As the 2023 school year draws to a close, I would like to express my gratitude for the ongoing support and contributions from parents throughout the year. Thank you for joining us at the various College events and celebrations throughout Term 4, your attendance was so appreciated by students and staff and we are thankful to have been able to partner with you again this year. As we break for holidays, I do pray that your family will find time to rest and relax together but also to reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. The very first Christmas may have seemed less than perfect. The book of Luke in the Bible gives a detailed description of the arrival of Jesus into the world. Mary and Joseph travelled on foot to Bethlehem due to a foreign governments decree which was called at the worst possible time. Mary used a donkey to help her on the journey and the Bible tells us that they had to travel around 144 km to get there. When they finally arrived, there was no accommodation, so they were offered an animal shelter. When baby Jesus was born, he was wrapped in some sheets that had been left in the stable and was placed in an animal feeding trough. It certainly was a tough beginning for baby Jesus. We often think in life that when things are tough or when they don’t turn out like we think they should that God has abandoned us or that he has forgotten us. This very first Christmas reminds us that God is with us even in the tough times and the less than perfect moments and he uses all circumstances to change us and shape us to be more like Him. I pray for you that you can know God’s presence with you in all circumstances and recognise that God’s heart is for you and not against you! As 2024 approaches please watch out for information in relation to Launch Day which will be conducted on Thursday 18 January between 7:30am and 4:30pm. I pray that your family enjoys a rejuvenating festive season and we look forward to seeing you again for the commencement of the new school year in 2024. Blessings,
Paul Sterling
🌟 The SRC BRAVE DAY- Bravery Box Fundraiser We are thrilled to share the heartwarming success of our recent fundraiser for Bravery Box—an organization dedicated to bringing joy, happiness, and distraction to kids with cancer. The event was a testament to the incredible spirit of our school community, and we want to express our gratitude for your enthusiastic participation and support.
Dressing Up as BRAVE Heroes: A Touching Tribute One of the most touching aspects of the day was witnessing so many children dressed in outfits representing the BRAVE heroes in their lives. Whether they chose to emulate family members, role models, or friends who have faced adversities with courage, each costume was a heartfelt tribute to the real-life heroes among us. The school buzzed with an atmosphere of admiration and respect as these young ones showcased their creativity and empathy.
Stories that Touched Hearts and Inspired Empathy The stories shared on this special day went beyond the costumes. They reflected not only the bravery of those battling cancer but also the emerging empathy in the hearts of our students. The act of dressing up became a powerful lesson in understanding the challenges faced by others, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The event served as a reminder that bravery comes in many forms, and our children learned to recognize and celebrate the strength of those who inspire them. Fostering a Compassionate Community Beyond the funds raised for Bravery Box, this event has left an indelible mark on our school community. It has become a lasting lesson in empathy, kindness, and support for those facing difficult circumstances. As we celebrated the bravery of children undergoing cancer treatment, we also witnessed the development of a compassionate community within our school— a community that understands the power of empathy and the impact it can have on individuals, even at a young age.
A Big Thank You! We extend our sincere thanks to each one of you who contributed to the success of this event. Your generosity and enthusiasm have not only supported a noble cause but have also helped cultivate a community that cares deeply for one another. Together, we are making a difference, fostering joy, and creating lasting memories for those who need it most. Thank you for being part of this wonderful journey!
The Power of Stories
What has long been known by librarians across the world and throughout time has more recently been proven by science; the power of storytelling. According to neuroscientific research, a story has the potential to activate near ‘global engagement of the brain, as the imagination explodes with ideas’ (Yuan, Major-Girardin, and Brown 2018). Interestingly, the power of a good story has been harnessed throughout history. A good example is Jesus’ use of parables as a means to engage listeners with deeper truths clothed in simple, relatable illustrations. Throughout this year, primary students have been engaged in library lessons designed to enable connections to be made between fictional stories and specific understandings imbedded in reality, understandings related to relevant curriculum areas. For example, Year 1 students were able to develop a knowledge of seasons and weather events through the power of stories. Year 2 students were engaged with stories designed to teach the art of persuasion, revealing how high modality language can be used effectively to convince others. The list could go on, but the message is hopefully clear: stories are powerful! As we all head into this Christmas season, may the power of the Christmas story be a blessing to everyone reading this blurb, may the truth of this story break into the reality of each of your lives, the story of God come to us! Ben Swift (Primary Teacher-Librarian)
It's not too late to register to be a Host Family for our visiting sister schools students from Japan! Minokamo High School will be travelling to Australia in February 2024. We are seeking expressions of interest from College families interested in hosting the visiting Year 9 students. • When: Thurs, 22 Feb - Wed, 28 Feb 2024 • Parent action required: Please check the ParentOrbit app for more information on how to be involved with this most important part of the exchange program, being a Host Family. • If you are a Genesis family and interested in becoming a Host Family, please register via the form, available in the ParentOrbit App by TOMORROW. For more information, contact Mrs Learna Shimizu - College Project Officer / Exchange Coordinator 3882 9000
Junior Band | This week our Junior Band parents were invited to attend the final rehearsal for the year. Parents got the opportunity to get up close and watch their student perform. All students received a certificate and our Middle School students who volunteer their time to help were acknowledged.
Pop up Concerts Some of our Ensembles have been busy doing pop up concerts around the College.
Concert On The Green Thank you to everyone who came out for Concert on the Green on Wednesday night. It was an amazing night. The weather had an impact on our location for the evening and mid-way through the concert it became Concert on the Concrete, but everyone stepped up and moved from the stage to the Middle School Under covered area and the show continued. This was the final music event for our Year 12 Music Students, and they surprised Mr Hannah with a Recorder rendition of “My Heart will go on”. Our 2024 Music Captains were announced by the outgoing Captains and the 24 Year 12 Music Students were acknowledged with a small memento. Well done to all students involved.
Thank you to all Ensembles who have performed as part of many College wide end of year events. Ensemble commitment is year-long and our musicians and singers are to be commended for their dedication and service to the College.
Watch the videos by tapping the photos!
Senior Dance Company Visit to St Vincent’s Carseldine The Year 10 & 11 members of the Senior Dance Company recently visited the residents at St Vincent’s Care Carseldine for an afternoon of fun, connection and blessing. The dancers performed a few dances for the residents and then the residents taught the dancers some ‘Body Percussion’. Everyone joined in singing some ‘old favourites’ around the piano and then finished with a long chat over afternoon tea. Both the students and the residents equally enjoyed the afternoon and the chance to connect and share stories with people from different generations. We are looking forward to our next visit to St Vincent’s.
QLD Ballet Workshop The Year 10 Dance class were recently treated to a professional Ballet workshop with Lauren from Queensland Ballet. The students were immersed into the history and practical techniques of the art of Ballet and were challenged as they learnt and performed some repertoire. It was an inspiring experience for our Year 10s.
The Year 5 Drama Club performed a wonderful Christmas play at the Primary Christmas Chapel recently. The club have been meeting every week during a lunch break this year to practice and their hard work and effort was evidenced by their amazing performance. A big thank you to Arina Dara who facilitated the club this year.
Dance Troupe Auditions Secondary Drama Club Performance The fantastic Secondary Drama Club told the Christmas story from the angel’s perspective at the Secondary Christmas Chapel.
A big thank you to the students who auditioned for a place in a Genesis Performing Arts Troupes! Over 200 students auditioned!
Have you downloaded our new ParentOrbit app yet? Tap the image below to install and be kept up to date with essential College information.
Thursday, 18 Jan 2024 7:30am – 4:30pm For more information, scan the QR code or visit our website.
During the term, Future Pathways presented an information session to Year 10 students interested in Nursing and Allied Health. Mater Education offers a 9 month course that allows students to complete a Certificate II in Health Support Services and a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. On completion of the Certificate III, students will qualify as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) allowing them to work in healthcare playing a key role in supporting front-line healthcare workers as acute care assistants, patient care attendants, orderly’s or wards persons. For more information, please see the ads below.
Nurturing Success: Year 12 Future Pathways Support at Genesis Christian College As the school year comes to an end and our Year 12 students approach graduation, the Future Pathways team have been helping our seniors navigate the challenging transitions ahead by assisting them in making informed decisions about their post-school options. Our students are exploring pathways to universities, TAFEs, apprenticeships, employment, and gap year programs and the Future Pathways team is there to ensure that every student is equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to make the best choices for their unique futures. The Future Pathways team have been meeting with students to help them with their QTAC applications and preferencing, signing up for ATAR accounts, submitting Early Offer applications, choosing TAFE courses and VET programs, and investigating Traineeships and Apprenticeships. The Future Pathways team will continue to be available to our Year 12 students through their External Exams and after graduation. Post graduation, our new graduates will be able contact us at qtacadvice@genesis.qld.edu.au. This email will be monitored throughout December and January to ensure we are supporting our Year 12 graduates as they step into the bright futures they have been diligently working towards.
University Presentations hosted by Future Pathways In 2023, Future Pathways has hosted presentations from some of the top Universities in Brisbane. In Term 3, we welcomed The University of Qld (UQ) and Future Students Officer Andrew Bannerman to speak to our Year 12’s. Andrew highlighted the social side of uni life and campus culture, as well as the unique opportunities available to UQ Students. In Term 4, we had Australian Catholic University (ACU) present to the Year 10’s and 11’s. Student Ambassador Amelia Pollock (in her 4th year of a double degree in Nursing and Paramedicine) shared her story after graduating high school and the change and realignment she made, changing from QUT to ACU. Amelia talked about the various pathways to degrees and diplomas at ACU, scholarships, University sports and her guaranteed placement of a job overseas next year when she graduates.
2023 Genesis Lego League Robotics Competition The 2023 Genesis Lego League Robotics Competition was an incredible showcase of talent, innovation, and creativity. Held on Thursday 16 Nov, the event brought together our students to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, teamwork, and ingenuity through the world of robotics. The competition featured a series of challenges that tested the student's critical thinking and ability to design robots capable of navigating intricate courses and solving complex problems. One of the key aspects of the competition was teamwork, and our students proved to be exceptional collaborators, communicating effectively as they built, programmed, and refined their robots. Several teams were recognised for their outstanding performances. • 1st Place (125 Points) Bright A, Theo H, Thomas N and Orian W • Runners Up (115 Points) Mark B and Marc J • Commendable Effort (105 Points) Amira A, Heike K and Ava M • Commendable Effort (100 Points) Elijah E, Jeremy F, Hugh H and Jesse L.
Primary LEEP Wrap Up Here’s a wrap of our busy Primary LEEP activities! • Year 5 students have been creating and testing pinhole cameras • Year 6 students have been experimenting with electricity in paper circuits • Year 6 students applied physical and chemical changes to a CSI lab • Year 4 students used LittleBits to prototype and build their inventions for an age friendly city • Year 5 and 6 students robotics competitions
Recently, our 2024 Year 11 student leaders visited the Year 6 classes last week to teach the students how to use the locker locks when they enter Secondary next year. Lots of questions were asked and excellent connections made during the session.
Annual Battle of the Brains Our Annual Battle of the Brains competition was held on Fri, 3 Nov. Students are split into house groups and compete against each other to find the winning team and winning house. Bethel came out as the overall champions this year!
Uniform Shop – Back to School 2024 Uniform shop closes Wed, 29 Nov and reopens Mon, 15 January. Appointments for full fit outs (only) • Full fit out appointments can be made before school goes back on 15, 16, 17 and 19 January • Times available will be 8.00am – 3.30pm • Email uniformshop@genesis.qld.edu.au to make an appointment Launch Day, Thursday 18th January • Open 7.30am – 3.30pm • No appointments needed • Please note full fit outs cannot be catered for on Launch Day. 2024 Trading Hours • Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 10:00am • Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Thursday, 18 Jan 2024 7:30am – 4:30pm For more information, scan the QR code or visit our website.
We are excited to announce nominations are now open for our Genesis Alumni Award. The Alumni Award, launching for the first time this year, acknowledges Alumni who have achieved outstanding success in one of the following areas of service: •
Service to their profession – made significant contributions to their chosen profession.
•
Service to the community – made a significant contribution to their local or global community.
We invite you to nominate either yourself or a fellow Alumni for this award. Nominations are open now and will close TOMORROW - December 1, 2023. To nominate a past Genesis student, simply click here.
Mon, 8 Jan
College office opens
Thurs, 18 Jan
Launch 24 Including New Parent Morning Tea
Mon, 22 Jan
Term 1 commences Prep Parents – Tim Tams & Tissues
Tues, 23 Jan
Years 4 – 12 Dedication Service Year 11 Parent Night
Fri, 26 Jan
Australia Day Public Holidays
Mon, 29 Jan
Year 7 Peer Power & Parent Welcome Evening Years 3 – 6 Induction Service
Wed, 31 Jan – Fri, 2 Feb
Class Photos
Mon, 5 Feb – Wed, 7 Feb
Year 12 Camp
Sun, 11 Feb – Tues, 13 Feb
Secondary Dance Camp
Tues, 13 Feb & Wed, 14 Feb
Secondary Meet the Teacher
Wed, 14 Feb
Secondary Leadership Commissioning Service
Fri, 16 Feb
Years 4-12 NISSA Swimming Carnival
Mon, 19 Feb – Wed, 21 Feb
Year 7 Camp
Thurs, 22 Feb – Wed, 28 Feb
Minokamo Sister School Visit
Fri, 23 Feb
Primary NISSA Gala Day
Mon, 26 Feb – Wed, 28 Feb
Year 10 Camp
Tues, 27 Feb
Year 11 Senior NISSA Gala Day
Thurs, 29 Feb
Year 6 Lifeworks Parent Session