We are excited to announce Phase Two and Phase Three of our journey to improve the way you can access and action information related to the College and your child/ren, is now only weeks away! From Tuesday 3 October, our new ParentOrbit App together with My School Connect will be LIVE.
ParentOrbit App:
The new ParentOrbit App will replace the current Genesis Christian College App from day one of Term 4 (Tuesday, 3 October). During the school holidays, you will receive instructions on how to download the Parent Orbit App.
Important to know - some of the new features include:
• Targeted notifications for your students (no need to ‘subscribe’ to year levels or groups)
• Full searchable history of notifications and communication (never lose a letter again)
• Ability to update your family, student and medical details
• Process Events and Payments
• Lodge and acknowledge student absences
• Direct access to My School Connect via SSO for ordering Eden Eats, Uniforms, and more
• Access to Academic reports
• Access to College calendars and student e-diaries (including timetables)
• ParentOrbit is more secure and therefore only available to Parents/Carers of enrolled students.
My School Connect (MSC): MSC is replacing Flexischools as our online platform for ordering from Eden Eats and the Uniform shop.
Important to know:
• Once you have downloaded the ParentOrbit App and received a confirmation email from the My School Connect team on 25 September, you can click on the My School Connect button on the home page of the App to access your account via Single Sign On.
• You can load credit to your MSC wallet and then place online orders from the first day of Term 4.
Students in Year 1-4 and orders for Dietary requirements:
• MSC’s fees are cheaper – online orders only attract a $0.20c fee per student per day.
Students in Year 5-12:
• Students purchase their food over the counter at Eden Eats at Break 1 and 2. There are zero transaction fees when students pay over the counter at Eden Eats, and payment can be made via funds loaded onto their student ID card (top ups via bank transfer through MSC attract zero fees), EFTPOS or cash.
Flexischools loose ends:
• Over the September holidays, we recommend that you request reimbursement for all final monies owing (if any) from Flexischools.
Earlier this year, the College conducted a community survey aimed at providing a measure for several priorities contained in our Strategic Plan. It also provided an opportunity for parents and carers to offer important and relevant feedback to assist in further refining processes and practices of Genesis Christian College.
I would like to thank the many parents who took time to complete the survey. We were extremely pleased to have 771 parents respond and this feedback was most helpful. The survey revealed an overall satisfaction rating of 82% which is pleasing to see. This result is higher than comparable schools and highlights the very special community that we enjoy here at Genesis.
Below is a summary of some of the feedback received:
• The top 5 reasons that parents select Genesis for their child’s education include: values and culture, location, facilities, reputation, and academic excellence.
• More than 90% of parents stated that the College has a welcoming and supportive culture.
• 86% of parents indicated that their child is encouraged to achieve to the best of their ability.
• 90% of parents believe that Genesis provides relevant communication on issues affecting the school community.
• 87% of parents indicated that the broad and relevant curriculum offered at the College is appreciated.
• Parents agreed – 89%, that the College has an extensive range of co-curricular offerings.
• 99% of parents believe the buildings and grounds are well presented and 97% indicated that the facilities provided by the college are suitable.
• 83% of parents are supportive of the College’s Vision and Strategic Plan.
• 88% of parents believe that the standards for uniform are appropriate.
There are a number of areas that the College would like to further strengthen and some of these areas were highlighted through the survey feedback.
• We will be launching a new website in Term 4 to ensure that our information is relevant and easy to navigate.
• The College continues to refine methods for ensuring parents are provided with relevant and prompt information on the progress of their child/rens learning and development.
• Homework and Reporting are important aspects of school life and ensuring that we continue to manage these areas well is a priority.
• Ensuring that school policies and procedures are available and easy to locate remains a priority.
• We are currently in the process of launching new platforms for College communication through a new app, ParentOrbit. This App includes increased privacy and a greater ability to search for previous correspondence along with improving readership.
• Ensuring students develop a strong sense of school pride during their journey at Genesis is important and this will remain an area of focus in the days ahead.
We are so appreciative of the feedback that you as parents and carers have provided. It is helpful as we continue our journey as a College.
With the September holidays almost upon us, can I wish all families a safe and enjoyable spring holiday. We look forward to the joy and celebration that Term 4 brings each year and encourage all families to mark carefully in their diaries the key end of year events and functions. We would love to see as many parents as possible at these events.
Blessings,
Paul Sterling Principal
In June this year, Mt Sterling wrote to our community advising of the appointment of Mrs Di Todd to the position of Acting Head of School – Primary for the remainder of the 2023 school year, following Mr Williamson’s resignation from the position.
Mrs Todd has done an outstanding job in leading, supporting and encouraging the staff and students in the Primary school. She has brought wonderful stability during this time, and we are incredibly grateful for her faithful service.
Following an extensive search over the past few months, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jamin Lietze to the position of Head of School – Primary, commencing in Term 1 of 2024. Mr Lietze has over 20 years’ experience as an educator and leader and has served in both State and Christian Schools in New Zealand. His roles have included Principal of a State Primary School in Invercargill and various leadership roles in Christian education.
Mr Lietze has strong skills and experience, a community focus and a desire to serve God at Genesis Christian College and was among many excellent candidates who were considered in our search. Mr Lietze is a family man with four children, Noah, Micah, Ruby and Jasper and is married to Jaimee. The family feel a strong call from God to serve at Genesis and are eagerly looking forward to joining the College community.
Mrs Todd will continue to lead our Primary school during the remainder of Term 3 and Term 4 this year and we are excited that Mrs Todd has accepted the position of Deputy Head of Primary for next year. In this role, Mrs Todd will work closely in support of Mr Lietze, continuing to provide important leadership, care, support and encouragement for our staff, students and families.
We are thankful to God for his many blessings poured out upon our College. Please keep the Lietze family in your prayers as they finish their tme in New Zealand and prepare to relocate to Australia.
We’re pleased to release a copy of Genesis' NAPLAN data which compares our results to State and National data. As you will see, we can be very pleased with our results, with our overall performance exceeding both State and National in all areas bar one.
NAPLAN is a diagnostic tool which, together with other data, can be used to identify trends in student performance, and should be seen as such. It provides the opportunity for valuable conversations around teaching and learning. As per previous correspondence, the way NAPLAN is reported on in Individual Student Reports (ISR) has changed. The new proficiency standard has four levels of achievement for each year level and replaces the previous 10-band structure and the national minimum standard used across the four domains.
The four levels of achievement are:
• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support.
The two following pages show how the College has performed in these four levels of achievement.
If you would like to discuss this data or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Nichola Welsh Head of Teaching & Learning (P-12)
Within the Australian Curriculum there exists a priority to help students learn about and engage with the histories and cultures of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a teacher-librarian working alongside classroom teachers to enhance specific units of work, it has been rewarding to have been able to bring some indigenous perspectives and aspects of indigenous culture and histories into classes this year. As Year 4 investigated the history surrounding the European arrival to Australia during Term 3, we were able to explore and listen to indigenous perspectives on this aspect of our nation’s history, opening our hearts and minds to voices that may not have been given much time in the past. This has been an eye opener for many Year 4 students, one that has helped them to make better sense of current issues on indigenous perspectives that saturate today’s media. Units such as these also help students to make sense of why First Nations people have often taken issue with our national anthem and the celebration date for Australia Day. As a Christian school, units such as these are important to fostering empathy and respect for all people who have been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). They also help fulfill the mission of the Robert Schoenmaker Library: to grow the hearts and minds of our students.
Mr Swift (Primary Teacher-Librarian)
Thank you to our grandparents who got involved in our “Tea Towel Tales” Library Display!
Curiosity is key to learning and is how we are designed to grow. We know this from watching young children play, but we also see it in the pursuit of wisdom described in the Bible. In Proverbs 8, God’s creation is depicted as a playhouse for children to explore, and the enjoyment and delight of exploring the world like a child is a recommendation from a wise old man to a young man.* Jesus is described as necessary for all things created and the source of life and light to all (John 1:1-5).
In recent weeks, I have been reminded of the depth of childlike wonder with Year 2 students exploring why Jesus performed miracles. On the Year 9 History excursion to St Helena Island there was total engagement of usually restless teenagers in the stories and exploration of early colony ruins. And while the Year 9 Camp was themed as a survival camp it ultimately was growing the confidence of students in bush skills, cultural appreciation and the benefit of discovering together with others.
It has me wondering whether I still let my curiosity lead my learning and my life. So maybe our question to our children as we head into the holidays can be changed from, “What did you learn this term?” to, “What got you interested this term?”
Peter Kidd (Director of Worldview)*Adapted from Rev Dr A J Culp who is Dean of Studies at New College, Sydney.
Congratulations to Yr 12 students, Amelia D and Danè K who have been chosen to exhibit artworks at the Butter Factory Arts Centre as part of the Creative Generation Excellence in Visual Art Awards. If you'd like to visit the exhibition it opens to the public from 15 Sept - 15 Oct 2023 at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre (11a Maple Street, Cooroy).
Preparations underway for our first MAD Culture Mission Trip in 2024! Early in September, a small group of students and staff travelled to “Bethel” in Dalby on a planning trip for our inaugural 2024 M.A.D (Make a Difference) Culture Mission Trip. The team spent the weekend working on the 40 acre property, learning about the First Nations Culture from Billy Williams (Billy Jangala) and scoping our 2024 trip. We will be launching the MAD Culture Mission Trip in early term 4, so please keep an eye out for more information. We would like to extend a big thank you to the team from Dhiiyaan Bethel for hosting us. (Photos opposite page).
Congratulations to our Year 11 Netball team who won their BOSNL Grand Final this week. This amazing team has been undefeated all season and came out on top 29 – 17 against Mueller. A big congratulations to the girls as well as Misty, Maddie and Riley who were all named in the All Star Team!
In Week 7 our Year 3 students embarked on their first ever school camp!
There was much excitement amongst the students even in the forecourt before getting on the buses and before long we were off on an adventure! The camp was held at QCCC Brookfield which is a beautiful green campus.
The Year 3 students spent the next two days learning to work together as a team in new contexts and developing their persistence, resilience and organisation. They did a fantastic job of adapting to the routines of life on camp and saw many examples of these character traits as they participated in activities such as rock climbing, bush skills, GPS challenges, damper baking and team games.
It was wonderful to see the students trying new things and challenging themselves as they worked together and encouraged one another. There may be a few people already looking forward to Year 4 camp next year!
Perhaps the best way of describing our Year 3 camp experience is in the words of the students themselves:
• “This is way more fun than the video games I’m forced to play at home!”
• “One thing I have to remember for Year 4 camp is to sleep.”
• “On camp I faced my fear of heights by climbing up the rock wall.”
• “I loved learning how to make damper and it tasted so good with syrup!”
• “I had a great camp experience because my friends helped encourage me.”
• “Next year I want to pack my own suitcase so I am organised.”
• “The best thing about camp was spending time with my friends in the cabins.”
• “The camp food was amazing!”
• “I loved the camp as I realised I could do things that I had never tried before.”
• “The parent helpers were great as they told us lots of funny jokes and always encouraged us to have a go.”
• “I used the Team Worker skill to work as a team with different people and I even made new friends.”
• “I learnt how to put a bed sheet on!”
• “Year 3 camp was the best experience and I can’t wait to have a 2 night camp next year!”
The Year 7 Ultra class visited the Ekka! This term we have been learning how to apply some of our foundational numeracy skills in real world contexts. Our activities included financial budgeting, value for money, probability, and statistics. The Ekka outing provided a real-life experience for the students to practise these skills
Year 7G Maths
In Year 7 Maths, we have been revising area and perimeter. We kicked off the unit with a fun Area & Perimeter Post-It note activity.
SHEP (State Honours Ensemble Program)
The following students were nominated by their Ensemble Director to participate in SHEP.
• Caitlyn B – Vocal Alto
• Jethro C – Clarinet
• Kimberly C – Vocal Soprano
• Zeph H – Percussion
• Lucas J – Trumpet
• Ralph N – Euphonium
• Olivia S – Vocal Soprano
• Sarah S – Bass Clarinet
• Tiana W – Clarinet
The Honours Program gives students the opportunity to work in an intensive environment of musical excellence with their peers offering a unique opportunity to extend and develop their musical skills. Work with a team of eminent Conductors from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and represent their Schools (in full uniform) in a Finale Performance on the Sunday of the Program.
You may have seen recently, the Harp featured on “The Voice”. Did you know that you can learn the Harp at Genesis? Miss Jemma Telleman is an Instrumental Music specialist who teaches Harp here at the College. We have a unique opportunity available for one current student in Years 3 to 9 to begin Harp tuition. If you would like to apply for this position, please contact Mrs Marta Preston m.preston@genesis.qld.edu.au
Our Year 11 & 12 Dance students went on an excursion to QUT to tour their dance facilities and participate in a dance workshop
In Week 7, students from the four Dance Companies and Show Choirs came together at a lunch break to meet with their ‘dance buddies’ and participate in team building activities. The dance buddies had to work together to build a cup tower without using their hands, but instead using a rubber band and strings. The students also enjoyed fellowship over a pizza lunch.
finalists showcased their amazing talent and drama skills at the annual “A Night at the Theatre” event. This was a wonderful evening that featured a diverse range of performances and showcased all that Drama has to offer at Genesis.
At the recent South Queensland Schools Regatta held at Wyaralong Dam on 15 and 16 July our Genesis Rowing team surprised some of the bigger schools and got the attention of Queensland Rowing!
This small, young team has grown tremendously this season under the guidance of Mr Andrew Duncan and our coaches from Pine Rivers Rowing Club. We also have past alumni Mikayla McGinley and Jaeve Proberts selflessly giving up their time to help our young athletes.
Congratulations to the following medallists:
Year 9 Girls Double – Gold medal
Tiahna C.
Jess C.
Year 8 Boys Single Scull – Gold Medal
James G.
Year 8 Boys Quad (Coxed) – Gold Medal
James G.
Hayden N.
Josh H.
Blaze W.
Angus S. (Cox)
Year 8 Boys Double – Bronze
Josh H.
Hayden N.
Congratulations to the following Finals contenders (Top 9 placings)
Year 10 Girls Quad
• Alissa P.
• Jane vdM
• Bianca B.
• Isabella S. (Grade 7)
• Grace S. (Cox) (Grade 8)
Year 9 Boys Quad
• Orrie Q.
• Nate S.
• Angus S. (Grade 8)
• Hayden N. (Grade 8)
• Blaze W. (Cox) (Grade 8)
Year 9 Boys Double
• Nate S.
• Orrie Q.
Year 9 Girls Single Scull
Tiahna C.
Year 9 Boys Single Scull
Orrie Q.
Year 8 Girls Quad
Maddie B.
Grace S.
Pia M.
Mathilda N.
Isabella S. (Cox)
Year 8 Boys Double
Blaze W.
Angus S.
Good luck Rowers who have been training hard in the (early!) hours preparing for the Queensland Schools’ Championship Regatta at Bucca Rowing Centre (BRC) in Bundaberg from 16 -18 Sept. Over 800 rowers from 50 schools across Queensland will converge on BRC to compete in 250 races over 49 events in a weekend of intense competition!
We wish our Genesis Rowing team all the best for the competition and safe travels.
Did you – or do you know – a student who finished Year 12 in 2013 or 2003? If so, please share our upcoming Alumni Reunions!
Term 4 is looking big! With the return of school swimming and Summer approaching, it brings a buzz of warmth and activity to the Aquatic Centre! Make sure you book your child in NOW to get your preferred time and day as classes will be filling quickly! Term 4 bookings NOW OPEN!
Our Tennis department competed in the Primary School Cup at Shaw Park with all teams having a successful event. Players have been asked to compete in the State Finals later in the year
Squad News! Congratulations to three squad swimmers who have been selected to represent Genesis Aquatics at the upcoming Patrons Shield event.
• Benji P
• Felip M
• Kiara V.
This was from results over the short course season that wrapped up in August.
New Equipment Alert! Have you seen our new leg press machine in the Fitness Centre?
This term has seen an elevation in our Multisport training in preparation for the upcoming All Schools competition and the start of Tri season.
The team has been challenged with hill climbs, sprints, long runs, running events and a cycling day at the Crit Track.
All the hard work has paid off with multiple athletes achieving PBs in the 1km timed run!
Mon, 2 Oct
King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Tues, 3 Oct First day of Term 4 Year 11 Unit 3/4 Parent Evening
Wed, 4 Oct Prep 2024 Parent Information Evening
Thurs, 5 Oct Strings in Spring
Fri, 13 Oct Family Friday Worship + P&F Pancakes
Dance Showcase – Senior Show
Sat, 14 Oct
Mon, 16 Oct
Dance Showcase – Junior Show (1pm)
Dance Showcase – Senior Show (6:30pm)
The Pictures Evening
Wed, 18 Oct Senior School Presentation Ceremony
Thurs, 19 Oct Year 12 Study Day
Fri, 20 Oct Year 12 Study Day
Primary NISSA Gala Day
Sat, 21 Oct Alumni Reunions
Class of 2003 & Class of 2013
Mon, 23 Oct Year 12 Breakfast
Year 12 External Assessment Begins
Fri, 27 Oct Genesis Staff Appreciation Day
Tues, 31 Oct Year 8 Parent Information Evening
Tues, 7 Nov Secondary Christmas Chapel
Wed, 8 Nov P&F Meeting
Fri, 10 Nov Year 7-10 Remembrance Day Service
Tues, 14 Nov Year 12 External Assessment Finishes
Years 7 – 11 Awards Assembly
Years 3-6 Primary Colours Assembly
Wed, 15 Nov Concert on the Green
Fri, 17 Nov Year 12 Last Day Valedictory / Guard of Honour / Formal
Mon, 20 Nov Years 6 into 7 Transition Day
Tues, 21 Nov Years 3-4 Celebration Service
Wed, 22 Nov Middle School Presentation Ceremony
Fri, 24 Nov
Years 10-11 Last Day
Years 5-6 Celebration Service
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
Mon, 27 Nov Year 9 Celebration Ceremony
Year 9 Celebration Dinner
Tues, 28 Nov Primary Christmas Chapel
Wed, 29 Nov Prep – Year 9 Last Day
Prep – Year 2 Celebration Service