Surf Coast Term 3 Week 9

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 10

Mon – Wed 16 – 18 September Intensive Swimming Program – Prep to Year 4 – EdSmart to follow

Mon – Wed 16- 18 September   Middle School Music Camp – Selected Year 5 and 6 Students

Thursday 19 September             Year 6 Food Studies & Swimming Program

Thursday 19 September            Year 5 Swimming Program

Friday 20 September                Last Day of Term 3 – concluding at 2.30pm

Prep Science Expo – Living Things

Last week, as part of our campus wide Science Expo, our Prep students showcased their knowledge of living things. Following on from our Scotsburn Farm excursion earlier this term, we have been learning all about farm animals and we selected four of them as the focus of our Science Expo presentation: chickens, cows, pigs and sheep. Our young scientists created colourful posters, detailing vibrant illustrations and interesting facts that the Preps have learnt this term about these animals. Did you know chickens can dream?! Each of our students selected one of the animals to create a miniature clay model of, which was such fun!

In addition to the farm animal projects, the students also grew grass heads, helping them to observe firsthand what living things need to survive. Over several weeks, they cared for their grass heads as they sprouted and grew. The grand finale was a fun haircut session, where families joined in to give the grass heads a trim at the expo.

It was wonderful to see the students’ pride and sense of accomplishment in their unit of work on living things and the joy on their faces as they shared their projects with their families, as well as students from the upper year levels who came down to join in the Prep fun. We are incredibly proud of our Preps for their hard work and creativity. A big thank you to all the families who were able to come along and participate in the Expo.

Year 1 – Cars, Posters, Mesopotamia…and More!

Wow! What an exciting few weeks we’ve had in Year 1! We’ve been hard at work designing and building our very own cars for our science project. We’ve carefully planned every little detail to make awesome vehicles that can be pushed and pulled. How cool is that?!

But that’s not all! We also made colorful posters to show off our amazing creations, and they look fantastic!

On top of our car-building adventure, we’ve been traveling way back in time to the ancient civilisation of Mesopotamia. We’ve learned so many interesting facts about life long, long ago. We even got to write our names in their special language—how fun! We’ve also been writing information reports to share all the cool things we’ve discovered this term.

All of this learning is helping us get ready for our big writing assessment at the end of the term. We’ve got this! 😊

Year 2 Students Dive Into fun and Engaging Science Experiments

This week, the Year 2 students engaged in two thrilling science experiments that seamlessly blended fun with learning. These activities allowed the students to demonstrate their mathematical skills and deepen their understanding of their IDL (Interdisciplinary Learning) concepts.

Experiment 1: The Flight of Paper

In the first experiment, students explored how different actions on materials affect their function. They used pieces of paper and experimented with bending, twisting, stretching, and breaking them into smaller pieces. The goal was to see how these actions influenced the distance the paper could travel and how long it could float in the air.

Students were thrilled to see the results of their manipulations. They discovered that a piece of paper, when bent into a certain shape, could glide further and stay airborne longer. Twisting and stretching the paper produced different flight patterns, while breaking it into smaller pieces showed how fragmentation affects flight dynamics. This hands-on activity not only sparked curiosity but also helped students understand the principles of aerodynamics and material properties.

Splashes of Joy: Diving Into Swimming Lessons

As we head towards the end of Term 3, our Year 3 students have kept up the pace as they embarked on their swimming lessons. The poolside is abuzz with excitement and laughter and each stroke they learn is not just a swimming technique; it’s a stroke of independence, a splash of confidence. Our young swimmers are learning valuable life skills, especially as we live so close to the water.

The joy of sharing this new experience with classmates is evident. Cheering each other on, they are learning the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. Parents, you’ll be delighted to see your children’s beaming faces as they tell you about their day in the pool. They’re developing belief in themselves, making waves in the water, and making waves in their personal development. For our Year 3 students, learning to swim is an immersive and joyful adventure.

Where Does Our Water Come From?

After an exciting exploration of the world’s oceans, our Year 4 students have turned their attention to a very important question: Where does our water come from?

Students have begun learning about the water cycle and were amazed to discover that the water on our planet has been cycling through this process for millions of years. Imagine drinking the same water that dinosaurs once did!

As part of their studies, students have been exploring the water catchment areas of Victoria and the significance of the Barwon River in our daily lives. They learned that the Barwon River starts its journey in the Great Otway National Park.

Working both in pairs and individually, students faced the challenge of recreating the Otways in Minecraft. This project not only introduced them to new skills but also allowed them to include signs in their builds to share their knowledge about the water cycle and the river’s pathway.

R U OK? Day at Surf Coast

In recognition of R U OK? Day, our Year 6 students have been focusing on developing the skills to engage in meaningful conversations and support those around them. Through interactive lessons, they’ve learnt how to identify changes in body language and behaviour that might indicate someone is struggling and in need of support.

The students discussed how having regular, open conversations helps build trust with friends, family, and classmates. By normalising these discussions, they ensure that when someone is feeling overwhelmed, they know there is always a safe space to talk.

One key focus has been learning how to listen actively, respond with care, and follow steps to provide support if someone says they are not OK. The students discovered that by showing they care enough to ask and listen, they are helping create a supportive environment for their peers, one that could make a big difference long before any crisis emerges.

R U OK? Day has provided an important lesson on empathy and awareness, encouraging students to look out for one another and be that help-giver who makes a difference. Their understanding of meaningful conversations and body language awareness is helping to build a stronger, more connected school community.

Deakin District Basketball Championships

On Thursday September 5, Surf Coast Campus had their first students represent the Campus at the Deakin District Basketball Championships. We had six students join students from Bellarine Campus to compete against other schools in the district.

Oliver Wheelahan, Jack Byrne and Harry Hilbert played on the boys team with Ivy Gittings, Georgia Kelly and Darcee Dunoon playing with the Bellarine girls.

Each team played five games with both boys and girls teams each team having a win against Grovedale West and the boys against Kardinia too. Both teams were coming up against students who have played for many years and who also play representative basketball, so the competition was tough.

It was great to see how well all of our students played together, with some playing competition for the first time.

John Joins CCG’s Best at Division Level

On Tuesday this week, John Bechis represented Christian College at the Geelong North Division Athletics Championships at Goldsworthy Reserve. He participated in high jump and long jump events after finishing in the top two at the Deakin District Athletics meet on August 29.

John enjoyed the opportunity competing against various schools around Geelong, finishing third in the long jump event. He was also joined by students from three other Christian College campuses. Well done John!

Discount on 2025 Fees

The College is offering families who elect to pre-pay next year’s tuition fees in full by Friday 20 September 2024, a discount of approximately 4.0% on 2025 Year Level Tuition Fees.  

If you would like more details, please contact the Fee Department via email: fees@ccg.vic.edu.au Our team will happily explain the details and arrange a quotation for you.

(Please note, our prepaid fee discount option is not available on certain Scholarships)

Spring Into Strings!

Last night, the Junior String ensembles from Bellarine, Surf Coast and Junior School campuses gathered together at the RW Gibson Centre to celebrate the beginning of Spring with our annual performance event-'Spring into Strings'. 

The evening was an excellent showcase of the String playing taking place in our Junior Schools, and a wonderful opportunity for the ensembles to perform for each other and their families. Each of the campus ensembles performed individually before combining to form a massed String Ensemble which presented two pieces for their captive audience.

There were many excited and nervous young musicians at the start of the night, but it was amazing to see these young people focus and perform with such aplomb, especially as the combined items had not been rehearsed together since our Junior String Day which was held back  in June – well done to all! The sound that these students produced belied the fact that they have only been playing a few short years. 

Thanks to our accompanists Tammy Treloar and Stephanie Lawrence, as well as the string teaching staff- Cecilia Bell, Catie Martin and Miriam Bell

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 5 –10

A Day Camp for Music Students aged 10 – 21 years

Christian College Geelong is proud to once again be hosting the Geelong Summer Music Camp at the Senior Campus in January 2025. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2025 Camp, with early bird discounts available until October 11.

If you have a budding band, choir or strings musician in your house, or are involved in a school or community music program, please encourage students aged 10 – 21 years to consider attending.

Please help us to promote the camp,  which is run by a volunteer committee who are passionate about providing a wonderful experience for student musicians from the Geelong community and beyond – it’s a Geelong institution with this next camp being the 44th!

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!