This is our last newsletter for 2022 and with that comes our season’s greetings. I wish all of our college families a wonderful Christmas and summer break. Our Christmas Services will be held on Monday next week. Thank you in advance to Reverend Naomi Cooke and Reverend Nic Hagon.

Thank you also to all staff and students for their support at our Primary and Secondary Presentation Ceremonies this week. It was wonderful to have parents and grandparents return to these events as normal. A huge thank you to Bishop Murray who made time to attend our Primary School Presentation.

Cambodian Service Learning Tour

I would also like to wish our Cambodian Service Learning Tour group well. They departed on Wednesday afternoon for a 15-day experience. The students will spend time in Phnom Penh (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Killing Fields, Mekong River cruise and some markets and temples), Saen Monourom (Conservation park with rainforests, waterfalls and elephant sanctuary), Ban Lung (in our sister school Krou Yeung), Siem Reap (Angkor Temples and service groups). I had the honour of attending this tour with 19 students in December 2019 and can attest to this wonderful experience. I will endeavour to keep our community updated throughout the experience on social media. Thank you to Mr Mick Klipin, Mr Craig Lang and Ms Nat Titcum.

Changes to Mathematics for 2023 - Year 5 to 9

Pedagogical change in Mathematics at Bishop Druitt College must reflect the key principles and evidence-based research of the NSW curriculum reform. Due to the NESA curriculum reform, we conducted an internal review of current practises in Mathematics. As a result of this review, we have decided to move away from Math Pathways as a learning tool. We have spent several days with the Mathematics staff unpacking what Mathematics will look like from 2023. Our group learning sessions have involved Mathematics staff and leadership, creating a shared understanding of Mathematics in the context of BDC. This is the culmination of a great deal of time, effort, and enthusiasm from our team, and we thank everyone who has provided feedback in various capacities. We have summarised learning Mathematics at BDC into a learning model.

At Bishop Druitt College, all students have a right to learn Mathematics and the language of Mathematics. It is important students make sense of their learning and are confident in their use of mathematics in order to help them make sense of their world. 

Students build understanding when they connect related ideas, when they represent concepts in different ways, when they identify commonalities and differences between aspects of content, when they describe their thinking mathematically, and when they interpret mathematical information.

Mathematics is collaborative and involves various opportunities for students to engage with peers and teachers in their Mathematics learning. It involves teams of students who learn by working together to share ideas, solve a problem, or accomplish a common goal.

High expectations for achievement, conceptual understanding, and the opportunity to learn reasonable and challenging Mathematics that enrich their learning are fundamental to equity with Mathematics at Bishop Druitt College.

Engaging students in the learning process of Mathematics increases their focus and motivates them to engage in higher-level critical thinking opportunities in Mathematics. Engaging mathematics classrooms at BDC are places where there are substantive conversations about mathematical concepts, tasks are positive, and provide opportunities for all students to achieve a level of success and challenge. Students are provided with an element of choice, and the relevance of the mathematics curriculum is explicitly linked to students’ lives. Technology in Mathematics is embedded and used when appropriate to enhance mathematical understanding. 

1994 to 2023 - Celebrating 30 years of Educational Excellence

In 2023 we are celebrating our 30th anniversary here at Bishop Druitt College. Over the years, the college has grown and developed into an innovative, vibrant learning community that we can all be proud of. 

In 2023 we will open The David Ford Centre (new senior building) and the Win Howard Building (a revamped H block), and host a 30th anniversary function in the Branson Centre (Date Saver: Friday 19 May) plus a multitude of other exciting events. More information on these events will be shared early in 2023.

Academic Scholarships for 2024 (Entry to Years 5-11)

Applications for 2022 Academic Scholarships for students entering Years 5-11 are now open and will close on 6 February 2023. The scholarships are awarded based on a competitive examination conducted by ACER, which will take place on Saturday, 25 February 2023. Scholarships are awarded by the Principal. 

Please see our website for further details: https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/join-our-school/academic-scholarships

Special Focus Scholarships for 2024

Applications for Bishop Druitt College Special Focus Scholarships (different to Academic Scholarships) will open early in Term 1 2023 and will close 31 March 2023. 

Please see our website for further details:  https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/join-our-school/specific-focus-scholarships

Return Dates and Letter from the Principal

• Monday 16 January: School Office Opens
• Monday 30 January: Kindy to 7, Year 10 mentors and Year 12                                         
• Tuesday 31 January: All students return 
• Wednesday 1 February and Thursday 2 February: School Photographs

I will write to all 2023 families in mid-January to outline the events of early Term 1, and to share with you the 2022 HSC results and any staffing changes.

The Reverend Nathan Dean – Priest-in-Charge – Coffs Harbour

The Reverend Nathan Dean has been appointed by Bishop Murray as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Coffs Harbour.

Nathan is currently Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Callide Valley in Rockhampton Diocese.

He is married to Anita and they have two sons, Aaron (17) and Ryan (15). Having experience in both rural and urban settings and having worked for Anglicare, I believe that Nathan will bring much to the parish and the diocese. We look forward to welcoming them, probably in February. Please keep Nathan and his family in your prayers.

Happy and Holy Christmas

I wish all our families a happy and holy Christmas and hope you have a wonderful break. I look forward to welcoming our existing and our new students back to school in 2023.

Nick Johnstone
Principal