Middle School Term 2 Week 6

National Reconciliation Week

Next week, Christian College joins with the rest of Australia in celebrating National Reconciliation Week. This important time of the year marks a number of significant events that have played a role in healing the relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. May 27 commemorates the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, which successfully enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the Australian population for the first time. And on June 3 1992, a High Court ruling recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership rights to Mer Island, thus ending the centuries old British 'terra nullius' edict over the lands of Australia.

A number of activities have been arranged throughout the week on all campuses, with each day’s morning homerooms being the place where students will learn something different about the importance of reconciliation. A First Nations picture story book will be read, a song sung by our Junior School Belmont choir will be shared via video link and an Aboriginal mindfulness activity experienced.

There will also be a ‘Wear It Yellow’ fundraiser on some campuses on the Friday, where students are encouraged to wear a splash of yellow with their school uniform, an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Ground organisation.

Christian College is committed to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. In 2022, a working group was formed to undertake the important task of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. After 12 months of work, our ‘RAP’ was submitted to Reconciliation Australia and has since been endorsed and published on their website. I would invite you now to watch a short video (approx. 3.5 minutes) that explains what a RAP is, who's on the team and what actions Christian College is undertaking to fulfil our commitment to reconciliation.

RAP launch video

Fostering Respectful Relationships

You are no doubt aware of recent media reports detailing incidents at a number of Victorian secondary schools involving deeply disturbing sexist behaviour towards female students. Such incidents are of grave concern, particularly in consideration to the rates of family violence and violence against women occurring in the community.

We wanted to take this opportunity to reassure you that Christian College has zero tolerance for discriminatory, intimidatory and prejudiced behaviour in all forms. In accordance with our College values and philosophy, we expect all students to act with integrity, respect and compassion toward others.

Within our teaching and learning program, Christian College provides students with the opportunity to learn about gendered roles and expectations, gender stereotypes and gender equality in supporting the development of healthy relationships with others. We are committed to the whole-school implementation of the Victorian Government’s Respectful Relationships program which supports schools in teaching children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

We also recognise that fostering positive attitudes, behaviours, and a sense of equality among students is most effectively achieved when these values are consistently modelled and demonstrated throughout our school community.

We have a collective responsibility to be part of the sustained change needed and we are committed to fostering a school culture of empathy, understanding, respect and equality. It is important that schools work in partnership with families to take a proactive and preventative approach when it comes to addressing any concerns in our own community.

Together, we can create an environment where our young people feel safe, supported and are given every opportunity to flourish.

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 7

• Sun 26 May – Wed 28 May – Year 9 GEOS Hike
• Mon 27 May – Mon 3 June – National Reconciliation Week
• Tues 28 May – GISSA Intermediate Girls AFL Championships
• Wed 29 May – Fri 31 May – Year 9 GEOS Hike
• Wed 29 May – GISSA Cross Country Championships
• Thurs 30 May – 2024 SSV Winter Sport Pathway – Round 4
• Fri 31 May – Wear it Yellow for Children’s Ground

Week 8

• Mon 3 June – Hope Tour Presentation
• Thurs 6 June – 2024 SSV Winter Sport Pathway – Round 5
• Thurs 6 June – GISSA Junior Girls AFL Championships
• Thurs 6 June – String Ensembles Performance Evening

Mill Valley Ranch

Heeled boots, check shirts, jodhpurs and brimmed hats packed, the Year 5s were rounded up and headed to Mill Valley Ranch on Monday for their 3-day horse ranch adventure camp. Spirits were high as they boarded the bus in the drizzly rain, with much anticipation about the activities that lay ahead, but more importantly, who would be in whose cabins. As we arrived in the picturesque, tranquil valley, the temperature definitely dropped a few degrees. We were transported back 100 years or so, to a Western-style horse ranch, starting with a tour around the Cannibal Creek settlement, past the General Store, Drapery Store, Saddlery, Cannibal Creek Chronical, Barber store, the stables and the Town Hall.

Over the three day camp students were challenged to collaborate and cooperate in some activities and stretch their friendships beyond those they normally socialise with. Some of the activities that the groups participated in were, bush cooking, low ropes course, horse riding, initiative games, team games, a night walk and the barn dance.  With many first-time riders, the horse riding was definitely a highlight for many students.

Feivel Yeoh – Mill Valley Camp was amazing because it had lots of opportunities to learn and have fun. It also let us spend good time with our friends and connect more with others. Therefore, I really enjoyed camp. One of my favourite parts of was doing the low ropes course.

Language Learning  Through Storytelling and Hands-On Activities

In Indonesian class, Year 5 students have been exploring the language through a captivating historical narrative set in the 1700s. This story features the Macassan people from Makassar in southern Sulawesi, who travelled by boat to trade sea cucumbers with the Yolngu people from Arnhem Land in Australia. This historical interaction provides a rich context for students to engage with the Indonesian language and culture. Through this topic, students are introduced to high-frequency words to develop their language competence.

This week, continuing with the storytelling theme, students are learning about Indonesia’s traditional storytelling methods using shadow puppets. They have the opportunity to be a ‘dalang’, the puppeteer who navigates the puppets. Additionally, students are participating in a Bananagrams activity to revise their vocabulary through a hands-on, interactive game. By incorporating storytelling and interactive activities, we believe students can more effectively grasp new concepts and retain their language focus. This approach supports active learning, encouraging students to connect with the material in a meaningful and memorable way.

Year 9 Drama

An Inspiring Visit to the Year 11 and 12 Ensemble Performances

This Wednesday, our Year 9 drama students had the enriching experience of visiting the Year 11 and 12 ensemble performances, both were thought-provoking and centred on the surrounding theme of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins.’ This visit was not only an opportunity for our younger students to witness many weeks of collaboration and hard work but also a chance to engage with complex and profound themes.

Both performances were powerful and evocative and delved deep into the human experience, exploring themes such as greed, envy, wrath, and pride. Each was carefully considered, combining various theatrical conventions, movement, and sound to bring both abstract, historical and spiritual concepts to life in an engaging and relatable way.

Our Year 9 students were captivated by the commitment and creativity from their older peers. The performance also provided valuable opportunities for the students to practise their audience etiquette, ask thought provoking questions and participate in valuable discussions that will help them with their own theatre creation. The students left feeling invigorated and ready to take on their own group performances and it was inspiring for the Year 9 students to see where their own passion for drama could lead, motivating them to continue developing their skills and exploring new ideas in the drama classroom and beyond.

In addition to watching the performances, the Year 9 students had the chance to interact with the senior performers afterwards. This was a valuable moment for the students to engage in such a positive manner with like minded students who share the same passion for the arts.

Overall, the excursion was a great success!

Reminder:  Generative AI Parent Webinar

A reminder to parents and members of our community that we will be offering an online parent webinar, delivered via Microsoft Teams, next Wednesday. It has been wonderful to see such strong parent interest via RSVP responses and questions submitted so far.

There is still time to register for this event. Further details about the event are listed below.

Event: Generative AI and School Parent Webinar
Format: Microsoft Teams online webinar
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Time: 6.30pm – 7.15pm

Topics likely to be explored in the webinar include:

• What is generative AI?
• What are the benefits, risks, and limitations of these tools?
• What is the College’s response to generative AI?
• What AI tools do students have access to at school?
• What are the College’s rules and guidelines for use of generative AI?
• How can I support my child with navigating this space ethically and safely?

Interested parents are encouraged to register for the event via the form link below, to help with planning. Parents can also indicate what information they feel would be most relevant to them as they complete this form.

Register for the parent webinar

South Africa Conservation Expedition in 2025

We are offering an amazing opportunity for students to go on a two week conservation expedition in South Africa.  The first week will be spent in a land environment undertaking research, identification of species and animal tracking, and the following week in a marine environment where they will collect data and then work as part of a research team. This is open to students in Years 9, 10 and 11 in 2024. Students will need to fund their own expedition with a cost of approximately $7500 (TBC). This trip is planned for 28 June - 11 July 2025. If this interests you can you please email Mrs Clark at Senior school me.clark@ccg.vic.edu.au to express your interest. We will be holding an information night at Senior School on May 27 at 6pm in the Colab.

Places will be limited however we will need a minimum of 8 students for this to run.

This link will give you a quick look at what the project looks like in South Africa. 

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!