From the Executive Principal

As we come to the end of a year of connection and reflection, I want to take a moment to consider all that we have accomplished together. This year has been filled with growth, learning, and countless moments that remind us why our school community is so special. Our graduation events, celebration events and awards presentation events these last two weeks have given us so many moments of joy and pride in the achievements of our young people. 

Wednesday night’s Community Christmas Carols event was another beautiful example of the strength of our community, with over 1000 attendees. It brought joy to our children, connection to our families, and a sense of togetherness among staff and the wider community. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they sang, seeing our senior student musicians shine, watching families relax and enjoy the evening, and sharing that festive spirit with everyone was truly magical. 

On the topic of celebrating achievements, you may have noticed a lot of media coverage over the last few days around the release of Naplan results nationally. No child’s value is measured through a single test, and as a school we love to celebrate the achievements of our students in all aspects of life and learning, including sports, music, service, endeavour and academic achievement. Naplan is not perfect, but it is a valuable indicator of academic achievement. As a school we have been taking a deep dive into analysing the data, tracking trends over time, identifying areas of strength and always looking for areas of improvement. We also know that test results can change dramatically from year-to-year with cohort effects. 

From the Head of Campus

As we reach the end of a remarkable year, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate all that we have achieved together as a community. This year has been filled with many highlights and some challenges, and through it all, the partnership between home and school has been a cornerstone of our success. Thank you for your ongoing support, care, and commitment, it truly makes a difference.

We celebrate the incredible growth of our students, not only in their learning but also in their positive attitudes and behaviours. Their resilience, creativity, and willingness to embrace new opportunities have been inspiring. From classroom achievements to co-curricular experiences, our students have shown what it means to learn with curiosity and live with kindness.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the plans for the coming year. There are many more opportunities for learning, collaboration, and community connection on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

As Christmas approaches, I wish you and your families a blessed and joyful season. May your holidays be filled with peace, happiness, and time to rest and recharge. For those moving on from our campus, we send our very best wishes for the next chapter of your journey.

Thank you for being part of our school community. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year for another exciting chapter together.

Introducing our 2026 Prefect Leadership Team

We are delighted to announce the Prefect Leadership Team for 2026. The selection process is a rigorous one – involving applications, presentations, and interviews – and we commend all students who participated.

The Prefect portfolios for next year are as follows:

• Burrows: George Pittwood
• Flynn: Philippa Norgard
• Penman: Benjamin Buscombe
• Taylor: Owen De’Araugo
• Community: Abharna Sanjeev
• Environment: Maryam Anatulain
• Faith: Scarlett Cull
• Wellbeing: Hugh Whitaker

In 2026, our Bellarine Campus School Captains will sit outside these portfolios to better enable them to lead and support the Prefect team. We are excited to announce that our Bellarine Campus School Captains will be:

• Elodie Barker and Caden Blewett

Congratulations to all our Prefects. We look forward to seeing your leadership in action next year!

Prep & Year 1 Parents Join us in PE

This week, our Prep and Year 1 students were excited to welcome their parents and special friends into their final PE lessons for the year. Throughout the year, the students have been developing their fundamental motor skills, so we celebrated their progress with a fun and active skill-based circuit.

Students proudly demonstrated how each station worked before teaming up with their families or friends to practise a range of fundamental motor skills together. It was wonderful to see so much encouragement, enthusiasm, and shared enjoyment across the groups.

Thank you to all the parents and special friends who were able to join us at such a busy time of year. Your involvement and support make these experiences so memorable for the students.

Prep to 2 End of Year Activity Day

To celebrate the end of a fantastic year of learning, our Prep to Year 2 students enjoyed a fun-filled Activity Day packed with energy, laughter, and fun.

The day began with a visit to Inflatable World, where students bounced, climbed, and slid their way through a range of exciting inflatable challenges. It was a great opportunity for physical activity and play, and the students had an absolute blast—there were smiles, giggles, and plenty of joyful moments shared with friends.

Afterwards, the group headed to the Eastern Beach playground for more outdoor fun. Students enjoyed exploring the play equipment, spending time with their peers, and taking a relaxing walk along the beach.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the school year.

A Heartwarming Christmas Story

Our Year 2D students truly shone during their recent assembly performance! The play was inspired by the beautiful new picture storybook A Song for the King by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Freya Blackwood, and it transported us to a little town where three animal friends—Netta the donkey, Esther the sheep, and Uzi the camel—love to sing. When the villagers complain, the friends fall silent, but their story takes a magical turn. Guided by a bright star, they discover a humble stable where baby Jesus is born. Their joy returns, and together they sing a beautiful song of love and hope for the newborn King.

This heartwarming performance celebrated the true spirit of Christmas—friendship, music, and the birth of Jesus. The students looked and sounded absolutely amazing. Their confidence, teamwork, and enthusiasm were evident in every moment. They should feel incredibly proud of themselves for bringing this special story to life.

Well done, Year 2! You filled the room with joy and reminded us all of the meaning of Christmas.

Year 3 and 4 End of Year Activity Day

To mark the end of a successful school year, our Year 3 and 4 students enjoyed a well-deserved day of fun and celebration.

The day kicked off at Eastern Beach, where students spent the morning enjoying the playground, participating in beachside activities, and taking a relaxing walk along the shoreline. The fresh air and open space provided the perfect setting for students to unwind and enjoy time with their classmates and the weather was amazing.

After a morning of outdoor fun, the students headed to the OZ Tenpin bowling centre for an afternoon of friendly competition. Laughter and fun could be seen as the students cheered each other on, celebrated their friends, and embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. It was a great mix of excitement and teamwork.

The Activity Day was a fantastic way to wrap up the year, giving students a chance to reflect, connect and have a good time together.

Bike Education All-Day Rides

On Thursday, 27 November, our Year 5 and 6 students embarked on their all-day bike ride, marking the finale of our Bike Education program. Students rode between 20 and 30 kilometres, travelling from school along the Bellarine Rail Trail to Point Lonsdale. Some groups even took on the extra challenge of riding all the way to Queenscliff before making their return trip. Despite a rainy start before departure, the weather soon cleared, giving riders a cool and mostly overcast day—perfect conditions for a long ride.

The Year 4 students followed on Friday 28 November with their 20km ride to Queenscliff. Their day brought much warmer conditions, but the students rose to the challenge with enthusiasm, resilience, and plenty of energy.

Across both days, students demonstrated determination, teamwork, and applied many of the skills developed during their Bike Education lessons — including traffic safety, bike maintenance, and road awareness. Thanks to the preparation and support from students and staff, all groups completed their ride safely and confidently and without any major injuries.

A huge thank you to the staff, parents, and assistants who supported the rides. The success of the rides would not have been possible without your encouragement, guidance, and generosity of time.

Congratulations to all students for their fantastic effort and perseverance. It was a wonderful way to conclude a memorable program that has equipped them with valuable lifelong skills.

Annual Activity Day at Adventure Park

On Wednesday this week, students from Years 5 to 8 enjoyed an unforgettable day at Adventure Park. The weather could not have been more perfect – clear skies and warm sunshine set the stage for a day filled with excitement, laughter, and camaraderie.

From thrilling dry rides to splashing fun on the water attractions, there was something for everyone. Students raced down waterslides and floated along the lazy river. For those who preferred to stay dry, the Ferris Wheel and mini-golf provided plenty of entertainment and friendly competition.

Activity Day is more than just a chance to have fun – it’s an opportunity for students to bond outside the classroom, build friendships across year levels, and create lasting memories. The smiles and laughter throughout the park were a testament to the success of the day.

A big thank you to our staff for their support and supervision, ensuring the day ran smoothly and safely. We also appreciate the students for their enthusiasm and positive spirit, which made the event such a joy.

Annual House Challenge

This week, our Bellarine Campus was buzzing with excitement as students from Years 4–8 came together for our annual House Challenge. The event is a highlight of the year, encouraging teamwork and friendly competition across Houses in a range of engaging activities.

Students worked in cross-year-level House groups, tackling challenges in diverse areas including Science, IT, LOTE, Drama, Food Technology, and Sport. The day was filled with creativity, problem-solving, and plenty of laughter as students collaborated and showcased their skills.

After a full day of spirited competition, the results were incredibly close. In fact, even a final plank challenge couldn’t separate the top two Houses! We are thrilled to announce that Burrows and Flynn share the victory this year – congratulations to both teams on an outstanding effort!

Thank you to all students and staff who contributed to making this event such a success. The House Challenge continues to be a wonderful celebration of community, collaboration, and school spirit at Bellarine Campus.

Building Leaders and Connections at Back Creek Farm

On Monday 1 December following Year 7-8 Connection Day, our 2026 student leaders headed to Back Creek Farm for a special leadership camp. This experience is designed to help students strengthen their leadership skills, build confidence, and form meaningful relationships with peers from the Bellarine Campus.

The camp provided a unique opportunity for students to work together in a supportive environment, learning the value of collaboration and connection. These shared experiences will not only prepare them for their leadership roles in Year 9 but also foster a strong sense of belonging across campuses.

Importantly, the visit helped students become familiar with Back Creek Farm ahead of Transformation Rural in Term 1, 2026, ensuring they feel comfortable and ready for the exciting challenges that lie ahead.

I look forward to seeing our future leaders grow through these experiences and bring their learning back to enrich our school community as Middle School-Highton prefects.

Year 9 Art Legacy 2025

The year 9 Art Making and Exhibiting students of 2025 have left a beautiful mark on the campus for many years to come. Whilst exploring emotions in their individual folios, they also worked together to create a mosaic to revitalise an old artwork in the Year 7 area. The mosaic inspired by neurographics, is an abstract piece made up of many circles and overlapping lines. Each circle and their colour represents a particular emotion intended to convey the emotions of a student at the Christian College Bellarine Campus. Green portrays feelings of peace and serenity. Orange conveys that our students feel empathetic towards others. Red captures feelings of being ambitious. Yellow highlights the student’s happiness and positivity. Blue is a reminder of their calmness and lastly purple captures how our students feel creative and inspired. These emotions came from the reflections of our Year 9 students and will leave a lasting influence on the Bellarine grounds to guide students that follow in their footsteps.

Christmas Service – Jesus, the Light of the World

On Tuesday morning, our Junior and Middle Schools gathered for the Bellarine annual Christmas service. In the fullness of all that this time of year can hold, we paused to reflect on Jesus’ declaration in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world.”

During the service, we were remembered that God is in the business of restoring what was broken and renewing what was lost when humanity chose its own way. In His great love, God gave His Son, Jesus, to bring light into the darkness, offering hope, love, joy, and peace to all who welcome Him into their lives.

I want to sincerely thank all the students who contributed to the service.  

My prayer for you in this celebration season

As you see houses adorned with lights, watch the flicker of a candle on your table, or enjoy the glow of your Christmas tree, may you remember the immense and immeasurable love God has for you … that He sent His Son, Jesus, to bring light to the world and to our lives. In all the fun and festivities of this season, may the Lord be with you; may you know His nearness, may He protect you, and may you experience the hope, love, joy, and peace of Jesus this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Vic Kids eat well

Pages From VKEW Coms

Caring for Ourselves and Each Other Over the Break

As we near the end of 2025, I extend my warmest wishes to all families for a safe and Merry Christmas and a restful holiday break. This season often brings opportunities to slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and engage in the activities that restore our sense of balance. However, this time of year can also bring with it a range of emotions. For many, it is a time of joy, celebration and connection, yet others may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and grief or feel the weight of added financial and social pressure. As a community we are encouraged to lean into small intentional actions that support calm and stability, to stay connected with others and approach ourselves and those around us with kindness. This reminder feels especially important given the challenges faced by our College community this year. The tragic bus accident touched many of us deeply and its impact continues to be felt in many ways. In the midst of this, we have witnessed our community come together with compassion, care and quiet strength and I hope that these qualities will continue to support us as we move towards the holiday period.

As we continue to care for ourselves and one another, it may be helpful to keep in mind some of the practical ways we can support and maintain our wellbeing over the festive season:

• You may like to create a self-care routine that includes activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, prayer, meditation, exercise, or simply taking quiet moments for yourself. Prioritising sleep and nourishing foods can make a meaningful difference.
• Being open to changes in your traditions or routines may help reduce stress and create space for new and positive experiences.
• You may find it helpful to set healthy boundaries. We are reminded that it is okay to say no to certain gatherings or activities, particularly if they add pressure or take away from your wellbeing.

Introducing the College-Wide Student Organiser for 2026

As we conclude another fulfilling year of learning at Christian College, we are pleased to share an exciting development for 2026: the introduction of a College-wide student organiser provided for all students from Prep to Year 12. 

We have chosen the term organiser rather than diary because this resource will serve a broader purpose than simply recording daily events. It is designed to help students manage their time, track their learning, set goals, access support resources, and engage with the routines and expectations that underpin successful learning across the College. 

Building on Strong Foundations in Prep–Year 4 

A student diary is already a familiar and valued tool in our early years, where it has served primarily as a communication channel between school and home, as well as a reading journal to support the establishment of strong daily reading habits. With our move to Compass as the central platform for communication with families, reliance on the diary for day-to-day messaging is naturally reduced.  

From next year, the diary – or Student Organiser – will continue to function as a reading journal, and for incidental communications parents may wish to pass on to their child’s teacher(s). In addition, it will be used intentionally to help our youngest learners develop foundational organisational skills—such as remembering to bring their diary to school each day, taking responsibility for its care, and beginning to understand simple routines that support successful learning. 

Key College and Campus Dates for 2026 Now Available 

As 2025 draws to a close, we are pleased to let families know that the Compass Calendar has now been populated with key College and campus dates for 2026. 

We encourage all parents and carers to take a moment over the holidays to log in to Compass and explore the calendar view. This will help you gain a clear overview of the year ahead and begin planning for the events and activities that are most relevant to your family. 

The Compass Calendar allows you to filter by student or event type using the layers on the left-hand side, making it easy to focus on what’s relevant for your child and/or their campus. You can click on the layer labels to toggle them. If a layer is checked/active, events from that layer appear in the calendar; if unchecked, they’re hidden. 

As more specific year-level activities, excursions, and other events will continue to be added throughout the academic year, we encourage families to check the calendar regularly to stay up to date with any new information. 

The most important date to remember in 2026 is, of course, the return date for students on Thursday, January 29. 

Transition Week at Senior Campus

The final week of classes for the 2025 academic year at Senior School is an action-packed week, where students who are entering Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 get a head start on their 2026 studies.

For Year 10 students, the focus is on meeting new classmates and teachers, as well as building some skills that will be used in the academic year ahead. Alongside their regular classes, each day has included a House based ‘community and connection’ activity session – ‘get creative’, ‘get moving’, ‘get relaxed’ or ‘get your game on’ – which has allowed students to get to know others in a fun and more relaxing environment. Visiting our Arts, Technology and Design campus at Villa Paloma for the creative activity gave all the Year 10 students a taste of the special atmosphere at this campus, while creating individually designed stars to add to the festoon lights for the College Carols evening. It has been wonderful to see students making new friends and engaging in the various class and House activities which the Senior staff have been excited to provide for them.

Year 11 and 12 students have experienced their first taste of studies in VCE or VCE VM subjects, working on both content and skills related to their chosen subjects. There has been a real buzz around campus – especially from our Year 12 students who have been keen to make a positive start to their final year of studies at Christian College. Although many are tired at the end of a busy term, the level of engagement by so many of our senior students holds great promise for the year ahead.

Celebrating Connection Day 

This week, our Year 7 students from three campuses, and Year 8 students from two campuses, came together for a special Connection Day. It was designed to strengthen friendships, foster kindness, and build a sense of belonging across our campuses. The boys gathered at Bellarine Campus, while the girls met at Middle School-Highton Campus, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction in a supportive environment. 

The day was filled with laughter, collaboration, and creativity. Students participated in engaging workshops that encouraged teamwork and problem-solving, while also developing their communication and leadership skills. A highlight was the Design Thinking Challenge, where students worked in groups to co-create practical initiatives aimed at enhancing connection, wellbeing, and inclusion within our school community. 

The Design Thinking session, integrated creative expression, group collaboration, and reflective sharing. Every student had the chance to contribute ideas, ensuring that all voices were heard and valued. The energy and enthusiasm were inspiring, and the sense of unity was evident as students supported one another and celebrated their shared achievements. 

We are proud of the way our students embraced this opportunity to build friendships, show kindness, and work together toward a common goal. These experiences not only strengthen relationships but also equip our students with essential skills for life—collaboration, empathy, and creativity. 

Staff Development

Spotlight: Victorian Teaching Excellence Program (TEP)

Our college continues to be well represented in the prestigious Victorian Teaching Excellence Program, with several staff each year selected for this intensive 10-day professional learning experience led by some of Australia’s most respected educators.

As the 2025 TEP journeys conclude for three of our Middle School teachers — Sharon Huber (Bellarine), Hayley Keogh (Bellarine) and Victoria Corkin (Highton) — I asked them to reflect on the impact this program has had on their practice:

Sharon: “TEP has allowed me to take stock of my teacher identity and become more intentional in my teaching. I’ve gained clarity on both my strengths and areas for future growth, grounded in evidence-based pedagogy.”

Hampers That Celebrate Local & Support CCG Foundation

If you're looking for a thoughtful and delicious gift idea this festive season, we invite you to consider ordering a Geelong Gourmet Goodies Hamper through Kardinia Rotary. 

These beautifully presented hampers feature locally sourced gourmet treats and come in three sizes — $125, $85, and $60 — with free delivery within 50km of Geelong CBD.  

They make perfect gifts for friends, family, staff, or clients, while also supporting local businesses and community projects. 

Here’s how your purchase can make a difference: 

• For every hamper ordered that references Christian College Geelong or Christian College Geelong Foundation, $5 will be donated to the Foundation. 

• Even better — this donation will be dollar matched by an anonymous donor, doubling the impact of your support! 

Funds raised will go directly to the Christian College Geelong Foundation – Public Ancillary Fund, supporting initiatives that transform lives through education. 

All Star Kids - December Holidays Extravaganza!

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 11 -16, 2026

A Day Camp for Music Students aged 10 – 21 years

Christian College Geelong is proud to once again be hosting the Geelong Summer Music Camp at the Senior Campus in January 2026. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2026 Camp.

If you have a budding band, choir or string musician in your house, or you are involved in a school or community music program, please encourage students aged 10 – 21 years to consider attending.

The camp highlights:
The GSMC is a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive day camp. Students will play in a concert band, string orchestra, or sing in a choir throughout the week and then feature in a finale concert at Costa Hall.

Campers will also have the opportunity to choose an elective activity. The camp builds social time into its program where students are encouraged to connect with others, developing positive friendships and relationships with other campers and staff. Auditions at the start of the camp are designed as a time for the students to connect with the music tutors, but also allow the tutors to place students into the ensemble that best suits them, to set them up to have a rewarding week of growth and fun making music.

Your Cookbook of Family Favourites – Calling for Recipes  

Dear Christian College Families,

Our names are Elisha Williams and Willow McInnes, and we are the Middle School-Highton campus Community Building and Outreach Prefects.

We are thrilled to share that we are introducing the Christian College Geelong cookbook, which will be an important fundraiser for the Christian College Foundation. All the proceeds from the cookbook will be donated to the Eternity Fund. By supporting this initiative you will be enabling, empowering, and changing the lives of young people from families who are experiencing hardship.

This will be a hardcover book which will include recipes from families and members of the Christian College Geelong community and will be titled, ‘Our Family Favourites’. If you have a special family recipe that you would like to share, we would love for you to contribute to the book. We encourage our community to contribute one favourite recipe.