From the Principal
The busy final term is well underway and there is plenty of positive activity across the College. I feel that there is a true sense of emergence from the challenging experiences of the past few years, and greater engagement for our community.
The new term commenced with all staff gathering for a Commencement Service. This important time spent worshipping God together is a vital aspect of our Christian culture and ethos. We were particularly blessed and entertained by Junior School music teacher, Mr Kevin Smith and we enjoyed his enthusiastic and colorful singing and dancing to songs that have been popular amongst our junior students for many years.
We continued our work and journey as part of the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our guest speaker Shelley Ware, an educational consultant and media personality led us in support of our desire to authentically embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture into our classrooms. She guided us through a path of discovery through her own journey as a teacher, mother, and media identity.
A particular highlight of the staff session, and the Commencement Assemblies at each campus throughout the week, was the powerful message about the work of the RAP team by three of our First Nations students. We have begun this journey positively and understand that we need to take future steps gently at a pace that creates respectful opportunities for further growth and learning.
Music Evening
The return of the College Music Evening reminded those present of show much we have missed in recent years. The coming together at Costa Hall to marvel at the incredible performances of the ensembles across ages and campuses was simply a great joy! It was so good to see and catch up with families past and present, and to repeatedly hear how much everyone had missed these opportunities to be together.
But most significant for me was the obvious joy and satisfaction of the students and Music staff at having the opportunity to perform in front of their families and wider community. I was moved by the standard of performances and how that impacted me personally, and I could sense a similar mood among the entire audience throughout the evening.
My sincere congratulations and thanks to the Directors of Music Fiona Gardner and Andrew Dunlop and the entire Music team on the outstanding success of the evening – it was a blessing for the audience.
Year 12 Celebrations
The annual tradition and rituals that create the important narrative and passage for the graduating class provided the Class of 2022 their opportunity to reflect upon their Christian College journey and to leave their mark in the clock tower
It is a privilege for me and other colleagues to share in these occasions and to hear the positive conversations and emotion amongst the students.
Here is a link to a seven-minute documentary that captures highlights of this special time. It is accessible via our website homepage > Experiences.
I pray for our Year 12s as they complete their exams, plan for their future pathways and prepare for the next chapter in their lives.
Class Reunions
The opportunity to reconnect with past students has been another feature of recent months. It has been great to attend these occasions to meet former students to reminisce and to renew connections with students dating back to the first graduation class. The stories, memories and friendships that are reignited from these gatherings are an important development of College growth. Establishing an Alumni is a new feature of our progression, and we are excited about the potential that this will bring for the future.
Videos for Change
‘Videos for Change’ creates a rich opportunity for students to produce short videos that express their voice and create awareness about issues that they seek to share with their community. These videos reach an authentic audience and provide a space for their advocacy about issues that are important to them.
Once again, Christian College students have featured well in the program, receiving high praise and feedback regarding the quality and depth of content in their work. I am delighted to see the continued involvement and development in this area of learning.
Art, Technology and Design Festival
Excitement is building as we approach the Christian College Art, Technology and Design Festival. This year there is a revised format with some new initiatives which, I'm sure, will prove popular. As it was for the Music students and staff, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and provide students with an authentic audience to experience and appreciate their creative work. I encourage families to come along to support and experience the amazing work on exhibition and to meet some of the artists and hear about the design and creation of their pieces.
Foundation Golf Day
The College Foundation hosted the Inaugural Christian College Golf Day at Thirteenth Beach yesterday. The support of parents, friends, past students, and staff members as well as some of our business partners who participated in this event is highly appreciated and valued. They enjoyed healthy competition, great fellowship over lunch and an opportunity to hear about the wonderful work the Foundation is doing to support the College.
The day was a huge success and will become an annual feature on the College calendar. I am most grateful to the Foundation team for organising this event, particularly Mr Graeme Dent for driving the project.
Grandparents and Special Friends’ Days
These special days have become a regular event over the years and their return at some of the campuses has been tremendous time for some of the students at our Junior Schools to welcome grandparents or special friends to school to visit them in their classrooms and to see what school is like for them each day. I had the joy of visiting my own grandchildren and being part of this experience. It is vital to encourage the broader connections for our students and families through events such as this.
Orientation Days
We are looking forward to welcoming the new students and their families that will be joining us in 2023 at Orientation Day next week. I pray that each new student, as well as our current students, will enjoy meeting and making new friends and hearing about the exciting plans for then in their new classes in 2023.
World Teachers’ Day
It is with a thankful heart that I acknowledge our teaching and professional support staff today for the invaluable work that they do each day as part of World Teachers Day. We are blessed to have such dedicated and hardworking professionals that serve our community and care for our student each day at Christian College. I offer my sincere gratitude for all that they do.
I found this prayer to offer on behalf of our community as a blessing.
Most gracious God, thank You always for blessing us with the most capable educators who lead us to You with every lesson they teach. Our teachers deserve all the good in the world. I know that with You, they are always blessed with the grace only You can give. May our teachers continue to be showered with Your blessings of grace and mercies, so that they may be inspired to continue being a blessing to others. Glory to God in the highest, Amen.
Best wishes for the remaining weeks of term.
God bless.
Glen McKeeman, Principal
From the Chaplain
Throughout Year 4 camp, students took leaps of faith and challenged themselves during many activities. We call these ‘challenge by choice’ activities where students choose their challenge and work towards achieving that, working through fears and trials along the way. I shared a Devotion with the students on this camp about fear and how it is an emotion we all experience as people. Fear isn’t necessarily bad; it’s how we respond in the midst of our fear that is important.
I shared about Paul in the Bible, a man who experienced life’s triumphs and tragedies, a life filled with hard times, fears, worries as well as joyous times. Paul experienced all of these things and still, he became one of the most influential people throughout history.
In one of Pauls letters, Paul says this:
“And so, it was with me, brothers, and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
Paul came in weakness with great fear and trembling…
Paul didn’t bring impressive words, instead, his voice trembled when he spoke…
Paul shows us that we don’t need to be fearless, perfectly confident, or incredibly skilled. Paul shows us that all we have to be is willing. Willing to put one foot in front of the other, in the face of fear, knowing that God is by our side, walking the journey with us.
The Bible speaks a lot about not being fearful – not as an emotion, because as people, we do experience fear, but fear as something that dictates our path. It is not about never experiencing fear, instead, it’s the invitation to still experience that fear, but take steps forward and do beautiful things in the midst of it.
Darcee Braun
What’s on at Junior School
Week 5: Monday 31st October
Monday 31st October – Prep School Nurse Visit
Tuesday 1st November – Orientation Day, 2022 Prep – Year 4.
Tuesday 1st November – 2023 Prep Orientation afternoon session 2
Friday 4th November – Assembly, Prep B & Prep M Item (Please refer to Edsmart notification)
Friday 4th November – Prep Yeodene Excursion
Week 6: Monday 7th November
Monday 7th November – Year 4 Girls Basketball Team: Melbourne Finals
Tuesday 8th November – Grandparents’ Day (Please refer to Edsmart notification)
Thursday 10th November – Beach Prep B, G, M, R
Friday 11th November – Remembrance Day
Week 7: Monday 14th November
Tuesday 15th November – Prep 2023 Final Transition. 9:30-11:30am
Tuesday 15th November – Year 4 Buddy Session 9:10-11:30
Friday 18th November – Assembly, Prep G & Prep R Item (Please refer to Edsmart notification)
Week 8: Monday 21st November
Thursday 24th November – Beach Prep B, G, M, R
Week 9: Monday 29th November
Wednesday 30th November – Year 4 Graduation, Middle School-Highton SAC (details to come!)
Wednesday 30th November – Year 4 Celebration Luncheon
Thursday 1st December-Junior School Celebration Evening, Middle School-Highton SAC (details to come!)
Week 10: Monday 5th December
*Details for Activities Day to come!
Friday 9th December – Junior School Christmas Service
Friday 9th December – Final day, Term 4. 2.30pm dismissal.
A Preppies Point of View
On Wednesday the children in Prep R and Prep M wrote books for the children at Williams House. Their books explained all the different things we have at school and what is important.
Prep R then headed over to Williams House to share their books with the children. There were lots of happy faces and smiles as the children talked about school, what school is all about and the different things they will experience.
The children in Prep R had a lot to say about their visit and their books:
I said to the kinder children that assembly is where you get an award for doing helpful stuff. Frankie
I liked reading to the kinder kids. Mikayla
I told them that on days like canteen we get lunch orders if we have money from our Mums and Dads. Tayla
I put in my book that we have a front of the school, and we have library and we have PE and we have Music. Lola
I made a book about school and how we behave and what we do. Eadie
My book was about caring and sharing at school. Zahil
At school we have lunch orders because we go to the canteen. Isla
In my book I called it ‘My book and I like making books’. Willow
I told the kinder kids that at school we learn to encourage people. Buster
I told them that we turn learning at school. Rocky
At school we have lunch orders. Joshua
I told the kids that we have music and there is a yellow wall and a red wall. Ethan
I told them to clean up garbage because then our school will look cool. Xander
I love school! Celeste
This is just another way that we can connect and build relationships between Williams House and Junior School. The children in Prep R are also planning other things we could do and create for those in Williams House.
Julie Shutie
Ancient History in 1B
This term we have been learning about Ancient Egypt.
We started the unit by looking at the area on a world map and identifying where Egypt is. This led to some wonderful conversations about the difference between a continent and a country. The children learnt that Egypt is located in northern Africa.
We then focused on the Nile River. We learnt about its geographical location, why it periodically flooded and how it was vital to the ancient Egyptians survival. We loved that Egypt was referred to as ‘The Gift of the Nile’!
After learning the geography, the children have begun to learn about the ancient hierarchy, beginning with Pharaohs. The Children were able to explain who they were and why they were powerful figures. Some of these answers have been captured in the attached photographs.
It has been so wonderful to see the children engaged in ancient history as well as share some of their prior understandings and perceptions.
Lisa Johnson
Caring For Country – Sustainable Practices With an Indigenous Perspective
During our recent Integrated Studies Unit – ‘Our Restless Earth’, students in Year 4 explored the impacts on the environment resulting from the use and misuse of our natural resources. This week, students worked in small groups to investigate the sustainable practices that have been used by First Nations people for thousands of years – within a local context.
Students used their devices to research the natural features and resources within the local Waurn Ponds Creek waterway. It was discovered that the often-overlooked Waurn Ponds Creek was once a vital waterway used by First Nations Wathaurong groups to live sustainably. This means that local Indigenous groups only used the resources they needed, ensuring the regeneration of precious resources for future use. Some of the students’ reactions to learning about ancient sustainability practices include:
Harper McCormack – ‘I didn’t realise that the Waurn Ponds Creek had so many natural resources (plants and animals) that Indigenous groups used for thousands of years.
Olivia Zampatti – ‘I really enjoyed learning about the natural resources located at Waurn Ponds Creek and how the Wathaurong people lived for so long.’
Anna Wood– ‘The way that local Indigenous groups used the natural resources at Waurn Ponds Creek was really amazing to learn about.’
Mark Foran
Rochester Primary
As many of you will be well aware, the recent downpour of rain has caused devastating damage to various communities around Victoria. One of the communities that have been severely impacted is the town of Rochester, three hours from us.
Rochester Primary School has experienced flood damage to every classroom and has, therefore, in addition, lost many of its teaching and learning resources.
This week in Prep G, I taught the children what a flood was, how flooding happens, and what damage it can cause to buildings, people, and belongings. I asked the children to look around our room and identify what would be ruined if we had a meter of water come into our room. As they gazed around, it became clear that most of the things that we love, like our classroom library, our puppets and play items, writing books, and craft materials, would all be lost.
I asked the children to close their eyes and imagine if they couldn’t come to school, see their friends, their teachers or do the things they loved because their classroom had been flooded – they were really saddened by this, which created such genuine empathy for the next part of our lesson. I said this is a true story, that has happened to another school a few hours away from us.
I posed the question ‘what can we do for them?’ The responses that followed were very heart warming.
“We can tell them to pray to God for help” – Peyton
“We can pray to God for them” – Baxter
“We can give them some of our stuff” – Emmanuel
“We can write them a card and tell them that we hope they are okay” – Sasha
“I have a save, spend, and give jar for my pocket money. I could give them money from my give jar”– Molly
We all decided to write down what we would say to Rochester Primary School and spoke about the importance of compassion and empathy. Their words were so beautiful.
We then looked around our room and discussed what we could donate from our own room, happily parting with these we consider very special. A reminder that generosity isn’t giving away things you already don’t want, it’s giving away things you do want. Finally, we went to the library and the children picked out books they thought the Rochester PS children would love, we boxed them up, and carried them to my car ready to be taken to Rochester on the weekend. The thoughtfulness in the book collection was beautiful “I am going to give them a ‘back to school’ book so that when they return to school it might help them feel less nervous” – Scarlett.
Thank you to Mrs Deanne Elliss for your generous donation from the Junior School library. Thank you to all staff at Junior School for assisting with other items being donated to Rochester Primary School.
Later in the week, Prep G wrote about gratitude, and how fortunate we are for all of the things we have in our school. This week has been a thoughtful authentic opportunity this to explore the importance of generosity, empathy, gratitude and a willingness to do ‘good work’ for others.
May we continue to pray for Rochester Primary School and all communities impacted by natural disasters.
Amber Sharp
Junior School Food Drive
In the past, Christian College Junior school families have been very generous in supporting the 2can Appeal approaching the Christmas period. Students have brought along canned and non-perishable food to donate to those in need through local community service groups. This year there is a need for this appeal to support people in the Geelong community who need some extra help coming into the Christmas period.
UnitingCare Geelong Food Relief Centre is a not-for-profit community service agency. It is primarily an Emergency Relief agency that provides practical assistance to people in times of financial and personal crisis.
For this Christmas appeal, UnitingCare Geelong requires canned foods such as fruit, stews, baked beans, pasta in sauce and other non-perishable food. Toiletry items are also good to donate.
If your family would like to support this appeal, please bring along any donations to the tables in the 3/4 corridor (upstairs) where there will be a table to place items. Items can be donated at any time until the end of Term Four.
- During this time of the year, it is important that we think of those less fortunate in our communities. Uniting Emergency Relief in Grovedale provides food and Christmas Hampers to needy families in the Geelong area.
- The Project Care Leaders would like to support these families. We are requesting that Year 3 and 4 students bring an item like: tins of 425gm tuna, sardines, tinned fruit (eg. Pineapple slices, peaches, fruit salad and tinned vegetables eg. corn, peas and corn, peas, carrots and corn and tomatoes) Toiletry items will be accepted too (eg. shampoo, soap, and toothpaste).
- Your donations will help needy, deserving families over the Christmas/ January holidays. Perhaps each Year 3 and 4 student could bring a tin or item each week. Please talk to your parents about this before just taking food items from your kitchen pantries.
- Baskets will be available in the Year 3-4 hallway where there is a table set up in the hallway for you to place your donations. Please be respectful of this table by not touching the displays.
Thank you,
Project Care Team
Camp Australia Newsletter
Our New-Look ATD Festival - Now Open!
Our Art, Technology and Design Festival is underway at Villa Paloma ATD Centre! It opened at 10am this morning and the program runs until 9pm this evening. Tomorrow (Saturday Nov.12), it's on between 10am and 4pm.
There's a magnificent exhibition of student artwork and products – all year levels from K-12 from all our campuses and Early Learning Centres are represented.
Come along this evening or tomorrow - or both! There are food trucks, coffee and live music, a Food Studies Market Stall and Gelato Bar, face painting, the official opening at 6:30pm this evening, then the Wearable Art and Textiles Fashion Parade from 6:40 – 7:15pm.
Tomorrow, the Festival kicks off again at 10am and goes until 4pm. A ‘Meet the Creator’ program is running where students of various ages from every ATD subject area (Visual Art, Studio Art, Media, VCD, Food Studies, Systems Engineering, Product Design – Materials and Product Design – Textiles). Live music, sausage sizzle, coffee and the Food Studies market stall and gelato bar are all happening between 10am and 2pm.
Villa Paloma is at 25 Waurn Ponds Drive, Waurn Ponds. The full Event Program is on our website (follow the hotlink on our homepage) or click here.
Term 4 2022 COVID-19 Update Procedures and Protocols
Introduction
Christian College is committed to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, students and College community.
The following revisions to the COVID-19 procedures and protocols align with the Victorian Government’s announcement of the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders. The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health and the Department of Education for Victorian schools now apply.
If you require greater detail, please access additional information via the DHHS or Victorian State Government Education and Training websites or speak with your campus leadership team.
COVIDSafe Measures for Schools
- No student, staff member, parent, or visitor, should come on to College sites if they are unwell or have any Flu-like symptoms.
- Practise good hand hygiene, utilising the sanitisers supplied
- Utilising outdoor spaces and increasing cross-ventilation indoors where possible
- It is recommended that a person who is symptomatic, displaying cold or Flu like symptoms should undergo a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or PCR Test.
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
Rapid Antigen Testing
Free RATs will be made available for use by all students and staff through Term 4. It is recommended that RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
Reporting and Managing Positive Results
If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, it is recommended the result be reported to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report or via the telephone hotline on 1800 675 398.
Parents/Guardians must report a positive COVID-19 test result of a student directly to the student office at the relevant campus. Staff must notify their relevant College leader.
The College community will no longer be notified of a positive COVID-19 case associated with the school.
It is recommended that any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 isolates for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test will continue to be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
Face Masks in Schools
Current advice from the Victorian government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks: It states:
“Face masks can stop or slow viruses spreading in the air when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh. Face masks lower your chance of catching and spreading an airborne virus. That’s why wearing a high-quality and well-fitted face mask can help protect you and those around you from COVID-19.”
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
- It is recommended that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.
- It is recommended that that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
- Whilst traveling on Christian College buses, it is recommended students wear a face mask due to physical distancing not being possible.
Canteen not Open on Last day of Term
Please note that on the last day of Term 4, Friday December 9, the canteen will not be open.
Thank you to all volunteers for your fantastic help during the course of this term, and throughout 2022.
Recycling Uniform Items
As part of the transition to our new College wardrobe it was important that we consider the environmental impact of clothing items no longer required. Whilst it is still possible for students to wear items from the traditional uniform, when items are no longer able to be worn, they can be recycled.
Any such items can be dropped off and placed in recycling bins at each campus. We are working with our wardrobe manufacturer to ensure that these can be recycled as part of the introduction of our new wardrobe over the next 18 months.
CCG Foundation Patron’s Dinner
Join us for the Foundation Patron’s Dinner, to be held on Saturday, 12 November 2022 at The Pier Geelong.
On this night, the Foundation will be officially launching the establishment of our Public Ancillary Fund - 'The Eternity Fund'. The purpose of this fund is to provide sustained giving for the future. This fund will invest donations to return a greater value in years to come - a donation that lasts a lifetime.
At this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from our Foundation Patron, Robert Costa, who will speak about the significance of perpetual giving and the impact of local philanthropy.
Tickets are $200 per person and include a three-course meal, a four-hour drinks package, and a night full of heartfelt celebration. If you would like to attend, please book online at your earliest convenience.
Secure your seat today! www.ccgfoundation.org.au/patronsdinner
