From the Chaplain
Hello and welcome back to the new Term. It has been so lovely to hear of all the adventures and stories that took place over the holidays from the students and the big smiles of joy these memories create.
With the change of pace and routine that holidays bring, it is common that returning to school can bring with it strong emotions as our minds and bodies re-adjust to the full days that make up the school term. If this is something you think may be true for your young person, please feel encouraged that this is a normal response and know you are welcome to reach out so we can establish a way forward that supports your child in finding their feet in this new term.
Please know you are welcome to pop in anytime or make contact via our front office if there is support and assistance I can provide.
Darcee Braun
What’s on at Junior School
Week 3
Wednesday May 10 – Prep Discovery Learning
Friday May 12 – Assembly, 3R Class Item
Friday May 12 – Mothers’ Day Stall
Friday May 12 – Mothers’ Day Tabloid Sports, 1:30 – 3:25pm (Please refer to Edsmart notification)
Week 4
Friday May 19 – Timor Leste Independence Restoration Day, Casual Dress in Black, White, Red, Yellow themes. Gold coin donation to support our friends in Viqueque, East Timor.
Friday May 19 – East Timor Restoration Day Year 3 and 4 Assembly
Week 5
Wednesday May 24 – National Simultaneous story time – ‘The Speedy Sloth’
Wednesday May 24 – Prep Discovery Learning
Friday May 26 – Commencement of Reconciliation week: 26 May – 3 June
Friday May 26 – Assembly, 4B Class Item
Week 6
Monday May 29 – School Photos
Thursday June 1 – Emergency lockdown drills
Mothers’ Day Stall Reminder
A reminder that our Annual Mothers’ Day Stall will be held on Friday, May 12. We would be very grateful for some donations of small packets of chocolates, chips, coffee or tea bags etc. Any small cash donations would also be gratefully accepted.
On the day of the stall, please remember to send along $5 for your child to spend at the stall. If your child requires more than one present, there will be an opportunity for students to revisit the stall during recess to make further purchases.
Carla Dunlop, Deputy Head of Junior School
Year 2 Camping Adventure!
Camps are a wonderful opportunity for our young people to build their social skills, develop new friendships, and increase their independence, so what better way for our Junior School Year 2 students to begin the term than to head off to Camp Wilkin in Anglesea for some overnight fun and adventure.
Our Year 2 cohort was bursting with excitement as they headed off on Thursday morning and nothing was going to deter this amazing group of students from participating in each activity with determination, a sense of fun, and a willingness to support and encourage one another. Whether it was swinging on the flying fox, navigating a low ropes course, eating something new, or just getting through a night without Mum or Dad, the students faced each challenge with a positive mindset and a willingness to try their very best.
At the conclusion of the camp on Friday afternoon, the students returned to school with a sense of accomplishment and pride, full of stories to share with their loved ones. Well done, Year 2! It was a pleasure to accompany you on your camping adventure.
Anne Spence
Year 3’s Busy Term Ahead
As we returned to school for Term 2 in Year 3, we are eagerly looking forward to a busy term ahead. Having paid our respects at a beautiful ANZAC service at Junior School in Week 1, we also enjoyed some picture story books that continued the theme of ANZAC Day.
Each of the books had some amazing language features and beautiful illustrations. Inspired by some of the imagery in these books and the bravery and courage of all who serve in our armed forces, we designed and created our own ANZAC medals in Year 3 STEAM this week. We have also completed a creative activity using ANZAC soldier silhouettes for our classroom to remind us of the sacrifice of our ANZAC soldiers.
Todd Brown
Junior School Cross Country
On Friday April 28, Junior School students participated in the annual Cross-Country event around Junior School grounds. Prep to Year 2 students completed a 1km loop around the school, while the Year 3 and 4 students ran a 2km course. There were lots of smiles and enthusiasm shown by students and it was so pleasing to see the efforts from the students striving to complete the course.
A huge thank you to all the teaching staff for your support and help throughout the afternoon. A big thanks to Mrs Nicole Riddle and the Year 9 leaders for their help in guiding the students around the course and the basketball court activities. A special thank you to Matt Murnane from our Sports Department for preparing and collating all the results. It was great to see so many parents come along and support the children on the day. Taylor House won the 2023 Cross Country event, followed by Burrows, Flynn and Penman. Congratulations to our Year 3 and 4 medal recipients below.
Year 3 Girls Year 3 Boys
1st Angie Muhlenberg – Penman 1st Sam Zampatti – Taylor
2nd Winnie McKeag – Flynn 2nd Oscar Wang – Flynn
3rd Macy Forbes – Burrows 3rd Novak Little – Burrows
Year 4 Girls Year 4 Boys
1st Pieper Riddle – Flynn 1st Mitch Ward – Taylor
2nd Michaela Desai – Taylor 2nd Jack Normington – Penman
3rd Maya Brenner – Taylor 3rd Mitch Andrews – Taylor
Nick Rice, Junior School Health & Physical Education Coordinator
Deakin District Cross Country
Junior School had 24 students representing the College at the Deakin District Cross Country. The event at Eastern Gardens in Geelong took place on Thursday May 4 with 9–10-year-old students running a 2km course and a the 11-year-olds a 3km course. It was a great opportunity for all the students competing, most of whom were representing Christian College for the first time. All the students ran extremely well and benefited from the experience. Junior School students competed well against other schools in the Deakin District from Geelong College, Kardinia International School, Grovedale West PS, Montpellier PS as well as our two other campuses, Bellarine and Surf Coast.
Congratulations to Mitchell Ward who placed 1st in the 9-10 boys, Jack Normington, who placed 3rd, Mitchell Andrews who placed 8th and Angie Muhlenberg who placed 7th in 9-10 girls. These students will progress to the SSVC Geelong North Bellarine Division Cross Country on Tuesday May 23, at Eastern Gardens.
Nick Rice
Healthy Heroes with Geelong AFLW!
Year 3 and 4 students had the pleasure of participating in the Healthy Heroes program last Tuesday. It is a program developed by the Geelong Football Club where students were encouraged to ask questions, participate in some physical activity and watch clips on a variety of topics around health and wellbeing. The areas covered were;
- Hydration
- Screen Time
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Eating
- Wellbeing
- Sleep
We were fortunate to have four Geelong players in attendance, our very own Renee Garing (teacher from Middle School), Zach Tuohy, Jhye Clark and Flynn Kroeger.
We would like to thank the Geelong Football Club and Will Richardson for allowing the players to visit Junior School to deliver a presentation on the importance of being healthy and active. All students received a booklet with ideas and activities related to the presentation.
Nick Rice
Middle School House Athletics Carnival
In the last week of Term 1, Year 4 students participated in the Middle School House Athletics Carnival. Last Monday we had an opportunity to recognise the top three students overall for the Year 4 girls and boys.
Well done to all the students who participated on the day in track and field events as well as the novelty events.
Year 4 Girls Year 4 Boys
1st – Pieper Riddle – Flynn 1st – Jude Ellis – Taylor
2nd – Mackenzie Fitzgerald – Penman (Surf Coast) 2nd – Jake Owens – Flynn
3rd – Michaela Desai – Taylor 3rd – Ned Simon – Burrows
3rd – Mitch Ward – Taylor
Nick Rice
Scholastic Book Club News
Issue 3 of Scholastic Book Club has been distributed to students and orders should be placed online or returned to school no later than Friday May 12.
Our preferred payment method is via LOOP either via the mobile app or the desktop site which can be found by clicking here
Please do not send cash as we are unable to process cash payments.
Thank you for your assistance and ongoing support of Book Club.
Violet Novacevski
Chess Club
Picnic at Hanging Rock – Performances on Next Week!
Picnic at Hanging Rock is a captivating and mysterious story that explores the disappearance of four schoolgirls and their teacher during a picnic at a local geological formation in Victoria, Australia, on Valentine’s Day in 1900. The novel by Joan Lindsay, published in 1967, was adapted into a film by Peter Weir in 1975, which became a landmark of Australian cinema and culture. The story has inspired many interpretations and adaptations, including the performances brought to you by our Christian College Senior School students.
Excitement is now running high - next week's shows are on at Platform Arts in Geelong in Lt Malop St, with three evening shows from Thursday May 11 to Saturday May 13. Tickets are only $30 and the cast and crew are looking forward to performing to full houses. Please note that Picnic at Hanging Rock contains mature themes, parental discretion is advised re the age of audience members.
To purchase tickets please follow this link:
East Timor April Trip
After a 4-year absence due to COVID, on Saturday 8th April CCG staff members Graham Barton (Barto), Andy Phillips, Lee Stringer, Craig White, Michael Lewis and Michelle Anderson, along with Jill and Rod Mayes, Patrice Hall and Jocelyn McMillan, who all have a passion for East Timor (Timor-Leste), landed in Dili. Our destination - the municipality of Viqueque which is about 180km from Dili and is a 6 hour drive on rough roads, going for kilometres at a time in second gear.
Prior to the pandemic, CCG students from years 11 – 12 were given the opportunity to visit Viqueque and some of the schools in the area and to participate in the kindergarten, IT and English language programs being run at Uma Maun Alin (Friendship House).
The 2023 teacher trip was about re-establishing relationships with a view to having CCG students return in 2023 or 2024. We also took over a large number of resources, including books, laptops, sports equipment, stationery and musical instruments. The highlight was seeing the huge number of Viqueque locals who were absolutely thrilled to see us back and who welcomed the three first-timers – Lee, Craig and Michelle – like they were family. Happy tears, hugs and cuddles with babies were the first order of business before the ‘work’ began. Over the next seven days we were welcomed into two kindergartens, five schools and several English classes (where it was great to see children and young people as young as 8 wanting to learn English in their free time). We spent time beautifying CCG’s accommodation building, Uma Ki’ik (little house) with some fresh paint, assisted by some amazing local boys who wanted to be involved and give back. Every day the local kids would pop in for a game of soccer, some jump rope or some colouring in. A highlight was seeing them take to cricket with enthusiasm. Craig is contemplating a future career as the Timor-Leste Women’s Cricket Coach... we saw some pure, natural talent in our front (gravelly) yard. We ate incredibly well, enjoying fresh eggs and paun (bread rolls) filled with locally grown tomato and cucumber every day. The two local restaurants spoiled us every night with fried chicken, fresh fish, noodles, rice, fruit and vegetables including the favourite kankun (spinach). The week went all too quickly. A farewell dinner with Uma Maun Alin staff and volunteers had us singing and dancing into the night. When we returned to Uma Ki-ik we were surprised to see a crowd in our front yard. Some of the local teens and young adults had concocted a plan to perform for us as a surprise. More singing and dancing followed, and we were overcome and humbled by this simple yet heartfelt gesture.
Back in Dili, Barto met with 19 young people from Viqueque who are supported by CCG and some private sponsors, enabling them to attend university in the capital. These future doctors, pharmacists, nurses, teachers and engineers are so grateful for this support, with many intending to return to Viqueque, once qualified, in order to help improve the lives of their friends and family back home. All participants found the trip to be rewarding, exhilarating and exhausting. For some it was their first trip but certainly not their last...others have been more than 20 times. This little place has captured our hearts. Atè logu (see you soon) Viqueque.
Graham Barton
The Story of Buikarin
Buikarin is a small rural community half an hour away from our accommodation house in Viqueque. Within the community there is a kindergarten, that has 128 students enrolled, and consists of three teachers. One teacher is full time, one is on contract and the other is a volunteer. They only have one room to teach these 128 students. The area of that room is 6 metres by 8 metres. The teachers have 64 students at one time in this space. They have two sessions a day. Natercia is the head teacher and she's very passionate about her school. She founded this school with their own money and no support from the government.
On Friday May 19’s Project Care Day, we want to raise money to buy bricks for Buikarin so that we can give Natercia and her students and another teaching space. Natercia has already used her own money to put a roof over a “patch of dirt”and we would love to brick in this area for her so, as she says, “the kids don't run out onto the road when in class.”
One photo here shows 64 students in the classroom. Note the students are on either side of the room because Natercia puts a small wall down the middle to separate the two groups. Imagine the noise coming from this small space with 64 students. It would be very hard to listen, very hard to teach and very hard to learn. The next photo you can see is the roof that her and her husband had paid for themselves to create another teaching space. This is the space we would like to brick in and concrete the floor.
Graham Barton
Drilling Down on Deep Thinking – REACH: Idea into Action
This week, Junior School-Belmont, Middle School-Highton, and Senior School-Waurn Ponds were honoured to receive a visit from Flossie Chua and David Perkins from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, along with Kieren Noonan and Nikki Maguire from Independent Schools Victoria. The purpose of their visit was to observe the implementation of the REACH: Idea into Action educational research program, which incorporates deep thinking routines to promote a more comprehensive understanding of subject matter both in and beyond the classroom.
Over the past few years, some Christian College teaching staff have collaborated with Harvard and ISV to develop these routines, and during their visit, the four guests were able to witness the tool in action among our Prep, Year 6, Year 9 Transformation, and Year 12 students. Teachers Beck Barry, Lori Ruplal, Julie Shutie, and Louis Gross are making a difference in their classrooms by piloting innovative teaching strategies that have the potential to improve the quality of learning for many others.
Although only a few teachers had the privilege of welcoming our special guests into their classrooms, we would also like to recognise the support provided by Angela Tutty, Georgie Brown, Anneliese Hurrell, Georgina Hodge, Sam Nichols, and Daniel Fanning in the research and development of this innovative teaching strategy.
So, what is Reach: Idea into Action?
As educators in the present day, we are faced with a crucial question: how can we support our students thriving in a world that is constantly changing and becoming more complex? Reach is a learning approach that addresses this challenge by fostering critical mindsets and thinking skills in students for both school-based learning and everyday situations, and significantly expanding their ability to understand and apply content in a flexible and curious manner.
But what do we mean by a "mindset"? A mindset refers to our perception and interpretation of the world around us different mindsets, or ways of thinking, are useful in different scenarios. When we possess a flexible understanding of a topic, we can utilise our knowledge to solve problems, apply it to new situations, and even create new things. Such flexible understanding enables us to take action in the wider world, ensuring that what we learn in school has a real impact on our lives.
So, how exactly does Reach work? Grounded in research on learning and cognition, Reach's fundamental practice involves small-group discussions guided by conversation cards that focus on one of three inquiry mindsets: Explorer, Investigator or Innovator. Within a conversation group, learners adopt the same mindset to collaboratively analyse a topic.
Why is conversation such a crucial aspect of Reach? Simply put, conversing back and forth is a potent tool for generating ideas, sharing knowledge and insights, clarifying and refining thinking, and making meaning of concepts.
Why are the Reach inquiry mindsets so essential? While our students may already have a significant amount of knowledge, they must go beyond mere content to engage with the complexities of our contemporary world. The Explorer, Investigator and Innovator mindsets empower learners to look beyond "just knowing" and expand their learning in meaningful directions.
Explorer - Often, we approach topics in a simplistic, fact-based manner, overlooking additional dimensions and how they interrelate (the inside story), how a subject is crucially connected to other things (the big picture), and its history and trajectory (the path through time). Explorers reach beyond "just knowing" to uncover these additional layers of meaning.
Investigator - People frequently form strong opinions on complex issues without considering all perspectives. Investigators reach beyond "just knowing" to gather the full range of information, assess its reliability and strength, and determine where the information leads.
Innovator - Often, we struggle to apply what we learn in one context to others, whether personal or academic. Innovators reach beyond "just knowing" to forge meaningful connections between disciplines and personal contexts, identify opportunities to apply their understanding, and envision action.
Over time, Reach helps learners cultivate a more comprehensive understanding of their learning areas and a willingness to adopt each mindset as necessary in their daily lives.
Antony Benson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Qustodio Parent App New Feature
New Activity Timeline View
It is a pleasure to share with parents a newly added feature of the Qustodio Parent App, which all parents have access to as part of our Cyber Safe Schools Program and in partnership with Linewize by Family Zone.
Since our launch of this parent app in 2022, it has been wonderful to note the level of engagement by parents with this tool. I have enjoyed many interactions with a range of parents about how it is helping them support their young people in their digital journey at home.
One area where I have often received feedback from parents is that the information about their child’s digital activity on their school laptop is vague and not as detailed or useful as they would like, and not comparable to the activity reporting available for their child’s personal devices.
It is for this reason that I am delighted to share that parents can now access a new feature, Timeline, that provides more specific and detailed information about digital activity on the school device outside school times.
I encourage all parents to take a few moments and view this two minute video that provides an overview of the new feature and how it can be used to better support parents in guiding their young people at home.
Getting Started with the Qustodio Parent App
A reminder that parents can learn more about Qustodio, create and activate their parent account as part of our school program, and explore Frequently Asked Questions, via our school’s Online Safety Hub.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
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