St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens

parent newsletterTerm Three, Week Six - 1 September 2017

182 Salamander Way, Salamander Bay NSW 2317Ph 4919 5400 | Fax 4919 5499 | portstephens@spcc.nsw.edu.au | spccportstephens.nsw.edu.au

SEUSSICAL JR. How amazing are our students? To say we are all enormously proud of them is an understatement. Staging a show of this calibre which includes all 258 children in the Junior School is a huge undertaking. At last count, I reached 29 volunteers and helpers, not including our Junior School teaching staff, involved in helping to create this wonderful show. A huge thank you must go to our producer and director, Mrs priscilla Blake, who has lived and breathed this musical from the beginning – in 2016. I’ve loved watching our children grow and stretch. I’ve loved seeing them have fun. I’ve been so proud of those who literally ‘rose from a sick bed’ to perform. It’s been a massive St Philip’s Christian College family effort to produce what has been a very professional and brilliant musical.Thank you to all involved – what a show!

Have a great weekend!

Mr Brett AllenHead of Junior School

Director of studiesYear 11 Course examinationsMonday sees the start of four or five days of exams for Year 11 students. Please note that the morning exams begin at 8:40am while the afternoon exams aim to get underway at 12:50pm. Students only need to be at school when they have an exam. They must sign out from the Senior School Office before leaving, but are not permitted off-site between exams on a given day. Please following this link to the exam timetable https://goo.gl/JbZav6

There will be space for supervised private study for all students wishing to remain at school. Normal classes resume for most students after Recess Thursday.

learning through performanceI want to add my congratulations to everyone involved in the Junior School musical too. The countless hours spent planning and practising contributed to a wonderful show that created memories that will last a lifetime. Research indicates that there is enormous social and educational value to be gained from taking part in such an event:

• Brain development – learning lines and song words, performing with others.

• Technical skill development – lighting, sound equipment, set movement.

• Such a rich learning environment broadens a student’s world view.

• Collaboration, self-discipline and problem-solving skills.

• Gross motor skills – dancing, stage movement.• Listening to others, responding to feedback.• Self-confidence and self-esteem.• Fun, enjoyment and the celebration of success!

I hope that our College can continue to stage such wonderful events so that more of our young people will also benefit.

Mr Peter Freeman Director of Studies

Junior school news

Jojo said it takes a BIG team to make a performance shine, and I feel I must recognise some key people. Mrs priscilla Blake – thank you for the idea, drive and dedication to make Seussical happen. Your patience and cool calm approach has been appreciated very much.

Mrs Madeleine elsegood, Mrs wendy Blazely, and your costume and make up team – ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! A huge thank you must be said to you both as well as your amazing team for our costuming, makeup and ideas. You have spent hours at school and many more at home creating and making costumes and sourcing props. Mrs Mandy eggins and your prop design team – WOW!! The hours spent creating and designing what we all saw on stage was spectacular. Mrs Karen Coleman – thank you for keeping us all sane and organised. Mr Dave McKinnon – for building the props. Mr Dave eggins and the filming team – thank you for all the filming, cutting and editing. We’re all so looking forward to seeing Seussical. Our backstage lads - thank you for the hours practising to get the stage timing perfect (and stepping in to be the Doctor Jaden). Mums and dads of the cast – for the months of Seussical being acted and sung ALL DAY AND NIGHT. Thanks for your support and patience. We have a great school and I’m in awe of our Junior School community. Have a great weekend,

Mr Brett AllenHead of Junior School

Leaders in Whole of Life Education

senior school news

Year 12 have just finished their Trials and as always they need a bit of encouragement afterwards. To help with this we all went for breakfast followed by a few inspiring words.

poetry in action! Hopefully this session in our theatre has inspired the future poets in our midst!

This week has seen HSC major works due and marked, including HSC Drama. Ms emily Johnston was super proud of her Yr 12 students who performed incredibly well.

Mr David McKinnon Head of Senior School

Middle school newsHi everyone, we’ve had a busy couple of weeks with lots of exciting activities. Firstly, I’d like to mention a couple of very impressive presentations that our Year Seven and Eight students experienced this week. On Monday morning, the current Year 12 captains gave up some of their time to present an informative ‘Q and A’ session that gave direction and advice about Senior School. This included information regarding study, relationships, challenges and everything else that they have encountered over the last few years. I must say that I was hugely impressed by the depth of their answers and ability to communicate so openly. They articulated their responses as well as I could ever have hoped. It was evident that the Middle School students took away a lot from this opportunity that was offered to them by the captains. Thanks again to samuel turner, elise Dodds, Jack torr and sophie Burnett.

Also on Monday, Year Seven and Eight students were audience to a wonderful performance called ‘The Paper Tiger.’ poetry in action is a very popular acting group that bring poetry to life and the students were evidently entertained and impressed by the quality of the performance. Having seen some of our Year Eight Drama students in action recently, I hope that ‘The Paper Tiger’ may give them further interest in dramatic pursuits. Thank you to Mrs robyn leach for organising this event.

Find below some photos from the primary netball and soccer gala days that our Year Five and Six students have participated in recently.

Blessings,

Mr Glen UraneHead of Middle School

Leaders in Whole of Life Education

MOnDaY tUesDaY weDnesDaY tHUrsDaY FrIDaYBOOK weeK 2017

JS Literature Quiz Yrs 5-9 Oliver Phommavanh presenting to students in MS and SS

JS Book Character Parade MS Big Book SwapK-6 Reader’s Theatre in The Rock Church 1.50 - 3.00pm

JS Leila Rudge - Visiting Author & Illustrator6.00-7.00pm JS Bedtime storiesMS Big Book Swap

JS Big Book Swap & reading with our families MS Reading on the Oval 12.00 - 12.50pm

whole school Cat in the Hat Day - wear hats and Gold Coin donation to Vanuatu Mission

4 septemberYr 11 Exams

5 septemberYr 11 ExamsYr 7 Immunisations

6 septemberYr 11 ExamsYr 5 Bathurst Excursion

7 septemberYr 11 ExamsYr 5 Bathurst Excursion

8 septemberYr 11 ExamsYr 5 Bathurst ExcursionKindergarten ZOO excursion

11 september 12 septemberStage 1 Excursion to Tocal

13 septemberYr 7 Hunter Wetland ExcursionStage 2 Expo - Seed DispersalCIS Primary Athletics

14 september 15 septemberYr 7 Art Gallery Excursion

PTF NEWSPresident’s MessageMeeting Dates 2017

UNIFORM SHOPCurrent Specials, Ordering,

Uniform Policies and Opening hours

FInanCe news TERM THREE FEES ARE NOW OVERDUE

Unless paying by an arranged payment plan.

Please contact our Finance Department to arrange payment Mrs Virginia Hickson at virginia.hickson@spcc.nsw.edu.au or 4919 5403

Please Note: Parents who pay by direct deposit should use their parent code on the statement as a reference.

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWALSt Philip’s Christian College requires one full term’s

notice in writing when ceasing a student’s enrolment, otherwise one term’s fees additional fees will be payable in lieu of such notice.

College Calendar

Leaders in Whole of Life Education

COLLEGE COMMUNITY LINKSCanteen

FlexiSchools

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Birubi Suf Club Open and Registration Day Nelson Bay Touch Summer Competition

Port Stephens Library Sept/Oct Holiday Program