From the Executive Principal

As we come to the end of a year of connection and reflection, I want to take a moment to consider all that we have accomplished together. This year has been filled with growth, learning, and countless moments that remind us why our school community is so special. Our graduation events, celebration events and awards presentation events these last two weeks have given us so many moments of joy and pride in the achievements of our young people. 

Wednesday night’s Community Christmas Carols event was another beautiful example of the strength of our community, with over 1000 attendees. It brought joy to our children, connection to our families, and a sense of togetherness among staff and the wider community. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they sang, seeing our senior student musicians shine, watching families relax and enjoy the evening, and sharing that festive spirit with everyone was truly magical. 

On the topic of celebrating achievements, you may have noticed a lot of media coverage over the last few days around the release of Naplan results nationally. No child’s value is measured through a single test, and as a school we love to celebrate the achievements of our students in all aspects of life and learning, including sports, music, service, endeavour and academic achievement. Naplan is not perfect, but it is a valuable indicator of academic achievement. As a school we have been taking a deep dive into analysing the data, tracking trends over time, identifying areas of strength and always looking for areas of improvement. We also know that test results can change dramatically from year-to-year with cohort effects. 

From the Head of Campus

There has been a lively vibe on Senior Campus this week as the 2025 Year 9s, 10s and 11s have attended for a full week of their Year 10, 11 and 12 2026 timetables. Having this transition week gives time for breaking the ice with new classmates and new teachers, allows holiday homework to be set for VCE students and sets everyone up for a smooth start to the new school year in January. It is not unusual for students to be particularly tired after this week, given the number of new experiences and faces they may have encountered. Many will be well ready for the holiday break.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our teachers who moved seamlessly from exam marking and feedback, to enthusiastically and warmly welcoming of their next groups of students. A special thank you to Mrs Leanne Doran, our transition coordinator, whose organisation and attention to detail allowed the week to run so smoothly.

As the year draws to a close, we also say goodbye to several staff members. Dave Evans will be taking a period of leave during 2026, and we hope this brings him new opportunities and fulfillment and Felicity Roberts will be moving from the Senior Library to work at other CCG campuses, and we thank her for her contributions. We offer our warm thanks to Karen Clancy and Felicity Clarke as they conclude their contracts, and we wish all the very best to Meaghan Clark, Simon Powys (who has been on leave this year), Justin Farley and Charlotte Fredericks in their new adventures. We are very appreciative to each of these staff members for their energy, enthusiasm and care to our students.

What’s Happening at Senior School?  

Term 4 Week 9

Friday 5 December: Term 4 concludes at 2.30pm

Term 4 Week 10

Thursday 11 December: VCE Results are released to students

Thursday 11 December: Last Day for Senior School teaching staff

2026, Term 1 Week 1

Thursday 15 January: Campus Administration Opens

Monday 26 January: Australia Day (Public Holiday)

Thursday 29 January: Students Commence

Tuesday 3 March: College Open Day

Monday 9 March: Labour Day (Public Holiday)

Thursday 2 April: Students Finish 2.30pm

Friday 3 April: Good Friday

Farewell Afternoon Tea for Mizuki and Kotone

A warm farewell afternoon tea was held on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate and thank our long-term exchange student Mizuki Nakanishi and language assistant Kotone Takeda. The event brought together seven host families, staff, and friends who have supported the students throughout their time with us.

Mizuki Nakanishi, who joined our school community in March, has built wonderful connections and many close friendships during her stay. She will be returning home to Japan on 26 December, and her presence, enthusiasm, and positive spirit will be greatly missed.

We would also like to express our appreciation to Kotone Takeda, a graduate of Naga High School. Kotone first visited CCG in 2017 as part of a school group and later returned to serve as a dedicated Language Assistant across the Senior School, Middle School, Surf Coast Campus, Bellarine Campus, and Junior School. Her commitment to supporting both students and staff has been truly valued.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all the host families for welcoming and caring for Mizuki and Kotone. We truly could not run our exchange programs without their generous support.

As Mizuki and Kotone conclude their exchange programs, we thank them for their contributions and for the joy they have brought to our community.

We wish them both every success in their future endeavours.

Accessing VCE Results and ATAR Information

This is an important and exciting time for our Year 11 and Year 12 students as we approach the release of VCE results. To support a smooth experience, please refer to the checklist below.

Accessing study scores for Year 11 and 12 students

Any student who has completed a Unit 3/4 subject (Year 11 or 12) will receive their results in three ways:

1. Results and ATAR App or Website

Students registered with their VCAA number can access results from 7:00 am on Thursday 11 December. Registration is recommended to be completed by 10 December.

Results and ATAR website

Caring for Ourselves and Each Other Over the Break

As we near the end of 2025, I extend my warmest wishes to all families for a safe and Merry Christmas and a restful holiday break. This season often brings opportunities to slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and engage in the activities that restore our sense of balance. However, this time of year can also bring with it a range of emotions. For many, it is a time of joy, celebration and connection, yet others may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and grief or feel the weight of added financial and social pressure. As a community we are encouraged to lean into small intentional actions that support calm and stability, to stay connected with others and approach ourselves and those around us with kindness. This reminder feels especially important given the challenges faced by our College community this year. The tragic bus accident touched many of us deeply and its impact continues to be felt in many ways. In the midst of this, we have witnessed our community come together with compassion, care and quiet strength and I hope that these qualities will continue to support us as we move towards the holiday period.

As we continue to care for ourselves and one another, it may be helpful to keep in mind some of the practical ways we can support and maintain our wellbeing over the festive season:

• You may like to create a self-care routine that includes activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, prayer, meditation, exercise, or simply taking quiet moments for yourself. Prioritising sleep and nourishing foods can make a meaningful difference.
• Being open to changes in your traditions or routines may help reduce stress and create space for new and positive experiences.
• You may find it helpful to set healthy boundaries. We are reminded that it is okay to say no to certain gatherings or activities, particularly if they add pressure or take away from your wellbeing.

Introducing the College-Wide Student Organiser for 2026

As we conclude another fulfilling year of learning at Christian College, we are pleased to share an exciting development for 2026: the introduction of a College-wide student organiser provided for all students from Prep to Year 12. 

We have chosen the term organiser rather than diary because this resource will serve a broader purpose than simply recording daily events. It is designed to help students manage their time, track their learning, set goals, access support resources, and engage with the routines and expectations that underpin successful learning across the College. 

Building on Strong Foundations in Prep–Year 4 

A student diary is already a familiar and valued tool in our early years, where it has served primarily as a communication channel between school and home, as well as a reading journal to support the establishment of strong daily reading habits. With our move to Compass as the central platform for communication with families, reliance on the diary for day-to-day messaging is naturally reduced.  

From next year, the diary – or Student Organiser – will continue to function as a reading journal, and for incidental communications parents may wish to pass on to their child’s teacher(s). In addition, it will be used intentionally to help our youngest learners develop foundational organisational skills—such as remembering to bring their diary to school each day, taking responsibility for its care, and beginning to understand simple routines that support successful learning. 

Key College and Campus Dates for 2026 Now Available 

As 2025 draws to a close, we are pleased to let families know that the Compass Calendar has now been populated with key College and campus dates for 2026. 

We encourage all parents and carers to take a moment over the holidays to log in to Compass and explore the calendar view. This will help you gain a clear overview of the year ahead and begin planning for the events and activities that are most relevant to your family. 

The Compass Calendar allows you to filter by student or event type using the layers on the left-hand side, making it easy to focus on what’s relevant for your child and/or their campus. You can click on the layer labels to toggle them. If a layer is checked/active, events from that layer appear in the calendar; if unchecked, they’re hidden. 

As more specific year-level activities, excursions, and other events will continue to be added throughout the academic year, we encourage families to check the calendar regularly to stay up to date with any new information. 

The most important date to remember in 2026 is, of course, the return date for students on Thursday, January 29. 

Edward Styles’ Greatest Shave

We are so very proud of Year 9 student Edward Styles, for his commitment and support of some critical causes, and for participating in The Greatest Shave this week. Edward has already hit the $2,000 mark on his fundraiser which is incredible, and he’s hoping to raise event more!

The donation link, found here, will be kept open until Christmas to allow Edward and his supporters to reach their ‘stretch goal’ - Cancer Council Victoria - Edward's Big Shave 2.0

Edward is raising vital funds in support of the Cancer Council. Sadly, it’s likely that every single person in our CCG community has been touched by a cancer journey, or that of a loved one. Please consider donating if you are able.

CC Eagles Netball Presentations 

On Wednesday the CC Eagles held their end of season netball presentations. Our five teams played on Monday nights as part of the Geelong Central Netball Association at Kardinia Park. While all our teams have had a rewarding season, a special mention must go to the CC Eagles Blue team. Under the direction of Coach Trisha Evans, this team played with determination to win the grand final in a nail-biting game, with the final score 17:15. 

We were excited to welcome a Junior School team into the competition this season. Each week, this dedicated group of girls have trained on a Monday lunchtime with Christian College Head of Netball and Basketball, Olivia Cameron, and her trusty assistant Pieper Riddle. Many of these girls were new to netball, so it has been exciting to watch their growth and skill development over the past two terms.  

Transition Week at Senior Campus

The final week of classes for the 2025 academic year at Senior School is an action-packed week, where students who are entering Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 get a head start on their 2026 studies.

For Year 10 students, the focus is on meeting new classmates and teachers, as well as building some skills that will be used in the academic year ahead. Alongside their regular classes, each day has included a House based ‘community and connection’ activity session – ‘get creative’, ‘get moving’, ‘get relaxed’ or ‘get your game on’ – which has allowed students to get to know others in a fun and more relaxing environment. Visiting our Arts, Technology and Design campus at Villa Paloma for the creative activity gave all the Year 10 students a taste of the special atmosphere at this campus, while creating individually designed stars to add to the festoon lights for the College Carols evening. It has been wonderful to see students making new friends and engaging in the various class and House activities which the Senior staff have been excited to provide for them.

Year 11 and 12 students have experienced their first taste of studies in VCE or VCE VM subjects, working on both content and skills related to their chosen subjects. There has been a real buzz around campus – especially from our Year 12 students who have been keen to make a positive start to their final year of studies at Christian College. Although many are tired at the end of a busy term, the level of engagement by so many of our senior students holds great promise for the year ahead.

Staff Development

Spotlight: Victorian Teaching Excellence Program (TEP)

Our college continues to be well represented in the prestigious Victorian Teaching Excellence Program, with several staff each year selected for this intensive 10-day professional learning experience led by some of Australia’s most respected educators.

As the 2025 TEP journeys conclude for three of our Middle School teachers — Sharon Huber (Bellarine), Hayley Keogh (Bellarine) and Victoria Corkin (Highton) — I asked them to reflect on the impact this program has had on their practice:

Sharon: “TEP has allowed me to take stock of my teacher identity and become more intentional in my teaching. I’ve gained clarity on both my strengths and areas for future growth, grounded in evidence-based pedagogy.”

Hampers That Celebrate Local & Support CCG Foundation

If you're looking for a thoughtful and delicious gift idea this festive season, we invite you to consider ordering a Geelong Gourmet Goodies Hamper through Kardinia Rotary. 

These beautifully presented hampers feature locally sourced gourmet treats and come in three sizes — $125, $85, and $60 — with free delivery within 50km of Geelong CBD.  

They make perfect gifts for friends, family, staff, or clients, while also supporting local businesses and community projects. 

Here’s how your purchase can make a difference: 

• For every hamper ordered that references Christian College Geelong or Christian College Geelong Foundation, $5 will be donated to the Foundation. 

• Even better — this donation will be dollar matched by an anonymous donor, doubling the impact of your support! 

Funds raised will go directly to the Christian College Geelong Foundation – Public Ancillary Fund, supporting initiatives that transform lives through education. 

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 11 -16, 2026

A Day Camp for Music Students aged 10 – 21 years

Christian College Geelong is proud to once again be hosting the Geelong Summer Music Camp at the Senior Campus in January 2026. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2026 Camp.

If you have a budding band, choir or string musician in your house, or you are involved in a school or community music program, please encourage students aged 10 – 21 years to consider attending.

The camp highlights:
The GSMC is a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive day camp. Students will play in a concert band, string orchestra, or sing in a choir throughout the week and then feature in a finale concert at Costa Hall.

Campers will also have the opportunity to choose an elective activity. The camp builds social time into its program where students are encouraged to connect with others, developing positive friendships and relationships with other campers and staff. Auditions at the start of the camp are designed as a time for the students to connect with the music tutors, but also allow the tutors to place students into the ensemble that best suits them, to set them up to have a rewarding week of growth and fun making music.

Your Cookbook of Family Favourites – Calling for Recipes  

Dear Christian College Families,

Our names are Elisha Williams and Willow McInnes, and we are the Middle School-Highton campus Community Building and Outreach Prefects.

We are thrilled to share that we are introducing the Christian College Geelong cookbook, which will be an important fundraiser for the Christian College Foundation. All the proceeds from the cookbook will be donated to the Eternity Fund. By supporting this initiative you will be enabling, empowering, and changing the lives of young people from families who are experiencing hardship.

This will be a hardcover book which will include recipes from families and members of the Christian College Geelong community and will be titled, ‘Our Family Favourites’. If you have a special family recipe that you would like to share, we would love for you to contribute to the book. We encourage our community to contribute one favourite recipe.