From Little Things, BIG Things Grow…
Choirs from all five CCG campuses have been part of a special Reconciliation Australia project involving more than 500 choirs nationwide who are coming together in song as part of National Reconciliation Week to sing Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody’s ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’. The song describes the Wake Hill Walk-Off in 1966 through to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam symbolically handing Gurindji land back eight years later. Choirs from each of our campuses have sung and recorded the song this week. Please enjoy our campus’s rendition here – and see other campus Vines for their’s!
From the Chaplain
This week, reconciliation has been at the forefront of our lessons, with the students exploring its meaning within the Bible and how this sheds light on how every person should be treated and cared for. The students have been exploring what the Bible says about reconciliation and how Jesus came so we could be reconciled to God as first intended – created to know our God, the One who created us all.
With the focus of Reconciliation Week 2023 being ‘Be A Voice for Generations’, the students have been encouraged and inspired to think of, reflect on and explore how they can encourage reconciliation as a way towards restoring and developing relationships.
This past week has been a special time of learning about the First Nations People of Australia, their culture, traditions and values, and learning how all of our stories should be listened to and shared.
The students have also been discussing how this ‘reconciliation’ extends to people, exploring ways that Jesus modelled and taught unity, respect and care between all people groups and nations. The students were challenged to reflect on ways they can ensure that moving forward, everyone feels valued and cared for, for generations to come.
Each student spent time creating a hand that represented who they are and where they come from, filled with things handed down from their family, including cultural traditions, music, dances, hobbies and sayings. These were connected together and hung from the pine tree at the front of the campus, creating a beautiful visual representation of everyone’s story that has shaped and formed them – each being a valuable part of our Junior School community.
Darcee Braun, Junior School Chaplain
What’s on at Junior School
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
Thursday June 15 – Junior School Instrumental Performance Evening, R.W. Gibson Centre, 6pm
Friday June 16 – Year 1 Excursion, Geelong Botanical Gardens
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
Year 2s Adventure the World!
Whilst it might not be ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, the Year 2s at Junior School have certainly been enjoying the ‘Countries, Continents and Maps’ Core Knowledge Unit we have recently commenced.
Core Knowledge Units have been adopted by the Junior School campus in recognition that one of the impediments to reading comprehension, once children have mastered reading or ‘cracked the code’, is a lack of background knowledge. The purpose of such units is to assist students to engage more fully with advanced texts.
The unit began with an in-depth reading of ‘Are We There Yet?’, a delightful picture storybook by well-known children’s author/illustrator, Alison Lester. The students followed Grace and her family as they travelled around the coast of Australia in a pop-up caravan. They mapped the family’s journey, identified some of the tourist destinations, and developed an appreciation of the changing landscapes of our vast and beautiful country. This was also linked to work involving labelling the States, Territories, and Capital Cities of Australia.
The unit then took a dive into the continents and oceans of the world. The students examined some of the features of each continent and learnt some interesting facts about each one. For instance, did you know the longest river, the highest mountain, and the largest lake in Europe are all located in Russia? Where applicable, the students made connections to places they have travelled, places their extended families have come from, or even food that they love to eat.
Over the next couple of weeks, our studies will conclude with a mini research project ‘Continents in a Bag’ where individuals can study their chosen continent in a little more detail. They will gather some facts, create some models of significant land features or sites, learn about some of the native animals, and will be able to present their finished work to a small group where they will be the Expert in Residence.
All in all, this is a fun unit that the students appear to be showing a lot of interest in. The Year 2s might not come away remembering a lot of facts, but they will hopefully have a greater understanding of the geography of our world.
Anne Spence
Year 3 STEAM
This week during our STEAM session the Year 3 students were challenged to see who could design and build the tallest, free-standing tower using marshmallows and spaghetti. This was a great team building activity encouraging the students to use engineering skills, critical thinking, analysing, innovation, experimenting, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving.
The enjoyment was obvious with lots of smiles, chatter and collaboration. The structures created were all unique and the teams were asked to reflect and share with each other about how successful they thought their attempts were, what process they used to build their tower, how they could be improved and what could they learn from looking at other children’s towers.
There was much anticipation as towers were measured and the winners finally announced with a tower measuring 72cm! The students all did an amazing job and are to be congratulated on their willpower to withstand the temptation of eating their building materials also on the clean-up process at the end – sticky marshmallows and broken spaghetti sticks certainly added to the challenge of the day!
Mini Musical: Running Bear
Students in Year Prep to 2 have been performing in the mini musical ‘Little Running Bear’ in Classroom Music this week. Children have joined in acting, singing, dancing, playing djembe drums and rhythm sticks in 2/4 time. The actions and movements for the performers were suggested by the narration. Students used body percussion to emphasise dynamics: loud and soft, and listening skills to echo simple 4 beat ta and ti ti rhythms. Students loved using their imagination and performing in this class activity.
Kevin Smith
Health and Physical Education
As the weather is getting cooler, students have been adapting well and putting in a huge effort during their Health and PE lessons.
During the term, Year 1s have been practising the overarm throw with the two main focuses, standing side on and looking at the target. Students have been challenged to throw as far as they can, but also work on accuracy. There have been opportunities to continue working on their running skills as well as some catching. The health topic we have been exploring is around respectful relationships and celebrating our differences.
Year 2 students have been working on their striking, once again with a focus on standing side on and using their hips and shoulder rotation to maximize distance. Students are encouraged to move lots during the PE sessions including some agility activities as well as continuing to develop their throwing and catching skills. Students have been learning more about emotions and how we experience many throughout the day. Last week students used the MYTERN program to identify their PETs and TEPs.
Throughout the term for the Year 3s, I’ve been challenging them to apply their skills in small, sided games and activities, with a focus on throwing. One game the students are playing is a modified game of baseball, including throwing instead of hitting. Students are encouraged to think where they throw the ball and the fielding team need to communicate and work together to get it back to an area to stop the runner/s.
In Year 3 Health, students have been encouraged to identify some coping strategies when faced with uncomfortable situations. Over the next couple of weeks students will be exploring the skills required to cooperate with each other in activities with a focus on communication and decision-making. The Year 3 students have also commenced their swimming program where students have had the opportunity to continue developing their skills and confidence in the pool.
Finally, our Year 4 students have participated in some basketball skills and games throughout the term. With a focus on the basketball basics, students have developed their dribbling, passing, shooting and defending skills. Our Health unit has tackled some involved topics regarding relationships, dealing with difficulties, bullying and how to show empathy. To complete the term, we will explore the theme of diversity looking at First Nations culture.
Nick Rice
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!
