Newsletter

2020 – It’s not all bad!

Recently I have seen many memes around the theme of ‘fast forwarding 2020 and skipping to 2021’. There has been so much trauma and anxiety on a global scale, with bush fires, Coronavirus and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. I think it’s a year we can all agree we won’t forget in a hurry and has affected many of us on a personal level.

Yet as I reflected on the year so far, it hasn’t all been bad. It’s been a year of new experiences and growth opportunities. Teachers and parents have learnt to make Zoom calls and navigate learning platforms like Seesaw and Google classroom. There are skills we now have that we didn’t even know existed at the start of the year.

For me personally, I have welcomed a niece into our family, taken my dad home to The Netherlands for the first time in 70 years, I have two family members’ significant birthdays to enjoy, the opportunity to celebrate 25 years of marriage and the anticipation of my son’s upcoming wedding.

So whilst there have been some significant low points this year, there has also been new experiences, growth opportunities and things to celebrate. As Richard M Nixon said ‘Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.’ Therefore, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the good things that have happened to you this year. Even though this year has been tough, I’m grateful we are not fast forwarding 2020 and skipping straight to 2021, there are many sweet moments we’d miss.

The Bible reminds us that we have a peace and a hope that sees beyond our current circumstances. Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that we have a hope that is an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.  What a comfort as we journey through the remainder of the year.

Praise Points

~ We have been blessed to have a number of enrolment interviews with new families, some joining us this year, and others getting ready to join us in 2021. What an encouragement to know that our Heavenly Father is entrusting us with the lives of young people to nurture, teach and celebrate. 

Prayer Points

~ For our School Counsellor, Liz Roberts, as she recovers from a nasty fall. Please pray for healing and for encouragement for Liz. 
~ For our Year 12’s – Prayer for them to know God’s leading and provision for them as they continue their HSC studies.
~ Please continue to pray for our CONNECT Program in Primary and Secondary School – Mitch (Chaplain) is recording wonderful devotional videos for our Secondary students, to help encourage and challenge them. This venture into all things digital has certainly opened up new opportunities for us to connect with each other in creative, relevant ways. Please pray for our wonderful Primary Teachers as they nurture and encourage their students in their understanding of God’s Word and of who He is and who they are in Him. 
~ Please cover our more vulnerable students in prayer. Please pray that we will be sensitive to the needs of our students and that we will minister to them in ways that convey the heart-beat of their Heavenly Father.
~ For families who are facing challenging times as the result of the financial pressure following the restrictions. 

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.

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.

Stage 6 Information Night is going VIRTUAL!

It’s that time of year where our Year 10 students get to start thinking about what the next two years of school will look like for them here at BCC.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to shape their learning journey to suit their skills, interests and hopes for the future. We want to partner with our Year 10 students and families to help them map out a wonderful pathway through Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12) that will help them to flourish here at BCC and beyond. Students and families would have received the Stage 6 Prospectus which outlines the subjects that we offer, along with details about the specific requirements of the HSC. 

Tomorrow (Friday, 19th June) students will hear from each Faculty Coordinator about the subjects on offer and that afternoon we will also be launching a webpage on our College website for students and families to engage with. The webpage focuses on each subject in greater detail, as well as explaining important information about how to achieve a HSC and an ATAR.

The web link will be shared with Year 10 students and families on Friday afternoon.

If you still have questions, we invite you to join us via Zoom for a Virtual Information Night on Monday 22nd June, 6:30-8:30pm. You will find links on the webpage. This is a great opportunity to chat with teachers who are passionate about their subject and can give extra information about the nature of the subject, the topics covered and the types of students who would enjoy that subject. Our Careers Advisor and VET Coordinator, Mrs Susan Carter, will also be available on the night to talk about VET and Distance Education options for those students desiring a more unique pattern of study.

2021 Fees – No increase

We are happy to announce that there will be no increase to our fees for 2021. The fee schedule used for 2020 will remain the same for next year. We pray that this decision will bless our families who have all faced the challenges and uncertainty of this year. 

Bill Truscott – Business Manager

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.

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

‘Dress to Impress’ Mufti-Day this Friday 19th June

The College will be holding a ‘Dress to Impress’ Mufti-Day Fundraiser next Friday, 19th June.

Gold coin donations will be collected on the day should your child wish to participate. Appropriate dress rules apply. 

Canteen Now Open

Good news our Canteen has re-opened! And we are back with a new improved online ordering system called MunchMonitor. For the remainder of Term 2 purchases will be online only, there will be no cash or EFT over the counter purchases. Orders need to be placed by 9.30am.

Using MunchMonitor Online Ordering
~ You can place orders online up to 4 weeks in advance
~ Top-up your account online using VISA/MasterCard
~ List allergies to alert canteen staff
~ You can order anytime you want using web browsers such as Chrome or Safari on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone.
~ No sign-up fee
~ No transaction fee
~ Give your children Snack Money Allowance, Daily Allowance
~ Ban food items from the menu
~ View what your child has ordered

It only costs $ 3.65 (inc. GST) per school term for a family account. However for this term only, the fee will be waived.

If you held an account with our former online ordering system, School24, we are able to transfer the balance of this account over to MunchMonitor. Please register with MunchMonitor and then email canteen@bcc.nsw.edu.au with your name, your eldest child’s name and class and your email address used for your MunchMonitor registration.

Register now with our new Online Ordering System

If you require further assistance call Munch Monitor on 1300 796 190 or email at help@munchmonitor.com. Our canteen staff are also happy to help and can contacted on 4922 8346 and canteen@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Peter Pan Musical Postponement

We are sad to announce that we have had to postpone our Secondary School musical, Peter Pan. Listen to our musical Director, Mrs Naomi Stewart, and Producer, Mr Chris Stewart to hear more.

At the start of this year, the College was abuzz with rehearsals, set building and costume creation. We knew that Peter Pan the Musical was already something special, because we saw the way that it was bringing together all the unique gifts, talents and personalities in our BCC community. While we are sad to postpone Peter Pan in 2020, we can’t wait for the musical buzz to return in 2021!

Primary Cross Country

Due to COVID we were not able to hold our usual Cross Country Carnival this year. However, Primary students now have the opportunity to run their Cross Country during lunchtime at the College. This will be a low-key event as we start to move back into College sporting events.

8yr Boys and Girls – Wednesday, 17 June
9yr Boys and Girls – Thursday, 18 June
11yr Boys and Girls – Wednesday, 24 June
12yr Boys and Girls – Thursday, 25 June
10yr Boys and Girls – Friday, 26 June

Students have known their dates for a few weeks, although please note that there has been a late change in the 10yr event due to the upcoming mufti-day this Friday.

Students can wear sports uniform on their given day.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions, parents are still unable to attend.

Secondary Virtual Cross Country

Week 6 saw the running of the Secondary School Virtual X Country. The challenge was set for students and staff to earn points for their house. Participants picked their course, tracked their run and uploaded their results.

Well done to all who participated. We are extremely pleased to announce that the victorious house was Cuthbert!! Now having won the Swimming Carnival and Virtual X Country, leaving them sitting a top of the accumulative house point score for 2020. #cuthbertclimbtheladder!

House Champion Results
1st – Cuthbert – 242 2nd – Booth – 224 3rd – Robinson – 182 4th – Liddell – 147    

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

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.

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. Why not share the weblink with friends and family and give them a look inside the BCC Community. 

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.

BYOD Available for Year 11 and 12 Students

Parents and caregivers of Year 11 and Year 12 students received a Digital Devices Usage Letter yesterday that outlined a change in policy and procedure for our Year 11 and Year 12 students.

In a nutshell, permission has been granted for our Senior Secondary School students to be able to use a non-Chromebook device (Windows or Mac) as their College device that is enabled access to the College wifi network. Year 12 students will be given priority in this process, and current Year 11 students may also transition to this program should you decide it’s necessary for their pattern of study.

Please complete this Google Form for the process can be initiated.

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.