Surf Coast Term 2 Week 2 – Christian College

Latest From Surf Coast Campus

TERM 2

WEEK 2

From the Executive Principal

Over the past two weeks, I had the privilege of stepping back into the classroom, teaching senior secondary students, as I provided cover for a teacher on Long Service Leave. As you may know, I visit classrooms across our College community every week, yet taking this opportunity to spend longer periods of time with a few classes of students was a real joy. It reminded me just how powerful and important the work of teaching truly is. While my recent time has been spent with our older students, the experience reaffirmed something that is true across every year level in our K–12 context: at the heart of all we do is a shared purpose - supporting young people to grow, learn, and thrive.

Over my time in education, I have had the privilege of teaching students across the full P–12 age range, and into their university years. (The only age I haven’t taught yet is Kindergarten, and I have such admiration for our amazing Kindergarten educators). There is a special kind of joy that lives in classrooms at every stage of learning. In senior years, it appears in thoughtful discussions, growing independence, and moments of deep insight. In earlier years, it is seen in curiosity, wonder, and the excitement of discovering something new for the first time. These moments may look different across the College, but they are equally meaningful as they happen every day.

Teaching is about far more than lessons and learning outcomes; it is about relationships. Teachers take the time to know each child - their strengths, interests, and challenges - and to create environments where students feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and learn from mistakes. This sense of belonging and trust is essential for both wellbeing and academic success, from our youngest learners through to our graduating students.

What stood out to me most during my time in the classroom was the trust students place in their teachers. Each day, your children arrive ready to learn, supported by educators who care deeply about them, not just as students, but as individuals. Across our school, teachers work hard to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and encouraged at their stage of learning.

As parents and families, you entrust us with an incredibly important role, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to make sure that every young person is known, challenged, and inspired. Our aim is not only to teach knowledge and skills, but to help shape confident, resilient, and compassionate young people who are prepared for life beyond school. Stepping back into the classroom reminded me that the joy of teaching is ultimately about the joy of seeing young people grow. What a privilege!

Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal

Science: Year 5 – 8 Opportunities

Science Talent Search (STS) is a great opportunity for students who enjoy being creative while exploring scientific ideas. This year, the school will be supporting entries in the creative writing, photography, and poster categories, and students may enter one category only. STS is a statewide competition run by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria and provides a chance to develop creativity, scientific thinking, and communication skills while gaining recognition beyond the classroom. For more information about the competition, categories, and examples of past entries, visit the Science Talent Search website.

Students interested in participating should email g.rolls@ccg.vic.edu.au by 8th May to express their interest.

Georgina Rolls, Deputy Head of Campus

What’s Happening at Surf Coast?

TERM 2, WEEK 3

Wednesday 6 May – Mother’s Day Pamper Afternoon – Prep – Year 6 – 3.30pm- 5.00pm (change of time)

Wednesday 6 May – Inter-College Debating – Round 2 -4.00pm-6.00pm- Bellarine Campus (selected students)

Thursday 7 May – Year 7 Open Information Evening – 6.00pm – 7.00pm – Campus Stadium

Thursday 7 May- Lunchtime Concert -1:00pm-2:00pm (selected musicians)

Thursday 7 May – GISSA Major Titles – 2026 Athletics Championships (selected students – Year 7-12)

Friday 8May – Junior School Assembly- 9.00am

Friday 8 May – Mother’s Day Stall – 10.00am – Prep – Year 6

WEEK 4

Monday 11 May – VSAC Swimming Championships – (selected students Yr. 7 – 12)

Monday 11 May – Lunchtime Instrumental Music Concert – 1.00pm (selected students Prep – Year 8)

Tuesday 12 May – Cross Campus String Orchestra Performance Evening – 6.00pm (selected students)

Wednesday 13 May – GISSA Interschool Sport Round 3 – Year 7 & 8

Thursday 14 May – All Campus Bands Night – 6.30pm (selected students)

Friday 15 May – Middle School Assembly -9.00am

Friday 15 May – Year 8 Incursion – Medieval Day

Friday 15 May – Prep Discovery Session – 11.30am – 1.00pm

WEEK 5

Monday 18 May – 22 May – Year 6 Canberra (Bellarine and Highton)

Monday 18 May – City to Surf Winter Lightening – Prep-Year 5&6 – 9.15am-3.30pm

Tuesday 19 May – SSV Geelong North Division Major Event -2026 Cross Country Championships -Year 4 -Year 6

Wednesday 20 May – Timor Leste Independence Day – 8.30am-4.30pm

Wednesday 20 May – GISSA Year 7 and 8 Interschool Sport 1.00pm-3.30pm

Thursday 21 May – Come and Try Prep – new prep families – 9.30am-10:.0am

Friday 22 May – Arthur Photos – 9:15am-3:15pm

Adventure, Imagination and Wildlife Wonders at Bush Prep

This afternoon, our Preps embarked on an expedition full of wonder at our first Bush Discovery Learning session for the year. Their imaginations took flight in the great outdoors as they engaged in a variety of self-directed activities. Utilising the various teepees, which have been constructed previously by various Surf Coast campus students, the children entered a world of fun and pretend play, creating their own villages full of interesting characters. We spotted wildlife wonders, including the resident mob of kangaroos that inhabit Spring Creek and two majestic wedge tailed eagles that soared overhead.

Bush Discovery is an important part of our Preppies’ learning journey; it’s an opportunity for them to grow, learn, and see the world through a different lens. Their imaginations were on full display today, and as educators, we couldn’t be prouder of their curiosity and enthusiasm!

Year 2 Shines as Salt and Light

In Christian Education this week, our Year 2 students have been learning about Jesus’ message that we are like salt and light. They discovered that just as a small amount of salt makes food taste wonderful, even a small act of kindness can make a big difference and help others see God’s goodness.

The students also explored how being light means shining God’s love through their actions. Simple, caring choices like helping a friend or including others can brighten someone’s day and reflect God’s love.

To celebrate this learning, students created beautiful stained-glass windows, now displayed in our classrooms where sunlight shines through them. These colourful artworks are a daily reminder to let God’s light and love shine through all that we do.

Sarah Dean

Year 4 English: Dynasties of China

Year 4 students have begun an exciting new English unit, Dynasties of China, and their enthusiasm for learning has been wonderful to see. Students have shown a high level of engagement from the outset, eagerly participating in discussions and questioning as they explore this rich period of history.

Drawing on their prior learning from Year 3, students have been making thoughtful connections to other ancient civilisations they have previously studied. This has supported deeper discussions and helped students compare leadership, culture, and society across different times and places.

Our learning has begun with a focus on China’s first emperor, Shihuangdi. Students have been challenged to consider a compelling historical question: Was he a great leader or a cruel tyrant? Through reading and discussion, students are learning to support their opinions with evidence and reasoning.

We look forward to seeing students continue to develop their historical understanding and persuasive thinking as the unit progresses.

Kate Rice

Winter Lightning Premiership!

Our Winter Lightning Premiership (Prem) training has officially begun, and students are already showing great enthusiasm across all sports this term: softball, AFL, soccer, and netball.

In softball, students have been developing their skills in pitching, catching, and fielding. Those who participated in tee-ball last term have particularly enjoyed stepping up to the added challenge of softball, embracing the faster pace and new techniques with confidence and excitement.

Across the other sports, students have also been busy building their skills and teamwork. AFL sessions have focused on kicking accuracy, handballing, and game awareness, while soccer training has emphasised passing, ball control, and positioning. In netball, students have been working on footwork, shooting, and effective communication on the court.

It has been fantastic to see such positive participation and sportsmanship from all students. As the season progresses, we look forward to watching their skills continue to develop and seeing their hard work come together in upcoming matches.

We encourage all students to keep practicing, supporting one another, and most importantly, enjoying their sport!

Alex Pink

Year 8 Marine Studies

The Year 8 Marine Studies cohort recently swapped their desks for the salty air of Torquay, embarking on a field trip to explore the intricate wonders of our local rock pools. Students recorded and classified animal life, looked at their structural and behavioural adaptations and discussed our responsibility to care for and steward our beautiful marine environments.

Justin Boseley

Special Sporting Acknowledgements

We take this opportunity to recognise some outstanding individual sporting achievements from our campus. Congratulations to Dane on his amazing swimming success at the National Championships over the school holidays. Dane recently travelled to the Gold Coast to compete at the Australian Multiclass Age Championships. Dane qualified for 3 events, 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. The first day of racing, he competed in the backstroke and narrowly missed out on making the evening finals. However, the following day he competed in both freestyle and breaststroke events and secured spots in both of these finals. Competing against 12-13 year olds from all over Australia in these evening finals, Dane came 5th (in Australia!) in his 50m freestyle, and 6th in his 50m breastroke.

Additionally, we congratulate all students who participated in the highly competitive School Sport Victoria (SSV) trials. It is wonderful to see several students from our campus selected to represent our school. This week, we particularly congratulate Kalea, Jasmine, and Violet, who all qualified to trial in Netball and represented our school with pride. We also acknowledge Clancy for his outstanding achievements in Basketball. Clancy also trialled in SSV Basketball, along with Indy for his efforts in the SSV trials for both AFL and Basketball. We wish John all the very best as he prepares for his upcoming SSV Soccer trial. We congratulate all students from our campus and college who have been involved in SSV trials this year.

Today we also had the pleasure to formally award our house swimming Age Level Champions at our Middle School Assembly. Congratulation to our award recipients!

Year 7 & 8 Sport Round 1 Highlights

Round 1 of our Year 7 & 8 sport competition was held this week and was a fantastic start to the season. With amazing weather, excellent game opportunities, and outstanding sportsmanship on display, students showcased impressive skills, teamwork, and enthusiasm across all events.

Our badminton team travelled to Bellarine Campus, while our AFL combined team joined with Highton Campus to compete at South Barwon Reserve against. Meanwhile, our combined soccer team, also in partnership with Highton Campus, played at Surf Coast Campus on our beautiful soccer pitch. Each team represented the school with pride, demonstrating commitment, resilience, and positive attitudes throughout the round.

Congratulations to all students who participated, and to the coaches whose hard work and organisation made this sporting round possible.

Well done to everyone involved—we look forward to an exciting sporting season ahead.

Emma Workman

An Invitation to Space: The Final Frontier

Parents, students and friends are warmly invited to attend the Year 12 VCE Drama Ensemble performance: SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER

This original production explores a compelling question: Why do humans want to leave Earth — to save humanity, or to escape responsibility for our planet?

As part of their VCE Drama Ensemble task, students have collaboratively researched, devised, scripted, rehearsed and performed this unique work.

In developing the performance, they have applied key drama elements including transformation of time, place and character; expressive and performance skills; and the use of symbol and theatrical styles such as Epic Theatre. These approaches allow students to move beyond realistic representation and create dynamic, thought-provoking theatre.

The performance investigates powerful contemporary ideas, including:

Whether space technologies can help address challenges on Earth, or divert resources from urgent human needs

How viewing Earth from space influences our responsibility toward the planet—and why action does not always follow awareness

Whether humanity’s future lies in protecting Earth, escaping it, or rebuilding elsewhere—and who gets to decide

It promises to be an inspiring evening of theatre-making, creativity and big ideas. We hope you can join us for this special event.

Kelly Clifford

Academic Excellence and Music Excellence Scholarships – Applications Open!

Applications are now open for Academic Excellence Scholarships – for entry to Years 5 to 11 in 2028.

Any interested parents, guardians and families with children in Years 3 to 9 in 2026 are welcome to apply, including families who have children currently enrolled at Christian College.

Applications for Academic Excellence scholarships close on August 6.

Also open to both Christian College families, and families with children attending other schools, are our Music Excellence Scholarships. These are open for students entering Years 5 to 12 in 2027 or 2028.

Applications for all Christian College scholarships can be made via our website. Click here to visit our Scholarships page, where you’ll find more information about all the scholarships we offer. From there you can click on the individual scholarship tiles for more specific details, and to apply.

2027 Academic Excellence Scholarships (1)

Discover Prep at Three Campuses!

Discover Prep sessions invite parents, guardians and children to step directly into a Prep classroom and take part in the learning, discovering the wonder our students experience every day. These sessions are being held on May 19, 20 and 21 at Junior School-Belmont, Bellarine and Surf Coast Campuses respectively.

Christian College’s Prep program is unparalleled. Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy are complemented by rich explorations across Interdisciplinary Studies and Christian Education. Our classrooms are fun, inclusive and caring places where children feel safe, known and celebrated. Learning is enriched by weekly timetabled sessions with specialist teachers – in Music, Japanese, Art, Health and PE, Digitech and Library.

Afterwards, we welcome everyone to stay for light refreshments, meet our staff, chat and ask questions.

We are asking attendees to register to assist with our planning. Please visit our website and use the homepage hotlink. If you know someone who might be considering Prep options for 2027, 2028 or beyond – we’re sure they will benefit from attending a Discover Prep session, so please pass the word around!

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Godspell the Musical – Senior School Production on Stage June 5 & 6

R.W. Gibson Centre – Christian College Senior Campus

Tickets now on sale! 3 shows

Friday June 5 – 7:00pm

Saturday June 6– 2:00pm & 5:30pm

Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DKBJO

Featuring a student cast of Yrs 10,11,12 and a band of students and staff who have been rehearsing since the start of the school year.

Prepare ye for the timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love in a masterful retelling of the original sensation with dazzling contemporary arrangements and references. Godspell, 2012 Revised Version, featuring songs by Stephen Schwartz, (known for the Broadway hits WICKED and PIPPIN), uses song, dance and storytelling to retell the passion story and parables of the gospels. Filled with high spirited musical styles ranging from pop to vaudeville, this theatrical celebration is a reminder that kindness, tolerance, and love should live on vibrantly.

Our audience will be treated to a unique presentation of this well-known production, one that will showcase the exceptional skills of our students and the creative expertise of our production staff team. This dynamic show is also supported by a crew of staff, students and parents who will ensure that the onstage presentation is a memorable experience.

Our College is proud to present Godspell! Please assist us to promote our show to your families, friends and the broader community. Please find a poster attached which can be emailed as a digital attachment or printed for display as far and wide as you like!!

Tickets are now on sale for this boutique theatre experience on Trybooking, we look forward to welcoming our audiences!