Bayside Bulletin Newsletter, 22 October 2024

Princpal’s Message

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

This is truly a beautiful piece of Scripture that has given me much comfort over the years, and most especially when I have experienced difficulties. It speaks to the cyclical nature of life, drawing parallels between the seasons of the earth and the seasons of human existence. It reminds us that just as the earth experiences different seasons, our lives also go through periods of growth, change, and renewal. Further, it tells me that regardless of what I am going through at this very point in time, all that has begun will end, and with that, there will be a wonderful new beginning.

If we think about our lives this way, we can be more tolerant of the challenges we face, we can be more resilient in the knowledge that these times will not last forever, and we are more appreciative of the good times, knowing how truly special they are. Something we often do not do!

The launch of the Masterplan was indeed the signalling of a new era, a departure… or perhaps more accurately described, as a freeing from the bonds that have restricted our developments in the past. It was the signalling of new possibilities, and a wonderful path we will now travel. I thank all who attended on the night, and to our Board, Novum architects, and our many consultants who have helped take our vision and create this tremendous and ambitious plan.

Staff Appointments 2025

Junior School

As we are discussing endings and beginnings, last Term we farewelled Noela Ensbey who left to commence a wonderful and well-deserved retirement, after a great many years of service to the educational community in Queensland. This change has resulted in a ‘new beginning’ for her old role. Following a re-structure Mrs Bel France has been appointed as Director of Curriculum – Senior School and now, our newly appointed Head of Junior School – Curriculum, Mrs Sarah Bishell.

This restructure takes place from the commencement of 2025, so as to not disturb Mrs Bishell’s little Preps. This change also increases the leadership of our Junior School such that we now have both a Head of Junior School – Curriculum (Sarah Bishell) and in a restructured role, a Head of Junior School – Pastoral (A Mulder). I wish this new Junior School team the very best as they seek the very best opportunities for our youngest students. This division of labours will enable our leadership team to deliver better outcomes for our students and our staff.

Learning Enrichment

Following 5 years of dedicated leadership within Learning Enrichment and having cared for hundreds of children with varying learning needs, Kathy Jamieson has decided to step down from her Executive Leadership role, and to accept a teaching role at Xavier College. The demands of leadership are many, the responsibility significant, and the costs ever-present, and Kathy has shouldered these burdens with integrity and commitment. She has served and supported our students to the very best of her ability, and I know she will be missed in this leadership role.

While we will miss Kathy and all she has given through such selfless dedication, she will now have far greater contact with children, working with them in classrooms, supporting class teachers, and doing much of the work she has led and taught others to do. I wish her the very best as she returns to the classroom – a wish that I have for myself in the future!

In considering the needs of our students now, and into the future, I am taking this opportunity to restructure this role and have established a new position called the Director of Learning and Intervention which will replace the current role of Director of Learning Enrichment. This specialist role will work in a very close partnership with the Directors of Curriculum and class teachers to provide a more specialised service to support students with needs.

The Director of Learning and Intervention will have a very strong focus on each child assigned to their care and will work directly with class teachers to monitor development and progress. The Director of Learning and Intervention has a specialised knowledge of curriculum, learning progressions and student needs, and will be supported by a team of Teacher Aides and a Learning Intervention Teacher. These staff members will have far greater responsibility and autonomy to direct and provide higher levels of support than our current structure allows for.

Following our recruitment process for the role, I am pleased to announce that one of our current teachers, Kyleigh Christiansen has been appointed to this role from 2025. She has significant experience in numeracy and literacy development, learning progressions, the learning needs of students, and will bring significant practical experience, enthusiasm, wisdom, and energy to this demanding role, but with the gentleness so needed by our students and families. Her caring personality, love for her role and service in Christ, and her strong interpersonal skills ensures her approachability, and ability to deal with all matters of difficulty with calmness and considered thought. I congratulate her on this new beginning!

Lighthouse

The Spinnaker program has served the community well for numerous years, but with the increasing academic potential of our students, the drive for academic excellence, and the many new opportunities that are available, there is tremendous potential for a renewed focus and energy, and the time for change is now!

As such, the College is pleased to announce a new Academic Excellence Program called ‘Lighthouse Academic Talent’ which will provide meaningful, and challenging opportunities for our Gifted, Talented, and High Achieving students.

The concept of a ‘Lighthouse’ is not only a physical structure designed to assist in navigation, but a strong metaphor of a spiritual principle.  John 8: 12 states: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” This reminds us that we live in a dark world filled with troubles, and that Jesus’ light shines through the oppression to guide us into the safety of God’s presence.

Just as Jesus is a light to the world, so too will this program offer a light that will one day enable our students to provide a path from the troubles of our world, but it will develop young people with not only the academic potential to find the solutions we so desperately need, but with the heart to discern God’s Word, and the Hands to carry out Service in His name.

This program will be launched and commence in 2025, and will in the very near future be the pathways for future students to apply for Academic Scholarships within our College.

Following much deliberation and in recognition of her experience, success, and outstanding contribution to Gifted and Talented programs a number of years ago, I have invited Bianca Carter to lead this program for our College. I congratulate her on her return to this specialised role.

Chaplain

Our beloved Chaplain, Karl Spross has indicated that while he loves and has been most encouraged by his ministry and calling at the College, the time has come for him to commence his transition to retirement. This is most sad indeed, but this time will come for us all, and it is a time of great celebration as we have the opportunity to pursue other interests and passions.

Chappy Karl is a truly special man, and although he now seeks to commence retirement, he has agreed to return to us from time to time, to support and minister to students and staff. This is so reflective of his heart, and I thank God for all Karl has done for us, and all that he will continue to do in a new capacity, both within and beyond our community in his retirement.

The process and discernment needed in the appointment of a Chaplain is significant and we have commenced this process and are already in discussion with possible candidates. I will keep you updated on this process as we undertake this journey.

Maternity Leave

Jess Davis will commence her maternity leave at the end of this week. Preparing for the birth of your child is a truly special experience, and one that comes with a range of competing emotions. As Jess and her husband, now make the final preparations for their first child, I ask that we as a community hold them both in prayer for this exciting time.

May God Bless this newly created family. He has known this child long before they were created and may this child grow to be a source of light for others in a difficult and broken world.

I wish you all a wonderful week ahead.

Brian Grimes
Principal/CEO

Deputy Principal’s Message

Greetings to all our students and families as we welcome Week 4. I have had the privilege of meeting with different families this fortnight, welcoming new staff, and engaging in conversations with people in our College community. These interactions have served as a beautiful reminder of the connections God places in our lives, each of them intentional and purposeful. Every moment, every conversation, offers an opportunity to reflect His love, to connect with others, and to be a source of care and support.

In these interactions, I am reminded of the unique way God has created each of us. We are all different — each with our own experiences, perspectives, and strengths — and yet, we are brought together in this community. The diversity we see around us is part of His wonderful design, and through it, we are constantly learning. Sometimes, we are called to walk alongside others, sharing in their burdens and offering encouragement. Other times, we are asked to exercise patience, especially when faced with differing opinions or challenges in our relationships with others — and sometimes, we are simply called to marvel at the diversity and beauty of the people God has placed around us.

However we interpret these moments, they serve a greater purpose. Our interactions provide us with opportunities to serve and understand one another better, to show kindness, and to extend grace — even in the face of our differences. When we do this, not only do we grow, but we also strengthen our community. It is through these shared experiences of love, support, and patience that we build a culture that reflects the heart of Christ — a community bound together by His love.

Joining us in our journey, we are blessed to welcome two new staff members this fortnight who join our College community, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge, gifts and experiences to support our students. I am certain they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.

Please find a short biography for Miss Keegan Cirillo, our new Junior Music Teacher, who will work alongside Mr Tyson Clancy-Jones to develop our Bayside Academy of Music, and Mrs Jade Baravilala, our new College Counsellor. Mrs Baravilala will also be developing a Sport Psychology approach to our Barracudas Program.

Masterplan Launch

Thank you to the many families who attended last week’s gathering at Hervey Bay Baptist Church to celebrate the launch of our Masterplan. Those present heard not only about our plans for the physical development of our buildings and facilities but, more importantly, about our vision and aspirations for the future of our community. It was an inspiring evening, as we shared our hopes, discussed the various aspects of these plans, and came together in fellowship and prayer.

For those who could not attend, we have made a hard copy of the Masterplan available at our Reception, and an electronic version can be found on our website.

Photos from the night can be viewed here.

We invite you to explore our vision and join us in prayer and support as we look toward an exciting future for our College. Thank you once again to everyone who made this night truly special!

Barracudas Update: Highway Cup

Last Friday, our Barracudas took on Victory College in a battle for the Highway Cup. What a tremendous effort from all our teams! Our 11/12 Boys led the charge with an impressive 30-6 victory, followed by our 12/13/14 Years Girls, who secured a well-earned 18-12 win. Finally, our 13/14/15 Years Boys finished off the day with a remarkable 28-0 triumph.

While we are incredibly proud of these results, what stood out even more was the leadership and teamwork our students displayed. It was heartwarming to see them linking arms, encouraging one another, and embodying the brotherhood and sisterhood that exists within our teams. Their sportsmanship stood out as they shook hands with the opposing team, showing true respect for one another.

We look forward to our next game against Victory College at their home ground, scheduled for Friday 1 November. Go Barracudas!

The Barracudas thank their Platinum Sponsor

Spelling Bee Update

We are incredibly proud of our Bayside students for representing the College at the Station Square Spelling Bee. Out of the four teams in the semi-finals, two were from Bayside, and we are thrilled to announce that they have now advanced to the finals — to be held from 9am Saturday 26 October 2024. Students are in the running to win $400 each, as well as a prize for our College.

A big congratulations to our Spelling Bee team, and a big thank you to Mrs Herbert, Mrs Farrelly and Mrs Sengupta for their coordination and support throughout this event. Well done, team Bayside!

Day for Daniel

This Friday, our College will participate in Day for Daniel, an important day dedicated to raising awareness about child safety. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of our commitment to this cause and to reinforce the importance of child safety. We also ask everyone to bring a gold coin donation to support the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, which continues to do incredible work in keeping children safe across Australia.

Throughout the day, our students will engage in lessons and conversations surrounding child safety. We are also excited to welcome members of the Queensland Police Service, who will deliver an important message on identifying safe and unsafe scenarios. I look forward to coming together as a community to support this vital cause and help create a safer environment for all children.

Annual Awards Ceremony

Our Annual Awards Night is approaching soon — a very important occasion to celebrate the achievements of all our students. I have sent an email to our families with all the necessary information. Please refer to the tiles below for the dates of our 7-12 Annual Awards Night, as well as our Prep-3 and Year 4-6 Awards Nights. Mark your calendars and get ready for a wonderful opportunity to applaud the hard work and dedication of our students.

Bayside Ladies Brunch

I send a reminder to the wonderful women of Bayside about our Ladies Brunch next Saturday. We cannot let Mr Brian Grimes have all the fun hosting his Men’s Breakfasts; it is now my turn to host and welcome the fabulous females. Sorry, Gentlemen!

I am delighted to invite all our mums, nans, aunties, and special female friends to join us for our very first “Bayside Ladies Brunch” on Saturday 2 November 2024, from 9am to 11am, right here at the College.

This brunch is a special opportunity to come together as women, mothers, and friends to relax, share, and support one another. It is a time uplift and encourage each other, creating a strong and caring community that reflects our shared connection to Bayside Christian College. Most importantly, we are here to bond as sisters in Christ, united by both our faith and the love we have for our children, who are at the heart of what brings us together.

I look forward to welcoming you all on this special day, where we can enjoy each other’s company and strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.

If you would like to join us, please click the button below to register.

As Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us:

“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must forgive. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.”

Let’s put this scripture into practice this fortnight by actively engaging in offering care, kindness, words of encouragement, listening with patience, and extending forgiveness where it is due. Seek to make every interaction a reflection of Christ’s love and peace. In doing so, we can create the community we so deeply seek – one where compassion and grace thrive, just as Paul calls us to in Colossians. May this be our guide as we continue to support and uplift one another throughout this fortnight and beyond, making each moment an opportunity to reflect God’s heart.

God bless.

Edelle Broadhurst
Deputy Principal

Understanding Curriculum: A Message from the Director of Curriculum, Bel France

Last weekend, while catching up on some work, my daughter asked me, “Mum, what does curriculum mean?” This question prompted a thoughtful discussion about its significance in education. In essence, curriculum refers to the structured set of educational experiences and learning objectives designed for students within a school or educational program. It encompasses the subjects taught, the content covered, the skills and knowledge students are expected to acquire, and the methods used to deliver instruction.

Curriculum is vital in education as it provides a structured framework for learning. It guides educators in lesson planning and assessment, ensuring consistency in learning outcomes across different settings. A well-designed curriculum promotes equity by giving all students access to high-quality education, emphasises critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and reflects societal values by connecting learning to real-world issues. Additionally, it fosters lifelong learning by equipping students with the essential competencies necessary for navigating personal and professional challenges. As noted by education expert John Dewey, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” This highlights the need for a dynamic and relevant curriculum that adapts to the changing needs of society. Ultimately, the curriculum shapes the educational experience, helping students develop the skills and knowledge required to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

As we continue to reflect, adjust, and enhance our curriculum, our focus remains on providing meaningful lessons for all students.

I also want to remind parents that all secondary students should have access to their assessment items on the student portal, including task sheets and marking criteria. It’s essential for students to regularly check their due dates to ensure they are organised and prepared. Assessments should never come as a surprise, and being well-prepared is key to their success.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the curriculum or assessments, please feel free to reach out. Together, we can support our students in achieving their best.

Exciting Developments in Health and Physical Education

As we enter the final term of the year, exciting activities are underway in the Health and Physical Education department! Our Year 7 students have embarked on a journey to learn and apply their skills in Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide. This engaging sport caters to all fitness levels, allowing students to participate without the pressure of needing to be super fit. It’s truly exciting to witness the students developing their skills while enjoying the game. Pickleball not only promotes physical fitness but also fosters teamwork and social interaction, essential elements in building a supportive school environment.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 students are honing their abilities through touch football skills and drills. This activity emphasises the importance of collaboration and communication on the field, enhancing both their teamwork and athleticism. The Year 10 students are currently immersed in their Bronze Medallion unit, focusing on essential lifesaving skills. This program not only equips them with the knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies but also instills a sense of responsibility and confidence in their abilities.

In addition, our Senior Sport and Recreation students are diving into an Event Management unit. This hands-on project challenges them to plan and host a sports event for a primary class, providing a fantastic opportunity to build confidence and learn valuable skills related to event planning and evaluation. By engaging with younger students, they also cultivate mentorship skills, creating a sense of community within the school.

We are looking forward to a term filled with learning, growth, and fun in Health and Physical Education! If you have any questions or would like to know more about our programs, please feel free to reach out.

Mrs Bel France

Legal Studies

Understanding Federalism and Constitutional Powers in Australia

In Year 11 Legal Studies, students are delving into a current question: Does the federal government possess the constitutional authority to build a nuclear power station, even if state governments oppose such a development? This inquiry opens a broader conversation about the division of law-making powers in Australia and how it can lead to conflict.

The Constitutional Framework

Australia’s Constitution divides powers between the Commonwealth and state governments, which often creates tensions. One significant case study that illustrates this conflict is the Tasmanian Dam Case. In our classroom discussions, students took on roles representing various stakeholders: environmentalists, UNESCO, the Tasmanian government, the federal government, the High Court, and the media. This role-playing exercise helped highlight the complexities of the case, especially as voters’ opinion were divided on the dam’s construction.

Timeline and Constitutional Sections

We analysed a timeline of events that allowed the Tasmanian government to initially legislate for the dam’s construction. However, we also examined how the federal government intervened, relying on constitutional provisions to halt the project. The High Court played a pivotal role in interpreting these powers, ultimately ruling that federal law prevails in cases of consistency with state law. This ruling underlined the evolving shift of constitutional powers, reflecting how federal laws—especially concerning income tax—have expanded the federal government’s powers beyond what the Constitution’s founders may have originally intended.

Year 12 Perspectives on Federalism

As Year 12 Legal Studies students prepare for the first summative assessment, the exploration of federalism continues. They build on their understanding of the Australian government structure to evaluate whether the Constitution effectively delivers good governance. Given that the last successful referendum occurred in 1977, the challenge of amending the Constitution was a focus in discussions about governance and accountability.

Governance is fundamentally about establishing processes that ensure effective decision-making. To navigate this complex topic, students learn how government policy translates into law, focussing on mechanisms like the separation of powers, division of powers, legislative procedures, democratic representation, and the rule of law. These elements are important for maintaining checks and balances, enabling students to discern whether governments are fulfilling their responsibilities to the Australian people.

Engaging with these legal concepts empowers students to critically assess the Australian Constitution and its implications for federalism. As they explore the balance of power between state and federal authorities, they also develop skills to navigate misinformation and consider the role of government in their lives.

Digital Technology and Media Arts

Term 4 2024

Year six and seven students started digital technology this term with an introduction to robotics and programming by writing instructions for a jam sandwich! The class had fun as the teacher tried to follow the instructions, acting as a robot! The class are now moving on to program their own virtual robot – the first challenge being to get the robot to draw a square – which is more difficult than you might think, but the students are doing a good job.

Year nine and ten students are learning how to write web pages. Armed with their new knowledge they will be writing a web-based adventure game based on a story we developed in class. Their latest lesson had the students creating web pages with a picture of a cat – and we had some very interesting pictures used.

Year 11 ICT are learning all about 3D modelling this term, using Blender, a free, powerful 3D editor. At the moment the classes are all about the design, making sure that the model they eventually build is suitable for the requirements of the fictitious client company. Previously they have already learned to model and colour a Rubic’s cube, and are now designing a car for a children’s computer game.

Year 11 Media Arts class are learning about film making by making a short film of a knock-knock joke! They’ve learned basic story-boarding and some screenwriting skills and have just completed their filming. Next in line is the editing before we have our class film-show!

Year 6 Update

Our Year 6 students are thoroughly enjoying their transition into Year 7 as they explore a wide variety of elective subjects. These subjects have allowed students to explore specific interests such as Food technology, STEAM, Engineering, Visual Art, Drama, Music, Textiles, Social Entrepreneurship, and Barracudas. Electives give students the opportunity to broaden their learning experience, develop new skills, and pursue personal passions that might align with future career paths or hobbies. All students have been well supported during this process and are engaging with a wide variety of experienced and passionate teachers. It has been wonderful to see them embracing these opportunities and enjoying their lessons as they navigate and adjust to new routines and expectations.

Carmen Yeatman

Year 10 HASS

This term, the Year 10 HASS students have been studying environmental change and management while focusing on the ecological functions that support all life, the major challenges to their sustainability, and the environmental worldviews that influence how people perceive and respond to these challenges. The students have had the opportunity to examine the causes and consequences of a change within the context of a specific environment and the strategies to manage the change, focusing on Australia’s climate change.

With the onset of the storm season, this is certainly an important and relevant topic. The Year 10s have particularly enjoyed the section on severe weather, finding the forces of nature quite compelling. It is bound to be an interesting term ahead, and I look forward to our journey of enquiry together.

Alleyné Jacobs

Year 1 Update

This term in class the year ones have been having fun in Maths learning about money and number. The students have been practising making groups with hands on materials and have had lots of fun doing this. We have played with notes and coins and sorted them according to their value and have started to learn how to do addition with money.

In English we have been learning about poetry and had a popcorn party as we shared our poems in a fun oral presentation to the class. The students have learnt to identify rhyming words and use rhythm when they present a poem, some  added in movement.

In Science we have been learning about Chemical science and have done some fun science experiments together. We built spaghetti towers with marshmallows and learning about how Zooper Doopers change with heat. Recently we did a fun experiment with a  chemical reaction where the students learnt how a substance can change when mixed with the right ingredients.