From the Executive Principal

It has been a truly joyous week across Christian College Geelong, with students and staff embracing a wide range of experiences, celebrations, and opportunities for connection. 

Across all campuses, Reconciliation Week was observed with great enthusiasm and reflection. Students engaged in a variety of activities designed to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, fostering respect, awareness, and a commitment to reconciliation. It was wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate culture and strengthen cross-cultural understanding. 

At the Senior School, students marked Careers Week with great enthusiasm. A highlight of the week was the opportunity to hear from inspiring alumni guest speakers who shared their post-school journeys and offered valuable insights into diverse career pathways. The careers expo provided students with practical information and connections, while the careers dress-up day added a fun and creative dimension, with students (and staff) showcasing career aspirations. 

What’s Happening at Bellarine

Term 2 Week 7 

Monday 1 June: Year 8 Indonesian Excursion  

Monday 1 June: Year 9 Principles of Training Excursion 

Tuesday 2 June: Year 8 Black Dog Institute Incursion 

Tuesday 2 June: GISSA AFL Championships (Years 7 – 8) 

Tuesday 2 June: Year 5 Native Animal Incursion 

Tuesday 2 June: Geelong Combined Schools Concert Band Workshop 

Wednesday 3 June: Year 9 Forensics Excursion to Deakin University 

Wednesday 3 June: Project Care Visit to Kinder 

Wednesday 3 June: National Reconciliation Week concludes 

Year 6 Canberra Camp 

The Year 6 students recently returned from an exciting and memorable five-day camp to Canberra, where they explored Australia’s history, government, democracy, culture and national identity through a range of engaging experiences. Throughout the week, students visited many significant national institutions including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Museum of Australia, the High Court of Australia and Questacon. Students also participated in educational programs, tours and interactive activities that deepened their understanding of Australia’s political system, important historical events and influential Australians.  

The camp provided many opportunities for students to build independence, resilience and teamwork while creating lasting memories with their peers. Highlights included the Parliamentary Education Program role-play experience, the ANZAC Parade walking tour, the Australian Institute of Sport visit, and the spectacular night-time view from Mt Ainslie Lookout. Students represented the College exceptionally well throughout the trip and should be commended for their enthusiasm, behaviour and willingness to embrace new experiences.  

Prep Discovery Learning 

On May 27, the Prep students visited Queenscliff, where they explored the bush trail as the focus of their day. They worked cooperatively to discover and examine nature, using magnifying glasses to take a closer look at their surroundings. The children especially enjoyed venturing into deeper parts of the trail, where they found many interesting and unusual things. 

After the walk, the Preps relaxed at the park through cooperative play. They demonstrated positive behavior by taking turns and practising safe play throughout the afternoon.  

Creative Freedom and Graphic Notation 

Year 1 students have been enjoying their creative freedom while exploring Graphic Notation in Music and Performing Arts. They have listened to different genres of music and used a range of visual symbols, images, and abstract graphics instead of traditional musical notation to represent what they hear in the music. 

As a class, we created a visual representation inspired by Ludwig van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, capturing the flowing melody and dramatic musical lines through creative shapes and patterns. 

Next, students will begin creating their own soundscapes, using different sounds and instruments during performances to help convey feelings, moods, and atmosphere. 

Library Happenings 

National Simultaneous Storytime 

There were plenty of smiles, laughs and a whole lot of storytelling excitement on Wednesday 27th May as we celebrated 26 years of National Simultaneous Storytime! 

Students from Years 1-4 gathered in the Auditorium to enjoy this year’s featured book, Luna Roo The Kangaroo Baller written by football veterans Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd. From the very first page, where rookie captain Luna Roo lead FC Outback in a showdown against Bush United,  students were engaged. With a spider in goals, snakes on the attack and nerves bubbling away, Luna Roo showed us all that courage, teamwork and determination can help us tackle any challenge. 

National Simultaneous Storytime is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading while sharing a story with children all across Australia at the very same time. Our students thoroughly enjoyed being part of this special event and proving once again that books really do bring people together. 

Scholastic Book Club 

The latest issue of the Scholastic Book Club has now been sent home for Prep – Year 6.  Why not grab a read or two for the upcoming school holidays  All orders are to be placed online with orders closing on Thursday 5th June. 

Prep Helping Hands 

Last week, our Prep students proudly presented their very first assembly item to families and the school community. They shared what they have been learning in Integrated Studies about community helpers and the important ways these people care for and support others every day. The students also explored how God helps us in our daily lives, reminding us that we can always turn to Him for guidance and strength. Through their message, the Preps explained that God helps us to be brave when things feel challenging, to show kindness to those around us, and to make good choices each day. We are incredibly proud of the confidence, enthusiasm, and joy our Prep students displayed as they shared this special learning with our school community. 

Chess Tournament News 

On Monday this week, a combined Bellarine and Highton Middle School team participated in a Chess tournament at Oberon High School. There were five schools represented at the tournament. At the finish, our team missed out on second place by only one point. 

Our Chess team consisted of four students from Bellarine Campus and eight from Highton Campus. According to our Chess coach, Mr Liam Monagle, our students represented the school with pride and always demonstrated proper Chess etiquette.  

Well done to all involved with the Chess team and thank you to parents for their cooperation. Both campuses are looking forward to more Chess events as the year progresses. For those interested, Bellarine Chess Club practises everyday Tuesday at the first half of lunchtime in the library. 

Lunchtime Concert  

On Tuesday, we were delighted to host an intimate lunchtime concert featuring two talented student performers, Everly M (Year 1) and Liam S (Year 5) who both impressed with their piano playing. Well done! 

It was wonderful to have a larger audience present, and we extend our thanks to the Year 1, 3, 5, and 6 students who attended to listen and offer their encouragement. 

If your child would like to perform at a future lunchtime concert or enrol in instrumental lessons, please contact your instrumental tutor or Molly Hanson for further information. 

GISSA Cross Country Success 

On Wednesday this week, we had a number of Bellarine students represent our College at the GISSA Cross Country Championships held at Barwon Valley Park. Bellarine students from Years 7-9 delivered an excellent performance showing determination, teamwork and a strong competitive spirit throughout the day. We were especially proud to finish 4th overall in both the Junior Boys and Junior Girls standings, a testament to the consistency and effort of our runners. 

We also celebrate several standout top 10 results: 

• 13 Years Girls — Arabella W. claimed 1st place with an outstanding run. 

• 15 Years Boys — Oscar R. secured 10th place in a competitive field. 

• 15 Years Girls — Phillipa N. finished 1st, delivering a dominant performance. 

A brilliant effort from all involved. 

Year 9 Food Alley 

The Year 9 Business Food Studies class hosted their ‘Food Alley’ event for the Middle School on Friday, and it was a tremendous success. All five stalls sold out, highlighting the students’ careful planning and hard work. The event provided valuable real-life experience, with students   working under pressure to prepare food efficiently, serve customers, and maintain high standards of food safety. Throughout the term, students have developed their business planning skills while gaining a deeper understanding of food safety practices. After selecting their products, students focused on trial bakes, advertising, ordering supplies, calculating profit margins, and refining their customer service skills. Each group also created eye-catching promotional posters using Canva to help market the event. Profits raised will support this term’s Project initiatives, including our sister school in Viqueque and the Red Shield Appeal.

Year 9s First Glimpse of House Music  

Last Thursday, our Bellarine Year 9 cohort visited the Highton Campus to watch the Senior School House Music event. It was an exciting opportunity for us to experience one of the major House traditions that we’ll be part of when we move into Senior School next year. The performances were incredibly creative and demonstrated the amount of teamwork and commitment behind the event. Watching the older students rehearse, support one another, and perform with such confidence in their group, small and big ensembles, solo performances and instrumental solos gave us a clearer understanding of how the community and culture is at Christian College Senior School. It was wonderful to witness this event, knowing that next year we’ll be participating alongside our Highton friends as members of the Senior School community. 

Abharna S, Year 9 Community Prefect 

sheCommerce at Melbourne Uni 

sheCommerce is a University of Melbourne program to introduce female high school students (starting in Year 9) to careers in commerce, ranging from accounting to entrepreneurship and marketing. I wanted to apply because I thought it would be a great way to open up pathways and ideas in regard to leadership, economics, global perspectives and more. I was lucky to be accepted as one of 125 students out of the 650 that applied. 

Overall, the sheCommerce program spans four years. The first session was held during the Easter school holidays at the Parkville campus and focused on marketing and management. The session ran for the full day and featured presentations from academics in the Faculty of Business and Economics. 

The marketing session was very interesting, where the focus was on inclusive marketing and the “intersectionality wheel of privilege”. This concept explored how various aspects of identity, such as race, gender, religion, body type and more, can affect how individuals are represented in marketing. It highlighted how certain groups can be overlooked or excluded entirely, with few products designed for their needs or marketed towards them. This was quite eye-opening because we’re quite privileged to have a variety of relevant products available.  

Elodie B,  Year 9 

Sorry Day and Reconciliation week 

Earlier this week, Christian College acknowledged National Sorry Day, observed on Tuesday, 26 May. National Sorry Day is a day of reflection and acknowledgement that recognises the Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultures between the mid-1800s and the 1980s. It encourages reflection, understanding and continued commitment toward healing and reconciliation, while honouring the strength, resilience and lived experiences of Stolen Generations survivors. 

This week also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, observed from Wednesday, 27 May to Wednesday, 3 June. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In — a call for all Australians to commit to reconciliation every single day. All In reminds us that reconciliation is a shared national responsibility and not solely the responsibility of First Nations peoples. Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us. 

TheWellbeing Team 

Calling all Coding Wizards

Are you ready to unlock your inner tech wizard? 🧙‍♂️✨ We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge, open to all students with a knowledge of coding. 

What is it?

The Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge is an international competition where students will tackle fun programming puzzles using their coding and algorithmic thinking skills. The coding challenge requires students to have a working knowledge of Turtle Blocky, Python, C#, Java or VB. More information can be found at https://www.bebras.uk 

When and Where? 

Date: Tuesday June 17, 2026
Location: On Campus/online 

Duration: 45 mins 

 Attention Students Looking to Study a VET Course in 2027 

Getting into a trade is a great choice! TASTE of TAFE is a free all-day event offered to Year 9 and 10 students each year at The Gordon’s City & East campuses. Students get to try fun, hands-on tasters from all course areas. This can help them to find out what they like and learn new skills. They get to explore the different career options studying at The Gordon can give them.  

2026 Taster Day is July 21 - City Campus and July 28 - East Geelong Campus 

Courses at The Gordon East Campus include Animal Studies, Auto Mechanical, Bricklaying, Building Design (Architectural), Cabinet Making and Joinery, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering & Metal Trades, Horticulture, Information Technologies, Landscaping, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing. 

Academic Excellence and Music Excellence Scholarships – Applications Open!

Applications are now open for Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry to Years 5 to 11 in 2028.

Any interested parents, guardians and families with children in Years 3 to 9 in 2026 are welcome to apply, including families who have children currently enrolled at Christian College.

Applications for Academic Excellence scholarships close on August 6.

Also open to both Christian College families, and families with children attending other schools, are our Music Excellence Scholarships. These are open for students entering Years 5 to 12 in 2027 or 2028.

Applications for all Christian College scholarships can be made via our website. Click here to visit our Scholarships page, where you’ll find more information about all the scholarships we offer. From there you can click on the individual scholarship tiles for more specific details, and to apply.

Godspell the Musical – Senior School Production on Stage June 5 & 6

R.W. Gibson Centre – Christian College Senior Campus

Tickets on sale! 3 shows - 2 evening shows nearly sold out

Friday June 5 – 7:00pm

Saturday June 6 – 2:00pm & 5:30pm

Trybooking   https://www.trybooking.com/DKBJO

Featuring a student cast of Yrs 10,11,12 and a band of students and staff who have been rehearsing since the start of the school year.