CCG Sport Hall of Honour
On Thursday, October 5, our College community celebrated a very special event, the opening of the Christian College Geelong Sport Hall of Honour. Families, past and present students, staff and other friends of the College gathered last night for a gala dinner and celebration of the outstanding achievements of current students who have reached national or international status across a wide range of sports. Twelve of these students received our ‘Rising Eagle’ awards, being recognised for their skill, application and teamwork in their chosen sport.
Furthermore, in 2023, the recipient of the Tegan Philip Medal is Abbey O’Hanlon, ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the 2023 Senior Female Netball team, and the recipient of the Gary Ablett Jr Medal is Spencer Jones, ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the 2023 Senior Male AFL team. The recipient of the Top Flight Eagles Award is the 2023 Senior Male AFL team.
A huge congratulations goes to all of these students, and this is to be accompanied by a heartfelt thanks to the teams behind the stars, the parents, guardians, coaches and other inspiring people who have enabled these wonderful opportunities for our talented young people.
In addition, a particular highlight of the event was the induction of the first members of our CCG Sport Hall of Honour, Mrs Tegan Philip and Mr Gary Ablett Jr.
A student at Christian College Geelong from 2001 to 2006, Tegan Philip (nee Caldwell) enjoyed a highly successful and decorated career as a professional netballer. Starting at the Bellarine Netball Association, and rising to State League level, Tegan first earned a spot representing Victoria in 2008. The next year, she was named in the gold medal winning Australian Under 21 squad for the World Championships. Joining the Melbourne Vixens in 2010, she quickly made a name for herself as Rookie of the Year and ended her career as a one-club player in 2020. During this time, she amassed 131 appearances and scored 2,729 goals. Both Vixen records at the time. Notable highlights include winning premierships in 2014 (as ‘Grand Final Player of the Match’) and 2020. She also served as Vixens’ Vice Captain from 2017 to 2020, while being named ‘Best Goal Attack’ in the National League in 2017.
Tegan’s achievements extended to the Australian Diamonds Netball Team, securing a gold medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as well as contributing to their success during the 2017-2019 international seasons including a Constellation Cup victory.
A student at Christian College Geelong from 1990 to 2000, Gary Ablett Jr is celebrated as one of the most decorated players in Australian Rules Football history. He first played football with a Christian College team, then for local club Modewarre. Gary went on to play 357 games in the AFL for the Geelong Cats (247) and the Gold Coast Suns (110) and kicked 445 goals after being drafted out of the Geelong Falcons in the 2001 National Draft under the League’s father-son rule. His list of individual accolades includes winning the Brownlow Medal in 2009 and 2013, the AFL Players Association ‘Leigh Matthews Trophy’ five times, the AFL Coaches Association ‘Player of the Year’ Award three times, Geelong FC Best and Fairest Award twice, Gold Coast FC Best and Fairest Award four times and earning ‘All Australian Team’ honours in eight seasons. Gary, nicknamed the ‘Little Master’, also won two premierships with Geelong in 2007 and 2009, and served as Captain of the Gold Coast Suns between 2011 and 2016.
I am grateful to all across our community who have contributed to this initiative, and to last night’s event. I would especially like to thank our former Head of Sport, Mr Andrew Richardson, our Acting Head of Sport, Mr Matt Murnane, our Events Coordinator Fiona Provan, the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Mr Wes Cusworth, and our inductees, Tegan and Gary, both of whom were exceptionally generous with their time, and the spirit with which they continue to share of themselves with our CCG family. Thank you.
The Sport Hall of Honour will now serve as a permanent feature within our school, displaying the names, photographs, 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.
Of note, this was only a first step towards a wider recognition of past CCG students who have achieved elite-level accomplishments in other, non-Sport fields, and our current students who appear well on the way to doing the same. Stay tuned for further information over the coming months and years, as this important part of our College grows.
Daryl Riddle OAM, CEO Christian College
From the Head of Campus
After recommencing as a campus community on Tuesday, we’ve already reached the end of our first week. How quickly the time flies! It has been an enormously successful week here at Middle School – Highton with classes underway, and preparations being finalised for some big events coming up soon, including excursions, incursions, festivals, camps and end-of-year celebrations.
A highlight of this week was our Commencement Assembly on Tuesday morning. It is not often that we all come together as a full campus community, but when we do it is always a powerful experience. This week we heard beautiful music from our students and of the achievements of those excelling in their fields. We also heard encouraging messages from our Acting Principal Mr Rick Geall, our School Captains Brianna Anderson and William Wray, and School Vice-Captains Emily Goudge and Jack Rivas. We reflected again on our campus theme With Spirit and students were reminded of the opportunity to apply themselves fully to all parts of school life. It remains a privilege to be able to share biblical scripture and other encouragement amongst our cohort of students and the staff team, and I am very grateful for wonderful contributors to our assembly. It has set us up for a dynamic, energised and spirited final term of the year.
There continues to be so much to be grateful for across our campus and the wider College. As I reflect on the work of the staff team that look after the students each school day, I am constantly amazed. It is a precious thing to be part of a supportive team, one where each of us can truly be expressive of our individual selves, while working alongside others towards a shared goal. Here at CCG, that goal remains the same today as it has always been. It is addressed in our philosophical statement, enacted through our College values and is a living, breathing goal – to develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional capacity of students as part of their total character, and for them to know that they belong, and that they are loved by God. I believe this remains a very worthy goal!
I look forward to seeing you across the grounds of our campus, or at another special event soon.
A friendly reminder for parents and guardians to please support your young person to attend school every day with their CCG wide-brimmed hat, clearly named. We will be outside a lot this term and will continue to prioritise sun smart actions as the weather warms up!
Adam Kennedy, Head of Campus
What’s Happening at Middle School
Week 2
- Mon 9 Oct – Fri 13 Oct – Offspring Week – Project Care
- Mon 9 Oct – Brass Performance Morning – MCM Brass
- Thurs 12 Oct – Annual Music Evening
- Fri 13 Oct – Medieval Day Year 8BGH
Week 3
- Mon 16 Oct – Thurs 19 Oct – Year 8 GEOS Camp
- Mon 16 Oct – Year 4/5 Transition Morning
- Wed 18 Oct – Year 7 & 8 GISSA sporting fixtures
An Encouragement From our Highton School Captains
One of the things that is essential for us to finish well as a campus is having a strong sense of community.
A definition of the word community is a unified body of individuals. Community is about coming together and being united even though each person is different.
Having a strong sense of community throughout Middle School – Highton will give us the opportunity to finish the 2023 school year strong. Towards the end of the term, students may become stressed with assessment but having this sense of community will help to motivate you, and it will help us have an excellent finish to this amazing year.
Magic Johnson, former professional basketball player, stated “Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates”. This talks about how we need to have each other’s backs throughout this term. We need to be encouraging and helpful towards our peers. This quote tells us how collaboration and selflessness help us come together and unite as a community.
Brianna Anderson
Heading into the final term of the year, I was encouraged to remind our community of how important it is to carry ourselves as someone to look up to. No matter how old we are, Year 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s or 9s we need to lead each other to be better.
Having followed the AFL season closely this year, I began to develop a greater appreciation for the role that the captain of the team has. Across the AFL, every team has a captain and I would argue that they all do a great job. Darcy Moore, Collingwood captain, led his team to the premiership this season. Yes, his job is to play well but his job is also to lead that team of players to be better. To lead them to go harder, lead them to do their best. He isn’t there to pick on the player that isn’t doing as well as they should, he pulls them up and leads them to push on. I am an Adelaide Crows fan and my favourite player is Jordan Dawson. Many of you reading this probably have no idea who that is. He is a super quiet dude, but when he steps onto the field he leads by example, he throws everything he has got at the game.
I encourage all of us students to be like that too. Maybe you aren’t someone who is out there and extroverted, or maybe you are, but we can still lead each other. Maybe you’re going to lead by striving to do better in your education. Maybe you’re going to lead by being kind to one another. Maybe you’re going to lead by respecting your teachers, maybe you’re going to lead by respecting yourself. I don’t know what it is you want to take a lead in but do it. Put yourself out there and lead. Start setting an example to others.
Jesus is the ultimate leader. At Christian College we are taught to lead like Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God, the God that created everything yet when he came down to this earth he did not come to be served, but he came to serve. We ought to serve one another just as Jesus did, we ought to love one another just as Jesus loves us, we need to care for each other just as Jesus cares for us. We need to lead each other Just as Jesus has led us.
Brianna and I hope term 4 is enjoyable and that we can finish strongly together as a community.
William Wray
Talent Quest Triumph: Indonesian Dance Grabs Fan Favorite Title
The atmosphere was electric as six Indonesian dancers, adorned in gleaming traditional attire, took the stage to showcase the beauty of Indonesian traditional dance. Among these talented performers were students from Year 7: Hser July Htoo, Hseerjuly Say Htoo, Eliana Wheate, Aliyah Vrymoet-Bassie, Tahlia Candy, Law Mu Thaw Esther Kler Tha, and Year 5 student Seyara Mataraarachchi. Together, they mesmerised the audience with a captivating rendition of the traditional Indonesian dance from Aceh known as “Ratoeh Jaroe.” This dance is celebrated for its harmonious choreography, consisting of precisely 33 intricate movements.
These dedicated students had been diligently practising and preparing for their performance at the annual talent competition organised by CCG, aptly named “Talent Quest” on the last week of term 3. Their Indonesian performance stood out and claimed the prestigious Fan Favorite Award, a well-deserved recognition for their outstanding efforts.
Congratulations are in order for the talented performers. Their exceptional display of Indonesian culture and dance left an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience and made them true stars of the Talent Quest stage.
The video of their mesmerising performance can be seen at the following link:
Zacky Zakaria
Offspring Week Brings a Taste of India and Compassion to Our School
Next week marks the highly anticipated Offspring Week (O-Week), where we come together as a school community to raise funds for another good cause. O-week promises a range of exciting events and activities that will not only raise money but also spread awareness about the important work of Offspring in India and the issue of human trafficking.
Monday: A Lesson in Compassion
On Monday, all students will kick off Offspring Week with age-appropriate devotions that sheds light on Offspring’s vital work in India and the heartbreaking reality of human trafficking. We believe that understanding the cause we’re supporting is essential, and these sessions will provide valuable insights.
Following the devotions, our Year 5 and 6 students will have the special opportunity to enjoy a lunchtime screening of the beloved classic, “The Jungle Book,” in the chapel. It’s a chance to learn about India’s culture and have some fun.
Tuesday: Tantalising Indian Snacks
To infuse a taste of India into our school, Tuesday will feature an Indian snack sale. Our talented Year 9 and Year 7 students from Food Studies classes will be hard at work crafting delicious vegetarian Indian snacks, each available for just $2. For those with dietary restrictions, worry not—there will be a limited supply of gluten-free samosas available.
Throughout the Week:
Students will be involved in various activities that promise to be both engaging and rewarding, including creating and flying kites (a popular hobby of children in India) that will convey messages of hope. The week’s highlight will undoubtedly be the Staff v Student cricket game, taking place during lunchtime on Friday. It’s sure to be a spirited match, so don’t miss it!
Friday: Casual Dress and a Splash of Colours
On Friday, students are encouraged to participate in Casual Dress Day by bringing a gold coin donation. This is a fantastic opportunity to show our support for Offspring. In addition, if possible, we encourage everyone to wear colours inspired by the Indian flag—green, orange, and white—to add a vibrant touch to the day.
We would like to express our gratitude to all students, families, and staff at our school for their incredible support of these events. The Project Care Representatives and the entire school community are excited to bring a touch of Indian spice to our week of activities. Together, we can make a difference and contribute to the meaningful work of Offspring in India.
Victoria Corkin
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
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!
