I’m writing this fortnight’s newsletter article after having spent the day with Year 7s on camp. Despite the intermittent showers of rain, the students and their Tutor Teachers were having a wonderful time. The support shown towards each group during some of the challenges was most notable. Thank you to the staff in attendance this week, I know that the Year 7s really appreciate it.

Congratulations to our primary house captains

Cottee

Eli Friel and Connor Folpp

Hollows

Blair Herford and Heidi Rose

Kngwarreye

Jackson Welch and Cara Nivison

Murray

Tayla Foldes and Willow Bowman

O'Shane

Rocco Stockton and Jessica Sykes

Sutherland

Amber Lewis and Matthew Healy

Swimming Carnival 

Congratulations to our swimmers who participated in the carnivals last week. Well done to O’Shane in the Primary School and Cottee in the Secondary School for taking out their respective interhouse shields. There was also a good deal of house spirit on show. The next step for our champion swimmers is to compete at the North Coast Independent Schools’ Swimming Championships to be held at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre. This year, due to COVID-19, the carnival has been split into two events. We have 39 primary and 70 secondary swimmers who have qualified for these events and I look forward to seeing our school spirit on show with maximum participation at this meet.  

Clarence Coffs Independent Schools Careers Hub

Australian Independent Schools New South Wales (AISNSW) is supporting a new partnership with a cluster of schools including: Bishop Druitt College, Clarence Valley Anglican School and St Andrew’s Christian School (Grafton). AISNSW staff have been in the region visiting businesses to see if they are interested in being part of this new initiative. If your business is interested in supporting our students with work experience, school-based traineeships, apprenticeships or employment opportunities please contact our Careers Pathways Coordinator, Mrs Gina Driscoll, gdriscoll@bdc.nsw.edu.au  

View CCISCH Postcard

School Improvement Plan 2021

The School Improvement Plan for this school year has been updated and is now available for viewing. I wish to thank parents who contributed to the AISNSW Perspectives survey last year as feedback from this survey appears as target areas in the new plan. Educational trends focussing on student wellbeing, literacy and numeracy development, soft skills development and links to future pathways are all included in our vision for 2021.

School Improvement Plan - SIP2021 

Scholarships 2022

Applications for scholarships with a special focus and the Noel Jackson Memorial Bursary commencing in 2022 are now open. 

These applications close at the end of Term 1. Please submit applications through the college website:

https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/join-our-school/specific-focus-scholarships

https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/join-our-school/scholarships (Noel Jackson Memorial Bursary information is at the bottom of this link).

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday - why are they important in an Anglican School?

This Wednesday our college celebrated a whole school Chapel Service to recognise Ash Wednesday. This is symbolised with a black cross drawn on the foreheads or hands of staff and students. For those in our community who have not been exposed to the Christian faith I thought I would give a quick precise of the meaning of Pancake or Shove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and the season of Lent.

Shrove Tuesday events go hand in hand with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday traditionally signifies the feasting before fasting. In Australian Anglican schools this is symbolised by a feast of pancakes. Traditionally Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity for people to use up the eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast. In more modern times we tend not to fast but instead give something up for Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, Bishop Druitt College celebrates this with a huge team of helpers cooking pancakes for over 1250 people with all students and staff having the opportunity to share in this feast.

At BDC this event is followed by a full school service on the following day. This is called the Ash Wednesday Service. Ash Wednesday is a moveable mass that occurs 46 days prior to Easter and signifies the Lenten period leading up to the resurrection of Jesus. The ashes symbolise both death and repentance. From a schooling perspective, we focus on the positive messages within this narrative and it is seen as a day of celebration for our community. Our Chaplains share the messages of hope and promise to our community on this day. 

College communication

The college continually endeavours to improve our communication on all fronts. Some of our newer parents may not be aware of the location of the college calendar. You can view the college calendar via our website, it is accessible both on the footer and the homepage. Most major events are placed on the calendar with at least 6 months notice where possible for example the Open Days, Presentation Days, Swimming Carnivals etc. We also understand that our families lead busy lives and therefore reminders are often sent out each fortnight prior to events through direct emails, the college newsletter and our social media channels. However, in primary school your best source of knowledge is, of course, your classroom teacher. Developing a positive relationship with your teacher will not only benefit you in your child's learning but also in being prepared for upcoming activities. 

We were disappointed that we were unable to hold our welcome Sundowner event at the start of the year. We appreciate everyone's patience regarding the changed activities as they have come about recently as we follow the rules and regulations for schools around COVID-19. The rules for the public are different to the rules we, as a school, need to follow and while this is unfortunate and disappointing for all of us, we ask for your continued support and understanding while we navigate through the next six months. 

I personally cannot wait for our next whole school function and as soon as we are able to, we will organise this to bring our community together again. 

Nick Johnstone
Principal

This week we have had pancakes cooked by hospitality students and served to the whole school for Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday), which is also known by the blunt description of Fat Tuesday or, in French, Mardi Gras. 

This marks the day before Lent begins and connects back to the ancient tradition of feasting as a way of using up all the indulgent ingredients in the pantry before the Lenten fast began.  Fasting has long been a spiritual discipline across religious traditions. Jesus spent significant time fasting and praying as part of the rhythm of his ministry. Sometimes the barrenness of this abstinence was amplified by adding the physical isolation of spending time in the desert. There is great value in being able to distance ourselves from the constant cravings to eat even when we’re not really hungry. This practice of self-control can then be practiced across other areas of our lives where we want to change what we do. Children of course rarely fast or spend time in isolation, but Lent can be a time for them to engage in the practice of self-control and abstaining from certain behaviours. 

We gathered as a school community on 26 February at 9am for the Ash Wednesday service. The emphasis was on our need to recognise the behaviours in our lives that we regret and struggle to control. We all need to be better at saying sorry, and Ash Wednesday is a day when we reflect upon this spiritual discipline. The ashes come from last year’s celebratory palm crosses since dried and consumed by fire. Students were invited to take upon themselves the sign of the cross made with ash as a way to express their sorrow for what they are not happy with about their past behaviour. The tradition of ash on the head is an ancient custom symbolising grief and sorrow. Surely it is good for us at least once a year to stop and acknowledge the many sorrows we bring upon ourselves and others through our words and actions. The sorrow of ash mingles with the healing and anointing of oil, remembering the power that comes from forgiveness and new starts, and we are blessed to begin our Lenten walk towards Easter.

May your week ahead be filled with thankfulness as you feast on pancakes and other indulgences, and courage as you prepare to explore the surprising possibilities of abstinence and fast in your spiritual life.

What’s happening in Chaplaincy:

• Ash Wednesday 26 February 9am whole school service
• JAM (Jesus and Me) Club games and bible study on Monday for primary students. Please note the change of time to recess.
• Godly Play 8.15am-8.40am is now on Thursday mornings in the Chapel. students, parents and staff are welcome to join the circle weekly for a Godly Play story and prayer. 
• BDCJAM fellowship and bible study is on Monday lunchtimes for secondary students
• Sundays 5.30pm St John’s Anglican hosts a family service during term time that is informal and child-friendly. All welcome.
• Our Parents and Staff prayer group will resume soon. Please contact me if you’d like to be involved to pray together for our school one morning per week.

Reverend Naomi Cooke
Chaplain
ncooke@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Stymie

Bishop Druitt College has partnered with Stymie as a trial for 2021.

Stymie is a platform for our community to make anonymous notifications about anyone who may be experiencing bullying or harm. Once the notification is made, an email is sent to an appropriate person at school with the information. It will then be responded to, according to the BDC behaviour management plan.

Students from Stage 3, 4, 5, and 6 will have access to Stymie from Week 6. A representative from Stymie will be coming to school on Friday February 26th to speak to all the students involved, explaining how it works and the benefits of using it.

SCHOOL TV – Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions!

Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.

SchoolTV addresses this as a new online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.

We will continue to add links each month in the newsletter to School TV. Topics include: Cyber Safety, Mental Health, Healthy Bodies, School Survival, Positive Parenting and various other Special reports

SCHOOL TV - SPECIAL REPORT: Starting Year 7

Starting Year 7 poses many new challenges, but also offers exciting opportunities. It comes with a number of mixed feelings. Unfortunately for many Grade 6 students, 2020 was marred with school closures and remote learning due to the pandemic and the overall impact of this is still unknown.

For many students regular orientation activities at the end of 2020 were less than ideal. Therefore, many students may be feeling a little bit more anxious than usual about their expectations of starting Year 7. Grasping new skills and establishing new study practices can quickly become daunting and overwhelming.

During this time of transition, parents and carers need to be supportive, but also realistic in their expectations. This is an important milestone in your child’s life. There will be feelings of exhilaration, but also the fear of the unknown. Therefore it will be important for parents and carers to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s mood and mental health during this time. They could easily become overly anxious or even depressed.

In this Special Report, there are a number of strategies offered that can make this transition period smoother and start things off on the right foot! We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:

https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-starting-year-7

Sue O'Connor
Director of Student Wellbeing K-12

The beginning of the year is always a time that creates some nervousness. New routines, rooms, books, teachers and stages. However, our mindset is a key contributor in how we tackle these new comings. Some people may have read a wonderful little book titled, ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ by Dr Spencer Johnson. This little book gives us a great insight into the roles we take when change occurs. Having read the book with our primary staff, there are some great lessons we can all take from the four characters highlighted in the book.

As a college community, we have certainly embraced the little changes to our Kiss & Ride routine in the afternoons. The effect was instant! Our new record for the Kiss & Ride area is now 3.22pm, WOW! After commenting to our students at the Kiss & Ride on how fantastic the system was working, one of our primary students said to me ‘Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Mr Smith!’ He certainly isn’t wrong.

A huge thank you to all of the parents, carers, students, and staff who have made this process run so smoothly. Please remember to have your yellow or pink visor strip in your car so we can easily identify who needs to be picked up. To remain safe, we also ask that students enter their car from the left-hand side so that no one is harmed accessing the boot or on the traffic side of the pick-up process.   

Richard Smith
Assistant Principal (Head of Primary)

Our 2021 young primary leaders at Bishop Druitt College are a very balanced group. We have created five portfolios that our primary leaders will work within; Service, Round Square, The Arts, Environment and Adventure and Sport. 

‘As the Head of Primary, I hope that our leaders will be able to begin some major projects within their given portfolios. They have already started to brainstorm some marvellous ideas, which will leave a mark on their time within our primary school. Throughout the process, they will have the opportunity to learn from the teacher in charge of their leadership portfolio and will learn more about themselves as leaders and as people.’ Richard Smith, Assistant Principal (Head of Primary).

Back row from left: Nick Johnstone - Principal, Temesgen Bahta - Service Captain, Samuel Gillespie - Arts Captain, Charlie Fisher - Sport Captain, James Quodling - Round Square Captain, Daniel Clark - Environment and Adventure Captain, Richard Smith - Assistant Principal (Head of Primary). 

Front row from left: Katie Hodgson - Service Captain, Angela Tobin - Arts Captain, Phoebe Oliver - Sport Captain, Tehani Badke - Round Square Captain, Willow McNeil - Environment and Adventure Captain.

Service Captain: Katie Hodgson

I want to be a great role model as a student leader. I want to set a good example for the younger students and make sure they are always trying their best, and are proud of everything they achieve. 

Service Captain: Temesgen Bahta 

I am excited to make a space where all religions can relax.

Round Square Captain: James Quodling 

I am excited to make a trip to Sydney with Round Square and other schools this year as well as be a part of international Zoom meetings and represent BDC. I would also like to see more outdoor classrooms and a foreign garden and hopefully I can help make these happen.

Round Square Captain: Tehani Badke

I hope to make the school better during my captaincy. 

Arts Captain: Angela Tobin

My goals are to put on a Matilda-inspired musical and to have house shirts available for students. 

Arts Captain: Samuel Gillespie 

I hope to make the EYE Festival as fun as it can be and include lots of different games in it, a talent contest and a comedy show. 

Environment and Adventure Captain: Daniel Clark 

I want to fix up the garden in the old Year 5 area, get the veggie garden going and help out at school camps.

Environment and Adventure Captain: Willow McNeil 

I hope to help organise the Colour Run event, run a fundraiser for the RSPCA and run our assemblies. 

Sport Captain: Charlie Fisher 

I really want to host some more fundraisers to get some more sports equipment and teams together. I want to host more sports gala days against other schools and help out with cross country and athletics. 

Sport Captain: Phoebe Oliver 

I am looking forward to helping out with the sports shed and making sure that everyone participates in all kinds of sports. 

2M have had such an exciting start to the year and have enjoyed investigating their new stations. Some of the favourites so far have been the tadpoles, market place and paper plane construction. Here is what some of the students have to say:

There have been lots of changes with the tadpoles this week. We have noticed tadpoles growing arms and legs. We have three frogs now and they swim really fast. The frogs like climbing on and jumping off their rock. We are wondering if frogs have gills. We are also wondering why the tadpoles go through so many changes and we don’t.

Ashton Miller and Jack Boyle 

We have just opened a new craft stall at the market and it is really fun. We have made signs to show shoppers how much our things cost. Most things cost $2. We need to work out the money and keep track of what we are selling and making. 

Nate and Lachlan

Jack, Fynn, Ben, Hayden, and I made a big paper plane and a small paper plane and tested to see which one flew the farthest. We found that the distance also depended on how you threw it and the paper you made it with.

Jago

Stage 2 has had a very productive and busy start to the year. Year 3 students are learning all the new routines and events in Senior Primary. Our classrooms are a hub of activity and students are enjoying the new area. We have also been working together to get to know one another and develop class charters.

Students had fun at our Senior swimming carnival. Congratulations to all the participants for their enthusiasm and achievements on the day. 

Year 3 and 4 are producing outstanding work, especially in writing. In Stage 2 we use Talk for Writing as a tool to enhance students' writing quality and creativity. The Talk for Writing approach enables children to read and write independently for a variety of audiences and purposes within different subjects. A key feature is that children internalise the language structures needed to write through ‘talking the text’, as well as close reading. The approach moves from dependence towards independence, with the teacher using shared and guided teaching to develop the ability in children to write creatively and powerfully.

Here is an examples from students Sofia Bravo and Wren Lewis.

Stage 2 Maths groups have begun and students are engaged in many hands-on activities to support their learning.

This Year Stage 2 will be involved in Project Based Learning. Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. This model of learning has emerged in education all around the world. This approach includes student-centered learning;  our teachers embrace a range of teaching strategies to help support all learners. In project-based learning, the focus is on doing an authentic self-directed project and learning from it. We look forward to sharing these with our parents and school community.

During sport this term, we have visiting AFL development officers working with Stage 2 students. Students are participating in a variety of ball games and practicing a variety of associated skills.

Student voice and leadership opportunities are part of the BDC Way as we work with our young adults across Years 7-12. We hope to continue the development of the traditions of optimism and a fair-minded college community across the year. The programs are facilitated formally through our Director of Student Wellbeing Mrs Sue O’Connor, Year Coordinators, Sport Coaches and the many staff who assist the clubs and groups such as the Human Rights group, in addition to our formal leadership groups (eg College Captains, Sport Leaders and Peer Support).

We hope to create an environment where positive involvement, tolerance, respect and advocacy are part of who our young adults become as they follow and become involved in real-world matters. Through service learning, or in the musical or a sport team or peer support, or being part of their year group we see students demonstrate many ways where students do not need a badge to be a leader. Many of our young people are true leaders and will do anything to help each other and staff. The secondary campus is blessed with a magnificent range of captains in 2021 and this diversity allows them to work together and focus on their specialist areas of expertise and as Dr Seuss said, 'why fit in when you were born to stand out!'. The captains work tirelessly to advocate for students and to represent and assist the college at many events (library visits, a swimming carnival last week, and Year 7 Camp this week). We wish them all the best for their success in 2021. Please find below the aims and focus our Captains are pursuing this year.

Leadership Captains: William Bond, Tai Crismale

As Leadership Captains, we plan to foster future leaders and teach valuable life skills that will help build confidence in our future generations in speaking and what it means to be a confident, respectful well-rounded leader. In 2021 we will help provide ideas for our library refurbishment with the Academic Captains. We are organising some influential people in our local community to address us on what leadership means to them as well as running our own leadership summits in 2021. We hope this helps with public speaking and being more confident in day-to-day life.

Academic Captains: Madeline Howard, Maxyn Dorz

We envision a BDC community in which academic wellbeing is a central focus, and students feel comfortable to grasp and explore new opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that our school is a welcoming place for students of a range of abilities, and provides all the support they need to achieve their academic goals and in 2021 we will help provide ideas for our library refurbishment with the Leadership Captains.

Art Captains: Jasmin Gallardo, Georgina Morrall

As Art Captains for 2021 we hope to make Bishop Druitt College a more welcoming, creative and colourful environment. We plan to do this through sharing the incredible artistic talent at the school with the wider school community, giving students the opportunity to express themselves in their own unique ways. In 2021 we are aiming to have our first showcase for World Options at the end of Term 2.

Service Captains: Juliette Oliver, Mawahib Khalifa

Our service isn’t confined just to the BDC community, we also help the outer community and to increase the opportunities for service within the school and to enhance the overall sense of connectedness. We are so honoured to be service captains and want students to acknowledge themselves as a leader. As service captains we aim to make the school an even better place for our community.

Sport Captains: Ellie Spain and Michael Spinoglio

During 2021 we are eager to get as many students involved in multiple sporting activities across the school as possible and encourage a fun and participative environment. An example of this is our lunchtime competitions that will be running from week 5. In addition to this, we hope to develop and build on the high performance program within the school and work closely alongside the athletes involved.  

Congratulations to Cottee House on winning the secondary swimming carnival for 2021 and Sutherland for winning the house shout. A great day organised by Mrs Hilton, PDHPE and Heads of House staff. We wish our reps well for the CIS carnival.

Year 7 and 8 have settled well over the first few weeks. Everyone should now have their lockers, uniforms and timetable worked out. If there are any questions throughout the year, please contact Tutor Teachers who should be able to assist you to find an answer. Thank you to the parents who could attend our Year 7 Orientation evening last week. Mrs Bruggemann has now shared the presentation with all families for your information.

Thank you to parents and carers who have been able to stagger their pickup time or come a little later after school. It is a busy pick-up area, but only for 15 minutes and by delaying a pickup or before 2.30pm for appointments etc, it helps everyone leave safely.

Student drivers at the college. At this time of year there always seem to be more P Plates on return after Christmas. We welcome this important transition into the driving world (we’ve all been there). When students have gained their P Plate license, they are to meet their Year Coordinator (Mr Close or Mr Blythe) to complete their vehicle details and safety on the campus. We also ask at this time of year parents and carers to discuss safe driving and parking arrangements on college grounds and the busy highway we have - awareness of young children and busy car parks. Unfortunately, we have already had instances of unsafe driving on the grounds. 

Diversity Across the Curriculum?

The BDC Advantage includes a diverse, innovative and challenging curriculum on offer. One area that proves popular most years is acceleration. We currently have 93 students from Years 9 to 11 completing an accelerated course from: 

• Business Studies, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, Studies of Religion II.
• Languages via Distance Education - 6 students 
• TAFE students in Years 11 and Year 12 - 10 students studying TVET
• Commencing School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships - 6 students studying SBAT

When we consider the success of the class of 2020 across apprenticeships, university entrance and ATAR results, this diversity assists students to follow their interest areas within a proactive and supportive framework towards their goals.

Schoolbox

Our new system Schoolbox has commenced across most subjects in Year 7 and Year 8 and also World Options in Years 9-10. This is a staged rollout and courses are at various stages of development. We are aiming to have parent access in the early part of Term 2. At this stage, Parent Lounge is still the place to go for parents and carers. However, if you have a child in the years accessing Schoolbox, please feel free to ask them for a look around their dashboard.

School of Rock

Congratulations to the many students who have auditioned last year and this year for the musical. The number of students who auditioned was most impressive. We wish our Musical Director Ms Katie Gudgeon and her team the best across the year as they rehearse. If you were unsuccessful in your audition, please consider offering to assist in another way throughout the year.

Parent Teacher Interviews Term 1

The college is planning for our Parent Teacher Interviews later this term. 

17th March is Year 9 and Year 12

24th March Year 8 and Year 10

31st March Year 7 and Year 11

Communication across the year can happen at any time as required. We encourage all families to make contact with staff if you have a question. Please do not wait to meet the teacher, if you have a question or concern, it is better to make contact as early as possible. For new parents and carers, appointments are opened through Parent Lounge where you make a booking online. If unfortunately times are not convenient for you or available, then please email the teacher concerned who will do a follow-up call or email. You will receive information when appointments become opened in the coming weeks.

Ash Wednesday was a focus this week as part of our Anglican tradition and it is the start of and part of the preparation for Easter. Shrove Tuesday was the day before and thank you to Mr Linke for his efforts in making the pancakes. You may have seen ashes on our foreheads at the end of the day or at your own service or on your friend. It is also a time of reflection and perhaps we can reflect on the gift of family and friends no matter our faith at this time of year.

Simon Doyle
Assistant Principal (Head of Secondary)

The class of 2020 showed that they were able to overcome significant challenges through outstanding academic and wellbeing support during what will go down as a momentous event in education due to COVID-19. ‘Our students continually lead the region, again we were the best ranked school on the Coffs Coast by a significant margin’. Our staff led by their Heads of Faculty have initiated the most innovative educational programs with Kaizen electives from Year 5 to 8 and World Options electives in Years 9 and 10. These provide structured high potential and gifted programs where students are not withdrawn from class but guided within our transformational elective structure that continues all the way through to Accelerated subjects and early completion of HSC courses for our dedicated learners. It is significant to note that parents on the North Coast are provided with options for education that challenges metropolitan offerings.

Our extension subjects and accelerated offerings performed incredibly well, with 41 E4 and E3 results from a cohort of 78. The Pastoral team provided the much needed support for our students with Year Coordinator Mr Mick Klipin and Director of Student Wellbeing Mrs Sue O’Connor providing strength and guidance for the students’ wellness on their journeys to success, along with their Wellbeing team including two school counsellors and a third coming in 2021. Our ten School Captains (Leadership, Academic, The Arts, Sporting, Service) and six House Captains led the team and we watched in admiration as they all supported their peers throughout their journey. So much was raised for worthy charities, so much time dedicated to helping those in need, and we couldn’t be more proud of our 2020 Alumni and we will continue to watch their achievements into the future. They are truly world prepared.

From a cohort of 78 students who completed their HSC this year:

• Top performing school on the Coffs Coast.
• State ranking of 189, in the top 200 schools again - 100 places above the nearest school on the Coffs Coast.
• Dux of the year, Megan Ussher 97.45 with five other students close in the 95-97 range.
• At least 12 with an ATAR over 90 out of a cohort of only 78, 15% of the cohort.
• Extension subjects leading the region with 10 x E4 and 29 x E3 results.
• 92% of students received at least one Band 4 or above.
• 52 Band 6 or Notional Band 6/E4 results from the 2020 graduate cohort.
• 22 Band 5, 6, or E3/E4 results from the Year 11 Accelerated (2021 graduate) cohort.
• 126 Band 5, notional and E3 results with 62% of learners achieving at least one Band 5 or 6 result, from the 2020 graduate cohort.
• Over 85% of the cohort with Early Entry offers for University before HSC results were even released.
• 6 Student Based Apprenticeships, 4 Headstart SCU course completions (early entry with semester course University credit), 4 full-time apprenticeships commenced, 8 external TAFE VET students 
• All graduates met for individually tailor career appointments, helping to convert our fantastic 85% early entry University offers and multiple scholarships through dedicated time and exposure to what is available.

NOMINATIONS 

• Visual Arts - ARTEXPRESS Nomination- Ebony Casagrande “Release”
• Design Technology - InTech and Shape Nomination - Charlie Alderman
• Music - ENCORE Nomination - Sam Goodwin, Stephen Chang
• Textiles - Shape and Texstyle Nomination -Sarah Fahey
• Drama - OnStage Nominations for individual performances - Jonah Bedford, Meg Denman, Emily Pavey and Mitchell Hodges.

SCHOLARSHIPS

• ANU Scholarship - Jessie Woodward
• ANU Scholarship - Lucy Garner
• University Scholarship - Lucy Alkemade
• UNE Vice-Chancellor's High Achievement Prize - Emily Meacham
• UNE Vice-Chancellor's High Achievement Prize - Kenya Whelan
• University of Newcastle Scholarship - Isabelle Watson
• SCU Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship - Bianca De Jong

ATAR Honour Board

2020 had an extremely academically successful cohort. 

This was also demonstrated by our 12 students who achieved an ATAR of over 90. This is 15% of Year 12. Congratulations Christian Albina, Lucy Alkemade, Angus Longworth Browne, Stephen Chang, Lucy Garner, Samuel Goodwin, Emily Meachan, Megan Ussher 97.45 (Dux 2020), Luke Walker, Isabelle Watson, Samuel Wilson, Jessica Woodward.

BDC again had a significant number of students on the distinguished achievers’ list (Band 6 or E4). A Band 6 is a score between 90-100%. Five Band 6’s (one Notional Band 6 from Mathematics Extension 2) were achieved by Angus Longworth-Browne. 

FOUR BAND 6 RESULTS

Four Band 6 or equivalent (E4 or notional Band 6) were achieved by Stephen Chang (plus 2x Band 5),  Emily Meacham (plus 1x Band 5) and Megan Ussher (plus 1x E3 and 1x Band 5). 

THREE BAND 6 RESULTS

Three Band 6 or equivalent were achieved by Christian Albina (plus 1x Band 5), Ebony Casagrande (plus 2x Band 5), Luke Walker (plus 3x Band 5) and Jessie Woodward (plus 2x Band 5). 

TWO BAND 6 RESULTS

Two Band 6’s or equivalent were achieved by Charlie Alderman (plus 2x E3 and 1x Band 5), Meg Denman (plus 1x Band 5), Lucy Garner (plus 2x E3 and 2x Band 5), Tom O’Dell (plus 2x E3), Sam Wilson (plus 1x E3 and 2x Band 5). 

ONE BAND 6 RESULTS

One Band 6 was achieved by Anthony Abela (plus 1x Band 5), Cassandra Bamford, Edward Berger (plus 1x E3 and 3x Band 5), Sarah Fahey (plus 1x Band 5), Alexis Gunther (plus 1x E3 and 2x Band 5), Jake Kramer, Freya Lamont (plus 3x Band 5), Imogen Leary (plus 1x Band 5), Alli Martin (plus 1x Band 5), Charlie O’Grady (plus 1x E3 and 2x band 5), Isabelle Watson (plus 4x Band 5).

Other high achievers included Lucy Alkemade with 6x Band 5 and 1x E3, Samuel Goodwin with 5x Band 5 and 1x E3, Kyle Lang with 3x Band 5 and 2x E3, Jonah Bedford with 5x Band 5, Georgia Hansard with 4x Band 5 and 2x E3, Alcohol Jok with 4x Band 5 and 1x E3, Asra Salman with 3x Band 5 and 1x E3, Samuel Parkes with 3x Band 5, Kaitlyn Lastavec with 4x Band 5, Emily Pavey. Kate Murray, Shannon Stafford and Saskia Brown with 2x Band 5 results, Jordan Hill with 2x E3, Bailey Kapukaya with 1x E3. Charlotte Bell, Brianna Malouf, Rachel Neumann, Colby Noble, Tess Parker-Reynolds, Luke Peadon, Lily-Rose Powell, Lillian Redmond, Denver Petersen and Mitchelle Hodges with 1x Band 5.

ACCELERATED SUCCESS

Furthermore, our Accelerated students in Year 11 had some fantastic achievements in the Mathematics and Mathematics Extension 1 high potential and gifted pathway, as well as Business Studies Studies of Religion 2, and Japanese Accelerated. Madeline Howard and Mitchell Maloney received both E4 and Band 6 in Mathematics and Mathematics Extension 1, while Mia Benson achieved a Band 6 in Japanese. Bailey Carson, Natasha Watson-Merritt and Xanthe Rose all achieved a Band 5 and E3 in Mathematics and Maths Extension 1. Lauren De Waal achieved two Band 5 results, while one Band 5 was achieved by Maxyn Dorz, Lachlan Eichman, Natalie Giri, Sarah O’Connor, Xanthe Rose, Ellie Spain, Hasan Salman, and Michael Spinoglio.

BDC’s innovative, passionate, highly skilled, and dedicated staff have worked relentlessly both face-to-face and online throughout the Year 12’s journey, to provide the students with the best learning environment and skills for success in not only the HSC exams but more importantly in their professional life beyond. Our BDC Alumni continue to set new heights around the world, from doctors, lawyers, academics and highly successful business people. We consistently celebrate punching above our weight statewide and putting academia and leadership on the map for the Coffs Coast. What an exciting future for these Coffs Coast graduates.

'The BDC community is immensely proud of our 2020 graduates and accelerated students. They have grown as individuals; they have grown as a team, and they have developed into future leaders. These graduates are now prepared for our ever-changing world. They leave our college grounds next year, but they join our BDC Alumni network forever, where we continue to stay in contact and celebrate the achievements of our students as they break ground locally, nationally, and internationally. The whole of the Coffs Coast can be proud of these Bishop Druitt College graduates.' stated Craig Verbruggen, Director of Learning and Teaching.

In a year like we have had in 2020, we could not be more proud of the grit, determination, persistence, and achievement of our graduates and accelerated students. They are Alumni for life and will improve the world we live in for the coming generations.

Our world options dance class is going to Boambee Hall for their double period each week of dance. I had the privilege of going to watch them last week for their first session. 

Our Year 11 dance students are going to Woolgoolga in their double periods on Wednesdays so they can dance in a professional dance studio while our dance studio is being built. It’s exciting watching the development down by the Branson Centre.

Our first assembly performance was an improvisation danced by Emily Hodges and this week we have Imogen Daymond performing.

Last week we contacted Tim Gibb who some of you already know, to teach voice at BDC. Both our voice teachers are away on leave this year so it was very exciting to be able to invite Tim to become part of our Performing Arts team.

We welcome and look forward to working with him.

All our Instrumental teachers are back this week. Please touch base with them as to when your lesson is.

The eisteddfods are going ahead so please ask your teacher if you would like to participate in the voice, piano, string, woodwind, dance or drama Eisteddfod.

Ms Gudgeon and Mrs Crismale finished auditioning for the School Of Rock Production. Rehearsals will begin on Monday next week.

If you are looking for an excellent full-size cello please contact me so I can give you the details. 

Annabelle Swainston who teaches at BDC played in a wonderful concert at the Conservatoire last Sunday.

Mrs Crismale has sent through photos of the workshop that the Year 12 drama class did last year and photos of Kaizen drama classes.

This week we had formal instrumental photos done. We will be taking other photos throughout the year so if you missed out today there will be more opportunities.

This week's photos are from the drama department. Some are from a workshop that the Year 12’s did at the end of 2020 and the others are from the Kaizen drama class which runs each year in both semesters. 

Sandra Smith
Acting Head of Performing Arts

Thank you all for an amazing two days of competition in Week 3 as both the senior primary and secondary schools held their 2021 Swimming Carnivals.

It was great to see the support students showed to their friends and peers as they competed for honours in the first event towards the champion house at the end of the year.

Senior Primary Results

• 1 - O’Shane
• 2 - Kngwarreye
• 3 - Hollows
• 4 - Cottee
• 5 - Murray
• 6 - Sutherland

Age Champions

10 & Under Girls

Champion - Stella Jephcott

Runner up - Eden Campbell

10 & Under Boys

Champion - Jeremy Wise

Runner up - Felix Benson

11 Year Girls

Champion - Mia O’Reilly

Runner up - Heidi Rose

11 Year Boys

Champion - Harry Campbell

Runner up - Saul Easman

12/13 Year Girls

Champion - Tayla Foldes

Runner up - Phoebe Oiver

12/13 Year Boys

Champion - Connor Folpp

Runner up - Ewan Clowes

Secondary Results

• 1 - Cottee
• 2 - Kngwarreye
• 3 - Sutherland
• 4 - Murray 
• 5 - O’Shane
• 6 - Hollows

Age Champions

12 Year Girls

Champion - Eva Zuvela

Runner up - Scarlett Laing / Nina Barthe

12 Year Boys

Champion - Mitchell Rieth

Runner up - Armaan Azad

13 Year Girls

Champion - Aria Matthews

Runner up - Zari Dixon

13 Year Boys

Champion - Taj Butcher

Runner up - Ziggy Carpenter

14 Year Girls

Champion - Piper Rieth

Runner up - Remy Zuvela

14 Year Boys 

Champion - Flynn Hall

Runner up - Jackson Folpp

15 Year Girls

Champion - Lilly Geddes

Runner up - Anatoli Tsipitsidis

15 Year Boys

Champion - Hunter Bellamy

Runner up - Sidney Benson

16 Year Girls

Champion - Kaleah Doherty

Runner up - Keira Williams

16 Year Boys

Champion - Nick Alford

Runner up - William Dance

17 Year Girls

Champion - Ruby Ensbey

Runner up - Imogen Grebert

17 Year Boys

Champion - Finlay Lamont

Runner up - Benjamin Booth

18/19 Year Girls

Champion - Tayla Hall

Runner up - Harriet Beynon

18/19 Year Boys

Champion - Nicholas Greenway

Runner up - Mitchell Maloney

We hope Year 7 had an amazing time participating in challenging and rewarding activities at The Great Aussie Bush Camp during the week. Thank you to Mrs Hilton, Mrs Bruggemann and Year 7 tutors for organising a great week.

Parent attendance at events

We have been asked by CIS to minimise the mixing of parents at sporting events. This request is in line with the AISNSW advice on school sport.

NCIS falls under the purview of both CIS as a sporting organisation and AISNSW as schooling association.

We look forward to hopefully having parents attend sporting fixtures in the near future.

Upcoming Events

• NCIS Primary Swimming - 24th February, Alstonville
• NCIS Primary Football - 9th March, Bishop Druitt College
• NCIS Secondary Swimming - 11th March, Alstonville
• NCIS Open Girls Basketball Trials - 24th March, Coffs Harbour
• NCIS Surfing - 24th March, Sawtell

Careers in primary school - what?

I recently introduced myself to Year 5 and 6 at their assembly and discussed how I would be working with them throughout Year 6 and secondary school in the Career Pathways Program. I was delighted to learn that many of them already knew what sort of career they were interested in and that they were keen to attend my vocational sessions, Careers@lunchtime - one young lady even made a special request for a guest speaker  - do we have any geologists out there? 

Year 12 career appointments

I will be conducting career interviews with all Year 12 students next week. This is a great opportunity for me to assist individual students with their post-school options. The booking sheet has been emailed out - please encourage students to make a time to meet with me.

School based traineeship successes!

Year 11 Jonah Blackburn's interest in a career in physiotherapy led him to apply for the fabulous Elsa Dixon program with Mid North Coast Area Health. The program offers school based traineeships in Nursing, Business and Allied Health.

Jonah was successful and he is now an employee of Coffs Harbour Hospital! He will complete Cert III in Allied Health at TAFE as part of his HSC. The traineeship is a pathway into further study at university.

Jacson Hibbard has also signed up for a school based traineeship with Hibbard Homes. Jacson will study Cert III in Business as part of his HSC and go to work one day per week, learning the many aspects of business administration with his employer. Jacson then plans to continue studying Business Management at university when he completes Year 12.

Matisse Hibbard decided to leave school at the end of Year 10 and has also found her career path with Hibbard Homes - she has signed up for a full-time traineeship in Business. 

Well done to these fabulous students on getting a great start to a vocational qualification. Thank you to Hibbard Homes for these great opportunities for the youth of our region. Pictured here is the new age of sign-ups where the employer joined us via Zoom from Sydney!

Careers@Lunchtime

Our first session for the year was well attended. A love of science at school and having been successfully treated for a sports injury while still at school led our guest speaker Rowena Lyons into her career as a Chiropractor. Physiotherapist Jessie Mills-Thom also presented via Zoom in this session and gave the students some great tips for getting into the profession.

Any parents out there who would like to come and talk to our students about their careers would be greatly appreciated - please contact gdriscoll@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Watch out for the next Careers@Lunctime session 

• Veterinary Science
• 2.3.21
• Dr Duan March (star of Blue Zoo)

Gina Driscoll
Career Pathways Coach

Greater Coffs Harbour Region 2021 Weekend Cartoon Workshops for the schools

Find out more and book tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/...

For news on our Alumni, check out the BDC News or our Facebook page Bishop Druitt College Alumni.

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Click here to view our partnerships.