Surf Coast Term 3 Week 3

Appointment of our new Executive Principal to Start in 2025

The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Mathilda Joubert as the Executive Principal of Christian College Geelong from the beginning of 2025.

Mathilda is an outstanding educator, mentor and leader who is well placed to lead our College into the future. We are excited to appoint someone of her passion, expertise, energy and faith to lead our community and we look forward to Mathilda joining us in January 2025.

Mathilda grew up in South Africa and spent her formative working years there and in the United Kingdom as a teacher and later advisor and consultant on education policy and innovation. Since moving to Australia in 2010 Mathilda served for seven years as Principal of the Swan Christian Education Association Institute of Teaching and Learning where she was responsible for strategic leadership of school improvement, teacher professional development and leadership development for approximately 500 staff members across seven schools. She is currently Executive Principal at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, and President of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders in Western Australia.

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 3 2024

WEEK 4

Monday 5 August        Discover Learning Periods 3 & 4 – Prep

Wednesday 7 August    Prep 100 Days at school

Wednesday 7 August    Responsible Pet Ownership Presentation Prep and Year 1

From The Chaplain

Introducing…City On A Hill Surf Coast

Hi everyone

I hope your week has been amazing! I know that a particular highlight for me has been our youth group lunchtime club on Fridays, it’s been so much fun to see everyone getting involved.

This week on Introducing…I’ll be sharing about City On A Hill Surf Coast.

As always, if you have any questions about Introducing…, or any of the churches, please don’t hesitate to contact me by email, by phone, or contact the churches directly.

So, for this week’s Vine, Introducing…City On A Hill Surf Coast!

Captivated by the Olympics – and Humphrey

What an exciting and enriching week it has been in Prep! The ongoing celebration of the Olympics has brought so much joy and learning into our classroom. Each day, we eagerly tallied and counted the medals Australia won, fostering a sense of national pride and excitement. Creating our own Olympic torch was a highlight, sparking creativity and teamwork as we crafted this iconic symbol. Through our exploration of various athletes and sporting events, we not only learned about the dedication and hard work required to excel in sports but also appreciated the beautiful diversity represented by athletes from all over the world.

Midweek, we had a special treat with an incursion about Responsible Pet Ownership. Meeting Humphrey, our adorable furry friend, was a delightful experience for everyone. The session was both fun and educational, as we learned about the importance of animal safety and how to care for pets responsibly. Humphrey’s visit helped us understand the responsibilities that come with having a pet and the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.

Overall, this week has been filled with wonderful learning opportunities and moments of wonder. From celebrating the global spirit of the Olympics to understanding the significance of responsible pet ownership, each activity has contributed to a rich and engaging learning environment. It’s been a week to remember, full of excitement, discovery, and valuable lessons.

Simple Machines and Pet Visits

This term in Year 1, we’re on a mission to uncover the secrets of simple machines and how they make life a breeze. On our trip to Deep Creek, we became detectives, hunting for things we could push, pull, split, wedge, and lever. Back at school, we found out that even ramps, wheels, and door handles are sneaky little helpers!

We also had a furry guest—Humphrey the dog! We learned the dos and don’ts of owning, caring for, and approaching pets. It was a tail-wagging good time, and a few lucky students even got to give Humphrey a big, slobbery pat. Woof-tastic!

It’s all Natural to Me

The Year 2 students continue to be joined with two amazing pre-service teachers from Swinburne Ms Olden and Ms Osborne. This week the students have been having a great time learning more about materials and how they can be combined in our interdisciplinary studies. They explored the traditional methods used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to craft utensils from various materials. Engrossed in the enchanting narrative of “You and Me: Our Place” by Leonie Norrington and Dee Huxley, the students discovered the tools Uncle Tobias and the boys employed during their fishing adventures. A video presentation on Indigenous bags and textiles sparked a thoughtful conversation on the purpose, parts, and pairing of the materials utilised in these bags.

The thrill of learning continued as the students embarked on an adventurous scavenger hunt across the school’s natural landscape, seeking out diverse local materials. This hands-on experience broadened their understanding and appreciation of the environment.

Capping off week 3 IDL learning, the students eagerly began sketching designs for their own utensils, inspired by nature’s bounty. Next week promises to be just as engaging, as they will attempt to bring their designs to life by combining the natural materials to create a unique utensil of their own.

A Biological Deep Dive

The Year 3 students have been investigating the differences between living and non-living things, observing similarities and differences between living things, and classifying vertebrates in our Biological Sciences unit. Next week we will delve into the world of invertebrates, but this week the students considered the various features of different vertebrates and how they determined whether an animal was a bird, reptile, mammal, amphibian or fish.

There were many robust discussions about where an animal might sit in the categories, and why it should be a fish and not an amphibian or a mammal and not a fish. The Year 3 students learned about warm-blooded and cold-blooded groups, animals that laid hard-shelled and soft-shelled eggs, and animals which proved to be exceptions within classifications and how to further classify them.

Further research into their chosen birds will take place soon and their papier-mâché creations are looking fabulous – thanks to Mr T’s awesome art lessons!

Wild Action – The Zoo Comes to You!

The excitement levels were high this week as our Year 4 students eagerly awaited our incursion from Wild Action. As part of our Interdisciplinary Learning unit, ‘Mysteries of the Deep,’ the students were captivated by the presentation that explored both the ocean and bush environments around Torquay and the fascinating animals that inhabit these areas.

Our visitors included a diverse array of creatures such as sea stars, sea snails, an echidna, a joey, a blue-tongue lizard, a turtle, a tawny frogmouth, and an owl. A particularly memorable moment was seeing a live Port Jackson Shark still in its egg! Our presenter, Liv, shared a wealth of interesting facts about each animal, detailing their habitats, diets, behaviours, and the threats they face.

The hands-on nature of the presentation ensured that all the children—and their teachers—were thoroughly engaged. One student’s comment beautifully captured the enthusiasm of the day: “I have decided I want to be a zoologist when I grow up!”

Cracking the Code with Binary Learning

This term, the Year 6 students have been diving into the fascinating world of binary code, exploring the basics of digital communication. There has been fantastic engagement as students learn to convert numbers up to 50 into binary and even spell their names using this binary system.

Binary code, the language of computers, uses only two digits: 0 and 1. Students have been introduced to the concept of “on” and “off” states, which correspond to these digits. Through hands-on activities and engaging lessons, they’ve created binary sequences to represent numbers and letters.

The class’s interest in binary code has not only enhanced their understanding of mathematics and computer science but also sparked a passion for coding and technology. As the term progresses, the Year 6 students are looking forward to exploring more complex coding concepts, ready to tackle new challenges with the same enthusiasm and determination.

In other exciting news, our two debating teams presented their first ever debate against Geelong Grammar School. Both teams spoke brilliantly and are incredibly proud of how they collaborated and represented our college. I’m proud to announce that our A team won the debate with Berry achieving Best Speaker. Our B team was just narrowly defeated in a nail biter, going down by 1 point. Congratulations to all debaters.

Building Bridges, Creating Birds & Sea Creatures, Kitchen Fun

As an introduction to their construction unit in Visual Arts Year 2 students were given a bridge building challenge. Can you build a bridge to safely get your toy car from one side of the river to the other? The students accepted the challenge and were very creative with the ways they built their bridges.

In collaboration with the Year 3 IDL unit on Australian birds, Year 3 students have started to create their chosen bird using their construction skills. As they develop their knowledge about their birds in their IDL classes they will be able to use this information to continue their constructions ready for Science Week later in the term.

All of the Year 4 students have chosen a sea creature to create in Visual Arts lessons. The students will be researching their animals in IDL lessons with their homeroom teachers and using the valuable information to create their creatures. Year 4 parents, please be sure to come along to Science Week later in the term to see their finished products.

Promoting Wellbeing in Term 3

Term 3 offers many opportunities to support, enhance and promote wellbeing in our College community. This term is jam-packed with important events aimed at promoting a supportive, inclusive and positive environment, fostering mental health awareness, belonging and empowering students to take care of themselves and others.

In Week 5, we will be acknowledging the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action which is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative. The theme this year is ‘Everyone Belongs’ because when we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. Our Year 8 team of students and staff will be leading our engagement with this week, planning activities across the College to raise awareness about not only the impact of bullying and violence, but also,to equip students with the tools to be upstanders and foster a culture of kindness, empathy and respect. This will also coincide with the release of the Christian College approach to bullying prevention and intervention affirming our commitment to ensuring that every student belongs to an environment free from bullying, discrimination, and harassment. Recognising the serious short-term and long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences of bullying, we are dedicated to engaging in best practices and taking an evidence-based approach to bullying prevention.

CCG Wind Symphony Stars at Aust. International Music Festival

During the second term holidays the Senior Wind Symphony went on tour to Sydney to participate in the 2024 Australian International Music Festival. The festival featured 47 bands, orchestras, choirs and various ensembles from Australia, California, Shanghai - China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As well as musical experiences, they had the opportunity to explore Sydney including many tourist attractions and sights.

The CCG Senior Wind Symphony tour involved 44 students from Years 9 – 12 (from Bellarine, Highton and Senior Campuses), one 2023 Year 12 graduate and 6 music staff. Rehearsals for the tour happened weekly from the start of Term 4 2023 and during this time the band prepared a program of works for several tour performances, including a 20 minute ‘competition’ program that was adjudicated and scored by a panel of 3 judges. The festival gave the students a range of musical experiences, sightseeing opportunities and fun times. For many of the students it was their first experience going on a music tour. Upon reflection, the students have said that there were many trip highlights that have impacted them, providing lifelong memories! Many students have said that their friendships with each other have grown and that “even though they had attended weekly rehearsals the tour gave them a chance to get to know each other and the teachers much better.”

Seeking Support for Work Placements

Students studying the VCE Vocational Major (VM) are timetabled to work with an employer related to their VET course all day on Fridays. This is called Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). There are some prefilled forms to sign and there is a minimal cost of $5.00 a day to the employer. We are seeking workplace opportunities in the Plumbing, Building and Electrical trades. If you or someone you know are willing to help these students, to get a start in their chosen careers please contact myself k.fearnsides@ccg.vic.edu.au or Mary Higgins m.higgins@ccg.vic.edu.au  at Senior Campus. Thank you in anticipation of some support.

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.

Save the Date – East Timor Trivia Night

The annual East Timor Trivia Night is always a great night of fun that supports Christian College’s work in Viqueque, and 2024’s event is on Friday August 9. This year the venue is the Sport and Aquatic Centre at the Middle School-Highton. It’s $10 per head, with each table seating 10 people. Get your friends and families involved, put together as many people as you can and don’t miss it! Call the Senior School Campus on 5241 1577 to book.

National Collection of Data on Students With a Disability

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 (August 5 this year), 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.

Please see the attached NCCD Fact Sheet for more information.

NCCD Parent Fact Sheet

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!