BCC Prayer Warriors

We are privileged to be able to run a monthly prayer morning. It’s a treat to pray for new families, students and staff, share some coffee and cake and enjoy great conversation. Everyone is welcome to join us on the first Tuesday of each month from 8:45am – 9:30am to pray alongside parents and local churches. Come for a bit, or come for the whole time.

Please sign-in at the College Office. We meet near the Weathershed in the College Garden. Simply follow the signs.

For more information or to ask for personal prayer, please email prayerwarriors@bcc.nsw.edu.au.

Thanks to Wendy for the nice reminder that prayer is about relationship, it is not a ritual …. “As we pray “Our Father in heaven,” God answers by imparting a childlike love and trust to our souls. When we address God as Father, every prayer transforms from ritual to relationship.” How beautiful is that picture of us calling on our Heavenly Father, and in response to that acknowledgement, He floods our souls with love and trust in Him.

Check out the prayer focus areas and upcoming dates in the image below.

Prayer Points:

• Unity across the College: Pray for unity within the College this year, that students, staff and the community experience working together in harmony. That they may experience joy, peace, contentment, selflessness, generosity and grace in all they do.
• New staff, students, and families: Pray for all new staff members and students as they transition into the College community. Ask that they feel welcomed, supported, and connected as they adjust to their roles and classes. Pray for meaningful relationships with colleagues and students, and for wisdom and confidence as they settle into this new chapter. 
• Recruitment – TAS Teacher: Pray for the final stages of recruiting a TAS teacher, that God would bring the right person to fill this role—someone who is skilled, passionate and aligned with the College’s mission. Ask for wisdom and discernment for those making the decision.

Primary

06.03.25 | CSSA State Swimming

Secondary

24.02.25 | Stage 6 Music Excursion to Encore
05.03.25 | Zone Swimming Carnival

Whole College

07.03.25 | Schools Clean Up Australia Day

Our College Calendar is available on our website where you can be kept up-to-date with events throughout the year. Closer to the event parents and carers will receive communication via the Sentral Parent App and/or email.

What is my prop all about?
I love to ride and I met my husband in a bike shop. We ran a popular mountain-bike club in Sydney decades ago. We cycled around Tassie on a tandem. It is a delight to be in nature on a mountain bike and I have so many happy memories of cycling with my kids in the trailer or bike seat behind me. Now, I’ve discovered how fun it is whizzing around the Redhead pump track on a BMX.

What church ministries excite me?
Children’s ministry, kids holiday club, prayer and connecting with others, encouraging one another in our spiritual journey and relationship with God.

What does a lazy afternoon look like for me?
Lazy’ isn’t part of my vocabulary, but I am learning the discipline and necessity of slowing down and resting well. A ‘lazy’ afternoon would be playing Uno with the kids, reading a good book with a cuppa nearby or basking in the ocean at Redhead beach.

The best thing about working at BCC is…
The community – our amazing staff team, the precious children and their families.

What is my prop all about?
My props are journals that hold a lifetime of memories, starting from when I began journaling at 15. They capture everything from the hilarious moments of my dating days with my husband—first kiss, first fight!—to treasured milestones like my wedding, the births of my children, and the poignant loss of my father when I was 26. Who knows maybe you will feature one day!

What church ministries excite me?
The Welcoming Team ministry excites me because it allows me to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for newcomers, helping them feel at home and connected right from the start. I love being part of a team that sets the tone for a positive experience and fosters a sense of community.

What does a lazy afternoon look like for me?
A lazy afternoon for me is all about soaking in the vibes of the season! In the summer, you’ll find me poolside with a good book or catching up with friends while enjoying the stunning views of the waterways. In winter, it’s all about cozying up in the family room with my husband, watching movies, and having those relaxed, heart-to-heart chats.

The best thing about working at BCC is…
The best thing about working at BCC is definitely the warm, welcoming Christian community that makes you feel right at home from the very beginning. It’s a place where everyone is professional, supportive and uplifting, making it such a joy to be part of. BCC truly stands out for its incredible sense of belonging and care!

What is my prop all about?
I love baking, especially cakes and bread.

What church ministries excite me?
Young Adults ministry.

What does a lazy afternoon look like for me?
Pottering in the garden, or playing with my kids at the beach.

The best thing about working at BCC is…
The College community.

Parents and carers are reminded that when dropping students off in the morning or picking
them up in the afternoon that the kiss and drop zone directly outside the office is for quick
drop off and collection only. It is not a parking zone. The zone works to ensure the smooth
flow of traffic when parents can pull up in this zone and the children independently jump
out without the assistance of parents, with the car pulling away after the children
have safely exited. If your child is one that may require assistance with getting out of the car
or collecting bags and that you need more time for exiting, may we request that you park in
the overflow parking adjacent to the oval to do this. Additionally, if you have a child that
doesn’t separate easily at drop-off, then the overflow parking is a good option allowing you
to park your vehicle, walk them into the College and help them settle before leaving. This
will allow a good flow of traffic through the pick-up/drop-off zone.

Also, our staff have noticed an increase in families stopping in John Fisher Road to drop
children off with them walking from here into the College grounds. Whilst in theory this is a
good strategy which encourages a level of independence, the increased foot traffic across
the pedestrian crossing is slowing the flow of cars through the kiss and drop zone. Our
preference is to complete drop-off within the College so that cars flow through the front
entrance around to the drop off zone, drop off children and then exit back onto John Fisher
Rd. We thank you for your assistance with this. A few simple things can make life easier for
everyone at the critical times of drop-off and pick-up.

Mr David Holland
Deputy Principal

As a reminder to all students, parents and carers, we are continuing to support our learning community with a consistent approach to our uniform and digital devices policies in 2025. By putting things in their proper place, these policies help us to focus our attention on the main learning and wellbeing goals, that;

• Every student is learning and growing, every lesson, every day &
• Every student is feeling well, functioning well and connecting well.

Help support this vibrant learning community by reminding your child of our ‘gate to gate’ expectations when it comes to digital devices, and wearing the correct uniform (and wearing it correctly) for the day’s learning. Then we can get on with the rich tasks that God has graciously prepared for us to do (Eph 2: 8-10), in our learning community.

Mr Alex Cameron
Head of Secondary School

College Office Hours 
The College Office hours are 8am – 4pm. 

College Office Contacts 
Our Administration Team can be contacted by phoning the College on 4922 8300 and following the prompts or by using the email format firstname.lastname@bcc.nsw.edu.au.
 
Primary Administration Assistant: Mrs Debbie Paardekooper – Primary enquiries, absences, medical information etc. 

Secondary Administration Assistant: Mrs Kathy Evans – Secondary enquiries, absences, medical information etc.

Registrar: Ms Teena Knott – enrolment enquiries 

Receptionist: Mrs Laura Ioannides & Mrs Namali Vippond – payments, general enquiries 

Assistant Business Manager: Mrs Michelle Mazzantini – school fee enquiries 

Bus Transport 
A range of buses service the College. Information on the catchment area, routes and timetables can be found by visiting our Transport page on our website. 

Bus pass applications and updated information need to be completed online. The application will be endorsed by the College and then the Opal Card is mailed directly to the address provided on the application. 

Medical Action Plans 
If your child has a medical action plan, please contact the Administration Assistant for your Primary or Secondary school student at the College Office so that the management plan can be implemented or updated for your child.

Manage Your School Fees 
Belmont Christian College uses the Student Management System, Sentral, to manage school fees. School fees statements and further information have been emailed this week allowing you to register and set up your payment plan via the Sentral Parent Portal.

For further information on fees and payment options you can visit our website, or email college@bcc.nsw.edu.au

Parent Volunteers 
Parents/Carers have many opportunities to assist the College in a variety of ways. Opportunities for parent/carer help include sports coaching, community garden, reading groups, stalls, camps and excursions. Notices requesting help regularly appear in the College Newsletter. 

Please note that all volunteers who assist at the College must read the Volunteer Handbook which is available at the Office or from classroom teachers. When volunteering parents need to sign in and out at the College office.

Last year, we launched a new initiative called Primary School Grade Parents, where a small number of parents in each grade further supported the growth of community across the Primary School . 
 
We are continuing our Primary School Grade Parent program in 2025. You can find out who your grade parents are by clicking on this link HERE.
 
If you are interested in becoming a Primary School Grade Parent in the future, with a few spots still available for 2025, and wish to find out more about this College initiative, then please feel free to express your interest HERE. 

Mr David Gray
Director of Mission and Community

For all major announcements regarding College Life, student reports & absences, calendar access, newsletters, excursion permissions, fee payments and much more, the College uses the Sentral Parent App. If you have not already, please download the Sentral Parent App by searching ‘Sentral for Parents’ in the App Store on your smartphone and ensure that notifications are enabled within the App. Set up instructions can be found here. If you have any trouble registering, please email the College on sentral@bcc.nsw.edu.au and our friendly IT department will support you through the process.

Our College Music Tutors Program offers students the chance to develop their musical skills with expert tuition across a range of instruments. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, our experienced tutors provide personalized lessons in:
🎹 Piano
🎸 Guitar & Bass Guitar
🎤 Singing
🎶 Flute
🥁 Drums & Percussion

Lessons are held during school hours and are tailored to suit each student’s ability and musical interests. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to grow as a musician!

For more information please visit our College website at https://bcc.nsw.edu.au/music-tutors

Belmont Christian College are now outsourcing instrument hire to an external company ‘Musicorp Australia’. This is a highly reputable and well-established company that provides flexible and affordable instrument hire, an abundance and variety of different instruments, and allows you the choice of 6, 12 or 36 month rental periods, with the option of buy-back and pre-loved instruments.

Please find their details and more information on this website –https://www.musicorp.com.au/categories/

Any current BCC instrument hires will continue as per the existing contract. New instrument hires from Term 1 2025 will be through Musicorp Australia.

Meet Alyssa Ayling.

Alyssa is our resident Flute Tutor who has a passion for teaching. Having always loved music, be it singing at the age of 5, or playing flute for over a decade, Alyssa moved into teaching to share her knowledge and skills with other eager musicians.

Alyssa established herself as a Music Tutor at Belmont Christian College in 2022, though she has been teaching for close to a decade after completing her Bachelor of Music – Performance at the University of Newcastle in 2019 (earning herself a distinction). Alyssa has also completed her Grade 6 AMEB Comprehensive flute exams. 

Alyssa understands the demands of performing. She has been a part of various bands, including: Aspire, DioSounds, Battle of the Bands, Multiple school bands and choirs, and more recently has contributed to such ensembles as the University of Newcastle Arts Orchestra, Orchestra Nova, and Lake Macquarie Winds Concert Band. 

Why do you love teaching flute? 
“I love to share my passion for music and see the students grow a passion too. Music is a great outlet for all students and I love to help them achieve their own goals within music whether it’s just for fun or more serious.”

What do you hope your students may be able to get from learning an instrument?
“I hope that students will be able to do something they love and take it as far as they wish, including going professional. I hope that students learn various skills apart from playing the instrument including music theory, music notation and fun games. Music can open them up to whole world of likeminded people who can become lifelong friends.”

On Friday, 14 February, our Senior Drama students had the incredible opportunity
to immerse themselves in the world of professional theatre with an excursion to the Sydney Theatre Company.

The day began with Moved Readings of two HSC scripts (Neighbourhood Watch & Fangirls), giving students the chance to see how text is brought to life on stage. This was followed by an intimate Q&A session with all the performers, directors and dramaturgs, and an exclusive interactive workshop, where they developed their performance skills and gained valuable insights into the HSC texts being studied.

This hands-on experience was an invaluable addition to their HSC Drama studies, providing inspiration and practical techniques to enhance their own performances and HSC exam responses.

We had a sensational day for our Primary Swimming Carnival. Perfect weather and a great atmosphere made for both a fun and competitive day in the water.
 
Once again students had the opportunity to race for House points and stickers in the 25m pool, or face off for Age Champion points, House points and places on the College team for the Zone Carnival.
 
The House competition was a runaway back-to-win win for Cuthbert, whilst the other three Houses battled hard for the minor places and all important points for later in the year.

Congratulations to the following Age Champions for 2025

Congratulations to everyone who attended the Secondary Swimming Carnival in Week 2, the weather was hot and the competition was even more so. Well done to Booth House being crowned House Champions racing away with the victory over Liddell in the relays after a closely fought battle, finally winning by 22 points!

Congratulations to the Age Champions:

Congratulations to the following Record-breakers:

The following activities and services are offered by external providers and may be beneficial to your family. These services focus on strengthening student wellbeing or academic capacity. While these services are not explicitly from a Christian worldview, they do provide insights based on human wisdom and evidence based research. However, personal discretion as to whether these services align with your own beliefs will be required. Such services are NOT fully endorsed by the College, but are made available for families to make their own judgement and decision.

For students interested in learning more about this exciting nursing career opportunity at Hunter New England Health. There are several information sessions on the program where they will be answering any questions. Meeting links to each session are included in the attached flyer.
 
Wednesday, 26 February, 6pm-7pm
Wednesday, 5 March, 6pm-7pm
Wednesday, 9 March, 6pm-7pm

This initiative provides students with an immersive learning experience, equipping them with valuable industry insights and practical skills essential for pursuing maritime careers. With opportunities spanning on-water and onshore roles, the maritime industry represents a vital and growing sector with a multi-billion-dollar turnover and a wealth of career development pathways.

This initiative provides students with an immersive learning experience, equipping them with valuable industry insights and practical skills essential for pursuing maritime careers. With opportunities spanning on-water and onshore roles, the maritime industry represents a vital and growing sector with a multi-billion-dollar turnover and a wealth of career development pathways.

Participants will participate in hands-on exploration activities and obtain their maritime white card, recreational boat license, 4 units of competency, and work experience. These efforts aim to prepare them for potential School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) or post-school traineeships in 2026, laying the foundation for successful maritime careers.
Where: The year program details locations and dates of each experience (all transport covered).

When: All of 2025.
Who: Any student looking at exploring a career in Maritime or Marine
How: Expressions of Interest to attend the information session for students, parents, and CAs on 28 February, 5pm are open HERE

Support a cause that’s meaningful to you by purchasing a Membership to The Entertainment App.

20% of each Membership purchase will go directly to your chosen Fundraiser.

Entertainment Memberships are now 100% digital. Saying goodbye to the iconic Book wasn’t easy but the new Entertainment Memberships start anytime and are valid for 12 months from activation. Packed with thousands of substantial savings to delight and inspire, an Entertainment Membership is your pass to exclusive offers and quality experiences, activities and benefits. The digital membership is easy to download to start using instantly. New offers are added weekly for ongoing value all year round.

Benefits of the App include:

~ User-friendly: Instantly search and redeem offers or check out the Near Me tab to find offers, wherever you are.

~ Memberships start anytime: Flexible start date, Memberships are valid for 12 months from when you activate.

~ Multiple devices: You can still share your Membership with your family. Encourage your partner and kids to download the App so they can access valuable savings when out.

~ Convenient: The App means that as long as you have your phone, you have your Membership too (no more lugging around the book).

~ Easy gifting: We’ve made it simpler than ever to gift an Entertainment Membership – simply purchase from your chosen fundraiser and the gift Membership will be delivered instantly to your inbox.