BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGEFAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE

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BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGECOFFS HARBOUR 18 October | 2013

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view the current edition of the north coast anglican newspaper

Have you downloaded the BDC App yet?

This past week, I have had occasion to send two urgent messages ‘push notices’ to the App. Both were to assuage parents’ fears about bush fires that might have been threatening areas where our Years 11 and 5 camps were being held.

Thankfully, in both cases, there was no imminent fire threat. Parents were understandably concerned as the campsites were in areas not too far from the fires. Being able to send a message via the App allowed for an instantaneous reassurance to be sent to parents.

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, for no other reason than being able to receive these urgent updates, I strongly advise that you download the App. It is free.

It is a supplementary method of communicating with families. We would use SMS messaging for urgent messages, such as the need to evacuate the school due to potential flooding, or any other critical incident. We will also use e-mail to communicate. Whilst most families have an e-mail account, it is less reliable as a medium because it is only effective if e-mail is being checked regularly.

The HSC examinations began this week. English was the first examination on Monday. Our last students to complete the examinations will be our Visual Arts students, who finish their exams on Wednesday, 6 November.

Last weekend, BDC hosted the annual Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. About 150 guests attended the school over the weekend. They were very impressed with the state of our facilities. They were particularly impressed by the calibre of our Primary choir who performed during the Synod Eucharist and our Student Executive who acted as ushers on Sunday morning.

NAPLAN results were posted home this week. BDC students continue to perform strongly across the range of tested areas, and across the four Year groups tested (3, 5, 7 and 9). An analysis of these results will give both the Primary and Secondary schools areas of focus in the immediate and longer-term future. These results are a snapshot of a child’s performance on a given day, so we use the data provided by these results to inform our teaching, not to rate ourselves against other schools.

DATE CLAIMER: SUNDAY, 3 NOVEMBER

On Sunday, 3 November, ‘BDC at St Nick’s’ will be held at St Nicholas’ Anglican Church, Sawtell. BDC will be the focus of the 9.30am service that weekend.

BDC families are invited to attend that service. It will highlight our links with St Nicholas’ and the Sawtell/Bonville parish.

MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER - Laughton King, dyslexia awareness evening. For details see advertisement in this newsletter or on the College website.

Congratulations this week to:Jack Malouf (10) on his selection in the Australian Open Age Futsal team to tour to China in 2014.• Zoë Burgess (10) and her father, Simon, for finishing 4th in the Teams event in the Coffs Harbour Adventurethon last weekend• Open Girls and Primary Girls Basketball teams for winning the NCIS Basketball championship in Grafton this week•

Principal’s App of the week: BDCollege

This week I would like to focus our thoughts and prayers on all people associated with fighting fires in the many different regions of Australia, especially those within our local community and surrounding outer areas. The Rural Fire Brigade in NSW remind us to Prepare, Act, Survive.

With the harshness of the weather and current conditions it looks like our summer will be hotter than usual and many hands will be required to assist. May Gods blessing be upon them and may you find strength, courage and enough rest as you continue to be called upon by the community to contain fires, and may you find comfort in these words of scripture from Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Last weekend Bishop Druitt College was host to the Diocese of Grafton’s annual Synod gathering and as your Chaplain I had the pleasure of welcoming all to the Synod Eucharist as we dedicated the service to the 20th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women in this Diocese. Students and their parents got up very early on Sunday to be with us at 8.00am including the Primary Performance Choir members and their teachers. Congratulations to our new Student Executive members plus one of the Assistant House Leaders for representing the College so beautifully with the presentation of your uniform, your manners and your assistance. Thank you for making our Synod Eucharist memorable.

This week I had the pleasure as the Rugby Chaplain to present awards to a number of students from the under 8 to under 14 teams who have been selected for displaying the ‘Spirit of Rugby’. It was a lovely afternoon with the boys and girls and their parents celebrating with a sausage sizzle and a wonderful way to close the season. I can’t wait until next year as some exciting things are planned for our teams.

Throughout our journey may we grow and reap the good harvest as we too discover Jesus together.

from the principal

chaplain’s chat

Alan BallPrincipal

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Tim EganAssistant Principal (Head of Secondary)

Rebecca BrownVisual Arts

Kellie ReinholdTIC Monday Sport

from the head of secondary

visual art

term 4 sport

TECHNOLOgYPlease talk to your children about responsible use of technology and the purposes for which they are using their devices. There is huge social pressure amongst our young people to feel the need to be constantly connected. Technology and access to information and one another can be a positive thing but on occasion, it becomes all too much for teenagers. I would encourage families to have some time out away from their devices and technology, simply to have a break.

Here at school we have a very clear policy on the use of electronic devices. In the classroom, the teacher decides when and how to use relevant devices for educational purposes. During break times, students are not to have their devices out. It is important that we have time out from devices and that students socialise with each other. I would encourage you all to read our policy again so that you understand it clearly. It can be found here:

http://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/assets/pdf/Policies/Electronic_Device_Policy.pdf

PRESENTATION CEREMONYThis year our presentation ceremony for Secondary school will be held on Tuesday 3 December, 12:45pm in the Branson Centre. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to hold this event in our own venue. You will notice that it is during the school day and, as always is a compulsory attendance event for all students in Years 7-11. Parents are all most welcome to attend if you have the opportunity. The ceremony will be completed in time for students to catch their regular buses home. It will be a wonderful opportunity to gather together as community to celebrate the academic, cultural and sporting successes of our students and to complete the year formally. If there are attendance issues for students, I would ask that parents contact me via email. tegan@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Have a great week.

Year 10 students have been working on re-contextualising the humble chair into a sculptural form that explores the idea of ‘status’. This exhibition has been installed during the last week of term and is ready for viewing! Here is a clever resolved work by Annie Schoeffel.

This Term is a very busy and short term. Similarly to Term 1 there are a huge number of students who have chosen water-based activities. There is a large variety of sports and we try to offer students as many options as possible to cater for their interests. Students were given the opportunity in the last three weeks of Term 3 to change sports for Term 4 if they were not happy with the sport allocated to them. As it is a short term and billing has already been processed there will be no changes to sports for Term 4. Any major hassles, please feel free to contact me.

We do provide sunscreen and rashies for water based sports but if students have their own they are allowed to wear them, as they will probably be a better fit. Hats are part of the College uniform and students need to wear these for sports outside. We need to be proactive in relation to sun protection. Here’s looking forward to sunny weather for Term 4.

secondary school

careersAll students in Year 11, new to HSC will visit Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour Campus on Tuesday October 22 from 9:30am – 2:15pm for Senior Schools day.

Year 10 will attend the furure of work expo at Coffs Harbour racecourse from 12:30 – 1:40pm. Please hand in your permission notes to the secondary office.

On Thursday 24 October there is a free Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Session 6:30pm on at Coffs Harbour Racing Club. The Session provides a unique insight into preparing for and sourcing apprenticeships and traineeships (and related pre-apprenticeship courses), and allows the audience to speak with experts from a range of industries. Enquiries info/gtana.com.au Register www.gtana.com.au/events/event/swsat. Enquiries taken by GTA NSW on 9746 9333

New HSC students Please return expression of interest form for Southern QLD university trip 5/6 December by October 22.A White Card course is running at Coffs Harbour High School (Jetty) on 8 November. Interested students, contact me immediately. Cost is $100 pp

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Ethel CooperHead of Drama

dramaThis year Elective Drama students from Years 9-10 will be presenting their annual class productions in a new and exciting way. Each class will participate in a whole day production activity involving dress rehearsal, a matinee performance to their College peers and an evening performance for Parents and Friends.

Plays range from Children’s Theatre to Contemporary Australian and promise to be entertaining, thought-provoking or both. This week students in all classes took to the stage without their scripts for the first time as part of their progress assessment and I can confidently say that, based on their performances, rehearsals are well underway to producing impressive final presentations.

Friday 25th October - Year 9 (100hrs) presents “ Angel’s Children” GTuesday 29th October - Year 9 (200hrs) presents “Robin the Hood” GWednesday 30th October - Year 10 presents “Find Me” PGFriday 1st November - Year 10 presents “X-Stacy” M

Reminder to all to ‘like’ professional Facebook page found at http://bdccareers.com for the latest careers news and opportunities. Year 10 students seeking work experience in December or late entry to TVET courses see me ASAP.

Robyn CrispCareers Advisor

from the head of primaryThis has been another busy week at school with lots happening across the grades. Swimming for Year 2 started this week and it was lovely to have warm weather. Gymnastics was held for Kindy, Year 1 and Year 3 all on the same day with the Branson Centre certainly being utilised. Year 6 students travelled to Grafton for a long day of Netball and what well behaved students we sent! Year 5 students are having a ball at camp.

NAPLAN results should have arrived for Year 3 and Year 5 parents this week and there were no surprises with our results. I saw a little article on Facebook that I thought I would share with you:“We are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you-- the way your teachers do, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you write poetry or songs, play or participate in sports, wonder about the future, or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you have traveled to a really neat place or that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends. They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best... the scores you get will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart.”

I have had a few requests for class placements this week. Please remember the guidelines we use for placing students in classes:

If you have a request for a class placement, please send it to me at: klisle@bdc.nsw.edu.au by 8 November. After this date there can be no further considerations.

primary school

Gender balance• Academic balance• Behavioural balance•

New students• Parental input• Students educational history•

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Karin LisleAssistant Principal (Head of Primary)

Maretta WoodOn behalf of the Primary SLT

grade of the week - year 2

slt news

2D First Memories

One of my first memories is that I heard I was having a baby brother. I felt very happy that I was having a baby to play with. Lily Fisher

One of my first memories is when I went to France. I felt happy. I could see planes. They were big. I heard propellers. They were noisy. Elliot Parry

One of my first memories was always going to my Pa’s house. I felt so excited I saw him on the driveway. I heard him yell out ‘Jace’. Jace Wilson

One of my first memories is riding my dad’s surfboard. I felt amazing. I could see all the waves. I could hear the waves smashing. Nic Sweeney

One of my first memories is when I got Thomas the tank engine toy. I felt happy. I saw my mum put my cat on it. I heard I got steam for it so it can make steam out of it. Aaron White

On Thursday 31 October, the Primary SLT are organising a K-6 Disco and Mr Adrian Penny has kindly agreed to be the DJ on the night. The Canteen will be open for the purchase of fruit juice poppers, fruit tube icy poles and packets of chips. This event will be our main fundraiser for this term and the details are below.

Date: Thursday 31 OctoberVenue: BDC Secondary Green RoomCost: Gold coin donationTheme: Halloween

This year will be the first year that we will hold our Presentation Day in the Branson Centre. Primary Presentation will be held on 3 December at 10am, so please put this date in your diaries now. We would love to see all parents attend.

The school is holding a Dyslexia Dismantled session at the school on 4 November starting at 6pm. Laughton King, a dyslexic person who has found success as a family psychologist, is coming from New Zealand to talk to parents and community members. The cost is $35 for members of the public and only $15 for BDC family members. I would urge all parents to attend, especially those whose children are having difficulties with learning – a light supper will be served during the presentation. Tickets can be purchased via the Events tab on our website.

Tara Hill (2D) Lighthouse Art

Shivali Bagga (2W)

In 2W this term, we are finding out about our own stories. We each have memories from early childhood that are unique and special to us and here are some of our recollections.

MemoriesA memory is something you remember from when you were a little boy or girl. The first memory that came into my head was when I was at a caravan park for the Christmas holidays. I was about two years old and I ran away from the tent and my mum sent my big brother to go after me. He caught me by the bib and pulled me back to the tent by the bib. That was one of my first memories!By Kaleah Doherty

When I was little I was bouncing on the trampoline with my brother and my friend Mia when she accidentally bounced very high and I flew off the trampoline and hit my head on the concrete when I landed. It hurt a lot but I was ok.By Lachy Sullivan

I remember when Archer’s hat went into the sea. It was his new hat that he loved and he was so sad that day. I tried to get it back. He was a baby and I was two but now he is six and he has lots of new hats. He will not forget that day and either will I.By Arabella Flowers

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ayo string Quartet concertThe AYO String Quartet performed a concert at St John’s Anglican Church this week. Before the concert the Quartet stopped in and held workshops and tutorials for the advanced strings students at College. This was a wonderful event for our students, who enjoyed listening to the story of how these kids got to be in the AYO and to share some of their knowledge.

When I was born I got a toy dog and his name is Scruffy. I used to sleep with him and play with him all day. I used to hug him and not stop for two minutes. He is my special toy and my mum and dad gave him to me. He is the best and I’ve never lost him.By Sukhvir Khunkhun

My memory is when I was two years old. One day I was in our house when it got flooded and when that happened, my favourite toy dog got flooded too. My heart broke and it made me so sad I couldn’t talk to my mum, dad, sister and brother too. I cried and cried all week. It is a very sad memory for me.By Summer Williams

musical notes

ensembles concertThis year’s ensembles concert will be held on one night, Wednesday 6 November 2013 in the Branson Centre. A fundraiser sausage sizzle and drinks stall will run from 5pm onwards, with performances starting at 6pm. There will also be raffles, with some great prizes! You will receive an information letter soon. If you have any prizes you could donate to this cause, please ring me on 66515644 ext. 218 or email megan@bdc.nsw.edu.au. All proceeds go towards the 2014 BDC Music Tour and purchasing new instruments for the students. See you there!

assembly performanceThank you to Jack Rose and Jono Chan for their terrific performances at assembly this week, well done!

Dale CondonHead of Music K-12

christmas carolsA heads up on Carols…this will be held on Tuesday 26 November 2013. Primary bands and primary choirs are performing. Performance starts at 6pm with food and beverage being available beforehand. You will receive information letters next week regarding this event.

important dates and events

college community

22 Oct24 Oct25 Oct1 Nov4 Nov

SCU Senior Schools DayYear 10 Future Careers DayK-2 Waterwise PresentationYear 7 (2014) Orientation DayDyslexia Dismantled presented by Laughton King. More...

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Laughton

KingMSocSci, Dip Ed Psych

Taking his life-time experience as a ‘dyslexic learner’ and his thirty years as an educational, child and family psychologist, Laughton has spent the last three years offering short seminars to teachers, parents, specialist educators and those working with children and young people around issues of dyslexia.

Laughton has become an expert in his area of weakness (language and dyslexia) and in his seminars, he looks at developing an understanding and pictorial definition of ‘dyslexia’, the implications for the child and also for their parents and teachers.

No parent of a student that struggles with learning should miss this.

“As a dyslexic person myself, I have a fair understanding of the nightmare that many of these children are living through… there are probably five or more in every classroom in the country.”

$15 for BDC Parents$35 for non-BDC Parents

TiCkeTs

Light refreshments availableTo book tickets, visit www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/events

This is aN aDulT oNly eveNT

Educationist • Author • Mediator • Counsellor • Trainer • Public Speaker

DyslexiaDismantled

4 November 2013 6:00pm - 9:00pmBishop Druitt College

parents and friends

bus passes

attention students who would like to play basketball

BDC ANNUAL gOLf DAYThe Bishop Druitt College Annual Golf Day 2013 is on this Sunday 20 October. We have had great response this year with sponsorship, prize donations and players. Thank you to everyone who assisted in some way. A full thank you and sponsors list will be included in next week’s newsletter.

CALLINg fOR ExPRESSIONS Of INTEREST!Want to be involved in your child’s schooling? The P&F currently have an email group that is often used to inform parents of upcoming P&F/College events, news, volunteer requests etc. You do not have to be a P&F member to be included, so if you want to help out every once in a while or just want to hear about upcoming events or information please email parentsandfriends@bdc.nsw.edu.au.

CONTACT USFor more information, to view our Constitution or read our latest meeting minutes, click on “Our Community” then “Parents and Friends” on the College Website. We look forward to your support.President: Allan Williams 0408 332 082 akwillo@live.com.auP & F email: parentsandfriends@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Next Meeting: Monday 21 October, 6.30 pm, Senior Common Room, refreshments provided

The Bishop Druitt College Parents and Friends Association is an organisation that supports the aims and objectives of the College. It does so through the promotion of fundraising, fellowship, friendship and fun.

All students who are currently in Year 2 and going into Year 3 (2014) need to complete a new Bus Pass Application.

Likewise all students who are currently in Year 6 and going into Year 7 (2014) will also have to complete a new Bus Pass Application.

Busways have sent out letters to existing students attaching new Bus Pass Applications for 2014, but if you travel with another transport operator eg: Ryans or Sawtell Coaches, you will need to obtain a new Application from the front admin office as soon as possible.

Commencing next Monday 21 October (Years 7-9) and Thursday 24 October (Years 10-12) High school students from any school are welcome to join in competitive scrimmages in the Branson Centre from 6.30pm until 8.30pm for the next 6 weeks. If you enjoy the challenge of playing a variety of players your age or are just looking for a fun way to stay fit, come along. Please note a valid NSW Basketball registration will be required for insurance purposes, however this can discussed more fully on the night. Qualified referees are also welcome and if available to referee will also be paid.

Is there a cost? $10 for 2 hours of Basketball. Please come dresses appropriately for basketball, with non marking soled shoes and remember a water bottle!

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YOUNg PEOPLE AND RISK TAKINgRisk-taking in adolescence it is an essential part of learning and personal development. Every healthy adolescent takes risks as he or she grows towards independence. Most researchers agree that if there is no risk there is no growth. A common problem for some young people is their inability to evaluate the potential risks and consequences of everyday behaviour. Thrill seeking, speeding, the desire to impress one’s friends; feelings of invincibility and the search for new experiences are all motivating forces that drive many teenagers. As a result they are over represented in every category of risk taking resulting in injury and trauma.

The RRISK Program aims to reduce risk-taking behaviour associated with alcohol and drug use, driving and partying amongst year 11 students in the North and Mid North Coast of NSW. RRISK is relevant to the social life, developmental stage and concerns of adolescents. It extends the school based drug education and road safety curriculum by providing opportunities for senior high school students to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills to reduce risk taking and develop safer celebrating strategies. Over 4500 students from more than 59 high schools from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads have registered to attend one of 10 RRISK Seminars. This year, two additional seminars will be held in Port Macquarie and Kempsey to meet the growing demand. If you have a year 11 student in your family, encourage them to attend.

RRISK seminar datesCoffs Harbour: Southern Cross University, 14 and 15 November

Research shows that RRISK is effective in reducing young driver crashes by 44%

The largest study ever undertaken into young driver behaviour was conducted by the George Institute of International Health and published in 2009. RRISK was identified as the only program to have resulted in a 44% reduction in road crashes for participants. The researchers consider RRISK a best practice program because it builds resilience by equipping young people with strategies and practical skills to manage risks in their social life and on the roads as drivers and passengers.

Look for information about the RRISK Program on the RRISK website www.rrisk.com.au and in this newsletter over the coming weeks.

ADOLESCENT DRINKINg BEHAVIOURYoung people aged 16-24 are amongst the heaviest drinkers in Australian society. In NSW, 46% of males and 43% of females in this age group are drinking at levels that could pose a serious risk to their health if they continue to drink at this level during their lifetime.

Over half of this group regularly drink to intoxication, which places them at risk of an alcohol related injury on any single drinking occasion. (NSW Health Statistics, 2011)

Young people are less likely than adults to be concerned about the negative consequences of heavy drinking. They are more at risk than adults as they are physically and psychologically immature, lack experience with alcohol, are more willing to engage in risk taking behaviour and are often unaware of the dangers of excessive consumption.

Choosing not to drink or learning how to drink responsibly can be among the most difficult tasks facing young people today. The earlier young people start drinking, the more likely they are to become high risk drinkers and experience alcohol related harm whilst they are young and in later life.

Alcohol and adolescent brain developmentThe brain is not fully developed until about 25 years of age. Drinking alcohol to intoxicating levels during adolescence can result in permanent brain damage. Areas of the brain that control memory, learning, decision making and problem solving can be permanently affected.

Learning problems can result in poor exam results and life skills which will reduce future career options and employment. Lack of judgement often leads to greater risk taking and increased likelihood of violence or sexual assault. Regular heavy drinking can cause irrational and aggressive behaviour, inability to understand social cues, depression and anxiety.

For more information on the effect of alcohol on the developing brain, see http://darta.net.au/wordpress-content/uploads/2013/02/ALCOHOL-AND-THE-DEVELOPING-BRAIN.docx.pdf

Mental healthDrinking at a young age increases the risk of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder and increased risk of self harm, including suicide, delinquent behaviour and alcohol dependency in later life.

Look for information about the RRISK Program and risk taking at our website www.rrisk.com.au