Book Week Parade Buzz!
On Tuesday 6 September, Bellarine Junior School students, staff and families gathered in the gymnasium for our annual Book Week parade. The Spotify playlist created a fun vibe, decorations were on show, the CBCA shortlisted titles in the Early Childhood and Picture Book categories were front and centre. Students and staff, both looking sensational, paraded around the basketball court to the sound of applause and cheering. The winning CBCA Books of the Year, Iceberg and Jetty Jumping, were announced and it was heartwarming to see students and staff sharing in the celebration of books and stories and the joy they bring to our lives. It was fabulous to have parents, grandparents and siblings join our celebration.
During the Junior School Library lessons this week I have shared with students the importance of protecting our Blue-banded bees. (This was the theme for my costume on Tuesday) We discussed what ‘buzz pollination’ is, and how the climbing guinea flower cannot release its own pollen and needs help from the Blue-banded bee. The CBCA Honour book in the Eve Pownall Information Book category The illustrated encyclopedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature inspired me to share this important message with students. It explores 60 of the most ‘peculiar pairs’ in nature and how plant and animal species rely on each other for survival. Each students was given a bee-pollinating seedling, kindly donated from Van Loons Nursery, Wallington. I hope that they plant these at home to help cultivate and nurture the environment for our precious bees.
Chantelle Dalton
National HPE Day 2022
It was a beautiful, sunny day for our Bellarine staff and students to embrace the excitement and enthusiastically participate in the 2022 National HPE Day celebrations. It is a nationwide initiative highlighting the importance of HPE in the Australian Curriculum, and its influence on the lifelong learning and development of healthy behaviours in our children.
Thanks to our Bellarine family, Damien and Rhiannon Curtis from the Fruit Shack, our middle school students enjoyed a delicious, healthy snack of bananas, apples, mandarins, and pears. It was great to see so many energetic students and staff ‘being active’ at snack time with the skipping ropes, basketballs, down balls and most spectacularly- dancing together to the Nutbush!
At lunch time the students gathered at the oval to challenge the staff and each other to be crowned the winner of the longest kick and throw. Their precision was then tested with the pinpoint kick and throw competition. Congratulations the following students who received a Bean Break voucher for their top efforts.
Grade 5/6
Longest Kick – George Pittwood & Shyloh Smith
Longest Throw – Hamish Bull & Shyloh Smith
Year 7-9
Longest Kick – Guy Williams & Lacey Byrne
Longest Throw – Harrison Connally & Jasmine King
Pinpoint Kick – Samuel Doughty
Pinpoint Throw – Mrs Main!
Louise Bull
Marty’s Moments
As we near the end of Term 3 Marty continues to enjoy his time at school and being with his buddies in the classrooms. He was a bit confused last week as his workdays were turned upside down with the Junior School Swimming program in full swing.
With the onset of some sunny days this week Marty has really enjoyed his time outside at recess and lunchtime with the Year 5 and 6 students. As you can see from the photos, he sits at the windows eagerly waiting to be collected. He’s also been spending time with Maisie practicing his ‘touch’ and ‘high 5’ and smiling up big for Anika. Marty really enjoyed a weekend trip to Lorne where he got lots of practice on his leash and was lucky enough to see a koala sleeping in a tree just off the walking path.
This week the Junior School held a belated Book Week celebration where all of the students dressed as their favourite book characters and took part in a parade; Marty wasn’t to be outdone as he arrived in his Mr Chicken costume.
Next week we have RUOK day, so this weekend it’s off to the shops to find a yellow T-shirt that will do the job. Before we know it, we’ll be heading into the last week of term and looking forward to a well-earned holiday break. Have fun and stay safe!
Deakin District Basketball
On Thursday the 1st of September, we had two teams represent the Bellarine campus at the Deakin District Basketball competition held at AWA stadium in Belmont. The day consisted of five 16-minute games with a 5-minute break in between each game. The boys’ team, led by Mr Crole, won 3 of their 5 games, finishing equal second at the end of the day. The girls’ team was made up of students who haven’t played much competitive basketball before. They did an amazing job taking on board feedback and showed improvement each game. They finished the day with 3 losses, a win and a draw. Both teams displayed great teamwork, sportsmanship, and an increase in skill throughout the day.
Caitlin Hoiles
Year 6 Students Meet Author Tristan Bancks
Students this term have been reading the novel, Detention. This captivating and adventurous book is about a young refugee on the run in Queensland. The story ties in perfectly with our ‘Belonging to the World’ theme in English and Humanities in Term 3. Year 6 students had the privilege to meet the author of Detention, Tristan Bancks.
Through the help of technology, Tristan met up with the Year 6s virtually for an engaging discussion about his upbringing and what stimulates him to be a writer. Tristan gave us an insightful look into his writing process and, more specifically, how he was motivated to write Detention. Learning how a news article about asylum seekers and a teacher’s story about a school lockdown become the catalyst behind this novel, is remarkable. His funny stories and varying writing techniques demonstrate that anything is possible when it comes to writing. Some of his writing takes places while out in nature as he jots down ideas in a small notebook or, at times, he dictates his thoughts to a voice recorder on his phone. He also uses a computer, and oddly enough, he even sits down and types on an old-fashioned typewriter. In addition to sharing his writing methods, he also played some of the music that inspired him when he wrote Detention and a few of his other novels. It was an entertaining and intuitive incursion that has inspired future writers in Year 6.
If you would like to learn more about Tristan Bancks, please peruse his website:
Tristan Bancks – Australian Author of Children’s Books and Teen Books
In addition, Tristan has offered signed books for sale to accompany the visit. Click this link to access his secure online store. Parents can use this coupon code at checkout for free shipping: CCG22. The code is useable through to Sunday 11 September and he will send any orders to the school.
Theresa Drewer
Samantha McKenzie
Division Athletics
The return of the SSV Geelong North and Bellarine Athletics day was in perfect conditions at Landy Field on Tuesday 6th September.
Christian College had 16 students who all represented our 3 campuses very well, with 4 students moving on to the Western Region Finals in October.
From Bellarine we had Zoe Sambucco, Elodie Barker and Lachlan Mavromihalis participate.
Elodie represented the college proudly, coming equal 4th in the 9/10-year-old high jump, jumping 1.10m.
Lachlan Mavromihalis did an excellent job to come 3rd in the 11-year-old Discus throwing 18.62m.
Zoe Sambucco had an amazing day, finishing 2nd 12/13-year-old High jump jumping 1.40m and 4th in the 100m. Zoe now moves on to the Western Regional finals next term for High jump. We will follow her progress with interest.
We congratulate all students who competed on their wonderful results.
Caitlin Hoiles
Semester 2 Weekly Maths Challenge Number 9
Welcome to the ninth 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 8 solution
Four people (Bruce, Albo, Danii and Kylie) want to cross a river in a boat that can only carry 100kg. Bruce weighs 90kg, Albo weighs 80kg, Danii weighs 60kg and Kylie weighs 40kg, and they have 20kg of supplies. How do they get across?
Answer: There may be a couple of variations that will work, but here’s one way: Danii and Kylie row across (combined 100kg), Kylie returns. Bruce rows over, and Danii returns. Danii and Kylie row across again, Kylie returns. Albo rows across with the supplies (combined 100kg), and Danii returns. Kylie and Danii row across again.
Challenge Number 9 question
You probably guessed that I love logic problems and river problems. On that note, here’s this week’s challenge.
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?
Remember no Googling allowed. Answer in next week’s edition of The Vine. Enjoy!
Pat Sculley
Seaweed Matters
Over the past couple of weeks students have been investigating intertidal rocky reefs and beachcombing along various shorelines of the Bellarine Peninsula. Quite often, students have encountered ‘slimy and stinky’ seaweed. Usually, the only time most people encounter seaweed is when it washes up on the beach. In our class on Wednesday the Year 8 students gained an appreciation of the diversity of seaweeds that live in our local areas and even created their very own seaweed art masterpieces. Australia is home to 3000 different types of seaweeds with southern Australia being a hot spot for this diversity. Most of the world’s oxygen comes from seaweed! Researchers say roughly 70% of the world’s oxygen is produced by sea species including kelp, phytoplankton and algal plankton. Seaweeds absorb excess toxins and carbon dioxide. Because Seaweed grows super-fast, it can suck up carbon dioxide at a phenomenal speed.
In addition to creating seaweed art, students also investigated the reproduction process of a local brown seaweed, commonly named “Neptune’s Necklace”. Seaweeds reproduce just like any other plant and animal. “Neptune’s Necklace” has both male and female plants and can be easily distinguished, by the colour of their gametes. Once students observed the release of the gametes, they then mixed the two together and produced seaweed babies! (In the form of a fertilised egg)
Seaweed is both weird and wonderful… And at times, a bit smelly. Following this session students developed a greater understanding of its importance in sustaining life, its ability to reproduce and a newfound appreciation for its uniqueness and beauty.
Fiona Wright
Designing a User Experience with Adobe XD in Year 7
This term, Year 7 Digital Technologies students have been designing the user experience for a digital system using the Design Cycle to develop a prototype App. They gained familiarity with aspects of inquiring and analysing, developing ideas, creating solutions and evaluation. Adobe XD is a great tool for quickly developing UI/UX (User Interface and experience) prototypes using wireframing, animation and collaboration! The team in the video created a maths learning app for the prep class and enjoyed demonstrating, presenting, and getting feedback on this from the prep class.
Tom Hartley
Year 7 Poetry Competition
Throughout Term 3, Year 7 students have been developing their understanding of, and skills in, poetry. Students have been researching, analysing, planning, and writing various forms of poetry throughout the term. As a culmination of our unit today, students have been invited to participate in a Year 7 Poetry Competition in the Auditorium with all Year 7 students making up the audience. Twenty-five students chose to enter a poem and perform it in front of their peers and our panel of judges (thank you Mrs Morrish, Mrs Lowe and Mr Monagle) with the following students receiving prizes:
1st place – Annelise Draper
2nd place – Annie Long
3rd place – Alex Norgard
Judges Honourable mention – William Wallace
Students’ People’s Choice Award – William Wallace
Congratulations to all students who courageously participated and shared their poems. We look forward to continuing this tradition in future years.
Aaron Loats
Year 8 Drama Elective: A raven, a laugh and a Jabberwocky
Over the past few weeks, students have been developing their knowledge of Italian-based theatrical form, Commedia dell’arte, to further extend their expressive and performing skills. We’ve also delved a little into elements of Greek Theatre with vocal workshops using poems including The Raven (Edgar Allan Poe) and Jabberwocky (Lewis Carroll).
This week, students put together a showcase for students in Years 2 and 5 of some of what they’ve devised this term.
Next term it’s going from page to stage by bringing picture story books of student choosing to life!
Victoria Kent
Melbourne Writers Festival Excursion
Our Year 7 and Year 8 Writers Workshop students adventured to Melbourne on Thursday where they were able to ask questions of, and be inspired by, a selection of successful and current young adult authors. Below are students’ reflections and top tips from the day:
“I could relate to the authors, especially Tobias Madden. I really learnt a lot about how to write a good story including how to create characters and how to create realistic dialogue.”
“I found it interesting that each writer had at times struggled to stick with their writing. The strategy of starting with the bits they knew and liked the most was a really helpful suggestion.”
“To finish stories, it can be helpful to brainstorm a bunch of endings with a partner. Don’t judge any of the ideas.”
“I enjoyed hearing Tobias speak about his motivation, and the first speaker gave great advice on pacing that I will definitely use.”
“I enjoyed hearing how you can take already written stories and then make them your own.”
“I enjoyed learning about ways to be inspired by other authors and how friends can support you.”
“The talks we had were good. It was inspirational to hear the process of how people wrote their books and how they got started. The one I enjoyed the most was the last one, especially when she talked about how she started off writing in online weekly serials. This seemed cool and something anybody could do.”
“I really enjoyed it when Tobias Madden was speaking. He connected with the audience and I liked the topics he covered – Advice: Follow your interests/passions, finding your people. Voices: Use your own perspective so your characters are realistic, and others can relate to their personality. Character: Insert parts of yourself into your characters. Honesty: In a relationship honesty is the best policy – lying – who could this affect? Yourself: Invite the reader in with YOUR interests and passions.”
“I loved it and took away many tips and tricks like ‘The Hero’s Journey’ and committing to writing 300 words a day. I would do it again.”
“I liked learning about the world building and planning process that the writers used. They created really unique worlds and planned them out in detail.”
“It was a lot of fun to hear from known authors and get some good advice about the editing process. Since I would like to be an author in the future, I found it very intriguing. I think the most helpful advice was to imagine what you would do in a situation that you have created, as that will give you a good and realistic sense of what should happen next.”
“Some things I learnt were ‘Put a bit of yourself into each of your characters’, ‘Commit and learn as much as you can’, ‘Respond to others work’, and ‘Keep going and never give up!’. I had the opportunity to ask Tobias Madden a question; ‘As someone who loves to read and write, how would you go about writing a descriptive novel that people would like to read? “
“I learnt a lot about the writing process of novels and the authors feelings. However, in all honesty, I don’t read actual books; I mostly read fanfictions. While people in the crowd were like “I loved reading Only a Monster”, in my mind I was like “Hehe, I have read the Harry Potter series but 10-year-old me was not satisfied with how it ended so started reading Harry Potter and Hermione fanfictions”.
“I liked the talk Tobias gave. I really want to read his book ‘Take a Bow’. I also really loved the roof and how it changed. I learnt that the process for creating characters and teaching yourself about the world you’re creating is super important and you really need to do that to create a successful and ‘not confusing’ book.”
Bishi Leathem
Liam Monagle
Operation Christmas Child
At Christian College Bellarine we have been a fantastic supporter of the Good Samaritan’s Operation Christmas Child for a number of years. Over the years, our College community has blessed hundreds of children around the world with a shoe box packed with love. Once again, we invite families to join us to fill boxes to help us share the joy of Christmas with those children who may otherwise receive nothing.
Families can participate in Operation Christmas Child campaign by purchasing and filling a box, donating items towards a box, and or a monetary donation that would be used towards postage. More information will be shared with the students throughout the coming weeks.
However, we encourage you to watch the linked video that allows you to see first-hand the impact the gift of a shoe box can have on an individual. The Operation Christmas Child site is a great resource to look for donation ideas, understand the process and track the box you donate!
The document ‘How to Pack a Shoe Box’ is a great reference when packing your shoe box. This document is in the pack you will receive when you purchase a shoe box.
Shoe boxes can be purchased at the student office for 50 cents. All donations can be brought to your child’s Homeroom. When postage is paid for online you can also track your box and watch where it travels to.
With Covid 19 having such a huge impact on families and financial stability across the globe, it would be so good to know that we are able to make Christmas joyful for at least some children who would otherwise receive nothing. These children will not only receive a gift but will also have the opportunity to hear about the love of Jesus, possibly for the first time.
Boxes that have been filled are due back to school by no later than Friday the 21st of October.
- Video links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6HDkfjGvo
Samantha Bett
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.
Kerryn Fearnsides
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