Surf Coast Term 1 Week 5

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 6

Tuesday 4 Mar                          Campus Open Day – Surf Coast Campus open from 11.30am – 1.00pm and Butterfield House open from 10.00 – 11.30am

                                                         Shrove Tuesday – Pancakes served for the students- please see EdSmart

Wednesday 5 Mar                    Ash Wednesday         

                                                         Preps At School – All preps to attend

Friday 7 Mar                             Bible Presentation Assembly – Year 2 & Year 5 students plus all new students from Year 2 through to Year 7 to receive a bible.

                                                        World Day of Prayer

Prep and Year 4 Buddies hit the Beach

On a beautiful sunny Monday morning the Preps, with great excitement, headed off to the beach with their Year 4 buddies. The preps hopped on the bus first and saved a seat next to them for their buddy. As the Year 4s entered the bus you could hear many Preps calling out to their buddy and waving at them to come and share the seat next to them. The Year 4 students were wonderful in helping the Preps secure their seat belt and then entertaining them on the bus.

As soon as we arrived at the beach, the Year 4s began to show their leadership and responsibility. They took their Prep buddies by the hand and walked with them to the beach. Once at the beach, they helped the Preps to take off their shoes and ensure that they put both their shoes together in a spot where they would remember where they were. And then the fun and laughter began!

They played on the beach together, dug holes, built creative sandcastles, made sand roads and wrote their names on the sand. Some students collected rocks, shells, crab legs and colourful seaweed to show each other and to use in their sand creations. The Year 4 students created interesting games and activities for their Prep buddies, setting a positive example throughout the beach session.

A Very Special Visitor to Year 1!

On Wednesday this week Miss M’s grandmother/Oma Maria visited Year 1 for an exciting talk about the past. The students had been preparing for this special visit by coming up with thoughtful questions to ask her.

They were eager to learn about how life was different when she was their age.

Miss M’s Grandmother shared stories about her childhood, including how she used to walk to school, the toys she played with, and how families communicated without modern technology like phones and the internet. She explained how people didn’t have many of the conveniences we enjoy today, such as computers, and how much harder things were back then. She shared her special photos, coins and even a very special Polish costume!

The students asked many questions such as “What games did you play?” and “What was your favorite memory?”

Miss M’s grandmother answered each question with a smile, giving the children a glimpse into a world they never knew!

Compound Sentences and 3D Shapes

Year 2s have been writing compound sentences in English, using the conjunctions BECAUSE, BUT and SO. ‘BECAUSE’ tells us why; ‘BUT’ changes the direction of the sentence; and ‘SO’ shows us a cause/effect relationship. These sentences can be very tricky!

William Buckley ate pippies because he was hungry.

The class went to the pool, but it was raining.

We went to the beach so we could look for William Buckley food.

In Maths we have been learning about 3D shapes and how many sides, edges and vertices they have. It was so much fun making 3D shapes out of pop sticks and play dough!

Ninja Maths in Action!

This term, our Year 3 students have been putting their stealth and speed to the test with Ninja Maths! With a Ninja mindset in full force, students have been challenging themselves to beat the Ninja at their Maths level. The goal? To answer as many addition questions as possible in just two minutes!

With Ninja Maths, the mission is to help students build strong basic facts knowledge in an engaging and motivating way. By mastering these foundational skills, students develop the confidence and ability to advance in all areas of mathematics. The program encourages every student to improve at their own pace, fostering internal motivation and celebrating progress along the way!

As they sharpen their skills, students have embraced the key qualities of a true Ninja; focus, determination, and quick thinking! It’s been incredible to see their confidence grow as they take on the challenge, striving to improve their accuracy and speed each round.

Parents, if your young Ninja wants to keep practising at home, why not set a two-minute challenge and see if they can beat their own best score? We love seeing their enthusiasm for Maths and can’t wait to continue the journey!

Have a fantastic week ahead!

A Wonderful Week in Year 4!

This week our Year 4 students spent a wonderful Monday at the beach with their prep buddies. The sun, sand, and waves provided the perfect backdrop for a day of fun and bonding. Our Year 4s showed great leadership and care, making sure their younger friends had a fantastic time.

In addition to the beach outing, our students wrapped up their World Mountains unit by writing about pygmy possums. They used their devices to publish their work, showcasing their creativity and tech skills.

This week we also explored the deep connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with the land. Using the book Looking After Country with Fire, we learned how they have traditionally used natural resources and fire to care for the environment. 

Keep up the great work, Year 4!

The Origins of our College House Names

Year 5 students have been delving into the history behind our College houses, uncovering the inspiring figures they are named after and how their legacies continue to shape our College values today. Through research and discussion, students have gained a deeper appreciation for the significance of Burrows Bears, Flynn Falcons, Penman Panthers, and Taylor Tigers.

Burrows Bears – The Spirit of Service

Named after Eva Burrows, a dedicated leader of The Salvation Army, Burrows Bears embody compassion, service, and commitment to helping others. Students have explored how her work in humanitarian aid reflects our College’s emphasis on kindness and community involvement.

Health, PE and Sport 

Year 5-7 Health and PE  

In Year 5 Health lessons, students have been diving into the exciting topic, ‘This is Me’. They’re exploring how the media and important people in their lives shape their identities. By investigating their role models, students are discovering what makes them special and unique. 

Year 6 students are tackling the ‘Decision Making’ unit, where they’re learning about risk-taking behaviours, their rights and responsibilities, and smart decision-making strategies. They’re also delving into the topic of bullying, finding ways to reduce it, and identifying people who can help them make good decisions and stay safe. 

In Year 7 Health lessons, students are exploring the dimensions of health and the importance of staying fit and active throughout their lives. They’re learning about the barriers to physical activity and how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. 

Across Years 5 to 7, students have been gearing up for athletics, so far, we have covered high jump, shot put, and running. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring as they prepare for upcoming events. 

Year 7 – From the Students’ View

It’s been a fun and exciting year so far in Year 7, and Georgia Griffin and Darcee Dunoon from the new Writer’s Workshop elective have written this week’s Year 7 Vine article.  They have chosen to take a snapshot of the electives available in Semester 1.

In Media, students are learning about camera angles, like close ups and long shots. They work in pairs and small groups to take photos of things using different angles, and are also working towards making clips and trailers out of their favorite movies. Lachie commented “I love being creative and learning new tech skills.”

Writer’s Workshop is a fun subject where students choose to write in different genres, from narratives to poems, from short stories to recounts, Vine articles (practising their journalistic skills!) and everything in between. Writer’s Workshop student, Berry, said “My heart skips a beat when I re-read all my ideas.”

An Amazing Swim Carnival!

The combined swim carnival involving Surf Coast Campus, Middle School-Highton and Junior School-Belmont at Kardinia Aquatic Centre was held last week. The students had the opportunity to swim in campus events and it was an incredible success! Students came out in full force, proudly sporting their house colours and filling the day with smiles and cheers. The atmosphere was electric as students participated enthusiastically in various swim events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

The thrill of the novelty events added an extra layer of excitement, with the bomb novelty event being a real crowd-pleaser. The lovely weather added to the enjoyment – it was a perfect day for swimming and fun. Students cheered each other on and showed great sportsmanship. It was great to have so many parents’ cheering the swimmers on as well.

A huge congratulations to Flynn House for emerging victorious in this year’s swimming carnival! Special congratulations go to Kai Digenis and Leia Coleman for being awarded the fastest swimmers on campus. Every student gave their best effort, and it was truly a day to remember.

A special shoutout to all those who placed in events and to the students who were awarded championship medals for their age groups. A very big thank you to all our staff who worked very hard to make the day happen, and our College sports team led by Matthew Murnane. 

Well done to everyone involved in making this swim carnival a fantastic success!

Ensemble Excitement!

Our school’s music ensemble program is off to a fabulous start this year, with groups growing in size, skill, and enthusiasm! It has been wonderful to see so many students getting involved, developing their musical abilities, and enjoying the experience of making music together. Participating in these ensembles not only enhances their musical skills but also fosters teamwork, discipline, and confidence.

On Tuesday mornings, the music room rocks out to the sound of the Contemporary Ensemble, under the direction of Mr Tom Fraser. They have been refining their sound and look forward to sharing some great songs with the rest of the school soon. On Wednesdays, the Junior School Choir with Ms Stephanie Lawrence fills the room with joy, energy, and the magical sound of young voices. Later in the day, the Concert Band, with an impressive 26 members led by Mrs Courtney Davey, is focused on learning to play together, developing their ensemble skills and confidence. On Thursday mornings, the warm, harmonious sound of the String Ensemble blooms under the leadership of Mr Matheus Oliveira, as they develop their technique and musicality. The week finishes on Friday with Ms Kate Notini and her fabulous Middle School Choir, blending their voices beautifully and developing their vocal technique.

We are incredibly proud of all our musicians and the dedication they bring to their ensembles each week. A huge thank you to parents for their support of the program, and to our talented music teachers for their leadership and expertise.  We look forward to sharing the sounds of these groups with the school community in upcoming performances—keep your eyes and ears on the lookout for some amazing music ahead!  

Treasure Island Update 

Rehearsals have begun for the Middle Years Play ‘Treasure Island’ which will be staged in the Bellarine Campus auditorium in May. Around 40 Year 5-9 students drawn from Surf Coast, Bellarine and Highton campuses have been excitedly practising their ‘yo ho hos’ and working on their pirate skills to bring this beloved Robert Louis Stevenson story to life. Last Sunday the whole cast gathered at the Bellarine campus to begin blocking the scenes and exploring their characters under the direction of Drama staff Kelly Clifford and Taylah Broad.

Save the Date - and Stay Tuned!

The play will be staged from 23-24 May with four shows to choose from and tickets will be available for purchase later in this term. Keep an eye on The Vine and the Christian College social media pages for details of performance times and ticketing information.

Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast

All members of the Christian College community are invited to celebrate International Women’s Day at our Waurn Senior Campus on Friday March 7. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to gather and hear from some inspirational speakers, as well as enjoying fellowship with other community members over a light breakfast. The day will commence at 7.20am in the foyer of the RW Gibson music centre at Senior Campus, with guest speakers from 7.30am. The event will conclude by 8.30am.

This year we look forward to hearing from Bron Lawson, co-founder of the community arts organisation Bluebird Foundation. The Foundation aims to create and deliver quality arts programs that make a real difference in people’s lives, with the focus on joy, integrity and inclusion.

Amy Frost, our intrepid manager of the dairy cows at the Back Creek farm, will also share insights from her very hands-on job looking after the cattle as well as mentoring our Year 9 students who attend the farm.

To notify of an intention to attend, please fill in a Microsoft Form IWD 2025 (scan the QR code) or contact the Senior Campus on 5241 1577. While numbers assist in planning and catering, please note that this is not a closed event and is open to any who would like to join us on the day.

First Steps with Qustodio

Have you just activated your Qustodio Parent Account as part of our school program, and not sure where to next? The below short guides and video tutorials may be just what you’re after.

Getting started with Qustodio

Helping parents understand what they can do with Qustodio

How to enable rules in Qustodio to manage the school device

How to set routines for your child's device

Remember, the Qustodio parental controls are just one tool in your kit for helping to manage digital devices at home. It’s also important to have clear boundaries and open communication. For example:

• Have you identified a “home” for the school laptop and personal devices out of bedrooms for when they’re not being used?
• Have you talked about expected behaviour when your child brings their College laptop home from school each day? Do they put it away in its “home” until agreed times?
• What sort of apps, sites and activities are you comfortable for your child to engage and interact with, and which ones are you not? Don’t just set parental controls – have that conversation with your children.
• Are you modelling positive digital engagement for your child?

Fostering Growth in Our School’s Teaching and Learning Program

At Christian College Geelong, we take immense pride in offering a diverse and dynamic teaching and learning program designed to meet the needs of every student. Our approach to education is built on the foundation of inclusivity, creativity, and academic rigour, creating an environment where each student can thrive and grow to their full potential. Our goal is to equip students not just with academic knowledge but with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Embracing Diversity in Education

We understand that every child is unique, with different passions, interests, and needs. To honour this diversity, our teaching approach is flexible and adaptable, integrating various methods to ensure that every student’s strengths are nurtured while also addressing areas for growth. Whether a student excels in math, thrives in creative arts, or needs extra support in reading, our teaching staff are equipped with the knowledge and tools to guide them in their learning journey.

Our diverse curriculum includes not only core subjects like Mathematics, Humanities and English but also offers an array of extracurricular activities that encourage students to explore different talents and passions. From sports teams and visual arts to lunchtime clubs and music programs, we ensure that all students have the opportunity to discover and develop their interests.

Student Learning Progress

Starting a new school year and returning to the classroom, forming or maintaining friendships, preparing a school bag and school lunches reforming habits and routines can be an exciting time for parents, carers and students alike.

No matter if you are joining us in Prep, or reconnecting at our Middle Schools or Senior Campus, the collaborations between home and school have shown that children learn best when the important adults in their lives (parents, carers, teachers), are able to cooperate and support them.

At Christian College, feedback on student involvement and advancement in learning is a key element of strengthening the Home / School Partnership. It gives parents, carers, students and teachers information about learning opportunities and sets a direction to guide future teaching and learning activities, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Infrastructure Developments at Christian College

Christian College is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing its infrastructure across its nine sites, which include five school campuses, two kindergartens, the Villa (our senior school art and technology precinct), and Back Creek Farm. The College aims to provide variety in subject offering, opportunity for all to participate, and educational advantage, with significant investment made to upkeep and develop facilities in assisting us to reach this goal. Our students are fortunate to have access to this wide range of learning environments. In this article I will provide families an update of some of our recent and upcoming infrastructure developments across our sites and introduce you to some of the key staff leading in these areas. Not all improvements are visible from the outside, yet they all contribute to enhancing the learning environment for our students.

Summer Break Initiatives

During the summer break, numerous projects were completed. These projects ensure better working conditions for staff and improved learning environments for students.

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.

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.

March 15 – Come and Visit Back Creek

Discover – or Rediscover – the Year 9 Experience!

Christian College students and families – past and present – are warmly welcomed to visit Back Creek Farm tomorrow, March 15, as the gates open between 9:30am and 12:30pm. It’s a great opportunity for younger students and their families to catch a glimpse of the rural experience in store when they reach Year 9. It’s also a great opportunity for past students and their families wanting to revisit the farm, including those ex-students who’d love to show their own children Back Creek Farm. Guided tours of the property, morning tea and a sausage sizzle, will be available – lots to see and do for everyone. The event is free but if you’re coming and haven’t yet done so, please click here to book through Try Booking – and see you in Scotsburn tomorrow!

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.

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.