Another Term Ends
Slowly this year life has been returning to what it was like before COVID and this term life at school felt normal again. It has been wonderful to have our families on site again. As a community we have missed the connections with our families. To share in special events again this term has just been wonderful, and we look forward to many more as the year continues.
Next term, we will welcome two new families into our community, both students will be joining our Year 3 class. I am sure you will join me in making them feel very welcome.
We had a very happy and special moment last week for one of our beautiful staff members. Caitlin Maher got engaged to her longtime partner Cody. We wish Cody and Caitlin God’s blessings as they begin planning their wedding together.
As this term ends, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our incredible staff for the care, love, and incredible teaching they give our children every day. I would also like to thank you our families for your ongoing support. I hope and pray you all have a wonderful holiday break with your families and we will look forward to seeing you all at the beginning of next term.
Surf Coast Music Afternoon
On Tuesday, the Surf Coast Campus held its annual Music Afternoon, an opportunity to showcase our campus ensembles as well as some solo performers.
Families were entertained in the Multipurpose Room with a variety of solos by students from Years 1-4 on piano, voice, guitar and violin; accompanied by our Instrumental tutors: Mrs Kirstin Camm-Bartle, Mrs Tammy Treloar, Mrs Marlene Goh, Mr Brad Treloar and Ms Trish Timmins.
We also had the delight of listening to our three campus ensembles, the Surf Coast Strings (Years 2-4), the Year 2 String Ensemble, both directed by Ms Timmins; and the Surf Coast Choir (Years Prep-4).
The Surf Coast music program is alive and thriving, with new students getting involved every week. Additional performance opportunities throughout the year include lunchtime concerts (usually run fortnightly), campus assemblies and services. In Term 4, we look forward to our end of year concerts, including the whole school Music Evening (Thu. 13th Oct. at Costa Hall, Deakin University) – definitely one to mark in the calendar!
Instrumental tuition currently on offer at the campus includes, piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, drum-kit, clarinet and trumpet, and is provided by expert tutors who work across the College campuses. If you have a child who is interested in exploring these opportunities, please see Reception staff for an instrumental tuition form for details. Families are encouraged to consider these learning opportunities throughout the entire school year. We look forward to seeing the program develop as we begin to head into the Middle School years.
Final Bush Prep for Term 2
With our winter woolies on, the Surf Cost Preps ventured down the hill to the Spring Creek gully for the last Bush Prep of Term 2.
The children were provided with magnifying glasses and were given the option to focus on the ‘small world’ around us.
From all the rain that we have had, the Preps were able to find little bugs and insects that had been washed away from their homes. The Preps explored the new shelters that these insects were trying to find and take over.
Wiggly worms, silver slater bugs and moths were found and examined. Those who had been injured from the past storms were taken care of and placed into a new protected home.
There were muddy puddles to splash in, teepees to build and dinosaur bones to dig and excavate.
So much fun was had by all. It was a great way to end our final Bush Prep of the Term!
Torquay and District Historical Society
Year 1 was pleased to welcome David Marshall and Spencer Leighton to our campus for our presentation. Davis and Spencer have been living in Torquay for over 40 years and have been a big part of its history. The students presented their Torquay town models. One focusing on ‘old’ Torquay and the other one ‘new’. It was a wonderful afternoon with lots of storytelling, questions, and a wonderful afternoon tea. The kids shared a biscuit and a conversation with the two gentlemen. We cannot thank the Torquay and District Historical Society for the participation in such a wonderful afternoon. We look forward to growing our relationship in the years to come.
Japanese Numbers in Year 1
The topic of Year 1 is Japanese numbers this term. Year 1 students learnt how to count from 1 to 20 in Japanese. By reading the Japanese book ‘ 100かいだてのいえ’ (100 storey house), they extended their number knowledge to count larger numbers as well as writing them in kanji. Each student made origami houses on which they wrote the floor numbers in kanji. Then with the Year 3 students’ help, we have been making 100 houses. We will put them on top of each other to build a 100 storey house! We wonder who lives in the 100th floor…
Flying Machines
The students at Surf Coast have been busy finishing off their ‘flying machines’ as part of their Construction Unit this term. We have been experimenting with mixing colours and using our design briefs to paint and decorate our crafts. I have been so impressed with the students’ work. We have a full history of flight sitting in the Art room with hang gliders, hot air balloons, propeller planes, rockets and helicopters. The students have not only enjoyed the design and creating process but have looking at how of these machines work, getting to understand flight from an engineering and scientific perspective!
Year 2
As Term 2 comes to a close, Year 2s have been reflecting on how much we have progressed and grown. All of us have taken on new understandings and learnt new skills in every subject area. Reflecting on how we have improved in reading, we have celebrated the progress we’ve made in being able to read books that are more complex, understanding them more deeply.
These photos are of Year 2 students in our classroom libraries, holding a favourite book we have read this year.
During the holiday break, remember to read every day! Reading helps to grow our brains in so many ways.
Happy holidays!!
Year 4 Japanese Harapeko Aomushi
Year 4 students worked on the Japanese unit of work Harapeko Aomushi (Hungry Caterpillar) this term. They learnt the simplified version of Hungry Caterpillar in Japanese through the ACTLAN method. Using gestures with rhythms, the students enjoyed new vocabulary and full sentences and had lots of fun. As they mimicked the teacher’s models again and again in the way similar to learning their mother tongue, all students regardless of their prior knowledge of the language, quickly memorised the whole story with little effort. At the final assembly of Term 2, the students proudly presented the story in front of the audience. It was a great way to conclude the term.
The End to Fabulous Term
This week has been a fun end to another term. We have had so much on this term that I think when we stop over the holidays and look at what we have achieved we will definitely be able to give ourselves a pat on the back.
This week the year 4T students have worked their way through an escape room, developing their problem-solving skills and stretching their perseverance muscles. Watching them work as a team and build these connections was fantastic to watch.
They have also been researching early explorers, the routes that they travelled and the impact these explorers had on the generations to follow. The students had to complete research, organise their information and present it to their peers.
Lego was also a flavour of the week. Using this time to use our imaginations to build new things, as well as to work with others in the class to create and explore and see what they can come up with.
Have you Taken the 5min Cyber Safety Parenting Quiz?
With school holidays almost upon us, now is a great time for parents to review their approach and strategies around managing screen time and technology in the home. Not sure where to start? Family Zone has free parent webinars on ‘Managing Screen Time During School Holidays’, ‘Popular Games and Their Dangers’, ‘My Kid is Better at Tech Than Me’ and many other topics available via their events page.
Did you know that our own CCG Online Safety Hub also has a helpful quiz to support parents with this?
Complete the cyber safety parenting quiz to receive a safety rating for your family and useful hints and tips on areas that you can focus on to keep your family safe online. Why not complete an audit of your home’s cyber safety and get advice on how to improve it and keep your loved ones safe?
School holidays are a great time for having constructive conversations with young people about their technology use and referring to the tips and feedback from the parent quiz may be a useful way to begin such a conversation with your child.
Notice to all Parents Regarding CSEF Funding
The Victorian State Government runs a program called the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF). As the name suggests, the fund is designed to assist families meet costs associated with school camps, sport and excursions and requires families to apply in each year they have a child who is eligible. Families who have an eligible child will receive $125 per year for a primary aged student and $225 per year for a secondary aged student.
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. Please complete a 2022 Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application Form and return to your campus administration office as soon as possible as applications close at the end of Term 2.
Please read the attached letter for further information
National Collection of Data on Students With Disabilities
Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). With data collected on the first Friday in August (this year, on the 5th), the NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD Guidelines (2021).
Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.
Young Professionals
The Foundation is hosting a dinner for young professionals. Join us on Saturday, 25 June 2022 from 6:00pm-9:00pm at the Shelter Shed, 25 Hesse St, Queenscliff.
Tickets are $50 each.
Our guest speaker is Paul Gray, Managing Director - Southern Star Group of Companies. one of the leading window manufacturers in the country.
Paul Gray’s experience in the window industry covers more than 40 years. After a career with some of Australia’s major window manufacturers, he has been the Managing Director of the Southern Star Group of companies since starting the business in July 2002. Over the last 20 years, he has led the significant growth of the business, with the Group now employing more than 600 people in 7 branches Australia wide and comprising the brands Southern Star Aluminium Windows and Doors, Canterbury Timber Windows and Doors, Homeview Windows and Doors, Southern Star Glass and Big J Doors and Fixings. Paul’s expertise extends to every facet of the business including manufacturing, procurement, logistics, sales, business management, finance and people and culture, giving him the skill set that has steered the Southern Star business through its impressive growth. In recent years, Paul has also served on the Board of the pre-eminent industry body, the Australian Glass and Windows Association. Personally, Paul is father to 3 daughters and grandfather to nine grandchildren. Book online at www.ccgfoundation.org.au/youngprofessionals
LAST OPPORTUNITY!
Class of 2012 Reunion
The Class of 2012 10-Year Reunion is set for Saturday, July 23, 2022. Join us at CENTRA in Geelong from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Friday, 8 July 2022 at 5:00pm.
This will be a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your peers, catch up with past teachers, and reminisce about your school days.
Tours of the College Clocktower at Middle School - Highton will also be optional on the day of the reunion. If you would like to climb the Clocktower and find your brick, simply book in when you register online. Book online at www.ccgfoundation.org.au/2012
For those who would like to have a tour of the College grounds, all alumni are encouraged to book a tour to see what's happening at each of our campuses. To arrange a tour, please head to our website.
We look forward to catching up with the Class of 2012. If this is your year group, register for your 10-year reunion today!
All In Reunion 1
The Inaugural All In Reunion for the Classes of 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2020 is set for Saturday, 13 August 2022. Join us at The Pier Geelong from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Friday, 29 July 2022 at 5:00pm.
The launch of our all in reunion program was unfortunately postponed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The aim of this new initiative is to formerly launch an alumni association, as well as provide more regular networking opportunities for all past students. On this night we will be celebrating the following milestones: If you were in one of these peer years, register today! Book online at www.ccgfoundation.org.au/allin1
All In Reunion 2
We are pleased to confirm an additional All In Reunion for the Classes of 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2021 (and 2010) is set for Saturday, 8 October 2022. Join us at CENTRA from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Tickets are $15 each and RSVPs close on Friday, 23 September 2022 at 5:00pm.
Come along to hear all about our new alumni association and catch up with some old school friends. On this night we will be celebrating the following milestones: If you were in one of these peer years, register today! Book online at www.ccgfoundation.org.au/allin2
Golf Tournament
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.
Book online at www.ccgfoundation.org.au/youngprofessionals
Uniform Shop Hours During Holidays
During the second term school holidays, please note the following hours apply for the Christian College Uniform Shop in Centreway Arcade, Belmont:
Monday to Friday, June 20 – 24: Closed for stocktake.
Monday June 27: Uniform Shop re-opens, normal trading hours.
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
Try not to fixate on your rear-view mirror and judge your past choices.
At the beginning of every day, we get to choose how we will respond to the roads that may come our way.
Use that responsibility wisely. Be aware of the PETs (Personal Emotional Tools) that you may use to help regain or maintain control.
Don't waste time blaming. Grab that wheel and take control. It's worth it 👍🙂
Discover more about MYTERN here.