Graduation events where students and teachers spoke with genuine warmth to express the deep relationships that exist, is a testimony to the culture we enjoy. It is a privilege to shake the hands of the students at these occasions, and to see the sense of satisfaction in their eyes.  

The end of year Celebration Evenings held in the Sports and Aquatic Centre at the Highton Campus provided the opportunity to gather as communities to share in celebrating the year with students, families and staff. The resounding success of each evening was a witness to the creative efforts of students and staff to provide nights that highlighted the learning, culture, endeavour and talents of our students. The central messages at each event provoked and reminded us of what it is to be human, part of God’s creation and importantly the love and peace that came to the world, God’s son, Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 1:23 

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 

I am grateful to everyone that attended, participated or was involved in the planning and preparation of these wonderful evenings of celebration. I particularly commend Mr Andrew Dunlop and the major events team that worked so diligently, over long hours, to ensure that the physical spaces, staging, sound, lighting, technology and all other behind-the-scenes requirements were delivered to the highest of standards. 

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership – Teaching Excellence Program Graduation and Celebration 

Last week the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of educators to undertake these studies. I congratulate Ms Angela Tutty, the Director of Humanities, for being selected and for completing this prestigious program. 

The event was made very special having our Christian College students chosen to provide musical entertainment at the event in the Ballroom at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. 

Congratulations Ange and sincere thanks to the students that performed, and the music faculty staff that supported the event. 

Staffing Announcements for 2023 

It is my pleasure to share with you two significant leadership appointments for 2023. 

Ms Mia Kafieris has accepted the position as Dean of Christian Culture and Ms Kim Doherty has been appointed in the newly created role as Director of Wellbeing. These appointments will continue to develop and support the desire we have to create a flourishing environment throughout our College. Mia and Kim have already made significant contributions to the development of the College Wellbeing Framework. They are highly qualified and experienced to lead in these important areas of our College. I am most grateful and delighted that Mia and Kim have accepted these roles.  

Earlier this year our Vice Principal, Mr Scott Elliss, experienced some personal health challenges and in 2023 he will be taking leave to support and assist with his recovery. Scott is a much-loved member of our College family and a vital member of the leadership team. We wish him well as he takes this measure to enhance his recovery, and I ask that you join me in praying for full restoration and to see him return to us in 2024. God bless you, Scott. 

In 2023 Mr. Rick Geall will undertake the role as Acting Vice Principal/Head of Senior School. The Senior School leadership team will be bolstered through the return of Mr Jason O’Loughlin from leave, as Deputy Head of Campus. He will work alongside Ms Dianne Martin and Mr Damian Stephenson to ensure our senior academic and pastoral programs continue to flourish in 2023. 

The end of term comes with the opportunity to celebrate the careers of our colleagues that are retiring as well as thank those moving on to new horizons. I wish each of these staff members God’s richest blessings on the next chapter of life’s journey and thank them for their service to our community. These staff members are listed in our annual yearbook, the ‘Motivator’, that was distributed to students today. Thank you to Simon and Bridget in our Marketing and Publications team, for creating such a wonderful memento for our community to enjoy as they reflect on 2022.   

Christmas Greetings 

As the year concludes for students today, it ends a fortnight of celebrations, farewells, assemblies and speeches for me. It is a joy for me to serve our wonderful community and I am thankful to all those that I serve beside. We belong to a truly remarkable community. 

The reason for having such a wonderful community should never be taken for granted and I want to remind us all as Christmas approaches, that our College is founded and underpinned by a faith in a loving God. A God that loves each of us unconditionally! 

This Christmas, I pray that every person reading this message and each of the members of their family and friends, might truly know the love and peace that comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Isaiah 9:6 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

God Bless. 

It has therefore been an absolute blessing in 2022 to have been able to host events to reconnect our community. Although these are too many to list, some highlights have certainly included our camps, excursions and incursions, music events across our CCG Campuses, sporting carnivals, Project Care events, Book Week and Easter Bonnet celebrations, Grandparents’ Day, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day stalls, Junior School Show Day, Orientation Days and Transition Programs, ANZAC and Remembrance Services. 

Connection is related to kindness and friendship. In Proverbs 27:9 it says, “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” There’s something about connection and relationship that refreshes us spiritually. We were designed for relationships in which we’re recognised and celebrated simply for who we are and not what we can do for others. We need people who understand us, who relate to us and who can connect with us. It is a challenge and a goal for us at Junior School to develop strong and meaningful connections for our students, for our families, for one another as staff and with God. 

God has given us a precious opportunity this year to begin to reconnect as a community and so my encouragement to you all as we go into our Christmas break is to remember 2022 as having brought back the gift of connection and my prayer is that these connections continue to strengthen into 2023 and beyond. 

On behalf of all of the staff at Junior School, I wish you all a blessed Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Please note that the students first day in 2023 is Tuesday the 31st of January. 

Merry Christmas
God Bless. 

There is something truly special about teaching the first year of school. It is an opportunity to welcome the families to our community, to be able to show what learning can look like and build those connections and relationships. 

There has been much growth and change in all of the children in Prep and it is truly a blessing to be able to be part of their journey. 

Some final reflections from the Preps about their first year at Christian College: 

I am very good at writing now. I love playing with my friends at Christian College. – Joshua 

I can now take care of one another. I learnt that from the teachers. – Mikayla 

I love making Christmas things. I am really good at writing because I have been practising. – Hamish 

I now know that ‘e’ can make a long sound like in he and stuff. I know that now because I have great teachers like Mrs Shutie. I love spending time with my teacher. –  Frankie 

I love being at school because I get to see my friends so much at school. I am good at drawing because I practiced and practiced to get better.  – Eadie 

I love my teachers because they help me learn more. I couldn’t do neat handwriting I could just do messy handwriting but now I can because I got taught. – Willow 

I love Christian College because I have been learning from Mrs Shutie. I can now count by twos because you taught us how to! – Tayla 

I have loved being with my buddy. I have learnt what Christmas is all about this year. – Lola 

I love playing with my friends and I get to spend time with my teacher. I have learnt how to read and I can write. – Celeste 

I love Christian College because I get to play with my friends. Now I can write and listen and be nice. – Rocky 

I love decorating the classroom. I have learnt how to make things and what equals means and make animals and dinosaurs and computers and all the kinds of things. – Zahil 

I love having a playground at school. I got so good at Maths and I can use the number chart and my fingers. – Xander 

I love spending time with people like Mrs Weigl and Mrs Dunlop. I learnt how to do really neat handwriting by practising. – Buster 

I am just really good at learning because I got taught how to learn! I love playing with my friends. – Isla 

I like including people in what I do. I am really good at writing now because I have been in Prep for a whole year. – Ethan 

I would like to thank you for your amazing support of our Library program at Junior School this year. 

Our most popular reads for 2022 are listed below in order. 

1. Wildlife by Philip Bunting has been a firm favourite throughout much of the year.
2. The Unbelievable top-secret diary of pig by Emer Stamp has also proved popular for a third year.
3. The Weirdo Series by Anh Do is still the third most borrowed series followed closely by his other series.
4. Meet Ella a new series for developing readers has been popular this year.
5. Nerd Herd by Nathan Luff and Chris Kennett.