Primary School
Head of Primary
Welcome to a New Year at Bayside!
A warm welcome to our new families and students! This year, we are delighted to have 22 new students join our Primary School. They were officially welcomed at our first assembly, where their teachers and classmates embraced them with open arms. We firmly believe that God has called each of them to be part of our community, and we are truly thankful.
At our first assembly last Friday, Mr. Hill, our School Chaplain, and I shared our theme for the year: HOPE. Hope is more than wishful thinking—it is the confidence that God is in control and has a plan for our lives, no matter the circumstances. It’s about lifting our heads high with assurance.
We encouraged our students to be Hope Hunters—to actively look for signs of hope around them and to be those signs for others. A simple smile, a friendly high five, including someone new in a game, showing respect and kindness, or offering encouragement—these small acts can make a big difference in our community.
A Year of Reading
Another big focus for us this year is READING. We want to cultivate a deep love for books in our students—helping them discover the joy of reading for pleasure. Research consistently shows that children who actively engage in reading:
📖 Develop stronger language and comprehension skills
📖 Improve their focus and critical thinking abilities
📖 Strengthen their creativity and imagination
📖 Experience greater academic success across all subjects
📖 Foster greater mental wellbeing
To inspire this love for reading, we will be hosting exciting events and activities throughout the year. We invite you to join us on this mission—model a love for reading at home, share stories with your children, and encourage them to explore new books.
Let’s embark on this journey together, fostering hope and a passion for reading in our students. Wishing you all a blessed and joyful term ahead!
Blessings,
Mrs Danielle Lupi, Head of Primary
Community Morning Tea
Year 1/2 Indonesian – A Fun Start to the Term!
Halo! Hello! We’ve had an exciting start to the term in Indonesian! The students have been learning to introduce themselves through a lively song, building confidence in speaking the language.
To make learning even more fun, they created self-portraits and played “Guess Who?”, matching faces to names. There was plenty of laughter as they tried to figure out who was who! It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm, and I look forward to more language adventures ahead.
Salam (Greetings),
Ibu Newton
First Day of Prep
A Wonderful Start to the Year!
Our 2025 Prep students started the year with big smiles and excitement. Amid a few slight hesitations, they bravely waved goodbye to their parents before diving into their classrooms. They eagerly explored their new learning tools and happily shared their holiday adventures, including fun trips to zoos and parks.
After a refreshing 'Crunch and Sip,' we gathered for storytime, followed by a creative cut-and-paste activity. Recess provided a chance to reconnect with friends next door. We practised counting and writing numerals, which the students approached with enthusiasm. Lunch was enjoyed with laughter, and after an active playtime on the playground, the calming “Sleeping Lions” game helped the kids settle.
This peaceful moment was followed by Developmental Play, where they explored various Prep toys and equipment, sparking their imaginations. Parents arrived nice and early, eager to hear about their child’s wonderful day. It’s been a beautiful start to the year, and we are looking forward to even more joy and growth!
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." — Luke 2:52
This scripture reflects the joy of new beginnings, learning, and growth—just like our excited, curious Prep students!
Mrs Donna Martin, Prep M Teacher
A Creative First Art Lesson for Our Preps!
Our Prep students had an exciting and memorable start to the year with their very first Visual Art lesson! Their adventure began with a walk all the way to the Art Room, making a special stop along the way to visit Reception and share a cheerful greeting with Mr. Manning.
Once in the Art Room, the young artists eagerly explored the world of lines—discovering how different types of lines can be used to create shapes, patterns, and designs. With focused enthusiasm, they put their new knowledge into practice, carefully tracing a variety of lines in a fun and engaging activity. It was a fantastic introduction to the creativity and joy that Visual Art brings, and we can’t wait to see their artistic skills flourish throughout the year!
Mrs Caroline DeHaan, Visual Art Teacher
Performing Arts News
‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord’ Psalm 100
It’s week 3 of the term, and what a fabulous start I have had at Bayside Christian College. A huge thank you to everyone who has made me feel welcome. The students are wonderful to work with, and the parents I have met so far are extremely interested in and supportive of their children’s education.
As a new year begins, one of the highlights is having the Performing Arts space come alive as classes start and programs recommence. Here are some of the things that have been happening around the Performing Arts space:
In Year 5/6, we have been exploring the ‘Science of Sound’ by looking at what sound is and how it is created. Students have discovered that sound is created by vibrations and that the pitch of a note influences how fast the sound travels. Currently, the Year 5/6s are exploring brass and woodwind instruments and how they create sound.
The Years 3/4 classes are learning the difference between beat and rhythm and have utilised their skills at keeping the beat while conducting an orchestra. It was lovely to have all students in each class actively engaged in this activity as we marched along to the music while simultaneously conducting. As you can imagine, there were lots of giggles and laughter in our conducting class.
In lower primary, students have been focusing on learning about the elements of music and how these elements combine to create music. In our initial lessons, the focus has been on keeping a consistent beat and tempo and using musical activities to develop these skills.
Production rehearsals for Oliver are now in full swing, and I am seeing loads of enthusiasm from students at the afterschool rehearsals. A huge thank you to all staff, students, and volunteers for your huge commitment to this amazing show. I can’t wait to see it next term.
It is so great to have the instrumental lessons happening again and to hear our wonderful students involved in making fantastic music. If you are interested in Instrumental Lessons for your child, please complete the link below and an instrumental teacher will contact you shortly.
Currently we have the following instruments available to learn. Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Violin, Cello, Voice, Drums, Piano & Guitar
If you have any questions regarding instrumental lessons, please feel free to email julianne.sim@baysidecc.vic.edu.au
Mrs Julianne Sim, Primary Teacher
Exciting New STEM Program for Primary School!
We are thrilled to introduce a brand-new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subject across all year levels in primary school! This hands-on, inquiry-based program will spark curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and encourage creativity through engaging activities in engineering challenges, robotics, and scientific exploration.
Students will work on real-world problems, collaborate on exciting projects, and build essential 21st-century skills in a fun and interactive way. Our goal is to nurture young innovators, preparing them for the future while making learning exciting and meaningful.
We look forward to your support and can’t wait to see our students thrive in STEM! Stay tuned for updates on their amazing projects.
Mr David Sukh, Primary STEM Teacher
Student Leadership Day Recap
Our Student Leadership Formation Day was an exhilarating experience centred on leading with service, integrity, and faith. The day flowed with prayer, reflection and team-building activities that fostered collaboration and unity.
Participants engaged in enlightening sessions on servant leadership by Mr Hill, Mr Green and me and participated in interactive challenges like "Over the Electric Fence" and "Fill the Couch." They reflected on powerful biblical leadership principles and discovered the significance of prayer in guiding their path.
The event concluded with personal reflections and a closing prayer, igniting a passion in students to lead with humility and purpose in their communities. It was an enriching experience for all involved and a wonderful testament to the value of leadership within our community!
Mr Justyn Mether, 5/6 Coordinator
Year 5/6 Leadership Unit: Learning from Community Leaders
In Term 1 of 2025, our Year 5/6 students will be exploring leadership—both past and present—to understand how they can make a positive impact in their own lives and communities. This unit is designed to show students that leadership is not just about holding a title but about demonstrating qualities like integrity, responsibility, and service.
As part of this learning journey, we are inviting local leaders to share their experiences, challenges, and decision-making processes with our students. Leadership plays a vital role in our community, and hearing firsthand from those in leadership positions will give students valuable insights into what it takes to lead effectively.
Today, we had the privilege of hearing from Mr Manning, Ms Power, Mrs Lupi, and Mr Kumnick, who shared their experiences as leaders at Bayside Christian College. Their stories have helped students see leadership in action and encouraged them to think about the kind of leaders they aspire to be. They also had the opportunity to explain how God has empowered them over time, shaping them into the leaders who guide our College each day.
We look forward to continuing these discussions and empowering our students to become leaders in their own unique ways.
Mr Jordan Partridge, 5/6JP Primary Teacher
