From the Executive Principal
Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of stepping back into the classroom, teaching senior secondary students, as I provided cover for a teacher on Long Service Leave. As you may know, I visit classrooms across our College community every week, yet taking this opportunity to spend longer periods of time with a few classes of students was a real joy. It reminded me just how powerful and important the work of teaching truly is. While my recent time has been spent with our older students, the experience reaffirmed something that is true across every year level in our K–12 context: at the heart of all we do is a shared purpose - supporting young people to grow, learn, and thrive.
Over my time in education, I have had the privilege of teaching students across the full P–12 age range, and into their university years. (The only age I haven’t taught yet is Kindergarten, and I have such admiration for our amazing Kindergarten educators). There is a special kind of joy that lives in classrooms at every stage of learning. In senior years, it appears in thoughtful discussions, growing independence, and moments of deep insight. In earlier years, it is seen in curiosity, wonder, and the excitement of discovering something new for the first time. These moments may look different across the College, but they are equally meaningful as they happen every day.
Teaching is about far more than lessons and learning outcomes; it is about relationships. Teachers take the time to know each child - their strengths, interests, and challenges - and to create environments where students feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and learn from mistakes. This sense of belonging and trust is essential for both wellbeing and academic success, from our youngest learners through to our graduating students.
What stood out to me most during my time in the classroom was the trust students place in their teachers. Each day, your children arrive ready to learn, supported by educators who care deeply about them, not just as students, but as individuals. Across our school, teachers work hard to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and encouraged at their stage of learning.
As parents and families, you entrust us with an incredibly important role, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to make sure that every young person is known, challenged, and inspired. Our aim is not only to teach knowledge and skills, but to help shape confident, resilient, and compassionate young people who are prepared for life beyond school. Stepping back into the classroom reminded me that the joy of teaching is ultimately about the joy of seeing young people grow. What a privilege!
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
Spotlight on Teachers
Each week in The Vine, we put a spotlight on our staff and the goals they’re working toward.
I hope you enjoy hearing directly from the staff about what inspires them, what they’re aiming for, and the small steps they’re taking each day to grow, as they too strive for excellence.
This week I would like to introduce you to Felicity Rogerson and Kerrie Sirotich.
Name: Felicity Rogerson
Role: Product Design Teacher
Years served at Christian College: 22 years
What’s one area of your practice you grew in this week?
This week, I strengthened my understanding of the importance of clearly articulated success criteria, the specific goals students are working towards in a task, in supporting effective feedback. By making these more explicit at the start of an activity across Food Studies, Product Design and Technology, and Visual Arts, students were better able to understand task expectations and engage more purposefully with feedback.
What effort or contribution are you most proud of right now?
Our Product Design Textiles Faculty recently added a digital stencil machine, and the student engagement with it has been wonderful to witness. I researched its operation so that the students can design and vectorise their drawings for cutting and created a step-by-step instruction sheet so they can use the machine independently to personalise their bags.
Who or what supported your best work this week?
Collaborating with Liam Monagle this week as I explored a digital stencil maker for fabric painting in Textiles, his problem-solving input has been invaluable, and a great reminder of just how powerful collegial collaboration can be.
What’s one focus for excellence you’re setting for the coming week?
This week in Visual Arts, my focus for excellence is strengthening students’ design thinking skills. Students are building 3D miniature models of buildings in and around Geelong, moving from foundational thinking towards higher-order problem-solving. I will intentionally scaffold support through the design and construction phases to guide every student toward achievable outcomes.
Name: Kerrie Sirotich
Role: Library Technician
Years served at Christian College: 7 years
What’s one area of your practice you grew in this week?
The recent College-wide change to a cloud-based Library Management System, Softlink, has necessitated the transfer of our catalogue, home portals and other Library functions. It’s an ongoing process to adapt our practices to this new database and my knowledge improves daily.
What effort or contribution are you most proud of right now?
Prioritising the many tasks necessary to ensure our new system is as engaging, relevant and up-to-date as possible.
Who or what supported your best work this week?
Our Library team continually support each other in the ever-evolving and improved services we provide to students and staff. Our Library staff support me as I work on guaranteeing that our resources and other online functions are effectively catering to the needs of our users.
What’s one focus for excellence you’re setting for the coming week?
With our team’s decision to streamline and modify our collections for more consistency across our campus libraries, I’m working to ensure this is updated as soon as possible.
Natasha Troop, Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Middle School
Term 2 Week 3 2026
Monday 4 May: CCG Eagles AFL Selection Try Outs – Inter Male – Yr9/10
Wednesday 6 May: 5/6 Interschool Debating Team – Bellarine Campus
Wednesday 6 May: Discover Year 7 and Beyond! Evening
Thursday 7 May: GISSA Athletics Championships
Friday 8 May: Mother’s Day Morning Tea
Term 2 Week 4 2026
Monday 11 May: GISSA Rep. Team – Swimming Vic State Schools Association Championships
Tuesday 12 May: GISSA AFL Championships – Intermediate Males – Years9/10
Tuesday 12 May: Cross Campus Strings Orchestra Performance Evening
Thursday 14 May: Year 8M/R Medieval Day
Thursday 14 May: All Campus Bands Night
Year 7 English Update
What Are You Reading?
It’s a question every English teacher loves to ask and right now it’s especially relevant as our Year 7 students dive into their Autobiography and Biography unit. They’ve been exploring what truly shapes a life story: what makes these texts compelling, what makes them sell, and whose stories get told in the first place.
As part of their learning, students have been analysing a wide range of autobiographies and biographies, and many have already discovered titles worth adding to your own reading list. Below are some of the cohort’s favourites; you might just find your next great read!
Courage To Soar is the auto biography I’m reading,
It’s an encouraging story of super star gymnast Simone Biles. As Simone was born with an unsafe environment she and her 3 siblings got put into foster care, not soon after she got adopted by her grandparents also little sister, as her two older siblings got put in another household. Simone was young and passionate when she first discovered gymnastics and started only at 6 years old progressing in each level and learning more skills. She has been to 3 Olympics and has placed first all around every time! Not only is she an amazing gold medallist, but is an amazing, inspiring star that people look up to as she had a dream and followed it.
- Michaela
I’m reading ‘Love and Pain’ by Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou, the book is about Ben and Chris’s time in the band Silverchair. It tells untold stories off camera, they’re time together, how they created their music and traveling the world performing together. It inspires me because they released their hit album ‘Frogstomp’ at only fifteen achieving such big success at young age and they’re friendship.
- Patty
I am reading a book on Michelle Obama, it is about her life from a young girl to a grown woman. In this book I have read about her growth and learned about her life in depth. It has inspired me to always keep trying even if the whole world wants to put you down. As a woman of colour she faces many challenges and disadvantages shaping her into a stronger and more independent person.
- Lucy
Harry Mackay
Year 8 HPA Geelong Ninjas
Our Year 8 High Performance Athlete (HPA) excursion to Geelong Ninjas was a fantastic experience and a highlight of the Sport Discovery program. Students had the opportunity to engage in a specialised environment designed to develop agility, coordination, strength, and overall movement skills through exciting Ninja-style obstacle challenges. The activities encouraged students to push themselves physically while also thinking critically and solving problems in new ways.
The excursion strongly supported the goals of the HPA unit, allowing students to apply movement concepts in a real-world setting and build confidence as emerging athletes. It was great to see students step outside their comfort zones, demonstrate resilience, and celebrate their achievements. The day also fostered teamwork and positive encouragement, with students supporting one another throughout the challenges.
We would like to sincerely thank Geelong Ninjas for providing such a well-organised, safe, and engaging experience. Their expertise and enthusiasm made the day both enjoyable and meaningful for all involved, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a dynamic environment.
Matt McLachlan
Heroes of Faith: Year 9 Students Inspire Younger Learners
Beginning in Term 1 and continuing into Term 2, our Year 9 students have been engaged in a rich Christian Education unit exploring the lives and legacies of some of the Bible’s great heroes of faith. Through stories such as David and Goliath, Moses and the plagues, Mary and Joseph, and Joshua, students have been examining the courage, obedience, and perseverance that shaped these individuals and their faith journeys.
Working in groups of three to four, students became “experts” on their chosen Bible hero. They researched key biblical narratives, identified strengths and weaknesses, and explored the cultural and historical contexts of each figure. Students also reflected on the faith challenges these heroes faced and made meaningful connections to issues faced in the world today. Each group created a detailed Hero Profile poster, including a key story, strengths and weaknesses, a key verse, the faith challenge faced, a modern-day connection, and reflections on culture, identity, and background.
A highlight has been the opportunity for Year 9 students to share their learning with Year 5 and 6 classes. Through creative presentations and interactive activities, the older students brought these heroes of faith to life in engaging and age-appropriate ways. The younger students greatly enjoyed learning from their peers, and the chance to connect with older students added to the richness of the experience.
This cross-age learning reflects our commitment at Christian College Middle School to fostering community, mentorship, and shared faith formation. Through the ongoing Heroes of Faith unit, Year 9 students are deepening their understanding of Scripture while developing leadership and communication skills, helping to bring timeless biblical truths to life in relevant and meaningful ways.
Nicole Riddle
Science Opportunities Beyond the Classroom – Term 2
- Year 5 – 9 Opportunity
Science Talent Search (STS) is a great opportunity for students who enjoy being creative while exploring scientific ideas. This year, the school will be supporting entries in the creative writing, photography, and poster categories, and students may enter one category only. STS is a statewide competition run by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria and provides a chance to develop creativity, scientific thinking, and communication skills while gaining recognition beyond the classroom. For more information about the competition, categories, and examples of past entries, visit the Science Talent Search website. Students interested in participating should email v.corkin@ccg.vic.edu.au by May 8 to express their interest.
- Year 9 Opportunity Deakin Forensics Day
A small number of Year 9 students have the opportunity to attend Deakin University’s Forensics Day on Wednesday June 3. This experience will give students exposure to university science and potential STEM career pathways.Places are very limited, and students interested in attending must complete a Google Form to express interest by Monday May 11.This is the link to the google form – Deakin Forensics Day Expression of interest – Fill out formFamilies are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with their child and ensure the form is submitted by the deadline. Students will then be selected from the applicants.I look forward to receiving expressions of interest for both competitions.
Victoria Corkin
An Invitation to Space: The Final Frontier
Parents, students and friends are warmly invited to attend the Year 12 VCE Drama Ensemble performance: SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER
This original production explores a compelling question: Why do humans want to leave Earth — to save humanity, or to escape responsibility for our planet?
As part of their VCE Drama Ensemble task, students have collaboratively researched, devised, scripted, rehearsed and performed this unique work.
In developing the performance, they have applied key drama elements including transformation of time, place and character; expressive and performance skills; and the use of symbol and theatrical styles such as Epic Theatre. These approaches allow students to move beyond realistic representation and create dynamic, thought-provoking theatre.
The performance investigates powerful contemporary ideas, including:
- Whether space technologies can help address challenges on Earth, or divert resources from urgent human needs
- How viewing Earth from space influences our responsibility toward the planet—and why action does not always follow awareness
- Whether humanity’s future lies in protecting Earth, escaping it, or rebuilding elsewhere—and who gets to decide
It promises to be an inspiring evening of theatre-making, creativity and big ideas. We hope you can join us for this special event.
Kelly Clifford
Academic Excellence and Music Excellence Scholarships – Applications Open!
Applications are now open for Academic Excellence Scholarships – for entry to Years 5 to 11 in 2028.
Any interested parents, guardians and families with children in Years 3 to 9 in 2026 are welcome to apply, including families who have children currently enrolled at Christian College.
Applications for Academic Excellence scholarships close on August 6.
Also open to both Christian College families, and families with children attending other schools, are our Music Excellence Scholarships. These are open for students entering Years 5 to 12 in 2027 or 2028.
Applications for all Christian College scholarships can be made via our website. Click here to visit our Scholarships page, where you’ll find more information about all the scholarships we offer. From there you can click on the individual scholarship tiles for more specific details, and to apply.
Discover Prep at Three Campuses!
Discover Prep sessions invite parents, guardians and children to step directly into a Prep classroom and take part in the learning, discovering the wonder our students experience every day. These sessions are being held on May 19, 20 and 21 at Junior School-Belmont, Bellarine and Surf Coast Campuses respectively.
Christian College’s Prep program is unparalleled. Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy are complemented by rich explorations across Interdisciplinary Studies and Christian Education. Our classrooms are fun, inclusive and caring places where children feel safe, known and celebrated. Learning is enriched by weekly timetabled sessions with specialist teachers – in Music, Japanese, Art, Health and PE, Digitech and Library.
Afterwards, we welcome everyone to stay for light refreshments, meet our staff, chat and ask questions.
We are asking attendees to register to assist with our planning. Please visit our website and use the homepage hotlink. If you know someone who might be considering Prep options for 2027, 2028 or beyond – we’re sure they will benefit from attending a Discover Prep session, so please pass the word around!
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Godspell the Musical – Senior School Production on Stage June 5 & 6
R.W. Gibson Centre – Christian College Senior Campus
Tickets now on sale! 3 shows
Friday June 5 – 7:00pm
Saturday June 6 – 2:00pm & 5:30pm
Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DKBJO
Featuring a student cast of Yrs 10,11,12 and a band of students and staff who have been rehearsing since the start of the school year.
Prepare ye for the timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love in a masterful retelling of the original sensation with dazzling contemporary arrangements and references. Godspell, 2012 Revised Version, featuring songs by Stephen Schwartz, (known for the Broadway hits WICKED and PIPPIN), uses song, dance and storytelling to retell the passion story and parables of the gospels. Filled with high spirited musical styles ranging from pop to vaudeville, this theatrical celebration is a reminder that kindness, tolerance, and love should live on vibrantly.
Our audience will be treated to a unique presentation of this well-known production, one that will showcase the exceptional skills of our students and the creative expertise of our production staff team. This dynamic show is also supported by a crew of staff, students and parents who will ensure that the onstage presentation is a memorable experience.
Our College is proud to present Godspell! Please assist us to promote our show to your families, friends and the broader community. Please find a poster attached which can be emailed as a digital attachment or printed for display as far and wide as you like!!
Tickets are now on sale for this boutique theatre experience on Trybooking, we look forward to welcoming our audiences!
Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DKBJO
Fiona Gardner
Taylah Broad
Future Student Enrolments
Please note, across our campuses we have now commenced sending enrolment offers for 2027. We ask that all families with future siblings wishing to attend Christian College, please confirm their child is enrolled or use this link Christian College Geelong | Christian College Geelong to commence the process.
To confirm your child’s Enrolment, please phone or email the relevant campus(es).