From the Head of Campus  

This term as a Junior School staff we have been focusing on the College value of ‘Love’ in our morning Devotions. This core value is central to who we are at Christian College Geelong. The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  

The temptation to love oneself before loving others is all too present and often acceptable in our world. We live in a world that tries to convince us that by loving and serving ourselves we will find happiness. However, Jesus calls us to live differently, in that loving and serving ourselves, we should love and serve others. 

Student Learning Conferences are Happening Next Week! 

We have great pleasure in inviting you to participate in next week’s online Student Learning Conferences. The aim is to provide parents with the opportunity to discuss your child’s current progress and application in each of their Homeroom subjects. The Student Learning Conferences will be available on either Tuesday March 14, 4:00pm – 7:00pm or Thursday March 16, 4:00pm – 6:00pm. 

To book a Student Learning Conference appointment with your child’s teacher please access the online booking system at www.schoolinterviews.com.au using our school’s event code. The Online Conference Booking Information document attached includes the event code and full instructions to make your bookings. Please note bookings close on Monday 13 March at 4:00pm. 

To open the Parents’ Guide to joining a Teams meeting which gives a step-by-step outline to enable you to access and participate in the online Teams conferences, click on this link: Parent Guide, Joining a Teams Meeting 

We encourage you to forward any queries regarding accessing the online conferences to our IT Specialists by contacting [email protected].  

We look forward to sharing your child’s learning with you next week. 

Learning Conference Flyer

Change Over Time 

In our Integrated Studies Unit, the Year 1 students have been investigating how things have changed over time. We have been exploring the several types of transport, looking particularly at cars and how they have evolved over time. It has been so joyful to see the students immerse themselves in ‘olden day’ times and the reactions on their faces when viewing videos or pictures of how different times were. 

This week we have shifted out focus to how ‘WE’ have changed over time with students creating their own Timeline Garden of themselves. Students have collected pictures of themselves as babies, toddlers, kinder and now. The students loved sharing these photographs with each other, seeing how we have all changed. They were able to write a description of each photograph, sharing their information with the class and identifying similarities and differences with each other. 

Year 3 

In the past couple of weeks, we welcomed back an old friend of some, as a new member of the 3G family. Earlier in the year as part of our ‘Civics and Citizenship’ unit we held a democratic vote on what type of class pet we should get? The students voted in an overwhelming majority for an axolotl.  

Many of you would know or remember Squirtle the axolotl has been a friend for those in the learning support space for a very long time. Most recently, Squirtle has been remote learning with one of the learning support team and in the past few weeks has made a smooth transition to life in 3G. 

The students have developed a strong liking for Squirtle, and we have clear guidelines on how and when we interact with him during class time. We will have a roster for feeding Squirtle and cleaning his tank – and some students will have the opportunity to take him home over the holidays. 

Scholastic Book Club – New Monitors

Introducing our wonderful Book Club monitors for 2023: Zander Cox and Elodie McCormack. They are both looking forward to delivering the order forms and books to each of our Junior School classes. A wonderful team! 

Issue 2 of Scholastic Book Club has been distributed to students and orders should be placed online or returned to school no later than Wednesday, 15^th March. 

Our preferred payment method is via LOOP either via the mobile app or the desktop site which can be found here

You may also return your order form and payment by cheque to school. Cheques should be payable to Scholastic Australia. 

Please do not send cash as we are unable to process cash payments. 

Thank you for your assistance and ongoing support of Book Club. 

College Exchange Programs Resume as we Welcome Indonesian Students

Campuses across the College have been buzzing over the past 10 days with the arrival of 15 students and two staff members from our sister school, SMA Negeri 2 Mataram, in Lombok, Indonesia. This visit marked the 28th year of the College’s relationship with our sister school in Lombok and was the first visit between countries post COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is a visit like this important for Indonesian and Australian bilateral relations, but it also signifies the returning of some normality to our College programs and the ability to reconnect with our closest neighbours once more.

The Lombok students were received with excitement by all students within the College, in particular, the Senior campus Indonesian students who hosted the group for the duration of the program.

During their 10-day stay in Geelong, the Lombok students had the opportunity to visit a number of the College campuses, including the Surf Coast Campus, where the first group of Year 5 students have just begun their Indonesian studies. Christian College students were able to put their new language skills to the test in fun way; laughing and sharing stories with the Lombok students and connecting with their new friends.