By Joshua Arundell
Secondary Teacher Sport and Recreation
Two groups of intrepid Year 8 students left school for a day to tackle the cliffs of Kalbarri’s gorges this term.
They first had to achieve the major milestone of waking up early to be at school by 7am!
The yawning teenagers then headed off, arriving at the gorges mid-morning, ready to push past fear and experience the thrill of abseiling.
Students had a range of feelings from apprehension to downright terror, but one by one, with encouragement from their friends and teachers, overcame their fears and proved to themselves that they could overcome the challenge.
I was most impressed with the students for showing their determination to overcome the challenge before them.
Just as Solomon tells us Proverbs 17:17: “A friend is there to help, in any situation, and relatives are born to share our troubles.”
So, when the wind and waves of life press in around us, let each of us seek support from those around us and, even more so, from our friend and brother, Jesus Christ.
Sophia wins Carols by Candlelight poster competition
Year 8 student Sophia P has won the Geraldton Christian Churches Carols By Candlelight poster competition.
Sophia was declared the winner by unanimous committee vote and received a $200 cash prize.
Her poster will now feature on the front cover of the event program and in posters promoting the event, which will be held at Maitland Park on Sunday 10 December from 5pm (see flyer in Noticeboard below for more information).
Carols committee member Kim Jackson said the competition, with themes “Celebrating peace” and “love, hope and joy”, was open to all Secondary school students in Geraldton.
“The Christmas message is that – even in a troubled world – peace can be celebrated through the ‘Prince of Peace’, Jesus Christ,” he said.
Mr Jackson said it was the creativity of Sophia’s entry that most impressed.
“It was just so very different. It was refreshing,” he said.
Sophia said she was excited her work was chosen as the winning entry.
“I put a lot of effort into it – researching, painting and then importing it (digitally) – so it’s exciting that it will now be out there for everyone to see,” she said.
“Coming up with the idea was the biggest part. I didn’t want it to be mainstream.”
Sophia, a first-time entrant in the competition who enjoys art as a hobby, said she felt it was important to include symbols of hope and peace from Aboriginal culture in her design.
“I chose to paint a Christmas wreath with doves, flowers and eagle feathers,” she said.
“In many different cultures, including Christianity, the dove represents peace and new beginnings.
“The eagle feathers are a symbol of peace and friendship in Aboriginal/indigenous cultures.
“The final part of my creation was the Christmas roses, which are a symbol of love and hope.
“The rose is related to Jesus’ birth and the shepherdess Madeon, who became upset as she did not have a gift for the baby.
“An angel appeared as she wept, and as the angel swept away the snow it uncovered the beautiful white Christmas roses.”
Sophia said she had not decided how she would spend her prize.
“I will probably save it. I’m not a big spender,” she said.
The Carols will get under way from 5pm with family activities organised by Sun City Youth, followed by the main program from 7pm.
Performers will include a 100-strong Geraldton primary schools choir, soloists Lachlan Anderson, Joshua Gibson and Lutheran Pastor Joseph Theodorsen, along with popular Carols mainstays the Geraldton City Band.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a fold up chair or blanket to sit on and warm clothes.
Food vans will be in operation, or patrons may bring a picnic hamper.
Mr Jackson said all were welcome to join in “a beautiful way to begin the Christmas season”.
Emmalyn wins Yearbook cover competition
While on the subject of art competitions, we congratulate Emmalyn C (Year 5), who won our College competition to design the 2023 College Yearbook cover.
We also congratulate Joel A (Year 1), who was runner-up in the competition.
The theme for this year’s competition was “God’s design”.
Emmalyn received a $100 voucher for winning the competition, while Joel received art materials.
The Yearbook will be circulated to families early in 2024.
Another year ‘out of the box’
By Nateeka White
Kindergarten Teacher
We have had a wonderful year in Kindy and we celebrate the completion and the amazing growth of the children.
To remember the year in a fun way, we created the above image using photo imaging software.
As always, our wonderful Kindy children and staff made it a year that was “out of the box”.
Reflecting on the year, we would also like to give a big thank you to Aiden (Year 9), who this term has been working on making a shop front for the Kindy classroom (see photo below).
Girls and boys take to field for interschool cricket
By Janelle Phillips
Secondary Teacher Health and Physical Education | Cricket Coordinator
On Friday 17 November, 42 students from Years 5 and 6 spent a glorious warm day at GBSC Sports Park, playing cricket against other Geraldton Primary schools as a part of the annual Year 5/6 Cricket Cup.
Mr Daniels, Mr Adams, Mr Boonzaier and I each coached a team, with two girls teams and two boys teams representing the College.
Students had been playing cricket during Physical Education lessons in the lead-up and enthusiasm was at an all-time high!
It was a tiring but equally satisfying day and the 36 degrees temperature couldn’t stop the kids from having a blast.
Skills were improved, fun was had and plenty of wins were notched up along the way.
A big thank you to the Midwest Cricket Manager, Tia Hatch, for organising the city-wide event.
Boat launches new frontier for water-based activities
Here is a photo of some of our students with the College’s new military-spec soft inflatable boat (SIB), which will be used for Outdoor Education programs, camps and events.
The boat is an essential addition in mitigating risk to several newly-introduced activities like wind-winging; stand up paddle boarding; and snorkelling which can now be taught and learned more efficiently.
As announced in the last Blog, the College will introduce Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST) and Community Surf Rescue courses as School Curriculum and Standards Authority endorsed programs in our outdoor education curriculum.
Students who complete the programs successfully in Year 10 will attain an additional WACE C grade from SCSA.
It will also provide the first step in progressing to a commercial Coxswain skippers ticket for those seeking a career in the boating industry.
Students bake farewell gift for fellow graduates
By Sonja Lochner
Secondary Teacher Food Science and Technology
The last day with the Year 12 Food Science and Technology class was celebrated baking delicious cheesecakes, served to all of the Year 12 students during lunch.
Although we took our cooking very seriously, we always had time to have fun in the kitchen.
A message of hope and peace for every day of the year
By Tamicah Pettigrew
Chaplain
What a busy and blessed year we have had. The Wellbeing Team has enjoyed engaging with students through the different programs and activities that we run either before school or during lunchtimes and look forward to even more fun in 2024!
We want to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all College families. We pray that your holidays are abundantly blessed and filled with rest, refreshing, and happy family times.
As we celebrate this Christmas, may we be mindful of the gift given to us in the birth of Jesus. The One who came to be the Saviour of the world, offering hope and peace not just for Christmas, but for every day of the year.
See you in the new year!
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Pixabay/KarlHerl
Interest sought for 2024 student exchange – Germany
Geraldton Christian College is partnering with a private Christian college in Hessen, Germany on a student exchange program for Years 10, 11 and 12 students.
The next exchange is set to run from late June to the end of July 2024.
Host families in Geraldton are needed during that time for a period of 6 to 10 weeks.
The program runs over the school holidays, allowing host students to better experience life in Australia.
Principal Gavin Hirschhausen said student exchanges can be challenging for the students, but they
are “an exceptional personal growth opportunity”.
To express interest please email admin@gcc.wa.edu.au.
Uniform Shop stocktake and opening hours
By Jackie Graham
Uniform Shop Coordinator
The Uniform Shop will close for stocktake from Friday 1 December until Friday 8 December 2023. Online ordering through QuickCliQ will be unavailable during stocktake, reopening from Monday 11 December 2023. Orders placed online from 11 December will be filled by staff in the New Year.
The Uniform Shop will re-open on Tuesday 16 January 2024 with varying hours (which will be communicated by email to families). New families are the priority in the new year for uniform fitting/sales so limited shop hours will be available for existing families.
Existing Families will be able to fit clothing only. Once you have sizing, you can order online through QuickCliQ for your children. Alternatively you can complete a paper order form and pay for your items, and staff will phone to let you know when uniform is ready for collection. Cash sales will not be available.
Uniform Shop staff will be very busy during their opening times, so please be patient and understanding. We would suggest coming in as early as you can to ensure that uniform can be packed ready for collection prior to the first day back for Term 1.
The College has made a large uniform order with our supplier for polo shirts, which we hope will be here by the 15th of January. We are very low in some sizes, so items may not be available for immediate collection in the New Year. Families will be notified to collect items as soon as they are available. We appreciate your understanding and patience with this.
If you have any uniform queries, please contact Jackie Graham in the Uniform Shop by phone 9938 9100 or email uniform@gcc.wa.edu.au.
Kapture Photos – last chance to order 2023 images
Last opportunity to purchase purchase portraits, class and special group photos for 2023. Photos will be removed from the Kapture website at the end of this term. School code has been emailed to families.
Noticeboard
Kickstart 2024 will be held on Monday to Wednesday, February 5-7.
Kickstart is an orientation camp run by the university Christian Unions in Western Australia for Christians starting uni in 2024.
You’ll meet other Christians from your uni, both first year students and upper years who can tell you all you need to know about uni life. It’s a great way to prepare for your first year on campus.
• 5–7 February 2024
• Ern Halliday Recreation Camp, Whitfords Ave, Hillarys, WA.
• Price: $190 (includes meals and accommodation)
More information here: Kickstart Camp 2024 – AFES WA
As part of its 40th year celebrations, the Lions Eye Institute is running the Eye to Eye Photographic Competition in Western Australia.
Entries are open 6 December 2023 to 16 January 2024. There are four categories focused on eyes and eye health.
Entries are open to Western Australian residents and there is an Under 18 category called Seeing Through a Child’s Eye, with a $500 cash prize to be won.
If you are looking for a creative opportunity over the school holidays – take your best Western Australian photo of human eyes, animal eyes or show us the world through your eyes.
Competition details and entry information can be found at https://eyetoeye.lei.org.au
