From the Deputy Head of Campus
To mark our first full week on campus this term, students enjoyed a Commencement Assembly held in year levels. Mr Stephenson delivered a powerful message, challenging students to “put down their shields.” Many workers have now had the perspex screens, that were the norm during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, removed. Mr Stephenson challenged our students to take, at least, a step, outside their comfort zones to a place where growth can occur.
On Tuesday, Senior Campus was on show, as we hosted our annual Open Day. These days are always heartening. The campus simply runs a normal school day, prospective families see the campus “as it really is.” It is always reassuring to hear new families describe the unmistakable warmth and strong relationships on show amongst staff and students.
Yesterday the Christian College Eagles Surf team battled it out for the coveted Victorian Interschool State Surfing Title(formerly the Rip Curl shield) at Jan Juc beach. In the mixed event, seven independent schools contested the title. Our old rivals Geelong College succumbed to an in-form CCG team. Unfortunately, St. Ignatius proved a notch above in the final and were deserving winners. The final podium results were: St Ignatius first, followed by Kardinia International College and then Christian College third. In the Female event, Sacred heart proved too strong, with St Ignatius in second and CCG third.
This weekend we look forward to welcoming home Mr Hurrell and his Year 10 First Nations – Our World class from Finke in Central Australia. The return of this class will follow the departure of a second class, led by Mr David Evans who are headed back to the region to reconnect with our many friends at Alcoota community.
We also look forward to next week with great anticipation, as it sees the staging of this year’s production of Picnic at Hanging Rock, which is being held at Platform Arts in Geelong. There is a small number of tickets remaining at just $30. The three evening shows run from Thursday, May 11 to Saturday, May 13. The cast and crew are looking forward to performing for you. Please note that Picnic at Hanging Rock contains some mature themes. Parental guidance is recommended particularly for primary aged children.
To purchase tickets please click here
Jason O’Loughlin, Deputy Head of Senior School
Top Designs 2023
On Friday April 28, the Year 12 Media, VCD, Systems Engineering, Product Design and Textiles students went on an excursion to Top Designs at the Melbourne Museum. Top Designs 2023 celebrates the innovation of Victoria’s emerging designers. The exhibition highlights a selection of exceptional VCE and VET students from 2022 as part of the VCE Season of Excellence.
Our Year 12 students were able to get an insight into best practice and best product development and management from past students. When our students got to explore the work and flick through the detailed folios, they returned to school with a deeper connection to their ideas and felt more inspired to create an authentic product of their own.
After the Top Designs tour the students were able to have lunch in Lygon Street. This was a highlight for some students as it gave them the freedom to explore what Melbourne’s urban landscape has to offer. All students were confident and demonstrated a maturity that pleased the supervising teachers.
Natalie Knite
VCE VM Students in Philanthropy
On Thursday April 27, Year 12 VCE/VM students visited Geelong Library to deliver a Schools in Philanthropy (SIP) presentation to the Geelong Community Foundation Board. Schools in Philanthropy is a program that aims to inspire young people to use their enthusiasm, creativity, and energy to begin a lifelong commitment to giving, which has a positive impact on the communities in which they live. Giving without expectations of receiving anything in return. Christian College was chosen, alongside three other schools, Clonard College, Sacred Heart College and Oberon High School, to participate in this SIP program. Each school received a certain amount of money, that they were then able to give to three different organisations. To receive this money, the organisations had to apply for a grant, stating what their foundation was and how they ran it, how much money they needed and what they specifically needed that money for.
Christian College was given three grants to look over and present with a certain amount of money. The applications were from Brave Hearts Ditto Keep Safe Program, Bellarine Living and Learning Centre, and Ocean Grove Playgroup. We worked in pairs, each focusing on one organisation. Reading and re-reading these applications was a long process. Having to choose between giving each of the applicants their whole financial request or cutting some of it back was also extremely difficult. All the organisations gave very strong, detailed applications and we had to be very thorough when going through their grants. Though we found that coming together as a whole class, made making these tough decisions much easier, as everyone contributed with ideas and suggestions for all three organisations. After a few hard weeks of organising and putting together our SIP task, we finally managed to present and show off our hard work and dedication to this foundation. We came together on the day of the board meeting, spoke through our presentation, and provided all our information as a team.
A special thank you to our mentors, Mark Osbourne, Freda Right and Gail Rodgers for teaching and providing us with all their knowledge on this amazing program. Also to Ms Anderson, for the constant in-class and out-of-class support. We are all really grateful for having this experience, and learning so much about the amazing communities we live in.
Ava McCarthy and Lola Edwards, Year 12 VCE/VM students
Mindful Mondays in May
During May the library celebrates, all things Mindfulness.
During Mindful Mondays in May the library promotes different ways you can make your mental health a priority. By performing an activity for only 20 minutes, one can refresh and reset their mind that will help assist with their mental health. Remember it is very important to do something for you, something that you enjoy, something that will help you relax and reset.
Each Monday lunchtime we will be focusing on a different mindful activity for students and staff to participate in.
This week – Monday 1st May – the focus was on the ‘Power of the Pencil’.
Mindful colouring is about bringing your awareness into the present moment by consciously focusing on colour and design.
Mindful colouring has been shown to:
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Improve sleep
- Improve focus
- Improve vision and motor skills
The activity focused on colouring-in Zentangle patterns to make mindful bookmarks. Zentangles are a group of patterns, in an abstract and repetitive form. These patterns slow down your breathing, calm your mind and help you focus on the present moment. This way of colouring offers peace of mind while creating a beautiful bookmark to treasure.
Many students and staff got involved in this activity during their lunchtime, using it to not only to create a piece of art but also to refresh and reset, ready for the afternoon classes.
Many thanks to Jen Foord and Johnathon McPherson who gave up their lunchtime to refresh and reset with students.
The art of practising Mindfulness takes practice and patience, it encourages curiosity, courage, and care. Next Mindful Monday, we will be focusing on the ‘The Power of Paper’.
Careers Spot
Year 10 Careers Chats
Subject Selections for 2024 are around the corner so in preparation, Year 10 students have commenced meeting with a member of the Careers team to look at potential options for the future, at school and beyond. A reminder to all Year 10 students to keep an eye on their inbox for their meeting time.
Bec Bromilow
Careers Newsletter
Topics this week include:
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- ADF Gap Year applications now open! New roles have been added such as ‘military police’.
- UCAT ANZ – register for the test by May 17
- Early entry programs at three universities you can apply for now
YEAR 11 & 12 STUDENTS
- TuteSmart Program – tutoring for senior students
YEAR 10 STUDENTS
- Upcoming career expos for students and families
- Work experience programs
ALL STUDENTS
- Competitions
- Top 20 trade/vocational occupations in 2019 – 2022
- Australia Harvard Model – UN Conference
- Upcoming career events and webinars
- Prerequisites for nursing, midwifery and paramedicine
- Exciting programs in engineering and hospitality
- Careers in the care and support sector
Bec Bromilow
Picnic at Hanging Rock – Performances on Next Week!
Picnic at Hanging Rock is a captivating and mysterious story that explores the disappearance of four schoolgirls and their teacher during a picnic at a local geological formation in Victoria, Australia, on Valentine’s Day in 1900. The novel by Joan Lindsay, published in 1967, was adapted into a film by Peter Weir in 1975, which became a landmark of Australian cinema and culture. The story has inspired many interpretations and adaptations, including the performances brought to you by our Christian College Senior School students.
Excitement is now running high - next week's shows are on at Platform Arts in Geelong in Lt Malop St, with three evening shows from Thursday May 11 to Saturday May 13. Tickets are only $30 and the cast and crew are looking forward to performing to full houses. Please note that Picnic at Hanging Rock contains mature themes, parental discretion is advised re the age of audience members.
To purchase tickets please follow this link:
East Timor April Trip
After a 4-year absence due to COVID, on Saturday 8th April CCG staff members Graham Barton (Barto), Andy Phillips, Lee Stringer, Craig White, Michael Lewis and Michelle Anderson, along with Jill and Rod Mayes, Patrice Hall and Jocelyn McMillan, who all have a passion for East Timor (Timor-Leste), landed in Dili. Our destination - the municipality of Viqueque which is about 180km from Dili and is a 6 hour drive on rough roads, going for kilometres at a time in second gear.
Prior to the pandemic, CCG students from years 11 – 12 were given the opportunity to visit Viqueque and some of the schools in the area and to participate in the kindergarten, IT and English language programs being run at Uma Maun Alin (Friendship House).
The 2023 teacher trip was about re-establishing relationships with a view to having CCG students return in 2023 or 2024. We also took over a large number of resources, including books, laptops, sports equipment, stationery and musical instruments. The highlight was seeing the huge number of Viqueque locals who were absolutely thrilled to see us back and who welcomed the three first-timers – Lee, Craig and Michelle – like they were family. Happy tears, hugs and cuddles with babies were the first order of business before the ‘work’ began. Over the next seven days we were welcomed into two kindergartens, five schools and several English classes (where it was great to see children and young people as young as 8 wanting to learn English in their free time). We spent time beautifying CCG’s accommodation building, Uma Ki’ik (little house) with some fresh paint, assisted by some amazing local boys who wanted to be involved and give back. Every day the local kids would pop in for a game of soccer, some jump rope or some colouring in. A highlight was seeing them take to cricket with enthusiasm. Craig is contemplating a future career as the Timor-Leste Women’s Cricket Coach... we saw some pure, natural talent in our front (gravelly) yard. We ate incredibly well, enjoying fresh eggs and paun (bread rolls) filled with locally grown tomato and cucumber every day. The two local restaurants spoiled us every night with fried chicken, fresh fish, noodles, rice, fruit and vegetables including the favourite kankun (spinach). The week went all too quickly. A farewell dinner with Uma Maun Alin staff and volunteers had us singing and dancing into the night. When we returned to Uma Ki-ik we were surprised to see a crowd in our front yard. Some of the local teens and young adults had concocted a plan to perform for us as a surprise. More singing and dancing followed, and we were overcome and humbled by this simple yet heartfelt gesture.
Back in Dili, Barto met with 19 young people from Viqueque who are supported by CCG and some private sponsors, enabling them to attend university in the capital. These future doctors, pharmacists, nurses, teachers and engineers are so grateful for this support, with many intending to return to Viqueque, once qualified, in order to help improve the lives of their friends and family back home. All participants found the trip to be rewarding, exhilarating and exhausting. For some it was their first trip but certainly not their last...others have been more than 20 times. This little place has captured our hearts. Atè logu (see you soon) Viqueque.
Graham Barton
The Story of Buikarin
Buikarin is a small rural community half an hour away from our accommodation house in Viqueque. Within the community there is a kindergarten, that has 128 students enrolled, and consists of three teachers. One teacher is full time, one is on contract and the other is a volunteer. They only have one room to teach these 128 students. The area of that room is 6metres by 8 metres. The teachers have 64 students at one time in this space. They have two sessions a day. Natercia is the head teacher and she’s very passionate about her school. She founded this school with their own money and no support from the government.
On Thursday May 18’s Project Care Day, we want to raise money to buy bricks for Buikarin so that we can give Natercia and her students and another teaching space. Natercia has already used her own money to put a roof over a “patch of dirt”and we would love to brick in this area for her so, as she says, “the kids don’t run out onto the road when in class.”
The photo shows 64 students in the classroom. Note the students are on either side of the room because Natercia puts a small wall down the middle to separate the two groups. Imagine the noise coming from this small space with 64 students. It would be very hard to listen, very hard to teach and very hard to learn. The next photo you can see is the roof that her and her husband had paid for themselves to create another teaching space. This is the space we would like to brick in and concrete the floor.
Graham Barton
Drilling Down on Deep Thinking – REACH: Idea into Action
This week, Junior School-Belmont, Middle School-Highton, and Senior School-Waurn Ponds were honoured to receive a visit from Flossie Chua and David Perkins from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, along with Kieren Noonan and Nikki Maguire from Independent Schools Victoria. The purpose of their visit was to observe the implementation of the REACH: Idea into Action educational research program, which incorporates deep thinking routines to promote a more comprehensive understanding of subject matter both in and beyond the classroom.
Over the past few years, some Christian College teaching staff have collaborated with Harvard and ISV to develop these routines, and during their visit, the four guests were able to witness the tool in action among our Prep, Year 6, Year 9 Transformation, and Year 12 students. Teachers Beck Barry, Lori Ruplal, Julie Shutie, and Louis Gross are making a difference in their classrooms by piloting innovative teaching strategies that have the potential to improve the quality of learning for many others.
Although only a few teachers had the privilege of welcoming our special guests into their classrooms, we would also like to recognise the support provided by Angela Tutty, Georgie Brown, Anneliese Hurrell, Georgina Hodge, Sam Nichols, and Daniel Fanning in the research and development of this innovative teaching strategy.
So, what is Reach: Idea into Action?
As educators in the present day, we are faced with a crucial question: how can we support our students thriving in a world that is constantly changing and becoming more complex? Reach is a learning approach that addresses this challenge by fostering critical mindsets and thinking skills in students for both school-based learning and everyday situations, and significantly expanding their ability to understand and apply content in a flexible and curious manner.
But what do we mean by a "mindset"? A mindset refers to our perception and interpretation of the world around us different mindsets, or ways of thinking, are useful in different scenarios. When we possess a flexible understanding of a topic, we can utilise our knowledge to solve problems, apply it to new situations, and even create new things. Such flexible understanding enables us to take action in the wider world, ensuring that what we learn in school has a real impact on our lives.
So, how exactly does Reach work? Grounded in research on learning and cognition, Reach's fundamental practice involves small-group discussions guided by conversation cards that focus on one of three inquiry mindsets: Explorer, Investigator or Innovator. Within a conversation group, learners adopt the same mindset to collaboratively analyse a topic.
Why is conversation such a crucial aspect of Reach? Simply put, conversing back and forth is a potent tool for generating ideas, sharing knowledge and insights, clarifying and refining thinking, and making meaning of concepts.
Why are the Reach inquiry mindsets so essential? While our students may already have a significant amount of knowledge, they must go beyond mere content to engage with the complexities of our contemporary world. The Explorer, Investigator and Innovator mindsets empower learners to look beyond "just knowing" and expand their learning in meaningful directions.
Explorer - Often, we approach topics in a simplistic, fact-based manner, overlooking additional dimensions and how they interrelate (the inside story), how a subject is crucially connected to other things (the big picture), and its history and trajectory (the path through time). Explorers reach beyond "just knowing" to uncover these additional layers of meaning.
Investigator - People frequently form strong opinions on complex issues without considering all perspectives. Investigators reach beyond "just knowing" to gather the full range of information, assess its reliability and strength, and determine where the information leads.
Innovator - Often, we struggle to apply what we learn in one context to others, whether personal or academic. Innovators reach beyond "just knowing" to forge meaningful connections between disciplines and personal contexts, identify opportunities to apply their understanding, and envision action.
Over time, Reach helps learners cultivate a more comprehensive understanding of their learning areas and a willingness to adopt each mindset as necessary in their daily lives.
Antony Benson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Surfing Championships
Thursday 4th of May saw the culmination of the “Surfing Season” for 2023. Christian College surfers have been lucky to participate in 3 different surfing events this year. The final event was the Surfing Victoria Independent schools tag team event which took place in clean conditions at Jan Juc yesterday.
The tag team format provides a unique opportunity for surfers to represent our school and importantly surf as team where decisions made can impact others in the team. Each surfer is required to paddle out and catch two waves in under eight minutes, which is very challenging. It was awesome to see our surfers from Years 8 through to Year 12 work together and support each other throughout the day.
We were expertly led by Taz Higgins in his last year at CCG who has been an integral part of the team every year since Year 7. Harvey Graham also stood up and led by example in his mature and calm approach to each heat. We thank both of these boys for their contributions over the years to the CCG surf team.
We welcomed new recruit Jai Bouvier (Year 10) this year who performed solidly across the day and was a fantastic addition to our team.
The future is bright for surfing at CCG with numerous Year 7s and 8s performing well on the day. Well done to our Under 16 surfers Jack Lindsay, Tanner Maddock and Eddy Martin who surfed extremely well and contributed well throughout the day. We look forward to many more years of excellent surfing in the future.
This year we were able enter a female team of four which was exciting, our girls kept to time and surfed consistently all day. Well done to Summer Morgan, Olivia Clark, Heidi and Ava Abetz for their fantastic third placing overall on the day. The future is looking good for this young group also.
The results were as follows:
First Place - Sacred Heart College
Second Place - St Ignatius College
Third Place - Christian College Geelong
Fourth Place - Kardinia International College.
Ava Abetz also surfed in our mixed team and was able to execute her two waves under tight time constraints, which is a very important part of tag team surfing. Well done and thankyou Ava.
The mixed team made the finals on the day with consistent and exciting surfing. The final result did not go our way however the top three teams were all within 10 points of each other.
The results were as follows:
First Place - St Ignatius College
Second Place - Kardinia International College
Third Place - Christian College Geelong
Fourth Place - The Geelong College
I would like to thank the parents for supporting our surfing program and assisting across the various days. We love the community feel and vibe of these events and look forward to more surfing next year.
Steven Sullivan
Qustodio Parent App New Feature
New Activity Timeline View
It is a pleasure to share with parents a newly added feature of the Qustodio Parent App, which all parents have access to as part of our Cyber Safe Schools Program and in partnership with Linewize by Family Zone.
Since our launch of this parent app in 2022, it has been wonderful to note the level of engagement by parents with this tool. I have enjoyed many interactions with a range of parents about how it is helping them support their young people in their digital journey at home.
One area where I have often received feedback from parents is that the information about their child’s digital activity on their school laptop is vague and not as detailed or useful as they would like, and not comparable to the activity reporting available for their child’s personal devices.
It is for this reason that I am delighted to share that parents can now access a new feature, Timeline, that provides more specific and detailed information about digital activity on the school device outside school times.
I encourage all parents to take a few moments and view this two minute video that provides an overview of the new feature and how it can be used to better support parents in guiding their young people at home.
Getting Started with the Qustodio Parent App
A reminder that parents can learn more about Qustodio, create and activate their parent account as part of our school program, and explore Frequently Asked Questions, via our school’s Online Safety Hub.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Science Talent Search at CCG 2023
Students at Christian College Geelong in Years 5-10 are invited to participate in the 2023 Science Talent Search (STS).
The Science Talent Search has three broad aims:
- To stimulate an ongoing interest in the study of sciences by:
- encouraging independent self-motivated project work amongst students of science.
- giving students the opportunity to communicate their achievements to a wider audience.
- providing recognition of effort and achievement in a scientific enterprise.
- To promote the direct involvement of the students in the processes of science and its communication.
- To give the public at large an opportunity to see the quality of work being achieved in science, by both primary and post primary students.
The Science Talent Search has a wide range of sections students can choose to enter:
- Experimental Research
- Creative Writing
- Inventions**
- Working Models
- Posters – Scientific Wallcharts
- Games
- Computer Programs**
- Science Photography
- Video Productions
**These sections may require student attendance at a judging day at a Melbourne School over a weekend. Parents are responsible for their child attending a judging day.
A detailed handbook including guidelines and requirements of each section is attached. More ideas and information is available for students and parents at https://stav.org.au/science-talent-search/
Entry fees will be covered by the school.
The number of entries across the school is capped, so students are encouraged to submit registrations to their science teacher as early as possible. Registrations are made by filling in the student registration form and handing in to your science teacher.
Registrations close: Friday 19th May
Closing date for entries: Friday 14th July
Participating students will complete their entries individually or in a group of two in their own time. Support will be available from their science teacher and at optional lunchtime sessions.
For more information, please see your science teacher, or email Mrs Huddart, Director of Teaching and Learning – Science e.huddart@ccg.vic.edu.au Highton students are invited to attend S203 at lunchtime on Fridays where Ms Blackburn will be happy to answer any questions.
Elissa Huddart
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
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