Middle School Term 1 Week 3

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 4

• Wed 21 Feb – GISSA Tennis Championships
• Thurs 22 Feb – Year 7 Garden Party
• Thurs 22 Feb – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella
• Fri 23 Feb – Student Leaders Induction Service
• Sun 25 Feb – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella

Week 5

• Mon 26 Feb – GISSA Senior Girls Cricket Championship
• Tues 27 Feb – GISSA Intermediate Boys Cricket Championship
• Wed 28 Feb – Instrumental Music Performance Evening – Voice
• Thurs 29 Feb – Year 5 Parent Cuppa and Information Morning
• Thurs 29 Feb – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella
• Fri 1 Mar – GISSA Tennis Div.2 Championships

• Sun 3 Mar – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella

Year 5 Parent Cuppa

On Tuesday morning we invited our Year 5 parents in to share a ‘cuppa’ with us. This was held in the SAC, with our parents up in the mezzanine and our Year 5 students playing some fun games on the courts below.

Events such as this are a great and relaxed way for our parents to get to know their young person’s homeroom teacher, the Head of Campus, Deputy Heads of Campus, and our Year 5/6 Year Level Coordinator. As well, they can meet some fellow Year 5 parents and chat about their start to Middle School.

From here we walked down to the Year 5 classrooms where our parents were able to take a sneak peak of their child learning with their peers. This, for some, was their first glimpse into the classroom. From the smiles on the parents faces it seemed a wonderful chance to connect with our CCG community.

We will be holding another Year 5 ‘cuppa’ morning on Thursday February 29, starting at 8:50am, for any Year 5 parents who wish to come.

From the Chaplain

This year has commenced with a flurry and what a wonderful couple of weeks we have had at the Middle School campus!

Term 1 is filled with energy, vibrance and enthusiasm as we embark on all the things that the year brings. In the transition from teaching to chaplaincy, I have really come to appreciate the amazing programs, the wonderful staff and the dedicated leaders we have here at Middle School. It has been an opportunity to step back and observe the whole of school life and how it ticks along. I am also so thankful for the diversity that the chaplaincy role provides. It is such a privilege to be able to journey alongside many of our students in the ups and downs of Middle School life.

Something that I absolutely love about being Chaplain is running our school chapel services. Our first ‘Year Level chapel services’ were based on the theme of ‘story’, with the big question, “What’s your story?” as the focus, something our Year 7s have been exploring (thanks Ms Dietrich!). During each service we looked at the idea that we all have a story and for this chapter of our individual story we are placed together into a larger narrative – the story of being at CCG in 2024. Each of the year levels were encouraged to think about what they can do to make this chapter as good and meaningful as it can possibly be. The big idea was that God is the author and that He has written a grand story for each of our year levels this year. Even better, at a point in time, God wrote himself into the story of humanity – Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, entered the world to show us how to live.

As a staff at Middle School Highton, we enjoyed a pancake breakfast during our devotion time on the morning of Shrove Tuesday. This was a great time of community and a reminder of the plenty that we have and God’s provision as we enter the Lenten period – an important chapter in the story of this year. And so, as we enter this period of Lent and look towards Easter, thinking about the story that God is writing for us, we are reminded not only of this truth but also that the great author of all our stories, in the most dramatic of plot-twists, died on the cross and rose again on the third day for each of us. That is the BEST story of all.

Our Year 7 Story

In Year 7 this year we are writing our story. Filled with all of the wonderful experiences and challenges throughout the year. Please enjoy reading our chapter from camp.

In the heart of the Victorian bushland, where whispers of trees danced with the rustle of leaves, a group of Year 7 students from Christian College gathered for their Year 7 camp.

Throughout the days at Cave Hill Creek Camp, they tackled every challenge with determination and teamwork, cheering each other on as they scaled cliffs, stacked crates, paddled on the lake, built rafts and huts, and threw water bombs to survive the heat. Through moments of triumph and moments of uncertainty, friendships grew stronger, anchored by shared experiences and support.

The Year 7 students worked together during some spare time and decorated their tribe sticks. Armed with the hot glue gun, sparkling diamantes, and an array of vibrant colours, they set to work, their creativity unleashed upon the wooden canvases before them. Each student poured their personality into their tribe stick, decorating it with symbols of friendship, adventure, and the bonds they had formed during their time at camp.

Material Exploration in Year 9 Art

This term our year 9 Art students are developing their individual art making practices. We are exploring a range of mediums, materials, and processes to expand upon what we can make art out of and how we can create meaning behind our artworks.

This week students have been exploring plaster, using various tools and application techniques to create their artwork. Next week we will explore paint applications to finish off these plaster artworks.

Students will also explore the concept of art as activism, responding to and analysing other artists’ work who have addressed themes or issues they are passionate about. Students will then plan and create their own art series based on a theme they are passionate about in a medium/s of their choice.

Year 9 – What’s On

This week I would like to highlight the amazing Teen Mental Health First Aid Course that our Year 9 students are taking part in this year as part of their Transformation Experience.

During their time in Transformation, students are involved in three interactive classroom sessions of 75 minutes each, totalling 3.5 hours. The course has been specifically designed to be engaging for this age group. The course includes engaging role play activities.

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional treatment is received, or the crisis resolves. Mental health first aid strategies are taught in evidence-based training programs authored by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Australia and conducted by accredited MHFA Instructors across Australia.

The Teen MHFA Course teaches secondary students how to provide mental health first aid to their friends. The course was developed in response to research indicating that young people have a preference for sharing problems with peers. The course curriculum is based on a study undertaken to determine the best actions a young person can undertake to support a peer with a mental health problem.

Lunch Time Walkers

We are happy to announce that the Walk Club will be running again in Term 1 of 2024. This is a great opportunity for students to enjoy some fresh air and exercise during their lunch break. The Walk Club will take place on a Thursday lunchtime, starting from the student office and following a safe and scenic route around the neighbourhood. 

The activity will be run by Mrs Victoria Corkin and Mrs Rachelle Garrard. Any student from Year 5 to Year 9 can participate, but they need permission from a parent or guardian. If your child is interested in joining the Walk Club, please ask them to email either myself or Rachelle and we can then send out an Ed Smart form.  

We hope to have a small group of walkers up and running next week!

Run Club is Back!

Each Wednesday in Term 1, all Middle School students have the opportunity to earn points for their House by getting active and running laps of the basketball courts before school. Students interested in participating are to meet Mrs Garing and some of our Middle School House Captains at the basketball courts outside before school. Students can run laps between 8.15 and 8.40am. All points will go towards their House being crowned the Champions at the end of the year. Students that want to get involved will need to wear runners to participate. Run Club will commence next week on Wednesday 21^st February.

Please reach out to Mrs Garing by email if you have any questions – r.garing@ccg.vic.edu.au

Facilitating a Child Safe Culture

Christian College is committed to providing an environment in which our students are safe, happy and empowered. The College regards its child protection responsibilities with the utmost importance, ensuring compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations to embed and facilitate a child safe culture.

Just like physical environments, online environments need to be considered when implementing the child safe standards and assessing the risks of child abuse or harm. Whilst the eSafety Commissioner has information about popular and emerging online technologies and ways to manage online risks, I wanted to take this opportunity to notify you of two upcoming events that may be of interest to you:

• Tuesday 20 February - BATForce is partnering with Geelong Regional Libraries and Geelong Connected Communities to deliver a community-based Digital Tattoo workshop, a family approach to supporting young people online. This session aims to explore how families/communities can create safe and supportive environments for their young people to explore technology, build healthy relationships and increase protective factors as they grow. Places are limited, so please attached flyer for more information and to register.
• Wednesday 20 March - Christian College Geelong will be hosting a Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety parent forum. Our aim is to provide parents/guardians the opportunity to discuss openly any concerns, to ask questions and seek support. We will also provide information on the school’s commitment to digital wellbeing and cybersafety as well as providing resources to support you in this journey. More information on this evening and how to register is coming soon!

ENVISAGE – a Helpful Support Service

We would like to bring to the attention of all parents/guardians and families a program that exists as a possible support for families in the Geelong region called ENVISAGE.

ENVISAGE is a program co-created by Australian and Canadian researchers, clinicians, and parents of children with developmental concerns and disabilities. Their mission is to “empower caregivers to feel confident and competent to navigate the experience of parenting a child or children with developmental concerns by embracing contemporary strengths-based ideas about health, wellbeing, and development”.

We have included this link to the ENVISAGE website should you wish to discover further information as to whether this service could be of benefit to your child and your family.

Prepared for Digital Learning in 2024

Over these first weeks of Term 1, it has been a pleasure to work alongside our IT team and support teachers and students in rolling out new student devices with Year 10s, Year 7s and Year 4s across the College.

As we have supported students in the signing in and setup of their device, alongside guidance in its care, maintenance and use as a learning tool, I’ve enjoyed some wonderful conversations with students about smart, safe and responsible uses of technology.

This week, parents and students across the College have been asked to accept their annual digital learning and device agreements, which is a requirement for students’ continued access to the device program, College network and internet and digital technologies at school.

This is a great opportunity and prompt for conversations with your child at home about safe, ethical, and respectful uses of technology more generally. While these agreements focus especially on a school and learning context, many of the expectations, and the guidance contained in the documentation, is equally relevant to contexts outside of school and represents positive digital engagement and good digital citizenship.

The partnership between school and home – teachers and parents – in supporting our young people in developing strong, positive habits and attitudes towards technology is promoted in the Digital Learning and 1:1 Device Program Parent Information Events that we provide at this time each year on our Junior School campuses. It was pleasing to see the positive turnout from parents at the Junior School-Belmont event this past Wednesday evening, and similar events will occur at Bellarine and Surf Coast campuses on Tuesday and Wednesday next week respectively. These events are intended to provide support particularly to our Year 4 parents, where in many cases their child’s new College laptop may be their first personal digital device.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund

Financial Assistance for Eligible Parents

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. Support from CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities and forms part of the State Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is: • $150 for primary school students • $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application Forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Go to ‘Student Information’ > ‘Important Forms for Parents’) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

More Information

For the CSEF application closing dates and more information about the fund please visit this webpage

CSEF_Application_Form_2024

Find Yourself at our Open Day!

On March 5, all five Christian College campuses and two kindergartens are holding Open Days. Our Open Days provide the opportunity for parents and others interested in enrolling their children at Christian College to have a firsthand look at our College campuses, speak with campus leaders, participate in student-led tours of the facilities, visit classrooms in real time and have their questions answered.

We would encourage everyone in our Christian College community to spread the word and tell anyone you might know who is considering schooling options for their children about our Open Day and the opportunity to come and visit one or more campuses and/or our kinders, with no tour booking required.

Details are on our website – follow the hotlink on our homepage or click Homepage > Join > Open Days.

Opening times for March 5 are as follows:

Junior School-Belmont and Williams House Kindergarten – 9:15 – 10:45am

Bellarine Campus – 9:30 – 11:00am

Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House Kindergarten – 11:30am – 1:00pm

Middle School-Highton – 10:30am – 12:00 noon

Senior School – 11:30am – 1:00pm

We would love to see as many interested families as possible finding themselves at our Open Day!

Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon

The Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon is back on and has been scheduled for Friday, 24 May 2024.

You are invited to join us for lunch at the stunning Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

This is a fundraising event for the Foundation and an opportunity to hear about the success and progress of the College.

Our guest speaker is Jossy Chacko, Founder and President of Empart, a global ministry that exists to ignite holistic community transformation among needy communities.

Giving leadership to a team of over 13,000 people and offices in nine countries, Jossy travels around the world inspiring and challenging leaders to capture a larger God-size vision and not to waste gifts and opportunities. He is also the author of Madness! and Dare to Partner.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together. 

Secure your seat and book online today! 

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/gh

Golf Tournament 

Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.

You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.

There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!