What’s Happening at Middle School
Week 6
- Mon, 15 Aug – Year 7 ‘Hope Tour’ Incursion
- Thurs, 18 Aug – Hooptime Junior (Years 5& 6)
- Thurs, 18 Aug – GISSA Cross-Country Championships
- Sat, 20 Aug – Senior Stage Band Performance Essentially Ellington Festival
- Sun, 21 Aug – Sun, 28 Aug – Vic. Interschools Snowsports Championships
Week 7
- Sun, 21 Aug – Sun, 28 Aug – Vic. Interschools Snowsports Championships
- Tues, 23 Aug – GISSA ‘Nitro’ Athletics Competition
- Thurs, 25 Aug – Deakin District Athletics Champs
- Fri, 26 Aug – GISSA Golf Championships
- Fri, 26 Aug – Book Week – Yr 5/6 Dress Up Parade
- Sun, 28 Aug – Yr 9 GEOS – The Prom
Reserve Your Place!
Wellbeing Evening and Cyber Safe Schools Program Launch
We enjoyed a fantastic night with the parents, families, students and staff attending the first Digital Wellbeing Evening held at our Senior School Campus last night, Thursday 1st September. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to reserve your place at the second and final of our two nights, please save the date and reserve your place now! We would love to see you there. We encourage you to take a few minutes to view the video below to find out more about this important event. The evening will be presented at our Bellarine Campus next Thursday 8th September starting at 7pm. We expect to run for about 45 minutes, finishing with time for questions and a cuppa together.
We ask all Parents and Families to share their attending intentions with us via our online RSVP Response Form. Please access the form by clicking the image or link below.
https://forms.office.com/r/QwN6TXBE41
Brendan Vanderkley
Mid Year Leadership Event
On Friday 29th of July, the Prefects and House Captains from Highton, Bellarine, and Senior School, gathered to connect for a mid-year leadership event. Collectively the leaders thought it was time to get together and reflect on the past, present and future. The hot topic of the night for Bellarine and Highton students was; “What will Senior School be like when the two campuses combine next year.”
As the night went on, we discovered the Bellarine leaders were all really nice and we had a lot in common, it wasn’t as scary as we thought. The night started with icebreaker questions followed by an encouraging message from Michael Peck, the Chairman of the Christian College Foundation.
Our key takeaways from the night were the importance of setting SMART goals for the future, embracing change and it’s not always the people with multiple talents that succeed in life, you can still succeed with great goals and hard work. We reflected on the Bible story in Matthew; ‘The Parable of the Talents.’ No matter what talents we have, God has a plan for our lives. We really appreciated Michael coming to talk to us and sharing his wisdom and knowledge as we embark on the next chapter of our schooling. The night concluded with a dinner together and this is when we saw the different campuses engaging in conversations about our future pathways at Christian College and beyond.
It was a wonderful night and we were grateful for the opportunity.
Gemma Nwanze and Jaime McKie
Which Electives Will you Choose?
There was an energetic buzz of excitement in our SAC on Monday afternoon, as we invited all of our 2023 students and their families on to our grounds for our Subject Information Evening. It was a powerful evening full of hope, promise and deep conversations about the future learning journeys of our precious students. Faculty leaders and teachers from across each of our subject areas were on hand to outline key concepts, learning tasks, peak experiences and pathways associated with our enormous range of elective subjects on offer.
With so many diverse subjects to choose from, it can be difficult for our students to decide what they would most like to study. This event is designed to support this process, and empower our young people to begin to curate their own learning experience through their secondary school years. Whether a young person is most interested in sports, the arts, languages, sciences, the great outdoors, technology, the humanities, or something else, at Christian College we are proud to offer engaging, relevant subjects for all types of learners. Monday’s event allowed a return (of sorts) to pre-pandemic times, and provided a morale boost for our community, especially as we were not able to host this event during the past two years.
A reminder that students who will be in Year 7, 8 or 9 in 2023 are required to enter their elective subject preferences. These are due by 5pm on Monday, August 15. Current students have been emailed with the necessary link, whilst future students have had the link sent to a parent. Please look for an email from noreply@selectmysubjects.com.au and contact me should you require any help.
Adam Kennedy, Acting Head of Campus
Australian Maths Trust Competition
The AMC is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of Mathematics in students’ everyday lives. Australia’s leading educators and academics, with a deep understanding of our national curriculum standards, actively design the unique AMC problems each year.
This year saw a selection of students invited to participate from Years 5 through to 8. It was terrific to see the dedication, enthusiasm and passion of the students involved. In particular, it was the mindset of these students that perhaps allows them to excel in this area of study. Although students commented that some sections of the competition were challenging, they met it with a positive and open-minded attitude, revelling in the problem solving process.
Well done to all involved!
David Hatswell
Year 8 Update
Has your teenager ever come home and not stopped talking about their day at school? The reality is that they might give you a few small details, a grunt or two and then move on to wondering about dinner. If your student is in Year 8 it might just be because they are so exhausted after a busy and exciting day on and off campus, that they simply don’t have the energy to tell you all about it. In case you haven’t got all the details, we have you covered with a few updates of our subjects below.
Our community service students have been enjoying their time at local kindergartens, day care centers and our very own junior school classrooms. Students are enjoying working towards goals they have set for themselves and building ongoing connections with the kids they are working with.
Things have been getting cellular in science as students learn all about the basic building blocks of all living things. This has also allowed students to fine tune their skills in using microscopes.
Meanwhile, some of our science labs smell a bit fishy! Year 8 Marine studies students are using scientific dissections to explore adaptations of marine invertebrates. By the end of the term, they will have dissected mussels, prawns and crabs and will demonstrate knowledge in the anatomy, structure, and function of these amazing marine creatures. Towards the end of this term, they will begin looking forward to some warmer weather and developing their snorkeling skills.
The LOTE department has been busy this term. In Indonesian students have been working on the unit of “Mau ke Mana?” (meaning, where are we going to?) This is a unit of work that explores language related to travelling. Students are also introduced to various prominent holiday places in Indonesia. Make sure to check out the map of Indonesia that one of our classes created together.
Speaking of travelling, has anyone seen our sport faculty? They have been busy battling it out in fierce games against other schools in Gaelic, Badminton, Basketball, Judo and Table Tennis. Word on the street is that the spirit amongst our badminton team is high, while our Judo squad have been enjoying the excellent tuition from Doug – a professional Judo athlete.
Remember when your toddler wouldn’t stop asking “why?”, well, Year 8 students still have lots of questions, and we want to encourage them to ask these and find their own answers. The Christian Education unit, “big questions” is doing just that, as students are prompted to ponder questions like why we are here, where are we going, is there a God, why is there suffering and what is our purpose? For those wanting to join in at home, try using these as dinner or car trip conversation starters.
Year 8M, R and Y students have begun preparations for the GEOS camp in early Term 4. Alongside their unit on landscape degradation, students have been familiarizing themselves with setting up tents, cooking on trangia stoves and creating menu plans. Next week, students will be beginning to develop their skills and confidence in mountain biking.
After such a big week in their classes, our 6 homerooms all look forward to the weekly homeroom challenges where they battle against their peers for victory. The challenges use a variety of skills and can include anything from bean bag throwing to spelling. The last few weeks have seen 8B rise to champion status, with 8M sitting hot on their tail, but I can feel the remaining homerooms becoming eager for the win.
It is hard to believe we are already halfway through term 3, and that for many of our Year 8 students their attention is being set towards Year 9. It was great to see so many of our Year 8 students and families at the Electives Expo on Monday night and we hope that most students are already developing a list of subjects they wish to elect for 2023. Until then, we will keep the learning opportunities (and fun) coming!
Georgie Brown
Native Trees for Cowies Creek
The grade 5/6 Climate Committee went out to Cowies Creek to learn about how important it is to look after our native habitats. Miranda Laird from the local Landcare group “Friends of Cowies Creek” showed the group an area that is slowly being revegetated with local Indigenous plants. Students helped remove tree guards from an already established planting area to reuse, laid cardboard to help stop the growth of invasive weeds, spread mulch and assisted with digging holes and planting indigenous seedlings.
This was an invaluable experience for these environmentally conscious students. This fun, hands-on activity really solidified the cohesiveness and community spirit of the students and reinforced their environmental learning and the importance of improving native flora biodiversity and enhancing local area’s natural aesthetics.
Edward 6B – The tree planting excursion to Cowies Creek was a fulfilling experience. We got to learn how little plants get planted properly and how invasive plants species really disrupt the ecosystem. I liked dumping and spreading the mulch on the area that we were planting because I like digging and I learnt how fragile the ecosystem is and that we all need to do our part to protect it.
Chet 6G – On Friday 5th of August some kids from Years 5 to 6 went to Cowies Creek and had a helper from Friends of Cowies Creek. We all had a lot of fun and we all planted trees and also took barriers of the trees that were big enough to stand up. We learnt about the endangered species in the area.
Chloe 6G – On Friday I went to Cowies Creek to plant trees. It was a really fun experience! I especially liked when we got to spread mulch down, so we had a good surface to plant the trees. We all got to do something, and we were working together the whole time. We took all the covers off trees that were ready to grow on their own, and then planted about 15 trees. We all got to plant our own tree and help others with theirs.
Rachelle Garrard
Darmawisata ke Konsulat Jenderal Republik Indonesia
(Excursion to the Indonesian Consulate General)
On Monday, 8th of August, students of Year 8 Indonesian spent their day at the Indonesian Consulate in Melbourne to immerse in the language and culture of our nearest neighbour. As students from CCG arrived at the consulate, they were welcomed by the staff representatives and introduced with an interactive quiz-like presentation about Indonesia. The consulate staff expressed how impressed they were at our students’ enthusiasm and knowledge about Indonesia. The students also had the opportunity to meet and greet the current Consul General, Mr. Kuncoro Waseso.
Throughout the day, students were fully immersed in various workshops including Indonesian traditional games known as Congklak, and Bekel; traditional music ensemble known as Gamelan as well as experiencing a traditional dance from North Sumatra, called Tari Tor-Tor. In between their activities, students also tried some Indonesian delicacies and some savory snacks to complement their experience.
This excursion has been designed to give the students an opportunity to use the language that they have been learning beyond their classroom walls. Students in Year 8 are exploring the topic of, “Mau ke mana?” (Where are you going?). This unit unpacks language related to travelling and the diverse Indonesian culture across the archipelago. Following this excursion, students were able to retell their experiences in Indonesian during class time.
Thank you to all parents for their support and cooperation to make these valuable and rich learning experiences happened.
Zacky Zakaria
Nani Thomas
Book Week
As part of our Book Week celebrations, Year 5 and 6 students are invited to dress up as their favourite book/character and participate in a parade that will take place during the wellbeing session on Friday, the 26th August. The theme this year is ‘Dreaming with eyes open’.
Students may to come to school in their costume, however, this is not a casual clothes day. We also ask that students do not use coloured hair spray or face paint. Please contact your child’s teacher should you have any questions.
Jaki Groves
12A Reach Project
Last week, Flossie Chua from Harvard University and Kieren Noonan from ISV made a visit to CCG to see our 12A Reach teachers in action.
For the last three years, selected staff have been piloting a program designed by Flossie with her colleague David Perkins. Over that time, the staff have implemented the 12A Reach cards which focus on being an explorer, investigator and innovator. The teaching staff from Prep to Year 12 have trialled the program and fed back to both Harvard and ISV, what works and what doesn’t work. From this feedback, the cards have been redesigned applying what the teachers have said.
On Friday, Flossie was able to see the cards being used in a variety of ways in Prep, Year 1, Year 9 and Year 12. There was learning about the caring for animals, to designing a new playground and from issues of the world to unpacking of a VCE study design. In each situation the students were encouraged to dig deep into their learning and through the art of conversation really think about possibilities.
Flossie was able to gather firsthand evidence through observation, interviews of students and staff and video recording that will be used to develop this project further. The 12A Reach teachers will be attending a session with Flossie, Kieren and the other pilot school in Melbourne to share their discoveries as well as network with the other teachers.
Angela Tutty
Are you a Creative Scientist or Scientifically Creative?
As part of National Science Week 2022, the CCG science faculty is offering our Years 5 – 12 students an opportunity to enter a CCG Science Photography competition and/or a CCG Science Creative Writing competition.
The theme for this years’ Science Week is Glass: More than meets the eye, so naturally, the theme of each competition is also glass. We’ve got some small prizes and it’s a bit of fun, so put your creative hats on and have a go!
The deadline for both competitions is 5pm Monday 15th August.
We are offering three age categories for the competition.
Junior – Years 5 and 6.
Inter – Years 7 - 9
Open – Years 10 - 12
The selected winning entry in each category will win a science themed book with winner's names and entries to be posted in the Vine newsletter.
Detailed guidelines and entry forms are attached and can also be obtained from your science teacher, or by sending an email to science@ccg.vic.edu.au
Good luck to all entrants, we look forward to reading and viewing your submissions!
CCG Creative writing entry form
CCG Creative writing guidelines
Entertainment Fundraiser
Purpose, Passion and Pathways
The education journey for Senior students in 2023.
With the subject preferences window open for Senior School students between August 15 and 19, I would encourage you as a family to explore our Senior School Hub especially our subject selection pages that contain detailed information regarding each subject on offer from our Year 10 program, through to the VCE, the VCE Vocational Major, Victorian Pathways Certificate, VET and much, much more.
Our senior staff are dedicated to support each student’s journey, please reach out if you have any questions. Contact information can be found on our Hub home page by clicking below.
Senior School Subject and Pathways Information
We look forward to partnering with you and your child in 2023 and beyond.
Important dates:
August 15 – 19: 2023 subject preferences window open
August 19: VET applications close
Antony Benson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Important VET Information for Subject Selection 2023
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) who offer the courses one afternoon a week. Year 10 students study VET as well as VCE Unit 1 Industry and Enterprise over the whole year which includes a week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying the new VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and on the Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA.
VET Course Information, Application Processes and Dates for 2023
- SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
- Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
- Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non Gordon
- APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE.
Non-Gordon Courses (Government and Catholic School Offerings)
Course information and application form can be found on the Senior School Hub. It will also be emailed to all Year 9 students and parents.
A hard copy application form is to be completed and returned to the CCG Senior Campus student office.
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 2nd FOR ALL STUDENTS
Second year students need to complete the application form to reapply for 2023.
Gordon Courses
COURSE INFORMATION AND ONLINE APPLICATION LINKS CAN BE FOUND ON Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA or by visiting https://www.thegordon.edu.au/sitedocs/publications/vet-delivered-to-secondary-students-guide.aspx
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 16 – VCE, VCE VM & VPC STUDENTS only
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 30 – YEAR 10 STUDENTS
Second year students do not need to reapply.
General Information
Early applications are highly recommended to secure a place. Most VET course run over 2 years. VET typically runs on Wednesday afternoons for 1st Year students and Monday afternoons for 2nd year students.
Year 10 VET students’ study VCE Unit 1 Industry & Enterprise for 3 periods a week and attend VET for 2 periods a week. They do a work placement in the first week of the holidays at the end of term 2.
CCG provides transport to VET – students make their own way home. VET courses incur an additional fee that is course dependent. CCG offers a subsidy.
For any queries about VET please contact me at Senior Campus or at k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au
THE GORDON VET STUDENTS
2nd Year Gordon students do not need to reapply. Please notify the student office if you plan to withdraw for 2023.
NON GORDON RTO’s, Belmont High, BSC, MFSC & Covenant College
2nd Year students must reapply, application forms available from the Student Office or on the Senior Hub.
Kerryn Fearnsides
Scholarship Applications for 2024 Entry now Open!
Each year we offer Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5 (Middle School-Highton, Bellarine and Surf Coast campuses); Year 7 (Middle School-Highton and Bellarine); and Year 10 (Senior School-Waurn Ponds).
These scholarships have been designed primarily to encourage and support new and current students who wish to attend Christian College and who demonstrate high levels of academic excellence.
We are now seeking scholarship applications for entry at any of those year levels in 2024.
For more information, and to apply, please see our website. Use the hotlink from our homepage or click here
Applications close on Thursday September 29. The examination date is Saturday October 8.
Come and Sample our Menu!
Next Tuesday evening, Bellarine Campus is opening its doors to anyone interested in this Christian College campus as an option for their young person. This includes students who would enrol at either Junior or Middle levels. The subject selection information and expo evening is an excellent opportunity for families to take a deeper dive into the fantastic learning programs offered by our College. There will be opportunities to meet and speak with campus, year level and subject area leaders who can provide information about the diverse specialty areas of learning that are offered to students at all levels at Bellarine Campus.
We would encourage anyone within our College community who may know friends, neighbours, work colleagues – anyone – who might be considering Christian College Bellarine as an option to spread the word and extend an invitation to any one or more of these sessions.
Mrs Tutty Joins the Teaching Excellence Program
Christian College’s Director of Teaching and Learning – Humanities, Mrs Angela Tutty, is one of 250 teachers statewide to be selected to participate in the elite Teaching Excellence Program (TEP).
This program, created by State Education Minister, James Merlino, is designed to immerse the participants in professional development by having a range of educational experts share their knowledge through varying presentation models. Whether face to face or webinars, they are all interactive presentations.
Mrs Tutty said the presentations empowered her to think about her own teaching practice and hearing from other TEP teachers, has enriched the program for her.
“Always the students and their learning need to come first and I have a really enjoyed being able to implement my new learning in the classroom for more effective learning for the students,” she said.
“The important thing about learning new things is that you need to be motivated to make change. It is vital that I model to my students what a lifelong learner looks like as that is what I want to encourage them to be. Learning is a journey that we never get to the end of.”
Over the year the TEP participants are expected to engage and contribute to:
- 4 conferences
- 16 hours of masterclasses
- 12 hours of Teacher Excellence Learning Communities (TELC) within your teaching discipline
- 17 responsive electives (optional)
- A variety of activities to record and develop the learning
They also complete one individual and one collaborative practitioner inquiry.
“I feel very humbled and honoured to be part of this inaugural year of the program. I look for every opportunity when working with staff at varying levels in the school, to share my new learning,” Mrs Tutty said.
“After our TEP sessions I am able to take back to school, different evidence-based approaches to teaching to improve our student outcomes.”
We congratulate Mrs Tutty on her selection into the TEP and are excited about the benefits it will bring to our teaching and learning programs throughout the College.
East Timor Trivia Night
Golf Tournament
The Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, 27 October 2022. Join us at 13th Beach Golf Links from 8:00am for a shotgun start. Tickets are $190 each ($150 for members) or $750 for a group of four. RSVPs close on Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 5:00pm.
Funds raised from this event will be allocated to our Foundation Scholarship Fund, supporting current students who are in need of financial assistance.
Book online at: The Foundation Golf Tournament
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
Although anger, resentment, jealousy, shame and the feeling of inadequacy can eat you up, they can also be a wise teacher. Without judgement, try to recognise the discomfort early. Stop and breathe. Only when you have regained control can you transform it into an opportunity....to build your resilience 😊
Discover more about MYTERN here
