There was a great buzz and excitement that permeated through the air last Wednesday as the year 4 cohort left the College premises to experience the challenges, wonders and delights of camp life and food at Luther Heights Youth Camp. Some of the main highlights of the camp included: body boarding, zip lining, rogaining, building …
As the summer heat appears to be in decline, we are preparing to sow our winter vegetables. Snow Peas are shooting already; the seed sown from last year’s prosperous harvests. Cabbages and cauliflower seedlings will be planted, and we will begin to discover which pests will need to be kept at bay from the brassica …
At our school, music is more than just a subject on the curriculum – it’s a vibrant and exciting program that gets kids involved in playing, performing, and participating in choirs and school ensembles. Our music program offers opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to learn new skills, build confidence, and have fun …
Year 1 was fortunate enough to take a trip to Wildlife HQ at the end of week 4. In English, students are learning how to write information reports and in Science, they have been learning about habitats. We have been using all of this knowledge combined to write about Australian animals. While we were there, …
As we welcomed our students back to the start of another school year, on Wednesday this week we had the privilege to induct our Primary School Leaders for 2023. They have been challenged to be ‘Courageous’ leaders and I am confident that they will embody this quality as they serve as role models and guides …
Welcome to the start of another exciting school year in Honours! I am delighted to be teaching Honours this year and I am very grateful for the warm welcome to the role from staff and students. This term, we are placing a special emphasis on literature and mathematical investigations, offering students the opportunity to delve …
The year 4 cohort had a ‘flying start’ to the term including the ultimate paper aeroplane competition. Students worked in teams of four where each student chose to make a paper plane that would fly in a target round (hitting the target), hangtime round (the plane that stayed in the air the longest), accuracy (the plane …
It has been delightful to welcome the new group of Preps at GCC. They are settling into school life beautifully in their shiny new shoes and crisp uniforms. Starting at “big school” can sometimes be daunting for Preppies, so it was extra special to bring a treasured friend to Prep for a day in the first week of …
Today I am going to put a spotlight on the literacy program InitiaLit that is being implemented in the Prep-Year 2 classes. So what is InitaLit? – it is exactly what it sounds like “initial literacy” learning. The InitiaLit program is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and …
Someone described generosity as being like a heartbeat. It is involuntary. It happens without conscious thought. It is the “without a second thought” showing love to another. A generous person lives a lifestyle of generosity. A lifestyle is defined as the habits, attitudes, moral standards and actions that make up a person’s manner of living. …
What a fantastic day we had on Wednesday to support Compassion! This year we have introduced a Compassion student into every year level in our Primary school. Each of these children are treated like “one of the class” and moves up to the next year level with the cohort. Students at GCC have a great …
This year’s Middle School Experience Day was a blast of fun. We had the opportunity to experience what school will be like in Year 7. It consisted of various activities, including dance, science, music, food tech, PE, pastoral care and a navigation activity called ‘Where’s What?’ where Year 6 students had clues about places they …
As part of this term’s Design Technology and Science units, Year 1 students participated in an art incursion by Reverse Garbage. In Science, this term students have been learning about sound and how this is made through vibrations. Students were thrilled to have the opportunity to create their very own instrument. They learned about how …
We have finished off another bumper year of chess challenges at GCC and we even managed to squeeze in one more inter-school competition this term! Two teams of primary students and one team of secondary students competed at the St Columban’s Invitational Chess Competition. This competition attracted many schools from the Moreton Bay area. All …
On Thursday, Year 1 students had a visit from some of our local firefighters, Greg and Michael. Students listened to an interactive educational talk where they were taught how to: Call 000 for help and be reminded of the importance of knowing their home address. What to do if for some reason you catch on …
On Friday we will all wear something red as we remember Daniel Morcombe but it will also be a time, with Halloween coming up and the events that surround this practice, that it is important to be careful of our safety especially when we are placed in unfamiliar surroundings and situations. For our Primary students, …
Year 3 was fortunate enough to take a trip to Australia Zoo this week. In English, we are learning about information reports. We are writing about endangered and Australian animals. We started our trip at the zoo with morning tea and headed down to Africa. We took a closer look at all the African animals …
We have had a great start to the term and have enjoyed a wonderful Primary Swimming Carnival, a spectacular display of dance with the Primary Dance troupe performing a number of outstanding routines at the College Dance night, an author visit and excellent support for Operation Christmas Child. There was a tower of boxes in …
Last Friday the Year 4 students undertook a geology trip to Kings Beach Caloundra, led by Dr Taz Walker and Scott Devlin from Creation Ministries. The students learned about and discovered the different types of rock formations: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Yar 4 students also learned and gathered information to find erosion and weathering …
After an inspirational writing immersion day at St Andrew’s Anglican College, two aspiring Year 6 writers were encouraged to enter the Hinterland Times Young Writer of the Year Competition. This is a particularly tough competition as it attracts strong writers from around the coast and hinterland region each year, with entrants between the ages of …
In our assembly this week we were able to celebrate a large number of primary students who have been busy challenging themselves in several gruelling competitions this semester. In August, a group of 28 students from Years 3 to 6 were nominated by their teachers to participate in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Beet. The Spelling …
We have a massive couple of days in Primary these coming weeks! Legacy Cup event Wednesday, SCISSA Gala Day Thursday, Wildlife Warriors Day on Friday and then Colour Run next week. Crazy fun to end the term! On Wednesday we had our Legacy Cup event for Term 3, which was old-school “Ball Games”. We had …
It was wonderful to see so many dads and grandads at our special Father’s Day breakfast this week. Thank you to all who managed to share the morning with us. The children loved having you at school and there were some teary goodbyes when you had to leave. Did you know that the first Father’s …
This last week Year 5 journeyed north to Maranatha Recreation Camp, Boulder Creek to experience some exciting outdoor adventure challenges. Students used teamwork skills to create rope bridges, rafts, orienteering and also support one another as they climbed the Tower of Tremble. They overcame their fears as they completed the high ropes challenge and hurled …
Four of our passionate Year 6 writers and programmers ventured off to a Deep Dive extension day organised by the Sunshine Coast Independent Primary Heads Association (SCIPHA). The writing day was hosted by St Andrew’s Anglican College and focussed on the theme ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open’. Students were treated to a masterclass in bringing their …
Last term students in Prep to Year 6 had the opportunity to enter the Sunshine Coast Council Wild HeART Student Art Competition. To enter, students created an artwork depicting Australian native flora and fungi, Australian native fauna and threatened species. There were many wonderful entries from Glasshouse Christian College, including water-colouring paintings of koalas and cockatoos, detailed drawings of echidnas and …
As a teaching team, we have recently had the opportunity to work with Anna Korab, our writing consultant from Melbourne and we are looking forward to working with Hilton Ayrey, our reading consultant from New Zealand, at the end of the month. Anna worked with teachers across five teams and also ran the staff meeting …
Students from Year 3 had an amazing time on their excursions to Bankfoot House last week. Each class went on a separate day and were very excited to board the bus and learn about our local history. Students participated in four rotational activities, learning about life at Bankfoot House and the people who once lived …
What a week Year 1 had! On Tuesday they had a super fun-filled morning of being scientists! To start the day, all of the Year 1 students watched an interactive science show where we learnt about colour-changing catalysts, different sounds that can be made, how to make clouds and different scientific languages. The students were …
Year 3 students are becoming very independent and are working well together. Here are some of the things they have been doing in class this term: Mathematics Students have now finished with their division unit and moving on to addition and subtraction. They will be covering this over the next two weeks and learning about …
The Prep classes recently had a fabulous incursion. It was gorgeous. Kevin from “Evergreen Puppet Theatre” took us on a calming, educational journey through an imaginary rainforest, called “Rainforest Experience”. All through the presentation, we listened to a relaxing soundtrack of rainforest sounds and gentle music. Through Kevin’s use of puppets, we were introduced to …
On Monday, 25 July, the Year 4 students experienced the wonderful world of forces. Cran, from Its Rocket Science, engaged with students in scientific concepts and language about forces to help students make connections between theory and practice. A former commercial pilot and a big passion for flying, Cran connected with all the students in a highly …
The Year 6 cohort has been creating illustrations guided by local artist Paul O’Sullivan over the last 4 weeks. Paul is a novel illustrator and bought in an unpublished text by author Gary Crew for the students to create pictures for. They learned about the process of generating ideas to add a third narrative to a …
Year 6 illustration workshops with Paul O’Sullivan Read More »
What a great first day of term we had. The Year 1 students were able to enjoy a science demonstration by our very own Mrs G! There were lots of happy students as they watched different liquids mixed together and had a go at being scientists. Their faces of awe and gasps of excitement when they …
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our families returning to school this week and especially to new families joining us for the first time. We hope that you will feel most welcome and we are delighted to have you join our GCC community. Getting off to a great start During …
Returning to school after a holiday break can be tricky for some students to adjust. Families are a child’s safe and preferred space so some children might be reluctant to return to school. Here are some things you can try to help get back into the swing of things: Talk positively about school and staff …
On the last day of Term 2, Year 1 students hosted a celebration party for the Year 7 students. There was great anticipation in the lead-up to the party and the students were very excited to see their buddy from Prep. In class, they had worked hard to create invitations, party hats, decorations and even …
Student reports bring mixed feelings for parents. Pleasure and pride if children are performing well but possible angst when children are not progressing as hoped. Reports can mean anxious times for children too. Will my parents be disappointed or proud? This is the main concern of most children. Children of all ages take their cues …
Term 2 has been another eventful term for our Primary Chess Club. Thirty students have been playing at the club, some are regular players and others come along and give it a try, but all are welcome. This term, Cooper Beavan, Bryce Stout, Connor Boss, Lauren Stout and Evie Coulson competed in the Sunshine Coast …
We’ve just finished our Pyjama Day and it was a tremendous success. Congratulations to the Primary SRC for an excellent event and to all our students and families for getting on board and supporting this worthy cause. This year, in our Primary Assemblies, we have been talking about the theme of ‘Living a Generous Life’. …
The Prep to Year 2 students set the stage for an amazing atmosphere for their Cross Country. Parents, students and staff enjoyed the sunshine, light breeze and music amongst the cheering and war cry chants which carried every racer through to the finish line. Due to all the rain earlier in the term, a new …
The skills the children learn at GCC reach way beyond the classroom walls. In our Sports lessons at the moment, the Prep children are having wonderful fun riding Balance Bikes. For some this is easy, for others, it has been a challenge. Everyone is showing a wonderful “growth mindset” as they learn new skills and learn how much …
While the spirit is brittle and must be treated gently, the will is made of steel. If you have a strong-willed child in your family, I am sure you already know it. You don’t need anyone to point him or her out to you. Typically smart, confident and loyal, strong-willed children show a remarkable capacity …
The blessed rains have ceased, just in time for us to welcome our Preps, Year 1 and 2 students into the Kitchen Garden. Praise God! We are beginning winter here in Southern Queensland, which is merely a blink and it’s over for our ‘cool-season’ crops. We planted some broccoli and cauliflower seedlings amongst the pollinator-attracting …
One of my favourite picture book authors is Mem Fox. You might know of her work with Australian timeless classic titles such as Possum Magic, Koala Lou, I’m Australian Too and Where Is the Green Sheep? just to name a few. Written almost 20 years ago, Mem Fox’s book written for teachers and parents called Reading …
I often have many parents chatting with me about building more resilient children. Maybe their young people are struggling with friends. Maybe they are finding some particular learning a challenge and they just want to give up. The list goes on! I know in our house things can be challenging at times and sometimes it …
Year 3 had an exceptional time at their very first overnight camp! Students had an amazing time experiencing nature and building wonderful memories and connections with their friends. While at camp the students participated in many exciting outdoor experiences including; big games, obstacle courses, JR zipline, team building and mini catapult. Students stayed positive even …
On 23 – 25 May, GCC Primary had Writing Consultant Ann Korab run professional development workshops with the Primary teaching staff. This professional development consisted of an afternoon workshop with all Primary teachers and three full-day workshops with Year levels 1, 4 and 6. Ann Korab is a highly experienced consultant who specialises in Narrative …
It stayed dry enough, for long enough, for Year 5 to enjoy a day at the Gympie Gold Museum this last Monday. Driving along the Bruce Highway under patchy blueish-grey skies, our hearts were full of hope to strike it rich, panning for gold. Upon arrival, the students had a short morning tea break before dividing …
This May our Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 cohorts have been participating in NAPLAN. For our Year 3 and 5 students, this was their first ever NAPLAN experience. For our Year 7s and 9s, they haven’t completed NAPLAN since they were in grades 3 and 5! This is because NAPLAN was cancelled back in …
