From the Chaplain – Jeans for Genes

Throughout last week, the students at Junior School learnt about human genes through a range of media provided by the Childrens Medical Research Institute. The students learnt about how this institution of scientists and researchers are working hard to find cures for genetic diseases.

On Friday August 4, we celebrated national Jeans for Genes Day at Junior School, a day focused on raising awareness for the Childrens Medical Research Institute here in Australia. A group of Year 4 students shared with the Junior School students and staff during this assembly with the following message:

“You are all wearing denim to raise awareness for the Childrens Medical Research Institute, an organisation that is working really hard in Australia to find cures for genetic diseases and help children just like you to feel better.

Throughout this week, you may have been hearing about what human genes are, not the jeans we wear on our legs, but the genes that make up our bodies. Every body is different and that means everybody has different genes, and sometimes, these different genes can cause people’s bodies to function differently and sometimes make them feel unwell.

God cares for all of us, knows us and see us, and because of this, we want to help others, so they also know they are cared for, seen and reminded that they are not alone.

Today by wearing denim, you are helping the Childrens Medical Research Institute to have the time to learn more about how these diseases can be cured so that these kids can go back to playing on the playground or kicking a footy.”

As a community, we raised $507 that will be donated directly to the Jeans for Genes cause, and our Junior School students got the opportunity to take part in an important day on our calendar.

What’s on at Junior School

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 
 

Week 6 – Book Week  
Monday August 21 – Annual Book Week Parade 9:10am 
Tuesday August 22 – Staff Development Day, Pupil Free Day 
Thursday August 24 – Prep Excursion to the Farm (Refer to EdSmart) 
Thursday August 24 – Deakin District Athletics, selected Year 4 Students (Refer to EdSmart)  
Friday August 25 – Year 4 Healthy Relationships Session 

100 Days of Prep Celebration

What a whirlwind our 100 Days of Prep celebration has been! It is incredible how time has flown by as these young minds embarked on their educational journey. To mark this special milestone, our students engaged in a variety of engaging activities.  The camaraderie between our students was evident as they joined forces with their buddies for interactive games, fostering friendships and teamwork. Through these activities, our students not only celebrated the passage of time but also celebrated the bonds they’ve formed, the skills they’ve acquired, and the limitless potential of the days ahead.

Our wonderful preps transformed into 100-year-olds for a day, complete with drawn-on wrinkles, canes, and even a few makeshift wigs. The chuckles echoed through the hallways as these adorable centenarians shuffled about, offering a playful reminder that age is just a number – even if it’s 100!

Counting to 100 took on a whole new level of excitement as our students eagerly sorted their 100 items, showcasing their terrific math skills in a fun and hands-on way. We bundled them into 10s, skip counted and some even calculated the total of the whole class. The sight of these young minds meticulously arranging their treasures was a testament to their growing understanding of numbers and quantities.

As we reflect on these 100 Days of Prep, we’re reminded that every day is a chance to learn, laugh, and create memories. Our young learners have shown us that curiosity knows no bounds and that the journey of a hundred steps begins with that very first one. Here’s to many more steps, skips, and dances in the days ahead!

Money, Money, Money…Let’s go Shopping!

In Year 1 we are learning all about money! The children have participated in various activities to assist them to develop their understanding of the Australian notes and coins. We discussed the features of each note and coin and discussed their value.

The children practised making 50c and $1 in different ways and were so excited to share their calculations with the class. During this time, we practised counting by 2s, 5s and 10s which assisted the children when working out their money calculations.

This week the children used Woolworths catalogues to go shopping! They worked with a partner to find items to buy and practised adding them up to find out the total cost for their groceries. The children did a fantastic job and worked so well with their partner on this task.

They realised just how expensive groceries are these days! The chocolate Freddo was a very popular treat and thankfully they were on special for 50c! I am so proud of the wonderful work the children did during our ‘money’ unit! Well done 😊

The Year 1s can’t wait to put their learning to use with the excursion to Aldi Supermarket!

Inspiration to Action: Addressing Community Needs

In an encouraging display of social responsibility, the students of Year 4R have examined ways to make a meaningful impact on their local community. With enthusiasm and creative minds, students developed an original idea for their own community group, which would serve a particular need within their local community.

After researching the role of local governments, students explored the challenges faced by their community, including environmental concerns, support for the elderly, youth and the underprivileged. Ideas for community groups included – dog walking groups, toy swap clubs, soup drives, craft clubs, online gaming communities, animal rescue groups and a variety of sporting groups.

One of the notable aspects of the community group project was the autonomy the students have been given. Teachers served as facilitators, offering guidance, but the decisions and ideas were predominantly driven by the young minds themselves.

The Year 4 students have highlighted the power of positive action and the potential for change when young minds are empowered to make a difference. Their passion, empathy, and commitment to serve reminds us that age is no barrier to creating a better world.

Gymnastics

The Junior School students concluded their gymnastics program this week, after completing a fun and action packed four weeks. Each cohort participated in a gymnastics program completing a weekly circuit with various gymnastic skills. They complete the activities in pairs such as forward and backwards rolls, balancing on beams and using equipment such as trampolines.

Kerry Woods from Jets Gymnastics has been coming in to assist with our Year 1 and 3 students on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Kerry commented that the students have all improved and developed confidence to complete some activities including their floor routine and rolls on the bar.

Jets Gymnastics have offered students a free come and trial class. Please contact Jets directly by calling 0438 861 337, email [email protected] or go to their website.  They are located in Essington Street, Grovedale.

Once again it was great to see students participating well and enjoying these sessions. Their enthusiasm and effort have been outstanding with lots of smiles and laughter too.

Naga High Students Visit Junior School

After a long absence, we were very lucky to have our sister school Naga High School come and visit us at Junior School. The 24 students and two teachers were warmly welcomed by Junior School staff and students. After a short welcome ceremony with Mrs Dunlop, the Naga students were escorted to every classroom by our wonderful Year 4 school leaders. While in the classrooms, the Naga students participated in activities such as Gymnastics, Maths, English, Music and Japanese! Our Junior School students were super curious and asked many interesting and thoughtful questions. Mrs Begg, Miss Olden and Mrs Braun had organised an excellent Australian inspired morning tea with an arrangement of different seasonal fruits, classic Tim Tams, slices, sausage rolls and party pies, and of course you can’t forget the fairy bread, which was made by our Year 4 Students Remi and Elodie.

The Naga students did a dance performance for the Years 3 and 4 where they did a modern and one traditional Japanese dance. Mr Smith then wowed them with “Home among the Gumtrees” and the old Aussie classic, ‘YMCA’. Much joy, singing and dancing in the Chapel before Charlie then farewelled and thanked our guests with a speech in Japanese.

It was a great rekindling of 31 years of friendship and partnership, and we thank Carol Milton Garner and Shizue Nakayama for all their hard work in preparing the Naga students for the visit. We look forward to the next time they visit in 2025.

Canteen Update

If you need to cancel or transfer your canteen order, or perhaps would like to look at the fortnightly specials. Please follow the link to our website here.

Term 3 Choral Concerts – Joyous Voices, Smiling Faces!

We know that singing in a choir is good for the mind and soul, for both singers and audience…… this was so evident on Tuesday evening! Term 3 sees all the CCG Choirs featuring in concerts across the College campuses. 

The College Choral Program features seven choirs providing opportunity for 300 students from years Prep to 12 to rehearse, perform and belong! On Tuesday evening this week the Surf Coast, Highton Middle School, Junior School Belmont and Senior Campus Choirs sang with gusto! 

The choirs, and featured VCE Vocal Ensemble, presented a range of beautiful repertoire for family and friends in two concert programs hosted at the Senior Campuses RW Gibson Centre for Music Performance. 

Congratulations to the College Choir directors of these campuses; Kate Notini, Laura Hollingsworth and Carla Dunlop, along with accompanists and vocal tutors for their fine work in preparing the vocal items. Thank you to the family and friends who attended and supported the choir students in getting to their rehearsals and performances throughout the year.

We look forward to the Bellarine Campus Choirs and Small Ensembles Performance Evening, to be held at the Bellarine Campus on Monday August 21.

Prepaid Tuition Fee Discount

The College is offering a 4 per cent discount to families who elect to prepay their 2024 tuition fees in full by September 8, 2023. Taking up this offer means you will receive a 4 percent discount on the 2024 tuition fees less sibling discount.

For further details please refer to the email sent to you earlier this week.

Please contact the fees team via [email protected] or (03) 5241 1899 if you have any queries - our team will happily explain the details and arrange a quotation for you.

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

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