From the Principal
Engaged and Reconnected
This term has seen a great deal of positive energy and enthusiasm across our campuses. I am extremely grateful to the staff and students for the manner in which they have jointly created a happy, engaging, and exciting learning environment and culture.
The return to the fullness of learning experiences, extra curricula opportunities, House events and community events has contributed greatly to the overall positive re-engagement for our community. I am delighted that this has been the case.
Offering a Wonderful Menu
Over the past few weeks, we have provided our families with Subject Expos to assist students to make decisions and selections for their subject choices. We also took the opportunity to invite prospective families to attend the ‘Sample Our Menu’ sessions, seeing first-hand the extensive range on offer in our Junior, Middle and Senior School contexts. Attending these events provided me with a wonderful sense of gratitude and appreciation for all that our staff and subject leaders have created for our students. The rich learning opportunities are remarkable. My thanks to the campus leadership, the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr Antony Benson, the Faculty Directors, the staff, and the students involved for their collective efforts to curate and present our college program in such an extensive fashion.
Piloting and Sharing Great Learning Opportunities
We have been blessed having Harvard University Project Zero Principal Investigator Flossie Chua return to our college to work with staff on two important programs we have been piloting in partnership with other independent schools and our peak body, Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). Flossie visited our campuses two weeks ago to observe our staff and students interacting in lessons that have been trialling a framework taking ‘Ideas into Action’ using a range of strategies in a quest to translate ideas, (principles, plans, good intentions, etc.) into action on the ground. The work undertaken by the Christian College team was later shared with other partner schools where it received high praise. The ideas that our students were exploring takes their learning beyond the classroom to make an impact in our world and community, addressing environmental and social justice issues, as well as access and equity, as part of their collective focus.
Flossie returned this week to launch a new pilot program focusing on ‘Transformative Repair’, a concept both Flossie and I have shared with staff and our community on previous occasions. This project looks at how strategic and sustained engagement with transformative repair as an artistic practice, can create supportive conditions for individuals and communities to find personal and broader purpose. This is particularly relevant and applicable in times of unprecedented uncertainty and challenge and encourages us to design effective ways to “repair” communities both literally and figuratively. The team working with Flossie will be preparing a strategic launch of this project for our college in 2023. Together with the work that our Wellbeing Team are producing, this is a very timely and supportive element of our demonstrated care for our community.
Our staff are loving the unique opportunity to work with Flossie and to collaborate with staff from other schools, alongside the ISV, in this important work. It is nourishment for their practice, and a powerful encouragement toward enhancing professional growth.
Partnering With Wellbeing
I wish to highlight the incredible work currently being done by our Wellbeing Team. The framework we have shared with you previously, designed to guide our care and support programs, is now beginning to take shape. Wellbeing involves many aspects of College life, and we are addressing each aspect strategically - from developing our Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy support, to creating a ‘Community of Respect,’ and working within our curriculum to further enhance the designated Wellbeing sessions. A particular focus we want to highlight is the cyber world that our young people navigate. To that end I commend the Parent Information Evenings which will be held on both September 1st and September 8th. I strongly encourage all families to attend and to invest this hour in support of our young people and our community. The evenings are planned to create a partnership, allowing us to work together in this complex environment, for the benefit of our students. Please register and come along. I look forward to seeing you there.
Reconciliation Action
Yesterday, I had the privilege to meet with the committee working to establish our college Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Since 2006, RAPs have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation around core principles of relationships, respect, and opportunities together to support our journey with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The committee will be co-chaired by students and consists of representatives from our parent community, staff, our College Board, and myself. We have incredible support from Taryn Marks, our advisor, who is mentoring and guiding us to develop a meaningful RAP which will support us as a community, fostering shared conversation and future direction, as we seek to grow in our awareness and knowledge.
Providing Important Feedback
Families will have received an email invitation from ISV Data to complete LEAD Surveys - part of our way of reflecting upon our practice, processes, and culture. This feedback is benchmarked and used to monitor longitudinal data and trends which can assist us with our strategic and operational planning. I would appreciate as many families as possible responding to the survey to ensure that we capture a valid sample of responses. Staff as well as students at some year levels will also participate in this survey. It is important to hear both positive and constructive feedback. I hear parents say that they chose not to complete the survey because they are happy with the College, but we would appreciate hearing that information through the collected data. To gain a represented perspective from all college stakeholders, we would appreciate a larger sample of contributions to this survey.
A Seat in the Room where it Happens
I was invited to participate in a roundtable conversation at Parliament House in Canberra last Friday, called by the Federal Minister for Education Jason Clare MP. The meeting was attended by all the State and Territory Education Ministers and representatives from all education sectors, teacher unions and tertiary institutions. The focus of the meeting was to address the issue of teacher workforce shortages, and matters relating to initial teacher education, and the demands and conditions that impact teachers. As a community we need to seek solutions to these concerning issues.
It was a privilege for me to be afforded a voice to speak on behalf of my independent school colleagues and the communities we lead and care for. It was refreshing to witness time being invested by our ministers from across the nation to listen to our voice. There is much work to be done, but I left with a deep sense of hope, seeing our leaders presenting a genuine appetite to address the fact that the teaching profession needs to receive greater respect and support to best meet the complex needs of the young people in our schools today and in the future.
As always, I continue to hold my colleagues in education in high esteem, and I remain grateful for the significant and vital work they do each day in their classrooms, and throughout the broader community. They invest generously in the lives of students and indeed families. I look forward to further conversations and action plans addressing the delivery of collective support for the important work done by Teachers.
As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education is the key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, to preventing needless deaths and illness, and to fostering peace.
Why wouldn’t we support and respect our teachers?
It begins with each of us. I believe in the power of education and in the shared partnership that we enjoy with students, families, and the College - working together with purpose to make the world a better place and to see humankind flourishing. We each have a responsibility to value and support one another in this process.
To conclude, I offer one more quote from Nelson Mandela; “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.”
Reserve Your Place!
Wellbeing Evening and Cyber Safe Schools Program Launch
We enjoyed a fantastic night with the parents, families, students and staff attending the first Digital Wellbeing Evening held at our Senior School Campus last night, Thursday 1st September. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to reserve your place at the second and final of our two nights, please save the date and reserve your place now! We would love to see you there. We encourage you to take a few minutes to view the video below to find out more about this important event. The evening will be presented at our Bellarine Campus next Thursday 8th September starting at 7pm. We expect to run for about 45 minutes, finishing with time for questions and a cuppa together.
We ask all Parents and Families to share their attending intentions with us via our online RSVP Response Form. Please access the form by clicking the image or link below.
https://forms.office.com/r/QwN6TXBE41
Science and Engineering Challenge
As part of National Science Week celebrations on Thursday a group of 22 eager Year 10 Science students participated in the Science and Engineering Challenge at Deakin University. Students worked in small groups on a range of challenges such as construction of a bionic hand, designing and building a suspension system for a Martian rover, constructing the most efficient hydro-electric style water turbine, or constructing the strongest earthquake proof tower. Throughout the day students had opportunity to test their prototypes and apply their critical and creative thinking skills to develop and refine their designs. The day culminated in the testing of model bridges required to carry ‘gold’ ingots across a purpose-built test rig, during which it was fantastic to see students enthusiastically celebrating the successes (and otherwise!) of their own and other schools’ constructions. Students reflected that they appreciated the opportunity to apply their problem-solving skills with friends in a competitive and supportive environment and discovered their own ability to contribute and work collaboratively as a team. As students consider their 2023 subject selections and future pathways it was also a great opportunity for them to experience the opportunities and facilities available for STEM related studies at Deakin University.
Concert for Reconnections
On Thursday 25th August selected students from our Music Investigation class have been invited to perform at the Concert for Reconnections Youth Arts Program organised by the City of Greater Geelong.
The concert/exhibition is a collaboration between secondary school visual art students from Sacred Heart and 10 of our College musicians. The artistic director, together with Regina Thomae, have chosen pieces from students’ Music Investigation programs and put them together with art works. The program is in three different sections with each section being started by a student speaking about their involvement in music and with their instrument in particular. There will be a Jazz section, Romantic and Vocal section and a Baroque/Classical section. Our student soloists performing in this concert are Atharv Joshi, Leo Treloar, Emily Treloar, Christian Ranieri, Caleb Venn, Kristen Wigg, Alice Quick, Adela Karol, Maya Fuller and Chelsea Eldridge.
The concert is open to the public and runs from 2pm-3pm at St. Mary’s Basilica, Yarra St, Geelong.
An Explosion of Colour at the Villa Paloma Campus!
During the last two weeks we have had the privilege of welcoming back Connor Firth, an ex-student of Christian College to paint a mural at the Villa Paloma. Connor graduated in 2017 and has been creating art in various forms since he left our school.
Connor has painted several murals in the Geelong Region. He has also had a solo exhibition of his paintings at The Shearers Arms Gallery. One of the highlights of his art making was the mural he painted in Melbourne in memory of the victims of the Bourke Street Mall disaster.
Connor has been working with students from Year 10/ 11 and 12, demonstrating his skills in aerosol art, including how to use colour combinations, creating tonal qualities and layering of paint. The students have been absolutely fascinated with what Connor can do with the humble spray can.
2022 Senior House Cross Country Carnival
A wet and overcast day made for classic cross-country carnival on Friday last week. All four houses battled it out for the trophy, but ultimately it was Burrows that took out the 2022 championship, followed closely by Penman in 2nd place, Taylor coming 3rd and Flynn in 4th place.
It was great to see so many students actively involved and encouraging each other. Some highlights for the day included:
- Year 12 students Bethany Dean taking out the fastest female on campus and Jacob McKie the fastest male on campus.
- Having our Year 12s lead the way in participation numbers in both the male and female categories.
Results are below:
Overall
Place | House |
1st | Burrows |
2nd | Penman |
3rd | Taylor |
4th | Flynn |
Top 3 Male and Female
Year | Male | Female |
10 | 1st Rhys McNabb 2nd Cameron Klein 3rd Oscar Clark | 1st Shelley Forkgen 2nd Alice Joyce 3rd Alyssia Smith |
11 | 1st Jacob Mckie 2nd Aaron Hanson 3rd Kade Leigh | 1st Isabell Jordan 2nd Nicole Briscoe 3rd Laura Hall |
12 | 1st Harrison Leigh 2nd Josh Altmann 3rd Caleb Venn | 1st Bethany Dean 2nd Bianca P 3rd Nyah Brown/ Kiera Green |
GISSA Senior Boys Soccer Championships
Last week the Christian College Senior Boys competed in the GISSA Soccer Championships. The boys performed well for the day, winning their pool, and progressing to the Grand Final. They lost in the final, however, it was great to see them preform so well in this event.
The player of the tournament for Christian College went to Hamish Masters.
Congratulations to all boys involved in this day.
Year 12 Exam Revision Webinars
ACU (Australian Catholic University), along with InspirED, have created free online revision webinars to help you prepare for what’s to come and do your best.
These revision webinars are run by experienced Year 12 assessors and exam markers who will know exactly how to guide you through this process and even help you respond to example exam questions. During the session you will be able to better understand the topics presented to you and learn some fantastic study tips and tricks too.
And there will be a live 30-minute Q&A, giving you the chance to have your questions answered.
When:
Monday 29 August, 7 – 8.30pm
English – Unit 4: Reading and Comparing Texts, Presenting Argument, (Section B of the exam)
Tuesday 30 August, 7 – 8.30pm
Mathematical Methods – Unit 4: Probability
Wednesday 31 August, 7 – 8.30pm
Business Management – Unit 4: Transforming a Business
Thursday 1 September, 7 – 8.30pm
Health and Human Development – Unit 4: Health and Human Development in a Global Context
Monday 5 September, 7 – 8.30pm
Legal Studies – Unit 4: The People and the Law
Tuesday 6 September, 7 – 8.30pm
Religion and Society – Unit 3: The Search for Meaning and Unit 4: Religion, Challenge and Change
How do I get involved?
Register now for these sessions online
Careers Spot
Please find attached the Career Newsletter and an Open Day Calendar for dates running from 20 August.
Topics this week include:
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- Tertiary applications – resources
- Open days this weekend
- Year 12 events – get help with your tertiary applications
- University and TAFE scholarships
- Key application dates
- Career and course exploration resources
ALL STUDENTS
- Employment resources
- Competitions
- Amazing programs and camps – agriculture, camp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, IT, biomedical research
- Fantastic program for students interested in the construction industry
- Upcoming career events
Wearable Art Returns!
The popular Wearable Art – Senior School’s House-based art/fashion spectacular returns for the first time since 2019 on the last day of Term 3, September 16. Wearable Art has been a much-loved annual event on the Senior School calendar as each house designs and creates expressive costumes inspired by their house colours and a self-chosen theme. This year for the first time we will also welcome Year 3 and 4 students from Surf Coast Campus who have also been busily creating their own costumes and will parade them in front of the audience on the day. We can't wait to see everyone's fantastic creations!
LEAD Surveys
A reminder to all College families – you will have received an email invitation from Independent Schools Victoria Data to complete LEAD Surveys - part of our way of reflecting upon our practice, processes, and culture. Staff and students at some year levels are also invited to participate.
We highly value both positive and constructive feedback and rely on the data collected from these surveys to assist with operational and strategic planning. To this end, we would encourage and ask as many families as possible to respond to the survey to ensure we are working with an accurate representation of perspectives. The closing date for surveys is a week from today – please consider participating if you have not done so already. Thank you.
Camp Australia Staff Recruitment
Camp Australia, the nationally recognised leader in Outside School Hours Care, is seeking new team members - please click on the link to the poster below:
Important VET Information for Subject Selection 2023
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 study VET as well as VCE Unit 1 Industry and Enterprise over the whole year which includes a week of work experience. VET is mandatory for students studying the new VCE Vocational Major (VM) and optional for VCE students. More information can be found in the subject selection booklets and on the Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA.
VET Course Information, Application Processes and Dates for 2023
- SELECT VET AS A CCG SUBJECT.
- Create a Unique Student Identifier at https://www.usi.gov.au/
- Choose your VET course from either The Gordon or Non Gordon
- APPLY FOR YOUR VET COURSE.
Non-Gordon Courses (Government and Catholic School Offerings)
Course information and application form can be found on the Senior School Hub. It will also be emailed to all Year 9 students and parents.
A hard copy application form is to be completed and returned to the CCG Senior Campus student office.
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 2nd FOR ALL STUDENTS
Second year students need to complete the application form to reapply for 2023.
Gordon Courses
COURSE INFORMATION AND ONLINE APPLICATION LINKS CAN BE FOUND ON Senior School Hub – VET for 2023 on SEQTA or by visiting https://www.thegordon.edu.au/sitedocs/publications/vet-delivered-to-secondary-students-guide.aspx
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 16 – VCE, VCE VM & VPC STUDENTS only
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 30 – YEAR 10 STUDENTS
Second year students do not need to reapply.
General Information
Early applications are highly recommended to secure a place. Most VET course run over 2 years. VET typically runs on Wednesday afternoons for 1st Year students and Monday afternoons for 2nd year students.
Year 10 VET students’ study VCE Unit 1 Industry & Enterprise for 3 periods a week and attend VET for 2 periods a week. They do a work placement in the first week of the holidays at the end of term 2.
CCG provides transport to VET – students make their own way home. VET courses incur an additional fee that is course dependent. CCG offers a subsidy.
For any queries about VET please contact me at Senior Campus or at k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au
THE GORDON VET STUDENTS
2nd Year Gordon students do not need to reapply. Please notify the student office if you plan to withdraw for 2023.
NON GORDON RTO’s, Belmont High, BSC, MFSC & Covenant College
2nd Year students must reapply, application forms available from the Student Office or on the Senior Hub.
Scholarship Applications for 2024 Entry now Open!
Each year we offer Academic Excellence Scholarships for entry at Year 5 (Middle School-Highton, Bellarine and Surf Coast campuses); Year 7 (Middle School-Highton and Bellarine); and Year 10 (Senior School-Waurn Ponds).
These scholarships have been designed primarily to encourage and support new and current students who wish to attend Christian College and who demonstrate high levels of academic excellence.
We are now seeking scholarship applications for entry at any of those year levels in 2024.
For more information, and to apply, please see our website. Use the hotlink from our homepage or click here
Applications close on Thursday September 29. The examination date is Saturday October 8.
East Timor Trivia Night
Golf Tournament
The Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, 27 October 2022. Join us at 13th Beach Golf Links from 8:00am for a shotgun start. Tickets are $190 each ($150 for members) or $750 for a group of four. RSVPs close on Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 5:00pm.
Funds raised from this event will be allocated to our Foundation Scholarship Fund, supporting current students who are in need of financial assistance.
Book online at: The Foundation Golf Tournament
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
Language influences thinking. So, if you want to change your thinking patterns, then you need to change your language. MYTERN provides that language. Start simply. Changing "bad and good" to "rough and smooth" reduces the judgement you have towards yourself and others. Even such a small change has proven to be life changing 😊👍
Discover more about MYTERN here.