As we approach the final weeks of Term 3, I am delighted to share with you the vibrant atmosphere currently enveloping our campus. The past week has been a whirlwind of exciting curricular events, with Book Week standing out as a particular highlight. It was truly heartwarming to see hundreds of our primary students and staff fully immersed in the joy and wonder of literature.

Our community consistently boasts a cadre of students who accomplish remarkable feats. This week, I want to draw attention to a particularly noteworthy achievement: Year 10 student Larnie Mordue has been honoured with the prestigious Youth Surf Lifesaver of the Year Award. This accolade not only recognises Larnie's exceptional skills and dedication but also underscores her significant contribution to public safety and community wellbeing. Larnie's commitment to service exemplifies the core values we strive to instil in all our students, serving as a shining example of the BDC Way in action. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Larnie and express our gratitude for her service to the community.

Enrolments for 2025

Our enrolment process for 2025 is nearing completion. Whilst we have limited spaces remaining for Kindy, I encourage interested families to contact our enrolments team promptly to secure a place for your child in our nurturing learning environment. Next month, I will share designs for our new playground and classroom space and our new Bishop Druitt College Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) facility.

Fathers' Day Breakfast - 29 August 2024

We are thrilled by the overwhelming response to our Fathers' Day Breakfast, which has now reached full capacity with 650 fathers and children attending. As this year's guest speaker, I shared a personal story from the Camino adventures I experienced with my 22-year-old son, reflecting on how this precious time together transformed our lives and strengthened our bond. Thank you to our sponsors for this fantastic community event.

• Carswell & Turner Travel Associates
• Coastal Gymnastics
• Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
• CRIS HISA BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
• Emerald Island Distillery
• Im Gorgeous Products
• King Tide Brewing
• Matt's Mowing and Maintenance
• Mogul Beer
• North Coast V-Twins
• Sarah McLauchlan Gardens
• Teepees & Events Coffs Harbour
• The Bailey Centre 24 Hour Liberty Service Station
• The Big Banana
• The Education Centre
• Wet-seal
• Woopi Brewing Co.

Sports Awards Dinner - 30 October 2024

Mark your diaries for this special evening, where we'll celebrate the remarkable achievements of our student-athletes, including our many championships, MVPs, and Academy participants. We're honoured to welcome Steph Wood, two-time world champion and vice-captain of the Australian Diamonds netball team, as our guest. To make this event even more memorable, we're seeking prize donations for our silent sports auction. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Holly Heather in the Marketing and Event Department via hheather@bdc.nsw.edu.au

I hope to see many of you at this exciting event BDC Sports Awards Dinner.

Performing Arts Awards - 14 November 2024

This event promises to be a spectacular showcase of talent, featuring performances across various stages and recognising the growth and community service of our pupils and staff over the past year. It's an opportunity to celebrate the artistic spirit that enriches our school community.

BDC Golf Day - 10 November 2024

Our annual Golf Day at the beautiful Bonville course is always a highlight of our calendar. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who have already committed their support. We're still welcoming prize donations to make the day even more special. As this event typically sells out quickly, I encourage you to secure your tickets as soon as they become available. Please contact Holly Heather in the Marketing and Event Department hheather@bdc.nsw.edu.au if you are willing to donate prizes for this event.

These events reflect the vibrant, supportive community we've built together at Bishop Druitt College. We offer beautiful opportunities to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories. I look forward to seeing many of you at these upcoming events as we continue to nurture the growth and success of our students.

Recruitment 2025

As we look towards 2025, we're thrilled to announce two key areas where we're seeking talented professionals to join our college community due to expansion. Our strongest asset is our network of dedicated families, and we're reaching out to you to help us find exceptional candidates who align with our values and vision.

Currently, we have vacancies in two categories:

• Primary School Teachers: We're seeking passionate educators who can inspire young minds and foster a love for learning in our primary classrooms. The ideal candidates will bring creativity, patience, and a deep understanding of child development to their teaching practice.
• Music Tutors: Our commitment to a well-rounded education includes a strong emphasis on the performing arts. We're looking for skilled music tutors who can nurture our students' talents across various instruments and vocal disciplines.

For both roles, we're looking for more than technical proficiency. We're seeking individuals who will be a positive cultural fit for our BDC family—professionals who embody our ethos of excellence, empathy, and community spirit.

If you have friends or family members in the education or music fields whom you believe would thrive in our collaborative and supportive environment, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them. Your recommendation could be the first step in bringing exceptional talent to our school, further enriching the educational experience we offer our students.

Interested candidates can find more information and application details on our school website.
https://bdc.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies/

Thank you for being our partners in education.

Healthy Study Habits by School TV

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-healthy-study-habits-au

BDC Business Register

Established four years ago, the Bishop Druitt College Business Directory has grown to encompass nearly 100 local enterprises. This comprehensive registry serves as a platform to highlight and bolster businesses within the Coffs Harbour region and its surroundings, reciprocating the invaluable support these establishments have shown to our college community.

Whether you're seeking a supplier for your business needs or personal requirements, our directory is your go-to resource. We invite you to explore the diverse array of local businesses featured here.

Is your business missing from our listings? We welcome you to join our directory at no cost. Register your enterprise today and become part of our thriving local business network.
https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/our-community/business-directory

NCIS Success

I publicly thank Kellie and her team for their care, organisation, and professionalism at yesterday's NCIS Athletics at the stadium.
This event is a massive undertaking, with hundreds of student-athletes travelling from around northern NSW to participate.

The age champion information is below, but our primary student-athletes came in second overall, and our secondary student-athletes took home the gold!

In other sporting news, our AFL girls also won the regional competition yesterday. Congratulations!

Eye Week Information

Nick Johnstone
Principal