What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 5 

• Tues 15 Aug – Rural 5 (9R & 9Y Boys) Program Concludes
• Tues 15 Aug – VSMF Jazz Ensemble – Senior Stage Band
• Wed 16 Aug – Rural 6 (9R & 9Y Girls) Program Commences
• Wed 16 Aug – VSMF Intermediate Stage Band
• Wed 16 Aug – Year 7 & 8 GISSA Sport
• Thurs 17 Aug – GISSA Intermediate Boys & Girls (Year 9 & 10) Basketball Championships
• Thurs 17 Aug – VSMF Highton & Bellarine Novice Stage Bands
• Fri 18 Aug – Williams House Visit Middle School
• Fri 18 Aug – Annual East Timor Trivia Night

Week 6 

• Mon 21 Aug – Sun 27 Aug – Vic Interschool Snowsports Championships
• Tues 22 Aug – Staff Development Day – Student Free day
• Wed 23 Aug – Year 7 & 8 GISSA Sport
• Thurs 24 Aug – Deakin District Athletics Championships
• Sun 27 Aug – Tues 1 Sep – Year 9 GEOS Hike 

Year 5 Minecraft Cartographers

In this unit, students are delving into the fascinating world of cartography and digital mapping by creating maps using symbols on dyed paper and later in the term they will collaborate to create their map in Minecraft. They are developing their spatial reasoning skills, enhancing their understanding of symbols and key features on maps, and working collaboratively to bring their physical maps to life into the virtual space. Throughout the unit, students will engage in hands-on activities, group projects, and discussions, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Our key learning objectives are;

• Understand the purpose and importance of maps and symbols in representing real-world locations.
• Recognise and interpret common map symbols and key features.
• Utilise spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills to design a Minecraft map with accurate symbols.
• Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration in a group setting.
• Enhance digital skills by using Minecraft as a tool for creating interactive maps.

Naga High Visit to Middle School

Naga Senior High School and Christian College Geelong have a long and decorated history as sister Schools. For the past 31 years, the two schools have exchanged hundreds, if not thousands of students and the relationship shows no sign of slowing down. On July 30, the first post-pandemic exchange group arrived in Australia from Wakayama, Japan. The 24 students and two staff members have been enjoying themselves here since and on Monday it was Middle School’s turn to host the group for a day.

After welcoming our guests in the Chapel, the Naga High students joined in classes and activities with the Middle School students for the rest of the day and left us full of happy memories that will last a lifetime.

The Middle School community thanks the 2023 Naga High tour group for a fun day, and we wish them all a safe trip back to Japan.

Year 8 Update – the Premiership Quarter

In football circles they refer to the third quarter as the ‘premiership quarter’, a key time within the game where a team can set themselves up to increase their chances of winning, and future success. Why, you may ask, am I making reference to this football analogy? Well, aside from being an avid AFL fan, a Physical Education teacher and loving any opportunity I get to talk sport, I liken the school year to a game of football, whereby it is broken up into four major sections (Terms 1-4). As we enter and move through Term 3, or should I say the ‘premiership quarter’, one of the key messages expressed to the Year 8 students since the main break (midyear holidays) is to try and take the time to reflect on their performance in the first half (Semester 1). Just as a coach would do so with their team at half time, the message has very much been set around focusing on the key areas that students feel require improvement, whilst looking at how to maintain and build on those areas of success. Hopefully, acknowledging these specific areas, then implementing some goals and processes within their learning practices this term, will go a long way towards individuals achieving success and ultimately finishing the year on a winning note (so to speak). When looking at this ‘premiership quarter’ concept through an academic lens, I think of subjects such as GEOS and Marine Studies, both of which will be using Term 3 to start educating students on how to be best prepared to approach their upcoming ‘new’ learning environments in Term 4 (GEOS camp and weekly snorkelling adventures for Marine Studies). I know teachers across all subjects will be using the ‘premiership quarter’ to help lay the foundations that aim to best assist every student and their present, and future learning needs. Overall, the Year 8 cohort have had a really positive start to Term 3 and as the students embark on the second half of 2023 and more specifically, the ‘premiership quarter’, our encouragement turns to another popular sporting quote: “The ball’s in your court”. Future success starts now!”

Please see below some key upcoming events and dates for Year 8 students:

• Year 9 Elective preferences (due Monday 14th August).
• Bean Break Café – School based café (applications due Friday 18th August)
• Year 9 Leadership presentation and positions for 2024 (applications due Friday 8th September)

Below are some recent images from the City of Greater Geelong Town Planning incursion (GEOS) and some action shots from the GISSA Badminton competition (Year 7/8 Sport Elective):

Term 3 Project Care – Geelong Mums and Offspring

As we dive into the exciting events of Term 3, we’re thrilled to announce our dedication to making a positive impact on both local and global levels. This term we unite for a cause, rallying behind two remarkable charities – one close to home and another across the seas.

Mark your calendars for Week 5, specifically Tuesday, June 15th, as we gear up for a special occasion. On this day, students will have the privilege of wearing casual dress, all while contributing to a meaningful cause. Our chosen beneficiary for this event is none other than Geelong Mums, a remarkable local charitable organisation. Selected by the compassionate minds of our Project Care Representatives, Geelong Mums shares our commitment to making a difference in our community. Their mission encompasses three critical objectives:

• Support every Victorian child up to the age of six that needs us
• Reduce waste through the reuse of the things kids need
• Share our service beyond Victoria

In the spirit of kindness and generosity, we humbly request all students to contribute a gold coin donation on this day. Their contributions will help support this charity to complete its good works in our local area. 

But that’s not all! Later in the term, we will come together once more to support a global initiative – The Offspring Project. Founded by a former educator from Christian College, this charity has a mission to support human trafficking survivors. Offspring aims to provide brighter futures for women through holistic care because ‘every life is worth fighting for’. 

Stay tuned to hear more about our Offspring event later in the term. 

Let us continue to work with spirit, to support those who are in need. 

Book Week Celebrations

Monday 21 – Friday 25 August

Monday 21 – Year 5 and 6 dress up day. Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character!

All week in the library – Activities in the library at recess and lunchtime, and online on the Book Week LibGuide include:

• Writing competition – write an inspiring story up to 500 words
• Book Week Trivia
• Craft – book marks, colouring and blackout poetry
• Vote for the best picture book – in the Reading Room

More information on the library homepage.

Student Learning Conferences

It is a priority of ours to communicate regularly and comprehensively with you, about your young person’s learning journey. In addition to regular updates on student progress via our ‘in-time reporting’ program and our end of Semester summative reports, both accessed through your Parent Portal (SEQTA Engage), our twice-yearly Student Learning Conferences provide the opportunity to briefly meet your young person’s Homeroom and Subject teachers, including to discuss their academic progress.

We are holding our Semester 2 Student Learning Conferences on Tuesday, August 29 from

4:00pm – 9:00pm. As with last semester, these will be held on-line via Microsoft Teams.

Learning Conferences run for 10 minutes in duration, however if any parent/guardian requires a longer conference time, please discuss this with the relevant teacher prior to selecting your timeslot online.

Please note: We are asking all students to accompany their parents/guardians to the Learning Conferences this year. Research suggests that student learning can be impacted positively through the teacher providing direct feedback to individual students. It also provides opportunity for reflection, questions, and discussion pertinent to goal setting. We feel that parents/guardians will also benefit from these opportunities for discussion and feedback.

Term 3 Choral Concerts – Joyous Voices, Smiling Faces!

We know that singing in a choir is good for the mind and soul, for both singers and audience…… this was so evident on Tuesday evening! Term 3 sees all the CCG Choirs featuring in concerts across the College campuses. 

The College Choral Program features seven choirs providing opportunity for 300 students from years Prep to 12 to rehearse, perform and belong! On Tuesday evening this week the Surf Coast, Highton Middle School, Junior School Belmont and Senior Campus Choirs sang with gusto! 

The choirs, and featured VCE Vocal Ensemble, presented a range of beautiful repertoire for family and friends in two concert programs hosted at the Senior Campuses RW Gibson Centre for Music Performance. 

Congratulations to the College Choir directors of these campuses; Kate Notini, Laura Hollingsworth and Carla Dunlop, along with accompanists and vocal tutors for their fine work in preparing the vocal items. Thank you to the family and friends who attended and supported the choir students in getting to their rehearsals and performances throughout the year.

We look forward to the Bellarine Campus Choirs and Small Ensembles Performance Evening, to be held at the Bellarine Campus on Monday August 21.

CCG Hosts VSMF Regional Concert Bands

The Highton Middle School and Bellarine Concert Bands performed at the regional session of the Victorian School Music Festival this week. The CCG Music Department was proud to host the event at the Senior Campus’s RW Gibson Centre for Music Performance.

These VSMF Regional sessions saw 17 bands perform, and as well, take part in onstage workshops with the expert adjudicator and clinician Dr Jo Heaton.  The bands featured over 600 students from Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, performing on the Gibson Centre stage. A valuable part of the learning experience for participating students is having the opportunity to listen to other bands and observe their onstage workshops.

The Christian College Concert Band Program has eight concert bands rehearsing weekly across the campuses. Four of these featured in this week’s regional division of VSMF. The Highton and Bellarine Novice Concert Bands, the Bellarine Campus Concert Band and the Highton Campus Intermediate Concert Band all performed with wonderful musicianship and received excellent ratings from the adjudication panel. The band conductors, Mr Dunlop and Mr Rankin, along with the supporting instrumental staff who have assisted in preparing the performances, congratulate all of our participating musicians for their great work leading up to the performance, as well as their presentation on stage. We would also like to thank the band parents for their wonderful support in getting their students to/from rehearsals and supporting us in the audience at our performances.

Bravo to our middle school band musicians!

Prepaid Tuition Fee Discount

The College is offering a 4 per cent discount to families who elect to prepay their 2024 tuition fees in full by September 8, 2023. Taking up this offer means you will receive a 4 percent discount on the 2024 tuition fees less sibling discount.

For further details please refer to the email sent to you earlier this week.

Please contact the fees team via [email protected] or (03) 5241 1899 if you have any queries - our team will happily explain the details and arrange a quotation for you.

LEAD Parent Survey - Now Closing September 1

Each year, Christian College participates in the LEAD School Effectiveness Surveys conducted by Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). These surveys provide valuable insights into a school’s performance from the perspectives of students, staff and parents and are therefore an essential school improvement tool.

LEAD – Listen, Evaluate, Act, Deliver – succinctly describes the way in which this process enables our College community to grow and flourish through consultation with our valued stakeholders.

You will have received an email from ‘ISV Research Programs [email protected]’ inviting you to participate in the ISV LEAD Parent Survey. It includes a unique survey link that can only be used once and therefore cannot be shared or forwarded to others. Thank you to all parents who have completed the Parent Satisfaction Survey - we have received more than 300 responses to date. ISV has extended the deadline for survey responses - closing date is September 1. We invite any parents who have not yet participated to contribute your feedback via this year's survey. You are an integral part of our school community and your voice matters.

East Timor Trivia Night

Preparations are underway for our annual Trivia Night which raises much needed funds for the work we do in Viqueque, East Timor.

Money raised this year will help pay for a new roof for Uma Maun Alin – Friendship House – where some amazing staff and volunteers run kindergarten classes for local little ones and English classes for older children and teens.

Part of the night is a Silent Auction and we are asking CCG families for any donations.

Some donations made already, thanks to the hard work of some of our prefects, include: a signed Cats guernsey, personal training sessions, café vouchers, Geelong Lawn tennis memberships, tennis racquet and re-stringing voucher, a vet clinic voucher... and so much more!

If you are in a position to be able to donate something to this incredibly worthwhile cause please contact:

Surfcoast Campus: Claire Deretic

Junior School: Carla Dunlop

Highton Campus: Graham Barton

Bellarine Campus: Samantha Bett

Senior School: Lee Stringer

2023 CCG Science Photography Competition

As part of National Science Week, the CCG Science Faculty is delighted to invite our Year 5-12 students to enter the 2023 CCG Science Photography competition.

Students are asked to submit photographs which record some scientific event or illustrate some scientific phenomenon. They may submit between three and six photographs, which must be linked by a common theme. Prints must be submitted.

The topic may be based on any scientific theme or you may use the theme for this year’s science week which is Innovation: Powering Future Industries.

Competition entries must be submitted before Friday August 11.

Winners will be announced and entries displayed as part of our National Science Week celebrations.

We are offering three age categories for the competition.

Junior – Years 5 and 6

Intermediate  – Years 7 – 9

Open – Years 10 – 12

Detailed guidelines and entry forms are included here and can also be obtained from your science teacher.

Good luck to all entrants, we look forward to viewing your submissions!

2023 Photography entry form

2023 Photography entry guidlines

Scholarship Applications are Now Open!

Each year Christian College offers Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5, 7 and 10 levels. Applications are now open for this year’s scholarships, which apply to entry in 2025, at three campuses – Middle School-Highton, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus.

Year 10 entry applies to Senior School-Waurn Ponds only.

To find out more, and to apply, visit our website and look for the homepage hotlink, or click here.

Scholarship applications are open to students who do not currently attend Christian College, as well as those who are currently enrolled here. Scholarship examinations will be held at Christian College on Saturday October 7. Closing date for applications is Thursday, September 28.

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 [email protected]

A MYTERN Thought for This Week

It’s easy to rush through a cup of tea or coffee and forget to stop and appreciate the moment. 

Take time out now to simply appreciate being able to breathe in fresh air. Take a long slow breath and feel it rejuvenate every cell. 

Make that your intention and watch your body smile from the inside 👍❤️

Discover more about MYTERN here