Graduation events where students and teachers spoke with genuine warmth to express the deep relationships that exist, is a testimony to the culture we enjoy. It is a privilege to shake the hands of the students at these occasions, and to see the sense of satisfaction in their eyes.  

The end of year Celebration Evenings held in the Sports and Aquatic Centre at the Highton Campus provided the opportunity to gather as communities to share in celebrating the year with students, families and staff. The resounding success of each evening was a witness to the creative efforts of students and staff to provide nights that highlighted the learning, culture, endeavour and talents of our students. The central messages at each event provoked and reminded us of what it is to be human, part of God’s creation and importantly the love and peace that came to the world, God’s son, Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 1:23 

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 

I am grateful to everyone that attended, participated or was involved in the planning and preparation of these wonderful evenings of celebration. I particularly commend Mr Andrew Dunlop and the major events team that worked so diligently, over long hours, to ensure that the physical spaces, staging, sound, lighting, technology and all other behind-the-scenes requirements were delivered to the highest of standards. 

Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership – Teaching Excellence Program Graduation and Celebration 

Last week the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of educators to undertake these studies. I congratulate Ms Angela Tutty, the Director of Humanities, for being selected and for completing this prestigious program. 

The event was made very special having our Christian College students chosen to provide musical entertainment at the event in the Ballroom at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. 

Congratulations Ange and sincere thanks to the students that performed, and the music faculty staff that supported the event. 

Staffing Announcements for 2023 

It is my pleasure to share with you two significant leadership appointments for 2023. 

Ms Mia Kafieris has accepted the position as Dean of Christian Culture and Ms Kim Doherty has been appointed in the newly created role as Director of Wellbeing. These appointments will continue to develop and support the desire we have to create a flourishing environment throughout our College. Mia and Kim have already made significant contributions to the development of the College Wellbeing Framework. They are highly qualified and experienced to lead in these important areas of our College. I am most grateful and delighted that Mia and Kim have accepted these roles.  

Earlier this year our Vice Principal, Mr Scott Elliss, experienced some personal health challenges and in 2023 he will be taking leave to support and assist with his recovery. Scott is a much-loved member of our College family and a vital member of the leadership team. We wish him well as he takes this measure to enhance his recovery, and I ask that you join me in praying for full restoration and to see him return to us in 2024. God bless you, Scott. 

In 2023 Mr. Rick Geall will undertake the role as Acting Vice Principal/Head of Senior School. The Senior School leadership team will be bolstered through the return of Mr Jason O’Loughlin from leave, as Deputy Head of Campus. He will work alongside Ms Dianne Martin and Mr Damian Stephenson to ensure our senior academic and pastoral programs continue to flourish in 2023. 

The end of term comes with the opportunity to celebrate the careers of our colleagues that are retiring as well as thank those moving on to new horizons. I wish each of these staff members God’s richest blessings on the next chapter of life’s journey and thank them for their service to our community. These staff members are listed in our annual yearbook, the ‘Motivator’, that was distributed to students today. Thank you to Simon and Bridget in our Marketing and Publications team, for creating such a wonderful memento for our community to enjoy as they reflect on 2022.   

Christmas Greetings 

As the year concludes for students today, it ends a fortnight of celebrations, farewells, assemblies and speeches for me. It is a joy for me to serve our wonderful community and I am thankful to all those that I serve beside. We belong to a truly remarkable community. 

The reason for having such a wonderful community should never be taken for granted and I want to remind us all as Christmas approaches, that our College is founded and underpinned by a faith in a loving God. A God that loves each of us unconditionally! 

This Christmas, I pray that every person reading this message and each of the members of their family and friends, might truly know the love and peace that comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Isaiah 9:6 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

God Bless. 

Throughout the week, our future Year 10s were rotated through several fun activities and some much-deserved downtime.  As a team they created items of wearable art, prepared gingerbread house masterpieces and were initiated into the spirit of House Music with the “Pob Choir” led by Andy Pobjoy and Kym Dillon. They also mixed and mingled in trivia and team challenge games with our resident taskmaster, Mr Feldman. Students even had the chance to sit back and watch a movie in the music centre auditorium. 

Finally, we were grateful for the opportunity to welcome and meet some of our new staff for 2023 such as Mr Peter Aumann (English/History) and Mrs Kelly Clifford (Drama). We also wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our Transition Coordinator Mrs Leanne Doran who put this program together and who will continue to support the transition process for all senior school students in 2023, 

It is our sincerest hope that all senior school students have enjoyed the opportunity to prepare for 2023, learn about their classes, teachers and get excited about some of the experiences that will be available for them next year.  We pray that each and every family has a safe and joyous Christmas, and we very much look forward to welcoming you all back to our community on Tuesday 31st of January 2023. 

Webinars for Students and Parents – COP and Offers 

This year VTAC is running four webinars to support students and parents/guardians with change of preference and offers. 

The getting ready for December round – what happens next? and getting ready for January round – what happens next? Webinars will each focus specifically on preparing students on maximising their preferences for both December and January offer rounds to ensure they get the best possible outcome.  

They will have a focus on Q&A time to allow all questions to be answered. 

Registration links can be found via the links below, and on the events page of the VTAC website. 

• Getting ready for December round – what happens next?  
  Monday 12 December, 6:00 – 7:00pm – Register here
• Getting ready for January round – what happens next?  
  Wednesday 21 December, 6:00 – 7:00pm – Register here

We celebrate the work of all these students, and particularly congratulate Martin (Year 10), Sebastian (Year 7) and Jem (Year 5), whose entries earned them a minor bursary award which includes a sponsored cash prize, medallion, and certificate. Martin built a working model of an orrery, Sebastian entered Creative Writing with a piece titled ‘My glass is bioactive’ and Jem used lego to construct a working model of a vacuum engine. 

Full results and samples of the winning entries are listed below: 

Martin Dean, Year 10 – Minor bursary - Working model category 

Jem Benson, Year 6 Highton – Minor bursary – Working model category 

Sebastian De Marte, Year 7 Highton – Minor bursary - Creative writing category 

Elodie Mahoney, Year 6 Highton – Merit certificate - Creative writing category 

Hugh Whitaker, Year 5 Bellarine - Merit certificate – Games category 

Abbie Curtis & Ava Aydon, Year 6 Bellarine – Acknowledgement certificate – Games category 

There are a number of different programs at different venues including the following: 

Note: This is a program supported and promoted by Rotary International, hence students may wish to seek sponsorship from a local Rotary club. Details are on the Santos Science Experience website. 

Each program is designed to provide students who have an interest in science with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating science activities under the guidance of scientists who love their work. Participants perform experiments in laboratories, meet and hear senior lecturers in lecture theatres, attend site visits and walk around and experience what it is like to be on the campus of a university or tertiary institution 

You are invited to visit the website for more details and to enrol. 

https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/