From the Head of Junior School  

One of the most exciting things about Junior School is sharing in the enthusiasm and exuberance students have for learning. It is our privilege as teachers to help shape their attitude to learning and one of the key messages we want to share with our students is that ‘good learning’ comes from a growth mindset. Good learning includes both making mistakes and experiencing achievement to grow. We learn from our mistakes. 

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden says that you’re not a failure until you start to assign blame. That’s when you stop learning from your mistakes because you deny them. Michael Jordan is reported to have said that in his career “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” If we can truly model that failure is an opportunity to grow, rather than being the limit of our abilities, then we plant the seeds of a ‘yet’ thinking mindset for our students. If we think about it mathematically: 

What’s on at Junior School

Week 4 
Monday August 7 – Middle School Electives evening, Middle School Highton SAC, 4:00pm -7:00pm (Year 4 Students are encouraged to attend)  
Monday August 7 – Discover Prep Week @ Junior School visit the website for more information https://christiancollege.vic.edu.au/discover-prep-week/  
Tuesday August 8 – Prep 100 days of school  
Tuesday August 8 – Discover Prep Week Information Session, 4:30pm – 5:30pm  
Tuesday August 8 – Junior Choir performance, CCG Choirs evening (please refer to Edsmart notification) 
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 
 

Week 5 – Science Week  
Monday August 14 – Emergency and Lockdown Drills 
Tuesday August 15 – Year 1 Simple Machines/Forces Incursion 
Wednesday August 16 – Prep Discovery Learning Session 
Friday August 18 – National Day of Action (antibullying)  
Friday August 18 – Assembly, 1B Class Item 

Building Connections in our Community 

Last week, the Year 3 students drafted, edited and published picture story books. We began by reading from our class library and revising the structure of a narrative short story. The students then planned a short narrative story which included a problem and solution. These stories had princes, princesses, toys that come to life and magical lands. 

This week, each class visited Williams House Kindergarten and read these stories to the children. It was lovely to see each student interact with the younger children and build positive relationships with them. There were giggles and laughter all around as the older students put on funny voices and used excellent expressions to engage the younger children.  

After reading their stories, we were fortunate enough to have some additional time to play with the kinder children. Some of the Year 3 students were reminiscing about their time at Williams House and all the fun times they had while they were there.  

We hope to spend more time with the students at Williams House as the year progresses so that we can continue to build strong connections. 

Year 2 Masterclass – A Highlight of our Week! 

Excited and enthusiastic learners in Year 2 come together for two periods of Masterclass each week.  The focus this term is for the students to solve challenges linked to our Literature Study of Fairy Tales by using materials in new and interesting ways.  

The cohort has faced two challenges to date.  The first was to design, create and test a bridge that could support the weight of the Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the second was to make a coat for the emperor related to our rich text ‘The Emperor’s New Coat’. Both challenges have been thoroughly enjoyed by the students and have resulted in some fabulous creations. 

Experimenting, trialing, and modifying are the objectives of each lesson, and there is an emphasis on working collaboratively with others, taking risks and making modifications when attempts do not meet the requirements.  Students are discovering that success is usually not immediate and that learning often involves frustration and disappointment and requires focus, determination, and persistence. Whilst noise, chaos and mess ensue, the learning that occurs, as the students discuss ideas and experiments, is priceless. 

Our little engineers have amazed their Year 2 teachers with their ingenuity and creativity, as you will see from the attached photos. And, whilst not every creation will meet the challenge, we are sure that our students will face their next challenge with continued enthusiasm and positivity. 

Year 3 – Take me to the River

Over the past couple of weeks as part of our current content rich literacy unit, we have been looking at rivers from around the world. Some of the Australian rivers have included the Murray, Darling and the Murrumbidgee Rivers as well as looking at international rivers such as the Nile and Amazon Rivers. Students have learned how important rivers are for farming and broader communities and how vast they can be in parts. 

This week’s STEM challenge centred around engineering and specifically designing a miniature raft that might allow for safe passage across a river. The brief was to keep one of God’s creations safe and dry on one of the amazing rivers of the world. 

We provided some basic materials for the students and the students were encouraged to brainstorm a variety of designs and materials they could use. We also gave the students the option to bring additional materials from home to assist in the actual construction and testing of the raft on a ‘river’ created here at Junior School. 

These STEM lessons provide a tremendous opportunity for our Year 3 students to collaborate, problem solve and work in teams sharing their ideas.

Painting Monet’s Garden and the Japanese Bridge 

Over the last 12 months our Year 4 students have been busy creating an artwork inspired by the great French painter, Claude Monet. The painting is comprised of many individual canvases using artist quality oil paint. This term sees the artwork in its final stages and ready for hanging. 

We chose Monet’s artwork because of his love for nature and importantly his use of broad-brush strokes to build up his pictures. The images on his paintings were without definitive outlines and so appear to be smudged around the edges. This feature of Monet’s artistic technique can be expressed particularly well by our students exploring paint and using it generously and somewhat ‘messily’ – besides what could be more fun than getting a bit messy!  

Below are some photos of the work almost complete. What has been great is that our students have been able to watch the progress and the importance of each piece being integral to the greatness of the work. Looking forward to the big reveal. 

LEAD Parent Survey - Now Closing September 1

Each year, Christian College participates in the LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys conducted by Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). These surveys provide valuable insights into a school’s performance from the perspectives of students, staff and parents and are therefore an essential school improvement tool.

LEAD – Listen, Evaluate, Act, Deliver – succinctly describes the way in which this process enables our College community to grow and flourish through consultation with our valued stakeholders.

You will have received an email from ‘ISV Research Programs [email protected]’ inviting you to participate in the ISV LEAD Parent Survey. It includes a unique survey link that can only be used once and therefore cannot be shared or forwarded to others. Thank you to all parents who have completed the Parent Satisfaction Survey - we have received more than 300 responses to date. ISV has extended the deadline for survey responses - closing date is September 1. We invite any parents who have not yet participated to contribute your feedback via this year's survey. You are an integral part of our school community and your voice matters.

East Timor Trivia Night

Preparations are underway for our annual Trivia Night which raises much needed funds for the work we do in Viqueque, East Timor.

Money raised this year will help pay for a new roof for Uma Maun Alin – Friendship House – where some amazing staff and volunteers run kindergarten classes for local little ones and English classes for older children and teens.

Part of the night is a Silent Auction and we are asking CCG families for any donations.

Some donations made already, thanks to the hard work of some of our prefects, include: a signed Cats guernsey, personal training sessions, café vouchers, Geelong Lawn tennis memberships, tennis racquet and re-stringing voucher, a vet clinic voucher... and so much more!

If you are in a position to be able to donate something to this incredibly worthwhile cause please contact:

Surfcoast Campus: Claire Deretic

Junior School: Carla Dunlop

Highton Campus: Graham Barton

Bellarine Campus: Samantha Bett

Senior School: Lee Stringer

Discover Prep Week

During Discover Prep Week, August 7 – 11, three CCG campuses are offering interested parents, families and guardians the opportunity to get a firsthand view of Prep at Junior School-Belmont, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus. Our Prep programs are unparalleled and we invite anyone interested in enrolling children in Prep in 2024 and beyond, to come and visit, join a class, see our facilities, speak with teachers and campus leaders and have their questions answered. There are multiple opportunities at each of the three campuses to participate.

We would encourage our College community to spread the word about Discover Prep Week to anyone who is considering school choices for their children in 2024 and beyond.

All details, including booking information for sessions, can be found on our Discover Prep Week webpage – hit the hotlink on our homepage or click here to access it.

Scholarship Applications are Now Open!

Each year Christian College offers Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5, 7 and 10 levels. Applications are now open for this year’s scholarships, which apply to entry in 2025, at three campuses – Middle School-Highton, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus.

Year 10 entry applies to Senior School-Waurn Ponds only.

To find out more, and to apply, visit our website and look for the homepage hotlink, or click here.

Scholarship applications are open to students who do not currently attend Christian College, as well as those who are currently enrolled here. Scholarship examinations will be held at Christian College on Saturday October 7. Closing date for applications is Thursday, September 28.

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]

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