2022 GAT
On Wednesday, September 7th all students undertaking a VCE Unit 3/4 subject, VCE VET 3/4 sequence, or Senior VCAL will be required to sit the GAT (General Achievement Test). The purpose of this test is to:
- Assess students against literacy and numeracy standards
- Check that VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed
- Help calculate a Derived Examination Score if required.
This year, the GAT will be conducted in two parts with the vast majority of students being required to complete both Sections A and B. Only Senior VCAL students who are not doing a VCE VET 3/4 sequence are exempt from Section B.
Students are expected to be at school by 9:00 am to facilitate a smooth start at 9:30 am. Section A will be finished at 11:45 am and students will receive a 90-minute lunch break, during which graduation portraits will be taken (see below). Section B will start at 1:15 pm and finish at 3:00 pm. Students are to bring their own lunch as the canteen will not be open and they are not to leave the school grounds during the break. Our normal school bus timetable will operate, and students are required to attend in full school uniform.
The students have received a briefing where relevant information regarding the GAT was shared with them. Detailed information is also available on the Senior School Hub, where there is a dedicated GAT page providing information on room allocation, sample questions, and a link to the VCAA GAT webpage.
There is also a parent information brochure available via the VCAA GAT page, located at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au.
Graduation Portraits
Arthur Reed Photography will be on site on Wednesday 7th September [GAT day] to take students individual portraits in their graduation regalia. This will take place during the scheduled lunchbreak. Students will need to be in full school uniform, clean shaven, and meeting the uniform expectations as always.
We are conscious of the timing of these portraits, and whilst the photographer is confident that there is ample time in the lunchbreak, if it happens that not all photos get taken on this day an alternate day/timeslot will be arranged.
Please direct any questions regarding graduation portraits to Ms Dianne Martin at Senior School.
Dianne Martin, Deputy Head of Campus
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
Brendan Vanderkley
Year 10 History Excursion
On Monday 29th August Year 10 History students went on an excursion to the Jewish Holocaust Centre and the Shrine of Remembrance to support and extend their study of significant historical developments, events and figures.
During our wonderful tour of the Jewish Holocaust Centre students engaged with an informative presentation from an insightful and passionate educator, before working in small groups to critically examine historical artefacts, such as passports, media propaganda, Nazi posters, ghetto food ration cards and Nazi record keeping. Students were then tasked with analysing and interpreting these historical artefacts to form a meaningful response to the provocation “How was the Holocaust humanly possible?” The tour of the Jewish Holocaust Centre then ended with a once in a lifetime meeting with Vivienne Spiegel, an 85-year-old child survivor of the Holocaust. Prior to the excursion, students watched Vivienne’s personal testimony and pre-prepared some questions to ask her. When in conversation with Vivienne at the Jewish Holocaust Centre, students and staff were privileged to hear Vivienne tell her story and were fortunate enough to ask Vivienne questions about her life before, during and after the Holocaust, including her remarkable – and, at times, harrowing – journey from Nazi occupied France to post-war Australia. Vivienne spoke with such sincerity and integrity, and the entire group were deeply moved by her story and her extraordinary humanity.
The excursion also involved an excellent guided tour of the Shrine of Remembrance in the CBD. Led by knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, the class split into groups to explore the WW2 exhibit in an interactive and self-directed manner. Both groups marvelled at the insights and stories shared by the tour guides, and were, equally, in awe of the magnificent architectural features of the Shrine. The examples of ingenuity, courage and service were very inspiring.
The excursion enabled all who participated to recognise that the study of history is about so much more than dates, timelines and facts; it is the study of human society and our shared humanity. The day was also a timely reminder of the importance of socially responsible and ethical global citizenship and provided students and staff with an opportunity to reflect on how our society ought to tackle the complex cultural and political challenges shaping our modern world.
I am most grateful to the staff who supported this excursion and am extremely proud of the respectful, considerate behaviour modelled by our students on this excursion.
Jess Brandon
Year 10 Geography – Lake Connewarre Field Trip
Students in Year 10 Geography have been exploring the natural and human threats facing our world’s ecosystems. Our focus this term has been on wetlands, students have begun their field work reports that pose a particular research question we hope to find an answer to: why are wetlands an important ecosystem, and what strategies are used to manage and sustain these ecosystems?
On Tuesday, students had the exciting opportunity to explore the creeks, rivers and estuaries that make up the Lake Connewarre wetland system. After a few tense minutes watching the rainclouds circle in we made our way to our first site: Breamlea Flora and Fauna reserve. Students identified a range of birds, bugs, and other wildlife. Students were able to assess the health of Thompson Creek and identify major threats to this wetland system.
We then travelled to our second site in Barwon Heads to observe the health of the Lake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve, whilst there was evidence of erosion, the abundance of black swans, grey herons, cormorants, and ducks indicated a healthy, thriving ecosystem.
Finally, we had the opportunity to observe the man-made wetland in Sparrovale, Charlemont. This impressive ecosystem will help to provide a haven for the native flora and fauna away from the ever-imposing housing estates in nearby Armstrong Creek.
On this field trip, students collected primary data to use back in the classroom when writing their field work reports, they will analyse, evaluate, and determine if enough is being done to manage and sustain these wetlands.
Whilst it was a wild, wet, and windy day I hope that all students enjoyed their time and can now reflect on the importance of managing and preserving these precious local ecosystems.
Kimberley Simkin
Sport Update
Our College Golf team competed at the 6th GISSA Championships held at the challenging Lonsdale Links GC last Friday. In perfect playing conditions, our team members acquitted themselves very well on the day. Ben Bowers (Yr10) finished runner-up in the Div.1 stroke event, with 74 off the stick on the day. Bailey Cooper (Yr10) finished 4th in the Div.1 nett event with 71. We congratulate our two Yr12 team members, Charlie Barnett and Ben Breguet on their performances on the day, and thank them for their valuable contribution to this college team over the years.
We look forward to Ben and Bailey representing our College at the Independent Schools Golf Championships next year.
Brandon Firth (Yr9) competed at the recent Round of the interschools Clay Target shooting series. With a field of over 300 students from across the State, Brandon shot very well to finish in 5th position at the end of the day. He has been involved in this sport for a few years now and is continuing to compete strongly in the interschool series. He will be heading to Warrnambool in October for the last competition of the year, and we wish Brandon all the best for this event and the future.
Andrew Richardson, Head of Sport
Topics this week included in the Careers Newsletter are:
YEAR 12 STUDENTS
- Scholarships – nursing and midwifery
- Year 12 revision lectures
- Tertiary application resources
- Get help with your tertiary applications
- Amazing employment opportunity in human resources
- Tertiary application dates: Victoria, NSW and ACT
- University – Regional Access Schemes
- Missed open days? Check out upcoming university campus tours and watch recorded sessions on demand
ALL STUDENTS
- Scholarships (trades, TAFE & university): building, construction, design, engineering etc.
- Amazing online construction program
- Psychologist – study pathways and specialisations
- Engineering – exciting courses to explore
- Engineering – fun online program to complete
- Start your own business!
- Careers in medicine podcast
- Scholarship: The University of Melbourne residential college scholarships
- Apprenticeships and traineeships – resources and RMIT Tech and Trades Experience Day
- Compare university courses and institutions
- Upcoming career events, bootcamps, experience days, and programs.
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!
Jane Bailey
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.
Kerryn Fearnsides
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.
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
When travelling down a rough road, you need to have both hands on the steering wheel in order to maintain your direction. Do you have control of your life now or are you just bouncing along with one hand on the wheel.... blaming others?
Worth thinking about 👍😊
Discover more about MYTERN here
