Middle School Term 2 Week 8

From the Dean of Christian Culture

In the boat

Beside the sea, there lived a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig, and a tiny little mouse. One sunny day, they decided to go for a row in the bay. Guess who sank the boat?

Did you ever read this classic picture story book ‘Who Sank the Boat?’ It is a wonderful book by Pamella Allen that you can still find in most primary and public libraries, you can certainly find it on my bookshelf, right next to ‘Mr Magee’. If you haven’t read it this book tells the story of a boat that sinks as each animal piles aboard. Eventually after the big cow and the large donkey, the fluffy sheep and the pig all get in the boat a tiny mouse climbs aboard and...the boat sinks.

We often use this story book to teach measurements, weight, volume displacement etc. We ask questions like ‘Who sank the boat?’, ‘If the mouse got in first, before the cow and the donkey, would the mouse still have sunk the boat?’ ‘What would we need to change about the story to ensure the boat didn’t sink?’. Young readers are quick to understand that it doesn’t really matter what order the animals enter the boat the reality is they can’t all be in the boat together without it sinking. Readers are also quick to suggest that in order not to sink there are two solutions; either the animals need greater capacity in their boat, or the same boat must make multiple trips to carry all the animals.

The story is not so different from our lives. Maybe you’re hitting that close to mid-year point, nearing the end of term and starting to feel the waves are coming up over the edges of your boat. Or that perhaps you’re in a place where it really wouldn’t matter how tiny or light the mouse is, if you add one more thing your boat is going under.

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 9

• Mon 10 June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Tues 11 June – Year 6 – Shine of Remembrance Excursion
• Wed 12 June – Parent Webinar: Generative AI and School
• Fri 14 June – Talent Quest

Week 10

• Thurs 20 June – String Festival Day – Geelong Schools
• Fri 21 June – Term 2 Concludes – 3.30 pm dismissal

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

Science With Zane and Friends

Our Year 5 students recently welcomed Zane from Wildlife Exposure, along with some of his scaly, feathered, and slimy friends, into the classroom. This visit was part of our unit on adaptations, focusing on how behavioural and structural adaptations help animals survive and thrive in their environments. During the visit, students had the opportunity to learn about, touch, and observe many Australian native animals. It was a fantastic experience, and it was a joy to see the students appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

The day was incredibly enjoyable! It’s worth experiencing. We had the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals, and inclusivity was ensured for everyone present. – Madison Crewther

I had such a good time with wildlife Xposure and got to hold a lizard. It was so fun! – Raafay Bhatti

The animals were all unique in their own way and showed their fun abilities – Lucas Cao

It was an enjoyable experience be able to touch the animals and learn about them. – Michaela Desai  

Another Chapter in our Year 7 Story…

Creating Connections – Year 7 Girls 2024

On Friday May 31 the afternoon school bell rang, and as most students headed home to start the weekend the Year 7 girls remained at school. Meeting at a central part of the school, the Chapel, they entered the doors chattering excitedly about the evening ahead. Tonight was their long-anticipated ‘girls’ night’—an evening dedicated to fun, laughter, and strengthening their friendships.

As the sun began to set, they gathered in the Chapel which Pak Zacky had decorated into a cozy haven! Streamers of gold hung from the doorway, and twinkling fairy lights added a magical touch. Cushions and bean bags were on the floor and activities were set up and ready for the night ahead.

Miss Dietrich met the girls and introduced them to their first activity, cupcake decorating! Isla and Milly had previously baked the cupcakes during the week, and they were ready to ice and decorate! There were M&Ms, Sprinkles, and Nerds. Miss Dietrich led with a fabulous example and the students worked in groups to create their cupcake master pieces!

“These cupcakes look too good to eat!” exclaimed Stella, holding up a perfectly frosted creation adorned with sprinkles. The girls had so much fun that Ada even made a second cupcake for her teacher Mrs Goodwin.

Japanese Update

This term the students at Middle School-Highton have had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with our Naga High language assistant, Manami. Manami will be with us, working on multiple campuses, until August.

Our Year 6 students have been focusing on the topic of numbers this term, and Year 7 students have just finished learning one of the Japanese alphabets, hiragana. In classes we have been enjoying playing games such as Uno (Japanese version!), fly swat and plenty of Kahoots. In the last week of term, we are planning to make onigiri (Japanese rice balls) with the Year 8 students.

Hope Tour

On Monday this week, the Year 7s, 8s and 9s attended Hope Tour. Hope Tour is an interactive and engaging schools’ assembly program focused around providing students with a message of resilience, encouragement and hope. Over the course of the session students were engaged by a number of talented performers and communicators focusing on not only encouraging the students but building resilience as well. Hope Tour exists to encourage young people to treat others as they would like to be treated, to believe that they are special, and to have confidence to speak up.

It was wonderful to see so many students willingly getting involved and listening to this important message.

Here are some Year 9 students’ feedback on the event:

I really enjoyed Hope Tour. It was a very positive environment, and I loved the dancing and the inspirational message. It taught me to believe in myself more and that I can achieve my dreams. All the people at Hope Tour seemed genuinely passionate about what they do, and it was overall a really fun experience. – Olivia Hobbs

Deakin Forensics Day

Nine Year 9 students from our school recently participated in an educational Forensics Day at Deakin University. This immersive event allowed them to explore the captivating world of forensic science firsthand. From analysing crime scenes to conducting experiments in the laboratory, the students honed their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Guided by PhD candidates, they worked collaboratively to solve a simulated crime, impressing university staff with their engagement and scientific thinking.

This experience not only provided valuable insights but also sparked interest in potential future careers in science. We extend our gratitude to Deakin University for organising this opportunity.

Student reflections from the day:

“The Deakin excursion was a great hands-on experience. It was a really interesting, and I enjoyed learning about all the different forensics techniques like DNA, fingerprinting, entomology, pollens, handwriting analysis, and substance identification. It was an amazing opportunity and I enjoyed it a lot. “ – Heidi Abetz

“On Tuesday the 4th of June I had the amazing opportunity to go to Deakin and look at the forensics science and criminology. It was such a cool experience. My fellow peers and I had the chance to walk around a fake crime scene and try to find who committed the crime. We then had to find who was involved by looking at DNA, fingerprints, footprints, handwriting, pollen and looking at the age of the maggots that were found. It was super interesting, and I had an amazing time at Deakin University!” – Coco Bowerman

A Memorable 3-Day Hike at Wilsons Prom

In a much-anticipated outdoor adventure, Year 9 GEOS students set off for a three-day hike at Wilsons Promontory National Park. This remarkable camp aims to provide students with a hands-on learning experience, blending education with the beauty of nature.

Day 1: Setting Off and Settling In

The journey began with an early morning bus ride from the school to Wilsons Promontory, one of Victoria’s most stunning national parks. As the students arrived, they were greeted by the breathtaking scenery of lush forests, granite mountains, and pristine beaches. The first day involved an 8 km hike from Tidal River to Oberon Bay.

Day 2: From West to East

On the second day, the students embarked on a beautiful 10 km hike to Little Waterloo Bay, a secluded beach only reachable on foot. The students walked through the amazingly diverse vegetation communities, dipping in and out of pockets of temperate rainforests, open heathlands, and coastal grassy woodlands. They were greeted by a friendly wombat just before reaching camp.

“My highlight was when we went to the beach on the second day of the hike and explored Little Waterloo Bay. We climbed up the rocks and got an awesome view of the bay! I also enjoyed getting up onto the highest rock to have the best view possible.”– Charlie Baldwin

Nude Food Day

Nude Food Day on Tuesday this week was a challenge for Middle School students to see if they could reduce the amount of rubbish on the school grounds. Students were encouraged to bring food without plastic packaging or wrap in their lunchboxes.  

Many students rose to this challenge and packed healthier food options with less packaging – such as cheese and crackers in reusable containers, sushi and homemade choc chip cookies. Most homerooms ate their snack and lunch inside the classroom so that the Project Care reps could collect the rubbish and compost produced from the day. 

We discovered that there was more single use plastic rubbish than compost collected. We also noticed a decrease in the amount of rubbish collected on this day compared to a normal lunch day. 

The Project Care team feel that having the Nude Food Day created an awareness of how much rubbish we produce with our lunches in a day at school. We would love to encourage more students to try and be more environmentally conscious EVERY DAY – not just on days when asked!  

If each person just uses one reusable plastic container instead of gladwrap for their sandwich, it can make a huge difference! 

Thank you everyone for participating in Nude Food Day!  

Elisha Williams 8Y, Riya Mittal 5M 

String Ensemble Performance Evening

Last night saw the annual String Ensemble Performance Evening take place in the RW Gibson Auditorium. The evening began with a combined performance of Bach's Brandeburg Concert No. 5 from the Highton and Bellarine Middle School String Ensembles. The students have been preparing this piece separately, and it was a wonderful experience to hear it as a combined performance.

Each of the Middle School Groups also presented individual group pieces, "Viking" from the Highton MS Strings and "South Brisbane Tango" from the Bellarine MS Strings. Both of these energetic pieces were executed with great aplomb by our Middle School Students.

The Ceilidh Band from Bellarine then presented some traditional Irish Folk Music for the audience in the form of a set of reel and jigs.

Gathering Hope

The Foundation was pleased to host their bi-annual Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon on Friday, 24 May 2024 at Provenance Wines in Fyansford. With close to 80 guests in attendance, the event successfully raised $19K, which has been doubled, thanks to our current dollar-matching campaign, raising a total of $38K for the Foundation.

The guest speaker was Jossy Chacko, who generously gave up an entire day to support the work of the College and our local community. In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Jossy gave a devotion to our Senior School staff, spent time being scrutinised by the Year 10 Global Ethics class, and supported our local Christian radio station, 96three FM.

Calling all CC Eagles Members and Families

A big thank you to the families that have purchased NBL1 Tickets to date.

An opportunity is still available for you to be a part of CC Eagles Basketball Club/ Geelong United Basketball Fundraiser, with NBL1 Tickets available for the following game through the Club:

Round 10 – Geelong United Supercats v Melbourne Tigers – Saturday 15 June

Tip-off: Women – 5:00pm, Men – 7:00pm The Ticket gets you into both games at The Geelong Arena

All pre-ordered tickets are $12.00 with $6.00 being retained by the club. Please note General Admission tickets are normally $16 per person.

If you are a Christian College family, you can purchase 1- 8 tickets ($12 to $96) through the College Portal:

• Log into Parent Portal – My Details – Payments Tab – Click on the NBL1 Game Day Tickets
• Then click on the drop down to select how many tickets you want to purchase. Amount will automatically fill.

Seeking Christian College Company Members

Christian College Geelong is seeking expressions of interest from any parent or guardian interested in becoming a new Company Member.

Company Members play an important part in the governance structure and protection of the College. A number of positions on the Christian College Board are filled by company members, depending on the skillset required when vacancies arise, and it is the company members who have the responsibility of voting to pass any amendments to the Christian College constitution. Company members may also be eligible to sit on various committees involved in the governance of the College.

Whilst participating as a company member is not overly onerous, it needs to be pointed out that the position is voluntary and not remunerated in any way. Also, please understand an expression of interest does not guarantee automatic membership of the company.

If you have a heart for the College, and feel you would have the time to dedicate and an interest in this role, please contact the Company Secretary, Bernard Nicholls at b.nicholls@ccg.vic.edu.au. All expressions of interest must be submitted by COB Friday, August 2.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students
• $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Student Information, then Important Forms for Parents) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard Copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

The closing date for applications is June 28.

 For more information about the fund visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (August 5 this year), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines.

Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

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!