House Culture
There have been many great House events occurring this term of which families would be aware. Our Athletics Carnival held at Landy Field in Week 3 of term, where the Burrows Bears came out of hibernation to show their Track and Field prowess. Our Swimming Carnival last week, where the Flynn Falcons swooped in to grasp both the Synchro and Overall shields with their mighty talons. And the House Cooking Carnival this week, where the Taylor Tigers pounced on this year’s trophy, stealing it away from the other Houses (you can read more about this event in the article below). And whilst these community events have been a fantastic way for students to find a sense of belonging and connection with their peers from across Year Levels at Senior School, this sense of community and connectedness is being developed each morning through our House system.
Our Senior School students begin each morning together with either their House Mentor in House Group or as a whole-House community. These community events rotate between House Assemblies, where staff and students celebrate all the things that are happening within the life of the House and acknowledge students who are making great contributions to our community; and House Challenges, where House Groups compete against each other in fun and friendly activities such as egg and spoon races, tunnel ball, quizzes, and other events that get them moving, laughing and interacting with each other.
Our House Group times, led by House Mentors, are focused on ensuring each student feels supported and connected at Senior School. Our students journey with their year level peers for three years in these groups and we hope they become a strong support network for each other, along with their House Mentor. So far this term, students have been considering challenges, opportunities and personal strengths through our Wednesday personal development sessions. Alongside these weekly sessions, House Mentors and students have delved into topics such as privilege and equality in the context of International Women’s Day; considering how to protect themselves and their friends online in the context of Safer Internet Day; and considering ways to bring more kindness and happiness to our campus in the context of International Day of Happiness (including making happy-face biscuits in some House Groups to share with others!). Beyond these structured sessions that all House Groups are involved in, House Mentors are creating opportunities each week to help their students build relationships with one another and endeavouring to ensure that students are beginning every morning at school with positive connections and experiences. This is sometimes achieved through morning walks, through playing games together, and all sorts of getting-to-know-you activities.
Our House Group time is far more than just an opportunity to mark the roll, deliver announcements and check uniform. It is our first moment of connection with students each morning; our clearest opportunity to assist students to reflect and grow as people; our primary opportunity for encouraging students to explore faith; and our main avenue for supporting student wellbeing. We really value our House system for what it provides our students in regards to supporting their wellbeing and development. This happens through the big events that our students have the opportunity to participate in, and it happens, especially, in the little moments that occur each morning between students and their House Mentor.
Damian Stephenson, Acting Head of Campus
House Cooking 2023
On Thursday 23 March we celebrated our annual House Cooking competition, and we must say it was a thrilling contest with nail biting results. The House cooking squads had been busy planning for this day weeks prior, the teams considered and planed the budgeting of recipes, perfecting their recipes at home, decorating their marquee to represent their selected party theme and so much more. Chefs competed in a cooking relay style event, a massive achievement and testimony to the 73 students contributing in some form to produce the food product. Several delicious party foods were produced by the teams including, chicken rice paper rolls, garlic and honey soy chicken kebabs, scones, caramel cups, vegetable sausage rolls, beef burger sliders, spring rolls, Greek meatballs and bruschetta, just to name a few.
- Penman House created a Summer Picnic themed celebration, led by Head Chef Imogen Oliver and her two front of house staff Masie Ryan and Siann Camilleri.
- Burrows House created a fancy children’s party, led by Head Chef Aspen Whitaker and their two front of house staff Molly Cooper and Abigail Buckner.
- Flynn House created a multicultural themed celebration. This team was led by Head Chef Riley Stone and his two front of house staff Supreet Kaur and Djinda Moore.
- Taylor House created a Mediterranean experience by replicating a culinary cruise through the Mediterranean. This team is led by Head Chef Georgia Odd and her two front of house staff Seth Wilkinson and Patrick Aquilina.
Damian Stephenson was the event Master of Ceremonies, who did an excellent job in bringing the event together, ever so smoothly. Arjen Fernee, Jett Parkinson, Chester Shanks, Henry Spry all coordinated the set up and fully operated a PA system. Jack Anderson, Jordan Boode, Lachlan Diamond, Abigail French, Alexander Crawford, Jack Daley, Angus Fuller, Harper Migios and Jordan Sollars performed in the rock band, creating a fabulous carnival atmosphere.
We welcomed Surf Coast students from both year 4 and year 5 together with their teachers Claire Deretic and Geoff Trevaskis. We also welcomed several special community guests that were invited by our Senior Students to help celebrate this special occasion, inclusive of parents, industry employers, grandparents, friends, and extended family members.
The event was formally judged by Chef Nova and Chef Mona from Nova Balinese Kitchen in Newtown Geelong. And two of our own staff who have had extensive industry experience Ingrid Staggard and Alexandra Souflas. A big thank you to Karen Smits for shopping for all the ingredients and her outstanding support in the kitchen the entire day. Thank you to Brian Alexander for his excellent work in developing intime footage of this experience. We also like to acknowledge the support of The Sidewalk Mexican Cantina and delicious Timboon Ice Cream food trucks who also contributed to the carnival atmosphere.
The results truly reflected the fierce competition and the hard work between all House groups, only a few points between all results. Penman coming in third, Burrow and Flynn equal silver medallist. Congratulations to Georgia Odd and her Taylor team achieving first place.
Again, a big congratulations to all involved, well done teams!
Emma Workman
Sally Gray
Annemarie Platt
Harmony Day in the Library
This week in the library we acknowledged Harmony Day. It is celebrated each year and is about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians who are all united by a set of core Australian values, regardless of their cultural or linguistic background.
We reflected on the importance of respecting each other and our differences. ‘Everyone belongs’, is the motto for Harmony Day. Those words remind us to appreciate everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Harmony Day was first held in Australia in 1999. Australians were encouraged to wear orange on Harmony Day. By wearing orange, people showed their support for all cultures that make up Australia. Orange is a warm and inviting colour, it motivates people to think. It represents enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, determination, success and encouragement.
Building on this beautiful colour, it is no surprise that our orange reading area and our orange bean bags are well sought after during recess and lunchtimes.
This week we wanted to spread the message of ‘everyone belongs’. We invited students to mix and mingle with different friendship groups and get to know each other while playing board games, jigsaws and even a game of chess.
The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day, not just during Harmony Week.
Let’s celebrate the amazing cultures that make up our country. …and our school.
Labrini Soldatos, Teacher Librarian
A Visit to Feed Me Geelong
The Our World Local Community class were so fortunate to visit Feed Me Geelong this week. The students were busy helping sort and package rescued food to send to those who really need it, along with stocking the shelves of the market ready for the customers!
It was wonderful working alongside the volunteers and taking time to hear stories and learn more about this amazing organisation and the need for it in our community.
The market was open for a special time from 4 – 7pm on the day we visited and was open to anyone to come and shop. The idea was “take what you need and pay what you can” – a philosophy supporting those who require the service, and those that can afford to leave a donation which helps to keep this organisation open and operational for all!
For other opening times and more information click here.
Jane Smith
Busy Biologists in Year 12
Year 12 Biology have just completed their first SAC this week and then spent the last few weeks looking at different ways to manipulate DNA. This has included DNA profiling, manipulating bacteria and discussing the use of CRISPR in the real world. (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)
In the lab, students used their knowledge of DNA manipulation to transform bacteria so that it will glow under black light. This involved them using a recombinant plasmid to carry the pglo gene from a jelly fish into the bacteria for it to be expressed.
Monday morning saw the return of a former student Rebecca Edgar who is currently doing research at Deakin University using CRISPR to develop different strategies in the fight against the disease malaria. Fifty percent of the world’s population is at risk of contracting malaria as it is spread by mosquitos in tropical regions. Rebecca explained how she has used CRISPR to determine which genes make essential proteins for merozoites to function and which genes are not essential for their survival and how CRISPR can be used to alter these genes. Merozoites are the stage of malaria whereby the parasite develops in the liver of infected individuals before they invade red blood cells.
Rebecca also explained her journey from graduating from CCG in 2012 and the journey she took to get to her current research role at Deakin, a valuable discussion as year 12s begin to think about what next. We thank Rebecca for coming to share with us about her amazing career to date and look forward to hearing of any future developments in her research in the fight against malaria.
Sam Visser
Meaghan Clark
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Days!
All Christian College campuses will open their doors on May 2 in the first of our Open Days for 2023.
This is an opportunity for parents/guardians and families who are considering Christian College as an option for their young people to visit one or more of our campuses, meet students, teachers and campus leaders, tour facilities, visit classes in progress and have their questions answered. It provides an authentic insight to how our College operates on a day-to-day basis. For those considering either Junior School-Belmont or Surf Coast Campus, please note our Early Learning Centres - Williams House in Belmont and Butterfield House in Torquay - will also be open for visitation at the same time as the campuses.
No booking is required, with campuses open at the following times:
Junior School-Belmont: 9:30 – 11:00am
Bellarine Campus: 9:30 – 11:00am
Surf Coast Campus: 9:30 – 11:30am
Middle School-Highton: – 11:15am – 12:45pm
Senior School-Waurn Ponds: – 11:30am – 1:00pm
If you have friends or acquaintances who are considering schooling options at any level, from Prep through to Year 12, please encourage them to take this opportunity to visit our campuses on May 2.
Any interested families who are unable to attend on May 2 can book a tour at any campus at a time that suits them by visiting our website and clicking on ‘Book a Tour’.
Big Science Competition!
We welcome all students in Years 7 - 10 to consider taking part in the Big Science Competition!
A 50-minute, multiple-choice competition, the Big Science Competition isn't like other tests. This test focuses on how students can use their science knowledge and critical thinking skills to solve problems.
The Big Science Competition can also lead to BIG opportunities.
All students in Australian high schools who sit the Big Science Competition have a chance to win one of four great prizes*, up to the value of $1,498.
Here's everything you need to know.
- The Big Science Competition is open to students in Year 7-10 who attend Australian and International schools.
- The Big Science Competition will run on a date to be determined between 15-26 May 2023.
- Expressions of interest will close at the end of Term 1.
Registering your interest
All students who would like to participate are asked to complete their details on the following form:
Please speak to your science teacher or email Mrs Huddart if you have any questions.
Elissa Huddart, Director of Teaching and Learning - Science
Families with a Newly Enrolled Child This Year: Qustodio Parent App
Activate or add new students to your Qustodio parent account.
An important element of the College's Cyber Safe Schools Program is our commitment to supporting families and parents with managing their children’s digital devices in the home, especially the College laptop.
This week, families that have one or more children who are new to the College this year received an email invitation toactivate their Qustodio parent account or add newly enrolled students to their existing Qustodio account, as part of our school program.
Qustodio is a parental control and monitoring app that we offer our parents as part of our school program. This app provides parents monitoring on personal devices and the school laptop, as well as the ability to pause internet as desired outside of school hours. Use of Qustodio is optional, and parents can learn more information about Qustodio on our Online Safety Hub.
The Qustodio parent app is available to all College families, and families with existing students in 2022 were invited to activate their parent account in November of last year. Families that have not yet activated their account and wish to, can do so by using the College’s activate now link and entering the assigned primary email for the family (as detailed in the invitation sent last year).
More Information
- Parents can learn more about our broader Cyber Safe Schools Program that the Qustodio parent app is a part of, via this information brochure.
- Parents and guardians can access technical support for the use of Qustodio on personal devices at home, via Qustodio’s Help Center.
- For support with Qustodio and school devices at home, there is a useful help page on our Online Safety Hub.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Make a Vertical Garden at Back Creek Café!
Back Creek Café in Meredith proudly presents the first of several planned craft workshops – come along and discover how to create your own vertical garden. Two workshops are running on Saturday May 6 – at 10:30am and 1:00pm, conducted by Kathy from Coburg nursery, TD2M. Build your own standing or hanging frame, create a vertical garden to take home and learn about soils and mosses used in the process along the way.
Cost for the workshop is $90 per person with all you need provided. While you’re there, enjoy some of Back Creek Café’s delicious fare!
To book for the workshop, contact the café on 5286 1166.
