Working as a deck hand at a Pilbara port is a far cry from Geraldton, but fond memories of time spent at Geraldton Christian College are never far away for 2020 Head Boy Levi Moore.
What are you doing with yourself these days? I’m a deckhand with Westug, a port operations provider. I work at Cape Lambert in North Karratha, servicing the port and mining sector. I started in January and finished training about April.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Wake up at 4.30am, on the bus at 4.50am, on site at 5am and finish at 6pm. I work two weeks day shift and then two weeks on night shift.
My job is to ensure the tug boats are in good working order — washing, cleaning, painting, chipping, rust prevention, ensuring right certifications and right safety equipment is in place.
There is also rope handling during shipping operations, when the tugboats are under way.
It can be challenging. Long hours — and the heat can be up to 50 degrees on the deck.
Long-term, my plan is to get a Master One Certificate, which would enable me to pilot ships.
What do you reflect on most about your time at Geraldton Christian College? All of the kids in our family came through the College. It helped me be job-ready and also helped me develop ethics and morals.
At work, you meet a lot of different people; people with different morals; people with different religions.
Coming from a strong Christian school, I’ve realised I had a very strong grounding.
The people I work with might not know I am a Christian, but they can see my morals — and the teachers and staff at the College helped me develop those.
Any particular people who played a big part in your life at the College?
I grew up with Dad often working away (Fly In Fly Out) and I was able to get a lot of guidance at the College through strong Christian teachers and staff I could look up to – especially Mr Steenekamp and Mr Hirschhausen, who I became quite close to as my mentor.
That was especially helpful, having that guidance, because I was surrounded by mostly girls at home.
I’m also grateful to Mrs Foster who really pushed me to do well in Maths Methods. It was a tough year, but she was always very positive.
What did you study in your final years at the College?
I studied ATAR in Years 11 and 12: Physics, Maths Methods, Human Biology and English.
How important has the College been in your journey of faith?
I don’t think I would have a close relationship with God if it hadn’t been for my time at the College. It was very helpful.
What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies?
I work on a charter fishing boat which goes out to the Abrolhos Islands and later this year I’m hoping to work for a charter boat to Rottnest Island. When I’m not at work I’m working!
Science at work: hmm … something fishy going on here
Keith Roffman’s Year 12 ATAR Human Biology class carried out an experiment on fish samples this week, employing a technique used in Biotechnology.
Mr Roffman said they were checking restaurants’ claims they was serving barramundi when they were actually serving cheaper fish. Which may account for why Chloe is laughing in the photo above.
Schools compared: insider’s secret dossier revealed! 😉
Here’s something to brighten your day. A precocious former student provides Principal Hirschhausen with a detailed analysis of how her new school stacks up against Geraldton Christian College. Watch for her outrage over her new school’s sporting program and the closing comment on our fee paying arrangements. Business Manager Geoff Edwards, you may want to take note.
Engine room: calling all prayer warriors
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.
‘Shear’ kindness … God’s gift for winter chill
Winter’s chill has come to Geraldton, which means many of us are pulling out a warm blanket at night or a warm jumper on a cold day.
But how do we get these things and where do they come from?
Wholistic Land Management Coordinator Kelly Harrington took the opportunity recently to give our students a glimpse of the start of the wool production process when Tony Shaw was invited to give a sheep shearing demonstration at the College farm.
One of our College parents, Phil McDonnell, who has worked in shearing sheds, provided some commentary on the day.
Students were interested to see a shearer in action, witness a slice of Australian country life and learn how God has provided for every detail of our life.
So the next time you feel warm under your winter woollies, thank God for our graziers, sheep, wool and God’s warm embrace.
Harvesting sweet treats from College farm
There is always plenty of activity and learning opportunities around the College farm.
Wholistic Land Management Coordinator Kelly Harrington recently arranged for students to juice some fresh oranges and some sugar cane.
Sweet!
Mrs Harrington and the Sustainable Agricultural Management team welcome enquiries from teachers about integrating Biblically-based education in an agricultural setting.
Pizza thank-you for selfless student efforts
While some students were making sweet treats at the College farm, others were enjoying pizza.
The pizzas were a thank-you from the College to students who generously volunteered their weekend recently to help in the clean-up effort at Morawa after Tropical Cyclone Seroja.
Students helped clear fallen tree branches from a paddock and clean up broken hay bales from a shed, on a very wet winter’s day.
Their selfless efforts caught the attention of ABC Radio and the Midwest Times newspaper.
Some comments here from the students about why they wanted to be involved in the clean-up:
Summer (Yr 8) and Anthony (Yr 9): “We wanted to help as much as we could after the cyclone; to show we are part of the community and want to work together to rebuild it.”
Sariah (Yr 8): “I have a lot of spare time at the weekend and I wanted to help the less fortunate. Helping out gives a feeling of satisfaction, shows others what Christians are like and helps a part of cyclone-affected Western Australia look good again.”
Heidi (Yr 7): “I wanted to help fix the town up, make new friends and see what it was like there.”
Jadryn (Yr 10): “I like helping people, I felt a need to help and I am good at physical work.”
Liam (Yr 10): “To help the community, to clean up, to have fun and to put a smile on people’s faces.”
Lochlan (Yr 10): “To help the community, to clean up and to meet new people.”
Braydon (Yr 10): “To help farmers and the Morawa community, to help clean up the land, to have fun and to put a smile on other people’s faces.”
Nickey (Yr 9): “To have a good experience, to have a good heart, to help people in need and to create good memories.”
Well done, everyone. We are proud of you all.
Music, dance and encouragement from God’s Word
By Kate Arthur
College Chaplain
Every week, Primary School students participate in Jump Jam and devotions: Years 4-6 on Monday mornings and Years 1-3 on Tuesday mornings.
Each group completes three Jump Jam routines and then we have a short devotion together. This is a great way to get energy out, learn some gross motor skills, cooperate with other people and then be encouraged by the Bible.
Students are starting to learn the Jump Jam routines and they certainly have their favourites!
So far in devotions this year we have looked at kindness from Ephesians 4:32, Easter, prayer, and God’s goodness.
Parents are welcome to attend and be involved in our sessions. They are held on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 8.50am to 9.10am in the hall. Please remember to follow COVID-safe guidelines (check in at reception, use hand sanitiser and stay at home if you are unwell).
Oops! Wrong items landing in recycling
As students and staff we love doing our bit to care for creation, by recycling where we can.
But, Houston, we have a problem. Some non-recyclable plastics (eg, plastic strawberry containers and bakery trays, etc) are landing in our yellow recycling bins, while some food-contaminated cardboard (eg, pizza boxes and coffee cups, etc) are landing in our red recycling bins.
So, a friendly reminder, our yellow bins only take drink containers marked PET 1 and/or HDPE 2 (eg, soft drink bottles, water bottles, milk bottles and juice bottles). Please check the recycling code on the drink container before placing in the bin. See graphic below.
You might also be interested to know the College recycles old razor blades, plastic pens, toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic hair product bottles and bread ties. If you have these items at home and would like to recycle them at the College, please leave them with College reception staff in a bag or box labelled “recycling”.
If you have any questions, please contact College Cleaning Coordinator Caraline Harrold: caraline.harrold@gcc.wa.edu.au
Coming up
14 to 17 June: Year 7 to 9 Exams
18 to 20 June: Year 9 Sport & Recreation Rogaine Camp
18 June: AFL Inter-School Carnival
18 June: Year 4 to 6 Netball Carnival
23 June: Mountain bike air bag demonstrations at recess and lunch
24 June: Year 10 immunisations
25 June: Year 5 and 6 movie night in the College Hall
For more information, visit the Parent Calendar here.
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