Junior School Term 2 Week 2

Greater Love has no Person Than This…

“Greater love has no person than this, that a person lay down their life for their friends”. This verse from John 15:13 has characterised the ANZAC spirit for generations. It occurs to me that love and inversely a lack of love continues to be the greatest driving force in human beings. This makes sense considering we are all created from, by and for the love of God.

When I think about some of the most challenging tasks I could be asked to do as a member of a family, organisation, community or country I know that ultimately it’s not my respect for the person asking, ordering or mandating my action but my love for whomever my action will benefit that is the key motivating factor. It’s difficult to follow orders that we disagree with, cause discomfort or come from someone we disrespect – and yet when we love the person beside us, when we value them and seek to serve their best interests a courage arises within us that motivates and drives us towards the hardest of tasks. This is how Jesus went to and endured his death on the cross, his love for us drove and enabled him to face incredible challenges that ultimately resulted in our lives being saved and radically restored, improved and safeguarded.

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. 

Unearth Your Treasure Within!

Open Day and Prep Discovery Days

For those considering a Christian College education for their children, regardless of year level, we believe the best way to get a true 'look and feel' of our College is to come and see us in action. That’s why we offer open days where interested parents and guardians have the opportunity to tour our campuses, see real classes in real time, meet students, teachers and campus leaders and have their specific questions answered.

Our second Open Day for 2024 at all five campuses, plus Butterfield House Kindergarten, is on May 7. Opening times have been planned so there is an opportunity to visit more than one campus on the same day. Bellarine Campus will open its doors from 9:30 to 11:00am; Middle School-Highton from 10:30am to 12 noon; Senior School-Waurn Ponds from 11:30am to 1pm; Junior School-Belmont from 9:15 to 10:45am and Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House from 11:30am to 1pm. Evening sessions are offered at two campuses on the day – Junior School (at 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30pm) and Surf Coast Campus (at 4:30, 4:45 and 5:00pm).

Then on May 8 and 9, we are again offering a Prep Discovery experience at our Bellarine, Belmont and Surf Coast Campuses. These days are for those parents and guardians interested in enrolling in Prep. There is an opportunity for them, and their children, to actually join a Prep class for an immersive experience – and find out more about our amazing Prep program at three campuses. For those interested in attending one of these free sessions, we ask for a booking so we can properly accommodate everyone who wants to attend. More details on both Open Day and Prep Discovery sessions, including a link to book a Prep Discovery place, can be found on our website.

We would ask all current Christian College families who have friends, other family members or colleagues who are making choices about the right school for their child(ren), to spread the word and encourage them to visit one or more of our campuses on May 7, and/or be part of our Prep Discovery program on May 8/9.  

From the Chaplain

On Wednesday this week, our Year 4 student leaders ran Junior School’s annual ANZAC Service. This was a special morning to come together and put time aside to pause, to remember and to reflect on the sacrifice and courage of the service men and women who served our country in war.

It was also a time to acknowledge the devastation and tragedy that war brings and be reminded just as Psalm 23 tells us, that God is with us and in Him we can find refuge and comfort in times of trouble.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in pastures of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.

Even though I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

Psalm 23:1-4

It is always special to have many guests join us for this morning including our friends across the road at Sirovilla, Senior School students who represent various Cadet Squadrons within our local community and family and friends within our school community – thank you to everyone who attended this service.

What’s on at Junior School

This an up to date list of planned activities at Junior Campus that you can use for planning purposes.  Please be aware that these dates are set early in the term and occasionally items may need to be cancelled or dates/times altered.  This itinerary is altered each week to reflect any changes – please check this list of events EVERY WEEK carefully when you read the weekly VINE newsletter.

Week 3
Tuesday April 30 – Lunchtime Concert, 1:10pm
Wednesday May 1 – Prep Discovery Learning, 1:00pm
Thursday May 2 – Marvelous Maths in May, 3.30-4.30pm
Friday May 3 – Prep 50 Days of School Celebrations

Week 4
Monday May 6 – Year 4 ‘Our Local Community’ Excursion
Tuesday May 7 – Open Day, 9:15am – 10:45am
Tuesday May 7 – Open Evening, 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday May 8 – Discover Prep Session, 9:15am – 10:00am
Thursday May 9 – Discover Prep Session, 9:15am – 10:00am
Friday May 10 – Assembly, 3G Class Item, 9:00am
Friday May 10 – Mothers’ Day Stall (details to come!)
Friday May 10 – Mothers’ Day Celebration Afternoon, 1:15pm – 3:25pm (details to come)

Week 5
Tuesday May 14 – Lunchtime Concerts, 1:10pm
Wednesday May 15 – Prep Discovery Learning, 1:00pm
Friday May 17 – Staff Development Day, Student Free Day

Mothers’ Day Stall

Just a reminder that our Mothers’ Day Stall will be held on Friday May 10. Children will have time to purchase gifts for their mums or special people in their lives for $5 each at the stall.

Donations are still accepted in Reception for those who want to donate items or small cash donations. Thank you to the Junior School Community for their generous gifts and cash donations that have contributed to the stall for this year.

Mothers’ Day Celebration Afternoon

In 2024 Junior School will host a special afternoon to celebrate our mums or people who play significant roles in the lives of the children attending Junior School. A Mothers’ Day Celebration afternoon will be held on Friday May 10. Mums are invited to come along to the Chapel at 1.15pm for a cuppa, before spending the afternoon with your child/ren visiting a number of classrooms to enjoy a range of ‘mum-centred’ activities together! Invitations will be shared in Week 3, please mark on your calendar!

Marvellous Maths in May!

With over 120 parents and students attending our first ever Junior School ‘Maths In May’ evening next Thursday we can’t wait to share all the exciting ways that students are learning about Maths in Prep –4.

Families are invited to join us on Thursday May 2, 3:30pm – 4:30pm to participate in a range of fun games, puzzles and activities all based on mathematical concepts.

There will be opportunities to engage in hands-on mathematics together with your child/children in various rooms at Junior School. Prior to the evening a map will be sent home via Edsmart, this will help families to plan their visit on Thursday.

Please click the link below to tell us that you’re coming along, or alternatively scan the code on the flyer attached.  https://www.trybooking.com/CQHYS

We look forward to celebrating the world of mathematics with our families!

We’re Opening the Doors for Open Day and Discover Prep Week

We are excited to welcome visitors into Junior School for a second Open Day session and Discover Prep Week sessions, on May 7, 8 and 9. While Open Morning provides an opportunity for visitors to wander at their own pace, enjoy a student-led tour, listen to wonderful music performances and meet and greet staff, the unique Discover Prep sessions invite visitors to ‘become’ a Prep student, participating in activities and experiencing firsthand, learning in the classroom.

Click on the link below to make a booking. We are looking forward to celebrating all the wonderful things that make Junior School so special!

Click Here for Junior School Open Day II and Discover Prep Week Bookings

Clubs, Clubs and More Clubs!

With a range of Clubs running during lunchtimes at Junior School, there is always something for students to do! Clubs are a great way to build friendships across year levels, to work with different teachers and to develop interests. We encourage all students to get involved in our Clubs program throughout Term 2.

Preps Enjoy the Magic of Learning Words!

The first year of school is a remarkable time for young learners. As they step into the world of formal education, they embark on a journey filled with wonder, curiosity, and significant milestones.

Reading is like unlocking a treasure chest of knowledge. In the first year of school, children begin their adventure with letters, sounds, and words. Phonics is the foundation. Children learn the sounds associated with each letter and how to blend them to form words. They decode simple words, gradually progressing to more complex ones. The Prep children have already been exposed to all the most dominant sounds for each letter in the alphabet and we are beginning digraphs such as sh, th, ch and ng. It is such a joy to literally watch the learning unfold and hard to believe that in under 50 days of school we have Preps who are confidently recording and reading letters in words.

One of our favourite warmups is to work through a word chain. We begin by writing a word that uses our letter focus for the week – e.g. fix, then we change it to fox, then box, then bog then log, then leg etc. This task requires deeper knowledge and capability. The children need to be able to identify the parts of the word, hold the sounds in their head, know what to manipulate and record it correctly. We do this daily and it is also something fun that can be done at home!

Adventures of our Year 2 Campers

On Tuesday, the Year 2 students and their teachers boarded the school bus ready to set off on our exciting camp adventure to Camp Wilkin in Anglesea.

Camp Wilkin is such an amazing camp.  The students had the opportunity to participate in a range of different activities and experiences during their overnight stay.

The flying fox was one of the students’ favourite outdoor activities.  The Camp Wilkin staff put on our safety harnesses, and we were ready to go ziplining! After a gentle push the year 2s accelerated along the zipline, until they reached the rubber tyre at the end of the tree.  The students delightedly pulled each other back to the platform, ready for the next adventurous camper!

In small groups, the children supported their team members through the low ropes course, encouraging each other to take the next daring step!

Year 3 off and Running for Term 2

As we returned to school for Term 2 in Year 3, we are eagerly looking forward to a busy term ahead. On Wednesday this week we paid our respects at a beautiful ANZAC service at Junior School whilst also enjoying some picture story books that continued the theme of ANZAC Day.

Each of the books had some amazing language features and beautiful illustrations. We have also completed our history unit in Interdisciplinary Learning which included an activity involving identifying significant symbols to Australian culture. ANZAC poppies were part of this activity along with Australian, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags, Sydney Opera House and Uluru. The students did a brilliant job of drawing and identifying why these symbols and landmarks were significant to Australians.

What’s Happening in the Library?

We have had a fabulous start to the term with some new Year 4 Library Monitors assisting in the Library each lunchtime. Thank you to Amelia, Savannah, Nethra and Anais. The Library has been busy at lunchtimes with students reading, returning and borrowing books.

We are excited to announce a new initiative to parents where we invite you into the Library after school with your student on a Monday to borrow books as a family that you would like to share together. The Library will remain open on Monday till 4.00pm, so parents can accompany their children and share in this important process. We are trialling this each Monday in Term 2 to see how popular this is for our families. We look forward to seeing you next Monday!

Computer Club

On Thursdays at lunchtime, the Digitech room hosts the Computer Club, for anyone interested in coming along to practise their keyboard and mouse skills, learn about programs and apps being used in the classroom, attempt digital drawings and digital puzzles or share a gaming experience with a group of friends.

There’s no need for membership or no sign-up sheets, just come along and join the gang.

Year levels rotate each week with Preps and Year 3 welcome during odd weeks of term and Year 1 and Year 2 welcome during even weeks of term. Year 4s are welcome each week but must bring their own device.

Come along and join the digital fun!

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 3 of Scholastic Book Club has been distributed to students and orders should be placed online by Friday, May 3. 

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

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

Thank you for your assistance and support of Book Club

Commemorating ANZAC Day in Jordan

One of Christian College's instrumental music teachers and our Head of Brass, Sean Rankin, represented the RAAF yesterday at their dawn ANZAC ceremony in Jordan, sounding The Last Post and the Reveille as he stood on the ancient steps of the Citadel – part of the historic Roman ruins that overlook the city of Amman. Prior to joining CCG, Sean spent a number of years as a full-time musician in the RAAF, attaining the rank of Leading Aircraftsman (LAC), and he still serves as a reservist trumpet player for the ADF. We are immensely proud of you Sean!

Lest we forget.

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!