Middle School Term 1 Week 7

From the Acting Principal

In my interactions with parents at various events over the past couple of weeks – welcome picnics, swimming carnivals and leadership inductions – I’ve taken the opportunity to ask a few questions about this very newsletter, The Vine. “Are you a regular reader?” “What’s your feedback on the content?” And “Is Friday afternoon the right time to receive it?”

It has been pleasing to learn that almost all parents I spoke to read The Vine weekly. They love learning of all the classroom and non-classroom activities taking place on their child’s campus each week – not just the ones relevant to their year level, but all the goings on, mindful that their child might partake in such activities in the not-too-distant future. And as for the Friday timing? Well, again, the vast majority expressed a strong like for receiving it at the end of the week. A welcome wrap-up, if you will, offering a glimpse into the highlights and achievements of the week. And, according to some, a great way to wind down on a Friday evening!

Like you, I’m also seeing The Vine hit my inbox on a Friday afternoon. I never tire of reading the latest happenings across all our campuses. The feedback from parents underscores the significance of The Vine as a means of fostering unity and connection within our broader school community. And the breadth of content, across subjects, year levels and campuses, in and out of the classroom, showcases the rich tapestry of experiences available to our students.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teachers for their commitment to keeping you, our parents, informed and connected through The Vine. Each week, staff at each campus go to great lengths to ensure that the content resonates with you, offering an insight into your child’s schooling experience and the wonderful community to which they belong.

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 8

• Wed 13 March – Mon 25 March – NAPLAN Testing Window
• Mon 18 March – Wed 20 March – Year 6 Camp – The Summit
• Mon 18 March – Instrumental Music Performance Night – Piano
• Tues 19 March – Fri 22 March – Year 8 GEOS Camp
• Wed 20 March – Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum
• Thurs 21 March – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella
• Thurs 21 March – Instrumental Music Performance Night – Woodwind
• Fri 22 March – Year 9 Transformation Excursion – Feed Me Bellarine
• Sun 24 March – College Production Rehearsal – Cinderella

Week 9

• Mon 25 March – SSV Geelong North Division Female AFL Championships
• Mon 25 March – Eltham HS Bands visit and concert for Years 5/6 & Evening concert for families
• Tues 26 March – GISSA Surfing Championships
• Tues 26 March – House Athletics Championships
• Tues 26 March – SSV Western Metro Region Swimming Championships
• Wed 27 March – 3X3 Cup Basketball Vic Qualifying – Intermediate Boys and Girls
• Wed 27 March – Year 9 Transformation Open House
• Wed 27 March – Instrumental Music Performance Night – Strings
• Thurs 28 March – Last Day of Term – Early dismissal – 2.30pm
• Friday 29 March – Good Friday Public Holiday

Term 1 at Back Creek Farm

The gents spent the first half of Term 1 with us for Rural Program 1, undertaking a stack of adventures from gold panning, many hours of fishing, witnessing ewe pregnancy scanning and undertaking a bunch of outdoor grounds and maintenance works on the power tools. At the halfway point of the term, we have welcomed the Rural 2 ladies to the farm.  Our market garden is in full swing and has been overflowing with a bounty of cucumbers, garlic bulbs, leafy greens, carrots and the largest Beetroot I have ever seen! Our produce is going to a few local distributors each week (Grovedale Vegie boxes and the Elaine Farm shop, to name a few).

A reflection from Bonnie O’Brian – Rural 2 2024

We’ve been at Back Creek Farm for 2 weeks now, and we’re all settling in well. There’s a lot to do, but there’s always fun in doing it. We rotate through different work groups, cooking food, milking cows, feeding the animals, gardening, and keeping the homestead running. The farm is a great environment and there’s great people to work with. Some of my highlights are, cooking food for everyone and driving the Gators around the property.

R.I.S.E. U.P. Time for CCG Futsal

The CCG lunch time Futsal Club was started by Mr Richardson (then the Head of Sport at Middle School) and Mr Groves in 2023. Since its humble origins with a handful of Year 6 students attending, it has grown to include coaching, staff v student matches and in-house CCG tournaments for over 50 different students from Year 5 to Year 9.

The mission was not just for the students to rise to the level to thrash the teachers (although that was achieved too last week!) but also to try and get to play other schools. That dream was realised last week, as with the help and drive of Mr Richardson and Mr Murnane, CCG Futsal was able to compete in the inaugural GISSA Interschools competition in North Geelong.

We took two fabulous teams, who represented both Middle and Senior Schools, and were ambassadors for CCG throughout the competition. The female team was coached by Mr Tucker, and the male team coached by Mr Groves. The female team performed extremely well, and included Middle School past Futsal Club members, who won their play-off final to finish a very commendable third place out of six teams (for more details, refer to Mr Tucker’s insights).

Spotlight on Music – Felix Drums up a Storm!

Felix Rankin from Year 10 was invited to perform as a “Young Guest Artist” with the Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra featuring a piece of his choice at the Paris Cat in Melbourne. 

The DMJO has been a cornerstone of the Australian Music scene since the 1980's, supporting countless local and international solo artists. They came into their stride in the 90's as the studio band for "Hey Hey Its Saturday". 

A week before Felix's performance, when the resident drummer became unavailable, he was asked to step up and play the entire two-hour gig. Members of the DMJO (who are music directors themselves) were blown away by Felix’s preparation and performance on the night. 

Here is a snapshot of his feature piece "Magic Flea" by Sammy Nestico, from the Count Basie recordings

Doing the Right Thing on our Buses

I have noticed a decline in the overall behaviour of some students on our bus network, which is something we take very seriously. We have seen some significant damage to bus seats (cuts / slashes) and an increase in graffiti on seats and other surfaces of the bus. Please note, this behaviour will not be tolerated, and appropriate disciplinary action will follow, including the reimbursement of costs associated with repairing damage, if applicable.

We ask all parents to please remind your children that damaging the buses disadvantages everyone who uses them, and to encourage those who witness this sort of behaviour to either email schoolbustravel@ccg.vic.edu.au or talk to their home room teacher. We will ensure that their identity remains anonymous.

Most importantly, appropriate behaviour on our buses is vital for the safety of all passengers and drivers.

Please click on this link to a YouTube video as a reminder of how to travel safely on our bus network:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN5SfNHr37s

I would like us all to work together to ensure that we are operating the safest possible bus service every day and thank you in anticipation for your assistance in achieving this.

CCG Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum

Thank you to the parents and guardians who have responded and registered for this upcoming event next Wednesday evening. Based on your responses to date, here are the top 5 topics parents are most interested in exploring on the night:

• Protecting my child from harmful or inappropriate content
• Screen time - finding a healthy balance
• Parental controls
• Cyber bullying
• Making informed parental decisions about specific apps and games

We’re especially excited about the opportunity on this evening for some rich sharing and discussion amongst parents attending and will also share information on how the school can support you and your children in this space, at school and at home.

As this event is intended for interactive participation by attendees in a forum-style format, there will not be a recording available.

This event will be suitable and relevant for parents of students of all ages, from Prep through to Year 12. This one-hour forum will involve a combination of information and support from the College, as well as an opportunity to share and discuss challenges and strategies with fellow parents.

Cinderella – Be Quick - Tickets are Disappearing Fast!

There are still tickets available for our major College production this year, but they are going fast, so to ensure you don't miss out - book now! Join us as we present three very special performances of this delightful story featuring students from Years 6 – 12 with exceptional talent throughout the cast, and an orchestra brimming with outstanding student musicians, all backed up by a wonderful community of staff, students and families backstage.

Performances are at Geelong Arts Centre Play House Theatre on May 3 and 4.

To purchase tickets, visit our website and click on the hotlink on our homepage, or go straight to ticket sales by clicking here. 

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

Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion

The Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024. Join us at Blackman's Brewery Geelong from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Thursday, 28th March 2024 at 5:00pm. 

This will be a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your peers, catch up with past teachers, and reminisce about your school days. 

Tours of the College Clocktower at Middle School - Highton will also be optional on the day of the reunion, if you would like to climb the Clocktower and find your brick, simply book in when you register. 

For those who would like to have a tour of the College grounds, please head to our website to arrange a tour. 

We look forward to catching up with the Class of 2014. If this is your year group, spread the word and register for your 10 Year Reunion today!  

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/2014

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!