Welcome to our last newsletter of Term 1. This newsletter is one that celebrates the strength and adaptability of our community. 

Floods

Thank you to all members of our community who have been understanding of the changes required in the last fortnight. We needed to respond quickly to flood waters affecting Newports Creek and North Boambee Road and more broadly our local connecting roads and bus networks. 

Flood Funding Support for Families in need:

"The Australian Independent Schools Fund (AISF) is providing a limited number of grants of up to $5,000 to support distressed students in your school community who have been severely affected by the recent storms and floods"  stated Dr Geoff Newcombe (AISNSW CEO).

Please contact the Principal via email - secretary@bdc.nsw.edu.au to leave your name, number and email for follow-up by our finance team.

Your name will be confidential and the Principal will complete all the required paperwork on your behalf.

The closing date for this process is Thursday 1 April.

COVID-19

In the last few days, we have also been communicating about the recent COVID-19 advice. 

This information, and future updates, has been based on advice from NSW Public Health on their website. I ask that you continue to follow the advice from authorities, particularly where it may concern returning to the college for day one of term 2 on Tuesday 20 April. 

Dance Studio

The Dance Studio is starting to take shape with the steel frame now in place and the roofing being secured this week. 

Welcome Back - Sunset Festival

Open Day

School Improvement Plan 2021

I am currently updating our School Improvement Plan to highlight the actions throughout term 1. I wish to thank my dedicated staff in supporting these goals and making them a reality. 

Library Refurbishment Project

The BDC Literacy Committee has been focusing our attention on our library refurbishment project. We are currently surveying our students and working with a dedicated team of staff who have been analysing best practice in libraries. We expect decisions to be made on this project early in term 2 and I look forward to sharing this vision with our community.

The Fathering Project

The Fathering Project aims to improve child development outcomes by engaging fathers. We know an effective father-figure has a profound impact on their children. This fortnight’s tip focuses on supporting education.

• “It's important to encourage our kids' learning -  education empowers our kids, giving them the ability to interpret the world around them. Support them by trying these practical tips:
• Show respect for their teachers - try actively introducing yourself to school staff and thanking them for teaching your kids.
• Always show teachers respect, even if their teaching style doesn't match your child's learning needs perfectly. Smile, listen and raise any concerns in a calm and adult manner.
• Avoid blaming teachers, or the school, if your child is struggling with study or friendships – work respectfully with the school to see how you can support the staff and your kid(s).
• Don't tolerate vandalism – teach your kid(s) about being respectful to their property, school property and their peers' property.
• Remind your kids (often) that you believe education is important and continually model this by staying in touch with their progress. 
• Keep showing your kids education is important by supporting school activities such as parent evenings, busy bees and fundraising events.
• Engage: regularly ask your kids what they learnt today/ this week/ this term”.

Source: https://thefatheringproject.org/

Safe and Happy Holidays

Nick Johnstone 
Principal 

There are moments in teaching when a student offers a gem of insight that floor you. One of those moments for me was this week, when Myles Wainwright in 3W showed me the art he had created as part of his reflection time in the Chapel. His art featured a bright rising sun and a blooming flower above the vivid green grass. In pencil on top of these striking colours, Myles had carefully written: “You should rise too.”

What Myles had quietly ruminated on and articulated so succinctly was the essence of the Easter message. Life seems to surround us all with challenges and sometimes these can seem overwhelming. The Easter story is that God, as a human, experienced deep challenge as he was rejected and hurt by others, but then on Easter morning as the sun rose it was discovered, “He has risen, just as he said” (Matt 28:6).

Myles’ artwork and words are an encouragement to all of us to look to what we see around us, the sun and the new growth of plants, and remember that we also can rise up even in the midst of life’s challenges. 

Our BDC Community has had a very special week, culminating in the Easter Communion Service where staff and students, K-12, gather to remember and celebrate the Easter message of resurrection. May this joy stay with you throughout the holidays to give you deep peace and blessings.

What’s happening in Chaplaincy in Term 2

JAM (Jesus and Me) Club games and bible study on Monday for Primary students. 

Godly Play 8.15am-8.40am on Wednesday mornings in the Chapel. Students and staff are welcome to join the circle weekly for a Godly Play story, prayer and mindfulness response time. 

BDCJAM fellowship and bible study is on Monday lunchtimes in Week B for Secondary students

Reverend Naomi Cooke
Chaplain
ncooke@bdc.nsw.edu.au

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children - whether it be applying sunscreen before going to the beach, looking before you cross the road, or increasingly, making sure that they're safe in the online environment. 

Research suggests that more than 80 percent of teenagers are online more than three times daily, and nearly half of teens use video chat functions daily. 

So, as our children adopt technologies seemingly faster than we do, how do we keep up with keeping them safe online? 

Rebecca Sparrow, author and advocate for teen positivity, outlines the following key tips for parents, tweens and teens: 

STEP 1.  BASIC ONLINE DO’S & DONT’S

1. Don’t use your child’s photo or real name when setting up apps or certain social media accounts.
2. Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know in real life.
3. Don’t agree to meet up with people you don’t know in real life.
4. Don’t chat to randoms online – even if you think they’re kids. Social media and gaming apps are stalked by adult predators looking for children to groom. 
5. Don’t give out your address, school or phone number online to anyone. And don’t share your passwords!
6. Most importantly – check the privacy settings on the platform or app you are using (see tips below)
7. Follow Susan McLean – Cyber Safety Expert,  Dr Kirsty Goodwin – Cyber Safety Expert, Code9 Parent, Leonie Smith – The Cyber Safety Lady and Be Web Smart on Facebook to get regular updates on the latest dangerous and dodgy apps and safety tips for your tech devices. 

STEP 2. SECURE YOUR DEVICES

1. You want to stop strangers from finding out where you live, work or go to school which they can easily do from the photos and videos you post.  Turn off Geo-Tagging on your camera.  Otherwise geographical information is added in the form of metadata to photos, videos, SMS, websites. Go to  LOCATION SERVICES and turn it off for your camera and any apps that don’t need it. (See Social Media Reputation Management booklet for instructions)
2. TURN OFF Frequent Locations which can tell anyone who picks up your phone where you live.  
3. If your device gets stolen or your friends decide to play a prank by hacking your account — you want to be able to stop them from accessing your device!  Have a pin number on  all your devices. And don’t tell your friends your pin numbers or log in details.
4. Again to stop people accessing your accounts – set up Two-Step Verification On Accounts:                  Facebook:  Account > Settings > Security > Login Approvals          Apple          Google          Twitter
5. Set up restricted viewing on Google, YouTube, your Mac or PC. Click here to access notes on setting YOUTUBE to “Restricted Mode”
6. For younger kids (10 and under) Use YouTube Kids, Kiddle  or Safe Search Kids (powered by Google) . Remember: no amount of net filtering replaces parent supervision!

Content originally published by Rebecca Sparrow: Before you hit send 

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Read the full report here 

Term 1 Memories

Term 1 is always a wonderful time to look back on.  We welcome new friends to the college, and see new beginnings as our students begin a new chapter in their schooling journey.  Term 1 saw our Primary students representing the college on the international stage.  The FUSE Cup and Round Square events allow our students to meet new friends from all over the world, building new links with a shared purpose.  We also saw our new Kindergarten students attend their first major BDC event in the Teddy Bears' Picnic.  It was wonderful to reconnect with parents again, as they too participated in the fun of the day.  

Easter Hat Parade

The Easter Hat Parade is always a favourite for many families and has been for many generations.  It was wonderful to see our Kindergarten students making their hats with their Year 6 buddies this year.  Whilst the memory of the hat or the actual event may fade, both our Kindergarten students and their Year 6 buddies will remember the time they spent in making their hats.  It was definitely a talking point at our dinner table this week, as I'm sure it was for many other families.   

Happy Easter 

Another term has come and gone and Easter and the term holidays are with us again.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Easter and a safe and restful school holiday period.  As we continue to grapple with the uncertainty within our community, please take this time to enjoy the company of family and friends and to reconnect with those around you.  I look forward to seeing you all again for the start of Term 2 and the exciting things it has in store.  

Richard Smith 
Assistant Principal (Head of Primary) 

Term 1 has flown by, and Year 7 have become part of the middle school seamlessly. Congratulations to Year 7 on commencing high school, working with your Tutor Teachers Mr Brett Bennett, Mr Mick Klipin, Mr Craig Lang, Mrs Juliette Law, Ms Kellie Reinhold, Mrs Deahne Rushforth and their Year Coordinator, Mrs Meegan Bruggemann. After camp, a swimming carnival and normal lessons the year group seem to have built new friendships and are a part of the secondary campus.

Mr Mike Colles has announced his retirement this year from the start of Term 3. He has had a long and dedicated service to BDC and we wish him well on his new adventures. Although, we will see him for the next few months.

Year 8 and Year 9 made presentations on assembly last week. Gratitude was the focus for Year 8 and they recognised the pastoral care of each of their Tutor Teachers and Mrs Katie Gudgeon the Year Coordinator. Whereas Year 9 created a short video for us about Making a Difference. The line I remember clearly from Year 9 was “You may find that making a difference for others makes the biggest difference for you”. Both wonderful presentations form these busy year groups in middle school.

Harmony Week once again was led by the Human Rights Group across the assembly, posters and the food fiesta. These wonderful young adults have advocated for and promote resilience, tolerance and respect for all on an everyday basis, not just at this time of year. Thank you to all those involved.

Last weekend the Coffs Coast was blessed with some incredible weather that our swimmers made the best of in the The Beachside Radiology Coffs Ocean Swim. Incredible efforts by many swimmers and special recognition for: Hunter Bellamy - 1st in his age group for the 600m swim; Lily Geddes - took out the Elite women's race placing 1st overall; Kaleah Doherty placed 1st in her age group.Kaleah Doherty (10) 1st in her age group 2km, Lilly Geddes (9) 1st in 2km 3 in 600metres, Toby Alford (8) first in his age group 2km, Nick Alford (10) 3rd Male overall 2km and Zanna Rose (8) Finished strongly 600 metres, Charlotte Rickets (8) 4th in her age group 600 metres, Taj Butcher (7) great swim in the 600m, Karina Rothacker staff had a strong finish also. It doesn’t matter the activity or sport we encourage everyone to enjoy the environment we live to benefit from this physically and mentally.

TAFE has commenced for our Year 11 and Year 12 students and some Year 10 are about to start the YesTAFE program and exploring some courses. In addition to TAFE we are also exploring different ideas for internships in the future and we look forward to oru Careers Hub evening in Term 2. The Vocation Tuesdays have been well received and the last ones for project management and veterinary practices was packed out.

Year 11 and Year 12 are finishing Term 1 off with a range of assessments and their holiday workshops are about to be sent out. We encourage all HSC students to use the flexible library hours over the holidays and workshops that are offered by your subject teachers. Year 12 Reports for Semester 1 are also being published. Please read these carefully for the celebration of important improvements and also discuss areas to improve. Year 12 are half way through the HSC, a very important milestone. Contact your course teachers if you have any questions about your reports.

The World's Greatest Shave is coming to an end this week. With the goal of an ambitious $10,000 the Class of 2021 will get close. Thank you to all of the participants, the fundraising committee and the generous support from our community. Click here to donate.  

Year 12 commence Term 2 with retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We thank all of our families who have had to work through some incredible weather recently. Keeping uniform ready and dry shoes has not been easy. As the days start to cool off, it could be time to purchase the soft shell jacket for middle school students if you need one this year. For new families we change to winter uniform mid way through Term 2. 

Thank you for Term 1 and the interesting last two weeks we have had. Students return on Tuesday 20th April. Year 12 attends retreat and we have our school ANZAC assembly on Friday the 23rd April.

We wish all families a holy Easter and safe travels. Please take care and we hope everyone gets a chance to re-charge over the next two weeks.

Simon Doyle 
Assistant Principal (Head of Secondary) 

This term Year 8 French students have learned to introduce themselves in French. They have been working hard to memorise the expressions and sentence structures and to pronounce them with an authentic French accent. 

Last week the students had to perform their self-introductions to camera with nothing but English cues in front of them. Here is a sample of their work. Can you understand what they are saying?

Thank you for a wonderful first term. A big thanks to all our performers this term who have performed in Primary and Secondary Assemblies.

Last week we had Marisol Taylor and Tilly Howard performing Eccles Violin Sonata in Secondary and in Primary we had the Performance Choir and a Dance group from Primary.

This coming week we have the Easter Service and I will thank in advance Highly Strung, Mrs Stuart on piano, The Performance Choir conducted by Mrs Meulenbrooks and Emily Hodges performing a Dance.

Today I have shared videos and photos of the past few weeks. 

There is a sneak preview of School Of Rock:

Here is a performance on guitar performed by James Rothacker and Marley Crook from Year 11 Preliminary Music class:

Students Tilly Howard and Marisol Taylor performing at a recent Secondary Assembly: 

Performance Choir during assembly: 

Year 6 students during Beethoven practice during Week 7:

Next term our Dance classes will be travelling down to the Julie Ross Dance Studios for the first four weeks. This will include Dance in Sport time for year 7 and 8, Kaizen Dance, World Options Dance and Year 11 Dance.If the lovely dry weather keeps up from now until then we will then be able to start using our new Dance Studio.

I’m aware some parents are concerned about changes in the Music Department. Room changes have been made due to new spaces required to cater for NESA regulations and courses for music.

We now have a lovely new studio space off M1, which our Instrumental teachers can use as well as small ensembles in the Senior Music Classes.

Our Ensembles have changed to cater to a more brood musical experience for all our talented students.

The Jazz Band, which is run by Georgie and Danny, is on Thursday lunchtime. Please don’t hesitate to come along and join in if you would like to experience playing Jazz or love Jazz and want to learn from our very talented team.

We are going to start a Brass Band for all our Brass players. This is for playing at sports events and other occasions, which happen throughout the year and give the students the experience of performing Brass music with other Brass players.

Pete our very talented Percussion teacher will be forming a Percussion ensemble. This is a chance for Piano players to become part of an Ensemble and then also play with Senior Band and the Orchestra.

These are just a few of the new ensembles we will be developing over this year.

Please come along to the Welcome Back Sunset Festival on 26 April and hear some of our wonderful Performance students and various Ensembles from both Primary and Secondary.

We wish you a wonderful Easter and a lovely restful holiday.

Thank you so much for all your support.

Kindest Regards

The Performing Arts Team

Sport

Please contact Natalie Titcume for any BDC Barracudas sports. (rugby, basketball and mini roos football) ntitcume@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Parent attendance at events

It is great to have parents back attending our sporting events. Please remember to follow all COVID-19 guidelines so we can continue to have spectators cheering our teams on.

General    

Rain, rain, go away! Not much else to report from the last fortnight.

NSWCIS Girls Football

Third time lucky, we finally got to play a game last Monday.

The open girls played against Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School in the second round of the NSWCIS cup. This is a state wide Independent school competition.  They came up against a strong defensive team, we had our chances but just could not get the shot.  Jess Joice had an outstanding game in goal. Goals were scored by Layla Oliver, Aoife Cronin (2) and Rebecca Newman.

Thank you to Mick Klipin for coaching.

Thank you to the groundsman who worked hard to ensure the field was ready after all the rain

Outside of BDC achievements 

Congratulations to all the BDC swimmers who had a go in the Coffs Harbour Ocean swim on the weekend.

Zanna Rose (8) Finished strongly 600m
Charlotte Rickets (8) 4th in her age group 600m
Kaleah Doherty (10) 1st in her age group 2km
Hunter Bellamy (9) 1st in his age group 600m
Lilly Geddes (9) 1st in 2km and 3rd in 600m
Nick Alford (10) 3rd Male overall 2km
Toby Alford (8) 1st in his age group 2km
Taj Butcher (7) finished strongly in the 600m
Karina Rothacker had a strong finish in the 2km

Ryan Hill-Smith finished 3rd overall in the U16 age category of Surfing NSW Bodyboard State Titles.

There will be lots of catch up games to be played early in term 2. I don’t have dates for everything as yet. As soon I as have them approved I will let parents know.

Please email a short report and photos to bhilton@bdc.nsw.edu.au with any outside of BDC sporting achievements for inclusion in the newsletter.

Outdoor Education 

Kathmandu Sale Time 

Kathmandu Coffs Harbour have generously offered BDC another super sale weekend. 

Thursday 15 April to Sunday 18 April.

Please remember to have the code on your phone to show and BDC ID. 

Beth Hilton
Sport and Outdoor Education Coordinator K-12

bhilton@bdc.nsw.edu.au

0417859252 or 66515644 ext 295.

School based traineeship trail blazer 

Congratulations to Year 11 student Satch Rutter, who has secured himself a school based traineeship (SBT) with McGrath Real Estate.  This is the first SBT for the employer and the first Real Estate SBT to be signed up at BDC. Satch will work for the employer 1 day per week during Years 11 and 12 and will study Cert III in Real Estate Services on top of his HSC subjects. Well done Satch - you will have a great head start into your chosen career path in the real estate industry!

WHS White Card Course

We will be running this course at BDC in Term 2 week 3 (5.5.21).  There are a couple of places left if any student from Years 10-12 are thinking of work experience or employment in the construction industry.  Cost of the course is $137.50.  Please email gdriscoll@bdc.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible  if you would like to undertake this course.

School Based Traineeship Opportunity

Our friends at SpecSavers are looking to employ a school based trainee in Retail or Business.  SBT’s would  suit a Year 11 student wanting to get a head start on getting a qualification and work experience, while completing their HSC.  Students would undertake paid work for the employer 1 day per week during school days and undertake Cert III in Retail or Business through Novaskill Training.  This employer offers ongoing employment and training opportunities after Year 12.  If you would like your child to apply or find out more information, please contact gdriscoll@bdc.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.

G Driscoll
Careers

This is a free event - registrations essential. REGISTER HERE  

 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be taking place next Term for students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9. 

Please find parent information available from NAPLAN – Click Here

The assessments will take place on the dates below. 

· Tuesday 11th May – Language Convention / Writing 

· Wednesday 12th May – Reading 

· Thursday 13th May – Numeracy 

If you have any questions after reading the information, please contact Sarah Stokes in the Primary school or Craig Verbruggen in the Secondary school. 

Sadie Williams in Year 10 will be the first BDC student to make an exchange with another Round Square school. Sadie will be flying to Alice Springs for term two to live in a homestay family and experience life in the centre of Australia at St Philip’s College. We look forward to learning about her experiences when she returns and know that others will follow in her footsteps. 

It is an understatement to say Sadie is extremely excited.

In exchange, Taryn Clark from St Philip’s College will be coming in term four to experience life on the coast and school at BDC. We look forward to making her welcome.

Wishing Sadie all the best for her exchange with St Philip’s College in Alice Springs.

This year we will be able to commemorate our women and men who have served and are currently serving our nation as part of their extensive efforts in the defence force. The college will hold our ANZAC assembly for students and staff at school on Friday 23rd April.

We are fortunate this year that there will also be a variety of services organised by the RSL Sub Branches at dawn, wreath laying opportunities and a community event planned for the Cex Stadium that involves Urunga, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and Sawtell at 9am https://cex.com.au/anzac-day-2021/ 

Due to the COVID19 health and hygiene requirements, the college will conduct our college service on Friday the 23rd April and then attend as a registered leadership group only at the service at Cex Stadium. This is a small representative group who will lay a wreath on behalf of the college. There will be a number of staff attending their local dawn services for example, but these services will also have to meet COVID19 requirements.

In 2021, the college encourages families to attend their local dawn service or attend the ticketed event at the Cex Stadium. This way families can make their decisions and practice the current health and hygiene requirements. Please contact your local RSL Sub Branch for further information. We hope to see a return to ANZAC parades at our local clubs in 2022.

Congratulations to the 13 Year 12 students and Head of Maths, Mr Ben Dal Pozzo, who participated today in the World's Greatest Shave to raise funds for people living with blood cancer. 

An annual tradition at BDC, we, as a community, are so proud of our students for raising more than $11,000 towards this cause in 2021, with all funds raised going to the Leukaemia Foundation. 

Today, students and staff were treated to a hairy spectacular as all of the participating students had their heads shaved, and a sausage sizzle helped to contribute to the total funds raised. 

Special thanks to hairdressers from Hairy Rumours and Upstairs Barber Co for volunteering today to help students walk away with a clean cut. 

It's not too late to donate - if you'd like to contribute, please click here. 

Here's a few photos from the day. For further videos, please visit the BDC Facebook page. 

"My name is Alanah Beard and I graduated from BDC in 2015.  I'm in my final year of university studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

My HSC ATAR resulted in a 32, however I was accepted into Southern Cross University to study an Associate Degree of Allied Health. If I did well in that unit I was able to transfer over to Occupational Therapy.

After 6 months of hard work, I was able to transfer over to do my Bachelor of OT. I failed 7 classes before I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) which affected my work load and studies. With the assistance of access and inclusions, we were able to reduce my workload. It prolonged my graduation, but I was able to work harder, resulting in better outcomes. I'm now working as a support worker, learning facilitator and also an Occupational Therapist Assistant.

My history of studying and working hard could potentially change the younger generation with their perspective on the HSC ATAR. From time management skills to understanding when to ask for help, coping with the stress of post-ATAR or waiting for university acceptances."

What an inspiration for other battlers!

Thanks, Alanah for opening up about ADD and your conquest.

Anglicare North Coast is the welfare arm of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. The Flood Appeal benefits flood affected households in New South Wales, especially those located in our Diocese.* 

Eligible households will receive vouchers, goods, and reimbursements through Anglicare's Emergency Relief Program and through local parish relief initiatives, supported by Anglicare North Coast. 

Please donate directly through the Anglicare North Coast website, or by direct deposit: 

Account name: Anglicare North Coast 
BSB: 705 077
Account: 00041320 

Donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

If you require a receipt, please email a copy of your transaction record or donation to admin@anglicarenc.org.au and include the name and address you require to appear on the receipt. 

* Excess funds may be used to support households affected by other disasters outside of the Grafton Diocese via the Anglicare Network of agencies. =

Does your child need some more experience with writing structured texts? Triple Thread Learning Writing Workshop Term 2 is now open for booking. Available to any local students from any schools, and is designed for students in years 3 - 6. Program starts 27 April, booking required by 22 April. Please see flyer for further information.

Bishop Druitt College Uniform shop will close for the school holidays on Thursday 1 April at 4pm. 

The Uniform Shop will return to normal hours on Tuesday 20 April. 

Throughout the school term our opening hours are: 

You are welcome to purchase from the online uniform shop at your convenience, and your order will be filled when the store is next open. 

Phone 02 6651 5644 (ext 238) 
Email bishop.druitt@midford.com.au

For news on our Alumni, check out the BDC News or our Facebook page Bishop Druitt College Alumni.

Our college partnerships are collaborative relationships with businesses and organisations aimed at enhancing the educational journey of our students and contributing to making them world prepared.

Click here to view our partnerships.