Bayside Family Network

Alpha Is Back!

We are so excited to announce that Bayside Christian College will be hosting the Alpha Course in Term 4 every Wednesday evening from 7pm to 8:30pm starting Wednesday 4th October, 2023.

Alpha is a safe space where you can openly chat about life’s big questions, at a table with people who have the same questions you do!

Topics like ‘What is the answer to loneliness?’ and ‘Is there more to life than this?’ are just some of the conversations we’ll have together. No question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you wish.

Everyone should have the chance to explore faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Whatever your faith background and wherever you are in life - there’s a seat at the table for you at Alpha.

Alpha is an 10-week course for anyone interested in exploring the Christian faith and learning about the basics of Christianity. 

After sharing a light supper, we will watch a short video together and share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There's no obligation to say anything. The sessions are:

• 4 October - Is There More to Life Than This?
• 11 October - Who Is Jesus?
• 18 October - Why Did Jesus Die?
• 25 October - How Can I Have Faith?
• 1 November - Why and How Do I Pray?
• 8 November - Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
• 15 November - How Does God Guide Us?
• 22 November - Who Is The Holy Spirit?
• 29 November - Does God Heal Today?
• 06 December - What About the Church?

We hope you enjoy the Insights and webinars!

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.

Happy Families: R U Ok?

I’m not really supposed to say this, but R U OK Day has always sat a little uncomfortably with me. I know we need to show we care – and I’m all for that. I know we need to be willing to have the tough conversations – and I’m all for that.

The trouble for me is twofold: first, asking “are you ok?” doesn’t tend to feel authentic in most casual conversations. This, we can change, by having more meaningful conversations. But second – and importantly – in the unlikely event that someone says “No, I’m actually not doing so well” we tend to be a little unsure of how to respond. This is the case whether we’re talking to a friend or one of our kids.

Our Insights articles are typically about parenting. This article can still apply to parenting, but really, this one’s for everyone who has ever wondered how to ask if someone is ok, or who has felt unsure about how to respond when things aren’t ok.

Think about how we typically ask someone how things are for them. Common questions might be:

• How are you?(Common responses are “not bad”, “fine thanks”, or a sigh followed by “I’m ok”.)
• How was your day? (Common responses are “meh”, “mmmm hmm”, or “fine”.)
• What’s wrong? (Common responses are “nothing” or a big gush of emotions.)

Upcoming Butterfly Webinars 

Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.

Supporting Teens to Eat Well in a Food Confused World

Join Butterfly and two Practicing Accredited Dietitians and learn how to help your teen have a positive and balanced relationship with food.  Topics covered include: 

• Why it's hard to charter a healthy course 
• What's helpful diet information and what's problematic
• Supporting eating through puberty
• Troubleshooting common eating dilemmas - 'junk food', 'high protein diets', veganism, not eating at school.

Date: Tuesday 12th September

Time: 7pm - 8pm (AEST) plus question time

Via: Zoom (time-limited recording available)

Cost: FREE

Body Confident Children and Teens For Parents

Information and practical tips for parents of primary and secondary-age children on how to promote positive body image in the home.  Topics covered include: 

• Body image influences
• The role of body image in problematic eating and exercise behaviours
• How to positively role model
• Responding to appearance talk and appearance-teasing
• What to do if concerned.

Date: Tuesday 17th October

Time: 7pm - 8pm (AEDT), plus question time

Via: Zoom (time-limited recording available)

Cost: $15 

Community Meals Program

As part of the Bayside Family Network's community outreach, we have an abundance of frozen meals available in the deep freezer in the Community Room. If you know of a family or member of the community who we can bless with some meals, please contact Pastor Kathy Scott via email or call College Reception.

Prayer Group

The Bayside Prayer Group meet every Monday morning from 9am in the Community Room (M2) to pray for the College. Parents, carers and staff are welcome to join at any time. The group also frequently meet at 7.30pm on Monday evenings to walk around the College grounds. For more information please contact Bek Shelling on 0403 804 972.

Community Playgroup

The Bayside Community Playgroup runs every Thursday from 9am to 10:30am for children aged 0-5 years for indoor play, craft, painting, creative play, story time and sing-a-long while parents and carers supervise playtime and enjoy a cuppa and light morning tea. Cost is $2 per child to attend each week. Please pack a nut-free snack and water bottle for your child. No booking required.

About the Network

The Bayside Family Network is the College community care and support arm of Bayside Christian College. Established in 2018, the Bayside Family Network engages with the College community to connect, build and support families. We do this by creating opportunities for parents/carers, staff and the broader College community to connect with one another and build solid relationships in a Christ-centred environment.

The Network currently provides care and support to both Bayside Christian College staff and families through the following programs:

• Prayer Group
• Playgroup Victoria
• Meals Program
• Educational Workshops
• Class Carer Support
• Uniform Exchange
• Community Volunteers

The network is currently overseen by the College Chaplain Pastor Kathy Scott, and is supported by a group of committed volunteer parents. Parent/carer participation is welcomed at Network events and with organisation. 

Parent participation is a great way to play a more active role in your child’s education. There are a variety of ways to become involved, and many of the programs offered at Bayside Christian College require parental support. 

If you would like to learn more about ways you can be involved around the College, please email Lis O'Brien