Welcome to 2021 at Glasshouse Christian College. I hope you all had a relaxing time over the holidays and are feeling refreshed and ready for a new year. I’m guessing that not many of you had an exotic overseas holiday but hope you enjoyed the natural beauty of our country and quality time with family and friends.
I take great pleasure in welcoming all new and returning students, parents and staff, and extend a special welcome to our new families beginning their educational journey with us this year.
Last year presented us with some challenges but together, as a College and parent community, we overcame these challenges and used them to learn, grow and even improve in many areas. Our staff have been back for some time and they are energised for the year ahead.
There may be similar challenges in 2021 but we are well and truly prepared for them. For now, parents are welcome on campus as long as they practice social distancing. Unfortunately, we can’t allow parents inside the classrooms yet as it is not possible to practice safe social distancing once inside the room. Thank you for understanding our efforts to keep your children safe.
The importance of healthy relationships between students, teachers and other staff members can’t be overstated for setting the foundation for a good year. For this reason, all of our Year 10, 11 and 12 students went on camp before a day of settling in the classroom. Year 10 went to Moreton Island, Year 11 to Thunderbird Park in Mount Tamborine and Year 12 to Alexandra Headland. Other classes in the Middle and Primary Schools have climbed mountains, been on excursions, conquered challenges and thoroughly immersed themselves back into school life.
GCC Kids Praise Him!
The album of 12 praise and worship songs that were recorded at the College by College Kids, written by College Kids is now available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
This is free.
This has been the culmination of two years of hard work and we have learned so much through the process. The end result is something we can all be proud of. I am sure God is very pleased with this expression of how much we love Him through the hearts of these kids.
Thank you to everyone who has had a part to play in the long road to getting this album finished. In particular, I would like to thank Pastor Josh for his vision and passion and his leadership of the project. Thank you to all of the kids who have played some role in the production as well.
If you just type into Spotify “GCC Kids Praise Him!” I am sure you will find it without too much trouble.
It is a wonderful album that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Bible verse 2021
After the challenges of 2020, we thought this verse from Joshua 1:9 (NIV translation) to be fitting as our theme for 2021: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
We’ve created posters for the classrooms and copied them over to the parent section on Pixevety so you can download and print them for yourselves if you would like to do so.
New staff
Each year brings change and this includes a couple of additions to our staff. I’ve invited them to introduce themselves to you in their own words below:
Marieka Hazzard
“Hi! My name is Marieka Hazzard and I’m excited to be teaching Visual Art throughout high school this year.
“While I’ve been teaching in Primary, I am looking forward to using my qualifications in Secondary Art. I love helping students see their own potential and discover creative problem-solving.
“My favourite things are spending time with Jesus, writing music, singing, dancing, drumming and painting. I love sunny days and going to the beach with my daughter.”
Cate McKeown
“Hi, my name is Cate (short for Catriona, pronounced Katrina) and I am excited to join the Glasshouse Christian College community as the Learning Enhancement Teacher for Secondary students. My husband and I have moved down from the Fraser Coast with our two girls, aged 15 and 11. We’re excited to be living in the beautiful Sunshine Coast region and being closer to our daughter and son-in-law who live in Caboolture.
“I have an English and Humanities teaching background, as well as having worked for the past six years in Inclusive Education. I enjoy writing stories, hanging out with my family and reading. I am passionate about seeing all students striving to reach their full potential. I am looking forward to what 2021 has in store for us and working with the parents and students of GCC.”
Narelle Palmer
“Hi, I am Narelle Palmer and I am blessed to be working in Learning Enhancement at Glasshouse Christian College with the Primary team.
“My husband, Mark, and I have been a part of the local community for ten years and have two children at GCC – Grace and Liam. You will often find me working as Mark’s unpaid labourer on a new renovation project at home. More likely though, I will be mountain biking or running through the local forests.
“I am incredibly excited to be supporting students to feel safe and comfortable at GCC so that they can realise their full learning potential.”
Facilities update
The performance hall is going up in leaps and bounds and anyone driving past over the holidays would have seen the amazing progress. Now that the walls are up, we can’t see the construction from the road but we’ll keep you updated with behind the scene photos taken during our regular site meetings.
Our Property Team has once again excelled in beautifying the campus ready for the students’ return. You will notice new lawns, lovely gardens, topped up sandpits and clean surfaces wherever you gaze.
I’m looking forward to a great year and excited about what the future holds in 2021.
Mike Curtis, Principal