Senior School – Term 3 Week 1

From the Acting Principal

Despite some chilly weather this week, the sun shone brightly on the start of this new term. It was a pleasure to get to many of the campus commencement assemblies on Monday and to witness the buzz of excitement among the students as they reconnected with their peers and teachers after the holidays. These first day gatherings, coming off a three-week midyear break for students, provided a wonderful opportunity to set a positive tone for the second half of the year. Our College Captains, Molly Cooper and Seth Wilkinson, shared an encouraging message around the importance of self-care, not only at the Senior Campus assembly, but in visits to Highton, Bellarine and Belmont assemblies as well. We are blessed as a community to have two such leaders as Molly and Seth, who show such genuine care for the wellbeing of all students, no matter what age or what campus they are from.

Last week, staff returned for our annual Staff Retreat. Held over Thursday and Friday, this year’s theme, “Here to Serve”, gave us an opportunity to look outward, and we did so in practical and meaningful ways on Thursday afternoon through a range of organised community service activities. These included, just to name a few, beach cleanups along our beautiful coastline, blood and plasma donation, knitting blankets for bereavement support, biscuit-making for Bellarine Foodbank, meal preparation for the McKellar Centre Palliative Care Unit, working with various Landcare groups and Op Shop volunteering. The Christian College philosophical statement expresses our desire to apply Christ’s teaching of love, justice and compassion and to experience an afternoon where over 300 committed and caring staff of Christian College were able to outwork this was truly incredible. Here’s just a few examples of the positive feedback given by staff about this day: “It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community”; “Every part of the retreat fostered a great sense of community and fellowship”; “it was a real out of my comfort zone experience”.

At the Staff Retreat each year, we have an opportunity at a formal dinner to acknowledge those staff who have milestone years of service at the College. This year, we recognised 25 staff with 10 years of service, twelve with 15 years and four with 20 years of service. The loyalty and faithful service of so many staff, be it teachers or professional support staff, over such a long period of time in our relatively short 43 years of history, is a wonderful blessing to this community.

From the Acting Head of Campus

As I mentioned at our commencement assembly on Monday, it is a real honour and privilege to be appointed as acting Head of Campus for Semester 2. It is my firm belief that education is not just about academics; it is about nurturing the whole person. At Christian College we are committed to providing a holistic and enriching learning experience for every student under our care.

Our Senior Campus is a very special place, and we are very proud of the outcomes students and staff have achieved in the first half of the year. On behalf of the Senior School, I thank Mr Stevenson for his leadership during Semester 1 and congratulate him on his 17 years’ service to the College. We wish him well as he embarks on a new journey to achieve his aspiration as a firefighter.

Each one of us also has unique aspirations and goals that we strive to achieve. Whether it’s becoming an electrician, an artist, an engineer, or anything else, it’s essential to remember that our dreams are within reach if we are willing to work for them. In my first address to staff this week I spoke of the importance of further developing an ethos of learning at Senior School. This will enable our students to take full responsibility for their learning and ensure they will be willing to work hard for their aspiration. I am sure this is what we all want for our young people.

Important VET Information and Subject Selection for 2024

Vocational Education Training (VET) is offered as a subject in Year 10, 11 and 12 at CCG Senior Campus. Students travel off campus to either The Gordon or a government or catholic school (non-Gordon) who offer the courses one afternoon a week. Year 10 students who select VET also study VCE VM Unit 1 Work Related Skills over the whole year and complete one week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE (ATAR) students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and VET tab located in the Senior School Hub on SEQTA.

VET Course Information, Application Processes and Dates for 2024

1. SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
2. Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
3. Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non-Gordon supplier.
4. APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE. Choose PM classes only.

NON-GORDON COURSES (GOVERNMENT AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL OFFERINGS)

COURSE INFORMATION AND HARD COPY APPLICATION FORMS can be found on the Senior School Hub under the VET tab and at CCG campus student offices. All Year 9,10 and 11 students and parents will be informed via email.

A HARD COPY APPLICATION FORM FOR NON-GORDON COURSES IS TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO CCG Senior Campus student office via email to c.brew@ccg.vic.edu.au

Big Science Competition

At this morning’s Year 10 assembly, three of our senior campus students received certificates for their participation and effort in the Big Science Competition during Term 2. The competition consists of a 30-question quiz assessing STEM skills of analysis, evaluation, critical thinking and problem-solving. Well done to Charlotte Muller and Supreet Kaur on their Participation Certificates and a special congratulations to Noelle Rees-Wilson on achieving a Distinction, which places her in the top 15% of entrants across Australia. 

Work Experience at Taronga Zoo

In March, I attended Sydney’s Taronga Zoo work experience program in the Marine Mammal Division. The experience was amazing, and I was very excited to have secured a very sought-after place in the program. I was able to gain real world experience working alongside zookeepers and the marine mammals. 

Throughout the week I worked with keepers including running the seal shows, preparation of food, and cleaning of enclosures for the penguins/seals. I loved being up-close and behind the scenes at the zoo and the support and advice I received from the keepers was highly beneficial. It was great to spend time in a working zoo environment.

This experience was incredibly beneficial in my pathway choices for after graduation, and it was an amazing opportunity that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in this type of career.’

Teneal Booth – Year 12

Welcome to Senior School 2024 Information Evening

Last night we were thrilled to host an evening with the students and families who will be joining us as Year 10 students in 2024. This evening is part of our larger transition program and we hope that it was a valuable and informative session. A video from the presentation is available to parents below.

All of the information shared at this session is available through the Senior School Hub and we encourage students and families to look through it, especially the Subject Information booklets and the Pathways Mapping software.  We look forward to hosting you again next week at the Senior School Information Evening, Wednesday 26 July, where families and students can explore subject offerings and learning pathways at Senior School.

Melbourne and Monash Unis coming to Geelong

Choosing a university is a big decision. Over two nights in August, there is an opportunity to learn more about both The University of Melbourne and Monash University, what sets them apart and what they each have to offer. These events are suitable for Years 10 – 12 students and families.

Meet Melbourne, Geelong
Wednesday August 2 at 6pm
Rydges Geelong
Register HERE to attend

Monash Information Evening Geelong

Thursday August 3 at 6:30pm
GMHBA Stadium, Captains Room
Register HERE to attend

The Latest Careers Newsletter

Topics this week

YEAR 12 STUDENTS

• University applications – resources
• Compulsory university entry tests for undergraduate law and teaching
• Business Cadetship Program – Melbourne
• University of Tasmania – applications now open
• Australian Catholic University – early entry webinar
• Indigenous Apprenticeship Program with the Australian Public Service

ALL STUDENTS

• Open days are almost here!
• Careers in cyber security
• Studying business at university
• The important of post school qualifications
• 5 emerging careers in agriculture
• The Heywire competition
• UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing
• Competition – Tax, Super + You
• Free employability toolkits
• Student exchange
• Monash University – Medicine and Pharmaceutical Science
• Careers with STEM articles – meteorology, maths and economics
• Have you considered a VET pathway after school?
• What type of apprenticeship would you be suited to?
• Agriculture program – Defying the Drift

Career News, 14 July 2023

Discover Prep Week

During Discover Prep Week, August 7 – 11, three CCG campuses are offering interested parents, families and guardians the opportunity to get a firsthand view of Prep at Junior School-Belmont, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus. Our Prep programs are unparalleled and we invite anyone interested in enrolling children in Prep in 2024 and beyond, to come and visit, join a class, see our facilities, speak with teachers and campus leaders and have their questions answered. There are multiple opportunities at each of the three campuses to participate.

We would encourage our College community to spread the word about Discover Prep Week to anyone who is considering school choices for their children in 2024 and beyond.

All details, including booking information for sessions, can be found on our Discover Prep Week webpage – hit the hotlink on our homepage or click here to access it.

Scholarship Applications are Now Open!

Each year Christian College offers Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5, 7 and 10 levels. Applications are now open for this year’s scholarships, which apply to entry in 2025, at three campuses – Middle School-Highton, Bellarine Campus and Surf Coast Campus.

Year 10 entry applies to Senior School-Waurn Ponds only.

To find out more, and to apply, visit our website and look for the homepage hotlink, or click here.

Scholarship applications are open to students who do not currently attend Christian College, as well as those who are currently enrolled here. Scholarship examinations will be held at Christian College on Saturday October 7. Closing date for applications is Thursday, September 28.

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 f.provan@ccg.vic.edu.au