Junior School Term 2 Week 9

Recharging and Reconnecting

One of the most enriching experiences at Christian College is the opportunity to hear colleagues share their personal devotions each morning. Each person's unique journey with faith brings fresh perspectives and insights, shedding new light on familiar scriptures. This term we have been focusing on the theme of God's promises, which, as outlined in the Bible, provide a foundation for hope, strength, love, protection, safety, presence, forgiveness, guidance and comfort, which are essential components of wellbeing. Throughout the term, students and staff have drawn upon these assurances to navigate challenges and celebrate achievements and we do have much to celebrate across our College. From the academic successes to personal growth, the incursions and excursions, Project Care days, National Reconciliation Week, House Music, camps, student learning conferences, winter sports carnivals, lunchtime music concerts and lunchtime clubs just to name a few. We do have much to celebrate.

As we near the end of Term 2, I do hope our upcoming holiday break provides you and your family the opportunity to recharge and reconnect. School holidays provide students, staff, and parents/carers alike the chance to take a step back from the pace of a school environment. These breaks are not just a pause from routine activities, they also present us with the time needed to replenish our self-care buckets, whether that be through spending quality time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies and interests, bike rides, hikes, cooking or simply taking the time to rest and reflect. “Please put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others!” Many of us have heard this important rule on flight safety briefings but it is also a very useful phrase to remind us about the importance of self-care, particularly amidst our increasingly busy lives.

From the Chaplain – Wacky Hair Day!

Yesterday, Thursday June 13, we all got out the hairspray, glitter, coloured hair ties and ribbons to celebrate Wacky Hair Day at Junior School. The hallways and classrooms were filled with joy and laughter and wonderful discussion about this day and its purpose.

Yesterday offered students and staff the opportunity to support and serve our local community practically. The Project Care team collected an incredible number of high-need toiletries, a wonderful effort for our Junior School community! All these items will be delivered to Our Village – Geelong Mums in Week 10.

Thank you for your continued and active participation and involvement in these events. We know that these initiatives require time, thought and resources from families and we are continually thankful for your participation in these drives that support local families in need.

A Holistic Approach to Education

You may have noticed a change in topic within your child’s timetable or report. Where we once said Integrated Studies we are now saying Interdisciplinary Learning. This shift in language is a deliberate move to ensure that we are very clear about what we are doing and how we are doing it.

Interdisciplinary learning is a powerful educational approach that transcends traditional subject boundaries. It encourages students to explore connections between different disciplines, fostering a deeper understanding of complex topics.

Interdisciplinary learning involves incorporating knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines to address real-world problems or explore overarching themes. Rather than studying subjects in isolation, students engage in cross-disciplinary exploration.

In this way we are showing the students that not only does this ‘topic’ matter today in your homeroom, but it has a greater importance. Interdisciplinary learning encourages students to view topics from various angles. By combining insights from different fields, they gain a more comprehensive understanding.

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 10
Monday June 17 – Year 3 E & E Speech Morning, (refer to EdSmart)
Monday June 17 – Year 4R Learning Conferences, 4:00pm-7:00pm (refer to EdSmart)
Tuesday June 18 – Year 3 Rome Incursion (refer to Edsmart)
Tuesday June 18 – Year 4 E & E Speech Morning (refer to EdSmart)
Wednesday June 19 – Prep Excursion – Fairy Park
Wednesday June 19 – Year 4R Learning Conferences, 4:00pm-6:00pm (refer to EdSmart)
Friday June 21 – Year 4 Ancient China Incursion (refer to EdSmart)
Friday June 21 – Assembly 9:00am, 2G Item 
Friday June 21 – Conclusion of Term 2. 3:30pm Dismissal

Term 3, Week 1
Tuesday July 16 – First day of Term 3!
Tuesday July 16 – Commencement Assembly, 10:25am

Week 2
Tuesday July 22 – Student Learning Conferences, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Wednesday July 23 – Prep Discovery Learning, 12:30-3:00pm
Thursday July 24 – Student Learning Conferences, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Lost Property 

As we move into the final weeks of Term, we encourage families to visit lost property items. Uniform that is not named will be given to the Uniform Shop to resell; all other unnamed items will be donated.  

Environmental Week Challenge Sparks Serious Interest!

On Wednesday Mrs Sue Strong, College Board Member, paid Junior School a visit to see what the excitement was all about for our Design-Recycle-Reuse Challenge in Week 8. Visiting classrooms and listening to students share the purpose of their design was wonderful for both Mrs Strong and students alike. On her departure Mrs Strong was struck by the many conversations with our young people, and the evident passion that they have for their environment, both here at Junior School and in the world around them.

Dear Junior School Students,

Thank you so much for allowing me to see all your amazing recycled boxes, which you created on World Environment Day.

It was wonderful to see all the many ideas that were produced and what great products were created. There were useful items, playful items, attractive items and fun items and I loved them all!

May I congratulate everyone on their thoughts as to how we can re-purpose something that was a piece of rubbish and can give it a new life.

I wish all the classes good luck as you look after your class plant and watch it grow and flourish.

Thank you for your care for God’s creation.

From Mrs Strong

The Royals Have Come to Town!

Once upon a time there was a magical kingdom called Prep. All the people who were in this kingdom loved learning. They were creative and collaborative thinkers who enjoyed exploring the world around them.

The Prep children have been learning about everything to do with Kings and Queens. Through our English time we have been reading lots of facts and information about the history of various royal families, where they lived, the roles that they played and the special things they had in their homes. We are also looking at current royal families and fictional stories that build upon these understandings.

As part of this the children listen to stories, identify key vocabulary, develop their ability to answer questions in full sentences, write and respond to prompts and create artwork and reflections. We are building our key literacy skills of speaking and listening, reading and writing through this unit of work.

On Wednesday June 12, we held a Royal Party to celebrate what it is to be royal, have fun and get dressed up. There were knights, queens, kings, princes and princesses all ready to have a wonderful day. We wrote about being royal, created portraits with crowns, role played different characters, built castles and made royal sceptres.

A Trip to the Werribee Zoo

This term in Year 1, we have been exploring the amazing world of animals and their habitats. We had lots of fun learning about animals such as moles, bees, penguins, deep sea creatures, and giraffes. The students enjoyed engaging with different text types related to these animals. Through rich texts, information reports, and videos, they discovered many new and interesting facts about animals.

As part of this wonderful experience, the students also had the opportunity to be creative by making various habitats using paper plates and trioramas. They loved using clay to create the animals.

To wrap up this topic on Friday, we visited Werribee Zoo. The students experienced the wonders of the Safari Bus tour, where they saw live animals up close and were transported through the open plains of Asia, North America, and Africa. They learned about some of the world’s most endangered species and our own conservation efforts. Afterwards, they participated in an educational program focused on animal habitats, features, and life cycles.

Overall, it was truly an amazing experience for everyone involved, providing a unique opportunity to connect with wildlife and deepen their understanding.

Wrapping up Measurement in 3B

In Year 3 we have spent the past five weeks looking at measuring perimeter, area and using maps and directional language. To conclude this unit, the students have created a map of a garden, classroom or bedroom.

We began our maps by drawing the boundaries of each object that we wanted in our spaces. The students then used colours to identify each space on their key. The next step was to add the z and y axis coordinates so that they could correctly identify their location on their map.

As an extension of their understanding, the students then practised their measuring skills by using the grid lines to calculate the area and perimeter of each of their spaces.

The students enjoyed creating some ‘dream spaces’. We had balconies, fish tanks, walk-in wardrobes and mini basketball courts.

Boxes

The Junior School Percussion Ensemble were excited to perform their self-composed piece ‘boxes’ at assembly last week. The Percussion Ensemble comprises of students who are currently learning instruments and provides the opportunity to collaborate and enjoy the experience of making music together, as well as developing important ensemble skills. These students rehearse on a Thursday morning and spend their time playing musical games, practising rhythmic reading, learning how to play within an ensemble, composing and preparing for performances. Please enjoy watching this performance of their latest composition ‘boxes’.

Language Learning and how our Memory Works

The Year 2 students have been learning about animals in Japanese. There are nine main animals and we have been learning and writing simple descriptive sentences about them. It has always been a challenge for the children to remember all the different animal names and we know as educators how important it is for the children to have a variety of “anchor points” for new ideas so that they can go back into their long-term memory and bring forward, the correct information. So, Shizue Sensei and I designed a PowerPoint with the animal’s name in Japanese and picture of the animal to enable the children to have a written and pictorial anchor point for the new information. We then say the word so that the children have an auditory anchor point. The last piece of this puzzle if to have a gesture or a movement to remind the children of the word in Japanese.

For example, stroking of whiskers for “neko” or stomping of hooves for “uma”. This gives the children four different avenues or pathways to retrieve the information. The results are quite spectacular, and it seems that the gesture is the avenue with the highest rate of success with the children. If you put your two hands on top of each other and tap three times, I guarantee all the Year 2 students would say “morumotto” to you!

Generative AI Parent Webinar

A reminder to parents of this webinar which we held recently, with good attendance from parents.

We wish to make available a video recording of the webinar, as well as the parent and family guide handout that was promoted near the end of the webinar. The guide handout includes a summary of our current College guidelines for student uses of generative AI.

• Generative AI and School Parent Webinar Recording (includes chapter links)
• Exploring AI for Families Guide Handout (includes summary of College guidance)

During the webinar we addressed key parent questions. There was also an opportunity to share a follow up question after the webinar which we planned to respond to in this week’s Vine, however we did not receive any new questions.

Thank you for partnering with us in supporting our young people in navigating this new and emerging technology, particularly in the context of school and learning.

Gathering Hope

The Foundation was pleased to host their bi-annual Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon on Friday, 24 May 2024 at Provenance Wines in Fyansford. With close to 80 guests in attendance, the event successfully raised $19K, which has been doubled, thanks to our current dollar-matching campaign, raising a total of $38K for the Foundation.

The guest speaker was Jossy Chacko, who generously gave up an entire day to support the work of the College and our local community. In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Jossy gave a devotion to our Senior School staff, spent time being scrutinised by the Year 10 Global Ethics class, and supported our local Christian radio station, 96three FM.

Seeking Christian College Company Members

Christian College Geelong is seeking expressions of interest from any parent or guardian interested in becoming a new Company Member.

Company Members play an important part in the governance structure and protection of the College. A number of positions on the Christian College Board are filled by company members, depending on the skillset required when vacancies arise, and it is the company members who have the responsibility of voting to pass any amendments to the Christian College constitution. Company members may also be eligible to sit on various committees involved in the governance of the College.

Whilst participating as a company member is not overly onerous, it needs to be pointed out that the position is voluntary and not remunerated in any way. Also, please understand an expression of interest does not guarantee automatic membership of the company.

If you have a heart for the College, and feel you would have the time to dedicate and an interest in this role, please contact the Company Secretary, Bernard Nicholls at b.nicholls@ccg.vic.edu.au. All expressions of interest must be submitted by COB Friday, August 2.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students
• $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Student Information, then Important Forms for Parents) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard Copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

The closing date for applications is June 28.

 For more information about the fund visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (August 5 this year), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines.

Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

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!