Gratitude and hope for 2023

Thank you to existing and new families for entrusting us with your children.

Mrs Sophia de Lange
Acting Principal

We want to extend a very warm welcome to all of our new families at the College this year. Thank you to existing and new families for placing your trust in us to educate your children. Every child is created uniquely in God’s image and therefore we do not take your trust lightly. Teaching is a calling. Therefore, partnership with our families is very important to build a community of mutual respect and trust. We also welcome our new staff to the College. We hope everyone will feel at home quickly.

We look forward to hosting new and existing families at the Welcome Feast to be held on 8 March 2023. This event promises to be a great evening to build relationships and strengthen our community. The Welcome Feast is an annual event, hosted by the Geraldton Christian Community Schools Association and the Board, to welcome new families and staff to our College community. Please make the effort to come along, and don’t forget to RSVP!

The College celebrates 44 years of God’s faithfulness in serving our College community in 2023. We give thanks to God for our parents/guardians, students and staff. Together we have hope for a better future. We also give thanks for the leadership of the College Board, chaired by Dr Khim Harris. The Board works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure sound governance of the College. Please continue to pray for the Board and Senior Executive Team for renewed strength and enthusiasm to be servant leaders.

Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us: “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

The Board: back row from left – Mr Solman, Mr Krause, Mr Santos; front row from left – Mrs Hurley, Dr Harris and Mr Strydom. (Mrs Hurley has moved over East with her family at the start of this year)

Curriculum

The Board has established an Academic Task Force as part of its Strategic Plan to ensure excellence in education across all year levels. The Task Force, chaired by Dr Khim Harris, meets regularly to brainstorm ways to improve academic standards at the College. It comprises some members from the Association (many who are parents/guardians of students at the College), teachers, the Acting Principal and the Acting Deputy Principal Curriculum. A new initiative, to offer scholarships in Years 7, 9 and/or 11, will be available for 2024. Further information about scholarships will be available from Term 2 2023. The newly developed Scholarship Policy will be made available in coming weeks, which outlines the criteria.

New Subjects in 2023

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) has been introduced in Primary school as project-based learning and in Secondary as an elective in Years 7 and 8. We are looking forward to the Solar Challenge, as well as the Engineering Challenge later this year.

Drama is being offered in 2023 and we are planning a production later in the year. More information will be sent out soon, with auditions happening this term.

We are also very pleased with our new horticulture outdoor classroom, which was completed in 2022. It is now fully operational as an interactive learning space for Food Technologies. It has functional kitchens for food preparation, from the garden to the plate. Our new kid on the block, our baby goat “Peanut”, enjoys the pampering and attention from our students. We are also excited about the extension of the art building at the College, which will hopefully be completed by the end of Term 1.

Mrs Jones juices some sugar cane in the Outdoor Classroom as students watch on.

Above and below: Students take kernels off some corn at the Outdoor Classroom.

A student cuddles one of the hens near the Outdoor Classroom.

Work on the art building extension is well under way and will hopefully be completed by the end of Term 1.

Student wellbeing

The Student Support Team have increased their hours to be available for extra student and parent support in 2023. We recognise student wellbeing is the key to academic learning and therefore it is high on our priority list.

We always have hope in our Lord Jesus Christ – let us hold onto it as a College community. We wish you all the best in 2023 and trust that your children will flourish in every area of College life.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight.

Head Boy Luke H and Head Girl Chanelle W with Premier Mark McGowan

Praise God for democratic freedoms

Last weekend our Head Girl CHANELLE W, Head Boy LUKE H and Acting Principal SOPHIA DE LANGE were invited to a community meeting with Premier Mark McGowan and his Cabinet. Chanelle and Luke had the following thoughts to share:

It was wonderful to see the community come together and share issues within, as well as asking questions towards the Government.

Praise God that we live in a country where democracy is accessible and the Government can be held accountable for its actions.

Many highlighted issues in the school system to the Cabinet, such as education for those with disabilities, or who do not fit into the normal school system.

Others challenged the Cabinet as to when the new hospital would be constructed, while others raised queries about arts funding in Geraldton.

Above all a question stood out. Mrs de Lange challenged the Cabinet on proposed changes to the WA Equal Opportunity Act. The proposed changes, if passed, would mean Christian schools could no longer employ teachers of faith.

This is big news for a small school like ours and I think we speak for many in saying it was inspiring to see someone take a stand.

1 Peter 3:15-16 states:

But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.

Although it is sometimes difficult, it is important to stick up for Christ when he gives us an opportunity to do so.

Drama goes to new heights

Shelley Cox
Drama Teacher – Years 3 to 10

Welcome to drama! I am excited to be running creative and fun classes in 2023, to enhance the gifts and talents of the students.

In the first few weeks of this term, students have been exploring circus skills, partner work, small group activities and some funny games.

I look forward to a fabulous year building rapport with the staff, students, parents and the community.

Student aces it on the court

Johan Boonzaier
Head of Primary Physical Education

The College would like to congratulate one of our students on his well-deserved tennis successes.

Mitchell is an aspiring tennis player and he is obtaining the rewards that come with hard work.

Recent results include Junior Champion Boy Years 8 – 12 for 2022, Mixed doubles Champion and a Mixed Junior League Leadership Award.

The College wishes all of our aspiring athletes, and especially our emerging tennis player, all the success in his future endeavours.

Junior sport opportunities

HOCKEY

The hockey session is almost here. Mrs Labuschagne is very excited about the 2023 session and would love to hear from Pre-Primary to Year 6 students interested in playing hockey for Geraldton Christian College.

Further detail will follow via email and a hockey flyer, so please keep an eye out for it.

If you would like more information please contact Mrs Labuschagne at lizette.labuschagne@gcc.wa.edu.au.

SEVEN-A-SIDE SOCCER

Mathew Adams
PE Assistant & Soccer Coordinator

In anticipation for the winter soccer season, Football West and the Geraldton Junior Soccer Association have announced they will be running the school Seven-A-Side competition again this year.

This is a great way for new players to get introduced to the game, experienced players to get fit for the winter season and for players to represent the College while having fun.

Last year was the biggest year yet for this competition, with nearly 500 children competing from primary schools across Geraldton.

This year games will be held on a Monday and Friday afternoon, from 20 March to 3 April.

I will be handing out registration forms with more information to all primary classes next week.

For more information, please email me at mathew.adams@gcc.wa.edu.au.

College clown a hit with Pre-Primary

Brenda Pattenden
Pre-Primary Teacher

Our Pre-Primary children loved the opportunity to see our school’s very own “crazy clown”, who took time to come and visit us.

There was so much laughter and smiles as they took part in some different activities with the clown and saw some special tricks.

Our excited little learners are already asking when she is coming for another visit.

As you can see from the pictures, their smiles say it all.

Kindy kids make a splash

Nateeka White
Kindergarten Teacher

We have had a great start to 2023 in Kindy – making mud pies, painting, drawing, running through the sprinkler, digging holes, building tall towers, entering imaginary worlds, dancing, singing … and learning about Jesus.

It has been a joy to watch the children begin to settle and make new friends.

Students’ kindness touches hearts

Keith Roffman
Secondary Teacher

At the end of 2022, Year 10 Biblical Life and Worldview students, taught by Mrs Lizette Labuschagne and I, wrote Christmas cards and made some beaded crosses for elderly residents at Juniper Hillcrest.

Residents were overwhelmed with joy by the gifts.

Mrs Kate Gibson, who worked at both the College and Hillcrest last year, tells the story: “I’ve been handing out the Christmas cards today. Lots of the residents have been in tears. A number asked how they write back and they are all very grateful. Please thank the Year 10/11 students. They’ve had an amazing impact here. Many residents are carrying (the cards) around everywhere with them now, and the crosses have been put in special places in their rooms. The man reading his card cried for ages and won’t stop reading it!”

We hope that correspondence can continue with the residents and our students.

Nesaea wins Genesis art commendation

Annalise Edwards
Visual Arts Teacher

At the end of last year, a small collection of artworks from our students was displayed at the Geraldton Regional Library, as a part of the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery’s annual art exhibition, Genesis.

Genesis is a wonderful opportunity for students from all local high schools to have their work exhibited and displayed over the holidays and to have the community be able to admire and appreciate the works.

Our Year 11 student Nesaea F received a Highly Commended certificate for her work ‘Disconnection’, a watercolour work that explored the themes of isolation and alienation.

Well done, Nesaea!

Uniform Shop update

Shop Hours

Ms Jackie Graham has taken over as Uniform Shop Coordinator in 2023 and will also be Receptionist a few days. Uniform Shop hours have therefore changed to fit with her working schedule.

New hours for 2023 at the Uniform Shop are:

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings – 8.30am to 9.00am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons – 3.00pm to 3.30pm

As mornings are very busy for Front Office staff, we regret that we are unable to serve parents/guardians with uniform requests outside of the times listed above. You can complete a paper Uniform Order Form and leave it with staff to process later in the day. Uniform fitting of students can be arranged during the school day, as requested.

Online ordering is always preferred through https://www.quickcliq.com.au/

New College bathers

The College has new bathers with our school logo. These will be required for Secondary students for water-based PE/ODE lessons and when representing the College at swimming events (ACC Carnival in Perth etc).

At this stage we are only stocking sizing for Secondary students, but will consider Primary sizing if there is interest from families to do so.

Girls Bathers (girls 14 $45, ladies 8-24 $50)
Boys Skins (boys 12-16 $45, mens S-3XL $47)

Fabric is chlorine-resistant, and has a high UV rating also. A heat-pressed College logo is on the hip of garments. Swimsuits are lined – both boys and girls.

We have stock of the old bathers (plain navy) on sale now – half price, $14-20 each (chlorine resistant plain navy girls bather and boys skins). Only while stocks last!

Uniform Policy review

The Uniform Policy was reviewed in January by College staff and the Uniform Guide has also been updated.

With new College bathers now available, it is expected that secondary students will wear College bathers for swimming activities at the Aquarena or Beach as part of their PE/ODE lessons. College sports shorts or navy board shorts can be worn over bathers at Aquarena or at the Beach (optional).

Primary students may continue to wear any colour bathers for swimming lessons, but must have navy one piece or skins when representing the College at swimming

Expectations for hair were also changed slightly, with long mullets no longer permitted at the College (see page 14 of the uniform guide).

If you have any queries about changes to the uniform policy, please contact Mr Hayden Scally, Deputy Principal Student Welfare, hayden.scally@gcc.wa.edu.au

A new-look Student Support Team for Term 1: Mrs Pettigrew, Mrs Abetz, Mrs Pomery and Mrs Hardy

Wellbeing Corner: Welcome to 2023!

Well, here we are in 2023! Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and enjoyed the break. Now, it’s time to get back into it and we’ve got some great things lined up for the coming year! Our team ran awesome programs last year that will be continuing and we’re super excited to let you know what this is going to look like.

*ALREADY GOING… Milo Mondays – For our Primary Students to come and see us at the lunch tables before school on Mondays and grab a drink. It’s a great time for the kids to say hi to our team or catch up with their mates before the school day starts.

Toastie Tuesdays – For our Secondary Students, in the Food and Tech Room before school every Tuesday. They are welcome to come and grab some breaky and connect with our team. There’ll be a variety of yummy toasties, as well as some fruit, yogurt and muesli cups. Depending on the season we might have some freshly squeezed orange juice or mango smoothies.

*WATCH THIS SPACE… Heart and Craft – Wednesdays and Thursdays at lunch times with Mrs Pomery. A time of fun, craft, and connection for Primary students.

Creative lunchtimes – This one is for the Secondary students, coming soon on Fridays.

Drumming Workshops –Coming soon for Secondary students at lunchtimes in the Hall. This one’s gonna be fun!

INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHAPLAIN

We are pleased to introduce our new chaplain, Tamicah Pettigrew, who has been a parent at the College since 2018.

“I am so excited to now be a part of the amazing team of staff as well!” she told the Blog.

“One of my favourite things to do is to worship God through singing. I also love reading, writing and spending time with family.

“I look forward to getting to know our College families better as the year goes on.”

We are also pleased to welcome Mrs Dynika Abetz to our team as a Student Support Counsellor for this term (while Mrs Annette Dhu is on leave). We look forward to sharing more about Mrs Abetz in our next Blog post!

Our Wellbeing Team is here to assist students on their wellbeing journey. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you think we can be of assistance.