Surf Coast Term 1 Week 5

Life in Abundance – Lenten Celebrations

Around the dinner table this week the question was asked “how’s your Easter going?”. This may seem a strange question if our experience of Easter is the long weekend at the end of March, however when Easter becomes the whole Lenten Season it’s a very good question indeed. A wonderful conversation ensued with talk of Easter bonnet building, fresh insights from Bible readings, a new hot cross bun recipe to try, Grandma’s Easter daisies are coming out and looking good, someone lamented their choice to give up caffeine and the youngest gleefully shared their countdown to Easter Sunday morning.

The season of Lent has traditionally been associated with a spirit of repentance, prayer, fasting, charitable giving and focusing on Jesus’s great sacrifice through his death and resurrection. In addition, this season of preparing to celebrate Easter is also characterised by the intentional appreciation and celebration of new life, unyielding hope, the miracle of a life transformed through faith, hope and love and the promise of life and life in abundance.

World Day of Prayer

In a heartwarming display of unity and cultural appreciation, our Surf Coast students came together to mark the World Day of Prayer with a powerful demonstration of faith and solidarity offering prayers in their native languages. Representing a rich tapestry of cultures and traditions, students took turns leading prayers in front of their teachers, peers, and families.

The theme for this year’s event Embracing Diversity, Building Unity, inspired by a program penned by Palestinian Christian women reflects the verses from Ephesians 4:1-7. The event aimed to inspire women globally to support each other during difficult times, fostering compassion and understanding across borders.

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 2024

WEEK 6

Tuesday 05 March                  Christian College Campus Open Day. 11.30am – 1pm

Wednesday 06 March            Meet and Greet Session – All staff and families – More                                                                                                               information to come

Wednesday 06 March            Preps attend school

Thursday 07 March                Rise Up – 2024 SSV Deakin District Summer Carnival                                                                                                              – Year 5 and Year 6 – Geelong College Campus

From The Chaplain: More Thumbs are Printing!

Hey everyone, I hope you are well and are finding plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beach and sun!

This week I have another update on our Easter painting, as the Year 1s and some of the Year 2s have added their thumbprints and we see our painting begin to fill with colour.

I’m so proud of the way that each class has listened and understood the way that Jesus is both a servant and king, and I feel blessed to share the opportunity with each child to be humble and serve one another.

Stay tuned for next week when 2T and the Year 3s add their part!

Blessings,

Prep Discovery Learning

This week’s Beach Prep Discovery Learning session unfolded with boundless excitement. Armed with buckets, shovels, and a shared sense of adventure, the Surf Coast preppies embarked on a collaborative mission.

The beach became a canvas for their imaginations. The sandcastles and ‘sand cats’ that were built were intricate, majestic, and very adorable. The thrill of discovery fuelled their efforts, and soon, tiny crabs and ladybugs became their unexpected companions.

It was an afternoon filled with fun, collaboration, wonder and excitement.

Heirlooms and Treasures

This week in Year 1, our little historians took a fascinating journey into the past! We explored historical items that were all the rage when our grandparents were at school. It was a blast discovering things that seemed ancient but were entirely new and exciting for our curious minds.

Imagine the awe as some kiddos laid eyes on a VHS player, a video tape, or a camera not connected to an iPhone – talk about a blast from the past! The amazement in their eyes was priceless.

But here’s the exciting part: we’re on a mission to collect treasures over the next few weeks. These treasures will become the stars of our very own descriptive writing pieces. Get ready for a journey of words and nostalgia!

We’re buzzing with anticipation to see the ‘new’ (well, old but new to us!) historical treasures everyone brings in. It’s going to be a grand adventure into the past!

Stay tuned for more tales from our Year 1 time travellers!

Cheers, The Year 1 Time-Traveling Team 🚀📜

Our Young Historians

On Thursday this week, the Year 2s explored the local region, visiting sites where the convict William Buckley lived with the Wathaurong tribe, between the years 1803 – 1835. Their day started on the beach at Breamlea, where William Buckley lived for a period of time, perfecting his fishing techniques. The students sketched the beach and imagined William Buckley living there.

The next stop was alongside the river at Barwon Heads. This was a favourite spot for the Wathaurong tribe as it had so many of the resources they needed. Our students enjoyed playing on the playground and eating their recess snack, while imagining how the world was so different then.

The third stop was Buckley’s Cave in Point Lonsdale. It was amazing to see the cave where he sheltered, and to scramble around the rocks looking for treasures. We could also see across the rip to Sullivan’s Bay where Buckley could view the convict settlement from which he had escaped.

The last stop for the day was the peaceful, shady Buckley’s Falls. We enjoyed our lunch and a short walk upstream to see the base of the falls, to try fishing with bush fishing rods. The day was such an amazing chance to imagine William Buckley living in our area. We are so thankful that many of the sites have been preserved and protected in our local community for all to enjoy. Our young historians certainly enjoyed their day exploring!

Autumn is Here!

It’s the end of our fifth week of school and it’s autumn already … how quickly the year is passing by. We have managed to squeeze a lot of learning into our first few weeks of Year 3.

This week, in Christian Ed, we have investigated the story of Jesus’ first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding. It’s always a fun one to explore with the students – who doesn’t love a party or a wedding? We focused on the way Jesus has a deep desire to meet our needs, no matter what they might be.

Whole class discussions touched on cultural norms at the time and how it was important to provide a lavish spread of food and drink for wedding guests. We also chatted about the embarrassment the bridegroom’s family would have felt when the wine had run out. It was a matter of utmost importance for the hosting family and a situation that would have caused much angst. Yet Jesus saw their need and blessed them abundantly, turning the water into wine. And not just any bargain-basement wine, the best the master of the banquet had ever tasted.

The Year 3 students then enjoyed writing their own ‘breaking news’ article about the miracle of the water to wine at the wedding in Canva – we had some very creative submissions!

It’s reassuring that God is intent on meeting our needs. Philippians 4:19 states, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Making Prayer a Part of our day

In devotions this week, our Year 4 students have spent time talking about prayer. We have discussed questions like:

• What is prayer?
• How do we pray?
• Why do we pray?
• Does God always hear our prayers?
• Does God always answer our prayers?

The following Bible verse found in 1 John has also provided the basis for rich conversation about what it means when we ask for something ‘according to God’s will’.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

In what will be an ongoing practice for our Year 4 classes, the children shared prayer requests with each other and prayed in small groups. This was a precious time in which the children could support each other in a really powerful way.

As we prepared for the World Day of Prayer, we also turned our thoughts to the Christian people, especially the women and children, of Palestine discussing the challenges they face and the need they have for our support.

Year 5s Big Day Out

Thursday was a huge day for our Year 5 students. We had the opportunity to travel to Kardinia Pool in Geelong to compete in the Annual House Swimming Carnival. It was a day full of smiles, house competition and fun. We had three of our campuses there for the day, we joined the Bellarine Campus in their competition, and we also had our Senior School students competing there as well. This meant that the atmosphere was amazing. With close to 1000 Christian College students all competing in swimming events, novelty events and fun on the waterslide and diving boards. I love the opportunity this gives my students to see our school as the bigger entity that it is. For my Year 5 students to be able to see that they are a part of the bigger community and to be able to witness the students from Senior School, the campus that all our students will ultimately attend.

I loved watching the friendships and connections in my class continue to grow today. To be able to spend time together out of the classroom is so valuable.

A Mega Swimming Carnival!

On Thursday, our Year 4 – 6 students joined the Bellarine Campus at the House Swimming Carnival at the Kardinia Swimming Pool.

It was a warm and sunny day with lots of students participating in the swimming and novelty events. Students had the option to swim in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly events.

There were some pleasing results and it was great to see so many students attempt a swimming event for the first time. Individual and house results will need to be finalised and they will be announced next week.

A big congratulations to the students who were amazing in and out of the pool, to the many Surf Coast staff who assisted in running events and supervising students and to all the parents who came to support the day, thank you!

Recorder Karate

In the cosy confines of the music room nestled within the portable classroom at the back of our school, something enchanting is happening in the Year 3 classrooms. With fingers poised and eager minds, our budding musicians are diving into the world of the recorder, embarking on a journey filled with rhythm, harmony, and a touch of martial arts flair.

Dubbed “Recorder Karate,” this innovative program brings together the discipline of martial arts with the artistry of music, challenging students to progress through levels akin to earning karate belts. With each level conquered, students not only hone their musical skills but also earn tangible symbols of their progress in the form of coloured recorder belts.

The allure of earning colourful belts has sparked a newfound enthusiasm for practice among our Year 3 musicians. Armed with their recorders and a determination to succeed, students eagerly devote time both in class and at home to perfecting their musical prowess. Whether it’s practising songs during recess or serenading family members after dinner, the dedication of these young musicians is truly inspiring.

But Recorder Karate isn’t just about mastering the technical aspects of playing an instrument; it’s also about fostering a love for music that will resonate with students for years to come. Through playful competitions, collaborative performances, and creative challenges, our Year 3 students are discovering the joy of making music together.   

Camp Australia Newsletter

Term 1 – Week 5 – Article Camp Australia Newsletter – Author Camp Australia

CCG Digital Wellbeing and Cybersafety Parent Forum

Thank you to the parents and guardians who have responded and registered for this upcoming event next Wednesday evening. Based on your responses to date, here are the top 5 topics parents are most interested in exploring on the night:

• Protecting my child from harmful or inappropriate content
• Screen time - finding a healthy balance
• Parental controls
• Cyber bullying
• Making informed parental decisions about specific apps and games

We’re especially excited about the opportunity on this evening for some rich sharing and discussion amongst parents attending and will also share information on how the school can support you and your children in this space, at school and at home.

As this event is intended for interactive participation by attendees in a forum-style format, there will not be a recording available.

This event will be suitable and relevant for parents of students of all ages, from Prep through to Year 12. This one-hour forum will involve a combination of information and support from the College, as well as an opportunity to share and discuss challenges and strategies with fellow parents.

Cross-Campus Vocal Evening

The Christian College Music Faculty held their first Cross-Campus Vocal Evening for 2024 on Wednesday, February 28 in the RW Gibson Music Performance Centre.

Vocal students from years 2-12 and from all five campuses performed solos accompanied by Regina Thomae, Tammy Treloar and Brad Treloar.

Our voice teachers Jacinta Burns, Brad Treloar, Tania Grant and me are all very proud of the students who performed and look forward to our next vocal evening.

Following on from this performance opportunity the music faculty will also be holding string, brass, woodwind and piano cross-campus evenings throughout the remainder of Term 1.

International Women’s Day Celebration at Senior Campus

All members of the CCG community are invited to join us at the Senior School campus for International Women’s Day on Friday March 8, as we continue the long-held tradition of the IWD breakfast. This year the event will be held in the RW Gibson music centre on Senior Campus, commencing at 7.20am and with formalities concluding by 8.30am. A light breakfast is provided, and we will hear from two inspiring women with links to our community who are making an impact in the wider world.

About our speakers - Former CCG student Ms Georgie Purcell MP was elected to the Legislative Council of the Victorian Parliament in November 2022, representing the Animal Justice Party. Georgie is a passionate animal protection advocate. After entering a political role at just 26 years old – she has noticed the way young people, particularly young women, are not represented in our halls of power. Georgie wants to change that.

Former teacher at CCG, Ms Gabrielle Blythe was an Olympic athlete, representing Australia in race walking events at the 1992 Olympic Games. Gaby now works with young women in her teaching and mentoring role at Clonard College, as well as inspiring a new generation of female athletes through her coaching. Gaby’s story is an amazing story about strong, resilient women who helped her to achieve her goals, despite significant difficulties along the way.

To join us on the day, please complete the booking form at https://www.trybooking.com/CPMKT.

In order to keep the day accessible to all, we are not charging participants for entry/breakfast. If, however, you are able to make a small contribution (gold coin or similar) on the day to help cover costs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Cinderella – Be Quick - Tickets are Disappearing Fast!

There are still tickets available for our major College production this year, but they are going fast, so to ensure you don't miss out - book now! Join us as we present three very special performances of this delightful story featuring students from Years 6 – 12 with exceptional talent throughout the cast, and an orchestra brimming with outstanding student musicians, all backed up by a wonderful community of staff, students and families backstage.

Performances are at Geelong Arts Centre Play House Theatre on May 3 and 4.

To purchase tickets, visit our website and click on the hotlink on our homepage, or go straight to ticket sales by clicking here. 

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund

Financial Assistance for Eligible Parents

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership. All are part of a healthy curriculum.

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. Support from CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities and forms part of the State Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card (HCC) or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is: • $150 for primary school students • $250 for secondary school students

How to Apply

Application Forms are available online through the Parent Portal (Go to ‘Student Information’ > ‘Important Forms for Parents’) these forms can be downloaded, completed then uploaded according to the instructions. Hard copy forms are also available from reception at each campus or by emailing enquire@ccg.vic.edu.au

More Information

For the CSEF application closing dates and more information about the fund please visit this webpage

CSEF_Application_Form_2024

Find Yourself at our Open Day!

On March 5, all five Christian College campuses and two kindergartens are holding Open Days. Our Open Days provide the opportunity for parents and others interested in enrolling their children at Christian College to have a firsthand look at our College campuses, speak with campus leaders, participate in student-led tours of the facilities, visit classrooms in real time and have their questions answered.

We would encourage everyone in our Christian College community to spread the word and tell anyone you might know who is considering schooling options for their children about our Open Day and the opportunity to come and visit one or more campuses and/or our kinders, with no tour booking required.

Details are on our website – follow the hotlink on our homepage or click Homepage > Join > Open Days.

Opening times for March 5 are as follows:

Junior School-Belmont and Williams House Kindergarten – 9:15 – 10:45am

Bellarine Campus – 9:30 – 11:00am

Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House Kindergarten – 11:30am – 1:00pm

Middle School-Highton – 10:30am – 12:00 noon

Senior School – 11:30am – 1:00pm

We would love to see as many interested families as possible finding themselves at our Open Day!

Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion

The Class of 2014 10 Year Reunion is set for Saturday, April 13, 2024. Join us at Blackman's Brewery Geelong from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Thursday, 28th March 2024 at 5:00pm. 

This will be a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your peers, catch up with past teachers, and reminisce about your school days. 

Tours of the College Clocktower at Middle School - Highton will also be optional on the day of the reunion, if you would like to climb the Clocktower and find your brick, simply book in when you register. 

For those who would like to have a tour of the College grounds, please head to our website to arrange a tour. 

We look forward to catching up with the Class of 2014. If this is your year group, spread the word and register for your 10 Year Reunion today!  

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/2014

Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon

The Foundation Gathering Hope Appeal Luncheon is back on and has been scheduled for Friday, 24 May 2024.

You are invited to join us for lunch at the stunning Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

This is a fundraising event for the Foundation and an opportunity to hear about the success and progress of the College.

Our guest speaker is Jossy Chacko, Founder and President of Empart, a global ministry that exists to ignite holistic community transformation among needy communities.

Giving leadership to a team of over 13,000 people and offices in nine countries, Jossy travels around the world inspiring and challenging leaders to capture a larger God-size vision and not to waste gifts and opportunities. He is also the author of Madness! and Dare to Partner.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together. 

Secure your seat and book online today! 

https://ccgfoundation.org.au/gh

Golf Tournament 

Join the Christian College Foundation for an exciting four-person Ambrose Golf Day, including a $30,000 hole in one prize on Thursday, 24th of October at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Set on the stunning Bellarine Peninsula, the day provides an opportunity to enjoy the award-winning creek course, known for its undulating couch fairways, deep bunkers and interesting swales and hollows.

You will be treated to a scrumptious breakfast on arrival and an opportunity to participate in several fun activities including the longest drive, nearest to the pin etc.

There is plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on the 12th Hole and you can win. *

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the foundation. Every dollar raised will be dollar matched!