Newsletter

Over the last week, I have been reflecting on the recent privilege of being called to become a part of our College. This has been prompted by several interactions, including the recent College tour; where expectant parents expressed their desires to join our community. Then, later in the week, in the wider community I had several conversations with parents who are struggling with not knowing the feeling of support such as our College connections. These families were feeling dismayed with their current situation and were wishing it away, wanting their children to be older and more independent. Rather than resting in dismay, as believers, we know God has us exactly where we need to be because our beautiful faith allows us the strength to rest in His timing.  As we are privileged to understand, our prayerful consideration over decisions allows God to lift our burdens in this process.

One of the biggest decisions you have made as parents – the decision to engage in holistic Christian education with Belmont Christian College, is one such prayerful consideration. For me, recently joining this community, was one of clarity around what Christian education could be. I genuinely, daily notice and experience the College Vision of being a Christian community which seeks to nurture and train young people to grow up into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15).  To use an age-old expression, what you see is what you get – there is no show or pretence, it is God’s school, through and through. This vision is heard in the respectful and complimentary interactions of the College Board, our Principal, leaders, staff, students and parents, whether that be in the staffroom or in public – they are one and the same. It is observed in the embraced opportunities of staff working together to make the most of every moment of your children’s time with us. It is felt in the presence of The Holy Spirit as He guides us in our decision-making processes. 

As you take a few moments to peruse our latest newsletter, you will find there are a few smaller decisions to be made, such as who will be cheering your child on at the carnival or whether you will joining your College community at the 40^th Celebration later in the year. Happy reading! 

BCC Prayer Warriors

Prayer and a daily reliance on the goodness of God is at the heart of our College. To this end, our Prayer Warriors team gathers on the last Monday of each month from 8:45am – 9:30am to share, pray and connect with other parents. With restrictions now eased, please join us onsite as we commit the College and our community to God in prayer.

Term 2 Prayer Warrior Date: Monday, 27th June

Please sign-in at the College Office.

For more information please contact Wendy Robinson wendy@wendyrobinson.com.au or phone 0409987939.

Everyone is welcome to join in. We look forward to growing our Prayer Warriors group throughout the year. 

Praise Points

~ The number of new families at the College Tour last week

Prayer Points

~ Students who are struggling mentally, physically and who find school a challenge
~ Parents who are struggling to get their children to school
~ Staff who are not well, who are grieving or have unwell family members
~ Primary School Musical, Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits
~ The families that visited our College on the Tour last week, help them to make the right choice for their child’s education. That they will see our Christian distinctiveness and loving community.
~ Our students to know a real sense of belonging, are led to believing in Jesus as the Life-Giver and are becoming all He has purposed for them
~ Continued prayer for Executive and Board members as they lead the College with their Strategic Plan for Kingdom Education here at BCC

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

Student Attendance

Please find below important information from Australian Independent Schools in relation to the regulations and importance of student attendance.

Extended Leave

If you are planning on your child being absent from the College for 6 or more days for the purpose of ‘travel’ you will need to apply to the Principal for ‘Extended Leave – Travel’. Once the Principal grants permission you will be issued with a Certificate of Extended Leave – Travel that you will need to carry with you whilst on leave. This is a NSW State Government requirement. Applications can be downloaded here or acquired from the College Office. Please allow two weeks for processing.

Explaining Absences

Government Attendance Register requirements means that the College must receive explanations of absences within 7 days of the absence for an absence to be included as an ‘explained absence’ on student attendance records. We would value your assistance in this matter to keep your child’s record up to date by providing an explanation within 7 days. We are not able to make any changes to the record after the 7 days.

The most effective way to submit your child’s absence is via our Sentral Parent Portal. Once you have logged in, please follow the steps below:

1. Select ‘Absences’ from the menu, 
2. Select ‘Notify of an Absence’, 
3. Select your child’s name, 
4. Select the absence ‘Type’ from the drop down box, 
5. Enter the ‘start and end dates’, 
6. Press ‘send’. 

Sentral Parent Portal

The Sentral Parent Portal allows you to:

• Book Parent-Teacher Interviews
• Receive Student Academic Reports
• View Student Timetables
• View Wellbeing information
• Pay Tuition Fees
• Message Teachers
• Submit Student Absences
• Plus more features will be added in the future.

Please find below the Sentral Parent Portal link. You may wish to add this website to your smart phone home screen OR download the Sentral App by searching ‘Sentral for Parents’ in the App Store. Further instructions can be found here.

If you have not yet registered for the Sentral Parent Portal OR have difficulty registering, please email our IT department sentral@bcc.nsw.edu.au and they will step you through the process. 

Student Messages

If you need to get an urgent message to your child throughout the day please call the College Office on 4922 8300 and let the office know the message. Wherever possible, please try to send these messages to the Office before lunchtime.

The Office team will endeavour to pass on the message to your child. Due to sports, excursions and changes to location of classes etc it can be diffcult to pass the message on in a timely manner. Therefore we cannot guarantee that messages received after 2:00pm will get to the student before the end of the day.

Lost Property

We have quite a collection of unmarked lost property. Could you please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. Lost property is located in the Office and the Primary School hallway. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to come and look for their child’s lost property, after first signing in at the Office.

Parent Information

Schools are indeed busy places. If you ever have any questions about the day-to-day operations of the College, then our one-stop-shop A-Z Guides are a great place to start. Click below for your guide:

If you have any further queries please refer to the Parents’ Directory on our website, otherwise our friendly office staff are more than happy to help and direct you. 

You’re Invited to our 40th Anniversary Dinner

Please note that there is no set seating on the night. Simply come along and join a table of 10 with friends and family.

It is very exciting that throughout 2022 we will publicly acknowledge and celebrate 40 years of BCC with a series of events. Praise God for His ongoing provision and faithfulness over so many years.

Our biggest event is a celebration dinner at Belmont 16s. I want to personally extend an invitation to you, as Parents and Carers to attend this dinner. Tickets for the BCC 40th Birthday Celebrations are now available for purchase here.

Event details:

Event: Belmont Christian College 40th Birthday Celebration Dinner

Date: Friday, 5th August

Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Location: Belmont 16s

Cost: $80 per ticket

Inclusion: 3 course meal (including soft drinks). Other beverages may be purchased at the bar. 

Dress: Smart Casual

Ticket Sales Close: Friday 1st July. Click here to purchase a ticket.

Many plans and preparations are already taking place and I look forward to sharing this celebration dinner with as many of you as possible.

Kind regards,

____________________________

Sharon Sopher
Principal

School Photo Day

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by ‘advancedlife’ School Photography on:

Friday, 17th June 2022 for Primary, Secondary and Beginners #1 students and
Monday, 20th June 2022 for Beginners #2 students.

We will also be taking sibling photos on Friday, 17th June and any families with a Beginners #2 child on Monday, 20th June.

ALL students are asked to wear their full FORMAL WINTER uniform to school on the day. Primary School students participating in soccer off-site that afternoon will need to bring their soccer sport uniform to get changed into after their photo. Any students that normally do PE on this day will do a lower intensity lesson in their formal uniform.

Please note a reminder of our formal Winter uniform requirements:
~ Kindergarten – Year 6 boys are requested to wear long sleeved shirts
~ Kindergarten – Year 12 girls are requested to wear navy opaque stockings, not socks
~ Kindergarten – Year 12 boys must wear their ties
~ Kindergarten – Year 6 girls must wear their bows
~ Year 11 and 12 must wear their blazers
~ Hair needs to be off the face, tied back or up
~ Plain surgical studs or sleepers and one watch only
~ The Secondary School girls optional pants are permitted

Pre-ordered Sibling photos will be taken at lunch time, please ask your eldest child to collect their siblings and line up at the Library.

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 can be collected from the College Office and the order envelope with 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 Thursday 16th June. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please contact www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

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

Athletics Carnivals

Primary School

We have secured a date for our Primary (Yr 2-6 only) Athletics Carnival. The Carnival will be held Thursday, 16th June at Baxter Field, Marks Point. Everything will remain the same as previously planned.

Unfortunately, we will be unable to hold our novelty events in the centre of the field for Kindergarten and Year 1. Kindergarten will have their excursion to Oakdale Farm as planned, and Year 1 will remain at the College for the day with their teachers.

The Carnival will start at 8:30am, at Marks Point, with students finding their teacher to have their name marked off the class roll.  

Please refer to further information that has been emailed home.​

SECONDary School

The Secondary Athletics Carnival will go ahead next Tuesday, 21st June at the Fearnley Dawes Athletic Centre (commonly known as the Blue Track next to Newcastle High School) 120 Smith Street, Newcastle West.

Students are to arrive between 8:30-8:40 am for Roll Call and events will start precisely at 9 am. The carnival will conclude at 2 pm. All students are expected to attend the carnival from Years 7-12.

If you are having trouble organising drop-off and pick-up, limited buses will be running from the College, leaving at 8:30 am and returning for school buses in the afternoon. Please ensure that your child places their name on the list in the College office to secure a seat ASAP. If your child placed their name on the list already could I please ask them to confirm with Mrs Evans that they will still be taking the bus.
Please note that students travelling on the buses in the morning will most likely not arrive in time for the start of the first events, and may need to leave before the finalisation of the last events, so students competing for age champion may need to take this into consideration for transport.

There will be a canteen available on the day, run by the Hospitality students, however, it is advised that students still bring their own food to supplement canteen use.  The venue also has an outsourced coffee cart and snow cones available to students.

If your child has to leave before the end of the day, please ensure they have a written note with them to hand to Mrs Evans or Mr Tidey at the exit gate.

Please note that parking at the venue will be problematic, the actual car park at the venue will be strictly for Belmont Chrisitan College staff, any parents wishing to attend will need to find parking in surrounding streets or pay for parking in the adjoining car park for the No. 2 Sports Ground. Year 11 and 12 students are also asked not to park in the venue’s car park.

Individual Student Achievement

Congratulations to the following students for outstanding Sports achievements and selections:

CSSA NSW Under 15s Netball – Final Selection Squad
Natalie Benn and Kathryn Leyshon have been selected to attend the final trials sessions, we are praying that they will excel while showing their talent and are selected in the final team.

NSW All Schools Swimming 
Victoria Robinson had a very successful NSW All Schools Championships representing CIS NSW.

1st 4x50m Freestyle Relay – Victoria anchored the team home, just out-touching the CHS Team
1st – 50m Backstroke
2nd – 100m Backstroke

She is now off to Nationals in Brisbane in August, so training hard for those events.

NSW Boxing Team
Reef Sattler has been selected to Represent New South Wales to compete in 50-52 kg at the National titles in Melbourne 5th to 9th July. Congratulations Reef and we pray that you will compete hard and box well.

NSW Volleyball Selection
Hannah Button has been selected in the NSW Volleyball Train-on Squad.

Hunter Academy of Sport – Best and Fairest Award
Luke Hall has been awarded the HAS Best and Fairest for the Triathlon Team for the 2021/22 season and is now nominated for HAS Athlete of the Year to be named later this year.

BCC Sport Website

For all Belmont Christian College event information, announcements, 2022 sports dates and results throughout the year visit: http://www.tinyurl.com/bccsport.   

Coins for Compassion Day Sausage Sizzle

We are excited to be holding another Coins for Compassion day on Friday, 1st July. The day will be similar to those in the past with the Primary School having a class competition for the longest line of coins and the Secondary School holding a Fair with CONNECT groups running stalls. The day is mufti and is a great way to end the term. 

This year we have a new goal for our fundraising. We are endeavoring, as a College, to raise $9400 to pay for the establishment of a brand new Compassion project in the Philippines. The centre will be located in Pitogo, Philippines and will support 100 Compassion children and their families. The average income in this area is A$40 per month, mainly based around agriculture which is dependent on seasons and weather. Many children leave school early to work in daily labour, and remain trapped in the cycle of poverty. So the fundraising will be a great blessing to the many children and their families who will benefit from the new project, but will also be a blessing to our students as they learn what it means to give to bless others.

We are holding a Sausage Sizzle for lunch on the day.

Primary School students will need to pre-order. The children are able to purchase a meal deal with a sausage sizzle, drink and small packet of chips. Order forms have beed distributed this week. Please return your child’s order and cash in an envelope to your child’s classroom teacher. Orders close 29th June.

Secondary School students can purchase on the day.

Please note that the canteen will be closed on Coins for Compassion Day. 

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.

Uniform Requirements

Please click below to view the uniform requirements for each stage group.

Additions to Uniform

As a result of a uniform review we are pleased to offer a new addition of optional long pants for the girls’ Winter uniform. The dress pants have a very subtle pinstripe and will eventually be available for Kinder – Year 12. At present these pants do not have any adjustment, they are fitted. The style will have an internal adjustable waist style for 2023, which will accommodate the younger students especially, with a better fit. The stock availability is currently limited, and unfortunately no smaller sizes are available for Primary School at this stage. They will be available for next Winter. These are priced at $65. 

We have also selected an untucked boys shirt for Summer wear for all boys Kinder – Year 12.  

We will slowly introduce a change to a light cord for all other formal shirts/blouses. This is the same material as the current Secondary School girls’ blouse.  

Alinta, our uniform provider, has placed orders and will have summer stock available for purchase as soon as possible. Winter uniforms will be made available for 2023.  

Uniform Shop Hours

Learning Enrichment News

Our focus in Learning Enrichment is to improve outcomes for students who require a differentiated delivery. This is usually recognised as supporting students who find difficulty in reading or with Mathematics, which we do, however there is so much more to our service. As a team, we enrich learning by reducing barriers, whether that be increasing the pace and density of learning for those needing to forge ahead or supporting students who require anything from altered lighting and special exam provisions to 1:1 reading support. The list of how we can support your child is endless. As a result, the size of our team has recently doubled and we continue to grow, with new aides employed across both Primary and Secondary.

We would love to hear from you if you have a question so please reach out.

Primary – Mrs Karen Lumley is our Primary Learning Enrichment teacher, who you would establish initial contact with through your child’s teacher. Karen works Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. karen.lumley@bcc.nsw.edu.au

Secondary – Mrs Kaylene Taylor is our Secondary Learning Enrichment teacher who oversees our Learning Enrichment Teaching Space. She connects with families of students who access that new learning environment. If your child is involved in this area, you would already be familiar with Mrs Taylor. Kaylene works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Miss Sarah Newton is our Secondary Learning Enrichment teacher. Sarah will be working with families to update Individual Plans for Secondary students requiring support.

If your child has a disability or you feel there is a barrier to their learning that you have not yet discussed with the College, or would like a general discussion around support or extension, please reach out to me nicole.walters@bcc.nsw.edu.au so I can facilitate the correct path for support.

Blessings,

Nicole Walters
Learning Enrichment Coordinator B-12

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).

~ 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.

Upcoming Important Dates

Primary

16.6.22 | Oakvale Farm (Kinder)
16.6.22 | Athletics Carnival
21.6.22 | AFL Paul Kelly Cup
22.6.22 | Water Safety Program (K, Year 3, Year 6)
23.6.22 | Instrument Trial (Year 2)
23.6.22 | Science Incursion (Year 3)
23.6.22 | Musical Rehearsal
24.6.22 | Puppet Show (Beg-Year 2)
27.6.22 | Parent-Teacher Interviews (Beginners #1)
28.6.22 | Frozen Musical Excursion (All Primary)
30.6.22 | Parent-Teacher Interviews (Primary & Beginners #2)

Secondary

20.6.22 | Experimentfest (Year 12 Biology)
21.6.22 | Experimentfest (Year 12 Physics)
22.6.22 | Experimetfest (Year 12 Chemistry)
21.6.22 | Shape Excursion (Year 11 D&T)
21.6.22 | Athletics Carnival
29.6.22 | Whale Watch Cruise (Year 9 Marine)
30.6.22 | Shark Tank (Year 11 Business Studies)

Whole College

17.6.22 | School Photo Day
01.7.22 | Coins for Compassion Day
01.7.22 | Last day of Term 2
25.7.22 | First day of Term 3
29.6.22 | Learning Assembly
05.8.22 | 40th Celebration Dinner

Our College Calendar is available on our website where you can be kept up-to-date with events throughout the year. Closer to the event parents and carers will receive communication via the Skoolbag App and/or email.

Reconciliation Week Morning Tea

During Reconciliation Week, students across Primary and Secondary reflected our Indigenous and non-Indigenous shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and the ways in which each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. As a College, we prayed that God would guide our efforts and help bring healing, restoration and reconciliation to our communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students also attended a special morning tea in order to strengthen their links with each other and recognise their unique culture and history. We hope to broaden and strengthen the group so we can have a larger student voice into the Indigenous activities and programs we hold at the College. 

Primary School Learning Assembly

We celebrate many things. When we grow another year, we celebrate. When our favourite team wins a championship, we celebrate. When we graduate from Primary and Secondary Schools, we celebrate. We find and take many opportunities in life to celebrate victories, achievements, milestones, and joyous moments.

Biblically, celebrations ought to occur at the beginning and the end of projects, tasks, and missions and at important milestones along the way. In Ezra, one of the Old Testament books of the Bible, we’re told about a celebration at the very start of constructing a part of the temple. The celebration initiated the project and helped build support and community engagement early in the process. The second major celebration we’re told about later in Ezra took place at the end of the construction. This time, it brought satisfaction and joy in celebrating achievement and completion. When we take the time to celebrate at the beginning, it helps provide motivation and to build momentum. When we celebrate at the end, it is not only a victory celebration but also an opportunity to recognise collective and individual accomplishments, giving value to people by keeping the end in view and reminding them of the steps that have been reached.

At Belmont Christian College, we believe that there is great benefit in celebrating. It keeps God at the forefront of all that is happening. Celebrations build a positive culture and show we value others, and those are things that should characterise us as Christians.

In keeping with the Biblical model, as the halfway point through the year, we would like to officially invite parents and carers to celebrate their child’s achievement and progress to date at a special touch point occasion we are calling a ‘Learning Assembly’. An additional Learning Assembly will also be held towards the end of 2022, where we will again celebrate the completion of another year of school.

This first Learning Assembly will acknowledge students who have achieved milestones in their learning and growth at school this semester. This includes Christian attribute awards, academic achievement and growth awards, and Creative Arts and sporting achievements. In addition, there will be class items and displays of student work. Parents and carers are welcome to take photographs and videos of their children.

For your information, we have 300 Primary school students who will attend the Learning Assembly and a seating limit of approximately 100 for parents. We will need to allocate seating for this event. Parents of students receiving awards will be allocated a seat and then if seats are not taken up we will allocate these extra seats to parents of children performing. Parents of students receiving awards will be notified early next week, which should determine parent attendance for this occasion. 

There will be approximately 100 awards presented, which means we can only accommodate one parent per family. We ask that parents consider these logistics for this event. We thank you for your consideration and support regarding this matter.

The end of Semester 1 Primary School Learning Assembly will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, 29th June 2022.

We look forward to seeing parents and carers at the College. There will be signs to direct you to the occasion’s venue, in the College Hall.

Primary School Parent-Teacher Interviews

Primary teachers have begun the assessment and reporting process for the Semester One Academic Reports that will be available on our Parent Portal in Week 9.

Parents/Carers have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s Report, progress or any concerns. Parent-Teacher Interviews are an important part of the communication between the College and home so we encourage your attendance.

Beginners to Year 6 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held face-to-face at the College on Thursday, 30th June between 3.15pm and 8.30pm. Beginners will hold an additional session on Monday, 27th June between 3.15pm and 8.00pm. To book please log in to the Parent Portal and select Parent-Teacher Interviews from the menu. Bookings will open on 10th June and close on 24th June. If you cannot attend the allocated interview day, please contact your child’s teachers directly to make alternative arrangements.

If you have not received your Parent Portal registration invitation email from the College or have trouble registering please email our IT Department sentral@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Shark Tank

Shark Tank 6.0 is fast approaching – this year the event will take place on Thursday, 30th June in the College Library. What is Shark Tank? Each year, as part of their Business Studies course, our Year 11 College students engage in developing a distinctly unique small business idea. Our students generate their ideas from scratch and put the concept through its paces. They project budgets, they consider marketing and operations requirements, support it with a business plan, and then they ‘showcase’ the idea at an expo-style event.

Our College community would greatly appreciate it if you would consider sponsoring this innovative business program. For more information and to register your support, click here.

BCC Business Directory

Our Parent’s Business Directory is now available on our College website via the Community Hub. It is so great to see many BCC parents get on board with this initiative and share their business details with the wider BCC community.

If you are keen to join this Business Directory, which is exclusive to current BCC parents, please enter your business details here. Please contact Mr David Gray on david.gray@bcc.nsw.edu.au should you require any further information.