Annual Music Evening – A Whole School Community in Song!

Congratulations to the nearly 450 students from across the Christian College Campuses from Prep to Year 12 who performed on the Costa Hall stage last night in the Christian College Geelong Annual Music Evening.

It was a fantastic night of celebration, culminating in a very colourful finale! The Hall was filled with over 800 family, friends and College staff, enjoying the outstanding musicianship and skills of the choirs, bands and string orchestras.

We cannot measure the positive impact of such a significant experience for our students and community …. however we can be confident that it runs deep and lifelong. We are so blessed to have highly skilled, generous, caring and invested music staff. Teachers who establish wonderful relationships with their charges, which in turn provide the impetus for students to grow in their confidence to ‘take a risk’ to perform! These relationships also make it possible for us to foster and nurture the students in their musicianship and character growth, putting them in good stead for things to come.

Congratulations and thank you to the College staff from across the campuses who supported the event in so many ways. Thanks also to the music families and friends who attended, and for their ongoing investment in their students’ music lessons, camps, tours,  instruments, attending rehearsals, and encouragement of regular home practise! These elements all work together to result in the tremendous program we witnessed last night!

Congratulations also to the graduating Year 12 musicians,  we would like to acknowledge and thank them for years of commitment and musicianship, it has been a privilege to have seen them ‘grow up’ in the program. We send them on their way with hope, that they will continue to enjoy music in their lives, and to play, sing and give joy to others their musical gifts.

Monday Junior School Assembly 

On Monday morning Junior School enjoyed their usual time with their peers, teachers, parents and community. 

I made a lovely chocolate cake during assembly which was later shown to the students. It was my first cake and with the help of Mrs. Leo (Food Tech teacher), and Mia Kafieris (acting Deputy Head of Campus) this cake exceeded expectations. 

I followed the recipe, which the students were told was very important! The staff helping Gary tried to add ingredients which would have altered the recipe and of course the cake, which was not good! 

The students were reminded that God has a recipe for each of us in the form of The Bible. Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. 

Other verses the audience heard were from John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will never die but have eternal life”. 

Jesus Christ wants a relationship with everyone and there needs to be a decision made to accept Him in our lives. This is God’s recipe that we have a relationship with Him, and the guidelines and directions are in the Bible. 

If we make decisions that change that recipe that God has prepared for us, then the outcome can be very different and maybe not good for us. 

The assembly was a wonderful time for our junior school community to get together and enjoy the experience with teachers, parents, friends and students!! 

What’s Happening at Bellarine

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) 

Week 4 

• Monday 23 October Junior School Assembly 
• Wednesday 25 October Prep Discovery Learning 
• Wednesday 25 October Year 5 Camp (Sovereign Hill) depart 
• Thursday 26 October Prep Orientation Session 1 
• Friday 27 October Year 5 Camp (Sovereign Hill) return 

Year 2s and 3s, Design Project: All Systems Go! 

During this term, students are investigating technology and sustainability in town planning and design. They looked at autonomous robots (Ozobots) and making them travel around the town they have created using algorithmic design. Students were given a design brief to design a town (incorporating both new and traditional technology to spark interest and discussion. They developed design ideas and communicated them through collaboration and using annotated drawings. They selected suitable materials to make a scale model of their design. The process has been so rewarding for everyone involved and the results have been amazing. The level of discussion and problem-solving between individuals ensured that everyone felt a level of success. 

Our next addition to the town will be a windmill that will rotate using simple circuits and other windmill concepts. The focus of this part of the task will be to design and produce a solution to enable the windmill to move. So please watch out for our next instalment! 

Year 3/4 Hooptime- Regional Finals 

On Wednesday this week, nine of our Year 4 students headed to Eagle Stadium in Werribee to compete in the regional finals for the 3/4 Future Stars Hooptime Competition. The students played in eight games over the day playing against three different schools. They had three wins on the day, finishing third overall. The real highlight was watching the students display good teamwork, sportsmanship and improve their skills and confidence as the day progressed. It was also great to see all the support we had from families, which really helped us get over the line in the close games. It’s great to see so many students enjoying basketball opportunities both in and out of school. 

The Elements of Jazz 

Students in the Year 7 Dance elective this term will continue to learn from former CCG student-turned choreographer Nikki Menzel (Geelong Dance Movement).  

Last term we learnt the beginnings of two dances – one musical theatre (Revolting Children from Matilda) and one lyrical (to Billie Eilish’s What was I made for?). Students then finessed these pieces, whilst also considering how they could add their own choreography.  

This term, Nikki will show us the start of a piece which is based on the elements – wind, earth, fire, water – where students will need to dance with props. We will also be introduced to a jazz number. 

Our aim is for students to be able to perform all four pieces at an end-of-term showcase for both parents and peers. 

Nick Ward on Malawi  

As part of the Year 7s English unit on Global Citizenship, students have been reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, a novel set in the small African country of Malawi. In learning about this remote and poor country, students were fortunate to have Mr Nick Ward speak with them about his own time in Malawi.  

Throughout his presentation, the students learned about the people of Malawi, and the struggles they face on a day-to-day basis. From finding food, and battling drought, to economic hardship, the students learned that the people of Malawi have very little in comparison to Australians. Yet, despite this, Mr Ward shared how incredibly kind they are. They were always accommodating and willing to share what little they did have.  

Nick also shared how he had worked with the Mphatso Foundation, a local Ocean Grove not-for- profit that works with the disadvantaged of Malawi. This foundation has been working to feed children and infants, protect vulnerable women and construct schools to educate Malawians.  

Through this rich learning experience, the students were able to make connections with their own learning from the text, from Mr Ward’s experiences. This will support further connections and context as they read the remainder of the text.  

A big thanks to Nick Ward for sharing his experiences with the Year 7s and telling us about the people of Malawi. 

Year 8 Textiles 

The Year 8 Textiles class are busily working on their second project. Most have chosen to make a garment. Students are learning how to read patterns, cut to size and sew seams at the correct allowance – and of course edging their seams. It has been great to see some students master the overlocker. Below are some progress photos of shorts, trousers, dresses, tops and skirts. We hope to have the work showcased at the Arts Festival Nov 14 – 16 at Villa Paloma. 

The Intersection Excursion  

The Year 9 Transformation students travelled to Melbourne last Friday and participated in a program called “The Intersection,” which is all about fostering empathy, diversity, and connection within the community. 

Through a story-based city walk and an interactive workshop the excursion provided our students with a unique perspective on Melbourne, a city known for its vibrancy but also grappling with social issues such as homelessness. By participating in “The Intersection,” our Year 9 students gained valuable insights and developed a deeper understanding of the importance of empathy, diversity, and connection in addressing these challenges. 

We believe that experiences like these have the power to shape our students into compassionate, informed, and socially conscious individuals. 

The students also had the opportunity to explore the city in small groups on their own and enjoyed the freedom to explore diverse people and places. 

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 20 October 2023 

Please note: Cash orders will no longer be accepted.   

Annual Music Evening – A Whole School Community in Song!

Congratulations to the nearly 450 students from across the Christian College Campuses from Prep to Year 12 who performed on the Costa Hall stage last night in the Christian College Geelong Annual Music Evening.

It was a fantastic night of celebration, culminating in a very colourful finale! The Hall was filled with over 800 family, friends and College staff, enjoying the outstanding musicianship and skills of the choirs, bands and string orchestras.

We cannot measure the positive impact of such a significant experience for our students and community …. however we can be confident that it runs deep and lifelong. We are so blessed to have highly skilled, generous, caring and invested music staff. Teachers who establish wonderful relationships with their charges, which in turn provide the impetus for students to grow in their confidence to ‘take a risk’ to perform! These relationships also make it possible for us to foster and nurture the students in their musicianship and character growth, putting them in good stead for things to come.

Congratulations and thank you to the College staff from across the campuses who supported the event in so many ways. Thanks also to the music families and friends who attended, and for their ongoing investment in their students’ music lessons, camps, tours,  instruments, attending rehearsals, and encouragement of regular home practise! These elements all work together to result in the tremendous program we witnessed last night!

Congratulations also to the graduating Year 12 musicians,  we would like to acknowledge and thank them for years of commitment and musicianship, it has been a privilege to have seen them ‘grow up’ in the program. We send them on their way with hope, that they will continue to enjoy music in their lives, and to play, sing and give joy to others their musical gifts.

A Brass Extravaganza! 

As part of the Melbourne Universities outreach to regional areas, The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Brass Faculty Staff and a selection of their tertiary brass students visited Christian College RW Gibson Centre on Monday this week. The visiting musicians worked with selected brass students (from Years 5 – 12) as well as students from a number of other schools. The morning’s activities saw 60 trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium and tuba students take part in a warmup workshop in specialised instrument groups, participate in a ‘side by side’ performance with the visiting performers and then enjoy a superb concert by the visitors as a large brass ensemble. There was a question-and-answer session between the students, lecturers and tertiary students, with our students asking thoughtful questions and getting a glimpse into life of a tertiary music student, they also learned of opportunity to develop your performance at university whether studying music as a major or on the ‘side’ of your major study. The MCM faculty also shared some thoughts on how to ‘succeed’ as a musician and all about how their music provides lifelong opportunities to meet others, travel, and experience many aspects of the creative arts/performing industry.  

The final concert performed by the visiting musicians was superb! The brass ensemble performed a range of music, some written specifically for brass, but as well transcriptions of works from across the centuries written for a range of instruments. Congratulations to our brass students, supported by our brass teachers Sean Rankin, Andrew Dunlop, Rob Moffatt and Cameron Williams, for their engagement in the activities and this opportunity to grow as musicians.

20 Years of Friendship Celebrated! 

An international guest, our first ever coordinator of Uma Maun Allin, past committee members and chairpersons, and many other guests who have had the wonderful community of Viqueque touch their hearts, gathered at the RW Gibson Music Performance Centre last Friday night to celebrate 20 years of friendship between Christian College Geelong and our closest international neighbour East Timor. It was a wonderful night of music performed by our current coordinator in Viqueque Samuel da Costa, and dancing. Congratulations to Andy Phillips and Darryl, Debbie, Jordan and Maddie Riddle who were honoured for their outstanding contribution, friendship and relationship with the people of East Timor. Here’s to another great 20 years. 

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.

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]