Term 2 Week 1

From the Acting Principal

This week, returning from the holiday break, I’ve been reminded of the incredible privilege I have to work at a school that has five campuses across our region and approximately 2000 students from Prep all the way to Year 12. I had the pleasure of being accompanied by our College captains, Brianna Bolger and Jett Milburn, as I visited each of the campuses for their Term 2 commencement assemblies. It was wonderful to observe Brianna and Jett receiving such warm and enthusiastic welcomes from students of all ages and, likewise, for the two captains to engage so effortlessly in meaningful, positive interactions with their audiences.

One of the highlights was a visit to a Junior School Prep classroom, where Brianna and Jett got down on the floor with the students to learn how to draw polar bears. It was a special moment, one that had Brianna and Jett, knowing what they know about life, adolescence and growing up, reflecting afterward how important it is to preserve childhood innocence.

Unearth Your Treasure Within!

Open Day and Prep Discovery Days

For those considering a Christian College education for their children, regardless of year level, we believe the best way to get a true 'look and feel' of our College is to come and see us in action. That’s why we offer open days where interested parents and guardians have the opportunity to tour our campuses, see real classes in real time, meet students, teachers and campus leaders and have their specific questions answered.

Our second Open Day for 2024 at all five campuses, plus Butterfield House Kindergarten, is on May 7. Opening times have been planned so there is an opportunity to visit more than one campus on the same day. Bellarine Campus will open its doors from 9:30 to 11:00am; Middle School-Highton from 10:30am to 12 noon; Senior School-Waurn Ponds from 11:30am to 1pm; Junior School-Belmont from 9:15 to 10:45am and Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House from 11:30am to 1pm. Evening sessions are offered at two campuses on the day – Junior School (at 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30pm) and Surf Coast Campus (at 4:30, 4:45 and 5:00pm).

Then on May 8 and 9, we are again offering a Prep Discovery experience at our Bellarine, Belmont and Surf Coast Campuses. These days are for those parents and guardians interested in enrolling in Prep. There is an opportunity for them, and their children, to actually join a Prep class for an immersive experience – and find out more about our amazing Prep program at three campuses. For those interested in attending one of these free sessions, we ask for a booking so we can properly accommodate everyone who wants to attend. More details on both Open Day and Prep Discovery sessions, including a link to book a Prep Discovery place, can be found on our website.

We would ask all current Christian College families who have friends, other family members or colleagues who are making choices about the right school for their child(ren), to spread the word and encourage them to visit one or more of our campuses on May 7, and/or be part of our Prep Discovery program on May 8/9.  

What’s Happening at Bellarine

Week 2

• Monday 22 April Year 3-4 Camp Sunny Stones depart
• Wednesday 24 April Year 3-4 Camp Sunny Stones return
• Wednesday 24 April Prep Discovery Learning
• Wednesday 24 April ANZAC Service
• Thursday 25 April PUBLIC HOLIDAY
• Thursday 25 April ANZAC March on Princess St (meet at Drysdale RSL at 10:15AM)
• Friday 26 April Year 9 LOTE visit to Japanese Consulate

Week 3

• CINDERELLA PRODUCTION WEEK
• Tuesday 30 April Year 9 Op Shop Excursion
• Thursday 2 May Year 5-6 School Sport Winter Carnival
• Friday 3 May Prep ‘50 Days of School’
• Friday 3 May Cinderella – 7:00PM
• Saturday 4 May Cinderella – 12:30PM and 5:30PM

Term 2 Commencement Service

After lunch on our first day back on Tuesday this week, the whole campus came together in the Auditorium for our Term 2 Commencement Service. And, for the first time, this was led completely by our Bellarine Prefect team – from the welcome and Acknowledgement of Country right through to the closing prayer.

The theme these student leaders decided on was new beginnings – linking in with the Easter message we closed with at the end of Term 1. They also touched on the importance of both resilience and perseverance, engaged their audience with the visual link of a Jenga game, then tied it all together with the parable of the builders.

A highlight was having the visiting Senior School College Captains Brianna Bolger and Jett Milburn play the Jenga game before our Preps worked together to rebuild what had fallen down.

I think those in the audience would agree that this group of Year 9s should be very proud of what they were able to come together to lead.

Easter Services Last day of Term 1

Well what a day!!!

On the last day of Term 1 we had two Easter Services, one for Junior school students and families and one later in the morning for Middle school. The services focused upon Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. The story of Easter. The services involved students from junior school up to the prefects and House leaders in Year 9.

There were Bible readings from the New Testament book of John about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Together with prayers, singing, a dance with students and staff placing flowers and greenery on the cross at the front of the auditorium signifying the wonderful hope and forgiveness we each individually can have in what Christ has done for us on the cross and beyond.

Colouring Our World

Year 5 art students have begun their painting unit this week. Colour mixing is a fun, hands-on way to teach how primary colours produce secondary and tertiary colours. How tints and shades create depth and light and how the three primary colours are the source of all colours we find in our world.

Colour is an important design element that the students create with. The right colour can convey the desired mood and a sense of harmony.

This week the Year 5 students explored and experimented, creating their own artist palettes. They predicted, problem-solved and gained understanding with greater accuracy the cause and effect through observing how colours blended together.

Creating an artist palette teaches and encourages students to not mix too much paint as well. A good colour mix shows the original colours used and the new mix itself.  Technique and control are practised as they learn not to overmix and avoid dulling the colours.

We focused hard and had a lot of fun.

C4-6 District Cross Country 2024

On Thursday this week, a selected group of Year 4, 5 and 6 students headed off to Eastern Park to participate in the District Cross Country. All students represented the College well, giving their best effort and achieving some excellent results. This was the first time many of our students had completed the loop at Eastern Gardens and they did a great job of navigating the terrain throughout the course.

We had a number of students finish in the top 10 this year, with the top 8 finishers going through to the next stage. A special mention to Arabella Wescott who finished in ninth place, just missing out on qualifying.

Congratulations to the following students who finished in the top 8 and will now progress to the Division Cross Country on Tuesday May 14.

Penny Lyngcoln- 9/10 girls- Seventh place

Annabelle Hunt- 11 girls- Fourth place

Lexie Strachan- 12/13 girls- Third place

Ellie Cox- 12/13 girls- Fifth place

Patrick Clark- 12/13 boys- Fourth place

We wish these students all the best and will follow their progress with interest.

Exploring Nature and Building Resilience: Year 8 GEOS Camp

We’re excited to share with you the adventures and experiences the Year 8 students had during the recent Year 8 GEOS Camp! Students camped amidst the Anglesea heathland, where they immersed themselves in nature, learning, and personal growth.

The camp offered a unique opportunity for our students to disconnect from the digital world and connect with the natural beauty surrounding them. From pitching tents to cooking dinner on trangias, every moment was a chance for our students to cultivate independence and resilience.

One of the highlights of the camp was the diverse range of activities that challenged our students to step out of their comfort zones. Each day brought new adventures, including bike riding through winding trails, kayaking along Painkalac Creek, and bushwalking through the Otways. These activities not only provided physical challenges but also encouraged patience, leadership and kindness.

Year 9 Prefect Fundraiser: Cash for cans

Have you seen those blue and orange can and bottle recycling stations popping up everywhere? We (a group of your Year 9 Prefects) have. That is why, we have started a new fundraiser that is set up around the Bellarine campus. In this, we will be using the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme to raise funds for Project Care causes, supporting Bean Break and other events around the College.

We have some tubs set up in the barn in which students are encouraged to leave empty cans or bottles. It would be very much appreciated if you could rinse out the cans/bottles before bringing them in. Please do not crush cans or remove labels from bottles.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated, so long as they follow the regulations that you can find at this website: Victoria‘s Container Deposit Scheme | Find Eligible Containers (cdsvic.org.au).

Let’s see how many cans we can get and cash we can raise!

Abhi Sanjeev, Lucy Rogers, Alex Norgard
Year 9 Prefects

The Easter Experience!!!

On Monday all Christian College staff met at the Highton campus and during the commencement service the staff were challenged with a number of questions relating to Easter.

I’ll share them with you..

1. What word best describes your experience of Lent?

My response was……HOPE.

2. What was the Easter weekend like for you?

In part a reflection of what Jesus Christ did for me.

3. Most meaningful moment?

It was wonderful to share the message of Easter with our students in the week prior to Good Friday.

4. What is God resurrecting and bringing new life to?

Just an appreciation of the lengths Christ went through so that I/we can have the opportunity to be forgiven and experience deep hope for the future.

If we allow, these questions can provoke each of us to investigate and explore the real meaning of Easter in each of our lives.

I’ll leave them with you.

ANZAC Service

We warmly invite you to our campus ANZAC Service on Wednesday at 2pm.

The service will be held near the Year 9 deck in our Middle School area, subject to weather conditions. If the weather is inclement, we will relocate to the gym floor.

As a campus we are also participating in the Drysdale ANZAC Service and welcome any Bellarine students who wish to join with us to march and lay a wreath on behalf of our campus.

If your child would like to march, please meet Gary Crole and Nicola Morrish at the RSL at 10.00am on Thursday and wear Full College uniform.

Library News

Scholastic Book Club

The Scholastic Book Club is on again!  Students in Prep to Year 6 should have received the latest Scholastic catalogue this week. For your information, there will be two Book Club catalogues this term. All orders must be submitted online via scholastic.com.au/LOOP and paid for via credit card.  Orders are due by May 2.   

Please note: Cash orders are no longer accepted.

Junior Library Schedule

Junior Library classes have begun this week with students excitedly borrowing their chosen books. The following is a list of days their library classes are timetabled.  Can you please remind your child/ren to bring their borrowed library books on their day.

Prep D and Prep – Tuesday

Year 1D & 1S – Wednesday

Year 2D & 2S – Tuesday

Year 3D & 3S – Monday

Year 4D & 4S – Monday

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. 

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!