From the Executive Principal
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending our Senior School Subject Information Evening. It was a wonderful showcase of the breadth of learning opportunities available to our students and a reminder of the exciting journey that lies ahead for them. From academic pathways and vocational options to creative pursuits and future career possibilities, our students are truly blessed with many choices as they shape their educational journey. As I reflected on the evening, I found myself thinking about the important connection between opportunity and choice.
This term alone, our students will encounter a remarkable range of opportunities: camps and excursions, subject selections, speech competitions, Science Week, Book Week, music performances, sporting events, leadership opportunities, and countless everyday moments of learning and growth. Each of these opportunities presents a choice. Will I participate? Will I challenge myself? Will I persevere when something becomes difficult? Will I use my gifts to serve others? Will I step out of my comfort zone?
I think life is often shaped not by the opportunities we are given, but by the choices we make in response to them. One of the great gifts God gives us is the freedom to choose. Throughout the Bible, we see God inviting people to make wise decisions that lead to life, growth, and flourishing. In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses encourages God’s people with these words: “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” God does not force our decisions, but He lovingly guides us towards choices that honour Him and benefit ourselves and others.
As parents and educators, one of our most important responsibilities is helping young people learn how to choose well. Academic success is important, yet our deeper goal is to develop wisdom, character, and discernment in our young people. We want our children to become thoughtful decision-makers who can navigate an increasingly complex world with confidence and integrity.
So how do we encourage our children to choose well? We can help them understand that every choice has consequences. Small decisions repeated over time shape habits, character, and ultimately the direction of our lives. Choosing to be prepared, to show kindness, to manage time wisely, or to persevere through challenges may seem insignificant in the moment, but these choices build resilience and character.
We can also encourage them to consider not only what is possible, but what is beneficial. In a world full of options, wisdom is not simply asking, “What can I do?” but rather, “What is the best thing for me to do?” Learning to weigh decisions carefully is an important life skill that serves students far beyond their school years.
I think we can also remind our children that growth often lies on the other side of courage. Some of the opportunities available this term may feel daunting. Entering a competition, attending camp, auditioning for a performance, trying a new sport, or selecting a challenging subject can be accompanied by uncertainty and risk. Yet it is often through these experiences that students discover new strengths, develop confidence, and uncover passions they never knew they had.
As the term unfolds, I encourage all of us to reflect on the opportunities before us. May we help our children embrace new experiences, make thoughtful decisions, and trust God as they navigate the many choices that lie ahead. Our desire is not simply that our students will have many opportunities, but that they will develop the wisdom, courage, and conviction to make the most of them. I hope that this will be a term filled with opportunity, wise choices, and abundant growth for every student.
Dr Mathilda Joubert, Executive Principal
What’s Happening at Surf Coast?
Term 3, Week 3
Monday 27 July – Vic Schools Music Festival – Middle School String Orchestras – Hawthorn Town Hall
Tuesday 28 July – Year 4 Swimming – PE Class
Wednesday 29 July – Netball Victorian Schools Championships – (Year 7 & 8 Male)
Thursday 30 July – Lunchtime Concert – selected students
Thursday 30 July – Student Learning Conferences – Face to Face on Campus
Friday 31 July – Student free day
Friday 31 July – Student Learning Conferences – Microsoft TEAMS Online bookings
Term 3 Week 4
Monday 3rd August – Junior School Choir Afternoon at Middle School
Tuesday 4th August – Preps 100th day at school
Tuesday 4th August – Year 8 GEOS Excursion, Geelong City Walk
Wednesday 5th August – GISSA Yr7&8 Program
Thursday 6th August – Australian Maths Competition – Time to be confirmed – selected students
Friday 7th August – Middle School Assembly – Year 6J
Friday 7th August – Prep Discovery Session Periods 3 and 4
The Joy of Reading in Prep
We love reading time in Prep! Our Prep students continue to discover that reading can be enjoyed in so many different ways, and every day brings new opportunities to build confidence, skills, and a love of books.
One of our favourite parts of the day is reading together as a class. Students eagerly join in as we explore stories, practise our reading strategies, and discover new vocabulary. Reading as a class helps us share the joy of a text while supporting each other as learners.
We also love reading our special Aussie Decodable Readers. These engaging books feature fun Australian characters and adventures that capture students’ imaginations while helping them develop important decoding skills. It is wonderful to see the pride on students’ faces as they successfully read words and sentences independently.
Another highlight is reading our fluency passages with partners. Students enjoy working together, taking turns to read aloud, encouraging one another, and developing smooth, expressive reading. These partner activities help build confidence and make reading a social and enjoyable experience.
Of course, we also treasure visits to both our school library and time spent browsing our class library. Choosing a new book is always an exciting moment, and students love sharing their favourite stories with friends and teachers. Whether it is a picture book, an information text, or a familiar favourite, every book opens the door to new learning and imagination.
In Prep, we know that reading is more than just learning words on a page. It is about discovering new worlds, sharing stories, building knowledge, and having fun. We are so proud of our enthusiastic young readers and the wonderful progress they are making in Prep!
Nereda Welsh
Year 2 Assembly
This week, our Year 2 students proudly presented their class assembly after spending the past week practising and preparing. Throughout the process, they demonstrated growing confidence as they spoke clearly, sang with enthusiasm, and worked together to ensure their actions were coordinated and engaging for the audience.
We are incredibly proud of the effort, teamwork, and positive attitude shown by every student. Their dedication and perseverance were evident, and it was wonderful to see their hard work come together in such a polished and successful presentation.
A heartfelt thank you to all the family members and friends who took time out of their morning to join us and support the students. Your presence made the occasion even more special, and the children thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share their learning and talents with such a supportive audience.
Well done, Year 2! We are so proud of all that you have achieved and the way you represented your class and our school community.
Sarah Dean
Year 8 – A Fantastic Start to Term!
Our Year 8 students have enjoyed a fantastic start to the term, embracing new opportunities and experiences across the curriculum. There has been a great sense of excitement and enthusiasm as students have settled back into school life and begun exploring their new elective subjects.
This semester has seen students participating in a range of engaging electives, including High Performance Athlete, Interschool Sport, Systems Technology and Media. These subjects provide students with opportunities to develop new skills, pursue their interests and challenge themselves in different learning environments.
Adding to the excitement, students have also begun their Geos program this term in preparation for the highly anticipated Geos Camp next term. Throughout the program, students will develop practical outdoor education skills, teamwork and resilience as they prepare for their camp experience. Highlights of the camp will include cooking meals on Trangias, sleeping in tents and working together in the great outdoors.
It has been wonderful to see our Year 8 students approach the term with such positivity, energy and a willingness to embrace new challenges. We are looking forward to seeing them continue to grow throughout the semester and are especially excited for the adventures that Geos Camp will bring next term!
Claire Deretic
From The Chaplain
At the Surf Coast Campus, we are blessed to host a Community Prayer Group which is a welcoming and supportive space where members of our school community can come together in fellowship and prayer to our Creator God.
We want our College prayer groups to be held at times that work well for our community, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on when you would be most able to join us in prayer. I understand that work, sport, family life, and other commitments can make schedules quite busy, but if there’s a time that suits you, I would be delighted to welcome you.
Your feedback will help us create a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together, connect, and encourage one another through prayer. As College Chaplain, I am grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside families, offering encouragement, care, and support as we pray together for our College, our student community, our staff, our leadership, and the wider world.
If you would be keen to join our community prayer group, please send me an email at a.cutter@ccg.vic.edu.au, stating your preference of the following timeslots:
Wednesdays 9:20am-9:45am
Wednesdays 3pm-3:25pm
Thursdays 3pm-3:25pm
Thursdays 9:20am-9:45am
Fridays 10am-10:25am
Once I receive sufficient information to offer the best time for our community, I will share information in the Vine and place a poster on our community noticeboard!
Aaron Cutter
2026 Piano Scale Competition across several campuses
This week we held our yearly scale play off in the piano department.
Piano students from Years Prep to 9 had been practicing a given set of scales, aligning with their current level of study. It was wonderful to hear an increased amount of time being spent on this essential area of instrumental study. Competing for the first prize in form of a voucher for the ice cream shop, made this task extra fun.
The competition ran on a knock out basis, meaning students had to play the required scale correctly to get into the next round.
These were the winners:
Highton Campus
Zara U (beginning section)
Joshua W (advanced section)
Junior Campus
Valeria S (beginning section)
Viren R (advanced)
Bellarine Campus
Riva K (beginning section)
Elodie B (advanced section)
Surf Coast Campus
Lulu O (beginning section)
Lilly K (advanced section)
Congratulations to the winners and to all students who participated. We hope the scale competition sparked an extra motivation to practise your technical work. In the end you are all winners as greater technical facility should lead to more refined playing of your pieces!
A big thank you to the teachers who supported their students to prepare for our scale competition.
Regina Thomae, Tammy and Brad Treloar and on behalf of the whole Piano Team
Student Learning Conferences next week
A reminder that our Student Learning Conferences are being held next week, with opportunities to meet with your child’s teachers either in person or online.
Conference Dates
- Thursday 30 July – In-person conferences, 4.00pm–7.00pm
- Friday 31 July – Online conferences via Microsoft Teams, 10.00am–4.00pm
Bookings will close on Monday at 4.00pm. If you have not yet made your bookings through Compass, we encourage you to do so before the closing time to secure appointments with your child’s teachers.
Families may choose:
- In-person meetings on Thursday
- Online meetings on Friday
- A combination of both options, depending on their preferences.
We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child’s learning progress.
Rick Geall, Vice Principal
Christian College Geelong Speech Competition
We are excited to introduce our inaugural Christian College Geelong Speech Competition, an enriching opportunity open to all students from Year 3 to Year 9. This voluntary competition is designed to support students in developing confidence, public speaking skills, and the ability to clearly articulate ideas in front of an audience.
Competition Structure
| Campus Competitions (Term 3, Weeks 7–8): Students will present their speeches at their own campus during lunchtime sessions. A winner will be selected for each year level. |
Grand Final (Term 4): Year level winners will represent their campus at a Grand Final, hosted by the Lions Club at the Bellarine Campus (date to be confirmed). |
Speech Guidelines
- Speeches must be no longer than 3 minutes.
- Props are not permitted.
- Students are encouraged to use cue cards to support their presentation.
Year Level Topics
- Year 3 - 4: If you could go on holiday anywhere in Australia, where would you go?
- Year 5 - 6: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (past or present), who would it be and why? (Research required)
- Year 7: Why should teenagers explore hobbies outside academics? Share a passion and how it enhances your life.
- Year 8: The best lesson I’ve learnt - how did it impact you and what did you gain from it?
- Year 9: What makes a great leader? Reflect on a leader you have experienced and the qualities they demonstrate.
Judging Criteria
Students will be marked on both their content and delivery:
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Content
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Delivery
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We encourage all interested students to take part in this valuable learning experience. Whether your child is new to public speaking or looking to extend their skills, this competition provides a supportive environment to grow and shine.
Please complete the Microsoft Form (linked here) to register your participation. Students will then receive correspondence regarding the date and time for their campus-based speech presentation.
If you have any questions, please email j.shutie@ccg.vic.edu.au or c.westhorpe@ccg.vic.edu.au
Julie Shutie, Director of Teaching and Learning
Cleo Westhorpe, Director of Learning Enhancement
Disconnect to Reconnect
Look up from screens to connect with friends
Staying connected during the colder months is vital for children and adolescents to help support positive mental health. Maintaining in person relationships rather than online ones offers benefits that support mental health that online cannot replicate. While online space offers convenience especially during colder months face to face connection is optimal for psychological development.
Winter can be isolating with short and gloomy days, especially for children and adolescents without regular social interactions. Loneliness and isolation can have damaging effects on mental health leading to increased stress and anxiety. This can display in children and adolescents as school refusal, change in behaviour, change in school performance, lower interests in social activities and becoming withdrawn.
The current national guidelines for screen time are
- no screen time for children younger than two years
- no more than one hour per day for children aged 2–5 years
- no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork).
Black Dog Institute has provided some ways to help encourage device free activities and face to face connection.
- Encourage offline activities: Help your child find hobbies, sports, or social events they enjoy and can connect with others such as joining a local football team.
- Set screen-free times: Have times when no one at home is online, like at mealtimes or before bed.
- Prioritise sleep: Encourage 8-10 hours of sleep each night and keep devices out of the bedroom.
Teens & Screens program: A guide for families - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
It can be daunting having the conversations with children and adolescents regarding social media, however if it important to remember the following
- Recognise the signs of concern and act early. Talk openly about social media and its impact on mental health, there may be further underlying issues
- As part of your conversation, ask your child about how much time they spend online and explain why it is worrying and what they could be missing out on.
- Talking to your child’s school may also reveal academic or social issues, and the school may also be able to provide support.
- Encourage outside connection, where possible set up connection time with your child’s friends or family
- If in doubt always seek external support
For further information regarding parents supporting their children with a decrease in screen time please see our Department of Health website below.
Too much time on screens? Screen time effects and guidelines for children and young people | Austra…
The colder months can be hard but small acts of self-care such as engaging in outside connection can make a big difference.
Understanding the NCCD
Each year, schools across Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD helps schools, education authorities and governments better understand the educational adjustments and supports being provided to students with disability. It also informs funding and supports ongoing improvement in inclusive education practices.
Students are included in the NCCD when they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. The information collected does not include students’ names or personal identifiers, and privacy is protected throughout the process.
The NCCD is not a separate test or assessment for students. Rather, it recognises the adjustments schools already make to help students access education on the same basis as their peers.
Parents and carers can learn more about the NCCD and access the parent information fact sheet, available in English and translated into Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dinka, Greek, Japanese, Persian, and Vietnamese, at: https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers
Cleo Westhorpe, Director of Learning Enhancement
Timor-Leste Trivia Night
Christian College Geelong families and friends are warmly invited to our annual Timor-Leste Trivia Night.
For 24 years, Christian College Geelong has shared a special partnership with the people of Timor-Leste. The relationship began in the wake of one of the most challenging periods in Timor-Leste's history, following its hard-won independence. What started as practical support during a time of great need has grown into a lasting friendship built on faith, service, and mutual respect. Students, staff, and families have been privileged to witness the positive impact of this partnership and the difference it makes in the lives of others.
This Trivia Night is an opportunity to celebrate that enduring partnership while raising funds to support ongoing educational initiatives and community development opportunities in Timor-Leste. It is also a chance for our College community to come together, enjoy a fun evening, and continue a tradition that has impacted lives for more than two decades.
For bookings and enquiries, contact the Senior Campus on 5241 1577.
Gather your team, test your knowledge, and help us continue a 24-year legacy of partnership, learning, and support with Timor-Leste.
Jane Smith, Timor Leste Partnership Coordinator
Join us for the Christian College Foundation Golf Day
Looking for a great way to spend the Geelong Show Day public holiday on Friday, 16 October?
Gather some colleagues, friends, or family and join us for a fantastic day of golf, fun, and community at The Sands Torquay.
Whether you're a regular golfer or simply keen for a fun day out, this event is for everyone. With a relaxed Ambrose format, players of all abilities are welcome. Enjoy a breakfast on arrival, on-course competitions including Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin, and the chance to win an incredible $30,000 Hole-in-One prize.
After your round, join us for a buffet lunch and hear how the Christian College Geelong Foundation is helping provide life-changing educational opportunities for students and families in need.
Event Details
Date: Friday 16 October 2026
Venue: The Sands Torquay, 2 Sands Boulevard, Torquay
Cost: $200 per player
Dress: Casual golf attire
Format: Ambrose Teams of 4
Register individually, bring a friend, or enter a full team. We'll happily help place individual players into teams.
Register Today
Places are limited, so don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a memorable day of golf, great food, wonderful company and community impact.
To learn more and register, click here.
Proudly Sponsored by AECS
We extend our sincere thanks to AECS (Australian Environmental Cleaning Services), our Major Sponsor, for their generous support of this event and the work of the Christian College Geelong Foundation.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Limited sponsorships are still available. Support local students and families while showcasing your business.
Enquiries: Tennille McInnes, t.mcinnes@ccg.vic.edu.au
Tennille McInnes, Foundation Manager/Alumni Officer
Academic Excellence Scholarships - Applications Close Soon
Applications close next Thursday, August 13 for Academic Excellence Scholarships. These are for entry at Christian College in 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. More information and the link to apply can be found here on our website.
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