Newsletter
From our Head of Student Services and Wellbeing, Mrs Bronwyn Rappeneker
If we could give the most wonderful gift in the world to our children I wonder what we would choose?
Of late I have been thinking a lot about our students and their needs; thinking about how they need Jesus. Sometimes students give us insight into their more personal journeys, they let us know that things are not ok and that while they are pushing on regardless, that it’s not easy. It’s hard not to want to help fix things for them, to try to rescue them and help iron out the bumps. And yet while genuine care is an aspect of our God-given relationship with our students, we are not the answer – but He is.
Last weekend I spent some time in prayer asking my Heavenly Father to help me to know how to help our students know the Hope that is found in Jesus Christ – the Hope that gives us a reason to persevere, the Hope that instills in us a deep knowing that in the tough times, we are never alone, that He is with us and that He leads us forward, the hope that helps us to know that the scars we carry can be healed through His tender grace and forgiveness and that our desire to live a life of purpose and fulfillment is realised when we know Him as Lord and Saviour and Friend.
If we could give our students the most wonderful gift in the world it would be to create opportunities for them to consider the wonder of who Jesus is and spaces for them to explore the truth of His Word, reflect on the deep kindness of His love, and the wonder of His acceptance because of all that Jesus has put in place for them.
It is our absolute privilege and joy to minister to our students out of our hearts of love for Him. Please continue to pray that our students will come to know the eternal hope that is found in a relationship with Jesus. There is no greater gift.
Prayer and Praise
Praise Points
~ Over the last two weeks, our Year 12 HSC Drama performances were marked by the HSC Markers and everyone was all smiles after their performances. Our students have completed their Design & Technology HSC projects – stunning, clever projects that reflect divergent thinking, perseverance, and deepening skill levels and our Art Major Works have been submitted for marking – amazing, creative pieces. It’s been ‘all systems go’ and our wonderful students have risen to the challenge. We are grateful to God when we see our students flourishing in the midst of some challenging unprecedented circumstances. He is shaping them to step into ‘…the works He has prepared beforehand for them to do…’
Prayer Points
~ Our College Community, and our local and extended community during this continuing unsettling ‘COVID’ time.
~ Year 12 as we help them celebrate their final ‘week and a bit’ at school…for them to have some wonderful fun creating shared memories.
~ Liz Roberts, Janine Ferreira, Narelle Christie, and Jed Mosely – precious members of our staff who continue to need our love expressed through prayer for them, that their personal needs of restored health, comfort, and encouragement will be met by our loving Jesus.
~ The mini-tours and the many interviews that Ms Sopher is having with potential new families. Please pray that our community will be strengthened through ever-widening opportunities to partner with families from our local community.
~ Students and families who are going through challenging times. Please uphold them before God’s throne of grace that they might know the ministry of His love and tender care.
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.
Fundraising with Entertainment Book
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.
Code Camp
Code Camp – Online these school holidays
Sport News
Breaking Sports News
Mr Hall and Mr Robins are very excited to announce that the College will be holding 2020 Athletics Carnivals in Term 4!
Primary: Friday, 30th October – Term 4 Week 3 (Years 2-6 Only)
Secondary: Thursday, 22nd October – Term 4 Week 2
The carnivals will look slightly different to normal due COVD-19 restrictions. Unfortunately parents will not be able to attend, this will be a student only event. They will be held at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale.
Further information to come early Term 4, Week 1 – But save the date in your calender.
Sporting Representation
Congratulations to Luke Hall of Year 9! Luke was recently accepted in the Hunter Academy of Sport Triathlon Program and will represent the Hunter Region in the Bilgence TriNSW Junior Race Series.
Alumni Sporting Success
We are proud of our students past and present and we’d like to highlight the success of some of our Alumni students in the sporting arena.
Focusing on women in rugby league, two of our Alumni have gone on to forge successful careers.
Emma Young attended the College from Years 7 to 10, 2001 to 2004. She represented Australia in Jillaroos (Australian female Rugby League Team) and has also played for The National Samoa Womens Rugby League Team. She played prop for the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers in the Women’s Rugby League competition based in Sydney, while she also lined-up for NSW and played with the Indigenous All-Star Representative team.
Julie Young attended the College from Years 7 to 12, 1998 to 2003. She also represented Australia in the Jillaroos, and played along her sister Emma for the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers, NSW Blues and in the Indigenous All-Star Team.
Uniform Shop News
If you have any queries about the College uniform, make sure you visit our dedicated Uniform page on the College website. Alternatively, get in touch with our uniform partner, Alinta Apparel.
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.
Full uniform fitting appointments
All new students, starting in 2021 are required to book an appointment for a fitting which will be held during the October Term 3 holidays. The extra holiday opening dates are listed below and are open by appointment only. Please book your appointment online by 28th September to secure your fitting.
- Monday, 28th September 8am-3pm
- Tuesday, 29th September 8am-3pm
- Thursday, 1st October 8am-3pm
In January 2021, we will be open for order collection (for lay-by collection, exchanges and late enrolments). January shop hours can be found online by logging into the customer portal.
Parenting Webinar
The Power of Parenting Webinar
Dr Stephen Spencer will present recent research and contemporary clinical experience in this 60 minue session which will provide you with key understandings and practical strategies to help support your child when they need you most. Parents will learn to use his psychological first aid frame work to support the young people in your life.
Dr Stephen Spencer (PhD) is the Clinical Director of Equi Energy Youth, a Newcastle-based Charitable and Not-for-profit organisation. He is a Child and Adolescent Mental Nurse and has experience working as a Clinical Nurse Consultant in an acute Child and Adolescent Mental Health inpatient unit. His PhD research project focussed on nursing responses and interventions for episode of acute distress for your people.
Keep Informed with the BCC Website
Keep Informed with the BCC 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.
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.
2021 Tuition Fees Calculator
As previous advised 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.
To assist with budgeting for 2021 we have a fee calculator available on our College website https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/fees/
2021 Term Dates
The 2021 term dates are now available on our website https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/term-dates/
Virtual College Tours
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
Maths Competition Success
Over the week of 1st-8th September, the Secondary School at Belmont Christian College participated in the 2020 Education Perfect International Mathematics Championship. The online competition involving over 1800 schools from around the world and 110 000 students participating saw competitors working through a variety of mathematical questions based on the full scope of the school Mathematics Curriculum. It was an incredibly exciting week with Belmont Christian College earning some outstanding achievements among the global school community: Belmont Christian College not only 1st in NSW and 1st in Australia, but we placed 2nd globally!
This year 132 of our students were awarded a variety of certificates, including 9 at the highest level of merit.
As Ecclesiastes 4:9 says of working together in community, ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.’
Mr Brown wishes to extend his sincere thanks to all those students involved, as well as to the parents and staff who gave their support. By working together we have gained this wonderful result for our College community!
Beginners & Kindergarten 2021 Orientation Days
BCC Beginners 2021 Orientation Schedule
The dates for our BCC Beginners Orientation 2021 schedule are as follows:
Wednesday, 14th October – 5:00pm to 6:00pm – Information Evening (Virtual + Zoom)
Tuesday, 17th November – 9:30am to 11:00am – Orientation Morning #1 (Kiss n drop)
Friday, 20th November – 9:30am to 11:00am – Orientation Morning #2 (Kiss n drop)
Further information regarding the Beginners Orientation Program and Information Evening will be sent via email and in the post throughout Week 9, Term 3. Please keep an eye out for these important pieces of information relating to BCC Beginners 2021.
Kindergarten 2021 Orientation Schedule
The dates for our Kindergarten Orientation 2021 schedule are as follows:
Wednesday, 14th October – 6:00pm to 7:00pm – Information Evening (Virtual + Zoom)
Thursday, 22nd October – 9:00am to 10:30am – Orientation Morning #1 (Kiss n drop)
Monday, 2nd November – 9:00am to 10:30am – Orientation Morning #2 (Kiss n drop)
Tuesday, 17th November – 9:00am to 10:30am – Orientation Morning #3 (Kiss n drop)
Further information regarding the Kindergarten Orientation Program and Information Evening will be sent via email and in the post throughout Week 9, Term 3. Please keep an eye out for these important pieces of information relating to Kindergarten 2021.
Save the date – Year 7 2021 Orientation
Year 7 2021 Orientation Day & Virtual Information Night
The dates for our Year 7 Orientation 2021 schedule are as follows:
Tuesday, 10th November – 6.30pm – Information Evening (Virtual)
Tuesday, 17th November – Orientation Day morning (Kiss n drop)
Further information and support material will be shared throughout Term 4 in the lead-up to these events.