Newsletter

Whole school approach to student wellbeing

At Belmont Christian College we believe that wellbeing is imperative for the success of all students’ learning. Using evidence-based strategies, drawing on the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework, we are committed to employing a whole-school (Beginners to Year 12) vision and approach to wellbeing from a biblical perspective.

We believe that it is essential for young people (and adults alike) to develop healthy habits such as physical activity, eating well and managing their emotions so that they can perform at their optimum level. Wellbeing can be enhanced through engaging in social learning activities such as attending church, connecting with other believers, and serving one another in the community. Developing good habits such as getting enough sleep, and managing stress can also help promote student wellbeing. We should all strive to have positive relationships with family and friends based on love and understanding. Further, emotional learning includes recognising and managing emotions, building relationships with others, resolving conflicts peacefully, and healthily expressing feelings. By engaging in emotional learning activities such as talking through issues with family or friends, creating and sticking to positive behaviours, and practising mindfulness, one can develop emotional intelligence which will help to promote a sense of wellbeing. Learning is both a social and emotional process. Our emotions impact our motivation, our attention and our cognition..

At Belmont Christian College we encourage students to strive to be their best. By providing students with an environment conducive to learning, teachers are able to support them in developing resilience and achieving success, and this is our goal. Students’ social and emotional development is intertwined with academic success, and their wellbeing is an integral part of the learning journey. Christ is at the centre of everything we do, and our ultimate goal is for all students to live a life that honours Him.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” – Colossians 3:2

Leoni McNeill
Head of Primary

BCC Prayer Warriors

This year we are privileged to be able to run a monthly prayer morning. It’s a treat to pray for new families, students and staff, share some coffee and cake and enjoy great conversation. Everyone is welcome to join us on the first Monday of each month from 8:45am – 9:30am to pray alongside parents and local churches. Come for a bit, or come for the whole time. 

Please sign-in at the College Office. We meet near the Weathershed in the newly created College Garden. Simply follow the signs. 

For more information or to ask for personal prayer, please email prayerwarriors@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Check out the prayer focus areas and upcoming dates in the image below. 

Prayer Points

1. Prayer Warriors who met on Monday morning, 6th March.

2. Mental health and wellbeing of students.

3. Friendships for those who are struggling to make connections.

4. For Year 12 students that they stay focussed and continue to run the race well.

5. Camps for Secondary School that occur in the final week of this term.

6. Students that they understand the meaning of Easter, and why it is so important in the Christian calendar.

7. For protection against sickness and disease.

Upcoming Important Dates

Primary

15.03.23 | Primary School Assembly
22.03.23 | Primary CIS Swimming
23.03.23 | Rise Up

Secondary

13.03.23 | Secondary Zone Touch Gala
31.03.23 | Year 7 & 10 Vaccinations

Whole College

10.03.23 | Science & Engineering Challenge
15.03.23 – 27.03.23 | NAPLAN
16.03.23 | BCC Playgroup
21.03.23 | Harmony Day MUFTI Day
23.03.23 | BCC Playgroup
24.03.23 | School X-Country Carnival
29.03.23 | Restore Parent Coaching Information night
03.04.23 | Prayer Warriors prayer group

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 Sentral Parent App and/or email.

We are pleased to have many new staff that have recently joined us here at the College. Over the term you will have the opportunity to learn more about them in our Newsletter.

You may also like to read the Our People page on the College website to find out a little more about all of our staff.

Introducing…

Mr Edward Helliwell – Learning Enrichment Aide

Tell us about your photo.
I really enjoy running. It clears my mind and I enjoy the feeling of achievement after a long run. My running cap is from a 90km ultra marathon that I completed.

What church do you attend?
HOPE UC

What church ministries excite you?
I love serving in the production team, where I get to play a part in creating an atmosphere for worship.

What makes you look forward to working at BCC?
I am passionate about investing into the lives of children, sharing and modelling Godly principles.

Mrs Emily Cooper – Secondary Teacher

Tell us about your photo.
‘Millie’ is my four-year-old Border Collie and is one of my fur-children! She embodies my love for animals and farms! She also trains in Agility!

What church do you attend?
Avondale University Church

What church ministries excite you?
I LOVE service ministries such as STORMCO or overseas mission trips!

What makes you look forward to working at BCC?
The relational community! It is clear that all staff genuinely care about all students!

Mrs Gerdi de Jager – Mathematics Curriculum Leader / Secondary Teacher

Tell us about your photo.
My prop is a Bluey Puzzle. Firstly, I secretly love to watch Bluey with my kids and regularly find myself watching it alone. Secondly, I love solving the complex puzzles of life and ponder about the meaning of things.

What church do you attend?
Macquarie Life Church

What church ministries excite you?
Being part of God’s Kingdom I love mission trips and serving others.

What makes you look forward to working at BCC?
The people and lovely Principal.

The College is working alongside Shelby and Lil from Restore Parent Coaching, and would like to invite our parents and carers to an Information Evening to find out more about this fantastic program. Hear more from Shelby and Lil in the video invite below. We look forward to seeing you soon to find out more about Restore Parent Coaching.

When: Wednesday 29th March (Week 9/Term 1)

Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Where: College Theatre (near the Library)

Cost: Free

RSVP here

Any questions, please email david.gray@bcc.nsw.edu.au

• Contacting students via the College office rather than calling or messaging during the day, interrupting learning and adding unnecessary temptation
• Helping your children to make wise choices outside of school hours to reduce their overall usage. This might include keeping their bedrooms device free, reducing interruptions and improving sleep patterns
• Enjoying a screen free sabbatical one hour a day, ideally around the dinner table. You might be surprised how much fun it will be for the family, chatting or playing board games while withdrawing from tech
• Challenging your own dependence on mobile devices, reducing where possible. How might you benefit from a one hour sabbatical a day?

Together, we are embarking on a significant culture shift at BCC. I have appreciated the support from our community so far and ask that we continue to give our permission to tap out of the reliance on these devices during learning. Please continue to pray for our students and families in this space.

Our year 11 and 12 prefects have commenced a mentoring initiative. Students from stage 4 are invited to join on Wednesday lunch time in the Hall. This is for boys and girls and will involve activities together and reflections on how to continue to create a safe and welcoming community at Belmont Christian College. More details to come shortly. 

Through a combination of regular contact with Newcastle buses and the huge response of students to use their Opal cards (now more than 90%), we can confirm that the congestion on the 847 has been alleviated in the following ways:

* Newcastle buses have been consistently providing 82 seater or larger buses in the afternoon service for the 847

* The 844 will now travel to Swansea High, where it will terminate. The date of this is unclear, but so far we have been assured that it will be by the end of term 1. 

Please be reminded to consider others when traveling on buses, in particular younger or less mobile students. We can do this in the following ways:

* Storing bags on the ground or in the bag storage area

* Making room for others, even if you’re planning to save a seat, allow someone else who is standing room to sit

* helping younger students to find a seat. Buses are permitted to have 3 primary students per seat.

* Being polite and courteous to others, including those outside of our community.

* Help to include and support others so that our bus travel is safe for all.

Our BCC Annual Festival – A celebration of learning and community is back on in 2023! Pop the 5th December, 2023 (T4/Wk9)  into your calendar, and look forward to a fantastic evening of celebrating student learning and being together as one big BCC community. More details to follow in the coming months.

Harmony Day is a celebration of cultural diversity in Australia. As a community, we believe that all people are created in the image of God, and therefore, we should show love and respect to everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or religion. By promoting harmony, we can help build a more just and peaceful society that reflects God’s love for all people.

When: 21 March

Who: Primary, Secondary and Staff

Donation: Gold Coin 

Supporting: Common Grace

Download the Sentral Parent App today!

For all major announcements regarding College Life, student reports & absences, calendar access, newsletters, excursion permissions, fee payments and much more, the College uses the Sentral Parent App. If you have not already, please download the Sentral Parent App by searching ‘Sentral for Parents’ in the App Store on your smartphone and ensure that notifications are enabled within the App. Set up instructions can be found here. If you have any trouble registering, please email the College on sentral@bcc.nsw.edu.au and our friendly IT department will support you through the process.

NSW All Schools Triathlon

Recently 4 students represented Belmont Christian College in NSW All Schools Triathlon, an event that hasn’t run for 3 years due to COVID and the floods. All competed admirably with some excellent results.

Junior Boys

Hamish Rae – 6th Overall – 4th in CIS

Appin Paterson – 81st Overall – 36 in CIS

Intermediate Boys

Aiden Rae – 13th Overall – 5th on CIS

Open Boys

Luke Hall –  16th Overall – 4th in CIS

Secondary Zone Swimming

Last week a team of around 35 swimmers travelled to the Peninsula Leisure Centre on the Central Coast to compete in the annual Secondary THACCCSA Zone Swimming Carnival. As a team, we did extremely well finishing 2nd in the overall points score to Green Point CC and convincingly winning the Challenge Cup a point score competition based on school enrolments.

Some individual outstanding results include:

Age Champions

14 Yr Boys Champion – Aleksander Gillon

15 Yr Boys Champion – Liam Boyce

17 Yr Boys Champion – Lewis Davies

18 Yr Boys Champion – Taylor Donaldson

12 Yr Girls 2nd Place – Hannah Neppl

13 Yr Boys 2nd Place – Appin Paterson

14 Yr Boys 2nd Place – Hamish Rae

15 Yr Girls 2nd Place – Estella Bonsor

16 Yr Boys 2nd Place – Zac Williams

18 Yr Boys 2nd Place – Luke Hall

12 Yr Girls 3rd Place – Isla Gearside

16 Yr Girls 3rd Place – Georgia Hall

16 Yr Boys 3rd Place – Aidan Rae

18 Yr Boys 3rd Place – Logan Melcum

Record Breakers

Senior Boys 4x50m Medley Relay – Lewis Davies, Luke Hall, Logan Melcum, Taylor Donaldson

External Sporting Success

Congratulations to Amelia-Grace Elder who has been selected to play First Grade for the Central Coast Mariners, no mean feat for a 16 Yr old. Congratulations Amelia.

Primary Music Ensembles

At BCC, we provide many avenues for students to grow in musical ability and appreciation. 

Enrolment for our key extracurricular music ensembles is now available through our brochure here. Or to enrol your child, please fill out the google form here.

This week, Mr Stewart and Miss Shield selected five Year 6 students to be official leaders in our Primary music ensemble program.

Sophie Bonsor and Henry Holden will be our Primary Concert Band leaders, while Gabby Aston, Emma Bull and Ella McNamara will be leaders in the Primary Choir.

The privilege to lead comes with opportunities to serve others, represent the ensemble in performance contexts and provide a model to younger members. Each of our new leaders are dedicated musicians in their ensemble and will no doubt set a standard of kindness and excellence to their peers and fellow members.

Congratulations students!

Music Tutors

You may also like to see the details for our wonderful music tutors here. This includes our new guitar and bass tutor who is excited to take on new students. We have a wonderful tutoring team ready to teach your child one of the following instruments:

• Vocals
• Piano
• Guitar/Bass
• Clarinet/Saxophone
• Flute
• Violin
• Drums/Percussion
• Brass- Trumpet, Trombone

Secondary Musical – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Our Secondary Musical rehearsals are well underway and our cast is already sounding and looking amazing! It is wonderful to see such well-loved characters come to life as our students explore the world of Willy Wonka and his amazing chocolate.

College Office Hours

The College Office hours are 8am – 4pm.

College Office Contacts

Our Administration Team can be contacted by phoning the College on 4922 8300 and following the prompts or by using the email format firstname.lastname@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

• Primary Administration Assistant: Mrs Debbie Paardekooper – Primary enquiries, absences, medical information etc.
• Secondary Administration Assistant: Mrs Kathy Evans – Secondary enquiries, absences, medical information etc.
• Registrar: Ms Teena Knott – enrolment enquiries
• Receptionist: Mrs Sarah Bell & Mrs Laura Ioannides – payments, general enquiries
• Assistant Business Manager: Mrs Michelle Mazzantini – school fee enquiries

Bus Transport

A range of buses service the College. Information on the catchment area, routes and timetables can be found by visiting our Transport page on our website.

Bus pass applications and updated information need to be completed online. The application will be endorsed by the College and then the Opal Card is mailed directly to the address provided on the application.

Medical Action Plans

If your child has a medical action plan, please contact the Administration Assistant for your Primary or Secondary school student at the College Office so that the management plan can be implemented or updated for your child.

Manage Your School Fees

Belmont Christian College uses the Student Management System, Sentral, to manage school fees. School fees statements and further information have been emailed this week allowing you to register and set up your payment plan via the Sentral Parent Portal. The Portal gives you payment options and flexibility to break up your payments over the course of the year. For further information on fees and payment options you can visit our website, or email Michell.Mazzantini@bcc.nsw.edu.au and she will be happy to assist.

Parent Volunteers

Parents/Carers have many opportunities to assist the College in a variety of ways. Opportunities for parent/carer help include sports coaching, community garden, working bees and excursions. Notices requesting help regularly appear in the College Newsletter.

Please note that all volunteers who assist at the College must read the Volunteer Handbook which is available at the Office or from classroom teachers.

When volunteering parents need to sign in and out at the College office.

HSC and Careers Expo 2023

Thursday 01 – Saturday 03 June 2023, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Are you the parent of an HSC student who is uncertain about their future path? Help them make an informed choice by bringing them along to the HSC and Careers Expo 2023, Thursday 1st June, Friday 2nd June and Saturday 3rd June, 9am-3pm at Royal Randwick Racecourse. For more information, please see the Twitter, Facebook or Instagram – or visit the website: https://www.hscandcareers.com.au/

2023 Apprenticeship/Traineeship & Jobs Expos

This is the perfect chance to meet experts representing industry, businesses, group training companies, registered training organisations and many more and apply for apprenticeships, traineeships, jobs and further education pathways.

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 and Pricelist

Please click below to view the uniform requirements and current pricelist.

Uniform Shop Hours

Primary Parents and Carers of K-6 girls

In preparation for the coming school year in the Winter months of Terms 2 and 3, this is to inform you in advance that we are introducing ‘optional’ girls blue pinstripe pants (slacks) to the Winter uniform for K-6 girls. These are to be worn with the normal BCC Winter uniform blouse.

Slacks are currently available to purchase at the Uniform Shop. However, due to rapidly growing children and possible size increases, parents may decide to hold off buying slacks until closer to the time. This is obviously a parent/carer choice, but we wanted to let you know that the slacks are available for purchase.

For formal occasions and school photographs, girls may wear either the Winter tunic OR blue pinstripe pants (slacks) with the Winter blouse. Items such as school shoes, socks, hair accessories and BCC jewellery stipulations that are part of the school uniform should be adhered to.

Our Coins for Compassion day in 2022 raised an amazing $10650. Coins for Compassion day is now an important part of the culture at Belmont Christian College as we teach our students the importance of missions and looking out for those less fortunate than ourselves. Our student body, from the youngest to the oldest embrace the day, bring in their coins and enjoy the fun and community on the last day of Term 2.

Last year we raised funds to continue sponsoring our five Compassion children but we were also aiming to raise enough money to open a brand new Compassion project in the Philippines.  We were delighted to receive news from Compassion that a centre opened in October which was fully funded by Belmont Christian College.  Shalom Child Development Centre will give up to 100 children access to education, healthcare, nutrition and spiritual oversight enabling them to potentially break the cycle of poverty that exists within their families.

What an amazing achievement by our students to impact the lives of so many children in need in another country.  We look forward to Coins for Compassion Day on the last day of Term 2 this year and are grateful for the opportunities that this day brings us as a College.

In 2023 the following vaccines will be offered:
If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their
routine school vaccinations.
In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and
human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY
vaccine.
Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.
How to provide consent:

1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit:
   https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same
   account you may already use to renew your driver’s licence. If you don’t have a
   ServiceNSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
3. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
   a) Enter your child’s personal details
   b) Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
   c) Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement
   d) Provide consent
   If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting
   a paper-based consent form directly from the College.

The benefits of providing consent online:
• easily update your child’s details
• receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
• faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit
www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination.

A reminder about eSafety’s webinars for parents and carers.

Upcoming sessions this month include:

·         eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you, 21st March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

·         Setting your child up for success online, 14th March 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm

·         Getting the most out of gaming, 14th March 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm

·         Navigating online friendships, 29th March 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

If you have a particular interest in this area eSafety also offers online professional learning for educators, covering topics such as responding to and reporting of critical online incidents in school settings; digital rights and responsibilities of students and educators; online harmful sexual behaviours, misinformation and emerging technologies; online safety for school leaders; online risk and protective factors; and online modules specifically for lower primary teachers.  

Mathseeds

Mathseeds is a comprehensive online Mathematics program for children aged 3-9. It offers a huge range of carefully structured lessons and activities that build mathematical skills over a broad range of number, shape and measurement topics. The Mathseeds program is packed full of enjoyable child-focused activities that makes learning a rewarding and meaningful experience. It teaches fundamental concepts in a fun, motivating and engaging way, whilst rewarding children for their efforts.

The benefits of Mathseeds include:

~ A wide variety of lessons and activities that have been created by educational experts. Each lesson is carefully structured to build early mathematical skills.
~ Once a lesson is complete, it can be repeated as many times as needed.
~ Mathseeds provides parents with a simple “dashboard” to show each child’s mathematical progress.
~ Children can progress at their own level.
~ Each child can create their own avatar/online character.
~ Golden Acorns rewards can be used to add items to the child’s online treehouse or avatar.
~ Children love collecting the Pets – a new pet hatches at the end of every lesson.
~ Children receive a certificate after successfully completing the quiz at the end of every map.

If you would like extra information please refer to the website at https://mathseeds.com.au/?_ga=2.131044809.739665369.1583202549-294607997.1583202549.

Registration and payments can be made by contacting Mrs Deborah Paardekooper at the College Office. A yearly subscription is available at a discounted price of $30.

Reading Eggs

Learning to read is one of the most important skills children can learn. ABC Reading Eggs makes the learning to read journey fun, interactive, and highly rewarding for ages 2-13. ABC Reading Eggs were created by a highly experienced team of Australian Primary school teachers, writers and developers to help children become fluent and proficient readers. The multi-award winning early learning resource supports your child’s learning to read journey with carefully designed online reading games and activities that are easy to follow, self-paced, and highly engaging for young learners.

~ The lessons use colourful animation, fun characters, songs, and rewards to keep children motivated.
~ The program is completely interactive to keep children on task.
~ When children start the program, they can complete a placement quiz to ensure they are starting at the correct reading level.
~ Parents can access detailed progress reports as well as hundreds of full-colour downloadable activity sheets that correspond with the lessons in the program.
~ The program includes over 2000 online books for kids – each ending with a comprehension quiz that assesses your child’s understanding.

If you would like extra information please refer to the website at https://readingeggs.com.au/.

Registration and payments can be made by contacting Mrs Deborah Paardekooper at the College Office on 4922 8311 or deb.paardekooper@bcc.nsw.edu.au. A yearly subscription is available at a discounted price of $30.

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.

~ 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.