From the Executive Principal
As a school that is continuously striving for improvement, we know that meaningful progress must be anchored in evidence. Data is one of the most powerful tools we have to understand how our students are experiencing their learning and wellbeing, and to ensure that the steps we are taking together are making a real difference.
I am delighted to share some encouraging highlights from our most recent Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. While there will always be areas where we can grow further, several results this year truly excited me and demonstrate the positive momentum building across our College.
Student perceptions of Classroom Engagement showed noticeable improvement from 2024 to 2025. The percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed that “My teacher makes the work we do in class interesting” jumped by 12%. We also saw growth in students who feel that “My teacher makes learning fun”, with a significant increase in Strongly Agree responses, which climbed by 14%. This tells us that more students are not only engaged, but genuinely enjoying their learning.
We were also encouraged to see improvements in the area of Effective Teaching across both Year 7–9 and Year 10–12. More students reported that the feedback they receive helps them understand how to improve, and that their teachers are knowledgeable in the subjects they teach. These are foundational elements of excellent learning, and it is heartening to see students noticing and valuing them.
Five out of five indicators in Effective Classroom Behaviour also improved from 2024 to 2025, with the most significant shift in students’ perceptions of peer respect, a substantial increase of 13.3%. Respectful relationships are the bedrock of a thriving learning environment, so this trajectory is particularly meaningful.
Across a range of Wellbeing indicators, progress was again evident:
- Years 4–6: “I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times” (+12%)
- Years 4–6: “In my school there is a sense of pride” (+13%)
- Years 7–9: “I stand up for myself without putting others down” (+12%)
- Years 7–9: “I try again when I don’t succeed” (+10%)
- Years 7–9: “An adult listens to me when I have something to say” (+11%)
- Years 10–12: “I can recover in a short time when something bad happens to me” (+19%).
Each of these indicators speaks to confidence, resilience, belonging, and support – qualities that help young people flourish both in their learning and in life.
None of this happens by accident. It is the result of the daily commitment of our wonderful student community and our extraordinary staff, whether they are greeting students on the bus, caring for them in the student office, teaching in classrooms, leading co-curricular activities, or supervising on the playground. Every interaction matters, and every contribution builds the fabric of our College culture.
This progress also reflects something deeper: momentum. Our Executive Leadership Team is currently reading Good to Great by Jim Collins, which speaks powerfully about the concept of momentum through the image of a giant flywheel. At first, the wheel barely shifts. But with steady, intentional effort, and each push aligned in the same direction, the wheel begins to move. Slowly at first, then with increasing speed and less resistance. Soon, the momentum becomes self-sustaining.
Over the past year, we have felt our College flywheel beginning to turn. Our student and parent satisfaction surveys show positive improvement. More students are telling us that they feel engaged, stretched, supported, and known. Parents are sharing stories of increased motivation, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging in their children. Our academic outcomes have strengthened from 2024 to 2025. Our wellbeing indicators are rising. And together, these elements are feeding into one another, building confidence, deepening engagement, and propelling learning forward.
When young people feel safe, connected, and confident, they engage more deeply. When they engage deeply, academic growth follows. When academic growth occurs, confidence grows again. And the flywheel turns.
Momentum is not automatic. We will continue to learn, refine, collaborate, and strive for excellence in everything we do, always seeking to honour the trust you place in us to nurture, teach, and support your children.
Finally, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to our parents and families. You shape wonderful young people at home, and your partnership amplifies everything we do at school. During our recent Open Day, it was heartwarming to hear how many visiting families were there because of positive word-of-mouth from our current community. Your encouragement and support mean more than you know. Thank you for journeying with us and for helping our College flywheel turn with growing purpose, energy, and joy.
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
What’s Happening at Surf Coast?
WEEK 7
Monday 9 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 10 March – Geelong North Swimming Championships – Year 4 – 6 – Selected students
Tuesday 10 March – In Person Learning Conferences – Prep to Year 8
Wednesday 11 March – NAPLAN Writing Test – Years 3, 5 & 7
Wednesday 11 March – Cross Campus Instrumental Music Performance Night – Voice (Prep-Yr. 12 selected students)
Thursday 12 March – NAPLAN Reading Test – Years 3, 5 & 7
Thursday 12 March – Online Learning Conferences – Prep to Year 8
Friday 13 March – NAPLAN Language Conventions Test – Years 3, 5, & 7
Friday 13 March – Prep Discovery Session to Cosy Corner – 11.30am – 1.00pm
WEEK 8
Monday 16 March – NAPLAN Numeracy Test – Years 3, 5 & 7
Tuesday 17 March – Surf Coast Campus House Sand & Surf Carnival – Years 5 – 8
Tuesday 17 March – School of Back Then – Year 1
Tuesday 17 March – Japanese Incursion Day – Year 2 (change of date)
Wednesday 18 March – Cross Campus Instrumental Music Performance Night – Woodwind (Prep-Yr. 12 selected students)
Wednesday 18 March – NAPLAN Tests – Catch up – Years 3, 5, & 7
WEEK 9
Monday 23 March – GISSA Golf Titles – selected students
Monday 23 March – NAPLAN Tests – Catch up – Years 3, 5, & 7
Tuesday 24 March – Year 5 Music excursion to Senior School campus
Wednesday 25 March – GISSA Swimming Championships – selected students
Wednesday 25 March – Cross Campus Instrumental Music Performance Night – Piano (Prep-Yr. 12 selected students)
Thursday 26 March – Prep Alphabet Day
Thursday 26 March – Cross Campus Instrumental Music Performance Night – Strings (Prep-Yr. 12 selected students)
Thursday 26 March – Lightning Premiership – Year 5 & 6
Friday 27 March – Prep to Year 4 Assembly –Stadium – 9.00am
Friday 27 March – Prep & Year 4 Discovery Session to Cosy Corner – 11.30am – 1.00pm
Prep–Year 9 Student Learning Conferences – Next Week
We are looking forward to next week's Prep to Year 9 Student Learning Conferences, with in-person meetings held on respective campuses on Tuesday, then online meetings via Microsoft Teams on Thursday.
Please note that conference bookings will close at 4.00pm on Monday.
In preparation for both nights, families may find the following two brief guides helpful:
- Accessing your booking schedule
- Joining your Microsoft Teams video meeting(for Thursday conferences)
Thank you for partnering with us in your child's learning journey.
Rick Geall, Vice Principal
Beach Prep Discovery Learning Fun!
Prep Discovery Learning at the beach has arrived! We have been blessed to have had two sparkling sunshine filled days to explore the beach so far this term.
Upon arrival at the beach for each session, 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.
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!
Nereda Welsh
Year 2 Update
It has been a busy and exciting few weeks in Year 2!
In Maths, students have been exploring 2D and 3D shapes. We identified features such as faces, edges and vertices, built 3D shapes using pop sticks and blue tac, and used paper nets to construct prisms and pyramids. These activities helped us understand how flat shapes fold to create solid objects.
In English, we have begun learning about information reports. As a class, we practised writing a report about Australia, focusing on organising facts into clear sections. Students then wrote their own practice report on an animal of their choice.
We are very proud of the enthusiasm and effort Year 2 students are showing in their learning!
Sarah Dean
Year 4 Excursion to the You Yangs
Our Year 4 students recently embarked on an exciting excursion to the You Yangs, a trip that linked beautifully with our classroom studies on World Mountains and our History unit, Our Australian Heritage. The You Yangs, a striking series of granite ridges, hold deep cultural significance for the Waddawurrung people and remain an important landmark in our region.
The day began with a warm welcome from Park Ranger Vanessa, who shared fascinating insights into the cultural importance of the You Yangs and the connection the Traditional Owners have maintained with the land for thousands of years. She also introduced students to the native fauna found in the area. Much to everyone’s delight, we even spotted a koala resting high in a gum tree along the walking track.
Our visit to Big Rock was especially meaningful. Students explored the naturally occurring water well once used by First Nations people and were intrigued to see how such landforms supported life in the past. This hands‑on experience provided a strong, real‑world connection to our learning about the importance of mountains and their cultural significance around the world.
The adventure continued with a nature treasure hunt around the Big Rock area. Working in teams, students searched for different plants, evidence of animal activity, and man‑made features such as safety markers and a sculpture. This activity encouraged teamwork, observation skills, and curiosity about the natural environment.
Overall, the excursion was a wonderful blend of learning and exploration, giving our students a deeper appreciation of both the natural world and our cultural heritage.
Kate Rice
Year 5 Drama
This term in Year 5 Drama, students have been exploring Dreamtime stories, with a focus on storytelling, character development, collaboration and movement. As part of this learning, students at Surf Coast Campus recently had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a workshop led by Kiri Tawhai a proud Whadjuk Noongar, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa First Nations Artist and Stroyteller.
Kiri is passionate about working with young people and sharing Culture through her First Nations arts and wellbeing business, Djinang Aroha.
Throughout the workshop, Kiri guided the students as they transformed into bounding kangaroos, flowing waterfalls and other natural elements such as fire, earth and water. The students were asked to think creatively and listen deeply as they explored how their bodies moved to create shapes and soundscapes using their expressive skills to bring a dreamtime story to life. This experience was vital for students and will serve as a springboard for a class-based performance outcome towards the end of this term.
Kiri shared with the students the importance of oral storytelling and the embodiment of movement. How movement becomes memory, and memory becomes a way of caring for Country and culture.
We are incredibly grateful to Kiri for sharing her knowledge, creativity and generosity with our students, and for supporting them to grow as imaginative storytellers and collaborative performers!
Taylah Broad
Year 6 Update
Year 6 have been reading the captivating “Once” by Morris Gleitzman. The students have approached this novel with enthusiasm and maturity, demonstrating a keen interest in find out more about the cultural struggles of that time.
“Once” is a gripping story set during World War II, narrated by a young Jewish boy named Felix. This book takes us on a compelling and emotional exploration of one child’s experiences during a dark period of history. Through Felix’s eyes, we witness the harsh realities of war, the importance of hope, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
In our discussions and activities centred around “Once,” we have explored Felix’s Hope vs Felix’s Reality. We have investigated how Felix, at times, can be an unreliable narrator and it is our job as the reader to infer the reality of the situations he is facing. We have analysed the situations that have slowly turned his unrelenting optimism into doubt and realisation.
One of the highlights of our study has been the thoughtful classroom conversations sparked by this book. Students have been eager to share their reflections, ask probing questions, and make connections between Felix’s experiences and broader historical contexts. These discussions have not only enhanced their understanding of the novel but have also encouraged empathy and compassion for those affected by historical events.
Alex Pink
Year 7 and 8 Electives: Food Studies and Product Design – Woodwork
Our Year 7 and 8 students have been busy developing their creativity and practical skills in their elective subjects this term. In Product Design – Woodwork, students have shown great enthusiasm and teamwork while constructing their Bug Hotels. These projects have helped students learn how to measure accurately, safely use tools, and assemble timber pieces to create functional habitats for insects. The finished bug hotels look fantastic and demonstrate the students’ growing confidence in the workshop. With their bug hotels almost complete, students are excited to move on to their next projects, where they will design and build either a perpetual calendar or a bedside table.
Meanwhile, in Food Studies, students have been enjoying plenty of hands-on learning in the kitchen. They have successfully prepared a variety of delicious recipes including hamburgers, muffins, vegetable soup, apple crumble, and sushi. Through these cooking experiences, students are learning important kitchen skills, food safety practices, and the value of working together while creating meals they can proudly share with family and friends.
Geoff Trevaskis
All‑Girls Basketball Session at Surf Coast Campus
On Thursday this week, students were treated to an energetic and inspiring all‑girls basketball session led by two of our talented Geelong Venom Stars, Poppy Stevens and Grace Spehar. The session brought together girls from across the campus to build confidence, develop their basketball skills, and enjoy a range of engaging minor games designed to promote teamwork, agility, and game awareness. Laughter, determination, and great energy filled the court as the girls embraced the opportunity to learn from two outstanding leaders.
This fantastic initiative provided a welcoming environment for players of all experience levels and highlighted the strength of female participation in sport within our community.
A big thank‑you goes to Edwina Norgard for her exceptional coordination in making this session possible. Her efforts ensured a positive, well‑organised experience that left our students buzzing with enthusiasm.
Emma Workman
Bible Presentations
This morning was a joyous occasion as we gathered in the stadium to celebrate a significant milestone for our Preps, Year 1s, Year 2s, and our new students. Our Prep to 2 students were gifted a Storybook Bible, which depicts the Bible in a fun and colourful way that is accessible for our younger students. This special moment, shared in the presence of their families and friends, will be a meaningful step in the faith journey of each student.
On behalf of Surf Coast Campus, we would like to thank Mia Kafieris, College Dean of Christian Culture, who presented each of the students with their Bibles.
These new Bibles will become an integral part of our students’ learning, supporting them in their Devotions and Christian Education lessons as they explore faith, reflect on Scripture, and grow in their understanding of God’s love. They will also, ultimately, remain a gift that we hope our students will keep for life, and that their Bibles are a constant reminder and resource to grow in their relationship with God.
It was truly uplifting to see the joy and gratitude on the students’ faces as they received their Bibles and marked the beginning of a new chapter in their spiritual journey. We pray that these Bibles will serve as a cherished companion to each student, guiding them in their faith and shaping their hearts and minds for years to come.
Aaron Cutter
International Women’s Day Breakfast
Staff, students, and members of the wider Christian College Geelong community gathered at the Senior Campus this morning for our annual International Women’s Day Breakfast. The event provided a warm and welcoming opportunity to come together, share a meal, and reflect on the significance of the day. In an exciting development this year, the Bellarine Campus hosted its own breakfast, with our guest speaker live‑streamed so both gatherings could participate simultaneously.
Our guest speaker was Catherine Bell, a former CCG student and School Captain of 1993. Catherine shared stories from her time at school and her diverse career journey, which has included working in Japan, leading organisational change in the hospitality sector, and now running her own successful business, Bell Training Group. With expertise in leadership development, organisational wellbeing, and workplace culture, she spoke passionately about fostering authentic and kind interactions—an inspiring message that resonated strongly with all who attended.
Catherine also highlighted three simple but essential habits that help us thrive: getting enough sleep, staying active, and spending time in nature.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Balance the Scales”, reinforces the belief that every woman and girl—regardless of background or identity—deserves to live safely, be respected, and have the freedom to shape her own life. Catherine shared her involvement in the global B1G1 (Buy One, Give One) movement, which encourages individuals and organisations to make small contributions that collectively help support those experiencing inequity.
While the breakfast celebrated the many strengths and achievements of women and girls within our community, it also served as a reminder that there is still important work to be done. Around the world, and close to home, many continue to face barriers to rights, safety, and opportunity. As a community, we remain committed to working together to help close this gap and support progress toward genuine gender equality.
Leanne Doran
Australian Music Examination Board - Sound Insights Day!
Students learning an instrument may enjoy the AMEB Sound Insights Day at Melbourne Recital Centre during the school holidays on Tuesday 14 April 2026.
This unique series of AMEB workshops, master classes and showcase concerts at MRC will provide learners with the chance to hear AMEB repertoire live, join the discussion of pieces, and gain essential exam insights. Students can also join throughout the day at AMEB Quiz Corner for a series of musical challenges and a chance to win some fantastic prizes, including Manhasset music stands valued at $160.
With sessions featuring professional performers and AMEB examiners Kristian Chong, Josephine Vains, and Johanna Selleck, plus composers Calvin Bowman, Aaron Wyatt and Carolyn Morris, the AMEB Sound Insights Day is a must for all ages and musical levels.
Student tickets are $10, with a 15% discount when you attend more than one event.
For more information and to book, visit:
https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whats-on/series/ameb-sound-insights-day
Fiona Gardner, Director of Music
CC Eagles Basketball – Winter 2026 Season
Do you have a keen basketball player in your family? Or are you new to basketball and want to know more?
As one of the largest Basketball Clubs in Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast, the CC Eagles is able to provide the appropriate competition for all our players, with a wide range of levels and age groups for boys and girls.
The CC Eagles currently have 7 teams that play as part of the Surf Coast Basketball Association competition at stadiums in and around Torquay. You do not have to attend Christian College to play for the CC Eagles, we welcome all players at all levels of ability to join our teams.
The winter basketball season is played over Term 2 and 3. We will be holding a Come and Try Clinic for new players looking to join the CC Eagles as follows:
Date: Saturday 14th March
Location: Christian College Surf Coast Indoor Basketball Court
Time: 2.00pm for U/9 and U/10 Boys and Girls
3.00pm for U/12 and U/14 Girls
4.00pm for U/12 and U/14 Boys
These sessions will be staffed by our Head Coach, Lachie Vallance, as well as other experienced CC Eagles Coaches. This is the perfect opportunity for your child to come and have a go, but also for experienced players to meet with our Coaches and discuss teams and opportunities for the winter season.
The CC Eagles provides a supportive, inclusive and fun basketball atmosphere for boys and girls. With the benefit of having a “home court” at the Christian College Surf Coast Campus, we are able to provide a dedicated court for team training and additional development sessions.
If you are interested in playing for the CC Eagles this winter and would like further information or are not able to attend the Come and Try Clinic, please get in touch with Edwina Norgard at cceagles@ccg.vic.edu.au
Edwina Norgard
All-Star Kids at CCG
Hot Cross Buns
With Lent underway and Easter just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for a little seasonal indulgence that also does a whole lot of good. Christian College Geelong is excited to partner with Ket Baker and Gluten Free4U to bring our community a delicious selection of locally made hot cross buns, all while supporting the Christian College Geelong Foundation.
Why Your Purchase Matters
Every pack purchased contributes directly to the Foundation, and thanks to a generous anonymous donor, all contributions will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact.
Ket Baker 6 pack – $15
(Normally $20 retail)
- Classic
- Chocolate (includes fruit)
- Chocolate (fruitless)
- Spiced (fruitless)
$6 donated per pack, matched to $12
Gluten Free4U 6packs - $15
- Sultana
- Plain
- Chocolate Chip
$3.45 donated per pack, matched to $6.90
Order
All orders are due by the 19th of March 2026.
Please click here to order.
Collection Information
- Orders will be available for collection from your selected Christian College campus from 1st of April 2026.
- You will receive an email notification once your order has arrived, including details on where to collect your items.
Tennille McInnes, Foundation Manager
Future Student Enrolments
Please note, across our campuses we have now commenced sending enrolment offers for 2027. We ask that all families with future siblings wishing to attend Christian College, 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 phone or email the relevant campus(es).