Opportunities Beyond the Classroom and Learning and Teaching

Please add these key dates to your calendar:

• 16th June 6pm Fathering Project with Mr Joel Blythe
• 17th June 5pm Semester 1 Piano Concert with Mrs Kate Freeman
• Week 9 -Year 8 and Year 10 receive their curriculum handbooks for courses in 2023 with Mr Craig Verbruggen. Semester 2 reports are published at the end of this week for Years 7 to 10
• 20th June NAIDOC Week commences
• 23rd June NAIDOC Assembly with Aunty Gloria Mercy
• 24th June last day of Term 2 and Foundation Day Service
• 18th July Term 3 commences
• Week 1 Term 3 Year 10 Career Days and Taster mini lessons for Year 11-12
• Week 2 Term 3 Year 10 Pathway interviews commence
• 27th July Year 8 and Year 10 pathway and curriculum information sessions for 2023 with Mr Craig Verbruggen
• 3rd August Year 8 and Year 10 curriculum choices are due
• 1st August Year 12 Trial HSC commences
• 4th August college closed for staff professional learning. Students do not attend on this day, unless for the Trial HSC examinations

In addition to the above key dates our families and staff have been enjoying the eisteddfod over these last few weeks and our socials have been filled with a wide range of individual and group performances across dance, drama and music. Congratulations to all students and our Performing Arts team and thank you to our families for your support and help at the performances. 

Last week a group of senior students were briefed and gave feedback to the consultation team for the Revitalisation of the Coffs Harbour Jetty. Our students listened with purpose and discussed the proposal with a future awareness that was wonderful to hear. Key questions discussed included consulting the local elders, environmental protection, balance between tourism and local needs and actual timelines. We have also been encouraged to complete the online feedback forms or attend one of the face to face sessions.

Service and gratitude are two key values we encourage and guide as parents and also here at the college. Two recent examples by our students include a large group participating in the Act for Peace Ration Challenge and the leadership team coordinating the Do it for Dolly Day. If you are participating in these activities or have been able to donate to support either important causes, thank you and congratulations to the students coordinating the college activities.

This year there are two trips heading to the snow. It is time to read your checklists and especially the warmer layers required and how lucky are we that there is good snow already. Please contact Mr Daniel Bartlett dbartlett@bdc.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Karina Rothacker krothacker@bdc.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.

Pathways to University

Macquarie University are also providing a unique opportunity in the first week of the holidays and we have 20 Year 11 and Year 12 students heading off to experience life at university for a week. This cost is covered by the university, a very unique opportunity. Mrs Gina Driscoll gdriscoll@bdc.nsw.edu.au is coordinating this university immersion. Our Careers Pathways program included STEM presenters during Careers Week and Mrs Drsicoll is providing interviews for Year 12 and assistance for applications to UAC and early entry schemes at this time of year. The Careers Days at the start of Term 3 for Year 10 will offer a variety of possible pathways and also some key considerations for Year 11 and Year 12.

Year 7 to 10 Reports

After two terms, Year 11 and 12 have already received their half-year feedback via reports. Reports are just one form of feedback on progress and achievement. Please contact your child’s teachers throughout the year to ask for some feedback or to let teachers know if there is something staff should know that could be making a difference, like sickness that we may not know about (very common this semester). When reports are received, we encourage you to look at the success first and celebrate this with your child. Closer to returning for next term, a conversation on an area that they would like to improve and how they might start this in Term 3. It is also a very helpful technique if they let their teacher know what they are working on to improve (or maintain).

Foundation Day 2022 -Friday 24th June

A signature event at the college where Year K to 12 join together in a service at the start of the day to celebrate and offer gratitude for Bishop Druitt College, its history, the community and all who support our college. Students attend in normal winter uniform. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the service as long as you are well and free from flu-like symptoms.

After the service, students may get changed into house-coloured theme clothes or mufti for the carnival and fair that Year 12 and Mr Blythe have developed for the day. Normal dress code guidelines exist for the dress up part of the day as usual. Year 12 launched its theme last week and it is Wild West and we look forward to the whole day to finish the term.

Thank you for your continued support for health and hygiene requirements this term. As the term comes to an end, the requirements are still the same. If someone is unwell, flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home, and complete a COVID 19 test. Close contacts wear a mask and monitor for symptoms. The amount of illness among students, staff and families has been extensive and made it difficult for many people. Thank you for looking after each other and our community by following these requirements.

There will be a number of HSC workshops and tutorials or study sessions over the 3-week break. HSC students should have their own study plan as they prepare for their HSC Trial. If they need assistance with this they should discuss this with their HSC course Teacher. The iHUB is also available for most of the time for HSC students' individual study only (further information will be shared later this term) and thank you to the staff for providing these opportunities and support across their holiday.

We wish all of our families and staff a safe and happy holiday break and we wish the college trips all the best for your experience (and may there be plenty of snow for the ski trip).

Simon Doyle
Assistant Principal (Head of Secondary)