From the Head of Campus
The realisation that 13 years of schooling had reached a climax hit our Year 12 students on Wednesday with the traditional House breakfast, Thanksgiving Service and exit parade. Whilst Monday and Tuesday saw the respective Houses of Burrows, Flynn, Penman and Taylor climb the Middle School clocktower, a significant rite of passage itself, it was Wednesday that brought true closure: farewells to teachers, hugs with friends, waves goodbye from Year 10 and 11 students and teary parents waiting at the College gates.
The House breakfasts which kicked off the day were a chance to spend one last time in these very special communities that are such an integral part of the Senior School experience. Then, during the Thanksgiving Service, Year 12 students Ellie Peace and Ben Breguet shared beautifully – and at times humorously – of their personal Christian College journeys, paying tribute to the teachers who guided them as well as reflecting on the experiences had, the friendships formed, the mistakes made and the lessons learned (not all of them in class). There were so many nostalgic moments in the service: the item performed by Kristen, Cara, Ravi, Alice, Adela and Patrick; the singing of the College Hymn; and the ringing of the final bell by Vice-Principal Mr Elliss which brought a rousing cheer rarely heard among a bunch of teenagers in a school setting.
The final act for our Year 12s was, of course, the slow walk down Marcus Road behind the iconic sound of bagpipes and under what seemed to be the bluest sky so far this spring. It was a wonderful sight on a magical day and must have been an incredible experience for the Year 12s, to have the Year 10s and 11s, as well as teachers and families lining the side of the road, hundreds and hundreds of people, cheering them on as they made their way out the gate.
As I shared in my message to the students during the service, Wednesday was not quite the end, of course. For most, there were still VCE exams to contend and, for all, the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, November 20. But it was clear that, for the vast majority of students, Celebration Day could not have been scripted any better. It was moving, it was meaningful and it was, hopefully, everything that students would have expected from a school that cares deeply about them and their future. We wish them all the best as they prepare for the upcoming written exams, commencing for about 120 of them with English next Wednesday.
Rick Geall, Head of Campus
Annual Music Evening Returns!
Last Thursday saw a sold-out audience enjoy the welcome return of the Christian College Annual Music Evening to Costa Hall, having last been held in October 2019.
This Annual concert has always been significant for our College Community, our music students and their families. It was a joyous celebration, and a blessing to all who performed and attended, one that featured 560 student performances from Prep to Year 12.
The concert highlighted the exceptional direction and expertise of our music staff, as well as the depth of skills and development across the performance program of our College Choirs, Bands and String Orchestras. We also farewelled and honoured the work of our Year 12 ensemble members who have spent many years ‘growing up’ in the program.
There were 16 items with many ‘like’ ensembles collaborating across the campuses, such as the Junior String Ensembles from Bellarine, Belmont and Surf Coast combining to create a big orchestra. There were many moments of exhilaration and triumph, overcoming nerves and experiencing the joy of performing for the first time – or returning and remembering the buzz! The music staff, along with leadership and support staff from each campus were so proud of the students who presented beautiful music to the appreciative audience.
Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful event from across the Community, both on the evening and throughout the day of preparations and rehearsals.
Fiona Gardner – Director of Teaching and Learning - Music
Andrew Dunlop – Director of Instrumental Music and Major Events
Striving High in Chemistry
Earlier this year, a number of students from Years 7-12 took part in the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ). The ICQ is coordinated in Australia by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and is designed to highlight the relevance of chemistry. The quiz is intended to promote chemistry and chemical thinking, and to be interesting for students to complete, rather than just assess syllabus content.
We are delighted to announce some strong results in the 2022 ICQ, particularly from our senior students. Congratulations to Year 12 and VCE Chemistry students Alex Corinaldi and James Bushell on achieving High Distinctions, Lenni Migios (Year 12) and Jonathan Grills (Year 11) on achieving Distinctions, and Ruby Lockman (Year 11) and Martin Dean (Year 10) who were awarded Credits. These are wonderful achievements.
We would like to acknowledge all students who took part and look forward to many of them being involved again in 2023. All participants will receive a certificate from their Science teacher recognising their efforts.
Elissa Huddart, Director of Teaching and Learning - Science
Gene Science BioLAB Excursion
Instead of being in the classroom on Thursday both Year 10 Gene Science classes travelled to BioLAB in Belmont. The program Coded for Success allowed students to access state of the art equipment and techniques that we had learned about.
We used athlete testing equipment to determine grip strength, flexibility, and vertical jump height with some extraordinary results. Some of our amazing students tested at elite athlete status in each category. Amongst our students we had a skateboarder who tested above average in the vertical jump, and a martial arts student and baseballer who had ridiculously strong grip strength. The staff at Biolab were very impressed and mentioned that our students were very polite and well behaved.
In pairs students used micropipettes, restriction enzymes, DNA samples and gel electrophoresis to determine which athletes carried the genes for flexibility.
The sessions were a great success and really helped to reinforce the learning we have done in the classroom.
Sam Visser
Jane Smith
Year 11 Chemistry – BioLAB Excursion.
On Tuesday, 11th October, both Year 11 Chemistry classes went to the Victorian Bioscience Education Centre (BioLAB) to participate in their VCE Sports Chemistry program.
The aim of the program is for students to use ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy to determine the protein concentration in a common protein supplement and three milk alternatives to decide whether any alternative was a suitable replacement for the supplement.
The session was a great opportunity for the students to develop their skills as an analytical chemist by preparing and analysing standard solutions to generate a calibration curve and then using the curve to determine the concentration of protein in the milk samples.
All the students were actively engaged and the staff at BioLAB were impressed with the students’ positive work ethic.
Megha Prashar and Samantha Byrne using the UV Spectrophotometer
Noah Gellately and Patrick Aquilina (carefully) creating sample solutions using a micropipette.
David Hunter using a ‘vortex’ to mix his solution thoroughly.
Mr Neaves class in action.
Michael Neaves
Craig White
Please find attached the Career Newsletter. You will also find attached a list of external scholarships for Year 12 students.
Topics this week include:
Year 12 students
- Tertiary reminders
- Early entry programs still open
- External scholarships
- VCE exam preparation lectures (STEM subjects)
- Defence Force Gap Year – applications are still open
Year 11
- New! La Trobe University Aspire Program – Year 11 Conditional Offer
All students
- Online tech career expo
- Understanding skill shortages
- Australia National University – maths requirement
- Music careers guide
- Study climate change
- Top Australian universities – 2022/2023
- Dates for your diary
- Interested in forensic science?
- Would you like to help people with eye disorders?
- United World Colleges – scholarships are now open to study Year 11 & 12 overseas
- Train to become a flight attendant
Careers information for all Year Levels – 19 Oct 22
External Tertiary Scholarships, 2023
Bec Bromilow
Robyn Smith
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.
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.
CCG Foundation Patron’s Dinner
Join us for the Foundation Patron’s Dinner, to be held on Saturday, 12 November 2022 at The Pier Geelong.
On this night, the Foundation will be officially launching the establishment of our Public Ancillary Fund - 'The Eternity Fund'. The purpose of this fund is to provide sustained giving for the future. This fund will invest donations to return a greater value in years to come - a donation that lasts a lifetime.
At this event, you will have the opportunity to hear from our Foundation Patron, Robert Costa, who will speak about the significance of perpetual giving and the impact of local philanthropy.
Tickets are $200 per person and include a three-course meal, a four-hour drinks package, and a night full of heartfelt celebration. If you would like to attend, please book online at your earliest convenience.
Secure your seat today! www.ccgfoundation.org.au/patronsdinner
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
Sometimes circumstances are so challenging that the only choice you really have is how you respond to them.
Riding out that rough road in control is so much better than pretending that the road is smooth.
Take a moment now to regain and maintain control.
You are not only increasing your driving skills but also growing as a person.
Well done 👍 👏❤️
Discover more about MYTERN here
