Leadership News
Dear parents, It has come to our attention that distressing videos of Israeli hostages may be released via social media. We are sharing this warning to enable parents to talk with their children about how to appropriately engage with distressing content.
Principal's Piece
Raising Tech-Healthy Humans
One of the things we seek to teach students at the College is how to think, not what to think. It is important we all learn to ask the right questions, to seek to understand, to ponder and make informed decisions that enable us to thrive in the complex world in which we live.
For many parents, and teachers, technology remains a constant challenge. We live in a screen-saturated world but rarely question its impact on us or our kids. We understand that technology has benefits and risks, but charting a path is difficult. As a parent who is walking this path with my own kids, I get the complexities, the struggles and the conveniences that technologies bring into my parenting and personal world.
Author Daniel Sih has written a very helpful, succinct and practical book that helped me to think through the issues and provided advice and practices to promote healthy tech use that I wish I had when my kids were younger. ’Raising Tech-Healthy Humans’ is a quick and easy read aimed at parents of Primary-aged children.
Daniel provides a framework called ‘STARTER’ as a practical approach to nurturing and preparing children to engage with technologies in a healthy way.
Start with Self: Consider your own tech habits and make changes where necessary.
Take it slow when adopting tech.
Age-appropriate tech that can be ‘graded up’ as they grow up
Regularly talk about tech and how your kids experience it
Tech-healthy rhythms are important for families
Encourage tech-free adventures and family time
Rely on others: Parent in community
What I like most about this framework is that healthy tech habits start with parents, are maintained by a community, and are able to evolve as children grow in maturity and capacity.
Daniel is offering parents the opportunity to join a free webinar on the content of his book. This research-based session will be hosted by Daniel on Zoom on Wednesday 25 October from 7:45 pm to 9 pm.
Regardless of whether you find the time to attend the Zoom session, I encourage you to be brave and take a moment to seriously think through your own tech habits and the habits of your family and ask yourself if they are serving you and your family well.
Blessings,
Mr Andrew Manning
Principal
Notices from the Deputy
Allwell Testing
This week our Year 9s participated in Allwell Academic and Careers Testing. The testing gives a snapshot of student capabilities and strengths as well as indication of any areas in need of further support as students progress into the Senior School years. The Careers survey helps students to identify their passions and interests and gives students a picture of themselves as they ponder career choices and their chosen pathways and careers. Students who were absent on the testing day will have the opportunity to sit the tests at the end of the year or early next year.
Year 12 Last Days Events
Our Year 12 last days will be filled with farewells for these amazing young men and women. Please come to their final assemblies this Monday 16 October at 8:55 am in the Secondary Gym (Thanksgiving Assembly) and also for parents and families their Awards Assembly will be held on North Campus in P14/15 at 1:45 pm.
Students will also enjoy their special last day events including breakfast, costumes and an excursion to Melbourne Cable Park. Please check the parent communication for details.
The College prays God's richest blessings upon our students as they complete their secondary education, sit final exams and prepare for the workforce or further education.
My Christian School Website
Bayside Christian College values the genuine faith of its staff. However, the Australian Law Reform Commission has released a consultation paper which would prevent schools like ours from choosing staff for their active lived faith. My Christian Schools website has been launched in association with the Australian Association of Christian Schools because it's time they heard from some actual parents—like you!
If you value the contribution of Christian staff and teachers, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Please visit the website and send a message to your MP about the difference Christian teachers and staff make in our school.
Happy Families
Our school is subscribed to the Happy Families School Membership! Owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, the membership offers a wealth of parenting education and resources.
We will regularly share resources available through our membership with you, including Insight Articles and Live Webinars. You can also access your resources at any time using the below URL and password.
The password is happybcc
You have access to 4 live webinars a year (one per term). We will announce upcoming webinar details in the Insights articles. You’ll have access to the recording via our school’s URL but as the webinars are live, we recommend you watch them in real time so that you can ask Dr Justin and / or the guest presenter any questions you may have.
Blessings,
Mrs Toni Steinbergs
Deputy Principal
Staffing Update
Welcome
As we come to the end of the year, many staff make decisions about what God is calling them to for next year. As you are aware, Mrs Glenys Bailey, the Head of Primary is retiring and we are delighted to welcome Mrs Danielle Lupi as the new Head of Primary on 2024.
Farewell
Sadly, at the end of the year we will also be saying farewellto our Chaplain Kathy Scott, Learning Support Teacher Sue Higgs and Kitchen Operations Trainer and Head Chef Scott Megee.
Kathy has served faithfully within the College community for over twenty years and has been on staff for 16 years. Sue has been a humble servant of the College for 30 years and is retiring. Scott is following the call of God to higher education, and serving in the TAFE sector.
We pray God's richest blessing upon each of these faithful staff and also for the Lord's provision and leading as we seek new staff to fill these roles.
Positions Vacant
The College is currently advertising roles in Secondary teaching (English, Maths/Science, and Performing Arts) , ELC co-educators, a Trade Skills Centre Manager, a VET Trainer in Kitchen Operations and a Learning Support Coordinator.
Please visit our website current vacancies page to find out more or to apply for these positions. If you know someone suitable, please send them the link and encourage them to apply.
Payment Arrangement Forms
This is a friendly reminder to please complete the Payment Arrangement Formfor 2024 sent out to all families last month.
Every family must complete the form, even if you intend to pay your 2024 fees the same way as this year. Your answers will be used to generate individual Family Fee Statements, including applicable tuition fees and with nominated payment discounts applied. These will subsequently be emailed to families.
Thank you if you have already completed the form and submitted your intentions. Should you have any questions, please direct them to finance@baysidecc.vic.edu.au
Notice of Withdrawal
Planning is well underway for 2024 - subject choices, staffing, timetables, book lists, ordering of resources, etc. If there is a possibility you may withdraw your child/ren from the College at the end of this year please provide the mandatory full term’s notice as soon as possible.
Notice of Withdrawal should be addressed to the Principal and emailed to College Registrar, Cindy Reed (registrar@baysidecc.vic.edu.au)
A full term’s fees will be charged where a full term’s notice is not provided.
Please note, if your plans change, the notice can be retracted if the position is still available.
Community Prayer Plan
In the pursuit of activating the power of prayer over the College, the Bayside Prayer Group has developed a Community Prayer Plan which provides 10 ways you can pray for our school.
The hope of this plan is to empower and enable us, as a community, to be praying with a pattern and persistence across Term 4.
Please join us as we pray for the College, students and staff over the coming months. You can download a copy of the Prayer Plan at https://www.baysidecc.vic.edu.au/parents/prayer