Middle School Term 2 Week 10

From the Acting Principal

And just like that, we’ve arrived at the end of Semester 1. For Prep parents, you are likely trying to comprehend how fast that first six months went, and how much your little one has learned in such a short span of time. At the other end of our College, I’m sure there are some Year 12 parents who have an eye on the finish line: final exams, a graduation and, suddenly, a child you once held in your arms will have become an adult.

That’s the joy, for me, of belonging to a school like Christian College. One minute, I’m sitting on a classroom floor with a bunch of Grade Preps, learning how to put words together to form a sentence. Next, I’m hiking through the Grampians with a class of VCE Outdoor Education students, discussing life interests and career aspirations.

Whilst the term has drawn to a close for our students, there’s still excitement in the air for many of our Year 11s with two Presentation Balls taking place over this weekend. These nights are always a wonderful celebration of our community and, having heard firsthand from the dance instructors during the week, this year’s students have already proven themselves to be an enthusiastic, courteous and caring group of young people.

From The Head of Campus

This term has been filled with a multitude of activities for our students. Year 9 students at Back Creek Farm, Year 5 and 6 Cross Country, learning conferences, Open Day, Year 5 Camp, Year 9 GEOS hike, incursions, excursions, Chapel services, assemblies, music performances, sporting events, Cinderella, Talent Quest, and the Red Shield Appeal – our school community has been buzzing with energy!

None of these events would be possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated teachers, parents, and the willingness of our students to step up and challenge themselves. Their courage and discipline continue to amaze me.

As the students bid farewell to the campus this afternoon, there were countless hugs and smiles, a true testament to the friendships formed during the first half of the year. Some students are leaving, while new ones are about to embark on their journey. The end of the term often signifies a time for goodbyes and new beginnings.

A friendly reminder to siblings joining us in 2025: please finalise your enrolments early in Term 3 before our Subject Selection Evening on Tuesday, August 6th. If you’re moving on from Christian College in 2025, reach out to Heidi Wilkinson at h.wilkinson@ccg.vic.edu.au for transition information.

Leading Middle School is a privilege I don’t take lightly, and I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support throughout the first half of this year. Wishing everyone a restful break, and I look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday, July 16th.

Semester 1’s In Focus is now Published!

The first edition of In Focus for 2024 is now published. With changes around the College’s leadership structure in 2025, we’ve chosen a theme of ‘Firm Foundations for a Flourishing Future’. Built on firm foundations, the College has come a long way over 45 years and we are excited about our future. As educators, we want our students to flourish in their learning and growth as people – at school and beyond. The foundations built during their K-12 years are critical for their lifelong journey.  

The Christian College Geelong Foundation held its Gathering Hope event in May where 80 people enjoyed lunch and an address from guest speaker, Jossy Chacko – who tells us a little of his remarkable story in this edition of In Focus. 

We celebrate the success of the Class of 2023 and catch up with Dux, Oscar Saffin, to find out where the past six months have taken him. 

Recently elected College Board Chair, Associate Professor David Fuller, outlines some of what the Board has been doing in recent months in preparation for our leadership changes next year, and we introduce the eight current Board members.  

What’s Happening at Middle School

Term 3, Week 1

• Tues 16 July – Students Commence Term 3
• Thurs 18 July – Catch up Class Photos

Week 2

• Tues 23 July – Netball Victoria School Championships – Girls
• Wed 24 July – GISSA Year 7 & 8 Boys, AFL, Soccer & Hockey Championships
• Fri 26 July – Sun 28 July – Senior Ensemble Rehearsal Camp

R U OK?  National Student Art Competition for Year 7 and 8 students

Early next term, we will be looking to select entries for the R U OK? National Student Art Competition.  Year 7 and 8 students are invited to create a piece of art that responds to the question:

What does an R U OK? conversation mean to you?

The artwork must be a drawing, painting, or mixed media work, made from any traditional media including pastels, oil pastels, pen, pencil, charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, oils, mixed media, collage, or other materials.

Photographs and digital artworks will also be accepted (but the use of AI is not allowed).

Videos and three-dimensional sculptures will not be accepted.

Entries from Middle School will be submitted to Mr Ellery  by Friday 26 July.  The best two entries will then be entered in the national competition.

Further information can be found on the R U OK? website here: R U OK? Art Competition

New Discoveries in Year 7

For many of our new Year 7 students, starting at Middle School can present itself with a range of challenges. One of those can be the idea of God and the Christian faith. As part of the journey that our Year 7s embark on, learning about the Christian faith is an essential part. All students are introduced or reintroduced to the Bible and just how amazing it is that we have such a text in our possession. Everybody’s journey of faith is unique, and each student has been encouraged to bring to class their wonderings and questions regarding God, the Bible and the Christian Faith. There have been some fantastic discussions and many students have gained a lot from the classes we have had so far this year. Here are some reflections about just a few of the varied journeys our students are taking:

“I came to Christian College this year not knowing much about Christianity. Over the semester I have learned more about God. I learned about God by watching Youth Alpha in Christian Ed. Youth Alpha is a series of episodes that talks and asks questions about Christianity and prayer. Youth alpha has made it easy to learn about God. it has taught me that you don’t have to pray to believe in God.”

Anisa Salarvand

いただきます！

The Year 8 Japanese students have marked the end of a busy first semester by making some Japanese food this week. Under the expert guidance of Masaki Sensei (Language assistant) and Manami Sensei (Japanese exchange assistant), the Year 8 students made おにぎり or Japanese rice balls. First, take about half a cup of rice and wrap it in plastic so it’s easier to shape. Next, using both hands, mould the rice into a triangle (さんかく). Then take off the plastic, decorate with のり (seaweed) and enjoy but don’t forget to say “ITADAKIMASU!!” We also added a little しお (salt) for flavour. When not making and eating their おにぎり the students played Japanese games and even had a Japanese dance contest! Everyone enjoyed the activities, and they are keen to make more おにぎり at home.

Year 7 and 8 AFL, Netball and Soccer GISSA Championships

On Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June, selected Year 7 and 8 students competed at the inaugural GISSA Championships.

Soccer

What a memorable day it was for the CCG Eagles Year 7 + 8 Soccer Team on Wednesday!

The boys and girls who competed in this all-day round robin Event were involved in one of the most exciting finishes to a GISSA sporting event in recent memory. After flying through the early rounds undefeated, our Eagles met Kardinia International College in the Grand Final. By the end of regulation play, the score was locked at 1-1, forcing the decider into a Penalty Shoot-out.

It was high drama as each kicker – and goal keeper – stepped in to the penalty box, but in the end it was our Eagles that held their nerve the best to claim the trophy! This is the first time in a long time that any school has defeated Kardinia International College in a male soccer tournament – so it is a big credit to all the players and coaching staff.

In particular, a huge congratulations needs to go to our Head Soccer Coach Andrew Groves for all the work he has done getting a large portion of this Team together over the past two terms. Andrew’s enthusiasm and attention to detail in training and preparing May of the players in this Team throughout the Year 7 + 8 GISSA Sport Program has been infectious – and it has then translated onto the pitch, through the high level of play shown by boys and girls under his care in the weekly fixtures every Wednesday afternoon.

Excursion to ACMI: A Journey into the World of Moving Images

Despite some initial challenges in planning our excursion due to disruptions in our train trip, our Year 8 students from Media and Writers’ Workshop class finally embarked on an exciting journey to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne. The day began at Geelong Station, where the students boarded a train to the bustling city.

Upon arrival in Melbourne, the group swiftly made their way to ACMI. The excitement was palpable, with James exclaiming, “Yay, we’re finally here!” The students received a warm welcome from an ACMI staff member and were given lenses to collect information from the exhibition. They immediately immersed themselves in the captivating world of moving images, exploring various aspects such as film editing, sound effects, game design, and more. The interactive exhibits, particularly those showcasing the technology behind motion capture and digital animation, fascinated the students. Surrounded by examples of groundbreaking storytelling in media, they engaged in activities that bridged their classroom learning with real-world applications.

After an enriching morning, the group enjoyed lunch at the food court at Spencer Outlet in Southern Cross Station. They then began their journey back to Geelong.

The excursion concluded with students expressing their enthusiasm and inspiration. Elisha Williams commented, “This excursion is actually better than I thought. It’s more than just a lecture; we are actually involved in the process of film production.”

Thank you to all parents and guardians for your support and cooperation. Without it, we would not be able to provide these valuable and enriching learning experiences. Have a wonderful holiday!

North Geelong Division Netball Championships

Thursday, June 13th was a day of excitement and achievement as nine of our grade 5/6 students headed to Kardinia Park to compete in the North Geelong Division Netball Championships. This event saw some of the finest young netballers from various schools come together, and our girls brought their A-game. From the moment they arrived, our team displayed exceptional enthusiasm, determination, and grit. Their sportsmanship was exemplary, and they competed with both heart and fun, making Christian College Highton proud.

Throughout the day, the girls faced strong competition but never wavered. They played five intense matches, emerging victorious in three and narrowly missing out in two. Their stellar performance led them to secure third place overall in the championships—a commendable achievement!

Here are some highlights from the day:

• Team Spirit: Our girls supported each other through every match, showcasing incredible teamwork and camaraderie.
• Standout Performances: Each member of the team had moments of brilliance, contributing to the overall success.
• Sportsmanship: Win or lose, the girls maintained a positive attitude and showed respect to their opponents, embodying true sportsmanship.

Congratulations to our grade 5/6 team for their hard work and success. They have set a fantastic example for their peers and have made Christian College Highton immensely proud. We look forward to seeing what they will achieve in future competitions!

Geelong Tech Design Sprint

This week, we went to the Geelong Tech School for 4 days to participate in an industry design sprint.

We were given an industry and had to come up with a problem facing it. Before we came up with a solution to the problem though, we went to visit Deakin University, where we explored their solar microgrid and were able to ask lots of questions.

After returning to the Tech School, we discussed several problems facing Deakin’s current Solar microgrid, and after splitting into groups began to design inventions to solve our chosen issue. Our team decided to solve the problem of land degradation that large Solar Farms can often cause. To solve this problem, we decided to design a small scale floating and transportable solar grid, called “Solar Floats”. To create our prototypes, we were given the opportunity to use 3D printers, UV printers, Computer technology and countless materials and power tools. Exploring the many types of technology and materials available was definitely a big highlight for us! We where able to learn how to use different software to model and create parts for out invention.

After designing our prototypes, we then pitched our ideas to our Industry leader. The speech went really well, and we even got to demonstrate our prototype, by actually floating it in water and showing our design journey.

We really enjoyed our time taking part in this Industry Design Sprint and would like to give a big thanks to the Geelong Tech School for offering this opportunity.

Maisy Clark, Heidi Abetz, Ava Abetz

Western Metropolitan Region Cross Country

Mitch Ward attended the Western Metropolitan Region cross country on Thursday 20th June. This stage is the fourth of the five stages of the State Cross country schedule.  Mitch has been training hard in the lead up to this event and this showed in the outcome of the race.  Mitch came 4th out of 120 students, 2 seconds off third place. This is an incredible effort and Mitch will be off to State finals in the coming weeks.

Deakin ManuFutures Science and Engineering Day

On Thursday, an enthusiastic group of twenty-three Year 9 students, including four from the Bellarine campus, participated in a Science and Engineering Challenge held at Deakin University. They joined forces in a spirited competition against six other school groups, which included a Year 10 team from our Senior campus.

The day was packed with a series of intriguing engineering puzzles that put the students’ ingenuity to the test. They embarked on tasks such as constructing a wind turbine, designing an earthquake-resistant tower, and the pinnacle challenge of the day – building a robust bridge designed to withstand a progressively heavy load of metal ingots.

Throughout the day our students had the chance to trial their innovative prototypes. They employed a blend of critical thinking and creativity to design their solutions. Reflecting on the experience, the students expressed their gratitude for the chance to harness their problem-solving abilities alongside peers in a challenging yet nurturing atmosphere.

The collective effort culminated in a well-deserved second-place.

With Year 10 subject selections on the horizon, hopefully this event will help students to understand future pathways that are available through studying STEM subjects.

The Inaugural Geelong Combined School's String Festival

The inaugural Geelong Combined School's String Festival was held last night in the RW Gibson Auditorium. String students from Iona, Sacred Heart, Kardinia, and Saint Ignatius Colleges, as well as the Middle School String ensembles from Highton and Bellarine, combined for an afternoon of rehearsing and developing their string ensemble technique. They workshopped three new pieces before presenting a formal concert for families and friends. Our very own VCE Sting Ensemble also performed, using the opportunity to hone their skills, as well as serve as an inspiration to the younger participants through their presentation of themes from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean". Thanks to all staff involved in making this event happen-it was truly epic to have over seventy string musicians gathered and performing in our wonderful performing arts space. Congratulations to all participants!

South Africa Conservation Expedition 2025

We are currently looking for our last member to join our expedition for our 2025 expedition to South Africa. South Africa is one of the most biological diverse countries, home to the big five animals being Elephant, Rhinocerous, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. This trip will involve flying into Durban South Africa and spending the first week in Somkhanda game reserve looking at the diverse wildlife that makes up this ecosystem, there are over 800 species of birds, 400 amphibians and reptiles and almost 300 mammal species present. Students will spend their time collecting data in regards to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems and those who inhabit them. We will be looking at the carrying capacity of the fenced reserves and the impact this has in the sustainability of elephant populations in the reserve. Days will be divided into two half a day in education and the other half of the day will be spent in the field gathering data.

The Second week will be spent in Sodwana Bay marine park where we will learn to Dive and get you PADI open water course or complete a reef ecology course while snorkelling the bay.

If this is something that interests you please have a look at the attached clip in regards to the trip but also feel free to chat or email me with your questions. Me.clark@ccg.vic.edu.au

Generative AI Parent Webinar

A reminder to parents of this webinar which we held recently, with good attendance from parents.

We wish to make available a video recording of the webinar, as well as the parent and family guide handout that was promoted near the end of the webinar. The guide handout includes a summary of our current College guidelines for student uses of generative AI.

• Generative AI and School Parent Webinar Recording (includes chapter links)
• Exploring AI for Families Guide Handout (includes summary of College guidance)

During the webinar we addressed key parent questions. There was also an opportunity to share a follow up question after the webinar which we planned to respond to in this week’s Vine, however we did not receive any new questions.

Thank you for partnering with us in supporting our young people in navigating this new and emerging technology, particularly in the context of school and learning.

Gathering Hope

The Foundation was pleased to host their bi-annual Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon on Friday, 24 May 2024 at Provenance Wines in Fyansford. With close to 80 guests in attendance, the event successfully raised $19K, which has been doubled, thanks to our current dollar-matching campaign, raising a total of $38K for the Foundation.

The guest speaker was Jossy Chacko, who generously gave up an entire day to support the work of the College and our local community. In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Jossy gave a devotion to our Senior School staff, spent time being scrutinised by the Year 10 Global Ethics class, and supported our local Christian radio station, 96three FM.

Seeking Christian College Company Members

Christian College Geelong is seeking expressions of interest from any parent or guardian interested in becoming a new Company Member.

Company Members play an important part in the governance structure and protection of the College. A number of positions on the Christian College Board are filled by company members, depending on the skillset required when vacancies arise, and it is the company members who have the responsibility of voting to pass any amendments to the Christian College constitution. Company members may also be eligible to sit on various committees involved in the governance of the College.

Whilst participating as a company member is not overly onerous, it needs to be pointed out that the position is voluntary and not remunerated in any way. Also, please understand an expression of interest does not guarantee automatic membership of the company.

If you have a heart for the College, and feel you would have the time to dedicate and an interest in this role, please contact the Company Secretary, Bernard Nicholls at b.nicholls@ccg.vic.edu.au. All expressions of interest must be submitted by COB Friday, August 2.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding

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. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. 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 (Student Information, then 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

The closing date for applications is June 28.

 For more information about the fund visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (August 5 this year), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines.

Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

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!