From the Executive Principal
It has been a truly joyous week across Christian College Geelong, with students and staff embracing a wide range of experiences, celebrations, and opportunities for connection.
Across all campuses, Reconciliation Week was observed with great enthusiasm and reflection. Students engaged in a variety of activities designed to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, fostering respect, awareness, and a commitment to reconciliation. It was wonderful to see our community come together to celebrate culture and strengthen cross-cultural understanding.
At the Senior School, students marked Careers Week with great enthusiasm. A highlight of the week was the opportunity to hear from inspiring alumni guest speakers who shared their post-school journeys and offered valuable insights into diverse career pathways. The careers expo provided students with practical information and connections, while the careers dress-up day added a fun and creative dimension, with students (and staff) showcasing career aspirations.
Meanwhile, our Junior School campuses and libraries joined in the nationwide celebration of National Simultaneous Storytime. Millions of children across Australia read the same book at the same time, creating a shared literary experience. This year’s story, “Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller” by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, captured our imagination. I also enjoyed spending some time at Junior School learning how to draw the character Luna Roo with instructions from illustrator Jake A. Minton. It was a joyful celebration of reading, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
Student engagement in civic life continued to flourish, with Surf Coast Year 6 and Senior School Year 11 students travelling to Canberra this week to deepen their understanding of Australia’s political system and national identity. Back on campus, I had the pleasure of observing a group of our Year 12 Politics students participate in a dynamic Question-and-Answer session with Bev McArthur MP, Member of the Victorian Legislative Council. We were also delighted to welcome alumnus John McClure, who is currently studying at the University of Melbourne and working part-time in Ms McArthur’s office. It was inspiring to witness our students engaging in thoughtful discussion and lively debate, demonstrating both confidence and critical thinking.
The week has also been filled with a wide range of co-curricular activities and sporting achievements. Students competed in a Cross-Campus Chess Tournament, showcasing strategic thinking and focus. Our teams also represented the College in interschool debating, as well as GISSA and SSAV competitions in golf, AFL, and cross-country running. Many of our students shone on the sports field, demonstrating skill, teamwork, and determination. In addition, our early morning Elevate Basketball Coaching sessions are very popular, providing students with excellent opportunities to develop their skills before the school day begins.
All in all, it has been a week that truly reflects the vibrant life of Christian College Geelong, marked by learning, celebration, service, and achievement. I hope you enjoy the updates in this week’s Vine.
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
Spotlight on Staff
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:
Name: Jenny Doak
Role: Learning Support
Years served at Christian College: 5 years
What’s one area of your practice you grew in this week?
One area of my practice I grew in this week was providing more effective differentiated support for students. I worked closely with students who needed adjustments, including using visuals, breaking tasks into smaller steps and doing regular check ins to help keep them engaged and understanding the work.
What effort or contribution are you most proud of right now?
I’m most proud of the consistent support and encouragement I’ve been able to give students who need extra help to engage in classroom learning. I’ve worked on building positive relationships, so students feel supported, understood and more confident with their work. I’m also proud of how I’ve adapted tasks and provided individualised support so students can take part in class activities, assessments and group work while still building their independence and wellbeing. It’s been really great to see students grow in confidence and independence during school camps, especially as they step out of their comfort zones, make new friendships and develop important life skills.
Who or what supported your best work this week? My learning support team played a significant role in supporting my best work this week. Their collaboration, guidance and willingness to share strategies helped me provide effective support for students across a range of learning activities. What’s one focus for excellence you’re setting for the coming week? One focus for excellence I’m setting for the coming week is continuing to build student independence during classroom tasks. I want to focus on finding the right balance between supporting students and giving them space to try things on their own so they can build confidence in their work and problem solving. I also want to keep developing my differentiation strategies and make sure I’m communicating clearly and consistently with teachers and the learning support team, so students are well supported across all learning environments. Name: Matt Mclachlan Role: Teacher Years served at Christian College: I’m in my 2nd year What’s one area of your practice you grew in this week? Ensuring my lesson transitions are smooth and efficient to maximise learning time. What effort or contribution are you most proud of right now? The engagement I have seen in my Year 7 class with their Ultimate Civilisation Assessment Task. They are producing some amazing work. Who or what supported your best work this week? The PE team is such a great and supportive team who collaborate really well and support me every week. This is led by our amazing leader Kimmy McClure. What’s one focus for excellence you’re setting for the coming week? To create an environment where my students can strive for excellence and push the boundaries of their capabilities.
Natasha Troop, Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Middle School
Term 2 Week 7 2026
Wed 27 May – Wed 3 June: National Reconciliation Week
Mon 1 June – Sat 6 June: Production Week
Tuesday 2 June – GISSA AFL Championships – Junior Female – Years7/8
Tuesday 2 June – Geelong Combined Schools Concert Band Workshop
Wednesday 3 June – Deakin Forensics Day – Select Year 9 students
Thurs 4 June – Sat 6 June: Senior Musical – Godspell
Term 2 Week 8 2026
Monday 8 June – Kings Birthday Public Holiday
Thursday 11 June – Year 8 Reconciliation Week Scott Darlow Incursion
50K in May Fundraiser a Huge Success
Students and staff came together in an incredible show of community spirit during our 50K in May Fundraiser, raising awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The event provided a meaningful opportunity to highlight the strength, resilience, and determination of those living with and affected by MS.
Throughout the day, participants walked and ran laps around the school track, proudly representing their house teams while supporting an important cause that is very close to home for the CCG community. We are fortunate to have members within our own community who are part of this journey, outstanding leaders and contributors who continue to inspire us all by demonstrating what true resilience, strength, and courage look like.
The event created an incredible atmosphere across the school, with students encouraging one another, strong house pride on display, and staff joining in. Participation was outstanding, with students earning house points for every lap and challenging themselves through running, walking, donating, or supporting others. It was fantastic to see the event bring out the very best in our students, inspiring them to continue striving for their personal best.
A special thank you goes to our Year 9 prefects, Project Care representatives across all year levels, and the staff who organised and ran the day. Their behind-the-scenes efforts, along with students who independently raised funds, were instrumental in the event’s success. Thank you to everyone who contributed, your enthusiasm, teamwork, and generosity made the day both memorable and meaningful while supporting an incredibly important cause.
Jack Kelly
Year 6s in the National Capital
Our Year 6 students recently returned from an incredible camp to Australia’s National Capital, where they explored Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy. The experience brought to life many of the important concepts studied in our Semester 1 Humanities units, including Australia’s Federation, our democratic system of government, and the three levels of governance. Students gained a deeper understanding of how laws are made, the role of political parties, and the responsibilities of Australia’s Prime Minister and government leaders.
One student who was especially inspired by the visit was Year 6 student Isla B, who thoroughly enjoyed exploring Parliament House and reflecting on leadership and how she could make a difference in Australia. After the experience, Isla shared her thoughts in a piece titled If I Were Prime Minister:
Australia is an amazing country we have so many great things! We have something for everyone we have calm and peaceful beaches as well as hot, scorching deserts. The people in Australia are funny and kind. The person who runs this wonderful country is called the prime minister. It’s the prime minister’s job to make our country as good as it can be. Australia has had 31 prime ministers and every one of them has been an adult! Adults are boring, they wear suits and pay taxes. But kids aren’t boring we have big fun imaginations. I bet if kids were prime minister we could do some pretty cool things…
“If I were prime minister, I’d make it so that in every city or town there’d be a community garden so everyone could take what they needed, and no one was hungry. If I were prime minister, I’d make bullying illegal so that no one has to feel small. If I were prime minister, I’d make it so that at Christmas the government would send everyone a Christmas card so that everyone feels wanted.” What would you do if you were prime minister? Isla’s thoughtful reflections perfectly capture the purpose of Civics and Citizenship education — encouraging young Australians to think critically, care for others, and consider how they can contribute positively to their community and country. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $45.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Hayley Mooney
Year 8 Science Review
This term, our Year 8 students have been studying a biology unit focused on cells and organ systems. As part of their learning about the circulatory system, students had the opportunity to take part in a heart dissection. Two students have shared their perspective on this experience:
“For the past few weeks in science, we have been learning about our body and organ systems, particularly focusing on the circulatory system. We got to experiment by making a prototype that represents what’s in our blood and learned about all the parts of the heart, and their jobs.”
“During the heart dissection that we did in science on Tuesday, we first watched Mrs Corkin give us an example by showing us what we were going to complete by the end of the lesson. After that, we got the hearts and inspected them looking at all the different parts. We made two cuts in total, looking at both right and left side of the heart.
“Our favourite part of the heart dissection was looking at the different chambers in the heart and identifying the different arteries and veins.”
Enya and Sophie, Year 8
Victoria Corkin
Three Days Hiking at The Prom
Our Year 9 GEOS students recently completed their three-day hike through the spectacular Wilsons Promontory National Park. Throughout the journey, students challenged themselves by undertaking multiple days of remote hiking while exploring a wide range of pristine ecosystems and experiencing some of Victoria’s most beautiful and isolated natural locations.
The camp provided students with an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting. Students demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and independence as they put their environmental knowledge and independent living skills into practice each day.
Beyond the physical challenge, students spent quality time building stronger relationships with one another and developing a deeper connection to the natural environment. They also engaged in thoughtful discussions about environmental issues observed throughout the hike and considered future management strategies for protecting this unique national park.
I would like to congratulate and thank all the students on their positive attitude, effort, and willingness to embrace this memorable experience, due to their constant efforts, they all gained so many positive outcomes from the experience.
Robert Moore
Term 2 Chess Tournament
On Monday this week, eight students from Highton and four students from Bellarine Campus participated in a Chess tournament at Oberon High School. The day was a wonderful experience for our students. Throughout the 7-round Swiss tournament our students demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and supported one another with positivity and enthusiasm.
Northern Star Chess ran the event incredibly smoothly, providing a professional and inclusive environment for the competition. Our students’ efforts throughout the day led to some exciting results. Three students, Antonio, Riley and Harsahib from Highton qualified for a regional tournament later in the year, each with an impressive score of 5 out of 7 for the day. Students were awarded participation, credit and distinction certificates based on score, and we also had several students awarded medals for finishing in the top three for their year levels.
Overall, we missed out on second place to St Joseph’s by one point scoring a total of 19 points from our top four players. Oberon finished the day with 21.5 points. The champion of the day was an Oberon student who finished the day undefeated. The day brought a lot of growth in our players and created excitement for future events. We are hoping to participate in another zonal tournament in Term 3 where we hope to bring even more eager chess players. Additionally, we will be planning our annual inter-campus competition.
Thanks to Andy Francis for supporting us during the day as well as the parents that supported our students in attending the event.
Liam Monagle
Adam Reidy
The Editorial
Year 9 students have launched into The Editorial (Our year 9 English elective) with energy, curiosity and a strong sense of voice. Their first major task was a feature article on a topic of their choice. This week, we’re proud to showcase one student’s piece, highlighting their thoughtful reflection on a positive role model and as a representation of the engaging storytelling emerging in the classroom.
As the term continues, students will explore a wide range of writing styles. They’ll craft a biography, produce their own podcast, write an original short story, and finish with a piece of their choice — a chance to experiment, take risks and express themselves creatively. It’s shaping up to be a vibrant term of writing, reflection and discovery.
Bailee’s Article
Haiden Deegan’s Tough Comeback After Injury
Haiden Deegan is one of the most well-known young motocross riders. He is famous for riding fast and never giving up. However, even great riders face hard times. Haiden had to deal with an injury that stopped him from racing and forced him to focus on recovery instead. Motocross is a very dangerous sport, and crashes can happen at any time. When Haiden got injured, he couldn’t race or ride like he normally would. This was really hard for him because racing is a big part of his life. Instead of travelling and competing, he had to spend a lot of time doing rehab and resting his body.
During his recovery, Haiden worked very hard to get back to full strength. He went to physical therapy, did exercises, and followed his doctors’ advice so he could heal properly. Even though it was boring and frustrating at times, he stayed positive and didn’t rush the process. The mental side of recovery was also challenging. Watching races and not being able to ride made things harder, but Haiden stayed focused on his goal. His family and team helped support him and reminded him that being healthy was more important than coming back too early. When Haiden finally got back on the bike, his determination really showed. He still rode aggressively, but he was also smarter and more confident. The recovery helped him grow not only as a rider, but as a person too. In the end, Haiden Deegan proved that injuries don’t mean the end of a career. His recovery showed his strong mindset and work ethic. He came back faster, stronger, and more motivated than ever, showing everyone that hard work and patience really do pay off.
Another thing that makes Haiden special is his attitude and confidence. He is known for believing in himself and not being afraid to race anyone, even older and more experienced riders. This confidence helps him push harder and stand out from others. Many fans look up to Haiden because he shows that if you work hard, stay focused, and believe in yourself, you can achieve big things even at a young age.
Liam Monagle
Sorry Day and Reconciliation week
Earlier this week, Christian College acknowledged National Sorry Day, observed on Tuesday, 26 May. National Sorry Day is a day of reflection and acknowledgement that recognises the Stolen Generations — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, communities and cultures between the mid-1800s and the 1980s. It encourages reflection, understanding and continued commitment toward healing and reconciliation, while honouring the strength, resilience and lived experiences of Stolen Generations survivors.
This week also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, observed from Wednesday, 27 May to Wednesday, 3 June. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In — a call for all Australians to commit to reconciliation every single day. All In reminds us that reconciliation is a shared national responsibility and not solely the responsibility of First Nations peoples. Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.
Our RAP Committee has provided the College with activities and learning opportunities across National Reconciliation Week. The week provides an important opportunity for our College community to deepen understanding, build respect, and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we learn, reflect and commit to action, we continue seeking to be “All In” for reconciliation.
Wathaurong Co Op will also be hosting Reconciliation in the Park 2026 – ALL IN. The event is a time to gather, share space and walk together. Learning from one another and lean into the strength of community.
Please see link below for more information.
Reconciliation in the Park | Wathaurong
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, processing difficult memories, or needs support during Reconciliation Week please contact the free and confidential hotlines below.
- 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 for confidential one-on-one yarning with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
- Brother to Brother: Call 1800 435 799 for a 24/7 crisis line tailored for Aboriginal men.
- Yarning SafeNStrong: Call 1800 959 563 for culturally safe wellbeing and healing support
TheWellbeing Team
Calling all Coding Wizards
Are you ready to unlock your inner tech wizard? 🧙♂️✨ We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge, open to all students with a knowledge of coding.
What is it?
The Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge is an international competition where students will tackle fun programming puzzles using their coding and algorithmic thinking skills. The coding challenge requires students to have a working knowledge of Turtle Blocky, Python, C#, Java or VB. More information can be found at https://www.bebras.uk
When and Where?
Date: Tuesday June 17, 2026
Location: On Campus/online
Duration: 45 mins
How to Sign Up:
Email Ms Bergin at s.bergin@ccg.vic.edu.au before Friday June 12. Please indicate the division you want to attempt from the list below.
Divisions are based on skill, not age. There are four divisions:
- Novice – For students who are new to block-based programming, or who have recently started learning to code using blocks.
- Explorer – For students who are confident using block-based programming and have experience creating programs using blocks.
- Navigator – New to text-based programming. For students who have recently started coding using a text-based programming language and are developing their skills by creating small programs.
- Trailblazer– Experienced text-based programming. For students who are confident programmers using a text-based programming language.
Practice challenges, including information on block-based and text-based challenges can be found on the UK Bebras website
Sophie Bergin
Attention Students Looking to Study a VET Course in 2027
Getting into a trade is a great choice! TASTE of TAFE is a free all-day event offered to Year 9 and 10 students each year at The Gordon’s City & East campuses. Students get to try fun, hands-on tasters from all course areas. This can help them to find out what they like and learn new skills. They get to explore the different career options studying at The Gordon can give them.
2026 Taster Day is July 21 - City Campus and July 28 - East Geelong Campus
Courses at The Gordon East Campus include Animal Studies, Auto Mechanical, Bricklaying, Building Design (Architectural), Cabinet Making and Joinery, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering & Metal Trades, Horticulture, Information Technologies, Landscaping, Painting & Decorating, Plumbing.
Courses at The Gordon City Campus include Accounting & Business, Aged Care, Allied Health, Beauty Therapy, Community Services, Cookery, Digital Media, Early Childhood Education, Graphic Design, Hairdressing, Hospitality, Lab Tech, Nursing.
Given the immense popularity of this event, you are encouraged to return your application as soon as possible. They will be operating on a first-come, first-served basis and attendance numbers from each school are capped.
Registration forms will be emailed to all Year 9 and 10 families and hard copies available from the Student Office. You can also access one here Taste Of TAFE Registration Form
For further information or queries please contact Kerryn Fearnsides k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Elaine Pearson e.pearson@ccg.vic.edu.au or Jenelle Fitzpatrick j.fitzpatrick@ccg.vic.edu.au at the Senior Campus.
Student Registration Forms should be returned to the student office at the earliest opportunity, and no later than Friday 29 May.
Kerryn Fearnsides, Vocational Pathways Coordinator
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.
Godspell the Musical – Senior School Production on Stage June 5 & 6
R.W. Gibson Centre – Christian College Senior Campus
Tickets on sale! 3 shows - 2 evening shows nearly sold out
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
