EYE Week

This year is the 24th annual Express Yourself Everyone celebration and the 2024 theme is “Oh, the places you’ll go”. 

There are gallery walks, concerts, dances, constructions, art installations, and many more engaging activities planned for our primary students for next week. 

Thank you to all the Primary staff for supporting EYE Week again this year; it is one of our longest-running college traditions. Thanks to our chief organiser this year, Mrs Bec Rodger. EYE Week runs from 23 to 27 September.

Valedictory Week

Next week is also officially the last week of our Year 12s prior to their HSC examinations. 

I am currently in the process of reading Year 12 reports after signing off on their reference letters. 

Thank you to their class and tutor teachers for their attention to detail and care for their chargers. This group of students prepared well for their final week, and the college looks forward to celebrating them during Valedictory Week. 

In my Principal’s Address, I will give them seven slices of wisdom I have learnt over the years. The key events include the Valedictory Service at St John's Anglican Church, the Valedictory Assembly, and the whole school guard of honour. This will be followed by the traditional dinner at Pacific Bay Resort.

Media Consent Changes

In recent months, we’ve had a few instances where our media processes have not met expectations, resulting in some students' class photographs being shared online without consent. Nothing sinister but a result of human error. We’ve reviewed our practices and are implementing changes to improve our media management and protect student privacy.

First, parents will no longer be able to change media consent preferences online. Any updates to permissions must now be made by contacting the college office directly, either by phone or email. Additionally, the college will update its consent lists weekly and include these "no-media" students in our staff bulletin, which is reviewed by all staff each Monday. These procedural changes are effective immediately.

Looking ahead, we are also introducing a photo management system called Pixevety, which will be fully rolled out in 2025. If you’d like to learn more about this system, you can visit the following link: Pixevety.

Our college is recognised for its innovation across many areas, and we are committed to maintaining high standards in the online space.

SPECIAL REPORT: R U OK?Day

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK?Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"

Engaging in R U OK?Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK?Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day

BDC Golf Day

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to you for the 25th Annual Bishop Druitt College (BDC) Golf Day, which will take place on Sunday, 10 November 2024, at the stunning Bonville Golf Resort. This year’s event, proudly supported by our esteemed partners at Geoff King Motors, promises to be a spectacular day of golf, camaraderie, and charitable giving.

Boost Your Business’s Visibility

We are excited to offer premium sponsorship opportunities to enhance your brand’s exposure at our premier event. Here’s how you can make the most of this unique chance.

Premium Hole Sponsorship: $1,100 As a Premium Hole Sponsor, your business will receive top-tier visibility with your banner prominently displayed at one of the premier holes. Additionally, you will gain recognition across our social media platforms, which boast a following of 5,136 on Facebook, 2,081 on Instagram, and 420 on LinkedIn as well as recognition at the event.

Hole Sponsorship: $1,000 For a Hole Sponsorship, your company’s banner will be displayed at one of the holes, providing excellent exposure and engagement opportunities. Additionally, you will gain recognition across our social media platforms, which boast a following of 5,136 on Facebook, 2,081 on Instagram, and 420 on LinkedIn as well as recognition at the event.

Book for sponsorship via this link > https://docs.google.com/forms/...

Event Details

Date: Sunday, 10 November 2024
Venue: Bonville Golf Resort
Format: Four-person Ambrose competition across 18 holes

Should you wish to enter a team: Each team receives two golf carts, 15 raffle tickets per player, a food and beverage ticket, and delightful canapés during the wrap-up function. Plus, participants will have the chance to win a shot of their choice by the golf pro. Bookings to enter a team will open soon and will be emailed.

Get Involved:

Support from sponsors like you is instrumental in making this event a success. All funds raised will benefit the BDC Barracudas Sporting Club, nurturing talent and sportsmanship within our community.

To secure your sponsorship and enhance your brand’s visibility at this prestigious event, please scan the QR code in the below/attached flyer or click this link and complete the sponsorship form. Sponsors who have booked will be contacted by the BDC accounts team for payment. Sponsorship does not include a playing team. Sponsors who wish to play need to book a team and can do so in a few weeks once the team booking link is emailed to you.

If you have any questions or need assistance contact Holly Heather at hheather@bdc.nsw.edu.au.

Given our event’s popularity and last year’s full capacity, we encourage you to confirm your sponsorship promptly. Thank you for your continued support of Bishop Druitt College and the BDC Golf Day. We look forward to an unforgettable day with you on November 10th, 2024.

Book a team for the BDC Golf Day via this link > bgr-bdcgolfday2024.golfgenius.com

Nick Johnstone
Principal
Bishop Druitt College