From the Head of Campus
What an incredible term it has been for the Bellarine Campus community. We have experienced a rich term of learning that has been uninterrupted, enabling the full extent of both our classroom and extra-curricular programs. A flick back through the Vine archive is testimony to how much has actually been achieved this term. Our students have been settled and incredibly engaged in their learning this term, and for the staff team, it has been extremely rewarding to see our young people not only thriving in their learning, but to be embracing the spirit of being in community as a campus.
As a campus this year, we have intentionally set out to enhance our ‘student experience’ of school. This is particularly important on the back of what has been an unsettling past few years of school for our students. We have prioritised investment in quality effective teaching and learning, learning designed to capture a curiosity and desire to ‘know’ more within classrooms across all curricular areas. Secondly, through the provision of opportunities for students to engage with one another, formally and informally across year levels, be it through our assemblies, Project Care events, themed days, house-based events, camps, trips and excursions. It is a privilege to be able to observe the benefits of these things amongst our students and I’m thankful to the staff team for the passion and enthusiasm they have shown throughout this busy term, providing our students with the ‘learning that matters’.
I wish to thank our families for your ongoing support and partnership with our College in the education of your young person this term. While it is difficult to believe that we are already three quarters of the way through 2022, we are very excited about all that Term 4 has install for the students of the Bellarine Campus. I wish all our community a restful break and a blessed time with family and friends and look forward to seeing our students when they return to commence Term 4 on Tuesday 4th October.
RUOK?
On Monday this week, Bellarine Campus held its RUOK? Day event.
The students met in the Gym and listened to a talk about becoming a champion with the message of RUOK?
A conversation involving the four steps below could change a life!
Ask R U OK?
Listen
Encourage action
Check in – R U OK?
Each of us as a community can inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
The students were encouraged and reminded that you don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener.
It was a fun day full of energy, with a sausage sizzle and activity throughout the campus, which encouraged a community atmosphere that everyone benefits from. A big thank you to all staff who contributed wonderfully to the day.
Middle School Guest Speaker – Scott Darlow
Scott, a Yorta Yorta descendant, is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and didgeridoo player. He has sold more than 50,000 albums worldwide and has extensively toured Australia, Asia and the USA.
During the day, Scott met with the different Middle School year levels. He told some wonderful and often startling stories passed down from his elders, and intrigued students with use of digeridoo, guitar and loop pedal.
Students gained a deeper insight into how culture is formed and how important it is to our Indigenous people. Scott also covered a detailed history of Australia including the migration and settling of many different peoples since 1788 and the impact this has had on Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people.
The culmination of Scott’s session with the Year 9s was the acronym, FLUTE – which stands for Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy. He talked about why and how each of those words, when employed in our lives – are so powerful and life-changing. Scott highlighted that, moving forward, this generation of students have the potential to create and bring about change that could impact reconciliation in our amazing country.
Cupcake Challenge
The Year 9 Food Studies class ended the term with the much anticipated ‘Cupcake Challenge’. The students were tasked to make their own cupcake patties, delicious cream cheese icing and decide how they would decorate their patty. It was a very close competition with many worthy winners. Voters finally chose the gorgeous pink tone cupcake with gold dusting and sprinkles made by Asta Kapitelli and Sahara Stephenson – congratulations.
Karaoke and Netball a Great Finish to Term 3!
What a joyful and fun way to close out Term 3 for our Middle School students. The Auditorium was pumping to classic tunes presented by our very own talented musicians Ms Sharon Huber and Mr Martin deMarte, who led the inaugural House Karaoke championship. There was robust singing, dancing, house dress up and air guitar play offs. In the end though, after stretching the vocal chords of all students, the judging panel awarded Penman the 2022 House Karaoke Champions.
From singing to netball, the final of the Year 8 and 9 House Netball Championship was played. Burrows and Flynn played off for 3rd and 4th, while the championship event was played over two halves between Penman and Taylor. It was a quality game of netball, however Penman with a quality line up of experienced players were just too strong, and have taken away the trophy for this year.
We have been really impressed with our student participation in these activities – they have been very supportive and encouraging of one another and was a fine way to finish the term.
Semester 2 Weekly Maths Challenge Number 10
The final week of Term 3 and the 10th edition of the weekly mathematics conundrums and logical questions. Each week a different maths question is posed to share the fun of mathematical trivia. Share the delight with your family and friends and amaze them with your maths skills!
Did you get last week’s answer? Check out the solution below.
Challenge Number 9 solution
This famous river crossing problem is known as the “bridge and torch” puzzle. Four people are crossing a bridge at night, so they all need a torch—but they just have one that only lasts 15 minutes. Alice can cross in one minute, Ben in two minutes, Cindy in five minutes and Don in eight minutes. No more than two people can cross at a time; and when two cross, they must go at the slower person’s pace. How do they get across in 15 minutes?
Answer: Alice and Ben cross first in two minutes, and Alice crosses back alone with the torch in one minute. Then the two slowest people, Cindy and Don, cross in eight minutes. Ben returns in two minutes, and Alice and Ben return in two minutes. They just made it in 15 minutes exactly.
Challenge Number 10 question
Here’s a challenge for all the animal lovers out there. If it was Tango (my own cat) he wouldn’t catch any as he would be too busy sleeping or eating. That being said, can you solve this week’s logic question?
If five cats can catch five mice in five minutes, how long will it take one cat to catch one mouse?
Remember no Googling allowed. Answer in next week’s edition of The Vine. Enjoy!
Students Meet CSIRO Challenges Head-on
The Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge was on again this Semester with over 27,000 students taking part around the world. This competition was all online, run by the CSIRO and is aligned with the Australian Curriculum. The Computational Thinking challenge is available to students from Years 3-12 in an individual and collaborative problem-solving environment. This is an opportunity for students to develop skills for exam style questions but with a collaborative, low pressure, and growth centred approach.
I would like to recognise the incredible effort the following students made to complete challenge alongside their current studies: Sebastian De Marte (Year 7) for participating and for the first time we had a team entry with a focus on collaboration and communication to solving problems, Jessica Berra and Hugh Whitaker (Year 5) worked together to achieve a Credit! This is a wonderful effort by all students who participated!
Also, congratulations to Jack Borthwick, Jack Campbell, and William Morris for competing in this year’s CyberTaipan competition. Despite the higher level of difficulty, the 2022 student cohort have risen to the challenge of a Linux-only competition and have achieved some great results against students across the country.
Videos for Change
The culmination of student learning as a part of the Humanities component of their ‘Words Shape Worlds’ unit this term has seen Year 7s empowered by being given the opportunity to inspire empathy, awareness and action on important social issues through creating entries for global platform Videos for Change. Taking part in this competition gives students a voice, not just in our community but potentially across the world, as well as allowing them to contribute to a safer, more sustainable and inclusive world.
Students were able to work either individually, or in small groups, and needed to follow specific criteria, knowing their video would be judged on the following:
- Issue communicated effectively
- Emotional impact
- Uniqueness/creativity
- Effective video-making techniques
- Clear, achievable call to action
All approved videos gain automatic entry into the 2022 Videos for Change competition, whilst 12 submissions from across the Bellarine and Highton campuses have been chosen by their teachers as finalists in our very own CCG competition.
Now you have the chance to have your voice heard through voting for a CCG People’s Choice award winner! Please follow this link to view our finalists and, of course, to place your vote.
College leadership will also vote over the break for a Bellarine, Highton and Overall winner.
The Year 7 Humanities team want to thank all students for the enthusiasm, creativity and thinking that has gone into each and every submission – you should all be so very proud!
We look forward to sharing the voting results early in Term 4, when we will also be able to publish all our approved videos on the site for you to view!
The Year 7 Humanities Team
Australian History Competition
Earlier this year, 19 Year 7 and Year 9 students participated in the Australian History Competition 2022. The competition aims to promote and showcase History as equally important as English, Maths and Science. The focus of the competition is on testing interpretation and analysis rather than prior knowledge. Students were presented with a certificate at a recent Middle School assembly and recognised for their effort, with results ranging from participation through to high distinction. Notable results were Jamison Cox (7S) receiving a High Distinction in the Year 7-8 competition and Henry Hicks (9E) receiving a High Distinction in the Year 9-10 competition. Congratulations to all students involved.
Japanese Manga Calligraphy
Many of our students seem to know about and enjoy Japanese Manga or Anime. Also, they seem to like to use fancy stationery items connected with calligraphy. So as a response to this situation, students from Year 4 to 9 have all practised writing Manga captions. This has involved using a special brush pen to write hiragana, katakana, or kanji script onto Manga speech bubbles.
One benefit of this practice is that students can learn how to write Japanese script related to core vocabulary study. Students are asked to pay attention to balance and shape when writing. Also, students in the Middle School year levels can decide the caption they write. As students become more confident, the teacher can see better student understanding of how to sit with correct posture, hold the brush pen and ‘flick’ Japanese-style when making brush strokes.
If you would like to check out more about Manga, some classrooms already have wall displays.
3,2,1, Blast Off!
Year 5 students have started to investigate variables in science and have looked at factors which help rockets to launch. This week students worked on designing, building, and launching plastic water bottle rockets. With much excitement, they collaborated and launched their rockets, with the expert assistance of Mr Benson. An exciting and fun time was had by all, and our Year 5 students look forward to continuing this task next term.
Design Thinking Challenge
During this term, Years 3 and 4 were set the challenge to design, create, build, test and finally evaluate a form of transport that would answer the problem, ‘What if the world ran out of petrol?’ We looked at a variety of different forces that would help with the movement of our vehicle, which we incorporated into our design, as the challenge was for the vehicle to move independently for at least 30cm.
Everyone eagerly took it on. Working in pairs or small groups, they set about designing, building and testing their creations, before the design was refined to improve its performance. All parts of this challenge were documented and at the end of the process, each person reflected on their part of the journey.
This week everyone presented their work to the other Year 3 and 4 classes, sharing our knowledge and expertise around the vehicle each group produced. Each group had some peer assessors, who completed a Rubric that focused on the main learning intentions of the challenge, as well as offering suggestions about what could be improved next time.
It was so wonderful to see everyone engaged in the task, confident in their delivery and enthusiastic when receiving feedback.
Samantha Bett, Mark Jacobi, Melissa Smith and Wayne Durran
Year 3 and 4 Teachers
Light and Sound Expo
This week the Year 1 and 2 students participated in many interesting and engaging experiments when they visited the school science lab for our ‘Light and Sound Expo’. The students used light boxes, mirrors, coloured glass, and prisms to explore how light travels and changes when passing through different materials. Using torches and their hands /bodies, they demonstrated that opaque objects cast shadows and followed diagrams to try to make a range of shadow puppets on the white walls. The students were very excited to pull apart a model of a ‘giant eyeball’, using language such as pupil and nerves, to describe how our eyes see. When exploring the concept of sound, tuning forks placed in water formed ripples to show how sound waves travel.
One of the most popular activities on the day was swinging around large plastic tubes which created sound via wind tunnels. It was fantastic to see such engaged learners using scientific language to express their understanding of the world around them.
We would like to thank the wonderful Mrs Sophie Maye and Ms Elissa Huddart for all their hard work in organising such a rich learning experience for the children.
Susie Moxey, Ngare Knight, Jessica Chakir, Sam Kennedy
Let’s Go Fly a Kite with Year 3
Throughout this term, Year 3 have been looking at different forces during Integrated Studies lessons, one of which was air resistance. To illustrate this, we followed directions to build our own kites and tried our luck at getting them to fly. There were many excited faces, as the craft took flight and stayed in the air for long periods of time. It was a joy to look up to the sky and see all the brightly coloured kites soaring, held in the air by the power of the wind.
Spring into Strings – Junior String Players Perform!!
Last Thursday saw the return of our annual celebration of String playing in our Junior Campuses with 'Spring into Strings'. The Junior String ensembles from Bellarine, Surf Coast and Junior School Belmont campuses gathered together at the RW Gibson Music Performance Centre to perform for each other and their families. We were also graced with enchanting performances from the Yr. 4 String Quartet from Belmont, as well as the Ceilidh Band from Bellarine, before all students combined to form a massed String Ensemble which then presented two pieces for their captive audience.
There were many excited and nervous young musicians at the start of the night, but it was amazing to see these young musicians focus and perform with such aplomb-well done to all!
Thanks to our accompanists Tammy Treloar and Stephanie Lawrence for your support.
Martin DeMarte on behalf of the String Team -Trish Timmins and Jeanette Carnie.
Athletics Victoria All Schools ‘NITRO’ Athletics Championships
There were medals everywhere for our CCG Eagles Team at the Athletics Victoria All Schools ‘Nitro’ Championships on Thursday.
Our College had two teams of six athletes (one male, one female) compete at this marquee event, which brought together about 30 schools from across the state to the picturesque Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park.
Our male team won the gold medal for the Under-16 ‘Field’ Relay, with points from the High Jump, Long Jump, Discus and Shot Put Events adding up to an overall winner.
Some members of that male team also came away with a bronze medal as well, after an outstanding run against high-quality competition in the Under-16 4 x 400 metre relay.
This event turned out to be something of a specialty for our College, as our female team also clinched a Silver Medal in their Under-16 4 x 400 metre relay.
Although the six-member teams performed in different combinations across the all-relay event, the heart and talent each one showed to compete in the 4 x 400 metres, the 4 x 100 metres, the 4 x 800 metres and 1600 metres medley running relays, and the Field Relay, was incredible.
Our students pushed themselves to the limit and found out what they are truly capable of, which was inspiring for our coaching staff to witness.
On behalf of our Sport Faculty, we would like to congratulate the following students for their remarkable efforts, and we look forward to seeing what other athletic challenges they will conquer in 2023!
MALE TEAM: Guy Williams (Taylor), Keegan Johnson (Burrows), Taj Beckworth (Burrows), Oscar Kattwinkel (Penman), Josh Goudge (Taylor), Rennick Carey (Burrows)
FEMALE TEAM: Jasmine King (Penman House), Suzannah Mavromihalis (Flynn), Molly Hoe (Burrows), Eloise Lynch (Taylor), Greea McKeegan (Flynn), Anya Brown (Taylor).
Combined Middle Schools Music Camp was a Blast!
The celebration that was the combined Middle Schools Music camp has definitely returned in 2022 as a highlight of the year for many of our Middle School musicians. Choir, Band and String Ensemble members from Highton and Bellarine Campuses journeyed to Camp Wilkin in Anglesea on Monday this week for a 3 day jam-packed getaway full of music making, fun activities and great friendship!
Musically the groups from each campus collaborated, seeing the students learning new music and skills together. The camp program also offered a broad range of activities such as group singing, mindfulness and the practice of Alexander Technique which provided the students with opportunities to consider their wellness both as young people but as well, as young developing musicians.
Connecting with others is a necessary ingredient for success in making great music together! While at camp Wilkin there were many opportunities for the students to make new friends, try new things, express their own creativity and encourage each other. The beautiful coastal setting of the camp provided us with opportunity to connect with our beach and bush environs, including connecting with the locals (kangaroos) who were often hanging around appreciating the sweet sounds. The beach walk and sand castle competition proved a wonderful time away from ‘the stand’ (muso speak!) along with the night activities which included a trivia competition and disco featuring some timeless 80s classics with some momentous air guitar feats!
Congratulations to the participating students for the amazing spirit and energy that they bought to camp throughout the three days away!
Sharon Huber, Brighid Mantelli and Andrew Dunlop
On behalf of the Middle School Music Staff 2022
For Families Relocating or Withdrawing Students
A reminder that if your family is relocating and/or you are planning to withdraw your child from Christian College, a full term’s notice, in writing, is required. Please contact your student’s Campus.
Important VET Information for Subject Selection 2023
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 study VET as well as VCE Unit 1 Industry and Enterprise over the whole year which includes a week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying the new VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and on the Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA.
VET Course Information, Application Processes and Dates for 2023
- 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
- APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE.
Non-Gordon Courses (Government and Catholic School Offerings)
Course information and application form can be found on the Senior School Hub. It will also be emailed to all Year 9 students and parents.
A hard copy application form is to be completed and returned to the CCG Senior Campus student office.
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 2nd FOR ALL STUDENTS
Second year students need to complete the application form to reapply for 2023.
Gordon Courses
COURSE INFORMATION AND ONLINE APPLICATION LINKS CAN BE FOUND ON Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA or by visiting https://www.thegordon.edu.au/sitedocs/publications/vet-delivered-to-secondary-students-guide.aspx
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 16 – VCE, VCE VM & VPC STUDENTS only
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 30 – YEAR 10 STUDENTS
Second year students do not need to reapply.
General Information
Early applications are highly recommended to secure a place. Most VET course run over 2 years. VET typically runs on Wednesday afternoons for 1st Year students and Monday afternoons for 2nd year students.
Year 10 VET students’ study VCE Unit 1 Industry & Enterprise for 3 periods a week and attend VET for 2 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. VET courses incur an additional fee that is course dependent. CCG offers a subsidy.
For any queries about VET please contact me at Senior Campus or at k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au
THE GORDON VET STUDENTS
2nd Year Gordon students do not need to reapply. Please notify the student office if you plan to withdraw for 2023.
NON GORDON RTO’s, Belmont High, BSC, MFSC & Covenant College
2nd Year students must reapply, application forms available from the Student Office or on the Senior Hub.
Uniform Shop Hours Over the Holidays
The Uniform Shop in Centreway Arcade, Belmont will be closed from Monday 19th September and reopening 26th September 2022.
Opening hours in the second week of holidays are from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday 26/09/2022 through to Friday 30/09/2022
The Uniform Shop resumes normal trading hours from Monday 3rd October 2022.
Canteen not Open on Last day of Term
Please note that on the last day of Term 4, Friday December 9, the canteen will not be open.
Thank you to all volunteers for your fantastic help during the course of this term, and throughout 2022.
Recycling Uniform Items
As part of the transition to our new College wardrobe it was important that we consider the environmental impact of clothing items no longer required. Whilst it is still possible for students to wear items from the traditional uniform, when items are no longer able to be worn, they can be recycled.
Any such items can be dropped off and placed in recycling bins at each campus. We are working with our wardrobe manufacturer to ensure that these can be recycled as part of the introduction of our new wardrobe over the next 18 months.
Scholarship Applications for 2024 Entry now Open!
Each year we offer Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5 (Middle School-Highton, Bellarine and Surf Coast campuses); Year 7 (Middle School-Highton and Bellarine); and Year 10 (Senior School-Waurn Ponds).
These scholarships have been designed primarily to encourage and support new and current students who wish to attend Christian College and who demonstrate high levels of academic excellence.
We are now seeking scholarship applications for entry at any of those year levels in 2024.
For more information, and to apply, please see our website. Use the hotlink from our homepage or click here
Applications close on Thursday September 29. The examination date is Saturday October 8.
Golf Tournament
The Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, 27 October 2022. Join us at 13th Beach Golf Links from 8:00am for a shotgun start. Tickets are $190 each ($150 for members) or $750 for a group of four. RSVPs close on Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 5:00pm.
Funds raised from this event will be allocated to our Foundation Scholarship Fund, supporting current students who are in need of financial assistance.
Book online at: The Foundation Golf Tournament
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
When you find yourself worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet and may never happen, reach for a PET (Personal Emotional Tool e.g. breathing, exercise, immersion in nature, music). The best way you can influence your future is by taking control of this moment. That's why they call the present a gift 🎁👍😊
Discover more about Mytern here