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 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 – 2.30pm in the Stadium
Thursday December 5 – Celebration Evening Rehearsals – EdSmart sent
Thursday December 5 – Celebration Evening – 7pm commencement at Costa Hall
Friday December 6 – Christmas Service – All Welcome
Friday December 6 – Final Day for Students – finish 2.30pm
Prep Students’ First Year: A Journey of Growth and Joy
As we approach the end of the school year, it’s incredible to reflect on how quickly time has flown by. Our Prep students are almost at the finish line of their very first year of school, and what a year it has been!
From the first day of school jitters to the confident, smiling faces we see today, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. Our Preps have grown in so many ways – not just in height, but in heart and mind as well. They’ve made new friends, learned new skills, and discovered the joy of learning.
One of the highlights of the penultimate week of the school year has been the creation of the Preps’ special time capsules. Each student carefully placed their hopes and aspirations, along with a gorgeous handprint, into these capsules. These precious memories will be kept under lock and key until the students are in Year 9 in 2033. We can’t wait to see how much our Preps will have grown and transformed by then!
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on our magnificent Prep students and everything they have achieved. We say it all the time, but gosh, we are so proud of them. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and resilience have been truly inspiring.
Nereda Welsh
Caitlin Maher
Year 1
This week, our Year 1 students were delighted to discover that the Elf on the Shelf had arrived in our classrooms!
The elves brought a wave of excitement, with each student eager to find out where they had hidden overnight. To keep track of their mischievous movements, the students have been using their Elf Diaries to record their observations. Each day, we will be writing about the elves’ latest antics and try to predict where they might appear next. This week’s focus has been on careful observation and developing their skills, as the children describe the elves’ activities in detail. The joy of the elves’ surprise visits has sparked imaginations and encouraged us to think creatively about what the elves might do. It’s been a magical week, full of laughter and learning, and we are excited to continue following the elves’ journey in the last week ahead.
Nick Hogan
Sarah Minge
Year 2s Exploring Shadows
The year 2s embarked on a fascinating science experiment to explore how their shadows change throughout the day. Armed with chalk and curiosity, they traced their shadows at three different times: 10am, midday, and the end of the school day.
Morning Shadows: As the students stepped outside in the early morning, they noticed their shadows were long and stretched out. The sun, still low in the sky, cast shadows that extended far from their feet. The students eagerly traced these elongated shapes, noting how the angle of the sun affected the length and direction of their shadows.
Midday Shadows: By midday, the sun was high overhead, and the students observed a dramatic change. Their shadows had shrunk significantly, becoming much shorter and more compact. This was a clear demonstration of how the sun’s position directly above them resulted in shorter shadows. The students traced these smaller shadows.
Afternoon Shadows: At the end of the school day, the students returned to their experiment. The sun was now lower in the sky, like the morning, but on the opposite side. Their shadows had grown longer again, stretching out in the opposite direction from the morning. The students traced these final shadows, completing their day-long investigation.
Through this hands-on experiment, the students learned about the relationship between the sun’s position and the length and direction of shadows. It was not only for the students to get creative with their shadow shapes, but they discovered that shadows are longest when the sun is low in the sky and shortest when it is directly overhead. Well done year 2s!
Sharon Sutton
Emma Workman
Sowing the Seeds for Sustainability
This week, our There is No Planet B unit reached its exciting culmination as students engaged in a hands-on activity to create their very own ‘seed tape.’ Guided by the wonderful Mrs Rice, students learned about sustainable living and the small yet meaningful steps we can all take to care for our planet.
Using simple materials from home—flour, water, and toilet paper—students crafted seed tapes embedded with everlasting daisy seeds. This activity not only sparked creativity but also reinforced the unit’s core message: that we all share a responsibility to live sustainably and make changes in our daily lives to protect our environment.
The seed tapes will be sent home this week, ready for planting. We hope this marks the beginning of many budding green thumbs among our students and that their everlasting daisies will serve as a beautiful reminder of the importance of caring for our Earth.
Kate Rice
Anna Daley
Gold Fever!
The Year 5 students joined their Bellarine campus friends on camp last week, travelling to Ballarat to stay at Sovereign Hill. The camp started with a stop off at our very own Back Creek Farm in Scotsburn. Here the students were given a fantastic tour by the Year 9 Bellarine boys who are in residence at the moment. This visit gives the students the chance to see what is waiting for them when they get the chance to stay at the Farm in Year 9.
From there it was off to experience life on the Gold Fields of Ballarat in the 1850s and 60s. We went gold panning, and all students found gold in the creek. We explored underground mines and even dressed up to re-enact our very own Eureka Stockade.
The Sound and Light show “Aura” was a definite highlight for the students. This camp was a fantastic opportunity for the students to consolidate the learning we have been doing at school as well as build friendships and connections with peers, from both our campus and the Bellarine campus.
Claire Deretic
Transforming Classroom Practice
On Saturday, 23rd November, four Christian College educators had the privilege of attending the What Works Series Effective Maths Conference at St Roberts Catholic School in Newtown, Geelong. This event, which attracted over 130 educators—some traveling up to five hours to participate—highlighted the shared commitment within the teaching community to elevating mathematics instruction for every student, every day.
The calibre of presenters was nothing short of inspiring, featuring leading educators and researchers such as Reid Smith, James Dobson, Brendan Lee, David Morkunas, Dr. Nathaniel Swain PhD, and Bruno Reddy OBE. Each shared their expertise on topics that not only deepened our understanding of effective mathematics pedagogy but also provided actionable insights grounded in the latest research.
Central to the conference discussions was the Science of Learning, particularly how explicit, systematic, and sequential instruction forms the cornerstone of student success in mathematics. We explored the neurological underpinnings of how students learn, retain, and apply mathematical concepts. The emphasis on evidence-based practices aligned with cognitive science ensures that teaching strategies are not just impactful but also enduring in fostering students’ long-term mathematical proficiency.
One of the most compelling takeaways was the importance of developing a rigorous, coherent curriculum that scaffolds learning in a way that builds conceptual understanding and procedural fluency simultaneously. By leveraging data-informed practices, educators can identify gaps, measure progress, and refine instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners.
The conference also underscored the importance of utilising high-quality, research-backed resources to drive equitable outcomes for all students. Presenters shared data that demonstrated how deliberate and intentional teaching methods significantly outperform less structured approaches, especially in supporting students who might otherwise struggle to achieve mastery in mathematics.
The mission of the What Works Series—to make a tangible difference in every classroom—is one that resonates deeply with our team at Christian College. Inspired by the insights and strategies shared, we are eager to bring this learning back to our colleagues and embed these principles into our teaching practice.
In reflecting on the conference, it is clear that the future of effective maths instruction lies in the synergy between research and practice. By embracing the science of learning and committing to systematic, evidence-based methodologies, we can empower our students to thrive in mathematics and beyond.
We extend our gratitude to the conference organisers and presenters for their dedication to the teaching profession and for providing such a rich opportunity to enhance our practice. Together, we are building a brighter, mathematically empowered future for all students.
Anna Daley
Treasure Island
The Drama Department is thrilled to announce the 2025 Middle Years Play: Treasure Island!
Join Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, and their scurvy crew for a thrilling high-seas adventure to discover the legendary treasure. Yo, ho, ho!
Dates: 23 – 25 May, 2025
Location: Bellarine Campus Auditorium
About the Play:
Treasure Island tells the story of twelve-year-old Jim Hawkins as he embarks on a daring sea journey to find buried treasure that once belonged to the ruthless Captain Flint. Jim and his friends must outwit Flint’s old crew, test their loyalty, and discover the true value of friendship.
Join the Crew!
We are currently seeking cast from the Middle Years to join our 2025 adventure.
We are on the lookout for a dynamic cast of buccaneers who will have strong facial expressions, bring large physical actions and high energy to our adventure.
Online Auditions:
Friday 22 November - Friday 6 December
(Click on the link for more information)
Who can Audition?
Students currently in Years 4 to 8 are invited to audition for roles, including large speaking parts, minor speaking parts, and the ensemble (some minor talking and movement on stage).
Any 2025 senior school students interested in backstage or technical roles can register their interest by sending an email to Ms Broad or Ms Clifford. These roles will be allocated at the start of the new school year.
Rehearsals:
will be held at each of our middle school campuses on weekly rotations (subject to final casting) Monday or Tuesday afternoons from 3:45 - 5:15 pm and fortnightly on Sundays for all cast.
Cast Size:
Approximately 50 students plus additional crew and technical support roles.
Important Information for Families: Participating in the College play requires commitment. Students must attend all scheduled rehearsals to maintain their roles.
If you are interested or have questions, please join our Online Information Session on Thursday, 28 November from 6-7 pm.
Parents are invited to get involved! There are also opportunities for parents to support the play and make this an amazing community event.
Interested in joining this amazing adventure? Register to audition or learn more.
See You Soon, Me Hearties!
Taylah Broad, Co-Director
Kelly Clifford, Co-Director
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.
Aaron Cutter, Chaplain
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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