There was pandemonium in the College Hall last week as Alpha House was declared winner of the 2022 Unity Shield, by the narrowest of margins.
Alpha took the honours 8-7 over Omega.
But will the teal have the LAST word in 2023?
I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End – Revelation 22:13
RESULTS: 2022 Interhouse Competitions Tally – Unity Shield
Secondary
- Performing Arts, Music – Alpha
- Swimming – Alpha
- Basketball – Alpha
- Cross Country – Omega
- Debating – Omega
- Soccer – Alpha
- Athletics – Alpha
- Chess – Omega
Primary
- Performing Arts, Music – Omega
- Swimming – Omega
- Basketball – Omega
- Cross Country – Omega
- Soccer – Alpha
- Athletics – Alpha
- Chess – Alpha
Year 5/6 pancake fun day
By Sonja Lochner
Primary Teacher
Our class loved using the kitchen last week, exploring the vegetable garden and seeing the animals.
But we were there for one main purpose – and that was to bake and eat as many pancakes as possible!
We prepared the pancake mix in groups.
There was a mixer, one learner collecting the ingredients, one cleaner, etc.
We baked almost 120 pancakes.
This was the most fun we had this term and there will be more “Baking Magic” this year.
The class enjoyed their pancakes with sprinkles and syrup.
When a Giant falls
By Sophia de Lange
Acting Principal
Today was a very sad day for us as a College, one of our biggest eucalyptus trees in the Primary playground had to be drastically trimmed. It was heartbreaking to witness the top branches coming down. Our students from various year levels were witnessing the tree lopping and I was amazed at their reactions.
It really warmed my heart to realise that our students are concerned about God’s creation and the need to protect the environment. I was bombarded by students asking me “Please make them stop Mrs de Lange!” Why are we cutting down the tree?” “What about our environment?” “Will we plant new trees?”
The context of the tree coming down at short notice is that one of our cleaners saw that the big giant in the Primary playground was splitting in two on Wednesday this week. Only half the tree will be removed at this stage. As in every situation there is a lesson to be learnt from Scripture.
In Numbers 17, God asked Moses to collect staffs from the 12 tribes. The next day they woke up and found Aaron’s staff had not only budded, but blossomed and produced almonds. A dead stick came to life and produced fruit. This miracle stopped the grumbling of the Israelites, who immediately recognized the power of God. Why is this so significant for us today? It shows us that God can take dead wood and bring it to life, budding, blossoming, and producing fruit.
It was a miracle what God could do with an old stick. It’s still a miracle with what He can do with us. If we feel like we’re dead wood or an old dry stick, we don’t have to worry, God can make us blossom again. This is a valuable lesson for our children as well. God is in control, and he can change any challenging situation around for His glory if we trust in Him. We always have hope.
Something good coming out of the tree logging is that we will have a special tree planting morning before the end of the term to replace the half of the tree that has been cut down, celebrating new life and the beginning of the next era at the College trusting in God.
Uniform Shop update
By Jackie Graham
Uniform Shop Coordinator
Shop Hours
Please remember that the Uniform Shop is open:
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 8.30-9.00am
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, 3.00-3.30pm
Preferred ordering is online through https://www.quickcliq.com.au/ – students can be sized for garments on request.
Jackets
New jacket stock has arrived in the College Uniform Shop. Following consultation with families last year, the jackets now have a NAVY collar. Jacket prices have increased with this new stock. Old jackets, with white collars, have been reduced in price and will be sold for $26 (child 4-14) and $29 (adult S-3XL) – only while stocks last. The older style jackets can be worn indefinitely.
Tracksuit Pants. We are aware that there have been issues with the tracksuit pants and discolouration on the knees. This is due to the pants being made with sublimated fabric where navy is printed onto white. When the fabric gets scuffed/worn, the white shows through. With this in mind, tracksuit pants will be offered at half price for 2023 with child sizes $20 and adult sizes $25. We are looking into different styles/fabrics and hope there will be new stock available for 2024, but we would really love the current stock to be purchased/worn.
Hats
Hats are on back order from our supplier (medium and large sizes) – we hope they will be here in the next few weeks. In the meantime we do have old SCC hats that we can give to students while we wait for the new stock to arrive.
If you have any queries about Uniform, please email uniform@gcc.wa.edu.au.
English takes centre stage at assembly
By Aneke Smit and Sarah Jupp
Secondary English Teachers
At this week’s Secondary assembly, our English department had their first ever showcase. It started with Mrs Nys’ Year 9, 10, 11 and 12 General students showing off their work on a Powerpoint presentation.
We saw some beautiful posters about collective nouns and words with tricky spelling.
Ms Jupp’s Year 10, 11 and 12 ATAR students entertained us with a poem written by Ms Jupp, called ‘Ode To The First Month’.
The poem summarised their learning so far, which included short story studies, image analysis, conventions, study of elements, and class presentations.
Students explained how each text they have looked at glorifies God in a different way, even when it may not be immediately apparent.
The showcase ended with Year 7 and 8 students beautifully reciting the poem ‘English is Hard’.
The English Department’s Teachers are proud of our students and the hard work they are doing in class. We are going to have a wonderful year together.
Deputy student leaders attend universities function
By Hayden Scally
Deputy Principal Student Welfare
Deputy Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Girl Tiana represented the College this week at a function hosted by Geraldton University Centre.
Guest speaker was Professor Graeme Innes AM – a lawyer, author, disability advocate, company director, and since December 2022, Chancellor of GUC’s partner CQUniversity Australia. He spoke on the topic “meeting work force challenges through regional education and inclusion initiatives”.
Wellbeing Corner: 2023 off to a great start
By the Student Wellbeing Team
This year is off to a great start. We are very happy to report that our Milo Mondays and Toastie Tuesdays with Mrs Hardy and Mrs Pettigrew, have started strong, with a number of students coming to connect with us and each other before school. We have also had several Secondary students help make toasties and fruit/yoghurt cups on Tuesdays, which is great!
Last Monday our student leaders participated in the Buzz Rangers training with Mrs Pomery and Mrs Brits. The focus of this training is to develop a team of playground leaders. The positive skills that they have learned will help enable the school playground to be a safe and fairer place for all students. The students commented that they enjoyed the program which was interactive and lots of fun.
Mrs Abetz has started her Creative Lunchtimes and here is what she had to say: “So far, we have been brainstorming some great ideas for NAIDOC Week and ways that we can decorate the school during that time.”
Mrs Abetz has also enjoyed visiting many of the Primary classrooms – reading the book, ‘God Made Me and You’ and singing with the students, which they have really enjoyed.
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.
Environmental partnership across year levels
By Kelly Harrington
Wholistic Land Management Coordinator
Year 8 Sustainable Agricultural Management students are doing their bit to help the younger children learn about caring for God’s environment, by building a wicking bed for the Kindergarten.
A wicking bed is a water-efficient vegetable garden.
Acting Principal Sophia de Lange took time out of her day to instruct the children on the project.
Recycling efforts raise $150 for playground
By Caraline Harrold
Recycling Coordinator
“Waste isn’t waste until it’s wasted.” – Planet Ark’s theme for 2022
Great news! Geraldton Christian College has returned 1504 containers to the return-it container refund point in Geraldton, collecting $150.40 refund to go towards the Nature Playground. 1504 containers – one by one. Phew, that is a lot of containers.
Well done everyone for taking the time and effort to put in the 10 cent containers in our blue bins, dotted around the school grounds.
When everyone works together, important things can happen.
Which brings me to our new addition, a mini recycling hub outside the library.
Calendar
Monday Feb 27
08:30am – 11am. Year 11 & Year 12 OLNA Writing
09am – 10am. Yr 7 stroke swimming at Aquarena
1pm – 3pm. Yr 7 Immunisations in Hall
1:20pm – 2:45pm. Yr 8 Open Water Swimming at Foreshore
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
Tuesday Feb 28
11am – 12pm. Yr 8 PE Open Water Swimming
1:13pm – 3pm. Off-campus service activities 10.1 BLW
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
3:30pm – 5pm. Homework Club (in-Term only and not on public holidays)*
Wednesday Mar 1
08:40am – 10:30am. SEDA College Netball Clinic – Yrs 1 to 6
09am – 2:30pm. Secondary Interhouse Swim Carnival
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
Thursday Mar 2
Homework Club (in-term only and not on public holidays)*
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
Friday Mar 3
09am – 3pm. Primary Interhouse Swimming Carnival Yr 3 to 6
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
Tuesday Mar 7
08:30am – 11am. Year 11 & Year 12 OLNA Reading
11am – 12pm. Yr 8 PE Open Water Swimming
12:20pm – 12:40pm. Secondary Swimming Presentations in Hall
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
3:30pm – 5pm. Homework Club (in-Term only and not on public holidays)*
Wednesday Mar 8
Yr 9 Service Experience
11am – 12pm. Yr 9 Water Polo/Swimming at Aquarena
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Yr 10 stroke swimming at Aquarena
5:30pm – 8pm. Welcome Feast
Thursday Mar 9
Yr 9 Service Experience
Homework Club (in-term only and not on public holidays)*
08:30am – 11am. Year 11 & Year 12 OLNA Numeracy
09:30am – 2:30pm. Yr 10 Rotary Keys4Life driver safety day
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
Friday Mar 10
Yr 9 Service Experience
1:30pm – 2:30pm. Pre-Primary in-term swimming
- Parents must complete an Operoo permission form for students to attend Homework Club. Please email gavin.box@gcc.wa.edu.au to request forms.
Noticeboard
WORLDVIEW LECTURE SERIES
Worldview Australia is live streaming an online Christian worldview lecture series, from 7.30pm Thursdays fortnightly.
The series is aimed at training Christian students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to think and live Biblically (see “upcoming events” below for the program).
To register for the livestream, or for more information, visit the Worldview Australia website.
