What an amazing time to be part of Glasshouse Christian College. Our students are not only making an impact on the College and Community but their influence is beginning to being felt beyond the borders of our country.

Sports Awards Night

Although I was not able to be present, the Sports Awards Night celebrated our students’ as teams and individuals who excelled in their field. The number of students who received a gold, silver or bronze award was testimony to the skill and dedication of our students.

The prestigious award of Primary Sportsman and Woman of the Year was presented to Daemon Cruise and Amy Trevan. In Secondary, the two students who took out this honour were Dain Milo and Cassidy Ferris.

Many of our students are making their mark on a state and national level and I can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in 2017. 

Staff Appreciation

Sandwiched between award and expo nights was our annual Staff Appreciation morning tea. Known by others as “World Teacher Day”, at GCC we have adopted it to honour all of our staff. The Hospitality Department did a beautiful job spoiling us with delicious sweet and savoury morsels and it was a lovely opportunity for a few minutes relaxation at a very busy time of the year. 

TedEx

For the first time ever Glasshouse Christian College held a TEDx conference. We were privileged to have Dr Robi Sonderegger who is a world famous humanitarian, social entrepreneur Navdeep Pasricha and Lachlan Smart, the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single engine plane. In addition to this heavy-weight line up, our very own Rob Steffler gave a talk on our DeLorean project and the work of our students.

It was a very successful night and the videos are on the TEDx Facebook page for anyone who would like to view them.

Middle and Senior Awards Night

Our Awards Night was again a marvellous celebration of the year that was here at GCC.

Along with the Academic, Diligence, GREAT and character awards there were highly prized individual awards given out on the night. This year Ariana Doolan was Middle School Dux and Miles Dawson College Dux. The Year 9 All Rounder was Hamish White and the Principal’s Award was presented to Kacey Dickens in Middle School and Isabelle Westaway in Senior School. The Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork went to Samuel Taylor in Year 10 and James Proud in Year 12. The CWA Community Service Award was presented to Moale James.

The University of the Sunshine Coast presented the Rise and Shine award to Aaron Lerch and finally, the Emily Lord Award was presented to Josh Andrews.

New College Captains for 2015

A long anticipated announcement of the Secondary Awards Night is the announcement of the College Captains for the following year. This year Jordan Bull and Ella O’Keefe were announced as the College Captains for 2017.

Our Primary College Captains are going to be announced at the Year 6 Graduation service to be held next Wednesday.

Remembrance Day Service

As incumbent College Captains were busy with their Year 12 exams our 2017 Captains Jordan and Ella accompanied me and the Middle and Primary Captains to the Beerwah Remembrance Day Service in Turner Park.

This year Olivia Logar and Ariana Doolan sang ‘Abide with Me’ and Bakani Kombanie played the Last Post and Reveille.  Back at the College, students were together when the bell sounded for a minute’s silence. Although it is a very sad day, it is good to remember the ultimate sacrifice so many made on our behalf.

Year 12 Formal

Last week was a very full one for the College beginning with the Year 12 formal on Wednesday night.

For the first time I was able to attend the formal not only as Principal but as a parent. I don’t think any parent is tall enough for that kind of emotional roller coaster! You feel sad, proud, happy, and scared – all at the same time. The touching ceremony left me in no doubt that GCC really cared about my child.

Well done to Rob Maguire, the Year 12 teachers and the whole team that made the occasion the success that it was. For those of you who couldn’t make it you would have been proud of the Class of 2016. If last night is anything to go by they are ready to take on the world. 

Delorean Day Expo

On 10 November, seven of our students worked with PhD research scientist as assistants on their real life projects. The students then delivered a 15 minute talk about the project in front of other PhD students, their supervisor and other invited academics, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor!

I was astounded at the real world nature of the science they were doing, their articulation and understanding. They also had to field questions from the floor by academics curious about their respective projects, these were genuine PhD investigations after all. It really was an amazing evening and a small taste of the actual DeLorean Expo held on Thursday 17 November.

The Expo gave all of our Year 10 DeLorean students the opportunity to present their projects to friends, family and staff. It was a great night with a terrific buzz and energy.

There is no doubt that the students have learned so much from this experience.

Congratulations to Rob Steffler, Colleen Crase and the whole DeLorean team. 

Graduation

This was our biggest graduating class yet so it was a fitting time to expand from the Legacy Garden outside the theatre and put the 2016 gift in the Art Courtyard. The new placement meant there was plenty of room for students and families to gather for the unveiling.

The formal part of the service was conducted in the Undercover Area and I was very proud of how our students behaved – especially the younger classes. One of our students who has been at the GCC her whole school life, Holly Dodwell, said that she remembered as a little girl seeing the students graduate and thinking, “One day that is going to be me.” This is one of the reasons we include all the primary students in the service – it gives them something to aspire to.

For the first time our students wore gowns and mortarboards and they really looked the part. It was an emotional time for everyone and I nearly ‘lost it’ myself when it was time to congratulate my own daughter.

After the service, the clap out is like a release for all the pent up emotions. There were high fives, hugs, kisses, bubbles, flags and posters – and that was just from the Prep students!

On behalf of everyone at GCC, I would like to wish the Year 12 graduating students of 2016 all the very best. I look forward to learning of their accomplishments in the future. 

Baby News

Many people were a little scared to drink the water at GCC after three staff members had babies within a week of each other.

First crib off the rank was Brad Evans whose wife, Lacey, gave birth to little Drew on 3 November. Drew was welcomed by his two older sisters and looks like he is in for a lot of spoiling in the future.

On Wednesday of the same week Chappy Dan and (former) Chappy Danni brought a little girl into the world. Adriella Bassett was welcomed by her slightly older but much bigger brother, Malachi.

Not to be outdone, Rachel West and her husband Aaron, welcomed their first child, Ada Leigh West a couple of days later. At the same time Rachel was becoming a mother, her mother and GCC Teaching Assistant Robyn Buchanan became a grandmother for the first time. Congratulations to the West and Buchanan families.

Staff changes in 2017

Stephen Chbosky once said; “Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn’t stop for anybody.” It’s at this time of year, we realise how much of that is true.

After 13 years at GCC Rob Hill is retiring from teaching and will be spending more time in photography. We wish Rob all the best and look forward to seeing more of his photographs around the place.

Lee-Anne Brissett is moving to Melbourne and decided the commute would be just a bit too much! Chappy Dan Bassett has been called to be the sole pastor at Agnes Waters Baptist Church so we will miss him, Danni and their growing family. We are also farewelling Nadine Fleming, Jose Fuentes, ‘Chappy’ Mat Vaoesa, Jonathan Cooper and Christine Walton. I would like to thank all of these staff members for their wonderful contributions to the College and wish them God’s richest blessings on their future endeavours.

Have a great holiday

In the lead up to Christmas I would encourage everyone to attend the Community Christmas Carols on Saturday 16 December. This year famous children’s entertainer Colin Buchanan is going to be the headline act along with a stellar line up ending with the spectacular fireworks.

If you don’t normally go to church, Christmas Day is the perfect time to see what happens as you won’t be the only visitor. Local church services are featured in Glasshouse Country News and you can always ask a College staff member.

As another year draws to a close, I am thankful for all that God has done at GCC in 2016 and can’t wait to see what He does in 2017.

Mike Curtis, Principal.