Newsletter

When Corporations Suddenly Care

Have you noticed the number of feel-good television commercials that are currently playing, celebrating families and home and togetherness? Mums making dinners with their children, fathers playing board games next to a warming fire, little ones ringing their grandparents and sharing the joys of family connectedness. When matched with a soft-focussed lens, warm colour palette and a nostalgic jingle, it cannot help but to pull on the heartstrings……… and then you discover that it’s an ad for a bank, an insurance company or a computer manufacturer. Since when did banks become concerned with celebrating a home-cooked meal around the family dining table? When did insurance companies invest in images of family togetherness? Coronavirus.

The world pandemic has provided big corporations with an opportunity to rebrand as organisations that care, that celebrate community, families and relationships. I don’t want to be so cynical as to suggest that corporations don’t care about the terrible havoc that COVID is causing, but surely we have become socially bankrupt when the pain and suffering that has been caused in our nation and around the world is seen as an opportunity for marketing an image and positioning a brand. No major institution wants to be seen as the corporation that doesn’t care, so marketing teams have been working overtime in a race to ‘appear’ warm and genuine.

Society has reached new lows when the desire to appear warm and genuine is more important than having integrity, when making advertisements that celebrate family values is more important than actually supporting hurting families, when the words of a jingle declaring we’re all in this together is more powerful than actually labouring to build more just communities. We live in a world where story is valued more highly than substance.

As a Christian community, we risk falling into the same hypocritical hollowness if our story of hope doesn’t match how we actually live and work in our communities. As our time of crisis continues, it should not be a moment to parade piety but to live out compassion, empathy and selflessness. It must be a time when our desire to do good and not look good should be the only thing that matters. When the dust settles and corporations go back to their core business of making money, it will be the integrity of those who silently laboured that will shout the loudest.

Prayer Points

~ Our College Community, and our local and extended community during this unsettling ‘COVID’ time.

~ Year 12 as they prepare for their Trial HSC Exams in week four of this term.

~ Students who face significant challenges and who need to know His tender love and deep encouragement as they come to school. Please pray for safe friendships and for discerning teachers for them. 

~ Our Principal, Executive team and the Board as they lead our College forward. 

~ The many good things that are happening. Please pray as new initiatives become embedded as best practice and that our students will thrive as they participate in the life of our College community.

 ~ New students starting with us this term. It’s amazing to think that our journey through COVID and on-line learning has resulted in people wanting to join our community. God works through all circumstances – amazing!

~ Those ‘moments’ in Connect groups when students have asked the BIG questions – moments of relational connection that epitomise what we want to happen in our groups – and moments when it is clear that the Holy Spirit is at work, opening minds and softening hearts to Him. 

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.

Academic Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Kindergarten to Year 6 Semester One Reports will be delivered by email this week.

Parent-Teacher interviews will be held on Monday, 10th August and/or Wednesday, 12th August, and interview times will be from 3.15pm. Interviews will be held via Zoom meetings.

Booking an Interview 
Booking availability has now closed. If you cannot attend the allocated interview days and times, please contact your child’s teachers directly to make alternative arrangements

Attending the Interview
On the day of the interview you will be sent a link which will enable you to attend the Zoom meeting. To join the meeting just click on the link. Each teacher will run one Zoom meeting with a waiting room and you’ll be admitted at your allocated time.

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.

For further information please contact our Primary School Administrative Assistant, Deb Paardekooper, at the College on 4922 8311 or deb.paardekooper@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

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.

An envelope and flyer has been distributed to students last week. It is our preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes. If ordering online is not possible, order envelopes distributed and cash can be returned to the photographer on photo day.

Orders can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advanced order code: P5L NEY LXP. Portrait and group package orders are due on photo day. Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than 24th August. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please email to enquiries@advancedlife.com.au.

ORDER NOW go to www.advancedlife.com.au and enter the code: P5L NEY LXP

Mini College Tours

We will be holding a Primary School College Mini Tour on Tuesday, 11th August and a Secondary School College Mini Tour on Thursday, 13th August, both from 9.15am. Numbers are limited so please register here. Morning tea provided. All welcome.

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

Secondary Concert Band

Our Secondary Concert Band resumed after a long hiatus, under the direction of our Woodwind/Guitar Tutor, Mr Damien DJ Cotton. It was quite remarkable to hear the band play so well together after not having played for quite some time. Clearly the students had not lost their appetite to continue improving on their instruments.

Concert Band provides an amazing opportunity for young musicians to experience the fun, rigor and discipline of playing in an ensemble. At Secondary level, many of our students are playing at a standard that allows the band to experience a wide range of music styles and genres. By continually improving their music reading and technical skills on their instrument, the band has the opportunity to stretch and grow in their musical experiences.

Secondary Concert Band rehearses on Monday mornings from 7:40 – 8:40am. Students will need to bring repertoire folders used previously at BCC and their instrument.

There are many spots available for other students to play in the band and instrument hire is available. Please contact our Creative Arts Coordinator, Mr Stewart, for more information, chris.stewart@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Music Tutors

We have a variety of Music Tutors available at the College during College hours. We are pleased to have a new Vocal Tutor available now too. Further information can be found here Music Tutor contacts .

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 Transport Page on BCC Website

Our website continues to evolve and be updated with helpful links and information for BCC families. Our latest update is a Transport Page. If you ever need to check a bus route to and from the College, order an OPAL card or contact the College office regarding our Private College bus service, then this is the place to go. https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/transport/

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 the College Newsletters, notices and alerts which are communicated directly to parents and caregivers 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.

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 College-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 term or contact our Business Manager, Mr Bill Truscott at the College office on 4922 8300.

Opal Cards Tap On and Off

We would like students to understand the importance of tapping on and off with their Opal card every time they travel to and from school. When students receive their Opal card, it is a condition of use that students must tap on at the beginning of a trip and tap off at the end of a trip at an Opal card reader. Although school travel is free, this provides NSW Transport with very important information that allows them to better plan bus, ferry and light rail services for us by helping them to know how many services need to be provided for our College. We do not want any current services cancelled.

To encourage students to tap on and off on every ride Newcastle Transport are giving students the chance to be rewarded for it!

Drop-off & pick-up zone

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 our current drop-off and pick-up arrangements.

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

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.

The family surname signs we have provided to Primary School parents for display on the car sun-visor or windscreen has helped the process flow reasonably well, with all things considered. Cars without this display make it difficult to identify during pick up, which does slow the process considerably. We kindly ask that parents remember to display the signs every afternoon at pick up.

If you have lost or require a sign to be made for you, please contact Deb Paardekooper on deb.paardekooper@bcc.nsw.edu.au or 4922 8311.

Staff Update

Mathematics teacher, Mr Mark Carthew has left the College and is seeking God’s will for a new direction in his life. We are thankful for Mark’s knowledge of subject matter and pray that he will know God’s provision. This opened up a teaching position and so we’d like to welcome Mr Fraser Hannam into our community.

Also, our long-standing Counsellor, Liz Roberts has had a nasty fall and will be absent for a little while. So we welcome Mrs Bronwyn Moulds onto the team as she temporarily fills this need. We are grateful for God’s provision and may He help our new staff settle quickly.

Introducing…

Mr Fraser Hannam – Mathematics Teacher

Where have you come from? 
My last teaching position was at Charlton Christian College where I worked as the Head of Middle School and then Director of Studies. I left in 2016 to begin my PhD at Newcastle University, work as a Tertiary Supervisor with undergraduate teachers on their practicums and as a Casual Academic marking postgraduate papers. I returned part time to Charlton on a block from Term 4 2018 to Term 1 2020 teaching Maths to Year 12 Extension 1.

What church do you attend?
My wife Annette and I attend Macquarie Life Church where I preach once per month and Annette sings in the worship team. Together we run Bible Study courses for young adults in our home (currently teaching Revelation) and mentor young married couples.

What are your interests?
My interests include fishing, kayaking, hiking, tennis, reading, writing, meeting with new people and full contact origami.

A little bit about your new position at the College.
Belmont Christian College has employed me to teach Mathematics (the only course you can count on 🙂 ) to Years 7-10. Albert Einstein reminds us that “mathematics is the alphabet with which God wrote the universe!” and teaching this course is the most amazing experience. No wonder God wrote a whole book called ‘Numbers’! Looking forward to an amazing year!

Mrs Bronwyn Moulds – Counsellor (temporary)

Where have you come from? 
I have been School Counsellor at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher for the last 5 years, and prior to that I worked in Sydney at Queenwood School for Girls as their School Counsellor for 4 1/2 years. I have also owned my own Counselling business. I was previously a Humanities teacher before moving into counselling so I have been working in schools for 23 years. 

What church do you attend?
Our family is looking for a new church home, but we were members at ANEW (Anglican church) before COVID. 

What are your interests?
My interests are mission/service work, photography, art, gardening, bush walking, travelling and writing books.

A little bit about your new position at the College.
I am very excited to be working here at Belmont Christian College, and know that God has called me here. I really look forward to getting to know the College community, the students, staff and parents. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have counselling requests.

2021 Fees – No increase

As mentioned in our previous Newsletter, 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

Inter-School Sport for the remainder of 2020

The CSSA Committee of Management met recently to make a decision on CSSA State Events for the rest of the year.

Due to the continued restrictions on large inter-school sporting events ALL CSSA STATE EVENTS have been CANCELLED for TERM 3 and TERM 4 2020.

Confirmation of events CANCELLED are:

Term 3 State Events

·       Secondary 15&U State Oztag GD – Wednesday, 26th August 2020
·       Secondary Open State Oztag GD – Thursday, 27th August 2020
·       Primary State Oztag GD – Wednesday, 2nd Sept 2020
·       Secondary Open State Futsal GD – Thursday, 10th Sept 2020
·       Primary & Secondary 15&U State Futsal GD – Friday, 11th Sept 2020

Term 4 State Events

·       Primary State Biathlon/Secondary State Triathlon – Thursday, 22nd October 2020
·       Primary State Tennis – Monday, 26th October 2020
·       Secondary State Tennis – Tuesday, 27th October 2020
·       Prim/Sec State Softball GD – Wednesday, 11th November 2020
·       Primary State Yr 3/4 Basketball GD – Monday, 23rd November 2020
·       Primary State Yr 5/6 Basketball GD – Monday, 30th November 2020

The CSSA COM have not made this decision lightly but hope this will give schools clarity for the rest of the year.

This decision has been made in conjunction with our State Convenors after working through venue COVID Safety Plans which are very limited and restrict participation numbers.

This also means that THACCCCSA Zone Sports have to be cancelled for the remainder of 2020.  Cancelled events are:

Term 3 THACCCCSA Zone Events

·       Secondary OzTag Gala Day
·       Primary Zone Oztag
·       Primary Champions League AFL

Term 4 THACCCCSA Zone Events

·       Secondary Super 8’s Cricket Gala Day
·       Primary Zone Basketball
·       Primary Coles Cricket

Obviously, this is extremely disappointing for our students as well as ourselves, however, it is important that regulations are followed.

If the curve in the ‘second wave’ flattens quickly, the College will look into the possibility of holding some one-off matches against other schools in some sports.

For further information please contact our Sports Coordinator, Mr Mark Hall, at mark.hall@bcc.nsw.edu.au or Primary Sports Coordinator, Mr Ben Robins, at ben.robins@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

New Online Ordering System

Our Canteen now uses a new improved online ordering system called MunchMonitor. For the remainder of Term 3 purchases will be online and EFTPOS only, there will be no cash purchases.

Orders need to be placed by 9.15am.

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

Snack Money is a daily or weekly allowance you set for each Student on your account. This will allow your child to purchase at the canteen window without using cash. Your child can spend up to the dollar amount you enter in their Student Profile and only on the days of the week you specify. Snack Money is a “cashless” way of purchasing at the canteen window during recess and lunch. 

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 or canteen@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Canteen Volunteers

The Canteen Volunteer roster is up and running and Volunteers are needed. If parents would like to volunteer please contact Virginia in the Canteen on 4922 8346 or canteen@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Sick Students at School

In order to protect our children and staff and to keep inline with Government requirements we would appreciate if you could be vigilant in keeping your child home from school if your child is unwell. If your child is symptomatic with fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath we request that they not come to school until these symptoms have disappeared.

If your child is unwell at school we will contact home to ask for your child to be collected.

For a contemporary perspective please refer to this article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-06-25/when-to-get-a-coronavirus-test-for-cold-symptoms-this-winter/12388326

2020 Presentation Night Update

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Together with the College Executive team, I have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Presentation Night, which would normally be held in the final week of Term 4. 

Based on expert advice from both the State and Federal government, combined with Christian Schools Australia (CSA), we have prayerfully made this decision.

The current advice regarding large gatherings cannot be ignored, and as a Christian College, our desire is to always submit and adhere to the authorities that govern our land.

With this in mind, the decision to press the ‘pause button’ in 2020 provides us with an excellent opportunity to consider the current format of the BCC Presentation Night.

To that end, I ask that you take a couple of minutes to complete the following online survey regarding Presentation Night. This survey will be available throughout the month of August. 

Your response to this short survey will help develop the main focus areas for a team of staff, parent and student representatives to consider the way in which we celebrate achievement and results from 2021 onwards.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding in this turbulent season, as we continue to be a community that trains and nurtures young people to ‘grow up into Christ’.

Ms Sharon Sopher
Principal

Stage 4 Homework Club

BCC Learning Hub is trialing an after school homework club for Stage 4 students on Thursday afternoon’s from 2:50pm to 4:00pm. Starting Thursday, 13th August, Week 3. 

Staff will be available to provide support with homework, assessment tasks, exam preparation, organisational skills and developing good study habits.

Students will have access to technology and other resources in an environment that encourages students to be focused and productive.

If you would like your child to attend please fill out the e-form below to register your child. For further information please contact our Teacher Librarian, Mrs Louise Osborn, at library@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Sign in at the Uniform Shop

You are now able to sign in at the Uniform Shop. Using your mobile phone you are able to scan a QR code for quick sign in. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping inline with Covid-19 Government regulations.