CHILD-LIKE FAITH
Each word a gift
Watch the way you talk … Say only what helps, each word a gift. Ephesians 4:29 (MSG)
How beautiful to hear this week about the powerful impact of a young student’s words of encouragement.
We’re told the student went out of her way, without prompting, and offered kind words that deeply touched the adult recipient.
“This student would have had no idea of the impact of those words,” someone said.
How wonderful to see God using a child, stepping out in simple faith, love and obedience; making known the lordship of Jesus Christ and engaging in works of service.
KINDERGARTEN COPS
Lot of love for good guys in blue
By Brenda Pattenden
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten families showed their thanks and appreciation to Geraldton members of the Western Australian Police Force recently, with a kind donation of delicious morning tea snacks and cappuccino sachets, along with the most adorable card that the children made.
Two police officers took time out of their busy day to come to school and meet the Kindy class.
This made the children very excited. Seeing the police in their uniforms and trying out the real handcuffs was a wonderful experience.
In addition, they thoroughly enjoyed having a good look around the police car and hearing the loud siren.
Some comments from the children in the card they presented to the officers:
“Thank you for catching bad guys and trying to (get) people’s cars back.”
“We really love you very very much. Your are policeman. I love you.”
“Thank you for keeping us safe (so) bad guys don’t kill us and they go in police cars.”
“Thank you for saving the tyres.”
“Thank you for letting us see in your car.”
“Hello, hello, hello. Thank you for catching bad guys. Bye bye.”
CROSS COUNTRY
Daniel wins Inter-house honours
By Andre Steenekamp
Head of Physical Education
Results from the Secondary Inter-house Cross Country, held on 14 May:
House results: 1. Daniel; 2. Gideon; 3. Joshua.
Individual results:
U/13 Boys:
1. Nathan K
2. Lysander F
3. Mason K
U/13 Girls
1. Delilah S
2. Heidi K
3. Sari R
U/14 Boys
1. Levi L
2. Macklin H
3. Denbi H
U14 Girls
1. Nicola S
2. Bonifah B
3. Ruby E-S
U/15 Boys
1. Ben H
2. Nigel H
3. James P
U/15 Girls
1. Nickey M
2. Rania S
3. Larnie B
U/16 Boys
1. Braydon K
2. Liam S
3. Allan B
U/16 Girls
1. Chanelle W
2. Paige C
3. Nesaea F
Open Boys
1. Roy K
2. Isaac H
3. Dylan M
Open Girls
1. Stacia B
2. Mia-Louise M
3. Jana V S
ENGINE ROOM
Monday prayer
The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. James 5:16 (MSG)
Parents are invited to join a small group every Monday to uphold the College in prayer. The group meets from 8.45am to 9.15am. Register at administration office, then proceed to the Primary lunch tables or staff room (depending on weather), and look for Kelly Harrington, Prayer Coordinator and Wholistic Land Management Coordinator.
Chalk Talk is an ongoing series introducing new members of our teaching staff.
CHALK TALK
When storms hit, keep your eyes on Jesus
What is your teaching position at Geraldton Christian College (Year level and subjects if applicable)? Design and Technology, Years 7-12.
Where and when did you obtain your qualifications? Dip. Ed. Hewat College of Educ. 1990; B. Ed Auckland University 2001; M. Ed. University of Melbourne (Student Wellbeing) 2010; Grad. Cert. (Theology) Catholic Theological College of Melbourne 2010; Cert IV in OH&S RMIT University 2013.
When did you start working at Geraldton Christian College? 3 May 2021.
What is your background and what did you do before you came to Geraldton Christian College? I have been teaching for more than 30 years in predominantly Christian schools in SA, NZ and Australia. The previous three Colleges were Champion Bay Secondary College as a 7-12 D&T (Wood) Teacher; Good News Lutheran College (Melb) as D&T HOLA and Yr 10 Co-Ord; and Thomas Carr Catholic College (Melb.) as Technology, Vocational and Applied Learning and Religious Education Teacher.
Where were you born and where have you lived before coming to Geraldton (assuming you weren’t born and raised here)? Cape Town, South Africa. Immigrated to Auckland NZ in 1997 for work and study and consequently relocated to Melbourne with my family in 2007 for the similar reasons.
In a nutshell, what has been your journey of faith? Have you always been a Christian? If not, how did this come about?
I was born into and raised in a traditional sacramental church where I was graced with salvation during very turbulent and volatile times in my young adulthood.
What would be the key life-shaping lesson you have learned about God/Christian discipleship, etc, that you would like to impart to young people. “If I could teach students one thing, it would be …”: You have but one soul. Take good care of it. It is extremely precious and valuable to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It was gifted to you by our Lord and Saviour Jesus. In His gospel, Christ shows you where it belongs and can find everlasting salvation, rest and peace in Him.
Greatest joy of your life? When my two children were born.
Toughest time of your life and how God helped you through it? There have certainly been many storms in my journey and a Saviour that calmed them. Undoubtedly there’ll be many more. When I kept my eyes on Him I could weather them and when I strayed I was overwhelmed, but there was always an extended hand to pull me up and out. This I know for sure.
Recreation/hobbies/interests. “When I am not teaching, the things I love most to do are…”: I own a motorcycle and enjoy riding. My hobbies include wood and metalworking, surf fishing and working on cars and bikes.
A little known thing about you. “People may be surprised to discover that I…”: Am a dog person and own two Shar Peis.
LEGO MASTERS
Not just another brick in the wall
By Rovaun Alexander
Design & Technology Teacher
The Term 1 Year 8 Design & Technology elective concluded in Week 1 this term with students completing their final project: a Lego-inspired coat wall hanger.
Students worked diligently to complete their projects for evaluation and to take them home.
Well done, Year 8s.
AMAZING CREATION
Master of disguise
The design and purpose in God’s creation never ceases to amaze. Here’s one example: the the tawny frogmouth. This bird has an incredible ability to blend in with its surroundings, like this one that visited the College recently. Despite doing its best to hide, students were able to spot this one perched amid the fronds of a palm tree in the secondary area, its feathers providing camouflage. Can you spot the bird in the photo above?
STEM FESTIVAL
Hands-on learning
By Keith Roffman
Secondary Science Teacher
Year 9 students enjoyed an excursion to the STEM Festival Geraldton at Central Regional TAFE recently.
The interactive festival was organised by Scitech, Rio Tinto and TAFE to encourage students to consider a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Students had the opportunity to meet representatives from Western Australian STEM organisations to learn about different jobs, pathways, projects and research. They also got involved in various hands-on STEM activities.
MEASURING UP
How wide, how deep, how long is God’s love?
By Carmen Blay
Year 3 Teacher
Year 3 students have been doing lots of measuring and what is so cool about Geraldton Christian College is that we can do so with real world and meaningful tasks.
Wholistic Land Management Coordinator Kelly Harrington announced the pumpkins were ready for harvest, so we piled them up in our classroom.
The majority of students then lifted the pumpkins into the air to confirm their estimate of 23kg to 40kg!
So how heavy is one kg and is there anything we know weighs about one kg? How much does a Year 3 student weigh?
What things are in the fridge or the pantry that we can guess and check the weight of? Can we measure God’s love?
What is circumference? If we know the kg price, how much will one pumpkin cost, or how can we find out?
What would the cost be of half a pumpkin? Would all half pumpkins cost the same?
Some students now eagerly check the number on the snack packets that indicated the weight of the content to get an idea of weight and to get better at estimating by the day.
Thank you, Mrs Harrington, for offering us so many opportunities to make learning so much more meaningful.
* Here’s some more news from the College farm. Mrs Harrington took this snap of Isaac, Connor and Anthony extracting sugar, the old-fashioned way!
COUNTRY WEEK
Team mixes up training routine
By Janelle Phillips
Coach of the Country Week Girls Volleyball Team
The Senior Girls Country Week Volleyball Team went to the Aquarena for training last Friday. It was fun!
We decided to get off campus and hit the sand courts, to encourage players to throw themselves around without fear of injuries.
We have ramped up training leading into the last six weeks before Country Week, focusing on fitness, agility, reflexes and, of course, volleyball-specific skills.
The girls (and their coach) are keen to do their very best when representing the College. They are committed to work hard to get the very best out of themselves, refining their gifts and talents.
SOCCER CHAMPION
Act of kindness a winner
By Andre Steenekamp
Head of Physical Education
The College would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Phillip Lonsdale for taking the time and using his expertise to build two new full-size soccer goals for the College.
It’s just another example of a healthy College community working together to get the job done.
The goals are a great addition to our sporting facilities and the College soccer players are taking every opportunity to get the ball in the back of the nets.
The new goals also complement the partnership between the College and Football West, to conduct their talent development program at the College every Wednesday.
We look forward to what the future holds for the world game at Geraldton Christian College.
COLLEGE REBRAND
Uniform roll-out
By Fiona Davidson
Executive Assistant to the Principal
It is wonderful having students wearing the new Geraldton Christian College uniform this week. Thank you to those parents who have booked fitting times to bring their children in.
Check emails for the link to book a fitting time after school if you wish to be here with your children, or students may come to the Front Office at Recess or Lunch time each day to be fitted and we will provide them with a note for their sizing.
A few things to note:
• The polo shirts are very small fitting – generally you will need to size up 1 or 2 sizes from the old Strathalbyn Christian College shirts. For this reason, we really encourage students to try on clothing BEFORE parents order online. Otherwise there may be a discrepancy in the cost, which will need to be paid separately by parents before uniform can be given to students.
• Primary polos in Size 12 and 14 are still to arrive. We are keeping a list of students who would like this size, and will contact parents/guardians when they arrive.
• Orders should be done online through www.quickcliq.com.au. We aim to have orders processed within 1-2 days and will deliver uniform to students in class to bring home.
Socks
We notice that a lot of students are not wearing correct socks with the College uniform. This is partly because we had a period where certain sizes were not available to purchase.
Students should wear low cut black or navy socks or the new GCC socks – which are available to purchase in all sizes.
From next week, Teachers will start giving infringements to students who are not wearing the correct socks.
No name-brand socks to be worn with College uniform please!
I want to say a very BIG thank you to Mrs Bendikas and Mrs Bandy who assisted with unpacking the many boxes of uniform that arrived at the College several weeks ago. It was a mammoth task!
If you have any queries about the new uniform, please don’t hesitate to contact me: fiona.davidson@gcc.wa.edu.au
JOB VACANCIES
Casual cleaners
The College is in need of staff who can fill in, as required, when regular staff are not available. Training is provided before being placed on the relief contact list.
Relief cleaners need to be available between the hours of 3.00pm and 6.00pm on school days (Monday to Friday), and due to COVID-19 there may also be hours available during school hours.
Please apply online.
For any queries about employment at the College, please call 08 9938 9100 or email personnel@gcc.wa.edu.au.
COMING UP
Parent calendar
31 MAY: Year 12 Exams; Excursion – Yr 7 Sport & Rec bodyboarding; Excursion: – Yr 8 Sport & Rec lawn bowls.
1 JUNE: Year 12 Exams (final day).
2 JUNE: Excursion – Yr 10 Sport & Rec mountain bike riding; Excursion – Yr 11/12 General Outdoor Education.
4 JUNE: Excursion – Yr 9 Sport & Rec orienteering; Excursion – Yr 10 Rangeway mentor program.
7 JUNE: FOUNDATION DAY – WA PUBLIC HOLIDAY
8 JUNE TO 11 JUNE: Year 10/11 Exams.
11 JUNE: Mid West High School Netball Carnival at Eighth Street netball complex; Excursion – Yr 9 Sport & Rec orienteering; Excursion – Yr 10 Rangeway mentor program.
Access the parent calendar on the website here.
NOTICEBOARD
