Surf Coast Term 1 Week 8

From the Executive Principal 

Everyone belongs at Christian College! 

At the end of my eighth week at Christian College, I reflect on what a wonderfully diverse community we have. Today is Harmony Day, a day to celebrate diversity, with this year’s theme, “Everyone belongs”.  At Christian College this is not just true on Harmony Day, I see this every day as I spend time on our different campuses. I love the myriad opportunities that our students have to express themselves and find their sense of belonging as they pursue their passions and develop their capabilities. In the past week I have:  

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is a time to celebrate Australia’s multiculturalism and the importance of inclusivity, respect, and belonging. This week, our students have been engaging in a range of activities that highlight the many cultures that make our country such a diverse and vibrant place to live.

Throughout the week, students participated in discussions and lessons about the significance of cultural diversity in Australia. They explored different traditions, customs, and languages, gaining a deeper understanding of the rich heritage that shapes our communities.

To bring their learning to life, students created beautiful artworks representing unity and harmony, using symbols and colours that reflect different cultural backgrounds. They also took part in craft activities where they made cultural artifacts, friendship bracelets, and collaborative murals that showcase the theme of togetherness.

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 9

Wednesday 26 Mar                Beach Session – EdSmart to come – Period 3 and 4 – Year 1 Students

Wednesday 26 Mar                Year 7 Immunisations

Thursday 27 Mar                    Instrumental Music Performance Night – Woodwind – Cross Campus –                                                                 Selected students

Friday 28 Mar                         School Assembly – Stadium – Years 4, 5,6 and 7 only

                                                             Crazy Sock Day – Please refer to letter sent

Prep Students Explore the World of Shapes!

Our Prep students have been on an exciting journey into the world of shapes! They have been busy learning to name, recognise, and describe various 2D shapes. From circles and squares to triangles and rectangles, our young learners are becoming shape experts!

Recognising Shapes in Our Environment

One of the most fun activities has been discovering where we see these shapes in our everyday environment. The students have been on shape hunts around the school, spotting circles in the wheels of bicycles, squares in windows, and triangles in roof gables. It’s amazing how many shapes we can find when we start looking!

Creating Pictures with Shapes

To bring their learning to life, the Prep students have also been using shapes to create their very own pictures. With a bit of imagination, circles become the sun, squares turn into houses, and triangles transform into trees. These creative projects not only reinforce their understanding of shapes but also allow them to express their artistic talents.

Exploring and Learning in Different Ways!

This week in Year 1, we had lots of fun exploring and learning in different ways! We worked hard on our IDL history posters to showcase all our learning. Our posters look fantastic and have all been crafted with lots of love and care.

In Mathematics, we took our learning outside to find odd and even numbers in the world around us. We discovered even groupings like 2 slides, 4 balls, and 12 classrooms. We also found odd groupings, such as 3 flags on the flagpoles and 7 monkey bars. It was exciting to see maths in real life! We had a great week full of creativity and discovery.

You’ve got Buckley’s!

On Wednesday, Year 2s explored the region, visiting sites where the convict William Buckley lived with the Wathaurong tribe, between the years 1803 – 1835. Our day started on the beach at Breamlea, where William Buckley spent time living, perfecting his fishing techniques. The students enjoyed a plein air drawing session at 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.

Year 3 Ancient Greece in English

Year 3s have concluded a very successful unit on Ancient Greece in English, during which many parents gave the feedback that students have loved many aspects of learning about this ancient civilisation and commented that they’ve been bringing a range of new facts home each day to share with their families. We have now begun our new text study on the classic literary piece, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

Students have begun exploring the story theme of ‘What is Real?’ and have expressed much enjoyment over the ideas of toys being alive and all the joy that toys bring to our childhood. They have expressed a lot of excitement over sharing their favourite toys and why they love them and we’ve seen a range of special plushie friends and action heroes visit our classrooms each day. We have built on our love of these items to bring inspiration to inform our writing and delve deeper into our creative sides.

Year 4 Excursion to The You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary

Our Year 4 students recently embarked on an exciting excursion to the You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary, tying in beautifully with our classroom studies on World Mountains and our history unit, ‘Our Australian Heritage’.

You Yangs: A Sacred Site

The You Yangs, a series of granite ridges, hold great significance for the local Wadawurrung people. These ancient formations are not only a stunning natural landmark but also a sacred site. Our visit to Big Rock was particularly enlightening. The children were fascinated to see the naturally occurring water wells, which were historically used by the First Nation people. This hands-on experience provided a tangible connection to our studies on the importance of mountains and their cultural significance around the world.

Serendip Sanctuary: Exploring Native Flora and Fauna

At Serendip Sanctuary, the students had the opportunity to observe a variety of plants and animals native to the region. This visit complemented our discussions on the unique ecosystems found in Australia. The sanctuary’s diverse habitats allowed the children to see firsthand the rich natural heritage of our country.

Overall, the excursion was a wonderful blend of education and adventure, offering our students a deeper understanding of both the natural world and our cultural heritage. We look forward to more such enriching experiences in the future!

Year 5s Broadening Their Horizons!

One of the exciting things about starting Middle School at Christian College is the new subjects that the Year 5 students are now able to do. Each semester, the students will have the opportunity to experience new subjects that they haven’t done as part of the Junior School.

These subjects are called ‘selectives’. This is so that each student has the opportunity to try each subject that will be offered to them in Year 7 when they will select their own ‘electives’. This is a fantastic way of giving the students a bit of a ‘taste test’ to see which subjects they enjoy and would like to do again.

This year the subjects the Year 5s will get to experience include Systems Engineering, Drama and Indonesian.

Part of the Year 5 Music curriculum is also the opportunity to learn an instrument for the year and become a Year 5 band. Each student has been given the chance to select an instrument to learn for the year. The growth that we see from the students over the year is amazing.

Year 5 and 6 AFL Students Enjoy Skill Practice Session

A group of enthusiastic Year 5 and 6 students recently gathered for an exciting afternoon of AFL skill practice. The session was designed to prepare students for either the Term 2 winter carnival competition or the upcoming AFL 9’s competition, with the boys’ event scheduled for Week 9 and the girls’ event in Week 10, or for our AFL team for the winter carnival.

Despite the threat of rain, the weather held off, allowing the students to fully engage in the activities. Throughout the session, the kids demonstrated significant improvement in their skills, showcasing their dedication and hard work.

A big thank you goes out to Mr Hogan and Ellie Catchpoole for their excellent coaching and support, which greatly contributed to the success of the practice session. Their guidance and encouragement were invaluable in helping the students prepare for their upcoming competitions. Congratulations to the students for dedication to train.

Students Bring Natural Disasters to Life Through Creative Writing

Our Year 6 students are wrapping up their studies on Natural Disasters with an exciting creative project! After exploring the science behind extreme weather events like hurricanes, earthquakes, and blizzards, they’re now applying their knowledge by writing stories set in the midst of these powerful phenomena.

Their task is to create narratives that showcase their understanding of natural disasters through realistic characters, settings, and plots. From families surviving a volcanic eruption to friends braving a tornado, their stories are both imaginative and grounded in their research.

This project combines science, creativity, and storytelling, allowing students to demonstrate their learning in a fun and engaging way. We’re excited to share some of their work in the next newsletter!

Great job, 6T — keep up the amazing work!

Growing in Mind, Heart, and Spirit

This year, our Year 7 cohort has embraced a new and exciting addition to their weekly lessons: Wellbeing. This dedicated time allows students to explore important aspects of personal growth, self-awareness, and emotional resilience while also reflecting on how God sees us and how He calls us to see ourselves and others.

Through the Wellbeing curriculum, students engage with topics that help them build strong foundations for mental, emotional, and spiritual health. So far, we have explored themes such as self-worth, kindness, gratitude, and the importance of healthy relationships. Each lesson is designed to equip students with practical strategies for managing emotions, developing empathy, and fostering a sense of belonging within our school community.

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.

Back Creek Opens the Farm Gates 

There was a celebratory atmosphere on the Back Creek Scotsburn Campus last Saturday. The hot weather forecast didn’t deter around 150 people from visiting on Open Day.  

From families with children at CCG kindergartens, through to members of the College Alumni community who’d enjoyed the Farm experience as CCG students (some as far back as the late 1990s), our visitors filled the place with much joy and excitement. It was also a popular event with current students from all five campuses and their families.  

While our smallest guests came to have some fun and pat the guinea pigs, visit the baby goats (kids) and try some fresh farm milk, many of our older guests came to take a nostalgic stroll around to see what changes have occurred over the years. One had brought her two children and husband along especially to show them the Rural Studies campus where she’d spent time as a CCG student. It was a precious opportunity for the teaching staff to reconnect with our former students and catch up on their adventures since the Rural Program. 

Cross-Campus Brass Evening 

Let’s make some noise – Baroque to Rock! 

Last week, 25 young musicians from all five campuses of the Christian College Music Program gathered in the RW Gibson Music Performance Centre to showcase their talent and hard work at the Cross-Campus Brass Evening. Families and friends enjoyed a celebration of sound from instruments high and low including the Tuba, Euphonium, Trombone, French Horn and Trumpet. 

Brass students ranging from Years 1 to 12 performed solos and duets accompanied by Regina Thomae, Tammy Treloar and Brad Treloar. Their repertoire featured music from AMEB Preliminary Grade to Associate Diploma and VCE Music Unit 4 (beginner to advanced level), highlighting the breadth of tuition available from the talented brass staff at CCG. Currently 65 students are learning a brass instrument through the Music Program. 

Australian Doctors Orchestra Coming to the RW Gibson Centre 

 On Sunday April 6, Christian College will be hosting the Australian Doctors Orchestra (ADO) at the Gibson Centre, Christian College Senior School. The orchestra will be performing in Geelong for their 2025 regional concert.  This concert will raise funds for local charity. Please see concert and ticket details below and attached. The orchestra would also appreciate any assistance with promoting their concert, so please spread the word! It will feature many local medical professionals, will be playing a work by composer Edward Fairlie (CCG Class of 2000), and featuring soloist Emily Treloar on the clarinet (CCG Class of 2024). 

The ADO is a unique national fellowship of medical professionals who are also classically trained musicians.  Since their first concert in 1993, the orchestra has played a concert every year (except 2021) and in every state, using each occasion to raise funds for charity.  All proceeds from this concert will go towards upgrading Social Connect, a much-loved day program at Gateways Support Services.  To purchase tickets, click this Trybooking link. 

We are  looking forward to welcoming the ADO to our region and the Gibson Centre. 

Always Learning 

Last Saturday a group of staff from the Junior School Belmont, Bellarine and Surf Coast Campuses attended the ResearchEd conference day in Ballarat. This was the largest ResearchEd to be held in Australia with over 400 educators in attendance. ResearchEd was originally set up in the UK to bring education researchers and educators together, ensuring that the research is translated into relatable and practical terms. 

The speakers presented on a range of topics from behaviour management, effective instructional routines, assessment and curriculum content. All speakers presented from a research-informed and evidence-based perspective.  

For educators, learning is a lifelong endeavour. As education systems and societal needs change, teachers must constantly update their skills and knowledge. This might mean learning about new curricula or exploring new teaching philosophies.  

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

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.