From the Principal
The end of year has arrived rapidly, and this is an indication of how busy and full the final weeks of Term 4 have been. It has been such a relief, yet a great encouragement, to complete the full year and to see the return of the full depth and breadth of our College program throughout 2022.
Celebration Evenings and Special Occasions
Over the past few weeks, I have had the joy to attend numerous official events and special occasions that highlighted the culture, excitement and impact that Christian College continued to have on our own community and beyond. Our college truly is remarkable for the commitment and care that is provided to our students, staff, and families, and these occasions when we gather highlight what a special family this community is.
Graduation events where students and teachers spoke with genuine warmth to express the deep relationships that exist, is a testimony to the culture we enjoy. It is a privilege to shake the hands of the students at these occasions, and to see the sense of satisfaction in their eyes.
The end of year Celebration Evenings held in the Sports and Aquatic Centre at the Highton Campus provided the opportunity to gather as communities to share in celebrating the year with students, families and staff. The resounding success of each evening was a witness to the creative efforts of students and staff to provide nights that highlighted the learning, culture, endeavour and talents of our students. The central messages at each event provoked and reminded us of what it is to be human, part of God’s creation and importantly the love and peace that came to the world, God’s son, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
I am grateful to everyone that attended, participated or was involved in the planning and preparation of these wonderful evenings of celebration. I particularly commend Mr Andrew Dunlop and the major events team that worked so diligently, over long hours, to ensure that the physical spaces, staging, sound, lighting, technology and all other behind-the-scenes requirements were delivered to the highest of standards.
Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership – Teaching Excellence Program Graduation and Celebration
Last week the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of educators to undertake these studies. I congratulate Ms Angela Tutty, the Director of Humanities, for being selected and for completing this prestigious program.
The event was made very special having our Christian College students chosen to provide musical entertainment at the event in the Ballroom at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne.
Congratulations Ange and sincere thanks to the students that performed, and the music faculty staff that supported the event.
Staffing Announcements for 2023
It is my pleasure to share with you two significant leadership appointments for 2023.
Ms Mia Kafieris has accepted the position as Dean of Christian Culture and Ms Kim Doherty has been appointed in the newly created role as Director of Wellbeing. These appointments will continue to develop and support the desire we have to create a flourishing environment throughout our College. Mia and Kim have already made significant contributions to the development of the College Wellbeing Framework. They are highly qualified and experienced to lead in these important areas of our College. I am most grateful and delighted that Mia and Kim have accepted these roles.
Earlier this year our Vice Principal, Mr Scott Elliss, experienced some personal health challenges and in 2023 he will be taking leave to support and assist with his recovery. Scott is a much-loved member of our College family and a vital member of the leadership team. We wish him well as he takes this measure to enhance his recovery, and I ask that you join me in praying for full restoration and to see him return to us in 2024. God bless you, Scott.
In 2023 Mr. Rick Geall will undertake the role as Acting Vice Principal/Head of Senior School. The Senior School leadership team will be bolstered through the return of Mr Jason O’Loughlin from leave, as Deputy Head of Campus. He will work alongside Ms Dianne Martin and Mr Damian Stephenson to ensure our senior academic and pastoral programs continue to flourish in 2023.
The end of term comes with the opportunity to celebrate the careers of our colleagues that are retiring as well as thank those moving on to new horizons. I wish each of these staff members God’s richest blessings on the next chapter of life’s journey and thank them for their service to our community. These staff members are listed in our annual yearbook, the ‘Motivator’, that was distributed to students today. Thank you to Simon and Bridget in our Marketing and Publications team, for creating such a wonderful memento for our community to enjoy as they reflect on 2022.
Christmas Greetings
As the year concludes for students today, it ends a fortnight of celebrations, farewells, assemblies and speeches for me. It is a joy for me to serve our wonderful community and I am thankful to all those that I serve beside. We belong to a truly remarkable community.
The reason for having such a wonderful community should never be taken for granted and I want to remind us all as Christmas approaches, that our College is founded and underpinned by a faith in a loving God. A God that loves each of us unconditionally!
This Christmas, I pray that every person reading this message and each of the members of their family and friends, might truly know the love and peace that comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God Bless.
Glen McKeeman, Principal
Surf Coast Celebration Evening 2022
Our Surf Coast community enjoyed their very first Celebration Evening this week and it was such a wonderful time to share with our families and friends. During the evening we celebrated through song and dance all while sharing the message of God’s Wonderful Creation. We celebrated students through the giving of awards. A huge highlight was watching our Foundation Prep class graduate as they prepare to enter Year 5 next year as we begin the very first year of our Surf Coast Middle School. It was certainly time for cheering and celebration when Flynn House were the winners of this year’s House competition. Evenings such as this one a wonderful to spend together as a community.
Debbie Riddle, Campus Coordinator
Year 4 Inaugural Coastal Bike Ride
Last week our Year 4 students had an amazing day enjoying our first Coastal Bike Ride.
Students, staff and parent helpers met with excitement down at the Jan Juc SLSC. Final bike checks and adjustments were carried out and everyone geared up and mounted their bikes.
The peloton headed off through the sand dunes, across the boardwalk and up on to the Torquay back beach coastal bike path. Our first stop was at Elephant Park playground followed by morning tea down at ‘Fishos’. Back on our bikes again, we soon set off along the path down to the end of The Esplanade for a picnic lunch and kick of the footy in St Anne’s Reserve.
After replenishing our energy stores, it was time to head back along the path. During our rest break, Mrs Richardson managed to talk a way into spectating play at the World Volleyball Championship event, being held on the foreshore. The event staff were wonderful, allowing us to securely park our bikes and organising for us to sit in centre court to watch the women’s match between Australia and Japan. Although the volleyball action was amazing, it was the students watching themselves dance and cheer on the big screen that was the highlight.
It was soon time to leave the volleyball action and we headed off on our last stint back to the Surf Club to meet parents for pick up.
Staff and parents were so proud of the students’ efforts and abilities as they rode along safely while happily enjoying each other’s company, the great weather and our beautiful coastline.
Many thanks to Yvonne Walters and Lauren Mills for their support with our Bike Ed program this term and for joining us as a group helper on the Coastal Bike Ride. It was great having you both involved.
Also, a big thank you to Mr Andrew Richardson for driving our support vehicle and trailer as well as helping with logistics and transporting bikes.
Joanne Richardson
It’s CARNIVAL TIME
What a day the Surfcoast Campus students had on Tuesday for their annual Carnival Day. The sun was shining, everyone was smiling and there was definitely a feeling of fun and joy in the air.
The students spent the day taking part in a wide range of activities ranging from jumping castles and obstacle courses to holding frogs, owls and blue tongue lizards.
As we come to the end of another amazing year at the Surf Coast Campus it was beautiful to listen to the laughter around the whole school. It was a day filled with spending time with our school community and celebrating the relationships and friendships we have here.
The students got to hold snakes and crocodiles, ducks, baby goats and rabbits. They got to share in the simple pleasure of popcorn and fairy floss. While spending time with their friends and teachers celebrating being
This was another day that we were able to build the memories that our students will cherish forever.
Claire Deretic
Tabloid Sports Event
Last Friday in the beautiful sunshine, all SC students participated in our annual Tabloid Sports Event, with encouragement from the many spectating parents.
After some brief instructions, it was time to channel the excitement into activity.
Students dispersed into multi-age groups and headed off to the first of 10 activities, under the guidance of our teaching staff.
For the next 60 minutes, students kicked, dribbled, threw, caught, ran, climbed, dodged, balanced, jumped, bowled and socialised with peers in a display of colour, collaboration, friendship, laughter and most of all…fun!
It was fantastic to watch joyful faces embracing every activity within our beautiful environment that we are so blessed to have as our backdrop.
House points were awarded for participation, attitude, fair play and kindness. All students did a wonderful job of ‘filling their bucket’ with House points achieving the following results.
1st place Flynn 2750 points
2nd place Penman 2525 points
3rd place Taylor 2450 points
4th place Burrows 2225 points
Congratulations to all the Flynn House students and thank you to the parents who were able to join us. It was lovely to have you all on campus again.
Joanne Richardson
BROADCAST FROM Camp Australia OSHC
This year students will finish their academic studies on Friday the 9th of December. Camp Australia will continue to provide their program to students of CCG parent users until Thursday the 15th of December at the Junior School gym 39 Broughton Drive Belmont.
A MYTERN Thought for This Week
If you find yourself driving down a road with no others cars, don't panic.
Your journey is different. Try not to be tempted to turn back on to a freeway full of cars...especially if it doesn't feel right. Enjoy the solitude and take comfort in the fact that you are steering towards your own, unique destination 👍😊
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