Welcome old and new families and students to a new year!
This year our theme is How GREAT is our God – focusing once again on our GREAT values of Godliness, Respect, Excellence, Attitude and Teachability.
As we reflect on this, perhaps all the questions parents and students have about this year are placed in a better perspective. For example: Will my child be successful this year? Will they have good friendships and positive relationships with their teachers and the other staff at GCCC? Will they enjoy the year and have fun? Will they resolve any issues well?
The answers begin with a God who loves us wholly and unconditionally; who made us each with a unique set of talents, gifts and a wonderful personality; and, who demonstrated through Jesus, a life that shows how to hold fast to truth and justice while at the same time show humility, compassion and mercy.
So, this year – as you celebrate or struggle remember this is what we believe in. Come and see us, drop us a line, or encourage your child in knowing this fact.
Year Level Coordinators and new PC (Pastoral Care) teachers for 2014
| Year 7 | 7G Mr Matt Ware (Year Level Coordinator) |
| 7M Miss Nadine Fleming | |
| 7W Mrs Primrose Kombanie | |
| Year 8 | 8W Mrs Kerri-Anne Draper (Year Level Coordinator) |
| 8M Mr Jarrad Pienaar | |
| 8G Mrs Sonya Kadel | |
| Year 9 | 9G Mr Russell Modlin (Year Level Coordinator) |
| 9W Mrs Cassie Mc Kenzie | |
| 9M Ms Colleen Crase |
If you need to contact someone regarding your child’s school life – please email or ring these people in the first instance.
Calendar Dates for Middle School this term
| Parent Info Evening | Wednesday 5 February (Next week) 6.30pm |
| Swimming Carnival | Friday 7 February |
| Yr 8 Launchpad | Tuesday 11 February |
| MS Leaders Induction | Wednesday 12 February, 8.30am – 9.30am |
| Yr 9 Launchpad | Thursday 13 February |
| Yr 7 Launchpad | Friday 14 February |
| School Photos | Thurs 27 March and Catchup on 06 March |
| Yr 7 Canberra Camp | Week 10 this term |
| Yr 8 Mary Valley Camp | Week 10 this term |
| Yr 9 Pindari Camp | Week 5 Term 2 |
PE Uniform days
At GCCC, two days/week are allocated to each class based on their Sport and PE days to wear PE uniform for the day. All other days, formal uniform must be worn. Students, who study ‘Extended HPE’ or Dance, will need to bring their PE uniform to school and get changed in the breaks. The allocated PE Uniform days are
- All 7 Tuesday and Friday
- 8G/8M Tuesday and Friday
- 8W Monday and Friday
- All 9 Wednesday and Thursday
Homework Expectations and Assessment
Here is a table of the school’s guidelines for homework.
Year Level | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| Homework Allocation | 70 minutes/day or 5 ½ hrs/week | 80 minutes/day or 6 ½ hrs/week | 90 minutes/day or 7 ½ hrs/week |
| Maths | 30 min x 3 times/week | 40 min x 3/week | 40 min x 4/week |
| Science | 30 min/ x 2 times/week | 30 min x 2/week | 40 min x 2/week |
| Humanities | 30 min x 3 times/week | 40 min x 3/week | 50 min x 3/week |
| French | 30 minutes x 2 times/week | 30 min x 2/week | 60 min/week |
| ElectivesChristian St.HPE | 50 min/week | 40-50 min/week |
While the elective subjects, do not as a rule set homework, there may be class work or assessments that need to be polished or finished at home. If there is no set homework a student should be revising work learnt and covered in class.
High predictors of solid academic scores are directly correlated to how much a person reads. So please encourage your child to read AND to make it a regular habit.
iPads
This year we have placed a new operating system on all iPads. This system enables us to place a variety of restrictions on the school iPads. We have restricted:
- Downloading of ‘explicit’ censored material such as podcasts and music
- In-app purchases
- iMessage
Extracurricular
Glasshouse offers a myriad of extracurricular opportunities for our students. Many of them are at no extra cost and staff voluntarily give of their own time. Here is an overview:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Before School | Vocal Group / Ballet classes / Swimming practice (7.30am) | Swimming practice (7.30am) | |||
| 2nd Break Secondary | Dance Extension classes | MS Chapel Band / MS Dance Troupe | Dance Extension classes / Vocal group practiceFrench Club | ||
| After School | Drama Club | High School Band | 3.00 on After school sport | Dance Extension classes Homework club in Library | Musical Rehearsals |
Looking forward to a productive and wonderful year.
Jacq Vreeling, Head of Middle School