Surf Coast Term 1 Week 7

From the Christian College Board – the Year Thus Far

Boards play an essential role in governing a school. They are focused on ensuring that the big picture things that need to be in place for an organisation to run are in place – this includes that we have the right strategies, we have all the policies in place, that all the regulatory requirements that are essential to us operating as a school are in place, that our grounds and buildings allow us to deliver our program and that we have the right financial plans. The Board should not be involved in the everyday management of the school – this is the role of the Executive Principal and her Executive team. But the Board has an important role in setting direction for and supporting the Executive (and of course is also responsible for the appointment of the Executive Principal). 

With that in mind, what has the Board been doing so far this year? 

We have had two formal meetings (January and February), which have been focused on reviewing our performance in 2024 and planning for 2025. Like all of us, taking time to reflect on and review our performance is important if we are to do our job well. And so, at the end of 2024, we undertook a detailed survey of Board and Executive on the overall effectiveness of our functioning as a Board, as well as having 1:1 reviews of each individual Board member. Our January meeting then unpacked our overall Board review and allowed us to highlight areas to work on further this year. 

The Surf Coast Campus Leadership Investiture

Today we inducted our Year 4 House Captains and Year 4 to 7 Project Care leaders in a memorable and inspiring service attended by our students, staff, some of our student leaders’ family members, Executive Principal, Dr Mathilda Joubert who addressed the audience, Dean of Christian Culture, Ms Mia Kafieris and several Heads of Campus. We are proud to see our students take on this responsibility as they commit to their leadership roles.

As student leaders, they will take on a variety of roles within the school community, serving as role models, offering support to teachers and peers, and upholding the values of our school. The Year 4 House Captains will play an important part in leading their Houses and Project Care Leaders will be instrumental in this vital part of what we do as a campus – making positive change through initiatives and activities in support of various community groups that provide help and care for those who need it. The Project Care Leaders have shown a strong commitment to service, empathy, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around them.

We have great faith in all our student leaders’ ability to motivate others and leave a lasting, positive impression on their fellow students. We will encourage everyone to support and uplift them in their leadership roles because by working together, we can nurture a culture of leadership, compassion, and integrity.

Congratulations to all students who have been appointed leaders for 2025 and we look forward to their involvement in the life of our campus and in creating opportunities for our school community to continue making a positive impact.

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 8

Monday 17 Mar                        NAPLAN – Language Conventions – Year 3, 5 and 7 only

Tuesday 18 Mar                        NAPLAN – Numeracy – Year 3, 5 and 7 only

Wednesday 19 Mar                  William Buckley Excursion – EdSmart to come – Year 2 Students

Friday 21 Mar                           Harmony Day – Class room-based activities

Preps Explore Celebrations

Our Prep students have been exploring celebrations that are special to them as part of their Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL). They have been sharing stories about their favourite times of the year and how their families celebrate.

The students created posters about their favourite celebration. Through detailed and colourful drawings, they provided information about who they celebrate with, the special things they do and the yummy foods they eat. There was a lot of excitement and laughs as the students engaged in conversations with other students at their tables as they worked hard on their pictures.

Students had the chance to share their work with the class, explaining their beautiful illustrations and how they celebrate these special occasions. It has been wonderful to see the pride they have in their work and their eagerness to share it with their peers.

Year 1 – Past and Present!

In Year 1 we have been learning about the past and present which helps us understand the passage of time and appreciate the changes in our own lives. By comparing different times, we have gained a deeper understanding of history and how it affects the world around us today. This concept also sparks curiosity, encouraging us to ask questions and explore more about the world’s history.

Learning place value in Year1 has been fun and exciting! We have been playing games and learning the concept of place value, which helps us understand how numbers are made up of ones, tens, hundreds and thousands.

We have been so busy… we had a delightful concert, where Matheus Oliveira, our new Coordinator of Strings, and Cate Martin, our cello teacher, showcased the enchanting sounds of the violin and cello. The students were captivated by the performances and loved guessing the songs especially the ‘Bluey’ theme song!

This week we have also held our Student Learning Conferences which highlighted the growth and development each child has made this year. It was truly a pleasure to meet with parents and it was lovely to hear the parents’ insights into their children’s strengths and interests. Thank you to all the parents for taking the time to attend the conferences!

Year 1s Drum Up a Storm!

Our Year 1 students have been making some serious noise in Performing Arts—learning all about rhythm and notation through drumming, games, and songs.

From clapping patterns to call-and-response rhythms, our young musicians have been exploring how to read and play simple rhythm notation. Using body percussion, percussion instruments, and even a full-class drumming session, they’ve been keeping the beat and making music together.

The activities develop musical skills and help improve coordination, listening, and teamwork. It’s great to be part of the excitement in the room and watch students grow in confidence while having so much fun!

The Life of William Buckley

This week, the Year 2 students have been working hard to draft, edit and publish a booklet about the life of William Buckley. As a class we have brainstormed key events and vocabulary before then using our developing writing skills to construct seven paragraphs that unpack his life in detail.

Students have written about:

1. Buckley’s life in England
2. How he became a convict
3. His transportation to Sullivan Bay
4. His escape to the Surf Coast
5. Joining the Wathawurrung tribe
6. What life with the tribe was like
7. His reunion with European settlers

Years 2J and 2T have enjoyed learning more about William Buckley’s life and excitedly engaged in creating a booklet to summarise their growing knowledge about him. We are looking forward to our excursion on Wednesday next week where we will be travelling to a number of local sites that have preserved Buckley’s story.

Year 3s Tackle NAPLAN Head-On

This week, our Year 3 students have shown incredible focus and resilience as they began their NAPLAN assessments. On Wednesday, they tackled the Writing assessment with enthusiasm, and on Thursday, they jumped onto the computers for their Reading assessment. We are so proud of their effort and determination. We’re halfway there, only two more to go!

Alongside NAPLAN, it has been wonderful to welcome families into our classrooms for Student Learning Conferences. These meetings provided a great opportunity for teachers and parents to connect, and to celebrate the amazing start to the year our students have had. It has been lovely to share the classroom environment and highlight the wonderful learning taking place each day!

Thank you to our students for their hard work and to our families for their ongoing support. 

We look forward to another great week ahead!

Year 4 – Exciting Week of Learning and Activities!

Across this four-day week, our students have been energised and engaged in their learning. Here’s a glimpse of what we explored:

Historical Narratives
Students delved into writing their own narratives, imagining what it would have been like to travel to Australia by boat. They also learned about the reasons King George III gave Captain Cook for locating the Great Southern Land and what life was like for those who travelled on the First Fleet.

Maths Adventures

In Maths, our students continued to explore subtraction and addition algorithms. They practised various strategies for adding and subtracting, using problem-solving skills with activities designed to build a strong foundation in essential arithmetic operations.

Specialist Subjects, Other Activities
Our students continued to participate in their specialist subjects and enjoyed various extracurricular activities, including run club, the next round of swimming, and lunchtime clubs.

We are proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown this week.

A Special Time for Year 5

For Year 5 students, receiving their very own Bibles is an experience that marks an important step in their faith journey. By learning to explore scripture and reflect on what God has to say to us, they can gain a deeper understanding of its teachings.

Students are also engaging in creating the Stations of the Cross, helping them gain a deeper appreciation for Jesus’ journey and sacrifice, and to connect personally with the Easter story and its significance.

We encourage students to ask meaningful questions and reflect on their faith in new ways and, through activities like the visual representation of the Stations of the Cross, make deeper connections with God and community.

Year 7 – It’s Been a Big Week!

1. Thank You for Attending the Student Learning Conferences
   A big thank you to all the families who attended the Student Learning Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. These conferences are an excellent opportunity for teachers and families to work together in supporting the educational growth of our students. We value the strong partnership between home and school, and appreciate the time and effort put into making these discussions meaningful. Please do not wait for these scheduled occasions, if you should ever wish to chat please make contact without hesitation.

2. New Year 7 Students Receive Their College Bibles
   Last Friday, we had the privilege of presenting our new Year 7 students with their College Bible in a special ceremony held in our stadium. This marks an important moment in their journey at our school, symbolising faith, guidance, and community. It was a beautiful occasion that we will remember as these students embark on their educational path with us.

3. NAPLAN Testing Continues
   NAPLAN testing is ongoing and will continue into next week. We remind students to ensure they bring their headphones to school for this testing. It’s important that students are prepared and ready to give their best effort during this important assessment. The NAPLAN program helps schools continuously improve their teaching by allowing educators to assess student progress against national benchmarks and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our College community.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Students Shine at Division Swimming

On Tuesday, March 11, 13 Surf Coast students and 14 Bellarine students from Years 4, 5, and 6 travelled to Kardinia Pool to compete in the Division Swimming event. For many, it was their first taste of interschool swimming competition. Despite facing a highly competitive field, all the students excelled, with many achieving personal best times.

The swimming competition was a resounding success, showcasing the dedication and hard work of our talented student athletes. Under clear skies and perfect weather conditions, the event was a celebration of both individual and team achievements.

Outstanding Performances

The students put in countless hours of training, and their efforts paid off with some remarkable placings. Several swimmers achieved personal bests, while others secured podium finishes, bringing pride to their schools and communities. The atmosphere was electric as each race unfolded, with spectators cheering enthusiastically for every participant. Our relay teams had great success, with the Girls’ Medley Relay and the 12-13 Girls’ Freestyle Relay teams both securing 2nd place. Additionally, the 9-10 Girls, 11-Year-Old Girls, and 11-Year-Old Boys Freestyle Relay teams finished 3rd in the North Geelong division.

In our individual events Primrose Baker placed 3rd in both 50m Backstroke and 50m Butterfly events.

Exciting Basketball Clinic Engages Year 1s and 2s

Over four weeks a fantastic basketball clinic is bringing together 30 enthusiastic students from Years 1 and 2 for an afternoon of fun and learning. The clinics are led by talented coaches Matila and Aleks from the GUB Youth League Women’s Team, who share their expertise and passion for the game with the young participants.

Skill Development and Fun

The clinic focuses on fundamental basketball skills, including dribbling, shooting, and passing. Matila and Aleks create a supportive and engaging environment, ensuring that each student can learn and improve. Students participated in the drills and games, showing great enthusiasm and energy.

Inspiring Coaches and Role Models

Having professional coaches like Matila and Aleks is a highlight for the students. They are great role models, emphasising the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and having fun, making the clinics a well-rounded experience for everyone.

We look forward to the remainder of the clinics as students further develop their skills under Matila and Aleks and have a great time. We thank the coaches for their work with our students and a special thank you to Edwina Norgard and Carl Hillier from our Christian College Eagles team for supporting and managing these clinics.

Building Creativity in Lego Club

Friday lunchtime in the library is an exciting time of the week as it is when our Lego Masters take on the latest Lego Club Challenge. Lego Club brings together young builders from a range of year levels and challenges them to think creatively, problem solve and refine their designs.

Each session, students are given a new task to complete using Lego. So far, they’ve tackled challenges like building something for our ‘Library Lego Town,’ a piece of food from The Very Hungry Caterpillar, furniture for a Lego house, and constructing a bridge that allowed a moving train to travel under. The train bridge challenge proved to be a true test of perseverance, with several bridges requiring modification and improvement after the miscalculation of dimensions led to catastrophic failure of infrastructure!

Lego Club isn’t just about building – it’s about experimenting, problem-solving, and collaborating with peers. Whether they’re testing different ways to make a bridge fit a train underneath or deciding how to shape an apple out of Lego for the Very Hungry Caterpillar, students are using critical thinking skills in a fun and hands-on way.

Regular Lego Club members are also working towards completing their Lego Club Cards, earning a stamp each time they complete a challenge. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm grow week after week!

The 2025 Science Talent Search is Here!

This year’s theme, “Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language,” invites students to explore the mysteries of nature, quantum science, and the cosmos. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young scientists to showcase their innovative ideas and discoveries. For more details and to register, visit the Science Talent Search website.

If any students are interested, please come and speak with me next week.

Final Week for Donations of old Uniform

The start of this year saw the time frame for the wearing of the previous College Uniform come to a close. We are now pleased to see all students wearing the new College wardrobe that was first introduced and offered in 2022.

We want to let you know that the College is accepting any outdated pieces of uniform that you may have at home that remain in good condition. We will seek to donate pieces to East Timor where we can and recycle what we cannot donate for use in the textile trade through local recycling centres. When recycled these uniforms can go on to have new beginnings as new clothing, insulation, rags, stuffing for toys, furniture, cushions and toys, they can even be used to create materials like packaging and signage.

Please deposit your clean outdated uniform pieces to your campus reception for collection. This initiative finishes at the end of term, so next week is the final week to donate.  

I also want to take this opportunity to invite interest from students and parents who would like to serve the College as part of the Uniform Committee. This Committee meets once a term to review the uniform (inclusive of all departments of the College) and the associated approval and consideration of processes, procedures and possibilities. This Committee ideally includes staff, parent and student representatives from each of our College sites including our wonderful Kindergartens (Williams House and Butterfield House), Back Creek Farm and Villa Paloma Arts Centre. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please let me know and I will be in touch as we begin to reorganise this committee for the future. I can be reached at m.kafieris@ccg.vic.edu.au

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.

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.