Senior School Term 3 Week 2

From the Head of Senior School

Off and Racing!

We have enjoyed an energetic start to term, with students settling well into routine. Along with my Deputies we have been visiting Year 10 House Groups during the first two weeks of term to learn from them of their experiences, both in settling into a new campus but and, importantly, their ideas for improving what we do. There have been some exceptional ideas coming forward which we will collate and act upon.

In Year level assemblies this week, Elissa Huddart, Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning, has been supporting students to make their learning, both at school and at home, as efficient and effective as possible. Students are encouraged to consider using useful tools like Mind Mapping, Flash Cards and Brain Dumps. Perhaps consider asking your child about these strategies and see what they know!

What’s Happening at Senior School

Friday July 26 – Senior Ensemble Music Camp / Tour

Wednesday July 31 – Unit 2 Global Politics and Unit 4 Legal Studies Excursion

Thursday August 1 – Burrows Philanthropy Day

Thursday August 1 – House Football Final

Thursday August 1 – Senior Stage Band Excursion to VSMF

Friday August 2 – Robocup Junior Competition

Monday August 5 – Taylor Building Opening

Tuesday August 6 – Gordon VET applications Open for Year 11 and 12 students

Wednesday August 7 – Year 11 Mt Baw Baw Trip

Thursday August 8 – Unit 3/4 & Yr12 VCE VM Student Learning Conferences only (Students finish at 1pm)

Friday August 9 – East Timor Trivia Night, Middle School SAC

Prefects in East Timor – A Life Changing Experience

The one word on the minds of the Year 12 Prefects as they completed a life changing trip to East Timor, was ‘community’. It was incredible how quickly students connected with the Viqueque community during their time there. They taught English classes to the local senior high school students, visited many schools, orphanages and communities to find a need to raise money for at the upcoming trivia night. This annual trip is a unique and transformational opportunity for our young people to develop a sense of social responsibility and connectedness to their world.

You can catch a glimpse of our time there during the recent mid-year break in this amazing video produced by Caitlin Deretic.

Senior Girls Netball

Much success has been celebrated and well deserved by our Senior Girls Netball Team this year. They were victorious in the GISSA competition, beating St. Ignatius for the first time, with Lila Mustica shooting the winning goal in the last 7 seconds of the final! The girls were also very competitive at the Netball Victoria Championships, coming second behind Geelong College. Their success can be attributed to how well they play as a team and the intensity and effort at which they play the game. I am very proud of contributions by all the girls.

Congratulations to the following girls: Abbey O’Hanlon (Captain), Caitlin Deretic (VC), Issie McKinnes (VC), Alyssia Smith, Lila Mustica, Shakira Dymke, Ruby Graham, Mia Murphy, Emily Lawrie & Monte Brinsdon.

Career Spot

Tertiary Open Days 2024

Attending institution open days gives you the opportunity to learn how an institution works, where it is, what opportunities are available and how you feel about the environment, people and courses.

Open Days are so helpful for students making their Year 12 future study plans; however, they are equally informative for students from Year 10 through to Year 12. Students will often visit Open Days with their families.

You can meet staff and students, see facilities, experience the on-campus culture and ask lots of questions. It’s a good idea to visit open days all the institutions you’re interested in studying at so you can feel supported in your thoughts for future tertiary study.

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) has the latest information on the dates for these.  You may find that some institutions of interest are open on the same day – this may require forward planning for your day. Events may also require pre-registration.

The (attachment) will take you to the VTAC website for the latest information available.

Qustodio Parent App

Supervise and Support Your Children on Digital Devices

This week we have communicated with all families who have a child who enrolled with us as a new student in 2024. These parents have received an email invitation and guide to activate their Qustodio parent account as part of our school program. For families who have been with us through Semester 1 this was a follow-up invitation.

A reminder to parents that the Qustodio Parent App is available to all our parents to help them supervise and support their children with their online and digital interactions at home, on the school device and on personal devices.

While parents of new students to the College have received an email invitation to activate their Qustodio parent account, any parents in our community who have not yet done so can activate their account at any time if they wish. This help document will guide you in getting started.

In addition, these short video guides may be helpful:

• Creating a Qustodio parent account to connect to a child’s school account

• How to invite an additional parent/carer to join your Qustodio family account

• How parents can get help with Qustodio

• Getting started with your Qustodio parent account

I hope that parents will value and benefit from this tool available through our school program, and to regularly explore our Online Safety Hub for support articles and resources intended especially for parents.

Important VET and Subject Selection Information for 2025

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) that 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 Process and Dates

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.

Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Scholarship applications for Year 5, 7 and 10 entry to Christian College in 2026 are now open. You can access all the information you need, and apply, by visiting our website. There is a hotlink at the top of our homepage that takes you there, or just click here.

The scholarship testing date is Saturday October 12 and all applications must be received no later than close of business on Thursday October 3.

Save the Date – East Timor Trivia Night

The annual East Timor Trivia Night is always a great night of fun that supports Christian College’s work in Viqueque, and 2024’s event is on Friday August 9. This year the venue is the Sport and Aquatic Centre at the Middle School-Highton. It’s $10 per head, with each table seating 10 people. Get your friends and families involved, put together as many people as you can and don’t miss it! Call the Senior School Campus on 5241 1577 to book.

Seeking Support for Work Placements

Students studying the VCE Vocational Major (VM) are timetabled to work with an employer related to their VET course all day on Fridays. This is called Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). There are some prefilled forms to sign and there is a minimal cost of $5.00 a day to the employer. We are seeking workplace opportunities in the Plumbing, Building and Electrical trades. If you or someone you know are willing to help these students, to get a start in their chosen careers please contact myself k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Mary Higgins m.higgins@ccg.vic.edu.au  at Senior Campus. Thank you in anticipation of some support.

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.

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!