Surf Coast Term 3 Week 6

Remembering Milla

This week, we shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our cherished Year 7 students, Milla Killeen. 

As our College community continues to grieve, we take this moment to honour Milla’s life and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind. Milla will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, infectious personality, and the warmth and genuine kindness she brought to every interaction. She was a deeply valued member of her homeroom and treasured by her peers, who found joy and comfort in her presence. 

Yesterday, Milla’s classmates decorated her locker with messages, drawings, and small tokens of love. This simple act reflected their grief and care for her, and photos of this tribute were shared with Milla’s family as a way of showing the affection she was held in by her peers. 

Her teachers admired her enthusiasm, dedication, and the grace with which she embodied our College values. Whether in the classroom or around the campus, Milla consistently showed love, respect, and compassion highlighting the many qualities that made her truly special. 

Milla’s parents have shared how much she truly loved coming to school each day. She felt deeply connected to the Christian College community and often spoke about how much she valued the friendships, opportunities, and sense of belonging she experienced here. Her joy in learning and her pride in being part of our College were evident to those closest to her. 

A Message From Middle School-Highton

Our Middle School community is heartbroken as we mourn the loss of our beautiful Milla. Her radiant smile, cheeky grin, and joyful morning greetings lit up our days and brought warmth to every corner of our campus. Milla’s vibrant spirit, her kindness, and her infectious enthusiasm touched the hearts of all who knew her. She was a bright light in our lives, and her absence leaves a space that words cannot fill. 

As we walk through these difficult days together, we are deeply comforted by the love, prayers, and support that have surrounded us. The strength of our community is found in the way we hold each other close, especially in times of sorrow. 

To Milla’s beloved parents, Erin and Marty, her younger brother Harvey, and her extended family and friends, our hearts break with yours. We grieve with you, and we stand beside you in love and solidarity. To our students and families who have been impacted by this tragedy, please know that our Middle School community is here to wrap you in compassion, care, and unwavering support. 

With all our love, 

Natasha Troop and all Middle School Staff and Students 

Faith in our Grief: Walking Together as a Community

This week, our College community has been shaken by a tragedy no one could have anticipated or prepared for. The loss of one of our beloved Year 7 students in a bus accident, and the injuries sustained by many others, have left us all heartbroken, confused and grieving. While there are no words that can fully capture the depth of sorrow and variety of emotions we feel as students, staff, families and friends there is some scripture and Godly wisdom we can depend on to uphold us in this time.

Psalm 34:18 promises us that “The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”. We know that God does not stand far off from our pain but meets us in it. Jesus wept with those who mourned, and we believe He weeps with us now. Even in the depths of sorrow, the light and love of Christ shine through the actions of His people. In these past days, we have seen that light and felt that love – in the thousands of messages via social media and other sources, and various offers of support from community members, local and national organisations, strangers and good Samaritans alike – meals, prayers, cards, flowers, very tangible professional services and quiet acts of love that continue to speak volumes to us as we move through this valley of loss and suffering together.

In times like these, we are reminded of how fragile and precious life is. We are also reminded of the deep need we have for each other — for kindness, for connection, for presence, for hope.

Supporting Our Parent Community: Headspace Webinar

To help navigate the complex emotions of grief and trauma in children and young people, we have partnered with Headspace National to offer a free, online webinar next Monday evening, tailored specifically for Christian College Geelong parents and carers. 

This session will explore: 

• Insights into children and young people’s mental health during times of grief and loss 
• Practical strategies for talking with your child or young person about their  emotional needs 
• Guidance on accessing both local and national support services

We hope this webinar serves as a meaningful resource for you and your family, offering reassurance and tools to support your child’s wellbeing during this difficult time.

Christian College Geelong Parent/Carer Webinar: Supporting Children and Young People in Need 

Date & Time: Monday 1 September 2025, 5.30–6.30pm 

Hosted by:     Headspace National  

To register:   Click here Headspace Parent Webinar flyer 

Gratitude for a Community That Cares

During this time of grief, Christian College Geelong has been deeply moved by the outpouring of care and support extended to us from across the wider community.  

I want to pay tribute to how our Christian College community banded together this week to support one another. Our Operations Manager, Jonathan Ryan and I were on the scene of the accident within half an hour on Wednesday morning. Our students received such beautiful support and care from community members who stopped to help, from parents who arrived at the scene, and from the emergency services. Two members of our chaplaincy team also arrived at the scene shortly after to provide further support to our families and students at the scene.

Meanwhile, our College Vice Principal, Rick Geall, assembled an emergency management team back at school to coordinate our response to the unfolding situation. Later in the day myself and members of our wellbeing and chaplaincy team had the privilege of supporting the Killeen family as they were told the tragic news of Milla’s passing in my office back at school. It was the small things, like driving their car back to the family home, that made so much of a difference in these unbearably sad moments. 

In the midst of the sadness, our team was starting to plan for the days ahead: how do we support our students and families still in hospital, how do we share the news with our community, how do we support our students and staff on campuses as we jointly process the grief of the situation, and how do we manage communications with the wider community and the media. I was so impressed with the unity amongst our staff throughout this week. The sensitivity with which they communicated challenging messages to children and colleagues was beautiful, and the care that they showered over our students and each other was so inspirational. There will still be a long road ahead for our community as we move forward, but I couldn’t be prouder of how our staff pulled together this week.