What’s Happening at Surf Coast?
This is 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 4 2024
WEEK 7
Monday November 18 – Gymnastics Prep-4
Wednesday Nov 20 – Friday Nov 22 – Year 5 Camp
Thursday November 21 – Lunchtime Concert Selected Students
Friday November 22 – Assembly – All Welcome
WEEK 8
Monday November 25 – Gymnastics Prep-4
Wednesday November 27 – Year 1 Beach Session
Thursday November 28 – Prep Camp
Thursday November 28 – Sand & Surf Carnival
Friday November 29 – Back up Day Sand & Surf Carnival
WEEK 9
Monday December 2 – Gymnastics Prep-4
Tuesday December 3 – Activity Day Prep-4
Tuesday December 3 – Adventure Park Activity Day – Year 5 & 6
Wednesday December 4 – Year 4 Graduation – details tba
Thursday December 5 – Celebration Evening Rehearsals
Thursday December 5 – Celebration Evening
Friday December 6 – Christmas Service – All Welcome
Friday December 6 – Final Day for Students
Commemorating Remembrance Day in Prep
On November 11, our Prep classes paused to honour Remembrance Day, a significant occasion where we remember and pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed in wars and conflicts. This day provided a meaningful opportunity for our young students to learn about the importance of “remembrance” and the values it upholds.
We began by discussing what Remembrance Day is and why it is commemorated. The students learned that this day first existed to mark the end of World War I and now exists to honour all military personnel who have served in various conflicts, as well as during peace time. We also discussed the significance of wearing poppies and how the RSL raises funds for returned service men and women and their families.
In a touching gesture, the students wrote a special prayer to express their thoughts and feelings about Remembrance Day. This prayer was a beautiful way for them to connect personally with the significance of the day.
The notes of the Last Post, played by a very talented Christian College student, echoed through our classrooms and we observed a minute of silence to reflect on the bravery and sacrifices of the service men and women. This quiet moment allowed the students to show their respect and gratitude in a heartfelt way.
Lest we forget.
Year 1s Visit Scienceworks
Our Year 1 trip to Scienceworks was an incredible adventure filled with hands-on learning and discovery. The highlight was our visit to the Planetarium, where we were captivated by a movie featuring Tycho the Dog’s exciting journey to Mars. This film opened students’ eyes to the wonders of space and the possibilities technology offers for exploration. Throughout the day, students experienced firsthand how science and technology shape our daily lives and make incredible achievements possible. They explored exhibits on simple machines, our bodies, light and sound, and weather, which reinforced and expanded their classroom learning. Scienceworks allowed students to see how these concepts come to life in the world around them, building their curiosity and appreciation for scientific discovery. This trip was not only a chance to learn but also to dream about the possibilities that science can bring to our future.
Exciting Learning Adventures This Week!
With Christmas just around the corner, our Christian Education classes are diving into the heartwarming story of Jesus’ birth. This week, we are exploring the profound meaning behind one of Jesus’ many names: the Prince of Peace. Through stories and discussions, students will discover how this title reflects Jesus’ role in bringing tranquillity and harmony to the world.
Our English lessons are packed with fascinating topics and essential skills. We have embarked on an exciting journey back in time to the era of the Vikings. Students are captivated by the tales of these formidable explorers and warriors. Alongside this, we are honing our grammar skills by learning about reflexive pronouns and mastering the use of quotation marks in dialogue.
Maths lessons are all about exploring Statistics – Chance and Data. This week, delved into various methods of presenting data, making the world of numbers both fun and informative. Daily practice sessions ensure that our students continue to sharpen their maths skills across different areas.
Our interdisciplinary learning takes us into the intriguing realm of Earth Space Science. This week, we kick off a new unit by examining different soil types. Students will engage in scientific observations, learning to appreciate the diversity and importance of soil in our environment.
With only 3 weeks remaining the wheels are turning faster every day! Stay close by keeping your eye on The Vine.
Building Connections and Resilience
The Year 4 camp at Halls Gap was an incredible opportunity for our students to bond, develop resilience, and embrace new challenges. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Grampians, the camp provided a supportive environment for students to connect with each other and push beyond their comfort zones in a series of exciting and carefully planned activities.
One of the camp highlights was a three-hour hike that tested their endurance and rewarded their efforts with breathtaking views from the summit. For many students, reaching the top was a triumphant moment, inspiring a shared sense of accomplishment and wonder. As they tackled the trail, the students encouraged one another, building a spirit of teamwork that remained a constant theme throughout the camp.
From cooking damper over an open fire to handling dining room and kitchen duties, students embraced every aspect of camp life. It was heartening to see them go out of their way to help and support one another in these shared responsibilities. The team games and cooperative activities fostered collaboration, with students discovering each other’s strengths and learning to work together towards common goals.
Beyond the fun and adventure, camp experiences like this one help students develop resilience, confidence, and independence. For many, this was a time to make cherished memories and learn more about themselves and their peers. We are proud of how our Year 4s rose to the challenge, and we know they will carry the friendships, skills, and memories from Halls Gap for years to come.
Year 6 Gearing up for Market Day
The Year 6 class has been working hard preparing for their Market Day here at our Surf Coast campus. This will be the first time we have held a Market Day. Each year the students in Year 6 will plan, design and develop a market stall where they will serve other students as they come to the market to buy various items. This is a fantastic activity that is highly anticipated every year. The Year 6s have come up with some fabulous ideas and are looking forward to holding their own Market Day selling their wares to the students in years 4 and 5 in a couple of weeks. What an example of giving our students some real-life experience, planning, designing, making and selling their own items.
Visit From Oliver Dempsey Delights Students
Our Year 2 students were pleasantly surprised by an unexpected visit from Oliver Dempsey, the talented Australian rules footballer who plays for Geelong in the AFL.
Dempsey, who made his AFL debut in round 6 of the 2022 season against North Melbourne, has quickly risen to prominence. In 2023, he played five senior AFL games and kicked one goal. His impressive performance continued into 2024, where he received a nomination for the Rising Star Award in round 1 and was ultimately named the winner of the AFL Rising Star in August 2024.
The visit was a memorable experience for the students, who had the opportunity to ask questions and get autographs from the rising star. We feel incredibly blessed and thankful for this wonderful visit. Oliver Dempsey, you are a star, and you are welcome to visit anytime!
Gymnastics at Surf Coast
To finish off another wonderful term of P.E., students are undertaking a Gymnastics program as part of the Physical Education curriculum.
Students welcomed gymnastics coach, Kerry Woods from ‘Head Over Heels Gymnastics’. Kerry has been a part of our school’s gymnastics program for many years, and it is great to have her coaching skills and expertise with us at Surf Coast again.
With safety rules, warm-ups and explanations covered, students were soon flipping, rolling and jumping around numerous stations involving different apparatus and activities.
The activities involve use of various apparatus to develop gymnastic skills such as balance beam walks, for/backward rolls on foam wedges, star and tuck jumps on mini tramps as well as front supports, leaps, cartwheels, hand stands and arabesques.
Students in Years 3 & 4, are working on a choreographed floor routine, to perform as part of their assessment.
Students are looking forward to our remaining sessions working with either Kerry or myself to improve their gymnastics skills.
Transitions are Important Milestones
Transitions, whether moving to a new campus, year level, or simply a new space within our College are significant milestones in a student’s educational journey. While these changes often bring excitement and the promise of new opportunities, they can also trigger feelings of uncertainty and nervousness. Transitions are not just logistical shifts; they also involve emotional and psychological adjustments as students adapt to new environments, expectations, people and routines. Insights from Be You highlight that guiding students through transitions by focusing on preparation, connection, and individualised support can significantly enhance their sense of belonging, confidence, and readiness to learn.
Orientation Day, held last week across our College, was carefully designed with three key principles in mind; preparation, connection, and support. The day provided students with the opportunity to explore their new classrooms, meet their teachers, and connect with peers in anticipation of the 2025 school year ahead. While this was an important first step, supporting students through these changes is an ongoing process, and families play a crucial role in this journey.
By working in partnership with our families, we can continue to engage in meaningful ways to support students, ensuring they feel confident and ready as they navigate this period of change. Parents' insights into their child's interests, concerns, and experiences at school provide valuable context for our educators, helping to ensure that the College environment is responsive to each child or young person’s needs. When families actively participate in the transitions occurring in our learning community whether through meetings, surveys, attending information sessions or informal conversations they help our College to better understand the holistic needs of their child or young person.
Building strong, open, and trusting relationships between schools, families, and external communities is essential. This collaborative approach creates a supportive network that helps students to flourish. By fostering these partnerships, we work to ensure all students continue their educational journey with confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, offering additional assistance as needed to help them navigate challenges along the way.
A Rockin’ Showcase!
This week the Gibson Auditorium was transformed into a rhythmic wonderland as students from Junior, Middle and Senior Campuses took the stage for an unforgettable Drum Performance Night. The evening was a delightful mix of genres featuring everything from orchestral timpani work, classic popular songs, tricky funk tunes and plenty of rock music!
The attentive audience was very supportive of our young musicians, and many were tapping and singing along to some of their favourite hits. The energy of the drum night is something special as the nature of these types of performances brings about positively charged energy in the room.
Thank you to all of the performers and families, and don’t forget, you can still add some more drums to your Christmas list!
Baptist Camping Victoria - Holiday Camps
Over summer, and each school holidays, Baptist Camping Victoria (BCV) offers holiday camps for children aged between 8 and 18. These camps are held across Camp Wilkin and Burnside in Anglesea, and Mill Valley Ranch, in Tynong North. Each camp offers a unique holiday experience, in an environment that many of our College’s students may be familiar with from school camps during the term.
Camp Wilkin and Burnside host Family Camps over summer, with the opportunity to take the family away by the beach and create lasting memories using the BCV sites as a home base. See Family Camps - Baptist Camping.
At Mill Valley Ranch (MVR), alongside one Family Camp over the New Year period, children have an opportunity to be involved in Roundups. Roundups are age-group specific camps, tailored to provide opportunities to participate in horse riding, archery, mountain biking, swimming, and several other activities throughout the week.
Outside of attending as a camper, students over 15 years old have the opportunity to be involved as a volunteer leader. Leaders get to share their faith and grow their skills at Mill Valley Ranch, or at either Anglesea site. MVR also offers The Frontier for ages 14 and older, which is a leadership camp that runs at the same time as two Summer Roundups, this focuses specifically on developing the skills needed to be an effective volunteer leader.
If you are interested in learning more about each of the camps or volunteering opportunities available, head to this link: Baptist Camping. If you are keen to sign your student up for a camp, head to this link: EPIC - Baptist Camping. If your student might be interested in becoming a volunteer leader, you can find more information at either of the following links: Volunteer - Mill Valley Ranch - Baptist Camping or Volunteer – BCV – Angelsea - Baptist Camping.
I can personally testify to the value of these ministry camps available through BCV, and my experiences at Mill Valley Ranch developed many of the leadership skills I have today. I highly recommend investigating the opportunity to go on camp for your student, and I hope that the summer period is a wonderful time for you and your family.
CC Eagles Basketball Club – Players Wanted
Has your child shown an interest in playing basketball? The CC Eagles is needing more players to join our Prep-Year 2 teams, which play in Geelong on a Thursday night.
The teams are mixed and everyone is welcome to play.
If you have an interested player please contact Edwin at the CC Eagles on cceagles@ccg.vic.edu.au
















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