Bayside Bulletin Newsletter, 13 August 2024

The Bayside Barracudas wish to thank their Platinum Sponsor Simply Real Estate

See the Smashing Bumpkins!

The Hervey Bay Baptist Church is holding a fundraiser to help support the homeless and those doing it tough in our community. The whole community is invited to join the giant Kindness Works bush dance on Saturday 31 August, starting at 5:30 pm.

The Brisbane-based band, Smashing Bumpkins will be performing live. Soft Drinks and sausages will be available for sale on the night.

Tickets can be purchased through the link below, via the Church website (events), or at the door on the evening.

Purchase tickets here…

Please come along and support this wonderful cause.

Chess Tournament

On Tuesday 30th July, 16 students travelled to Maryborough State High School to compete in the Wide Bay South Interschool Term Three Chess Tournament, with Mrs Wallace and Ms Rose. They played eight rounds, had lots of fun and learnt some new strategies. One of our senior teams, Bayside Sharks, came third out of 13 teams. The other senior team, Bayside Whales, came equal fifth. In the junior competition, Bayside Jellyfish came fifth and Bayside Bream came 17th out of 19 teams.

Four students received ribbons of merit, for scoring 5 points and above — Tayo Adelakun, Kara Jacobs, Carter Kingswell and Lachlan Warwick. As an added surprise, the Deputy Mayor was there to present the ribbons and medals. Unfortunately, we did not secure a spot in the finals for Term Four. Stay tuned for details about the Term One 2025 tournament if you would like to join us next year! Also remember to attend Chess Club if you want to hone your chess skills.

Mrs Wallace

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

Year 1 Checks Out Fire Engine

In the last newsletter, Year 1 had a classroom visit from the Local Fire Brigade. Last week they got to check out the fire engine and squirt water from the fire hose!

See all the photos here!

The daring feats and dangerous stunts the school photographer needs to endure, for just the right shot!

Wide Bay Readers Cup

Bayside Christian College Represented in Bundaberg

On Wednesday, 31st July, Year 9 and 10 students from across the Wide Bay region gathered in Bundaberg for the annual Wide Bay Readers Cup. This literary competition, which emphasizes teamwork and a love for reading, saw enthusiastic participation from numerous schools, including our very own Bayside Christian College.

The Readers Cup is a team-based competition where students work together to read a selection of books before answering detailed questions about them. Each team, comprised of four to five students, must read the assigned books within a set period. During the competition, teams are quizzed on their comprehension, recall, and understanding of the books through a series of rounds. The questions range from simple recall to more complex analytical queries, making it a true test of both memory and critical thinking skills.

Our students from Bayside Christian College performed admirably throughout the competition. Their dedication and teamwork were evident as they tackled each round with enthusiasm and collaboration. The months of preparation, countless hours spent reading, and engaging in team discussions paid off as they navigated the challenging questions with confidence.

The event was not just about competition but also about fostering a community of readers and celebrating the joy of literature. Our students had the opportunity to meet peers from other schools and share their love for reading. It was heartening to see their excitement and camaraderie, within the team.

We extend our congratulations to all participants for their hard work and commendable performances. Special thanks go to the organisers in Bundaberg for hosting a memorable and well-coordinated event. Here’s to more reading adventures ahead!

Teacher Miss Warne and Student Noah Byrne Tread the Boards of Local Theatre

Noah’s latest production he is part of, Children of the Black Skirt, opened 9 August at Zpac Theatre and is showing for the next three weekends. It is a very fine Australian Drama Theatre show.

Teacher Miss Warne plays the lead role of Dolly Parton alongside Noah in the 9-5 Production that will be showing at the Brolga Theatre on 30th August and 1st September.

They would love to see you there!

Wide Bay Rugby League

On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th of August, 14 girls from our school participated in trials for a spot on the Wide Bay rugby league team. Our girls played outstanding football, thanks to the excellent coaching from Mr Carter and Mr Bennett. We are proud to announce that four of our girls have been selected to represent Wide Bay at the State Championships in September. This is a historic achievement, as it is the first time Bayside has ever had a girl represent at this level. We wish these girls all the best in their upcoming competition.

Congratulations to Malama Hudson, Lilly Sloan, Tyarna Goldsmith and Sophie France

Staying Active: Why Physical Activity is Essential for Our Students

In today’s fast-paced and digitally-focused world, the importance of physical activity often takes a back seat. However, for our students here at Bayside Christian College, maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for their health and well-being. As we strive to nurture well-rounded individuals, we cannot overlook the profound benefits of regular physical activity.

Why Physical Activity Matters

Physical activity is more than just a way to stay in shape. It plays a vital role in the overall development of our students by improving their physical health, mental well-being, and social skills. Engaging in sports, exercise, or even simple daily activities like walking or cycling can lead to:

Enhanced Academic Performance: Studies have consistently shown that students who engage in regular physical activity perform better academically. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive functions such as memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.

Better Mental Health: Physical activity is a natural mood booster. It releases endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. With the pressures of school life, regular exercise provides students with a healthy outlet to manage their emotions and improve their self-esteem.

Improved Physical Health: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, lungs, and muscles, helping students maintain a healthy weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It also improves coordination, balance, and flexibility.

Social Benefits: Participating in team sports or group activities fosters a sense of community and belonging. It teaches students valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication, which are essential both in and out of the classroom.

Healthy Habits for Life: Encouraging physical activity in school sets the foundation for a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. By developing a routine early on, students are more likely to continue these habits into adulthood.

Our Commitment to Physical Activity

At Bayside Christian College, we are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that encourages all students to stay active. Our comprehensive Health and Physical Education programs offers a wide range of activities designed to cater to different interests and fitness levels, from traditional sports like soccer and basketball to emerging activities like Pickleball and Oztag. We also encourage our students to participate in extracurricular sports teams and clubs, where they can explore their interests, develop new skills, and make lasting friendships.

Get Involved!

We invite all students and parents to take an active role in promoting physical activity. Here are a few ways you can support your child: By working together, we can ensure that our students not only excel academically but also lead healthy, active lives. Let’s make physical activity a priority and a positive experience for everyone at Bayside Christian College.

Master of Education

My name is Carmen Yeatman, and I feel truly blessed to be teaching Year 6 at Bayside Christian College. Originally from Zimbabwe, I taught for several years in New Zealand before taking time off to focus on my young family while travelling and living in Texas, USA. Recently, I completed my Master of Education—a challenging year balancing the demands of a busy family life with full-time study, but one that deeply enriched my teaching expertise and philosophy.

When my husband and I moved to Australia, we were searching for the right school for our children and immediately knew that Bayside was the place for us. Six years later, we’re still here, and I’ve had the privilege of joining the staff. We love our community!

In my classroom, I focus on fostering a growth mindset, helping students become lifelong learners who always strive to do their best and view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.

Outside of school, you’ll often find me on the sidelines of a soccer field or at the dance studio cheering on my children. I also enjoy fishing, boating, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing at the beach.

Director of Curriculum’s Message

When we talk about Curriculum at Bayside Christian College, we often mention that we follow the Australian Curriculum. However, what truly brings our classrooms to life is the diverse and engaging ways in which it is presented. Despite the challenges of Term Three, particularly with the widespread sickness, there has been a silver lining. With staff absences, I’ve had the opportunity to step into various classrooms and be reminded firsthand of the broad spectrum of learning experiences we offer our students.

As someone who primarily teaches Mathematics, I’m always captivated by the intricate beauty that this subject presents. In Year 11 Mathematical Methods, we’ve embarked on the fascinating journey of Calculus, which opens up a whole new dimension of problem-solving in both two and three-dimensional spaces. In Year 7 Maths, our students are just beginning to delve into the world of Algebra, catching a glimpse of the myriad possibilities that lie ahead.

Recently, I have had the chance to spend some time in our Fashion and Textile classes, and what a contrast it is! Here, students tap into their creative talents, designing and crafting projects of incredible diversity. Whether they’re mastering the sewing machine or learning to thread a needle, they are acquiring valuable life skills along the way. Of course, there are the occasional mishaps – like sewing across the bottom of a pair of shorts – but these moments are part of the learning journey.

Passing through the corridor, I also had the pleasure of observing the Science Lab, the Kitchen, and the Art Room in action. The experiments in the Science Lab bring theory to life, offering students a deeper understanding of the concepts they study. Mrs. Frost’s art classes are always bustling with creativity, and the aromas wafting from the Kitchen are a testament to the culinary skills our students are developing – not to mention their ability to brew a good coffee!

In a Year 7/8 STEAM class, I watched students tackle the challenge of designing and constructing a Vending Machine from cardboard. Turning their sketches into a functioning model is proving to be quite the task, especially as they navigate the dynamics of group work.

Another highlight has been working with the Year 10 Christian Studies class, where students are exploring Sacred Stories and creating a “Big Book” based on a Bible verse to share with the Preps and Year Ones. This project has been a joy to witness, as students bring together creativity and spiritual reflection.

Our Spinnaker extension students have been hard at work preparing for the Queensland Science Contest, organized by the Science Teachers Association of Queensland. Two groups are entering the Scientific Investigations section, conducting experiments and documenting their findings, while three groups are developing technology projects, coding solutions to real-world problems. We eagerly anticipate the completion of these projects and the innovative ideas our students will present.

At Bayside Christian College, we take great pride in the extensive and diverse nature of our Curriculum. While we adhere to the Australian Curriculum, we are equally committed to integrating a Biblical perspective into every work program. It is a true privilege to see our students grow daily, not just in their academic abilities but as well-rounded individuals. Our prayer is that Bayside graduates will go on to make a positive and lasting impact in the world.

Noela Ensbey

What’s Happening in Year 2

In Year 2, we’ve been incredibly busy with a range of exciting activities! We’ve been diving into report writing, focusing on Olympians and different animals, which has helped us learn how to research and present information effectively. In Maths, we’re tackling a fun investigation all about going to the show, where we’re using our problem-solving skills to work with numbers in practical ways. Our Health lessons have been all about exploring the amazing qualities that make up our unique personalities, helping us understand ourselves and each other better. Meanwhile, in Technology, we’re unleashing our creativity by designing and making our very own puppets and a puppet theatre. There’s never a dull moment in Year 2!

What’s Happening in Year 3

Term Three has been a busy and creative time in Year Three. Currently, our rooms are full of boxes, coloured paper and other craft materials as students are creating their lemonade stands which they designed earlier in the term. It is wonderful to see their designs come to fruition, and they are looking forward to following a procedure text to make lemonade. Last week, Jelly Fish took over as students prepared for the annual Illumination Parade, as part of local Whale Festival. Students were later surprised when they had to play tunnel ball as an event that they then retold in their recount writing assessment.

Have you heard the saying that ‘cash is king?’ These days where a tap of plastic pays for most items, learning about money can be tricky. In Mathematics, students have been adding different amounts of dollars and cents and calculating change. During our ‘Big Spender’ investigation, students were given $200 (theoretical money not real – much to some students’ disappointment!) to spend on gifts for eight different people with two disclaimers; 1. No two gifts were to be the same amount, 2. Students needed to spend as close to $200 as possible. Whilst the thought of spending this money was thrilling, the budgeting element of this investigation meant that many students needed to be flexible and rethink gift options to stay within their spending capacity. This investigation gave students an insight into how mathematics can be applied in real world situations. Prior to this, 3T went grocery shopping at the Classroom Store to practice their skills using money and calculating change.

The weather may be cool but that has not deterred year three students from enjoying improving their life saving skills in the pool. It has been only two weeks of lessons and already their confidence and skills are evidently growing. It has also been great to see both 3T and 3Q students mixing with ease as they hone their skills during their lessons.

Trudy Herbert and Marianne Strange 
Year Three Teachers 

Senior School Science

Year 7:

Our Year 7 students have been over the moon (pun intended!) with their exploration of space. They’ve been learning about everything from the phases of the moon to space exploration and the components of our solar system. As part of their research assessments, they’ve been investigating fascinating topics including black holes, the Milky Way, and planets in our solar system. It’s been wonderful to see their curiosity take flight as they research information and create presentations that are out of this world!

Year 8:

Year 8 students have been charged up with our unit on potential and kinetic energy. After getting to grips with the theory, they’ve been putting their knowledge into practice in a series of fun and interactive experiments. We’ve explored magnetic potential energy, discovered the energy stored in different foods, and even experimented with elastic potential energy using rubber bands. Watching the students combine their creativity and curiosity has resulted in some engaging and memorable lessons.

It’s been a fantastic term of discovery and learning, and I’m so proud of the hard work and enthusiasm the students have shown. Keep reaching for the stars, Year 7, and keep that energy flowing, Year 8!

Emily Taylor
Senior School Coordinator

Year 10 at RYDA — “My Life, My Choices”

On Thursday, 8th August, our Year 10 students participated in the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) program at the Maryborough Showgrounds, centred around the theme “My Life, My Choices.” This impactful day was designed to help our students understand the importance of making safe and informed decisions as they prepare for the responsibilities of driving.

Students attended various workshops that highlighted critical aspects of road safety. The sessions focused on recognising the dangers of distractions while driving, emphasising how even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to serious consequences. Another workshop explored hidden blind spots, helping students understand the risks associated with areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver.

A highlight of the day was when students had the chance to climb into a semi-trailer, giving them a truck driver’s perspective and illustrating the importance of giving these large vehicles space on the roads. Another memorable moment was the live demonstrations by the police, which showcased the significant differences in braking distances at various speeds. These practical experiences brought the lessons to life and left a lasting impression on the students.

We extend our sincere thanks to Rotary and all the volunteers who made this invaluable day possible.