Standardised Testing
Standardised testing is completed annually across the college in Years 1 to 10. It provides the college with progressive, standardised assessment data for each student in the following areas: Reading, Mathematics, Spelling and General Ability. This data is used as an independent monitor of our teaching and learning programs as well as each student’s progress. In Week 3, during scheduled English and Mathematics classes, all Year 10 students will participate in the Adaptive Mathematics and Adaptive Reading standardised tests for Year 10. There is no specific preparation that students need to undertake for this and standardised test results do not impact a student’s achievement outcomes for Year 10. Students will be guided through this process by their class teacher. If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s House Mentor.
Dianne Martin, Deputy Head of Senior School
The Blue Tree Project
Last week in House Group, 11F1 looked at this amazing project. Blue trees are popping up all over Australia, including in Geelong and Lara and we wanted to be part of it.
Blue Tree’s mission is to help spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.
By spreading the paint and spreading the message that “it’s OK to not be OK”, we can help break down the stigma that’s still largely attached to mental health.
So we have our own House Group tree and her name is Frida. She is our daily reminder that it’s okay to feel sad and a bit down or a little blue, and that we should speak to someone if these feelings hang around.
Frida is in our Flynn House Group room – 22 – so if you are in there and see her, please say Hi.
Lee Stringer
Product Design – Materials
As Term 4 ramps up, students in Year 10 are tackling their major projects, some of which I hope will be ready for the art show in November! Year 11s are in the thick of it also, while the year 12s have just wrapped up their projects in time for exams. As the program evolves in response to changing curriculum and student interest, projects involving epoxy continue to be popular. Our projects this term include lazy susans, step ladders, coffee tables, surfboard racks and hat racks. See you at the ATD Festival, November 11th-12th 😊
Year 12, Henry Gertdz’s 4 drawer cabinet, finished in the nick of time!
Year 12, Edwina Hinds’ kitchen stool
Year 11, Phoebe Arnott working on here epoxy table project. We’ve learnt a lot during this one!
Year 11, James Sherwood working on a table-top
Year 10, Andy Ager’s innovative chopping board with inbuilt knife drawer
Year 10 Epoxy coasters
Table top milled from demolished post and rail fence at the Villa.
Duff Swanson
Year 12 Drama Performances
With the Year 12 Drama Solo performance exam scheduled for Monday next week, the students were keen to test their performances in a presentation to a small but select audience on Tuesday night. The drama solo performance task requires students to devise an original seven-minute performance based on a range of character structures provided by VCAA. The performances are required to be eclectic in style and this year’s performance styles included Melodrama, Kabuki Theatre, Film Noir and Physical Theatre. It is a very intensive and rigorous task that requires strong time management and creativity from the Year 12 Drama students.
Mandy Calderwood
University Scholarships
Attention Year 12 Students: Thinking of going to University? Apply for a scholarship!
Scholarships provide financial support to help students with the costs of tertiary education.
Scholarships are awarded for many reasons. There is a wide range of access and equity scholarships, such as those to support students with financial disadvantage, difficult circumstances and the need to relocate for study. There are also scholarships for Indigenous Australians, community service and academic merit.
In addition to the scholarships available through VTAC, there are many more scholarships offered by different institutions.
Find out about the types of scholarships available and learn how to complete your scholarship application by reviewing the attached resources from Victoria University, Swinburne and Deakin University as well as RMIT or by going to the VTAC Scholarships page. These scholarships require you to apply directly to the institution.
Given our regional location, keep in mind accommodation scholarships. For example, Melbourne University have the Dawn Wade scholarship - $22,500 each year, for three-years to assist with covering accommodation costs. For eligibility criteria and to apply click HERE (before 4 January 2023).
A little research and time spent applying now could make a big difference! 😊
Deaki – 2022 -Scholarships-Guide
RMIT University Scholarships – 2023
Bec Bromilow
Robyn Smith
Our New-Look ATD Festival - Now Open!
Our Art, Technology and Design Festival is underway at Villa Paloma ATD Centre! It opened at 10am this morning and the program runs until 9pm this evening. Tomorrow (Saturday Nov.12), it's on between 10am and 4pm.
There's a magnificent exhibition of student artwork and products – all year levels from K-12 from all our campuses and Early Learning Centres are represented.
Come along this evening or tomorrow - or both! There are food trucks, coffee and live music, a Food Studies Market Stall and Gelato Bar, face painting, the official opening at 6:30pm this evening, then the Wearable Art and Textiles Fashion Parade from 6:40 – 7:15pm.
Tomorrow, the Festival kicks off again at 10am and goes until 4pm. A ‘Meet the Creator’ program is running where students of various ages from every ATD subject area (Visual Art, Studio Art, Media, VCD, Food Studies, Systems Engineering, Product Design – Materials and Product Design – Textiles). Live music, sausage sizzle, coffee and the Food Studies market stall and gelato bar are all happening between 10am and 2pm.
Villa Paloma is at 25 Waurn Ponds Drive, Waurn Ponds. The full Event Program is on our website (follow the hotlink on our homepage) or click here.
Term 4 2022 COVID-19 Update Procedures and Protocols
Introduction
Christian College is committed to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, students and College community.
The following revisions to the COVID-19 procedures and protocols align with the Victorian Government’s announcement of the end of the Pandemic Declaration and associated Pandemic Orders. The following settings, based on advice from the Department of Health and the Department of Education for Victorian schools now apply.
If you require greater detail, please access additional information via the DHHS or Victorian State Government Education and Training websites or speak with your campus leadership team.
COVIDSafe Measures for Schools
- No student, staff member, parent, or visitor, should come on to College sites if they are unwell or have any Flu-like symptoms.
- Practise good hand hygiene, utilising the sanitisers supplied
- Utilising outdoor spaces and increasing cross-ventilation indoors where possible
- It is recommended that a person who is symptomatic, displaying cold or Flu like symptoms should undergo a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or PCR Test.
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
Rapid Antigen Testing
Free RATs will be made available for use by all students and staff through Term 4. It is recommended that RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
Reporting and Managing Positive Results
If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, it is recommended the result be reported to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report or via the telephone hotline on 1800 675 398.
Parents/Guardians must report a positive COVID-19 test result of a student directly to the student office at the relevant campus. Staff must notify their relevant College leader.
The College community will no longer be notified of a positive COVID-19 case associated with the school.
It is recommended that any student or staff member who tests positive to COVID-19 isolates for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test will continue to be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
Face Masks in Schools
Current advice from the Victorian government on the wearing of face masks is available here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks: It states:
“Face masks can stop or slow viruses spreading in the air when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh. Face masks lower your chance of catching and spreading an airborne virus. That’s why wearing a high-quality and well-fitted face mask can help protect you and those around you from COVID-19.”
- Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask will be supported to do so, the College will continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.
- It is recommended that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.
- It is recommended that that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.
- Whilst traveling on Christian College buses, it is recommended students wear a face mask due to physical distancing not being possible.
Christian College Canteen Manager – we are Hiring!
We seek the services of a Canteen Manager from 2023 to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school canteens at Junior School – Belmont, Middle School – Highton and Senior School – Waurn Ponds, including the supervision and rosters for relevant staff and volunteers. The role is full-time and ongoing, and also involves some catering for special events.
If you have a passion for food quality and customer sevice, a warm and friend personality, if you love working as part of a great team, have exceptional organisation and communication skills and are able to manage challenging circumstances in a calm, professional and compassionate manner – this could the job for you!
Full details, including a Position Description and how to apply can be found in the Employment section of our website.
For Families Relocating or Withdrawing Students
A reminder that if your family is relocating and/or you are planning to withdraw your child from Christian College, a full term’s notice, in writing, is required. Please contact your student’s Campus.
Jonathan Ryan, Operations Manager
Canteen not Open on Last day of Term
Please note that on the last day of Term 4, Friday December 9, the canteen will not be open.
Thank you to all volunteers for your fantastic help during the course of this term, and throughout 2022.
Recycling Uniform Items
As part of the transition to our new College wardrobe it was important that we consider the environmental impact of clothing items no longer required. Whilst it is still possible for students to wear items from the traditional uniform, when items are no longer able to be worn, they can be recycled.
Any such items can be dropped off and placed in recycling bins at each campus. We are working with our wardrobe manufacturer to ensure that these can be recycled as part of the introduction of our new wardrobe over the next 18 months.
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
Comparing the roads you travel and the car you drive is not helpful. A flower doesn’t compete with the flower next to it. It just tries to become the best flower it can be. So, look within, and know that what is there is perfect. Your job is to just let it out 👍❤️
Discover more about MYTERN here
