From the Acting Principal
When Christian College Geelong started out humbly in 1980 with just five dozen students, it would have been hard to fathom that just over 40 years later the school would have approximately 2000 students on five campuses across Geelong, Bellarine and the Surf Coast. However, despite our size, and the geographical separation of campuses, there is much we have in common, first and foremost our core tenet, Seek First the Kingdom of God. And, right from its origin, Christian College has always encouraged students to recognise that they belong to a community beyond themselves and to acknowledge their God-given responsibility to contribute to the care and wellbeing of others. In Term 2, it was therefore wonderful to see our campuses mark a number of key events College-wide, including Anzac Day, East Timor Independence and National Reconciliation Week.
Given the size of our school, it’s not often we have events that draw families from all our campuses to the one event. The Annual Music Evening in October each year is one such example and our Arts Festival held in November is another. So, I was greatly encouraged by the large turnout of parents, with representation from all five of our campuses, to a whole-school initiative, the Digital Safety Forum held in the Middle School Library at Highton campus last week. The event offered an opportunity for families to freely discuss the challenges associated with ensuring the digital safety of our young people. The night included messages from our Director of Wellbeing, Kim Doherty, and Director of Digital Learning, Brendan Vanderkley as well as Victoria Police Leading Senior Constable and Youth Resource Officer, Robbie Noggler. For those parents and guardians who were unable to attend, you can catch up via a recording of the key points available via the link below.
Recording: Student Digital Safety Parent Forum
As Term 2 draws to a close and the holidays begin, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work of our teachers and professional support staff throughout this term in providing a quality education for our students, all the way from our Kindergartens through to Year 12. Christian College has always placed importance on both the academic and wellbeing needs of the young people in our care. Educating the next generation is certainly a privilege, but it is also a significant responsibility and undertaking, as teachers not only impart knowledge, skills and values, but also serve as mentors, role models and sources of support. I am therefore tremendously grateful for the way our teachers have faithfully committed to supporting their students, and their colleagues, throughout Term 2.
A reminder that students will be returning for the commencement of Term 3 on Monday, July 17.
Finally, may I leave you with these words of encouragement from Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Rick Geall, Acting Principal
From the Acting Head of Campus
As we enter ‘half-time’ of the 2023 academic year, it is a great opportunity to reflect on the experiences and accomplishments of the first two terms. Our students have committed themselves well to building a positive community that supports learning and wellbeing. The role of our House system cannot be underestimated in this. Our House Mentors and Heads and Assistant Heads of House strive each day to provide a culture that nurtures each student in their care. This can be done through community activities that allow students to connect with each other, through guidance and advice, through encouragement, and even through accountability. The positive way students have engaged in our House events, either through participating or enthusiastic spectating, is an indication of their connection to their House and a testament to the important role these events play in the life and energy of our campus.
I must also commend the students once again for their willingness to embrace the changes to the way they are able to access their mobile phones at Senior School. On the whole, this transition has been seamless, and we have been impressed with the mature way our students have understood the need for this change to support our community; both with regard to classroom learning and social interactions. Staff have shared the difference this has made within the classroom and have witnessed the benefit to students in the yard during recess and lunchtime. In a similar vein, we continue to see the vast majority of students wear their uniform with pride around campus, in accordance with our expectations. It speaks to their feeling of belonging within our community. This has been added to with the introduction of the Year 12 jumpers this term. The new design, led by our College prefects, looks smart on our graduating class and supports their connection to their cohort as they journey towards the culmination of their formal schooling.
The semester has been punctuated with a plethora of events and opportunities that have allowed us to witness the many talents and great character of our students. These include our sporting events, both those that allow students to represent their House in major carnivals and minor sports competitions, and those that allow our students to represent our College against other schools; our music and performance events, including the incredibly successful Picnic at Hanging Rock and House Music Festival, as well as performance evenings for our music and drama students; the recent Presentation Balls; the House Cooking Festival; International Women’s Day Breakfast; and community outreach and service initiatives, including on-campus fundraising and awareness campaigns, visits to local charities such as Geelong Mums and to Indigenous communities in Central Australia, and meal preparation by our VM students for local families in need. This is just a sample of the myriad things that our young people have been involved in this semester, and point the breadth of opportunities provided to them alongside their academic development.
When you add it all up, it is no wonder our staff and students are looking forward to the opportunity to rest, recuperate, and reenergise over the coming break! It has been a full and fulfilling first half of the year. On behalf of all staff at Senior School, thank you for partnering with us throughout this first semester. We wish you and your family a blessed time over the mid-year holiday, and we look forward to welcoming all students back for the second half of the year. More details about the commencement of Term 3 will be shared with families closer to the return date.
Damian Stephenson, Acting Deputy Head of Senior School
Purpose, Passion and Senior School Pathways – Information Session
Senior Campus wishes to thank all students and families, for joining us at the recent Senior School Pathways online information session and engaging in this presentation aimed at supporting your child's final years of secondary education. We hope that the presentations by our Deputy Head of Campus, Vocational Pathways Coordinator, and VCE Coordinator have provided you with valuable insights into the various learning pathways available to them at Senior School.
For your reference the Senior School Hub, has a recording and transcript of the online presentation including the Q&A session. For those who were not able to attend we strongly recommend you make take the time to view this in conjunction with viewing the recently published Year 10 Welcome to Senior School Booklet and/or the Senior (Year 11 and 12) Subject information Booklet. These are available in the Senior School Hub via this link: Subject Information - The Senior School Hub
To help your child make informed decisions regarding their learning pathways and Subject Selection we recommend a discussion with a careers practitioner. Our careers practitioners are available to provide additional support and guidance to you and your child. They can help address any specific questions or concerns you may have and assist in navigating the decision-making process. So please feel free to email them at [email protected] to request a booking, and they will endeavour to get back to you after the semester break.
We also encourage you to attend our upcoming Welcome to Senior School and Subject Evenings at our Senior Campus in early Term 3. These events will offer further opportunities to explore subject options, meet with teachers and staff, and gain a deeper understanding of the available pathways and subject offerings.
Welcome to Senior School Evening – for all current Year 9 and new students, broadcast to the Rural Program.
| Date | Thursday, July 20th (Week 1 of Term 3) |
| Times | Presentation 1: 5:45pm – 6.30pm Presentation 2: 7.00pm – 7.45pm |
| Location | RW Gibson Music Performance Centre Senior School Campus 135 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds |
Click here to RSVP
Senior School Subject Information evening – for all current year 9, 10 and 11 students, as well as any new students in 2024; including Our World Information session for interested Year 10 students. (Rural Students will be bussed to Senior Campus for the evening)
| Date | Wednesday, July 26th (Week 2 of Term 3) |
| Times | 4:00 till 7:30 pm (Our World Information session 6:00 – 6:30pm) |
| Location | English and Language Centre Senior School Campus 135 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds |
We hope that these events and opportunities encourage you and your child to reflect on their academic capacity, their current level of engagement and enjoyment of school, their mental health and wellbeing, and their future aspirations so that they feel confident that they are selecting the most suitable learning pathway. We are here to support them every step of the way and encourage you to reach out for advice and support during this time.
Antony Benson, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Persuasive Oral Presentations
Public speaking is a fear shared by many, and this week our Year 12 English students faced these fears as they began delivering their ‘Oral Presentations’. The assessment task involves persuading a target audience linked to an issue that has appeared in the Australian media since September 2022. Each student was assigned a time in which they had four minutes to deliver their speech to a panel of Year 12 teachers; a very daunting task!
Our current cohort demonstrated their willingness to learn more about current affairs, and the issues chosen included a broad range of topics including (but not limited to):
Access to the Kardinia Park Swimming Pool Facilities
‘Fast fashion’
Salary caps in local footy clubs
‘Mixed Martial Arts’ as a sport for young people
Environmentally sustainable surf wear
Cat curfews
The lack of rental properties on the Surf Coast
Team uniforms for female athletes
Our students did a wonderful job in working to develop speeches that were both effective and confidently presented.
Added to this, there were many moments in which we saw students actively reassuring and supporting other students as they waited to present; this was a moment in their final year when our Year 12 students recognised how important it is to be there for a friend or colleague when needed.
As our Year 12s approach the final months of their journey at CCG, it is reassuring to know that beyond assessment tasks and SACS, they have found their voice as young adults ready to engage with a world beyond the classroom.
The photos show Kailan White and Isaac Boseley in action during their Oral Presentations.
Trish Saffin
Soekarno Photographic Exhibition Ignites VCE Indonesian Students
The Year 11 and 12 Indonesian classes recently went on a captivating excursion to a photographic exhibition featuring Indonesia’s first President, Soekarno. Curated by the Australian-Indonesian Association of Victoria (AIAV) and collaborated with the Asia Institute (Indonesian Program) at the University of Melbourne, this exhibition proved to be an eye-opening experience for the students. They learnt a lot about the rich history and the struggle for independence through a photographic journey documenting the life of Indonesia’s founding father; Soekarno.
Part of their VCE Indonesian curriculum, the students had been delving into the rich history of Indonesia, with a particular focus on Soekarno’s significance in shaping Indonesia’s history which cannot be overstated.
The exhibition was a remarkable display of Soekarno’s life and achievements. Courtesy of one of Soekarno’s sons, Guntur Soekarnoputra, as well as from private collections of AIAV members, the images provided a vivid window into the past. From political rallies to historic events, the photographs captured the essence of Soekarno’s leadership and the struggles faced by Indonesia during its journey towards independence.
For the students, this excursion was a unique opportunity to witness history from an extensive and impressive collection of photographs never exhibited anywhere in neither Indonesia nor Australia. As they explored the exhibition, they gained a deeper understanding of the man behind the historical persona. It was a chance to connect with the past, to witness the legacy of a leader whose vision shaped a nation.
The excursion not only reinforced the students’ knowledge of Indonesian history, but it also ignited a sense of appreciation for the cultural ties between Australia and Indonesia. It highlighted the shared heritage and the importance of fostering strong relationships between the two nations.
It was also with great pride that our very own Year 12 student, Oscar Saffin was invited to give a poetry recitation at the opening of the Exhibition almost a week prior to the excursion. Oscar’s rendition of the poem written by the First President himself, titled Aku Melihat Indonesia (I see Indonesia) received a rousing applause from everyone attended and there weren’t many dry eyes that afternoon. The guests at the opening included many dignitaries, academics and community leaders who were most impressed with Oscar’s rousing and flawless recitation!
The Indonesian Program at the College is most grateful for the opportunity extended to our VCE students to partake in a most impressive exhibition and we wish to express our gratitude to the AIAV President, Ibu Pollard, for extending the invitation to our College and VCE Indonesian students. It was an invigorating and immersive experience for all students and the accompanying staff.
Nani Thomas
Media Productions in Full Motion
It’s the end of Unit 3 for all Year 12 Media students. This is when they are busy working on the finishing touches of their Media Production Design Folio. It has been a long process that involves all students completing the Five Stages of Production. The students have developed and researched best practice of a variety of Media Forms. These range from the Moving Image (TV Series, Vlogs & Film Texts), Print Productions (Photography, Advertising & Magazine) and Audio Products (Pod Casts & Film Score).
Pre-Production involved students completing their Intention and Audience Statements. They were able to unpack their narrative, style and genre. I was impressed with the level of detail in many of the folios. Some of the creative ideas from each student will be displayed at the 2023 Art Festival at the end of the year.
Post-Production allowed the students to reveal how they will be employing written, visual and audio elements to engage their targeted audience.
Finally, distribution will be considered by each student based on the ideological and social values that will be integrated in their product’s themes, during the time and society their media product will be consumed and received.
Natalie Knite
Interhouse Soccer
House soccer has been played over the past few weeks with all games providing entertainment, teamwork and athletic prowess. This year the competition returned to the top oval for houses to compete in the full field version of the world game.
The final standing after all rounds had been played had Burrows on top of the ladder with Taylor closely behind with two wins each. This made for much anticipation of a close grand final encounter; however, Burrows kicked their way to stardom in the final with a 3-0 win. Zoe Morgan, Taj Beckworth and Harris Gee all kicked a goal and contributed to the outstanding team effort of the Burrows Bears.
Thank you to all staff and students who have contributed to the house soccer competition, we look forward to House Volleyball early in Term 3.
Drew Oliver
Year 12 Sociology Excursion
In Term 3 Year 12 Sociology students studied ethnic culture and multiculturalism in modern Australia. In this area of study, students learnt about the rich material and non-material aspects of various cultures, the complex ways people forge hybrid identities, and, also the historical, political and social factors that help foster or limit a sense of inclusion and belonging in contemporary society.
Recently, Year 12 Sociology students travelled to Melbourne to visit the Immigration Museum in the CBD, and the Islamic Museum of Australia in Thornbury, to enrich their study of ethnic culture and diversity. The excursion began with a self-directed tour of the “Identity: Yours, Mine, Ours” exhibit in the Immigration Museum. This provided students with an opportunity to explore Australia’s changing sense of national identity and encouraged them to directly engage with the stories of First Nations peoples, migrants, refugees and other Australians from all walks of life. Students loved being immersed in the myriad of informative and thought-provoking displays in the exhibit. The artefacts and installations prompted lively discussion and critical reflection.
Students also ventured to the Islamic Museum of Australia on this excursion. This visit enabled students to explore the way religion can shape a group’s sense of shared identity. The exhibits in the Islamic Museum of Australia focussed on the experiences of Muslim Australians from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and the contributions they have made to Australia and the world in many fields of human endeavour, including architecture, science, mathematics, art and literature. Kym Wilton facilitated the visit. Kym is a knowledgeable and friendly former Sociology teacher and assessor, and a current museum curator. During our visit, Kym educated students about the unique experiences of Lebanese-Australians through an engaging lecture and enlightening tour of the museum’s highlights. Before leaving, students were treated to a special Q and A with Wafa Fahour, one of the founders of the Museum, who candidly answered student questions about the rewards and challenges of growing up between two cultures, before the group shared a tasty lunch at the onsite café.
The excursion was a wonderful learning experience and the Year 12 Sociology students who attended were excellent ambassadors for our college.
Jess Brandon
Topics in the latest Careers Newsletter:
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- Reminder – employment opportunities
- University early entry programs
- Reminder – high achiever scholarship programs
- Monash University – Business Explorer Program
- The University of Melbourne – a Day at Melbourne
YEAR 10 +11 STUDENTS
- Monash University – Business Explorer Program
- The University of Melbourne – a Day at Melbourne
- National Youth Science Forum – applications closing soon
- Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
- Agriculture – Defying the Drift Program
ALL STUDENTS
- Global Sports Programs – elite Football and Rugby campus
- Apprenticeships and traineeships
- Open Days
- Law courses in Victoria
- Careers in economics
- Study security studies at university
- Health information management
- Focus on agriculture
- Amazing Cyber Security program
- Careers with STEM: Defence Force careers
- UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing
- Natural health courses
Bec Bromilow
A Day at Melbourne Uni
Year 11 and 12 students are invited to experience a taste of university life this school holidays! Throughout the day students will take part in two areas of study workshops, sit in on a panel of current students to hear about their experiences, speak to staff one-on-one about your study interests, discover our broad range of student clubs and societies, and participate in student accommodation tours.
9am – 2.30pm Wednesday 28 June,
University of Melbourne Parkville Campus
Register to attend: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/nc8s
Bec Bromilow
Digital Safety and Wellbeing at Home
Parent and Guardian Support for the Holiday Period
It was wonderful to see and meet with so many parents from across our campuses who attended last week’s Student Digital Safety parent forum. For those parents and guardians who were unable to attend, you can catch up via a recording of the key points available via the link below.
A key message reinforced multiple times over the evening was regarding the importance of platforms and technology (such as parental controls) as well as education, engagement, and communication with young people about their online activities.
It’s common during school holiday periods, particularly during colder months, for young people to engage in more technology use for recreation and socialising with peers. As this holiday period begins, I hope that the parent and guardian resources below are helpful.
ySafe Article: ‘Modelling healthy online behaviours to children’
In this article, ySafe online safety expert Teodora Pavkovic provides seven tips and suggestions to help parents lead, model and promote positive and safe digital behaviours for all members of their household.
Qustodio Parent App
Parents are reminded that as part of the College’s Cyber Safe Schools Program, all families have access to the Qustodio Parent App to help monitor and manage children’s digital activities on school and personal devices. Parents and guardians can learn more and activate their personal account via our Online Safety Hub.
CCG Online Safety Hub
If you’re a parent or guardian seeking advice, information and guidance around any aspect of digital wellbeing, online safety and young people then the parent advice section of our CCG Online Safety Hub is a great place to start.
I hope that the above resources are of support to all our families, enabling you to engage with and support your young people in the digital space over this upcoming holiday period.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Would you Like to go to Space…Camp?
The Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship is an international education program which aims to reward aspiring STEM enthusiasts and future leaders with a hands-on astronaut training experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Centre’s renowned Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
Four students from Australia will be awarded a scholarship to the International Space Camp program taking place in Huntsville, Alabama in July 2024. The winning group of students (and one teacher) will make up ‘Mission Crew #13 - Team Australia’, and will join fellow groups from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, Singapore, United States and Poland to become ‘Team Endeavour’.
Successful applicants will receive an all-expenses paid enrolment and airfare to Space Camp, where for one-week students are immersed in the ultimate educational experience to illuminate real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
All covered expenses include tuition, dormitory accommodation, meals throughout the week, and economy class round trip from Australia to Huntsville, Alabama. Travel will also include all transportation on the ground, as well as a day trip to Washington DC ahead of Space Camp commencement.
Who can apply:
Students must be 15 – 18 years old (as of July 2024) and have an outstanding desire to further their studies in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Applicants must possess a passion to one day apply and contribute to that body of knowledge.
How to apply:
Submissions are now open. You will need to complete an application form as well as a 3-minute video describing what the Endeavour Scholarship opportunity would mean for you and your larger community (school and beyond).
Find more information application details go to https://www.indopacificexpo.com.au/program/the-astronaut-al-worden-endeavour-scholarship/
Submissions close Friday 28 July.
Elissa Huddart, Director of Teaching and Learning, Science
Calling the Class of 2013!
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!
