Newsletter

As I take a moment to contemplate my departure at the end of Term 3, I fondly reminisce. The Primary School corridors of J and K Blocks and Beginners brimming with the laughter of lively children and excited teachers, the classrooms that have witnessed growth, and the fun and lively playgrounds that have created countless memories now stir a mixture of emotions within me. 

My journey at Belmont Christian College has been filled with joy and unanticipated connections. Every day, I have witnessed the fresh and excited faces of children as they entered the gates of the College. It has been a constant reminder that education is not merely about transferring knowledge; it’s about nurturing young minds, fostering their growth, and helping them discover and explore their unique, God-given paths.

However, the true heartbeat of this extraordinary journey has been the phenomenal staff forming this College’s backbone. Their unwavering dedication to shaping lives, commitment to excellence, and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on my heart. They have been my friends,  mentors, guides, and companions on this transformative expedition, infusing each day with their passion and unwavering commitment.

And then there are the courageous parents who have entrusted us with their most precious treasures. Their partnership in this venture, their support and trust have illuminated the path forward, reminding me that education is a collaborative endeavour, a symphony of efforts that culminates in the harmonious growth of each child.

As I farewell Belmont Christian College, I am reminded that the end of this era is not a conclusion but a transition. The memories we have shared, the lessons we have learned, and the bonds we have forged will be carried with me. I step towards new beginnings with a heart heavy with gratitude but with positive anticipation. 

I thank each of you for the privilege of service, joy, beautiful children, phenomenal staff, and courageous parents. 

With love and blessings

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. Continued focus for Year 12 students – that they finish the term well, and maintain their balance and commitment to their study in the lead up to their HSC exams.

2. The Primary School disco this Friday –  that students have fun and make happy and special memories.

3. Friendships for students at the College, that may be sincere, lasting and meaningful.

4. That BCC will remain a safe haven, where all feel welcome and have a sense of belonging and connection.

5. Nomination of student leaders for the College for 2024 in Secondary as they cast their votes in the coming days.

Praise points:

1. HSC Showcase of Year 12 talent in the Creative Arts

2. Book Week

3. All the end of term and year activities for Year 12 – that they can feel special and celebrated!

Prayer for HSC Students

It’s that time of year again when we ask people to volunteer to pray for the 2023 HSC students. Our goal is for each HSC student to have at least one person from the College community committing to pray for them each day from the beginning of Term 3 until when the HSC exams finish on 3 November. We are asking people to commit to praying for two specific HSC students, the names of whom we will provide to you.

Why start specific prayer in Term 3? Well, in Term 3 the HSC gets more real for the students as they have their HSC Trials in August, Major Works (Art and D&T) are due towards the end of August, and Drama and Music performances, along with language oral exams in September. The HSC exams start on 11 October.

As part of our wider community focus, we also ask that you please pray for the HSC students at Belmont High School. It can be a challenging time for so many young people.

If you are interested in committing to praying for two of our HSC students, please contact us via prayerwarriors@bcc.nsw.edu.au

Upcoming Important Dates

Primary

01.09.23 | Primary School Disco
05.09.23 | Year 6 Cooking Incursion
07.09.23 | Primary Zone OzTag
12.09.23 | Beginners Reptile Park Excursion
14.09.23 | Rise Up!
15.09.23 | Beginners Reptile Park Excursion

Secondary

04.09.23 | Mixed OzTag Gala Day
06.09.23 | Open Boys Basketball
11.09.23 | Year 12 Biography Excursion
11.09.23 | Year 11 Drama Performances
12.09.23 | Prefect Induction
18.09.23 | Year 12 MUFTI Day – Dress up as what you want to be
19.09.23 | Year 12 Student Servant Auction
19.09.23 | Staff v Students Soccer Match
20.09.23 | Student Servant Day
22.09.23 | Year 9 Marine DMC excursion
21.09.23 | Year 12 Graduation
22.09.23 | Year 12 Luna Park & Last day out
13.10.23 | Year 7 & 10 Immunisations

Whole College

01.09.23 | Fathers Day Coffee Cart
08.09.23 | Ronald McDonald House Charity Dinner
14.09.23 | RUOK Day
14.09-23-22.09.23 | Year 11 Preliminary Exams
22.09.23 | Last day of Term 3
23.09.23-08.10.23 | School Holidays
09.10.23 | First day of Term 4

Save the date

05.12.23 | BCC End of Year Festival – A celebration of learning and community

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.

BCC families are invited to participate in the Christian Schools Australia Christian School Community Profile Survey.

The survey is being conducted amongst all families with children enrolled in participating Christian schools across Australia. It is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of parent’s:

– choice of school, 

– satisfaction with their children’s learning, 

– engagement in the school community and;

– general background. 

BCC will use the survey results to help gain a better understanding of our community and to inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential.

– The survey will be conducted online and should take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete

– The survey will be open up until Friday, 22 September 2023.

Please check your Sentral Parent App to access the survey link.

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

Year 12 Graduation Assembly

The Year 12 Class of 2023 Graduation Assembly will be held at 9.25am on Thursday, 21 September in the College Multi Purpose Building.

Parents and family members are invited to attend, however numbers of visitors will be limited due to seating arrangements in the Multi Purpose Building. Please RSVP on the link sent through the Sentral Parent App.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the event to sign in and be seated ready to start on time.

We are excited to be able to host this occasion and look forward to welcoming parents/carers on the day.

For over 25 years, Belmont Christian College has partnered with Compassion to be good neighbours and help release children from poverty. We have been featured on their website in an article celebrating how children collecting coins can make a difference – highlighting the success of our Coins for Compassion day.
https://www.compassion.com.au/blog/beyond-collecting-coins

We are desperately in need of volunteer supervision for the HSC exams. If you know someone who you think would be interested and can read and write to a suitable standard, would you please get their phone number for us to contact them. 

The exams dates and times that we require volunteers are: 

• 11th Oct: 9:30-12:30 (3 readers)
• 11th Oct: 9:30-2:00 (1 reader/writer)
• 12th Oct: 9:00-12:30 (3 readers)
• 16th Oct: 9:00-1:30 (1 reader)
• 17th Oct: 1:30-4:30 (1 reader)
• 23rd Oct: 9:00-1:30 (1 reader)
• 23rd Oct: 1:30-4:00 (1 reader)
• 25th Oct: 1:30-5:00 (2 readers)
• 26th Oct: 1:30-5:00 (1 reader)
• 27th Oct: 1:30-4:00 (2 readers)
• 31st Oct: 9:00-2:00 (1 reader)
• 3rd Nov: 9:00-2:00 (1 reader)

Let us know if your interested by contacting Nicole:
nicole.walters@bcc.nsw.edu.au

If you have a child in Year 11, it is now due time to apply for provisions for HSC exams. Students who experience slow writing speed, anxiety, slow reading rate, spelling issues or very poor handwriting, plus a myriad of other barriers to their learning, can apply for provisions such as small group supervision, rest breaks, extra time or a reader/writer.  

These adjustments help students access HSC exams on the same basis as students without disability. They allow students to show the markers what they know and can do when the barriers are eliminated.

To apply for provisions, BCC submits an online application to NESA. This application tells NESA which provisions a student is requesting and includes recent evidence. Evidence may include medical reports, reading results, spelling results, writing samples and teacher comments.

It is not embarrassing to apply for provisions, more than 7000 HSC students apply each year. If you would like to discuss this further, the next step is to promptly reach out to Julie Tibbs julie.tibbs@bcc.nsw.edu.au or Nicole Walters nicole.walters@bcc.nsw.edu.au in Learning Enrichment.

We are looking for people to be employed as HSC supervisors for the College. A supervisor’s main role is ensuring all students follow NESA’s exam rules. Supervisors report to the HSC Presiding Officer and help them with other duties.

A supervisor’s duties may include:

• Checking exam rooms are properly equipped and set up
• Supervising students in exam rooms
• Collecting completed exam papers
• Packing up after exams.

Supervisors must:

• Have a valid Working with Children Check for Employment
• Work as part of a team
• Have attention to detail
• Be able to carry out duties in confidence and with discretion

Supervisors must not supervise at any school where they have a friend or close relative who is:

• Sitting the HSC, or
• They are an employee of the school.

Supervisors receive a roster from their Presiding Officer. The length and number of shifts a supervisor receives depend on the number of exams held at each school. If you are interested in this paid position please contact Vicki Pearson, presiding.officer@bcc.nsw.edu.au

Christian schools are different. It’s this difference that is the reason why you choose to send your children to Belmont Christian College. Christian schools also make a difference. According to the Cardus Education Survey, graduates of Christian schools:

● Feel better prepared to find meaning, purpose and direction in life
● Are more likely to volunteer with organisations that help the elderly and care for the environment
● Are more likely to belong to a trade union or political party

This difference isn’t an accident. The gospel shapes our lives with an eternal purpose, transforms our relationships and compels us to love our neighbours (and even our enemies). At the heart of this difference is the authentic faith of our teachers and staff. But some “experts” don’t value this difference. They want to take away the ability of schools like ours to be able to hire teachers and staff who not only believe but also live these life-changing values. In December, the Australian Law Reform Commission will be making some recommendations to the Australian Government that could have big changes to the future of our College.

www.mychristianschool.au

My Christian School is a new grassroots movement of Australians who believe in the difference Christian schools make. Belmont Christian College is a part of this movement and your help is needed to pass on this difference for future generations. Please visit the My Christian School website and sign-up to show your support. Together, we can preserve the precious difference of Christian schools.

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.

Yet again, our Year 12 students’ dedication, creativity and talent were on full display at last night’s HSC Showcase. This annual event provides our College community an opportunity to come together and publicly acknowledge the remarkable accomplishments of our HSC Students, who have worked so diligently to reach this milestone. We had the opportunity to enjoy inspiring displays of Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Software Design, along with captivating performances from our Music and Drama students.What a privilege it is to give glory to God for His provision of such talent and gifts. These nights cannot run without our amazingly gifted teachers, led by Mr Cain Sanchez and Mr Chris Stewart. Enjoy the photos by our guest photographer Tom and our very own students Kai and Connor.

Secondary Zone and CSSA State Athletics

Over the past 3 weeks students have represented the College in both the THACCCSA Zone and CSSA State Athletics. Zone was held at Hunter Sports Centre Glendale and many students went on to excel with 30 students progressing through to CSSA State. Some outstanding Zone Results included:

Age Champions

Ellimae Collins-Thomas – 3rd Overall 12 Yrs Girls

Mitchell Davies – 2nd Overall 13 Yrs Boys

Alexander Campbell – 2nd Overall 14 Yrs Boys

Michellie Robins – 3rd Overall 17 Yrs Girls

Some outstanding CSSA State results included, with all these students qualifying to represent CSSA NSW at the up and coming CIS NSW State Championships:

Alexander Campbell – 2nd 14 Yrs Boys Javelin

Victoria Sanchez-Hart – 1st 12 Yrs Girls Discus

Amos Maddison – 1st 16 Yrs Discus Shot Put 7 2nd 16 Yrs Boys Discus

Victoria Robinson – Para Athlete Multiclass 3rd Shot Put, 3rd 100m, 2nd Discuss

Gabriel Sharp – 3rd 14 Yrs Boys Long Jump

Arianne Jensen – 2nd 18 Yrs Shot Put

Open Boys Relay 3rd – Joshua Culjack, Joshua Wolfenden, Ethan Cowling, Rourke Ellemans

Belmont Christian College Students Setting the Standard in Girls AFL

Recently at the Hunter and Central Coast AFL Junior Awards Night, several Belmont Christian College students received outstanding awards. Georgia Hofman was awarded Best and Fairest Under 13 Girls, while Holly Blowes was awarded Runner Up.  Aria Bunting was awarded a Sportsmanship Award. All girls should be proud of their achievements and the College is extremely proud of the commitment to excellence and sportsmanship.

Primary NSW CSSA Oztag

Our Mixed Primary Oztag team travelled to Penrith last week to take on 19 other schools from across NSW.

The team performed very well on the day, surviving some incredibly close games.

In their last pool game, our Belmont side needed to at least come away with a draw to make their way through to the Semi-Finals.

Down 2-6 at half-time, things were looking bleak, but an outstanding final 10 minutes led to an intense finish and our side claiming the game 7-6, and finishing undefeated and top of the pool.

We went into the Semi-Final with confidence, and again found ourselves behind by 4 points at the break. Another comeback ensued and in the last minute of the game we were within 1 point attacking the opposition line. However Mt Annan’s defence was strong, twice tagging us over the tryline. With just seconds remaining, the opposition scored and our tournament ended to the team that would go on to win the title.

An outstanding day from our team. Well done!

Belmont def North Cross 14-4

Belmont def Shire 6-5

Belmont def Richard Johnson Anglican 11-6

Belmont def Mamre 7-6

SemiiFinal – Belmont lost to Mt Annan 4-6

Sprint Training with Evan O’Hanlon

Australian sprinter and Paralympic G.O.A.T, Evan O’Hanlon, spent some time this week with our Primary sprinters and relay teams ahead of their NSW CSSA Carnival.

Evan ran through warm up techniques, movement analysis and starting positions with the team members on Monday after school, giving them tips on improving their performance.

Thank you Evan for giving your time and sharing your knowledge with our athletes.

Congratulations for excellent sporting success

Congratulations to Aleksander Gillon who last week represented NSW All Schools at National All Schools Swimming, what an exciting achievement. He placed 5th – 200m Freestyle and was member of NSW 12-14 Yrs Boys Relay who placed 4th – 12-14 4x50m Freestyle. Aleks did a PB to come 5th overall in the boys 13-14 years 200m Butterfly and was chosen to represent NSW in the 4 x 50m Freestyle relay, where he did a 25 second split (first time going that fast long course). Their team missed the bronze medal, coming 4th by 0.08 seconds.

On Monday August 28, four of our finest public speakers, Alita King, Mia Mathieson, Brydie O’Connor and Olivia Smyth, competed in the Belmont Rotary’s Branch of their annual Public Speaking Competition. The topic focused on Rotary’s ‘Four-Question Test’ and all four girls interpreted that in uniquely riveting ways. The competition was so close that the judges insisted the girls complete a two-minute impromptu speech, and after that, Olivia came out victorious on the night. She then competed in the next round at Toronto two days later, where she came second. Congratulations to all four girls for not only giving it a go but shining with their excellent oratory skills.

This term, our school could win $1,000 just by students tapping on and off every time they catch their school bus between 14 August and 15 September.

Did you know that on average, only 55 students tap on at Belmont Christian College each afternoon? Together, we’d like to improve this!

Tapping on is important because:

It lets us know how many students are using a service. This helps better services to be planned for our College.

It encourages the right behaviour early and encourages lifelong fare compliance, which really helps us and the community.

How you can help:

Implement an ‘Opal card first’ boarding system – students who tap on get first choice of seat

What’s next?

From 14 August until 15 September, the Newcaslte Transport team will visit the College bus stop of an afternoon to educate students and hand out Opal pouches to those students using Opal cards.

If you have any questions, please get in touch at contact@newcastletransport.info

To learn more and read the Q&As and Terms and Conditions, head to newcastletransport.info/student-tap-on

The following activities and services are offered by external providers which may be beneficial to your family. These services focus on strengthening student wellbeing or academic capacity. While these services are not explicitly from a Christian worldview, they do provide insights based on human wisdom and evidence based research. However, personal discretion as to whether these services align with your own beliefs will be required. Such services are NOT fully endorsed by the College, but are made available for families to make their own judgement and decision. 

Great Mates After School Program

With the last round being an incredible success, we are now opening enrolments for the following round of ‘Great Mates’, which will be running from 27 July – 14 September!

Our ‘Great Mates’ program has focused on important topics all around masculinity, perseverance, emotional regulation, as well as several other key topics. Each week the boys have consistently turned up to The Place: Community Centre and contributed to these crucial conversations. With evidence supporting the importance of our program through surveys and personal anecdotes from the boys who participated as well as the parents – being apart of the Great Mates program will be incredibly beneficial for any young boys you may know between the ages of 12-16.

Trainee Information & Recruitment

Lake Macquarie City Council’s 2023 Career Expo

12 September 2023 | Warners Bay Theatre, Lake St Warners Bay | 9am to 4pm

Lake Mac Council is home to over 160 unique trades and professions and is one of the largest employers of early career position in the Hunter region. Council recruit annually for a wide range of opportunties including Traineeship, Apprenticeship and Cadetship positions as part of the Education to Employment (E2E) program as well as many other early career opportunities each year. The E2E program offers career-defining opportunities for people seeking new career paths and looking to enter the workforce, to gain full time paid employment and valuable on-the-job experience while working towards gaining a Nationally-recognised qualification supported by skilled professionals. Over 100 Council staff will hold information stalls at the Career Expo to showcase Council’s services, operations and career pathways.

The Lake Macquarie City Council Career Expo aims to advance the learning and employment outcomes for job seekers and youth in our region, by increasing access and awareness of education and career pathways to enhance employment opportunity and outcomes. The Expo will provide the opportunity to explore a diverse range of work pathways and speak to industry professionals in a variety of areas including:

• Trades and outdoor professions
• Customer Service and Administration
• Information Technology
• Engineering
• Environmental Management and Regulation
• Development Assessment
• Landcare, Horticulture, Parks and Gardens
• Arts, Culture and Tourism
• Civil Construction
• Warehousing
• Finance and Accounting
• Human Resources
• Project Management
• Asset and Infrastructure Management
• Communication and Marketing

Click here to find out more and to register to attend.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Catherine Khalil, Early Careers Advisor at ckhalil@lakemac.nsw.gov.au.

Parents Information Evening at Southern Cross University

With online and in person sessions across our campuses, attendees will gain valuable insights into our programs, campus facilities, and support services. It’s an excellent opportunity for parents to gather information and ask about their child’s educational journey with us.

Gold Coast: Tuesday, 5 September, 5pm – 7pm
Online Webinar: Wednesday, 6 September, 6pm – 7pm
Northern Rivers: Monday, 11 September, 5pm – 7pm
Coffs Harbour: Tuesday, 12 September, 5pm – 7pm

Register now https://www.scu.edu.au/study/information-for-parents/

Sydney Careers & Employment Expo

Sydney’s New Careers & Employment Event will open on September 8 & 9, 2023, at the Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park. The Expo will showcase over 100 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages.  Entry’s Free.

The event is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new opportunities.

The Expo is packed with Free advice, you can…

• Talk with over 100 training organisations & employers
• Gain free career advice
• Discover jobs of the future
• Talk with leading organisations about training & apprenticeships
• Experience the free career seminars
• Learn how to write a winning resume

 If you are looking for a job, career change, courses or you are a school student looking for a career path, you can’t afford to miss the Expo.

Friday, 8 September 2023 – 9am to 3pm
Saturday, 9 September 2023 – 9am to 4pm

Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park

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 Shop Price Updates

The uniform shop will see a price rise from 4 September so get in quick and purchase or lay-by at current prices.

For a limited time only, we are offering epic discounts on our popular Multi City Membership

• Save $20 on 12 month Multi City Memberships.
• Save $50 on 24 month Multi City Memberships

Whether you’re looking to save on the finer things in life or simply access the sweetest deals across Australia and New Zealand, unlock around 8000 offers with a Multi City Membership to The Entertainment App!

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.