Every learner reaching their God-given potential
What's Inside
COMPASSION
“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”
Zechariah
7:9
Anotefromthe Principal
The sense of ‘déjà vu’ probably summarises where we find ourselves as we reach the half-way point of the year. We all hoped that COVID-19 was largely in our rearview mirror by this time, but unfortunately our optimism was dented by the realisation that a potential lockdown is never far away and that we have some way to go in this saga before it is truly behind us. The toll of repeated lockdowns upon our students and staff is very real as we struggle with the uncertainty of daily living. Not surprisingly, our Student Wellbeing Team are extremely busy supporting students who are finding times tough, and we are all grateful for their expertise and efforts in this area.
Despite being constrained by continuing COVID-19 restrictions, the College sought to provide as close-tonormal school experience for our students in Term 2. We were able to hold the College Athletics Carnival early in the term and (mostly) complete the Primary swimming program at the Swim and Survival Centre. Unfortunately, the senior Christian Studies retreat scheduled near the end of term was postponed, not because of COVID-19, but on account of storm damage to the camp venue in the Trentham area. I am pleased that we have secured an alternate date for the retreat, which is now scheduled to be held in early September.
During the first semester I have been very impressed by the leadership shown by our College Captains, supported by all students in the Year 12 cohort. They have demonstrated their leadership on several fronts, including mentoring some of our Year 10 students, organising and leading student prayer groups and providing leadership of the Student Senate. I meet with the College Captains on a weekly basis, which provides an opportunity for the communication and discussion of student concerns and ideas.
Term 3 will be a busy term, as we conduct several camps, excursions and incursions, some of which were held over from earlier dates due to COVID-19 restrictions. It is also the term when we begin the planning process for the following year, as our senior secondary students make their subject choices for the year ahead. As we prepare for the new term, I trust that staff and students will enjoy some down time during the Winter break. I pray that our whole community will know God’s blessing of peace, health and safety during the break and that we will start the new term refreshed and ready for what God has in store for our College.
Ken Nuridin Principal/CEO
SONG!!! Play that
Students in Year 7 and Year 8 have an exciting opportunity this year to learn an instrument in Performing Arts class. It will form the centrepiece of the music curriculum within this subject, and we are very pleased to be reinstating this program after it has been out of action for several years.
As this is the core component of our revitalised music curriculum, all students will need to bring their instruments home to practice. Most written work will be completed within class time, so the majority of students' homework will be to practice their instrument. This is a key advantage of our focus on instrumental learning, which allows for significantly improved student achievement, compared to only playing once per week in class.
Ballarat Christian College is supporting this program by covering the full cost of hire and normal servicing of instruments, as well as tuition, which will occur during Performing Arts class time. This significant investment by the College enables all students to take this opportunity.
All Year 7 students will learn a wind instrument or the violin, and all Year 8 students will learn the guitar. When the current Year 7 students progress to Year 8 in 2022, they will have the opportunity to learn guitar and/or to continue their 2021 instrument in private lessons.
Private music tutors
are available at BalCC within school hours during term.
To find out more, please contact the tutors directly.
Brian Hamilton - Piano, brass, theory 0437 718 012
Frank Francica - Guitar 0408 670 124
Daniel Gay - Drums 0402 701 419
Yvonne Holley - Violin 0416 026 871
Clive Meddings - Brass instruments 0409 333 890
Roger Schultz – Piano/Keyboard 0418 358 078
Who are you ?
Bianca Francica Head of Primary
Bianca Francica completed her Bachelor of Education at Christian Heritage College in Brisbane before moving to the Ballarat area with her family. She commenced working at the College in 2011 as a Casual Relief Teacher, eventually becoming the permanent homeroom teacher for Year 7. Over the next few years Mrs Francica taught mainly in the upper Primary school including composite Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 classes. Over the past few years Mrs Francica has taught mainly in lower Primary and has also taught Primary Music classes and run the Primary Choir, Primary Chapel band, and the SRC. She is currently Head of Primary as well as Prep and Lower Primary Music teacher and also team teaches Lower Primary A with Mrs Walter.
NewStaff Hub
Our new Staff Hub has opened and is a dedicated space for BalCC Staff to use for training, meetings and professional development. The space has been setup with conference facilities and a recycling station. The Staff Hub is a great space to have in addition to our Staff Room.
+Sugar Spice allthingsNice
As part of their study of wheat products the Year 9/10 Food Technology class have made Cornish pasties and apple and cinnamon turnovers. The class have also been looking at the harvesting of wheat.
The Year 6 students have continued on in Term 2 with Design Technology and Food Technology classes. The Food Tech students made savoury muffins, while the Design Tech students continued work on their noughts and crosses games.
Alumni
HIGH SCHOOL
Sweethearts
Congratulations to Class of 2017 graduates Brooke Letman and Isaac Baker on their recent engagement. Both Brooke and Isaac completed Year 12 at BalCC and were College Captains. Brooke went on to undertake a Bachelor of Veterinary and Wildlife Science at Federation University graduating in 2020. She is currently working in a Reception role at MC Physio. Isaac completed a one year internship at Enjoy Church and has also worked in roles including shed building and retail. Both are actively involved at Enjoy Church with Brooke taking part in singing and as a worship leader, and Isaac playing bass and guitar in the band, as well as being a band leader and helping lead ‘Empire Youth’.
We
wish them every happiness in their future together
ANZAC DAY 2021
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
SRC & SENATE
The BalCC College Captains and Primary SRC attended Anzac Day services in Ballarat and Sebastopol to honour those who have given their lives and service for the freedoms we enjoy today.
‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’
John 15:13 NIV
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
BalCC Year 11 student, Amy represented Girl Guides on Anzac Day as a member of the flag party for the Ballarat Dawn Service. Amy is a member of Ballarat Ranger Guides and she enjoys taking on added responsibilities, such as the dawn service, when they arise. It was a cool but beautiful morning for the dawn service. No one in the flag party was allowed to wear a jacket so Amy decided that if she felt cold, she would direct her thoughts to the suffering that the ANZACS endured far away from the comforts of home.
Athletics Carnival
Athletics Carnival
Age Champions 2021
Age Champions
Under 8 Female
Under 8 Male
Under 10 Female
Under 10 Male
Under 12 Female
Under 12 Male
Under 14 Female
Under 14 Male
Under 16 Female
Under 16 Male
Under 21 Female
Under 21 Male
Stella T Tim C
Shakira, L
Max T
Mayah T Heath L
Tilly P
Thomas L
Nyajima R
Bangoang J
Nyachang D
Leslie T
Bonjour
In LOTE the Year 3 students have been using puppets to speak to each other in French, saying things such as: Hello, My name is, How are you?, I am feeling well/unwell and saying the date. At the end of each LOTE lesson if a student has not used English they get to write their name on a card and Madame Weightman pulls out a name and the selected student gets to pick from the prize box.
Thank You
Education Support Staff
May 15 was Education Support Staff Day. To celebrate the day we held a morning tea to say thank you to our wonderful Education Support Staff for all the wonderful work they do at BalCC.
Staff Retreat
As part of their professional development training BalCC staff took part in a two day retreat at Narmbool estate in Elaine.
Over the two days staff took part in culture, vision and faith workshops based around the Christian Schools Australia’s, Flourish resources. Staff also took part in worship sessions, team challenges and enjoyed some free time around the estate going for walks and taking painting classes in the garden. The retreat was a great time of fellowship for staff and a wonderful way to commence Term 2. Thank you to the team at Narmbool for their hospitality.
Getting to know you
Ken Nuridin Principal
“My connection with the College goes back to 1993, when my eldest daughter commenced here in Year 1. I began teaching here 10 years later as the Year 5/6 teacher, then taught Prep/1 in 2005-6, followed by the Year 3/4 class in 2007. By this time the Primary school had merged with the Ballarat Christian College (Secondary) and I had taken on the role of Primary Coordinator, then Head of Primary (later Junior School) before becoming Principal in 2019. In later years I also taught throughout Secondary, including lower Secondary HASS and Year 12 History (Revolutions). This year I am teaching Year 11 Business Management in addition to my Principal role.”
Homework Club
Our after school Homework club ran again during Term 2 for Secondary and Year 6 students.
This is a service offered at no extra charge to parents. Homework Club offers Secondary and Year 6 students the chance to get some extra help or just get some homework done straight after school.
The program is run by Mr Preston, Mrs Kemp and Mrs Coventry and other teachers as they are available. The venue is the Science Lab (S1) from 3:30 until 4:30pm every Wednesday (during term) unless otherwise notified.
Attendance at this program is optional, but if your child would like to take advantage of Homework Club, even just on a casual basis, we would love to see there.
Please email bcc@balcc.vic.edu.au if you would like your child to attend our Homework program. Include in the email the Subject heading: Homework Club and in the message include your child’s name. You can also send us a text to the College mobile number to let us know that your child will be attending Homework Club. Please remember to include your child’s name and sender’s name. If you have any questions about Homework club, please ask your child’s Homeroom Teacher.
Storytime
me some Space!
On May 19 the Primary students took part in the National Simultaneous Storytime event, which is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6. This year’s book was ‘Give me some Space!' by Philip Bunting. Students listened to a reading of the book and took part in classroom activities around the book’s theme of space.
Prep-Yr12 Homeroom
Our Year 12 students came together with our Prep students for a combined Homeroom recently. The Preps were given a Year 12 buddy at the start of Term 1 and throughout the year they will spend time together getting to know each other. On the Year 12’s final day of school the Preps walk them into their graduation assembly. It is wonderful to see the friendships forming between the two year levels.
For further information, please contact our College Registrar on registrar@balcc.vic.edu.au
Please click on the above image to play our ‘Preparing for Prep’ video
Tying laces will take you places
Our Prep-Year 2 students have taken part in the Ascent Footwear shoelace tying program. The nine step program not only showed the students how to tie laces, but also helped build their confidence, independence and motor skills. The presenters demonstrated the steps before moving on to help students practice on their own shoelace pencil case before finishing with some games.
Ascent Footwear run the program in partnership with The Athlete’s Foot across Victorian schools. Thank you to Chris from Ascent Footwear and Paul from The Athlete’s Foot Ballarat for coming and sharing the program with our students.
Alumni News
Jack McGilligan
CLASS OF 2020
Class of 2020 graduate, Jack McGilligan has commenced volunteering in our Year 7 and 8 Performing Arts classes. Jack plays tenor saxophone for the Haddon Community Band and during his time at BalCC was involved in several bands and ensembles.
Jack is studying a Bachelor of Education Prep-Year 10 majoring in Maths and Science at Federation University. While sharing his knowledge of music with our students Jack is also gaining valuable teaching experience.
If you are interested in volunteering at BalCC, please contact the Administration Office for an information pack.
Let's go Camping
Our Year 9 students have enjoyed a five day camp at Portland Bay Lodge Campsite. While on camp the students studied different ecosystems, Indigenous land management and history, and different career opportunities. The camp was also an opportunity to prepare for another camp later in the year at Cape Bridgewater.
While on camp the Year 9s visited Mount Elephant, Tower Hill, Budj Bim, Cape Bridgewater, Mount Richmond, Discovery Bay Coastal Park and the Port of Portland. As well as campsite visits by Fisheries and Wildlife Officers and Deakin University and their boat, Yolla which is used for marine mapping. There were also supervised camp based activities, night activities, group discussions, and initiative games.
TERM DATES 2021
TERM 3 – Wed 14 July and finishes Fri 17 Sept 2021
TERM 4 – Mon 4 October and finishes Wed 8 Dec 2021
July
12 -16 Year 10 Structured Workplace Learning
September
2 Father’s Day stall
October
19 Year 12 Graduation Assembly
November
25 Christmas stall
December
2 Christmas@BalCC event
7 Celebration Evening
BalCC families for the full Ballarat Christian College calendar, please head to Parent Lounge
HOMEWORK CLUB
Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm (during term) Years 6-12
MUSTARD BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Wednesday Lunch 1 11:20-11:50am (during term) Years 6-12
Check out our last
Exploring NEVER STOP
During this term ‘The Fab Year 4s’ have been learning about Early European Sea and Land Explorers. They were very interested to learn about the different countries that were discovered by accident, and the food and animals that were taken back to the explorer’s homeland. As part of the unit, the Year 4 students were given the opportunity to construct a boat from recycled material - a milk carton, skewers, paper and cardboard. Students will have the opportunity to test their boat in the ‘wild waters’ of the creek.
Around BalCC Improvements
Over the Term 1 break improvements around the BalCC campus have continued. The Primary playground and garden area has been extended. The creek fencing has been upgraded and work has commenced on the construction of a new bridge. A chicken coop has been built in the creek garden area and preparation work has continued on the area for the two new cubbies in the Primary playground. The Primary Staff car park has been concreted and lighting upgrades around the campus have continued. Safety barriers have been added to the Multi-Purpose Centre entrance, the Warreen Street gates and the Primary drop off zone.
New Staff Profile Ashleigh Dalton
Welcome to our newest member of staff, Ashleigh Dalton, who was recently appointed to our Student Wellbeing Team. Mrs Dalton has extensive experience in the counselling field and is returning to employment after a break to raise her young family. Mrs Dalton commenced her part-time role at the start of Term 2 and will work alongside our College Chaplain, Pastor Steve Shaw to provide counselling and support to students.
BalCC Alumni
At Ballarat Christian College we are keen to be involved with our students beyond graduation and recognise that being part on an alumni community can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
Through our alumni community you can:
• Stay connected to the people with whom you studied and socialised.
• Contribute write ups and photos for our website News page about what you’ve been involved with since graduating from BalCC.
• Keep up to date on the happenings and developments at BalCC.
• Enquire about work experience placements at BalCC.
• Advise, help and inspire current students by providing career or study advice at BalCC Career and Study Skills days.
• Volunteer at the College.
To join our alumni community and get involved please connect with us on email with your preferred contact details to connect@balcc.vic.edu.au
To stay connected to happenings at BalCC head to: News
