National Sorry Day
Thursday, 26th May, Surfcoast Campus reverently honoured National Sorry Day. Students listened to the Sorry Day story, created sorry chains and reflected in prayer on what it means to say sorry and how this act can support our nation in healing the past. As a College, we respect that National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation.Â
Surf Coast Preps Explore the PastÂ
In our inquiry and discovery session this week, the Preps explored the past. Â
The Preps started with a learning provocation, where they examined and posed questions about objects that are now regarded as being out of date. They were introduced to many artefacts such as an abacus, an old telephone, old books, an old iron, a rusted rabbit trap, and a floppy disc. They discussed what the objects were used for and what is now in place of these and how they are new and improved. Â
The Preppies then watched a clip where they viewed a century’s worth of toys, and all unanimously agreed that the latest decade produced the best types of toys! They discussed comparisons with the toys of today, and specifically looked at the materials they were made of, the colour choice, and those that did not require any electrics to run.  Upon reflection, the students identified the different ways information about the past can be gathered, through looking at photos and artifacts, listening to stories and reading books.Â
Flying Through ArtÂ
This term the students at Surf Coast have been working on a unit of Construction. We started off the unit by exploring the different ways we can think like engineers, mathematicians, designers and artists to create different structures. We have also been looking at different kinetic sculptures and moving artworks by different artists.Â
With this unit the students have been exploring the history of flight and looking at different flying machines invented over the years. Preps are making hang gliders, Year 1s are making hot air balloon, Years 2s are making propeller planes, Year 3s are making rockets and Year 4s are making helicopters. I’m excited to see how the different flying machines look at the end of the term.Â
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Exploring Data with Year 2Â
Are you left or right-handed? What colour are your eyes? What colour is your hair? What is your favourite hobby? Do you have a pet at home? Â
These are some of the big questions being asked by Year 2 students during Digital Technologies this term. Â
The Year 2s have been asking each other lots of questions and creating tally charts and surveying their classmates’ answers to collect information or ‘data’ about each other. This term we have been exploring the idea that data is all around us, and that we just need to ask the right questions to find the information we seek. Students have discussed how to pose questions and collect responses, and then interpret the results for each question. They have used software programs to help them represent their data, making tables and bar graphs, which allows them to make decisions about ‘most popular’ or ‘least popular’ surveyed choices. We have used a combination of ‘unplugged’ activities and device activities to complete our data collection surveys and representation of data, and the students have done a fantastic job as you can see in the images. Well done Year 2! Â
Local learning in Year 1Â
This term, we have been exploring the historical story of the Surf Coast Campus’ local town, Torquay. Students have been observing photographs, listening to stories, and viewing olden day video clips to grasp life back in the 1900s in Torquay. On Thursday, Year 1 was excited to see sunshine as they embarked on their Integrated Studies excursion, looking at how places change over time. They visited Taylors Park, The Esplanade, Gilbert Street, the old post-office site, and Nairn’s Dairy corner location.
They enjoyed seeing the original historical dwellings – The Seaview Villa and the Scammel, on Pride Street. At each historic site, the children photographed the current perspective and discussed any changes they could notice compared to the pictures we had been researching. It was beautiful to see how things have changed and how things can also stay the same. The day was a fantastic ‘legs-on-learning’ experience for everyone.  Back in class, students compared the different photographs from ‘then’ and ‘now’ and completed a reflection on how places change; they even started to discuss why towns change. Across the coming weeks, Year 1 will engage in a model building project of Torquay town back then and now. We are excited to have two representatives from the Torquay Historical Society visit and view the models. Year 1 cannot wait to collaborate with our community members and share what we have learnt and discovered about changing Torquay.Â
Year 2Â
The Year 2 students have been exploring Australian currency this term. They have been investigating the features of coins and notes, discussing the concept of dollars and cents, working with groups and partners to show different ways to make equivalent amounts, and setting up mini shops to buy and sell ‘goods’ so that they can practise adding coins and notes, and give change to their ‘customers’. Â
Using money has been a fun way for the Year 2 students to consolidate some of their addition and subtraction strategies and to practise their skip counting and multiplicative thinking. Our money maths lessons have been buzzing with excitement as the students see how Maths is a part of our everyday lives.Â
National Simultaneous StorytimeÂ
This week, at 11am on Wednesday, over 2 million children across Australia gathered in schools and libraries to read the same book at the same time for National Simultaneous Storytime. At our Surf Coast campus, we gathered in the library to read this year’s book ‘Family Tree’ by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh. Family Tree is a beautiful celebration of family, community and seasons of life. Â
To celebrate this year’s book, the Surf Coast students helped to construct our own Surf Coast family tree in the Library by decorating and writing their name on a leaf. The students have been enjoying looking for their own and friends’ leaves, as well as campus celebrities such as Pete the bus driver. National Simultaneous Storytime has become an annual event at Surf Coast and is a wonderful initiative to promote the value of books and reading to our young ones. We look forward to seeing what book is chosen for next year! Â
eSafety Parent and Carer Webinars
Parents and carers of our students have access to a range of eSafety webinars made available by the eSafety Commissioner throughout the year. eSafety’s free webinars provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and tools to support children to have safe, positive online experiences.
The webinar focus by eSafety for May is on parental controls. This webinar promises to provide valuable information and support to parents. Christian College parents are also encouraged to read the article ‘Should I be using a parental control?’ available on our Online Safety Hub.
I encourage all parents and carers in our community to explore these webinar offerings by eSafety and register for events that are relevant to you. The link is below:
COGG Needs Crossing Supervisors
The City of Greater Geelong is experiencing a shortage of school crossing supervisors due to illness, including COVID and influenza, meaning that a limited number of crossings around the municipality may not be supervised at certain times. In such instances, staffing busier crossings is prioritised over quieter ones. Sometimes this is achieved by deploying Parking, Local Laws and Animal Management teams to crossing supervision roles.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a crossing supervisor, COGG is recruiting via this link:
Casual School Crossing Supervisor – City of Greater GeelongÂ
Golf TournamentÂ
The Foundation Golf Tournament is set for Thursday, 27 October 2022. Join us at 13th Beach Golf Links from 8:00am for a shotgun start. Tickets are $190 each ($150 for members) or $750 for a group of four. RSVPs close on Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 5:00pm.  
Funds raised from this event will be allocated to our Foundation Scholarship Fund, supporting current students who are in need of financial assistance. Â
Book online at: The Foundation Golf Tournament
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
If you are on a rough road, use the discomfort as your power to take control. See it providing fuel for your journey....expanding your map....adding to who you are....shaping who you are becoming 😊
Discover more about MYTERN here
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