In this issue

At Genesis Music, we provide a quality instrumental and vocal program to enhance the overall development and education of our students.

If you are new to the College and already learn an instrument we would love you to join one of our ensembles.

Experienced Instrumental and Vocal Teachers provide lessons in:

• Piano and Harp
• Orchestral Percussion and Drum Kit
• Brass (Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium and Tuba)
• Woodwind (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone and Bassoon)
• Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass)
• Guitar (Acoustic, Electric and Bass)
• Voice (all voice types and styles)
• Music Theory

Please follow the link below for more information, or to enrol in lessons here at the College.

Please note: this application form is not intended for students already learning at the College who wish to continue their current tuition. To re-enrol for lessons in 2020, please accept your child’s lesson continuation in Parent Lounge as soon as possible. If students learn multiple instruments, there will be multiple re-enrolments to accept.

Please contact Mrs Marta Preston for further information.

The Dramatic Arts department is excited and expectant for a year filled with growth, success and personal development.

Some 2020 highlights include:

• the College musical Matilda
• two new Dance Companies
• the addition of Dance and Drama in the Years 5 and 6 curriculum
• USA Arts Tour

There really is something for everyone in Dramatic Arts!

We can’t wait to see the talent at this week’s Dance Company auditions! At reminder that these will be this Friday (24th Jan).

For further info, please see the notice on the App under “Communication”.

If you would like any further information regarding the curriculum and co-curricular opportunities within the arts at Genesis, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Emily Briddock at e.briddock@genesis.qld.edu.au

We look forward with anticipation to cheering on your children in their dramatic arts endeavours.

Emily Briddock

Innovation & Learning Leader – Dramatic Arts

Finance Office News

NEW in 2020

We are pleased to advise that in 2020, parents will have the freedom to schedule and manage their own payment schedules via Parent Lounge, using a new PCI Compliant Direct Debit Self Service program. Parents will be able to configure account payment plans from bank accounts or credit/debit cards, within parameters that are defined by the College.

Early in Term 1 2020, you will receive communication from the Finance Office advising you that your school fee statement has been published to Parent Lounge and your action is required.

You will need to log in to Parent Lounge, view your Fee Statement and then nominate how you would like to pay your school fees from the available options (Annual, Term, Monthly or Fortnightly). Based on this selection, you are then able to set up and manage your own bank account and credit card details – including any changes throughout the year. You will also have some flexibility to manage the dates of payments.

Further information will be provided when your statement is issued.

Finance Office

Ph 3882 9018

finance@genesis.qld.edu.au

Launch Day 2020

Just a reminder that the College is holding our annual Launch Day tomorrow (Thursday, 23 January).  There is also an opportunity for those who can’t make it on Thursday to come and collect school requirements on Friday morning.

Please refer to the attached letter for further details.

The evolution of our new look canteen, Eden Eats, is well underway.

Opening Date:

Eden Eats will officially open on Monday 10 February. (This means there will be no tuckshop available during the first two weeks of term.)

Menu

We’re excited to release our menu highlights – please take a look here!

Please note this is just a highlight of our available menu items. For years 1-4, the full menu will be available in week 3 on Flexischools for ordering.

For years 5-12, students can choose from the cabinets themselves on the day (to clarify, there is no pre-ordering so a set menu is not required. However, if your student has dietary requirements you can pre-order food from the allergies menu on Fexischools.

Below are some key points for Years 1 – 4 students:

• Parents can place online orders via Flexischools. Order cut off time is 8am.
• Years 3-4 students are able to make ‘incidental’ purchases from the Primary window at Eden Eats during break times.
• Students can also make purchases (with parental supervision) after school until 3:30pm.

Below are some key points for Years 5 – 12 students:

• Online ordering is no longer available due to the ‘self-serve’ nature of Eden Eats. The only exception for online ordering via Flexischools will be for students with dietary requirements (e.g. gluten free / dairy free). Order cut off time is 8am.
• Students can access Eden Eats every day at break times as well as after school until 3:30pm.
• Payment methods include: cash, EFTPOS and Flexischools (using their student ID card).
• If your preferred method of payment will be via Flexischools, please ensure you link your child’s student ID to their profile in Flexischools. We also recommend setting up an ‘auto top-up’ for your account and also setting a daily spend limit for each of your children. We have attached step by step instructions to help with this process.

We look forward to welcoming you to Eden Eats as we strive to make it a community hub where we can all enjoy good food, connect with each other and grow together.

Uniform News

We have new extended opening hours for Term 1:

Opening Hours:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
• 8.00am to 10.30am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm

Flexischools Online

Did you know you can know purchase uniforms online via Flexischools?

Lay-bys

The uniform shop has a lay-by system that is offered to all our families in the College. When using this system we require a 20% deposit and regular payments, with the lay-by being finalised within 3 months.

Shoes Requirement Extract for 2020

Prep:

• Joggers with College sport socks (velcro straps are recommended for independence).

Years 1 and 2

• Buckle up or velcro strap regulation black leather/vinyl shoes are acceptable.

Years 1-12:

• Regulation black leather/vinyl lace up shoes (not boots, joggers or slip-ons).
• Ballet style slip-on shoes or heels higher than 2.5cm, for girls are not permitted for safety reasons.
• Sport shoes must be recognised running cross training, netball, tennis or low-cut basketball shoes predominately white, which provide foot support, and are to be worn with the sports uniform. Fashion sports shoes that do not provide ankle and arch support i.e. skate shoes, Volleys, canvas slip-ons or Converse shoes are not permitted.
• Cleat shoes are not to be worn away from the fields. Grass is to be cleaned from shoes before entering the toilet/change block and classrooms.
• Only white shoe laces are acceptable in sports shoes. Coloured shoelaces including black laces are unacceptable. Shoes must be kept clean and in good condition.

Cathy van Vuuren
Uniform Shop Coordinator

There’s just a few more opportunities left to have some fun by hosting a student from Japan!

With the new school year fast approaching, this is a friendly reminder to update your App subscriptions to reflect your child/children’s year level/s in 2020.

Please also review and update “Sports” and “Performing Arts” interests, as required.

Take a look at our short 50 second video that shows you how to set up your subscription tags. 

We will also have an App help desk available at Launch Day to provide hands on assistance or answer any questions.

If you’re a new parent, we ask you to please download the App. We send the majority of corresndponece via the App. It’s also a great central hub to access Parent Lounge, take a look at the College calendar and find contact details.

There’s a range of video resources available here to help you get the most out of our App.

For more information, please contact the App Helpdesk.

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! We trust that you and your children are looking forward to a wonderfully productive and engaging 2020.

2019 Year 12 OP results 

Congratulations are extended to the 2019 Year 12 cohort on completing their schooling and our best wishes go with them. Forty-five students excelled by scoring in the OP 1 to 10 range with our College Dux, Sophie Kingsford achieving an OP1, along with Robert Burton.

Mobile Phone Policy and Smart Watches

This is a courteous reminder that students may not use devices like smart watches and mobile phones to access the internet while on campus. Students may only access the internet on their laptops and through the College intranet. Should students choose to wear a watch, a simple digital, analogue or GPS only watch is more appropriate. Mobile phones must be switched off during the school day and kept secure in student lockers.

Class Changes

Class lists are determined based on teacher observations and experience and students are allocated according to what will best suit them. Generally, Form class groupings will not change significantly. Applications for subject changes may occur up until the tenth day of the semester. Subject changes will generally be approved, provided there is still space in the class.

Staffing

Each year brings with it new staff and we welcome the following to our College. We pray God’s richest blessing upon their time with us.

A very enthusiastic and warm welcome from the Secondary department to Mr Paul Sterling. Along with the new Principal we have a number of other new staff for 2020. With maternity leave, promotional positions elsewhere, retirements and the usual change in circumstances our list of new staff is longer than usual. The skills, abilities and character of our new staff has created such a positive sense of expectation for 2020.

Our new teaching staff:

Mr Robin Grant (Director of Careers and Student Services); Mr Wayne van den Bos (Director of Senior Phase); Mrs Leanne Paulsen (Innovation & Learning Leader: Food and Textiles Technologies 7-12); Mr Andrew Marshall (Innovation & Learning Leader: Science 7-9); Miss Rhiannah Boch (Dance & Drama); Mrs Ellen Bryant (Science); Ms Nina Johnson (Legal Studies); Mrs Kristina Chapman (Film, Media & Maths); Mrs Sarah Roberts-Thomson (Science); and Mrs Paula Willis (Hospitality); Mrs Meghan Deam (English/Humanities).

Non-teaching new positions are:

Mr Mark Missenden (IT Director); Leah Bleijie (Curriculum Administrator); Mrs Lauryn Railton (Community Engagement Officer); “Chef” Ben Albrecht (Canteen Manager); Ms Rose Martin (Dramatic Arts Admin Assistant)

 Dedication Service

The Secondary Dedication Service will be held on Thursday, 30 January at 8:30am in the Church for Years 10 to 12 and the Auditorium for Years 7 to 9. Students from Years 10, 11 and 12 are to wear their College blazer. All boys are expected to wear ties.

The Dedication Service is an event to dedicate the coming year to the Glory of God. Parents are welcome to attend. Due to seating limitations, we are requesting Parents RSVP to Secondary Administration by 9:00am on Wednesday 29 January if intending to attend.

New Student Orientation – Years 7 to 12

A new student orientation session will be held on Launch Day, Thursday 23 January at 8:00am in the Performance Theatre for Secondary students who are new to the College this year. The majority of new students will be coming into Year 7. Friday 24 January 7:30am-9:30am is for current families who were unable to attend on Thursday to Collect iPads, laptops and textbooks only. No classroom visits.

First Day Procedure for Secondary Students

Students from Years 7 to 12 will commence school on Tuesday 28 January. Secondary students are to move directly to their respective Form class at 8:30am. Assistance will be available in the Middle School undercover area for students needing further explanation or guidance. As the majority of administrative tasks have been completed at Launch Day, teaching and learning will commence immediately. Students who were unable to attend the Launch Day will be able to collect textbooks and forms during the first few days of term. Form teachers will direct these students to Student Reception for assistance.

Laptops for 1:1 Program

Students from Years 7 and 10 will receive laptops on Launch Day and will need to attend the appropriate information session. At this session, staff will ensure the laptop syncs to the network to acquire the necessary profile, following the student successfully logging on. Parents are requested to discuss the contents of the ICT User Agreement and Laptop Policy, available on Parent Lounge, with their children. Each student also needs to develop the routine of charging their laptop overnight so that they arrive at school each day with their laptops fully charged.

College House Sport Carnivals

The College sporting carnivals are an important part of College life and attendance by all students is compulsory. If unable to actively participate, it is still expected that students attend and participate by assisting and supporting. We appreciate and value parental support on this matter.

The swimming carnival is the first carnival for 2019 and will be held at the Genesis Aquatic Centre on Friday 7 February. Details of the carnival will be distributed closer to the event. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend and support their children, also to offer their services as a volunteer. If you are able to assist, please make contact Secondary Reception.

Grooming

Secondary School photographs will be taken on Tuesday 4 (Years 9 to 12) and Wednesday 5 February (Years 7 & 8). Students are reminded to ensure their hair is in line with the uniform policy. In the past, some students have returned to school with haircuts that are barely compliant and two weeks later they have had to have another haircut. Further information on school photographs will be distributed closer to the event.

Students returning to school are to ensure that their uniform and grooming are compliant. Students who are unable to meet the set standards will receive disciplinary consequences. I would like to especially alert parents with secondary age girls that highlights, foils and other hair styles that result in two colours contravene the uniform policy and will involve unnecessary expense for parents in rectifying the problem. Boys are not permitted to colour their hair, have any shaved lines or hair shorter than a #3.

Girls with significant skin conditions are permitted to wear concealing products on the provision of a medical practitioner’s letter. It should be noted that these exemptions are valid for six months and the College requires written confirmation from the doctor should this need to continue. These letters are to be given to the relevant Care and Conduct Leader.

Uniform – Sport Shoes

Please note that sports shoes worn with the sport uniform must be predominately white, recognised running cross training, netball, tennis or low-cut basketball shoes which provide good foot support. Fashion sports shoes that do not provide ankle and arch support i.e. skate shoes, Volleys, canvas slip-on or Converse shoes are not permitted. Only white shoelaces are acceptable in sports shoes. Shoes must be kept clean and in good condition. Should a specific shoe be prescribed by a medical practitioner (GP, Podiatrist or Physiotherapist) and it is not available in white, written notification is required by the College. This documentation is to be provided to Student Reception so that the appropriate staff can be notified. If you have submitted this in the past you are reminded that this evidence is required annually; however, there is always an expectation that every effort is still made to choose a predominantly white shoe, when possible.

Student Absence for an Extended Period

Parents are requested to provide reasonable notice should their secondary aged child be absent for an extended period of time. While the Care and Conduct Leaders will happily coordinate compiling catch-up work, this may take some time to gather. This is of even greater importance if a student is going to be absent for assessments. In Years 11 and 12, missing assessment has implications, in terms of obligations and levels of accountability to the QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority), and the College strongly discourages families from planning vacations that cause students to miss classes. If being away during an assessment period is unavoidable, a letter of request, addressed to the Head of School – Secondary, should be provided well in advance so that appropriate advice can be given, and effective strategies put in place. Family holidays are not a reasonable reason for school absence and is not acceptable to comply with the QCAA.

Japanese Sister School Visit 

The College values parental support in hosting students from our sister school, Minokamo Junior High in Japan. Thank you for all our families who are taking part in the home stay. The Japanese students will be in class from Monday 2 March – Friday 6 March.

Library Opening Hours and Supervised Study Sessions

The library, including computer facilities, will be open from 7:50am for students. The library will close at 4:00pm each day. The library is available for students to study, read and do research. The library is not available as a place for students to bide their time while waiting for parents to collect them. In place of the previous afternoon academic support sessions, we now provide (Flourish) which will be held in L3, 8:00am to 8:20am as follows, Mondays – Senior School Maths and Science; Tuesdays – Senior School English and Humanities; Wednesdays – Middle School English and Humanities; Thursdays – Middle School Maths and Science. All welcome, no prior registration is required.

The entire Secondary department are eagerly awaiting the return of the students on Tuesday.

Blessings,

Stuart Taylor

Head of School – Secondary

Dear Parents,

Welcome!

We warmly welcome families back to the 2020 school year. I look forward to seeing all of our new and returning families and journeying with you, as together we work towards the development and growth of your children academically, socially and spiritually. The new year and new decade brings an invigorated and fresh beginning to life at Genesis, with a new Principal in Mr Paul Sterling and some new staff in the Primary. As normal, you will see me and the rest of our Primary leadership team out and about the school grounds, and regularly in classrooms at the start of the year as we settle our students into the new school year. Our teacher/parent/student relationships are vital and I encourage parents to connect with our Primary leadership when possible; even just for a quick hello and a chat! I also pray that the start of the school year is a blessed one for your families, as you send your older children back to school, and some of your children to school for the first time. May the peace of God be with you all these coming weeks.

First Day of School

Tuesday, 28 January is the first day of school for 2020. All classroom teachers will be available in their rooms before school on this day to meet and greet parents and students. Year 1 teachers will be available before school during Weeks 1 and 2 to allow a comfortable transition for our younger students.

Families of new students

Relationships with families are key for us at Genesis and all teachers of new students to the College will make contact with parents within the first two weeks to school to ensure students have settled well into their new school.

Class information sessions – Week 3

These have been planned for the following days and times:

• Year 1 – Wednesday 12 February, 2.20-2.50pm
• Year 2 – Tuesday 11 February, 2.20-2.50pm
• Year 3 – Thursday 13 February, 2.20-2.50pm
• Year 4 – Tuesday 11 February, 3.10-3.40pm
• Year 5 – Wednesday 12 February, 3.10-3.40pm
• Year 6 – Thursday 13 February, 3.10-3.40pm

The purpose of these sessions is to give parents an overview of the year ahead, provide an introduction to the classroom teacher and explain their expectations for the class. Discussions on individual students and their progress will occur during the official parent/teacher interviews in Week 10 of term.

 Staffing Matters

We have had some changes to the Primary teaching staff which I will outline below, including the appointment of some new staff members as follows.

• Mrs Carol Testa – moving from Prep Innovation and Learning Leader to teaching in Year 5
• Mrs Rebecca Scott has been appointed to the Innovation and Learning Leader role in Prep
• Mrs Wendy Clark moves from teaching in Year 1 to teaching in Year 3
• Mr Chris Kotterer moves from teaching in Year 6 to teaching in Year 5
• Mrs Wendy Wearne moves from teaching in Year 3 to teaching in Year 6
• Mrs Laura Bierton moves from Primary Learning Extension to teaching in Year 6 and will share the class with Mr Paul Cobb
• Mrs Liz Rustichelli will be providing administrative assistance to Mr Simon Bedville in his role as Assistant Head of School – Primary.

Click here to view the full list of Primary staff teachers including class allocations.

New Staff

• We are pleased to have appointed Mr Paul Cobb as the Primary Care and Conduct Leader. Paul comes to us from a Christian School in Perth. He has significant pastoral care experience and qualifications, and has performed the role of Deputy Head of a Primary school before. Paul will share a Year 6 class with Mrs Laura Bierton.
• Mrs Grace Denny joins us teaching in Year 3.  Grace has completed her Masters in Education and has been the Years 4-6 Coordinator at Trinity College, Gladstone. We were significantly blessed with very high quality applicants for our two teaching roles and believe we have secured exceptional employees.

Returning from Maternity Leave

• We also welcome Mrs Felicity Hall back from Maternity Leave.  Felicity returns to her role in Primary Learning Extension.

Grounds and Facilities

Our Property and Maintenance team have spent considerable time over the holidays in various works across the College to prepare us for the 2020 school year. In Primary, there has been lots of painting and renovations to classrooms, as well as some beautiful work restoring lawns and gardens.

In classrooms, we have updated all of the furniture in Year 2, as well as provided upgrades to some items in other year levels.

Our OSHC house has been progressing nicely over the holidays, with this incredible facility planned to open from the commencement of Term 2 this year.

Assemblies and Chapels

There has been a change to the time and location of Primary Assemblies and Chapels for 2020. These will commence from Week 2 of the year.

• Upper Primary (Year 3-6) will occur each Monday in Period 1 – 8.45am-9.25am
• Lower Primary (Yr1-2) will occur each Tuesday in Period 1 – 8.45am-9.25am

As per usual, Assemblies will occur every even week and will awards assemblies. The venue for our Chapels and Assemblies will be MP1 for 2020, unless otherwise notified.

Music Ensembles and Choirs

Parents, please note there will be no choir or ensemble rehearsals during Week 1.   Primary Choirs and Bands will commence in Week 2; except for Year 4 band which will commence in Week 7.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Term 1 Swimming Lessons

Swimming sessions for Years 3 to 6 students will be conducted at the Genesis Aquatic Centre. These session will commence in Week 5 and go for six weeks; a further block of four weeks of swimming will occur in Term 4 leading up to our annual Swimming Carnival. For Term 1, lessons will occur after lunch on the following days

 Dedication Service – Monday 10 February 2020

Our annual Dedication Service will be conducted on Monday, 10 February at 9.00am in the Bray Park Community Church.  All students from Years 3 to 6 are involved in this special service.  Parents and friends are welcome to attend.

Jeremy Williamson

Head of School – Primary

Car Park Procedure and Updated College Map

Please view the updated College map here.

In order to minimise car park congestion and queues out onto Youngs Crossing Road at the end of the school day, we would like to remind you of the following crucial car parking procedures:

• The Set Down/Pick Up Bay is not to be used as a parking area at any time
• The speed limit is dead slow in the entire car park at all times
• Students are to use pathways and to take care around the moving traffic in the car park
• There is to be no running through the car park
• Please cross at the designated pedestrian crossing areas
• Extra parking is available at 7 Youngs Crossing Rd and at our new car parking facility, just down from the Sport Centre
• We ask our College community to be mindful of the difficulties that our neighbours in Dundee Street experience when parents use this area as a set down/pick up zone. Be aware that our neighbours do call on the Police to monitor the problem of parking across driveways or on the No Standing yellow lines
• Students are supervised in the pick up area until 3.30pm. If you are running late please advise the relevant Student Reception. Students will be asked to wait in Student Reception until you arrive

Collection of students and departure from the campus:

• Should you have an emergency where you will be late please advise the appropriate Student Reception as soon as practical
• Any students not collected by 3.30pm will be instructed to wait outside the Admin office

Prep:

• All students are required to be picked up directly from their classroom by the parent
• If another adult is to collect your child on a particular day please notify the relevant teacher

Primary:

• Years 1-2 students are escorted by teachers to the car park Pick Up Zone where they will be supervised until collected
• Years 3-6 will make their own way to the waiting area where they will also be supervised
• All students are to be collected before 3.30pm
• Parents may wait in the portico waiting area to collect students

Secondary:

• Years 7-12 students are to walk independently to the car park waiting area
• Students are to wait quietly until collected

Enrolments are now open for Genesis Dance Academy and Genesis Drama Academy.

Genesis Dance Academy offers are range of dance classes fro students aged 3 – 18 including:

• Tiny Stars
• Ballet
• Jazz
• Tap
• Contemporary
• Hip Hop
• Acro

Genesis Drama Academy offers speech and drama lessons for students in Prep to Year 12. 

Both Academies offer a free trial lesson too!

For more information phone 0418 443 220 or email dance@genesis.qld.edu.au or drama@genesis.qld.edu.au

Please note our new Dance and Drama website is currently under construction.

As the Academic year for 2020 begins, can I take this opportunity to welcome all Genesis families back to the College.  A very warm welcome to the new families, I look forward to you joining the Genesis community.

As the new Principal of Genesis Christian College, I am excited to join this wonderful community and am passionate about the opportunities that lie ahead for us as a College.    I have already been blessed to receive a very warm welcome from many of the staff, students and families.  It is a privilege to follow Mr Barker and to continue the good work that has been established by him.

As I began the year with staff, I launched a theme for the year, “What’s in your hands?”  It is based on the story of Moses in the book of Exodus.  In chapter 4:2, God asks Moses, after listening to his doubts, “what is in your hand?”  Following this, God uses Moses with the staff he held in his hand to lead the people out of Egypt.  There are numerous examples in the Bible of God using what is in people’s hands to do amazing things even though they may seem menial or insignificant.  The challenge that I presented to staff was, how can we create space for God to use what he has given us and equipped us with for the year ahead.

Perhaps this is a theme that you may like to discuss with your children as they prepare for a new school year.  What opportunities do your children have ahead of them? What gifts, talents, interests and passions has God given them that they could use more fully this year. This theme and passage also remind us of the important message of trust and faith.  Moses had many doubts and felt inadequate to complete the task that the Lord had for him but God simply asked Moses to trust in him and rely on him for all that he required.  Sometimes our children need some extra encouragement to have a go, challenge themselves and rely on God for the confidence and courage they need to step into new things that may feel a little daunting.

As you return, you will notice that much has been happening on the building front.  Eden Eats, our new Tuckshop, is incredibly exciting and will be open for business from Monday, 10 February (please note there will be no tuckshop facilities available in Weeks 1 and 2).  Our STEM building is also looking fabulous and will become a very valuable learning space for our students as they journey through the Secondary School.  This building will be open for students to use and experience very early in Term 1.  We are blessed as a College to have the opportunity to improve and develop our facilities, to provide the very best learning environment for all students.

God bless you and your family as you embark upon this new year.  I look forward to connecting with you in the coming weeks.

Paul Sterling  

Principal