From the Acting Principal
Despite some chilly weather this week, the sun shone brightly on the start of this new term. It was a pleasure to get to many of the campus commencement assemblies on Monday and to witness the buzz of excitement among the students as they reconnected with their peers and teachers after the holidays. These first day gatherings, coming off a three-week midyear break for students, provided a wonderful opportunity to set a positive tone for the second half of the year. Our College Captains, Molly Cooper and Seth Wilkinson, shared an encouraging message around the importance of self-care, not only at the Senior Campus assembly, but in visits to Highton, Bellarine and Belmont assemblies as well. We are blessed as a community to have two such leaders as Molly and Seth, who show such genuine care for the wellbeing of all students, no matter what age or what campus they are from.
Last week, staff returned for our annual Staff Retreat. Held over Thursday and Friday, this year’s theme, “Here to Serve”, gave us an opportunity to look outward, and we did so in practical and meaningful ways on Thursday afternoon through a range of organised community service activities. These included, just to name a few, beach cleanups along our beautiful coastline, blood and plasma donation, knitting blankets for bereavement support, biscuit-making for Bellarine Foodbank, meal preparation for the McKellar Centre Palliative Care Unit, working with various Landcare groups and Op Shop volunteering. The Christian College philosophical statement expresses our desire to apply Christ’s teaching of love, justice and compassion and to experience an afternoon where over 300 committed and caring staff of Christian College were able to outwork this was truly incredible. Here’s just a few examples of the positive feedback given by staff about this day: “It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community”; “Every part of the retreat fostered a great sense of community and fellowship”; “it was a real out of my comfort zone experience”.
At the Staff Retreat each year, we have an opportunity at a formal dinner to acknowledge those staff who have milestone years of service at the College. This year, we recognised 25 staff with 10 years of service, twelve with 15 years and four with 20 years of service. The loyalty and faithful service of so many staff, be it teachers or professional support staff, over such a long period of time in our relatively short 43 years of history, is a wonderful blessing to this community.
I would like to acknowledge our Dean of Christian Culture, Mia Kafieris, for her instrumental work in not only organising and leading the Staff Retreat, but also for her continued care for and spiritual nourishment for our entire community.
With spring approaching and the new life that it brings, I pray that our students will, throughout Term 3, find new opportunities and new experiences in which to grow their knowledge, their skills, their character, their friendships and their faith.
Rick Geall, Acting Principal
From the Head of Campus
It has been wonderful to hear and see the joy and laughter of our young people in their first week back for Term 3. There is much to look ahead to as the term progresses with curriculum focused trips and excursions and specialist camps across the year levels, to 2024 subject expos and elective subject selection coming up for Middle School students. I look forward to connecting with students and families through these various events.
It was wonderful to have a full campus assembly on Monday afternoon, where all of our students from Prep to Year 9 literally looked left and right of themselves in the Auditorium and recognised they belong to something much bigger. They are each important and valuable members of our Bellarine community. Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Ash Skinner, Acting Principal Mr Rick Geall and College Captains, Seth Wilkinson and Molly Cooper, each shared valuable messages with our young people that spoke to the important responsibility that each one of us has to reflect God’s goodness of love and kindness to one another, and our broader College community. From this approach we can continue to grow a school environment where each member of our community can thrive, being the best person they can be in their learning and in their relationships.
I wish both families and students well for the term ahead.
Nicholas Watson, Head of Campus
Term 3 Commencement Assembly
Returning to school on July 17, Bellarine campus students were involved in a commencement assembly to celebrate the beginning of Term 3. Local Wadawurrung traditional owner, Ash Skinner, shared a Welcome to Country and encouraged the students to share and cherish their own stories and embrace their individual family heritages.
College Captains, Seth Wilkinson and Molly Cooper, both shared with the students around the theme of mental health awareness, particularly sharing strategies for taking responsibility for our own mental health maintenance such as healthy eating, drinking enough water, regular exercise and limiting device use. They shared that although these elements of our lives may seem unimportant, quite often setting ourselves up with healthy routines can make a huge positive impact towards maintaining good mental health.
Acting Principal Mr Rick Geall spoke to the students about the value of coaches in our lives, encouraging the students to see their teachers as taking a similar role to the coach of a team, with the coach often seeing a bigger picture and making recommendations based on this perspective.
This assembly was a great way to kick off what is sure to be a productive term filled with many wonderful learning opportunities and experiences.
Andrew Platt, Deputy Head of Campus
A Visit From Professor Bunsen
On Tuesday July 19 the Bellarine Year 1 and 2 students participated in an exciting and engaging incursion with Professor Bunsen. The incursion provoked interest our Term 3 Integrated Studies topic, ‘Materials and Movement’. Through hands-on experiments and demonstrations, Professor Bunsen introduced concepts of matter and forces and piqued the students’ curiosity around these ideas.
They learned the difference between solids, liquids and gases, how each of these materials change and the way heat can be used to effect change. The children enthusiastically participated in experiments as the scientific concepts were made clear with Professor Bunsen sharing ‘this is SCIENCE not Magic!’
How gravity works and is always ‘on’ and the way push and pull forces create movement was explored in the second part of the incursion, culminating with a rocket demonstration that the children were able to participate in. Another highlight of this part of the incursion was riding on a ‘hoverboard’ which was powered by a leaf blower.
At the end of the session the children shared that they were enthusiastic and excited about the new Science topic and many expressed interest in ‘becoming scientists’ when they were older!
We were lucky enough to have both Acting Principal Mr Rick Geal and Director of Teaching and Learning – Science Mrs Elissa Huddart join us for parts of the incursion, who both commented on the level of engagement shown by the students.
Year 2 students have written some reflections below.
Year 1 and 2 teachers
There was a bottle with a small entry and Professor Bunsen squeezed a medium balloon into the bottle. He got a lighter and put it through a hole in the bottle and the balloon went in. He also got a special food colouring and dyed the water in a glass bottle. He got an assistant and got them to put their hand around it, and the water moved to the top of the experiment bottle. The science behind this is that hot things have energy in them and it can make things move. The energy comes from your body and it can go into things. It went into the glass bottle and it moved the water up to the top.
Edith
Professor Bunsen put Mentos in a coke bottle outside and exploded it like a rocket. He frightened nearly everyone. It showed that if you put gas into a bottle, it can’t be contained in a bottle, so the lid will come off and it will explode out. Professor Bunsen got some liquid and put it in a bucket and he swung it around and it didn’t come out of the bucket as it had been turned into foam. The liquid had been changed into a solid with something special. It was really cool. He also turned pink and red Fanta into orange Fanta. I loved the two shows.
Chloe P
Professor had a bin with hole in the top and covered the top with plastic wrap. He used a smoke machine to put the smoke in to the bin, and it came shooting out of the top of the bin in a huge circle and then he did a small version with a small circle. I got to touch them both. He got another bottle that was a volcano shape and he put hot water in it with a balloon on top. He put hot water and soap in it and the bubbles rose and rose until the heat blew the balloon up and then when he put ice around it and turned the heat off, the balloon deflated and went back inside. It taught me that when you put cold water on hot water it changes things in the opposite direction.
Caolan
On Tuesday we watched some experiments with Professor Bunsen. He turned cotton into gas and made a balloon deflate up and then back into the bottle by putting air in and then taking it out. He made Hunter fly! He got a big plate with a hole in it and a leaf blower and then he put the leaf blower in the hole and leaf blower lifted Hunter into the air. It was only a centimetre, but it was very cool. He put some water in a bucket and swung it around in circles but it didn’t fall out! It had turned into gelatin which is a solid which is why it didn’t fall out – it didn’t flow like water does. I learned about solids and liquids and gases. It was really cool and fun. It was only my second day at Christian College and it was a good day!
Mabel
On Tuesday we watched some Science experiments in the Grade 4 Learning Space. What I liked the most was when Professor Bunsen put water in a small bucket. He swung the bucket left and right and over his head. After he swung the bucket, this might be surprising, but it wasn’t water any more, it was gelatin! The reason was probably because he put gelatin powder inside the bucket sneakily beforehand. I also liked when he called us outside and he put some bottles on to a rocket launcher thing and he pumped and pumped and shot the bottles into the air. I learned that just by swinging water and gelatin in a bucket you can change a liquid into a solid, and many other things about solids, liquids and gases. It was a very interesting visit.
Nora
Professor Bunsen got a lighter and lit cotton on fire, then he said that the cotton was now a gas in the room. It had moved from a solid to a gas. I liked seeing the fire. It made me understand solids to gases. Professor Bunsen put a barbie on top of a Coke bottle and pumped it up. The gas from the coke made her fly right up to the top of the tree. I cheered. He put ink all over himself and Boh and he said our breath would dry it. It became invisible ink! It disappeared, but it is still there until you wash it. I also liked when he had Raph as his assistant and they stood far apart and stretched ‘Stretch Armstrong’ and tied him up. Stretch Armstrong then unravelled himself.
Dylan
Bellarine Book Week Celebrations
The 2023 Book Week theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’. During this term, the students will be exploring the books, authors and illustrators that have been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.
This year, Book Week runs from August 19 – 25 with students taking part in a variety of exciting activities during the week, however, due to other events on the College calendar, the Junior School Book Week Parade will take place on Thursday August 17.
As a celebration of Book Week, the Prep – Year 4 students are encouraged to dress up as a character from a storybook that they treasure. During the first session of the day on Thursday August 17, all Junior School students will participate in a parade in the Auditorium with parents most welcome to join us for the celebrations. Costumes can be as simple or extravagant as you like. Some of the most outstanding costumes that we have seen over the years have been created using clothes and items that have been found around the house. I encourage some creative thinking and design.
Whilst the children will be participating in valuable educational activities and a time of positive learning together, this day also provides them with a wonderful opportunity to develop enthusiasm for all kinds of literature and assists in encouraging their innate love of books and reading.
We are sure this celebration of learning will be thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Sarah Marian, Leonie Stephenson, Jenny Morey
The Library Team
Words Shape Worlds
In Term 3, Year 7 students will participate in an interdisciplinary English-Humanities unit titled Words Shape Worlds. As part of this, students will explore various forms of poetry (including Limerick, Haiku, Gospel, collaborative poem creation and Slam Poetry) all while considering why words matter.
It will also be an opportunity to look more deeply into our local communities, using census data to determine who makes up the community, its cultural identity etc. Students will explore their own values and beliefs in relation to the communities they are part of, with the unit culminating in students writing a free verse poem on a topic of choice (with the option of sharing this in our Year 7 Slam Poetry Competition), as well as identifying a local issue they wish to raise awareness of via a one-minute entry for the national Videos for Change competition – in which one of our Year 7 students last year was a joint winner!
We can’t wait to see what students create, as well as the connections with community they make.
Victoria Kent
Aaron Loats
Matthew Burgess
Year 8 Textiles
Semester 2 Elective subjects started this term with much excitement and enthusiasm. In Textiles, Year 8 students refamiliarised themselves with threading and using sewing machines. They were challenged to practise a range of stitches and sewing skills, with many overcoming challenges and frustrations which are likely familiar to any regular stitcher!
A range of exciting and creative projects are being planned by the students as they look towards the Art, Technology and Design Festival in November, watch this space!
Julie Leo
Year 8 and 9 Japanese Cooking
On the last day of Term 2, the two Japanese Year 8 classes merged and make Yakionigiri (Grilled rice ball with seaweed paper). The Year 9 Japanese class joined in too.
As the students cooked the Yakionigiri by themselves, it is hoped they have now learnt something that they can cook at home.
Adam Reidy
Reports and Learning Conferences
Semester 1 Summative Academic Reports have now been delivered electronically and are available today for viewing through the Parent Portal, via the ‘Reports’ tab in SEQTA Engage.
The Semester 1 Report has been prepared by teaching staff to provide you with an overview of how your child has performed academically. This is a summary of all results accumulated throughout this semester and is presented on a continuum corresponding to the relevant Australian Curriculum Standards for each subject and year level. The degree of self-management your child has demonstrated in each subject studied is also included, as is a Homeroom Report to provide you with an overview of your child’s general participation and character shown within their class. An Instrumental Report has been included for those students receiving individual tuition on an Instrument.
Parents are encouraged to continue to access specific academic data, teacher feedback and marks derived throughout the semester via the Parent Portal (SEQTA Engage).
Learning Conferences
Please be aware that our Learning Conferences will be held ONLINE via TEAMS video conference from 4pm – 6.00pm on Monday, August 7, and from 4pm – 8.00pm on Wednesday, August 9.
Booking information for Learning Conferences will be forwarded in the coming weeks.
Andrew Platt, Deputy Head of Campus
Important VET Information and Subject Selection for 2024
Vocational Education Training (VET) is offered as a subject in Year 10, 11 and 12 at CCG Senior Campus. Students travel off campus to either The Gordon or a government or catholic school (non-Gordon) who offer the courses one afternoon a week. Year 10 students who select VET also study VCE VM Unit 1 Work Related Skills over the whole year and complete one week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE (ATAR) students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and VET tab located in the Senior School Hub on SEQTA.
VET Course Information, Application Processes and Dates for 2024
- SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
- Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
- Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non-Gordon supplier.
- APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE. Choose PM classes only.
NON-GORDON COURSES (GOVERNMENT AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL OFFERINGS)
COURSE INFORMATION AND HARD COPY APPLICATION FORMS can be found on the Senior School Hub under the VET tab and at CCG campus student offices. All Year 9,10 and 11 students and parents will be informed via email.
A HARD COPY APPLICATION FORM FOR NON-GORDON COURSES IS TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO CCG Senior Campus student office via email to [email protected]
HARD COPY APPLICATIONS are now open for all 2024 Year 10 – 12 students for NON- GORDON COURSES closing August 18 for CCG students.
GORDON COURSES
Course information and online application links can be found on the Senior School Hub under the VET tab on SEQTA.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 1 for VCE, VCE VM & VPC STUDENTS ONLY and AUGUST 15 for YEAR 10 STUDENTS. ONLINE APPLICATIONS CLOSE for all CCG students on AUGUST 18.
General Information
VET placements are highly sought after so early applications are highly recommended. Most VET courses run over 2 years. VET typically runs on Wednesday afternoons for first year students and Monday afternoons for second year students.
Year 10 VET students’ study VCE Unit 1 Work Related Skills for three periods a week and attend VET for two periods a week. They do a work placement in the first week of the holidays at the end of Term 2.
CCG provides transport to VET – students make their own way home from their courses. VET courses incur an additional fee that is course dependent. CCG offers a subsidy on VET courses.
Note that applications for SBAT courses typically 1 year duration unless a trade, can be made using the Non-Gordon hard copy VET application form until a new one becomes available.
For any queries about VET or SBAT please contact Kerryn Fearnsides at Senior Campus on 5241 1577 or at [email protected]
VET COURSES available for Secondary Students 2024
Kerryn Fearnsides, Vocational Pathways Coordinator
Welcome to Senior School 2024 Information Evening
Last night we were thrilled to host an evening with the students and families who will be joining us as Year 10 students in 2024. This evening is part of our larger transition program and we hope that it was a valuable and informative session. A video from the presentation is available to parents below.
All of the information shared at this session is available through the Senior School Hub and we encourage students and families to look through it, especially the Subject Information booklets and the Pathways Mapping software. We look forward to hosting you again next week at the Senior School Information Evening, Wednesday 26 July, where families and students can explore subject offerings and learning pathways at Senior School.
Dianne Martin, Deputy Head of Senior School
Discover Prep Week
During Discover Prep Week, August 7 – 11, three CCG campuses are offering interested parents, families and guardians the opportunity to get a firsthand view of Prep at Junior School-Belmont, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus. Our Prep programs are unparalleled and we invite anyone interested in enrolling children in Prep in 2024 and beyond, to come and visit, join a class, see our facilities, speak with teachers and campus leaders and have their questions answered. There are multiple opportunities at each of the three campuses to participate.
We would encourage our College community to spread the word about Discover Prep Week to anyone who is considering school choices for their children in 2024 and beyond.
All details, including booking information for sessions, can be found on our Discover Prep Week webpage – hit the hotlink on our homepage or click here to access it.
Scholarship Applications are Now Open!
Each year Christian College offers Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5, 7 and 10 levels. Applications are now open for this year’s scholarships, which apply to entry in 2025, at three campuses – Middle School-Highton, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus.
Year 10 entry applies to Senior School-Waurn Ponds only.
To find out more, and to apply, visit our website and look for the homepage hotlink, or click here.
Scholarship applications are open to students who do not currently attend Christian College, as well as those who are currently enrolled here. Scholarship examinations will be held at Christian College on Saturday October 7. Closing date for applications is Thursday, September 28.
Foundation Golf Day 2023
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are delighted to announce the Christian College Foundation Golf Day tournament for 2023.
Save the date: Thursday November 9.
We are seeking prizes for this event – if you own a local business and are interested in creating partnership opportunities with Christian College, please contact Fiona Provan on 0400 477 467, or email [email protected]
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
It’s easy to rush through a cup of tea or coffee and forget to stop and appreciate the moment.
Take time out now to simply appreciate being able to breathe in fresh air. Take a long slow breath and feel it rejuvenate every cell.
Make that your intention and watch your body smile from the inside 👍❤️
Discover more about MYTERN here
