Surf Coast Term 1 Week 3

Hot Cross Buns are Coming!

There’s nothing better than a hot cross bun with crispy edges, melted butter and good friends and family to share them with!

With the season of Lent and celebration of Easter fast approaching Christian College is delighted to announce that we are partnering with our local Baker’s Delight to bring hot cross buns to our community this year. This is an opportunity for you to purchase hot cross buns for your family, friends, as Easter gifts or cheekily for your freezer to enjoy all year long while also joining the Foundation in our fund-raising goals for this year.

The Christian College Foundation exists to raise funds to support students and families experiencing disadvantage and hardship. The Foundation also funds new initiatives which enhance the educational programs and offerings for current and future students.

What’s Happening at Surf Coast?

This an up to date list of planned activities at Surf Coast Campus that you can use for planning purposes.  Please be aware that these dates are set early in the term and occasionally items may need to be cancelled or dates/times altered.  This itinerary is altered each week to reflect any changes – please check this list of events EVERY WEEK carefully when you read the weekly VINE newsletter.

TERM 1 2025

WEEK 4

Tuesday 18 Feb                       House Swimming Carnival -– Year 4 to 7 students

Wednesday 19 Feb                 No Preps at School

                                                         Beach Excursion –

Thursday 20 Feb                     Welcome Picnic – All welcome – 5.30pm – 7.30pm Surf Coast Campus

Recording and Resources: Student Device Program Information Evening

It was a pleasure to join other College leaders in presenting Monday evening’s session about the College Device Program, our Cyber Safe Schools Program, how the device supports learning, and support and resources for parents at home. It was wonderful to see so many parents and families represented in this online session.

The event, delivered via Microsoft Teams, aimed 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 have found the information presented to be helpful.

Session Recording

Parents and members of our community who were unable to attend may like to review a recording of the session we have made available via the link below.

View the recording

An Exciting, Fun and Windy Day at Prep Discovery Learning!

On Monday morning, our Prep students set off for Torquay beach for their first Prep Discovery Learning adventure. There was excitement on the bus as the students chatted to each other and pointed to things outside the bus. For a few students this was their first ever bus ride!

When we arrived at the beach the students eagerly walked to the sand ready to explore and play. Collecting buckets and spades they quickly began to create impressive sandcastles and sand cities. Many students began digging holes and their excitement grew as water began to seep into their holes, turning their digging into a quest for the deepest hole with the most water at the bottom.

In addition to sand play some students enjoyed games of frisbee, bat and ball and soccer, creating their own fun activities with each other. With the strong wind many hats took flight with the students chasing after them, laughing as they blew along the beach.

Despite the windy weather it was wonderful to see all students engaged, running around, laughing, getting to know each other and making new friends. It was a fantastic beginning to Prep Discovery Learning and we look forward to many more adventures this year!

Families in Focus

This term, Year 1 students will be exploring the fascinating world of families, both past and present. The focus is to understand the concept of family structures, the different roles within a family, and how families have evolved over time.

To bring this learning to life we have read the wonderful book ‘Family Tree’ by Josh Pyke and Ronojoy Ghosh.

Students have been creating beautiful family trees, showcasing their creativity while deepening their understanding of family connections.

We are looking forward to our ‘Welcome Picnic’ on Thursday February 20 at 5.30pm where we will get to celebrate being part of this wonderful community with our families!

Year 2 – It’s the Season for Love!

But the greatest of these is LOVE. Corinthians 13: 13

This week, we have learnt that the greatest thing of all is LOVE. We wrote Valentine’s Day cards for our parents and told them why we love them. Our mums and dads are the best because they cuddle us, give us yummy food and take care of all our needs. We love you, mum and dad!

In Maths, we have been learning about place value, building numbers with 100s, 10s and ones. We have also explored how to round numbers to the nearest 10 or 100, and how to estimate. The Year 2s have enjoyed the variation of math games, paired discussion, PowerPoints and worksheets to consolidate their knowledge and understanding.

Becoming Active Citizens

As we wrap up our Civics and Citizenship unit, ‘Rules and Responsibilities,’ our Year 3 students have been reflecting on what it means to be an active and responsible member of our community.

Throughout the unit, students explored why we have rules, who makes them, and what happens when they are not followed. Through engaging discussions and class activities, students deepened their understanding of fairness, responsibility, and the importance of contributing to a positive school and local community!

A highlight of the unit was our exploration of local community groups and the ways in which they support and help others. Students brainstormed ideas for how they, too, can make a difference; whether by helping at home (wink, wink Mum and Dad!), assisting in the schoolyard, or finding ways to volunteer in the wider community. Their thoughtful suggestions demonstrated a growing awareness of their role as young citizens who can positively impact the world around them.

Year 4’s Exciting Week With Prep Buddies

This week has been a whirlwind of excitement for our Year 4 students as they met their Prep buddies for the first time. The enthusiasm and responsibility shown by our Year 4s have been truly commendable.

Our Year 4 students have embraced their roles as leaders with open hearts, guiding their younger peers through new experiences. This budding relationship is not only creating wonderful memories but also strengthening our school community.

We are incredibly proud of how our Year 4 students have stepped up, showing kindness and patience every step of the way. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a fantastic year of growth and friendship. Keep shining, Year 4!

Year 7s Make Connections and Memories

When reflecting on their time at school, many adults reminiscence about school camp as one of their fondest memories. This week our new Year 7 cohort travelled to Cave Hill Creek, near Beaufort in central Victoria for an inspiring three days of activity and fellowship. The picturesque site was the setting for our inaugural camp and provided a prime opportunity for students to build new connections among the cohort.

It was an active and challenging experience for students, bursting with activities designed to inspire and foster teamwork. From the task of designing and building a raft, before setting it afloat and the thrill of learning the finer points of archery (pun intended) to mental challenges like orienteering and the infamous crate stack, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Throughout the camp, students were organised into activity groups, separate to their cabin groups, which took them out of their comfort zone and encouraged the forging of new connections as they worked together. A healthy culture of respect emerged over the three days, and we pray that it will be the hallmark of the cohort for the year to come.  

After three full days in the outdoors our students returned home, physically tired but emotionally inspired and spiritually filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Harmonious Beginnings: Hitting all the Right Notes!

The new Year 5 Music Program has launched with energy, enthusiasm, and the wonderful sounds of students discovering and developing their musical talents. There are two dynamic streams to the program: Beginner Band and Performers Workshop.

Performers Workshop

Performers Workshop is a program designed for students who already have experience with a band or orchestral instrument. Led by Stephanie Lawrence and Matheus Oliveira, this highly valued program is tailored to the strengths and needs of each student, allowing them to refine their skills, deepen their musical understanding, and enjoy the experience of playing alongside their peers.

Introducing Amy Cornwell – Wellbeing Officer

Hello! I am Amy Cornwell, and I am the new Wellbeing Officer here at Chrisitan College. You will see me at Surf Coast Campus every Mondaya nd Tuesday supporting students and I will be working alongside and sharing an office with Chaplain Mr Aaron Cutter.

A little bit about me – I’m a qualified Youth Worker, working in multiple roles over the past seven years. I have also completed my Bachelor of Counselling in 2024. I have travelled to ten countries and my favourite food is seafood!

I will be working alongside students here at Surf Coast Campus to help them have the best year possible, and to be supported in all areas. I look forward to connecting with families and students to create a supportive and inclusive community together.

Settling back into the new school year can be tough – please see below some fun prompting cards to help students find the positives in their week. Also, a fun colouring in and some ways to ensure everything is going to be okay!

Please feel free to stop by my office to say hello or enquire about wellbeing support!

nervous-mouse-coloring-sheet

positive-psychology-prompt-cards

Open Day – March 4 – Be Inspired!

Christian College will run two Open Days during 2025 – on March 4 and May 8. During the week of the May 8 Open Day, some campuses may also run Discover Prep sessions.

Our first Open Day on March 4 sees all five campuses and two kinders opening their doors and offering the opportunity for prospective parents, guardians and families who might be considering our College as an option for their child(ren), to see us ‘in action’. Our Open Days run on regular school days so visitors are able to tour, meet students, teachers and campus leaders, see real classes in real time and have their questions answered – no booking is required.

Information about our Open Days, and the times when each of our campuses and kinders are open on March 4, is all contained on our website – accessed via the hotlink on our website homepage (see image below) – click here for a direct link to it. We have scheduled times on the day to make it possible for parents and guardians to visit more than one campus if they desire.

We would encourage all our current families to spread the word about our March 4 Open Day among friends, colleagues and others in your network who may be specifically interested in enrolling their child(ren) at Christian College, or who may just be in the process of considering and comparing different schools in our region. Our Open Days are a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand our unparalleled teaching and learning programs happening on a regular school day, to meet staff and students and find out more about the many benefits of a Christian College education.

2025 Young Women in Aerospace and Defence

Young Women in Aerospace and Defence is a free four-day STEM program hosted by RMIT. It is open to girls in Years 7 to 12 and will run three times this year during the school holidays: April 7 – 10; July 7 – 10; and September 29 – October 2.

For more details, including how to apply, please read the brochure below.

Sibling Enrolments 2026

It has been delightful to welcome our new students and families to the College, and we look forward to meeting you in person at one of our events as the term unfolds. Although we are only a week into the new year, it is also the time at which we confirm our enrolment places for 2026. With places being much sought-after and with waiting lists at some year levels, it is imperative that our current enrolment database is accurate. 

We are asking our existing families to ensure that all of their children are officially enrolled at Christian College. Please remember that an individual enrolment must be completed online for each of your children. Whilst many of you have already attended to this task, can I make an urgent request to those families who may have a sibling of an existing student, due to begin in 2026 (or beyond), to ensure that all enrolment details have been completed.  

Interested in Volunteering at CCG in 2025? 

Christian College appreciates the support provided by all volunteers. Around our campuses there is a range of activities in and out of the classroom where we are greatly assisted by parent/guardian volunteers. Many of the College’s programs would not exist or continue without their support. 

Our College community relies upon the skills that each volunteer can provide. Staff at each campus will communicate the different opportunities open to parent/guardian volunteers, such as excursions, camps and other events. 

To engage with us as a parent/guardian volunteer, you will need a current Working With Children Check (these are valid for five years). To ensure all volunteers are aware of, and agree to, the conditions of working as a volunteer, Christian College requires each volunteer to sign this agreement prior to commencing work. A new completed form is required each school year.  

Click on this link to download a Parent Volunteer Agreement form. Once downloaded, it can be completed electronically, including a digital signature, and then uploaded using the button provided.