From The Executive Principal

What a wonderfully full and inspiring week it has been across our College community.

One of the highlights for me of this week was leading a leadership development session with 50 of our Year 9 and Year 12 school prefects from the Highton, Bellarine and Senior School campuses. It was incredibly encouraging to witness the cross-age collaboration that emerged as our student leaders engaged with challenges and explored the qualities that underpin effective leadership, including integrity, initiative, courage, empathy and optimism. The enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and maturity demonstrated by these young people give me great confidence in the positive impact they will continue to make, both within our College and in the wider community.

Over the past fortnight, I have also had the privilege of working alongside Cleo Westhorpe (Director of Learning Enhancement), Drew Oliver (Director of Teaching & Learning Years 7-12) and Rebecca Bartlett (Years 10-12 Science Coordinator) as we launched the pilot of the CCG+ Academic Extension Program across our three middle school campuses. It has been inspiring to see students in Years 5-8 from Surf Coast, Highton and Bellarine willingly step beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenge and pursue excellence with such enthusiasm. The program is providing students with opportunities to extend their thinking, develop resilience and deepen their love of learning, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have as it continues to grow.

What’s Happening at Surf Coast?

WEEK 7

Monday 24 August – Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp

Monday 24 August – Gymnastics Round 2 – Prep – Year 4

Thursday 27 August – GISSA Badminton – Selected students – 7 & 8

Thursday 27 August – CCG Contemporary Rock Bands Evening – RW Gibson Centre – 6.30pm – 8pm

Friday 28 August – Book Week Parade – 9.10am -Prep – Year 6

Friday 28 August – Poetry in Action (Rhyme Battle Royal) – Year 7 – 10am – 11am

Friday 28 August – Lunchtime Concert – Selected Music Students

Materials and Movement – Toys in Prep!

This term, our Prep students have begun an exciting Physical Science unit called Materials and Movement. Throughout this unit, we are exploring different types of objects and investigating the many ways they can move.

To launch our learning, students participated in a fun and engaging Forces and Motion Incursion, where they discovered how pushes and pulls can make objects start, stop, speed up, slow down, or change direction. The hands-on activities helped students develop a strong understanding of how forces affect movement in the world around us.

The highlight of the week was our toy design challenge. Students became young engineers as they designed and created their own toy prototypes. They carefully considered how their toy would move and used scientific language to describe the movement and materials involved. It was wonderful to see their creativity, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm shine through as they shared their ideas with their classmates.

Year 2 Science Incursion: Exploring Materials and Their Properties

This week, our Year 2 students had an exciting opportunity to take their science learning beyond the classroom and into the Middle School Science Lab!

As part of our learning about materials and their properties, students participated in a range of hands-on experiments that allowed them to put their knowledge into practice. They became scientists for the morning, making predictions, observing changes and discussing what they discovered.

Stories in Glass: Discovering the Middle Ages

Our Year 4 students recently enjoyed an engaging and informative incursion with Mia Kafieris, Dean of Christian Culture, who helped bring our study of the Middle Ages to life.

Mia shared fascinating insights into the important role of the Church during medieval times, explaining how daily life centred around the local church and how it influenced communities, education, celebrations, and worship. Students learnt about the significance of symbols in medieval society, particularly how families were represented through banners and standards that reflected their identity and story.

This discussion led to an exploration of the beautiful stained glass windows found in many medieval churches. Students discovered how these windows used images and symbols to communicate important biblical stories and messages to people who could not read.

Peer Mediation: Building a Peaceful Community

Our Year 6 Peer Mediation Team has been making a wonderful contribution to our Surf Coast community this term. Each lunchtime, two Year 6 students take on the important responsibility of monitoring the yard and supporting younger students to manage small conflicts, communicate with one another and work towards peaceful solutions.

This term alone, our dedicated mediators have helped resolve more than 25 conflicts in the yard, while also helping more than 15 students find an activity to enjoy or someone to play with. These seemingly small moments can make a significant difference to a student’s lunchtime experience and sense of belonging.

Year 8 Podcast Presentation

Year 8 students from our Highton, Bellarine and Surf Coast campuses came together during the week at the Highton campus for a special presentation by award-winning writer, podcaster and educator Nicole Hayes.

As students prepare for their upcoming podcast assessment, Nicole shared valuable insights into crafting engaging and effective podcasts. Drawing on her extensive experience as a writer and co-founder of The Outer Sanctum, the celebrated independent Australian Rules football podcast launched in 2016 by a collective of Melbourne-based women, Nicole explored the importance of structure, storytelling and audience engagement.

Art Week

This term in Art our Year 4 students have been following the theme “From Waste to Ocean” which also links into their science studies.
The students have been creatively transforming discarded materials into a thriving papier-mâché underwater world.
This sustainability focus encouraged students to collect discarded materials from home and school and transform them into sea creatures. It has shown the contrast between a healthy ocean, and one affected by waste, encouraging students to think creatively about reusing, plastic pollution, marine biodiversity, and caring for waterways.
It was wonderful to watch students draw a design and construct imaginative creatures.

Here is a snapshot of some of the sea-creatures that have made the concept more meaningful.

Book Week

Excitement is building for Book Week (22–28 August), with this year’s theme being Symphony of Stories. On Friday 28 August, all Surf Coast students are invited to join the celebrations by dressing as a character from a favourite book and celebrating the stories they love. The parade will feature students from Prep to 6, and we can’t wait to see the creativity on display. The Book Week Parade for Prep–6 will take place in the Stadium during period 1.

Community Prayer Update

Thank you for providing your feedback regarding our community prayer group!

The community prayer group, as you will see on the poster, will run on Wednesdays, from 2:30-3:00pm.

If you are a parent, carer, or member of our community, I hope you feel welcome to join us in prayer, in the Middle School library space. If you are unable to attend, but have prayer needs that you would like to be prayed into, please contact myself at a.cutter@ccg.vic.edu.au.

Bullying No Way Week: Small Acts, Big Impact 

This week, our College is proud to recognise Bullying No Way Week, a national initiative that encourages us all to play a role in creating safe, inclusive and connected school communities. 

Throughout the week, students participated in a range of activities during House groups/ Home Rooms, while our wonderful Year 8 students led initiatives for their peers across all campuses. These experiences are designed to build understanding of the impact bullying can have and empower students to take positive action in their everyday interactions. 

This year's theme, Small Acts, Big Impact, reminds us that meaningful change often begins with simple actions. Including someone, showing kindness, standing up for others or offering support can make a significant difference to another person's sense of belonging and wellbeing. 

At Christian College Geelong, we are committed to fostering a culture where every student feels safe, valued and respected. Bullying No Way Week provides an important opportunity for students and staff to reflect on how we can all contribute to a community where everyone is celebrated and bullying is never accepted. 

We encourage you to continue these conversations at home, by asking your child what they have learned during the week and how they believe they can make a positive difference through their own small acts of kindness and inclusion. 
 
To find out more about the Bullying No Way Initiative, please visit Bullying No Way Week 

The Wellbeing Team 

Annual Music Evening Junior School Ensembles 2026

Costa Hall Thursday August 20

Having concerts in The Costa Hall is a much-anticipated annual tradition of the Music Department. Christian College, now having five campuses and growing music offerings, was excited to hold its first Annual Music Evening dedicated to providing opportunity for the College’s youngest ensemble musicians to shine. As well as the Junior Strings and Choirs from each campus taking the stage, the audience enjoy some movie presentations that highlight our whole school music journey, as well as a performance by the Combined Middle School Strings, the Senior School Choir and a trumpet solo by Thomas M. from Year 11. The evening was compered and presented with poise by four Senior students Jack, Mia, Winnie and Thomas.

The ensemble directors would like to congratulate their groups and every musician for their great work and musicianship both at the concert, and in rehearsals leading to the event.

Significantly, a huge part of the success in the music department is parent support for students to practise, get to early rehearsals, get home after late rehearsals and performances, and persist when things might be a bit of a challenge. Thanks so much to families who partner with us to bring this special program to fruition. We know our students will continue to grow through our collective investment in them and the special opportunities that moments such as this concert provide.

Victorian Schools Music Festival 

Bellarine, Surf Coast and Highton Concert Bands 

Regional Band Section Hosted by Christian College at the R.W. Gibson Centre 

Christian College was proud to once again host two days of Concert Band performances at the Senior Campuses R.W. Gibson Centre, for the Regional Band Days of the VSMF. This event saw hundreds of band students and their teachers from schools across the state, visit our centre to share their music with each other and the adjudicators. 

Congratulations to members of the four CCG Concert Bands from the three middle schools and their Conductors Mr Dunlop and Ms Mantelli for their performances at the Victorian Schools Music Festival 2026.  

Supported by a team of CCG music staff, our concert bands performed for an esteemed adjudication panel Dr Jo Heaton and Dr Rob McWilliams. The Christian College concert bands achieved two gold awards and two Yamaha Performance awards for their wonderful presentations and musicianship. 

The festival provides opportunity for ensembles to perform a program of pieces, receive an onstage workshop and feedback from the chief adjudicator. They also listen to other school bands and observe their onstage workshops. After the event the bands receive a recording of their performance and recorded comments/feedback to reflect upon, which are designed to assist them to take the next step of musical development.  

Congratulations to our wonderful Concert Band members across the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Highton Middle School campuses for their music and also being recognised by the festival staff for their superb behaviour and lovely manners! 

Piano Master Class With Dr Mark Kruger

On Tuesday, selected middle and senior level piano students took part in a piano master class at the RW Gibson Centre. All four campuses, Highton, Bellarine, Senior and Surf Coast were represented.

Students performed in front of their peers and Dr Mark Kruger gave valuable feedback after each performance and worked with each student in a master class situation.

Mark was very encouraging and gave advice on many levels. From addressing issues on technique to giving valuable practice tips and insights into the background of the compositions performed, this was a session packed with information, inspiration and wonderful performances from our students.

Thank you to teachers and parents to support our students, so that their playing can reach the next level.

Join us for the Christian College Foundation Golf Day

63% of places have already been sold, so don't miss your chance to be part of this fantastic 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.