What’s Happening at Surf Coast?
Is 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 2023
Week 5
Tuesday 28th Feb Discovery and Learning – Prep and Year 4 and 5 – refer to EdSmart
Wednesday 1st Mar Indonesian Students Visit our Surf Coast Campus – 9.30am– 12.30pm
Thursday 2nd Mar District Summer Sport Carnival Year 5 – information sent
Friday 3rd Mar Assembly – Bible Presentation Year 2 and Year 5 – all welcome
Week 6
Thursday 9th Mar Meet and Greet Sessions (10mins) 2.30pm – 7pm– all staff and families – online bookings close on Friday 3rd March at 4pm.
Friday 10th Mar BLP Clubs – All Students
Week 7
Monday 13th Mar Labour Day Public Holiday – College Closed
Tuesday 14th Mar Discovery and Learning -Prep and Year 3 Students – more information to come
Tuesday 14th Mar Division Swim Championship – selected students only – more information to come
Wednesday 15th Mar Preps at school
Wednesday 15th Mar Naplan – Year 3 and Year 5 Students
Thursday 16th Mar Parent/Guardian Helper Training Session #2
Friday 17th Mar Assembly
Week 8
Tuesday 21st Mar Beach Excursion – Year 1 and Year 2 – more information to come
Tuesday 21st Mar Prep Excursion to MOPA – more information to come
Wednesday 22nd Mar Willy Wonka Excursion – Year 3 students – more information to come
Friday 24th Mar BLP Clubs – all students
Friday 24th Mar End of Naplan
Week 9
Tuesday 28th Mar Regional Swimming Championship – selected students only – more information to come
Wednesday 29th Mar Sand and Surf Carnival – Year 1 to Year 5 – more information to come
Friday 31st Mar Assembly
Week 10
Wednesday 5th April Preps at school
Wednesday 5th April House Athletics – Year 4 and Year 5 – more information to come
Thursday 6th April Easter Service and Bonnet Parade – all students – more information to come
Thursday 6th April End of term 2 – 2.30pm dismissal – all students
Year Prep – Nanna’s Button Tin
This week the Preps focused on the word tin. One of the activities this week was the story ‘Nanna’s Button Tin’. The children listened to the story and verbally recounted their favourite part and illustrated their answers with great detail.
We explored a very special button tin ourselves and the children we given the opportunity to describe the properties of the buttons that they had selected, including smooth, bumpy, stripy, tiny, large, round and animal shaped.
It was a wonderful activity loved by all.
Caitlin Maher
Year 1 – Our Natural Environment
Over the past four weeks, we have been looking at our natural environment and how people and the weather can impact our beautiful land. This week, we had the opportunity to undertake a little experiment to see just what happens when water and wind interfere.
We learnt that erosion is where tiny pieces of the Earth’s surface are moved from one place to another. With a little help, we were able to make a working model to show how this happens. With the roots in place (forks) and the water rushing across, we saw just how much the soil could withstand, mimicking what happens all around us.
We are now ready to be on the lookout for natural erosion taking place at school and the beach!
Nick Hogan
This Week in Year 3
As always, it’s been another eventful week in Year 3! We haven’t wasted any time with this dynamic group as we have dived headfirst into our Science investigation about changing states of matter. The kids got their hands (and uniforms sorry!) dirty as they investigated the properties of solids and liquids.
In Maths they have been conducting maths chance experiments and using manipulatives to develop place value skills. While in Literacy we have been working hard at convincing our readers through persuasive writing.
We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks with our Beach Prep excursion and our adventure to the chocolate factory, Easter bonnet parade and much more, so stay tuned and keep an eye on The Vine!
Leanne Crole
Geoff Trevaskis
Year 5 – Exploring Science
Light is something we take for granted every day, but have you ever wondered about light? Where it comes from? Why it is so important to our lives? The Year 5s won’t be kept in the dark anymore, as they spend Term 1 shedding light on these mysteries! The Year 5 students have been busy using Hodson Light boxes to explore the properties of light, making lava lamps and investigating shadows!
I love that every day we learn something but in a super fun way. Ava 5T
Science is fun. It’s very interesting learning something new – Berry 5T
I love Science, I love the subject we are working on which is light and shadows. I am looking forward to more. Lani 5T
I think science is very fun. I love all the experiments – Abi 5T
Bridget Blackburn – Year 5 Science Teacher
Surf Coast Campus – Family Picnic
The family picnic is always a highlight on the Term 1 calendar and this year was no exception. The weather was beautiful and it was wonderful to see families coming together while enjoying a picnic dinner. The children played happily and loved being at school with their families. We look forward to sharing in other events such as this one throughout the year.
Debbie Riddle, Campus Coordinator
Shrove Tuesday
Kia Ora from the Surf Coast Chaplain’s desk. I hope you have all had a lovely week!
This week we kicked off the beginning of a significant time in the Christian community by celebrating Shrove Tuesday and the beginning of Lent on Wednesday.
I could be wrong, but I think it’s safe to say that Shrove Tuesday is definitely one of the favourite days on the school yearly planner! The reason for this has to be the yummy pancakes!
As the morning kicked off, the smell of vanilla was strong throughout the campus as Craig and I cooked well over 200 pancakes for excited and hungry children to enjoy at recess.
I thought it may be fun to share some pancake facts with you while we’re on the topic as well.
- The largest pancake ever made was 49 ft wide and one inch thick. It weighed three tonnes!
- 890 people simultaneously flipped pancakes in Sheffield in 2012 – breaking the world record.
- The highest pancake toss measured over 31 ft (nearly 10m).
- The record for the most flips of a pancake in one minute is 140 flips!
If you aren’t familiar with Shrove Tuesday, this is the day of feasting before Ash Wednesday. It’s a day when people enjoy rich, fatty foods and sweet treats, such as pancakes, in preparation for Lent. Pancake Day is on a different day every year, always falling 47 days before Easter Sunday. It always takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday starts, which is the beginning of Lent.
During the time of Lent, which goes for 40 days, many people take this time to reflect and prepare their hearts for Easter time, often fasting or giving something up for that period. It is also a time where we are reminded of the reality of our broken humanity, and how we can experience, with greater abundance, the reality of God’s redeeming grace.
If this is something you have never participated in before or have a memory of it from growing up, maybe this could be an invitation to give it a go this year, to fast something such as Netflix, social media or dare I even say it, coffee. Maybe this could be an opportunity to create some extra space in your life to reflect on where you are at, even where you are at with God. Maybe this could be the time where you open or download the Bible. Maybe it’s a time to pray or just sit quietly and listen in the silence. Whatever it may look like for you, would you be interested in going on this journey with me, with us? If so, I’d love to hear from you!
Be blessed and have a wonderful weekend!
Nathan Pratt
Donut Repair Club
At our Leaders Investiture last week Mia Kaferis our Dean of Christian Culture spoke to the children about how life without Jesus is like a donut, there’s a hole in the middle of your heart. As members of the donut repair club, we can help to fill the holes in people’s lives with God’s love, and with hope, grace truth and faith. As members of the donut repair club, we need to care for each other and show kindness as we gently help others to fill their donut hole.
Debbie Riddle, Campus Coordinator
Surf Coast – Art
The students at Surf Coast Campus have been busy exploring and experimenting with how line and colour can create different shapes, textures, depth and emotion. The students have been learning how to create a map of the human face, carefully studying individual features and correct proportions to create the base of their self-portraits. We have also been learning how to use the method of tracing, outline and hatching to form more defined lines and features. The students applied their knowledge of line and colour to enhance their artwork to create colourful and interesting elements to their self-portraits.
Bea Greenhalgh
BLP Clubs
Building Learning Power Clubs begin again for another year. The children chose their clubs a couple of weeks ago and today they joined friends from each year level to have fun in their chosen club. Being part of a club is different than being in their own classroom. It is a time to make new friends and develop respectful relationships all while working collaboratively with children from all year levels. It is an opportunity for them to develop higher order thinking skills and express their creativity. It also engages our children consciously with the ideas and processes of their own learning. As teachers we see the confidence, capabilities and passion of our children further develop through the Building Learning Power Club process.
This term the clubs on offer are,
Gardening Club
Puzzle Club
Sports/ active Club
Lego/ Gravitrax club
Board Games club
Dance Club
Newspaper club
Drawing club
We will look forward to all the fun and exciting times are children will enjoy this term during their BLP clubs.
Debbie Riddle, Campus Coordinator
Physical Education and Sport @ Surf Coast
It has been a pleasure getting to know our new Preps, as well as students new to the campus, and great to see all our wonderful returning students.
This term students in Prep – Year 3 will be focusing on the ‘Fundamental Motor Skills’ (FMS) of ‘Locomotion’ (running, leaping, and dodging) and Vertical Jump.
During our lessons, we discuss when and how these skills are used in various sports providing students with an understanding of the importance of developing FMS. The components of each skill are broken down to highlight how each is linked to establish good technique and efficient movement patterns. Individual practice is followed by small group activities, or a minor game is played incorporating the developing skill.
Students in Years 4 and 5 are focusing on Track and Field events and Fitness Testing.
During our Year 3, 4 and 5 Sport Programs, students are introduced to, or continue developing their skills and game sense in, a variety of sports including Tee Ball, Volleystars and Cricket. Year 5 students have been preparing for the Deakin District Summer Sport Carnival to be held on March 2.
Students have also commenced the Term 1 Health Units titled ‘Who Am I ‘– Prep, ‘All About Me’ – Year 1, ‘My Culture’ – Year 2, ‘My Success and Challenges’ – Year 3, ‘A Healthier Me’ Year 4 and ‘Healthy Lifestyles’ – Year 5.
I am looking forward to the year ahead, developing skills, improving fitness and playing games. FUN!
Joanne Richardson
Surf Coast Netballers – Years 2 & 3
On Tuesdays at 3:45pm parent Kath Rau conducts an Introduction to Netball training session.
Sessions are conducted on our campus Netball court on the upper level.
We are hoping to form a Surf Coast team to enter an afterschool competition in Torquay, possibly in Term 2.
If your daughter or son in Years 2 or 3 is interested in starting Netball and would like to join in the training sessions, please email Mrs Richardson.
Joanne Richardson
Symphonic Band Blast – The Senior Wind Symphony Puts on a Show!
The Year 5 and 7 students from Bellarine, Highton and Surf Coast Campuses all attended a concert and band instrument demonstration/trials this Wednesday. The Senior Wind Symphony performed for the students and also demonstrated their individual instruments. This ensemble is the most advanced of the five concert bands across the College, it is a 50-piece band with students coming from years 10-12 at the Senior Campus.
The concert was a great avenue for our senior students to inspire the younger students with their beautiful music and generous spirit. The band performed three works which is a great effort so early in the year! As conductors, Mr Rankin and I are very proud of the enthusiasm and energy and look forward to our rehearsals and performances throughout the year!
Bravo Senior Wind Symphony!
Fiona Gardner, Director of Teaching and Learning – Music
Teachers Growing and Learning
Earlier this week, Christian College teachers, Julie Shutie from Junior School-Belmont, Emma Workman and Nicola Morrish both from Senior School, commenced a year-long learning journey with the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership as Teaching Excellence Programme participants.
The opening conference was held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre with the opening address from Victorian Education Minister, Ms Natalie Hutchins. She celebrated the role and work of the teaching profession and the work we would undertake as participants in this prestigious program. She charged us with growing ourselves as learners to ensure we are providing the best possible learning outcomes for our students across the state.
We then heard from the CEO of the Academy, Dr Marcia Devlin OAM, who celebrated the teaching profession and this innovative teacher program where 500 leading teachers from across all three sectors (Independent, Catholic and Government) are working together to explore best practice in learning. She also celebrated the Master Teachers who will lead and guide the participants through the learning, with Christian College’s own Angela Tutty working as a Master Teacher for Humanities. Dr Devlin strongly emphasised that together, teachers can change the world.
Keynote speaker for the day was Professor Eric Mazur, Academic Dean for Applied Sciences at Harvard University, who challenged us to advance the quality of teaching through focusing on the quality of learning that takes place in our classrooms. He explored the human, social, cognitive and aspirational sides of learning and emphasised how the hard work of learning must be completed by the learner, with the teacher being more of a ‘guide on the side’. He challenged us to consider intrinsic and extrinsic desires of learners, inspiring us to continue to seek the inner spark of our learners and how this joy enhances their curiosity and improves student outcomes by building meaningful connections to their learning.
We leave this first stage of the Teaching Excellence Program feeling energised to embrace the program objectives and well placed to positively contribute to the teaching profession.
Nicola Morrish, Julie Shutie & Emma Workman
Device Program and Digital Wellbeing Parent Resources
Over the past two weeks, parents of our Year 4 students across the campuses have had the opportunity to attend an information session about the College’s 1:1 Device Program and Cyber Safe Schools Program. At Surf Coast and Bellarine Campuses, where students attend beyond Year 4, this invitation was extended to other families, especially new families to the College.
It is our desire to partner with parents in supporting students at all ages to develop positive digital behaviours and online safety, and these evenings provided information, guidance and support to parents – particularly parents of Year 4 students prior to the students having the opportunity to begin bringing their laptop home.
Though there was some emphasis on supporting parents in the Year 4 context, the information shared during these evenings is relevant and useful to all College families and parents. At each evening, a parent resource was made available to parents with a range of information about the device program, policy, eSafety parent guides and more.
I encourage all parents, regardless of the stage of their child’s learning journey, to explore the video recording of one of these evenings and the parent resource pack. Both of these are available via the links below.
- Video Recording of Device Program and Digital Wellbeing Parent Information Session
- Device Program Parent Resource Pack
During these evenings, the Qustodio parent app was explored as one tool available to College families as a support in the home. Families with students new to the College can expect information about how they can make use of this tool, if they wish, in the next couple of weeks.
Brendan Vanderkley, Director of Digital Learning
Visit Back Creek Café!
Christian College’s Back Creek Café in Meredith is a vital part of our Year 9 residential farm experience. Located 15 minutes south of Back Creek Farm, the café is open six days a week (not Sundays) from 8:30am to 3pm. On weekdays during term time, working at the café is part of the schedule for the Year 9s’ Farm Program work groups. Students learn a whole range of hospitality-related skills as they assist with the day-to-day café operations.
If you’re passing through Meredith this weekend, or just fancy a 35-minute drive up the Midland Hwy from Geelong, make sure you drop in and say hi. While you’re there, enjoy the best coffee in town – or choose from a range of other beverages – indulge in an all-day breakfast or one of the other scrumptious light meal/snack options on the menu. There is also a variety of sweet or savoury treats to enjoy while you’re there and delicious home-made produce to purchase and take home.
You can also check out the latest from the café via its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Back Creek Café is located at 1/27 Staughton Street Meredith. For enquiries and bookings, call 5286 1166.
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