It was our pleasure last week to host more than 250 secondary students from schools across the region, along with members of the local media, for the University of Newcastle Mid West Science and Engineering Challenge.
Students spent the day taking part in a series of hands-on activities aimed at testing their problem-solving skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The event is aimed at encouraging students to consider careers in STEM fields.
Congratulations to Champion Bay Senior High School for winning this year’s event – and well done to all involved.
Other participating schools were Geraldton Senior High School, Jurien Bay District High School, Geraldton Grammar School and Nagle Catholic College.
Special thanks to Keith Roffman who was the local coordinator for the event, and sponsor Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton.
Mr Roffman said the Challenge reignited a hugely successful event that been running in Geraldton previously, which “concentrates on students using collaborative problem-solving and their God-given mental capacities to complete challenging STEM tasks”.
“My hope is that our students show persistence in completing the tasks presented to them, as a team,” he said.
“There are many real-world problems which require input from so many different sources. This event is a great simulation of what our students can expect in any job in the future.”
Student speeches: ANZAC’s sacrifice ‘forged unbroken bonds’
Head Boy Luke H and Head Girl Chanelle W had the privilege of delivering speeches at the ANZAC Day service in Geraldton last month – on the topic of what ANZAC Day means to them.
This was the first time our Heads wore the new formal uniform, which will be worn for more formal occasions when representing the College. They looked so smart in their blazers and ties.
For those who could not make it to the commemoration, we have published their ANZAC Day speeches here:
Chanelle
As we know, ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. It is a day to acknowledge the bravery and selflessness of those who served for our country, as well as remember the hardships faced by their families and friends. It reminds us young people that we should never take our freedom for granted and should remain grateful for the sacrifices made by others.
Today we’d like to propose ANZACs as role models. ANZAC Day gives us all the opportunity to learn from the characteristics exemplified by the ANZACS, such as commitment, mateship, courage and service orientation.
A quality of a good role model is commitment, which the dictionary defines as “the state or quality of being dedicated to a certain cause”. The ANZACs were determined, hard-working, and committed to what was required of them. They persevered through many challenges, pushing on through sleepless, bitter-cold nights, scorching temperatures by day, little food and water, homesickness, and the heartache of losing the mates fighting alongside them.
ANZACs also displayed mateship, which describes the equality, loyalty, and friendship that bound them together. Amid the toughest of conditions at war, they continued to provide unconditional support to one another. The ANZACs worked in unity, as one, lifting each other up and maintaining their sense of humour despite challenges. Ultimately, they forged a bond that could not be broken.
Luke
When seeking an example of how courage looks, look to the ANZACs. Young men were leaving the comfort of their everyday lives and saying farewells to family, all the while knowing they may never come home. Consider the courage it must have taken to climb Plugge’s Plateau, with Turkish fire raining down from above. Watching comrades falling around them, screaming in pain from gunshots, and others collapsing in silence. The courage to continue the mission, following orders even until death – all for the sake of others.
As well as being courageous the ANZACs never second-guessed the choice to serve. When they were needed, when their country was threatened with war, they were willing to put up their hands to go and fight – fight with their lives. They weren’t forced and no reward was offered. What could be a greater act of service than giving up one’s own life? And it is because of this sacrifice we recite the oath year after year because “we will remember them”.
‘Parliament’ sits in Upper Primary
Representatives from the Parliamentary Education Office held a “Pop-Up Parliament” presentation with Year 4/5, 5/6 and 6 classes at the College this week, where students learned about State Parliament.
The information presented tied in with the WA Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Civics and Citizenship curriculum.
A parent commented later: “I wanted to give you feedback on the Pop-Up Parliament presentation. My son came home and said he had the most interesting day and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It is clear from all he told me, that he learned much today and was very enthusiastic to learn more about Parliament in the upcoming Canberra Year 6 trip.
“Thank you for providing this opportunity.”
Playground teepee a winner
Many of you will have noticed a new addition to the nature playground during the recent term break.
Property Manager Harri Harrington built a tepee.
Brothers Niel (Yr 2) and Pieter L (Yr 4) were excited to check it out.
“This is so cool!” they said.
We agree.
Cucumbers and cooking – SAM-style
By Kelly Harrington
Wholistic Land Management Coordinator
As part of their Sustainable Agricultural Management classes late last term, Year 8 boys erected a support for cucumber plants and students were also busy cooking up a storm in the garden kitchen.
Here are some photos from the day.
Well done, everyone!
What makes authentic Christian education different?
Have you ever wondered what makes authentic Christian education different?
The College will explore this very important question in a Certificate of Authentic Christian Education course that College parents/guardians are invited to participate in later this term.
The course is offered at a discounted cost of $50 per person for parents/guardians who have children enrolled at the College.
Please RSVP online here by Friday 12 May.
If you have any questions, please email Dr Lindsay Graieg, Biblical Life & Worldview Curriculum Development Leader and Director of Teaching, at lindsay.graieg@gcc.wa.edu.au.
Take time today to build relationships
By Theresa Pomery
Student Support Counsellor
If we are honest with ourselves, we would acknowledge that we are all born for relationship; it is a core part of our being. Strong, respectful relationships can dramatically increase our motivation and willingness to learn. Healthy relationships increase our sense of worth, belonging, and mean that we are not alone.
Children begin to make sense and meaning of their world the day they are born; parents are the child’s first educator. The first relationship that children experience is the one they share with their parent or primary caregiver. The interactions between a parent and a baby give the child a sense of security and promote attachment. When parents respond to a baby’s cry, laughter, and babble, with cuddles, smiles and words, brain connections are built and strengthened.
What healthy relationships are, and how to have them, is not something that we spontaneously know; it is something we all learn. Children learn about relationships by watching the exchanges between others in their world. As adults, our own experiences, both positive and negative, influence how we view and act in the relationships we form.
While we lead busy lives and are time poor, I encourage you all to put away technology and connect with your family. One place our family has used to create connections is around the dinner table. Our family found it the perfect place to help each other with problems (not adult problems), hear about each other’s day, suffer listening to another dad joke and learn to enjoy each other’s company.
Over the holidays I sat with my two older children, and we experienced a beautiful sunset in the Pilbara. My children voiced their appreciation of the things that my husband Reg and I did while they were growing up, even if it was stopping at a cattle grate to look at how it worked or investigating another dead animal on the side of the road. They appreciated the knowledge that they had learnt through casual conversations while driving or enjoying activities.
The perfect example of relationship can be seen in the connections Jesus had with others. From His closest friends, to those He briefly met, Jesus’ life models the way in which we should relate to each other. Jesus backed up His words with actions, the way He cared, loved, and did life with those around Him is an example to us all on how to have a healthy relationship. With this in mind, I encourage you to put away devices, spend time with your family and build connections that are long lasting and beneficial to you all.
Wellbeing Corner: New programs for Term 2
By Tamicah Pettigrew
Chaplain
Welcome to term 2! We hope you enjoyed your holidays. Our team are excited about a few new activities kicking off in week 3. Secondary Lunchtime Bible Study will begin on Monday and run fortnightly for this term.
This will be a great time of fellowship for Secondary students who have a desire to learn more about God and the Bible and connect with other students in their faith.
We will also be running Christian Jam on Tuesday mornings before school in the Hall.
This will be a fun time of music and dance for Primary Students.
Parents and young siblings are welcome to come and join in the fun.
Mrs Hardy will be running some Wellbeing Activities for year 12s leading up to exam time, providing the students with opportunities to put self-care into practice as they prepare for this busy time.
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.
Calendar
Sunday May 7
Yr 11/12 Outdoor Ed expedition
Monday May 8
Yr 11/12 Outdoor Ed expedition
08:30am – 11am. OLNA Reading Yr 10 – Yr 12
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Country Week boys volleyball training – after school
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week after school Girls Volleyball Training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week netball training at Hangar
Tuesday May 9
Yr 11/12 Outdoor Ed expedition
3:10pm – 4:15pm. Sub-junior hockey training – at hockey stadium
3:30pm – 5pm. Homework Club (in-Term only and NOT on public holidays)*
Wednesday May 10
2:06pm – 3pm. Primary Assembly PP to Y6 in Hall
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Primary after school netball training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Drama rehearsals – speaking roles TP&TP
3:20pm – 4pm. Maths Support – Years 7 to 12 (in-term only)*
6pm – 7pm. Year 12 Information Evening in Hall
Thursday May 11
Homework Club (in-term only and not on public holidays)*
08:30am – 11am. OLNA Numeracy: Yr 10 – Yr 12
Friday May 12
07:15am – 08:15am. Country Week before-school hockey training in Wonthella
08:40am – 12pm. Yr 9 and 10 Gallipoli Trench visit
Saturday May 13
2pm – 4pm. Bike-a-thon – K to Yr 6
Monday May 15
09am – 1pm. Primary Interhouse Cross Country
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Country Week boys volleyball training – after school
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week after school Girls Volleyball Training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week netball training at Hangar (NOT on public holidays)
Tuesday May 16
1:30pm – 3pm. Secondary Interhouse Cross Country Carnival
3:10pm – 4:15pm. Sub-junior hockey training – at hockey stadium
3:30pm – 5pm. Homework Club (in-Term only and NOT on public holidays)*
Wednesday May 17
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Primary after school netball training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Drama rehearsals – speaking roles TP&TP
3:20pm – 4pm. Maths Support – Years 7 to 12 (in-term only)*
6:30pm – 8:30pm. Yr 9 & Yr 10 Pathways Information Evening in Hall
Thursday May 18
Homework Club (in-term only and not on public holidays)*
Friday May 19
07:15am – 08:15am. Country Week before-school hockey training in Wonthella
Monday May 22
Yr 12 EXAMS
08:50am – 10:20am. Numero Workshop (on-campus)
12pm – 2:30pm. Primary in-term swimming – Yr 1 to 6
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Country Week boys volleyball training – after school
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week after school Girls Volleyball Training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Country Week netball training at Hangar
Tuesday May 23
Yr 12 EXAMS
12pm – 2:30pm. Primary in-term swimming – Yr 1 to 6
3:10pm – 4:15pm. Sub-junior hockey training – at hockey stadium
3:30pm – 5pm. Homework Club (in-Term only and NOT on public holidays)*
Wednesday May 24
Yr 12 EXAMS
10am – 11am. Yr 9 Career Taster TAFE
12pm – 2:30pm. Primary in-term swimming – Yr 1 to 6
3:10pm – 4:30pm. Primary after school netball training
3:15pm – 4:15pm. Drama rehearsals – speaking roles TP&TP
3:20pm – 4pm. Maths Support – Years 7 to 12 (in-term only)
Thursday May 25
Homework Club (in-term only and not on public holidays)*
Yr 12 EXAMS
12pm – 2:30pm. Primary in-term swimming – Yr 1 to 6
Friday May 26
Yr 12 EXAMS
07:15am – 08:15am. Country Week before-school hockey training in Wonthella
12pm – 2:30pm. Primary in-term swimming – Yr 1 to 6
* Parents/guardians must complete an online consent form for their child to participate in after school Homework Club or Maths Support. Please email gavin.box@gcc.wa.edu.au to request a consent form.
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