Sundowner

Our recent Sundowner proved to be a delightful gathering, bringing together staff, parents, grandparents, and children for some laughter, conversations and connection. Though mother nature had her own plans, we were fortunate to enjoy a wonderful hour and a half of community building before the rain arrived. Thank you to the staff and students who helped with the set-up, pack-up and the fantastic entertainment from our music students.

Primary and Year 7 Information Nights

I was pleased to see such strong attendance at both our Primary and our Year 7 Information Nights. Your engagement sets a powerful example for our children, and research consistently shows that an involved parent community positively impacts both student achievement and school culture. Thank you to all staff and parents who attended these events as we begin our 2025 journey together.

TIMSS Data Released - Wow!

We are proud to share our outstanding results from the 2023 TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), where our Year 8 students demonstrated exceptional performance well above national benchmarks!

This data was received in December last year from TIMSS.

In Mathematics:

- 19% of our students reached the Advanced International Benchmark (compared to 11% nationally)

- 37% achieved the High International Benchmark (compared to 23% nationally)

In Science:

- 21% of our students achieved the Advanced International Benchmark (exceeding the national rate of 13%)

- 37% reached the High International Benchmark (compared to 28% nationally)

Beyond academic achievement, our students showed strong self-confidence in both subjects and positive attitudes toward learning. This reflects our commitment to nurturing not just academic excellence but also developing confident, engaged learners.

The TIMSS assessment, which involves 60 countries and approximately 500,000 students worldwide, provides valuable international benchmarking of student achievement. These results showcase Bishop Druitt College's dedication to excellence in STEM education and our students' outstanding capabilities.

Congratulations to our students, teachers, and the entire school community on these remarkable achievements!

World Prepared with Round Square

Our commitment to international education continues to flourish. The Rwanda Round Square trip, expertly organised by Mr Klipin and Mrs Rothacker, provided our students with invaluable cultural experiences and community engagement opportunities. I look forward to seeing these students present at the assembly on Friday morning. Currently, Mr Freeman and Mrs Martin are leading a selection of ten Year 7 students through another Round Square experience, this time at Regent’s International School in Thailand. Their Facebook updates have been showcasing the incredible experiences our students are having in Bangkok, under the theme of “Embracing Change and Shaping the Future”, as they forge international friendships and broaden their horizons. The IDEALS of Round Square are: International Understanding, Democratic Processes, Environmental Action, Adventure Seeking, Developing Leadership and Service to the Community. Our Round Square experiences this month seem to be hitting all the IDEALS.

Swimming Carnival Success

Both our Secondary and Senior Primary Interhouse Swimming Carnivals demonstrated exceptional participation levels, with record numbers in both championship and participation events. Several long-standing records were broken – no small feat given our school's rich swimming history, now spanning over three decades. Special thanks to Mrs Kellie Reinhold for her outstanding organisation and to all staff who contributed to these successful events.

Athletic Excellence

We are immensely proud of Daniel Williams's recent achievement, securing second place in the International Invitation 800m Men's event in Adelaide. Daniel's outstanding performance saw him competing against some truly elite athletes, including Commonwealth Games silver medallist Peter Bol, who only managed to pass Daniel in the final stages of the race. To put this achievement in perspective, Bol finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, making Daniel's performance remarkable. We wish him all the best in this year’s athletics season.

Haven’t seen the race? Watch it via this link - https://clickv.ie/w/7k60

Performing Arts Achievements

Our senior students have enjoyed several enriching performing arts experiences this month, demonstrating the continuing excellence of our creative programs at BDC.

In a notable achievement, BDC student Jamie Nathan represented our school at the prestigious Bravissimo concert, held at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie. This annual showcase features exemplary HSC Music performances that achieved Band 6 results. Jamie performed "Hamabdil" by Granville Bantock on cello, accompanied by Wendy Nathan, his mum, on piano. Our attending senior Music students, accompanied by Mrs Rebecca Day and Ms Sandra Smith, found the concert deeply inspiring for their own HSC class preparations.

Our Year 11 and 12 Entertainment and Drama students embarked on an educational journey to Sydney, where they attended the Australian premiere of Hadestown at the Theatre Royal. The excursion also included viewing the 2024 HSC Onstage performances and projects, providing valuable insights for our current students. A highlight was their participation in a practical workshop at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), complete with a behind-the-scenes tour of this prestigious institution. Many of Australia's leading actors and directors trained at NIDA, including Cate Blanchett, Sarah Snook, Mel Gibson, Judy Davis and Baz Luhrmann.

I am also delighted to share that BDC Alumnus Rose Light has secured a position at the prestigious Kunstuniversität Graz (KUG) in Austria, where she will continue to study her Bachelor of Music after she completed an exchange in 2024. The University of Music and Performing Arts, as it is known in English, is internationally recognised for its exceptional music programs and artistic excellence.

These experiences and achievements reflect the vibrant performing arts culture we continue to nurture at BDC.

The Wellbeing Barometer - 2025

The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.Here is the link to your Special Report https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au

Teaching Hub Growth

We're delighted to welcome Sergio, Makayla, and Courtney to our Teaching Hub. Their diverse skills and experiences will enrich our teaching community, and we look forward to supporting their professional development journey.

Traffic Safety Reminder

With our growing community, I kindly ask all parents and carers using the kiss and ride zone or car parks to exercise patience and prioritise safety. The beginning of the year typically sees increased traffic, and I encourage flexibility with afternoon pickup times – noting that our car park is generally clear by 3:25 PM. We do have more “P” platers this year as this is our latest Year 12 cohort.

Kindergarten Update

It's heartwarming to see our newest and youngest community members settling into their school routines so confidently. Our Kindergarten students have already begun forming friendships, engaging enthusiastically in learning activities, and bringing their unique energy to our school community.

Nick Johnstone
Principal