Middle School Term 2 Week 3

Seeking Solace, Feeling Safe

As our evenings are becoming darker and Autumn settles in, the air becomes crisp, and the landscape transforms with hues of colour that evoke warmth and comfort. Autumn colours not only beautify the natural landscape, but also this season reminds me of moments of transition and change.

During this season of change, children and young people seek solace in the familiarity of their surroundings, the warmth of their community and in the comforting presence of God's love. When children experience a sense of happiness, safety, and security, they are not only better equipped to engage fully in the daily activities and interactions within their school environment, but this experience also nurtures their overall sense of wellbeing.

It was deeply concerning to hear of the violent incident occurring in Bondi just over a week ago and this distressing news may have children feeling anxious or fearful or for some, an eroded sense of safety and security.  A strong sense of wellbeing is intimately connected to safety and security and as highlighted by Maslow's well known psychological model of the hierarchy of needs, safety is deemed fundamental, positioned just above physiological needs such as food and shelter. It is difficult to know how to explain acts of violence to children but it recommended that we provide children and young people exposed to violent or traumatic events reassurance that they are safe and that they are loved and that in their community there are more people who help others than harm others. Focusing on the kindness of bystanders and the first responders who courageously work to keep us safe from harm fosters hope.

As one of our College’s guiding values, hope is moving forward with assurance, regardless of circumstances. Whilst the seasons may change, God’s love for us remains steadfast. As Psalm 18:2 declares, God will be my rock.

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 4

• Mon 6 May – Karen Learning Conferences
• Tues 7 May – Open Day
• Thurs 9 May – SSV Winter Sport Pathway – Round 1

Week 5

• Wed 15 May – Year 9 Transformation – Open House
• Thurs 16 May – 2024 SSV Winter Sport Pathway – Round 2
• Thurs 16 May – East Timor Independence Day – Project Care Day
• Fri 17 May – Student Free Day

Unearth Your Treasure Within!

Open Day and Prep Discovery Days

For those considering a Christian College education for their children, regardless of year level, we believe the best way to get a true 'look and feel' of our College is to come and see us in action. That’s why we offer open days where interested parents and guardians have the opportunity to tour our campuses, see real classes in real time, meet students, teachers and campus leaders and have their specific questions answered.

Our second Open Day for 2024 at all five campuses, plus Butterfield House Kindergarten, is on May 7. Opening times have been planned so there is an opportunity to visit more than one campus on the same day. Bellarine Campus will open its doors from 9:30 to 11:00am; Middle School-Highton from 10:30am to 12 noon; Senior School-Waurn Ponds from 11:30am to 1pm; Junior School-Belmont from 9:15 to 10:45am and Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House from 11:30am to 1pm. Evening sessions are offered at two campuses on the day – Junior School (at 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30pm) and Surf Coast Campus (at 4:30, 4:45 and 5:00pm).

Then on May 8 and 9, we are again offering a Prep Discovery experience at our Bellarine, Belmont and Surf Coast Campuses. These days are for those parents and guardians interested in enrolling in Prep. There is an opportunity for them, and their children, to actually join a Prep class for an immersive experience – and find out more about our amazing Prep program at three campuses. For those interested in attending one of these free sessions, we ask for a booking so we can properly accommodate everyone who wants to attend. More details on both Open Day and Prep Discovery sessions, including a link to book a Prep Discovery place, can be found on our website.

We would ask all current Christian College families who have friends, other family members or colleagues who are making choices about the right school for their child(ren), to spread the word and encourage them to visit one or more of our campuses on May 7, and/or be part of our Prep Discovery program on May 8/9.  

Rural 3 Enjoying a Packed Farm Program

Although it is only Autumn, Winter is sneaking into our lives at Back Creek with some frosty mornings and cooler days.

The Rural 3 group, consisting of 31 young men, is certainly a dynamic and busy group, with tractors, gators and grounds keeping equipment constantly in action.

The chefs are also functioning continually to provide the food required for the gents to stay full with their big days of practical work outside. Mark has been managing his team of chefs-in-training to produce hearty pulled pork rolls, sushi bowls, and homemade hamburgers followed by homemade sticky date puddings, mini pavlovas or vanilla panacottas to name a few menu items!

Special moments during this program have included a visit from Kurt to begin filming an updated Back Creek Rural Program video for the website. The students enjoyed a day with interviews about their experiences and featuring in footage of their work team’s labours, creating some precious memories which were caught on camera to celebrate the program.

For leisure, our students have been busy catching redfin from the dam, kicking the footy and playing basketball in their free time, along with plenty of table tennis.

In our final week of the program, we will welcome the kindergarten students from Williams House up to the farm and host them on their visit to learn about ‘animal friends’ and enjoy the rural setting.

Whilst the days can be long, the weeks are flying past rapidly. We are more than halfway through this program and whilst we have completed much, we still have many experiences like sheep shearing, the Buninyong Hike, the rogaine treasure hunt challenge and our parent visiting afternoon to look forward to.

Middle School Maths Update

The return from the Term 1 holidays has been an exciting time for Maths at Middle School. Teachers and students alike have seamlessly transitioned back into the world of numbers, formulas, and problem-solving. From exploring the intricacies of perimeter and area in Year 5, to delving into the fascinating realm of statistics in Year 7, and tackling the complexities of algebra in Year 9, our students have embraced their Term 2 Mathematics curriculum with unwavering determination and resilience.

Integral to our approach to Mathematics education at Middle School is the incorporation of hands-on learning and rich tasks into our curriculum. This immersive approach ensures that students not only grasp mathematical concepts but also develop a deep understanding of their real-world applications. Term 2 has exemplified this commitment, with Year 5 students venturing outdoors to measure and calculate the area and perimeter of various spaces around the school. Meanwhile, Year 6 students have been engaged in constructing and exploring number lines, enhancing their conceptual understanding of numerical relationships. Not to be outdone, Year 7 students have been actively involved in surveying classmates and teachers to gather data for statistical analysis, providing them with invaluable insights into the world of data interpretation and inference. The Transformation girls have been grappling with calculating wages and making sure they get paid correctly when they head out into the world of work.

Every corner of Middle School is abuzz with the sights and sounds of confident and creative mathematicians at work. As we continue through the term, we remain committed to providing our students with a mathematics education that not only equips them with essential skills but also ignites a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.

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!