Surf Coast Term 2 Week 1

From the Acting Principal

This week, returning from the holiday break, I’ve been reminded of the incredible privilege I have to work at a school that has five campuses across our region and approximately 2000 students from Prep all the way to Year 12. I had the pleasure of being accompanied by our College captains, Brianna Bolger and Jett Milburn, as I visited each of the campuses for their Term 2 commencement assemblies. It was wonderful to observe Brianna and Jett receiving such warm and enthusiastic welcomes from students of all ages and, likewise, for the two captains to engage so effortlessly in meaningful, positive interactions with their audiences.

One of the highlights was a visit to a Junior School Prep classroom, where Brianna and Jett got down on the floor with the students to learn how to draw polar bears. It was a special moment, one that had Brianna and Jett, knowing what they know about life, adolescence and growing up, reflecting afterward how important it is to preserve childhood innocence.

Unearth Your Treasure Within!

Open Day and Prep Discovery Days

For those considering a Christian College education for their children, regardless of year level, we believe the best way to get a true 'look and feel' of our College is to come and see us in action. That’s why we offer open days where interested parents and guardians have the opportunity to tour our campuses, see real classes in real time, meet students, teachers and campus leaders and have their specific questions answered.

Our second Open Day for 2024 at all five campuses, plus Butterfield House Kindergarten, is on May 7. Opening times have been planned so there is an opportunity to visit more than one campus on the same day. Bellarine Campus will open its doors from 9:30 to 11:00am; Middle School-Highton from 10:30am to 12 noon; Senior School-Waurn Ponds from 11:30am to 1pm; Junior School-Belmont from 9:15 to 10:45am and Surf Coast Campus and Butterfield House from 11:30am to 1pm. Evening sessions are offered at two campuses on the day – Junior School (at 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30pm) and Surf Coast Campus (at 4:30, 4:45 and 5:00pm).

Then on May 8 and 9, we are again offering a Prep Discovery experience at our Bellarine, Belmont and Surf Coast Campuses. These days are for those parents and guardians interested in enrolling in Prep. There is an opportunity for them, and their children, to actually join a Prep class for an immersive experience – and find out more about our amazing Prep program at three campuses. For those interested in attending one of these free sessions, we ask for a booking so we can properly accommodate everyone who wants to attend. More details on both Open Day and Prep Discovery sessions, including a link to book a Prep Discovery place, can be found on our website.

We would ask all current Christian College families who have friends, other family members or colleagues who are making choices about the right school for their child(ren), to spread the word and encourage them to visit one or more of our campuses on May 7, and/or be part of our Prep Discovery program on May 8/9.  

From the Chaplain

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Term 2!

I trust you have all had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break, and that you and your children are eager for Term 2 and all the fun and learning opportunities that come with being back at school.

During staff devotions this week, I had the opportunity to share how God has promised He will always be by our side. I was reminded over the holidays, and shared with the staff, that God’s promise to be with us didn’t end with the letters of Paul, or at the end of the written words of Bible.

God made this promise to the Israelites, and to the believers of the early church, and God has made the same promise to all of us, that He will be present: not that He might be, or He was with us but isn’t any more, but that He is with us, now.

I hope that throughout this term, you are reminded that God is present, here, and He loves you.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8:

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

I pray the Lord blesses you this term.

Prep Christian Ed – Noah’s Ark

In a vibrant classroom buzzing with curiosity, the Surf Coast Preps embarked on a journey to explore the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. To deepen their understanding, they engaged in Godly play, a method that allows children to embrace their innate sense of wonder about religious stories. With a wooden ark and a diverse array of animals at their fingertips, the children reenacted the tale, each taking turns to narrate a part of the story as they placed the animals two by two into the ark.

The craft wheel activity reinforced their knowledge of the story. It served as a tangible reminder of the story’s sequence and moral lessons, which they could proudly share with their families.

To bring the story to life, the children learned a song that captured the essence of Noah’s Ark.

Through these interactive and creative activities, the Prep children not only learned about Noah’s Ark but also developed a deeper connection with the story’s values. They discovered the joy of storytelling and the power of collective learning in a setting that celebrated their creativity and spirit.

Year 3 Kicks off Term 2

Congratulations on a fantastic Term 1 and thank you kindly for your ongoing support. As a campus we finished off Term 1 with the excitement of the Easter bonnet parade and the kids showed some deep understanding about the significance of Easter through the life of Jesus, His crucifixion and then resurrection.

This week in English, we began a new content knowledge unit about Ancient Rome. The focus for this week was on the geographical aspects of Europe, Italy, Rome, and the Mediterranean Sea.

In Maths we started our unit on shapes with a focus on pyramids and prisms whilst also investigating different addition and subtraction calculation strategies.

There is so much to look forward to this term, and it begins with our very special ANZAC Day service next Wednesday. Then we have the Mothers’ Day pamper, celebration of learning conferences and the highly anticipated Willie Wonka Day at The Chocolaterie!

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Easter and well-deserved break and is ready for a very exciting and busy term 2!

After-School Adventures in the Library

We are excited to announce a new initiative in the Library for Term 2. We would like to invite parents and guardians together with their children to visit our Surf Coast Library after school on a Tuesday afternoon, when it will be open each week until 4pm. Families are welcome to share a story together and browse for books they would like to borrow and read together at home. Parents may borrow books on behalf of their children in addition to their regular borrowing. We hope this will be a wonderful opportunity for families to share in the joy of books and literature together in a different setting.

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 2 2024

WEEK 2

Monday 22 April                       Promotional Filming of selected students

Wednesday 24 April                 ANZAC Service 1030 – All Welcome

Thursday 25 April                     ANZAC Day Holiday

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. 

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!