From the Acting Principal
When Christian College Geelong started out humbly in 1980 with just five dozen students, it would have been hard to fathom that just over 40 years later the school would have approximately 2000 students on five campuses across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast. However, despite our size, and the geographical separation of campuses, there is much we have in common, first and foremost our core tenet, Seek First the Kingdom of God. And, right from its origin, Christian College has always encouraged students to recognise that they belong to a community beyond themselves and to acknowledge their God-given responsibility to contribute to the care and wellbeing of others. In Term 2, it was therefore wonderful to see our campuses mark a number of key events College-wide, including Anzac Day, East Timor Independence and National Reconciliation Week.
Given the size of our school, it’s not often we have events that draw families from all our campuses to the one event. The Annual Music Evening in October each year is one such example and our Arts Festival held in November is another. So, I was greatly encouraged by the large turnout of parents, with representation from all five of our campuses, to a whole-school initiative, the Digital Safety Forum held in the Middle School Library at Highton campus last week. The event offered an opportunity for families to freely discuss the challenges associated with ensuring the digital safety of our young people. The night included messages from our Director of Wellbeing, Kim Doherty, and Director of Digital Learning, Brendan Vanderkley as well as Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable and Youth Resource Officer, Robbie Noggler. For those parents and guardians who were unable to attend, you can catch up via a recording of the key points available via the link below.
Recording: Student Digital Safety Parent Forum
As Term 2 draws to a close and the holidays begin, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work of our teachers and professional support staff throughout this term in providing a quality education for our students, all the way from our Kindergartens through to Year 12. Christian College has always placed importance on both the academic and wellbeing needs of the young people in our care. Educating the next generation is certainly a privilege, but it is also a significant responsibility and undertaking, as teachers not only impart knowledge, skills and values, but also serve as mentors, role models and sources of support. I am therefore tremendously grateful for the way our teachers have faithfully committed to supporting their students, and their colleagues, throughout Term 2.
A reminder that students will be returning for the commencement of Term 3 on Monday, July 17.
Finally, may I leave you with these words of encouragement from Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Rick Geall, Acting Principal
From the Head of Campus
I am not sure about you, but I have been recently noticing more and more advertisements for End of Financial Year sales. The idea that you can get more stuff for half the price or even less is extremely appealing, but my husband always says it is only beneficial if you really needed it in the first place!
In thinking about the value of the stuff available in EOFYS it got me to wondering about how we consider the value in the stuff of education? How do we define the value of what sometimes is a work in progress rather than a finished product? Does our measure of success look the same for everyone? Is the value in the biggest, the brightest and the best? By whose definition is the biggest, the brightest and the best?
Our society constantly reinforces that bigger is better and more is best however I wonder whether that in trying to quantify, we don’t miss the opportunity to qualify, the opportunity to see the enormous value in the things we can’t put on the shelf like our core College values of Love, Truth, Grace, Faith, and Hope.
A beautiful example of the value in the stuff of education at Christian College Geelong was the recent Junior Music Evening at Senior School. Students performed and provided an experience that was priceless. We are blessed to see so many of these opportunities for our students right across the College where they can explore the value in the stuff of education for themselves and ultimately discover their own unique gifts and talents.
Our intrinsic worth and value is strengthened in the knowing that God has a perfect plan for each and every one of our lives. In Ephesians 2:10 it says that “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”(NIV). We recognise that what is most valuable is the precious gift of Jesus and the promise of the riches of the kingdom of Heaven.
So, if you have the opportunity during this mid semester break to enjoy the value of EOFY sales, my prayer is for you to rejoice in the value of what it is to be part of Christian College.
As our term draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all staff at Junior School to thank you, our parents, and families, for your generous support of our community. We feel truly blessed to be able to work with you in providing a rich and connected environment for our students.
Have a safe and blessed mid-year break and I look forward to seeing you next term.
Ann-Marree Weigl, Head of Campus
What’s on at Junior School
Term 3
Week 1
Monday July 17 – Students return for the commencement of Term 3
Monday July 17 – College School Captains Visit Junior School
Wednesday July 19 – Prep Discovery Learning Session
Week 2
Tuesday July 25 – Student Learning Conferences, 4:00pm –7:00pm (Refer to EdSmart)
Thursday July 27 – Student Learning Conferences, 4:00pm – 6:00pm (Refer to EdSmart)
Week 3
Wednesday August 2 – Prep Discovery Learning Session
Thursday August 3 – College Piano Performance, Year 3 & 4 Students. 9:00am – 1:30pm
Friday August 4 – Assembly, 1G Class Item
Week 4
Monday August 7 – Middle School Electives, 4:00pm -7:00pm (Year 4 Students are encouraged to attend)
Tuesday August 8 – Prep 100 days of school
Tuesday August 8 – Prep 2024 & Beyond – Information session, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday August 9 – Naga High School Visit
Friday August 11 – Year 3 & 4 Chapel Service, 9am
Friday August 11 – Year 1 Excursion to Melbourne Museum
Friday August 11 – Year 4 Excursion to IMAX, Melbourne
Student Learning Conferences – Years Prep, 1, 2, 3G, 3R, 4B and 4G
A reminder that Student Learning Conferences will be available on Tuesday July 25 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and Thursday July 27 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm via Microsoft Teams.
To book a Student Learning Conference appointment with your child’s teacher please access the online booking system at www.schoolinterviews.com.au using our school’s event code. The Online Conference Booking Information document included here includes the event code and full instructions to make your bookings. Please also find a link to a document which outlines the steps for you to participate in the online Teams conferences. We encourage you to forward any queries regarding accessing the online conferences to our IT Specialists by contacting [email protected]
Click here to open the Parents’ Guide to joining a Teams meeting.
We look forward to sharing your child’s learning at the upcoming Student Learning Conferences.
Ann-Marree Weigl, Head of Campus
Preps – Race to 0
The fabulous Preps have been enjoying our game of Race to 0 this week in our Numeracy lessons. The students have been working hard with their addition and subtraction this term and our hands-on game of ‘Race to 0’ really helps them consolidate their understanding of these concepts in a fun and engaging way. It also encourages students to use their mental math strategies to help them countdown to 0.
We have been exploring vocabulary such as “one more than “and “one less than” to help the students navigate their counting and create a better understanding of where numbers are placed, and our number lines have really helped us with this as well!
The Preps are in charge of ensuring they start with 20 counters and will count them out to double check they begin with the correct number. We love using hands-on materials to help us visualise our learning and playing with our friends. The students even use their growth mindset if they don’t get the outcome they want and try again! Practice makes perfect!
Rachael Whelan
Visiting the Geelong Botanic Gardens
As part of our Integrated Studies topic, ‘It’s Alive’, last Friday, the Year 1 children were able to visit the Geelong Botanic Gardens and to learn about the different plants, trees, shrubs, and vegetables that are grown there. We discovered that the garden was first established over 170 years ago and as we explored the area, the children found a fountain from 1905 and a tree that was planted in 1873!
At the Botanic Gardens, the students completed an education lesson where they were provided with the opportunity to dig for potatoes, plant a bean seed and they were also able to plant some strawberry seedlings. Our educator, Kim, encouraged the children to visit the gardens in a month or two, so that they could see the strawberries growing in the vegetable patch!
As we walked around the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the students were able to make connections and identify many different features that we have read about during the term, in picture books, such as ‘Anywhere Farm’ and ‘Last Tree in the City’.
Following our visit to the gardens, the children all walked to Eastern Beach and even though the weather was windy and blustery, they were able to eat their lunch and then have some time on the playground. This was a great opportunity for the children to foster their connections and friendships.
Violet Novacevski
Ancient Rome Celebration Day
This term, the Year 3 students have been learning about Ancient Rome. We enjoyed this unit so much that we decided we needed to dress up and celebrate our learning.
We started our day with three rotations. The first activity was a Kahoot! quiz with Mrs Johnson where we tested out all the knowledge that we have gained over the course of the term. It was so good to see how much we knew! The second rotation was a science experiment with Mr Brown. The experiment replicated the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD. This was really exciting (and messy!). The third and final rotation with Mrs Murnane was a collection of games which originated and were played by people in Ancient Roman times. These games included tic-tac-toe, chess, knuckles and marbles.
After a Numeracy lesson about Roman Numerals we all enjoyed pizza and gelati and concluded our day watching ‘Horrible Histories; The Rotten Romans’.
Lisa Johnson
Year 4’s Informational Reports
In the exciting world of Year 4, students have been working diligently to develop their information report writing skills. This essential form of writing allows students to explore various topics, conduct research, and present factual information in an engaging and organised manner. Students were encouraged to select topics of personal interest. This approach sparked their curiosity and fostered a sense of ownership over their learning. They had the opportunity to choose a wide range of subjects, including animals, historical events, famous personalities, natural phenomena, and more.
With their chosen topics in hand, our young researchers eagerly dived into the world of information gathering. Equipped with various resources such as books, websites, and educational databases, the students learned the art of extracting relevant and reliable information. They were also guided in utilising note-taking techniques to organise their findings effectively. Students learned to compose introductory paragraphs that hook the reader’s attention and clearly state the purpose of their report. Students also developed the art of concluding their reports by summarising key points and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. While crafting their reports, students focused on developing their language skills. They practised using appropriate vocabulary and language features such as headings, subheadings, bullet points, and captions to enhance the readability and organisation of their reports. Students were also given opportunities to present and share their reports with their classmates. This encouraged collaboration, active listening, and the development of presentation skills. Students eagerly showcased their research findings, displaying confidence and pride in their work.
The dedication, effort, and enthusiasm they have shown in exploring topics, conducting research, structuring their reports, and presenting their findings reflect their growth as capable and confident young writers. As the students continue to refine their information report writing skills, they are building a strong foundation for future academic and personal pursuits. The ability to gather, analyse, and present information in a clear and concise manner is a valuable skill that will serve them well throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Jessie Stap
Dance Battle!
Today, students from Prep – Year 4 enjoyed watching, cheering and participating in Junior Schools ‘Dance Battle’ – an initiative of our Project Care students.
Students waited eagerly to perform dances in front of the excited audience of students and finished the time by enjoying a dance party at the end. It was so wonderful to see the Year 4 students run this event, and the interactions between students from all year levels as they encouraged each other and cheered one another on. This was a wonderful time for the students to work together with friends, express their creativity and get their bodies moving is a fun and inclusive way. All money raised will go towards the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Darcee Braun
Library News
As we conclude Term 2 and reflect on the first semester of the year, we have much to be grateful for. We are delighted with our newly painted library which we hope will be completed over the upcoming holidays. This major work has provided a fresh update to our beautiful library space which we are loving.
We have also added many outstanding books to our collection. Jeannie Baker a well-known Picture Book author and illustrator best known for her classics like ‘Window’ and ‘Where the Forest Meets the Sea’, has released a stunning new book, ‘Desert Jungle’ which looks at the need for us to look up and immerse ourselves in the world around us. We also enjoyed ‘Harriet’s Hungry Worms’ by Samantha Smith, where we learnt about worm farms.
This was particularly exciting for our Williams House families as they have been using ‘Worm Wee’ supplied by the Kinder to enhance their gardens at home. Finally, we enjoyed the new release by Sandhya Parappukkaran, ‘Stay for Dinner’. This book celebrated food from many different cultures and proved a firm favourite with our Year 1 classes.
I am pleased to report that 2,471 books were borrowed from our library this semester!
Once again, the most popular book of the term was ‘A Berry Long Walk’ from the Wild Life series by Laura and Philip Bunting. As you start to plan for the upcoming break, I wanted to let you know that the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne has a fabulous one-hour live show at The Edge Fed Square on June 28 between 1 and 2pm called ‘Real Pigeons Live Mystery: When Doves Crime’ based on the best-selling book series ‘Real Pigeons Fight Crime’. See The Wheeler Centre website for details.
Happy Reading.
Deanne Elliss
Autumn Harvest
As the winter chill sets in there was just enough sun to encourage our keen gardeners to harvest a crop of peas, coriander and silver beet.
We headed into the school kitchen to cook up a batch of savoury muffins. Our gardeners were delighted by the surprise that peas need to be shelled.
Kyrie remarked ” This one has three pea’s” Lexie added “mine has four” soon Alby and Isla were hunting for more large pods trying to discover which had the most.
It was great for our Garden club students to have a Paddock to Plate experience.
We look forward now to Spring and hope that our rainbow carrots enjoy the winter.
Jennifer Beck-Carlson
Chess for Schools Newsletter
Digital Safety and Wellbeing at Home
Parent and Guardian Support for the Holiday Period
It was wonderful to see and meet with so many parents from across our campuses who attended last week’s Student Digital Safety parent forum. For those parents and guardians who were unable to attend, you can catch up via a recording of the key points available via the link below.
A key message reinforced multiple times over the evening was regarding the importance of platforms and technology (such as parental controls) as well as education, engagement, and communication with young people about their online activities.
It’s common during school holiday periods, particularly during colder months, for young people to engage in more technology use for recreation and socialising with peers. As this holiday period begins, I hope that the parent and guardian resources below are helpful.
ySafe Article: ‘Modelling healthy online behaviours to children’
In this article, ySafe online safety expert Teodora Pavkovic provides seven tips and suggestions to help parents lead, model and promote positive and safe digital behaviours for all members of their household.
Qustodio Parent App
Parents are reminded that as part of the College’s Cyber Safe Schools Program, all families have access to the Qustodio Parent App to help monitor and manage children’s digital activities on school and personal devices. Parents and guardians can learn more and activate their personal account via our Online Safety Hub.
CCG Online Safety Hub
If you’re a parent or guardian seeking advice, information and guidance around any aspect of digital wellbeing, online safety and young people then the parent advice section of our CCG Online Safety Hub is a great place to start.
I hope that the above resources are of support to all our families, enabling you to engage with and support your young people in the digital space over this upcoming holiday period.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Calling the Class of 2013!
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!
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
It’s easy to rush through a cup of tea or coffee and forget to stop and appreciate the moment.
Take time out now to simply appreciate being able to breathe in fresh air. Take a long slow breath and feel it rejuvenate every cell.
Make that your intention and watch your body smile from the inside 👍❤️
Discover more about MYTERN here
