From the Acting Principal
Thirty years ago, in 1993, a diverse group of major faith communities in Australia initiated a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, from May 27 to June 3. This weeklong event evolved into Reconciliation Week which is now under the guidance of Reconciliation Australia. The two dates, May 27 and June 3 are historically significant. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians overwhelmingly voted to include indigenous Australians in the national census. And, on June 3 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised native title – the land rights of the Meriam people in Torres Strait – also known as the Mabo decision.
Christian College is proud to promote Reconciliation Week as we join with other schools, workplaces and community groups throughout Australia in working towards a just and equitable and reconciled Australia. This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, “Be a Voice for Generations”, honours the work of previous generations who fought for justice and calls on the next generation to continue the work. We will be acknowledging Reconciliation Week in various ways including assemblies, homeroom devotions and other initiatives throughout the week.
If you happen to be attending the AFL Men’s Geelong vs. Greater Western Sydney tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, look out for the 10 Christian College students who will be forming part of a 50-strong choir singing in a pre-game performance as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. Another initiative has involved singers on each of our campuses recording a version of the song, “From Little Things Big Things Grow”, to be shared on social media next week, joined by hundreds of other schools across Australia doing likewise. The song tells the story of the Gurindji people’s fight to keep their land, which culminated in the symbolic gesture in 1975 of then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam pouring soil into the hand of Gurindji spokesperson Vincent Lingiari. In response, Lingiari spoke these words: “Let us live happily together as mates, let us not make it hard for each other”.
Whilst it is important that we specifically acknowledge National Reconciliation Week at this time each year, Christian College has an ongoing commitment to educate our young people about issues affecting Indigenous Australians and the importance of reconciliation. Our academic program includes, in all subjects, the Australian Curriculum requirement to engage students in reconciliation, respect and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Our assemblies and services commence with an Acknowledgement of Country to recognise the traditional owners of the land on which our campuses are built. Year 10 students have an opportunity to participate in an immersive cultural experience in Central Australia, with two groups recently returning from visits to indigenous communities in Finke and Alcoota. And we recently established a Reconciliation Action Plan working group, with representation from our student body, teachers, board members and parents. The group, chaired by Year 12 student Isaac Boseley, meets each term and continues to make excellent progress as we move toward formalising our own Christian College Reconciliation Action Plan.
God encourages reconciliation as a means of healing and restoring relationships. The week ahead will give all of us the opportunity to bring reconciliation closer to reality for our First Nations people.
Rick Geall, Acting Principal
From the Acting Head of Campus
On Wednesday morning our staff were privileged to hear from Kerrie, proud Wurindjeri woman and College Library Technician, who shared her story of being a part of the Stolen Generations. Kerrie’s powerful testimony and heartfelt insights allowed our staff to better understand the significance of National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week. Kerrie helped our staff to understand the significance of the word ‘Sorry’ for First Nations Peoples, and the role each of us can play in recognising and responding to the wrongs of the past in our actions today. Kerrie’s message formed part of our two-week focus on Reconciliation at Senior School. Our Devotions each morning are asking staff to reflect on this theme, supported by relevant Bible verses, and will include hearing from staff and students who have recently spent time amongst the Indigenous communities of Central Australia. Similarly, our students will spend time considering the importance of National Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day in House Groups over these two weeks. Our ‘moving-music’ – which lets students know when it is time to head off to class – is featuring First Nations artists and themes, and we will fly the Indigenous flag during this time, including at half-mast for National Sorry Day. Students are also invited to share their own stories about their generation, culture and community as part of a writing competition led by the Senior School Library, and all staff and students will be invited to wear black, yellow and red ribbons (provided) on their blazer as a sign of our community commitment to Reconciliation.
Each of these acts are about bringing to our collective attention this significant event on our national calendar in support of our First Nations Peoples, their cultures and history.
Damian Stephenson, Acting Head of Senior School
House Basketball and Netball
Our house sporting programs continue to play a big part in the life of Senior School. Our basketball and netball competitions have been played over the past fortnight with outstanding performances by all competitors. The aim of these events is to develop community, house spirit, collaboration and leadership within our students. This has again been evident in the past weeks as teams worked together to gain the 2023 house netball and basketball trophies.
Congratulations to Penman for taking out the netball and basketball house trophies for 2023.
Drew Oliver
Senior String Perform at the Austa String Festival
Last Sunday, the Senior String Ensemble travelled to Ivanhoe Girl’s Grammar school to take part in the Austa String Festival. The focus of this day was to take part in a combined rehearsal with seven other String ensembles from around Melbourne with guest conductor Tim Veldman. This was an amazing feat as there were exactly 116 players attending which resulted in a truly amazing sound!
Parents and friends were then invited to a concert featuring individual group performances from the attending schools, culminating in the final “super” string ensemble presenting a work named “Excalibur” composed by Brisbane based composer and string pedagogue, Stephen Chin.
The Senior String members should be extremely proud of their group performance, as they performed with a high level of precision and musicianship, all without a conductor! The experience of playing in such a large ensemble as well as playing alongside many musicians from different walks of life, will not be soon forgotten. A great day all round!
Martin De Marte
The Power of the Pet – Mindful May
On Wednesday students put a ‘paws’ on their lunchtime activities and joined Mia and Monty in the Library to discover ‘The Power of the Pet’.
Australia is a nation of animal lovers. There are many benefits to having a pet, especially a furry friend. Amongst the 30 students that came to see Monty, plenty had pets, whether it was a dog, cat, or goldfish. An animal brings joy. Pets can make us laugh and provide a sense of comfort and security. A furry friend is a great companion and can help, not only in physical activity but also for one’s mental health.
The students sat patiently waiting for Monty to walk up to them, and listened to Mia explain to us all the positive effects that Monty has had in her life, and in the lives of other people that he has touched. Monty is known to reduce stress and anxiety in students that are feeling overwhelmed.
Dogs are also great observers – our facial expressions, posture, the way we move, the smells we give off, and our tone of voice, all give dogs information about how we might be feeling, and that allows them to respond accordingly.
Pets have the amazing ability to soothe our worries and fears simply by being there – concentrating on the present moment, experiencing mindfulness.
The library staff would like to thank all students that participated in any of the four Mindful May activities. Remember – if you’re feeling stressed, take 20 minutes and find an activity to place you in the present moment.
Many thanks to Monty for helping us ‘paws’ our life and enjoy the present. And of course, to Mia, his mamma – thank you.
Labrini Soldatos
East Timor Update
On Thursday May 18 Senior School held a casual dress day to recognise Timor Leste’s Independence Day (held every year on May 20). Students were asked to bring money to donate to the CCG ‘Bricks for Buikarin’ kindergarten initiative. Michelle Anderson, Michael Lewis, Craig White and I visited Buikarin during the Easter holidays and are so happy that money raised is going to a great cause.
We set a campus goal of $1700 to make up our portion of the $6000 needed (based on SS student numbers). Can’t wait to hear the official result!
An incentive was offered in the form of free coffees/hot chocolates from the coffee van for the House Group that raised the most money, since East Timor is known for its coffee. We had some amazing donations from both students and parents, with Mr Watson’s 11F1 coming in third, Ms Anderson’s 11B1 coming second and my 12F1 coming first. (Clearly Ms Anderson and I had really ‘talked it up’!) 12F1 loved their drinks and surprise chocolate treat – Beng Bengs!
A huge thank you to all students and parents who contributed to this incredibly worthwhile cause.
Special thanks to Mr Luke Feldman for making a video for us to show in House Group on the day. He interviewed his Dili International School colleague Silvano about living under Indonesian rule as a child, the 1999 referendum and the rebuilding since, which continues to this day.
A big shout out to the staff who looked amazing dressed in the national colours of Timor Leste.
Also held last Thursday to coincide with East Timor’s Independence Day was the annual Geelong Viqueque Friendship Schools dinner. Special guest speakers were Mr Andrew Mahar AM, Honorary Consul General of Timor-Leste who has spent the past 30 years seeding, nurturing and then mentoring over 15 successful social enterprises, and his daughter Alice Mahar, who considers herself one part chef, three parts social entrepreneur. Andrew spoke about his carbon forestry program in East Timor and Alice about her Corner Store network which roasts organic Timorese coffee and aims to reduce food waste and build engaged local communities both in Australia and Timor-Leste, through preserving sessions where volunteers preserve local produce. We were thrilled to have School Captains Molly Cooper and Seth Wilkinson join us for the dinner.
Our prefects are now working with former student Nic Mayes to organise the annual CCG East Timor Trivia Night which will be held on 18 August. Watch this space!
Lee Stringer
Interested in an Apprenticeship or Traineeship?
Come along to an information session hosted by Skilling the Bay and the City of Greater Geelong to hear from current apprentices, local employers, industry experts, education and training providers and more.
When: Wednesday 31 May 2023, (various session available)
Where: Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong
Register online: HERE
See the PDF attached for more information:
Apprenticeship Support Forum 2023 Flyer_MAY
Bec Bromilow
Careers Newsletter
This edition of the Careers Newsletter features the following:
YEAR 10 + 11 STUDENTS:
- Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School
- Global Footprints Scholarship
- Work experience
- National Youth Science Forum
YEAR 12 STUDENTS:
- High achiever scholarship programs
- Australian Federal Police – 2024 Directions Program
- Early entry programs now open
- Australian Defence Force – Gap Year
- Digital apprenticeship program
- Qantas female and First Nations pilot scholarships
ALL STUDENTS:
- The Parliament Prize 2023
- Le Cordon Bleu – short courses in culinary arts
- Amazing story about personal success
- Maths + trades – why high school maths is important
- Job seeking and application tips
- Careers with STEM: Maths + Data
- Nuclear medicine careers
- Quiz: what’s your science career?
- Careers in business and commerce
- Amazing business course
- Explore your university course options through consultations
- Early childhood education careers
- Myfuture – amazing career website
Bec Bromilow
VCE Drama Ensemble Performances
Calling all CC Eagles Members and Families
We are pleased to present an opportunity for you to be a part of CC Eagles/ Geelong United Basketball Club Fundraiser, with NBL1 tickets available for the following game through the club:
Round 10 – Hoop City Geelong United Supercats v Dandenong Rangers – Saturday June 17, 2023. Tip off: Women – 5:00pm, Men – 7:00pm (Ticket gets you in to both games at The Geelong Arena)
All PRE-ORDERED tickets will cost $10.00 with $5.00 being retained by our club.
On the night we want to see our members show up at the game in our CLUB COLOURS.
We hope that everyone embraces this opportunity to get our CC Eagles family together and support Hoop City Geelong United Supercats on the night.
How to purchase tickets:
For Christian College families: you can purchase 1- 8 tickets ($10 to $80) on credit card via the College portal.
- Log into Parent Portal – My Details – Payments Tab – Click on the NBL1 Game Day Tickets icon.
- Then click on the drop down to select how many tickets you want to purchase. The amount will automatically fill.
Important – Please include your email address in the Additional Information box.
For non-Christian College families: you can purchase tickets by calling our Middle School-Highton reception on 5241 1899 and purchasing over the phone.
Tickets can be purchased up until 11.59pm on June 13, or until SOLD OUT and will be distributed prior to the game.
If there are any queries, please email [email protected]
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 [email protected]
Uniform Shop Clearance Sale!
