Surf Coast Term 3 Week 9

From the Executive Principal

What a wonderful way to finish this term. It was such joy to see our Surf Coast debaters retain their undefeated winning streak, talking to Year 8 students at Bellarine about their podcasting strategies or sitting on the carpet with Prep students as they learn to master phonics. I loved seeing our students connecting so beautifully with our friends from Finke and Alcoota, and hearing how music created lasting bonds for students at the Middle School Music Camp. And then, we finished the week with Talent Quest at Middle School and Wearable Art at Senior School. I continue to marvel at all the wonderful community-building traditions we have at Christian College Geelong, and there are more to look forward to in Term 4, including the induction of Jakara Anthony to our Sport Hall of Honour, our Annual Music Evening and the various campus Art Shows. Such a great community to be part of! 

I wish all of our families and friends a wonderful holiday break and look forward to seeing everyone back at school for the final term of the year on Tuesday October 7. 

What’s Happening at Surf Coast?

TERM 4, WEEK 1

Tuesday 7 October:  Students commence Term 4

Wednesday 8 October: Year 3 Excursion to Melbourne Aquarium

Wednesday 8 October: Middle School Choir excursion to Highton Middle School Campus

Thursday 9 October: Junior School Choir excursion to Highton Middle School Campus

Friday 10 October:  Prep Day Camp at Back Creek, Scotsburn & on Campus

Friday 10 October:  Term 4 Commencement Service – 9am – Surf Coast Stadium

Prep Science Expo – Living Things

Last week, as part of our campus wide Science Expo, our Prep students showcased their knowledge of living things. 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. 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.

Prep-Year 4 Swimming Intensive Program: A Splashing Success!

Over the past two weeks, our Prep to Year 4 students took part in a six-day swimming intensive program led by highly qualified instructors from Geelong Swimming Club Learn to Swim. The program focused on developing core swimming skills including freestyle, backstroke, and essential water safety techniques. It also laid the foundation for students to begin learning additional strokes in future sessions.

The growth in confidence and ability among our students was truly remarkable. Each child showed fantastic progress, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and determination in the pool.

Geelong Swimming Club Learn to Swim has recorded each child’s progress throughout the program. If you’re interested in continuing your child’s swimming journey, we encourage you to reach out to the club directly for more information.

A huge thank you to all staff who supported the program and helped make it such a success. And of course, thank you to our families for managing swim bags and supporting their children each day—your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Year 2 End of Term Wrap Up

The last two weeks of Term 3 have been a flurry of activity and excitement for our Year 2 students. From intensive swimming sessions to special school events, the students have had the opportunity to engage in many enriching experiences. Highlights included the wonderful Year 2T Strings Performance, the Science Expo, RUOK? Day and Footy Colours Day—just to name a few. These events not only brought energy and colour to our days but also gave students the chance to participate more broadly in school life.

Despite the busy schedule and changes to our usual routine, the students have remained focused and enthusiastic in the classroom. We concluded our English unit on Greek Myths, explored procedural writing, and wrapped up our science investigations into natural materials. In Christian Education, we reflected on the story of Moses, making connections to themes of leadership, courage, and trust. It has been impressive to see the students’ resilience and adaptability as they balanced both learning and fun-filled school events.

As we head into the holidays, we are proud of the way our Year 2 students have finished the term. They’ve worked hard, embraced new experiences, and continued to grow in both confidence and character. We wish all families a safe, restful, and refreshing Term 3 break. We look forward to seeing everyone back next term, ready for more learning adventures!

Year 4s Dive into Discovery: Melbourne Museum & IMAX Theatre Excursion

This week, our Year 4 students embarked on an unforgettable learning adventure to the Melbourne Museum and the IMAX theatre—an experience that brought science, nature, and wonder to life in a hands-on and highly engaging way.

Exploring Earth and Forests 

The day began at the Melbourne Museum, where students explored two captivating exhibits:

• Forest Gallery: A walk through this living ecosystem gave students a close-up look at native flora and fauna, sparking curiosity about biodiversity and conservation. It also laid the foundation for next term’s unit, There’s No Planet B, as students began thinking critically about the delicate balance of life on Earth and our role in protecting it.
• Dynamic Earth: This exhibit took students on a journey through the planet’s geological forces, from earthquakes to volcanoes, deepening their understanding of Earth’s natural systems.

Debating Teams Finish Undefeated!

Our debating teams have wrapped up the regular season in outstanding form, remaining undefeated across four rounds of competition! This included two prepared debates and two challenging cold debates, where students showed quick thinking and confidence under pressure.

A huge shout out to the following students for their commitment, teamwork, and growth throughout the season: Sasha Dart, Maddie Hollands, Luca Jones, James McDonald, Willow McVerry, Emily Szczepanik, Eitan Elkaslassy and Harry Hilbert. They’ve improved enormously in their ability to construct persuasive arguments, deliver with confidence, and think critically on the spot.

We are now finals bound, and the excitement is building!

A special mention must also go to our incredible Year 5 team including Lotte Goding, Primrose Baker, Savannah Reynolds and Harrison Shutie who bravely competed against Year 6 students and secured two impressive wins. Their efforts demonstrate just how strong the future of debating is at our College.

The future is bright for our debaters – we can’t wait to see what they achieve next!

Year 6 Immigration Museum Excursion

Last week, our Year 6 students headed into the city for an exciting excursion to the Immigration Museum. After catching the train into Southern Cross, we enjoyed a walk along Southbank, taking in the sights and sounds of Melbourne life.

The highlight of the day was a fantastic guided tour of the museum, where students explored the rich history of immigration in Australia. They gained a deeper understanding of the journeys, challenges, and contributions of people who have come to call Australia home.

Students also had the chance to experience a little slice of city life, walking through the streets of Melbourne and even spending a small amount of money in local stores – a memorable adventure for many!

This excursion was the perfect conclusion to our Humanities unit on immigration and refugees, bringing together everything we’ve learned in class with real-world experiences.

Year 7 Christian Education Students Shine at Watoto Choir Event

Last Friday, our two Year 7 Christian Education classes had the special opportunity to travel to Middle School Highton to attend a vibrant performance by the Ugandan-based Watoto Children’s Choir, currently touring Australia. The experience was uplifting and deeply inspiring for both students and staff.

Following the performance, our students took to the chapel stage to present a worship song in front of their Year 7 peers from all campuses. Under the guidance of Mrs Crole, Mr Davidson, and Mrs Lawrence, the students had rehearsed diligently in class and were well-prepared to share their voices in worship.

Their performance was heartfelt and impressive, with each class demonstrating courage, confidence, and a strong sense of accomplishment. A big congratulations to the students for their enthusiasm and to their teachers for embracing the opportunity whose leadership and encouragement truly shone through in the results.

Celebrating Our Students’ Success at the Tournament of Minds State Finals!

What an incredible achievement by our students who recently represented our school with excellence and enthusiasm at the Tournament of Minds – progressing through the Regional Finals and then competing at the State Finals held at La Trobe University, Bundoora on Sunday. Your dedication, creativity, and teamwork were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder.

A heartfelt thank you to all families who made the journey to Bundoora – your support means so much. Special thanks to Mr Trevaskis and Charles Kennedy (Lilly’s dad) for stepping up as Room Supervisors, and to all the parents and carers who helped with transport on the day.

Our teams have worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the competition, and their efforts have truly paid off.

From The Chaplain – Concluding Term 3

I hope everyone has had an opportunity to get some rest during the chaos that is the last two weeks of school!

We have been very busy here at Surf Coast, between swimming, R U OK? Day, debating, and preparations for Term 4, but I know I have personally valued immensely the number of opportunities to see our students flourish, as they always do.

These spring holidays are a great opportunity to rest and enjoy the sunshine that (hopefully!) will come as we move into spring. Spring is a reminder of new life, as flowers bloom, and the weather warms, and we start to see the brilliant colours of God’s creation all around us.

I hope these holidays are a wonderful time of rest and recovery for you and your family, and I look forward to seeing all our students back again for a jam-packed Term 4.

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Community Prayer Group

Our community prayer group runs on a Wednesday, from 3pm until pickup at 3:25pm, and all community members are welcome. If you join us, please ensure you sign in at reception (on the left-hand side of the main office).

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about prayer or our prayer groups.

TQ25: Courage and Community Take Centre Stage!

This year’s Annual Combined Middle Schools Talent Quest was an impressive celebration of courage, creativity, and community spirit. With over 700 students and guests representing four campuses (Middle School, Bellarine, Surf Coast and Junior School) cheering on performers from Years 4 to 9, the energy in the room was electric. We had four outstanding high-profile judges in Mrs Mandy Calderwood, Mr Jorge Viegas, Mr Andrew Bawden and our executive principal Dr Mathilda Joubert. They were delighted at the diversity and quality of the acts, along with the courage and willingness to share their light with such a large audience. 

The event wouldn't be possible without a huge team of supporting staff, getting amongst the magic for the goodness of celebrating our students. From backstage work, prop making and student auditions to our incredible Major Events team, it takes a lot to pull together. We would also like to thank our hosts and event organisers Taylah Broad, Simon Ashby and Sharon Huber. 

From divine singing and energetic dances to cello, guitar, and even magic acts, students stepped straight into the spotlight in this year's Quest.  The support from peers, families, and staff created a warm, inclusive atmosphere that truly showcased the strength of our school community.

Huge congratulations to every performer — your courage lit up the stage and brought us all together in celebration!

The Middle School Music Camp 

Making Music with Friends Across Year Levels and Campuses 

On Monday this week 110 students from Bellarine, Highton and Surf Coast Campuses, from Years 5 to 9 attended the Christian College Annual Middle Schools’ Music Camp. This 3-day camp is a unique opportunity for the student members of our College Bands, Strings and Choirs and is the foundational experience of the music program’s music camping and touring opportunities which extend up into the senior program. 

This camp is established as a long running tradition of the music program and has been held at Camp Wilkin in Anglesea for over 20 years. As a result of the exceptional work and guidance of the music staff at the camp, we have seen the development and growth of our Middle School musicians rise to new levels of ability each year through their participation.  

There were three main ensembles rehearsed at the camp, a combined Middle Schools String Orchestra, a combined Choir and a combined Concert Band, with some very busy musicians being members of more than one of these. It was a wonderful experience for the most senior students (Years 8 & 9) to lead their sections and mentor the younger students in these very large groups. As music educators we also acknowledge the inspiration provided to the younger students by the Year 8 & 9 musical leaders which undoubtedly provides motivation for growth which is significant and long lasting.  

‘Navigating the Social Media Ban’: Online Parent Forum

The national ban on social media use for children under 16 from December this year marks a major shift in the digital and social landscape, prompting important conversations about how we can support children and young people through this change.

This week, parents of students in Year 4 to Year 9 received an invitation via email to our upcoming online parent forum. Focused on ‘Navigating the Social Media Ban’, this forum is intended to inform, empower and support parents and will occur in Week 2 of next term on the evening of Monday, October 13th from 6pm.

For more detailed information about the event, parents of Year 4 to Year 9 students should refer to the email invitation they have received.

Parents are encouraged to RSVP for this online parent forum.

The 2025 Sport Hall of Honour Event

We are delighted to announce that our second Sport Hall of Honour event is on next month, where we will induct Olympic Gold Medallist and CCG alumnus, Jakara Anthony OAM. Jakara is the third inductee into the Hall of Honour, joining 2023 inductees Gary Ablett Junior and Teagan Phillip.

Since graduating from Christian College in 2016. Jakara has gone on to become an Australian freestyle skier and Olympic gold medallist. Jakara was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to sport as a gold medallist in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

Jakara is taking time out of her Olympic preparation training to come back to the College to receive this honour. In addition to celebrating Jakara’s journey, there will also be a number of current students who will receive awards including the following:

• Rising Eagle Award (students competing at a national level of their chosen sport).
• CCG Eagles Team of the Year
• Jakara Anthony Medal

Come along and hear about Jakara’s inspirational journey and what she plans to achieve next.

The date is October 20 and the evening runs from 6pm to 8pm at Rydges Geelong on the corner of Myers and Gheringhap Streets (enter via Myers St). If you’d like to join us, visit our webpage here, or access it via the hotlink on our homepage, for more information and to purchase tickets, which are priced at $35 per head. Light finger food will be provided and drinks can be purchased at the bar.

Come and join us for a very special event where we recognise the remarkable feats of one of our graduates, as well as current students who are also achieving great things in sport!

Geelong Summer Music Camp Jan 11 -16, 2026

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 2026. The GSMC committee are excited to have registrations now open for the January 2026 Camp.

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

The camp highlights:
The GSMC is a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive day camp. Students will play in a concert band, string orchestra, or sing in a choir throughout the week and then feature in a finale concert at Costa Hall.

Campers will also have the opportunity to choose an elective activity. The camp builds social time into its program where students are encouraged to connect with others, developing positive friendships and relationships with other campers and staff. Auditions at the start of the camp are designed as a time for the students to connect with the music tutors, but also allow the tutors to place students into the ensemble that best suits them, to set them up to have a rewarding week of growth and fun making music.

The Foundation Golf Day - Only 20 Places Left!

Calling golfers of all abilities! You are cordially invited to make a team and join us for a round of golf at the Christian College Foundation Golf Day on Friday October 17, 2025 at The Sands Torquay.  But be quick, only 20 spots remain! This event is proudly sponsored by AECS (Australian Environmental Cleaning Services).

It’s not only a great day to have fun and meet people, but also an important annual tournament to raise money for the Christian College Geelong Foundation that supports families in their greatest time of need by providing them with life-changing educational opportunities.

Set on a sleek and modern premium 18-hole championship golf course designed by Stuart Appleby, known for its challenging layout and coastal views, it’s characterised by undulating fairways, numerous bunkers, and a strong connection to its natural surroundings.

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 are plenty of prizes up for grabs, including a cash prize of $30,000. Score a Hole in One on a selected hole* and you can win.

You will also be treated to a delicious buffet lunch and learn more about the incredible work of the Christian College Foundation.

Academic Excellence Scholarships – Applications are Open!

Each year, Christian College offers a number of Academic Excellence Scholarships. These are open to both current Christian College students, and to students currently attending other schools. Please note, this year some key aspects of these scholarships have changed from previous years.

Scholarship applications are now invited from any student for entry at Years 5 to 11 – in 2026 or 2027. When applying, you will be asked to nominate which calendar year of entry to Christian College you are interested in.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship entry in 2026, applications are open to students currently in Years 4 through to 10.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship entry in 2027, applications are open to students currently in Years 3 through to 9.

Further details are available, and applications can be submitted, on our website. Click on the Scholarships hotlink on our homepage, or go directly to the page by clicking here.

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 16 October.

Scholarship testing will be conducted at Christian College Geelong on Saturday 25 October.

Join Our Growing Kinder Community at Butterfield House in 2026! 🌟

We are excited to announce that, due to high demand, we’ve added an extra 4-Year-Old Kinder group for 2026! 🙌

Even better – two of our groups now offer 19 hours of kinder across 3 full days each week, giving children plenty of time to learn, play, and nurture their curiosity in nature. 🌿

At Butterfield House, we pride ourselves on being an Exceeding rated service that fosters each child’s growth through a caring, play based program rich in nature play and discovery.

📞 Spaces are limited so please call 5264 6803 to find out more.

Your Cookbook of Family Favourites – Calling for Recipes  

Dear Christian College Families,

Our names are Elisha Williams and Willow McInnes, and we are the Middle School-Highton campus Community Building and Outreach Prefects.

We are thrilled to share that we are introducing the Christian College Geelong cookbook, which will be an important fundraiser for the Christian College Foundation. All the proceeds from the cookbook will be donated to the Eternity Fund. By supporting this initiative you will be enabling, empowering, and changing the lives of young people from families who are experiencing hardship.

This will be a hardcover book which will include recipes from families and members of the Christian College Geelong community and will be titled, ‘Our Family Favourites’. If you have a special family recipe that you would like to share, we would love for you to contribute to the book. We encourage our community to contribute one favourite recipe.