From the Head of Campus
Welcome back for Term 4
Can you believe it? No sooner has the term begun afresh, than we have reached the end of our first week back together again. After our staff prepared on Monday, which included our own further education about First Nations people in Australia and reconciliation across our communities, it was a pleasure to see the students return on Tuesday. Our Commencement Service helped set the tone for a positive, productive and respectful term ahead, before the first core and elective classes commenced.
There is no end of exciting learning opportunities just around the corner at Middle School – Highton, with key events and peak experiences planned for the coming weeks. Next week, our Year 6 students will be heading away on camp, with a return to Mill Valley Ranch. Week 3 brings our Year 8 Geography, Environmental and Outdoor Studies camp to Anglesea and the Otway Ranges, before our Year 5s head to Sovereign Hill for their own camp, in Week 4. Interschool Sport will recommence next week, and excursions are planned for our Drama, Japanese and Writers’ Workshop students over the coming weeks. Elective classes are underway, and provide an opportunity for students to branch out into areas of specific interest. Our Music students have been busily preparing for our Annual Music Evening next Thursday and our Year 5 teachers will be visiting Junior School – Belmont on Monday, helping to prepare next year’s Year 5 students make the big move up to Middle School. Orientation Day is also just around the corner (more information to follow shortly) and so our thoughts have also begun moving towards 2023. As mentioned in my previous email, it is going to be a big and beautiful term!
I have attached just one image to my article today, one that was sent to me this afternoon, and one that captures the essence of that which we are trying to facilitate here across our campus. This image portrays a number of our students at lunchtime today, students from across three different year levels who have all chosen to play a game together. In this post-lockdown time, on a campus of children and adolescents, when challenges brought on by social media, disconnection, anxiety and disinterest often sit ‘front and centre’ in their hearts and minds, there is something comforting in just simply seeing kids playing together, encouraging, having fun and feeling safe. My hope is that each and every one of our students have moments that bring on such positive feelings, every day of their school year. My staff are certainly always working diligently to provide an environment for such experiences to grow, and for the students to flourish, as they move through their years experiencing a Christian College education overflowing with the learning that matters.
Enjoy your weekend!
Adam Kennedy, Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Middle School
Week 2
- Mon, 10 Oct – Wed, 12 Oct – Year 6 Camp (Mill Valley Ranch)
- Wed, 12 Oct – Year 9 Japanese Excursion
- Thurs, 13 Oct – Christian College Geelong Annual Music Evening
- Fri, 14 Oct – Geelong Show Day Holiday
Week 3
- Mon, 17 Oct – Year 4 to Middle School Highton – Transition Tour
- Mon, 17 Oct – Guest Speaker on Indigenous Culture and perspectives: Scott Darlow
- Tues, 18 Oct – Fri, 21 Oct – Year 8 GEOS Camp
Cultural Competency Training
One of the compulsory components of the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan is that staff need to take part in a cultural competency session. Christian College teachers were fortunate to have Shelley Ware, a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman, to present to us on the first day of Term 4. Shelley is a prominent media presenter, who hosts a variety of different shows. She a passionate educator that shares what is closest to her heart such as First Nations issues, females in sport, childhood education and her own journey. She believes that it is important to empower staff to be culturally aware so they can embed First Nation culture into their classrooms.
From the beginning of her presentation, Shelley grounded the staff with a connection to people and place, both prominent features of the Indigenous way of life. She highlighted the historical reality of not just her people but also gave us a personal perspective of the impact to her own family such as her grandfather having to carry an identity card. Shelley’s message was clear that this history is Australian history so it is everyone’s history. We all need to learn from it, respect the culture of others and find the beauty. By continuing to learn about our First Nations peoples and their ways of learning and living, we are on the right path to walk the journey of reconciliation together. The second session of the day saw staff from different faculties working in mixed groups. They worked with facilitators to process the learning from the morning but also to share their thoughts about the direction the school needs to take as we begin to write our Reconciliation Action Plan. It was a wonderful day being able to hear the voices of both Shelley and our staff. Next, we will work with the students to hear their voices. On behalf of the RAP Working Party
Ange Tutty
Year 9 Prefect Voice – Middle School Uniform
We would like to put a reminder about uniform out there for all Christian College Middle School students. Your school uniform is something that you should wear with pride. Wearing your uniform correctly symbolises that you are proud to be part of the Christian College community. To wear your uniform with pride is to respect it; keep it neat and clean. Like wearing a sport singlet for a sporting club, wearing your school uniform shows that you are part of a community. Wearing uniform correctly in the general public shows that you are part of the Christian College community and are proud to be. The way that we wear the school uniform really shows how much respect we have for this school and by wearing it correctly, others around you will do so too.
We wear uniform to show that we’re one group. It’s what shows that we are all part of the one community.
A few reminders; Blazers are to be worn to and from school. Hair for both girls and boys has to be tied up if longer than collar length. Minimal makeup may only be worn, and earrings have to be studs, with no more than 2 in the lobe. No necklaces, bracelets or rings are to be worn unless they are a cross or watch. Sport uniform is for sport days only, not all electives allow you to wear sport uniform and your teachers know which ones they are, so if unsure please ask them.
We all understand that sometimes we don’t always want to wear our uniform correctly, but when we are a part of a community, this is something that we are required to do, and it something that we, or our parents agreed to do when we chose Christian College. If you are unable to wear the uniform correctly, get your parents to write a note, or send an email to your homeroom teacher, year level coordinator or the Student Office. We appreciate all those who are wearing the uniform correctly and thank you for showing so much respect for the school community.
Meg Conheady and Alexis Meara – Year 9 Prefects
Year 5 Term 4
As students settle back into the routines of school after a well-deserved break, our focus is on our upcoming camp to Sovereign Hill. We have started our studies on ‘Capturing our History’ and the students are engaged and excited to immerse themselves in this unit of work. Such a wonderful experience to be able to spend three days at Sovereign Hill in an authentic setting learning about our history. We are all looking forward to sharing this experience with your young person.
In English students have been sharing stories about their holidays and hopes and dreams for Term 4. All students have had the opportunity to spend time in the library this week choosing new novels to enjoy during independent reading sessions in class.
Maths sessions have been centred around numbers and patterns with many enjoying the emoji maths and sudoku games. It is fantastic to see so many students engaged with their learning and striving to improve in all areas.
We are all looking forward to sharing more updates with you throughout the term.
Natasha Troop
Year 7 Humanities: Videos for Change – Update
At the end of Term 3, we shared information about student learning as a part of the Humanities component of the Year 7 ‘Words Shape Worlds’ unit. This saw your young ones given the opportunity to inspire empathy, awareness and action on important social issues through creating entries for global platform Videos for Change.
Students were able to work either individually, or in small groups, and needed to follow specific criteria regarding effective communication, emotional impact, creativity and the inclusion of a call to action.
All approved videos gained automatic entry into the 2022 Videos for Change competition, whilst 12 submissions from across the Bellarine and Highton campuses were chosen by their teachers as finalists in our very own CCG competition.
Over the break, you had the chance to vote for a CCG People’s Choice award winner. Whilst we aren’t quite ready yet to announce our winners just yet, we have updated our website to now showcase all 94 approved videos from across the Bellarine and Highton Year 7 cohort!
These have been separated into Bellarine Entries, Highton Entries, our CCG People’s Choice Finalists AND the CCG videos in the Videos for Change Australian Top 20 – as 8 have amazingly made it to this stage in the Junior division (Years 7-9) – congratulations!!!
https://christiancollegegeelong.videosforchange.org/showcase/ccg-showcase-finalists-and-winners
So, as well as updating you with the names of our winners in the coming weeks, we will also share any updates we have on student progression through the national Videos for Change competition.
The Year 7 Humanities Team
CCG Riders Excel in National Championships
Three riders from the Christian College Equestrian team qualified earlier this year to represent Victoria at the 2022 Marcus Oldham Australian Interschool Championships in Sydney. This event sees over 500 of Australia’s best riders, aged 5-18 years old, battle it out in their chosen disciplines.
CCG team captain, Jorja Kirsopp-Cole (Year 12) and her horse Rhatigan, completed three rounds of 110cm show jumping and finished 4th overall.
Liberty Armitage (Year 11) and her horse Galactic Storm competed in the combined training which comprises of both dressage and show jumping. Liberty finished reserve champion overall.
Erin Bowers (Year 7) and Argyl Star Quality competed in the secondary show horse section and, as the youngest competitor out there against students up to 18 years old, still managed to be awarded 5th place overall.
All three girls represented themselves, Christian College and Victoria so well. To be able to compete at such a high level takes dedication, persistence and sacrifice over a long period of time, and for all of them to be awarded top 6 in Australia is a credit to them and their parents who help them to get to this level.
Christian College is very proud of you all!
Term 4 2022 COVID-19 Update Procedures and Protocols
Introduction
Christian College is committed to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, students and College community.
The following revisions to the COVID-19 procedures and protocols align with the Victorian Government’s announcement of the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders. The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health and the Department of Education for Victorian schools now apply.
If you require greater detail, please access additional information via the DHHS or Victorian State Government Education and Training websites or speak with your campus leadership team.
COVIDSafe Measures for Schools
- No student, staff member, parent, or visitor, should come on to College sites if they are unwell or have any Flu-like symptoms.
- Practise good hand hygiene, utilising the sanitisers supplied
- Utilising outdoor spaces and increasing cross-ventilation indoors where possible
- It is recommended that a person who is symptomatic, displaying cold or Flu like symptoms should undergo a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or PCR Test.
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
Rapid Antigen Testing
Free RATs will be made available for use by all students and staff through Term 4. It is recommended that RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
Reporting and Managing Positive Results
If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, it is recommended the result be reported to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report or via the telephone hotline on 1800 675 398.
Parents/Guardians must report a positive COVID-19 test result of a student directly to the student office at the relevant campus. Staff must notify their relevant College leader.
The College community will no longer be notified of a positive COVID-19 case associated with the school.
It is recommended that any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 isolates for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test will continue to be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
Face Masks in Schools
Current advice from the Victorian government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks: It states:
“Face masks can stop or slow viruses spreading in the air when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh. Face masks lower your chance of catching and spreading an airborne virus. That’s why wearing a high-quality and well-fitted face mask can help protect you and those around you from COVID-19.”
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
- It is recommended that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.
- It is recommended that that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
- Whilst traveling on Christian College buses, it is recommended students wear a face mask due to physical distancing not being possible.
Student Wellbeing and Digital Safeguarding: A Reminder to Parents
A reminder to parents that we will be implementing some new strategies this term to better support students and families in the digital space, particularly on College laptops, both at school and at home. Specific information about these changes was shared as part of our Wellbeing Evenings last term.
Parents who were unable to attend either of these two evenings can review a summary of key information and are also encouraged to view a recording of the evening. The summary and recording were made available via a document emailed to all parents in the final week of Term 3 by College Principal, Glen McKeeman.
All parents are encouraged to ensure they are informed and aware of these new strategies so that they can be prepared and supportive as they are implemented. Parents also still can ask questions and provide feedback via the online form link provided in the above document.
New Qustodio Parent App – Coming Soon
We know that many parents are awaiting more information on getting started with the Qustodio parent app, which we planned to provide to parents this week.
We want to ensure the experience for parents of getting started and beginning to use this tool is as pleasant and straight-forward as possible. We are delaying just a little to ensure we are truly ready. Stay tuned for more details very soon.
Christian College Canteen Manager – we are Hiring!
We seek the services of a Canteen Manager from 2023 to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school canteens at Junior School – Belmont, Middle School – Highton and Senior School – Waurn Ponds, including the supervision and rosters for relevant staff and volunteers. The role is full-time and ongoing, and also involves some catering for special events.
If you have a passion for food quality and customer sevice, a warm and friend personality, if you love working as part of a great team, have exceptional organisation and communication skills and are able to manage challenging circumstances in a calm, professional and compassionate manner – this could the job for you!
Full details, including a Position Description and how to apply can be found in the Employment section of our website.
For Families Relocating or Withdrawing Students
A reminder that if your family is relocating and/or you are planning to withdraw your child from Christian College, a full term’s notice, in writing, is required. Please contact your student’s Campus.
Jonathan Ryan, Operations Manager
Canteen not Open on Last day of Term
Please note that on the last day of Term 4, Friday December 9, the canteen will not be open.
Thank you to all volunteers for your fantastic help during the course of this term, and throughout 2022.
Recycling Uniform Items
As part of the transition to our new College wardrobe it was important that we consider the environmental impact of clothing items no longer required. Whilst it is still possible for students to wear items from the traditional uniform, when items are no longer able to be worn, they can be recycled.
Any such items can be dropped off and placed in recycling bins at each campus. We are working with our wardrobe manufacturer to ensure that these can be recycled as part of the introduction of our new wardrobe over the next 18 months.
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
What habit can you adopt or change today that will positively add to your journey?
Travelling down the same roads every day may not lead you to your desired destination 😊
Discover more about MYTERN here.
