As we approach the end of another eventful year at Bishop Druitt College, I want to take a moment to reflect on our collective achievements and share some exciting updates with you.

First and foremost, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to our 2023 Valedictorians who have recently completed their Higher School Certificate (HSC). These students have shown remarkable dedication and determination throughout their academic journey. I am incredibly proud of this exceptional group, and I have no doubt that they are leaving the college fully equipped to thrive in the world beyond our campus. I'd like to extend my gratitude to our dedicated teachers for their unwavering support in guiding our students toward their success.

To our recent graduates, I encourage you to maintain your connection with Bishop Druitt College as part of our BDC Alumni network. We look forward to celebrating your future achievements and keeping you involved in the BDC community.

Co-Curricular Celebrations

We've entered the season of celebration, and it brings me immense joy to share the success of our Annual Sports Awards Dinner held at Pacific Bay Resort last week. With the inspiring presence of guest speakers Paralympian Scott Reardon and Matilda Renaye Iserief, the evening was a resounding success. We took this opportunity to honour not only our talented student-athletes but also the coaches, administrators, and referees who contribute significantly to our sporting excellence. This year has been a remarkable one for BDC sports, with achievements both in individual and team categories.

I would like to highlight the remarkable success of our college sporting teams, which clinched a total of 13 premierships across our gala days and NCIS sports. Congratulations to the following teams:

Primary

• Primary Boys Football Team
  
  
• Paul Kelly Cup AFL
  
  

Secondary

• Under 16 Boys Football Team
  
  
• Open Girls Netball Team
  
  
• Open Girls AFL Team
  
  
• Under 15 Girls Rugby Team
  
  
• Under 15 Boys Rugby Team
  
  
• 7/8 Netball Team
  
  
• 9/10 Netball Team
  
  
• Mountain Biking Team
  
  
• Open Boys Basketball Team
  
  
• Open Girls Basketball Team
  
  
• Under 15 Boys Basketball Team
  
  
  

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated coaches and managers who have played a vital role in nurturing these successful teams and to our Head of Sport, Ms Kellie Reinhold, our High Performance Program and Athlete Development Manager, Ms Natalie Titcume, as well as our Marketing and Event Coordinator, Mrs Holly Heather, for their organisation in making this event possible. 

View the Sports Award Winners here.

Thank you to our Sports Awards Dinner sponsors

• Cris Hisa Brazilian Jiu JItsu Team
• Blue Sky IT Consulting
• Jetty Dental
• Istanbul Kebabs Coffs Harbour
• Woolgoolga Mitre 10
• Premier Accounting Services
• Catalyst
• The Johnstone Family
• King Tide Brewing
• Bonville Golf Resort
• Matt's Mowing and Maintenance
• Coast & Plateau Fine Foods; and
• Andersons

Our next signature event is the Performing Arts Awards Night scheduled for November 9th in the Branson Centre. This year we've introduced some exciting changes, expanding the event to include Dance and Drama, along with new awards for performing arts. Additionally, we have the privilege of hosting several esteemed guest presenters for this special evening.

Lay Canon of the Cathedral

I am thrilled to share with you that I was recently installed as a Lay Canon of the Cathedral in Grafton. You may wonder what this honour entails. The Canons of Christ Church Cathedral in Grafton serve on the Chapter of the Cathedral, a committee that aids the Dean of the Cathedral in advancing its mission and ministry. I am deeply grateful for the nomination and support of the Bishop and the Dean of the Cathedral. I have already committed to supporting the development of the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan and am enthusiastic about strengthening the connection between our Anglican schools in the Diocese and our Cathedral.

Please enjoy some photos from my installation.

Academic Scholarships for 2025 (Entry to Years 5-11)

I am pleased to announce that applications for academic scholarships commencing in 2025 are now open. These scholarships are awarded based on a competitive examination conducted by ACER and are awarded by the Principal. The application deadline is midnight AEDST Sunday, February 4, 2024, with no late applications considered.

The next testing for academic scholarships will be held at Bishop Druitt College on Saturday, February 24, 2024. For further details and to apply, please visit our website at https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/join-our-school/academic-scholarships.

As we look ahead to the end of the year and the promise of a new one, let's celebrate our successes and remain connected as a strong BDC community. Wishing you all a wonderful end to 2023.

Facilities Development

There are two projects occurring on the college grounds at present. The first one is Phase 2 of the Adventure Playground and the second is the development of the new Mathematics Centre. The Adventure Playground includes a creek bed, a loose parts playground with a sandpit, a ninja warrior course, a gaga pit, and a yarning circle. The following photographs give a snippet of the process to date. We will have this playground open before the end of the year but will officially open it at the Welcome Sundowner event at the start of 2024.

The second project is the Mathematics Centre. This will consist of 4 classrooms, a maths office, a store room, and a meeting room. This facility will be constructed on Field One and will double as a function space for school events as it will be located adjacent to the Roger Oates Centre (our Trade Training Hospitality space). 

Please find below an artist's impression of this building that will be in place for the start of next year. We expect the classrooms to be operational for mid-term 1.

Deep Learning - professional learning into professional practice 2024

Designing for Deep Learning Network is a specialised AISNSW program that supports school executive and senior teachers to incorporate the learning competencies (6Cs) into their whole of school teaching and learning programs to underpin the curriculum.

Deep Learning integrates academic skills with personal and social capabilities and gives priorities to those capabilities and dispositions that support whole-school learning and living.

The college has selected a team of staff to start this journey on 9 and 10 November 2023 with a three to five year commitment to this project.

Deep Learning Explained:

To realise the potential of Deep Learning, we have identified the "6Cs," a set of global competencies that describe the skills and attributes needed for learners to flourish in today's complex world. These 6Cs are the foundation for nurturing deep learning in our students.

Character: Character is about the essence of a person. It encompasses a proactive stance toward life and a commitment to the journey of learning. It instils grit, tenacity, perseverance, and resilience in students, allowing them to overcome challenges and setbacks. It fosters empathy, compassion, and integrity in action, enabling students to connect with diverse perspectives and make meaningful contributions to society.

Citizenship: Citizenship goes beyond national boundaries and embraces a global perspective. It is about instilling a commitment to human equity and well-being, driven by empathy and compassion for diverse values and worldviews. It encourages a genuine interest in human and environmental sustainability and the ability to tackle ambiguous and complex problems in the real world to benefit all citizens.

Collaboration: Collaboration is a fundamental skill in our interconnected world. It's not just about teamwork; it's about working interdependently as a team. It involves developing interpersonal and team-related skills, as well as social, emotional, and intercultural competencies. Collaboration is about managing team dynamics and challenges effectively to achieve collective goals.

Communication: Effective communication is a cornerstone of Deep Learning. It's not merely about conveying information; it's about communication designed for audience and impact. It means crafting messages that advocate a purpose and make a real impact in the world. Furthermore, it involves constant reflection to further develop and improve communication, allowing students to express their voices and identities to advance humanity.

Creativity: Creativity is the wellspring of innovation. It involves economic and social entrepreneurialism, asking the right inquiry questions, pursuing and expressing novel ideas and solutions, and exhibiting leadership to turn these ideas into meaningful action. Creativity fuels progress and empowers students to shape their world.

Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to navigate the sea of information that surrounds us. It encompasses evaluating information and arguments, making connections and identifying patterns, constructing meaningful knowledge, and, most importantly, experimenting, reflecting, and taking action on ideas in the real world. It equips students to be discerning, insightful, and proactive learners.

These competencies provide the roadmap for a holistic and enduring educational experience. By fostering these skills and attributes in our students, we not only prepare them for the challenges of today but also empower them to be the leaders, thinkers, and doers of tomorrow. Deep Learning is not a mere aspiration; it's a commitment to quality education that will shape the future of our students and society at large.

Bishop Druitt College has partnered with Edstart to provide you with more flexibility and choice for your school fees, view the information flyer here. 

SPECIAL REPORT: Discussing War & Conflict

Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Children’s responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect a child's behaviour and perception of danger.

Children need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. Tailor conversations to your child's age and emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, while older children can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.

Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helping children understand there is still hope in our complex world. Please take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-discussing-war-conflict

Upcoming Events

There are many events coming up; more details will be forthcoming. Please note these dates in your calendar.

• Secondary Presentation Day is on Monday 4 December 2023
• Primary Presentation Day is on Tuesday 5 December 2023
• K-12 Christmas Service is on Wednesday 6 December 2023. This is a very special service, with our new Chaplain, Reverend Lisa Williamson, being commissioned.
• Christmas Carols on Wednesday 6 December 2023.
• Students’ last day of Term 4 is Thursday 7 December 2023.

Nick Johnstone
Principal