What’s on at Middle School
Week 3
- Mon 13 Feb – Wed 15 Feb – Year 7 Cave Hill Creek Camp (B,G,H)
- Mon 13 Feb – Year 5 Parent Cuppa and Information
- Wed 15 Feb – Fri 17 Feb – Year 7 Cave Hill Creek Camp (M,R,Y)
- Thurs 16 Feb – Deakin District Tennis – Years 5 & 6
- Thurs 16 Feb – Year 8 Cricket v Geelong College
Week 4
- Mon 20 Feb – Year 8 Cricket v Geelong College
- Wed 22 Feb – Year 9 Media Excursion – Real Life Animated
- Thurs 23 Feb – Senior & Intermediate cricket and CCG tennis squad v Geelong Grammar School
- Fri 24 Feb – Student Leader’s Investiture and Service of Dedication
Wellbeing at Christian College
Our philosophical statement reiterates that Christian College is always seeking to develop “an atmosphere of care and concern for each student’s character growth and wellbeing, within a value system and set of priorities derived from the Christian faith”. For many years our Chaplains have led the College in this important area of wellbeing. More recently we have taken additional proactive measures to build and cultivate student wellbeing in addition to enhancing our pastoral care and Chaplaincy support. We are taking meaningful and purposeful steps in this direction, and it is a real privilege to be working with and for you in the development of these areas as the Director of Wellbeing.
It goes without saying that concerns for the wellbeing of children and adolescents is not a new phenomenon given student wellbeing has featured prominently in educational policy development alongside national directives for schools to prioritise wellbeing primarily through well-developed programs. Wellbeing programs in schools not only enhance the overall academic performance of students, but also equip them with the skills and resilience needed to navigate life's challenges and lead fulfilling lives. Furthermore, they also help us to create a safer and more inclusive school culture, where students feel valued and respected. This week all students across the College spent time engaging with activities and lessons in designated wellbeing sessions. Our new Preps were connected with new Year 4 and 5 buddy as a means of providing peer social and emotional support and to promote a sense of community and our Junior School are taking steps to connect our students with MYTERN as a tool to teach our students the importance of self-regulation and how to take responsibility for all the complexities associated with our emotions. The Year 5 and 6 students at the Bellarine Campus came together during one of their Wellbeing sessions to discuss various ways to be kind and students listened to a book about the importance of filling one’s kindness bucket. Our Year 9s at Middle school are being encouraged to nurture their Christian faith through student-led devotions and our Year 10s had a chance to spend some time with our Senior school Chaplains. For our Year 11s and 12s the focus was on building connections and relationships with time also spent focusing on identifying character strengths that can be drawn on to help manage the challenges experienced in the VCE years. Finally, this week across the College we also acknowledged ‘Safer Internet Day’ and we were reminded to all connect safely with purpose, reflect before we act and protect ourselves and others by taking action. More information on this day is available here.
Whilst we are committed to the ongoing development of our student wellbeing program as highlighted by our College Wellbeing Framework, we also recognise the importance of fostering strong and positive relationships with our wider college community. The continuous involvement and engagement with our families allows for the strengthening of partnerships and working together helps to protect and promote wellbeing and likewise reduce those risk-taking or harmful behaviours that can potentially undermine wellbeing. This recent article Top of Form offers valuable advice to parents on talking to their teens. Whist in this instance the focus is on vaping the straightforward, yet highly effective strategies provided by professional experts can also be applied to address other harmful and risky teen behaviours. We are reminded of the need to enhance our awareness and education around such concerning behaviours, listen more than speak, and promote and encourage help-seeking behaviour. Continuing to foster a culture of care and support and prioritising strong and positive partnerships with our College families will place us in the best position to allow our students to thrive and flourish in a very complex and everchanging world.
Empathy, Diversity, Connection…A City Walk to Remember
The Transformation students visited The Intersection in the city of Melbourne last Friday where they explored ideas around empathy, diversity, and connection. The students participated in a city walk which used an interactive story-based approach. Students learnt that homelessness, addiction, and racism are symptoms of a deeper problem of disconnection in the urban context. On this excursion students were challenged to meet the other, because empathy, diversity and connection are vital to creating a livable city and making change.
The educators at The Intersection connected with the students through a city walk and engaged them in an Empathy Workshop. We heard stories of the city, personal experiences and relevant statistics to craft a powerful narrative that broke through stereotyping and invited human connection and empathy. It was an amazing day, filled with rich and powerful ideas that reflected ‘the learning that matters’.
Welcome to the Year 8 Community!
Take your marks…set…GO…and we’re off! The 2023 school year is officially underway, and it has been great seeing so many familiar and new faces in Year 8 over the past fortnight. Although we are only a couple of weeks into Term 1, it feels like we’ve been back for months, such is the encouraging vibe amongst the year level. Naturally settling back into any new routine can be difficult, in particular for those students just starting their educational journey at Christian College this year. We hope everyone, new and old, has enjoyed a positive start to the year, and a smooth transition into school life at Year 8.
In Year 8 this year, as we have done over the past few years now, we are placing a strong emphasis on the theme ‘Community’, this year linking it closely with our College theme ‘With Spirit’. I’m sure we can all agree that communities are an essential part of everyone’s everyday life. Whether they encompass family, friends, sporting/recreational clubs, workplaces, etc. they don’t get much bigger than that of a school community, especially considering the extended period of time spent within a school setting on a daily basis. Therefore, attempting to create a cohesive and inclusive setting is at the forefront of what we try to promote, not just in Year 8, but across the whole campus community.
This term, students at Year 8 will be engaging in a variety of different topics throughout their respective subjects. During Wellbeing classes (which take place daily from 12:40 – 1:10pm), homerooms will be undertaking the following weekly schedule:
Monday and Tuesday: Classes will be gaining a deeper insight into the College Values (Faith, Hope, Love, Truth and Grace) and how they connect within, and beyond the school setting.
Wednesday: Students will be designing and implementing a chosen role within a specific community as part of their Positive Impact Project (PIP). Students have the option to work individually, or in small groups and use their skills and passions to assist within the community of their choice, with the theme and emphasis being around applying a servant heart.
Thursday: Homerooms come together and meet in the Chapel for either a Year Level Assembly or Chapel Service (these sessions alternate every week). This is a precious time where key themes and messages are presented and an opportunity for the students to display their voice and skills.
Friday: Wellbeing classes will see homerooms participating in Homeroom Challenges, where each homeroom competes against one another in a different activity each week to see who can gain bragging rights as the ultimate Year 8 Homeroom! Prizes are up for grabs each week for the victorious class.
It has been really pleasing to see and hear of the positive start the Year 8 cohort has made this year. Expectations and College norms have been set and reinforced from day one, to ensure everyone is on the same page. If we can all work towards upholding and adhering to these key areas, and importantly having plenty of fun along the way, I have no doubt we’re in for a great 2023!
Please see below some key upcoming dates for Year 8 in Term 1:
- Hero’s Journey (Week 4): English students across all homerooms will attend an incursion/presentation from our very own Mia Kafieris (Dean of Christian Culture), as further exploration of their study on the Hero’s Journey.
- House Swimming Carnival (Week 5): House rivalry is on full display at the Kardinia Aquatic Centre during this, the first House Carnival of the year.
- GEOS Camp (Week 6): Years 8B, 8G and 8H will be embarking on a fun-filled 4 day camp involving Trangia cooking, hiking, mountain bike riding, kayaking, etc, in the beautiful Anglesea and surrounding environments. The camp focuses on developing a variety of practical skills, but also personal skills such as independence, resilience, teamwork, and a greater appreciation for the local natural environment.
- House Athletics Carnival (Week 10): House rivalry is back on display (this time on land) on the College front oval. Running, jumping, throwing and much more will take place alongside some friendly competitive spirit!
- Below are some images of what has been taking place in Year 8 so far this year:
- Product Design – Materials: A design brief by Year 8 student Benji Kattwinkel in preparation for making an LED ‘ecolamp’.
- Drama: Students getting right into the spirit, displaying their best acting skills during a recent Drama class.
- HPE: Students undertaking a variety of fitness tests and linking them to specific fitness components (Vertical Jump – Muscular power and Sit and Reach – Flexibility) as part of the Fitness Unit.
Year 7 – Drawing en pleine aire
To draw “en pleine aire” is to go outside and draw what you see, it was first done by the Impressionists in France and Australia in the late 1800’s. Today at Middle School, the Year 7 students spent half their session this week drawing in the courtyard. They have started their Art Elements Workshop Unit where they will create a series of artworks using a variety of 2D mediums.
Today they learnt how to draw with their opposite hand, use only one line, and how to draw by observing. Next week, they will learn to use their imagination.
Christian College 2023 Snowsports Team
Did you know that Jakara Anthony, the 2022 Winter Olympic Gold Medallist in the Women’s Moguls is an ex-CCG student?
Jakara continues to perform exceptionally well having been on the podium 16 out of the last 18 World Cups and is now the most decorated Australian Winter Olympian in history!
The Victorian Interschool Snowsports Championships are held this year in Mt Buller from the 21st – 27th August with the XC Championships being held on the 6th August.
If your child(ren) have not been involved previously and you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please email me at [email protected]
You can also find out more event details at https://www.interschools.com.au/home/
Notice to All Parents Regarding CSEF Funding
The Victorian State Government runs a program called the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). As the name suggests, the fund is designed to assist families meet costs associated with school camps, sport and excursions and requires families to apply in each year they have a child who is eligible. Families who have an eligible child will receive $125 per year for a primary aged student and $225 per year for a secondary aged student.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. Please complete a 2023 Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application Form and return to your campus administration office by the end of Term 1 please.
Please read the attached document for further information.
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