From Little Things, BIG Things Grow…
Choirs from all five CCG campuses have been part of a special Reconciliation Australia project involving more than 500 choirs nationwide who are coming together in song as part of National Reconciliation Week to sing Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody’s ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’. The song describes the Wake Hill Walk-Off in 1966 through to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam symbolically handing Gurindji land back eight years later. Choirs from each of our campuses have sung and recorded the song this week. Please enjoy our campus’s rendition here – and see other campus Vines for their’s!
What’s Happening at Middle School
Week 7
- Wed 7 Jun – Year 7 & 8 GISSA Sport
- Thurs 8 Jun – GISSA Junior Girls (Year 7 & 8 ) AFL Championships
Week 8
- Mon 12 Jun – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
- Tues 13 Jun – Highton Instrumental Music Performance Night
- Wed 14 Jun – Year 7 & GISSA Sport
- Wed 14 Jun – Student Digital Safety Forum
National Reconciliation Week: Welcome to Country
Welcome to Country ceremonies are integral part of our Australian heritage, symbolising respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, and the land on which we gather. This year, our school has organised a series of Welcome to Country ceremonies at each campus to take place around the beginning of each school term. In Term 2, it is our Middle School Highton Campus’ turn to hold the ceremony to coincide with this year’s National Reconciliation Week.
In the spirit of National Reconciliation Week our Welcome to Country ceremony sought to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which our school stands. When we recognise the unique connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land, we foster a deeper appreciation of their rich cultural heritage.
By inviting an Elder or a Traditional Custodian to deliver the Welcome to Country, we ensured that our students gained a deeper understanding of the land’s significance and the importance of preserving First Nations knowledge and customs. We thank Nikki McKenzie, a Wadawurrung Traditional Custodian for Welcoming us to Country on this occasion.
The Welcome to Country ceremony is a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging and embracing the cultural diversity that enriches our nation. By coming together as a school community to participate in the ceremony, we demonstrated our commitment to forging positive relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
It was so heart-warming to witness the respectful way in which our students conducted themselves at the assembly. We were all treated to a recording of a beautiful and moving rendition of From Little Things, Big Things Grow sung by our Middle School Choir while beautiful images were displayed on the big screen.
National Reconciliation Week provides a valuable opportunity for our school to engage in meaningful conversations, reflections, and actions that contribute to a more inclusive and united community. This year, the theme for National Reconciliation week is; Be a Voice for Generations. We hope that these conversations will continue in our classrooms and school yards throughout National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3) and beyond. Here at Christian College, we can all strive to be that voice for learning.
Nyatne Baa Gobata (Wadawurrung language for Thank you and Take Care).
On behalf of College Reconciliation Action Plan Committee
Nani Thomas
Year 7 Green Thumbs
Our Yr 7 ‘How Does Your Garden Grow’ students have been immersed in various topics throughout the semester including, plant structure and function, edible gardens, propagation techniques, soil composition and most recently, native plants and their significance in Indigenous culture.
Last week, our students had an exciting opportunity to create their own Indigenous garden during an incursion led by Phil Hunter, a local grower and vegetation management consultant from Wild Places. Phil conducted an educational session for the students, focusing on bush tucker and the native vegetation found in the Wathaurong Country. Inspired by Phil, the students eagerly planted diverse species into the garden including Wattle, Banksia, Bower Spinach, Tufted Bluebell, Wild Flax, and Smooth Parrot Pea.
The students are eagerly anticipating the chance to care for and nurture the garden and the chance to observe the wildlife that may come to visit our new ecosystem. These hands-on experiences are not only fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of native plants in our environment but also raising awareness and appreciation for Indigenous culture.
As our students engage with this unique project, their connection with nature deepens, and they become true stewards of the land. We are immensely proud of our ‘Middle School Green Thumbs’ and their unwavering commitment to environmental education.
By fostering a greater understanding of the significance of native plants in our environment and Indigenous culture, we hope to encourage others to join us in preserving and celebrating the richness of our natural heritage.
Meagan Whitehand
Ocean Mind Surf Therapy Visit
This week the Year 9 Transformation program welcomed some facilitators from the Surf Coast non-for-profit charity Ocean Mind. Kelly and Asher brought in the iconic OM van to help educate our young men on the benefits of surf therapy, and to help the students understand the power of proactive mental health supports. Ocean Mind is a therapeutic surfing charity that enriches people’s mental health, relationships, and potential through surfing. They are committed to developing evidence-based programs that create life-changing experiences for people experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, and disabilities. In partnership with Deakin University the program has studied the benefits of surf therapy on young people who are facing mental health issues, have a disability or come from a disadvantaged background across Geelong and other areas of Victoria. Many of our students are talented surfers and understand the healing power of the ocean. Students were engaged and asked insightful questions of our visitors, demonstrating their compassion and empathy for others. Students discussed how to utilise a passion or talent they already possess to help the community and others, and how to make a tangible impact in the world around them. Kelly and Asher were grateful to be coming into our community and were impressed by the respect and curiosity shown by the young men in this term’s Transformation Program.
Bree Redden
Would you Like to go to Space…Camp?
The Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship is an international education program which aims to reward aspiring STEM enthusiasts and future leaders with a hands-on astronaut training experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Centre’s renowned Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
Four students from Australia will be awarded a scholarship to the International Space Camp program taking place in Huntsville, Alabama in July 2024. The winning group of students (and one teacher) will make up ‘Mission Crew #13 - Team Australia’, and will join fellow groups from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, Singapore, United States and Poland to become ‘Team Endeavour’.
Successful applicants will receive an all-expenses paid enrolment and airfare to Space Camp, where for one-week students are immersed in the ultimate educational experience to illuminate real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
All covered expenses include tuition, dormitory accommodation, meals throughout the week, and economy class round trip from Australia to Huntsville, Alabama. Travel will also include all transportation on the ground, as well as a day trip to Washington DC ahead of Space Camp commencement.
Who can apply:
Students must be 15 – 18 years old (as of July 2024) and have an outstanding desire to further their studies in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Applicants must possess a passion to one day apply and contribute to that body of knowledge.
How to apply:
Submissions are now open. You will need to complete an application form as well as a 3-minute video describing what the Endeavour Scholarship opportunity would mean for you and your larger community (school and beyond).
Find more information application details go to https://www.indopacificexpo.com.au/program/the-astronaut-al-worden-endeavour-scholarship/
Submissions close Friday 28 July.
Elissa Huddart, Director of Teaching and Learning, Science
Calling all CC Eagles Members and Families
We are pleased to present an opportunity for you to be a part of CC Eagles/ Geelong United Basketball Club Fundraiser, with NBL1 tickets available for the following game through the club:
Round 10 – Hoop City Geelong United Supercats v Dandenong Rangers – Saturday June 17, 2023. Tip off: Women – 5:00pm, Men – 7:00pm (Ticket gets you in to both games at The Geelong Arena)
All PRE-ORDERED tickets will cost $10.00 with $5.00 being retained by our club.
On the night we want to see our members show up at the game in our CLUB COLOURS.
We hope that everyone embraces this opportunity to get our CC Eagles family together and support Hoop City Geelong United Supercats on the night.
How to purchase tickets:
For Christian College families: you can purchase 1- 8 tickets ($10 to $80) on credit card via the College portal.
- Log into Parent Portal – My Details – Payments Tab – Click on the NBL1 Game Day Tickets icon.
- Then click on the drop down to select how many tickets you want to purchase. The amount will automatically fill.
Important – Please include your email address in the Additional Information box.
For non-Christian College families: you can purchase tickets by calling our Middle School-Highton reception on 5241 1899 and purchasing over the phone.
Tickets can be purchased up until 11.59pm on June 13, or until SOLD OUT and will be distributed prior to the game.
If there are any queries, please email f.murdoch@ccg.vic.edu.au
Foundation Golf Day 2023
Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, we are delighted to announce the Christian College Foundation Golf Day tournament for 2023.
Save the date: Thursday November 9.
We are seeking prizes for this event – if you own a local business and are interested in creating partnership opportunities with Christian College, please contact Fiona Provan on 0400 477 467, or email f.provan@ccg.vic.edu.au
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
