Term 1 Week 4

From the Principal

It only seems like yesterday I was writing here to welcome families to the new school year. Yet, here we are, at the end of Week 4, and so much has been packed in to Term 1 already – commencement assemblies, parent welcome events, student leaders’ inductions, Year 7 camps for Bellarine and Highton and Year 12 Outdoor Education alpine crossings. And, of course, plenty of learning taking place in classrooms from Prep to VCE.

Over the past week, I have had the privilege of participating in the services dedicated to inducting our student leaders at Belmont, Highton, and Senior campuses, and I look forward to next week's event at the Bellarine campus. The students who step up for these roles understand that genuine leadership stems from prioritising the needs of others over oneself. The core of servant leadership, akin to Christ's example, isn't about wielding authority or power, but about selflessly serving and empowering others. In that sense, every student, whether they carry a leader’s badge or not, possesses the capacity to lead by demonstrating selflessness. An approach centred on caring for others significantly enhances the dynamics in our classrooms, playgrounds, and indeed, our communities. As Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This verse beautifully underscores the importance of prioritising the needs of others in leadership and in life.

From the Deputy Head of Campus

As Deputy Head -Teaching and Learning it is a pleasure to pop into The Vine to shine a spotlight on specific programs and initiatives in our Teaching and Learning Program P-9. This piece highlights Structured Literacy – our new approach to teaching literacy skills in the Prep to Year 4 classrooms.

Structured Literacy is an approach to teaching reading, spelling, and writing that has been shaped by an immense body of educational and scientific research and evidence-based theory such as the Science of Reading.  Unlike speech which is an innate human activity, reading and writing are manmade inventions that do need to be taught explicitly, systematically, sequentially, and cumulatively.  This is exactly what takes place in every CCG Junior Campus classroom, every day, for two hours.  It is extremely exciting to witness. enthusiastic Prep learners, only four weeks into their education, already reading and writing an impressive number of letters and sounds. Year 1 students informing anyone who will listen about nouns and verbs before writing these into strong sentences. Year 2 champions filling whole pages with their enthusiastic writing of complex sentences created using conjunctions. Year 3 students learning how to upgrade action verbs and potentially insert these into their structured and highly persuasive texts, and Year 4 students enhancing their reading fluency and confidence as they draw on rich vocabulary and informed knowledge absorbed during their Read to Learn sessions.

The evidence is growing week by week and this is just the beginning.  As we continue this journey throughout the year and years to come the confidence already oozing from our P-4 classrooms situates literacy education at Bellarine campus on a very firm pathway to exemplary excellence. Congratulations P-4 teachers and students!

Chaplain’s Check-in

Last week I enjoyed a wonderful time with our students and staff on Year 7 Camp at Cave Hill Creek. A lovely setting amongst the trees and creeks of central Victoria, this camp is situated just north of Beaufort in the hills.

The students, your children, were simply amazing. It was a time for developing relationships and experiencing life with the students and staff.

We made sure there was time to present Bibles to our new Year 7 students. As you can see from the photos the setting was nestled amongst the trees near the lake.

A theme I spoke to the students about was the fact that God thinks that each of our students are a “Great Idea”!!

I read out parts of Psalm 139….

V13…”For you formed my inward parts

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

14. I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Marvelous are your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

15. My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest part of the earth.

16. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in your book they were all written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there was none of them.

Indeed, your children are a Great Idea!

Please remember that I am your Campus Chaplain and am available any time to chat with you and to get to know you.

Take care.

What is Happening at Bellarine

Week 5

• Tuesday 27 February Geelong Advertiser Prep photos
• Wednesday 28 February Year 5 History of Geelong excursion
• Thursday 29 February House Swimming Carnival
• Friday 1 March Student Leaders’ Induction and Service of Dedication 2PM
• Sunday 3 March             College Production Rehearsal 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Week 6

• Monday 4 March             Year 6 Camp (Angahook) commences
• Tuesday 5 March OPEN DAY – Bellarine Campus 9:30am – 11:00am
• Wednesday 6 March Year 6 Camp (Angahook) concludes
• Friday 8 March             Junior School Assembly

Future Enrolments

For the Deputy Heads, Mrs Roselyn Smith, Mrs Nicola Morrish, and myself, it is a real privilege as part of our roles to meet with prospective families and conduct tours around our Bellarine Campus, sharing with them the rich and authentic learning program that takes place in each classroom with your young person on a daily basis. 

A tour of the Bellarine Campus provides each prospective family with a genuine ‘feel’ of everyday life and learning at our campus, and that’s something that really has to be seen and experienced firsthand to gain a full understanding and appreciation. 

With Term 1 2024 well underway, it has been wonderful to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with many prospective families as to their educational aspirations for their children. We feel both excited and privileged that many families are seeking a Christian College education at all year levels.  

Prefects Connecting With the Campus 

Throughout this year, the 2024 Prefects have the opportunity to connect with students across the campus. We have been doing this by sharing messages at our Middle School assemblies and, on Wednesday of last week, we joined Years 1-4 in their ‘Getting to know you’ day out. During this time, we worked directly with the Junior School – starting to pull down some of the traditional barriers between the older and younger students of this campus. 

As Prefects this year, we want to make sure this school feels unified and undivided. To work towards this goal, we have collectively put our minds towards some special events. We are developing ideas of new lunchtime activities, other cross-year-level opportunities, as well as a special legacy gift for our Year 9s of 2024 to leave behind for the rest of the school to enjoy into the future.  

Middle School Assembly

The Bellarine Middle School came together in the Auditorium on Wednesday morning for our fortnightly Assembly. After Year 9 Prefect, Gus Daly, opened with an Acknowledgement of Country and we sang the College hymn, Anabella Hicks and Maisie Kelly shared a timely message on positivity and the importance of encouragement.

We had our 2024 ‘Bean Breakers’ presented with their badges, as well as students who passed their most recent music exams given their certificates. AFL Barwon was also able to send two representatives to talk to students about some junior umpire opportunities.

The Penman and Flynn House Captains went through the logistics of today’s Cross Country and Colour Run, while Taylor and Burrows encouraged those interested to come and help them create the chants and dances for the upcoming House Swimming event on February 29. Finally, Prefect Molly Judge closed our service in prayer.

We are so very proud of the 2024 student leaders and the way they have taken to these positions. I am sure you will agree these students are shaping up to be some wonderful role models for students in younger years.

A Snapshot of English Across Middle School Years

Year 5: The Story of Geelong

This term students are exploring their understanding of place and stories, with a focus on the history of Geelong. They are reading books about place and people and will develop their understanding of writing narratives. Recently students completed a See, Think, Wonder based on old photos of Geelong. Year 5s are looking forward to their excursion in Week 5 to the Wool Museum, Old Geelong Gaol and the Bollards.

Year 6: The Story of Federation

Students are focusing on improving their reading fluency by injecting expression and tone into their voices. Year 6s want to be voracious readers, they enjoy reading for pleasure and discerning how to choose a ‘good fit’ book. Students are currently comparing the similarities and differences between fiction and non-fiction writing as they prepare to learn how to structure and write an informational piece of writing based on the story of federation.

Year 7: What’s the Story?

The Year 7 students are exploring their understanding of the purpose of storytelling and gaining an appreciation of what we can learn from the stories people tell through autobiographies and biographies. They are busy reading their chosen biographies making connections to other texts, themselves, and the world.

Year 8: The Hero’s Journey

Students are currently focused on learning about ‘The Hero’s Journey’ through traditional stories. They have been examining characters by noticing, naming, describing and analysing and are beginning to brainstorm their own ‘hero’ character which will lead them to creating a writing portfolio demonstrating elements of the hero’s journey and the quest narrative.

Year 9: ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’

Year 9 students are currently gaining an understanding of the context and themes of the film, ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’ through reading picture story books such as, ‘Jandamarra’ and ‘The Rabbits’. They have practised analysing still images by looking at Indigenous Australian artwork inspired by the Stolen Generation and used this to create a short creative writing piece.

Year 7 Camp

Last week Year 7 attended Camp at Cave Hill Creek, which was a great opportunity to build connections among the cohort. It was an exhilarating adventure for students, filled with an array of activities designed to challenge and inspire teamwork. From the thrill of abseiling down rocky cliffs and climbing the Giant’s Ladder, to canoeing on the lake, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Throughout the camp, students were organised into tribes, encouraging camaraderie and collaboration as they worked together to earn points through various challenges. Blue Tribe was victorious in our final day Cave Hill Creek Challenge around the lake, whilst the Red Tribe emerged victorious in the overall camp competition. A fantastic time was had by all who attended.

Aaron Loats, Matthew Burgess, Nicola Morrish, Gary Crole

Numbers are fun in Year 1!

This week during Maths, the Year 1s have been focusing on addition concepts through hands-on activities. Students used manipulatives, such as blocks and counters, to physically add numbers together. “Addition Bingo” and “Race to 100” games were played, in order to practise their skills. Students have also been learning about odd and even numbers. They played sorting games in small groups, which helped them understand how numbers can be divided. It’s so important to make Maths engaging and interactive for all students. One student summed up the lessons perfectly by saying “Numbers are so much fun in Year 1!”

Sacred Places  

This week Year 4 have been investigating local sites that show the continuous connection of First Nations peoples to the land, water and air. We discussed why these places were so important to First Nations People and looked at how they would have used the land to survive compared to how we use the land now.  

We then discussed places outside that were special to us and why. We had a lovely discussion about what makes them special and why they mean something to us. The children had lots of lovely ideas from waterfalls to beaches and airports!  

Deakin District Tennis Tournament

On Thursday, 22 February, three Bellarine students, five Highton students and three Surf Coast students from Years 5 and 6 headed to Geelong College to compete in the Deakin District tennis tournament against four other schools.

Ava Fitzclarence, Emmi Sekine, Oliver Brockman, Caleb Davies, Xander Watkins, Verushka Digwa, Darcee Dunoon, Maggie Tindale, Patrick Clark, Mason Kent and Kalan Ratnachandra represented the College with a great level of skill and superb sportsmanship in very hot and humid conditions.

Although we didn’t have any students make it through to the finals it was a valuable experience for all. We would like to congratulate all our CCG Eagles for their effort and enthusiasm over the day and for displaying our Sport Faculty mindset and values at this event.

Bellarine Ensemble Superstars

It has been a fantastic few weeks as we have resumed our ensemble rehearsals across the campus. From Choirs to Strings, Concert Bands to Jazz and Celtic Music.. everything is well on its way in the new year. Many ensembles are excited to welcome new members and we have been enjoying having new faces and sounds in many of our groups. Our campus ensembles are designed to support student’s growth, and we encourage students to take on new stages and more advanced ensembles where possible. Some of our students even get invited to go up to Senior School to partake in our ensembles up there where the challenges continue on to support some very exciting growth.

Please enjoy a few snapshots of some rehearsals this week.

Project Care First Drive of the Year – Geelong Mums

The Project Care team for 2024 is excited about our first project care drive which is collecting for Geelong Mums. Geelong Mums is a local charity supported entirely by the generosity of the community and so this is a great one to get behind!

Our support means that every year they can:

• Help babies and children stay safe
• Support families to feel valued and connected
• Assist more social workers and maternal health nurses in their work with Victoria’s most vulnerable families
• Provide much needed goods to those in need

We Seek Sleek Geeks!

Our Science teachers, Mrs Sophie Maye and Mr Nick Ward are seeking Year 5-9 students who may be interested in entering the Australian Museum Sleek Geeks Science Prize.

The Australian Museum’s Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.

Sponsored by the University of Sydney, the Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize encourages students to explore a scientific concept, discovery or invention, or test their own scientific hypothesis in a short film. Students can work individually or in teams of up to six people, and there are cash prizes to be shared between the winners and their schools.

The 2024 University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize will be awarded for a short (2-minute) film that communicates a scientific concept in an accessible and engaging way. The theme for 2024 is ‘Energy.’

More details can be found on this website.

Any interested students should contact either Mrs Maye, Mr Ward or Mr Durran.

Bellarine Swimming Carnival 2024 

This is a friendly reminder to our Bellarine families that our House Swimming Carnival for all Prep to 9 students will be held at Kardinia Pool on Thursday February 29. 

Prep – Year 3 students: Will be leaving school at 10.30am and returning before the end of the school day. They will take part in novelty events, which will be held in the small pool from 11:30pm – 1:30pm.  

Year 4 – 9 students: Will depart school at 9.00am and will return to school for dismissal at 3.30pm. Students will have the opportunity to participate in both championship events and novelties.  

Uniform: Students must wear full sport uniform to and from school. House coloured polo shirts only please. Bathers: Girls – one-piece swimsuit and rash vest (board shorts optional). Boys – speedos or board shorts and rash vest. Towel must be brought from home. A Christian College hat must be worn. Please ensure all garments, including hats, are clearly marked with your child’s name.  

Buses: To make accurate bus bookings and for safety reasons the staff must have a record of students not intending to travel home on the bus. Please note that parents collecting children directly from the pool (no later than 2.30pm) are required to inform homeroom teachers by email before Monday February 26.  

We look forward to sharing the Kardinia Aquatic Centre with our Senior Campus who will be using the FINA pool on the day. The Surf Coast Campus will also be joining our carnival with their Year 4-6 students competing with our Bellarine students. 

Further information can be found in emails sent home earlier this week. 

Advance Notice for Term 1 Learning Conferences  

Our Term 1 Parent Student Learning Conferences will run a little bit differently this term. As a trial, we plan to run our conferences over two nights. 

Tuesday, March 12, will be a person-to-person, face-to-face meeting (Pre COVID), while Tuesday, March 19, will be an online TEAMS meeting. Please note, the change of date for one of our Conference evenings. Times for the sessions are March 12 (face-to-face) 4:00 – 6:00pm; March 19 (Teams) 4:00 – 7:00pm. 

Parents and Guardians will have the choice to book in to either evening.  We will be looking for feedback on these evenings, thus helping us to make decisions for subsequent Learning Conferences later in the year. 

Further details, including how to book and operational matters, will be sent in coming weeks.   

Maths Challenge 2024 Semester 1 Number 3

Welcome to the third edition of the weekly mathematics conundrums and logic questions for 2024!

Each week a different maths question is posed to challenge your grey matter in the form of numeracy and mathematical trivia. Share the fun with your family and friends and amaze them with your maths skills!

Credit to our friends at Maths Pathways for allowing us to share clipped copies from their Instagram page. Did you get last week’s answer? Check out the solution below!

Remember no Googling allowed. Answer in next week’s edition of The Vine. Enjoy!

For Challenge Question Number 3 and last week’s answer, click to enlarge the images below

International Women’s Day Celebration at Senior Campus

All members of the CCG community are invited to join us at the Senior School campus for International Women’s Day on Friday March 8, as we continue the long-held tradition of the IWD breakfast. This year the event will be held in the RW Gibson music centre on Senior Campus, commencing at 7.20am and with formalities concluding by 8.30am. A light breakfast is provided, and we will hear from two inspiring women with links to our community who are making an impact in the wider world.

About our speakers - Former CCG student Ms Georgie Purcell MP was elected to the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament in November 2022, representing the Animal Justice Party. Georgie is a passionate animal protection advocate. After entering a political role at just 26 years old – she has noticed the way young people, particularly young women, are not represented in our halls of power. Georgie wants to change that.

Former teacher at CCG, Ms Gabrielle Blythe was an Olympic athlete, representing Australia in race walking events at the 1992 Olympic Games. Gaby now works with young women in her teaching and mentoring role at Clonard College, as well as inspiring a new generation of female athletes through her coaching. Gaby’s story is an amazing story about strong, resilient women who helped her to achieve her goals, despite significant difficulties along the way.

To join us on the day, please complete the booking form at https://www.trybooking.com/CPMKT.

In order to keep the day accessible to all, we are not charging participants for entry/breakfast. If, however, you are able to make a small contribution (gold coin or similar) on the day to help cover costs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party

In late 2022, Christian College Geelong formed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Party in a commitment to addressing, supporting and implementing our journey towards Reconciliation.

Late last year, due to this College priority, our Reconciliation Plan was ratified by Reconciliation Australia and published on their website. It will soon be appearing on our College website.

Our RAP Committee meet as one body once per term and comprises Acting Principal Rick Geall, a Chairperson, a College Board member, College staff, First Nations students and other interested students, and parents of First Nations students.

While we meet as one group, we incorporate two specific areas: Curriculum and Resources; and Community and Events. Each plays a role in planning, creating and sharing opportunities for Reconciliation in the classroom, around our campuses and across the broader community.

Students Progressing Through Their Learning

Starting a new school year and returning to the classroom, forming or maintaining friendships, preparing a school bag and school lunches reforming habits and routines can be an exciting time for parents, carers and students alike.

No matter if you are joining us in Prep, or reconnecting at our Middle Schools or Senior Campus, the collaborations between home and school have shown that children learn best when the important adults in their lives (parents, carers, teachers), are able to cooperate and support them.

At Christian College, feedback on student involvement and advancement in learning is a key element of strengthening the Home / School Partnership. It gives parents, carers, students and teachers information about learning opportunities and sets a direction to guide future teaching and learning activities, both inside and outside of the classroom.

At Christian College, such feedback is shared with parents through various methods. In-time reporting through the SEQTA Engage platform, Parent Portal, SEQTA Notifications, sometimes via email, the assessment task itself, or verbally via a learning conference and finally on a student report distributed at the end of each semester.

You may be able to access your child’s progress with their learning through the SEQTA Engage platform, but also for students with a College device, we would encourage you to sit with your child and their device to see the work that they are doing in their digital learning platforms, such as the Microsoft Teams app, where summaries of the learning may be visible in the upcoming Assignments feature of Teams.

Qustodio Parent App

Supervise and Support Your Children on Digital Devices

This week we have communicated with all families who have a child who has enrolled with us as a new student in 2024. These parents have received an invitation and guide to activate their Qustodio parent account as part of our school program via email.

A reminder to parents that the Qustodio Parent App is available to all our parents to help them supervise and support their children with their online and digital interactions at home, on the school device and on personal devices.

While parents of new students to the College have received an email invitation to activate their Qustodio parent account, any parents in our community who have not yet done so can activate their account at any time if they wish. This help document will guide you in getting started.

In addition, these short video guides will help you:

• Creating a Qustodio parent account to connect to a child’s school account

• How to invite an additional parent/carer to join your Qustodio family account

• How parents can get help with Qustodio

• Getting started with your Qustodio parent account

I hope that parents will value and benefit from this tool available through our school program. I’d also like to remind parents that we have a Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum coming up on March 20, with more information to come shortly.

Cinderella – Be Quick - Tickets are Disappearing Fast!

There are still tickets available for our major College production this year, but they are going fast, so to ensure you don't miss out - book now! Join us as we present three very special performances of this delightful story featuring students from Years 6 – 12 with exceptional talent throughout the cast, and an orchestra brimming with outstanding student musicians, all backed up by a wonderful community of staff, students and families backstage.

Performances are at Geelong Arts Centre Play House Theatre on May 3 and 4.

To purchase tickets, visit our website and click on the hotlink on our homepage, or go straight to ticket sales by clicking here. 

ENVISAGE – a Helpful Support Service

We would like to bring to the attention of all parents/guardians and families a program that exists as a possible support for families in the Geelong region called ENVISAGE.

ENVISAGE is a program co-created by Australian and Canadian researchers, clinicians, and parents of children with developmental concerns and disabilities. Their mission is to “empower caregivers to feel confident and competent to navigate the experience of parenting a child or children with developmental concerns by embracing contemporary strengths-based ideas about health, wellbeing, and development”.

We have included this link to the ENVISAGE website should you wish to discover further information as to whether this service could be of benefit to your child and your family.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund

Financial Assistance for Eligible Parents

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. Support from CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities and forms part of the State Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is: • $150 for primary school students • $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application Forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Go to ‘Student Information’ > ‘Important Forms for Parents’) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

More Information

For the CSEF application closing dates and more information about the fund please visit this webpage

CSEF_Application_Form_2024

Find Yourself at our Open Day!

On March 5, all five Christian College campuses and two kindergartens are holding Open Days. Our Open Days provide the opportunity for parents and others interested in enrolling their children at Christian College to have a firsthand look at our College campuses, speak with campus leaders, participate in student-led tours of the facilities, visit classrooms in real time and have their questions answered.

We would encourage everyone in our Christian College community to spread the word and tell anyone you might know who is considering schooling options for their children about our Open Day and the opportunity to come and visit one or more campuses and/or our kinders, with no tour booking required.

Details are on our website – follow the hotlink on our homepage or click Homepage > Join > Open Days.

Opening times for March 5 are as follows:

Junior School-Belmont and Williams House Kindergarten – 9:15 – 10:45am

Bellarine Campus – 9:30 – 11:00am

Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House Kindergarten – 11:30am – 1:00pm

Middle School-Highton – 10:30am – 12:00 noon

Senior School – 11:30am – 1:00pm

We would love to see as many interested families as possible finding themselves at our Open Day!

Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon

The Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon is back on and has been scheduled for Friday, 24 May 2024.

You are invited to join us for lunch at the stunning Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

This is a fundraising event for the Foundation and an opportunity to hear about the success and progress of the College.

Our guest speaker is Jossy Chacko, Founder and President of Empart, a global ministry that exists to ignite holistic community transformation among needy communities.

Giving leadership to a team of over 13,000 people and offices in nine countries, Jossy travels around the world inspiring and challenging leaders to capture a larger God-size vision and not to waste gifts and opportunities. He is also the author of Madness! and Dare to Partner.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together. 

Secure your seat and book online today! 

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/gh

Golf Tournament 

Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.

You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.

There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!