Senior School – Term 2 Week 10

From the Acting Principal

And just like that, we’ve arrived at the end of Semester 1. For Prep parents, you are likely trying to comprehend how fast that first six months went, and how much your little one has learned in such a short span of time. At the other end of our College, I’m sure there are some Year 12 parents who have an eye on the finish line: final exams, a graduation and, suddenly, a child you once held in your arms will have become an adult.

That’s the joy, for me, of belonging to a school like Christian College. One minute, I’m sitting on a classroom floor with a bunch of Grade Preps, learning how to put words together to form a sentence. Next, I’m hiking through the Grampians with a class of VCE Outdoor Education students, discussing life interests and career aspirations.

Whilst the term has drawn to a close for our students, there’s still excitement in the air for many of our Year 11s with two Presentation Balls taking place over this weekend. These nights are always a wonderful celebration of our community and, having heard firsthand from the dance instructors during the week, this year’s students have already proven themselves to be an enthusiastic, courteous and caring group of young people.

From the Head of Campus

This semester has been filled with a seemingly continuous string of events. These opportunities have allowed our students to shine and demonstrate their character and the College values. Semester One events include our Prefect Investiture, Open Days, House Services, the International Women’s Day breakfast, special guests on campus such as Jossy Chacko and Robbie Noggler, Market Day, Indonesian Street Food Day, numerous GISSA sports events, our ANZAC services, the College production of Cinderella, House Swimming, House Athletics, House and Year Level Assemblies, the Indonesian Study Tour, Drama Nights, Music Nights, Welcome Nights, Info Nights, Exam Prep, the GAT … and Presentation Balls are still to come!

This is just a sample of the many activities our students have been involved in this semester. However, it is their everyday actions in lessons and at home that truly reveal their character, which is developing in a healthy environment in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Considering the extensive list of events above, it is not surprising that our staff and students are looking forward to the break and enjoying some fun outside the College over the coming holiday. At this point, I would like to thank you for supporting the Senior Campus throughout this first semester. We wish you and your family a safe winter break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back for the second half of the year.

Semester 1’s In Focus is now Published!

The first edition of In Focus for 2024 is now published. With changes around the College’s leadership structure in 2025, we’ve chosen a theme of ‘Firm Foundations for a Flourishing Future’. Built on firm foundations, the College has come a long way over 45 years and we are excited about our future. As educators, we want our students to flourish in their learning and growth as people – at school and beyond. The foundations built during their K-12 years are critical for their lifelong journey.  

The Christian College Geelong Foundation held its Gathering Hope event in May where 80 people enjoyed lunch and an address from guest speaker, Jossy Chacko – who tells us a little of his remarkable story in this edition of In Focus. 

We celebrate the success of the Class of 2023 and catch up with Dux, Oscar Saffin, to find out where the past six months have taken him. 

Recently elected College Board Chair, Associate Professor David Fuller, outlines some of what the Board has been doing in recent months in preparation for our leadership changes next year, and we introduce the eight current Board members.  

Senior Pathways Information

We were delighted to see close to 140 families join the Online Senior Pathways Information Session that was held via Microsoft Teams this week. These students and families gained an overview of the VCE and VCE VM pathways offered at senior campus.

There will no doubt be some students and parents who were unable to attend, and there may also be some who wish to recap an aspect of the information that was shared, so we have made available a video recording of the session on the Senior School Hub (below link).

• Senior Pathway Presentation & Slide Deck

You also now have access to the three Senior School Subject Information Booklets which contain information about VCE and VCE VM that was covered in the presentation, as well as general information about senior school and detailed descriptions of all of the subjects we offer (links below).

• Welcome to Senior School Booklet
• Year 10 Subject Descriptions Booklet
• Senior Subject Information Booklet (Years 11 and 12)

Next key date in the subject selection timeline

An in-person subject information evening will be held at Senior campus from 4.30-6.30pm on Wednesday 24th July, with campus tours available from 4pm.

This evening will include all Year 10 and VCE subjects, as well as general information sessions for Year 9 students and families. Further details and booking links for the information sessions will be provided early in Term 3.

What’s Happening at Senior School

Friday June 21 – Presentation Ball

Friday June 21 – Term concludes 3.30 pm

Saturday June 22 – Presentation Ball

Monday June 24 to Wednesday June 26 – Staff Retreat

Wednesday June 26 – Semester 1 reports live to Parents

Tuesday July 16 – Students return – Commencement Service at Middle School SAC at 8.50 am

Wednesday, July 17 – GISSA Senior Girls Netball

Tuesday July 23 – Year 12 English SAC (3.45-4.55pm)

Wednesday July 24 – Senior School Portraits and Photos

Wednesday July 24 – Senior School Subject Information Evening (4.30-6.30pm)

Deakin Science and Engineering Challenge

A group of 30 Christian College Year 10 science students took out top honours for the Geelong region at the Deakin ManuFutures Science and Engineering Challenge held yesterday. Students were challenged with a variety of engineering problems to solve ranging from building the most efficient wind turbine, the tallest and strongest earthquake proof tower, and the flagship event of building a bridge capable of carrying an ever increasing load of metal ingots.  A further challenge had students designing scale model stone weirs designed to catch fish (marbles) through tidal or river flow – a concept based on the fish traps that were used by Indigenous Australians across many coastal areas of Australia. Throughout the day students had opportunity to test their prototypes and apply their critical and creative thinking skills to develop and refine their designs. Students were duly rewarded for their teamwork and creative efforts taking out first place in the competition, and will compete in the Victorian state finals in September. In an impressive ‘one-two’ our Year 9 team from Bellarine and Middle School who also competed took out second place! As students consider their 2025 subject selections and future pathways it was also a great opportunity for them to experience the opportunities and facilities available for STEM related studies at Deakin University.

Crochet Club

As the Winter weather cools and the library heaters come on, two Yr. 10 students have shown great initiative, starting a crochet club in the library. Kathryn Grima and Charlotte Campbell have kindly agreed to share their crochet expertise on Monday lunchtimes, bringing in wool and hooks. Starting by showing beginners the chain stitch, some staff and students have already moved on to working on granny squares. This club also provides an excellent opportunity to sit and chat, share new patterns, and view helpful crochet PowerPoint presentations, produced by Charlotte and Kathryn. Anyone interested in learning new crochet skills is welcome to join.

The Inaugural Geelong Combined School's String Festival

The inaugural Geelong Combined School's String Festival was held last night in the RW Gibson Auditorium. String students from Iona, Sacred Heart, Kardinia, and Saint Ignatius Colleges, as well as the Middle School String ensembles from Highton and Bellarine, combined for an afternoon of rehearsing and developing their string ensemble technique. They workshopped three new pieces before presenting a formal concert for families and friends. Our very own VCE Sting Ensemble also performed, using the opportunity to hone their skills, as well as serve as an inspiration to the younger participants through their presentation of themes from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean". Thanks to all staff involved in making this event happen-it was truly epic to have over seventy string musicians gathered and performing in our wonderful performing arts space. Congratulations to all participants!

South Africa Conservation Expedition 2025

We are currently looking for our last member to join our expedition for our 2025 expedition to South Africa. South Africa is one of the most biological diverse countries, home to the big five animals being Elephant, Rhinocerous, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. This trip will involve flying into Durban South Africa and spending the first week in Somkhanda game reserve looking at the diverse wildlife that makes up this ecosystem, there are over 800 species of birds, 400 amphibians and reptiles and almost 300 mammal species present. Students will spend their time collecting data in regards to terrestrial and ocean ecosystems and those who inhabit them. We will be looking at the carrying capacity of the fenced reserves and the impact this has in the sustainability of elephant populations in the reserve. Days will be divided into two half a day in education and the other half of the day will be spent in the field gathering data.

The Second week will be spent in Sodwana Bay marine park where we will learn to Dive and get you PADI open water course or complete a reef ecology course while snorkelling the bay.

If this is something that interests you please have a look at the attached clip in regards to the trip but also feel free to chat or email me with your questions. Me.clark@ccg.vic.edu.au

Generative AI Parent Webinar

A reminder to parents of this webinar which we held recently, with good attendance from parents.

We wish to make available a video recording of the webinar, as well as the parent and family guide handout that was promoted near the end of the webinar. The guide handout includes a summary of our current College guidelines for student uses of generative AI.

• Generative AI and School Parent Webinar Recording (includes chapter links)
• Exploring AI for Families Guide Handout (includes summary of College guidance)

During the webinar we addressed key parent questions. There was also an opportunity to share a follow up question after the webinar which we planned to respond to in this week’s Vine, however we did not receive any new questions.

Thank you for partnering with us in supporting our young people in navigating this new and emerging technology, particularly in the context of school and learning.

Gathering Hope

The Foundation was pleased to host their bi-annual Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon on Friday, 24 May 2024 at Provenance Wines in Fyansford. With close to 80 guests in attendance, the event successfully raised $19K, which has been doubled, thanks to our current dollar-matching campaign, raising a total of $38K for the Foundation.

The guest speaker was Jossy Chacko, who generously gave up an entire day to support the work of the College and our local community. In addition to speaking at the luncheon, Jossy gave a devotion to our Senior School staff, spent time being scrutinised by the Year 10 Global Ethics class, and supported our local Christian radio station, 96three FM.

Seeking Christian College Company Members

Christian College Geelong is seeking expressions of interest from any parent or guardian interested in becoming a new Company Member.

Company Members play an important part in the governance structure and protection of the College. A number of positions on the Christian College Board are filled by company members, depending on the skillset required when vacancies arise, and it is the company members who have the responsibility of voting to pass any amendments to the Christian College constitution. Company members may also be eligible to sit on various committees involved in the governance of the College.

Whilst participating as a company member is not overly onerous, it needs to be pointed out that the position is voluntary and not remunerated in any way. Also, please understand an expression of interest does not guarantee automatic membership of the company.

If you have a heart for the College, and feel you would have the time to dedicate and an interest in this role, please contact the Company Secretary, Bernard Nicholls at b.nicholls@ccg.vic.edu.au. All expressions of interest must be submitted by COB Friday, August 2.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

CSEF will be provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students
• $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Student Information, then Important Forms for Parents) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard Copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

The closing date for applications is June 28.

 For more information about the fund visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (August 5 this year), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines.

Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

Golf Tournament 

Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.

You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.

There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!