Term 1 Week 7

From the Acting Principal

In my interactions with parents at various events over the past couple of weeks – welcome picnics, swimming carnivals and leadership inductions – I’ve taken the opportunity to ask a few questions about this very newsletter, The Vine. “Are you a regular reader?” “What’s your feedback on the content?” And “Is Friday afternoon the right time to receive it?”

It has been pleasing to learn that almost all parents I spoke to read The Vine weekly. They love learning of all the classroom and non-classroom activities taking place on their child’s campus each week – not just the ones relevant to their year level, but all the goings on, mindful that their child might partake in such activities in the not-too-distant future. And as for the Friday timing? Well, again, the vast majority expressed a strong like for receiving it at the end of the week. A welcome wrap-up, if you will, offering a glimpse into the highlights and achievements of the week. And, according to some, a great way to wind down on a Friday evening!

Like you, I’m also seeing The Vine hit my inbox on a Friday afternoon. I never tire of reading the latest happenings across all our campuses. The feedback from parents underscores the significance of The Vine as a means of fostering unity and connection within our broader school community. And the breadth of content, across subjects, year levels and campuses, in and out of the classroom, showcases the rich tapestry of experiences available to our students.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teachers for their commitment to keeping you, our parents, informed and connected through The Vine. Each week, staff at each campus go to great lengths to ensure that the content resonates with you, offering an insight into your child’s schooling experience and the wonderful community to which they belong.

From the Head of Campus

For those that attended our face-to-face conferences on Tuesday, the first such ones since before the COVID pandemic,  it was lovely to feel the vibe and continue the connect.

A total of 165 face-to-face interviews were booked and conducted across both Junior and Middle School.  Next Tuesday, sees the second night of conferences, this time as a Teams online meet – something we are all now experienced at. So far, 155 of these are booked. I am also trialing our staff conducting these conferences in the comfort of their homes and as such, allowing some staff to leave early and others to leave as the students do, at 3:30.pm.There will be a rush to the car park on Tuesday!

 I was interested to see how these numbers would play out and was not overly surprised by the result.  Moving forward, our next conferences will be in August, with dates and format to be confirmed.  I am interested in receiving any feedback around the two formats we have run in Term 1. Please email me directly, a.platt@ccg.vic.edu.au  if you would like to give feedback.

What’s Happening at Bellarine

Week 8

• Monday 18 March Piano Performance Night
• Tuesday 19 March House Athletics Carnival
• Tuesday 19 March Digital Student Learning Conferences – 4:00PM
• Wednesday 20 March Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum
• Thursday 21 March Harmony Day, whole campus picnic
• Thursday 21 March Woodwind Performance Night
• Friday 22 March Coin Trail and Homeroom Coin images for Project Care
• Sunday 24 March Cinderella College Production Rehearsal, full cast 10:00 – 5:00PM

Week 9

• Monday 25 March NAPLAN Concludes
• Monday 25 March Year 8 GEOS camp departs
• Monday 25 March Eltham HS Bands visits – Year 5/6 concert
• Wednesday 27 March Prep Alphabet Activity Day
• Wednesday 27 March Strings Performance Night
• Thursday 28 March Easter Extravaganza, Bonnet Parade and Service
• Thursday 28 March Year 8 GEOS camp returns
• Thursday 28 March Term 1 studies conclude, 2:30PM dismissal.

Digital Technologies

It’s been an exciting term so far in Digital Technologies! All students from Prep to Year 8 have participated enthusiastically in Digi-Tech classes each week, creating an exciting and vibrant learning environment.

Prep students have been developing an understanding of the presence and role of digital technologies (computers) in their everyday lives and for a range of purposes – including in the classroom. Students have explored ‘What is a computer?’ and the basic features or components that make up a computer. There has also been an eSmart focus on safety and sharing of personal information.

Year 1 students have been developing an awareness of the potential dangers when accessing and sharing information online, and an understanding of what it means to behave in a responsible manner. As an extension of classroom rules, rules for online safety and acceptable behaviour online have been explored.

Year 2 students have looked at the changes to technology over time and how they have affected many aspects of life. They have explored the differences from how we lived in the past to the way we live today, and this is vastly due to technology, which has changed the way we work, travel, communicate and play. The students have also considered how changes in technology have impacted personal safety and privacy, and how understanding new technology can help us stay safe.

Division Swimming

On Tuesday this week, 11 Bellarine students and 12 Surf Coast students from Years 4, 5 and 6 headed to Kardinia Pool to participate in the Division Swimming. This was the first time a number of these students had participated in an interschool swimming event and in a very competitive field, they all did an amazing job, with many beating their own personal best times.

We had some success in the relays with both of the medley teams, and our 9/10-year-old boys freestyle relay teams finishing third in the North Geelong Division. In the individual events Ellie Cox finished third and Pippa Patterson finished seventh in the 12/13-year-old girls freestyle, Patrick Clark finished second in the 12/13-year-old male freestyle and butterfly, Jack Davis finished fifth in the 12/13-year-old male breaststroke, Harvey Stefanovski finished second in the 11-year-old male butterfly, Madison Borthwick finished second in the 11-year-old female breaststroke and Addison Dalton finished third in the 9/10-year-old female butterfly. Patrick, Harvey, and Madison have now qualified to compete in the regional swimming championships on Tuesday March 26. We wish them all the best and will follow their progress with interest.

It was great to see all of our CCG Eagles embracing the opportunity to compete and represent the College. They displayed our Sport Faculty mindset and values well at this event. 

Creative Sandwiches

The Year 6s have been busily working on their Creative Sandwich brief. They chose their ingredients from the Australian Healthy Guide to Eating chart and planned how they were going to prepare and present their ingredients. For some students it was the first time they’d been given free range to any equipment in a kitchen.

I am so proud of their results!

Year 8 Muffin Pop Up

The Food Studies centre has certainly been busy this week! The week started off with the Year 8 Muffin Pop Up stall which was enjoyed by Middle School students. There were seven different muffin varieties which were trialed and tested the previous week to ensure that the flavours were perfect. Students have enjoyed the process of calculating costs, making posters and free choice for their bake.  Profits made will be donated to next term’s Project Care fundraiser – The Salvation Army. Congratulations to all students involved!

Diving into Discovery

This week the Year 9 Marine Science students went on an excursion to Queenscliff as they embarked on the Sea All Dolphin boat. The day started with a marine debris collection activity, where students worked together to collect and record the rubbish they found. In class they have been exploring different global marine issues; plastic pollution being one of them. Then, we ventured out on the boat, exploring Port Phillip Bay and learning about the local marine life. 

Student highlights included seeing new species such as the Leafy Sea Dragon, getting up close with the seals at Pope’s Eye, hanging in the net, jumping off the top of the boat and hanging on to the back of the boat for a ‘duck spa’.

It was wonderful to see the students snorkelling with confidence after a term filled with various outdoor experiences.

Cupcake Challenge

This week, the Year 9 Food Studies class participated in the ‘Cupcake Challenge’. The students were tasked to make their own cupcake patties and cream cheese icing. Students also learn how to mix colours and pipe their patty.  This term there were 12 groups and competition was fierce.

Voters chose the ‘multi-coloured faces’ cupcakes, made by Marley Beasley and Everly Lawler, who took out the challenge – congratulations!

Community Music Strikes a Chord

The Bellarine Junior Choir hosted a delightful community singalong event yesterday, transforming their usual rehearsal into a heartwarming gathering. The children gave their special guests a sneak preview of some pieces that they were working on and then everyone joined forces for “Lean on Me” and “Viva La Vida”.  The experience was more than just singing together; it was a celebration of togetherness and the magic of a community coming together in song. Ripples of energy and the echo of tuneful voices lingered long after the last note was sung, leaving many eager for another opportunity to join in harmony. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our special guests.

The musical journey didn’t end there. Later in the day, another treat was in store, as nine musicians from Years 2-9 performed in a lunchtime concert. These are held several times each term, providing a relaxed platform for our students to showcase their talents and share their musical journey with their friends and family.

Harmony Week – Cooking Around the World

In supporting Harmony Week, which runs March 18-24, Food Studies and the Library are having a Cooking Around the World Challenge.  We invite all our students and families to get involved.  Choose one (or more) of the cultural recipes included here from Mexico, Italy, Japan, Indonesia or Australia.  Recipes have all been tested by the Bellarine Food Studies classes and can be adapted to feed the whole family.

What do you need to do!

• Choose a recipe
• Cook the recipe
• Take a photo while cooking
• Take a photo of your finished product with your family
• Upload your photos to https://forms.office.com/r/SQqmUBcRkb by Sunday 24th Please note: photos must be uploaded by the student.

The top 10 photos will be displayed in the library and in The Vine next week

Have fun cooking!

Classic Aussie Burger
Fettuccine Cabonara
Gyoza
Nasi Goreng Mee Goreng
Pasta Basic Recipe Pizza & Sauce Recipe for two
Quesadilla – Mexico Sushi

Geelong Mums – Let’s Fill a Boot!

Don’t forget our first Project Care drive for 2024 is for Geelong Mums. See the list below for items they need. We are a long way off our target of filling a car boot at the moment, so please give what you can – every little helps! Thank you 😊

Rostrum Voice of Youth 2024

Entries for the 2024 Australian Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition are now open. This competition is renowned as the premier public speaking competition in Australia and is the only one conducted by a public speaking organisation.

Students have the opportunity to represent our school at the Geelong Regional Heats and Semi Finals on Sunday 21 April (entries close on Wednesday 17 April), at Oberon High School. The Victorian State Final will be held on Sunday 23 June and the National Final will be held in Hobart on Saturday 27 July.

Students from Bellarine Campus have been involved in previous years. Students over 11 years of age as of 1 January 2024 and in Years 7, 8 or 9 are eligible to enter. If students are interested in being involved, they can contact either Mrs Joanne Lowe or Mr Wayne Durran for further details. More information can also be found here.

Spotlight on Music – Felix Drums up a Storm!

Felix Rankin from Year 10 was invited to perform as a “Young Guest Artist” with the Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra featuring a piece of his choice at the Paris Cat in Melbourne. 

The DMJO has been a cornerstone of the Australian Music scene since the 1980's, supporting countless local and international solo artists. They came into their stride in the 90's as the studio band for "Hey Hey Its Saturday". 

A week before Felix's performance, when the resident drummer became unavailable, he was asked to step up and play the entire two-hour gig. Members of the DMJO (who are music directors themselves) were blown away by Felix’s preparation and performance on the night. 

Here is a snapshot of his feature piece "Magic Flea" by Sammy Nestico, from the Count Basie recordings

Doing the Right Thing on our Buses

I have noticed a decline in the overall behaviour of some students on our bus network, which is something we take very seriously. We have seen some significant damage to bus seats (cuts / slashes) and an increase in graffiti on seats and other surfaces of the bus. Please note, this behaviour will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary action will follow, including the reimbursement of costs associated with repairing damage, if applicable.

We ask all parents to please remind your children that damaging the buses disadvantages everyone who uses them, and to encourage those who witness this sort of behaviour to either email schoolbustravel@ccg.vic.edu.au or talk to their home room teacher. We will ensure that their identity remains anonymous.

Most importantly, appropriate behaviour on our buses is vital for the safety of all passengers and drivers.

Please click on this link to a YouTube video as a reminder of how to travel safely on our bus network:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN5SfNHr37s

I would like us all to work together to ensure that we are operating the safest possible bus service every day and thank you in anticipation for your assistance in achieving this.

CCG Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum

Thank you to the parents and guardians who have responded and registered for this upcoming event next Wednesday evening. Based on your responses to date, here are the top 5 topics parents are most interested in exploring on the night:

• Protecting my child from harmful or inappropriate content
• Screen time - finding a healthy balance
• Parental controls
• Cyber bullying
• Making informed parental decisions about specific apps and games

We’re especially excited about the opportunity on this evening for some rich sharing and discussion amongst parents attending and will also share information on how the school can support you and your children in this space, at school and at home.

As this event is intended for interactive participation by attendees in a forum-style format, there will not be a recording available.

This event will be suitable and relevant for parents of students of all ages, from Prep through to Year 12. This one-hour forum will involve a combination of information and support from the College, as well as an opportunity to share and discuss challenges and strategies with fellow parents.

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. 

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

Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion

The Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024. Join us at Blackman's Brewery Geelong from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Thursday, 28th March 2024 at 5:00pm. 

This will be a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your peers, catch up with past teachers, and reminisce about your school days. 

Tours of the College Clocktower at Middle School - Highton will also be optional on the day of the reunion, if you would like to climb the Clocktower and find your brick, simply book in when you register. 

For those who would like to have a tour of the College grounds, please head to our website to arrange a tour. 

We look forward to catching up with the Class of 2014. If this is your year group, spread the word and register for your 10 Year Reunion today!  

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/2014

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!