CCG Sport Hall of Honour
On Thursday, October 5, our College community celebrated a very special event, the opening of the Christian College Geelong Sport Hall of Honour. Families, past and present students, staff and other friends of the College gathered last night for a gala dinner and celebration of the outstanding achievements of current students who have reached national or international status across a wide range of sports. Twelve of these students received our ‘Rising Eagle’ awards, being recognised for their skill, application and teamwork in their chosen sport.
Furthermore, in 2023, the recipient of the Tegan Philip Medal is Abbey O’Hanlon, ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the 2023 Senior Female Netball team, and the recipient of the Gary Ablett Jr Medal is Spencer Jones, ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the 2023 Senior Male AFL team. The recipient of the Top Flight Eagles Award is the 2023 Senior Male AFL team.
A huge congratulations goes to all of these students, and this is to be accompanied by a heartfelt thanks to the teams behind the stars, the parents, guardians, coaches and other inspiring people who have enabled these wonderful opportunities for our talented young people.
In addition, a particular highlight of the event was the induction of the first members of our CCG Sport Hall of Honour, Mrs Tegan Philip and Mr Gary Ablett Jr.
A student at Christian College Geelong from 2001 to 2006, Tegan Philip (nee Caldwell) enjoyed a highly successful and decorated career as a professional netballer. Starting at the Bellarine Netball Association, and rising to State League level, Tegan first earned a spot representing Victoria in 2008. The next year, she was named in the gold medal winning Australian Under 21 squad for the World Championships. Joining the Melbourne Vixens in 2010, she quickly made a name for herself as Rookie of the Year and ended her career as a one-club player in 2020. During this time, she amassed 131 appearances and scored 2,729 goals. Both Vixen records at the time. Notable highlights include winning premierships in 2014 (as ‘Grand Final Player of the Match’) and 2020. She also served as Vixens’ Vice Captain from 2017 to 2020, while being named ‘Best Goal Attack’ in the National League in 2017.
Tegan’s achievements extended to the Australian Diamonds Netball Team, securing a gold medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as well as contributing to their success during the 2017-2019 international seasons including a Constellation Cup victory.
A student at Christian College Geelong from 1990 to 2000, Gary Ablett Jr is celebrated as one of the most decorated players in Australian Rules Football history. He first played football with a Christian College team, then for local club Modewarre. Gary went on to play 357 games in the AFL for the Geelong Cats (247) and the Gold Coast Suns (110) and kicked 445 goals after being drafted out of the Geelong Falcons in the 2001 National Draft under the League’s father-son rule. His list of individual accolades includes winning the Brownlow Medal in 2009 and 2013, the AFL Players Association ‘Leigh Matthews Trophy’ five times, the AFL Coaches Association ‘Player of the Year’ Award three times, Geelong FC Best and Fairest Award twice, Gold Coast FC Best and Fairest Award four times and earning ‘All Australian Team’ honours in eight seasons. Gary, nicknamed the ‘Little Master’, also won two premierships with Geelong in 2007 and 2009, and served as Captain of the Gold Coast Suns between 2011 and 2016.
I am grateful to all across our community who have contributed to this initiative, and to last night’s event. I would especially like to thank our former Head of Sport, Mr Andrew Richardson, our Acting Head of Sport, Mr Matt Murnane, our Events Coordinator Fiona Provan, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Mr Wes Cusworth, and our inductees, Tegan and Gary, both of whom were exceptionally generous with their time, and the spirit with which they continue to share of themselves with our CCG family. Thank you.
The Sport Hall of Honour will now serve as a permanent feature within our school, displaying the names, photographs, and achievements of our extraordinary sports stars. This will not only inspire our current students but also serve as a testament to the values and dedication instilled within them during their time at Christian College.
Of note, this was only a first step towards a wider recognition of past CCG students who have achieved elite-level accomplishments in other, non-Sport fields, and our current students who appear well on the way to doing the same. Stay tuned for further information over the coming months and years, as this important part of our College grows.
Daryl Riddle OAM, CEO Christian College
A Terrific Start to Term 4
It was lovely to start our term with our traditional whole school assembly with everyone in attendance (excluding our Year 9 girls who have settled into life on the farm). There is something special about coming together in the one place at the same time and spending time together. The busyness of the school year means we unfortunately only have limited opportunities to do this. A big thank you to Acting Principal Mr Rick Geall, Mrs Stephanie Lawrence and the beautiful Ceilidh band for their contribution to the afternoon.
As previously communicated Mr Nick Watson is taking a well-deserved break this term and I am keeping his chair warm. During this assembly I had the pleasure to formally welcome and introduce Mrs Roselyn Smith and Ms Mia Kafieris, although both are no strangers to our campus, it was nonetheless their first official event as acting Deputy Heads of Campus. Roselyn will be assisting me with all things Teaching and Learning and can be contact directly through reception or [email protected] . Mia will assist me with pastoral care, staff and student wellbeing and a number of other key things. She can be contacted directly or via [email protected] . Both are highly experienced and professional, and I feel we are in very good hands.
Term 4, as it usually is, is a busy end of the year. Celebration evening, graduations, Year 9 Rural and Transformation, Orientation Day, Activity Week, Year 6 Market Day, Year 5 concert, Year 9 formal, Year 10 Transition Week, Year 3/4/5/6 bike education and rides, are among the many things planned for this term, and there are many more. Hold on, enjoy the ride and together we will find ourselves reflecting on a successful and full 2023.
Andrew Platt, Acting Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Bellarine
Week 2
Monday 9 October Junior School Assembly
Monday 9 October Brass Performance Morning
Wednesday 11 October Prep Discovery Learning
Thursday 12 October Annual Music Evening
Thursday 12 October Year 5/6 Bike Ed Program Commences
Friday 13 October Year 4 Bike Ed Program Commences
Friday 13 October Year 9 Transformation You Yangs Excursion
Saturday 14 October Rural 7 Weekend in Residence
Sunday 15 October Rural 7 Weekend in Residence
Week 3
Monday 16 October Junior School Assembly
Monday 16 October Middle School Assembly
Tuesday 17 October Year 3 Japanese Expo
Wednesday 18 October Year 4 Japanese Expo
Friday 20 October Student Free Day (Geelong Show Day)
Bellarine Science
This term in Grade 5 Science we have started to learn about ecosystems and adaptations. Grade 5 students spent time in our first lesson looking at how to use microscopes. Students enjoyed observing different plant and animal cells up close. Students are looking forward to learning more about how animals adapt to survive in their environments in the coming weeks.
Alice Vincent
Sophie Maye
Year 6 Health – Safety Projects
Our Year 6 students focused on Safety in our Health classes during Term 3. They researched and learned about the risks associated with different settings and environments, as well as how to prevent accidents and mishaps in these environments. The students created a variety of engaging projects on their chosen topic including safety around water, online, on the road, food handling and when in the sun. As part of their assessment, the Year 6s shared their knowledge of Safety with the Year 3 students through board games, picture story books, videos, PowerPoints, and quizzes. It was great to see the excitement of the students interacting and learning about safety.
Caitlin Hoiles
Kelly O’Neil
Library News
Scholastic Book Club
BookClub catalogues were sent home this week for Prep to Year 6. This is the last issue of BookClub for 2023. It’s a great time to stock up for Christmas, stocking fillers, gifts or even the summer holidays. All orders must be submitted online via scholastic.com.au/LOOP and paid for via credit card. Orders are due by 20th October.
Please note: Cash orders will no longer be accepted.
Grandparents/ Special Friends Donated Books
Students have excitedly begun to borrow the books donated by their Grandparents/Special Friends which were purchased from the Grandparents/ Special Friends Book Stall in Term 3. It’s lovely to see the happy and joyful faces when borrowing these books. We, the library team, are most grateful and thankful for these beautiful donations to our library collection.
Leonie Stephenson
Year 7 Drama Elective: Superhero Start to Term 4
Superheroes are everywhere. From Spiderman to Wonder Woman, The Incredibles to the X-Men. They abound in films, television, and books. We love to cheer them on as they battle the ‘bad guys’, and we marvel at their amazing feats of strength, bravery, and leadership. In the Year 7 Drama elective this term we are looking to develop our knowledge and skills of the melodrama genre, specifically through a focus on heroes and villains.
This week, students have started to develop a character profile for their very own hero. This will help them develop a three-dimensional character. As comic book writer Stan Lee says, “Superheroes are just like you and me. They have problems like you and me. The only difference is that they also, often, have some sort of power or ability.” We will add to this with a focus in coming weeks on sidekicks, as well as villains, before devising small group performance pieces.
Victoria Kent
Year 7 Wellbeing – Servanthood
As part of our Wellbeing program throughout Term 3, Year 7 students focused on the theme of servanthood. Students worked together to develop their understanding of servanthood and the example Jesus set for us in the Bible. Students developed an understanding that servanthood is not only a way to demonstrate our Christian values, but also helps to knit communities together and bring positive emotions for those on the receiving end and also those doing the ‘serving’.
Throughout the term students worked in small groups to develop ways in which they would like to serve the CCG Bellarine community. Each Friday, students worked on their servanthood initiative which included: planting trees, developing a friendship bench, supporting younger students in Junior School, tidying up the sport storeroom, mulching the garden, helping with Prep, and baking some sweet treats to show teachers they are appreciated, as well as several others.
As it states in Philippians 2:1-30, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (NIV). Year 7 students certainly embodied this throughout the term, and we look forward to seeing this mindset as we move begin Term 4.
Aaron Loats
Year 7s Going Global…
In Term 4, Year 7 students will undertake a unit titled ‘Global Citizenship’, as part of their interconnected English and Humanities units. Students will be exploring the big idea “Innovation plays an essential role in achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) by 2030.”
Through this, students will develop ideas about how innovation can be used to address some of the many challenges that we face in our world. This week students began to grow their understanding about what is means to innovate and were introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students were challenged to use scrap materials and basic electronics to solve a problem, based on the book “The Boy who Harnessed the Wind”.
Over the coming weeks the students will begin to develop their own ideas about global connectedness and citizenship and how they can contribute to the solutions for today’s problems. They will eventually be working towards an exhibition that shines the spotlight on one of the UN SDGs and the efforts being made to address it. Parents will be invited to attend this culminating work and see the incredible efforts and learning of the students.
We are looking forward to the rich learning that will come from this unit of work!
Christmas Box Reminders
College Production 2024 – Update
As published in The Vine at the end of Term 3, the College will be staging Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version) at the Geelong Arts Centre from May 2 – 4, 2004.
Audition Registration
All students from Years 5 – 11 (in 2023) across the College will receive an email early next week, with information and a link to an online registration form. Auditions will commence across the College on designated days from Sunday October 22. To register for an audition, students must complete the online form on/by Friday October 13.
There will be an information session held at each campus for students to have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the show. These will be held at:
Highton MS Campus Chapel Monday October 9 12.40
Senior Campus Music Department Tuesday October 10 1.20pm
Bellarine Campus Auditorium Tuesday October 10 at Lunchtime
Surf Coast Campus – Ms Notini will visit the Year 5 classroom next week.
Rehearsal Schedule
All rehearsals will take place at the RW Gibson Centre – Senior Campus with regular weekly rehearsals during Term 1 on Thursdays, 4.00 – 6.30pm and Sundays, 2.30 – 5.00pm. There will also be nominated full days and extended rehearsals, with more detailed information included in the email to be sent to students next week.
To be allocated a part, successful auditionees must be available for the full rehearsal period. We aim to cast approx. 70 students, with over 200 expected to audition. We request families to please consider the implications of their child’s involvement and that a total commitment to the show is required prior to auditioning/accepting a place in the cast. Please do not audition if you are unable to commit to the full rehearsal period.
There will also be opportunities for students to be involved in the production orchestra and a range of backstage tasks. More information about these opportunities will be shared with students as the project progresses.
There will be a large group of staff and visiting tutors working with the students throughout the staging of the production. The initial production staff includes Kelly Clifford – Director, Taylah Broad - Assistant Director, Fiona Gardner - Musical Director, Kate Notini - Vocal Director, Andrew Dunlop, Victoria Kent, Sharon Huber, and Brian Alexander. Students with specific questions are invited to approach the teachers at their campus.
We are looking forward to meeting students from across the campuses at auditions, casting and staging this production for our community.
Fiona Gardner, Musical Director on behalf of the creative team
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!
