Term 2 has been one of success across the Performing Arts team and we congratulate the excellence demonstrated in the local eisteddfod sections of dance, drama and music. There have also been school orchestra camps, shop visits, performance nights and of course our weekly assembly and signature events. Congratulations to our students and thank you to the Friends of Performing Arts for your assistance and encouragement.

Sport in Term 2 seemed to be every week and our teams were represented across a range of competitions, NCIS and CIS events. Team success this term, especially football and basketball, will make the sports awards in Term 4 very interesting. Our athletics and cross country events were popular and it was great to see Year 12 dress up and celebrate the last time at these school events. Netball and Rugby Tours were very successful and provided a challenging experience from the teams they played and the weather for rugby. Basketball, AFL, futsal and golf are also thriving in Term 2. Congratulations to our students who have represented the college across many sports and Mrs Powell for coordinating the weekly 7-10 sport.

Creative and critical thinking minds have resulted in successful teams across the domains of engineering challenges, debating, Da Vinci Decathlon, ethics Olympiad and chess to name a few. Year 7 have launched their ethics for good program through ACTIVATE and entrepreneurship with many students completing their first Kaizen courses and outstanding showcases for 9-10 in World Options.

Character Development and Faithfulness in Service
Across Semester 1 our staff have been developing an understanding of the DDL framework or Designing for Deep Learning in partnership with the AISNSW. This includes the 6C’s of communication, collaboration, creativity, character, critical thinking and citizenship.

Empathy, compassion, and integrity in action are a key dimension of character development and at this time of year we often see this dimension demonstrated in a range of programs or activities as people become involved in some form of service. Often winter brings to our attention the difficult life that some people may be experiencing. Providing opportunities for our children and students to experience “Faithfulness in Service” to our local community and global community in need is part of our foundational practices at BDC. We have seen our students recently involved in the ration challenge, Year 10 at the Opportunity Shop, cupcake stall for World Vision, staff and families providing for our food bank, Kokoda Challenge, an Opportunity Shop at Foundation Day and events like the CEO Winter Sleepout or St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal all make a difference. Making it real for our young people to build empathy and connect to those around them is an important part of the BDC Way. Please continue to foster faithfulness in service at home and encourage involvement across our campus. It is with a sense of gratitude at the end of the semester and seeing the active involvement of many students.

Semester 1 Reports
Congratulations to our 7 to 10 students on their reports and efforts across the year. Please celebrate the success you find in this report and take some time on where your son or daughter may wish to target improvement. As usual this is only one form of feedback, please contact subject teachers at any time through the term for feedback or progress updates.

Snow Sports
The annual field trip to Perisher is full and staff and students will be heading off this week. We wish everyone well and hope the snow falls continue. Thank you to Mr Chapman for coordinating this experience.

Foundation Day 2024
A popular signature event is this week where the Class of 2024 have spent a lot of time preparing for our day to celebrate our origins and some friendly competition and a K-12 fair. Thank you to Mrs Matthews and the Year 12 team for the fun they have provided.

HSC Preparation and Trial HSC
Preparing for the Trial HSC for our accelerated and full time HSC students is part of the planning over these holidays. We encourage students to have some time off, for example the first week and then to engage with their study, revision and completing planned holiday revision for Weeks 2-3.

Many students will also be working on major works or preparing for spoken language exams or performance subjects. We thank our staff for this extra support and the time required for students to give their best for the Trial HSC and HSC assessments due in Term 3. A reminder that the iHUB is open most days from 9am and to 4pm for HSC students only during the holiday break. Please see information from Mrs Dare for further information.

Year 11 2025 and the Excelsior Journey
Excitement and many conversations have been occurring lately for Year 10 as they start to finalise subject choices for Year 11 2025. Although many students are completing accelerated courses, to have a say across all subjects next year takes some time and conversations at home. We encourage students to choose subjects based on their interests, if there are specific courses required for further study after school and subjects that they are passionate about. The Excelsior Journey Curriculum Handbook will also assist in these conversations at home.

Career Days and taster lessons for Year 10 occur in the first Week of Term 3. This will also help prepare for students making their preferences. Although we develop a very board timetable, sometimes there are clashes or courses do not run if there are inadequate numbers. Where possible, to have reserve subjects may also assist in the final subject choices for Year 11.

Online Learning in 2025 for Year 11?
The college will be providing a small group of subjects online next year in Year 11. Students will be required to meet criteria to be eligible for this option. Students could be elite performing arts or sport students (travelling often or missing a lot of school), a clash on the timetable for example. Online study is usually considered to be more difficult and this is usually for dedicated and independent learners.

There will be more information at the curriculum expo in Term 3 for this exciting step for the college.

Important Dates Term 3

• 22nd July Monday, first day of Term 3. Winter uniform continues.
• 23rd July Tuesday, Year 10 Career workshops commence for students at school.
• 25th July Thursday, mini Year 11 lessons for Year 10 commence.
• 25th July Thursday, Leadership Induction Service for 2025.
• 25th July Thursday, Year 12 Seen Ya’s On Show -evening signature event.
• 26th July, Friday, dress in blue day for diabetes awareness day. Gold coin donation or normal school uniform.
• 29th July, Monday, High Performance Program Camp commences. Year 10 interviews commence (details to come)
• 31st July, Wednesday. Year 8 and Year 10 Curriculum Expo.
• 8th August, Thursday. Year 8 and Year 10 subject preferences due at 1pm.

A reminder that winter uniform continues in Term 3 and all students should commence with the correct uniform including neck ties. The 2024 musical was a standout this term along with the HSC focus days that have assisted in the development of skills in Year 11 and Year 12. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and we wish HSC students well as they continue to prepare for the Trial HSC and early HSC examinations next term.

Safe travel for those on holidays and God bless,

Simon Doyle
Assistant Principal (Head of Secondary)

iHub Matters

NAIDOC Week display
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, the iHub is showcasing a wonderful range of books we hold in the library on Australia’s First Nations people and history. BDC will celebrate NAIDOC Week from 24th-28th June. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians, whatever their heritage, to come together to learn about and celebrate our First Nations Peoples and their achievements, culture and contributions. It is also an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and events to help support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. As well as a book display, the iHub uses its network of TV displays to share information on the history and significance of NAIDOC Week. 

eSports 
Another Win! Recently, in a thumb-numbing blaze of glory, BDC defeated Albany Creek State High School 4 games to 1 in a best of 7 final. It was streamed live on the Australian Esports channel! Freddy Cruwys, Owen Smith and Ronan Guerin outplayed their Queensland opponents, defending strongly and then scoring some amazing goals!. These three students (along with team members Ben Caesar and Clayton Van Dartel) will receive their winners medals early next term. That's two Rocket League titles in a row! BACK TO BACK! 

Careers

Congratulations Xavier Cooper-Hisa - Southern Cross University Scholars Program

A big congratulations to Xavier Cooper-Hisa for successfully completing the Southern Cross University Scholar Program. Cooper completed a unit in an Introduction To Science For Health Professions and now has an early entry offer to SCU, has completed study credits towards a health sciences degree AND received the SCU Silver Scholarship valued at $5000! This is such a great achievement, well done Cooper!

This program will be offered again to year 11 students in 2025, with applications open again the 1st of August 2024. Student’s mark it in your calendar if you’re interested in applying, for more information visit this link.

Macquarie University InRoads Program

We have six Year 11 students visiting Macquarie University this week for their much anticipated InRoads program. This is a highly competitive program in which students apply for and are selected based on their application. Successful students are treated to an epic week and all transport, accommodation and meals are provided free to students who stay in a residential college, experience some of the sights of Sydney, attend faculty lectures, and demonstrations and participate in on-campus activities. They can experience some of what university life has to offer and is such an invaluable program for regional students.

Year 10 Career Days

Term 3 will kick off with two full days of career development and exploration days for Year 10 students. I am excited to work closely with Year 10 during this time and complete a variety of activities to look at student interest areas and cover a range of topics and career pathways such as university, TAFE and vocational education and training and apprenticeships/traineeships. We will have guest speakers attend these days and hold our very own BDC Year 10 career expo in which a variety of vendors such as businesses, universities and other education providers such as TAFE NSW will be present in which students will be able to meet with, ask questions and receive information. All of which will assist them in choosing subjects for Year 11 and 12 as well as consider their career pathways moving forward.

Janine Ryan
Career Pathways Advisor