Surf Coast Term 3 Week 10

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 4 2024

WEEK 1

Monday October 7 – Staff Return

Tuesday October 8  – Students return

Tuesday October 8 –  Wednesday October 9 – Year 2 Camp

Friday October 11 – Year 6 Indonesian Excursion Periods 1 and 2

Friday October 11 – Assembly – All Welcome

From The Chaplain

I hope you’ve had an opportunity to get some rest during the chaos that is the last two weeks of school!

We have been very busy here at Surf Coast, between swimming, RUOK? Week, debating, and preparations for next term, but I know I have personally valued immensely the opportunity to see our students flourish, as they always do.

These spring holidays are a great opportunity to rest and enjoy the sunshine that (hopefully!) will come as we move into spring. Spring is a reminder of new life, as flowers bloom, and the weather warms, and we start to see the brilliant colours of God’s creation all around us.

I am reminded of a passage in the Bible that I spoke on at Torquay Uniting earlier this year, which is also the inspiration for our College Hymn, Seek Ye First. The passage reminds us to seek first the Lord’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and to not worry, for God has us in his hands. I encourage you to take the time to read the passage (amid the spring symbolism of the grass, the birds, and the flowers), and consider the great comfort we can have in the love of God.

Matthew 6:25-33: 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Prep Students Dive Into Their First Swimming Lessons!

Our Prep students have taken the plunge into their very first school swimming lessons, and what an exciting fortnight it has been! The children eagerly embraced the opportunity to get in the water and learn new aquatic skills. From kicking, floating and working on swimming strokes, to bobbing and splashing around, it was a joy to watch them explore and master new techniques. The enthusiasm and energy in the pool was clear to see as the children showcased their newfound skills.

It has been incredible to witness the transformation in our Preps. They have demonstrated their organisational capabilities, getting themselves sorted each day for their lessons. Their growing confidence and ability to demonstrate independence has been remarkable to witness. We say it each week, but golly gosh, we are so proud of our Preps!

Year 2 Shopping!

After learning about Australian money in Mathematics, the Year 2s have had a hands-on experience of earning money, saving up and calculating their savings. During the year, Year 2s have earnt classroom cash by being organised, bringing their School Diary to school each day and recording their take-home reading each night. Over the weeks, their savings built up and they used their mathematical skills to count their money, exchange their silver coins for dollar coins, and then dollar notes. Some students amassed quite a stash of cash in their wallets!

During the last week, the students have had the chance to spend their money in the Class Shop which is stocked with donated toys from Year 2 homes. The children have loved some retail therapy during Maths classes and enjoyed playing with their new toys at recess.  It’s been a wonderful way to practise how to add up dollars and cents and then how to calculate change.

A Monumental Term 3…More to Come!

Term 3 has wrapped up, and it’s been nothing short of monumental! The past five weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and excitement. Mid-term brought the enchanting Book Week parade, where children transformed into their beloved book characters. The Year 3 Camp in Queenscliff and Fathers’ Night were both bursting with joy and laughter. By Week 8, the Science Expo was in full swing, displaying the children’s diligent work on their bird projects, which were nothing less than spectacular. The school spirit shone brightly on footy colours day, with a dazzling display of club pride.

As we sailed through Weeks 9 and 10, the children took part in the intensive swimming program and reflected on the importance of friendship during RUOK? Day, donning yellow and pondering, “What makes a good friend?”

A heartfelt thanks for the unwavering support this term. The spirit of the Christian College community is truly remarkable. Here’s to everyone enjoying a restful break and gearing up for an even more extraordinary Term 4. Just when you think it can’t escalate, it does!

Year 4’s Exciting Excursion to the Melbourne Museum!

Last week, Year 4 students had an unforgettable day at the Melbourne Museum, marking the end of an amazing term full of discovery and learning. This special excursion was the perfect celebration of our ‘World Mountains’ content knowledge unit and our recent exploration of the ‘Mysteries of the Deep’ in Interdisciplinary Learning. It was a day filled with curiosity, wonder, and deep connections to everything we’ve been learning.

Throughout the day, students were able to make strong links to their prior knowledge, sharing what they had learned with their peers. As we explored the exhibits, it was thrilling to watch the children engage with the displays, their eyes wide with amazement at the natural world’s beauty and complexity. The museum offered us a chance to delve deeper into our studies, and students were able to connect what they saw with the topics they’ve explored in class.

Authors of Year 5

Reading Picture Story Books has always been a wonderful way to share stories and time. This term our Year 5 students have worked extremely hard producing their own picture story book based on a convict character. In class we have been learning about early Australian history and what life may have been like as a convict. We have looked at the impact the First Fleet had on early Australians and what life in early colonies may have looked like. The students have written, edited, illustrated and published their own stories from start to finish. The culmination of this was being able to read the published books to some of the younger students at the Surf Coast campus. This was a fabulous way for the students to demonstrate their learning, and to share it with the younger students as an authentic audience was a highlight for many of the Year 5s.

Annual Music Evening

Tickets now on Sale! – You’re Invited! - Christian College Annual Music Evening – Costa Hall - Wednesday October 16, 6.00pm

The Annual College Music Evening is an outstanding showcase event, and a highlight of the College year, featuring the fine musicianship of the Christian College Geelong students from Years Prep to12. The concert will feature the College String Ensembles, Bands and Choirs from each Campus.

Venue: Costa Hall - Deakin University Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong VIC 3220

The Costa Hall stage provides our students with a unique opportunity to perform in a wonderful concert hall filled to capacity. This public event is attended by College Leadership, staff, students, family and friends. One of the highlights of this concert is welcoming our newest performers to the stage. We also farewell the graduating Year 12 music students and acknowledge their years of dedication and wonderful musicianship.

Choral Collective

A school choir event

The joy of singing has been proven to bring about many positive side-affects – and being together in a community is one of them! Our Combined Middle School Choirs from the Surf Coast, Bellarine and Highton campuses came together to perform at the Choral Collective last week, alongside other schools from the region.

Our choir was around 80-strong, with students from Years 5 to 9, singing their songs with heartfelt expression and excellent skill, wowing audiences with their sound. We also enjoyed singing in the combined items along with our other connected schools, finishing with a massed finale,  and the song “I can see clearly”.

It was a wonderful event and we are very proud of our amazing singers that represented CCG. We are excited for our upcoming performances in the choir – stay tuned for more celebrations to come.

Music and More

Music Camp on the coast!

Around 100 students and staff descended on Camp Wilkin in Anglesea this week for the CCG Combined Annual Middle Schools Music Camp. With our bands, strings and choir students moving between rehearsals and activities, some excellent personal and musical growth was had.

A chance to work intently on our music and ensemble goals helps bring about personal growth, including developing persistence, musicianship and self-belief as well as understanding how when we play together, the whole is greater than the individual.

The musical activities are well spaced between play time in the yard where students get to enjoy a whole host of activities including beach volleyball and chess. We also cherish our Beach Walk, Trivia and Disco activities where we let our hair down and enjoy some great social time together.

We completed the camp with a ‘show and share’ of sorts, with ensembles playing for each other, sharing the highlights of their work over the 3 day camp. The performance not only brought about a sense of pride for what was achieved but exuded the joy of the excellent music making that occurred.

We would love to acknowledge the amazing staff that make the camp what it is, including; Mr DeMarte, Ms Bertoncello and Ms Martin with the strings; Mr Rankin, Mr Dunlop, Mr Loughran, Mr Moffat and Ms Huber with the concert band; Ms Notini, Ms Camm-Bartle, Mr Treloar and Ms Huber with the Choir; Ms Lawrence, Mr Gardner and Mr Sheehan in their various vital support roles, our incredible admin teams back on campus and Ms Molly Hanson for her excellent wellbeing and student-focused support.

Please enjoy some photos of some of our camp adventures from this week and we look forward to the camp in 25!

From the Music Camp Staff Team

VCE Unit 4 Music Studies Showcase Evening 

Congratulations to the students for a wonderful presentation at the RW Gibson Centre on Thursday this week. The students of the 5 x Unit 3 & 4 Music Studies performed and presented their work to family, friends and staff on a wonderful evening of musical celebration. 

Studying VCE Music sees our students being mentored, inspired, and studying in collaboration with a team of staff who are invested in their individual development. The students as artists have the opportunity to collaborate with a range of highly skilled experts music teachers who possess a broad range of skills. 

Some fun facts and figures – what’s gone on during Terms 1 to 3 in order for the students to prepare and develop what was presented in the Showcase. With over 20 performers on the program, and 42 instances of Unit ¾ music being studied each week across 5 studies– they will have collectively undertaken at least 600 instrumental lessons, weekly routines of 5 periods a week of study per subject, which include accompaniment and ensemble rehearsals, concert classes, research, analysis, arranging, composing and plus hours of individual practice. If you put all of the repertoire being prepared for end of year performance exams and externally assessed tasks end on end, we would have more than 8 hours of music with no breaks! The team of teachers responsible for all of this are listed in the program (see attached) - but to acknowledge the classroom teachers coordinating this we have Scott Jolley, Brighid Mantelli, David Gardner and Isaac barter. 

VCE Perf showcase program 2024

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!

MSO Discount Subscriptions

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra offers a discount subscription for staff, students and direct family of the Christian College Geelong community for a series of concerts held in Geelong.

The 2025 MSO Geelong program returns with a wide-ranging repertoire of the finest classical music, taking in revered masterpieces:

Fri 14 Mar 2025

Brahms & Tchaikovsky

7:30pm at Costa Hall - Geelong

Fri 16 May 2025

An Evening Of Fairy Tales

7:30pm at Costa Hall - Geelong

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 5 –10

A Day Camp for Music Students aged 10 – 21 years

Christian College Geelong is proud to once again be hosting the Geelong Summer Music Camp at the Senior Campus in January 2025. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2025 Camp, with early bird discounts available until October 11.

If you have a budding band, choir or strings musician in your house, or are involved in a school or community music program, please encourage students aged 10 – 21 years to consider attending.

Please help us to promote the camp,  which is run by a volunteer committee who are passionate about providing a wonderful experience for student musicians from the Geelong community and beyond – it’s a Geelong institution with this next camp being the 44th!

Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Scholarship applications for Year 5, 7 and 10 entry to Christian College in 2026 are now open. You can access all the information you need, and apply, by visiting our website. There is a hotlink at the top of our homepage that takes you there, or just click here.

The scholarship testing date is Saturday October 12 and all applications must be received no later than close of business on Thursday October 3.