Junior School Term 1 Week 4

From the Principal

It only seems like yesterday I was writing here to welcome families to the new school year. Yet, here we are, at the end of Week 4, and so much has been packed in to Term 1 already – commencement assemblies, parent welcome events, student leaders’ inductions, Year 7 camps for Bellarine and Highton and Year 12 Outdoor Education alpine crossings. And, of course, plenty of learning taking place in classrooms from Prep to VCE.

Over the past week, I have had the privilege of participating in the services dedicated to inducting our student leaders at Belmont, Highton, and Senior campuses, and I look forward to next week's event at the Bellarine campus. The students who step up for these roles understand that genuine leadership stems from prioritising the needs of others over oneself. The core of servant leadership, akin to Christ's example, isn't about wielding authority or power, but about selflessly serving and empowering others. In that sense, every student, whether they carry a leader’s badge or not, possesses the capacity to lead by demonstrating selflessness. An approach centred on caring for others significantly enhances the dynamics in our classrooms, playgrounds, and indeed, our communities. As Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This verse beautifully underscores the importance of prioritising the needs of others in leadership and in life.

From the Head of Campus – Celebrating Community 

It has been a delight this week to celebrate two very important community events at Junior School, these being our Welcome Picnic on Tuesday evening and our Leaders Induction Service today, Friday February 23. Sharing events such as these with students, families and staff help unite us in community and this week’s Welcome Picnic was no exception. The opportunity to meet, talk and enjoy beautiful weather together was a joy and a privilege. It was wonderful to see so many parents, staff and students alike enjoying conversation and connection, joining in with Mr Horman on the roundabout for a dance and then heading for a visit to homerooms and specialist classrooms to celebrate students learning environments.   

Today we were able to be a part of the Years 4-9 community at Middle School for our Student Leaders Induction Service. It was heartwarming to see students I had taught in Prep now becoming Year 9 Prefects! I would like to take this opportunity to share my heartfelt thanks to staff, students and families for their participation in our Leaders Induction Service today. I look forward to the contributions of our Student Leaders over the coming year and I am grateful they have undertaken this role of service to their community.  

Student Leaders Inducted today in the role of Project Care are Samuel Gellie, Hebe Guan, Saskia Moodie, Harry Pollard, Savannah Reynolds, Ivy Thompson, Andrea Wong and Samuel Zampatti  

From the Chaplain

Geelong Mums

Once again in 2024, our Junior School – Belmont Campus will be supporting the work of Geelong Mums. Geelong Mums is a local non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families in need within the Geelong community. They collect donations of essential baby and children’s items such as clothing, toys, and nursery equipment to support families experiencing hardship. Geelong Mums aims to alleviate the stress and financial burden on families by providing them with essential items for their children, thereby promoting their health and wellbeing. This is a cause close to our hearts here at Christian College as we seek to love and care for people as Jesus did whilst providing opportunities for our students to experience the act of giving in a tangible and meaningful way.

Similarly to last year, a Geelong Mums’ donation box is set up in the foyer with a list of the current most in-need items that provide immediate relief to families in need. We also welcome you to use this collection box to donate any other items that Geelong Mums collect. More information on what can be donated can be found via the Geelong Mums website.

On Friday March 8, Junior School will be holding a special event to support Geelong Mums – a ‘Silly Sock Day’, where students and staff can come along to school wearing their choice of socks, but also to bring along a new pair of children’s socks to be donated to Geelong Mums. More information to come via Edsmart.

Thank you for all of the ways you partner with us to support the wider community and we look forward to updating you on the impact these donations have had.

Future Enrolments

We are now completing our planning and confirming enrolments for next year (2025) and for 2026. Parents are reminded that siblings of current students, expecting to start at Christian College in 2025 or 2026 at any year level, must complete the online enrolment process by clicking on this link. As you will already have had an interview and tour you are not required to do so again unless you wish to discuss the enrolment with Mrs Ann-Marree Weigl, Head of Campus.

What’s on at Junior School

Week 5
Monday February 26  – Year 3 & 4 Intensive Swimming Week 2 (Mon – Thurs)
Friday March 1 – Assembly, 4R Class Item

Week 6
Monday March 4 – Emergency Evacuation & Lockdown Drills
Tuesday March 5 – Open Day, 9.15am – 10.45am
Tuesday March 5 – Lunchtime Concert, 1:10pm
Thursday March 7 – Year 4 attend Middle School Swimming Carnival; Kardinia Aquatic Centre.
Friday March 8 – Year 3 & 4 Chapel Service; 9:00am
Friday March 8 – Sock Drive for Geelong Mums, Crazy Sock Day!

Week 7
Monday March 11 – Labour Day Public Holiday; Student Free Day
Tuesday March 12 – Student Learning Conferences , 4:00pm-6:00pm (Details to come)
Wednesday March 13 – Prep Discovery Learning
Wednesday March 13 – Naplan, Writing Component
Thursday March 14 – Student Learning Conferences, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday March 14 – Naplan, Reading Component
Friday March 15 – Assembly, 3B Class Item
Friday March 15 – Year 3 Bible Presentation

Fire Safe Preppies!

We had some very important visitors on Thursday morning. The fire brigade came to talk to us about how to be safe and how to know when it is an emergency or not.

We talked about good fires and bad fires and how important it is to only be around good fires with adults. 

We were able to see what a firefighter looks like all dressed up and even heard how his voice can be a little muffled so we need to yell really loud. 

We learnt lots and lots in this session and look forward to them returning later in the term.

Some things that we learnt were shared by the Preps:

It’s important to stay safe. Olivia

You shout when the fire brigade says where are you, you yell “over here over here”. Oliver

If there’s smoke up high we crawl down so we can get out. Seth

I learnt how to be safe. Harriet 

I learnt that when the house is smoking I have to get down low and go go go. Anthony 

You have to stay low down when there is smoke in your house. Audrey

Year 1 – Learning All About MYTERN

During this term, the Year 1 children have been learning about the MYTERN program which focuses upon teaching students to take control of their responses to everyday challenges with the aim of improving their emotional and physical health.

As part of our Interdisciplinary Learning sessions, the children have been able to read about the key characters of ‘Reapo’ and ‘Buska’ who live in MYTERN city. ‘Reapo’ is responsible for all the green roads that make people feel happy and healthy, whilst ‘Buska’ manages the red roads, which help to build resilience.

During our learning, the students have been provided with the opportunity to share strategies, known as ‘PETs’ (Personal Emotional Tools), which they can use to manage their emotions when faced with challenges, such as patting a pet, reading a book, drawing or playing outside.

To reinforce our understanding, the children have been able to complete a range of activities such as drawing, collaborating to build lists of key words and ideas, creating puppets of the characters, and sharing their questions and observations.

We are looking forward to revisiting our MYTERN characters and concepts as we continue to learn throughout the year.

Unveiling the Majesty: Exploring World Mountains!

In Year 4 classrooms, an exciting writing odyssey unfolds as students embark on a journey to explore the world’s majestic mountains. Guided by their curiosity and fuelled by their thirst for knowledge, students delve into the rich tapestry of geographical wonders, cultural treasures, and historical significance embodied by these towering peaks.

At the outset of this immersive project, students eagerly select a mountain that captures their imagination and curiosity. From the snow-capped summits of the Himalayas to the rugged terrains of the Andes, each mountain offers a unique backdrop for exploration. With an array of research tools at their disposal, students embark on a voyage of discovery, uncovering the geological formations, climate patterns, flora and fauna, and human histories that shape these awe-inspiring landscapes.

Guided by their teachers, students weave together their research findings into compelling information pieces that showcase their understanding and creativity. From their findings, they begun creating multimedia presentations, students employed descriptive language, engaged with diverse perspectives, and shared their newfound knowledge with their peers. Through this collaborative endeavour, Year 4 students not only sharpen their writing skills but also deepen their appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Japanese

This term, the Prep students are learning about fruit in Japanese. It is always good to start with something tangible of which all students have some knowledge and experience. We are using fruit as a way of learning how to say our likes and dislikes in Japanese.

This also lays a great foundation for future learning as the children revisit these fruits in Year 4 when they learn the Hungry Caterpillar story in Japanese. It is always fascinating to see how many children remember vocabulary taught long ago with a little prompt like a hand gesture or the first sound. The Year 4s always start with creating a Kudamono Quiz like one below. This was created long ago by a student who is now in Senior School. But I am sure that he would remember his Kudamono vocabulary. I hope you enjoy doing the quiz with your budding Japanese scholars!

International Women’s Day Celebration at Senior Campus

All members of the CCG community are invited to join us at the Senior School campus for International Women’s Day on Friday March 8, as we continue the long-held tradition of the IWD breakfast. This year the event will be held in the RW Gibson music centre on Senior Campus, commencing at 7.20am and with formalities concluding by 8.30am. A light breakfast is provided, and we will hear from two inspiring women with links to our community who are making an impact in the wider world.

About our speakers - Former CCG student Ms Georgie Purcell MP was elected to the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament in November 2022, representing the Animal Justice Party. Georgie is a passionate animal protection advocate. After entering a political role at just 26 years old – she has noticed the way young people, particularly young women, are not represented in our halls of power. Georgie wants to change that.

Former teacher at CCG, Ms Gabrielle Blythe was an Olympic athlete, representing Australia in race walking events at the 1992 Olympic Games. Gaby now works with young women in her teaching and mentoring role at Clonard College, as well as inspiring a new generation of female athletes through her coaching. Gaby’s story is an amazing story about strong, resilient women who helped her to achieve her goals, despite significant difficulties along the way.

To join us on the day, please complete the booking form at https://www.trybooking.com/CPMKT.

In order to keep the day accessible to all, we are not charging participants for entry/breakfast. If, however, you are able to make a small contribution (gold coin or similar) on the day to help cover costs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party

In late 2022, Christian College Geelong formed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Party in a commitment to addressing, supporting and implementing our journey towards Reconciliation.

Late last year, due to this College priority, our Reconciliation Plan was ratified by Reconciliation Australia and published on their website. It will soon be appearing on our College website.

Our RAP Committee meet as one body once per term and comprises Acting Principal Rick Geall, a Chairperson, a College Board member, College staff, First Nations students and other interested students, and parents of First Nations students.

While we meet as one group, we incorporate two specific areas: Curriculum and Resources; and Community and Events. Each plays a role in planning, creating and sharing opportunities for Reconciliation in the classroom, around our campuses and across the broader community.

Students Progressing Through Their Learning

Starting a new school year and returning to the classroom, forming or maintaining friendships, preparing a school bag and school lunches reforming habits and routines can be an exciting time for parents, carers and students alike.

No matter if you are joining us in Prep, or reconnecting at our Middle Schools or Senior Campus, the collaborations between home and school have shown that children learn best when the important adults in their lives (parents, carers, teachers), are able to cooperate and support them.

At Christian College, feedback on student involvement and advancement in learning is a key element of strengthening the Home / School Partnership. It gives parents, carers, students and teachers information about learning opportunities and sets a direction to guide future teaching and learning activities, both inside and outside of the classroom.

At Christian College, such feedback is shared with parents through various methods. In-time reporting through the SEQTA Engage platform, Parent Portal, SEQTA Notifications, sometimes via email, the assessment task itself, or verbally via a learning conference and finally on a student report distributed at the end of each semester.

You may be able to access your child’s progress with their learning through the SEQTA Engage platform, but also for students with a College device, we would encourage you to sit with your child and their device to see the work that they are doing in their digital learning platforms, such as the Microsoft Teams app, where summaries of the learning may be visible in the upcoming Assignments feature of Teams.

Qustodio Parent App

Supervise and Support Your Children on Digital Devices

This week we have communicated with all families who have a child who has enrolled with us as a new student in 2024. These parents have received an invitation and guide to activate their Qustodio parent account as part of our school program via email.

A reminder to parents that the Qustodio Parent App is available to all our parents to help them supervise and support their children with their online and digital interactions at home, on the school device and on personal devices.

While parents of new students to the College have received an email invitation to activate their Qustodio parent account, any parents in our community who have not yet done so can activate their account at any time if they wish. This help document will guide you in getting started.

In addition, these short video guides will help you:

• Creating a Qustodio parent account to connect to a child’s school account

• How to invite an additional parent/carer to join your Qustodio family account

• How parents can get help with Qustodio

• Getting started with your Qustodio parent account

I hope that parents will value and benefit from this tool available through our school program. I’d also like to remind parents that we have a Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum coming up on March 20, with more information to come shortly.

Cinderella – Be Quick - Tickets are Disappearing Fast!

There are still tickets available for our major College production this year, but they are going fast, so to ensure you don't miss out - book now! Join us as we present three very special performances of this delightful story featuring students from Years 6 – 12 with exceptional talent throughout the cast, and an orchestra brimming with outstanding student musicians, all backed up by a wonderful community of staff, students and families backstage.

Performances are at Geelong Arts Centre Play House Theatre on May 3 and 4.

To purchase tickets, visit our website and click on the hotlink on our homepage, or go straight to ticket sales by clicking here. 

ENVISAGE – a Helpful Support Service

We would like to bring to the attention of all parents/guardians and families a program that exists as a possible support for families in the Geelong region called ENVISAGE.

ENVISAGE is a program co-created by Australian and Canadian researchers, clinicians, and parents of children with developmental concerns and disabilities. Their mission is to “empower caregivers to feel confident and competent to navigate the experience of parenting a child or children with developmental concerns by embracing contemporary strengths-based ideas about health, wellbeing, and development”.

We have included this link to the ENVISAGE website should you wish to discover further information as to whether this service could be of benefit to your child and your family.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund

Financial Assistance for Eligible Parents

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. Support from CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities and forms part of the State Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is: • $150 for primary school students • $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application Forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Go to ‘Student Information’ > ‘Important Forms for Parents’) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

More Information

For the CSEF application closing dates and more information about the fund please visit this webpage

CSEF_Application_Form_2024

Find Yourself at our Open Day!

On March 5, all five Christian College campuses and two kindergartens are holding Open Days. Our Open Days provide the opportunity for parents and others interested in enrolling their children at Christian College to have a firsthand look at our College campuses, speak with campus leaders, participate in student-led tours of the facilities, visit classrooms in real time and have their questions answered.

We would encourage everyone in our Christian College community to spread the word and tell anyone you might know who is considering schooling options for their children about our Open Day and the opportunity to come and visit one or more campuses and/or our kinders, with no tour booking required.

Details are on our website – follow the hotlink on our homepage or click Homepage > Join > Open Days.

Opening times for March 5 are as follows:

Junior School-Belmont and Williams House Kindergarten – 9:15 – 10:45am

Bellarine Campus – 9:30 – 11:00am

Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House Kindergarten – 11:30am – 1:00pm

Middle School-Highton – 10:30am – 12:00 noon

Senior School – 11:30am – 1:00pm

We would love to see as many interested families as possible finding themselves at our Open Day!

Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon

The Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon is back on and has been scheduled for Friday, 24 May 2024.

You are invited to join us for lunch at the stunning Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

This is a fundraising event for the Foundation and an opportunity to hear about the success and progress of the College.

Our guest speaker is Jossy Chacko, Founder and President of Empart, a global ministry that exists to ignite holistic community transformation among needy communities.

Giving leadership to a team of over 13,000 people and offices in nine countries, Jossy travels around the world inspiring and challenging leaders to capture a larger God-size vision and not to waste gifts and opportunities. He is also the author of Madness! and Dare to Partner.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together. 

Secure your seat and book online today! 

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/gh

Golf Tournament 

Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.

You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.

There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!