From the Executive Principal
What an Experience!
What a wonderful experience our College community enjoyed last weekend! Many families had the opportunity to see our students shine in the CCG Musical Production of Godspell, and it was truly a remarkable achievement.
The production showcased an extraordinary breadth of talent across every aspect of the performing arts. From the acting, singing and choreography to the live band, set design, staging, lighting, costumes and technical production, every element contributed to a truly memorable performance. It was clear that countless hours of preparation, teamwork and dedication went into creating such a polished and engaging show. Through moments of humour and deep emotion, the students brought to life the story of Jesus’ life and teachings in a heartfelt and meaningful way.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the production was seeing students step beyond their comfort zones and discover new strengths and talents. Families would have noticed the confidence that grew in many of our young people as they rose to challenges with maturity and resilience. While the applause from the audience was well deserved, the greatest achievement was the effort, perseverance and teamwork demonstrated throughout the journey. They were truly striving for excellence. These are experiences that will stay with our students for years to come.
Over the five months of rehearsals, it was also wonderful to see new friendships form and a strong sense of belonging develop among the cast and crew. Many students have reflected on how much this experience meant to them, not just as a performance, but as an opportunity to find their place within a supportive and creative community. Earlier this week I also heard from another Year 8 student: “I can't imagine my life without music….it fuels me!” These are the moments that highlight the true value of co-curricular opportunities in the life of our college.
Productions of this scale are never achieved alone. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated staff who gave so generously of their time, expertise and care to bring Godspell to life. Their encouragement, professionalism and belief in our students created an environment where each young person could flourish and achieve outstanding results.
Throughout the week we received wonderful feedback from audience members who were incredibly impressed by both our students and staff. We couldn’t be prouder of what has been accomplished and thank all families for their support of this very special production.
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
What’s Happening at Bellarine
Term 2 Week 9
Monday 15 June: Year 4 Ancient China Day
Tuesday 16 June: Year 7 and 8 High Performance Athlete Excursion
Wednesday 17 June: GISSA AFL and Soccer Championships (Years 7-8)
Thursday 18 June: Middle School Assembly
Thursday 18 June: Inter-College Debating
Friday 19 June: Our Village Awareness Day, Project Care initiative – PJs and Donations
Friday 19 June: Junior School Assembly
Friday 19 June: Term 2 studies conclude | 3:30pm dismissal
Term 3 Week 1
Monday 13 July: Term 3 studies commence
Monday 13 July: Year 4 camp departs for Lake Dewar
Monday 13 July: Commencement Service | 2pm
Wednesday 15 July: Year 9 Japanese Excursion to Melbourne
Wednesday 15 July: Year 4 camp returns from Lake Dewar
Thursday 16 July: Community Prayer Group, Chaplain’s Office | 3:00pm – 3:20pm
Prep Discovery Learning: The Fire Station Visit
On Wednesday, the Preps visited the Ocean Grove Fire Station.
Preps first learnt about fire safety, then practised how to crawl down low and go, go, go!
After checking out the fire truck, everybody had a squirt at the big hoses. It was very fun to watch so much water flying around.
Well done Preps for listening carefully to our friends at the Fire Station and being very polite at taking turns with the hoses.
Emily Ramsay
Mikayla Glibo
Adam Reidy
Year 2 Stepping Back in Time
Last week, Year 2 stepped back in time to learn about the history of Geelong. We started our day at the National Wool Museum, where we discovered one of Geelong’s great inventions — the wool press. We also learnt about different materials and worked together to create our own class Wagga.
Afterwards, we visited the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. There, we learnt about the Traditional Owners of the land and explored historical images of Geelong to see how the city has changed over time.
It was a fun and exciting day filled with learning, history, and creativity!
Lisa Miller
3S Shared the Love at Assembly
Our students shared a heartwarming and joy-filled assembly item inspired by the song Your Love Keeps Following Me. With colourful handmade hearts and bright smiles, they celebrated the many ways God shows His love for us every day. Through music, movement, and reflection, students reminded us that God’s love is always with us. Guiding, caring, and following us wherever we go. It was a wonderful celebration of faith, friendship, and joy that brought smiles to everyone’s faces!
Kate Pritchard
Year 4 Taylor House Captains: Putting Away the Sandpit Toys
One of the responsibilities we have as House Captains is to pack away the sandpit toys. This is an important task because, if the toys are left out, they could be lost or broken. Doing this job teaches us that being a leader is about serving others. It also helps us learn to work hard and support those around us.
Billie H and Stan H Taylor House Captains
Project Care Visit to the Local Kindergarten
As part of their commitment to serving our community, our Project Care students recently visited the local kindergarten to spend time with the younger children.
Prior to the visit, students worked together to plan a range of engaging activities. On the day, they divided into small groups and led experiences including story reading, colouring, playdough snail making, musical chairs and a variety of interactive games.
I was incredibly proud of the way our students approached this opportunity. They not only prepared thoughtfully and creatively, but also demonstrated maturity, patience and flexibility throughout the session. It was wonderful to see them adapting activities to suit the needs of the children, encouraging shy students to join in and ensuring everyone felt included and valued. Their kindness, leadership and genuine care for others were evident throughout the afternoon, and they represented our school exceptionally well.
The visit was a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their leadership skills while building positive connections within our local community.
Maiella reflected on the experience, saying, “I loved working with the little kids and making things with them. I liked it because it showed me what I was like when I was in kinder. I can’t wait to do it again!” – Maiella, Grade 4
The kindergarten staff shared the following feedback:
“Our kindergarten children thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the older students. It was lovely to see new connections being formed, confidence growing, and so much laughter and enthusiasm throughout the session. The Christian College students were caring, patient and encouraging, creating a positive and welcoming environment for everyone involved.”
I could not be prouder of our Project Care students. They embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm and compassion, making a positive impact on the kindergarten children while demonstrating the values of service, leadership and community.
Hayley Keogh
Thank a First Responder Day
Our school community recently celebrated Thank a First Responder Day with a special morning tea to recognise the dedication and service of the people who help keep our community safe.
Many of our first responders spent the morning doing exactly what they do best, serving and supporting our community. Although this meant they couldn’t join us for the morning tea, it highlighted the vital work they do every day. We were delighted to celebrate them and share our appreciation through the students’ messages, decorations, and poem.
Students helped make the event special by creating and decorating thank-you messages to express their appreciation. The Music Foyer was filled with colourful displays and heartfelt words of gratitude, helping to spread the love and acknowledge the contribution of our local first responders.
A highlight of the morning was a poem read by our Project Care representatives, thanking first responders for their hard work, bravery, and commitment to serving others. Their thoughtful words reminded us all of the sacrifices these individuals make to support our community.
It was a lovely opportunity to spend time chatting with the first responders who were able to attend, learning more about their roles and gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities they face each day. We are incredibly lucky to have such dedicated people in our community and thank all first responders for their service, care, and commitment to keeping us safe.
Hayley Keogh
Lunchtime Concert
Students and staff enjoyed a wonderful Lunchtime Concert featuring a variety of performances from across the school. The program showcased a range of instruments and musical styles, including piano, cello, voice, and a piano duet.
The performers demonstrated confidence, dedication, and musical skill as they shared the results of their hard work and practice. Audience members were treated to expressive solo performances, collaborative ensemble playing, and engaging vocal music, creating an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere.
Events such as these provide valuable opportunities for students to develop their performance skills, build confidence, and celebrate their musical achievements with the school community. Congratulations to all students who performed and contributed to the success of the concert.
Molly Hanson
Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy Training Experiences
The Geelong Cats are inviting students to attend upcoming Next Generation Academy (NGA) Training Experiences for players born in 2011, 2012 or 2013 during the school holidays.
The Geelong Cats NGA provides young footballers from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds with additional development opportunities and a connection to the Geelong Cats Academy pathway.
Students from all sporting backgrounds are strongly encouraged to attend. Participants are not required to be registered with a local football club, and athletes from sports such as basketball, netball, soccer, rugby and cricket are welcome. The program is particularly interested in multi-sport athletes and students with strong untapped athletic potential.
These free sessions are designed to develop athletic performance, football skills, and game understanding in a safe and supportive environment. Participants will also have the opportunity to be considered for selection in Geelong Cats Emerging Talent Squad (U14) or Development Squad (U15) matches against the Western Bulldogs in the September school holidays.
Training Experience Dates & Times
- Horsham: Monday 29 June, 1:30pm-4:30pm @ Oval TBC
- Warrnambool: Tuesday 30 June, 9:30am-12:30pm @ Reid Oval, Warrnambool
- Geelong (Girls Only): Monday 6 July, 9:30am-12:30pm @ Oval TBC
- Geelong (Boys Only): Tuesday 7 July, 9:30am-12:30pm @ Oval TBC
Registration: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/d072e8
To qualify for the Geelong Cats NGA, a player must:
- Reside in the Geelong Cats zone in Victoria or the Northern Territory; and
- Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; or
- Have at least one parent born in Africa, Asia, Central America, South America or Oceania (excluding New Zealand).
For more information about our Academy program please visit our website Geelong Cats Academy or watch the video on our Academy Overview
Get Ready for Project Care Day — Helping Our Village Together
We’re excited to announce our next project care fundraising day: Pyjama Day for Our Village! On Friday 19 June, (the last day of term) we’ll be joining together as a school community to help make a real difference in the lives of babies and children across Victoria.
What is Our Village?
Our Village, formally Geelong Mums, collects and rehomes essential baby and children’s items, things like clothes, blankets, cots, and prams. These items are passed on to families who need them the most, through social workers and maternal and child health nurses.
Instead of letting useful goods go to waste, this amazing organisation helps over 20,000 babies and children every year. Together, we reduce landfill and bring joy and relief to families in need.
How Can We Help?
On Our Village Day, Friday 19 June, all students are asked to:
- Wear their pyjamas to show their support.
- Bring in a donation item to give to Our Village.
A list of suggested items for each grade is below
Why It Matters
Our concept is simple: instead of throwing away good-quality baby and children’s items, we pass them on to families who can use them. Every donation gets checked and cleaned by dedicated volunteers, ensuring it’s safe and ready to go to a new home.
From donors to volunteers to supporters like us — together we make a real, lasting difference.
Let’s Make Care Day Count!
Mark your calendar, find those pyjamas and start gathering your donation items. We look forward to seeing our whole school community come together for Care Day on June 19!
| Prep |
Wipes
|
| Year 1 – 4 |
Toiletries for babies, children and adults that are new or unopened and with at least 3 months before expiry (if there is an expiry date). Some examples include nappy cream, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, tampons, sanitary pads etc
|
| Year 5 – 6 |
Stationery, arts and crafts Examples pencils, textas, scrap books, exercise books, rulers, erasers, unused colouring and activity books. Art and craft items that are unused and in excellent condition.
|
| Year 7 – 9 |
Underwear or socks in new or near-new condition
|
| If you would like to donate any other items, these items are the ones that Our Village are looking for: |
Nappies Sizes from birth 00000 to size 16 youth/teen – no hoods on any clothing up to size 1. Pyjamas and sleepwear Hand knitted or crocheted clothing, beanies, booties and scarves. Toys, games and puzzles We can rehome the following toys, games and puzzles: Toys that are smaller than 30cm in size – as the families we support do not have the space to hold large toys. Games – please make sure they have all their parts stored together. Puzzles – please make sure they have all their parts stored together. Building blocks. Small, brand new soft toys (no beans, no hard eyes/noses, no batteries). All are in excellent, clean condition |
Hayley Keogh
House Volleyball
George P. House Prefect
CCG New Parents and Families Program – an Exciting Initiative!
In 2026, we’re excited to launch our Parents & Families Program, a new initiative designed to bring our community even closer together across all Campuses and Kindergartens.
This program is all about strengthening relationships, creating a genuine sense of belonging, and supporting meaningful opportunities for families to get involved in College life. In the video below, Executive Principal, Dr Mathilda Joubert, provides more details. Membership is open to all parents, guardians and grandparents of students enrolled at Christian College Geelong, including Kindergarten families, and continues for as long as a member has a child attending the relevant campus.
If you would like to join the P&F Program straight away, please click here. You will need to complete your details, upload your WWCC number, and nominate yourself if you are interested in a leadership role.
From special events to fundraising, volunteering on camps, excursions, and other campus‑based activities, there will be plenty of ways for families to contribute, connect, and make a difference in the student experience at your selected Campus.
An information session will be held on Thursday 16 July at 1:30 pm at the Belmont (Junior School Campus) for families from all Christian College campuses who would like to learn more. To help us with planning, please register here if you wish to attend.
Godspell – Congratulations and Thank you!
The Senior Campus Musical Godspell was a superb presentation of wonderful performances and collaboration.
The learnings our students walk away with from the experience of performances such as this production, impacts them deeply and for life. Congratulations Godspell Cast, Band and Crew - a team that achieved a wonderful show and demonstrated the collective power of many hands, heads and hearts with a shared goal and purpose.
Thanks to our community including our students’ parents for the encouragement and support. Godspell played to three sold out audiences who rode the emotion of the narrative. As an audience we laughed, wept, pondered, celebrated and were challenged by our students’ work and the staff who guided them through the creative process.
Please see the Godspell program link below for further details of the team behind the show. You can also visit the Godspell webpage for more – including a photo gallery and review from Entertainment Geelong.
We reflect with a sense of pride and gratefulness for what was an outstanding show. We give thanks for the opportunity to present the story of the parables. The staff production team have worked together with conviction since the end of the 2025 College year to provide this production as an opportunity for the students involved but also, as it turned out, an absolute gift to our community.
Congratulations to the staff of the creative team :-
Director: Steve Horman
Musical Directors: Kate Notini and Stef Gumienik
Choreographer: Josh Vucicevic
The student cast –
Cuan B | Jesus - Yr 11, Toby S | John the Baptist / Judas - Yr 11, Abbey P - Yr 12, Aiden G - Yr 10,
Angus C - Yr 12, Arabella G - Yr 10, Campbell W - Yr 10, Evie T - Yr 12, Hannah W - Yr 11, Heidi W - Yr 12, Lucy R - Yr 11, Phoebe C - Yr 11, Rebecca P - Yr 11, Sarah M - Yr 11, Tara Z - Yr 10, Thomas O - Yr 10, Winnie G - Yr 12.
The Band
Musical Director from the Keyboard: Stef Gumienik
Guitar: Charlie G – Yr 11and Scott Jolley
Electric Bass: Mia P - Yr 12 and Martin De Marte
Keyboard/Percussion: Izzy K – Yr 12
Percussion: Elise S – Yr 10
Drums: Felix R – Yr 12
Fiona Gardner, Co-Producer, and on behalf of Taylah Broad, Co-Producer
Godspell The Musical, 2026
CCG News and Events
In recent weeks we have created a News/Events carousel down the bottom of the CCG website homepage with information and links covering many aspects of life at Christian College Geelong. Right now, you’ll find fabulous picture galleries of Godspell and the Year 6 Canberra adventure, a fantastic video covering the first week of the recent Indonesian study tour, a quick link to our Scholarships page, and more. We’ll regularly update and add to the carousel, so keep an eye out for new content in the weeks and months ahead.
Combined Junior Strings Rehearsal
Today saw the Junior String Ensembles from Surf Coast, Junior School and Bellarine gather together for a fun day of combined music-making. The enthusiastic students were brought together in the Bellarine Auditorium to form a super-sized String Ensemble of over seventy-five musicians! They rehearsed two pieces before a short break during which students from each of the different campuses got to mingle with their string buddies.
We then resumed playing, with each campus’ ensemble performing individually before the excited audience of Year 1 and 2 Bellarine students arrived to hear the combined string group perform ‘March of the Astronauts’ and a rousing rendition of the Irish folk tune ‘Gerry’s Reel’, made famous by the Irish pop group The Corrs. Lastly, the students all shared a sausage sizzle lunch—always a great way to finish off a morning’s hard work of string playing!
It is amazing to see how students who learn from different teachers and attend different campuses can combine so seamlessly to create such a warm and resonant sound. It is even more amazing that nearly all of these students began playing their instrument as part of the Year 2 String program and are now only in their first or second year of playing a string instrument. Congratulations to all performers!
A big thank you to: Rebecca Bertoncello (Bellarine String Coordinator); Matheus Oliveira (Surf Coast String Coordinator); our cello teachers Jeanette Carney, Caitie Martin and Olivia Sagor; and the piano accompaniment staff, Molly Hanson and Tammy Treloar. Thanks also to Mr Andrew Dunlop, who cooked all the sausages for our lunchtime sausage sizzle.
Martin De Marte, Head of Strings
Showing Appreciation for First Responders
On Wednesday this week, the Christian College community and many others across Australia paused, reflected and gave thanks to those who risk their lives every day.
Thank a First Responder Day was established in 2020 to show gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of first responders who support us across Australia. June 10 represents a National Day of Appreciation to recognise the extraordinary service of police, fire, ambulance, SES, marine rescue, and other emergency service personnel, along with the families who support them behind the scenes.
Being a first responder can be challenging, for both first responders and their families. But the power of gratitude can have an extraordinary impact on wellbeing and mental health.
Thank a First Responder Day reminds us all that behind every emergency response vehicle is a human being who has chosen a profession or volunteer role dedicated to helping others during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
First responders face quite high rates of psychological distress, making mental health supports essential. Dedicated programs exist across Australia to provide clinical care, trauma support, and peer connections for emergency personnel and their families.
Tips for Supporting Loved Frist Responders
- Learn the signs: Educate yourself on the early warning signs, such as withdrawal, irritability, or change in sleep
- Seek outside support: Connect with peer support groups you can share experiences with those who understand.
- Prioritise self-care: Ensure you maintain your own wellbeing and hobbies outside of your loved one's profession.
Here at Christian College, we show our ongoing support to you all and pray over you all.
Please see below support available for our dedicated heroes and their families.
National Emergency Worker Support Service - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
Family support | ambulance.vic.gov.au
Where to get help - ESF - Emergency Services Foundation
A Guide for Families (06052023)
The Wellbeing Team
Senior School Pathways – VCE and VCE VM Online Information Session
CCG Senior Campus warmly invites Year 9 and 10 students and their families to attend an upcoming online information session: Senior School Pathways – VCE and VCE VM, to be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00pm.
This informative session will outline the range of pathways available to students in their senior years at CCG. These include the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM), and Vocational Education and Training (VET) options. Families will gain valuable insights to support informed decision-making about future study directions.
Presentations will be delivered by key staff members:
- Ms Alice McKay, VCE Coordinator
- Dr Sarah Nailer, VCE VM Coordinator
- Mrs Kerryn Fearnsides, VET Coordinator
Further details, including the link to join the session, will be shared via email with all Year 9 and 10 families on Monday, June 15.
We look forward to welcoming you and encourage all families to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.
Trish Saffin, Deputy Head of Senior School
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
How to Sign Up:
Email Ms Bergin at s.bergin@ccg.vic.edu.au before Friday June 12. Please indicate the division you want to attempt from the list below.
Divisions are based on skill, not age. There are four divisions:
- Novice – For students who are new to block-based programming, or who have recently started learning to code using blocks.
- Explorer – For students who are confident using block-based programming and have experience creating programs using blocks.
- Navigator – New to text-based programming. For students who have recently started coding using a text-based programming language and are developing their skills by creating small programs.
- Trailblazer– Experienced text-based programming. For students who are confident programmers using a text-based programming language.
Practice challenges, including information on block-based and text-based challenges can be found on the UK Bebras website
Sophie Bergin
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.
Courses at The Gordon City Campus include Accounting & Business, Aged Care, Allied Health, Beauty Therapy, Community Services, Cookery, Digital Media, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Design, Hairdressing, Hospitality, Lab Tech, Nursing.
Given the immense popularity of this event, you are encouraged to return your application as soon as possible. They will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis and attendance numbers from each school are capped.
Registration forms will be emailed to all Year 9 and 10 families and hard copies available from the Student Office. You can also access one here Taste Of TAFE Registration Form
For further information or queries please contact Kerryn Fearnsides k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Elaine Pearson e.pearson@ccg.vic.edu.au or Jenelle Fitzpatrick j.fitzpatrick@ccg.vic.edu.au at the Senior Campus.
Student Registration Forms should be returned to the student office at the earliest opportunity, and no later than Friday 29 May.
Kerryn Fearnsides, Vocational Pathways Coordinator
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.
