From the Executive Principal
Blessing of People
Welcome back to all our students, staff and families. I hope that you enjoyed the blessing of people around you over the holidays as we celebrated the birth of Christ at Easter. I want to acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis on Monday this week. For many people around the world, Pope Francis was a blessing—a shepherd who led with love, courage, and an unyielding dedication to the values of the Gospel. As a leader, he was a beacon of humility, compassion, and progressive thought, touching the lives of countless individuals across the globe. His unwavering commitment to the marginalised, his advocacy for environmental stewardship, and his efforts to bridge divides within and beyond the Church made him a source of hope and inspiration. May he rest in peace.
Stepping up in Leadership
This has been a short week for our students, but a rich week with commencement assemblies and ANZAC services across our campuses. On Wednesday I had the privilege of travelling with our two school captains, Brooke Briscoe and Will Harrison, to four of our five campuses for commencement assemblies – and we will visit the fifth campus next week. I loved seeing our school captains interact with our younger students, revealing their ability to connect with empathy and encouragement, and inspiring our older students through their positive example. As we visited the different campuses, young people were playing a key role in leading the activities at all the assemblies – through music, speaking, acting and serving – and I saw the same again at our Anzac ceremonies. I was so proud to see our students shine, whether they led the assembly, gave a speech, played or sang in a music ensemble, gave an interview, led a prayer, read a poem or Bible verse, supported their peers, raised a flag, or packed up chairs. I saw so many styles of leadership and acts of service.
There is something truly inspiring about witnessing students step into leadership roles at school. It’s a beautiful transformation as they take on responsibilities, make decisions, and influence their peers positively. These young leaders often bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Watching them navigate these roles with enthusiasm and dedication is a testament to their potential and the supportive environment that nurtures their development. It’s a reminder of the incredible impact that empowered students can have on their surroundings. I want to acknowledge the role of parents, teachers, mentors and fiends, who have, over the years, provided opportunities, guidance, and encouragement, which are so crucial in shaping these leadership qualities in young people. I am so glad that at Christian College our students gain these opportunities. The growth in confidence that our students are demonstrating will not only benefit their learning here at school, but will also prepare them for future life and work challenges.
ANZAC Day
Today we celebrated ANZAC Day at all of our campuses and many of our staff and students will also be involved in ANZAC commemoration services on the 25th of April. It is lovely to see our students respecting the ANZAC tradition so reverently. ANZAC Day stands as a solemn tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women. On this day, we honour the ANZAC legacy, upheld by generations of those who have served. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, reminding us of the sacrifices made for the freedoms we cherish. As we pause to acknowledge their service, we uphold the values of courage, mateship, and resilience that define our nations. Through the lens of Christian education, we see its deeper significance. The ANZAC spirit embodies values of love, service, and selflessness, principles taught by Christ himself and sacrifice made for our freedom. Whether it be that you attend a dawn service, make ANZAC biscuits, spend time with family or make the most of this being a recognised holiday, I hope this day reminds you to live with compassion, humility, to pray for peace, and to commit to lives of service guided by Christ’s teachings.
It's been a short week - just two days for the students, so this week's editions of The Vine are a little shorter than normal, but amongst the range of start-of-term activities around the campuses, there are reports about ANZAC services and commencement services, and the Senior School edition carries an extract of the College Captains’ speeches from those commencement services.
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
From The Chaplain – ANZAC Day 2025
I hope you’ve had an amazing break, and welcome back to Term 2!
In our short first week, we had the immense privilege of hosting our ANZAC Day Service on Thursday morning. Our service was a great time of reflection and remembrance, and it was very special to have our community come together for the morning.
As part of our service, we had the opportunity to have Psalm 23 read to us by some of our student leaders, which reads:
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in pastures of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.
Even though I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.
You prepare a banquet for me, where my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honoured guest and fill my cup to the brim.
I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.
Later in our service, we had the opportunity to lay wreaths, display medals, and have The Last Post and Rouse/Reveille played by our very own Lachlan Walters. We also had the chance to hear from Bob and Christine Tyler, representing the Torquay and Surf Coast RSL.
I pray that you were able to have a restful and reflective day on Friday for ANZAC Day, and that you are reminded of the great sacrifice that our soldiers and servicepeople have made.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Aaron Cutter, Chaplain
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 2025
WEEK 2
Monday 28 April Discovery and Learning -Periods 3 & 4 Prep
Tuesday 29 April Year 7T Indonesian Excursion 12pm – 1pm – Year 7s – please refer to EdSmart
Wednesday April 30 Year 3 Camp – please refer to EdSmart
Friday 2 May
Thursday 1 May Indonesian Visit – 09.30am – 12pm
Winter Sports Carnival – Year 5 & 6 – All Day
Thursday 1 May –
Friday 2 May Year 2 Camp – please refer to EdSmart
Friday 2 May Whole Campus Assembly – Stadium
WEEK 3
Monday 5 May Preps 50 Day at school – Prep students – more information to come
Tournament of the minds training – Time to be confirmed- Selected students Year 5,6, and 7
Tuesday 6 May Surf Coast Cross Country Championships – Selected students (back up day Wednesday May 7)
Wednesday 7 May GISSA Year 7 – information to come
Wednesday 7 May Mother’s Day Pamper Afternoon – Prep to Year 6
Thursday 8 May Open Day – Please refer to flyers
Round 1 of Year 5 and 6 Winter Carnival 1pm – 3.25pm – Year 5 and 6
Friday 9 May Assembly Year 5 – 7
Friday 9 May Mothers Day Stall – Prep to Year 6 only
WEEK 4
Monday 12 May MSAC Swimming Championships – Selected Students
Wednesday 14 May GISSA Year 7 1pm – 1.30pm
Thursday 15 May College Band Performance Evening – Concert band students
Round 2 of Year 5 and 6 Winter Carnival
Friday 16 May No students on campus – staff development day
WEEK 5
Tuesday 20 May North Division Cross Country Championships – Selected Students
Wednesday 21 May GISSA Year 7 1pm – 1.30pm
National Simultaneous Storytime 12pm – Year Prep – 6
Arthur Reed School photos – All Year levels
Thursday 22 May Treasure Island Dress Rehearsals – Selected Students
Round 3 of Year 5 & 6 Winter Carnival – Selected Students
Friday 23 May Assembly – Prep to Year 4 Students only
Treasure Island Opening Night – All welcome
Saturday 24 May Treasure Island Performance – All welcome
WEEK 6
Monday 26 May Discovery Learning Periods 3 and 4 – Prep
Monday 26 May Year 6 Camp – refer to EdSmart
Wednesday 28 May
Tuesday 27 May Reconciliation Week
Tuesday 3 June
Thursday 29 May Round 4 of Year 5 and 6 Winter Carnival – Year 5 & 6
Friday 30 May Assembly Year 5 to 7
WEEK 7
Wednesday 4 June GISSA Year 7
College Choirs – Performance Evening – Choir Students only
Year 2 Around Geelong Excursion -Year 2 – more information to come
Thursday 5 June Round 5 of Year 5 and 6 Winter Carnival – more information to come
Friday 6 June Assembly Prep to Year 4
WEEK 8
Monday 9 June Kings birthday – public holiday – no students required at school
Wednesday 11 June GISSA Year 7
Friday 13 June Junior Schools Strings morning
Assembly Year 5 to Year 7
WEEK 9
Wednesday 18 June Year 3 Ancient Rome Day
GISSA Year 7 1pm – 3.30pm
Thursday 19 June GISSA girls AFL
Fairy Park Excursion – Preps
Friday 20 June Assembly Prep to Year 4
WEEK 10
Monday 23 June Discovery Learning Periods 3 & 4 – Prep
Tuesday 24 June Strings Orchestra Performance Evening – Strings Group
Wednesday 25 June GISSA Year 7 Carnival – more information to come
Thursday 26 June
Friday 27 June Whole Campus Assembly – All students
Last day of term 2 – Students dismissed at 3.30pm
Congratulations Alex
As the summer season of baseball comes to a close, it’s been a thrilling journey for year 7 student Alex Green. The summer competition has been intense, showcasing high-level play and fierce competition. While Alex also participates in the winter season, the level of play during winter doesn’t quite match the summer’s intensity.
During the Baseball Victoria State Championships, Alex played for “The Mets” regional division in the Intermediate League at Knoxfield over the middle weekend of the holidays. This 3-day tournament (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) saw Alex’s team unfortunately fall short of reaching the Nationals, despite Alex’s exceptional performance throughout the event.
Following this, Alex participated in a 4-day tournament from Thursday to Sunday in the Downunder World Series. Playing for “The Western Taipans,” Alex’s team finished the competition at the top of the ladder but was narrowly defeated in the Gold Medal Final by Canberra, 12-10, after having a 10-0 lead. It was a disappointing outcome for the team, but they are determined to come back stronger next time. Notably, Alex was the youngest player in the squad.
It’s been a huge holiday of baseball for Alex, filled with passion and dedication to the sport he loves.
Emma Workman
Treasure Island – Showtime Next Week!
Excitement is mounting as the opening performance of the middle years production of Treasure Island approaches. The talented young cast drawn from the Bellarine, Surfcoast and Highton campuses have been rehearsing since February to bring the iconic Robert Louis Stevenson story to life and as a bonus experiencing all of the benefits of participation in a college production.
With infectious enthusiasm from the cast of 10-14 year olds and creative direction from drama teachers Kelly Clifford and Taylah Broad Treasure Island offers an entertaining theatre experience for the whole family. The auditorium at the Bellarine campus will be transformed to a mysterious island, complete with palm trees, pirates and plenty of adventure.
The play will be staged at 1pm and 7pm on Friday May 23 and 1pm and 5.30pm on Saturday May 24. Tickets are available by clicking on the Treasure Island hotlink at the top of the Christian College homepage.
Mandy Calderwood, Producer Treasure Island
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