From the Principal
The busy final term is well underway and there is plenty of positive activity across the College. I feel that there is a true sense of emergence from the challenging experiences of the past few years, and greater engagement for our community.
The new term commenced with all staff gathering for a Commencement Service. This important time spent worshipping God together is a vital aspect of our Christian culture and ethos. We were particularly blessed and entertained by Junior School music teacher, Mr Kevin Smith and we enjoyed his enthusiastic and colorful singing and dancing to songs that have been popular amongst our junior students for many years.
We continued our work and journey as part of the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our guest speaker Shelley Ware, an educational consultant and media personality led us in support of our desire to authentically embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture into our classrooms. She guided us through a path of discovery through her own journey as a teacher, mother, and media identity.
A particular highlight of the staff session, and the Commencement Assemblies at each campus throughout the week, was the powerful message about the work of the RAP team by three of our First Nations students. We have begun this journey positively and understand that we need to take future steps gently at a pace that creates respectful opportunities for further growth and learning.
Music Evening
The return of the College Music Evening reminded those present of show much we have missed in recent years. The coming together at Costa Hall to marvel at the incredible performances of the ensembles across ages and campuses was simply a great joy! It was so good to see and catch up with families past and present, and to repeatedly hear how much everyone had missed these opportunities to be together.
But most significant for me was the obvious joy and satisfaction of the students and Music staff at having the opportunity to perform in front of their families and wider community. I was moved by the standard of performances and how that impacted me personally, and I could sense a similar mood among the entire audience throughout the evening.
My sincere congratulations and thanks to the Directors of Music Fiona Gardner and Andrew Dunlop and the entire Music team on the outstanding success of the evening – it was a blessing for the audience.
Year 12 Celebrations
The annual tradition and rituals that create the important narrative and passage for the graduating class provided the Class of 2022 their opportunity to reflect upon their Christian College journey and to leave their mark in the clock tower
It is a privilege for me and other colleagues to share in these occasions and to hear the positive conversations and emotion amongst the students.
Here is a link to a seven-minute documentary that captures highlights of this special time. It is accessible via our website homepage > Experiences.
I pray for our Year 12s as they complete their exams, plan for their future pathways and prepare for the next chapter in their lives.
Class Reunions
The opportunity to reconnect with past students has been another feature of recent months. It has been great to attend these occasions to meet former students to reminisce and to renew connections with students dating back to the first graduation class. The stories, memories and friendships that are reignited from these gatherings are an important development of College growth. Establishing an Alumni is a new feature of our progression, and we are excited about the potential that this will bring for the future.
Videos for Change
‘Videos for Change’ creates a rich opportunity for students to produce short videos that express their voice and create awareness about issues that they seek to share with their community. These videos reach an authentic audience and provide a space for their advocacy about issues that are important to them.
Once again, Christian College students have featured well in the program, receiving high praise and feedback regarding the quality and depth of content in their work. I am delighted to see the continued involvement and development in this area of learning.
Art, Technology and Design Festival
Excitement is building as we approach the Christian College Art, Technology and Design Festival. This year there is a revised format with some new initiatives which, I'm sure, will prove popular. As it was for the Music students and staff, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and provide students with an authentic audience to experience and appreciate their creative work. I encourage families to come along to support and experience the amazing work on exhibition and to meet some of the artists and hear about the design and creation of their pieces.
Foundation Golf Day
The College Foundation hosted the Inaugural Christian College Golf Day at Thirteenth Beach yesterday. The support of parents, friends, past students, and staff members as well as some of our business partners who participated in this event is highly appreciated and valued. They enjoyed healthy competition, great fellowship over lunch and an opportunity to hear about the wonderful work the Foundation is doing to support the College.
The day was a huge success and will become an annual feature on the College calendar. I am most grateful to the Foundation team for organising this event, particularly Mr Graeme Dent for driving the project.
Grandparents and Special Friends’ Days
These special days have become a regular event over the years and their return at some of the campuses has been tremendous time for some of the students at our Junior Schools to welcome grandparents or special friends to school to visit them in their classrooms and to see what school is like for them each day. I had the joy of visiting my own grandchildren and being part of this experience. It is vital to encourage the broader connections for our students and families through events such as this.
Orientation Days
We are looking forward to welcoming the new students and their families that will be joining us in 2023 at Orientation Day next week. I pray that each new student, as well as our current students, will enjoy meeting and making new friends and hearing about the exciting plans for then in their new classes in 2023.
World Teachers’ Day
It is with a thankful heart that I acknowledge our teaching and professional support staff today for the invaluable work that they do each day as part of World Teachers Day. We are blessed to have such dedicated and hardworking professionals that serve our community and care for our student each day at Christian College. I offer my sincere gratitude for all that they do.
I found this prayer to offer on behalf of our community as a blessing.
Most gracious God, thank You always for blessing us with the most capable educators who lead us to You with every lesson they teach. Our teachers deserve all the good in the world. I know that with You, they are always blessed with the grace only You can give. May our teachers continue to be showered with Your blessings of grace and mercies, so that they may be inspired to continue being a blessing to others. Glory to God in the highest, Amen.
Best wishes for the remaining weeks of term.
God bless.
Glen McKeeman, Principal
Orientation Day
An Orientation experience for students attending Christian College Bellarine in 2023 has been arranged for Tuesday, November 1 2022.
Students not returning to Christian College Bellarine in 2023 are not required to attend school – for all or part of the day. Students in Years 1 to 7 in 2023 are not required for the entire day. Students in Years 8 and 9 are not required before recess.
We hope this will be an enjoyable experience for all of our students preparing for the 2023 College year. Please see the attached letter for the full details of the Orientation Experience for respective year levels.
2023 Orientation Experience Information for Current Families
Nicholas Watson, Head of Campus
Grandparents and Special Friends’ Morning
Under cloudy skies on Tuesday morning our Year 8 Students did a wonderful job of escorting our Grandparents and Special Friends to the Prep – Year 2 classrooms where the students with beaming little faces, eagerly welcomed them for a morning of activities. These very special visitors participated in a variety of undertakings led by the children. Moving from room to room it was hard to work out who was more excited, the children or their guests!
Following the classroom visits, our Grandparents and Special Friends enjoyed morning tea together and were treated to delightful performances by the Junior School Choir and the Strings Group in the Music, Sport and Performing Arts Centre.
The morning was a fantastic time for all concerned where our youngest students had a chance to showcase their learning to some of the most important people in their lives.
It was a great opportunity for the Bellarine community to open its doors and share a beautiful experience among the generations once again.
Pam McKeeman, Deputy Head of Campus
Beyond Blue
As part of our Year 9 Transformation Passion Project, we are raising awareness around mental health issues. We want the community to know and understand that there is help available to people who are experiencing poor mental health.
Beyond Blue is an Australian mental health and wellbeing support organisation. They provide support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses.
Next Wednesday the 2nd of November we are wanting to support Beyond Blue by hosting a casual dress day encouraging everyone to wear a blue item of clothing and bring along a gold coin donation.
We will also be hosting a bake sale, selling blue cupcakes for $3 in the Bean Break Café at recess.
Thank you in anticipation of your support with this project.
Ben Maguire and Inde Sankey
Years 1 and 2 Collaboration
The Year 1 and Year 2 children have been fully immersed in our Integrated Studies topic ‘Community’ this term. This week we took an opportunity to share our learning by reading and showing our work between year levels. The Year 1 students were very proud to share their recounts of their walk around the Drysdale community in which they wrote about all the different places we visited and how the community had changed over time. The Year 2 students added to this by sharing the Venn Diagrams they had created to compare the Drysdale of old to the present day. After this, the children worked together to identify the roles and responsibilities of various important members of the community such as policeman, doctors, postmen and teachers. It was lovely to see the children happily working together and learning from each other.
Susie Moxey
Year 3 Japanese Learning Expo
On Monday October 24, the Year 3 students presented their Japanese Learning Expo. Family, friends, students, and teachers visited the Expo to experience the following activities presented by the Year 3 students:
- A card quiz about Japanese houses
- Making Playdough fruit words
- An origami i-pad story
- Making an origami house
The visitors left many positive comments about the students’ efforts and their leading of activities on a feedback sheet. Some of the comments are below:
- “Great knowledge of features of a Japanese house.”
- “The i-pad story was a fabulous way to practise your knowledge of Japanese.”
- “I loved the Playdough fruit activity.”
- “Thank you for your great demonstration of how to fold an origami house.”
The Year 3 students would like to thank all the visitors for coming to encourage them and celebrate their learning in Japanese so far this year.
Adam Reidy
Lunchtime Concerts at Bellarine
This week we enjoyed another great lunchtime concert featuring amazing musicians from our Junior and Middle School. These concerts are a vital part of the students setting goals and developing their skills as musicians and performers. For some students it was their first performance and others are seasoned lunch time concert goers. We love having parents and friends visit us for our concerts, so please talk to us if you’d like to come and see your young person perform.
Sharon Huber
Year 4 Japanese Learning Expo
On Wednesday October 26, the Year 4 students presented their Japanese Learning Expo. Family, friends, students, and teachers visited the Expo to experience the following activities presented by the Year 4 students:
- A PowerPoint quiz about Japanese schools
- Making Playdough school words
- Simon Says in Japanese
- Playing Kendama
The visitors left many positive comments about the students’ efforts and their leading of activities on a feedback sheet. Some of the comments are below:
- “Thanks very much for teaching us so well with happy smiles.”
- “I liked the great teachers. They explained things very well and spoke Japanese perfectly.”
- “We enjoyed trying to master the Kendama.”
- “Amazing job on the PowerPoint.”
The Year 4 students would like to thank all the visitors for coming to encourage them and celebrate their learning in Japanese so far this year.
Adam Reidy
Semester 2 Weekly Maths Challenge Number 14
Welcome to the 14th 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 13 solution
Which three numbers have the same answer whether they are added or multiplied together?
Answer: 1,2 and 3 (answer is 6 for both operations)
Challenge Number 14 question
Let’s get back to a logic question for this week.
There are three bags, each containing two marbles. Bag A contains two white marbles, Bag B contains two black marbles, and Bag C contains one white marble and one black marble. You pick a random bag and take out one marble, which is white. What is the probability that the remaining marble from the same bag is also white?
Remember no Googling allowed. Answer in next week’s edition of The Vine. Enjoy!
Pat Sculley
Year 5 Camp
Our fantastic Year 5 students had the privilege of attending camp this week. The soggy start didn’t deter us. We explored the Ballarat Wildlife Park where they reinforced their learning from Science about animal adaptions. Sovereign Hill was an incredible historical experience and students have returned with a deep understanding of the 1850s Gold Rush and Eureka Rebellion and its impact on Australia’s development as a country. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed candle dipping, mine tours and gold-panning to find their own speck of gold.
Josh Lees, Kate Pritchard, Sophie Maye and Gary Crole
Seaweeds Matter (Continued)
You might recall in an edition of The Vine last term we created some lightbox art using local marine flora. Aside from seaweeds and seagrasses providing shelter and food, they also produce a significant amount of oxygen, capture carbon from the atmosphere and they also form the basis of the marine food chain. Seaweeds don’t have the best reputation, especially when it is washed up along the shoreline and lets off some interesting smells. What Year 8 has learnt most recently, is that seaweeds are not only valuable, but beautiful. Here are some of the students’ seaweed creations now formed into pieces of art and on display in our campus foyer. Seaweed is beautiful and interesting. This is Year 8 Marine Studies Seaweed Art.
Fiona Wright
Mindfulness and Movement for Men’s Mental Health
A group of Year 9 boys in Transformation led the class in a mindfulness and movement session in aid of men’s mental health this week. Brodie O’Donohue, Clem Vagg and Luke Daly were on a mission to destigmatise mental health and encourage men to reach out when they need help. Brodie urged his friends to ‘check up on your mates’ as the leading cause of death in young men in Australia is suicide. He explained “that needs to change and it changes with us”.
To encourage good mental health the students organised a mindfulness session and a walk along the clifftops to Jan Juc. It was a perfect morning, full on fun, laughter, chatting and connection. It was incredibly powerful to see our young people opening the conversation up around mental health and discussing ways they can seek help if needed.
Rebecca Barry
Connecting With Country
As a part of our series of outdoor classroom experiences, the Transformation team were both provoked and inspired by engaging with a member of our local Wadawurrung group. Students were captivated by Ash who spoke of stories about the local flora and fauna and how the Wadawurrung population lived, survived, and interacted with the land. He spoke of a deep connection to Wadawurrung land ‘our country’ and of the local laws that existed to preserve significant cultural values and ceremony. Students were absorbed in the ways that the local population used various parts of nature to create tools, weapons, clothing, ceremonial props and of course food. Following this, we had Matt from the Bellarine Catchment Network who lead us on a walk through the dune systems to identify ‘good’ and ‘bad’ coastal plants instrumental in securing dune systems. The term ‘good’ and ‘bad’ was used as some plants can be considered ‘bad’ for dune systems but ‘good’ when planted in other environments. Coastal birds and food sources were also identified as we journeyed along the dunes and beach with a new perspective of the cultural significance of these areas.
Fiona Wright
Our New-Look ATD Festival - Now Open!
Our Art, Technology and Design Festival is underway at Villa Paloma ATD Centre! It opened at 10am this morning and the program runs until 9pm this evening. Tomorrow (Saturday Nov.12), it's on between 10am and 4pm.
There's a magnificent exhibition of student artwork and products – all year levels from K-12 from all our campuses and Early Learning Centres are represented.
Come along this evening or tomorrow - or both! There are food trucks, coffee and live music, a Food Studies Market Stall and Gelato Bar, face painting, the official opening at 6:30pm this evening, then the Wearable Art and Textiles Fashion Parade from 6:40 – 7:15pm.
Tomorrow, the Festival kicks off again at 10am and goes until 4pm. A ‘Meet the Creator’ program is running where students of various ages from every ATD subject area (Visual Art, Studio Art, Media, VCD, Food Studies, Systems Engineering, Product Design – Materials and Product Design – Textiles). Live music, sausage sizzle, coffee and the Food Studies market stall and gelato bar are all happening between 10am and 2pm.
Villa Paloma is at 25 Waurn Ponds Drive, Waurn Ponds. The full Event Program is on our website (follow the hotlink on our homepage) or click here.
Term 4 2022 COVID-19 Update Procedures and Protocols
Introduction
Christian College is committed to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, students and College community.
The following revisions to the COVID-19 procedures and protocols align with the Victorian Government’s announcement of the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders. The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health and the Department of Education for Victorian schools now apply.
If you require greater detail, please access additional information via the DHHS or Victorian State Government Education and Training websites or speak with your campus leadership team.
COVIDSafe Measures for Schools
- No student, staff member, parent, or visitor, should come on to College sites if they are unwell or have any Flu-like symptoms.
- Practise good hand hygiene, utilising the sanitisers supplied
- Utilising outdoor spaces and increasing cross-ventilation indoors where possible
- It is recommended that a person who is symptomatic, displaying cold or Flu like symptoms should undergo a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or PCR Test.
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
Rapid Antigen Testing
Free RATs will be made available for use by all students and staff through Term 4. It is recommended that RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
Reporting and Managing Positive Results
If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, it is recommended the result be reported to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report or via the telephone hotline on 1800 675 398.
Parents/Guardians must report a positive COVID-19 test result of a student directly to the student office at the relevant campus. Staff must notify their relevant College leader.
The College community will no longer be notified of a positive COVID-19 case associated with the school.
It is recommended that any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 isolates for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test will continue to be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
Face Masks in Schools
Current advice from the Victorian government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks: It states:
“Face masks can stop or slow viruses spreading in the air when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh. Face masks lower your chance of catching and spreading an airborne virus. That’s why wearing a high-quality and well-fitted face mask can help protect you and those around you from COVID-19.”
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
- It is recommended that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.
- It is recommended that that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
- Whilst traveling on Christian College buses, it is recommended students wear a face mask due to physical distancing not being possible.
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.
CCG Foundation Patron’s Dinner
Join us for the Foundation Patron’s Dinner, to be held on Saturday, 12 November 2022 at The Pier Geelong.
On this night, the Foundation will be officially launching the establishment of our Public Ancillary Fund - 'The Eternity Fund'. The purpose of this fund is to provide sustained giving for the future. This fund will invest donations to return a greater value in years to come - a donation that lasts a lifetime.
At this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from our Foundation Patron, Robert Costa, who will speak about the significance of perpetual giving and the impact of local philanthropy.
Tickets are $200 per person and include a three-course meal, a four-hour drinks package, and a night full of heartfelt celebration. If you would like to attend, please book online at your earliest convenience.
Secure your seat today! www.ccgfoundation.org.au/patronsdinner
