Surf Coast Term 3 Week 5

Surf Coast Debaters Excell

Our Surf Coast debating teams made an impressive mark at the recent Geelong Debating Tournament held at GLC. Competing with great enthusiasm and skill, our three teams participated in three debates each, including one challenging secret topic round.

Out of the nine debates, our talented students emerged victorious in seven—a remarkable achievement that reflects their hard work and dedication. Notably, all three teams won their secret topic debates, demonstrating their quick thinking and adaptability under pressure. This accomplishment is a true credit to their preparation and teamwork.

A special congratulations to James O’Shanassy for being recognised as Best Speaker twice, and to Leia Coleman and Lachlan Walters for also receiving Best Speaker honours. These individual accolades highlight the exceptional talent within our teams.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr Alex Pink and Mrs Kate Rice for their invaluable guidance and support in preparing our students so well. Their dedication has undoubtedly contributed to the outstanding success of our teams.

Well done to all our debaters—your achievements make the Surf Coast community proud!

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 6

All Week                                 Book Week

Tuesday 20 August        Subject Selection – Year 7 2025

Tuesday 20 August        Book Week Parade 0900 – All Students

Thursday 22 August       Year 6 Food Studies & Swimming Program

Thursday 22 August       Year 5 Swimming Program

Friday 23 August           Curriculum Day – All Students

Prep Farm Excursion

The Prep Farm excursion on Wednesday was an unforgettable experience, brimming with exploration, wonder, and excitement. The children had the opportunity to explore Back Creek Farm, where they encountered a variety of wonderful animals. From friendly calves, guinea pigs, sheep, chickens and goats, each animal provided a unique learning experience. The children were particularly fascinated by the cows, learning about the process of milking and how milk can be transformed into delicious products like butter, cream, and cheese.

Throughout the day, the children engaged in hands-on activities that deepened their understanding of farm life and the importance of animals in our daily lives. They were thrilled to see firsthand how the farm operates and the many ways in which animals contribute to our food supply. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the tasting session, where the children enjoyed fresh milk and muffins made from farm produce. These treats not only delighted their taste buds but also reinforced the lessons they had learned about the farm-to-table journey.

Overall, the excursion was a perfect blend of education and enjoyment. The children left the farm with a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into producing the food we eat and the vital role that animals play in this process. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories, making it a truly special experience for everyone involved.

Vroom, Vroom! Super Cars Zoom into Action!

This week, our Year 1 students put on their inventor hats and designed their very own awesome cars! As part of our term’s adventure into simple machines, they’ve been busy creating vehicles that make life a little easier—and a lot more fun!

Each student designed a car complete with wheels, axles, and a cool tub for carrying cargo. But that’s not all! They added a hook or rope to the front to test their cars’ mighty pulling power. And for a thrilling challenge, they’ll be zooming their cars down a ramp to see just how far they can roll with a push!

Our young engineers had a blast bringing their creative ideas to life. Their hard work and imagination really shone through during the design process. The final products are not just cool—they’re Science Expo worthy! We can’t wait to show them off!

Connecting With Nature

Today, the year 2s dedicated the day to recognising our students’ remarkable achievements, not only academically but also in their embodiment of our College’s core values: love, truth, faith, and grace. Throughout the day, the year 2s, along with their families, celebrated the students’ excellent learning progress so far this year.

The students had a delightful time creating with a variety of natural materials, building upon their knowledge gained from their Interdisciplinary Learning of the properties of these materials. Additionally, they were fortunate to take their Art studies, where Mr Trevaskis led an inspiring lesson focused on natural materials.

To conclude the day, our incredible librarian Mrs Moore read a heartwarming story alongside her champion story dog ‘Ollie’. We are immensely thankful to have shared this special day with the beautiful Year 2 families, witnessing firsthand how these young students consistently demonstrate love, truth, grace, and faith in their daily lives.

Up Close With Plants and Insects

The Year 3 students are continuing with their Biological Science unit, and this week they explored the lifecycles of plants and insects. They learnt about germination, photosynthesis and seed dispersal before they investigated the wonder of metamorphosis, adding scientific terms like larvae, pupa and chrysalis to their vocabulary. The students were surprised to learn that ladybugs go through the same metamorphic process as a butterfly, but a dragonfly undergoes an incomplete metamorphosis; a nymph dragonfly moults its skin a number of times before it finally emerges as an adult dragonfly. As the children were studying scientific diagrams of various insects, the students made many astute observations.

Awestruck by the incredible process, one of the students was eager to share his thoughts: “God sure put a lot of details into these insects – He thought of everything!”

Showcasing Student Learning on World Mountains

Our Year 4 students have been hard at work on their latest project—a culminating task that brings together all they’ve learned in our unit on World Mountains. To showcase their understanding, each student is creating a detailed poster that answers the following key questions about mountains and their significance:

• Why are mountains important?
• What affects a mountain’s height?
• Which animals live on mountains and how do they survive?
• How have mountains acted as barriers?
• How do people benefit from mountains?

This culminating task has provided our Year 4 students with an opportunity to synthesise their learning and express it creatively. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and look forward to displaying their posters, which will not only highlight their knowledge but also inspire others to appreciate the importance of mountains in our world.

Our Young Leaders Shine at Citizenship Award Ceremony

We are thrilled to share the recent achievements of two of our exceptional Year 6 students, who proudly represented our school at the Order of Australia Association – Barwon Regional Group’s Primary School Citizenship Award Ceremony. Held on Thursday 15 August at the Geelong RSL, this event brought together young leaders from across the region to showcase their contributions to society and the community.

Our students delivered an inspiring presentation that highlighted their innovative projects aimed at making a positive impact on our community. Their efforts truly embody the spirit of Australian citizenship, demonstrating not only a deep sense of pride in their nation but also a commitment to making a difference.

Both of our students, Hugo Olsson and Abi Ridgewell received certificates in recognition of their outstanding efforts. A special shoutout to Hugo who was awarded Runner Up for the entire ceremony.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our students for their hard work and thank the Order of Australia Association for providing this wonderful opportunity. Their participation in this event is a testament to the incredible potential of our young leaders to shape a brighter future for us all.

Japanese – Student of the Week 

Year 5 is learning about the classroom items in Japanese. All year 5 students are enthusiastic and positive; however I have noticed one student is particularly passionate towards lessons. 

Mia Tsiantas is bringing her diary in every lesson and taking notes as we learn new Japanese words. 

Mia’s passion and dedication is remarkable, and she influenced her close friend Camilla Ray to do the same. 

Well done both Mia and Camilla and thank you for your dedication towards everything we do in Japanese! 

A new Musical Haven at our School!

We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our brand-new music room, a vibrant space dedicated to nurturing the musical talents of our students! This room is more than just a classroom; it’s a creative hub where young minds can explore the wonders of music.

Equipped with the latest instruments, including sleek new keyboards and a shiny new drumkit, our music room is designed to inspire and engage. Whether it’s the resonant chords of a piano, the rhythmic beats of the drums, or the harmonious voices of our choir, this space has already become a favourite among our budding musicians.

Our students have wasted no time in making the most of this new facility. It has quickly become the go-to venue for our school ensembles, from the energetic contemporary ensemble and concert band to the angelic voices of our choir. The new equipment allows them to practise and perform with a level of professionalism that elevates their musical experience.

We can’t wait to see the amazing performances and musical creations that will come from this wonderful new addition to our school. The music room is not just a place for practice—it’s a place where students can dream, create, and share their love of music with the entire school community.

Here’s to a future filled with melodies, rhythms, and unforgettable musical moments!

Book Week – Staff Performance

First Day Free OSHC Offer for New families

Exciting Update to Qustodio Parent App

Extended Parent Features in Qustodio for School Devices

Since the introduction of our Cyber Safe Schools Program in 2022, in partnership with Linewize, we have been able to aid parents at home to engage with and support their children in their digital journey on both school and personal devices.

The Qustodio Parent App, as one element of our program, has empowered parents to supervise their children’s use of school devices at home, pause internet and access expert advice via our Online Safety Hub. Until now, an expanded feature set has only been available to parents when managing personal devices also.

Save the Date!

Supporting adolescent wellbeing -  parent/carer webinar

Adolescence is a period marked by significant physical, psychological and social changes as individuals transition from childhood through to adulthood. This is a critical period for identify formation, a greater sense of independence and autonomy and an opportunity to build skills and discover unique qualities. Supporting adolescents through this critical phase is essential for their overall wellbeing.

Christian College is committed to the wellbeing of all students by providing information, resources, and support systems that promote lifelong flourishing. We also recognise the vital role we play in partnering with our families in this endeavour. In light of this commitment, I am pleased to announce that our College will be offering an online parent webinar via Microsoft Teams in September. This webinar is one of several activities planned during the week of R U OK? Day.

Event: Supporting Adolescent Wellbeing – Parent/Carer Webinar
Format: Microsoft Teams online webinar
Date: Tuesday 10 September      Time: 6.30pm – 8:00pm

A Special Musical Event – Save the Date

CCG Music is hosting a recital by renowned Australian pianist Andrea Lam. Pronounced a “real talent” by the Wall Street Journal, Andrea performs with leading orchestras and conductors across Asia, Australasia and the USA including the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the major Australian symphony orchestras.

On Thursday evening August 22, following a masterclass and workshop with our senior pianists Andrea Lam will perform a public recital at the R.W. Gibson Centre for Music Performance.

Andrea’s upcoming album release  ‘Sad Piano’, solo piano works by Matthew Hindson AM is due for 2024 release on Idiom records (UK). You can discover more about Andrea’s work here.  

Matthew is one of the most-performed and most-commissioned composers in the world, and a leading Australian composer of his generation. As well as being performed by every Australian orchestra, the London Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic among many others, Matthew’s music has been set by dance companies such as the Birmingham Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Japan, the Queensland Ballet, and the Sydney Dance Company. Matthew is the Deputy Dean and Associate Dean (Education) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. More information about Matthew is available here.  

A Christian College parent, Matthew will also attend the recital on August 22.

All are invited to this special event – tickets are $40; $30 conc.; $10 student. Visit this Try Booking page to get your tickets!

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.

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!