Junior School Term 3 Week 10

Head of Campus 

Wow what a term! 

As our term ends, and I sit here on Year 3 camp writing this final article for the Vine in Term 3, I want, on behalf of all the staff at Junior School, to thank you most sincerely for your continued partnership.    

Term 3 2024 has held so many exciting opportunities for excellent learning each day, but boy, have we also had some wonderful events and experiences!

To recap on some of what’s happened this term: we have begun our Seasons program to support students, held our Student Learning Conferences, had a Prep Farm Excursion to our farm at Back Creek, held an Olympics Opening Ceremony and Olympics Week events run by student House leaders, celebrated Prep 100 Days of School, enjoyed a Year 3 Wildlife Incursion, hosted ‘Science Week’ where we invited parents to Junior School to share all things science with a Science Expo, focused on Bullying No Way Week – National Week of Action against Bullying and Violence, had our Year 1 Excursion to Aldi and Prep Excursion to Senior School, held a Year 4 Excursion IMAX Theatre and Melbourne Museum, celebrated Book Week with our Annual Book week Parade and associated Great Book Swap for Indigenous Literacy, facilitated selected Year 4 students to attend the Deakin District Athletics, hosted our Father’s Day Big Brekky, Father’s Day Stall, Footy Colours Day, invited Bravehearts to visit with our Year 1 and 2 students, held the Junior School Cross Country , had a visit from Professor Bunsen in Year 1 and 2, celebrated a week of focused activities for RUOk? week, had a visit from Year 10 Senior school Drama students who performed ‘Where the Wild things are’ for our Junior School students, had a visit from the Year 5 Middle School students to re connect with their 2023 Prep buddies by reading them a story they had created for them, participated in the Geelong Schools Music and Movement Festival, provided a transition experience for the Year 4 students to visit Middle School as part of the Year 5 unit focus on Colonisation, held year 1 camp at Araluen Anglesea and concluded the term with Year 3 camp at Angahook Aireys Inlet. 

Thank you once again for the support you show to one another in the community at Junior School and the support you have for the staff who work with your children. We wish you a wonderful end of term break and pray for health and fun filled holiday adventures which we look forward to sharing with students on their return to school on Tuesday the 8th of October. 

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.

Term 4 Week 1  

Tuesday 8 October – First day of Term 4; Commencement Assembly – 10:25am   

Wednesday 9 October– Year 4 Camp  

Thursday 10 October– Year 4 Camp  

Friday 11 October – Year 4 Camp  

Week 2  

Monday 14 October – Year 4 Transition Session 1: Parent Cuppa with Year 5 Staff- Refer to Edsmart.  

Wednesday 16 October – Annual Music Evening, Choir and Strings (Day Rehearsal) 6:30pm Evening performance.   

Wednesday 16 October – Prep Discovery Session  

Thursday 17 October – Annual Show Day and Art Festival (details to come!)  

Friday 18 October – Geelong Show Day; Student Free Day  

A Wonderful Time at Discovery Learning in Term 3! 

The Preps have had a wonderful time in the bush for Discovery Learning this term! These outdoor adventures have provided the perfect opportunity for students to explore nature in a safe and nurturing environment. Whether constructing imaginative play spaces or observing wildlife like kangaroos in their natural habitat, each one has been an experience of learning, wonder and opportunities to make new friends. 

The children have become experts in understanding how to behave around wild animals, practising quiet observation to avoid frightening them. On a couple of special occasions, we even gathered around a fire to enjoy marshmallows—a highlight for many! 

Here are some of our Preps’ highlights over the term at Bush Prep: 

“I like playing with the trees and sticks and playing building a house.” – Rocco 

“I like fixing the house roof and putting sticks on the house to fix the roof.” – Audrey 

“Seeing the kangaroos hopping past and building cubby’s is my favourite thing about bush.” – Lewi 

“My favourite thing is when I play with the bugs and eating marshmallows around the fire.” – Phenyo 

“Seeing the kangaroos bounce past when we are roasting marshmallows.” – Lachlan 

Year 2 – Greek Mythology  

In Year 2, our students have been learning about Greek mythology. In this core knowledge unit, students have researched and investigated famous names such as Zeus and Poseidon. During this work our students have been enthralled with tales of heroics, tragedy and some justice. In 2R, students have created a poster on a Greek mythological person of their choosing. The excitement and intrigue that went with the learning was excellent to see.  

Year 3 Camp at Angahook 

This week the Year 3 students embarked on a thrilling three-day adventure at Angahook Holiday Camp in Aireys Inlet, filled with exploration, learning, and fun. The journey began with a visit to the iconic Split Point Lighthouse, where students marveled at the panoramic views from the clifftops. The excitement continued with engaging beach games and a chance to discover the local coastal environment. 

Evenings at the camp were just as eventful, starting with a scrumptious dinner and dessert, followed by a cosy movie night, creating a perfect end to the first day. The following day greeted the students with radiant sunshine, setting the stage for a series of exhilarating activities. They bravely tackled the giant swing, scaled the climbing tower, navigated the low ropes course, aimed for aces in frisbee golf, and honed their navigation skills in orienteering. 

The highlight of the second night was an incredible talent concert, showcasing the diverse and remarkable talents of our students. After another morning filled with enjoyable activities, the group returned to Junior School, carrying with them not only memories but also new skills and friendships forged. This experience was not just a camp; it was a journey of growth and joy for our Year 3 cohort. 

Coding for a Buddy! 

Year 4 students have been extending their coding and programming skills during Digital Technologies this term, with help from MIT’s coding program ‘Scratch’. Students were tasked with creating code to design a two-player computer game for their Prep buddies to play.  

Students worked diligently throughout the term, learning how to build code each week to move their sprites in every direction possible to race around their tracks. Our budding programmers added special features and sounds to their games to enhance character interactions and entice users with both a visual and auditory gaming experience. 

With much anticipation and quite a bit of excitement, our Gaming Expo is upon us, as Year 4 classes join their buddies in the Digitech room, to share the learning experience and showcase their games.  

Benefits of a School Library 

At Junior School we are so fortunate to have a library. Recently I was reflecting and reading about the vast advantages that having this important resource brings to our community. 

1. School libraries aid in literacy development. Research shows that school libraries play a key role in improving literacy levels, providing students with access to a wide range of books that promote reading fluency, comprehension and development of good reading habits. 
2. They provide access to collections that support the school curriculum. School libraries house high quality and diverse collections, that are developed on an ongoing basis to align with the Australian Curriculum.
3. They foster a lifelong love of learning. School libraries encourage independent learning and research skills, fostering curiosity and preparing students for a lifetime of learning. 
4. They offer an inclusive learning environment. School libraries serve as safe, inclusive spaces that cater to students of all backgrounds, learning styles and abilities. They play a significant role in supporting the wellbeing of the whole school.
5. They aid in community building. School libraries function as a community hub, within a school, providing a welcoming space for collaboration, discussion and social interaction among students, teachers and families. 

Geelong Schools Music and Movement Festival

Tuesday morning saw our wonderful Strings and Choir students from Junior School heading off on buses to the Geelong Arts Centre. We enjoyed performances from other schools across the region and the opportunity to perform for them! 

The Christian College Junior School Belmont Strings opened the performance with two pieces titled ‘Little Groove’ and ‘Jamaican Spice’. The students from Years 2 – 4 were fantastic and performed with confidence and energy. We heard violins, cellos, violas and even a classical guitar in the mix. 

After a number of rock bands and choirs we enjoyed, it was the Christian College Junior School Belmont Choir’s turn. Our 60+ choir of students in Prep – Year 4 performed a wonderful song called Monkey and Turtle based on the Filipino fable. The choir then concluded their performance with a rendition of the pop band, Owl City’s ‘Shooting Star’ – with movements included! 

This was such an incredible opportunity for our young students to experience the big stage as we lead into Term 4 with many more performances to come including the Annual Music Evening, in week 2, and our Junior School Celebration Evening, at the end of November. There is lots to look forward to. 

A big thank you to the parents that came along and enjoyed our performances. This is what all those early Tuesday and Wednesday morning rehearsals are for! What a joy to be able to share the music with the wider community in the first-class Playhouse Theatre in Geelong. 

VATD Resources Request 

If anyone in our community has balls of wool, cotton, or thread kicking around in cupboards and taking up space…maybe that knitting project that was left unfinished…the Art Room would gratefully take any donations. We can use that beautiful wool for some amazing collaborative projects we’d love to do. Anything of that nature that you might be able to spare can be dropped off at the Student Office, or the Art Room – and will be greatly appreciated!  

A Journey Back in Time! 

Our Year 4 students wrapped up their core knowledge Middle Ages unit in style with an exciting Medieval Day! Dressed as peasants, kings, queens, and nobles, the children fully immersed themselves in the spirit of the time period. The day was packed with hands-on activities, from the Catapults and Castles STEM challenge to the artistic Illuminated Lettering station. A highlight of the day was the energetic Fight for the Flag tag game, where students showcased their agility and teamwork. Lunchtime brought extra excitement as chosen brave knights competed in a jousting competition. Cheers filled the air as each knight took turns galloping on their “steeds” to win glory for their Kingdom. The day was a perfect celebration of all their hard work, combining fun and learning in a memorable way! 

Year 4 Classroom Teachers 

Annual Music Evening

Tickets now on Sale! – You’re Invited! - Christian College Annual Music Evening – Costa Hall - Wednesday October 16, 6.00pm

The Annual College Music Evening is an outstanding showcase event, and a highlight of the College year, featuring the fine musicianship of the Christian College Geelong students from Years Prep to12. The concert will feature the College String Ensembles, Bands and Choirs from each Campus.

Venue: Costa Hall - Deakin University Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong VIC 3220

The Costa Hall stage provides our students with a unique opportunity to perform in a wonderful concert hall filled to capacity. This public event is attended by College Leadership, staff, students, family and friends. One of the highlights of this concert is welcoming our newest performers to the stage. We also farewell the graduating Year 12 music students and acknowledge their years of dedication and wonderful musicianship.

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!

MSO Discount Subscriptions

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra offers a discount subscription for staff, students and direct family of the Christian College Geelong community for a series of concerts held in Geelong.

The 2025 MSO Geelong program returns with a wide-ranging repertoire of the finest classical music, taking in revered masterpieces:

Fri 14 Mar 2025

Brahms & Tchaikovsky

7:30pm at Costa Hall - Geelong

Fri 16 May 2025

An Evening Of Fairy Tales

7:30pm at Costa Hall - Geelong

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 5 –10

A Day Camp for Music Students aged 10 – 21 years

Christian College Geelong is proud to once again be hosting the Geelong Summer Music Camp at the Senior Campus in January 2025. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2025 Camp, with early bird discounts available until October 11.

If you have a budding band, choir or strings musician in your house, or are involved in a school or community music program, please encourage students aged 10 – 21 years to consider attending.

Please help us to promote the camp,  which is run by a volunteer committee who are passionate about providing a wonderful experience for student musicians from the Geelong community and beyond – it’s a Geelong institution with this next camp being the 44th!

Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Scholarship applications for Year 5, 7 and 10 entry to Christian College in 2026 are now open. You can access all the information you need, and apply, by visiting our website. There is a hotlink at the top of our homepage that takes you there, or just click here.

The scholarship testing date is Saturday October 12 and all applications must be received no later than close of business on Thursday October 3.