I would like to welcome all our existing children and families back to school. It is wonderful to see you all back at school for the start of a new year and a new beginning.
I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to all the new students and families who have joined our GCC community this year. Everyone involved in the school works together as a team to create a learning environment that provides a balance of encouragement, support and challenge and I sincerely hope you feel welcome and that you enjoy and cherish your time with us as a member of the Glasshouse Christian College community.
We have had a wonderful start to the school year with the introduction of the Significant 72. The focus over the first 72 hours of school has been on building relationships with teachers, fellow class members and across year level teams. Besides other wonderful activities, our Year 1 students learnt how to buy a train ticket and then they took a train ride to Mooloolah where they had lunch. Our Year 2 students went to Pioneer Park and on a ‘Wonder water walk’. Year 3 students had a science experience with “Professor Jelly Bean” and they had a sleepover at Sea Life in Mooloolaba. In the Upper Primary classes, activities included team building with Character Builders, swims at the pool, an expert art class with Mrs Evans and sketching and hikes up Mt Ngungun. Classes also had a visit from Ava, our special four legged friend who helps out in the Eagle Centre from time to time. Ava enjoyed visiting classes, spending time with those students who needed a little TLC and she was a comfort during story time.
On the first day back to school, new students were welcomed by their buddies. We value the importance of the ‘buddy system’ and if your child is new to the school, they will have different buddies over the next few weeks to help them grow and develop their friendship circle.
The Year 6 Leadership program kicked into full swing this week and many of our wonderful older students will be around and about to help our younger students during lunch eating, on the playground and during play time.
Leadership is an important part of our GCC structure. This year our elected Year 6 leaders will participate in our first ever Primary Student Leadership retreat. This overnight retreat will be run by Mr Ford and myself with Mr Curtis spending some of the time with the students. The aim of the retreat is to build a strong sense of community, challenge students to grow personally, foster pride in the school and above all help students to understand that leadership is very much tied to serving others.
SRC members for Upper Primary classes and Year 3 House Captains will be elected over the next week and the Primary Leadership Induction assembly will be held in the church on Wednesday 20 February at 12:30pm.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the Parent Information evening on Monday this week. The sessions were so well attended and I was delighted that you had the opportunity to meet the teachers in the team and find out about the ‘modus operandi’ for the term ahead. I hope that you found the information helpful and that you have a better idea on how you can help and support your child make a successful start to the school year.
This week we had so much fun at the Year 3 – 6 swimming carnival (photos and details coming soon). It was a wonderful event! The competition was fierce and all the children had a chance to earn points for their House, cheer on their teams and have a dip in the pool. Thank you to all the parents who were able to come along, help out and support their children. Thank you also to the amazing PE department for all their great organisation and for all their hard work.
Our College G.R.E.A.T values underpin all that we do here at school. As we continue with our focus on ‘Our House’ this term, we will regularly talk about the importance of ‘what we say’ and ‘what we do’ and how this needs to align with our College values. Focusing on ‘Godliness’ our discussion and focus for the week ahead will be on how we can be more like Jesus in our words and actions and allow our own and the gifts of others to grow.
Gail Mitchell, Head of Primary