Junior School Term 2 Week 3

Seeking Solace, Feeling Safe

As our evenings are becoming darker and Autumn settles in, the air becomes crisp, and the landscape transforms with hues of colour that evoke warmth and comfort. Autumn colours not only beautify the natural landscape, but also this season reminds me of moments of transition and change.

During this season of change, children and young people seek solace in the familiarity of their surroundings, the warmth of their community and in the comforting presence of God's love. When children experience a sense of happiness, safety, and security, they are not only better equipped to engage fully in the daily activities and interactions within their school environment, but this experience also nurtures their overall sense of wellbeing.

It was deeply concerning to hear of the violent incident occurring in Bondi just over a week ago and this distressing news may have children feeling anxious or fearful or for some, an eroded sense of safety and security.  A strong sense of wellbeing is intimately connected to safety and security and as highlighted by Maslow's well known psychological model of the hierarchy of needs, safety is deemed fundamental, positioned just above physiological needs such as food and shelter. It is difficult to know how to explain acts of violence to children but it recommended that we provide children and young people exposed to violent or traumatic events reassurance that they are safe and that they are loved and that in their community there are more people who help others than harm others. Focusing on the kindness of bystanders and the first responders who courageously work to keep us safe from harm fosters hope.

As one of our College’s guiding values, hope is moving forward with assurance, regardless of circumstances. Whilst the seasons may change, God’s love for us remains steadfast. As Psalm 18:2 declares, God will be my rock.

Head of Campus – The Wisdom of an 8-year-old

I hope you are well and managing what seems to be an early onset of winter weather!

During the week I had the blessing of being interviewed by one of our Year 3 students participating in the Enhancement and Enrichment Program. Students in this program had been asked to decide on a topic of interest of their choosing and then research this topic.

The topic chosen by this student was to discover more about the history of Christian College Geelong. The student scheduled the interview, the time arrived, there was a knock on my door and the student entered. We sat down for about 30 minutes and began our time together with me answering some questions such as how many students are currently enrolled at the College (2014) and what year did Christian College begin (1980).However, as the questions continued, they began to become less about facts and figures and more about seeking a depth of understanding of the heart and purpose of the College and my role in this. I am not sure about you, but I often find encounters such as this with children really highlight to me just how profound and wise they are.

They seem to be able to draw unexpected clarity on events and issues that adults can often fail to comprehend. In moments such as this interview I am reminded that children often possess a unique perspective, and their unfiltered honesty can reveal profound insights about life and the world around us. In scripture Jesus encourages us to value the wisdom of children. In “Matthew 19:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” What a gift and blessing our children truly are and I am grateful every day for the opportunities to seek their honesty, enthusiasm, and wisdom.

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.  

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 4
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 in this edition of The Vine)
Friday May 10 – Mothers’ Day Celebration Afternoon, 1:15pm – 3:15pm (please refer to EdSmart)

Week 5
Tuesday May 14 – Lunchtime Concert, 1:10pm
Tuesday May 14 – Year 4 Excursion ‘Our Local Community’
Wednesday May 15 – Prep Discovery Learning, 1:00pm
Friday May 17 – Staff Development Day, Student Free Day

Week 6
Monday May 20 – Timor Leste Independence Restoration Day. Casual Dress – red, white, yellow, black
Tuesday May 21 – 4B Class to visit Sirovilla (details to come)
Tuesday May 21 – Year 1 Deakin Primary Program (details to come)
Wednesday May 22 – National Simultaneous Storytime, 12pm (details to come)
Friday May 24 – Assembly 9.00am, 4B Item

Mothers’ Day Celebration Afternoon

In 2024 Junior School will host a special afternoon to celebrate our mums and others 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!

Mothers’ Day Stall

Thank you to our parent group led by Kate O’Halloran and Mandy Chester, for their countless hours in creating our very special Mothers’ Day Stall. On Friday May 10, Prep – Year 4 students will have an opportunity to purchase a gift for Mum or a special person in their lives. Gifts are $5 each, there will be an opportunity for students to purchase more than one gift if need be. Parents are also asked to send along a bag that students can use to take their gifts home.

Marvelous Maths in May!

Wowee, what an afternoon! The Junior School welcomed almost 200 family members into a Family Maths Afternoon on Thursday May 2 The number songs were blasting across the speakers as the families entered, setting the scene for the fun to come.

There was an abundance of mathematically-based activities spread across the grounds of the Junior School for families to attempt.

In the Library we had puzzles to build our spatial awareness and books to read, which highlighted mathematical concepts. Families were busy in Prep playing card games where they made the biggest number they could to beat their opponent. The Art Room was filled with people creating tessellations and patterns. Groups could be seen solving Japanese word problems and developing musical notation. Digital Technology was certainly not missed with BBots in the DigiTech Room and Minecraft exploration in Year 4.

The grounds were abuzz with families solving mapping and direction problems set by Year 3. There were constructions of 2d and 3d shapes in Year 2, and Year 1 showed how fun board games can be when they are linked to mathematical ideas as well.

What a way to spend an afternoon! A showcase of mathematical fun at Junior School with so many highlights.

We hope that all families enjoyed the afternoon, and we look forward to hosting future events like this.

We’d love your feedback! If you attended the Maths in May evening, we encourage you to click on this link and complete the feedback form. 

Wellbeing at Junior School

At Christian College we are committed to individual faith development and personal understanding of life and purpose. We believe that our College values of Hope, Faith, Love, Truth and Grace, are a foundational demonstration of our Christian Faith. We aim to nurture our staff and students through regular devotional practice and provide an environment that empowers pastoral care to one another.

In this article I will outline some of the important ways we nurture our students here at Junior School.

Lead by Example

One of the best ways to teach faith is by being role models. Children will often mimic the adults around them, so it is important to demonstrate our faith through our actions. We encourage our students to realise that none of us are perfect and we all make mistakes. It is how we navigate through these mistakes that matters.

Encourage Questions and Exploration

We aim to provide an environment that encourages questions. Not only are we continually learning in our academic endeavours, but we are also continually learning in our faith. By asking questions about faith, it can deepen our connection with God and create a space where it is safe to discuss and ponder Him.

Sun’s out Prep’s out!

The Preps headed off on their first Discovery Learning session for the term to Spring Creek. The sun was shining and so was the enthusiasm of the little people. They quickly headed down the hill to climb, explore and have fun.

The Preps were very eager to build huts and shelters, climb trees, dig in the dirt and explore nature. There were little cities built out of logs and sticks turned into wands as role-play broke out across the space. Children happily engaged in their surroundings being creative and collaborative in the way they spent their time.

It really is such a joy to watch as they navigate new spaces. Across our visits this term and in Term 3 the children will have opportunities to build on their skills. Climb a little higher, create a more intricate city or discover new plants and creatures around the area.

All About Time

This week, Year 1 students delved into the concept of time. Their lessons began with exploring duration, focusing on understanding the number of seconds in an hour and the number of minutes in an hour. Engaging in interactive games, they enjoyed guessing the duration of various daily activities, deciding between seconds, minutes, and hours.

Following this, the students examined the features of clocks, discussing elements such as hands and numbers. They specifically concentrated on the minute hand and the hour hand, understanding how these components assist in telling time. Later, they were introduced to telling time in terms of o’clock and half-past.

Through a variety of hands-on activities, the students practised their time-telling skills. They had the opportunity to utilise small clocks to create assigned times or generate times for their peers to read.

The highlight for the students was creating their own clocks. Using paper plates, they crafted moveable clocks, which they then used to quiz their peers on o’clock and half-past times.

Overall, the Year 1 students demonstrated remarkable progress in their understanding of time. Well done Year 1!

Year 4 – Exploring Community Connections

As part of our Civics and Citizenship unit, ‘Fair Go Mate’, our Year 4 students have been learning about the importance of community groups and how different groups play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families.

Our students took the initiative to identify and examine the local community groups they are part of, be it a church group, a football/netball club, or our very own school community. This activity not only fostered a deeper understanding of their own community involvement but also highlighted the myriad ways these groups enrich their lives.

The Year 4 students used their devices to create detailed pages showcasing their findings. The digital platform allowed them to express their thoughts, feelings, and insights in innovative ways, making their learning experience more engaging and relevant.

Furthermore, our students articulated their personal connections to these community groups, reflecting on the support, friendships, and opportunities they have gained. It was heartening to see them recognise and appreciate the positive impact these groups have on their lives. It empowers them to understand the value of community participation and the importance of building connections with others.

Rainbow Adventures in the Art Room!

Have you ever witnessed a rainbow explode onto paper?

Well, step into the colorful world of our amazing junior Art students as they embark on a hands-on journey through paint colour theory!

Picture this… a classroom filled with eager faces, each armed with a palette bursting with the vibrant hues of the rainbow.

In this fabulous time of mixing, these budding Picassos are introduced to the magical realm of primary and secondary colors. With brushes poised and hearts aflutter, they eagerly mix red, blue and yellow to unlock a kaleidoscope of possibilities. From fiery oranges to tranquil purples, every stroke is a revelation, and every blend a masterpiece in the making.

We didn’t just stop there. These artists pushed past the basics of secondary colours to dive headfirst into the world of tints and shades. With a flick of the wrist and a dab of white, they transformed bold primaries into soft pastels, breathing life into their creations. And let’s not forget about shades – with a touch of black, they add depth and drama, turning ordinary colours into rich, velvety tones that dance across the canvas.

Music and Performing Arts

Music and Performing Arts is in full swing at Junior School. A key area of focus throughout most year levels is improvisation. Students are exploring the idea of responding to setting and character on the spot – no planning, no rehearsing, just doing!

It is providing many laughs and I know several students are coming home to play games like ‘Blueberry Pie’ and ‘That’s Not a Pen’. These drama games and exploration opportunities give students the chance to work on their confidence, speaking and listening, brainstorming, ability to think on the spot and cooperation with others.

It has been truly wonderful to witness the eagerness to participate and the willingness of students to put themselves out there and give these opportunities a try. Each Wednesday for the rest of the term students will have the chance to explore these games further through a club. This term it will be ‘Theatre Sports Club’ where they will be playing those games from class plus many more including ‘Space Jump’, ‘Two Word Vocabulary’ and ‘Scenes from a Hat’.

The stage is set in the Music and Performance classroom. The performers are here, and the enthusiasm is growing. What a joy it is to share the love of performing and seeing students’ confidence develop as we explore all the whacky and amazing things we can come up with on the spot.

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!