Middle School Term 3 Week 1

Welcome to Term 3!

It is wonderful to see the students back on campus, albeit with the cold weather! Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, know that you’re an essential part of our school community. Our Middle School here at Highton is a busy and exciting place, we hope and pray that the coming term is one full of learning, laughter and new experiences.

Throughout this upcoming term, there will be many opportunities for growth as students engage in various academic, social and community-based experiences. We encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities, challenge themselves, and support one another in their journeys. It is important for us to continue to empower students to learn and thrive.

As we settle into this term, let’s remember the importance of kindness and support for one another. The colder days can sometimes bring challenges and a lack of motivation, but together, we can create a warm and welcoming environment. Encouraging each other to be friendly and considerate will help foster a positive environment for everyone.

Let’s make a conscious effort to check in on our classmates, lend a helping hand, and share a smile. Every act of kindness contributes to a stronger community, and we all play a part in making Middle School – Highton a great place to learn and grow.

This term is filling up fast, some important dates that are relevant to the Middle School – Highton Campus are listed below:

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 2

• Tues 23 July – Netball Victoria School Championships – Girls
• Wed 24 July – GISSA Year 7 & 8 Boys, AFL, Soccer & Hockey Championships
• Fri 26 July – Sun 28 July – Senior Ensemble Rehearsal Camp

Lunchtime Activities

We are thrilled to announce a fantastic lineup of lunchtime activities and clubs for Term 3.
These are designed to enrich our students’ school experience. Our goal is to provide diverse opportunities that cater to a wide range of interests and talents, ensuring every student finds something they love.

Please note the arrival of new activities: Mindful Moments and Downball Squad. 

These lunchtime activities and clubs are not only fun but also foster personal growth, social interaction, and skill development. Encourage your child or young person to participate and discover new passions!

Details of Lunchtime Clubs & Activities – Term 3 2024

Lunchtime Clubs & Activities – Term 3 2024

Chess Club Update

In Term 3, Chess Club continues to be held every Monday at the N26 Japanese room from 1:10 to 1:40 (Lunchtime). Chess Club does not cost anything to join.

In exciting news, our Middle School campus is planning to take a Chess team to play the Bellarine campus team. This event is likely to happen in late August.

That means the selection of a team of 8 to 10 players is needed. This selection will be based upon those students who have committed to coming to Chess Club in the past, as well as those who come in Term 3.

For more information, feel free to come ask questions at Chess Club.

The Great Book Swap

This term, the Christian College Libraries will be involved in The Indigenous Literacy Foundation Great Book Swap. During Book Week the library will be holding a Great Book Swap event to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Students will be asked to donate a favourite book in excellent condition to the Book Swap stall, so please start thinking about which book you would like to donate. On the Book Swap Day during Book Week, students can purchase a book for a gold coin donation.

The money that is raised from this event will help provide books, books in First Languages, and learning resources to children and families living in over 440 remote Communities across Australia.

Further information will be provided in the next few weeks.

Important VET and Subject Selection Information for 2025

Vocational Education Training (VET) is offered as a subject in Year 10, 11 and 12 at CCG Senior Campus. Students travel off campus to either The Gordon or a Government or Catholic school (non-Gordon) that offer the courses one afternoon a week. Year 10 students who select VET also study VCE VM Unit 1 Work Related Skills over the whole year and complete one week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE (ATAR) students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and VET tab located in the Senior School Hub on SEQTA.

VET Course Information, Application Process and Dates

1. SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
2. Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
3. Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non-Gordon supplier.
4. APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE. Choose PM classes only.

Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Scholarship applications for Year 5, 7 and 10 entry to Christian College in 2026 are now open. You can access all the information you need, and apply, by visiting our website. There is a hotlink at the top of our homepage that takes you there, or just click here.

The scholarship testing date is Saturday October 12 and all applications must be received no later than close of business on Thursday October 3.

An Improved Website Menu and Structure

During the recent mid-year break, the menu on the Christian College website has been streamlined and the grouping of information simplified to improve the user experience. The homepage now has just five main tabs at the top – ‘Discover’, ‘Enrolment’, ‘Community’, ‘Parent Portal’ and ‘Contact’. There is also a ‘Book a Tour’ button for prospective parents and guardians who want to visit one or more campuses.

For parents, some key changes to note include the Term Calendar, which is now found under the ‘College Life’ heading on the ‘Discover’ tab. It can also be accessed via the ‘Community’ tab – under ‘News and Publications’, together with The Vine newsletters, In Focus magazine, the Annual Report and a new addition – ‘Latest on Instagram and Facebook’ where you’ll find links that take you directly to Christian College’s pages on each of those social media platforms. Emails to our College community will continue to be sent each Friday with direct links to that week’s Vine newsletter. 

Other changes include ‘Employment’, where positions at the College are advertised, is now accessed via the ‘Discover’ tab, under ‘About’, and the ‘Enrolments’ tab has links to all related enrolment information, including Tours, Open Days, Scholarships, The Enrolment Process, School and Kinder fees, College bus information and Before and After School Care.

Our website is a great resource that contains vast amounts of College-related information and we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the streamlined menu.

Save the Date – East Timor Trivia Night

The annual East Timor Trivia Night is always a great night of fun that supports Christian College’s work in Viqueque, and 2024’s event is on Friday August 9. This year the venue is the Sport and Aquatic Centre at the Middle School-Highton. It’s $10 per head, with each table seating 10 people. Get your friends and families involved, put together as many people as you can and don’t miss it! Call the Senior School Campus on 5241 1577 to book.

Seeking Support for Work Placements

Students studying the VCE Vocational Major (VM) are timetabled to work with an employer related to their VET course all day on Fridays. This is called Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). There are some prefilled forms to sign and there is a minimal cost of $5.00 a day to the employer. We are seeking workplace opportunities in the Plumbing, Building and Electrical trades. If you or someone you know are willing to help these students, to get a start in their chosen careers please contact myself k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Mary Higgins m.higgins@ccg.vic.edu.au  at Senior Campus. Thank you in anticipation of some support.

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.

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!