College Dedication Service
The first of the GCCC core values is godliness and for this reason we dedicate the College, its staff, students, families and board members at a Dedication Service each year. It is a good way to begin the year – thanking God for His faithfulness to us over the years and asking Him to be with us in our future.
This year we had Mr Ross Newell talk about the history of the College as his family have been part of GCCC when it was just a vision of the church elders. Ross talked about the endless working bees clearing the land with trees so stubborn that tractors couldn’t budge them. Students were surprised to learn that the whole campus was one big swamp and a lot of time and thought had to go into drainage before building could even take place.
Ross spoke of the great atmosphere at the working bees and how everyone chipped in giving up all their weekends and spare time to realise the vision of a Christian school in Beerwah.
Sarah Davis was also a guest speaker at the service. Sarah wasour College Captain in 2012 when she graduated with an OP1. Sarah is also a foundation student and features in that little black and white photo of 15 students taken on the first day of school 15 years ago. Sarah spoke with fondness of her time at GCCC, her memories of friendships, and how her education prepared her for life and university.
P and F Family Fun Day – Postponed Due to Weather
Sadly we have had to make a decision to postpone. Stay tuned for the new date.
Donation of Fabric from Millhouse Collections
We received a very generous donation of fabric from Millhouse Collections. Our IFD students will enjoy using this fabric in their assignments and projects for some time to come.
Ecumenical Service
On Tuesday 17 February, I, 22 of our student leaders, along with Chappy Michelle and Chappy Dan chaplains travelled to Pacific Lutheran College for the annual Ecumenical Service.
This year the theme was ‘Being Light in the World’. The guest speaker was Dr Mark Worthing, an expert on the interface between faith and science. Each school was asked to submit a couple of questions about science and faith and part of the service was devoted to a question and answer time with Dr Worthing. Schools were also asked to submit one specific prayer request and these were addressed during a time of prayer and intercession.
There were about 200 people attending the service from all the independent schools on the Sunshine Coast. It was a good service and I was very proud of how our student leaders represented the College.
Parking Protocols
As you come into the College (just before the entry road veers right) there is a sign saying Staff Parking Only. The small parking lane area beside J, I and H blocks is for staff only. Even if you think you will just be a few minutes dropping your children off to Helping Hands (for example) please do not park in this area. Staff arrive early to unload all their materials to find this car park full at 8am but a short time later there are spaces where they could have parked. Please obey all car park signs out of respect for others.
How to help your children be better students
This is the second of ten tips I will be sharing with you over Semester 1. Don’t tell your child that you weren’t good at maths.
Some parents might feel intimidated by the thought of helping children with their maths homework, especially in the upper grades but maths is here to serve you, not to trip you up.
Maths should make life easier, and mastery can start at home with parents showing that they’re not frightened by numbers. One way to make math more accessible is to relate it to daily activities. Capitalise on examples where maths is useful, especially the kinds of calculations adults do daily like measuring ingredients, managing sums of money, working out distances.
This way, children see how what they’re learning matters in life.
Mike Curtis, Principal