating, nuturing and engaging Pre-Kinder program. Run by fully qualified teachers, on-site at the College with purpose built facilities. We encourage you to share this opportunity to join our BCC Beginners program with your friends and family. 

And we are back 5 days per week! Visit our website by clicking here for more information and to enrol now for FREE in Term 2.

A note from our Heads of School, Mr Steve Tidey and Mrs Leoni McNeill

Following the most recent announcements by Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell, Belmont Christian College, along with other NSW school students will be back in the classroom full-time from next Monday, 25th May.

Please be assured that we will maintain the measures and precautions that have been put in place for the foreseeable future. Please note:

● The last two weeks of having students on site in year groups have been a strong indication of how we can best support students to practice good hygiene and implement new routines at school, and we pray it has given our College community the confidence that full-time face-to-face teaching can resume

● The College will be maintaining correct observance of the recommended health advice, and we look forward to seeing all students back onsite five days a week.

Our health routines include:
o Increased and regular cleaning of classrooms, railings, door handles and other often touched surfaces and toilet facilities
o Access to hygiene supplies and sanitisers
o Compliance with hygiene practices (eg distancing, etc…)
o Staggered recess and lunch break times
o Playground area zones for year groups
o Staggered pick-up times and pick-up zones
o No assemblies and no excursions until further notice
o Students may bring their own clearly labelled toys or play items from home, eg. handballs
o Primary playground equipment will be in use, cleaned daily

As our students return to full face-to-face schooling, their teachers will work with the College’s Student Services team to identify where students are at in their coursework and will be supporting them in their return. Students are returning to Week 5 of the term, so for Secondary School students that means they are in a Week B of their normal timetable and should be prepared for lessons accordingly. As well, please be reminded that all students should be wearing their full Winter uniform when not required to be in Sport uniform.

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: keeping 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.

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

Bus transport advice has not changed to date, that is, Newcastle Buses, which operates our school transport will be running (as it has been) to normal schedules. They continue to assure us their hygiene, safety and cleaning regimes are in place.

Whilst their website indicates public transport for NSW continues to support physical distancing where
possible, this does “… not apply dedicated school services, as no school student will be turned away.”
However, “… parents and caregivers should not send children on public transport if they are displaying any symptoms of being unwell.” Their website also suggests travellers download the COVIDSafe app. The voluntary app helps protect commuters by using technology to quickly identify if they’ve been in close contact with someone with Coronavirus.

Canteen operations will start later this term. We will advise when you are able to order again from the canteen.

NOTE: BCC Beginners will continue with their most recent drop-off and pick-up procedures. The following instructions are for Primary School and Secondary School families:

Morning Drop-Off
● Parents/caregivers to drop their child/children to school at the normal time of between 8:20am and 8:30am, ready for an 8:40am start
● When entering the College TURN LEFT for the drop-off area
● Parents/caregivers should drive to the end white line in the Pick-Up zone, or stop safely behind the car in front
● Parents/caregivers are asked to stay in cars while children get out of cars
● Younger students will be assisted by older students or staff, as required
● Students should walk to the playground or classroom straight from the drop-off area

Afternoon Pick-Up
● Cars coming into the College for pickup may only enter from 2:40pm
● Primary pickup will be at the normal location and will commence at the earlier time of 2:40pm and run for 20 minutes
● Parents are asked to stay in cars while waiting for children
● Secondary School siblings of Primary students will be released early for pickup with Primary
● When entering the College TURN LEFT for the Primary and Secondary siblings pickup pick-up area
● Parents/caregivers should drive to the end white line in the Pick-Up zone, or stop safely behind the car in front
● Parents and teachers on duty to remind students to ‘look out’ for their family car so that the process runs smoothly
● Parents who pick up their child in the afternoon should display their family name from their car so that it is clearly visible. The remainder of these signs should be made available throughout next week
● Other Secondary School student pick-up will commence at 2.50pm. When entering the College to collect only Secondary School students, please PROCEED STRAIGHT AHEAD to the Secondary pick-up zone for Secondary students at the current College bus parking zone. Parents/caregivers please stay in cars while waiting for children
● If traffic is backed up, parents/caregivers are asked to park in the overflow carpark and wait

We want to thank you, our College community – teachers, staff, parents and caregivers for your patience and perseverance during a most difficult period. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. If at all possible, over the next few weeks, could we ask you to minimise coming into the College Office, rather conduct any communication you need to have using either email or phone contact. Please continue to thank God for enabling our community to get through to this moment, and in the transition, despite the occasional discouragement we never stand alone, but have learned more about resting in His love and safe keeping.

Praise Points

~ Our students, across the College, have the opportunity to be back in their classrooms and see their friends and catch up with their teachers : )
~ We are so well resourced and can put measures in place to help create a safe environment for our students and staff.
~ Our grounds and facilities help to create as sense of space and place for our students. Please celebrate the little Jacaranda tree at the end of the walkway near the front gate. It has been through drought and hot winds and yet as I drove in this morning I smiled as I could see that it’s no longer leaning on the stake put in place to hold it up. It’s now growing taller and stronger, just like our students!

Prayer Points

~ Our precious, incredible parents who are doing the most amazing job in helping to facilitate remote learning for their children.
~ Our wonderful teachers as they continue to navigate this remote/classroom/Library…time.
~ Our College Board, the College Leadership Team – the Exec and the Coordinators across Primary and Secondary – as decisions continue to be made about the transition back to school and as they continue to watch out for the staff and the students under their care.
~ Our families who may be struggling with finances, ill health or emotional pressures. That they will experience the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit, bringing calm and renewed hope and healing.

Thank you for praying. Your prayers are a part of the bedrock of our community.

Mrs Bronwyn Rappeneker
Head of Student Services and Wellbeing

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. Due to the COVID-19 crisis we now meet online, rather than at the College. For more information please contact Ang Proctor mailit2us@gmail.com or phone 0409 288 000. Everyone is welcome to join in.

Keep Informed at the College Website

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, Remote Learning Page and Back-to-School Plans. Why not share the weblink with friends and family and give them a look inside the BCC Community. 

COVID-19 Update

Please continue to visit the COVID-19 page found on our College website. On this page you will find the most recent COVID related announcements from our Leadership team. Please note that parents and caregivers will continue to receive all official communication via Skoolbag and email.

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.

We love our furry friends. One thing is sure, our pets are living their best life during isolation, and here’s a hello from them, as we take a closer look inside the homes of our BCC community and life with our best friends by our sides.

Secondary Virtual X Cross Country

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. Refer to your email for further information and permission note.

Students returning to school – a message from Newcastle Transport

School students returning to school full time from Monday 25th May is an important milestone for the whole community and we want to make sure students travel safely to and from school with Newcastle Transport.

With physical distancing measures put in place across public transport in NSW this week, we wanted to assure you no school student will be turned away from public transport.

Physical distancing measures will not apply on dedicated school services and school children will be given priority access on regular route services, even if this means a service goes over physical distancing capacity.

We will continue to monitor transport usage to make sure students travel safely to and from school.

We will be continuing the measures we have in place to limit the spread of coronavirus and ensure the safety of our customers, including:

~ Each bus, ferry and tram undergo a daily deep clean and there is additional cleaning throughout the day, with special attention on high frequency touch surfaces.
~ Mid service cleaning of high touch areas on our bus services at Customs House and John Hunter Hospital.
~ Cleaning products and hand sanitisation stations are available in all depots to support our staff in good hygiene practices.
~ Closing off front seats and Opal readers next to the driver.
~ Tram doors are now opening automatically at stops to minimise customer contact with trams on all light rail services.

We encourage students to:

~ Follow NSW Health advice
~ Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently
~ Allow as much distance from others
~ Cough or sneeze into your elbow
~ Stay at home and avoid travelling altogether if unwell
~ Avoid close contact with staff on board services

It is more important than ever for students to use their Opal card so we can understand capacity on board our services.

Kind regards,
The Newcastle Transport team