From the Executive Principal

As we come to the end of our first full week of the new school year, our campuses are already buzzing with a sense of joy, belonging, and shared purpose. One of the great delights of these opening days has been seeing our families connecting at our welcome picnics and meet-the-teacher events at three of our campuses this week with the other two taking place next week. There is something deeply encouraging about watching children point excitedly to new friends, parents greeting one another with easy conversation, and staff welcomed into these circles with kindness and trust. It was also wonderful to see students having a go at trying out a musical instrument, cheered on by their parents and guided by our music staff.

These moments are far more than pleasant social gatherings; they form the foundation of a rich partnership between home and school that powerfully supports student learning. Research consistently affirms what we see so clearly at the start of each year: when parents and educators work together, students thrive. They develop greater confidence, experience stronger engagement in their learning, and feel a deeper sense of security knowing that the significant adults in their lives are connected and united in their care.

Strong home–school relationships do more than improve academic outcomes; they shape the culture our children grow up in. When families and staff share conversations, build rapport, and invest in understanding one another, we create a community where every child is known, valued, and supported. It sends a clear and reassuring message to students: “You belong here, and we are all on your team.”

Future Student Enrolments

We have now commenced sending Enrolment offers for 2027.

Could all families with future siblings wishing to attend the Surf Coast campus, please confirm their child is enrolled or use this link Christian College Geelong | Christian College Geelong to commence the process.

To confirm your child’s Enrolment, please contact Helen Reed at the Surf Coast campus on 52448799 or email surfcoast@ccg.vic.edu.au

What’s Happening at Surf Coast?

2026 TERM 1

WEEK 3

Monday 9 February – Year 4 to Year 12 Device Program Parent Information Evening on Microsoft Teams – 6.30pm

Monday 9 February to Wednesday 11 February – Year 7 Camp at Cave Hill Creek

Wednesday 11 February – No Prep students at school

Thursday 12 February – New students ID photos – 1pm – 3pm (updated)

Thursday 12 February – Family Welcome Picnic – 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Friday 13 February – Surf Coast Campus House Cross Country Championship

Our Preps are off to a Flying Start!

Our Prep students have had an incredible start to their school journey!

Throughout the week, our Preps have been busy learning letters and letter sounds and have even been going on special “sound hunts” to find them. The children have also enjoyed learning about how to pull words apart and put them back together when saying them, as well as listening out for words that rhyme, adding a fun twist to their literacy lessons.

The children have also illustrated beautiful self-portraits and family portraits, showcasing their creativity and artistic skills.

One of the highlights of our Preps’ first few days of school has been meeting their Year 4 buddies. These new friendships have provided our Preps with wonderful role models to look up to and a fantastic sense of belonging in the school community.

It has been a HUGE first few days of school, and our Prep students should be incredibly proud of themselves. They have shown enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience, setting a positive tone for the rest of the school year. Here’s to many more exciting adventures and learning experiences ahead in 2026

Year 2s Make a Confident Start

The Year 2s have made a fantastic start to 2026, settling confidently into their new year level. They have shown wonderful listening skills and an eagerness to share their creativity and determination right from the get-go. It has been a joy to see their enthusiasm as we’ve begun exploring a variety of subjects and topics together, while also building positive friendships and showing kindness and respect towards one another.

The students loved our nature walk around the Surf Coast campus as part of our Geography unit this week. We explored natural features and thought carefully about how these could be represented on a map. This learning was enriched by linking our work to First Nations symbols that might be found in a map key. The children enjoyed observing their surroundings and drawing creative maps of the campus, thoughtfully considering how to represent different features. We’re so proud of the positive start the Year 2s have made and are excited for the learning ahead!

Growing Together in Year 4

If you ask any Surf Coast Year 4 student what they are most looking forward to about the year ahead, you are sure to hear some common responses.
Getting my own device.

Having a prep buddy.

Being a leader.
In just a short time, our Year 4 cohort has begun turning these hopes into reality.

The start of this week brought one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of all, receiving their devices. The excitement in each classroom was unmistakable as students powered on, logged in and began exploring the possibilities that lie ahead. With the support of their teachers and the IT support team, the students moved confidently through their setup steps, ready to begin using their devices for research, presentations and creative projects throughout the term.

A Fantastic Start for Our Year 6 Students

Our Year 6 students have returned to school refreshed, motivated, and ready to embrace the year ahead. They have settled back into routines beautifully and have already demonstrated a positive attitude toward learning and leadership.

One of the highlights so far has been making the most of our brand-new oval. The extra space has been a huge hit, giving students more opportunities to run, play, and enjoy active time with friends. It’s been wonderful to see such enthusiasm and energy during breaks.

In the classroom, students are thoroughly enjoying our new class text, Once by Morris Gleitzman. They have been quickly drawn into the story and are already deeply enthralled in the world of Felix. Thoughtful discussions and strong engagement with the text are setting an exciting tone for our literacy learning this term.

Sport has also kicked off with great enthusiasm. Students are enjoying the chance to try a variety of sports as they prepare for our lightning premiership competition later in the term. It’s been fantastic to see teamwork, resilience, and a willingness to have a go across all activities.

We are incredibly proud of the way our Year 6 students have started the year and look forward to an exciting and successful term ahead.

Year 8 Update

The start of the year has been a wonderful one for our Year 8 students. They have settled into the next step of Middle School life with confidence and enthusiasm, quickly building positive routines and forming some fantastic new friendships within the class, as well as consolidating existing friendships. It has been a joy to watch the connections growing stronger each day.

Students have been especially excited to make the most of our new facilities. The Science lab has already become a favourite learning space, and the school oval has provided plenty of opportunity for activity and fresh air during breaks. The introduction of new electives has also been a highlight, with Marine Studies, Food Studies and Product Design proving to be very popular choices.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our classroom lockers, and it has been lovely to watch the landscaping around our learning area continue to take shape day by day. There is a real sense of anticipation and pride as our learning environment continues to grow and improve.

It has been a positive and energetic start to the year, and we are very much looking forward to all that lies ahead for our Year 8 cohort.

Find Your Sound at the Picnic!

Families are warmly invited to visit the Instrument Try‑Out Rooms from 5:30–6:15pm during the Welcome Picnic. Music Department staff will be available with a wide range of instruments for students to explore, including woodwind, brass, strings, and percussion. Our team will also be on hand to share the many musical opportunities available at Surf Coast Campus—such as instrumental lessons, choirs, concert bands, string ensembles, and contemporary music groups. Please look out for this exciting opportunity in the Year 1 classrooms during the picnic.

Wellbeing at Surf Coast Campus – Introducing Tanya Whitmore

We are very pleased to share that this year we will have Tanya Whitmore join the Surf-Coast campus as a Student Wellbeing Officer. Our Student Wellbeing Officers, provide care, guidance, and support when students are navigating challenges, as well as deliver proactive initiatives that strengthen wellbeing for all. Their roles are centred on building strong relationships, offering timely support, and helping students develop the skills they need to flourish.

Hello Families,

I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Student Wellbeing Officer at Surf-Coast. I’m very excited to work with you and your children, and I work at Surf-Coast on a Tuesday. With a background in Youth Work and currently completing my Master’s in Counselling, I’ve had the privilege of supporting young people and their families for the past 14 years. I’m passionate about walking alongside young people as they navigate the challenges of childhood and adolescence, helping them recognise and reach their potential.

My role at Christian College is to support your child’s mental health and wellbeing—whatever their needs may be. Please feel free to connect with us at any time to discuss how we can best support your young person.

You can reach me at T.Whitmore@ccg.vic.edu.au

– Tanya 

Student Organisers - Prep to Year 12

We have been very excited to implement the initiative of student organisers for all students at our College. During Week 1 every student was issued with a Christian College Geelong organiser. This organiser will play an important role in supporting your child’s learning, wellbeing, and personal organisation.

As a College we are committed to developing strong organisational habits as it is a key part of student success. The organiser will help students to:

• build daily routines
• record homework and upcoming assessments
• reflect on their progress
• manage time effectively

Student Organisers will also help to create consistent expectations across all year levels from our youngest learners building simple routines, to our senior students managing more complex workloads.

All-Star Kids at CCG

Reminder: Device Program Parent Information Evening

A reminder that parents from across the College are warmly invited to attend our Student Device Program Parent Webinar that will occur this coming Monday, 9th February from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

This event, delivered via Microsoft Teams, aims to provide support to parents of students across Years 4-12, especially those new to our device program or new to our College, though all parents and staff will find the information presented to be helpful.

I warmly invite all members of our community to attend.

Parents are encouraged to RSVP using this link to help us gauge numbers and prepare accordingly.