From the Head of Campus
Who can Take a Sunrise?
Across our Middle School – Highton Campus today, we have finished a brilliant term of learning and building community, with our incredible Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory themed Talent Quest. Students and staff joined us from our Surf Coast, Bellarine and Junior School – Belmont Campuses for this special event, one we haven’t been able to hold in recent years. The range and quality of performances was astounding. From magic tricks to solo singers, rock bands to time lapse drawing, through traditional to contemporary dance routines, we saw it all. A massive congratulations to all performers and a special mention to our day’s winning act, Mehak Kaur of Year 9, who inspired the audience of nearly 1,000, with an energizing, captivating and beautiful traditional Bhangrah dance. I offer a special thanks to all of the staff who worked tirelessly over recent months to facilitate this important event in our community today.
Our day today, and the beautiful sunshine we’ve enjoyed this week, have brought a fitting end to what has been another successful term on campus. Who can take a sunrise? The opening line of that classic song so many of us will remember from our childhoods, The Candy Man, rang out across our SAC today (as the lollies were literally flying through the air). Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew, cover it in chocolate and make a miracle or two? While we certainly aim to temper the amount of sugar we feed to the children, our work here often does feel sweet and miraculous. It remains a privilege to come alongside all of the young people who call Middle School – Highton home, and work with the brilliant team of educators here too.
Of course, popular culture references aside, as we come to the end of Term 3, I give thanks to our Lord God and His son Jesus Christ. We read in Luke Chapter 1: 78-80 ‘because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. And the child grew and became strong in spirit’.
While we will have the chance towards the end of the year to recognise other staff who are departing CCG, I’ll make a special mention now of Mrs Rebecca Barry and Mr Andrew Richardson, who are both finishing with us today. Between them, Rebecca and Andrew have offered more than 40 years of outstanding service to our College. As they now embark on the next chapter of their important careers, they go with our blessings and hope for good things ahead. Please wish them well when you see them.
Adam Kennedy, Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Middle School
Term 4, Week 1
- Tues 3 Oct – First Day of Term 4
- Fri 6 Oct – East Timor 20 Years Celebration Evening
Week 2
- Mon 9 Oct – Fri 13 Oct – Offspring Week – Project Care
- Thurs 12 Oct – Annual Music Evening
- Fri 13 Oct – Medieval Day Year 8BGH
RUOK? Day Week at Highton – ‘Here to Hear’
This week we celebrated together RUOK? Day Weel across our College. The theme this year was ‘Here to Hear’. Our aim this week was to broaden the supports for our community, encourage conversations about mental health, and to help remind us all that we’re here to listen and support each other. The mental health of all members of a school community is a critical component to overall wellbeing and therefore it is vital that we encourage open conversations about it.
Throughout the week our students engaged in a number of activities designed to strengthen belonging, empathy and understanding and to build listening skills. Highlights included a teacher vs student kickball competition, with the students taking out the win by 2 runs, Wellbeing activities and devotions and an RUOK? installation that students signed as a symbol that we all belong in our school community. To round out the week, we enjoyed a Year 5-9 picnic in the beautiful sunshine, where students and staff took the time to chat, connect and check in with each other.
Whilst RUOK? Day holds immense value in encouraging open conversations about mental health, RUOK? Day is just one part of our broader commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Kerrie Dapiran, Deputy Head of Campus
Welcome Kate Hickey!
As part of the College’s ongoing commitment to supporting student wellbeing, I am excited to announce that Kate Hickey has recently joined the team at Middle School – Highton appointed to the role of Student Wellbeing Officer. Kate brings to our community a wealth of experience and knowledge and a deep understanding of the various challenges our young people face in today’s complex landscape. Having spent many years at Headspace, Kate is well positioned to provide support and care to our students and when required, offer short term intervention strategies and referral advice to external support agencies. Kate will also devote time to building the wellbeing capabilities of our students, by taking a proactive approach to the implementation of activities in our wellbeing program such as helping students develop the tools to overcome challenges, build resilience and develop a healthy mind and body. By prioritising student wellbeing, we can collectively foster an environment whereby every young person can flourish.
Kim Doherty, Director of Wellbeing
Year 9 GEOS – What a Great Ocean Walk!
As you walk along the path with your heavy pack containing all your belongings, what do you notice? Can you spot the different flora and fauna as you glance around you? Have you found a rare Black Otway Snail? How is the environment changing? How do you think this place would be affected if infrastructure was built in this natural space? Can you hear the waves crashing out at sea as you spend some time in silence, appreciating where you are. Feel the cool breeze on your face and wait for that bite as you fish in the river. Feel the connection to the environment when you notice its beauty, prompting you to protect it. Is your environmental world view changing as you walk? These are the questions and the feelings that the year 9 GEOS students had the wonderful opportunity to ponder and witness in the beautiful Great Otway National Park.
The students were able to take what they have been learning in the classroom and make connections to their experience in the Great Outdoors. Their understanding of biodiversity, management practices, historical and contemporary uses, environmental world views, and future management issues, became more relevant and meaningful as they got to engage with the area.
Students planned their own delicious and nutritious Trangia menus that posed as a motivator to get through to the end, where they could rest their sore bodies and indulge in a team effort well deserved meal. They crossed beach rivers, streams, climbed steep hills, braved the cold air in tents, and learnt the art of packing a hiking bag. Facing not only physical, but mental challenges along the way. These tough challenges were paired with beautiful scenic cliff faces, time spent with friends without technology, and feelings of success and achievement throughout the trip.
We want to acknowledge and thank the traditional custodians of the land, Gulidjan and Gadubanud peoples for protecting the Otway land before us, we will continue to learn from this and share the responsibility for catering for this place into the future.
Please enjoy some student reflections below:
‘The Geos camp last week was an amazing experience; we encountered many challenges but overall, the experience was well worth it.
The hike consisted of three different days, all of which involved their own challenges. The second day was the furthest in distance covering more than 15km but the views, experiences and the feeling of accomplishment made it all worth it.
My favourite part of the camp was the meals we made, after a full day of hiking a nice warm meal felt well deserved.
Overall the experience was one like no other and I think it helped us all gain a better understanding of the relationship that the Gadubanad People had with the land to be able to maintain it so well.
I’d like to say a thank you to all the teachers and helpers that made it possible.’
Ashton Nelson
‘This camp was such an amazing experience. The views were stunning, and it was so rewarding as well. The hike was challenging, and I didn’t like the hills, but I pushed through and overall had a great time. I love being in the outdoors as you learn things that you can’t learn in the classroom. Along this walk not one part was the same, there were so many different environments we went past. From cliffs along the coast to a canopy of trees in the bush. I hope the National Park leaves things as they are, as it would be sad to see such a beautiful landscape go to waste. Along the walk I didn’t see any introduced species, but I did see the destruction that they cause; there were so many rabbit holes. Altogether this camp was really enjoyable and interesting, and I highly recommend.’
Madeleine Grills
GEOS was honestly one of the best hiking experiences I’ve been on. We travelled three days across the Great Ocean Walk and covered over 24km of track. Although it was tough at times, the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day was incredible, it felt like winning a marathon. On our walk we had heaps of tough weather at the end of the trip including strong winds, heavy rain, and hail. This was probably my favorite part of the walk as it showed me how drastic the Victorian landscape really is. We had a great group on camp, and everyone got along and cooperated with kindness to overcome the tough terrain. Throughout the walk, the environment constantly changed, it started with tall mountain ash trees and ferns, then gradually moved to scrubs and sand along the cliff faces of the ocean. This walk honestly made me in awe of God’s mighty creation. Thank you teachers and students for a great memory!
Ben Schaddee
‘One of the highlights of camp for me was the feeling of community at night when we all sat together and just talked. I also really enjoyed the views that we saw during the hike. We saw heaps of different environments as we were walking, going from bush to coast in just a few minutes. I would like to see some more weed management because as well as the indigenous species, there were also a lot of invasive species. Overall, it was a really rewarding and enjoyable camp experience.’
Eloise Lynch
Lauren Davis
Data Collection, Analysis, Interpretation – Skills for Life
As part of their Mathematics studies across Term 4, Year 9 students took part in a series of Performance Tests to obtain data sets at a class, campus and cohort level. In completing the various activities, students used their results to determine measures of center, visually display information through various graph types, and determine relationships between certain muscle groups and performance results.
The intention for students is to understand how the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data is used to further enhance athletic performance for high level athletes. At the elite level, as well as semi-professional and recreational activity, understanding how data can be used to better improve training and preparation habits is a life skill that students can take away from this experience.
All aspects of these activities – where students collect data via their own performance, make judgements and support opinions with data require skills and thinking that will benefit them in many facets of their future life.
Sam Nichols
Middle School Music Camp 2023
Musicians from Surf Coast, Bellarine and Highton campuses gathered this week at Anglesea to share some amazing musical moments together. Our Concert Bands, String Ensembles and Choirs from the three Middle School campuses worked on all sorts of music, including pieces for our upcoming Annual Music Evening on October 12 at Costa Hall.
Over 120 campers attended along with a mixture of 20 different staff over the three days. Mixing in rehearsals, tutorials, camp activities, trivia and disco nights the days were full. We also enjoyed a full camp choir where all campers had a big sing-a-long together.
Our favourite moments have been mostly centered around the joy we’ve had from connecting across campuses and year levels, building and developing friendships to take us into the future together.
Please enjoy some photos and short videos from our days at the CCG MS Music Camp for 2023.
Sharon Huber
Brighid Mantelli
Qustodio Parents App
Supervise and Support Your Children on Digital Devices this Holiday Break
As we enter the holiday break, your young people may have the opportunity to engage and interact online more than they would during the school term. It can be challenging at times for parents to feel confident and empowered to help their children to be safe and responsible in their online activities, and to have balance between on-screen and off-screen activities.
A reminder to parents that the Qustodio Parent App is available to all our parents to help them supervise and support their children with their online and digital interactions at home, on the school device and on personal devices.
Parents of new students to the College this term have recently received an email invitation to activate their Qustodio parent account, but any parents in our community who have not yet done so can activate their account at any time if they wish. This help document will guide you in getting started.
In addition, these short video guides will help you:
Creating a Qustodio parent account to connect to a child’s school account
How to invite an additional parent/carer to join your Qustodio family account
How parents can get help with Qustodio
Getting started with your Qustodio parent account
I wish all students and families an enjoyable experience over these next couple of weeks, and hope that the Qustodio Parent App can act as a helpful tool for our parents.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
College Production 2024 – Update
As published in The Vine at the end of Term 3, the College will be staging Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version) at the Geelong Arts Centre from May 2 – 4, 2004.
Audition Registration
All students from Years 5 – 11 (in 2023) across the College will receive an email early next week, with information and a link to an online registration form. Auditions will commence across the College on designated days from Sunday October 22. To register for an audition, students must complete the online form on/by Friday October 13.
There will be an information session held at each campus for students to have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the show. These will be held at:
Highton MS Campus Chapel Monday October 9 12.40
Senior Campus Music Department Tuesday October 10 1.20pm
Bellarine Campus Auditorium Tuesday October 10 at Lunchtime
Surf Coast Campus – Ms Notini will visit the Year 5 classroom next week.
Rehearsal Schedule
All rehearsals will take place at the RW Gibson Centre – Senior Campus with regular weekly rehearsals during Term 1 on Thursdays, 4.00 – 6.30pm and Sundays, 2.30 – 5.00pm. There will also be nominated full days and extended rehearsals, with more detailed information included in the email to be sent to students next week.
To be allocated a part, successful auditionees must be available for the full rehearsal period. We aim to cast approx. 70 students, with over 200 expected to audition. We request families to please consider the implications of their child’s involvement and that a total commitment to the show is required prior to auditioning/accepting a place in the cast. Please do not audition if you are unable to commit to the full rehearsal period.
There will also be opportunities for students to be involved in the production orchestra and a range of backstage tasks. More information about these opportunities will be shared with students as the project progresses.
There will be a large group of staff and visiting tutors working with the students throughout the staging of the production. The initial production staff includes Kelly Clifford – Director, Taylah Broad - Assistant Director, Fiona Gardner - Musical Director, Kate Notini - Vocal Director, Andrew Dunlop, Victoria Kent, Sharon Huber, and Brian Alexander. Students with specific questions are invited to approach the teachers at their campus.
We are looking forward to meeting students from across the campuses at auditions, casting and staging this production for our community.
Fiona Gardner, Musical Director on behalf of the creative team
The Christian College Sport Hall of Honour
We are proud to announce a new initiative, which will become an important tradition in the life of our College – the Sport Hall of Honour – to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our past students who have reached national or international status in their chosen sports.
On October 5, we welcome our inaugural inductees to the Sport Hall of Honour – ex-students, Gary Ablett Jr and Tegan Philip. Both are universally recognised as champions at the highest level in their respective sports – AFL football and netball.
You are invited to join us for this gala dinner event at Mt Duneed Estate. On the night, we will also honour a cohort of current students as ‘Rising Eagles’ for their outstanding achievements in their chosen sports, putting them on a pathway to perhaps achieve the type of success required to enter our Sport Hall of Honour in future years.
The night also presents the perfect opportunity to award, for the first time ever, the ‘Gary Ablett Jr’ and ‘Tegan Philip’ medals to the students named as MVP of our Senior Male Football team and Senior Female Netball team from this year’s GISSA Championships.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the October 5 event, please visit our website.
The Hall of Honour will be a permanent display within our school, displaying the names, images and achievements of our extraordinary sports stars. This will not only inspire our current students but also serve as a testament to the values and dedication instilled within them during their time at Christian College.
We encourage our College community to join us in celebrating those who have pursued their gifts and passions to an extraordinary level of success. While one of the criteria for induction to the Sport Hall of Honour is that individuals have retired from their sport professionally or at the very highest level, if you are aware of any past students who have achieved, or are achieving, national or international recognition in sport, please reach out to our Sports Administrator Matthew Murnane m.murnane@ccg.vic.edu.au with any relevant information.
Daryl Riddle OAM, CEO of Christian College
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 f.provan@ccg.vic.edu.au
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
