#4 Term 1, 2013

BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGEFAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE

COFFS HARBOUR

BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGECOFFS HARBOUR 22 February | 2013

| Page 1Dynamic • caring • Optimistic

Issue # 4

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Chaplain’s Chat

Welcome to the Bishop Druitt College App.

For those in our community with iPhones, iPads or Android devices, our App is now live, and can be downloaded from the App Store. Just search for Bishop Druitt College. It will greatly enhance our communication with the community, and with ‘Allow Push Notices’ enabled, you will receive immediate notification of important messages from school. You will also receive notice of the newsletter being published.

For Android users, on your SmartPhone open the Android/Google Play market. Search for Bishop Druitt College and press install.

Only a few people at school will have the ability to send notices, so you will not receive a multitude of irrelevant messages.

The terrible weather this week has meant the postponement of the Year 7 Camp. It is just too wet and potentially dangerous at Mebbin for the camp to run next week. It has been rescheduled to dates in June.

On the matter of the weather, if you live in a flood-prone area, please err on the side of caution if flooding in your area is predicted on a school day. It is far better that your child is home and safe than stranded between home and school because of flooding.

We used our App, SMS messages, and e-mail today to communicate with parents and guardians about closing the school. We received calls from the SES telling us of flood alerts for outlying areas, so it was best to close the school at once rather than in a fractured fashion as we heard updated flood alerts.

It is imperative that we have your up-to-date mobile numbers and e-mail addresses. Please use the ‘Change of Details Form’ on the College App or our website, or e-mail your changed details to [email protected]

On Wednesday, 6 March, the P&F will host a welcome to parents function at the College from 5.00 – 7.00pm. Members of staff and College Council will be present, and we look forward to being able to meet many parents on the night. A raffle will be held at the function, with the first prize being a term’s fees for one student.

Please also mark these dates on your diaries – 15 June (Trivia Night) and 20 October (Golf Day).

Congratulations this week to:

Kalina Bennett (12) placed 7th at the All School Triathlon today.• Jenny Taffs (12), who was named captain of the NSWCIS Girls Cricket team.•

As I write this article the weather is wild outside with the wind blowing the rain sideways at times. Whenever it rains like this it takes me back to my memories as a young child walking home from school in the pouring rain. I had a yellow raincoat but without a hat so I would get saturated by the time I reached my home. But oh, the fun that I had paddling in the gutters that were overflowing with water!

I watch the students outside of my office and they take every opportunity to run out into the rain to experience that same sense of fun. As adults we are probably seeing the negative affects of the rain or the inconvenience when we get wet, and definitely the destruction caused by flooding. I know that I don’t like it when I get wet as I have to get out of my car to open and close my garage door in the rain. How things change.

Change is inevitable for all of us and I want to share with you some information regarding the “Adult Seasons for Growth” program being from 26 February until 26 March at the Curran Centre.

Change is often about giving up or losing something or somebody you like – or love. Accepting loss is difficult. Making a change is difficult. But change can lead to a new beginning. Change is not about fixing others, but about changing you. Life isn’t fair and often change hurts like hell. However, people do manage to survive the loss of a loved one, losing a job, tragic illness… If you are experiencing change the first step is to get the support from someone you trust.

Some things are impossible to change. If that’s the case you may need to start changing your attitudes. Change is about the getting, the going, and the moving from here to there. Change isn’t about external events; it’s about the internal making (and maturing) of a human being. Adapted from: The Miracle of Change by Dennis Wholey

Adult Seasons for Growth is a successful education program, which explores the effects of change, loss and grief. The program recognises that change often hurts, can be confusing, frustrating or threatening. It also recognises that sometimes we need support in understanding and coping with the effects of change and loss. Seasons for Growth provides a safe, creative way to explore these issues.

From the prinCipal

pastoral Care

Alan BallPrincipal

http://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au


COFFS HARBOUR



Issue # 4

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Tim EganAssistant Principal (Head of Secondary)

From the head oF seCondary

environment Group

The Secondary school students have commenced their Digital Citizenship Program as part of the educational process for BYOT. Mrs Spry explained this last week in her curriculum news and now is the time to discuss these lessons with your children. Most of our daily life involves some kind of interaction with technology. This is simply going to increase, not go away. We have an obligation as an educational institution to include technology as part of the learning process. Before we implement our BYOT Program next term, all students will complete their Digital Citizenship lessons to learn about responsible use. We will also invite parents to the College for an information evening so you will have the opportunity to find out more and ask any questions.

It has been brought to my attention that some students think it is appropriate to forge a parent or guardian signature. This is a serious breach of the rights and responsibilities of being a student at BDC. Please discuss this issue at home and be aware if your child is attending an event or activity, of which you are unaware.

Year 7 Camp has unfortunately been postponed due to the severe weather we are experiencing. It is simply not safe to proceed and the camp operators gave us this advice. The plan is to make the camp available at the available opportunity, which happens to be 2-8 June. The second group to leave in this week (Cottee, Kngwarreye and Murray) will return form camp on the Saturday of the long weekend. If this is a major issue for families in these three groups, please inform me immediately. My email address is [email protected]

You might ask what will I learn? Seasons for Growth is an opportunity for adults to learn that change, loss and grief are a normal and valuable part of life. The program provides participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and manage their individual experiences. The program encourages us to explore concepts such as loss, change, feelings, memories, decision-making, support, networking and forgiveness.

To book into Seasons for Growth contact Jennifer on 042177375.

May we be still through this season of Lent and use it as a time to reassess, reflect and examine ourselves as we follow Jesus?

Shalom my friends

The Student Environment Group has now begun its regular Wednesday lunchtime meetings for 2013. We were thrilled to see a brand new group of enthusiastic and passionate Year 10 students come along and share their thoughts and ideas regarding environmental issues. The group is very keen to convert their enthusiasm into action and make a positive contribution to their school and community. Our first activity for this year will be Clean Up Australia Day on Friday 1 March. Senior Environment Group members will be involved in mentoring Year 7 students as they complete a clean up of school grounds. Aside from being highly worthwhile activity and a demonstration of school pride, this activity is also specifically relevant to the HSIE curriculum. The group is also gearing up for our first fundraiser later this term, with the long term goal of raising funds toward the installation of a Water Refill station in order to minimise the overuse of plastic water bottles in the school.

We were also very excited to receive a warm and enthusiastic response from P & F in regard to the formation of a “Friends of the Environment” parent and friends group. We certainly look forward to making closer ties with those in the wider college community who are passionate about environmental issues. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for more information to follow regarding this exciting development.

seCondary sChool

Rev Marion TanfieldChaplain


mailto:[email protected]


COFFS HARBOUR



Issue # 4

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Karin LisleAssistant Principal (Head of Primary)

From the head oF primaryWe have had a busy week in Primary and some extra challenges with the wet weather, but everyone is still focused on learning and plans are being made for some exciting events later in the term.

The Primary Leadership Team has been working on our Primary Vision after consultation with staff. I would like parents to add their ideas as well as students. One of the underlying features of our vision is the gathering of community. If you would like to add your ideas please email me: [email protected]

Can I please remind parents who are picking up their children in the car in the afternoon that they need to keep the traffic flowing. If your child has not arrived when you do, please go around the track again rather than parking up the top of the run and holding up traffic behind.

I hope you all have a safe weekend and stay dry.

The issue of “food miles”, or the carbon footprint associated with food production and distribution is highly relevant for us in regional Australia. Here’s a link to one local initiative aimed at addressing this issue, passed on by College parent and BDC Sustainability Committee member, My Holland. http://www.bellofoodbox.org.au

primary sChool

Grade oF the week - year 4My Goals For 2013

Things I am good at: ballet, gym, piano, swimming, drawing, tap, jazz, surfing and reading.

Things I am enjoying in 3/4R: friendly people, having lots of art, having Mr.Reedy as a teacher!

Things I would like to improve: rollerblading, swimming, running, tennis, spelling and division!

by Grace Jones, 3/4R

An example of Lightning Writing

It was a dark, chilly night. The moon was hiding behind the clouds and the stars were not twinkling. The city of Dark World was asleep and the streetlights were blinking, struggling to stay awake. The city had been like this for seven years straight and although it looked like the people were asleep they have not had a dream since light existed. Babies would not cry. It would be good but it’s not natural. The citizens of the city would not speak. It was freakishly quiet in the city of Dark World. Only the mayor would speak to try and cheer them up but nothing would work because it was a city of sadness, the city of Dark World. There were no visitors or tourists because they would rather go to Light World where night never comes and day would get boring but new things would come. New things that work and help that world get through.

by Maxyn Dorz, 4M

Natalie Giri (3/4R) “Collage Portrait”

Samara Hardy (4M)“Crazy Colours Jigsaw”

Will Bond (4H)

Brett Bennett and Rosey LangHSIE Teachers and Student Environment Group Coordinators


http://www.bellofoodbox.org.au


COFFS HARBOUR



Issue # 4

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Dale CondonHead of Music K-12

musiCal notes

Bravissmo

Frontier projeCts FundraisinG dinner – hope 4 haiti

world harmony Festival day

primary musiC Camp

HSC music students and several of the Year 10 music students attended the “Bravissmo” music excursion this week. Bravissimo showcases the very best talents of music students on the Mid-North Coast and is equivalent to Encore in Sydney. This was a fantastic concert and a real eye-opener for our students to see the levels of performance achievement possible by studying music as a subject in the HSC. Two of our students from last year’s HSC, Jo Ashley and Helen Nevell, were among the performers. They both performed magnificently.

The Primary Performance Choir is performing with Nathan Hardy at the Hope 4 Haiti fundraiser, this Saturday 23 February at 8pm. This will be held at Osprey Restaurant CHEC. Permission letters have been issued. We look forward to seeing you there.

Primary Performance Choir (which includes some year 5 and 6 students) have been invited to perform with the Combined Schools’ Choir at World Harmony Festival Day, Botanic Gardens, Coffs Harbour, Sunday 17 March at 10am.

The last couple of years we have run a very successful, fun weekend camp and concert for Superstrings. This year we will incorporate Primary Performance Band, Primary Guitar Group and Superstrings. This will be held at Yarrahapinni Youth Centre, 23/24 March. The cost of the camp is $75, which includes overnight accommodation and amenities, meals, sheet music, tutorials and rehearsals. Information letters will be released next week, please keep an eye out for these.

kodalyAlice Jamison is running Kodaly music classes for all children interested in music. The classes help to develop a child’s confidence in music as it enhances their understanding of the structure of music: developing pitch, rhythm and a strong inner ear. They are very much based in games and the children are given the opportunity to enjoy music in a relaxed environment. These classes are a great base for someone already learning an instrument or for a child interested in music and not yet ready to begin learning an instrument. Cost is $5 per lesson, to be paid termly. Please contact Alice Jamison at [email protected] to book a place or for further information: Senior Primary (3-6) - Monday 8am, M1Secondary - Thursday, 8am, M2Lower Secondary (7-8) - Friday, 8am, Band Room

primary BandsThe Primary Bands program will run again this year. Students in years 3-6 are encouraged to join the training program, where they will begin the learning process on a band instrument as well as practice and perform in a band situation. No experience is necessary. Students in years 5-6, who were in the training program or who have started to learn a band instrument and reading music are encouraged to join the performance band, where they will continue tutorials and band life.

This is a very popular program, with fun rehearsals, performances, eisteddfods and plans for a weekend music camp. Cost is $13 per week, which covers tutorials/instrumental lesson. Instrument hire is $40 per term. A small, one-off initial setup cost is involved, after that band rehearsals are at no cost. Please contact Mrs. Hazel Buchanan on 0458572525 or [email protected]. Alternatively, contact the Music Office on 6651 5644 ext. 218 for further information.

seCondary Guitar BandThis band is in its infancy and we have great hopes for some great music with this group. Any secondary student who can play guitar, read music and able to practice their part at home or at school during their break times are welcome. There is no cost associated with the band.

Please contact Mr Santo Cimino on 0407292444 or email [email protected] for further information. Alternatively, contact the Music Office on 6651 5644 ext. 218 for further information.

instrumental musiC tuition FeesMusic tuition invoices have been mailed. Fees are payable via the College website’s link to Try Booking - www.bdc.nsw.edu.au Instructions are on the invoice. Thank you for your timely payment.

Please note: Instrumental Music lessons with Ms. Louise Ray and Mr. Santo Cimino are not to be paid via the Try Booking website. These lesson charges will appear on your school invoice







COFFS HARBOUR



Issue # 4

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Jim WebberSports Administrator K-12

sawtell saints junior aFlThe Sawtell/Toormina Saints Junior AFL Club is looking to welcome players for the 2013 season.Come and be part of your local AFL club where it is all about fun and fitness. We are seeking all junior ages and skill levels, particularly players keen to give it a go!Auskickers ( age 5 -9), Under 11’s, Under 13’s and Under 15’s.

For further information please contact:Tony Linnet President 0409 882 872Brad Donnan Secretary 0417 608 770 email: [email protected] Anderson Coach 0407 831 430

ColleGe sport

important dates and events

ColleGe Community

5 Mar6 Mar7 Mar13 Mar

NCIS Swimming, Years 3-12P&F Welcome to Parents Evening: BDC Greenroom, 5:00pm-7:00pmPrimary (5/6) Rugby 7’sStage 6 Parent/Teacher/Student informaiton evening



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#4 Term 1, 2013