Welcome back everyone. I hope you all had a relaxing time over the holidays and are feeling refreshed and ready for a new year. It is going to be an exciting, full year and I can’t wait for what lies ahead.
Firstly, I would like to thank you all for your patience during the construction of the roadways, entrances and exits over the past two weeks. I really appreciate that you all took the extra time to drive carefully and walk a little further. The old saying, “a little pain for a lot of gain” is very true in this case.
The transition of our new oval from lake to swamp to sandy beach to fresh grass has finally taken place and it is looking good. There is still a waiting time for the grass to establish itself but we hope to begin using it gently in a few weeks and then enjoy full use by the end of the term.
Our Music rooms are on schedule and as soon as they are completed construction will begin on the new Hospitality and Dance rooms which should be finished by the end of this year. Did you have a chance to see our Facebook live tour of inside the construction? If not, you can view it on YouTube here.
Talking Yearbook
Did you know that the 2018 Yearbook will talk and even sing to you? Scattered throughout the pages you will see a little red arrow on some of the photos. This means the photo will literally come to life and you can see all the action in video! All the information on how to do this is inside the front cover of the Yearbook and we also included a letter explaining it in more detail. It’s as simple as downloading a free app on your smartphone then following the instructions.
We have also put together a video so you can see how it works. There is also a dedicated page on our website which has instructions, troubleshooting tips and the above video.
I’m very excited by our augmented reality Yearbook and believe we may be the only school on the Sunshine Coast (and possibly in Queensland) who has created one.
Bible verse for 2019
This year our Bible verse is from John 3:16. This will be a familiar one to those of you who go to church or went to Sunday School as a child. However, there will be many more who have not heard it or maybe understand it fully. It is such a foundational verse that we wanted to make it our focus this year. It reads; “For God loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
New Staff in 2019
This has probably been our smallest intake of new staff as the College has settled into its three streams from Prep to Year 12 a couple of years ago now. It is a great place to work so we have very little staff turnover. I hope you will make our new staff feel welcome as you see them around the campus.
We introduced Adrian Ford, our new Assistant Head of Primary in last year’s newsletter and many of you have already met him at last year’s concerts and this year’s welcome barbeque last Wednesday night. We have five other new staff and you can read more about them below.
Winston Broad – Bus Driver
It’s a delight to join the staff of GCC to drive one of your school buses!
I began at GCC at the end of 2018 and during those last three weeks of school I found a wonderful atmosphere and welcome at your College. I’ve enjoyed my daily time with students on the bus, and discovered that “the wheels on the bus go…” well, you know what they do!
I moved from the Gold Coast to this lovely Glasshouse region mid 2018 with my wife Joy. I have eight years’ experience teaching in Christian schools and quite a few years in business.
My prayer is that I can be a blessing to the kids and the daily ministry of GCC. Thank you for your warm welcome.
Ben Glass – Primary Teacher
I am really excited to join Glasshouse Christian College after teaching Design and Technologies at Unity College in Caloundra.
My wife and I have 3 sons (Xander, Tobias, Lincoln) all under the age of 5. We have only recently moved up from Sydney after feeling called to the Sunshine Coast. Since moving here we have enjoyed all the activities and entertainment the Sunshine Coast has to offer such as surfing, swimming and community events throughout the year.
As a family we are very passionate about kids having the opportunity to be in relationship with Jesus and because of this we volunteer our time as the kids pastors at Hillsong Noosa on Sunday and summer Camps.
Isaiah Logan – College Pastor
I’m one of the College Pastors here at Glasshouse Christian College as well as Associate Pastor at Glasshouse Country Baptist Church. I am super excited to be joining the pastoral team and getting to know all the students in Secondary here at the College.
I have been a long time youth group and camp leader, oversaw the running of a Christian gap year program and have served as the Associate Pastor for Youth, Young Adults and Worship at Coolum Beach Baptist Church. My passion is to see lives transformed by learning and growing in the grace of God.
In my spare time I love connecting with people through playing guitar and lots of board games, the more complicated the better! Hope to see you around.
George Saleh – Teaching Assistant
I am excited to be joining the GCC community this year.
I have recently moved from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast with my wife. In my spare time I enjoy working with timber, playing sports and I love fishing. For many years I have worked with children, focusing on student well-being and have also been involved with children through charity work for many years.
My role at GCC is working as part of an amazing team in the Learning Enhancement Department, and I look forward to meeting all the students at GCC and helping them reach their full potential.
Julie Sidey – Primary Teacher
I have the absolute pleasure of teaching 5M this year.
This is my first year at the College and I am so excited to be part of the GCC community. After living and teaching in Singapore for six years, my husband and three children decided to move back to Australia and make the Sunshine Coast our home.
My passion is to ensure that every child that I have the pleasure of working with develops a lifelong love of learning and knows that they are loved by God.
Josh Wolsley – College Pastor
I count it a privilege to be joining the Glasshouse Christian College team this year.
I am in love with God and have a heart for people. I live on the Sunshine Coast and have a beautiful family. I love to worship, be outdoors, walk alongside young people, be creative, and keep life simple.
In March I marry my fiancé Liliana and we are extremely excited for the year ahead. My desire is to serve GCC in giving students the best opportunity to enjoy the gift of life God has given us.
Thank you for welcoming me.
I hope you will make all the new staff feel welcome as you see them around the campus.
Mike Curtis, Principal