Primary Highlights

Primary Highlights 

This week, our Under Eights Day celebration was held at Jump Up for Kids at Bald Hills. The purpose of Under Eights day, as a nationwide initiative, is to celebrate the early childhood years and to deliver a message that childhood is a precious and significant time. 

Run by Occupational Therapists, Jump Up for Kids, provided the perfect environment for celebrating outdoor play and learning. Our students in Prep to Year 2 were involved in child directed loose object play and activity stations designed to encourage creativity and a connection to nature; as well as fort building, climbing small trees and even getting into the mud!   

The national theme for Under Eights Day 2021 was ‘Children Celebrating Outdoor Play and Learning’.  The importance of outdoor play in the Early Years should not be underestimated, providing many benefits including but not limited to: 

  • An active lifestyle; 
  • Appreciation of nature and the environment; 
  • Developing social skills; 
  • Encouraging independence and resilience; and  
  • Understanding risk. 

 Following their excursion to Jump up for Kids, the Prep-Year 2 children returned to school for the afternoon session, where they participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. Here they were read the book “Give Me Some Space” by Philip Bunting. This was read by some special visitors to the College including two astronauts, a Storm Trooper and even Chewbacca from Star Wars!  

Most schools around Australia participate in the National Simultaneous Storytime, and Genesis Primary was proud to be a part of this literacy initiative, whilst also having loads of fun at the same time. Truthfully…learning should be fun most of the time when you are a kid in Primary School! 

Enjoy the following photos from just an awesome day in the Primary School 

 

 

Eden Eats

Eden Eats We’re excited to introduce the Term 3 menu! Please take a look and remember there are always lots of fresh options in our …

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Eden Eats

We’re excited to introduce the Term 3 menu! Please take a look and remember there are always lots of fresh options in our cabinets every day too!

If you’d like to contact Eden Eats please email us!

Year 2 BBQ Bush Dance

Innovation and Learning Spotlight – Year 2 BBQ Bush Dance   This year our Year 2’s came dressed, ready to impress us with their dance skills. …

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Year 2 BBQ Bush Dance

Innovation and Learning Spotlight – Year 2 BBQ Bush Dance  

This year our Year 2’s came dressed, ready to impress us with their dance skills. The evening started with a family BBQ and a time to mingle with friends. It was so lovely to see the children running around and posing for photos with their classmates. Mr Bedville and Mr Williamson did a tremendous job on the BBQ and our Year 6 student leaders made sure we were all doing our part to be COVID safe.  

The children bravely and enthusiastically performed their dances with their dance partner. To end the evening, the parents joined the children on the dance floor. Mrs Turner was crowned ‘Queen of the Bush Dance’ for all her hard work getting the children ready for the evening. We all had a ‘Boot Scootin’ tremendous time! 

Kind regards, 

 Jacqui Grotius

Library

Library News – Guest Author Visit for Year 4-6 Students  Students in Year 4, 5 and 6 participated in writing workshops on Friday 7 May …

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Library News – Guest Author Visit for Year 4-6 Students 

Students in Year 4, 5 and 6 participated in writing workshops on Friday 7 May with Australian author, Tim Harris. Tim is the author of the Exploding Endings, Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables and Toffle Towers series of books for Primary school children. He is a former teacher and plays drums in his church band.   

Tim shared hacks for writing great stories, including how to create interesting characters and settings, the importance of planning before you write, and how paragraphs and punctuation add impact to stories. 

During first break, Tim met with students from the 2021 Year 5 Readers’ Cup Team and the 2020 Year 5 Readers’ Cup Team. Toffle Towers is one of the books selected for the competition this year.   

Kind regards, 

Astrid Roberts-Weiss 

Primary Librarian 

Department Spotlight – Tourism

Department Spotlight – Tourism  Brisbane City Council offers Brisbane residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city by providing free Brisbane Greeter …

Tourism
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Department Spotlight – Tourism

Department Spotlight – Tourism 

Brisbane City Council offers Brisbane residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about the city by providing free Brisbane Greeter Tours.   

The Year 12 Tourism Class participated in an excursion as part of their studies for their Certificate III in Tourism. As part of the excursion, students needed to create a scripted commentary on one of the attractions and develop their own itinerary for a 3-hour walking tour of Brisbane/Southbank.   

The class was split into 3 groups of ten with the day commencing at Brisbane City Hall and ending over at Southbank with lunch at Pourboy Coffee Roasters. We visited a variety of iconic sights such as Brisbane Arcade, Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Regent Theatre, Anzac Square, and The Wheel of Brisbane to name a few.

Secondary Sport

Cross Country  Genesis were well  represented at the Pine Rivers District Carnival on 4 May and the CSSAQ Cross Country Carnival on 10 May. The …

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Secondary Sport

Cross Country 

Genesis were well  represented at the Pine Rivers District Carnival on 4 May and the CSSAQ Cross Country Carnival on 10 May. The students represented the College with pride and demonstrated excellent character! 

Results  

Pine Rivers District Cross Country: 

  • 12 years Boys – Windsor W – 2nd 
  • 13 years Boys – Santiago R – 3rd 
  • 13 years Girls – Michaela F – 1st 
  • 13 years Girls – Ella P – 2nd 
  • 14 years Boys – Ryan F – 1st 
  • 14 years Boys – Ian B – 2nd 
  • 15 years Girls – Holly M – 2nd 
  • 15 years Girls – Grace M – 1st 
  • 15 years Boys – Ben C – 3rd 
  • 16 years Girls – Stella B – 1st 
  • 16 years Boys – Mitchell W – 3rd 
  • Open Girls – Ella S – 1st 
  • Open Girls – Jaimee D – 2nd 
  • Open Boys – Brayden W – 2nd 

CSSAQ Cross Country Results 

  • Genesis 5th place Overall – 13-19 years 
  • Age Champion Team – 15 years girls 
  • Ella P – 3rd (13 years girls) 
  • Grace M – 3rd (15 years girls)
  • Mitchell W – 3rd (16 years boys) 
  • William M – 3rd (Open boys) 

Students Selected in Pine Rivers District Cross Country Team 

Manie VT, Luka L, Santiago R, Reagan B, Michaela F, Mackenzie S, Ella P, Olivia Y, Ian B, Ryan F, Lachlan M, Charlie G, Laura G, Henry J, Ben C, Grace M, Holly M, Arabella A, Mitchell W, Lincoln S, Ella S, Charlize S, Jaimee D, Jaeve P, Stella B, Carmen S, Hayley F, Reegan T, Sophie D, Windsor W, Owen H. 

 

District/Regional team sport selections: 

Congratulations to the following students : 

  • Stephanie H – selected to represent Met North School sport at State Champs – 13-15 years Girls Football 
  • Windsor W (Year 7) has been selected in the 12 years Met North AFL team  
  • Isabella SE (Year 7) – Pine Rivers District U12 Netball team 

 

SEQ Interschool Equestrian Champs 

Kaitlyn D (Year 12) 

  • 3rd Overall Senior (Year 10-12) Preliminary Dressage 
  • Champion Secondary (Year 7-12) Combined Training 95cm 

Carmen R (Year 11) 

  • 3rd overall Secondary 60cm Show jumping 
  • 23rd Intermediate Preliminary Dressage 

Stella B (Year 9) 

  • 7th Secondary (Year 7-12) Combined Training 80cm 
  • 14th Secondary (Year 7-12) 90cm Show Jumping 

Lara R (Year 9) 

  • Champion Secondary 70cm Show Jumping 
  • 23rd Intermediate Preliminary Dressage  

Morgan L (Year 8) 

  • 10th Intermediate (Year 7-9) Preliminary Dressage 
  • 2nd Intermediate Show Hack 
  • 2nd Intermediate Working Hunter 55cm 
  • Champion Secondary 50cm Show Jumping
  • Champion Secondary Combined Training 60cm 
  • Reserve Champion Intermediate Novice Dressage 
  • 3rd Place Intermediate Novice Dressage 


BOSL Touch

 Congratulations to the Junior Boys and Junior Girls BOSL Touch teams for making the finals in the BOSL Touch Football. Both teams narrowly went down in the Semi Finals. A special thank you to our coaches – Dan S, Maddy L, Rei San A and Damon B.  

 

Rowing  

 Congratulations to Jaeve P and Ella S for winning Gold in the Double Sculls, Gold in the Club women’s Double and Silver in the Quad Sculls events at the Australian Under 19 Rowing Championships. Jaeve and Ella were selected in the Australian team for the World Simulation Regattas which are a series of three events. The final world simulation final will be held in Adelaide. These are outstanding achievements and testament to the years of hard work and dedication from the girls in training for these events. 

Other Sporting Achievements  

  • AFL – Ella S was selected in the Under 19 Lions Academy team and the Under 19 State team.
  • BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Matilda J (Year 8) represented Queensland at the National Beach Volleyball Championships on the Gold Coast.  

 Well done to Ella and Matilda with these achievements. 

 

Blessings,

Mr Anthony Arro

Director of Sport – Secondary

Primary Sport

Cross Country:  We have had a busy season of Cross Country with some amazing results from our Primary runners!   Pine Rivers District Cross Country:    Congratulations …

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Primary Sport

Cross Country: 

We have had a busy season of Cross Country with some amazing results from our Primary runners! 

 Pine Rivers District Cross Country:   

Congratulations to our runners who participated so well at the carnival. Ten of our students were selected in the Pine Rivers Cross Country Team with individual placings going to the students below: 

  • Sienna B –  12 years Girls – 1st 
  • Matthew T – 11 years Boys – 1st 
  • Eliza B –  10 years Girls – 1st 
  • Madison R –  12 years Girls – 2nd
  • Windsor W –  12 years Boys – 2nd
  • Thomas M – 10 years Boys – 2nd 
  • Jonty M –  12 years Boys – 3rd 

 Other team selections were: 

  • Owen H 
  • Lucy E 
  • Mark B 

 NISSA Cross Country:  

What an amazing Team Genesis effort, to come away as Champion School at the NISSA Cross Country Championship against The Lakes College, Grace Lutheran Primary School and Prince of Peace. 

Individual placings on the day were:

  • Madison R –  12 years Girls – 1st 
  • Jonty M – 12 years Boys – 1st 
  • Matthew T –  11 years Boys – 1st 
  • Chelsea L –  11 years Girls – 1st 
  • Thomas M –  10 years Boys – 1st 
  • Eliza B – 10 years Girls – 1st 
  • Mark B –  10 years Boys – 2nd 
  • Holly M –  9 years Girls – 2nd 
  • Lucy E –  11 years Girls – 3rd 
  • Matilda T –  10 years Girls – 3rd 

CSSAQ Cross Country:  

On Monday, 10 May, we competed at the CSSAQ Cross Country Carnival. Congratulations to all students who attended on the day competing fiercely for our College.  

 At the end of the day, the 10-12 years team were crowned 2nd place behind our friends at Citipointe in an extremely close race. Team Genesis finished as winners in the 10 years Girls age group as well as placing for the following age groups:

  • 9 years Boys – 2nd
  • 9 years Girls – 3rd
  • 10 years Boys 2nd;
  • 11 years Girls = 2nd
  • 12 years Girls 3rd. 

 Individual place-getters on the day were:

  • Madison R – 12 years Girls – 1st 
  • Matthew T –  11 years Boys – 1st 
  • Eliza B –  10 years Girls – 1st 
  • Chelsea L –  11 years Girls 2nd 

 

Morning and Lunch Time Training: 

Morning and lunch time training with Mrs McCarthy and Mrs Turner is continuing with a change in focus to Athletics. Please see the Genesis App or school calendar for training weeks and details. 

 

Congratulations: 

Met North Region Team Selections: 

  • Isabella S (Year 7) – Netball 
  • Windsor W (Year 7) – AFL 
  • Logan T (Year 6) – Hockey 

Pine Rivers District Team Selections:

  • AJ V (Year 6) – Rugby Union 
  • Blayze W – (Year 6) – Rugby Union 
  • Logan T – (Year 6) – Rugby Union 
  • Jackson M (Year 6) – Rugby Union 
  • Logan T (Year 6) – Hockey and Touch Football
  • Chelsea L (Year 6) – Hockey 
  • Mark B (Year 5) – Hockey 
  • Hunter T (Year 5) – Hockey 
  • Matthew T (Year 5) – Hockey 
  • Mitchell E (Year 6) – Rugby League and Touch Football 
  • Ella W (Year 6) – Touch Football 
  • Ellke S (Year 6) – Touch Football 

 

P-2 Fun Run: 

On the 27 April, we hosted our annual P-2 Fun Run. It was such a special event to invite our parents back to. The kids did an amazing job and loved challenging themselves around the course. A special thank you to our Year 6 Leaders and House Captains who did an amazing job on the day as helpers. 

 

NISSA Gala Days: 

We have completed our final Gala Day for our Semester One sports. We now transition into our semester 2 sports – Rugby Union, Soccer and Netball. It has been great to welcome our new NISSA school, Prince of Peace, and continue to build our strong relationships with our friends at The Lakes College and Grace Lutheran Primary. 

 

Next up… 

Our Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival on Friday 4 June. Please see the Genesis App for details. 

Kind regards,

 Louise McCarthy 

Director of Sport – Primary

Department Spotlight – Music

Department Spotlight – Music Excursion to QPAC  “Lights! Camera! Action!”   Highlights from Music Reviews Written by Year 7 And 8 Music Students: Music students in …

Music
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Department Spotlight – Music

Department Spotlight – Music Excursion to QPAC 

“Lights! Camera! Action!”  

Highlights from Music Reviews Written by Year 7 And 8 Music Students:

Music students in Year 7 and 8 attended a concert entitled “Lights! Camera! Action!” at QPAC on Wednesday 27 April. The event showcased the Queensland Symphony Orchestra performing well-known movie and film music, from “Star Wars” and “Avengers” themes to “My Neighbour Totoro” and “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” Here are what the students had to say!

  • “Each time a new composition was played, they had different lighting which complimented the music and helped to build the atmosphere. Also, all of the musicians were dressed up based on characters of the pieces from the music they were playing.” (Hazel A, Year 8) 
  • “My favourite composition was “In the Hall of the Mountain King” because of the build up of tempo at the start and end. I also really enjoyed watching the cellist and double bass’s hands and arms move at 1 million kilometers per second.” (Eli A, Year 8)
  • “Overall, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra was great at giving the music classes an experience that they will never forget, as they went into great detail when explaining to us what they were about to play, and the important features to look out for in the music.” (Windsor W, Year 8)
  • “This orchestral concert made me feel like I was in the actual movies! I have found a new appreciation of music in movies. I would 100% recommend this orchestra to anyone as it takes up 50 minutes of your time…but it’s worth it!” (William A, Year 7)
  • “This amazing experience gave me the opportunity to explore a different genre of music.” (Santiago R, Year 7)
  • “I enjoyed the outing as we got to experience something new instead of just sitting in a classroom.” (Natasha L, Year 8)
  • “This was a great excursion in a well-managed facility, and I would love to go on another trip like this again!” (Caleb D, Year 8) 

Secondary Highlights

Excellence – Genesis values in action   Over the course of this year, our students’ achievements continue to captivate me. We have celebrated success in:  Matilda  Qld Youth Orchestra- Wind …

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Secondary Highlights

Excellence – Genesis values in action 

 Over the course of this year, our students’ achievements continue to captivate me.

We have celebrated success in: 

  • Matilda 
  • Qld Youth Orchestra- Wind Ensemble 
  • SHEP (State Honours Ensemble Program) 
  • Qld Youth Parliament 
  • Paralympic Swimming Training squad 
  • Qld Art Competition (1st) – Amplify – Through my eyes 
  • QUT Holiday internships 
  • State sporting Representation 
  • District and Met North representatives in pathway sports  
  • State Triathlon Championships 
  • District, CSSAQ, Met North and State Swimming Championships 
  • District, and CSSAQ Cross Country Championships 
  • BOSL Volleyball, Touch, Futsal and Basketball Competitions  
  • Regional, State and National Rowing Championships 
  • South East Queensland Equestrian Championships 
  • Ipswich Combined Teachers Dancing Festival Competition 
  • Sunshine Coast Dance Eisteddfod  

 I apologise to the students and their families who I have inadvertently left off the list above. (It’s hard keeping up with all these stars!) 

 I love at Genesis that no matter what you want to excel in, we are here to support you. No matter what level of achievement you strive for, we are here to help and encourage. 

 At Genesis we live excellence. 

 Blessings,

Stuart Taylor

Head of School – Secondary

Curriculum Matters

Homework, revision, and knowledge retrieval  “I don’t have anything for homework” is a common response from many students throughout their educational journey.  What they are referring to is …

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Curriculum Matters

Homework, revision, and knowledge retrieval 

“I don’t have anything for homework” is a common response from many students throughout their educational journey.  What they are referring to is the fact that their teacher did not set a specific task to complete at home. However, there is work that needs to be completed at home on a regular basis and is not always assigned. This mindset of nothing to do is something that the teaching team is constantly working on shifting by encouraging revision as part of the daily homework schedule.   

The issue is the language used, and a change in this may assist in changing behavior, together with an improved understanding of the consequences of chosen actions. It may be helpful to identify that revising, also referred to as studying, is different to homework that is sent home for completion overnight or by a set date. This work is often set as deliberate practice or linked to an assignment task. When we use the term revising, we are referring to the process of summarising work covered in class, understanding this, and then doing something to remember it. We recall things best immediately after reading, watching, or hearing the information; however, as time passes our memories fade. This phenomenon is known as ‘knowledge fade’ or ‘the forgetting curve’.     

Hermann Ebbinghaus, the father of research in this area, and many subsequent researchers found that we forget new information at an exponential rate.   

  • After 20 minutes 42% of learning is lost 
  • After 24 hours 67% of learning is lost 
  • After 31 days 79% of learning is lost 

Most people lose the majority of information within 24 hours of their initial learning experience. He noted that without further revision the average learner retains only 10% of new information after 60 days.   

In relation to efficient use of time, regular revision just makes sense, and the research indicates the sooner the better.    

The infographic below really highlights the overall investment of time spent in the learning process and the reasonably small investment required to retain rather than relearn.  

Another key point to come out of research in this space is that the information retained past the 24 hour point remains with us far longer. In other words, the new knowledge or skills has been transferred from short to long term memory.  The Australian Curriculum and Queensland Senior Secondary Studies Curriculum is designed to build on knowledge from previous learning experiences from year to year. Therefore, if our students are not revising work incrementally as they encounter it, they will have limited ability to retrieve this knowledge and continue to build upon it, impacting their long-term success.

Practical revision strategies that can be suggested to your child when they announce, ‘no homework’.

Based on the subjects studied each day, the following can be applied:

  • Create flash cards for definitions
  • Read through notes and create a corresponding question for each line of notes
  • Take notes from relevant textbook content using Cornell Note taking techniques
  • Watch a video on the content (Crash Course Science, Hot Maths, Kahn Academy)
  • Create Acronyms and Mnemonics
  • Draw mind maps for visual representations and connect ideas
  • Teach/explain the concept to someone else
  • Highlight information accompanied by explanation of importance in margin of page

The Curriculum Team are developing resources to provide greater guidance and support that will be launched Semester 2, 2021 to students from the Study HQ: ‘Making sure your learning sticks’ intranet page.

Kind regards,

Fiona Hogan

Director of Innovation & Learning – Middle School

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Pen This article is written by Michelle Mitchell.   An unexpected shift in friendships. A sudden end to a romance. Poor results …

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Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care Pen

This article is written by Michelle Mitchell.

 

An unexpected shift in friendships. A sudden end to a romance. Poor results in an exam that was meant to be easy. A family breakdown. Not being picked for a sports team. I know you could add to this list. These are only some of the experiences that can bring a sense of disappointment around our kids.  

Disappointments fill the painful gap between expectations and reality. It is what we feel when a hope is not fulfilled. In my life, disappointments have often lovingly whispered truths about who I am becoming or which path to next take. They have guided me as I have been willing to sit with them. That’s now easy for me to recognise. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! The correlation between pain and growth is something kids may not yet fully recognise.  

Conversations Worth Having 

Below I have outlined six conversations that are worth having with a young person who feels disappointed. These conversations do not have to happen in this order, and you may find that you bounce back and forth between them. The general aim of all these conversations is to help our young person turn towards acceptance and find wisdom in the moment. If they can do this, they may be able to reconstruct something wonderful and life giving in their next step forward.  

  • Conversation One:  Let’s make room  
  • Conversation Two:  The truth can guide us  
  • Conversation Three:  There is always something more    
  • Conversation Four:  Context matters  
  • Conversation Five: You are not your experience  
  • Conversation Six:  Home will always be here to catch you 

For the full article and explanation of each conversation please click on the link. 

 

 

 

Genesis Festival 2021

Genesis Festival 2021 From the Leadership Team  Our wonderful P&F are now in full swing preparing for the 2021 Genesis Festival. The Biennial Festival is set to be a special occasion this …

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Genesis Festival 2021

Genesis Festival 2021

From the Leadership Team 

Our wonderful P&F are now in full swing preparing for the 2021 Genesis Festival. The Biennial Festival is set to be a special occasion this year as we also celebrate our 30th Anniversary as a College. The Festival will be held on Saturday 24 July from 1:00pm until 6:00pm with a firework display to end the event. The Genesis Festival has a wonderful reputation for its incredible variety of activities and sense of community, so we would encourage you to join in the fun. The funds raised from the event will go toward the purchase and installation of large fans in the undercover ball courts. 

 

Alumni Reunion 

Genesis will be hosting an Alumni reunion for classes of 1991-2020 to celebrate 30 amazing years of Genesis Christian College. We encourage you to spread the word to College Alumni as we join together at the College over lunch for reflections. 

Date: Saturday 24 July (the morning of Festival!)

Time: 11:00am-1:00PM

Location: Genesis Christian College STEM Building. 

Purchase your tickets here. 

Do we have your current details on file?
We are currently updating our Alumni database! Please update your current email, phone and mailing address via the link below so we can keep it touch with you for this reunion and future events https://www.genesis.qld.edu.au/community/alumni/

For any event enquiries please email: alumni@genesis.qld.edu.auWe look forward to seeing our Alumni at this very special morning.  

 

Stage 21 – Building Update 

Our Lower Primary building is progressing well, and we are expecting the first stage of this building to be completed mid-June. As a College, we believe that the physical teaching environment works congruently with our “student-centric”, teaching approach, and the outworking of effective learning. We are extremely excited about how these innovative learning spaces will enhance the learning opportunities available for lower Primary students. We look forward to the opportunity to provide parents a sneak peak of this space soon. 

 

Blessings,

Paul Sterling

Principal