From the Acting Principal
Thirty years ago, in 1993, a diverse group of major faith communities in Australia initiated a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, from May 27 to June 3. This weeklong event evolved into Reconciliation Week which is now under the guidance of Reconciliation Australia. The two dates, May 27 and June 3 are historically significant. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians overwhelmingly voted to include indigenous Australians in the national census. And, on June 3 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised native title – the land rights of the Meriam people in Torres Strait – also known as the Mabo decision.
Christian College is proud to promote Reconciliation Week as we join with other schools, workplaces and community groups throughout Australia in working towards a just and equitable and reconciled Australia. This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, “Be a Voice for Generations”, honours the work of previous generations who fought for justice and calls on the next generation to continue the work. We will be acknowledging Reconciliation Week in various ways including assemblies, homeroom devotions and other initiatives throughout the week.
If you happen to be attending the AFL Men’s Geelong vs. Greater Western Sydney tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, look out for the 10 Christian College students who will be forming part of a 50-strong choir singing in a pre-game performance as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. Another initiative has involved singers on each of our campuses recording a version of the song, “From Little Things Big Things Grow”, to be shared on social media next week, joined by hundreds of other schools across Australia doing likewise. The song tells the story of the Gurindji people’s fight to keep their land, which culminated in the symbolic gesture in 1975 of then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pouring soil into the hand of Gurindji spokesperson Vincent Lingiari. In response, Lingiari spoke these words: “Let us live happily together as mates, let us not make it hard for each other”.
Whilst it is important that we specifically acknowledge National Reconciliation Week at this time each year, Christian College has an ongoing commitment to educate our young people about issues affecting Indigenous Australians and the importance of reconciliation. Our academic program includes, in all subjects, the Australian Curriculum requirement to engage students in reconciliation, respect and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Our assemblies and services commence with an Acknowledgement of Country to recognise the traditional owners of the land on which our campuses are built. Year 10 students have an opportunity to participate in an immersive cultural experience in Central Australia, with two groups recently returning from visits to indigenous communities in Finke and Alcoota. And we recently established a Reconciliation Action Plan working group, with representation from our student body, teachers, board members and parents. The group, chaired by Year 12 student Isaac Boseley, meets each term and continues to make excellent progress as we move toward formalising our own Christian College Reconciliation Action Plan.
God encourages reconciliation as a means of healing and restoring relationships. The week ahead will give all of us the opportunity to bring reconciliation closer to reality for our First Nations people.
Rick Geall, Acting Principal
Reconciliation Week at Junior School
Junior School Assembly today recognised National Sorry Day May 26 and launched the beginning of Reconciliation Week, May 27 – June 3. We thank Mrs Tash Cooper and 4B for preparing and presenting a class item featuring the text Welcome To Country by Aunty Joy Murphy, and making visual connections using beautifully decorated gum leaves to symbolise growth within our community and the coming together as one.
As part of the Voices for Generations, National Reconciliation Week Choirs, Year 3 and 4 members of the Junior School Choir led the entire Junior School in a rendition of From Little Things Big Things Grow by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody. Our whole Junior School coming together in the singing of the chorus was a spine-tingling, meaningful and memorable experience for all. We look forward to sharing video from all campuses throughout next week of the performance of this song, which tells the story of the Gurindji people’s struggle for their land.
While Reconciliation is an important part of our day-to-day learning throughout the entire year at Junior School, Week 6 will highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through a range of activities, including devotions, classroom activities and a whole school creation of a hand ‘bunting’ art piece which will be displayed on our front tree. We look forward to sharing our experiences and learnings in our Week 6 edition of the Vine.
Reconciliation is a biblical word. It is at the core of the work and mission of God. Corinthians Chapter 5, Verse 18 expresses Reconciliation as the peace made between humanity and God, “And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to Himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God.”
Carla Dunlop, Deputy Head of Campus
What’s on at Junior School
Week 6
Monday May 29 – Arthur Reed Photos, Individual and Class (Please refer to EdSmart)
Thursday June 1 – Emergency and lockdown drills
Week 7
Wednesday June 7 – Prep Discovery Learning
Friday June 9 – Assembly, 2B Class Item
Week 8 Monday June 12 – Kings Birthday Public Holiday Thursday June 15 – Lunchtime Concert Week 9 Tuesday June 20 – Lunchtime Concert Wednesday June 21 – Prep Discovery Learning Wednesday June 21 – Year 1 Barwon Water Incursion Friday June 23 – Assembly, 2G Class Item Friday June 23 – Final day Term 2, 2.30pm Dismissal
Thursday June 15 – Junior School Instrumental Performance Evening, R.W. Gibson Centre, 6pm
Friday June 16 – Year 1 Excursion, Geelong Botanical Gardens
The Speedy Sloth
This Wednesday 24 May all the children at Junior School participated in the Simultaneous Storytime of Speedy Sloth.
A wonderful book with such an important message, it tells the story of Spike the sloth who enters ‘The Great Race’. The other sloths all say there is no chance he can win but Spike doesn’t care, she was ready to run! It might not be a surprise that Spike does not win. She does, however, feel like a winner! She is so proud of herself for not giving up, persisting and doing her absolute best. She does finish the race, in her own time.
There were many discussions about this important message of running your own race, doing your best and having a growth mindset.
It’s a fabulous story with such a key idea for us all to take on board. Enjoy following the book at home with this wonderful retelling at the Singapore Zoo with real sloths!!
Julie Shutie
Discovery Learning in Prep!
Squelch, squelch, swish, swish, snap, snap.
It’s not quite like going on a bear hunt but when the Preps go to the bush, we do come across squelchy mud, long grass and lots of trees. This discovery learning opportunity gives our students a wonderful time out in the elements. We climb trees, build huts, dig for bugs, kangaroo watch and so much more.
This is a chance for the students to freely explore God’s wonderful creation and work together with their peers in their exploration. Each time we go students share about their adventures back in the classroom and write all about it. This rich discovery experience brings out fantastic ideas in the students and the writing they produce is terrific.
As we prepared for another Bush Prep adventure the students shared with each other some of the things they look forward to:
“I like watching the kangaroos.” – Dabi
“I can’t wait to climb the trees.” – Parker
“I love building houses with the sticks.” – Maddie
Steve Horman
Year 1s – Subtraction Superstars!
This week in Mathematics, we introduced the children to ‘Subtraction’. First, we brainstormed words/terms which we associate with subtraction. The children used their prior knowledge and came up with take-away, less than and minus! So clever! 😊
As a class, we discussed that subtraction is the process of taking a number or amount away from another. The children worked with a partner using concrete materials and dice (6 and 9 sided) from the classroom to develop their understanding of subtraction. They rolled the dice, collected the materials to represent the subtraction problem and recorded the subtraction sum in their Mathematics Journals. The children also drew pictures to represent their subtraction problems. We discussed the importance of taking the smaller number away from the larger number as we are not quite ready for negative numbers yet! Well – done, Year 1! Keep up the fantastic work in Mathematics 😊
Rea Pantadis
Year 4 – Forces in Action
Our Year 4 classes are undertaking an Integrated Studies unit exploring different applied and indirect forces constantly being exerted in our world. Some of these forces include- push, pull, thrust, friction, gravity and drag. In Week 4, students were exploring the forces of gravity and drag and how they affect the motion of objects.
In a recent project, students worked together in groups to build a parachute and test its ability to slow down the descent of a falling object. Using materials such as fabric, plastic, and paper. Students designed and constructed their parachutes and then tested them in a controlled environment. After the test, students engaged in a meaningful reflection and evaluation of their designs.
The parachute project proved to be a great success, with students learning about the principles of gravity and drag, as well as the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Students also discovered the importance of experimentation, as well as the value of reflecting on their designs and adjusting based on the results. During the unit, students will continue conducting small experiments during their scheduled STEAM lessons, collecting data, which will enable them to make informed scientific conclusions.
Mark Foran
North Geelong Division Cross Country Championships
On Tuesday 23rd May, four students from Junior School represented the College at the School Sport Victoria North Geelong Division Cross Country Championships at Eastern Gardens. All students performed well, with three students progressing to the next stage.
Angie Muhlenberg finished ninth in the 9 – 10 year girls, Mitchell Ward finished third, Jack Normington seventh and Mitchell Andrews twenty-first in the 9 – 10 year old boys race.
Angie, Jack and Mitchell Ward will compete in the SSV Western Metropolitan Region Cross Country at Brimbank Park in Melbourne on Monday June 19. We wish all three well for their preparation and race in a couple of weeks’ time.
Nick Rice
Building Digital Skills at Junior School
Digital Technologies classes this term have been power-packed with digital literacy, building up our digital skills and using computers to represent and show our learning. All year levels have been exploring new programs, navigating new concepts, and using their new computer skills to assist and enhance their computer knowledge of digital learning.
Our Prep classes can tell you all about hardware and software and what’s the difference between them. Year 1 and Year 2 classes can demonstrate how to collate, interpret, and represent data using Paint 3D and Microsoft Excel. Year 4 students will eagerly show you ‘how connected they are’ to and with technology and Year 3 classes are being super secretive this term exploring secret messages and codes, that only they know how to decipher.
We love our jam-packed learning, laughter and excitement each week during DigiTech classes.
Emma Anderson
National eSmart Week
This week Junior School participated in National eSmart Week, a week dedicated to continuing the conversations surrounding Online Safety, Cyberbullying, Being Kind Online and Positive Digital Citizenship. During Digital Technologies classes this week, questions were asked about what each topic meant to students, what it may look like for our young people and what students could do if they faced any of these challenges.
P-2 classes read the picture story book, ‘The internet is like a puddle’ by Shona Innes and Irisz Agocs as the nationally recognised text for this year and Year 3 – 4 classes committed to creating ‘Online Pledges’, taking ownership and accountability for their actions while using the internet.
Please remember to keep online safety discussions, especially about these important topics, going at home with your young people.
Emma Anderson
Calling all CC Eagles Members and Families
We are pleased to present an opportunity for you to be a part of CC Eagles/ Geelong United Basketball Club Fundraiser, with NBL1 tickets available for the following game through the club:
Round 10 – Hoop City Geelong United Supercats v Dandenong Rangers – Saturday June 17, 2023. Tip off: Women – 5:00pm, Men – 7:00pm (Ticket gets you in to both games at The Geelong Arena)
All PRE-ORDERED tickets will cost $10.00 with $5.00 being retained by our club.
On the night we want to see our members show up at the game in our CLUB COLOURS.
We hope that everyone embraces this opportunity to get our CC Eagles family together and support Hoop City Geelong United Supercats on the night.
How to purchase tickets:
For Christian College families: you can purchase 1- 8 tickets ($10 to $80) on credit card via the College portal.
- Log into Parent Portal – My Details – Payments Tab – Click on the NBL1 Game Day Tickets icon.
- Then click on the drop down to select how many tickets you want to purchase. The amount will automatically fill.
Important – Please include your email address in the Additional Information box.
For non-Christian College families: you can purchase tickets by calling our Middle School-Highton reception on 5241 1899 and purchasing over the phone.
Tickets can be purchased up until 11.59pm on June 13, or until SOLD OUT and will be distributed prior to the game.
If there are any queries, please email [email protected]
Foundation Golf Day 2023
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are delighted to announce the Christian College Foundation Golf Day tournament for 2023.
Save the date: Thursday November 9.
We are seeking prizes for this event – if you own a local business and are interested in creating partnership opportunities with Christian College, please contact Fiona Provan on 0400 477 467, or email [email protected]
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
